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 March 13, 2024, Board of Education meeting.
District 200
Host school report
The March 13, 2024, Board of Education meeting was hosted by Wheaton Warrenville South High School. To kick off the meeting, Principal Lorie Campos shared this video to celebrate some of the many highlights and accomplishments from the 2023-24 school year.
Recognitions & Achievements
The Board recognized Wheaton North High School and Wheaton Warrenville South High School students who were named National Merit Finalists and Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Finalists.
The National Merit Scholarship provides 7,140 scholarships worth $28 million annually to academically talented high school seniors. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.
The following District 200 students were named National Merit Finalists:
Brendan Robben - Wheaton North High School
Caleb Valentino - Wheaton North High School
Alex Hestermann - Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Lauren Spires - Wheaton Warrenville South High School
More than 10,000 students from elementary, middle and high schools around Illinois participated in a virtual audition process, and of those auditions, more than 7,000 students were selected to participate in district festivals celebrating student musicians in bands, orchestras, choruses, and jazz ensembles.
Students in grades 9-12 who participated in the ILMEA District Festivals are also eligible to be selected into ILMEA’s All-State Student Programs. This year, 1,500 students were selected to participate in the Illinois Music Education Association’s 2023 All-State Student Programs in Peoria, Illinois from Jan. 24-27, 2024.
The following District 200 students were named ILMEA All-State Finalists:
Matthew Hufford (Trumpet) - Wheaton North High School
Zachary Larakers (Tuba) - Wheaton North High School
Sebastian Jarrin-Paniagua (Bassoon) - Wheaton North High School
Wren Page (Cello) - Wheaton North High School
Archer Matthias (Percussion) - Wheaton North High School
Charlie Strutzel (Viola) - Wheaton North High School
Caleb Watson (Violin) - Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Dalia Volkart (Viola) - Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Ryan Ferguson named new Assistant Principal for Student Services at Wheaton Warrenville South High School
At their March 13 meeting, the Board of Education approved Ryan Ferguson as the new Assistant Principal for Student Services at Wheaton Warrenville South High School beginning in the 2024-25 school year. Mr. Ferguson will be replacing Ms. Leah Carter, who submitted her resignation, and her last day with the District will be at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
Mr. Ferguson is no stranger to District 200 having served as a Dean at Wheaton North High School for the past 14 years. Prior to that, he spent 10 years teaching physical education at Wheaton Warrenville South. He began his career at Holy Cross High School as a health teacher and department chair for three years. Mr. Ferguson earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Westmar University, and a master’s degree in educational leadership in general administration from Chicago State University.
Wheaton Warrenville South High School Principal Lorie Campos is thrilled to welcome Mr. Ferguson to her administrative team. “I want to congratulate Mr. Ferguson on his appointment as the new Assistant Principal for Student Services at WWS,” said Campos. “Mr. Ferguson brings a wealth of knowledge, strong leadership skills, and displays a true passion for supporting students, which will all be an asset to our building when he begins his new role. We are overjoyed to welcome Ryan back ‘home’ to Tiger Nation."
Mr. Ferguson is looking forward to his new role as Assistant Principal for Student Services at Wheaton Warrenville South. “I am honored to be selected to serve as Wheaton Warrenville South’s new assistant principal beginning with the 2024-25 school year,” said Ferguson. “As I begin my new role, I am committed to building genuine relationships and fostering a sense of belonging where everyone at South feels valued, supported, and safe. I am eager to get started, and I can't wait to get to know the students, staff, parents, and community members that are the heart of Tiger Nation.”
Board approves revised policies
At their meeting, the Board approved two revised policies. 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 approves 2024-25 student fee schedule
Annually, the administration reviews the student fee schedule in preparation for the upcoming school year. District administration reviewed the current revenue impact of fees collected, and how they offset ongoing expenditures in the budget. The Board approved the fee schedule for the 2024-25 school year with all existing fees remaining constant, meaning no change, except for the following area:
An addition of a fee for the Illustrative Math workbook for Grades K-8 at a cost of $27.
Previously, during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school year, the cost of the Illustrative Math workbooks were purchased using ESSER Grant funds that the District received. The ESSER Grant is finished at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year and the cost of the Illustrative Math workbooks are now included with the 2024-25 Fee Schedule.
Following past practice, registration fees in Grades K-12 will be $10 less for those who pay before July 1, 2024.
Middle school capital project discussion
During its meeting, the Board continued reviewing and discussing the middle school capital projects at Edison, Franklin and Monroe middle schools. During this portion of the meeting, the Board reviewed and discussed the following:
Program development
Budget development
Implementation development
Community engagement development
Engaged in open discussion
To view the presentation, please click on this link.
Board approves posting for three middle school head custodian positions
District 200 has a blended staffing pattern for operating and maintaining our facilities. Currently, we utilize contracts with ABM Industries for custodial services throughout the District, while there are Head Custodians at both high schools and Hubble Middle School, and district-wide maintenance staff who are employees of District 200.
As of now, Hubble Middle School is the only middle school that has a district-based Head Custodian position during the day (the three other middle schools have daytime custodians through ABM, but not a Head Custodian). The Board approved posting three middle school district-based Head Custodian positions (to staff all middle schools) with a start date of July 1, 2024.
Citizens Advisory Committee is now accepting applications
The Citizens Advisory Committee is now accepting applications to fill vacancies for the 2024-25 school year. To fill out an application, please visit https://bit.ly/3wsnlmZ.
Applications are due by March 22, 2024.