The Community Consolidated School District 146 Board of Education met on May 11 for its regular monthly meeting at Memorial School in Tinley Park. The meeting included recognition of Young Authors Grand Champions, updates from school leaders, and approval of several contracts.
The board honored Teegan Kempen, Ena Schmidt, Hanan Hazama, and Declan Doogan as Young Authors Grand Champions. All participants were celebrated at a special event in April. Dr. Joe Trsar, principal of Memorial Elementary School, gave an update on recent learning activities and highlighted the importance of parent partnerships with the Parent Teacher Association.
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Stawick thanked the board for supporting staff during Staff Appreciation Week and noted that the last day of school will be May 29 with a half-day schedule for students. He also mentioned Central Middle School’s eighth grade graduation set for May 19 and reminded members about the Joint Annual Conference scheduled for November.
During public comment, Ann Corns spoke about paraprofessional duties at Central Middle School. Eileen Von Borstel, Teachers Union President, provided updates on end-of-year events such as dances and assemblies across schools. Karen Lyons from the ESP Union discussed ongoing contract negotiations with the district.
Curriculum Director Carey Radke presented an updated draft eLearning Plan to be voted on after a public hearing June 1. Director of Business Services Jeff Charleston outlined a proposed three-year auditing services agreement with Cherry Bekaert; this will also be considered in June.
Board actions included approving three-year transportation contracts with First Student and Sunrise for regular and special education services respectively; approving an intergovernmental agreement with Tinley Park Park District; accepting a gift to Fierke Education Center from its PTO; setting board meeting dates for the next school year; and declaring some curriculum items as surplus.
Community Consolidated School District 146 represents Cook County schools including Arnold W. Kruse Education Center, Bert H. Fulton School, Central Middle School, Memorial Elementary School, and Walter F. Fierke Education Center,according to Illinois Report Card. The district enrolled about 2,400 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade during the 2019-2020 school year,according to Illinois Report Card.
Demographically, Community Consolidated School District 146 is comprised of approximately 66 percent White students along with Black (6 percent), Hispanic (19 percent), and Asian (2 percent) populations,according to Illinois Report Card. In terms of staffing,Illinois State Board of Education reports there are nearly 188 teachers earning an average salary just over $66,000 per year; most are women (89 percent) while men make up around ten percent.
For spending,Illinois Report Card data shows that Community Consolidated spent nearly $25,000 per student in fiscal year 2020 totaling almost $60 million overall expenditures that year.
Chronic truancy rates remain low within this district.According to Illinois State Board of Education data, there were no chronically truant students enrolled during the last reported school year—well below statewide averages where chronic truancy can reach nearly ten percent or higher elsewhere in Illinois districts.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for June 1 at The Robert Procunier Administration Center in Tinley Park.
