Board Members

The State of Illinois requires mandatory training for all newly elected school board members in the following areas:

• Open Meetings Act (OMA) (5 ILCS 120/1.05) - Open Meetings Act’s (OMA) general applicability, procedures, and legal requirements. Board members will learn the law as it applies to school board meetings and members. Per 105 ILCS 120/1.05, every newly-elected or appointed school board member MUST complete this training within 90 days of taking the oath of office. Successful completion of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) training requires board members to file a copy of their certificate of completion with the school board.
   
• Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) (105 ILCS 5/24-16.5; 23 Ill. Admin. Code §51.235) - A training program on Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) evaluations. This training focuses on the topics of improving student outcomes, trauma-informed practices, education law, labor law, financial oversight and accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities, plus PERA evaluations for school board members who will participate in a vote on a dismissal based upon the Optional Alternative Evaluation Dismissal Process. Per 105 ILCS 5/10-16, every new school board member elected or appointed MUST complete this training within the first year of the first term. Successful completion of the PDLT/PERA training requires school districts to post on their websites the names of all board members who have completed the training.
   
• Professional Development Leadership (105 ILCS 5/10-16a) - A minimum of four training hours in education and labor law, financial oversight and accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities. This essential course focuses on board and board member roles and responsibilities, and how high-functioning boards make a positive impact on student learning in their districts. It is recommended that every newly-elected or appointed school board complete this training within 90 days of taking the oath of office.

Board Policy 2:120, Board Member Development requires a log identifying the completed mandatory training and development activities of each Board member to be posted on the district website.

Jenny Butler
Open Meetings Act Training (completed May 2, 2023)
Professional Development Leadership Training (completed June 26, 2023)
Performance Evaluation Reform Act Trainings (completed June 26, 2023)

Lori Fink
Basic Governance Training (completed May 9, 2025)
Open Meetings Act Training (completed May 4, 2025)
Professional Development Leadership Training (completed June 4, 2025)
Performance Evaluation Reform Act (completed June 4, 2025)

Jaret Fishman
Basic Governance Training (completed July 15, 2025)
Open Meetings Act Training (completed May 3, 2025)
Professional Development Leadership Training (completed September 2, 2025)
Performance Evaluation Reform Act (completed September 2, 2025)

Lisa Hirsh
Open Meetings Act Training  (completed November 17, 2017)
Professional Development Leadership Training  (completed November 17, 2017) 
Performance Evaluation Reform Act Trainings (completed November 17, 2017) 

Melissa Itkin
Open Meetings Act Training (completed June 22, 2019)
Professional Development Leadership Training (completed June 22, 2019)
Performance Evaluation Reform Act Training (completed June 22, 2019)

Art Kessler
Open Meetings Act Training (completed April 19, 2017)
Professional Development Leadership Training (completed November 17, 2017)
Performance Evaluation Reform Act (completed November 17, 2017)

Bennett Lasko
Open Meetings Act Training (completed May 25, 2017)
Professional Development Leadership Training (completed November 17, 2017)
Performance Evaluation Reform Act (completed November 17, 2017)

The following norms were agreed upon by the members of the Board on May 29, 2025

Concerns From the Community and Staff (“Customer” Concerns)

• Board members will listen carefully, understanding there are multiple perspectives.
• Board members will then direct that person to the person in the district closest to the situation who is able to help them resolve their concern (Chain of Command), or when in doubt call the superintendent. 
• Board members handling concerns in this manner will clarify that one board member has no individual authority to fix a problem. 
• Board members will inform the superintendent if this is an issue of concern.

Speaking with One Voice

• No individual board member other than the board president, per board policy, has the authority to act or speak on behalf of the board without the consent of the board.
• At board meetings, board members have an opportunity to express their views while respecting others’ opinions.
• Board members understand the importance of speaking with one clear voice to both the superintendent and the community.
• Board members have the right to disagree with the decision of the board, but will support the board in its decision by abiding by the will of the majority.
• The superintendent is accountable only to the full board of education. 

Asking Questions About Items on Upcoming Meeting Agendas    

• Whenever possible, board members will contact the superintendent with any questions on the agenda prior to the board meeting and will cc the board president.
• Board members understand that although they are asking the question(s) prior to the meeting, they have a right to ask the question(s) at the meeting as well.
• Board members will strive to ask the superintendent their questions by Sunday night before the Tuesday board meeting.

No Surprises

• No one (superintendent or board members) gets surprised at any time – in the meeting or between meetings. 
• The truth of no surprises is respect for all participants and the process. 

Agenda Development

• Board members will contact the superintendent and/or the board president with suggested agenda items.
• If a board member’s request for an agenda item is estimated to take significant time to prepare, the request will go to the full board for consensus.