Krista Kersting

The Park Ridge School District's Remote Learning Plan outlines comprehensive strategies for ensuring continuous, meaningful, and rigorous instruction during public health-related school closures for the 2026-2027 academic year. It details lesson preparation and assignment distribution across various grade levels, establishes accountability measures for student attendance and learning, and defines district follow-up procedures for non-participation. The plan also addresses curricular instruction, the implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), physical education, related arts, guidance, administration, professional development, and equitable access to technology and food services. Further provisions include technical support, facilities maintenance, and measures to address potential learning loss, bias, stigma, and the specific needs of English Language Learners and special education students, with the overarching goal of maintaining high standards of learning and fostering student growth in a remote environment.

The board held a public presentation regarding the 2026/2027 school district budget. Discussion topics included an overview of budget increases driven by health benefit costs, capital project funding for theater renovations and classroom repairs, tax levy impact, and revenue sources. The board also held a hearing of citizens and formally approved the final 2026/2027 school year budget, including specific adjustments for health benefit costs and banked CAP utilization.

The board meeting agenda includes the swearing-in of a new board member, special presentations for retiree and sports recognitions, and reports from the student representative, the president, the superintendent, and various committees. Educational resolutions involve accepting HIB and suspension reports, approving tuition for placements, home instruction, curriculum updates, and various student assessments. Financial resolutions cover the certification of financial reports, approval of check journals, athletic vouchers, tuition reserve accounts, bid awards for various supplies, and the authorization of district banking signatories. Building and grounds resolutions address auditorium renovations, while policy resolutions involve second readings of policies related to resource materials and public complaints. Personnel resolutions include approvals for staff appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and home instructor assignments.

The board convened a special meeting to conduct interviews with candidates for an open board seat. The agenda included a public session for these interviews, a private closed session to deliberate on personnel matters and pending litigation, and a formal resolution to appoint a new member to the Board of Education to fill a vacancy created by a resignation.

The board convened for a special meeting, which included a transition into a private session to discuss matters related to pending or anticipated litigation, attorney-client privilege, and personnel issues involving specific employees. The board later returned to a public session to conduct official business before adjournment.