A recording from tonight’s meeting will be posted to the District 54 YouTube channel once it has finished processing.
Call to Order
The Board meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
recognition
Prior to the meeting, the District 54 School Board recognized students on the District 54 Grizzlies Special Olympics team and students who won individual or team championships for the winter sports – wrestling, boys basketball and girls volleyball.
Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – Instructional technology update
The District 54 device replacement cycle calls for updates to the third and fourth grade devices during the 2026-2027 school year. Due to financial savings and instructional impact, District 54 will be purchasing iPads for these students instead of the Chromebooks used at these grade levels since the 1:1 initiative began in 2019.
District 54 is also exploring parental device management to help families allow and have control over the devices issued to students. While all devices have secure filters to keep students safe, families have expressed a desire for more management at home. This exploration will include piloting this program in select classrooms next year.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – multilingual supports
District 54 is home to a richly diverse community, with more than 100 languages spoken by families across our 28 schools. Annually, multilingual students are assessed for language proficiency by taking the WIDA ACCESS test. Currently, more than 3,300 students qualify for English language support. In addition to support during the school day, 650 students participated in the afterschool Targeted Assistance Program (TAP) between November and January, working on a variety of English reading, writing, speaking, and listening tasks.
District 54 also provides a variety of resources to the students’ families. Families who are new to the United States meet with a parent liaison to learn about community resources and transitioning to our schools. They are invited to attend the Multilingual Parent Advisory Council, which focuses on topics such as school involvement, English language support and social and emotional needs. In addition, the district provides English as a Second Language courses for families and hosts and annual Multicultural Event to highlight the diverse cultures in our community.
Through comprehensive language services, inclusive programming and robust special education supports, District 54 ensures that all students and families feel welcomed, valued and empowered. Annually, all District 54 staff receive cultural competency training. This integrated approach reinforces the District’s commitment to equity, access and lifelong learning for every member of its community.
Freedom of Information Act Requests
District 54 received and replied to three Freedom of Information Act requests since the last report to the Board, related to contracts, purchases, employee contact information and disciplinary proceedings at postsecondary institutions.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda.
- Minutes of the regular and closed-session Board of Education meetings on February 19, 2026
- Minutes of the special open and closed-session Board of Education meetings on March 12, 2026
- The resignation, employment and retirement of personnel
- The nonrenewal of some nontenured personnel
- Checks dated February 6 and 20, 2026
- The treasurer’s report on cash and investments for January 2026
- The monthly update of revenues and expenditures for January 2026
- The milk fee rates, facility usage and the before- and after-school child care facilities usage fee rates for 2026-2027
- Contracts for 2026 summer renovations and site improvements
- The purchase of technology licensing and support for Hapara and Classkick Pro
- The destruction of the verbatim record of the closed-session meeting on Sept. 12, 2024, for which approved minutes already exist
President’s Report
Board President Nick Scipione thanked his fellow board members for participating in the Board self-evaluation last week. He also thanked everyone who has been participating in focus groups related to the search for the next superintendent. Information about a community focus group will be shared after spring break. Nick also celebrated the students who participated in the District 54 Chain Reaction competition and the Eisenhower Jr. High play.
District citizen’s advisory committee report
Board Member Bob Kaplan reported that DCAC participated in a focus group as part of the search for the next superintendent.
Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Report
Board Vice President Debbie Schmidt announced that several District 54 board members were recognized by the association for the time and effort they devote to school board activities and the public education community. Mary Kay Prusnick and Bill Harper advanced from “established” to “distinguished.” Jim Pye and Nick Scipione obtained “established.”
Debbie also mentioned that four board members will be attending an Advocacy Day in Springfield next week and sharing the District 54 story with local representatives and senators.
Foundation report
Board Member Jim Pye said the Foundation visited the Eisenhower Food Pantry for its meeting this month and learned about the families served. The Foundation will be hosting its golf outing on June 8, parking fundraiser during Labor Day weekend, and Run to Read on Sept. 20 to raise funds for the food pantry and crisis fund. Trustee Mike Pakaski received a $10,000 grant from his company, Adobe, for the Foundation.
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New Business
- The Board approved revisions to the following policies:
- The Board approved the following new policies:
- The Board approved a $150 consumable materials fee for the 2026-2027 school year for all students to cover a portion of the cost of consumable supplies.
- The Board approved an athletic participation fee for the 2026-2027 school year for students participating in junior high sports to cover a portion of the costs of uniforms, transportation, officials, supplies and equipment and coach stipends. The fee would be $50 for one sport, $40 for a second sport and $30 if a child participated in a third sport that year.
- The Board approved the parent-paid transportation fees for the 2026-2027 school year for students living more than 1.49 miles from the school they attend who want busing. The fee would be $475 for one child, $600 for two children and $700 for three or more children if paid by July 15.
- The Board approved the 2026-2027 Staffing Plan as discussed at the February 19 Board meeting.
Announcements
Board members talked about the many amazing events in District 54 including the Chain Reaction Competition, the Addams Musical, the Eisenhower Play, the Addams Career Day, the Geography Bee, Hale’s recorder concert, Campanelli’s Read for the Record, the student art show at the Prairie Center for the Arts and the Junior High Math Competition.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
