Board hears parent plea on youth sports, launches district literacy program and previews summer IGA
January 14, 2026 | Oak Park ESD 97, School Boards, Illinois
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At the start of public comment, parent Rachel Stork described a recent volleyball tryout with roughly 50 middle-school students and said many children were turned away because of roster limits. "One of the girls who showed up didn't even know you needed new pads to try out for volleyball. She was cut immediately," Stork said, urging the board to explore adding teams or intra-district play so more students can participate.
During the superintendent update, district librarians Laurie Conley (Whittier) and Katie Noonan (Burbank) detailed the district's 1 Book 1 District program. The district and PTOs purchased copies for families; librarians said schools paired younger and older students as reading buddies, produced recorded chapters with Spanish translations, and will host a virtual author visit with Suzanne Sulfers as a culminating event.
On the consent agenda, a board member asked questions about staffing for a robotics position and the personnel report was pulled for additional review. The board moved to approve the remainder of the consent agenda while timing and details of the personnel report will be addressed at a future meeting.
Board members also previewed an intergovernmental agreement with the Park District of Oak Park to support summer programming. Administrators said the IGA is designed to ensure families who qualify for free and reduced lunch can access camp fees and that the Park District will reserve some slots or help families with registration. The full IGA is slated for action at the board's next meeting.
Near the meeting's end, the board announced the superintendent search process: first-round interviews will be held in closed session on Jan. 26, with plans to advance six to eight candidates and to schedule public engagement opportunities, including a town hall.
The board then voted to adjourn open session and convene an executive session to discuss personnel, negotiations, student matters and other lawful closed-session topics.
During the superintendent update, district librarians Laurie Conley (Whittier) and Katie Noonan (Burbank) detailed the district's 1 Book 1 District program. The district and PTOs purchased copies for families; librarians said schools paired younger and older students as reading buddies, produced recorded chapters with Spanish translations, and will host a virtual author visit with Suzanne Sulfers as a culminating event.
On the consent agenda, a board member asked questions about staffing for a robotics position and the personnel report was pulled for additional review. The board moved to approve the remainder of the consent agenda while timing and details of the personnel report will be addressed at a future meeting.
Board members also previewed an intergovernmental agreement with the Park District of Oak Park to support summer programming. Administrators said the IGA is designed to ensure families who qualify for free and reduced lunch can access camp fees and that the Park District will reserve some slots or help families with registration. The full IGA is slated for action at the board's next meeting.
Near the meeting's end, the board announced the superintendent search process: first-round interviews will be held in closed session on Jan. 26, with plans to advance six to eight candidates and to schedule public engagement opportunities, including a town hall.
The board then voted to adjourn open session and convene an executive session to discuss personnel, negotiations, student matters and other lawful closed-session topics.
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