A video from tonight’s meeting will be posted to the District 54 YouTube channel after it has finished processing.
recognition
Prior to the School Board meeting, the Board of Education recognized more than 150 students.
- Emrys Turner from Fox who received an Outstanding Student Technology Award from Infinitec North;
- Aarush Dheepak, Hirdey Deepak and Diya Kolasani who are advancing to the international First Lego League tournament;
- Malhar Patil, Ryan Villamar and Billy Calderon who took first, second and third place in the District 54 Geography Bee;
- The Mead students who qualified for the Illinois History Day competition;
- Teams of students from Campanelli, Hoover, Lincoln Prairie, Frost, Addams and Mead who placed in the Chain Reaction Competition;
- Five students from Mead and Frost who placed in the District 54 App Challenge;
- Teams from Frost and Mead who placed in the District 54 Junior High Math Competition;
- Seven Dooley students who placed in Japanese Language Speech Contests held at the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago; and
- The 20 students who advanced to the state level in Reflections, a PTA writing and fine arts competition, including four who advanced to the national competition.
Click here to see the full list of award winners.
Call to Order
The Board meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – curriculum renewal process
A guaranteed and viable curriculum is the most significant factor affecting student achievement, guaranteeing all students have access to the same rigorous content across all schools and teachers. In District 54, the curriculum is reviewed on a regular time period to ensure our materials are up-to-date and engaging for students, and also as an opportunity for program improvements.
The curriculum review cycle consists of five main components: program evaluation, curriculum adoption, implementation, progress monitoring, and ongoing reflection to refine and improve teaching and learning. Throughout the process, teachers are supported with ongoing professional development. District 54 has developed a long-term plan for curriculum renewals and adoptions, with no more than one major adoption each year to ensure fiscal responsibility. The next anticipated adoption would be the literacy curriculum in 2028.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – special education update
District 54’s continuum of programming is designed to meet the diverse needs of all our students. This includes services for our academically talented and profoundly gifted students, early childhood programming, self-contained special education programs at 16 schools (18 next year), therapeutic day school placements for students with complex needs and itinerant services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing and those with visual impairments. District 54 also has an Autism Resource Center that provides staff and family consultation as well as access to instructional materials
As of this past March, 13.5% of the study body is supported by our special education programming. We serve a total of 2,058 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 637 students with 504 plans across all 28 schools. Across these programs we have seen that student needs have continuously grown over the past six years, which has been addressed through corresponding increases in staffing allocations.
District 54 uses a Child Study Team composed of multidisciplinary professionals, including special education teachers, social workers and therapists, to coordinate support for students. This team works with families to provide services for our students in the least restrictive environment.
Freedom of Information Act Requests
District 54 received and replied to five Freedom of Information Act requests since the last report to the Board, related to contracts, Women’s History Month, employee contact information and purchase orders.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda.
- Minutes of the regular Board of Education meeting on March 19, 2026
- The resignation, leaves, termination, employment and retirement of personnel
- Checks dated March 6 and 20, 2026
- The treasurer’s report on cash and investments for February 2026
- The monthly update of revenues and expenditures for February 2026
- The 2026-2027 Consolidated District Grant Plan
- A contract for auditing services for the 2026 fiscal year
- A resolution requesting free transportation for students due to approved hazardous conditions for the 2026-2027 school year
- The purchase of technology licensing and support
- The renewal of a 3-year license with Health World Education
- The renewal of a 6-year license with Savvas myWorld for social science curriculum consumable workbooks and digital access
- The renewal of a 2-year contract with myPerspectives, the junior high literacy curriculum; and 1-year contracts with Learning Without Tears and Zaner Bloser for handwriting resources
President’s Report
Board President Nick Scipione thanked the PTA for all the events they host in the schools, especially this time of the year. He also thanked Aldrin for inviting him and other board members to its ASD Family Night this week for students with autism and their families.
District citizen’s advisory committee report
Board Member Bob Kaplan reported that DCAC heard a report on PBIS tiers of support and discussed the many activities coming up in District 54 this spring. He added that DCAC is always looking for new members.
Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Report
Board Vice President Debbie Schmidt and other board members attended the Advocacy Day in Springfield, which was designed to connect on the issues facing school districts in Illinois.
Foundation report
Board Member Bill Harper said the Foundation is hosting its golf outing on June 8. Sign up on the Foundation’s website.
-
New Business
- The Board had the first reading of changes to the following policies
- The Board approved revisions to Policy 2:150 – Board Committees.
- The Board approved a pharmacy consultant service agreement.
- The Board awarded a contract for the lease of iPads and keyboard cases.
- The Board approved the amended 2025-2026 Calendar with May 26 as the new last day of school due to the emergency weather day on Jan. 23.
- The Board approved meeting dates for the 2026-2027 school year.
- The Board approved the annual renewal of the MAP and AAPPL assessment software.
- The Board approved the purchase of a three-year license with IXL Learning, an online math program designed to reinforce skills.
- The Board approved a proclamation recognizing National Teacher Day on May 5, 2026.
Announcements
- The School Board shared how impressed they always are at the many activities happening across the district, specifically mentioning the Celebrate Reading & Writing events at Dooley and Armstrong, and the Early Learning Center Spring Fling.
- Board members also thanked the SEA and SEEO for inviting them to their annual general meeting this week, where they honored retiring staff members.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned to closed session at 8:04 p.m. for employment/appointment matters and student disciplinary cases.
