The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on May 21, where it approved several key motions, recognized student and staff achievements, and received an update from the superintendent.
During the meeting, the Board celebrated the accomplishments of its Special Olympics track and field team. Athletes from Emerson, Lincoln, Field, Franklin, Roosevelt, and Washington schools participated in regional games at Hoffman Estates High School in April. The team earned a total of 24 medals: 11 gold, six silver, and seven bronze. Additionally, this year’s Science Olympiad brought together 170 fourth- and fifth-grade students from across the district to participate in hands-on engineering challenges.
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Joel Martin recognized probationary teachers who successfully completed their evaluation process to become tenured teachers for the upcoming school year. The list included educators from Emerson, Field, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington schools.
The Board voted to ratify a new five-year contract between the Park Ridge Education Association (PREA) and itself. Representatives said that a transparent and collaborative process led to a tentative agreement before the start of the school year.
In other business, approval was given for a Strategic Facility Planning Partnership with McKinstry to conduct a comprehensive facility condition assessment for District 64 buildings. Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins provided an update on his goals for the district. He said that highlights included “68% of students meeting their MAP growth targets in math and 66% in reading (surpassing the 60% goal), as well as decreased student suspensions, improved labor relations, budget surpluses,” along with eliminating full-day kindergarten tuition.
The Board also approved its new strategic plan covering years 2026 through 2030. The plan introduces updated mission statements as well as five key goal areas: Student Learning; Student Behavior & Culture; Educator Excellence; Resource Allocation; and Community Engagement. A full rollout is scheduled at the beginning of next school year.
