The River Trails School District 26 Board of Education held a meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at River Trails Middle School. It was also livestreamed on our website. A recording of the full meeting is available for viewing on our YouTube page.
Here are the highlights:
- The Board approved a 15-year renovation plan for infrastructure upgrades at Euclid, Indian Grove and River Trails Middle School. This plan will utilize fund balances and bonds to renovate the elementary schools from 2023 to 2025. For the middle school, the approved plan calls for an update to furniture and for using saved parts to help maintain mechanical systems until the school can be renovated down the line. View the full presentation and Board discussion on the issue.
- Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Kristy Seifert delivered a presentation to the Board regarding student performance data that the district has gathered in the first couple months of the school year. She also spoke about the expected findings in the Illinois state report card that will be released in the coming days. “We’re very proud of our schools, our teachers and our students,” Seifert said.
- Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Dr. Carie Cohen updated the Board on results from recent surveys that have been conducted among students and staff. These surveys will be conducted again in the spring, allowing the district to assess its progress throughout the year.
- Board member Frank Fiarito offered kudos to the students and music teachers at River Trails Middle School who performed at Monday night’s Kick-Off Concert. Fiarito said, “the kids last night were nothing but amazing.”
- Board member Janine Freedlund noted that Euclid’s annual Walk-A-Thon took place last week and said “the kids had a lot of fun.”
- River Trails Middle School Principal Mary Krall-Meske recapped her summer trip to Europe for the Global Leadership Summit. She called it “an amazing experience and I so greatly appreciate being part of it.”
- River Trails Middle School teacher Georgette Zitis previewed the upcoming Hero Day and Hero Night and the overall Hero program available to students at RTMS throughout the year. Three middle school students, Kendall, Sofia and Sia, read poems that they have written as part of the program.
- Euclid Principal Karen Daly was joined by Dani Martinez, a resident in the district, to speak about a proposal for the construction of a mini soccer pitch on Euclid grounds. The pair, along with The Bridge Community Church, is seeking approval from the Mount Prospect Board of Trustees for a grant that would fund the project.
- River Trails Education Association President Bob Kastner addressed the Board on behalf of his RTEA members and said “I’d like to thank the Board of Education and the administration for the wonderful ongoing working relationship that we have.”
- The Board authorized an application submission for a $50,000 grant from the Illinois State Board of Education School Maintenance Program.
- Dr. Jodi Megerle updated the Board on her first 100 days in the superintendent role.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at River Trails Middle School. You can email the board at boe@rtsd26.org.