Board Brief - 05/12/2025

At the May Board of Education meeting, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by a dedicated group of student leaders from Kimball Hill Elementary School’s newly formed Service Over Self (SOS) Club. This remarkable group of third, fourth, and fifth graders has made a powerful impact in their very first year, embodying the spirit of service, leadership, and kindness throughout their school community.

Led by club co-sponsors Mrs. Kelly Dean and Ms. Stephanie Hernandez, and supported by Principal LaCamera and Assistant Principal Danielczyk, the SOS Club provides students with meaningful opportunities to serve others, promote kindness, and make a difference both locally and beyond. In just one year, their members have organized and participated in a wide range of projects — from fundraising for hurricane victims in North Carolina and fire relief efforts in California, to leading recycling initiatives, hosting a Month of Kindness, and coordinating donation drives for local charities.

During the meeting, several SOS Club members shared reflections on their favorite projects and the impact service has had on their school and community. As part of their Month of Kindness initiative, students even created kindness buttons, several of which were proudly shared with Board of Education members at the meeting.

The Board and audience warmly applauded the students’ efforts, celebrating the powerful message that when students put service over self, they help build a community rooted in compassion, leadership, and hope. Thank you to the SOS Club for inspiring all of us — we can’t wait to see the continued impact you will make in the years to come!

At the May Board of Education meeting, we proudly recognized Zoey L., a seventh-grade student at Plum Grove Middle School, as the recipient of this month's Above and Beyond Award. Zoey is an outstanding example of leadership, resilience, and advocacy both within District 15 and beyond.

Recently featured on the cover of Hearing Our Way magazine, Zoey has been a shining role model for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. From a young age, she has demonstrated incredible self-advocacy, independence, and a deep commitment to fostering understanding and inclusivity among her peers. Whether ensuring she has the resources she needs to succeed or helping others see the importance of embracing diversity, Zoey consistently leads with grace, confidence, and compassion.

Her positive attitude and strong work ethic extend far beyond the classroom. Zoey’s impact can be seen throughout the school and in the broader community, including her active involvement at her dance studio. Zoey truly embodies the spirit of the Above and Beyond Award, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate her achievements. Her dedication to making a difference and her commitment to excellence make her a role model for all students in District 15.

Congratulations, Zoey—you truly make us #ProudToBe15.

It is with great pride that we recognize Cathy “Mrs. K” Knoblach, a Title I Program Assistant at Lake Louise, as this month’s Above and Beyond award recipient.

Mrs. K has been a dedicated and beloved member of the Lake Louise community for 26 years, and her warmth, positivity, and unwavering commitment to students and staff shine brightly each and every day. Known for her thoughtful gestures — like welcoming new administrators with homemade cinnamon swirl bread — Cathy consistently goes out of her way to build connections and uplift others.

During the meeting, Lake Louise Assistant Principal, Mrs. Green, shared a touching story of Cathy’s persistence and care, highlighting how she connected with a selectively nonverbal student by finding creative ways to engage with him, ultimately sparking a joyful conversation about cookies. It’s these moments of patience, kindness, and genuine love for children that make Mrs. K truly one-of-a-kind.

In addition to her work supporting students, Cathy has willingly stepped in to assist office staff, learning new tasks like writing tardy passes, answering phones, and helping with student supervision whenever needed. Her flexibility, advocacy for staff and students, and eagerness to embrace new initiatives reflect her deep investment in Lake Louise’s culture of care.

As Lake Louise Principal Mrs. Riehman and Mrs. Green so beautifully expressed, Mrs. K’s contagious smile, unmatched dedication, and unwavering heart make life at the lake a little brighter every day. We are so grateful for Cathy’s incredible impact and proud to recognize her as an embodiment of what it means to go Above and Beyond in District 15.

Congratulations, Mrs. K --- you truly make us #ProudToBe15.

At the May Board of Education meeting, the District 15 Nutrition Services Department was recognized with this month's Above and Beyond recognition for their extraordinary contributions to our students and schools.

Led by Director of Nutrition Services, Mrs. Tina Woods, the team’s impact reaches far beyond the tray line. Every day, the Nutrition Services team serves more than 2,000 breakfasts and 6,000 lunches across the District, ensuring that every student receives the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

From procuring, assembling, and delivering meals, to maintaining fresh fruit and vegetable bars in our elementary schools and self-serve produce stations in our middle schools, this dedicated team consistently promotes healthy choices in a welcoming environment.

Mrs. Woods shared that the team’s unwavering consistency, creativity, and care transform each cafeteria into a place where students feel seen, supported, and nourished. Their efforts are essential to the daily rhythm of our schools and help create a foundation for student success.

Earlier this month, the District proudly celebrated National School Lunch Hero Day, an occasion that reinforced how vital our Nutrition Services staff are to the heart of our school communities. At the May Board meeting, we echoed that appreciation by honoring them.

We are deeply grateful to our Nutrition Services Department for the countless ways they fuel not just our students’ bodies, but their potential. Thank you for going Above and Beyond every single day and for making us all #ProudToBe15.

At the May Board of Education meeting, District 15 proudly recognized Mr. Anthony Wang for his eight years of dedicated and thoughtful service as a member of the Board of Education. Throughout his tenure, Anthony’s leadership, commitment to students, and thoughtful collaboration helped move District 15 forward, creating a lasting impact on the educational experiences of our students, families, and staff.

During the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Laurie Heinz and Board President Lisa Beth Szczupaj shared heartfelt remarks about Anthony’s contributions. In honor of his service, a $500 donation was made in his name to the Lake Louise Elementary School library — a gift Anthony and his family generously matched, bringing the total donation to $1,000. Students at Lake Louise will enjoy new library titles for years to come, each bearing a special tag recognizing Anthony’s contributions. Additionally, Anthony was presented with a book of thank-you notes from staff and students throughout the District.

Lake Louise Principal Riehman also offered special words of appreciation, sharing, “Your thoughtful collaboration and support of district initiatives have had a profound, positive impact on the educational experiences of our students, families, and staff. We are honored by your dedication and passion for District 15 and our Lake Louise community."

In his remarks, Anthony reflected on the growth and achievements District 15 has made during his service, stating, "Looking back at all the things that we've accomplished, the district is in a better place. I’ll definitely miss the board and the people here, but I’ll be around Lake Louise."

We are incredibly grateful to Anthony Wang for his service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to District 15. His legacy will continue to inspire our community for years to come.

Presented by:

• District 15 Cabinet Members

At the May Board of Education meeting, District Administration shared an update on the May 2, 2025, Institute Day — a key opportunity for professional learning across the District.

District 15 hosts four full-day Institute Days each year, with two in August to launch the start of school, one in January, and one in May. These days are strategically placed to support staff in launching student learning, analyzing mid-year progress, refining instructional practices, and preparing for the following school year.

As District leaders emphasized, Institute Days are critical, particularly given the significant challenges schools face in securing substitutes, in order to provide essential time for teachers to collaborate, adjust curriculum pacing, share best practices, and access new resources to best meet the evolving needs of students.

On May 2, more than 30 different teacher groups participated in targeted professional development sessions. The day began with an introduction to new technology tools aimed at improving staff productivity and family communication, followed by breakout sessions aligned to educators’ specific roles and responsibilities. This structure allowed for meaningful, role-specific learning and collaboration, ensuring that staff are well-equipped to support student growth and success heading into the 2025–26 school year.

District leadership expressed gratitude to all who helped make the day a success and reiterated the importance of investing in professional learning to drive continuous improvement across the District.

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

Education Research Development (Ed-RED) Committee

Board Vice President Annerino shared an update on recent legislative activity from Springfield. May 9 marked the committee deadline day for bills to move forward. Ed-RED continues to work on negotiations for several key pieces of legislation. Two bills of particular note include House Bill 3039, which would allow seventh and eighth grade students to earn high school credit for certain courses — a practice District 15 is already aligned with through advanced math offerings. Another, House Bill 3772, which District 15 opposes, would prohibit expulsions for K-2 students and require superintendent approval for suspensions longer than three days, limiting local administrative discretion.

Ed-RED submitted over 900 witness slips in opposition to the bill, advocating for the importance of maintaining district-level decision-making in student discipline matters.

Senate Bill 1799 is another bill that was discussed as it will drastically limit our ability to drop off and pick up students in a timely manner each day if supplemental drivers become harder to secure based on language within this bill.

Ed-RED continues to monitor these developments closely and will provide further updates at the June Board of Education meeting as legislation progresses. For more information, visit Ed-RED website.

one-five Foundation

Board Member Taylor shared an update on the one-five Foundation’s Staff Tribute Campaign. This year's campaign was a tremendous success, with a record-breaking 611 tributes submitted in honor of District 15 staff members, bus drivers, nurses, teachers, principals, and other employees. This marked a significant increase from the approximately 300 tributes received last year, reflecting a growing spirit of appreciation within our community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this meaningful initiative! For more one-five updates, please visit 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 Hunt shared that the Finance Committee met on May 6 to review the District’s budget. The meeting included a presentation from PMA Financial, who served as an external reviewer, providing an additional set of eyes on the District’s finances and budget projections. PMA reviewed the District's budget forecast and projected fund balance. Board Member Hunt noted that the tentative budget will be ready for the Board’s review at the June 2025 meeting.

Equity Committee

Board Member Khan shared that there was no formal Equity Committee update at this time. With the Board reorganization, former Equity Committee member Samantha Ader has now assumed the role of Board President and will no longer serve on the committee. Moving forward, Board Member Jim Taylor will join the Equity Committee alongside Mr. Khan. They will connect soon to discuss the committee's next steps and future direction.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held at Walter R. Sundling Middle School, 1100 N. Smith Street, Palatine, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM due to graduation being held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.