The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
D64 Shining Stars
We celebrated Shining Stars from Carpenter Elementary School this month. 5th-grade student Matthew Rusiecki and Interventionist Camille Derwin, both of whom exemplify the District 64 mission of growth and care for others. Matthew was introduced as a quiet leader and role model who demonstrates steady character and authentic kindness, particularly through his ownership of helping staff in the lunchroom and his compassion for his younger brother. Camille Derwin, currently in her final year before retirement, was honored for her decades of dedication and her recent work revamping the school's lunch and transition programs. Read the full story on Matthew Rusiecki and Camille Derwin.
Battle of the Books
Our 4th and 5th-grade readers recently wrapped up five weeks of fierce competition at the Park Ridge Public Library for the annual Battle of the Books. We are thrilled to announce that Franklin Elementary School took home first place this year with 564 points! It was a nail-biter finish for the rest of the podium, with Washington and Field schools following closely behind. We are so proud of every student who tackled the 40-book reading list and represented their school with pride.
Superintendent Update
- Enrollment Update: This year, we experienced a slight increase in registrations by the Early Bird deadline. We reached 82% of families registered, compared to 79% last year. Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins emphasized that this data is essential for the administration's planning of classroom sections for the upcoming school year.
- Lincoln Musical: Dr. Collins commended the students and staff involved in the Lincoln Middle School musical, noting that it was hopefully the last one that will ever need to be hosted at Emerson. He praised the cast's performance and highlighted the joy and lasting memories students gain from these extracurricular activities.
- Annual Realtor Lunch: We recently hosted our annual realtor lunch, where Dr. Collins shared valuable insights on what prospective families discuss when purchasing a home and how the District can improve its messaging and communication with them.
Recommended Personnel Report
Motions Approved
- Approval of Recommended Personnel Report
- Resolution #1385 Honorable Dismissal of Teachers
- Resolution #1386 Dismissal of Probationary Educational Support Personnel Employees
- Resolution #1387 Non-Reemployment of Part-Time Educational Support Personnel Employees
- Resolution #1388 Non-Renewal of Administrators’ Contracts and Honorable Dismissal of Teachers
Consent Agenda
Motions Approved
- Bills, Payroll, & Benefits
- Approval of Financial Update for the Period Ending January 31, 2026
- Approval of E-Rate Projects for 2026
- Approval of Supplemental Work at Lincoln Middle School
- Approval of Lincoln MPR Sweetwater System
- Approval of 2025 Annual Financial Report
- Approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement for North Cook Alternative Programs
- Approval of Meeting Minutes of February 19, 2026 Regular Meeting, February 19, 2026
- Closed Meeting and February 19, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting
- First Reading of Policy 7:220 Bus Conduct