Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
Recognition
The Board of Education recognized six teams of students for their performance in the District 54 Fluid Power Challenge. This competition challenges junior high students to work in teams to design and build a mechanism using fluid power, encouraging students to use teamwork, problem-solving and engineering skills.
Mead Dragonslayers – Best Overall
- Sean Myagmar Ochir
- Jaival Akshay Trivedi
- Michael Brandon
- Riyad Khaiar
- Sponsor Brian Weber
Mead Sigma Boyz – Best Design
- Intaj Sheikh
- Ian Saldana
- Alex Panousopoulos
- Adhrit Singh
- Sponsor Brian Weber
Addams Ogre Kingdom – Best Machine Points
- Hamza Pathan
- Kevin Sabau
- Adam Puccini
- Sponsor Jessica Reinkingh
Frost H20 Pro – Best Portfolio
- Mrunmayi Kamble
- Hethakshi Kanapuram
- Sara Synowiec
- Sponsor Ryan Christopoulos
Eisenhower Odd One Out – Best Teamwork
- Krithik Prabhu
- Devesh Agarwal
- Ramin Achaparambil
- Hector Rangel
- Sponsor Amy Knapik
Eisenhower H20 – Honorable Mention for a perfect portfolio score
- Hamza Pasha
- Humayd Khan
- Andres Rodriguez
- Sponsor Amy Knapik
Staffing Plan
District 54 presented the School Board with a tentative staffing plan for the 2025-26 school year based on projected enrollment at this time of 14,875 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, about 300 students more than the current school year. The staffing plan is tentative because student numbers will continue to change as new students enroll in kindergarten and higher grade levels this spring and summer, while other students may move to another school in the district or out of the district.
In addition to the overall enrollment growing, the needs of our students continue to grow in complexity. To meet those needs, District 54 recommends adding 7 English language resource teachers and 2.5 special education teachers.
However, the staffing plan also calls for the elimination of 12 classroom sections at 12 schools due to lower numbers at those schools while adding 7 classroom sections at four schools where numbers are growing (including Lincoln Prairie which will have four new classrooms due to new construction).
The next steps in the staffing plan are to continue to monitor enrollment for next year and to focus on recruiting the next exceptional employees to serve our students.
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 solar energy projects, student enrollment numbers, candidate filing information, the superintendent’s contract and payment information, and email addresses of retiring certified staff.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda.
- Minutes of the open and closed-session special Board of Education meetings on January 29, 2025
- Resignations, leaves, termination, retirement and employment of personnel
- Checks dated January 10 and 24, 2025
- The treasurer’s report on cash and investments for December 2024
- The monthly update of revenues and expenditures for December 2024
- The purchase of three network video recorder systems
- The purchase of technology licensing and support
- The destruction of the verbatim records of the closed-session school board meeting on August 10, 2023, for which approved minutes already exist
Board President’s Report
Board President Jim Pye sang the praises of the students who participated in the Mead History Fair. The students prepped and planned for months, learning how to research, create presentations and defend their positions on the topic in history they selected.
President Pye also shared that hundreds of families attended the Open Enrollment Fair last month and even more submitted applications for their children to attend an open enrollment school for the 2025-26 school year. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Learn more at sd54.org/openenrollment.
DCAC Report
Board Member Barb Hengels shared that the District Citizen’s Advisory Committee learned more today about the new math curriculum that will be in effect starting with the 2025-26 school year.
ED-RED
Board Member Mary Kay Prusnick encouraged board members to attend the next ED-RED luncheon where they will honor the legislator of the year, who is state Rep. Fred Crespo from Hoffman Estates.
D54 Foundation Report
Board Member Bob Kaplan announced that the Foundation is planning for its annual golf outing on June 9.
PTA Report
Board President Pye read a statement from the Schaumburg Township Council of PTA’s President Colleen Carlson. Aldrin was chosen by National PTA to host a marquee event and was given a grant to cover the expenses. She invited everyone to attend the annual auction on March 14, noting that ticket orders are due Feb. 15. Proceeds from the auction benefit our high school scholarship program where we recognize former District 54 students as they begin college, and the elementary scholarship program where students can be awarded camp scholarships.
New Business
- The Board approved the minutes of the regular and closed-session Board of Education meetings on January 16, 2025.
- The Board awarded a five-year contract to First Student for student transportation, starting in 2025-26.
- The Board appointed Tricia Leong as the principal of Mead Junior High School for the 2025-26 school year.
- The Board appointed Seika Kobari as the Director of Multilingual Programs for the 2025-26 school year.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
