Emerson Middle School has a new assistant principal!

On Thursday, the District 64 Board of Education voted to approve the hire of Patrick Conlin as a new assistant Principal at Emerson, starting July 22, 2024. He will work alongside Principal Tessa Shulman and Assistant Principal Maria Soulias at Emerson.

Since 2018, Conlin has worked as a special education teacher at Crown-Dundee High School. He previously was a special education teacher assistant in Lake Zurich School District 95. 

You can read more about Mr. Conlin on our website.

All of the D64 schools and offices are closed next week and on Monday, April 1st. We'll see everyone back on Tuesday, April 2nd!

The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 21st, in the Hendee Rooms. 

VIEW BOARD MEETING

Spotlight on Carpenter Elementary School 

Carpenter Elementary School Principal Brett Balduf and Assistant Principal Sean Degman showed us how there is Magic in the Journey. “Our discussion as a staff at the beginning of the year was on focusing, finding, and recognizing the positive that we’ve had in our journey throughout the school year,” said Balduf. The Cougars are excelling in many ways, and they brought the house down with a sketch that included some performances from their recent talent show. This video will be sure to make you laugh! 

Student & Staff Appreciation

Our Battle of the Books participants joined us! Washington finished in first place this year, and Carpenter in second place. For more than 40 years, the Park Ridge Public Library has partnered with Park Ridge schools to offer fourth and fifth-grade students a chance to test their knowledge of books. Thank you to the teachers and parents who made this another successful year of Battle of the Books. Additionally, we’re so proud of ALL the students who participated in this fun tradition. 

Additionally, we were thrilled to recognize and celebrate our staff and volunteers who were named Those Who Excel Award winners today by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Congratulations to this group for this great honor: Rebecca Navez - Emerson Teacher - Award of Special Recognition, Kelly L. Van Horn - Emerson Teacher - Award of Special Recognition, Dr. Joel T. Martin - Asst. Supt. for Human Resources - Award of Meritorious Service, Demelza, Steinfels - Parent & Volunteer - Award of Excellence, Janet Petrielli - Carpenter Office Associate - Award of Special Recognition, Maribeth Aimers - Carpenter Administrative Secretary - Award of Special Recognition.

Understanding Your Property Taxes

Ares G. Dalianis, an attorney at Franczek P.C., gave a presentation about the property taxes within District boundaries. You can view the presentation here. Dalianas walked the board through the tax appeals overview. He then explained the district’s property classifications. He also discussed the property tax exemptions in the district. A key point was that only four industrial properties are within the District 64 boundaries. “93.3% of the parcels in the district are residential, whether it’s somebody living in a condo, somebody living in a small house, somebody living in a large house. It’s pretty significant,” said Dalianis. 

When discussing the business properties with District 64, Dr. Collins stated, “Some of these properties saw their taxes do down in the last assessment as we were looking them up…and the taxing burden gets transferred to the homeowners.”

Approval of Recommended Personnel Report

Motion Carries

Superintendent Update

Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins gave an update with recommendations from our recent Community Task Force Meeting. We’re still in testing and planning mode, and a lot of things still need to be figured out, but here are the four recommendations from the committee. 

1. The size and composition of the proposal should be tested in its current form.
2. The safety and infrastructure categories are clear and supported. We need to break out and clarify the items in the classroom modernization category (and rename).
3. We need to make a better connection to academic and learning improvements and explain how this will positively impact students and our overall financial outlook.
4. Make a history of district financial decisions and a plan for increasing future allowances on capital projects to ensure that taxpayers will only be sought after if necessary.

Approve Chromebook Purchasing Plan

Motion Carries

Each year, the District plans and budgets to purchase new devices for students, based on refresh

cycles, to support our 1:1 Digital Learning Program. With new technology and improvements

being made on existing models of devices, an ongoing review of the efficacy of devices is

conducted each year. The District will purchase 1,100 of the Acer Spin 511 R756TN (8GB) from ITSavvy for $393,250.00 for grade 2 and grade 6 students for our 1:1 Digital Learning Program for 2024-25. This cost has already been budgeted accordingly in the FY25 Technology Department Budget.

Approval of PowerSchool Student Analytics & Insights Contract

Motion Carries

Approval of Relay Contract

Motion Carries

Board Authorizes 2024-2025 Staffing Plan

Motion Carries

Notice of Remedial Warning of a Teacher

Motion Carries

Consent Agenda

Motion Carries

Approval of Minutes

Motion Carries

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next Board meetings:

• April 18, 2024 - 7 p.m. - Hendee Rooms at Jefferson
• May 16, 2024 - 7 p.m. - Hendee Rooms at Jefferson

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.

When we return from Spring Break, it will be April, and Healthy Living Month will be underway in District 64! The goal of this community-wide initiative is to promote healthy bodies and healthy minds. Students will have access to healthy living resources and activities and will be given a weekly challenge relating to one of the themes below:

• Health and Nutrition Week 1 (April 2-7)
• Neat to Use Your Feet Week 2 (April 8-14)
• Go Green Week 3 (April 15-21)
• Screen Free Week 4 (April 22-28)

Please check out this link for more information on Healthy Living Month and the weekly challenges!

On Wednesday March 20th, Jefferson staff donated sack meals for those in need at Uncle Pete's. Each sack meal contained two sandwiches, an apple, bottled water, chips, and cookies. A total of 182 meals were donated.

Sacks were taken to the Marillac Center Food Pantry, Marillac Center Project Hope, and Franciscan Day Program.

How cool is this?! Broadcast students at Lincoln Middle School had the opportunity to interview Peter Skoronski, who is a former D64 student and current Tennessee Titan. Skoronski was the 11th overall pick in last year's NFL Draft. Thank you Peter for the time and chatting with our students and giving them insights into the life and world of the NFL!

Proud to support our students with Down’s Syndrome on 3/21! ~@MrsDiMaso

We really enjoyed our in-school field trip to help us learn more about space! We did the “Lunar Long Jump”, made a sun dial and more! Thank you PTO for making this possible! #CAMagicintheJourney #CAEngaged #CALovetoLearn #engageD64 ~@MrsKomenda

Congratulations to our 7th Girls Volleyball team on winning the MCSL Conference Championship! #WeAreEmerson #Champs ~@MrFlorence8

Lincoln Jazz Band performing at Allstate Arena before the Chicago Wolves game last weekend.

Emerson Jazz Band also performed at Allstate Arena before the Chicago Wolves game last weekend.

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