Recognition
Prior to the School Board meeting, the Board of Education presented Ambassador for Excellence Awards to more than 100 students. Ambassador for Excellence Awards are presented to individuals who have received an award outside District 54 and by doing so brought recognition to themselves, their school and our district.
- Astrid Colindres Flores who received an Outstanding Student Technology Award from Infinitec North.
- The 17 Mead students who qualified for the Illinois History Day competition.
- Three Mead students who took first, second and third place in the District 54 Geography Bee.
- Teams of students from Collins, Hoover, Nerge, Frost and Mead who placed in the Chain Reaction Competition.
- Teams from Mead, Addams and Frost 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.
- Four students who advanced to the national level in Reflections, a PTA writing and fine arts competition, as well as 34 students who advanced to the state level.
Click here to see the full list of award winners.
Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
Freedom of Information Act Requests
District 54 received and replied to two Freedom of Information Act requests since the last report to the Board, related to the Lincoln Prairie renovations bid tabulation and legal invoices.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda.
- The minutes of the regular board meeting on March 14, 2024
- Resignations, leaves, retirements, employment and salary adjustments of personnel
- Checks dated March 22, 2024
- The monthly update of revenues and expenditures for March 2024
- The 2024-2025 Consolidated District Plan Grant
- Contracts for phase 1 of the Lincoln Prairie School renovation
- A contract with Waste Management for waste disposal and recycling at all District 54 locations through the 2026-2027 school year
- The purchase of four riding mowers
- A contract for the replacement of Eisenhower Junior High School’s track surface
- A 12-month contract for Fiber Optic Wide Area Network (WAN) Services to Comcast Business Communications
- A contract with CDW-Government and Sentinel Technologies for the purchase of technology equipment with licensing and support
- The purchase of a one-year license and support for Follett’s Destiny System
- A contract with Sound Inc. for the purchase of telecenter equipment
- A resolution requesting free transportation for students due to approved hazardous conditions for the 2024-2025 school year
- The amended 2023-24 school calendar establishing Monday, June 3, 2024 as the last day of school due to 3 emergency days being used
- The destruction of the verbatim records of the closed-session school board meetings held on September 15 and 20, 2022, for which approved minutes already exist
President’s Report
Board President Jim Pye congratulated all of the students who were recognized tonight and thanked all of the employees who are involved in offering these opportunities to students. He also complimented the district on using the eclipse as a learning opportunity at all district schools.
DCAC Report
Board Member Barbara Hengels reported that the District Citizens Advisory Committee heard a report today on staff recruitment.
D54 Foundation Report
Board Member Bill Harper shared that the Foundation has a Lou Malnati’s fundraiser on May 3 and its annual golf outing on June 10. Visit d54foundation.org to register or for more information.
PTA Report
PTA Council President Cheryl Gleason sent a report thanking individuals who supported the PTA Auction, congratulating the PTA Reflections winners and inviting the Board to the PTA Scholarship and Recognition dinner on May 8.
New Business
- The Board had the first reading of the following policies:
- 4:260 – Receipt of Cash at District Sites
- 5:390 – Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products or E-Cigarettes
- 5:400 – Care and Return of District Property by Employees
- 5:410 – Employee Benefits for Employee Groups Not Covered by Negotiated Agreements
- 7:370 – Student Absences and Homework
- 7:390 – Prohibition of Electronic Communication or Entertainment Devices and Cellular Telephones
- The Board approved an extension of the student transportation contract with First Student for school year 2024-2025.
- The Board approved the dates for Board of Education meetings for the 2024-25 school year.
- The Board approved the expenses for board members who attended 2024 Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) Conference.
- The Board approved the contract of employment for Assistant Superintendent Holly Schlicher for July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029.
- The Board approved the contracts of employment for Associate Superintendents Dr. Nicholas Myers and Dr. Erin Knoll; and Assistant Superintendents Dr. Colette Bell and Dr. Jillian Sagan for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029.
- The Board approved a proclamation recognizing Tuesday, May 7, 2024 as National Teacher Day.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 7:21 p.m. to enter closed session to discuss employment/appointment matters, student discipline, and school safety and security.
