001with the most votes every month. His peers and teachers recognize that he's someone who can always be counted on to do the right thing, to stand up for others, to follow directions, and to be a friend and role model. As a patrol, he supports our youngest learners at Field at the start and end of every day by showing them kindness, encouragement, and by always demonstrating what it means to show field cares. Emerson will be lucky to have Charlie as a new Emerson Eagle next year and I know we'll miss him here at Field. Congratulations, Charlie. [applause] Charlie, we're going to do pictures with you at the end, so don't go far. Okay. Right. Good evening. I'm Courtney Goodman. I'm the principal at Field and I'm pleased to be here to honor our beloved head custodian,
002Mr. John Ember. I practiced and I hope I don't get teary eyed when I say this. Um, they say that some people are the heart of a building, but after over 40 years in district 64, it's safe to say that John Ember is the heart, the soul, and the very foundation of Field Elementary School. John, your impact is felt in every single nook and cranny of our Field community. And it's because of this dedication that we're so proud to honor you as our shining star this year. When I asked staff to describe John, they had much to say. John is often called our very own MacGyver. From leaky faucets to squeaky doors, there's nothing that John can't fix. He treats Field School like his second home, and it shows. Many of us at Field joke
003that our school is cleaner and more well-maintained than our own homes. The first time I visited Field six years ago, I remarked that the floors were clean enough to eat off of. But John's hard work goes beyond the daily duties. Staff unequivocally call him the hardest worker in our building. John arrives long before the sun is up and stays until the job is done. Whether he's battling a snowstorm or enduring a variety of summer projects or making sure our gym floors are sparkling for the next big event, John always ensures that the job is completed to excellent standards. One of the most remarkable things about John is his dedication and service to others. He doesn't just manage the building, he mentors others. John takes the time to train his fellow custodians, sharing the decades of
004decades of knowledge so that they too can experience what it means to lead and care for Field and eventually their own buildings. He cares about making Field well organized and clean, but he cares most about the people inside of it. To many of us, John is more than just the head custodian. He's the patriarch of Field School. He's a man of his word, a dedicated friend to his co-workers, and a wise counselor. If you need advice on life or work or just being a good human, he's your guy. John is also incredibly funny, possessing a quick wit that can brighten even the most stressful of Monday mornings. Beyond the humor, John is tremendously loyal and dedicated. He is protective of this school and the people in it. Whether he's ensuring the building is safe for
005our students or supporting me directly, I know John is always in our corner. He is the guardian of our halls and his dedication to our well-being is as solid as this foundation. John, your kindness, your incredible work ethic, and your strong character have earned you the deepest respect of students, staff, and families alike. You have spent four decades ensuring our children have a safe and beautiful place to learn, often putting in hours and work that no one else sees. You are and always will be an essential pillar of our field community. I'm so grateful for your tremendous work and your friendship. Congratulations, John. >> [applause] >> All right. And now we're going to move on to the district spelling bee. And I believe Allison Darenheim is going to present our amazing district spelling bee winners.
006>> Good evening. I am presenting tonight on behalf of Megan Kefir, who is the district spelling be coordinator. Before we meet our champions, we want to thank our building level coordinators and volunteers. Their hard work at the school level is what makes this district event possible. This year, nearly 200 students competed across the district. From those school bees, 21 finalists advanced to our district B on February 2nd. It was an incredible night. It took 14 rounds to narrow the field to our top three. And then our final two spellers battled for another 11 rounds. It was a recordbreaking 27 I'd like to welcome our top two to the podium tonight. In addition to their medals, they've earned a year subscription to Encyclopedia Bratannica. In second place, we have Sarah Currion, who is a former champion,
007seventh grade Emerson. [applause] Our 2026 champion is Abigail Matzah, sixth grade Lincoln. Abigail moves on to the North Cook Regional B in Lincolnwood next week. We are so proud to have her representing District 64. Please join me in a round of applause for our winners. Come on up. [applause] Sorry. All right. And the final part of recognition is the Park Ridge Community Fund. That's just the fund that our past employees and current employees uh donate to. And usually every year we're coming in right around $10,000 that we give uh to that fund to help uh the needy. And so uh this time every year we generally talk about it and have a presentation. Dr. Dwire is the one who does that. Um he's actually visiting uh something for one of his own children out of
008state right now. So um he wanted me to tell everybody that it's going really well and we're well on our way to our $10,000 goal. So just a great way that all our employees can give back. Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Um, this is a point of the meeting where we welcome public comments. Each speaker is given three minutes to address the board. Comments may be made on almost any matter related to the operation of schools, but we ask that you refrain from making comments concerning individual students or staff members. The board uses this time to listen to community questions and concerns, but will not respond immediately to requests for information. Additionally, the board cannot take formal action on non-aggenda items. Contact the board president by email if you wish to discuss your
009topic further. Please come forward to the microphone to state your name and if comfortable your address for the minutes anybody for public comments. All right, I think we're good. All right, exciting stuff. Playgrounds, we're back. Is it possible that we could move the boards um closer just in case we reference them? and all stuff on the screen. It's an immersive experience. >> Yes. Yes. That's helpful. Welcome back, Margaret. Great to see you. We're very excited uh tonight to be kind of talking about um one of the next projects that are is going to be taking place this summer for kind of the final round of our referendum work. Um we are very excited to have Margaret Chidz here with um Burke and Play Illinois. Um we're excited to talk and learn about the field and
010Franklin Elementary School playgrounds that are being planned for this summer. Um so without further ado, I'm gonna pass it off to Margaret. Thank you, Margaret. >> Thank you. So, just to recap where we ended up this summer, we were able to install two playgrounds at Carpenter. We did two at Roosevelt and we did two at Washington. We had planned to do the two at Jefferson, both in the front and the back. We ran into some permit delays. Um, so we will those projects up in the summer this summer. But you can see that plan versus actual we actually did come in under budget across the board and part of that was due to the Burke grant that we used for Carpenter South and the PTO contribution at Carpenter South as well. And um one point
011with all of the equipment, kids around the world, which is a nonprofit that will accept donations of used equipment. They refurbish it and send it to impoverished countries. They were able to use the equipment from Carpenter North and that will be installed later this year in Bangladesh and they'll send photos and a little bit more of a story. It's going to be at bazaar in Bangladesh. So we'll have some information about that. They also will be taking equipment from field in Franklin. So it's another good opportunity to share with the community, share with the students and learn a little bit about geography. Throughout the process, we really focused on doing a collaborative approach, making sure that every student, every staff member, parents, everyone had a voice in how these playgrounds were going to be designed.
012We did that through um surveys. We did it through small group meetings, presentations to PTO and to staff. And most importantly, the students gave us feedback. We want to continue that as we on to, you know, the next phase. We also encouraged everyone to do site visits, to go out to some of the playgrounds that we've done locally, see what they like, what they didn't like, and bring those experiences back. These are some of the photos that we did this summer. So, Carpenter South, Carpenter North, Roosevelt Intermediate, Washington North, and then for Washington South, we just did the surfacing and installed the communication board. throughout all the projects in phase one. One consistent is um installing the communication boards and we'll continue that as well. For phase two, where we're at now, we've spent the
013past five months going through design revisions, getting input, looking at colors, looking at equipment. We are planning to starting in March start at Franklin to have kids around the world come and take the equipment from the red playground and the blue playground and then we will have that area sectioned off. Franklin will continue to use the green playground and then as soon as school is out that first week of June we will start Jefferson. We will also start with So our plan is to get those three projects done between June and July. We'll have kids around the world come back to take the equipment that they wanted from field. And then we're also talking with Jefferson about potentially adding some indoor gross motor skills in the um gym inside. So, we're looking at those opportunities
014with Franklin depending on the construction schedule. We're planning on starting that in mid July and we would be doing the green playground now the primary playground and then we also have a sensory playground. So the blue playground becomes a smaller sensory playground and you can see on the boards here and we'll also share virtual tours with the sensory playground. It was really kind of a focus on quiet calming activities. Kids can sit on rocks and tree stumps. There's also a poured rubber sensory path and some swinging and options just if you want to sit and have that calming space or sit with a friend. We're still finalizing colors um especially for field. We're deciding um that color palette but just giving a couple different options. Here are some of the designs that we're looking at
015for Jefferson, just as a refresher. So, this would be in the front playground. We have a small structure with a ramp and some climbing. And then we also have a separate area that will have the inclusive spinner and again some more climbing balancing the communication board and then under the shade canopy we're installing some music. The surfacing on the two new play areas will be turf just like we have at the other schools. And then under the shaded canopy that will just be mulch. The back playground will have a new fence. We're also adding a trike path. And then this is a focus on different play activities. We have funnel ball. We have some climbing, some spinning, some new play panels added along the fence. And then again, it's a quiet calming area. for field.
016You can see it's a much larger space. We have kept the swings and there's a two separate structures. So, we have a smaller structure for the younger students that does have ramp ramp access and a variety of climbers and slides. In the center, we have the spinner. There's a couple different spinners. And in the far corner, you can There's a climbing dome that has a slide on it. There's also a climbing wall. So, there's a lot of different activities that kids can go and experience. We wanted to make sure that there was opportunities if someone wanted to be on the playground but not necessarily in the action that they had that opportunity to either find a space to sit under one of the shade canopies or go along one of the swings or the benches
017on the back. The PTO is also going to contribute $83,118 to cover some of the amenities as well as three adjustable height basketball systems, the shade, some of the equipment, and we're also exploring opportunities to do blacktop painting. So, some sensory games, painting the um force square. And for Franklin, we also have a ramp structure. We've added a shaded music area. There are some swings. And then on the ramp structure, it's similar to what we have put into place at Washington North. So, the ramp with two points of entry and exit, swings in the back, some climbing, the slides, sensory options as you enter the ramp, and then seated space, a couple benches, a quiet calming area, and then we also have the communication board as well. Each of these projects will include a $15,000
018contingency allowance. And that's just in case there was any unforeseen expenses, drainage, anything like that. If we don't use them, then that would be removed from the final cost. This is another view of the sensory space for Franklin. Again, you can the adapt swings, the rock structure, the seating area, and the quiet calming area. All of this was based on input from the staff in the PTO and then feedback from students as well. Are there any questions I can answer? Our next steps will be doing the construction timeline that I'll share with the board. We'll go through each of the schools and outline when kids around the world is taking the equipment. They will provide a don donation letter and a certificate of insurance before they do any removals. And then we'll work as we
019go through to send weekly updates. And when all the playgrounds are finished, then we'll look at additional promotion. So last year with phase one, we weren't able to capitalize on some of the activities we wanted as far as um getting media coverage and doing features to really position the district as a leader both an inclusive play inside the classroom and out on the playground. and we'll be able to do that, you know, planning a little bit more in advance now. And I do have to say I appreciate all the support that you've given to us promoting the projects. I've heard from a lot of super other superintendent who've reached out or wanted to come and do site visits to look at the work that's been done here. >> Always happy to be the playground guy.
020So, yeah. they sell themselves though in terms of like the experiences that children can have. So, thank you. You you've been great and wonderful and I know our team has really appreciated working with you and your company. So, it's awesome. >> Thank you. And then this over spring break, I'll be walking the playgrounds again just to make sure everything's functioning and then gathering additional feedback if there's anything that we need to do over the summer. Um, you know, we're lowering some of the swings and some of the monkey bars. If there's anything like that that we need to incorporate, I'll take care of that. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody believe we have an action item to do here, right? >> I move that the board approve the quote as provided by
021Play Illinois LLC in coordination with BCI Burke Group LLC for playground installation at Field Elementary and Franklin Elementary. >> Second. >> Andrew's a motion with a second. Any discussion or questions? >> All right. >> Milligan, >> yes. >> Kemple. Double Day. >> Yes. >> Liy, yes. Ranken, yes. Klein, yes. Jacus, yes. All right, Joel. >> Um, yeah, this is, uh, our two new principles that were up tonight for recommendation. Uh, we've shared the information with you. We've shared the information preliminarily with the community pending your approval. Uh, throughout the process, I think these two really became a cut above a really competitive pool, frankly. So, we're very excited for them to join the team and I'll just turn it over to Joel for any additional comments. I can certainly add up stuff too. >> No,
022I would just echo what Ben said. I thought we um we had two very deep pools. I thought the process we had a lot of people give feedback throughout the entire process. Both of these candidates in all phases receive really glowing reviews. I think we're lucky to have this caliber of experienced individuals willing to come. I think it speaks highly for us and we're excited to have them. join the team. >> I move that the board of education approve the appointment of Robert Gersio as Franklin Elementary School principal effective July 1st, 2026 based on the recommendation of the superintendent and not upon the board's direct knowledge regarding the individual selected for appointment. Second >> Andrew with a motion. Vicki with a second. Any discussion or questions. All right. >> Ranken. Yes. Jacus. >> Yes. >>
023Milligan. >> Yes. >> Lui. >> Yes. Double Day. >> Yes. >> Kemple. >> Klein. >> Yes. I move that the board of education approve the appointment of Megan Duffy as Roosevelt Elementary School principal effective July 1st, 2026 based on the recommendation of the superintendent and not upon the board's direct knowledge regarding the individual selected for appointment. >> Second motion with a second questions or discussion rank. Yes. Double Day. >> Yes. >> George Aus. >> Yes. >> Milligan. >> Yes. >> Lui. >> Yes. >> Klein. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Next thing. >> I move that the board of education approve resolution number 1383 authorizing the issuance of a notice of remedial warning for Pablo Alvarez. >> Second. >> Andrew with the motion. Vicki with the second. Questions. Discussion. Right. >> Rankin, yes. Double Day,
024>> yes. >> Klein, yes. Milligan, >> yes. >> Luisi, yes. Kemple. >> Jacus, yes. >> All right. Thank you, Joel. >> All right. All right. Um, this next one is uh a resolution for Cook County and the situation that we are frankly still under. Not exactly sure exactly what the outstanding amount of dollars is or what percent 90. So we're still not at 100%. >> $5 million >> on February 19th. >> Yeah. So all of the districts in Cook County are just trying to stand together and continuously put pressure on the county board to try to rectify and fix the situation considering we have the next piece of tax installments coming up. um the communication has still been pathetic if not non-existent. The answers continue to be uh frustrating and so we're still trying to
025exert as much pressure as we possibly can. Um there's even some legislation that would create a interest free loan um at the state level if taxes weren't coming out on time for school districts. So we wouldn't be in this place again. So we would just our recommendation is that we would approve this so that we can we can show um in good faith the amount of support that all these other municipalities it's library boards it's cities frankly at this point it's police boards it's you name it that are going through just a really tough time with losing I think it's about one just over 1% of all the wealth of municipalities just vanished like that which is a lot when you think about it so um >> own magnified by the treasurer's office just complete
026failure in leadership and attempt to >> solve any of the issues related to it. It's just >> unreable. So >> I move that the board approve resolution number 1384 calling on the Cook County Treasurer and other Cook County officials responsible for the issuance of property tax bills to resolve systemic issues. Second. >> Answer the motion. Vicki with a second. Questions, discussion. >> All right, please. >> Milligan, >> yes. Lui, >> yes. Double Day, >> yes. >> Kemple Ranken, yes. Klein, >> yes. George, yes. >> Transportation. >> All right. Good evening. We talked about transportation quite a bit here. Um but we do have um an action item tonight to approve a new transportation rig for regular education transportation um for the next three school years starting the 2026 2027 school year. Um I want to
027thank every all the companies that put in a bid. We had great interest in this. We had eight companies of the nine that attended um go ahead and submit a bid for transportation services. We analyzed the bids in their entirety and after analyzing uh many different uh I guess aspects of the bid, uh we did come forward tonight with a recommendation to go with Lake View Sunrise. Um we do currently utilize them for our special education transportation. um not only do they offer us um the best overall price, we look at the entirety of the contract, but we um you know felt like the proximity of their bus barn to our um district is a great asset for us in emergency situations. We do have a relationship with them. Um and we did um do
028some considerable analysis to make sure that they were in sound financial standing to make sure that they can fulfill their contract with us moving forward. So that is our recommendation for tonight. I move that the board of education approve a three-year contract for regular education transportation services with Lake View Transportation Company for the 2026, 2027, 2027, 2028, and 2028, 2029 school years. >> Second motion, Vicky with a second. Any questions, discussion? Klein, yes. Lui, >> yes. Jacus, >> yes. Ranken, yes. Kemple Milligan, >> yes. >> Double Day, >> yes. Thank you, Brian. All right. Um, before we address it, does anybody need anything pulled out of the consent agenda? >> All right. Motion on that, please. I move that the board approve the consent agenda for February 19th, 2026 as presented. >> Second motion with
029a second. Questions, discussion. >> Lui, >> yes. Klein, >> yes. Ranken, yes. Double Day, >> yes. >> George, yes. Kemple Milligan, >> yes. >> All right. Any new business? Superintendent update. >> Let's take a tour. So, we'll turn it over to Mike and Courtney. >> We kind of gave everybody your tech ed conferences. Karen Corselo, she did a presentation. She's a teacher at Emerson and does the uh broadcasting class, student voice on error, building a studentled news program that works. Um, Victoria Wilson and Anna Bower did code switching, robots, language, and learning in motion. Then Victoria Wilson and Colleen uh Byer did from wonder to wisdom, and that was about questioning techniques. So, it was just nice having more of our staff members going out there and sharing their learning with other educators. Um, beyond
030that, everything's going well and we're excited for this push to spring break at this point. I think everyone's really sick of February and ready to uh enjoy some nicer weather. So, >> all right. With that, I think we're ready to adjourn our meeting if anybody's got motion to do so. >> So moved. Second. >> Rachel with a second. Andrew with the motion. Um, all in favor of adjourning our regular meeting? >> I We're now journed. Monica wants to stick around. Okay. >> All right. We are journed. Thank you.