- West Chicago Elementary School District 33
- Board of Education
Board of Education
Board Receives Special Recognition
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District 33 Board of Education Earns Governance Recognition Honor
The District 33 Board of Education has been recognized for its exceptional governance practices by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). District 33 was one of 46 Illinois school districts to earn the School Board Governance Recognition honor for their effective governance behaviors and their commitment to obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead the district.
IASB’s School Board Governance Recognition program acknowledges local boards of education that practice good governance behaviors as outlined by IASB's Foundational Principles of Effective Governance. The focus of Governance Recognition is on full board development and participation. Boards that meet the necessary requirements are recognized for the two-year honorary distinction.
The School Board Governance Recognition program aims to showcase how good governance creates a positive impact on students, staff, and the entire district community. It provides an opportunity for districts to tell their story about programs and projects that are improving outcomes in their local school districts and offers board members a chance to highlight how continuous learning, both by individual board members and the full board team, results in improved governance for the board of education and positive outcomes for the district.
The Illinois Association of School Boards is a voluntary organization of local boards of education dedicated to strengthening public schools through local citizens. Although not a part of state government, IASB is organized by member school boards as a private not-for-profit corporation under authority granted by Article 23 of The Illinois School Code.
More information about the IASB School Board Governance Recognition program can be found on the Illinois Association of School Boards website.
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The Board of Education establishes a vision for the community’s schools that reflects a consensus of the board, community, and district staff. The school board has a wide variety of additional responsibilities, including, but not limited to, adopting a balanced annual budget, adopting the school calendar, negotiating contracts with employee unions, and approving curriculum programs. Some questions the school board asks when determining this vision include:
What philosophy of education do we want our local schools to have?
What should our students know and be able to do when they graduate?
How can schools best educate students who come from diverse backgrounds?The District 33 Board of Education has a priority of maintaining two-way communication with its stakeholders. District 33 Board Members “adopt” a school for periodic visits and chats. This gives them increased opportunities for face-to-face contact with students, teachers, and parents. Listed below are our board members and their adopted school for the current school year. Additionally, District 33 Board of Education members actively participate in District 33 by serving on various District committees.
People who want to contact the Board via email can do so by sending a message to [email protected] which is the address for the entire group.
Board Members
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Meet the Board of Education
Rita Balgeman
President
[email protected]First Elected: 2019
Re-Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 202724/25 Adopted Schools: Gary
Morgan Banasiak
Vice President
[email protected]First Elected: 2021
Term Expires: 202524/25 Adopted Schools: LMS
Tom Doyle
Secretary
[email protected]First Elected: 2019
Re-Elected 2023
Term Expires: 202724/25 Adopted School: Indian Knoll
Felicia Gills
Member
[email protected]First Elected: 2021
Term Expires: 202524/25 Adopted School: Turner
Janette Hernandez
Member
[email protected]
First Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 202724/25 Adopted School: Preschool
Chad McLean
Member
[email protected]First Elected: 2017
Term Expires: 202524/25 Adopted School: Wegner
Sandra Garcia
Member
[email protected]First Elected: 2021
Term Expires: 202524/25 Adopted School: Currier
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
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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 21, 2024This board salute goes to Jose Correa, Paraeducator, Indian Knoll
“Mr. Jose truly goes above and beyond for all students at Indian Knoll. As a paraprofessional in a self-contained classroom, he supports his students and lends a hand throughout the school—whether in the hallway, at lunch, or during recess. His bilingual skills are invaluable for translating between students and teachers. Kind, patient, and respectful, Mr. Jose handles every interaction with care, even in challenging situations. Plus, he’s pursuing his teaching certification! We are incredibly fortunate to have him at Indian Knoll.”
~ Robyn Kimmel, Music Teacher, Indian Knoll
November 7, 2024
This board salute goes to Silvia Carrasco, Family Liaison, Birth to Three Program.
“I’d like to take a moment to give a heartfelt shout-out to Silvia Carrasco. She truly cares about our families, and many stay in touch even after leaving the program, highlighting the deep bonds she creates. Silvia is kind, understanding, and incredibly patient. She goes above and beyond to accommodate the families she works with. In one instance, recognizing how much a particular family would benefit from the program, she met with them on Saturdays twice a month when weekdays were challenging for their schedule.
She’s always ready to help the Birth to Three program implement strategies from the curriculum, and her dedication to our community is inspiring. With over 20 years of service, Silvia is an outstanding family liaison, and we are lucky to have her! Thank you, Silvia, for all that you do!”
~ Esther Romo-Ortiz, Family Liaison, Birth to Three Program
October 17, 2024
This board salute goes to Brett Jacobson, Social Worker, Leman Middle School.
“Brett is a social worker at Leman Middle School. His primary focus is on supporting students who have behavior concerns and may need to take a "pause" from their regular school day and think about more appropriate behavior. However, Brett jumped into completely unknown territory for the past month and supported Wegner students struggling with a new school year. When Maggie Lay and I first approached Brett about helping out at Wegner, he was very upfront about his experience of only being with older students. He acknowledged that his toolbox for supporting kindergarten students wasn't quite full, but he was more than willing to go where needed. Brett spent a month at Wegner, every day, learning more and more about kindergarten and 1st grade. From the first day, he jumped in and found ways to connect with students and staff. Brett went “Above and Beyond” to support Wegner, and we couldn't be more appreciative of his willingness to go where he is most needed.”
~ Sherri Massa, Director of Student Services
October 3, 2024
This board salute goes to the Technology Team.
“Today, I’m honored to take a moment to recognize the incredible work and dedication of our Tech Department. The D33 Tech Team consists of Daisy Fernandez, Debra Foreman, Debbie Fouts, Eddie Fuentes, Emmanuel Ortiz, Raymond Snowden, Leo Toxtel, and Michael Webster. In our ever-evolving landscape, the tech team has been the backbone of our success, navigating challenges with expertise and innovation.
Their work every day and especially during the summer and start of the school year has been nothing short of outstanding. From solving complex problems to implementing cutting-edge solutions, they’ve demonstrated a level of skill and commitment that truly sets them apart.
It’s not just about the big wins, though. The countless hours of troubleshooting, the seamless integration of new systems and equipment, and the constant support they provide have a profound impact on our daily operations. Their resilience, creativity, and collaborative spirit are key reasons we continue to thrive.
These accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and ingenuity. But beyond the tangible results, it’s the dedication and passion of each member that truly makes a difference. The D33 Tech Department exemplifies what it means to be a committed and collaborative team.
To the entire team: thank you. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. Your skills are critical to our success, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do. Let’s continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible and keep driving forward with the same enthusiasm and excellence."
~ Matt Ryan, Director of Technology
September 5, 2024
This board salute goes to Emily Hernandez, Teacher, Turner Elementary School.
“Emily Hernandez was instrumental to our Summer School program’s success this year. She effectively communicated with students, staff, families, and district administrators, ensuring a safe and engaging learning environment. Many staff members wanted the program to continue, and 100% of families found the experience enjoyable, with 91% expressing interest in enrolling their children again next year. This success is a testament to Ms. Hernandez’s leadership skills. We appreciate her dedication to our staff, students, and families.”
~ Jenny Brunke, Assistant Director for Teaching & Learning
This board salute goes to Arturo Arvizu, Instructional Coach, Wegner Elementary School.
“Arturo Arvizu was instrumental in making Kinder Camp a great experience for students and families. His communication with families, staff, and district administrators was timely and effective. Feedback from parents highlighted the camp’s organization and their children’s clear understanding of daily activities. Many families were excited about the upcoming school year and wished Kinder Camp could be longer. Arturo's leadership was essential to this success. We greatly appreciate his dedication to our staff, students, and families.”
~ Jenny Brunke, Assistant Director for Teaching & Learning