Updates on various projects being tackled this summer in Flossmoor School District 161 were discussed at a special board of education meeting June 26. Also, two recently graduated eighth graders from Parker Junior High were honored by the board.
Brozynski Award of the South Suburban Junior High
School Association for athletic and academic
achievement and sportsmanship. They are shown
with School District 161 Superintendent Dana
Smith at the June 26 board of education meeting.
(Photo by R.L. Anderson)
Updates on various projects being tackled this summer in Flossmoor School District 161 were discussed at a special board of education meeting June 26.
The meeting marked Dana Smith’s debut in the superintendent’s chair. Smith was hired by the district earlier this year. His tenure officially began July 1 but he was on the job prior to that date.
Members of Smith’s administration provided progress reports on activities now underway.
The district is preparing for the testing of lead levels in water. Scott Stachacz, director of buildings and grounds, explained how his staff is readying for the testing which will occur in October and must be completed by the end of the year.
“We have no lead pipes and I don’t anticipate any high levels of lead,” Stachacz said.
The testing, required by a new state law passed earlier this year, mandates testing only in elementary schools. Stachacz said lead testing will also take place at Parker Junior High School and the Normandy Villa Administration Center.
At each facility tests will be run on all classroom sinks, water fountains and food-preparation areas. The testing will cost about $10,000, according to Stachacz.
The board heard a report on health and life-safety construction projects occurring this summer. Projects now underway include replacement of the roof at Parker and district-wide life-safety improvements. These include exterior work at Flossmoor Hills and Western Avenue, replacing interior partitions at Heather Hill and Serena Hills and a new water line at Normandy Villa. A representative of Green Associates said the work is being done on time and on budget.
Bus transportation was also discussed. Board Board member Cameron Nelson said that historically bus transportation “is most challenging at the beginning of the school year” during a report from an executive of the bus company that serves District 161.
School officials said the district experienced bus service “glitches” at the beginning of the 2016-17 academic year and the current summer session.
John Benish, president of Paige Bus Enterprises outlined his plans for the coming school term. Benish said his company is planning on keeping most of “the same routes as last year.” He added that most bus drivers on District 161’s routes will return which will result in consistency.
Responding to questions from the board, Benish addressed bus security.
“We have two cameras on each bus,” Benish explained adding that recorded material is kept for “three or four days” in the event of problems on a bus.
Paige Bus also utilizes a GPS system so it can monitor exactly where each bus is while transporting students.
Benish added that his company is finalizing work on an app that will be used by parents for information about late buses and other information.
The Board of Education also discussed how it will be represented on the SPEED Special Education Cooperative. Fifteen local school districts are in the SPEED co-op; in the past participating schools have appointed one of their board members as a liaison. Countering the difficulty of having regular participation at SPEED meetings, member districts this year have been encouraged to name two board members instead. The board appointed Merle Huckabee as the primary representative and Stephen Paredes as the alternate.
Board members also discussed the need to conduct several board retreats this year and are in ongoing discussions to set agendas and to select the dates.
Also, two recently graduated eighth graders from Parker Junior High were honored by the board. Kenyon Haynes and Jane Bachus are recipients of the Bruce Brozynski Award of the South Suburban Junior High School Association for athletic and academic achievement and sportsmanship.