[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6240280,"mediaKeyId","3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90","parentId",3325833,"title","ETHS board reorganizes, seats new student representative and approves personnel settlements","audioSeconds",1667,"startMs",2283000,"endMs",3950000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90&start=2283&end=3950","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90/thumbnail_2283000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6240280/Illinois/ETHS-board-reorganizes-seats-new-student-representative-and-approves-personnel-settlements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240280-5cf09f97fb129abd7f395faee81f9c39/orig.mp4?Expires=1770932513&Signature=MHCyCL~rE19HiJFG5ytfzkhzjx7DOsLyz~uqHSF4NQcp61cS3szpl4uoLds5bpnEVAJrqM0f0r86gou0wBkCC-PC3VjT2HjeJBiJbUkfZnLLz~9OskZiRFn01Rkh7P4ZbbT9-JWIFaHxqdhvBSXwnAF23SRnQOv6e19h~Ux8dLcQja5Os7Hv~LfIZxmtt4S3OP9bJ6dWGVxCmV7TKodGJddLSkysVBxKW5x5niLPDsLFXrb7dRwTL2XdgJfSdKpqlcumRZoH55ByeTbJ~yH9doU3S~SXIjWFsdnEtJ5EAglj87EHG9UK-T-jRihuIUkTrmABHX4boZnPrw-DZ2DDMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Evanston Twp HSD 202","date","2025-05-15T20:48:00.243Z","article","The Evanston Township High School District 202 Board of Education completed its canvass of election returns, seated a newly elected student representative and reorganized its leadership at the May 12 meeting.

The board read the student‑election returns for the seat that will serve from May 12, 2025 to May 2026: the returns as read indicated that the student member of the Board of Education is listed as \"Ava Hanson\" with alternate Annie Stolar. The board then administered the oath of office to the student member who presented at the meeting; at the oath the student was recorded using the name given on the oath form. (The board packet and the meeting transcript contain the returns as read and the oath administration; the official canvass minutes will remain the governing record for any name‑verification issues.)

Board members then canvassed the results of the regular April 2025 election and declared Mira Ante, John Martin, Pat Munsell and Pat Savage Williams duly elected to full terms, as recorded in the canvass resolution. Members unanimously approved nominations for board officers for one‑year terms: Pat Savage Williams as president, Monique Parsons as vice president and Dr. Peter Bay Davis as secretary; the board appointed Kendra Williams as school treasurer.

During the consent section the board approved two settlement resolutions: one resolving an employment matter with a former employee (identified in the packet as Lisa Davis) and another with an educational support personnel employee (identified in the packet as Joanne Burchi). Both settlement resolutions were approved by roll‑call votes recorded in the meeting minutes; the board did not discuss settlement terms during public session beyond the motions to approve.

The board also approved routine consent items including administrator and exempt‑staff salary increases for fiscal year 2025–26, contract and construction items tied to the ETHS arts and innovation wing expansion, a food‑service agreement with District 65, minutes (regular and closed) from April 7, the February 2025 treasurer’s report and personnel reports. All consent items were carried by roll call.

Board members offered public thanks and remarks to outgoing members and to the outgoing student representative; the board recessed briefly for a ceremonial reception before reconvening to finish reorganization business.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting 5/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","At the May 12 meeting District 202 canvassed election returns, administered the student‑member oath, elected officers for a one‑year term and approved settlement resolutions for two former employees and the routine consent agenda.","taxTitle","Evanston Twp HSD 202, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",38754,"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},6240286,"Board agrees to draft letters and public outreach after warning of CTA/PACE service cuts affecting students",636,13092000,13728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90&start=13092&end=13728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90/thumbnail_13092000.jpg","/articles/6240286/Illinois/Board-agrees-to-draft-letters-and-public-outreach-after-warning-of-CTAPACE-service-cuts-affecting-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240286-63c43af066febf8b0ee9bd3afa02f60b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770932513&Signature=FIEnlMrNrFULE3~BfxP16akuzq~gxAhbNR6n1JAf~2oICtp8ALhX7e0UBikc1ju1ogRHdHMyi8lXADZ4BCp4QF4kZdzWHXtU2j~ZgH-8rzAO~ez~21y3xLZvYdy6IBf0ssvPnrbQ57IMU9mrQZS1HUgYo-3~qPvYSskiRZK86u34IzAU3WTBbKChLXvO-DzmQdS6b0GhyHsk4R9Vm4WIrnAIvIVwOLkamGf24tADxQdt-rbupmPTuNQ6IcRvYZLQdcYlWfwfVNYLcVCod4x0bMEYsv8ijgGZ0xkglHBKeV-3U6hkVrWUVM0yeKYAm8Ho1~etoWsoAFlreStkI5hVGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members on May 12 said they would pursue immediate advocacy after learning that CTA and PACE service reductions were being considered in the region and could affect students who use public transit to get to school.

During new business board members said the city had recently passed a resolution opposing proposed regional service cuts. Several trustees urged the school board to move quickly and not wait until the June board meeting: they asked staff to draft a letter from the board, prepare an op‑ed to raise public awareness, and coordinate with the city’s resolution. One trustee offered to accompany district leaders to upcoming meetings with state legislators.

Board members noted operational dependence on transit. “We have hundreds of kids who take the bus every day,” a board member said during discussion, stressing the practical consequences if routes were reduced. Superintendent Dr. Peter Bavas and other administrators said they would work with city leaders and prepare language for distribution; the board directed staff to prepare both an immediate letter and to carry the city’s resolution forward to the June meeting for formal adoption if desired.

The board did not vote formally on a resolution at the May 12 meeting but instructed staff to draft a set of advocacy materials and to pursue meetings with legislators and aldermen in the near term. The city’s resolution will be circulated to the board for formal action during the June meeting.","Board members on May 12 discussed potential cuts to CTA and PACE routes serving Evanston and agreed to immediate written advocacy — letters and an op‑ed — and to coordinate with the city’s recent resolution. Board members also planned meetings with state legislators.",{"_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},6240291,"ETHS Special Education report: co‑teaching gains, growing vocational placements and concerns about chronic absenteeism",1834,9252000,11086000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90&start=9252&end=11086","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90/thumbnail_9252000.jpg","/articles/6240291/Illinois/ETHS-Special-Education-report-coteaching-gains-growing-vocational-placements-and-concerns-about-chronic-absenteeism","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240291-f6cece9f8b15ef53775e2b0aee38c62b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770932513&Signature=eb0LF7Ix0CYgHOPZyIoaf0KviD15AtWIm7nyFSuabl7qqIpTTphaRj-T8PmdXRGoQHsyMZGrA2VSYTNi-89BFgoxG3H4F4ou3KK3A9irNDtlhxrQBba-4gIUZ-p-1x1~ukdXnrCKH9QrauKRJP4VPOwW63UCogBc1ShpZ5yfnvOGNkWjPZnm45S6FuP6qDvFb4vmQdI-2rVCf4nUsC-1Wui2cHIpB3M0PSJEXWtxp4MX6ZHc30wY9Dc3VEjl4pOJAyQefTeRKN3l86tDHnB81lf3xTqMjschqyMrFZLJGyosBPxKM3zr2U9WQZq5BTxY490yc5PWx-CxVgn7NMgPAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Evanston Township High School District 202 special‑education leaders presented the 2023–24 annual report to the board on May 12, citing strong course completion rates for students with individualized education programs (IEPs), expanded vocational partnerships, and continuing concerns about chronic truancy.

Director of Special Education Amy Verbeck and her leadership team described program outcomes: semester‑one data showed about 86% of students with IEPs earned A, B or C grades in special‑education classes and 93% earned passing grades, the presentation said. The district highlighted that students in co‑taught general‑education sections are outperforming peers in non‑co‑taught classes, and staff described the co‑teaching model as a priority for sustaining inclusion.

The district’s therapeutic day school, founded in 2020, has graduated 37 students to date and officials said 18 students had been reintegrated or dually enrolled in the main building this year. The report also cited vocational outcomes: 35 students were placed on campus or in community‑based vocational sites and the district maintains 12 community vocational partners; staff said three new partners were added this year. For postsecondary support, 39 students applied to the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for college or trade‑school funding this year and 18 had been approved as of the meeting.

The special‑education team presented targeted concerns. Attendance and chronic‑truancy measures showed sharp disparities. The board packet and presenters reported that about 38% of students with IEPs had seven or more unexcused absences in the year’s reporting window, compared with roughly 6% for all students — an imbalance district staff said requires further attention and early intervention.

Leaders told the board that the number of students requiring private‑day or private‑residential placements has edged up; the department will monitor whether the increase reflects unmet needs on the main campus or changes in referral patterns. The team said it is expanding tiered interventions, strengthening problem‑solving processes with deans and case managers, and developing attendance‑based interventions targeted to students in the “bubble” between good and poor attendance.

Board members asked for clarification about the district’s role in prevention versus referral and requested continued focus on professional development for classroom teachers so teachers can meet more students’ needs earlier. Presenters said they were expanding partnerships with instructional coaches and community organizations such as Center for Independent Futures to support transition planning, paid summer employment and other post‑secondary outcomes.

No formal board action was taken; the presentation served as the department’s annual report to the board and a request to continue programmatic work and community partnerships.","Special education leaders presented the district’s 2023–24 outcomes on May 12, reporting high pass rates in special‑education classes and co‑taught sections, growing vocational and postsecondary supports, and a longstanding concern about chronic absenteeism disproportionately affecting students with IEPs.",{"_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},6240295,"ETHS presents annual sustainability update: energy savings, paused grants and next steps",3105,7620000,10725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90&start=7620&end=10725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90/thumbnail_7620000.jpg","/articles/6240295/Illinois/ETHS-presents-annual-sustainability-update-energy-savings-paused-grants-and-next-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240295-ffb595ead1908779bd5da4d2d76d00ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770932513&Signature=cETweA-uAAEqprcMnppTviSa4s8olsO2Tx~xcIhgbUWL3MxsemkqRsOdjkZV~Gject3hSsA4fbqYAgI5KOcusu1kFIh4m7aGDQMdTXxlYKYEwaSLsSk6ZS7BMJejVRDzQ4sWIkJ3n~ZCzvY8uFGQ3n769relLmKAQf2e01ReoeHHu4WgeZxafH0I5H3wDx66Pl~-qBpH6Y41tlAElf6SxoUs~rZ3eDgsvTQfkDFoHqDL7SjOFZmpzeIsUC7RTt746c05VJU6eMMTMYtmloQyjdjSH28Hjnspgmgv~UpRYKL8bZwr6e9n7sYXYNiiE4A~hb8iBQKNtnES-rUuTwYAIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Evanston Township High School on May 12 delivered the first annual update required by the district’s Green New Deal sustainability policy and outlined multi‑year energy reductions, planned equipment upgrades and several grant efforts that are active or paused.

John Crawford, director of operations and sustainability, told the board the district has completed six consecutive years in a strategic energy management (SEM) program and has reduced electricity use by more than 2.4 million kilowatt hours — a 27.8% reduction — since the program began. In 2024 the district reported a 335,000‑kWh reduction (about 4.7% for the year), Crawford said.

“Over six years we’re over 2,400,000 kilowatt hours saved, or a 27.8% reduction,” Crawford said. The district reported avoided energy costs of about $218,000 for electricity and roughly $189,000 for natural gas, yielding a combined avoided‑cost estimate of about $442,000.

Staff reviewed capital actions completed or planned for 2024–25: roughly 670 LED lamp upgrades installed by in‑house engineers over the past year; installation of variable‑frequency drives (VFDs) on multiple heating pumps; a NICOR energy assessment that led to 233 free sink aerators; and a steam‑trap audit that identified and corrected leaks. Crawford also said two compressors on the school’s ice‑storage chiller were replaced after equipment failures that temporarily raised natural‑gas use.

District staff reported challenges and opportunities with grants. A Community Change application — a large, multi‑district proposal that would have included solar, EV charging and electrification work — was paused after submission; the district retains the planning work and said it can re‑use that material for other grant rounds. The district applied for a Cook County Arts Creative Placemaking grant (up to $250,000) to transform an underutilized courtyard and had an application in with a Canadian bike company (DaVinci) for a small shelter and bike‑rack project. The district said it received a $25,000 Sustain Evanston award to buy and install additional VFDs this summer.

Nutrition services director Kim Manestra described food‑service steps to reduce waste and localize purchasing: replacing single‑use condiment packets with refillable dispensers; targeting a daily plant‑based locally sourced menu option; and increasing local purchasing to about 10% of the food budget this year for produce, meat and grains. The department also piloted reusable serving ware for events of fewer than 50 people and explored eliminating single‑use bottled beverages district wide.

Crawford described ongoing waste‑sorting, composting pilots and plans for a public‑facing sustainability scorecard and website to track progress. Staff said recruiting sustained student involvement in subcommittees remained a challenge and will be a focus for the coming year.

Board members asked about the paused large grant and the potential to redirect prepared materials toward other funders. Crawford said the district retained the application data and is positioned to apply quickly when other opportunities arise.

No formal board vote or policy change was taken at the update; staff asked the board to receive the report and continue to support grant and capital‑project work under the existing sustainability policy.

Next steps include continuing grant pursuit, completing planned LED and VFD installations this summer, adding more building submeters for leak detection, piloting a bike shelter project if smaller grants are awarded and launching the public sustainability portal, staff said.","Evanston Township High School staff presented the district’s required annual sustainability update on May 12, reporting multi‑year energy reductions, progress on LED and HVAC upgrades, grant applications and several paused statewide grant opportunities.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6240301,"Dozens of residents, students and staff tell Evanston school board to rescind discipline over classroom poster",3106,676000,3782000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90&start=676&end=3782","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3325833-19e462172a712831b1f0ed90c8cb6b90/thumbnail_676000.jpg","/articles/6240301/Illinois/Dozens-of-residents-students-and-staff-tell-Evanston-school-board-to-rescind-discipline-over-classroom-poster","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240301-9c2642460197d65c3704619b001ac213/orig.mp4?Expires=1770932513&Signature=gpue2y-VLGUyAsoO3pKjgIveQEZs9ZjkTvyQwrf7s01nn5tZJ2-LwLz0U4Ge5rmTdpCoQAgHREt3-6J1S8fKVnFbaHYSyfjMC3pPIlZhgikAbBOmAJfNxv-69KsOzVJGySm4zStK6qUV387c4xGrkCf58oNTARv2pclrAhN5ZKwNbz2DTL8GPtEFelb0ij522WrCYOMQt5s2LbQC2T5q-56AUN6Thf4uBSfMioXrw0-D8TEq2QqA7OQpikv6jNfsgQE00UZPAB1gUmccD9YDLYXE4BWsNYVTMtKveDECfdzPuFPApSVa4CryqwLJUBoDKN0HBxZQI0slP19NXhA9DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents, students and staff urged the Evanston Township High School District 202 Board of Education on May 12 to reverse disciplinary action taken after a classroom poster was removed and to protect teachers’ and students’ rights to dissent.

Those who spoke at the board’s public-comment period — 18 people in all, the superintendent said — framed their concerns around free expression, equity and what they described as inconsistent responses by district leadership since October 2023.

“Public comments generally pertain to school district matters,” Dr. Peter Bavas told the meeting as he introduced the public‑comment rules; “we have 18 comments from the public this evening,” he said. Speakers then took up accounts of a teacher who was told to take down a poster described as “Jewish acts of dissent” and later disciplined, and of students who said pro‑Palestine expression was restricted while other viewpoints were not.

At least two speakers who identified themselves as ETHS teachers described formal discipline. One, who said the removal of a classroom poster was “at the behest of one angry parent,” told the board the action violated “my First Amendment and Title VII rights” and asked for a written removal of the disciplinary warning and a public apology. Another ETHS employee, Andrew Ginsberg, identified himself as a history teacher at ETHS and told the board he and other staff had been repeatedly called into meetings about classroom speech and student demonstrations following events in October 2023.

Students and alumni recounted experiences they said showed differential treatment of criticisms of Israel. Joaquin Clavijo, a 2024 graduate whose remarks were read by his parent, said he was summoned to a dean’s office after posting commentary and imagery about conditions in Gaza; he said a staff member seized his phone and officers at the Evanston Police Department told him deleting footage might be required to avoid criminal charges. “This blatant act of intimidation rattled me,” the written remarks said.

Other speakers praised the teacher whose poster was removed and asked the board to protect space for dissent. “It is profoundly anti‑Jewish to suggest that only one viewpoint is the Jewishly correct one,” a speaker said, citing Jewish tradition in support of dissent. Community members also warned that censoring or disciplining teachers could chill student expression across religious and ethnic groups.

Board members did not take a public vote on discipline during the comment period. Superintendent Dr. Peter Bavas and board president pro tem thanked speakers after public comment ended and said the board had “heard everything that was said” and would follow up as it deems appropriate.

The public comment segment included speakers from several perspectives — parents, ETHS students and alumni, teachers and community activists — and repeatedly invoked free‑speech protections and district policy. Several speakers asked the board to remove disciplinary notations and issue apologies to the teacher cited by commenters; others urged the district to ensure that curriculum and opportunities for discussion include Palestinian experiences and perspectives.

Board members did not announce any immediate policy changes at the meeting. The board’s response at the meeting was to listen and acknowledge the remarks; board members later discussed next steps in private and in regular agenda items.

The episode echoes broader debates nationwide about how schools balance equity, safety, and free expression around the Israel–Gaza conflict; many speakers asked ETHS to treat dissent as part of educational mission rather than as grounds for discipline.

The board will receive the full record of public comments and may consider administrative follow‑up; no formal board action on the specific disciplinary matter was taken on May 12.","At the May 12 Board of Education meeting, 18 members of the public — including students, parents, teachers and community leaders — pressed the board to reverse disciplinary action taken after a classroom poster was removed. Speakers framed their appeals around free-speech, equity and the school’s past stances on protest and inclusion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ETHS board reorganizes, seats new student representative and approves personnel settlements

Board agrees to draft letters and public outreach after warning of CTA/PACE service cuts affecting students

ETHS Special Education report: co‑teaching gains, growing vocational placements and concerns about chronic absenteeism

ETHS presents annual sustainability update: energy savings, paused grants and next steps

Dozens of residents, students and staff tell Evanston school board to rescind discipline over classroom poster