Board Brief - 04/09/2025

The District 15 Board of Education meeting was held on April 9, 2025. The full meeting agenda as well as the minutes from its March 12, 2025 Regular Board of Education meeting can be found on the Diligent Community website. A livestream of the meeting can be viewed on our Youtube channel.

At the April Board of Education meeting, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by a remarkable group of fifth-grade student leaders from Hunting Ridge Elementary School’s Hawk Crew. This dedicated group of students represents the very best of leadership, service, and school spirit at Hunting Ridge.

Led by club sponsor Ms. Amanda Ekx, the Hawk Crew meets regularly during their lunch and recess periods to actively support their school community. Their work includes organizing school-wide celebrations, producing engaging video announcements, leading community service projects, and assisting with daily responsibilities such as lunchroom and hallway support, office help, and kindergarten dismissal.

The Hawk Crew operates with four core values at its heart: Commitment, Responsibility, Hard Work, and Fun. As Principal Kate Arenberg shared during the meeting, these students “don’t just brainstorm ideas, they actively implement them,” making Hunting Ridge not only a place of learning, but one of warmth, pride, and belonging.

Students in attendance were: Matthew O., Kelly C., Cecilia G., Jillian B., Clara C., Alyssa F., Lilienne T., Nataya C., and Alivia S. Additional Hawk Crew members not in attendance were also recognized for their contributions.

The Board and audience gave the students a warm round of applause before joining them in the Pledge. Thank you to the Hawk Crew for demonstrating how student leadership can positively shape a school community—we’re so proud of you all!

At the April Board of Education meeting, Plum Grove Middle School Principal Faith Rivera presented three exceptional middle school students who were honored for their outstanding achievements in the arts through the Plum Grove PTSA Reflections competition, representing the Northwest Cook Region:

• Jaelyn P. advanced to the national level in the Visual Arts category for her powerful piece Breaking Free! Her work reflects extraordinary skill and vision and will now represent District 15 on the national stage.

• Iris L. received a State Honorable Mention for her artwork From Eleven Places in the World, a compelling visual story that captured judges’ attention through its perspective and creativity.

• Derek G. was also awarded a State Honorable Mention in film production for his piece Keep Going, which showcases perseverance, originality, and a clear artistic voice in the medium of film.

These students serve as role models, demonstrating the importance of creative expression, hard work, and artistic excellence. Their success also highlights the strength of District 15’s commitment to supporting arts education as an essential part of a well-rounded academic experience.

The Board had the opportunity to watch Derek’s short film and celebrate all three students for their accomplishments. Congratulations to Jaelyn, Iris, and Derek—you truly make us #ProudToBe15.

District 15 proudly recognized Leonel G. O., a 4th grade student at Virginia Lake Elementary School, for receiving the 2025 Outstanding Student Technology Award from Infinitec. This prestigious award honors students who demonstrate extraordinary progress and achievement through the use of technology—and Leonel exemplifies just that.

Leonel’s creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving skills have allowed him to use technology as a powerful learning tool, especially in his favorite subjects: math and science. Virginia Lake Principal Patti VanWinkle shared that technology has helped Leonel enhance peer discussions and deepen his understanding of complex concepts. His passion and innovation are inspiring not only to his classmates but also to his teachers and the entire Virginia Lake team.

Backed by the Infinitec mission of promoting Infinite Potential Through Technology, Leonel’s success is a shining example of how assistive and educational technology can empower students to unlock their full potential. He is a curious, motivated, and resilient learner who truly embodies the spirit of forward-thinking education.

With his full support team in attendance—including his classroom and resource teachers, program assistant, social worker, assistant principals, and assistive technology specialist—Leonel was celebrated at the April Board of Education meeting with pride and admiration.

Congratulations, Leonel—you are proof of the Limitless Possibilities that exist when passion meets innovation. We’re so proud of you!

It is with great pride that we recognize Catherine Lestina, a dedicated special education teacher at Carl Sandburg Middle School, as this month’s Above and Beyond honoree.

Catherine recently earned her National Board Certification in Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adult, a prestigious professional milestone that reflects her deep expertise and steadfast commitment to student success. National Board Certification is widely regarded as the gold standard in education and represents one of the most rigorous, peer-reviewed credentials a teacher can achieve.

To earn this recognition, educators must demonstrate excellence across multiple domains, including instructional design, differentiation, data use, and collaboration with families and colleagues. Catherine’s certification confirms her mastery of the Five Core Propositions of the National Board and her ability to elevate learning experiences for students with diverse needs.

Catherine joined District 15 in 2021 and has since become a trusted leader and advocate for students and families at Carl Sandburg. Her reflective practice, unwavering dedication, and pursuit of excellence exemplify what it means to go Above and Beyond. District 15 is proud to add Catherine to its growing community of National Board Certified Teachers. We are grateful for her leadership, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations on this extraordinary professional achievement.

Congratulations, Catherine—you truly make us #ProudToBe15.

It is with great pride that we recognize Ismael (Isma) Malagon, Head Custodian at Central Road Elementary, as this month’s Above and Beyond honoree.

Isma’s dedication, strong work ethic, and ever-positive attitude have had a profound impact on the entire Central Road community. Central Road Principal Mrs. Shostachuk shared that Isma's work extends far beyond maintaining a clean and functional building—he is a daily source of support, kindness, and proactive problem-solving for both staff and students.

In a building that serves Full-Day Kindergarten, Isma plays an especially important role in navigating the daily surprises that come with young learners. Whether addressing unexpected classroom messes or ensuring safety on snowy mornings by arriving early to clear sidewalks, Isma does so with care, pride, and an unwavering commitment to others.

He is also the friendly face who greets every staff member with a warm smile, responds to concerns without hesitation, and continually steps in to lend a helping hand. His willingness to pause his duties to connect with students or collaborate with staff is a true testament to his heart for service. Students admire and respect him so much that many choose to spend their reward time helping him with school tasks—speaking volumes about the kind of role model he is.

Thank you, Isma, for your remarkable contributions to Central Road and District 15. You exemplify what it means to go Above and Beyond, and we are truly #ProudToBe15 because of team members like you.

On April 1, 2025, District 15 voters selected four individuals to serve on the CCSD15 Board of Education. Based on the unofficial results, we are pleased to share that incumbents Lisa Szcupaj, Frank Annerino, and Jim Taylor have been re-elected, and we extend a heartfelt welcome to Eric Bachmann, who will be joining the Board as its newest member.

We are grateful to Board Member Elect Bachmann for his willingness to serve, and we look forward to the perspectives and contributions he will bring to our continued efforts to support students, staff, and families.

At the Monday, May 12, 2025, Board of Education reorganization meeting, the newly elected and re-elected members will be officially sworn in by the Honorable Judge Pamela Loza of the Cook County 12th Subcircuit Court. During that evening, we will also take a moment to recognize and sincerely thank Anthony Wang for his eight years of dedicated and thoughtful service to District 15. His commitment to students and valued work on behalf of our community have left a lasting impact, and we are deeply appreciative.

Thank you to all who made time to vote and engage in this important process. Your voice and support help us continue #Moving15Forward with a strong and student-centered Board.

As a way to connect and engage with D15, residents are invited to attend an informal, discussion-style meeting as a way to learn, connect and engage!

SAVE THE DATE for the last commUnity meeting of the school year:

• Walter R. Sundling Middle School - Monday, May 12, 2025 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Presented by:

• Dr. Shari Lazor, Associate Superintendent
• Diana McCluskey, Chief School Business Official

Dr. Shari Lazor and Mrs. Diana McCluskey, representing members of the larger Insurance Committee, led a presentation outlining the committee's recommendations relative to renewing its medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for the 2025–26 school year. As a self-insured district, D15 collects premiums that fund claim payments directly, which requires careful stewardship to maintain quality benefits while controlling rising costs of health insurance.

It was explained that, without any adjustments, the district would face a 20% increase in premiums—an unsustainable jump driven by increased claims, especially in high-cost categories like specialty prescriptions, increased premiums, and a rise in high-dollar claimants. To mitigate impact, the Insurance Committee—comprising staff, administrators, and union reps—collaborated with the district’s insurance consultants to explore solutions.

Several key changes were recommended:

• Implementing Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Blue Choice Options (BCO) for PPO plans, encouraging use of Tier 1 providers to access better discounts;

• Eliminating HMO Plan B, the least used and most expensive option, while retaining HMO Plans A and C; and

• Adjusting the mail-order pharmacy benefit, moving to a 2x co-pay for a 90-day supply (up from 1x), bringing it more in line with standard practices.

Together, these adjustments lower the required increase from 20% to 10.7% for medical premiums. Additionally, the committee recommended a 5% increase to dental premiums and no change to vision plan rates.

Mrs. McCluskey highlighted the urgency of addressing the deficit in the district’s insurance fund necessitating a transfer from the general fund to cover claims. The proposed plan changes, she noted, are a significant step toward rebalancing the fund responsibly.

The Insurance Committee was thanked for its continued commitment to protecting a high level of care for employees while limiting financial strain on both staff and the district. She extended appreciation to all committee members for their thoughtful, data-informed, and student- and staff-centered recommendations.

You can view the information in Diligent Community or watch the presentation on Youtube.

Presented by:

• Dr. Lori Lopez, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning & Assessment

• Tiffany Costa, Director of Teaching, Learning and Assessment

During the April Board of Education meeting, Dr. Lori Lopez and Director Tiffany Costa shared a detailed and engaging update on the district’s middle school math resource review process and recommendation. The presentation underscored the district’s commitment to high-quality, standards-aligned instruction that meets the diverse needs of students.

Dr. Lopez opened the report by framing curriculum review as an ongoing, collaborative effort that ensures instructional materials are current, relevant, and responsive to student data. She explained that while professional learning and resource reflection happen regularly, full resource adoption takes place every 5–7 years. The middle school math resource review began in fall 2023 with a focus on identifying a balanced, rigorous program that emphasizes both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency.

Ms. Costa introduced the committee’s unanimous recommendation to adopt Carnegie Learning’s Middle School Math Solution for grade-level and accelerated math courses. She shared that Carnegie’s blend of real-world inquiry, explicit skill instruction, built-in support for all learners, and robust digital tools—including MATHia and MathStream—make it well-suited for District 15’s student population. She noted that during the pilot, teachers observed strong student engagement and appreciated the structured support and routines.

The Teaching, Learning and Assessment team also outlined the evolving course sequence, designed to provide flexibility and appropriate pacing. Notably, students needing additional time to solidify foundational skills can now opt into full-year math courses before tackling Algebra 1 in high school—ensuring deeper understanding and confidence. Dr. Lopez emphasized that this approach is supported by feedback from area high schools, which value strong middle school preparation.

The Board also learned that while the committee endorsed Carnegie for grade-level and accelerated courses, the Algebra resource recommendation will be presented in June, as the team continues evaluating additional options to ensure the best possible fit.

Dr. Lopez and Ms. Costa concluded by expressing deep gratitude to the review committee for their dedication and expertise throughout the process. Their work has laid the foundation for a math experience that is balanced, student-centered, and built for long-term success.

You can view the information in Diligent Community or watch the presentation on Youtube.

Presented by:

• Dr. Lori Lopez, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning & Assessment

• Megan Preis, Assistant Director of Curriculum

Dr. Lori Lopez and Mrs. Megan Preis presented an engaging and in-depth overview of the district’s middle school social studies resource review process, culminating in the recommendation of TCI Middle School Social Studies as the new curricular resource beginning in the 2025–2026 school year.

Dr. Lopez opened the presentation by framing the review within the district’s larger goals of aligning instruction with Illinois Learning Standards, ensuring high expectations for all learners, and using data to inform decision-making. She explained that the review process evaluated how well potential resources supported access to primary and secondary sources, offered real-world application, represented diverse perspectives, promoted active and multimodal learning, and supported both teacher usability and student engagement.

Ms. Preis walked the Board through the strengths of the selected resource—TCI, which is already used in District 15 elementary schools, offering consistency and continuity for students from kindergarten through 8th grade. She highlighted TCI’s accessibility features including leveled texts, read-aloud capabilities, and authentic Spanish translations, which make the content inclusive for all learners. Mrs. Preis also emphasized the platform’s strong classroom routines and diverse tools for building civic awareness, economic understanding, and critical thinking.

The resource suite includes four content areas: Ancient Civilizations, U.S. History (split across 7th and 8th grade), Civics, and Geography. A thoughtful combination of thematic and chronological learning approaches allows students to understand historical context while analyzing broader concepts like government, rights, and systems of power. Mrs. Preis also explained how supplementary libraries within TCI—focused on primary sources, economics, Supreme Court cases, and more—enable educators to enrich instruction and personalize learning experiences.

As Dr. Lopez and Mrs. Preis noted, the decision reflects months of collaborative dialogue by the curriculum committee. They extended their deep appreciation to the educators and leaders who invested their time and voices in the review process.

You can view the information in Diligent Community or watch the presentation on Youtube.

Education Research Development (Ed-RED) Committee

Board Vice President Annerino provided an update on several key legislative developments currently under consideration in Springfield that may significantly affect school operations. Among the most pressing is Senate Bill 1799, which restricts emergency provisions for third-party contracts to one 90-day usage and allows renewals only with union approval. Mr. Annerino noted this could disrupt essential services, such as contracted bus drivers, and have unintended consequences.

He also expressed concerns about House Bill 1358, which limits P.E. waivers to a single three-year period, potentially constraining student access to electives and creating space challenges.

Another controversial item, House Bill 2970, would allow teachers to grieve a notice to remedy, potentially hindering school districts’ ability to maintain accountability and implement progressive discipline practices.

House Bill 3488, related to cell phone use, has been softened to require only that districts have a policy in place, rather than enforcing a blanket ban.

Finally, House Bill 2578 would ensure FOIA requests come from verified individuals rather than AI bots—a measure designed to prevent unnecessary strain on staff. Mr. Annerino emphasized that Ed-RED continues to oppose legislation that undermines local control or creates undue burdens on school operations.

Ed-RED continues to monitor these developments closely and will provide further updates as legislation progresses. For more information, visit Ed-RED website.

one-five Foundation

Board Member Taylor shared that the 50/50 raffle fundraiser successfully raised $13,350, with the winning participant receiving half of the jackpot (pre-tax). The Foundation’s Staff Tribute Campaign is now underway, providing families and community members the opportunity to recognize and honor exceptional District 15 staff members. Tributes and donations can be submitted directly through the Foundation’s website at www.one-five.org, which is also now linked on the District 15 website under the "Our Community" tab for added accessibility.

Finance Committee

Board Member Wang shared highlights from the April 7 Finance Committee meeting, which included a detailed discussion on the 2025–26 health insurance renewal. The conversation emphasized the need to continue monitoring rising healthcare costs and claims in future years.

The committee also reviewed the district’s audit firm selection. After years of working with Miller Cooper, the district has selected Sikich as its new audit firm, aiming to reduce costs while maintaining high-quality service.

Lastly, the committee addressed the district’s projected deficit, attributed in part to delays in property tax collections. A recent receipt of $3.2 million helped close the gap, but ongoing attention will be required. Board Member Hunt also expressed her appreciation for Mr. Wang’s steady leadership and dedication during his years of service on the Board and Finance Committee.

Equity Committee

Board Member Ader shared that she, Board Member Khan, and Superintendent Dr. Heinz have established a new monthly meeting cadence to keep pace with the rapidly evolving changes at both the state and federal levels. This proactive structure ensures the team is closely monitoring policy shifts and funding developments that may impact the District. These consistent touchpoints are helping the committee stay informed and prepared to respond thoughtfully and equitably to any emerging challenges.

• 9.1 Approval of Personnel Report: Recommendations for Administration, Certified, and Non-Certified Staff Members - APPROVED

• 9.2 Approval to Reschedule the May 14, 2025, BOE Meeting Due to IASB Compliance - APPROVED

• 9.3 Approval of New Independent Auditors Sikich - APPROVED

• 9.4 Health Care Renewal: Approval of 2025-26 Medical/Dental/Vision Rates - APPROVED

• 9.5 Approval of Bid #25-014 - Winston Campus Paving Improvements - APPROVED

• 9.6 Approval of Bid #25-015 - Pleasant Hill Elementary Parking Improvements - APPROVED

• 9.7 Approval of Bid #25-016 - Walter R. Sundling Middle School Parking Improvements - APPROVED

• 9.8 Approval of Bid #25-017 - Kimball Hill Elementary Site Improvements - APPROVED

• 9.9 Approval of Bid #25-018 - Hunting Ridge Elementary Site Improvements - APPROVED
• 9.10 Approval of Bid #25-021 - Willow Bend Parking Improvements - APPROVED
• 9.11 Approval of Bid #25-022 - Frank C. Whiteley Parking Improvements - APPROVED
• 9.12 Approval of Bid #25-023 - John G. Conyers Sidewalk Improvements - APPROVED
• 9.13 Approval of 2024-2025 Final Official School Calendar - APPROVED
• 9.14 Approval of Middle School Math Resource - APPROVED
• 9.15 Approval of Middle School Social Studies Resource - APPROVED
• 9.16 Approval of Physical Education Uniform Fees - APPROVED
• 9.17 Approval of Transportation Fees - APPROVED
• 9.18 Approval of Roof Replacement Work at Willow Bend - APPROVED
• 9.19 Approval of Roof Replacement Work at Virginia Lake - APPROVED
• 9.20 Approval of MOU Titled Renewal of and Amendment to Interagency Agreement between District 15 and The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning - APPROVED

Please note that the May meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, May 12, 2025, to align with IASB compliance guidelines. The meeting will be held at Walter R. Sundling Middle School, 1100 N. Smith Street, Palatine, at 7:00 p.m.