The River Trails School District 26 Board of Education held a meeting on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at River Trails Middle School. It was also livestreamed on our website. A recording of the full meeting is available for viewing on our YouTube page.
Here are the highlights:
- Natalie Hudson, representative for the River Trails Education Association, thanked administration and the Board for a positive working relationship. She noted that negotiations have been “an all-around great experience” and added, “it’s been very respectful and collaborative and we see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
- River Trails Middle School Principal Mary Krall-Meske delivered a presentation on proposed changes to the school’s class schedule for the 2022-2023 school year. The recommendation follows months of research and planning by RTMS administration. It institutes a block schedule system that allows for longer instruction time for each class. The Board approved this change and more details will be provided as preparations for the new schedule continue.
- Dr. Lyndl Schuster, assistant superintendent for business services, recommended that the Board approve architecture fees for a schematic design of infrastructure improvements at River Trails Middle School. The Board approved these fees that will allow FGM Architects to provide the district with more detail on the work that needs to be done and a better estimate of costs.
- Dr. Schuster also updated the Board on a food service management plan for the 2022-2023 school year. Her recommendation was for the district to manage the program in-house and to hire a food service director for this purpose. Previously the district’s food service was managed by Arlington Heights District 25. The Board approved the plan and the hope is to hire a food service director in April.
- Superintendent Dr. Nancy Wagner addressed the district’s staffing needs for the 2022-2023 school year. This included the desire to use a portion of the ESSER III funds to hire an additional social worker at Euclid Elementary School. The Board approved Dr. Wagner’s recommendation.
- Dr. Wagner provided information about an internship program at National Louis University that would allow the district to add teacher assistants for the 2022-2023 school year. The Board will make a decision about participating in this program at a future meeting.
- Members of the Board set additional plans for the ongoing superintendent search, including adjusting some dates for candidate interviews. To accommodate these interviews, the April BOE meeting will be moved back a week to April 26.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 26 at River Trails Middle School. You can email the board at boe@rtsd26.org.