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Board Recap

President’s Report and Board Meeting Recap

February 10, 2026

School Board President’s Report to the Board

President Pam Paris welcomed everyone in attendance and asked Jennifer Jensen to recite one of the sections of the Oath of Office to affirm the board’s commitment to faithfully discharge their duties.

Update on Upcoming Events

  • February 16: No School (Presidents Day)
  • February 25: Palos South Student Council Trivia Night in the Commons (6:30 pm)
  • March 2: No School (Pulaski Day) 
  • March 6th: PFA Spring Fundraiser at Signature Barn 6:00 p.m.
  • March 6th: Registration for 2026-27 school year opens 9:00 a.m.

Recognition
The Board of Education recognized Keith Rehr of the Operations Department with a proclamation honoring his 47 years of service to District 118.

President’s Report

Mrs. Paris recognized the artwork on display from the Palos East art club and Palos West fifth grade class. She reminded those in attendance of the following important dates: February 16:  No School - President’s Day; February 25: South Student Council Trivia Night in the Commons (6:30 pm); March 2: No School - Pulaski Day; March 6th:   PFA Spring Fundraiser at Signature Barn 6:00  p.m.; March 6th: Registration for 2026-27 school year opens 9:00 a.m.; March 10th: Regular Board of Education Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at Palos South.

Superintendent's Update
Dr. Scarsella reported that Palos South drama club held two performances of Frozen Jr. at the end of January at Stagg High School. He thanked all the District families who came out to support the students and faculty in the cast and crew. He also thanked Dr. Wrzesinski and Mrs. Leahy for helping to reschedule one of the canceled dates due to the weather. He noted that both performances were sold out, and it was another phenomenal show. He thanked the volunteers with the Palos 118 Educational Foundation for their efforts in organizing another successful Trivia Night Fundraiser. He recognized South teacher Ann Marie Ruprecht’s Capstone students Colleen Bowes, Cecilia Dursa, and Madison Prostka who visited Cynthia Buschman’s kindergarten class at Palos East to teach a lesson on building stories. He also recognized both Palos South and Palos West for their work organizing PBIS celebrations. He congratulated the Palos South cheer team for the number one finish in the Spartan Showdown at the end of January and wished the team and coaches Ashley Partin and Brittney Kmiecik well in their appearance at the state competition on February 11.

Committee Reports

Finance and Facilities Committee
Mr. Pizur reported that the Finance and Facilities Committee met on February 3, 2026. He reported that Mr. Veihman and Kevin Bissell of Cherry Bakaert reviewed the results of the most recent financial audit. He reported that the committee reviewed summer 2026 bid awards and that the District would not be approving bids due to delays in property tax dispersals from Cook County. Mr. Veihman reviewed with the board the current student fees and recommended increases for the 2026-27 school year. He shared with the committee that the District offers a waiver of student fees for the families who can demonstrate financial hardship. Mr. Veihman reviewed proposed outdoor play equipment for Palos West preschool but would postpone the purchase due to a delay in Cook County tax revenue distribution.

Committee of the Whole
Mrs. Paris reported that during the January 27 Committee of the Whole meeting, Dr. Scarsella gave a presentation on the school district’s efforts to increase stakeholder voice in student behavior management systems and PBIS programs. Dr. Scarsella gave an update on efforts to reimagine Central School as a hub for extracurricular and cocurricular activities. 

Parent Faculty Association (PFA)
Mrs. Jensen reported on behalf of the PFA noting that the spring fundraiser event will take place on March 6. The PFA thanked everyone for attending their ice-skating event on February 6. The spring spirit wear sale will open on February 23.

Music Parents Association (MPA)

Mrs. Jensen, MPA liaison to the Board, reported that the MPA’s popcorn sale will run through the end of February.

New Business
The Board approved Pam Paris and Dan Cox to serve on the elementary handbook committee and approved Susan Szafranski and Jennifer Jensen to the middle school handbook committee.

Unfinished Business
The Board voted to approve board policy updates of Press+ Issue 120.

Secretary’s Report
Board Secretary Mrs. Szafranski reported that the District received and completed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests from Suzan Atallah, The Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Data Bid, Chicagoland Laborers’ District Council, and Michael F. Henry.

Consent Agenda

The board approved a consent agenda that included:

  • Approval of Student Fees for School Year 2026-27

Approval of Personnel Report A-Certified Staff:

  • Employment: Dana Swiderek, 2nd Grade Teacher, West
     
  • FMLA:
    • Jessica Murphy, Language & Social Studies Teacher, South;
    • Jeanna Kuligoski, Physical Education Teacher, West
       
  • Resignation: Heba Abbasi: EL Teacher-Arabic, South
     
  • Retirement: Dawn Bronson, Teacher, East; Debbie Pryzwara, Psychologist, West

    Approval of Personnel Report B-Classified Staff
    • Employment:
    • Ariel Hoskin, Paraprofessional, West;
    • Brandie Lorenzen, Paraprofessional, West;
    • Jeffery Johnson, Custodian, East;
    • Sandra Hazzard, Full-Time Playground;
       
  • Intermittent FMLA: Anna Kadlub-Bukowski, Nurse, West
     
  • Resignation: Haya Alassaf, Paraprofessional, West
     
  • Approval of Regular and Special Meeting Minutes—Regular Minutes dated January 13, 2026, and Special Meeting Minutes dated January 27, 2026, and February 3, 2026.
     
  • Authorize Payment of Bills Payable, Payrolls, and Aggregate Total: $2,818,441.62
     

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