Conference, building updates, and more on agenda for District 171
BY QUINTON R. ARTHUR
LANSING, Ill. (March 22, 2022) – The final March meeting for Sunnybrook District 171 covered school improvements, an upcoming conference, and school updates.
Superintendent Dr. Erika Millhouse-Pettis stood in for David Shrader to present the Business Manager’s report. On March 15, the district opened a bid to public vendors for summer construction work.
Some of the improvements will be changing the lighting system throughout Heritage Middle School, upgrades to the science labs, removal of carpets at Nathan Hale middle school, and updating school bathrooms.
National School Boards Association Conference
During board reports, school board President Cozette Pettigrew shared an updated about the district’s participation in the National School Boards Association (NSBA) 2022 Conference & Exposition. The conference will take place April 2–4 in San Diego, California.
According to the website, the conference is a national event that “brings together education leaders to learn about best governance practices, gain insight into child development, and learn about new programs and technology that can help enrich student learning.”
Session topics will cover: Equity and Diversity; Governance and Executive Leadership; Innovation and District Management; Personal Development; Safe and Supportive Schools; School Board and Superintendent Relationships; student achievement and accountability; technology; and digital learning.
Keynote speakers will include Ryan Rydzewski, award-winning author; Daymond John, Founder/CEO of FUBU and Star of ABC’s Shark Tank, and others.
“We are all committed to this learning and opportunity for us to gain skills to better service our stakeholders, district, and most importantly, our over 900 students that are depending on us to serve,” Pettigrew said.
NSBA’s member state associations represent locally elected school board officials serving approximately 51 million public school students.
School updates
During the superintendent report, Dr. Millhouse-Pettis mentioned a working collaboration with Grand Canyon University for teacher recruitment.
Chantelle Cambric, Principal of Heritage Middle School, said students raised $339 during their fundraiser for Variety of Illinois. Photos of the fundraiser will be posted on the district’s website.
Cambric also said 76 students tried out for the school’s track team. If students exhibit good behavior and maintain at least a C average, they can participate.
Additionally, on April 18, National Junior Honor Society Induction will be held. More details will be shared to parents and students.
“As an administrator, one of my goals was to create a student-led environment, so I wanted to acknowledge our eighth graders, who I’m really impressed with their maturity and their ability to step up,” said Cambric.
Joseph Kent, Principal of Nathan Hale Middle School, thanked parents for their cooperation in the new dismissal traffic plan: “It made life a little easier and it has certainly made life safer at Nathan Hale,” he said.
Other items on the agenda included:
- Approval of March Bills and February’s Payroll in the amount of $831,000.65
- The resignation of two staff members, Ms. Allyson Carlton and Ms. Cynthia Faltenberg
- 2022 contract approvals of American Lawn for mowing and fertilizing and Cloverleaf for milk.
The next meeting was scheduled for Monday, April 25, 2022.The meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Middle School, 19266 Burnham Avenue, Lansing.
Related
- District 171 makes decision on superintendent evaluation (March 5, 2022)