Emerson Middle School

Emerson Middle School News

Honor School Board Members on Nov. 15

[district news]

Posted on 11/11/2008 by Bernadette Tramm
Members of the Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board of Education were honored at their November 10 meeting for their service to the community as a prelude to an official School Board Members Day on Saturday, November 15 proclaimed for the City of Park Ridge.

“We salute and thank our hard-working Board members who as elected representatives volunteer their time to oversee the education of more than 4,340 students and provide oversight for more than 600 staff members in our local public schools,” according to Superintendent Sally Pryor. “These dedicated individuals deserve recognition for their vision and commitment to educating the whole child while being prudent fiscal stewards of the community’s tax dollars,” she added.

Board members recognized include:
•   Sue Runyon, current Board president, a member since 2001;
•   Chris Mollet, current Board vice-president and a former president, member since 2003;
•   Genie Taddeo, current secretary, a member since 2005;
•   Ron James, a member since 2005;
•   Marty Joyce, former president and vice president during his first service from 1993-2001 and currently a member since 2005;
•   John Heyde, a member since 2007; and
•   Ted Smart, a member since 2007.

Children and principals from each of the schools, along with Board members’ own children in District 64, were on hand to present a special Certificate of Appreciation individually to each member.

In addition, the Park Ridge City Council has proclaimed Saturday, November 15 as “School Board Members Day” throughout the City of Park Ridge. The proclamation notes that Board members are elected to “sit in trust for their communities” and that their actions “directly impact the quality of life in their communities, placing them at the front line of American democracy.”

In celebration, District 64 urges “parents, staff members and all local residents to send a note to their fellow citizens who serve on the Board on November 15 to thank them for their ongoing efforts,” Dr. Pryor added.

Board members may be contacted via a special link on the District 64 Website: www.d64.org .

Tentative Levy to Rise 2.19%; Total Tax Rate to Decline

[district news]

Posted on 11/11/2008 by Bernadette Tramm
The Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 at its November 10, 2008 meeting adopted a tentative levy for 2008 that calls for a proposed overall increase of 2.18% over the 2007 total levy, which is about half last year’s rate of inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). According to Business Manager Bruce Martin, the District’s total proposed 2008 levy is estimated to be $57.3 million; the actual 2007 total tax levy was $56.1 million. The Board will conduct a public hearing on Monday, December 8 at 7:20 p.m. at Washington School, 1500 Stewart Ave., prior to adopting a final levy that evening.

Mr. Martin reported that the lower levy growth for 2008 is a combination of two factors. (Full text of news release PDF)

Supt. Sally Pryor to retire June 2010

[district news]

Posted on 11/11/2008 by Bernadette Tramm
The Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board of Education at the November 10 meeting began preparing for a smooth transition to new leadership. The Board announced that it had accepted the retirement plans of Dr. Sally Pryor for the end of the 2009-10 school year and had established goals for her remaining time as head of District 64 schools. When she retires, Dr. Pryor will conclude a 38-year career in education, including 18 years in District 64. She has served as superintendent since 2003. The search process for her replacement will not begin until fall 2009. Full text of release (PDF)

All-Star Student Musicians Selected

[district news]

Posted on 11/10/2008 by Bernadette Tramm
Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 has the distinction of having 34 middle school student musicians selected to participate in two annual regional events sponsored by the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA). In addition, District 64 teacher Brian Jacobi, Curriculum Specialist for Instrumental Music, has been chosen to conduct one of the all-star groups. Full text of news release (PDF)