Flossmoor School District 161 officials presented a tentative 2026-27 budget on Monday, June 16, that projects an operating surplus next year but cautioned that the district’s long-term financial outlook depends heavily on continued state Property Tax Relief Grant funding. Associate Superintendent of Business Operations Frances LaBella told board members the[Read More…]
Education
District 161 board questions cost, need for expanded Western Avenue parking lot
The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education indicated Monday that it does not plan to move forward with a proposed expansion of the parking lot at Western Avenue Elementary School after board members questioned whether the nearly $620,000 project was necessary. District administrators presented conceptual plans for expanding the[Read More…]
Retirees 2026: Handson’s calling card was caring
Regina Handson says 27 years ago she had a premonition that she would be working at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. She drove by the North Building with a friend, telling her, “I’m going to work there.” Now she’s planning her retirement. It wasn’t long after being hired that Handson started in[Read More…]
Homewood D153 uses bonds to finance school improvements
The District 153 school board agreed to sell $7 million working cash bonds and $11.26 million in life safety bonds to finance improvements at Willow, Churchill and James Hart Schools. At its June 9 meeting, Eric Trimberger, chief school business official, said the board’s action for the life safety bonds[Read More…]
Retirees 2026: Thomas took on various roles at H-F High
Over the past 28 years, Kevin Thomas has been a Homewood-Flossmoor High School classroom English teacher, was the EDDA magazine advisor, a WHFH radio supervisor using his FCC license, and Career and Technical Education program chair, who also taught woods, small engines and business classes. As he steps away from[Read More…]
Retirees 2026: D233 business manager’s long career always relied on math
Had it not been for his high school coach, Lawrence Cook says his life would be very different. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be sitting in this spot,” the 57-year-old chief school business official at Homewood-Flossmoor High School said. “I’m in a good spot.” After 24[Read More…]
Founders celebrate 10 years of inspiration at the Homewood Science Center
Some amazing minds took on the challenge to create a science center in Homewood. Their work was celebrated May 28 at a Founders Day program at the Homewood Science Center marking a dream of 10 years ago that has come true. HSC board members, both past and present, gathered with[Read More…]
Retirees 2026: D161 teachers developed long friendship teaching 5th grade
Kids usually find a buddy at school. At Flossmoor Hills School, it’s two teachers who found their buddy. Fifth grade teachers Joelle Mulhearn and Denise Roberts-Smith have been classroom buddies for more than 20 years. They retire this year. Smith said their classrooms are full of 10- and 11-year-olds who[Read More…]
Retirees 2026: Shelley Peck shared the District 153 news
For 20 years, Shelley Peck has been sharing news of Homewood School District 153 and Willow, Churchill and James Hart schools. Now she’s retiring from her job as director of communications. The simple definition of Peck’s job is she writes press releases, prepares videos and handles social media accounts. But[Read More…]
Retirees 2026: Lisa Rost helps young learners in District 153 get inspired
Teaching young learners, Lisa Rost understood her job was to make learning fun. She’s done that in Homewood District 153 for 25 years. She will retire in June. Rost has created hundreds of ways to get her young charges to remember facts and figures. “I need them to be active[Read More…]
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