The River Trails School District 26 Board of Education conducted its Tuesday, December 14, 2021 meeting at River Trails Middle School. The meeting was also livestreamed on the district’s website. You can view a recording of the entire meeting on YouTube. Here are the highlights:
- Prior to the meeting, the talented musicians from the River Trails Middle School Alternative Strings group performed in the cafeteria. It included some classic holiday songs.
- The Board conducted a public hearing regarding the 2021 tax levy. This included a presentation by Dr. Lyndl Schuster, the district’s assistant superintendent for business services. The tax levy was later approved by the Board.
- River Trails Education Association representative Bob Kastner commented on behalf of his fellow members. “I’d like to thank the administration and board of education for a wonderful working relationship,” Kastner said. He also noted the positive direction of the ongoing negotiations.
- Dr. Susan Stolzer praised the in-person concert put on by the River Trails Middle School bands, orchestras and choruses. She called the performances “delightful” and “emotional.” These sentiments were echoed by Frank Fiarito, who said “we are really blessed in our district to have an incredible music program.” He commended the department’s teachers, Steve Flowers, Chris Kuzmanoff, and Todd Smith. He added credit for the elementary school music teachers, Meghan Thompson and Katie Van Eck.
- The Board recognized the extraordinary contributions of two Euclid Elementary School volunteers. Steve Biddle and Michale La Vant have gone above and beyond in giving their time and effort to the students of Euclid.
- Prairie Trails Principal Amy Veytsman made a presentation regarding her school’s pre-kindergarten program. Veytsman delivered an overview of what pre-k looks like on a daily basis and said Prairie Trails is “a fantastic place to be.”
- Kristy Seifert, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, talked about the recent grant awarded to the district by the Bosch Community Fund. The grant will go toward the STEM program at Prairie Trails. She said, “we would not be where we are today without Bosch’s support.”
The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 18 at River Trails Middle School. You can email them at boe@rtsd26.org.