Committees
The District 97 Board of Education has established several standing committees that provide guidance and expertise on a variety of important issues that are critical to the success of our schools. These issues include, but are not limited to:
- Facilities and infrastructure
- Finances
- Legislation
- Community Engagement
These committees are comprised of board members, district staff and/or community members who volunteer their time, effort and energy to complete the tasks and fulfill the responsibilities assigned by the board. In some cases, these tasks and responsibilities are assigned by the board through the creation and approval of formal charges that guide the work of the committee.
At their discretion, the board and administration may form ad hoc committees to work on a particular issue for a defined period of time. Ad hoc committees created by the board receive their charge (purpose, responsibilities, composition, etc.) from the board. They operate in the same manner as a standing board committee, including reporting directly to the board.
Board members also serve on administrative committees (policy, benefits, calendar, etc.) and act as liaisons to a number of district and community groups (PTO Council, Oak Park Education Foundation, Collaboration for Early Childhood, PING!, etc.).
Below is additional information about some of the board-created committees.
Facilities Advisory Committee
The Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) provides the Board of Education and administration with ongoing expertise, oversight and guidance on the district’s facilities and infrastructure, master facilities plan, strategic plan, 10-year Life Safety Survey Report and proposed capital improvement projects. The committee’s input is based on several factors, including equity of investment among buildings, energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and accessibility. The committee also takes on additional activities as authorized by the board, and its actions are governed by the board’s policies.
Learn more about FAC >>
Finance Oversight and Review Committee
The Finance Oversight and Review Committee (FORC) provides the Board of Education and administration with ongoing expertise, oversight and guidance on the district’s fiscal operations. FORC also reviews the district’s financial performance, which includes activities such as monitoring budget projections in comparison to actual experience, examining rolling five-year projections, and reviewing and commenting on investments, budget development and the district’s annual audit. The committee takes on additional activities as authorized by the board, and its actions are governed by the board’s finance and investment policies.
Learn more about FORC >>
Committee for Legislative Action, Intervention and Monitoring
Through the work of the Committee for Legislative Action, Intervention and Monitoring (CLAIM), the Board of Education develops a legislative agenda to propose, support, or oppose, legislation impacting board priorities. CLAIM is charged with the following:
- Annually receive direction for a legislative agenda from the District 97 Board regarding school policy and finance issues at the state level, and, as the Board deems appropriate, at the county and/or federal level.?
- Strengthen connections and participation with lobbying groups, especially those with whom the district currently has formal relationships, such as ED-RED and IASB.
- Identify, partner and leverage organizations aligned with one or more items of the District’s legislative agenda.
- Generate informational materials to identify the impact of state, county, or federal legislative issues on District 97.
- Engage Oak Park’s legislative delegation to keep them informed of the ways current and proposed legislation, policies and practices impact District 97.
- Seek District 97 Board approval to amend the committee’s scope, procedures, practices, and guiding principles.
Committee for Community Engagement
The purpose of the CCE, which is scheduled to meet on a monthly basis during the school year and once during the summer, is to provide the board and administration with ongoing expertise, strategic counsel and guidance that will help increase community interest and engagement in the work of District 97, while also fostering collaborative partnerships with community members that will aid the continued growth of the district’s schools and success of its students.