Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
Recognition
The District 54 Board of Education presented Ambassador for Excellence Awards to the following individuals.
- Julie Collier, a Stevenson teacher who is a finalist for the 2024 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, and
- Three Mead students who tied for first place in the District 54 Coding App Challenge. They are Betselot Mussie, Sruthi Tanthullu Kumaresh and Atharva Gaikar.
Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Update
District 54 convened a Literacy Review Focus Group, consisting of 78 staff members from all grade levels and schools, to determine alignment of the district’s current literacy framework to the new Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan adopted in January 2024. More than 95% of participants felt the district’s current systems are fully aligned to the state literacy plan. However, the group also identified areas of continued improvement and professional development. An updated Literacy Curriculum Resource Guide will be shared during summer planning sessions.
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 purchasing records, the busing contract and the site improvements bid.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda.
- The minutes of the regular and closed-session board meeting on Feb. 21, 2024
- Resignations, terminations, retirements and employment of personnel
- A resolution authorizing notices of non-reemployment to specific non-tenured individuals
- The 2024-25 Staffing Plan
- Checks dated Feb. 23 and March 8, 2024
- The treasurer’s report on cash and investments for February 2024
- The monthly update of revenues and expenditures for February 2024
- A consumable materials fee of $0 for 2024-25
- The fees for milk, facility rental and parent-paid student transportation for 2023-2024
- Contracts for summer renovation projects and summer site improvements
- The purchase of literacy, math and world language instructional materials
- The purchase of supplemental digital texts
- The purchase of site licenses for the 2024-25 school year for FUSE, hands-on STEM-based learning
- The purchase of assessment software
- The purchase of technology equipment
- The addition of one safety hazard for school busing
- The release of closed-session meeting minutes for August 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12, 2023
- The destruction of the verbatim records of the closed-session school board meetings held on August 31 and Sept. 12, 2022, for which approved minutes already exist
DCAC Report
Board Member Barb Hengels reported that the District Citizens Advisory Committee heard a presentation on positive psychology and happiness month in District 54.
D54 Foundation Report
Board Member Bill Harper thanked everyone for supporting the Windy City Bulls and Mardi Gras events. The next major event is the annual golf outing on June 10. To sign up, visit d54foundation.org.
PTA Report
PTA Council President Cheryl Gleason reminded everyone that the PTA Auction will be held tomorrow night, with dinner starting at 6 p.m. She also thanked the Board and the administrators and staff in the audience for working with the PTA to make a difference in the lives of children.
New Business
- The Board approved the following policies:
- 4:270 – Disposal of District Property,
- 4:60 – Purchases and Contracts,
- 5:30 – Hiring Process and Criteria,
- 6:230(a) – Textbook, Instructional and Library Media Center Material Selection and Adoption and Use,
- 6:230(b) – Textbook, Instructional and Library Media Center Material Inspection or Reconsideration,
- 7:60(a) – Proof of Residence,
- 8:30 – Visitors to and Conduct on District Property and
- 8:40 – Spectator Conduct and Sportsmanship for Athletic and Extracurricular Events.
- The Board approved the superintendent’s contract through 2028.
- The Board appointed Lauren Rivera as principal of Stevenson Elementary School for the 2024-25 school year.
- The Board appointed Kristina Macnider as principal of Hale Elementary School for the 2024-25 school year.
- The Board appointed Bill Musselman as principal of Addams Junior High School for the 2024-25 school year.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
