Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher Board of Education for August 13, 2025

The Beecher Board of Education’s regular meeting on Wednesday was highlighted by a detailed report from Superintendent Dr. Jack Gaham regarding the discovery and remediation of mildew in several classrooms at Beecher Elementary School. The district has undertaken a thorough cleaning process and is awaiting results from an environmental testing firm. (A full report on the mildew issue is available.)

The board also received positive financial news, with an update confirming the district’s balanced Fiscal Year 2026 budget and its advancement to Tier 2 in the state’s funding model. In other business, a costly proposal for decorative window graphics at the high school was tabled due to price concerns. (Read the full stories on the budget update and the window project.)

Additional actions from the meeting are summarized below.

Board Member Resigns: The board formally acknowledged the resignation of board member Miss Murk, whose letter was provided to the board secretary. Her departure, effective immediately, creates a vacancy on the seven-member board. The district will need to announce a process for filling the seat.

Staffing Changes Approved: The board approved several personnel moves ahead of the new school year. They acknowledged the retirement of full-time bus driver Joselyn Davis Beck and the resignation of junior high teacher aide Melissa Proskiniak. The board then approved the hiring of Jodie Cook as a new junior high teacher aide and Ken Ker as a high school physical education teacher. An intent-to-retire notice from elementary school teacher Sheila Obenos was also approved.

District Staff Completes Active Shooter Training: All district staff participated in Stratēgos active shooter training, led by security consultant Dr. Brian Wright. Superintendent Dr. Jack Gaham reported the training focused on resistance and barricade tactics. The district is considering purchasing paracord for classrooms, which was recommended during the training as an effective tool for securing doors with ADA-compliant handles.

Server Room Air Conditioner Replaced: An emergency expenditure of $10,060 was approved for a new air conditioning unit for the district’s main server room, located at the high school. The previous unit failed earlier in the summer, and the new commercial-grade unit from Key West was installed to protect the district’s essential technology infrastructure.

Junior High Changes Passing Period: Junior high students will have one less minute between classes this year. Principal Dr. Michelle Kwasny announced that passing periods are being reduced from four minutes to three. The change was made possible by rearranging classrooms into grade-level pods, shortening travel distances. The move is also intended to reduce potential for “shenanigans” and behavioral issues in the hallways.

Therapy Dog Arrival Delayed: Beecher High School is on a waiting list for its new therapy dog, Principal Mike Meyer reported. The arrival of the dog from the Duo facility has been delayed due to a gap in the number of available trained animals. An updated arrival timeline has not yet been provided.

Title I Plan Approved: The board gave its approval to the district’s Title I plan. The document, which outlines how the district uses federal funds to support disadvantaged students, is a required annual submission to the Illinois State Board of Education.