The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting and a public hearing on the budget on Thursday, September 21st, at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center.

• View the meeting
• Click here for the full recap online

Adoption of District Budget for 2023-2024

Motion Approved

Watch the budget presentation from Dr. Adam Parisi, Chief School Business Official, here. 

Some changes from the tentative budget presented last month include: 

• New staff hired since early August 2022 reflect actual salaries and benefits
• Fund Budgets were more closely monitored and adjusted where necessary

You can view the budget on our website. 

Student Achievement Update

Assistant Superintendent of Student Learning Dr. Samantha Alaimo gave a student achievement update, sharing a snapshot of K-8 student performance. 

You can read the Spring 2023 Student Achievement Update Memo or the Student Achievement Update Slideshow. 

Dr. Alaimo shared that student performance indicators show a return to pre-pandemic levels for most assessment data and that, as a District, we continue to report high achievement data. “This is a major celebration for us,” Dr. Alaimo said at the meeting. 

 As a goal, our focus is on a higher rate of growth for all students while keeping achievement stable. 

Opening Enrollment and Staffing Report

Dr. Joel Martin, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, gave an update on the District enrollment. As of August 31, D64’s enrollment is 4,465, a decrease of 45 students from the start of the 2022-2023 school year. 

“This is not something that comes as a shock to us,” said Dr. Martin. “If you recall, back at the February Board meeting, I was projecting to be down in our rollover, and at that time, we were looking at 4,401. So we’re actually up about 64 kids from the projection.”

Presentation and Approval of Superintendent Goals

Motion Approved

Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins presented a document with his goals for the year. In addition to the goals listed in his contract, Dr. Collins created some more and shared them with the community. The key focus areas will include:

• Goal 1: Learning district procedures, district and building personnel, and entry plan execution
• Goal 2: Lead and execute major areas of the strategic plan
• Goal 3: Connect with the larger community

Recommendation for School Board Member Expense Reimbursement Amount

Motion Approved

Approval to deny the Superintendent’s decision regarding a Uniform Grievance Procedure Complaint filed by a Teacher

Motion Approved

Approval of Resolution Dismissing an Educational Support Personnel Employee for

Reasons Other Than Reduction-In-Force

Motion Approved

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next regular Board meetings:

• October 19, 2023 - 7 p.m. - regular meeting; this meeting will be held at Lincoln Middle School
• November 16, 2023 - 7 p.m. - 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.

As District 64 continues to improve teaching and learning for all students, we know that parents and families are our most valuable partners. This is especially true as the District continues to communicate the appropriate standards and student achievement in each subject area and grade level. The Illinois Learning Standards, which will be on our report cards, set high expectations for our students, staff, and schools. It is important to us to communicate your child’s achievement toward these rigorous expectations in all content areas. 

This revised standards-based report card gives us a tool to accurately communicate your child’s achievement on the district-identified reporting standards for each grade level and subject area from first through fifth grades. 

When you receive your child’s trimester 1 report card, you will notice some changes for grades 1-5. You can view the D64 Family Standards Based Reporting Letter for September by clicking here or by going to our website.

Our Parent University returns on October 18th! 

Join us for this free event with Dr. Justin Patchin, who is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. Dr. Patchin travels the country and talks with students, educators, and parents about how to safely navigate social media and prevent the misuse of technology. 

Parents in the community are welcome to come to Dr. Patchin’s presentation on Wednesday, October 18th, at 6:00 pm in the Hendee Rooms (Jefferson School -8200 Greendale Ave Niles, IL 60714)

If you plan on coming, please RSVP here. 

The final touches have been put into place, and we're ready to host the community for another edition of Beans, Brew, and Ben! 

Join us for a community conversation with Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins on Wednesday, October 11th, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. This month, we'll meet at the Prospect Park Paula Hassell O'Connor Community Building (733 N. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL). 

To give us an idea of how much coffee to bring, please click here to RSVP. 

Carpenter Elementary School is hosting a blood drive this weekend, and it was inspired by one of their own families. This drive is dedicated to a brave 3-year-old named Riley Cadiz, who is courageously battling leukemia. She is the sister of Carpenter students Dylan and Cameron.

Principal Brett Balduf wrote, "Together, we can raise awareness, inspire hope, and advocate for the research and support needed to combat childhood cancer." They've almost reached their goal of filling up 90 spots! You can check here to see if there are any available slots left for Saturday.

"Trying to get out of Declaration of Independence Escape Room. #EnageD64 #TogetherWeAreEmerson"

~@MrFlorence8

"We had our first cougar den meeting today! #engaged64"

~@MrToren

"Congratulations to the 7th/8th grade girls win against Friendship! The Eagles Nest was LOUD!!! #TogetherWeAreEmerson #EngageD64"

~@P_csongradi

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]

#engageD64