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District 64 eNews August 18th, 2023

Ready For The School Year!

School starts...next week! Woah, where does the time go?! We're so excited to have everyone back with us, but before then, enjoy this final weekend of summer.


The first day of school for our K-8 students is August 23rd, and because it's a Wednesday, it is an early dismissal day. Then our preschoolers start back on Thursday, August 24th.


This week we welcomed around 35 new teachers and introduced them to all things District 64 during our New Teacher Orientation. This group brought wonderful energy to the building, and they're ready to make their mark on D64!

The two-day orientation started off with a warm welcome from Board President Dr. Denise Pearl.

Part of all the learning was meeting their mentors, who will help them throughout the year!

Thank You To Our Facilities & Grounds Crew

Also, this week, we had the opportunity to celebrate our facilities and grounds crew. They have been hard at work ensuring the schools are ready for the first day. We appreciate all they do in our buildings, not only during the summer but all year!

News From August 17 Board Of Education Meeting

The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, August 17th, at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center. 


VIEW MEETING VIDEO


Entry Plan Update from Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins


Dr. Ben Collins opened the meeting with an explanation of his D64 Superintendent Entry Plan. This plan includes four goals to guide his transition into the District. 

  1. Build strong foundational relationships and norms with the School Board and district office staff 
  2. Cultivate a strong understanding of staff working environments and student impressions of learning
  3. Engage community members and audit current systems of communications
  4. Establish clear objectives for continuing to improve and execute the Strategic Plan 2026


Approval of Emerson School Assistant Principal


Motion Approved


The District 64 Board of Education voted to appoint Paul Csongradi as the new Assistant Principal at Emerson Middle School, effective July 31st. 


It's a homecoming for Csongradi, who is already familiar with D64 and Emerson. He was a 7th/8th-grade science/social studies teacher at Emerson for five years. Most recently, Csongradi has worked as the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs and Activities at Saint Patrick High School in Chicago. 



You can read more about Mr. Csongradi here


Approval of Roosevelt School Assistant Principal


Motion Approved


The District 64 Board of Education voted to appoint Jacquelyn Peters as the new Assistant Principal at Roosevelt Elementary School, effective July 31st. 


Mrs. Peters has taught first and second grade at Willard Elementary in River Forest District 90 for the past ten years. “One of the things that was a strength of hers throughout the entire process was her commitment to curriculum and modeling for other teachers,” stated Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Joel Martin. “She is somebody who is willing to lead training for co-grade level teachers and teachers within her building.”


You can learn more about Mrs. Peters by watching this introductory video.


Adoption of Resolution #1316 Authorizing the Sale of Real Property


Motion Approved - authorizing the sale of real property for the price of $230,000, with earnest money 10% down. 


This resolution is for the vacant land at 820 Rowe Ave, Park Ridge. The area is a parcel of land that was connected to the former Oakton School, and this parcel of land was kept and maintained by the District. 


The next steps in the process include: a notice will be published in the newspaper for three consecutive

weeks regarding the sealed bid process. A pre-bid meeting of all interested bidders will be held

on September 19, 2023. All bids will be open on October 5, 2023. Finally, per statute, the

successful bidder's contract will be approved at the October 19, 2023, Board meeting to satisfy

the 60-day required timeline.


Adoption of Resolution #1317 Approval of 2023-2024 Tentative Budget & Establishment of

Public Hearing Date


Motion Approved


You can watch Chief School Business Official Dr. Adam Parisi’s presentation to the Board by clicking here. The public hearing on the budget will take place on September 21st, 2023.  


You can find more information on the 2023-2024 Tentative Budget on our website


Approval of Recommended Personnel Report


Motion Approved


Discussion on Board Meeting Dates for 2023-24


Motion Approved


The District 64 Board of Education approved a change with the February Board meeting. The regular Board meeting will now be held on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, instead of the original date of February 15th. 

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next regular Board meetings:


  • September 21, 2023 - 7 p.m. - regular meeting & public hearing on the budget, Jefferson Early Childhood Center
  • October 19, 2023 - 7 p.m. - regular meeting, Jefferson Early Childhood Center


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.

D64 Board Profiles

To learn more about the people who serve on the D64 Board of Education, we started a series of Board Profiles. This in-depth interview is with Board President Dr. Denise Pearl. More interviews will be added throughout the year!



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


Email Dr. Ben Collins, 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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