The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, February 22nd, in the Hendee Rooms. The full Board report from the meeting can be found on our website.
The conversation around an updated Master Facilities Plan continued as District Admin brought to the Board drawings and documents for each of our schools. These plans represent the first attempt at looking at what it would take to have world-class facilities in every building.
Again, the plans presented to the Board are preliminary, and as we continue to gather data, the plans will undergo many changes. The plans cover every school and represent a big picture to encompass all of the wants and needs, but as we continue to have conversations and understand what we want to do, we will update and alter the plan.
- View the Master Facilities Plan Update Presentation
- View PRELIMINARY Design Plans for all D64 Schools 2/22/2024
The updated Master Facilities Plan at this high level has a lot of infrastructure work being done at all five elementary schools and both middle schools. These projects include replacing our aging HVAC systems, replacing ceilings with LED lighting, installing new carpet squares in classrooms where needed, painting classrooms, and adding modern, flexible seating and furniture. Also, a lot of work has to do with safety improvements. For instance, they include replacing classroom doors and door frames across the district, updating signage to include safety information, fixing ADA railings, adding fencing for staff and student safety, and ADA-accessible playgrounds with rubberized surfaces. Also, we proposed additions to Field and Franklin because both schools need more space. Franklin needs space to possibly be the home of a 3rd-5th grade Life Skills Program, and Field needs to address current spacing issues.
Below, you can see more in-depth snapshots of the proposed work:
- Emerson - Updated Plan Highlights
- Lincoln - Updated Phase II Highlights
- Elementary Interior Renovated Spaces (Classrooms)
- Elementary Interior Renovated Areas (Hallways/Other Spaces)
- Elementary Exterior Capital Improvements
“Okay, that is a ton of information. We just wanted to make sure that as the Board starts to make decisions, you have everything and we tried to be as thorough as we possibly could,” said Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins.
The administration will continue to refine the plan after this initial discussion at a special board meeting on Wednesday, March 6th, at 7 pm at Franklin Elementary School. This meeting’s sole focus will be the Master Facilities Plan with updated data.
Recommendation and Approval of Public Engagement Services Agreement with Beyond Your Base
- Motion Approved
- Beyond Your Base helps with the strategy and facilitates community engagement meetings surrounding ballot questions and referendums. This company has already worked with the Park Ridge Community, helping pass successful referendums for District 207 and the Park Ridge Park District.
Abating the Working Cash Fund of Community Consolidated School District Number 64, Cook County, Illinois
- Motion Approved
Discussion & Approval of Quest Food Management Services Contract Renewal
- Motion Approved
Recommendations & Approval of E-Rate Projects for 2024
- Motion Approved
Recommendation and Approval of Asbestos Abatement Bid
- Motion Approved
- As we prepare for phase one of the Lincoln Middle School construction project, we identified several classrooms that need asbestos abated. The work will be completed over Spring Break, and we are working with staff to help pack up the rooms, remove them, and then replace the contents so they are ready again for students.
- Kinsale Contracting Group Inc. was awarded the bid for $53,700.
Approval of Recommended Personnel Report
- Motion Approved
Consent Agenda
- Motion Approved
Approval of Board Committee Structure
- Motion Approved
Approval of Minutes
- Motion Approved
Spotlight on Washington Elementary School
- Washington Principal Angie Brito shared how the Wildcats foster Social and Emotional Learning at their school through community outreach and engagement. Four Washington 5th graders joined the presentation, and they shared what makes being part of their student council so important!
- “I think we make a difference in our community by helping others who need our support. We help feed the hungry with Uncle Pete’s Lunches and help families in need with our food and gift drives,” said one of the Washington 5th graders.
- “We’re really lucky to have a generous and warm, giving community at Washington,” said Brito. “It’s such a pleasure to be a part of that community and to instill in our students this appreciation for all that they have and see the importance and learn of the importance of giving to others.”
Park Ridge Community Fund Holiday Drive Recognition
- Lincoln Assistant Principal Tim Gleason and Roosevelt Principal Dr. Kevin Dwyer are the Co-Chairs for the annual Park Ridge Community Fund Drive. They shared the great news that we raised over $10,000 for social agencies in the area that provide vital services to those in need.
- “We're just really proud to be part of a fund that gives back to the local community that we work in,” said Gleason.
- The fund runs from November to January, and together teachers and staff who are currently employed with us and retired D64 staff contribute.
District Spelling Bee Recognition
- We had over 150 participants this year across the seven buildings for this year’s Spelling Bee. We were honored to have the top three join us at this month’s Board meeting!
- Sarah Kurian, a Field 5th grader, finished in first place, Emerson 7th grader John Hayashi came in second, and Roosevelt 4th grader Evangelene Apostol came in third.
- Sarah will now head to the North Cook Regional Spelling Bee on Wednesday, March 13.
- Learn more about the D64 Spelling Bee
Science Olympiad Recognition
- We got to celebrate another successful year of the Science Olympiad, as around 200 4th and 5th graders participated in the fun! All the events are about learning, adapting, changing designs, polishing tour skills, constructing, testing, and working with your peers. The top three finishers for each event (aerodynamics, egg drop, mystery box, rubber band catapult, and structures) joined us so we could honor them as well.
- Learn more about the 2024 D64 Science Olympiad