The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 21st, in the Hendee Rooms.
Spotlight on Carpenter Elementary School
Carpenter Elementary School Principal Brett Balduf and Assistant Principal Sean Degman showed us how there is Magic in the Journey. “Our discussion as a staff at the beginning of the year was on focusing, finding, and recognizing the positive that we’ve had in our journey throughout the school year,” said Balduf. The Cougars are excelling in many ways, and they brought the house down with a sketch that included some performances from their recent talent show. This video will be sure to make you laugh!
Student & Staff Appreciation
Our Battle of the Books participants joined us! Washington finished in first place this year, and Carpenter in second place. For more than 40 years, the Park Ridge Public Library has partnered with Park Ridge schools to offer fourth and fifth-grade students a chance to test their knowledge of books. Thank you to the teachers and parents who made this another successful year of Battle of the Books. Additionally, we’re so proud of ALL the students who participated in this fun tradition.
Additionally, we were thrilled to recognize and celebrate our staff and volunteers who were named Those Who Excel Award winners today by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Congratulations to this group for this great honor: Rebecca Navez - Emerson Teacher - Award of Special Recognition, Kelly L. Van Horn - Emerson Teacher - Award of Special Recognition, Dr. Joel T. Martin - Asst. Supt. for Human Resources - Award of Meritorious Service, Demelza, Steinfels - Parent & Volunteer - Award of Excellence, Janet Petrielli - Carpenter Office Associate - Award of Special Recognition, Maribeth Aimers - Carpenter Administrative Secretary - Award of Special Recognition.
Understanding Your Property Taxes
Ares G. Dalianis, an attorney at Franczek P.C., gave a presentation about the property taxes within District boundaries. You can view the presentation here. Dalianas walked the board through the tax appeals overview. He then explained the district’s property classifications. He also discussed the property tax exemptions in the district. A key point was that only four industrial properties are within the District 64 boundaries. “93.3% of the parcels in the district are residential, whether it’s somebody living in a condo, somebody living in a small house, somebody living in a large house. It’s pretty significant,” said Dalianis.
When discussing the business properties with District 64, Dr. Collins stated, “Some of these properties saw their taxes do down in the last assessment as we were looking them up…and the taxing burden gets transferred to the homeowners.”
Approval of Recommended Personnel Report
Motion Carries (I’ll do a separate section for Pat Conlin)
Superintendent Update
Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins gave an update with recommendations from our recent Community Task Force Meeting. We’re still in testing and planning mode, and a lot of things still need to be figured out, but here are the four recommendations from the committee.
- The size and composition of the proposal should be tested in its current form.
- The safety and infrastructure categories are clear and supported. We need to break out and clarify the items in the classroom modernization category (and rename).
- We need to make a better connection to academic and learning improvements and explain how this will positively impact students and our overall financial outlook.
- Make a history of district financial decisions and a plan for increasing future allowances on capital projects to ensure that taxpayers will only be sought after if necessary.
Approve Chromebook Purchasing Plan
Motion Carries
Each year, the District plans and budgets to purchase new devices for students, based on refresh
cycles, to support our 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. The District will purchase 1,100 of the Acer Spin 511 R756TN (8GB) from ITSavvy for $393,250.00 for grade 2 and grade 6 students for our 1:1 Digital Learning Program for 2024-25. This cost has already been budgeted accordingly in the FY25 Technology Department Budget.
Approval of PowerSchool Student Analytics & Insights Contract
Motion Carries
Approval of Relay Contract
Motion Carries
Board Authorizes 2024-2025 Staffing Plan
Motion Carries
Notice of Remedial Warning of a Teacher
Motion Carries
Consent Agenda
Motion Carries
Approval of Minutes
Motion Carries