December Board of Education Notes

The monthly Board of Education Meeting was held on Monday, December 12 at the District 146 Administration Center.

The Board meeting began with the recognition of nine Central Middle School band students who were selected to participate in the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) Honor Band in November. Students are selected to participate in the Honor Band by submitting an audition, and are recognized as leading musicians throughout the south, southwest, and western suburbs of Chicago.

Band Director Mr. Jason Freeland and Assistant Director Mrs. Christina McBride introduced students Marni Hemminger, Rayan Jaber, Ashley Kanjo, Zach LaChonce, Elizabeth Lopez, DJ McCarthy, Joel Ricard, Elliot Ries, and Nyla Unde to the Board, who presented the students with certificates.

The Board of Education heard the following:

• The family of Dr. Josephine Demmond donated a copy of her children’s book, Darren the Different Dragon, to each school's media center. Vern Bettis, Director of Technology, said his mother-in-law was a professional actress, playwright, and author who also taught English, Gifted and Talented, and theater.
• The first session of the Adult Community English as a Second Language classes started on October 6 and runs through December 15. The second session begins on February 6 and runs through April 25. Participation is free to any residents living within District 146 boundaries.
• A Community Celebrations webpage was created to house resources that explain the many holidays celebrated by families in the District 146 community. These resources can be used at home by our families as well as in the classroom to help celebrate diversity. December’s celebrations include Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.
• Throughout November and December, the staff, students, and families in each school community have been busy organizing and collecting food, coats, and toys to support those in need. Items were donated to local nonprofits.
• Kindergarten registration will open on January 17, 2023. The screening is scheduled for April 26, 2023 at the Ad Center.
• Recently, a Professional Learning Community (PLC) Coach worked with the District's Administrators to prioritize needs, identify supports, and take existing practices to the next level. Wendy Wolgan, the Director of Curriculum, said the coach provided specific feedback to help our PLCs grow and will continue to work with staff throughout the District.
• Six rooftop HVAC units installed at CMS over the summer are all operating as designed without issues. The delivery of an additional chiller continues to be delayed. Bi-weekly project meetings are being held with Precision Controls in preparation for the HVAC projects scheduled for next summer at Fierke and Kruse.
• Jeff Charleston, Director of Business Services, explained the District is exploring the possibility of joining a cooperative for dental insurance.
• A community member spoke about the Progress Center for Independent Learning and how the organization can partner with the District to assist students with IEPs and 504s.
• Two Fulton parents addressed the Board about how their students benefited from intervention supports at the school and expressed their hopes that the services would continue after COVID-19 funding expires.
• Karen Lyons, the ESP Union President, shared her relief with the number of new paraprofessionals that have been recently hired. She also said that the generosity shown by families and staff across the District during various clothing, food, and toy drives has been wonderful.
• Kevin Bissell of Mueller & Co., LLP, presented an overview of the District 146 Annual Financial Report audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022.
• Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent, discussed policy changes proposed by the District's Policy and Governance Committee. The updates were suggested by the Policy Reference Education Subscription Service (PRESS). This is First Reading of the proposed changes with a Second Reading and vote on adoption scheduled for January.

The Board took the following action:

• Approved an overnight field trip for Central Middle School's 8th grade students to Washington, D.C.
• Approved a resolution ratifying proposed amendments to the Articles of Joint Agreement with the Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education (SWCCCASE).
• Approved a resolution authorizing the final aggregate tax levy for 2022.
• Approved a resolution authorizing the reduction of certain fund levies for the 2022 levy year. The County Clerk requests that districts wishing to specify how their tax extension be reduced, forward an appropriate resolution with their tax levy.

The Board met in closed session to discuss labor and personnel issues before adjourning.

The detailed minutes of the December meeting will be available on BoardDocs once approved by the Board of Education at the January Meeting. You can watch a recording of the meeting on the District's YouTube Channel.

The Board of Education will meet for their regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2023 at the Robert Procunier Administration Center, 6611 W. 171st Street, Tinley Park.

You can stream all of our monthly Board of Education meetings live on YouTube. Past meetings are also available to watch at the same link.

Board Meeting dates, agendas, and minutes are available here.

Minutes from the most recent meeting will be posted to BoardDocs after the Board of Education approves them at the following month's meeting.

Please complete the form below if you have any questions or comments about this month's Board of Education Meeting, or Board business.

• Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent
  
• Kelly Voliva, Director of Student Services
• Wendy Wolgan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
• Jeff Charleston, Director of Business Services/CSBO
  
• Vern Bettis, Director of Technology
• Matt Shanahan, Director of Buildings and Grounds
• Brooke Dundas, Coordinator of Bilingual Education
• Brianne Oliver, Special Education Coordinator
• Carey Radke, Curriculum Coordinator

Community Consolidated School District 146

Robert Procunier Administration Center

6611 W. 171st Street

Tinley Park, IL 60477

708.614.4500