Meet the Board of Education

Rita Balgeman
President
[email protected]

First Elected: 2019
Re-Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 2027

22/23 Adopted Schools: Currier/Gary

Morgan Banasiak
Vice President
[email protected]

First Elected: 2019
Term Expires: 2023

22/23 Adopted Schools: Early Childhood Education Programs: Birth to Three/Preschool

Tom Doyle
Secretary
[email protected]

First Elected: 2019
Re-Elected 2023
Term Expires: 2027

22/23 Adopted School: Indian Knoll

Felicia Gills
Member
[email protected]

First Elected: 2021
Term Expires: 2025

22/23 Adopted School: LMS

Janette Hernandez
Member
[email protected]

First Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 2027

22/23 Adopted School: Pioneer

Chad McLean
Member
[email protected]

First Elected: 2017
Term Expires: 2025

22/23 Adopted School: Wegner

Sandra Garcia
Member
[email protected]

First Elected: 2021
Term Expires: 2025

22/23 Adopted School: Turner

Shared Agreements

• Make decisions according to what is best for ALL District 33 students.
• Respect staff and other board members and their opinions.
• Be willing to see things from the eyes of seven (7) people, not just one (1).
• Allow everyone to complete their thoughts.
• Commit to shared leadership.
• Respect confidentiality.
• Adhere to our belief in our students' full potential and successful future. 

(Revised November 6, 2014)

Board Salutes

The Board of Education would like to recognize individuals of the District 33 community - which includes all staff members, students, bus drivers, parents/guardians, and guardians - for actions that build a positive culture and climate in District 33.

This "shout-out" will take place at Board meetings as an agenda item called "Board Salute" and will become part of the official minutes.

If you know someone who deserves a "Board Salute," please complete this form.

November 2, 2023

This Board Salute goes to the LMS Family Liaison and the Sponsors and Donors of LMS Family Literacy Night.

"We would like to recognize and thank the community sponsors and donors who contributed to the LMS Family Literacy Night on October 3rd. Families won donated raffle prizes, including study nooks, gift cards to local businesses, new books, and more. All participants left with grab bags full of reading goodies, including timers, books, study fidgets, school supplies, and journals. 

We want to recognize Molly Beck Dean from Wego Together for Kids, Carly Smitherman from Healthy West Chicago, Kate Peterson from State  Senator Karina Villa’s office, and Omar Espinosa from the West Chicago Lions Club for hosting their stations at the event. We also want to recognize the hard work and collaboration of the LMS Family Liaison Team, Liz Soto, Brenda Guerrero, and Nathaly Franco, for leading the parent education session on “Healthy Literacy Routines.” This event hosted 300 Leman Middle School students, parents, and community members. We could not have done this without the support of community partners and organizations.

Event sponsors and donors included Harvey's Tales, Townhouse Books, Kindred Coffee, Hawthorne's Backyard, The Paramount Theatre, The Forge, WeGo Together for Kids, Healthy West Chicago, West Chicago Public Library, State Senator’s Villa’s office, West Chicago Lions Club, and Leman Middle School PTO."

~ Penny Munoz, Community School Administrator,  LMS
~ Shannon Kennedy, Media Specialist, LMS
~ Megan Quintana, Instructional Coach, LMS

September 21, 2023

This Board Salute goes to Stephanie George, Student, Wegner School 

"I am so proud to nominate Stephanie George, a fifth grader at Wegner School, for a Board Salute. Last year, as a fourth-grade student, Stephanie received a $500 grant from the nonprofit organization "One Tree Planted." This is a grant program for children ages 5-12 years old who are interested in making an impact on our environment. Stephanie planted a tree at Wegner School, she created a tree video about tree facts that was shared with all students on Earth Day and she taught students how to plant seeds and grow herbs during Wegner's High-Interest Day.”

~ Kathy Sawicki, Gifted Specialist, Wegner School 

This Board Salute goes to Tony Sindt, Parent, Wegner School 

“I am nominating Tony Sindt, Wegner parent and owner of Seasonal Concepts Landscaping, for helping us plant a tree at Wegner School. He donated his time, materials, and expertise on tree planting day. Due to his generosity, we could plant a much larger sugar maple tree, and his knowledge about trees was informative and educational."

~ Kathy Sawicki, Gifted Specialist, Wegner School 

This Board Salute goes to Emily Hernandez, Teacher, Turner School 

 “Emily Hernandez was instrumental in making Kindergarten Camp successful. We had the most student participation this year, and Emily ensured the students were well cared for. She was incredibly supportive and always demonstrated a nurturing and safe environment for our little ones. She was never flustered or overwhelmed in challenging situations. We had emails from parents indicating their appreciation for how Ms. Hernandez cared for their children in challenging situations. We appreciate Ms. Emily Hernandez's dedication to our staff, students, and families.”