Indian Prairie School Board approves Patrick Raleigh as Gregory Middle School principal

The Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 Board of Education convened on March 10, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including a superintendent report, personnel changes, and updates on school calendars.

Superintendent Dr. Talley opened the meeting by highlighting upcoming events, including the Indian Prairie Foundation (IPF) breakfast scheduled for March 18, where students will perform. He also reported on the success of the third annual mental health symposium held at Mattia, which attracted over 600 attendees and involved collaboration with neighboring school districts.

Dr. Talley noted that March is both Women's History Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the contributions of women and raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. He encouraged parents to complete the 5 Essentials Survey, which is crucial for school improvement efforts, and commended several schools for exceeding the 20% participation threshold.

A significant personnel change was announced, with the board approving the appointment of Patrick Raleigh as the new principal of Gregory Middle School, effective July 1, 2025. Raleigh, currently an assistant principal at Gregory, expressed his excitement for the new role and was joined by family and friends at the meeting.

The board then moved to the consent agenda, which was approved without discussion. Following this, they addressed a memorandum of understanding regarding parent-teacher conferences, which aims to provide more flexibility in scheduling. This change was prompted by feedback from families and staff, allowing for conferences to extend into the first week of November.

The board also approved the school calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year, which was developed collaboratively with input from the Indian Prairie Parent Council and staff surveys. The approved calendar includes a parent-teacher conference on a Monday night, followed by a day off for students on Tuesday, aligning with an election day.

The meeting concluded with a presentation from district staff, further engaging the board and community in ongoing educational initiatives. Overall, the meeting highlighted the district's commitment to community involvement, educational improvement, and responsive leadership.