Hawthorn Board Highlights

Present

• Robin Cleek
• George Fievet
• Julie Clifford
• Michael Engle
• Stephanie Peters
• Joel Finfer
• Karl Borchers

There was no public comment during the initial comment period.

Later in the meeting, the Board voted to reopen public comment. A Hawthorn parent asked the district to consider a future discussion regarding student screen use in schools.

The Board recognized Megan Goldman, Director of Social, Emotional and Behavioral Learning, and Sol Cabachuela, District Family Liaison, for representing Hawthorn at the ISBE School Wellness Conference at Illinois State University. Megan presented on Hawthorn’s partnership with Youth & Family Counseling and the district’s whole-child approach, with Sol supporting the question-and-answer portion of the presentation.

The Board also recognized student-athletes from Middle School North and Middle School South who qualified for IESA State Track & Field, as well as four students whose accomplishments as 2025 IESA State Cross Country qualifiers had not previously received formal Board recognition.

Coaches shared wonderful highlights from the season, including multiple school records and state placements.

• The Board approved its revised Board Agreements following its summer Board retreat.

• President Robin Cleek and Superintendent Dr. Pete Hannigan also attended the quarterly Vernon Hills governing agencies meeting. Updates included continued legislative work related to commercial FOIA requests, the conclusion of the Vernon Hills Town Center TIF district and the upcoming Countryside Fire Protection District Open House and Pancake Breakfast on October 4.

• Board members were reminded about upcoming professional development opportunities, including the ED-RED luncheon, Lake Division dinner and Triple I Conference.

• The Illinois General Assembly’s veto session is scheduled to begin in December.

• SEDOL held its first quarterly directors meeting of the school year on September 15. Topics included program updates, continuous improvement planning, funding, tuition-model monitoring and professional development.
• Work continues on the FY25 audit. SEDOL also plans to seek proposals for auditing services beginning with FY27.
• The SEDOL Board approved an emergency contract with McDonough Mechanical Services to replace the main boiler at Laremont School at an estimated cost of just over $50,000.

• Planning is already underway for summer 2027 facility projects, including renovation of the Aspen library, improvements to the Elementary North playground and additional flooring work.
• The district also reviewed its five-year facilities plan and continues to pursue grant opportunities to help offset project costs.
• The committee discussed the upcoming Route 45 closure, which is expected to affect transportation in early October. District staff are already working on adjusted bus routes and will communicate directly with impacted families as more information becomes available. Families are encouraged to use the My Ride K-12 app for updated transportation information.

• Food Services continues to introduce new options, including a fourth entrée choice and popular breakfast carts at the middle schools.
• A K-5 Parent and Student Food Advisory meeting is scheduled for September 23 at 6 p.m.
• The committee also reported that Impact Networking has completed its district onboarding and technology work is now shifting toward PowerSchool-related projects.

• The Key to 73 Foundation will meet September 22.

• The Foundation is also preparing for its Bad Moms of Comedy fundraiser on October 6 at Austin’s in Libertyville. Tickets remain available.

• Superintendent Dr. Hannigan thanked staff for their work preparing for and welcoming students to the 2026–2027 school year, noting that the opening of school had gone smoothly. He also reminded families that school would not be in session on Monday, September 21.

• Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Adam Palmer presented the district’s annual 10-day enrollment and staffing update.
• Hawthorn welcomed 33 new licensed staff members for the 2026-27 school year.
• Average class sizes at the beginning of the year are approximately 20.8 students in kindergarten through fifth grade and 22.4 students in middle school core classes.
• The district will continue monitoring enrollment and staffing levels throughout the year and will use current enrollment trends as one data point in planning for the 2027-28 school year.

• Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Business Operations Jennifer Akin presented the annual Teacher and Administrator Salary and Benefits Report, as required by state law.
• The report provides an overview of compensation and benefits expected to be paid during the 2026-27 school year and will be posted on the district website.

• The Board discussed the district’s anticipated application for the School Maintenance Project Grant, a state-funded matching grant for eligible building maintenance and improvement projects.
• If awarded, the district is considering using the grant to help offset the cost of replacing second-floor flooring at Middle School South during summer 2027.
• Formal approval to apply for the grant is expected to return to the Board in October.

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on October 15, 2026 at Hawthorn District Office.