The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 board recognized retiring board president Tom Kopsky and fellow departing board member Mary Anne at a regular meeting, presenting commemorative gifts and plaque and hearing tributes from colleagues and district leadership.

Board members and district staff credited Kopsky with 12 years of service that they said helped reshape district priorities, advance fiscal discipline and move long-stalled facilities projects forward. Board members described a sustained shift toward data-driven budgeting and policy-making, and they praised leadership in hiring and supporting district administrators.

During his remarks, Tom Kopsky reviewed his time on the board and recalled his 2013 campaign pledge: “I will protect, improve, and grow the community treasure we call Oak Park River Forest High School,” which he said reflected his goals while serving. In his prepared remarks Kopsky cited fiscal changes his tenure helped enact, including adopting an evidence-based funding model, modifying levy philosophy and completing 12 consecutive years without imposing the maximum allowable levy. He said those decisions left roughly $80 million plus interest in taxpayers’ pockets compared with earlier hypothetical maximum levies.

Kopsky also outlined facility investments and program changes during his service: more than $170 million invested or committed to projects including modernization of the student resource center, on-campus athletic fields, a multi-phase building replacement at the southwest corner of the campus and installation of a large geothermal field for building heating and cooling. He credited administration and board collaboration on those projects and listed curriculum changes, a racial equity policy, a sustainability policy, expanded career and technical education options and a 50% increase in Advanced Placement course enrollments and improving pass rates.

Colleagues and the superintendent offered tributes and presented gifts. The district presented Kopsky with a board plaque bearing “Tom Kopsky, board president,” a notebook, a water bottle and a commemorative poster; other speakers thanked him for mentorship and steady leadership.

Kopsky closed by thanking his family, school administrators, past board members and voters, and encouraged the new board to continue the work he described as foundational to the district’s future.