Board of Education Meeting Update
Board Welcomes New Staff, Including Comfort Crew
At the Monday, September 9 Board of Education Meeting, the Board welcomed new District staff. The new employees were invited to a reception prior to the meeting to meet the Board and District administrators. The District hired 55 new staff members over the summer including paraeducators, custodians, teachers, specialists and a principal. During the meeting, the new staff members introduced themselves and shared what they do for the District.
In addition to the new staff, the Comfort Crew was introduced to the Board of Education. The Comfort Crew is six dogs who will work in our schools as part of the District’s emotional health and wellness initiatives. The furry friends belong to staff members in the District and have been highly trained. The dogs have passed the Canine Good Citizen course and the Advanced Canine Good Citizen course. The Comfort Crew received bandanas, tags and IDs at the Board meeting as well as their final certificate. The dogs will start working in the District in September and October, three days a week.
Meet the Comfort Crew
Parker: A golden retriever who will be stationed at Burton in teacher Pam Henry’s classroom
Beatrice: A husky mix who will be stationed at Burton in teacher Amanda Brzezinski’s classroom
Korra: A newfoundland who will travel between BHS and Nourp with teacher Ben Moy
Yuki: A golden retriever who will be stationed at BHS in teacher Tracy Francis’ classroom
Millie: A labrador who will be stationed at BHS in teacher Hayley Pawson’s classroom
Samson: A labrador who will be stationed at Anderson in teacher Kathy Milia’s classroom
Board Selects Three Candidates to Interview
At the Monday, September 9 Board of Education Regular Meeting, the Board of Education selected three candidates to interview for the vacant Board trustee position out of the 15 who applied (two withdrew prior to the meeting).
Former Board member Ron Justice submitted his resignation effective September 4, 2024, just shy of his term ending December 31, 2024. The Board has an obligation to fill the vacant position within 30 days of a resignation.
President Blake opened the discussion at the Regular Meeting acknowledging Berkley Schools is fortunate to have such overwhelming support and expressed appreciation for the candidates who applied. The trustees then discussed a process to reduce the number of candidates to interview due to the large number of applicants. The Board agreed to each recommend up to three candidates and shared their recommendations during the meeting. After the recommendations were tallied, the Board agreed that the top three candidates would be invited to interview on September 26.
The following community members will be interviewed for the vacant Board position on September 26 at 7 pm in the Administrative Offices, 14501 Talbot, Oak Park:
- Jon Heger, Berkley
- David Phillips, Berkley
- Gregory Flynn-Sollish, Berkley
The new trustee will be appointed and sworn in following the interviews at the September 26 Special Meeting. The appointed member will begin their term immediately and will finish Mr. Justice’s term through December 31, 2024.
