Appointment of Secretary Pro Tem
With Board Secretary Debbie Schmidt absent, the Board appointed Nick Scipione as secretary pro tem for tonight’s meeting.
Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
Recognition
The School Board presented Ambassador for Excellence Awards to 20 students from seven schools who were selected to perform at the Illinois Music Educators Association Festival in November, as well as the teachers who supported them in achieving this recognition.
Addams Junior High
- Audrey Boehm – eighth grade, flute
- Mi’Asia Anderson – seventh grade, chorus
- Abbey Rogers – seventh grade, chorus
- Andre George – eighth grade, chorus
- Nyla Muhammad – eighth grade, chorus
- Ria Saravanan – eighth grade, chorus
- William Maeda – seventh grade, violin
- Lewis Hickman – seventh grade, violin
- James Mayer – eighth grade, cello
- Koryana Boyle – orchestra teacher
- Eric Caliendo – band teacher
- Nina Caliendo – chorus teacher
Dooley Elementary
- Mia Shimazu – sixth grade, violin
- Alec Sanders – sixth grade, violin
- Liam Hardison – sixth grade, cello
- Matthew Rutherford – orchestra teacher
Eisenhower Junior High
- Emily Bohl – seventh grade, euphonium
- Mark Boekenhauer – band teacher
Frost Junior High
- Junna Dettling – seventh grade, violin
- Mark Hamada – orchestra teacher
Hale Elementary
- Lyla Bodine – sixth grade, violin
- Lauren Robak – orchestra teacher
Lincoln Prairie School
- Jenna Ahrens – eighth grade, clarinet
- Sydnie Hamada – band teacher
Mead Junior High
- Isabella Corrales – eighth grade, violin
- David Yeo – seventh grade, clarinet
- Nayan Gupta – seventh grade, percussion
- Jennifer Green – band teacher
- Holly Kostopulos and Melissa Hickman – orchestra teachers
Consent Agenda: The School Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda.
- The minutes of the regular and closed-session School Board meetings on November 17, 2022
- Resignations, retirements, employment and salary adjustment of personnel
- Checks dated November 4 and 18, 2022
- The treasurer’s report on cash and investments for October 2022
- The monthly update of revenues and expenditures for November 2022
- The destruction of the verbatim records of the closed-session school board meetings held on May 20 and May 25, 2021; and on June 1 and June 8, 2021, for which approved minutes already exist
Report of the Board President
Board President Mary Kay Prusnick thanked all of the District 54 staff for their dedication to our students, the District 54 families for trusting the district with their most precious people and to the community for their support of the students and staff.
District Citizens’ Advisory Committee
Board Member Barbara Hengels shared that DCAC heard a report on the work of the Writing Task Force, as well as other updates from the administration.
District 54 Education Foundation Report
Board Member Bill Harper reported that the District 54 Foundation launched the Caring for Our Community Campaign on October 1 with a goal of raising $100,000 for its Crisis Fund in one year’s time. The total raised so far is $26,200. To donate to the Crisis Fund, please visit d54foundation.org/donate.
New Business
- The Board approved revisions to Board Policy 7:285 – Food Allergy Management Program, including renaming the policy Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response and Management Program.
- The Board approved the purchase of new Writing Materials as discussed within Discussion Memorandum #012-22/23 Writing Task Force Update.
- The Board appointed an additional representative from the community to serve on the District Citizens’ Advisory Committee for the 2022-2023 school year.
- The Board approved Nicholas & Associates to act as the construction manager to oversee the 2023 internal renovation work.
Announcements
- Collins School unveiled a vending machine filled with books, which the PTA will use for birthday books.
- The Board thanked Sherry Madej who has supported the board for many years, as this is her last meeting before retirement.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 7:26 p.m. to enter closed session for employment/appointment matters and school matters.
