NORMAL – During its regularly scheduled meeting March 20 in the auditorium of Normal Community West High School, Unit 5 Board members unanimously approved a five-year strategic plan for the District. District Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle explained a committee spent months developing the plan. She said the committee which formed the plan consisted of “community partners, parents, District Union representatives, Board representatives, and District administrators.”

The group which put the strategic plan met beginning last September and wrapped up their work in January having gathered data from 6,600 public members, staff, and students in grades 6 through 12. Dr. Weikle explained. She explained District families, District staff and District school students from 6th grade through seniors in high school to learn what they could to develop a strategic plan for the District. The current proposed plan would run between 2024-2029.

Dr. Weikle explained the District came away from the survey results with three primary goals: To inspire a culture of learning, “where curiosity and growth are celebrated, while acquiring new knowledge and skills.” She explained the culture of learning will have three goals: Provide students with “rigorous, standards-based instruction,” provide all students with “engaging experiences in a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment,” and “implement high quality, differentiated, on-going professional learning and coaching.”

Board Member Mark Adams II said he would like to see a mental health worker placed at each District school and consider making such a position part of the District budget starting in 2025-26. Saying he participated in the steering committee for the strategic plan, Board Member Jeremy DeHaai added he thought the process taken to create the plan was “thorough and was a working document.” DeHaai added the plan will serve as a plan for families to help keep track of the District’s progress with the plan.

Board Member Amy Roser said assembling all the information for the document from so many sources – parents, students, District staff – so that the plan would be concise “with overarching direction is no small task.”

Superintendent Comments: Dr. Weikle reminded those at the meeting to participate in an online survey, called The Five Essentials Survey. Dr. Weikle explained the survey, done anonymously, “gathers data related to five indicators that can predict student outcomes. Dr. Weikle said the link to the survey will be active through March 29 and can be found on the front page of Unit 5’s website. She added preparations for the 2024-25 school year are underway with school schedules being developed, summer projects being finalized, and instructors being hired. She added parents can now register their children for the new school year with registration details also on the front of the District’s website.

Unit 5 has been on spring break this week with classes resuming to finish the spring semester Monday, April 1.

Chiddix Junior High’s “Good News”: Board members first heard from Mariana Nicasio, principal at Chiddix Junior High School who introduced Board members to CJHS’ Band Director Tricia Ogdon and 7th grade student Owen Myers. Ogdon announced to Board members and those attending the meeting that Myers was selected for the 3rd chair in the trumpet section of the All-Illinois Junior Band. “This is a huge accomplishment,” Nicasio wrote to Unit 5 Board members because “only 12 trumpet players Statewide were invited to participate in the ensemble this year.”

Nicasio explained Myers was one of just 12 trumpet players who performed at the Krannert Center at University of Illinois before an audience of 250 family, friends, and other audience members during the weekend of Jan. 20. Only 7th and 8th grade students can audition for All-Illinois Junior Band. Students wishing to compete had to submit a recording of themselves playing a two octave chromic scale at 144 beats per minute and two contrasting etudes by early November to qualify. Students received their music in December in time to compete in January. As a group, the students could only rehearse the Friday and Saturday before the performance.

George L. Evans Junior High’s “Good News”: Board members were informed George L. Evans Junior High’s Chess team, 6th grade team, 7th grade team, and 8th grade team under the direction of Head Coach Barry Bridgette, became Illinois Elementary School Association Chess champions, including having some team members finish as individual champions. Two 6th grade players earned medals when competition ended. Those players were Samarth Singh, who won a bronze medal, and Arnav Sharma, who won a Silver medal.

Seventh grader Mahendra Lavanur won a bronze medal and fellow 7th grader Srikar Jayam came away with a silver medal. Three 8th graders came away as medalists – Vamsi Munaganuri won a gold medal, and was followed by Pragyan Misra who won a Silver medal, and Sukhi Doddi won a bronze medal.

Kingsley Junior High’s “Good News”: Sylvester Davis, Athletic Director at Kingsley Junior High School, presented “Good News” from his school, introducing Board members to four wrestling team members who advanced to Illinois Elementary School Association State Wrestling competition in DeKalb. The four who qualified are 8th graders Mauricio Collins, Bryce Kuhlman, Mason Soney, and Seventh grader Evan Kuhlman. Three of these wrestlers placed at State when competition ended, with Soney winning the State championship at 105 pounds, Evan Kuhlman placing 5th at 75 pounds, and Bryce Kuhlman finishing 3rd at 90 pounds.

NCHS Presented Three Items Of “Good News”: Normal Community High School had three items of “Good News” to present to Board members and others present for the meeting, as presented by Principal Dr. Adam Zbrozek. The first team members recognized were NCHS Swimming Team members Wade Pyle and Kenneth Wills. Their head coach is Heather Budak and assistant coach Jeremy Grogg. Pyle finished his career winning 50 meter freestyle, 100 meter freestyle, 200 meter relay, and 400 meter relay. At IHSA Sectional, he placed 13th in 200 meter freestyle and 15th in 100 meter freestyle, breaking the records in both events.

Kenneth Wills, Dr.Zbrozek added Wills placed 9th in the freestyle event at IHSA 500 meter freestyle at State.

Dr. Adam Zbrozek then asked Cooper Caraway and his coach. Caraway finished the season wrestling at 215 pounds, finished the season with a 46-5 record, was a Big 12 Conference champ in his weight class, and a two time All-State wrestler. Kaden Correll, an NCHS junior, was recognized for wrestling at 215 pounds and ended his season with a 39-7 overall record, finishing as Big 12 champ in his weight class. He also was a two-time State qualifier, as well as a two-time All-State finisher.

Lastly, Dr. Zbrozek asked NCHS’ boys’ basketball team to receive medals before Board members. NCHS’ boys’ basketball team under Head Coach Dave Witzig, finished the year with what Dr. Zbrozek described as “an historic 32-6 record.” They won the Intercity Tournament, won the Big 12 Conference with a 10-0 record, won the IHSA regional over Rock Island on our home court, unbelievably beat Quincy with a dunk at the buzzer, and had a mid-season loss to Downers Grove North in the Super-Sectional.”

At State, Dr. Zbrozek recounted NCHS beat Palatine in the semifinal game only to lose the championship game to Homewood Floosmoor. But it was also a season, Dr. Zbrozek reminded that Witzig earned his 500th career victory. And Nico Newsome was named to the All-Conference 2nd Team. Jaheem Webber, Noah Cleveland, and Braylon Roman were named to the Big 12 All-Conference 1st Team. Roman also was named Conference Co-Player of the Year.

“We’re very proud of our winter athletes and their special accomplishments,” Dr. Zbrozek told Board members.

Dr. Zbrozek said his school had “a great winter season…with numerous athletics deserving special recognition for outstanding performances and accomplishments.”

Once all “good news” items were completed, District Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle said the students and staff honored during the meeting “are a representation of our students participating in extracurricular and co-curricular activities throughout Unit 5. I’m grateful that we are able to provide these opportunities to students and that they are supported, not only by our Board of Education but by our community.

NORMAL – It is slightly past the midway point in the school year meaning time to review the condition of the District’s budget. Board Members were presented with a mid-year budget review for the district by Thomas Hoerr, Unit 5’s Director Of Financial Services. Hoerr used a slide presentation to accompany his explanation of the District’s current financial situation.

Hoerr began his presentation by telling Board members, “We have a pretty good idea where we might end up in June, but things could change between now and then.” He explained Unit 5 budgeted for $123.2 million being spent in its Education fund over the course of the current school year. Yet, Hoerr showed Board members the District is looking at ending the ’23-’24. But Hoerr said the District’s Earned Assessed Valuation turned out to be more than anticipated when District Chief Financial Officer, Marty Hickman, created the District’s budget for this current school year.

Hoerr said the 2023 tax levy was one of the reasons because the EAV had increased more than the District projections expected. That turned to be roughly $1.5 million in additional revenue dollars than was forecast by the District. He added the 2023 tax levy “will affect” most of the funds he discussed in his presentation.

He added the area’s personal property replacement tax was higher than Unit 5 anticipated by over $323,000. Hoerr said the projection for that item comes from the State and the District works from what it hears from the State. “We don’t really have any control over increasing or decreasing this,” Hoerr said. “We take the number from the State and then try to budget a little more conservatively,” He added.

In terms of spending, dollar amounts appear lower than the District figured because not every job within Unit 5 has some vacancies in some job positions. As a result, Hoerr explained, salaries and benefit figures for the District will be down by $1.7 million. The increased tax levy helped the District’s Operations and Maintenance Fund, helping it increase by $322,000 over last year.

Employees saw more dollars in their pockets as the District’s salary and benefits numbers went up $69,000 while cost for supplies, services, and equipment jumped by $255,000. Revenues incoming into the District transportation fund is anticipated to be higher than expected from last year, Hoerr said. He added the 2023 tax levy dollars and accompanying interest rose by $172,000.

He added the State is prorating the dollars it will send school districts for funding for general education funds and special education funds. “Unfortunately, it’s something we kind of have to expect or build into our budgeting process,” Hoerr told Board members.

Parkside Junior High School “Good News”: Cody Pullium, Associate Principal and Athletic Director at Parkside Junior High School shared a “good news” item highlighting members of PJHS’ 8th grade relay team, whose members are: Juan Soria, Chase Price, Oliver Brookins, and Cody Mulbaur. Pullium explained, “This formidable squad surpassed previous records establishing a new benchmark in the 4×100 Relay.” Pullium said the young men did it with “an outstanding time of 56.56 seconds.

Pullium said the school’s 7th grade relay team “was equally deserving of acknowledgement” for their efforts. Those team members are: Brooklyn Cathey, Trinity Wynn, Aria Blinks, and Ava Davis. These young women, Pullium said, “demonstrated exceptional skills and teamwork, they broke records in the category, setting a new standard in the category with a time of 52.95 seconds.”

“These athletes’ and coaches’ dedication and hard work have brought great honor to the Parkside Pythons and Unit 5 community,” Pullium said. When he finished addressing Board members, he presented the members of each awarded team with their medals as audience members in Normal West’s auditorium present for the meeting applauded.

Of the members of both teams, Pullium concluded by saying, “Their hard work dedication, and sportsmanship have only, not set records, but have also exemplified the excellence we strive to achieve at Parkside Junior High School.”

Board President Dr. Kelly Pyle asked that parents and supporters of these athletes stand and be recognized for their support of these athletes. When they did, Board members and audience members applauded.

Superintendent’s Comments: Plenty had been going on in the district since Board members’ last meeting, explained Dr. Kristen Weikle, District Superintendent, in her Superintendent Comments. Among the events she noted were: Elementary School students celebrated their 100th day of classes, Unit 5 Foundation held its first “Building The Foundation” Luncheon, School Counselors were recognized during “National School Counselor’s Week” during the first full week of February, and celebrated and recognized the District’s School Resource Officers on National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day when these employees were recognized nationally February 15.

Dr. Weikle said School Resource Officers “help keep our schools safe while fostering positive relationships within our community.”

Dr. Weikle also acknowledged February as Black History Month, a Federally recognized period recognizing “the contributions African Americans have made to this country, and a time to reflect on the continued struggles for racial justice.” She added Unit 5 students “learn about and honor African American history and history makers throughout the year, but we also want to highlight all the contributions.”

Dr. Weikle added District parents have been asked to participate in the Five Essentials Survey, a survey which is anonymous which points toward five indicators which can predict student outcomes, such as effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environments, and ambitious instruction. To find out more about the survey, Dr. Weikle said, parents can always reach out to their child’s school.

Unit 5 is already actively registering students for kindergarten for the 2024-25 School Year, Dr. Weikle explained. She said registration is now open for children who will be age 5 on or before Sept. 1. She said a Kindergarten Preview Day is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 at the school the parent’s children will be attending. She said parents wondering which school their child will be attending can be verified by calling Unit 5’s District Office.

NORMAL – School officials don’t often explain why or why not a snow day gets prompted by Unit 5 officials. But at the Unit 5 Board meeting on Jan. 17 at Normal Community West High School, District Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle laid out what prompted District officials to call for an emergency day for students to stay home from school due to a recent snow storm rather than having students use it as an e-Learning Day. She also touched on a recent opportunity students had related to STEM-learning

Dr. Weikle led off by saying she has had the opportunity to see education related to STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, put into action through lessons at Cedar Ridge Elementary. She said she “is in awe when I talk to fifth graders and ask them what they are learning and they are able to articulate, in these very technical terms, what it is they are doing. She said she observed District high school students interact with the younger students about those subjects. She said even fourth graders have made presentations regarding STEM-related subjects to State Farm Insurance employees recently. “To the students, the teachers, the State Farm partners, thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said to close her comments.

On another subject, Dr. Weikle mentioned the recent snow which had District officials deciding whether or not to have students learning from home or have them attend classes in person. She said Unit 5 covers 214 sq. miles and weather conditions can “vary differently across the District.” Unit 5 had its first weather emergency day in over a year on Jan. 16. Dr. Weikle said the District opted to use an emergency day for students rather than an e-Learning Day “for a variety of factors,” the Superintendent explained.

One of those reasons was that students had only been present for in-person learning for four days the previous week. Had the snow come later in the semester, when students were more familiar to their school environment at that time, Dr. Weikle said, District officials might have made a different decision about students attending in person or e-learning.

Another reason was, as Dr. Weikle described it, “inconsistent internet” in classrooms for teachers and students during the first week back in class after the Holiday break. She said District officials also were aware the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday would take place Jan. 15 creating what was an extended weekend for students and staff.

“All of those factors didn’t seem like it would lead to a lot of good and productive learning,” was the reasoning for the District decision, Dr. Weikle explained. She added Illinois State Board of Education allows districts to use up to five e-Learning days and requires districts to put five emergency days/snow days into their school calendars which the District submits to ISBE. E-Learning Days do not need to be made up to comply with the required 180-day calendar during a school day while snow days do need to be made up for, Dr. Weikle explained.

Draft Of School Year 2024-25 Calendar Expected At Feb. Meeting: Board members anticipate approving a draft of Unit 5’s school year calendar for 2024-25 at their next meeting. That meeting will be held Feb. 21 at Normal Community West High School starting at 6:30p.m.

District “Good News”: Tom Rockwell, HVAC Manager for the District, presented a report to Board members concerning Unit 5’s efforts in energy conservation. He said the schools in the District set a goal to recertifying 80 percent of District buildings to stricter 2020 Energy Star standards. He told Board members that, as of that meeting, 20 percent of District building have reached that goal. Last year, Statewide, a total of 27 School District buildings had reached Energy Star status by the nation’s Environmental Protection Agency. Of those 27 buildings, Rockwell said, 15 are Unit 5 buildings. Because of that, Rockwell said, Unit 5 has become a leader in energy efficientcy.

As a result of having this designation, Rockwell said Unit 5 has avoided costly utility expenses totalling $4 million. Also as a result, Unit 5 has received “close to $1 million in incentives from utility providers,” Rockwell said. Rockwell presented Energy Star efficiency awards to 15 District schools as a result. Those schools are: Normal Community West High School, Parkside Junior High School, Glenn Elementary School, Northpoint Elementary School,

Sugar Creek Elementary School, Oakdale Elementary School, Eugene Field Elementary School, Fairview Elementary School, Colene Hoose Elementary School, Cedar Ridge Elementary School, Benjamin Elementary School, Fox Creek Elementary School, and Hudson Elementary School. Another 12 schools statewide also received the designation.

Board Member Jeremy DeHaai, who sits on the Board’s Facilities Committee, complimented Rockwell “for achieving this goal because it’s impressive.” DeHaai added he was aware Rockwell and the staff of the buildings earning the award “put a lot of effort into it.”

Superintendent’s Comments: Dr. Kristen Weikle, District Superintendent, led off by saying she has had the opportunity to see education related to STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, put into action through lessons at Cedar Ridge Elementary. She said she “is in awe when I talk to fifth graders and ask them what they are learning and they are able to articulate, in these very technical terms, what it is they are doing. She said she observed District high school students interact with the younger students about those subjects. She said even fourth graders have made presentations regarding STEM-related subjects to State Farm Insurance employees recently. “To the students, the teachers, the State Farm partners, thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said to close her comments.

On another subject, Dr. Weikle mentioned the recent snow which had District officials deciding whether or not to have students learning from home or have them attend classes in person. She said Unit 5 covers 214 sq. miles and weather conditions can “vary differently across the District.” Unit 5 had its first weather emergency day in over a year on Jan. 16. Dr. Weikle said the District opted to use an emergency day for students rather than an e-Learning Day “for a variety of factors,” the Superintendent explained.

One of those reasons was that students had only been present for in-person learning for four days the previous week. Had the snow come later in the semester, when students were more familiar to their school environment at that time, Dr. Weikle said, District officials might have made a different decision about students attending in person or e-learning.

NORMAL – At the monthly meeting of Normal-based Unit 5’s Board of Education Dec. 19, Board members unanimously approved its annual property tax levy which is about 9.6 percent higher than last year’s. But although that will happen, the district’s overall tax rate will decrease slightly.

With the levy decrease, Unit 5 property owners’ tax amount will drop roughly by 22 cents, to about $5.30 per $100 of equalized assessed valuation [EAV]. But tax payers will have some time to brace themselves for the increase as the tax rate won’t actually go up for another year.

Unit 5 adopted its annual property tax levy during it regularly scheduled Board meeting Dec. 20 in the auditorium of Normal Community West High School. The annual property tax levy Board members approved will be roughly 9.6 higher than taxpayers saw last year but Unit 5’s overall tax rate ought to go down slightly. The estimated $150 million to be collected will be for the rest of the district’s annual budget.

While residents will see the tax rate go up, they will also see their education rate stay flat. That means the District’s assurances about the approved rate of $3.60 per $100 EAV won’t take effect until Board members approve the 2024 levy.

At the public hearing which started the meeting, no members of the public neither signed up to or took to the podium when offered to do so by Board President Kelly Pyle address Board members concerning the tax levy increase.

Marty Hickman, Unit 5’s Chief Financial Officer, began his presentation to Board members saying that District fund balances in their 10 accounts, “While our balances have improved some, we really aren’t where we would like to be.” Hickman was quick to point out improvement in the District’s Education Fund when it was checked on both at the end of the 2022-23 School Year and then again at the end of November.

When the 2021-22 School Year ended, Hickman said, there was $18,288,558 in the Education Fund. As of November 30, that fund showed a balance of $21,969,597. He indicated the District had received some local tax funding which caused the balance of that account to become a little higher.” He also added the numbers do not indicate the numbers are “excessive by any means.”

The other fund balance Hickman pointed out was the balance on Unit 5’s Working Cash account. At the end of June when the previous fiscal year ended, the district had $63,416,170. At the end of November, that account had a balance of $64,469,131. About that Hickman said, the District will be spending that money down and transferring some of the cash to the District’s Educational Fund to help pay for its structural deficit, as well as to pay for school buses the District purchased almost two years ago.

McLean County will verify the District’s tax levy sometime in March or April and in May or June, residents will begin paying those bills to the county. Those payments, Hickman’s graphic showed will impact the coming school year’s budget.

Hickman said the Education Fund tax rate will not increase until the 2024 tax levy. The bonds and interest rate will also decline in 2024. He said the tax rate increase for a person in a home which cost $225,000 in 2022 and saw the home’s value increase by 10.45 percent would have a home worth $248,517 in 2023. That would be an increase in value of $268 over what it was worth the previous year.

“Good News” About Grove Elementary School’s Chess Club: Board members heard a piece in their meeting’s “Good News” segment that Grove Elementary School’s Chess Club, under the direction of Tiffany Bourne, is celebrating its 10th year and added to the school’s trophy case because of its success during the time she has been the Club’s advisor. But the club has learned Tiffany will retire as its advisor, in part, because her youngest son is advancing from being in grade school to being a fifth grader.

In her memo to District officials, Sarah Edward, Principal at Grove Elementary, wrote of Bourne, “The trophy case at Grove Elementary is exploding with evidence of the Chess Club’s successful tournament performances. Tiffany has put her heart and soul and soul into Grove Chess Club for ten years.”:

Annual Audit Report Presented: Board members heard an annual audit report from Hope Wheeler from the firm of Clifton, Larson, Allen indicating the firm had an unmodified opinion, meaning the District’s finances were in order.

Discrimination Suit Settled: Board members unanimously approved plans the District have to settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit with former Normal West custodian Faelan Grimm.Grimm resigned in 2021. Grimm will receive $8,000 from the District, plus legal costs.

Leasing Agreement Approved: Board members unanimously approved a $154,000, five-year leasing agreement for District use of two equipment trucks. with Clayton Holdings. In addition, Board members approved OK’d spending about $120,000 to update the Evans Junior High School heating and ventilation.

NORMAL – Normal-based Unit 5’s Board of Education discussed proposing a nearly $151 million property tax levy for 2023 – that amount is roughly 10 percent higher than what it was last year. But in the process, the District would also plan to lower its overall tax rate.

The plan calls for reducing the tax rate about 24 cents, to about $5.28 per $100 of equalized assessed valuation [EAV].

The Board discussed the proposal Wednesday during its meeting at Normal West Community High School. A public hearing and vote by Board members is set for Dec. 20 at Normal West’s auditorium.

Reading Levels Show Increases Across Grade Levels: In addition to that information, District Assistant Superintendent Michelle Lamboley informed Board members that District enrollment has grown again, as it has for the past six years. As of the first day of the current school year in August, she explained, Unit 5’s enrollment increased every year over the past six years. She said the District has an enrollment of “around 12,500 students currently.”

Among the benchmarks that have increased from the last couple school years which Lamboley showed Board members was an increase in student reading ability from fall semester 2022-23 to spring semester 2022-23. From the graphic shown Board members, students reading-comprehension ability stood at 81.12 percent in fall 2022-23 and increased to 83.84 percent by the following spring.

Dr. Weikle Provides Strategic Planning Update: District Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle reminded that in September, the District asked parents, students, and staff to complete a survey as the District began updating its Strategic Planning. Dr. Weikle explained the District’s Strategic Plan’s steering committee has been reviewing the results and is still researching what information still needed. She said the District received over 6,600 responses from that first survey.

She said the District is, again, asking district stakeholders to some additional questions she said will help the District “develop a plan for Unit 5’s future.” She said District families and staff were sent out a follow-up survey to obtain more information. She said a survey will be sent to students in Grades 6-12 prior to fall break seeking some additional input.

Northpoint Elementary’s “Good News” : Matt Harr, principal at Northpoint Elementary School, reported to Board members Crystal Greenwald, a crossing guard and noon hour supervisor at the school, has been awarded the 2023 Outstanding Crossing Guard Of The Year by All City Management. The company’s website indicates All City Management “is a family-established business that has been committed to the safety of children for over 38 years.” ACM oversees 311 programs across 22 states.

Greenwald has been the crossing guard at College Ave. and Woodfield St. for the past four years. Harr told Board members, “She was chosen for her overall exceptional performance, her accountability, her caring service, her moral integrity, and obviously, safety.”

Harr added, “We are very proud to have her as part of our team and keeping every student safe on her watch.”

George L. Evans Junior High School’s “Good News”: Brett Papoccia, Associate Principal at George L. Evans Junior High School addressed Board members accompanied by members of the school’s Softball team. Papoccia credited Head Coach Dawn Kelley-Lett with leading the Eagles to a 23-win season, losing just three games all season, finishing fourth in Illinois Elementary School Association Softball Tournament after dropping a 6-0 decision to Lemont, Ill.-based Old Quarry Junior High School placing the Eagles in 4th place to end the season with a 23-3 record.

Papoccia added this was the first time any EJHS Softball team had reached the State tournament. “It truly was an exciting season and first time any EJHS team had made it to the State tournament,” Papoccia told Board members explaining, “It truly was very historic and exciting for our building.”

“Evans Junior High is so very proud of how these students represented Eagle Nation in a State competition, not just with their play, but how they played and how our coaches coached the game,” Papoccia said. “They truly exemplified what we talk about when we talk about being the good in our school. We’re so very proud of them.” Board President Kelly Pyle added the Board was very proud of what the team had achieved.

“Good News” About Illinois School Board Members Day: District Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle informed audience members the date of the meeting, Nov. 15, was the Statewide observance of “School Board Members Day” in Illinois. She added School Board members serve as “unpaid volunteers for the benefit of the community.”

She said Board members work “to ensure the opportunities offered by the District are equitable for all of our families and staff, and that resources of the District are used wisely.” Board members, Dr. Weikle added, put in “countless hours” on District work, attending meetings, and other responsibilities “most community members will never hear, see, or read about.” Dr. Weikle then personally thanked the seven Board members for the time they spend on behalf of the District.