Board Happenings
September 9, 2026
Recognizing Excellence: Maribel Alchin
The Board recognized Maribel Alchin, Assistant Director of Food & Nutrition Services, for her leadership within the district and across the state. Ms. Alchin serves as Legislative Chair for the Illinois School Nutrition Association (ILSNA).
In March, Ms. Alchin represented MSD15 in Washington, D.C., at the School Nutrition Association's Legislative Action Conference, where she met with 18 legislative officials to advocate for school nutrition programs on behalf of students across Illinois. She also co-presented an educational session, "Conquering the Hill with Confidence," for colleagues from across the state.
Additionally, Ms. Alchin helped compile a statewide photobook highlighting exemplary school meal programs, in which MSD15 was featured.
The Board thanked Ms. Alchin for her advocacy and the recognition she has brought to the district.
Meet Officer Sheehan: MSD15's New School Resource Officer
MSD15 Welcomes New School Resource Officer
MSD15 is thrilled to welcome Officer Ryan Sheehan (#364) as the district's new School Resource Officer! Officer Sheehan brings 20 years of experience with the Glendale Heights Police Department, plus six years serving as Queen Bee District 16's SRO, a seasoned pro who already knows how to build trust with kids and families. He'll be a familiar, friendly presence across Glendale Heights schools, while Officer McGuire continues serving Winnebago Elementary.
In his own words, Officer Sheehan says he's "thrilled to join Marquardt District 15" and loves connecting with students, staff, and families including plenty of smiles alongside Benjamin, the district's beloved Comfort Dog!
Inside the September 8th Board Meeting: A Recap
BOARD ATTENDANCE:
Present: Tunisia Macklin, Zahawa Saleh, Rodrigo Gutiérrez, Elisabeth Betancourt, Jean Randazzo, and Jonathan Wells. Absent: Jessica Dominguez
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FINAL BUDGET
Presentation of the FY 2026-2027 Final Budget
- Miguel Vargas, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations/CSBO
Public Comment on the FY 2026-2027 Final Budget: No public comments.
Board President Elisabeth Betancourt closes the Public Hearing on the 2026-2027 Final Budget
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
PUBLIC COMMENTS: No public comments.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
- FOIAs for the month of September
- Teacher Attendance Presentation
- Introduction of New SRO: Ryan Sheehan
- Employee Recognition
Michael Szopinski
Maribel Alchin
BOARD REPORTS
Elisabeth Betancourt
- Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 8/4/26
- Attended All Board Leadership Meetings
- Board of Education Working Session - 8/25/26
- Board Leadership Meeting - 9/3/26
- Engaged in conversations with Board Members
- Attended Policy Committee Meeting - 9/8/26
- Attended Finance Committee Meeting -9/8/26
Jessica Dominguez
- Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 8/4/26
- Board of Education Working Session - 8/25/26
- Engaged in conversation with Superintendent regarding the Smore Newsletter
Rodrigo Gutierrez
- Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 8/4/26
- Board of Education Working Session - 8/25/26
Tunisia Macklin
- Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 8/4/26
- Board of Education Working Session - 8/25/26
- Attended Family Night
- Attended Policy Committee Meeting 9/8/26
Jean Randazzo
- Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 8/4/26
- Board of Education Working Session - 8/25/26
- Attended Finance Committee Meeting - 9/8/26
Zahawa Saleh
- Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 8/4/26
- Board Leadership Meeting - 8/20/26
- Board of Education Working Session - 8/25/26
- Board Leadership Meeting - 9/3/26
- Engaged in conversations with parents regarding school lunches, Booster registration, and school staff changes.
- Engaged in conversations with Board members regarding Board matters and district issues.
Jonathan Wells
- Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 8/4/26
- Board of Education Working Session - 8/25/26
- Glendale Heights Charity Golf Event - 8/26/26
- Recorded "Why" Video - 9/2/26
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Policy Committee: Ms. Macklin summarized the policies reviewed in the policy board committee meeting tonight, which addressed topics including public participation, religious holidays, the teaching of controversial subjects, and student rights. Covered Policies were: 2:230, 3:70, 4:175, 5:40, 5:70, 5:110, 5:140, 5:240, 6:70, 6:80, 6:190, 7:30, 7:80, 7:130, 7:330, 8:10, and 8:70.
First Read:
- PRESS Policy 122
- PRESS Policy 121 – Policy 7:150
- PRESS Policy 120 – Exhibit 2:140
- Finance Committee: No additional comments were needed, as Mr. Vargas had already provided a detailed presentation on the 2026–2027 District 15 Budget.
APPROVED ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA:
- Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting on August 4, 2026
- Finance Committee Meeting held on August 4, 2026
- Policy Committee Meeting held on August 4, 2026
- Closed Session of the Board of Education held on August 4, 2026
- Board of Education Working Session and Closed Session held on August 25, 2026.
Board of Education Regular Meeting
Board of Education Working Session | 2026 - AGENDA - Minutes - Html
Policy Committee Meeting - Aug 04 2026 - Minutes - Html
Finance Committee Minutes- Aug 04 2026
PERSONNEL
New Hires
- Julian Soto- Lunch Recess Supervisor- Winnebago
- Nicole Esquivel- Lunch Recess Supervisor- Reskin
- Gabrielle Wrobel- Special Education Winnebago
- Brenda Pena- PreK Winnebago
- Desury Romualdo- Social Worker MMS
- Jasmina Selimovic- 8th ELA/SS MMS
- Yadira Soto- Lunch Recess Supervisor- Black Hawk
- Demi Rodriguez Rojas- 3rd Bilingual- Reskin
- Nataliia Hrynyk- Paraprofessional Black Hawk
- Richard Bilkey- Special Education MMS
- Danielle Burnette- Social Worker- Hall
- Lauren Scudieri- Special Education- Black Hawk
- Jennifer McConnell- Music- Black Hawk
- Yadira Samayoa- Paraprofessional- Winnebago
- Julie Horn- Special Education- Reskin
- Justin Meyers- 5th Grade- Hall
- Rosa Galvez-Torres- Lunch and Recess- Reskin
- Maribel Quezada- Payroll Coordinator
- Iris Garnett- HR and Finance Generalist
Transfers
1. Kara LaMorte- BH Lunch Recess to Paraprofessional Winnebago
Resignations
- Ruth Munoz- FNS 8/18/2026
- Rachel DelPorte- Paraprofessional Reskin
- Michael Thorson- Payroll Coordinator 8/7/26
- Shannon Lauridsen- Central Kitchen Manager 8/18/26
- Claudia Lysek- Paraprofessional BH 8/28/26
Retirement
- Tomasz Krupinski- Executive Director for Technology Eff: 9/13/30
- Rogelio Dorado- Buildings and Grounds Eff: 8/21/31
BILLS
CASE AGENDA ITEMS
August 2026 CASE Board Action Items
- ProCare Therapy Client Services Agreement
- May 26 Treasurer's Report
- June 10, 2026, Regular Session Board Minutes
- FY27 CASE Budget Third Final
- Flourish Together Contracts for Speech Therapy Services
- CASE CEA CBA 2026-2030
- CASE 26-27 Services Agreement
- August 7, 2026, Personnel Report Ad
- Allied Support for Kids Client Services Agreement
- 8-7-26 Payroll Summary
Onward Search - Master Services Agreement
Master Services Agreement with MSD15
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
- FY 2026-2027 Final Budget - Approved
- PSI Construction Update - Performance Services
- Presented by Brian Ondyak, Vice President, Performance Services and Miguel Vargas, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations/CSBO
- CASE: Adoption of the FY 2026-2027 Final Budget - Approved
• Presented by Jaime Tiesenga, Business Manager/CSBO
- E-Learning Program
- Presented by Danielle Badgizius, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessments; Kristie Langbehn, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning
- Concussion Oversight Committee
- Approved: The Concussion Oversight Committee meets annually to review the district's established concussion protocols.
Members
- Marcy Garcia - Director of Health Services
- Dr. Alexandra Escobar - Assistant Principal of MMS
- Keith Tankersley - Assistant Principal of Hall Elementary
- Andre Cargo - Athletic Director
- Lissette Roman - Certified School Nurse
- Carolina Risolvo - Registered Nurse
- Appointment of Delegate to IASB-IASA-IASBO (Triple I) - November. 20-22, 2026
- 2026 Joint Annual Conference
The Board will appoint a delegate and an alternate to attend the IASB-IASA-IASBO Joint Annual Conference, November 20-22, 2026. The conference provides focused learning opportunities for school district leadership.
- Rodrigo Gutierrez was approved as the IASB-IASA-IASBO Delegate.
- Jonathan Wells was approved as the IASB-IASA-IASBO Alternate Delegate.
ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION:
- Amendment to Superintendent Contract - Approved
- Board Protocols (Final Review) - Approved
Board Protocols