After more than an hour of often impassioned public comment, board member statements and a final plea from Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson, the District 161 Board of Education voted Monday, April 8, to approve an easement that will enable the creation of a detention basin near Heather Hill School. The[Read More…]
Tag: District 161
D161 hears more concerns regarding COVID-19 mitigation; talks construction near Parker
Flossmoor School District 161 parents are continuing to raise COVID-19 concerns as the 2021-2022 school year progresses this fall. Pam Jackson, a parent of twins in fourth grade and a kindergartener at Western Avenue Elementary School, was one of two parents to speak Aug. 30 during a board of education[Read More…]
D161 looking at $64K operating surplus for FY2022 but $671K total deficit with construction
As Flossmoor School District 161 heads toward a Sept. 13 vote on its fiscal year 2022 budget, it is expecting an operating surplus of approximately $64,000 for the fiscal year — which runs from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022 — but an overall deficit of $671,595 with construction,[Read More…]
To stream or not to stream? D161 explores continuation of virtual meetings
The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education is looking at the possibility of bolstering its audio and video capabilities for the purpose of streaming events, such as its board meetings. The goal is to provide coverage at a higher quality for the community, following some audio issues with recent[Read More…]
Michael Rouse joins D161 school board to fill vacancy left by Michelle Hoereth
The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education recently appointed Michael Rouse, of Flossmoor, to fill a vacancy left by former Board President Michelle Hoereth. (Photo provided) The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education is once again whole. Michael Rouse took the oath of office on May 10 to[Read More…]
D161 contracts for healthcare support hoping bonuses spark full-time hire
Flossmoor School District 161 is contracting with an outside agency to fill one vacant healthcare coordinator position and two other jobs with leaves on the horizon, but administrators are hoping some bonuses will help stoke interest in the full-time spot. The school board voted 6-0 on Monday, March 8, as[Read More…]
Catching up on construction: D161 talks summer plans, persistent problems
Construction dominated discussions at the Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education meeting held Monday, Feb. 8, with an eye toward the summer leading the way. Associate Superintendent Fran LaBella called the work District 161 is aiming to do in summer 2021 “very minor compared to what we’ve been doing[Read More…]
D161 rescinds staff reduction, plans to bring select students back Jan. 25
Flossmoor School District 161 is once again planning to have a limited number of students back inside of its walls on Jan. 25, and that was enough to save the jobs of seven district employees who were to lose their positions in a reduction-of-force that had been slated for the[Read More…]
Letter: District 161 board should focus on improving remote learning, not reopening schools
I recently read your informative article “Board members disagree over what criteria should prompt schools reopening” and was equally hopeful and concerned about some opinions expressed by the board. I commend Superintendent Smith, School Nurse Knawa and Board Secretary Blackman for being both concerned and knowledgable about the impact this[Read More…]
D161 school board examines goals, safety protocols and quality of possible in-person return
Sixty-four students have been inside the walls of Flossmoor School District 161 buildings in recent weeks. And officials are asking themselves if and how bringing others back to in-person learning is feasible. The school board noted during a lengthy special meeting discussion on Monday, Nov. 9, that most students remain[Read More…]