October 19, 2026 Board Briefs

The Community Consolidated School District 62 Board of Education meeting was held on September 22, 2026. The full meeting agenda can be found on Diligent, while a livestream of the meeting can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

Principal Julie Goolish and Assistant Principal Lisa Butera shared an update from Algonquin Middle School while Juliana Vissering and Assistant Principal Lorence Reid shared an update from Chippewa Middle School. Both presentations centered on how the schools are focused on all five goals of the District 62 Strategic Plan. A copy of the AMS presentation can be accessed here. A copy of the CMS presentation can be accessed here.

The Board of Education approved the authorization for Franczek P.C., as its legal representative, to intervene on behalf of the district in tax objection complaints filed with the Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB).

Annually, the Board of Education has approved the continuation of the intervention by Franczek P.C., as its legal representative with the Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) to represent the Board’s interests in these proceedings. Every October the board has approved the included resolution allowing Franczek P.C. to intervene at the PTAB. Franczek P.C. will serve as its legal representative, to intervene on behalf of the district in tax objection complaints filed with the Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) as directed by the Superintendent.

The Board of Education reviewed the updated Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the School Resource Officer (SRO) to maintain compliance and support school safety

This agreement was revised to align with new state mandates under Public Act 104-0430 and updated best practices, this agreement re-affirms our partnership with the Des Plaines Police Department while clearly defining the SRO's role, reinforcing district authority over student discipline, and establishing strict oversight protocols to maintain a safe, supportive learning environment.

The updated agreement will be up for approval at the November 16 Board of Education meeting.

The Board of Education reviewed the proposed District 62 E-Learning Plan.

Each year the Illinois State Board of Education requires each school district to submit an E-learning plan. In the event of inclement weather or other emergency conditions requiring the closure of school, District 62 may opt to implement an E-Learning day. The decision to use an Emergency Day or an E-Learning Day will be based on the nature and severity of the emergency-related situation. District 62’s E-Learning Plan remains unchanged from last year.

Below are some key highlights. As a reminder, synchronous learning refers to students participating in real-time online instruction with a teacher, while asynchronous learning involves students completing independent activities, lessons, or assignments on their own schedule.

• Delayed start for synchronous learning: In the event of an e-learning day synchronous instruction that will be held via Google Meets, will begin one hour after the regular start time. Students will engage in independent asynchronous learning activities on District 62’s digital platforms until this time.
• Synchronous learning target: The plan sets a minimum expectation of 2.5 hours across the school day for synchronous learning time.
• Support for staff: Elementary classroom teachers will be partnered with support staff, related services personnel, and/or Multilingual Learner (ML) teachers to provide additional support for students and families during e-learning days. Co-Teachers would also provide support and facilitate synchronous learning in the event of a teacher absence.
• Emergency Day designation: In the event of an extreme weather event resulting in heavy snow accumulations or widespread power outages, the district would elect to use one of its Emergency Days in lieu of an E-learning day. School would be closed and it would be a non-attendance day for students. Emergency days are built into both our 10-month and year-round school calendars throughout the year and would become student attendance days if needed. This decision is based on the understanding that E-learning may not be the most effective option during extreme weather events, as students and staff may face challenges with internet connectivity or power outages.

The E-Learning/Remote Learning Plan will be up for approval at the November 16 Board of Education Meeting.

Board Member Tina Garrett expressed her sadness regarding the passing of a former AMS/Maine West student last week.

President Liz Massa attended a few events throughout the district. In addition, President Massa along with several members of the Board of Education and administrators attended the ED-RED Legislative Luncheon that featured a federal education update.

Board Member Gene Haring discussed cleaning up the process surrounding Freedom of Information Act request.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Amadei acknowledged two staff members who were nominated for the Those Who Excel awards Ann Berger (Forest) and Director of Curriculum Dr. Julie Fogarty. There will be a formal awards banquet in the spring.

The November 16 Board of Education will be held at Central and will begin with an open house to celebrate the new construction. North Elementary will host the January 19 Board of Education meeting so the community can also see the school's new additions.

Dr. Amadei will bring in members of Woolpert to review the district student capacity study that will include a proposal for the Board of Education to consider.

Dr. Amadei concluded his remarks by showing a 62 Stories video that highlighted reflections from Principal Julie Goolish of Algonquin Middle School and Principal Allie Jonynas of Plainfield Elementary School of their first year as principals in District 62.

There is an enrollment decline overall for the 2026-2027 school year, the first seen in four years. Increases were seen at Algonquin, Chippewa and Forest.

The start of Full Day Kindergarten impacted SPARK enrollment, as the former Extended Day Kindergarten program was discontinued with the implementation of FDK. The Kasarda Report projections have been updated as of Spring 2024. The report makes projections based on a variety of factors, specifically Future Fertility Rates, Housing Turnover and Resulting Immigration of Families with Preschool Age and School Age Children and provides information across three possibilities: Less Than Anticipated, As Anticipated and Greater Than Anticipated.

The total enrollment numbers presented fall within the B range contained within the report.

A copy of the report can be accessed here.