[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6074374,"mediaKeyId","2984796-5670a5d6c78e0808fa7fbd4ef906c9f1","parentId",2984796,"title","Palos CCSD 118 recognizes fifth graders with Presidential Academic Awards","audioSeconds",125,"startMs",68000,"endMs",193000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2984796-5670a5d6c78e0808fa7fbd4ef906c9f1&start=68&end=193","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2984796-5670a5d6c78e0808fa7fbd4ef906c9f1/thumbnail_68000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6074374/Illinois/Palos-CCSD-118-recognizes-fifth-graders-with-Presidential-Academic-Awards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074374-c303d0586d23cac348e59a0adfcf07dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775844208&Signature=Bp9rj4WuoEbFS4FnEdOWpIJiyQkPrF-qne1XiQj6-kRaFEUQyUdVa9V9g0BwGGkUvx~6I44QrQd1XpPWM4p8l-ve1kkDyrq5VFYO7IPTUBVJwqic7Z4wxf20Io0bYLqsPAVmknUYsgxn74M~SR2iqt6KLk3WECOh9vDQdq6bY5DQqs~t-BZbnBjm8k0SO4gfOdK6PoYrhkBuJYCQJdPzYjeXHexCL9lXRJ1-oIW0q670b99AQBNd1vXumCBfBdkmCVDO7~nwDnHszietSqHE4usnyPAPS0t845O14TihuB~9-xwuX8kmYFY2qNx9ydcI12oObJUuBFc-uO1qQULV8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Palos CCSD 118","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Before the board conducted business, school principals and the board president recognized elementary students earning Presidential Academic Awards.

Principal Daralyn (Payless West) told the audience the awards are for fifth graders who scored at or above the 80th percentile nationally on fall or winter NWEA assessments in reading or math and who had a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in fourth grade and the first trimester of fifth grade. Board President Pam Paris assisted in presenting awards and students posed for photos.

A list of named students was read aloud and students went onstage for photos; examples named in the transcript include Chris Ambrush, Dahlia Buzar, August Berminski, Bruno Berminski, Violet Bermerski, Audra Callis Tuskenas and Max Castillo. The board recessed for about five minutes after the recognition to allow families to take photographs.

Why it matters: The recognition highlights student academic achievement and the district's assessment and honors process for elementary students.

Ending: The ceremony concluded with the board taking a short break before returning to regular business.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Palos CCSD 118 Regular Meeting - April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board paused its agenda to recognize fifth-grade students who qualified for Presidential Academic Awards based on NWEA scores and grade-point averages.","taxTitle","Palos CCSD 118, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",53250,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6074378,"Parent urges Palos CCSD 118 board to increase bullying accountability",235,1835000,2070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2984796-5670a5d6c78e0808fa7fbd4ef906c9f1&start=1835&end=2070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2984796-5670a5d6c78e0808fa7fbd4ef906c9f1/thumbnail_1835000.jpg","/articles/6074378/Illinois/Parent-urges-Palos-CCSD-118-board-to-increase-bullying-accountability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074378-48fcff2eef203933e4526a2f1e4c1876/orig.mp4?Expires=1775844208&Signature=Xn2ft~8ntw3Vy1bx0GOzZztWV0MkYamNAWmmqqwU2QmlGmhoFGYgiiaFOfeoUjJmkTwnCMPNubmdy3FoE0MGTH5awHvedKk-ubxWcVGH462zkSETbrmplBkA2xs35G8fVxs1Qv6QT7ez4daHIYphgQHN9ttkrd-LLfFyS6WL3caENvSynYOtS2K5OFeKrcryBtEt6CAAc5uIrskHDXL4WJpAc2wrrbLUmebGFJiGXaaiYoBED0G3RaxLwlgeUzdHyoox8ZxLpMj6rt8bQypy0hdtMKi-8jvNckwetNStFjq~MxyL4~7KDif7R~SlWLvjyOfNqaUM0iYTnBht1eeDhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the public-comment portion of the Palos CCSD 118 board meeting, a parent urged the board to strengthen accountability and transparency around bullying and student safety.

\"Bullying should be a 0 tolerance,\" said Lauren DeAngelis, who identified herself as a parent of two district students and said she is advocating for accountability after reporting alleged bullying affecting her son and others. DeAngelis told the board she remains concerned about how the district responds to bullying reports and encouraged parents to file written complaints and copy both the superintendent's office and the school board so there is a record.

DeAngelis referenced a recent out-of-state case, saying that a 10-year-old in Virginia died by suicide on March 21 and that the child's parents have sued the school district there; she offered that example as a warning and urged local parents and officials not to \"brush instances under the rug.\" She said that when a bullying report is filed, \"an investigation is supposed to take place, and the parents are supposed to be notified of what is being done to rectify the situation within 10 days.\" DeAngelis said she would continue to press the district for what she called transparency and accountability.

Board procedure noted during the meeting: the board does not engage in discussion during public comment and referred specific questions to the superintendent; the meeting transcript records a statement that responses to public comments will be provided in writing and posted on the district website within 24 hours.

Why it matters: Public comments about student safety and bullying raise questions about how the district documents complaints, investigates incidents and communicates with parents. The concerns raised are procedural (investigation and notification timelines) and are framed by the speaker as requests for enforcement and transparency rather than a demand for specific policy changes.

Ending: The speaker asked other parents to document complaints in writing; the board did not respond during the public-comment period, consistent with its stated public-comment procedure recorded in the meeting.","A parent told the board that the district must enforce anti-bullying policies and notify parents of investigations, citing a recent child suicide elsewhere as an example.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6074382,"Palos CCSD 118 board approves multiple personnel actions, rejects exterior-improvement bids and OKs payrolls",107,1409000,1516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2984796-5670a5d6c78e0808fa7fbd4ef906c9f1&start=1409&end=1516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2984796-5670a5d6c78e0808fa7fbd4ef906c9f1/thumbnail_1409000.jpg","/articles/6074382/Illinois/Palos-CCSD-118-board-approves-multiple-personnel-actions-rejects-exterior-improvement-bids-and-OKs-payrolls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074382-a50444bf45df55f71c84deb68bfdbfba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775844208&Signature=cJ804R6JyloM221oHHLnDCEEpNh4-v7w2dcSx0k9BKdxqTPTEOK0lkFnyLXdtYeZwXrW1dtnD5eLZAeyR5OgWf9Rmu8P0sXOB8QV8wRJs4-9diJPnZiC9CRSzuUAeZ6iAYBHa99uUcqU8UaaE5aVgQ62FohhWh9aXmgc6UPbVzWVJQxISxMwztL1WTOlGcB3stYNEQ4CfPlGrpW~Ve-coQb-NnEet0B9c6DYvWnGqqMQWffCQs9a5VDib1xpnB7D0Ius1BRHf7cnux5o77ra2nZQh9wUiVfv1a7Q3h74WgjSW7lW3g0mnoe6awR4yK~TUnHQYHhGkEVLm1xvTHSR5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Palos CCSD 118 Board of Education voted on a series of personnel and financial items at its April meeting, approving several dismissals, appointing an assistant principal, rejecting exterior-improvement bids and authorizing payroll and vendor payments.

The board approved an \"resolution of honorable dismissal\" for five certificated staff members — Marina Galovich, Colleen McKinnon, Michelle Metzke, Anna Negley and Rosalie White — and separately approved a dismissal resolution for a first-, second- or third-year teacher, Haley Zlanga. The board also approved a resolution dismissing one education support employee, Marissa Thanos. Each of those motions passed on roll call votes recorded in the meeting transcript.

The board rejected all bids received Feb. 27, 2025, for the district's 2025 summer exterior-improvement project at all buildings and later appointed Sarah Leahy as assistant principal at Palos South Middle School effective July 1, 2025. Under its consent agenda the board approved starting wages for paraprofessionals and full-time playground supervisors at $18.90, bus drivers at $20.20, janitors at $16.75, and part-time playground staff and interns at $16.00. The board also approved a 5.5% salary increase for all nonbargaining-unit employees for the 2025-26 school year, the district's plan to use Title I, II, III, IV and IDEA federal funds for 2025-26, a library-media grant report, and the 2025-26 student behavior plan.

The consent agenda included personnel reports listing new hires and resignations, minutes from previous meetings and authorization of payments. The board authorized bills payable dated April 9, 2025, in the amount of $1,383,589.99 and payrolls dated March 14, 2025 ($892,324.62) and March 28, 2025 ($886,820.37).

All motions recorded in the transcript passed on roll call. The transcript records the yes votes for each motion by named board members in the roll calls that followed the motions.

Why it matters: The personnel actions remove or change district employees' statuses and the wage and budget approvals set near-term district compensation and spending levels. Rejection of the exterior-improvement bids means the district will either rebid, revise the project scope, or delay the work pending further action.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution of honorable dismissal (Marina Galovich; Colleen McKinnon; Michelle Metzke; Anna Negley; Rosalie White): Motion passed on roll call. Recorded yes votes: Mrs. Johnson; Mr. Kelly; Mr. Peiser; Mrs. Perez; Dr. Baker; Mr. Cox; Pam Paris (board president). Mover/second: not specified in the transcript excerpt.

- Resolution of dismissal (first/second/third-year teacher) (Haley Zlanga): Motion passed on roll call. Recorded yes votes: Mr. Cox; Dr. Baker; Mrs. Perez; Mr. Peiser; Mr. Kelly; Mrs. Jensen; Pam Paris. Mover/second: not specified in the transcript excerpt.

- Resolution of dismissal (education support personnel) (Marissa Thanos): Motion passed on roll call. Recorded yes votes: Mr. Cox; Dr. Baker; Mrs. Paris; Mr. Peyser; Mr. Kelly; Mrs. Jensen; Pam Paris. Mover/second: motion text present; mover/second not named in transcript excerpt.

- Rejection of exterior-improvement project bids (bids received 02/27/2025): Motion passed on roll call. Recorded yes votes: Mrs. Johnson; Mr. Kelly; Mr. Peiser; Mrs. Perez; Dr. Baker; Mr. Cox; Pam Paris. Mover/second: not specified in the transcript excerpt.

- Appointment of Sarah Leahy as assistant principal, Palos South Middle School (effective 07/01/2025): Motion passed on roll call. Recorded yes votes: Mr. Cox; Dr. Baker; Mrs. Paris; Mr. Pizer; Mr. Kelly; Mrs. Johnson; Pam Paris. Mover: recorded as motion at transcript time; second recorded.

- Consent agenda (items 11a'i): Included starting wages, a 5.5% nonbargaining salary increase for 2025-26, Title I/II/III/IV/IDEA plan for 2025-26, library media grant report, the 2025-26 student behavior plan, personnel reports (certified and classified hires/resignations), approval of minutes (03/11/2025 and 03/18/2025) and authorization of bills/payrolls. Motion passed on roll call. Recorded yes votes: a full roll call is recorded in the transcript for that vote with named board members voting yes.

What the record shows and does not show: The motions and roll-call tallies are recorded in the meeting transcript; specific movers and seconders are not always identified in the transcript excerpt and therefore are listed as not specified where not spoken on the record. The motions as recorded are formal board actions; the transcript does not record further details about next procedural steps for the rejected bids (for example, whether the district will rebid or revise scope).

Ending: The board indicated it would possibly take additional action following a closed session; no further specifics about follow-up steps on the exterior-improvement bids or staffing resolutions were recorded in the public transcript.","At its April meeting the Palos CCSD 118 Board of Education approved several personnel dismissals and appointments, rejected bids for a summer exterior-improvement project, and authorized routine payrolls and payments.","actionData","errors"]

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Palos CCSD 118 recognizes fifth graders with Presidential Academic Awards

Parent urges Palos CCSD 118 board to increase bullying accountability

Palos CCSD 118 board approves multiple personnel actions, rejects exterior-improvement bids and OKs payrolls