The Community Consolidated School District 146 Board of Education met on April 22 to discuss upcoming programs, contract renewals, and school events, according to Superintendent Dr. Jeff Stawick.
The meeting covered several initiatives for students and staff. Dr. Stawick said a new Learning for All program will be launched to support skill retention among kindergarten through ninth grade students during the summer. The program will be promoted in May with incentives for participation, and student efforts will be recognized at the start of the next school year. Road construction near Kruse was also addressed; contractors have been informed about drop-off and pick-up times to keep roads open during those periods.
Other highlights included updates on upcoming events such as the CMS Spring Musical scheduled for April 17-18, the Young Authors Celebration on April 23 at Central Middle School (CMS), and kindergarten screening set for April 29 with around 80 incoming students registered. The CMS Symphonic Band has been selected by audition to perform at SuperState at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana on May 8.
Union leaders Eileen Von Borstel and Karen Lyons reported on recent activities within schools—including testing, science fairs, reading programs—and announced that contract negotiations have started. Director of Business Services Jeff Charleston presented details regarding transportation service contract renewals, while Communications Specialist Keegan Kociss informed members about new ADA web compliance standards taking effect soon.
The Board approved administrator contracts for the upcoming school year as well as renewal of its food service contract with Whitsons Nutrition. A draft e-Learning Plan was also presented; this plan must be submitted every three years for approval. Information about an intergovernmental agreement with Tinley Park Park District was shared, and Fierke PTO’s commitment to donate funds toward new media center furniture was noted—pending board approval in May.
Community Consolidated School District 146 serves Cook County through several 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 approximately 2,400 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade during the 2019-2020 school year according to Illinois Report Card. Its demographic breakdown is roughly two-thirds White (66.5 percent), with Hispanic (19 percent), Black (6.6 percent), and Asian (2.1 percent) populations making up much of the remainder according to Illinois Report Card.
In terms of staffing and finances: there are a total of 188 teachers earning an average salary of $66,097 before pension contributions; nearly ninety percent are women according to Illinois Report Card. In fiscal year 2020 spending per student reached $24,950 totaling almost $60 million district-wide according to Illinois Report Card.
Notably absent from district records were any chronically truant students in the most recent data available—a rate far below both state averages and other districts in Cook County according to Illinois Report Card.
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11 at Memorial School in Tinley Park.
