Community Consolidated Elementary District 181
Among other business Monday, board members:
• selected BWP & Associates to conduct the search for a new superintendent after Hector Garcia retires at the end of the 2025-26 school year. The board heard presentations from three firms two weeks ago and selected BWP in large part because of its familiarity with the district. A contract, including the cost of the search, has yet to be finalized.
• reviewed the preliminary tax levy memo, which estimates the December levy, or annual request for property tax revenue, will be $79.6 million, up $3.2 million from last year. Board members will adopt a tentative levy resolution in November and then hold a public hearing on and adopt the final levy in December.
• voted unanimously to approve $2.4 million in capital projects to be completed in the summer of 2025. Work will include a new playground at Oak School, floor replacement at Elm and Walker schools, door hardware and window upgrades at Madison School and 12 other projects.
Board member Margie Kleber praised facilities director Mike Duggan for his work on the master facilities plan.
“I’m really pleased at how well it’s been implemented and rolled out,” she said. “It helps to keep our facilities in good shape and keep our finances even, so I appreciate all of your efforts.”
• listened as Hinsdale resident Joe Craig discussed his concerns about Hinsdale Middle School students riding e-bikes through the downtown. He asked district officials to prohibit the use and parking of e-bikes on school property as a complement to the village’s new ordinance, which prohibits bikes and scooters with a power output of greater than 750 watts in the village and does not allow e-bikes on the sidewalk in the central business district, among other things.
Craig said he’s seen a couple of bikes that were over 750 watts.
“Thirty miles per hour on the sidewalk is not a safe situation,” he said.
