Board Briefs
MONTH YEAR
April 24, 2025
Special Note
Beginning with the April 24 meeting, the board returned to exclusively welcoming in-person public comments. This shift reflects a return to our traditional meeting structure.
We initially introduced online public comment options at the height of the pandemic, when in-person meetings were not feasible and ensuring community safety was our top priority. Now, as we reaffirm our traditional format and public health concerns related to the pandemic have significantly diminished, we believe that creating space for community voices to be heard in a shared public setting best supports meaningful engagement.
Community members are always welcome to submit public comments by emailing district21@ccsd21.org and including "Public Comment" in the subject line. These comments will be shared with all members of the board and included in the official meeting minutes. To share your thoughts with the board during a meeting, please plan to attend in person and complete a comment request form. Each speaker will have up to three minutes to address the board.
SPECIAL MEETING
Board President Comment
Board President Debbi McAtee offered comments reflecting on the work of the board during the past two years of service to the CCSD21 community.
Proclamation of Winners of April 1 Election
The board proclaimed the winners of the April 1 election by resolution. This includes Carrie Devitt, Bill Harrison, Debbi McAtee and Arlen S. Gould, who all received the highest number of votes cast for the four seats of full four-year terms.
Farewell Address from Phil Pritzker
Board member Phil Pritzker offered a reflection on his past 36 years as a member of the Board of Education, including 11 years as president
REORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETING
Seating of New Board Member
Carrie Devitt joined the dais for the first time as the district's newest board member
Administering Oath of Office to All Board Members
President Pro Tempore McAtee administered the oath of office to all board members
Election of Board President, Vice President, Secretary
The board voted to appoint Jessica Riddick as its new president, Debbi McAtee as the new vice president, and Dagmara Kalinowski as the new secretary. Each will serve for a two-year term.
Setting of Regular Meeting Dates and Times
The board approved to maintain the schedule of the regular Board of Education meetings at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month unless exceptions occur related to calendar conflicts.
Appointment of Committee Assignments and Liaison Representatives
Board President Riddick proposed postponing committee assignments and liaison representatives until the May meeting as she seeks to restructure the Community Engagement committee to "one that more appropriately serves the evolving needs of the district."
She also requested that board members communicate with her over the coming weeks at to which organizations they would like to serve as a liaison.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
NSSEO
Board Vice President McAtee said the NSSEO is in the middle of working on its reorganization, which will be happening throughout the summer.
ED-RED
Board member Bill Harrison highlighted ED-RED's Advocacy Days, which was held in Springfield earlier in April and discussed a variety of topics. He also promoted several upcoming events, including ED-RED's monthly meeting and its second annual Mini Summit.
IASB
Harrison said he would report back next month with his comments from IASB.
North Cook Intermediate Service Center
Board member Arlen Gould said the NCISC was working on a two-year office relocation plan to accommodate more students, more schooling, physical exercise for the population served and an expansion of the program.
Local Governmental Agencies
Gould recapped the mayoral race in Arlington Heights.
Kalinowski previewed an Earth Day celebration by the Wheeling Park District, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new accessible greenhouse.
Student Board Representatives
Student Board Representatives Santiago C. of Cooper, Karla P. of Holmes and Aiden D. of London conveyed to the board how they think schools can work with and give back to their communities.
STAFF COMMUNICATION
Strategic Plan Update
Dr. Michael Connolly, superintendent of schools, provided an update on the district's strategic planning process for 2025-2028. He said a draft will be brought to the board in May for discussion.
DESMOS Math Curriculum Adoption Process
Dr. Beatrice Childress, chief academic officer, and Carolyn Droll, director of teaching and learning for math, offered an overview of the DESMOS Elementary Math program.
Director for School Safety & Security Update
Dr. Connolly provided the board with an update on the intergovernmental agreement between the district and Elk Grove-based Community Consolidated School District 59 to share services for a director of school safety and security. The district has decided to evolve the position into a full-time one, and is actively interviewing candidates. The current director, Danny Malik, will become CCSD59's full-time director of school safety and security.
ACTION ITEMS
- 13.12: Approval of 2024-2025 Last Day of Classes - APPROVED
- 13.13: Approval of 2025-2026 Board Meeting Dates - APPROVED
- 13.16: Approval of Baker Tilly Audit Contract - APPROVED
- 13.18: Approval of DESMOS Elementary Math Curriculum Adoption - APPROVED
- 13.19: Approval of Patriot Pavement Maintenance Proposal for Concrete and Asphalt Repairs - APPROVED
- 13.20: Approval of The Larson Equipment and Furniture Company Proposal for Middle School Gym Bleacher Replacement - APPROVED
- 14.1: Approval of District Administration Reorganization Plan - APPROVED
NEW BUSINESS
New Principals for Holmes, Longfellow and Twain
The board voted unanimously to appoint Ben Neidich as the new principal of Holmes Middle School, Emily Gary as the new principal of Longfellow Elementary School, and Lisa Applequist as the new principal of Twain Elementary School. All appointments will be effective July 1.
New Director of Student Services, Executive Director of Human Resources
The board voted unanimously to appoint Sherri Massa as the new director of student services, and Lewis Roberts as the executive director of human resources. Both appointments are effective July 1.
Administrator Title Changes
The board approved a reorganization plan that will see Dr. Beatrice Reyes Childress become deputy superintendent (previously chief academic officer) and Mike Frantini become chief operating officer (previously chief technology officer).
PUBLIC HEARING: PERMANENT FUND TRANSFER
Michael Zagar, director of business services, offered a brief overview of a permanent fund transfer of $12.5 million from the Operations & Maintenance Fund to the Capital Projects Fun to fully fund the summer construction projects.
SEATING NEW BOARD MEMBER
The board officially welcomed Iliana Guzman as its seventh board member. Guzman joins the board from the vacancy left by the resignation of board member Staci Allan. She will serve the rest of her term, which ends in April 2027.
Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at the Community Service Center and Administrative Office, 959 W. Dundee Rd., Wheeling.