Board Highlights are meant to provide highlights of each Board of Education meeting, and are not intended to be an all-inclusive recap. Please click on this link to view a complete recording of the June 12, 2024, Board of Education meeting.

Recognitions & Achievements

During their meeting, the Board of Education recognized a number of students from across the District for recent accomplishments.

The Board recognized the following Wheaton Co-Op Boys Gymnastics State Champions:

Lars Berger - Wheaton Warrenville South
Drew Berger - Wheaton Warrenville South
Lyrik Hawrysko - Wheaton North
Patrick Malone - Wheaton Warrenville South
Jack Ongstad - Wheaton Warrenville South
David Shimp - Wheaton Warrenville South
Joe Slaven - Wheaton Warrenville South
Kaden Story - Wheaton Warrenville South
Cayden Tran - Wheaton Warrenville South
Jayden Tran - Wheaton Warrenville South

The Board also recognized the following Wheaton North Bass Fishing State Champions:

Ty Nielsen
Zach Widelski

Middle school capital project discussion

During its meeting, the Board was presented with a comprehensive overview of the proposed concept design packages for Franklin, Monroe, and Edison middle schools. The Board also received an extensive concept design package that is available for the public to view by clicking here.

After the presentation, the Board also discussed the following:

Preliminary budget
Project timeline
Community engagement and feedback regarding the proposed plans and path forward.

In addition, the Board approved AIA Document B101 Agreement with Perkins + Will pending final attorney review. This agreement establishes a contractual working relationship between CUSD 200 and Perkins + Will, CUSD 200’s chosen architecture firm. In addition, this agreement establishes the fee structure for services rendered, including a flat 7% direct cost of work fee for the middle school capital projects that Perkins + Will has been developing for the Board of Education.

The Board also approved Enhanced Schematic Design Work with Perkins + Will. This agreement allows for Perkins + Will to begin schematic design on all proposed new spaces (additions) that have been identified in the middle school capital project concept designs. The timeframe for this work is mid-June 2024 through early November 2024.

Beginning schematic design in the summer of 2024 will provide CUSD 200 with an opportunity to post public bids for the work in late spring of 2025 and begin construction in the fall of 2025, if a referendum is passed in November.

The cost for this service is broken down into three areas, which includes professional fees for the schematic design work ($587,147), an estimate for reimbursable consultant fees that are a pass through to CUSD 200 ($99,850) and an estimate for owner direct consulting fees, which flow directly to CUSD 200 ($212,508). The total for these three areas is $899,505.

Alexis Hanson named new Executive Director of Special Education for CUSD 200

At their June 13 meeting, the Board of Education approved Alexis Hanson as the new Executive Director of Special Education for Community Unit School District 200 and will begin on July 1. Ms. Hanson will be replacing Mrs. Erica Ekstrom, who will serve as an Assistant Superintendent in another school district.

Ms. Hanson comes to District 200 from St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 where she has served as the Director/Associate Director of Student Services since 2020. Ms. Hanson has spent her entire career in District 303 and has also served as the Assistant Director of Instructional Interventions for one year, Elementary Intervention Coordinator for two years, Instructional Support Coach at Bell Graham Elementary School for one year, and was a Special Education Resource Teacher at Corron Elementary School for 10 years. Ms. Hanson earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Western Illinois University, and a master’s degree in educational leadership with a director of special education endorsement from Aurora University.

Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Mrs. Melissa Murphy is excited to have Ms. Hanson join her team. “I want to congratulate Ms. Hanson on her appointment as the next Executive Director of Special Education for CUSD 200,” said Murphy. “Ms. Hanson has spent her entire career in a very comparable district to ours, and her extensive experience and unwavering passion for special education will be a huge asset to the staff and students in our community.”

Ms. Hanson is looking forward to her new role with CUSD 200. “I am thrilled to join CUSD 200 as the new Executive Director of Special Education,” said Hanson. “This new opportunity represents an exciting next chapter in my special education career, which spans almost two decades. I am eager to collaborate with the dedicated staff, families, and community to support and enhance the educational experiences of each and every one of our students. I look forward to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment.”

In the coming months, Ms. Hanson will invite staff and community members to a series of Listen and Learn sessions to gain a deeper understanding of our programs and student needs. We will communicate the dates and times for these engagement sessions soon.

E-Learning Plan posted for public review

The Board approved posting the District’s E-Learning Plan for public review. In July of 2021, the Board approved CUSD 200’s first E-Learning Plan to be used in lieu of emergency days. With the current plan expiring soon, District administration worked collaboratively with the Wheaton Warrenville Education Association (WWEA) leadership to update the plan.

The District’s E‐Learning Plan must be verified by the regional office of education or intermediate service center for the school district prior to implementation. Before adoption, the Board will hold a public hearing for the renewal of the E‐Learning Program during its July 10 meeting at 7 p.m. at the School Service Center.

Prior to the July 10 public hearing, any questions or feedback regarding the E-Learning Plan can be sent to Melissa Murphy, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, at melissa.murphy@cusd200.org.

Board approves 2024-25 Citizens Advisory Committee Roster

During its meeting, the Board approved the roster and meeting schedule for the 2024-25 Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). This year the CAC received 24 applicants vying to fill nine open seats.

Board approves to post revised, new and rewritten policies

At their meeting, the Board approved 10 revised policies, one new policy and one rewritten policy. To view the revised policies, click here. Questions or comments can be directed to Matt Biscan, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, at matthew.biscan@cusd200.org or 630-682-2015.

Board Meeting Highlights