The District 146 Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 8 at Fierke Education Center in Oak Forest.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Board recognized three students for their long-time participation in the District’s Math Challenge. Jessica Manijak, Maryam Natour, and Sofia Wisniewski received the Koepel Award at the Math Challenge Awards in February.
The Koepel Award is given to students who participate in the District’s Math Challenge each year they are eligible. Students are eligible from first through eighth grade and must pass preliminary test before being accepted as a Math Challenge participant.
During the meeting, the Board heard from Superintendent Dr. Jeff Stawick:
- The week before Spring Break, 60 eighth grade students, along with nine chaperones, traveled to Washington, D.C. Dr. Stawick thanked Monica Lloyd for putting the trip together, and everyone involved in making it a success, including CMS staff members Mike Norris, Robin Testa, Hayley Rife, Susan Downes, and Marc Lewis.
- Kindergarten Screening is scheduled for April 17 with 87 students currently scheduled. To take part in the screening, incoming kindergarten students must be registered prior to April 17.
- The Business Department received the Certificate of Excellence in financial reporting from the Association of School Board officials. Dr. Stawick congratulated the team on this recognition.
- Six days of work was completed on the roof at Central Middle School during Spring Break. This puts the summer roofing project ahead of schedule. Work will resume on June 5.
- The District is looking to start the process of a food service RFP in a joint effort with several other school districts. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has not approved the specifications, so the districts haven’t been able to move forward. If ISBE doesn’t approve the specifications in time, an emergency waiver may be required.
- The search for a new CMS principal has begun. Dr. Stawick met with CMS students, parents, and staff to develop a principal profile. He thanked those who participated in the meetings for their time.
The Board also heard the following:
- The ESP Union President invited the Board to the District’s Olympic event for special education and multi-needs students. The Olympics, which is a favorite event of students and staff, will be held on May 3.
- A calendar of Committee of the Whole and Regular Board Meetings for the 2024-2025 school year was presented. The Board will be asked to approve the calendar at the May meeting.
- The Board received a list of equipment to be declared as surplus. The Board must approve the list before the items are sold, donated, or disposed of. They will be asked to approve the list at the May meeting.
The Board took the following action at the meeting:
- Approved administrator contracts for Fiscal Year 2025.
- Approved salary increases for classified, non-union personnel for Fiscal Year 2025.
Before adjourning, the Board met in closed session to discuss personnel matters.
The minutes of the April meeting will be available on BoardDocs once approved by the Board of Education at the next meeting. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on the District's YouTube Channel.
