[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6260477,"mediaKeyId","3131610-6a033ca48bfd8f4a5581072a17cf6393","parentId",3131610,"title","District 21 board approves administrative reorganization, creates deputy superintendent and chief operating officer","audioSeconds",591,"startMs",6805000,"endMs",7396000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3131610-6a033ca48bfd8f4a5581072a17cf6393&start=6805&end=7396","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3131610-6a033ca48bfd8f4a5581072a17cf6393/thumbnail_6805000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260477/Illinois/District-21-board-approves-administrative-reorganization-creates-deputy-superintendent-and-chief-operating-officer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260477-b153514f10a1c68d24584752d3c4b285/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019886&Signature=FzNHBo5fecrXwzjbU~tb9cdrJ0lf29zhc-S2dHWL06z6DyA1K82hGC~0XimoJ6wycoQ2Jw8dAImORVq7r6Eq~lVan0YU7ngRLQjFqnyUOZ-gSh3j92Xsr6iWRugsVunNY1sQ3YxUbEVjqwkUUQ6oA9X5gqnIAqmVywEflsg8Ym~5WX8KV2YGQ9bUDwQ41INRlHJOeZbQxC0Hz4CfwyN~BSedUUnOCoa~y-k7De-cVvJVNEo7jpienNCaJvsQ-JHS3FGR71TL0Zlk0CiUOzZojM2UWta0dhwVgiu6qMzDxFM04gpT8-Sht8OpOXB6mRRBcOA4RZl3YAEtg4X6clt~Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wheeling CCSD 21","date","2025-04-26T12:46:39.85Z","article","The Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on April 24 approved a district administration reorganization proposed by Superintendent Dr. Michael Connolly that eliminates two vacant cabinet roles, establishes a deputy superintendent position and a chief operating officer role and creates an executive director of human resources.

Dr. Connolly said the changes are intended to streamline reporting lines, reduce administrative layering and sharpen the district’s operational focus as the organization moves from a period of expansion to “calibration.” The board voted to approve the reorganization by roll-call vote.

Under the plan the district will collapse the assistant superintendent for finance and operations and the superintendent for support services positions, move the chief academic officer into a deputy superintendent role who would act as the superintendent’s designee when needed, and reconstitute the chief technology officer role into a chief operating officer to consolidate facilities, finance and operations oversight. Connolly said the salary‑only effect of the changes is an estimated reduction of about $287,000; additional savings in payroll taxes and benefits will increase the total savings.

As part of the reorganization the board also approved employment agreements for several senior hires announced during the meeting: Sherry Massa as director of student services; Lewis (Louis) Roberts as executive director of human resources; and an appointment for the district’s chief operating officer (internal candidate Mike Frantini was identified in discussion as the intended appointee). The board approved the appointments and associated employment agreements by recorded vote.

Superintendent and staff emphasized that implementation will require additional steps, including updating organizational charts, refining job descriptions, posting or filling director-level vacancies (including director of technology services) and carrying out professional-development and onboarding tasks. Connolly said more detailed budget analysis and charts with names will be provided after the board’s approvals.

Board members who spoke supported the emphasis on elevating academic leadership while reducing administrative redundancy. Several members asked for the updated organizational chart with names once hiring is complete; Connolly said staff would provide a revised chart and implementation timetable.

The motions to approve the reorganization and the related employment agreements passed by roll-call vote; the board recorded approvals during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CCSD21 Board Of Education Meeting - April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 board approved an administrative reorganization April 24 that eliminates two vacant cabinet roles, elevates academic leadership to a deputy superintendent and creates a chief operating officer and an executive director of human resources.","taxTitle","Wheeling CCSD 21, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",38576,"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},6260478,"Wheeling CCSD 21 elects Jessica Riddick president, seats new member Ileana Guzman",1694,3464000,5158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3131610-6a033ca48bfd8f4a5581072a17cf6393&start=3464&end=5158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3131610-6a033ca48bfd8f4a5581072a17cf6393/thumbnail_3464000.jpg","/articles/6260478/Illinois/Wheeling-CCSD-21-elects-Jessica-Riddick-president-seats-new-member-Ileana-Guzman","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260478-a4c0940fcdff163906dc913ec8724ea2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019886&Signature=N47YborrMtVLjo0rrVbzr-7GcnVY7Xq5BVeAvyp3oQ8YAfm-g98ItSuhtdjNsjCOsRI73j6YlAgZNmWSem7aFyU~1i4zc2pUTXLgiyjY5SFfuMQ62hYBf~gsM38XbOOJT257QIUIaz8fF76v0kTz-1YIkkFLv5p0L5hYo4Tm3yhlRExpSvnYkvt4TF~vHRPnyhn3oN8SPNcEKhgsPzGmTLUGKoh1eayNVFeiJiAeUttO~-xkWPkKFVMXN9mxZmsnt1zlh8qt7K5ELQ4z7bkj4ByGEG9Bqlbmi25Xh9HuNRW4t0myTS37Uu~fZY5VngAoYWPFSlQ7wvlcjxPsn8d3cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jessica Riddick was elected president of the Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education during the board’s April 24 reorganizational meeting, a unanimous decision that followed a series of officer appointments and a ceremony swearing in a newly appointed member.

The board first appointed Debbie McAtee to serve as president pro tem and Bill Harrison as secretary pro tem before electing Riddick by roll-call vote. The board then elected Debbie McAtee as vice president and Degmarra Kalinowski as board secretary. Members voted unanimously on each office.

The reorganizational votes set leadership for the coming year and were followed by routine organizational items, including setting regular meeting times for the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. The board also re-adopted the district’s policy manual by roll-call vote.

Later in the meeting the board appointed Ileana Guzman to fill the vacancy left by Stacy Allen for the term ending April 2027. Guzman, a parent of district students active on the district’s Bilingual Parents Council and a participant in the most recent strategic planning process, took the oath of office that cites the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois Constitution and state law. The motion to appoint Guzman passed by board vote.

The board conducted the roll-call votes publicly. Officials who cast votes in favor of the officer elections and appointment were recorded on the meeting record during each roll call.

The reorganizational items were procedural, focused on leadership and governance; no policy changes were proposed as part of the officer elections or the appointment of Guzman.

Board members said they plan to publish committee and liaison assignments at the May meeting and asked members to submit ranked committee preferences in the coming weeks.","At its April 24 reorganizational meeting, the Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education elected Jessica Riddick president and made several officer appointments. The board also unanimously approved the appointment of parent Ileana Guzman to fill a board vacancy through April 2027.",{"_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},6260473,"Board approves $12.5 million permanent transfer for summer construction projects",181,4920000,5101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3131610-6a033ca48bfd8f4a5581072a17cf6393&start=4920&end=5101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3131610-6a033ca48bfd8f4a5581072a17cf6393/thumbnail_4920000.jpg","/articles/6260473/Illinois/Board-approves-125-million-permanent-transfer-for-summer-construction-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260473-88d472f9c29f3e9a520d39562d99e5d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019886&Signature=E5g-YqmR4X3A7ZtM0qnkUVsZw-DSOQKuxAqkaAENZI-q5dkbtfVAL39pjYarmcil7EchBLStAXLD3sDQ1~vGjmMVQktjL9MLz-kD7MvJSaGUhc9dhGAMoTyy0QhB-eaKlWwpVWXGR45Z1UOM2jIE7hDLE1KngB~6A3y1FGJl0J7nuw6Ac9Tzebb6kwe8XhyrrY0MQMYhgmdeXTNqGn1208m8AmytKgU7QLjiup11z8kEU9Wc6hHl6pTjAo9qQ-oXq6UshRr9FQ3vaMBTgq-QRlicBMLpW4~7kAfM1K7Op8wXUfJta1xjf~wnOnOlbsmdnZtFU6Jqf-QFcbuZsRX73g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education approved a permanent transfer of $12.5 million to support this year’s summer construction program after convening a public hearing at its April 24 meeting.

District finance director Mike Zager told the board the transfer will move funds to the construction fund to fully finance the summer construction program approved earlier in the year and leave a balance for furniture and other summer projects. Zager said the transfer uses planned fund balance and surplus and is part of previously approved project planning.

The board first approved a resolution to convene the public hearing by roll-call vote. No members of the public spoke during the hearing and no written public comments were submitted for that item. The board then voted to adjourn the public hearing and approved two related resolutions: one to authorize a permanent transfer of $12.5 million from the Education Fund to Operations and Maintenance, and one to transfer $12.5 million from Operations and Maintenance to Capital Projects. Both motions carried by roll-call vote.

Board policy required the public hearing for the permanent transfer; staff said the transfers are intended to ensure the district has the capital funding in place for the scope of work approved earlier.

Finance staff will provide project spending and purchase details to the board as work proceeds, and the board recorded the resolutions in the meeting minutes.","After a public hearing, the board approved a permanent $12.5 million transfer from education funds to capital projects to fully fund approved summer construction work and related expenses.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260476,"District 21 adopts Desmos elementary math series after year-long review and pilot",1231,4774000,6005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3131610-6a033ca48bfd8f4a5581072a17cf6393&start=4774&end=6005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3131610-6a033ca48bfd8f4a5581072a17cf6393/thumbnail_4774000.jpg","/articles/6260476/Illinois/District-21-adopts-Desmos-elementary-math-series-after-year-long-review-and-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260476-2193ac96bf1ff0c6578d5dbbccdb0e43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019886&Signature=UZmdPhnnOkF6Bhilc7xOj0ILAFB-6v693TsZfs6y2pHWpV1BT-mS7T8QRqd3SPCJhzMimBx4ob1i4oThEePEymMByYBLOBRhQd4gAcBKLqesrUoBE3moOvvQdZ28M5NSdpWInwHhltPPVIB9evHgLMGVr5M9Xl7V9jWbcqV4a0yAzYQIXUwD8nfFOEvxSstinqauyncqRgZFaWmEYy6fkfwGRuXqctEWCAvaYMJ5EWHaN2jLzG63iFuLOLrHWdStd1rSH4Cs8fQ8kXgJa6q1GPR-qVw2eSMa~1~DiKKbUdaRq2ZR5VdvtCQiQWE-r8wbSAbfDIJ4BZf29STagzJUDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education approved the adoption of the Desmos elementary math curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the board’s consent agenda at its April 24 meeting.

District math director Carolyn Droll told the board the selection followed a year-long review of available elementary math programs, narrowing an initial list to three choices and then piloting the recommended resource, Amplify Desmos. About 90 teachers initially volunteered for the pilot; roughly half continued using the resource through the rest of the school year.

Droll said the committee selected Desmos for its emphasis on student collaboration, classroom discourse and problem solving, and because the resource embeds language and content objectives, vocabulary supports and formative assessment within lessons. She showed examples of classroom activities designed as “low floor, high ceiling” tasks that allow multiple entry points for students and encourage multiple solution strategies.

Students in pilot focus groups reported positive reactions. Droll quoted elementary students saying the lessons “trick your mind into thinking it’s a normal game” and that the content “is not that hard… also not that easy — it’s perfect.” Teachers provided survey feedback that highlighted strengths in engagement and conceptual understanding and identified differentiation and accessibility for multilingual learners as continuing support needs.

Staff described supports that will be used during implementation: summer and ongoing professional development for teachers, family-facing materials via the Desmos Caregiver Hub, and curriculum and assessment alignment work. The district said it will not sign a contract longer than three years without further consideration.

The adoption was approved as part of the consent agenda; the consent motion and roll-call vote carried. Board members asked staff to develop an explicit communication plan for families — including in-person, building-level meetings and teacher communications — to explain the new instructional model and caregiver resources.

No changes to district learning standards were recorded; staff said curriculum documents and assessments will be revised to align to the new resource and that further updates will be provided to the board.","Following a district review and an elementary pilot involving roughly 90 teachers, the board adopted the Desmos elementary math curriculum for K–5 instruction. Teachers and students cited increased engagement and collaborative problem solving; staff outlined next steps for professional development and family communications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District 21 board approves administrative reorganization, creates deputy superintendent and chief operating officer

Wheeling CCSD 21 elects Jessica Riddick president, seats new member Ileana Guzman

Board approves $12.5 million permanent transfer for summer construction projects

District 21 adopts Desmos elementary math series after year-long review and pilot