The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, April 20th, at Jefferson Early Childhood Center.
Students & Staff Recognition
The Board recognized a trio of D64 teachers who received a top honor from the Illinois State Board of Education. Natalie Briggs, Georgette Demarinis and Alex Teater earned a Those Who Excel Award. This honor is presented annually by ISBE to educators who have made a significant impact in
schools. ISBE received a record number of nominations and applications for 2023.
Below are the categories our winners were recognized in:
Early Career Educator Category (Teachers of 1-4 years)
- Natalie Briggs - Meritorious Service Award - Music at Carpenter, Emerson, Field and Franklin
Teacher Category
- Georgette Demarinis - Meritorious Service Award - Teacher at Jefferson Early Childhood Center
- Alex Teater - Special Recognition Award - Music Teacher at Emerson, Field and Franklin
Spotlight on Jefferson Early Childhood Center
Jefferson Early Childhood Center Principal Lisa Halverson gave the Board and community a look at the school and how it has transformed since its renovation. In addition to the facility upgrades, the school became known as Jefferson Early Childhood Center this year to make sure the community and future families understood that Jefferson is the home of our earliest learners in District 64.
Ms. Halverson highlighted some improvement projects: safety, functionality and aesthetics. You can view her presentation to the Board here.
“These building improvements help to support why we’re all here, which is educating our youngest learners,” said Ms. Halverson. “The Jefferson motto is to ‘play - learn - grow,’ and I share that with you this evening because a preschooler's job is to engage in play and their learning involves play.”
This was Ms. Halverson’s final presentation to the Board, as she is set to retire this summer.
The entire D64 Board wished Ms. Halverson a great retirement and thanked her for her service to the community. “It’s been our honor to have you here,” said Board member Larry Ryles.
“I remember dropping my daughter off there [at Jefferson]. I was crying because I didn’t want to let her go and she just said ‘bye, Mom’. You looked at me, and you said, ‘It’s okay. You know you’ve done a good job when they’re free and independent and ready to go,’” recalled Board Secretary Phyllis Lubinski to Ms. Halverson. “I’m so proud to be a part of this District and to have you and I wish you luck in your retirement.”
Update on Superintendent Search Process
Board Vice President Carol Sales gave an update on the superintendent search process.
The Board and the newly elected members met five times over the past two weeks to interview candidates.
BWP, the search firm running the search, received 24 applications and then narrowed that down to six candidates. The Board interviewed all six and then picked three candidates to move forward to the final round of interviews. Those three candidates were interviewed by the seven current Board members, along with the three newly elected Board members and administrators and principals.
“Last night, the 10 people reached a unanimous consensus on one individual,” said Sales. “There’s a commitment by the seven Board members to follow through with that consensus, and the contract is being reviewed by our attorneys.”
The Board is planning a special meeting on May 3rd to approve the new superintendent's contract.
Approval of Jefferson Early Childhood Center Principal
Motion approved
The District 64 Board of Education voted to hire Michele Barkley as the new principal at Jefferson, effective July 1st, 2023.
Since 2019, Ms. Barkley has served as the coordinator of early learning in Antioch School District 34. Prior to accepting that position, Barkley was the assistant principal for the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) in Grayslake. Additionally, Barkley previously worked as a special education teacher and then served as the director of student services in Winthrop Harbor District 1 for four years.
You can read more about Ms. Barkley on our website.
Approval of Washington School Assistant Principal
Motion approved
The District 64 Board of Education voted to hire Jennifer Adams as the new assistant principal at Washington, effective starting July 1st, 2023.
Before joining D64, Adams was an assistant principal in Lake Zurich School District 95, starting that role in 2019. Previously, she was at District 25 and was the district assessment coordinator for four years. Adams served as an elementary and middle school instructional math coach in the Deerfield School District 109 for 7 years. She began her career as a 2nd-grade teacher in District 109.
You can read more about Mrs. Adams on our website.
Approval of Chromebook Purchase for 1:1 Digital Learning Program for 2023-24
Motion approved
Each year the District plans and budgets to purchase devices for students based on refresh cycles to
support the 1:1 Digital Learning Program. With new technology and improvements being made on existing
models of devices, an ongoing review of the efficacy of devices is conducted each year.
Approval of Settlement and General Release
Motion approved
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding Regarding PREA Voluntary Retirement Incentive Plan Eligibility Requirements
Motion approved
Approval of Recommended Personnel Report
Motion approved
Consent Agenda
The Board separated this into two different items:
Bills, Payroll, & Benefits
Approval of Financial Update for the Period Ending February 28, 2023
Destruction of Audio Closed Recordings
The motion was approved.
Then the Board voted on the Second Reading & Approval of Policies from PRESS 110 except 4:165 and 6:60.
The motion was approved.