District 64 offices and buildings will be closed on Monday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. Worlds of Wonder classes will resume on Tuesday, June 20th.

We have some exciting additions to our District and building administration teams to share with you! At last night's Board meeting, Dr. Samantha Alaimo was hired as the Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning, Matthew Tombs as the District’s Director of Technology, and Noel Mendoza as the Director of Facility Management. Emerson Middle School Assistant Principal Tessa Shulman was also hired to become the school's new principal. 

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Alaimo, Mr. Tombs, Mr. Mendoza, and Mrs. Shulman to their new roles beginning July 1st!

Read more about their appointments.

Pictured above from left to right: Matt Tombs, Tessa Shulman, Samantha Alaimo

The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, June 15th, at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center. 

VIEW MEETING VIDEO

Judith L. Snow Award Winners

Every year we have the privilege of recognizing two students from each middle school and presenting them with the Judith L. Snow Ethical Leadership Award. This award was created by the Elementary Learning Foundation (ELF) to recognize students who showcase ethical leadership. Thanks to the partnership with the Lincoln and Emerson PTOs, four deserving 8th graders are awarded the prize annually. 

All D64 8th-grade students are eligible for the award. Their application includes an essay and a recommendation from a teacher and a community member. 

We are proud to honor this year’s Judith L. Snow Ethical Leadership Award recipients. From Emerson: Michael Maranto and Kaelyn Yager. From Lincoln: Fernanda Trujillo and Logan Hinton.

Pictured above from left to right: Emerson's Kaelyn Yager and Lincoln's Logan Hinton

You can read about the Approval of Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning, Director of Technology, Emerson Middle School Principal and the Personnel Report here.

Discussion and Approval of Administrative and Exempt Salary Increases

Motion approved

This year’s raise for all administrative and exempt staff would decrease the district’s total cost by $58,541 this year. As a means of comparison, last year’s raise was an increase of $56,680. This amount continues to be greatly reduced the past few years due to new administrators coming in for those who are leaving with larger salaries.

Consent Agenda

Motion approved

Bills, Payroll, & Benefits

Approval of Financial Update for the Period Ending April 30, 2023

Adoption of Resolution #1312 for Safety Hazards (Transportation)

Adoption of Resolution #1313 Authorizing & Directing the Permanent Transfer of Money

from the Operations & Maintenance Fund to the Debt Service Fund for Debt Certificates

Adoption of Resolution #1314 Authorizing & Directing the Permanent Transfer of Money from the Education Fund to the Debt Service Fund for VOIP & Copier Leases

Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services

Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with the Park Ridge Park District

Approval of District 64 FOIA Officers

Destruction of Audio Closed Recordings (none)

Adoption of Resolution #1315 Authorizing Payment of Bills

Motion approved

Approval of Minutes

Motion approved

Planning for 2024 Construction

CSBO Dr. Adam Parisi and Wight & Company gave an initial presentation on proposed construction projects for the summer of 2024. 

• You can view that presentation starting on page 10

Dr. Parisi and Wight located some of the most pressing items throughout the District that could be addressed in 2024:

• 5 gymnasium floors at Carpenter, Field, Franklin, Roosevelt, Washington
• Lunch table replacement as part of the project
• Exterior Doors District-Wide
• Carpenter (10 doors)
• Field (8 doors)
• Franklin (12 doors)
• Roosevelt (12 doors) + 1 overhead ramp dock door
• Washington (12 doors) + 1 overhead ramp dock door
• Emerson (10 doors)
• Lincoln (14 doors) + 2 overhead ramp dock doors

Dr. Parisi presented to the Board that as a starting point, this would be a $2 million Capital Spending Plan. This construction will be part of the regular budget, and no additional money will be borrowed. 

Now, Dr. Parisi and Wight will start the bidding process to get a better understanding of the cost of these proposals. 

Upcoming Board Meetings

• July 28, 2023 - 4 p.m. - special meeting/Board workshop, Jefferson School 
• August 17, 2023 - 7 p.m. - regular meeting, Jefferson School 

Looking to catch up on past meeting highlights? A summary of each meeting is available on our Current Board News webpage.

Please confirm meeting dates and times on the Board meetings webpage.

Last night was the final Board meeting for departing District administrators Anthony Bersani, Mary Jane Warden, Dr. Lori Lopez and Dr. Eric Olson.

The Board sent them off to their next stops with words of gratitude and appreciation for their service to the community.

Pump up the volume on your summer and get into the rhythm of reading with the Park Ridge Public Library’s Summer Reading Club! Every 10 days you spend reading earns you a ticket for a chance to win prizes. Read at least 30 days and you are guaranteed a prize book. Reading is always fun, but it rocks with the Summer Reading Club!

Comments and questions may always be directed to the Superintendent or Board members through these links:

Email Dr. Eric Olson, Superintendent or contact members of the Board of Education via email links.

Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 | 847-318-4300 | [email protected]

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