The River Trails School District 26 Board of Education conducted its Tuesday, November 16, 2021 meeting at River Trails Middle School. The meeting was also livestreamed on the district’s YouTube page. You can view a recording of the entire meeting. Here are the highlights:
- The Board announced the appointment of Mount Prospect resident Louis Camardo to the vacant seat and he was officially sworn in, joining the Board for a term that expires in April 2023.
- River Trails Education Association representative Bob Kastner thanked the Board and added they “put the ‘good’ in good faith bargaining” as negotiations continue between the two parties.
- Several individuals were recognized for their contributions to the district. Among them were members of the technology department, including Alberto Espino, Nan Greenlay, Juan Hu, Allyn Jacobs, Bob Kastner and Matt Tombs. Recently resigned Board member Samuel Bae was also recognized as were the current Board members as part of November 15 being School Board Member Day in Illinois.
- River Trails Education Foundation secretary and interim vice president Ann Forman delivered an annual report. Forman noted that the foundation is celebrating its 30th year and that the past two years have been challenging, but that the foundation is “alive and well.”
- Joe Lightcap of the Baker Tilly accounting firm updated the Board on a recently conducted audit. An audit of the district’s finances is conducted on an annual basis.
- Dr. Jodi Megerle, assistant superintendent for student services, presented results from recently conducted Panorama surveys by students and staff. Follow up surveys will be conducted in the spring. The information gathered from these surveys will help the district support students and staff.
- The Board approved a memorandum of understanding with the RTEA regarding teacher evaluations for the current school year.
- The Board approved a tentative 2021 tax levy and a schedule for properly presenting it to the public.
- During the Operations Committee report, representatives from FGM Architects and Dan Whisler, director of buildings and grounds, delivered a comprehensive facilities assessment which highlighted specific infrastructure needs at each of the schools.
- Dr. Wagner reported that the district is still seeking to fill several positions, including substitutes. She suggested several ideas for attracting more substitutes and the Board approved an allocation of funds in order to aid in this process.
The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 14 at River Trails Middle School. You can email them at boe@rtsd26.org.