Homewood School District 153 is filling its classroom and specialists vacancies in anticipation of the first day of school Aug. 20.

School districts have struggled to fill positions the past five years, but Superintendent Scott McAlister said he was “somewhat optimistic” that people are again looking at teaching for a career.

At the July 14 meeting, the school board approved the appointments of Emily Husa as a fourth-grade teacher, Isabel Smith as a third-grade teacher, and Hayley Verdick as a fifth-grade teacher at Churchill School. In addition, Bryson Robinson-Levant will be a part-time orchestra teacher at Churchill.

McAlister said the district also struggled in the past to fill specialty positions, but he was happy to share with the board four who will be part of the District 153 staff for 2025-26. Lisa Barboza and Maggie Krol have been hired as social workers at Willow School; Morgan Bouche is a new psychologist at Churchill School, and Amanda Krug is an occupational therapist assistant at Churchill.

McAlister also announced the resignation of Cece Belue as assistant director of student support. She accepted a position at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Her position will be eliminated. The board agreed to give a $3,150 stipend to Tanya Thomas who will take over a portion of Belue’s work as it relates to homeless students.

The board also approved a buyout of $5,000 with a contract agency that placed Marilyn Wofford at Churchill School this past school year. Principal Tara Peacock asked Wofford to join the District 153 staff as a registered behavior technician. Wofford made a three-year commitment to the district. If she leaves before that time period, she will reimburse the district the $5,000 fee.

In April the board agreed to cut two part-time teaching assistants in the music programs at James Hart School and 17 paraprofessionals working in classrooms at Willow, Churchill and James Hart Schools due to budget constraints. 

McAlister told the Chronicle in a July 2 email that eight of those staff members were rehired “based on special education needs and are paid for out of the general budget. Their rehiring will necessitate reductions elsewhere, including not filling positions that may become vacant this summer.”

The board also approved a $200,000 settlement, paid by the district’s insurance company, in a lawsuit brought against the district by a couple identified as John and Jane Doe. The Chronicle asked for additional information. Board President Alex Bosch provided the Chronicle with this statement:

“The Board of Education recently approved a settlement agreement based upon a lawsuit brought on behalf of a minor student against the District. The settlement we reached was a no-fault resolution brokered by the district’s insurance carrier which covered the full cost of the settlement and defense costs. 

“The Board of Education approved the settlement as part of its commitment to maintain fiscal responsibility. If the district had declined to consent to the settlement reached by the insurance carrier, it ran the risk of potentially exposing taxpayer funds dedicated to supporting all of our students. 

“While the district is unable to provide any further comments or details regarding the settlement, please know that the safety and well-being of our students remains our top priority. We will continue to maintain our focus on providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for our students, families and staff.”