The Lyons Township High School District 204 Board of Education conducted a Regular Action Meeting on Monday, October 17, 2022, in the Board Room at North Campus. The following items occurred during the meeting:
LTEA
LT Education Association President Andrew Johannes thanked both teachers and students for starting the year off in such a positive manner. He said teachers believe the return to normalcy is due, in part, to the renewed emphasis on daily procedures, including attendance and tardies. Andrew thanked the Assistant Principals for their efforts during the early part of the school year.
Andrew also highlighted some examples of great collaboration between faculty and administration, including: 83 staff members participating as a member of one of the five strategic plan “action plan teams,” Drew Eder working with some teachers and counselors to discuss the level change process, Leslie Owens working with teachers to review the student handbook, and Dr. Waterman, Dr. Tyrrell, and Scott Eggerding meeting with the Exec Board to discuss concerns and make changes resulting in the LTEA supporting the proposed school calendar for next year.
Andrew also recognized several teacher achievements including: Chris Thomas and WLTL for winning Best HS Radio Station in the country, Bob Sherman for recently completing his dissertation, Nicole Lombardi who teaches Creative Writing had one of her students, Lucy Dillenbeck, have a piece published, the World History teachers hosted a panel of various religious leaders to discuss the different religions with the students, Blake Sauder, Greg Elwood and Andrew Johannes took a dozen students to Dubak Electrical Group and Deslauriers Inc in LaGrange Park for Manufacturing Day 2022 on Wed Oct 12, Jack Becker and the students of Home Maintenance and Repair applied their skill sets in the Transition House by updating the three upstairs bedrooms, Students in ELL U.S. History researched their families’ immigration story and presented powerful stories about assimilation, prejudice, and their own experiences in America, and congratulations to Tom Swiontek and Liz Martinez for running in the Chicago Marathon.
Student Representative to the Board Report
Student Rep Matthew Walsh shared a variety of updates regarding athletics and extracurriculars including several celebrations of seniors, funds raised by the Mr. LT pageant, the welcoming of German exchange students, and WLTL being named best high school radio station in the nation.
Superintendent’s District Report
Dr. Waterman provided the following information and celebrations during his Superintendent’s report.
Advanced Placement Scholars
LT is proud to announce 391 Advanced Placement Scholars. LT offers AP classes in 29 different disciplines and our 391 AP scholars are recognized for their accomplishments. 165 LT students scored 3 or above on five or more AP exams. 84 LT students scored a 3 or above on four or more AP exams. 142 LT students scored a 3 or above on three or more AP exams.
National Hispanic Recognition Scholars
LT is proud to announce 10 students have earned the distinction of National Hispanic Scholars through the College Board. These students have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more exams. Congratulations to Drew Escamilla, Isabella Forero-Cadena, Sophia Garcia, Alexander Gojkovich, Olivia Grenestette, Rueben Guevara, Samuel Kogen, Lucia Lopez, Andrew Nemeth, and Jonathan Vargas.
LGBTQ+ History Month
In October, LT will celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with activities aimed at supporting and celebrating our LGBTQ students and community. LTGBTQ History Month encourages informative discussions to learn more about the leaders who continue to drive equality forward, and LT is excited to host activities throughout the upcoming weeks to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has an overall aim of raising awareness about the impact of breast cancer. When we raise our voices together, we help spread the word about the importance of breast cancer screening and support. As always, LT will host a variety of pink outs and other events throughout the month to support Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Monthly FOIA Report
Since our September meeting, we have received three FOIA requests:
- A local reporter requested a copy of the contract with SEIU Local 73 that the Board approved at the September 19 meeting.
- A local reporter requested the salary amounts of the 40 highest paid employees in Hinsdale Twp HS District 86 for the 2021-22 school year.
- An individual requested a list of all school district paraprofessional staff as of October 7, 2022.
September 21, 2022 LTCAC Meeting Consensus
Shelley Taylor provided a summary of the most recent LT Community Advisory Council Meeting, which centered on school safety. 71 members of the LTCAC participated in the discussion and provided feedback that will be utilized by a variety of groups at LTHS.
To learn more about LTCAC and/or to review the minutes from the most recent meeting, please click here.
Action Items
Unfinished Business
The 2023-2024 School Year Calendar was approved. Important dates include:
- Monday, August 21, 2023 – First Day of Student Attendance
- December 23, 2023 – January 8, 2024 – Winter Break
- March 25-29, 2024 – Spring Break
- May 30, 2024 – Last Day of Student Attendance
- June 10, 2024 – Summer School Begins
To view the complete 2023-24 school year calendar, please click here.
The 2023-2024 Curriculum Change Proposals were approved. The approved new courses will be available to students beginning in the 2023-24 school year and include:
- Adaptive PE Leaders
- Advanced Digital Photo Art
- Basic Self-Defense
- Earth and Space Science
- Medical Terminology
- Robotics 1
- Robotics 2
New Business
The Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds from the Education Fund to the Bond and Interest Fund was approved.
The North Campus Roof Replacement Project Bid result was approved, awarding the contract to Knickerbocker Roofing in the amount of $680,000.
South Campus J-Wing Air Handler Replacement Project Bid result was approved awarding the contract to Voris Mechanical in the amount of $1,225,400.00.
North Campus Library and LTTV Air Handler Replacement Project Bid Result was approved awarding the contract to Voris Mechanical in the amount of $1,037,100.00.
Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda was approved as presented.
Public Participation
No individuals participated in agenda related public participation.
Two individuals participated in non-agenda related items:
- Becky Lorentzen
- Leslie Mendoza
