D219 Stuff via Joe Nowik

09/06/2026

Niles Township High School District 219
Public Disclosure of Total Compensation
(Public Act 97-0609)

This is the district’s required public listing of employee total compensation (salary + employer benefits).

Quick Highlights
Highest total compensation: Thomas Moore (Administrator) — $369,005
Many teachers and administrators are in the $170,000–$210,000 total compensation range
Typical sick leave: 13 days (teachers/admins) or 12 days (support staff)
Typical personal leave: 4 days

Top Total Compensations:
Thomas Moore Administrator $369,005
Roszena Haskins Administrator $287,754
Bridget Connolly Administrator $259,604
Ray Chung Administrator $243,954
Christine Gonzales Administrator $225,431
Marlon Felton Administrator $221,036
Philip Hintz Administrator $236,927
Steve Parnther Administrator $213,986
Page Powell Administrator $211,694
Brett Joseph Bildstein Administrator $210,825

Full document:

09/06/2026

Board of Education of Niles Township High School District 219, Cook County, Illinois, has a scheduled regular meeting of the Board of Education to begin at 6:30pm, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in the Boardroom of the District Office, located at 7700 Gross Point Road, Skokie, Illinois. The meeting is open to the public, however, the meeting will also be live-streamed on Youtube.

Instructions for Public Comment: Individuals may arrive at the Board meeting, sign in, and when called, provide their comment in person. Only individuals in-person may read their comment aloud to the Board. Each individual will have up to 3 minutes for their comment. Public comment will proceed for one (1) hour.

Call to Order and Roll Call (6:30PM)

Pledge of Allegiance

Closed Session

Section 2(c)(1) with respect to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, performance of specific employees of the public body and with respect to the employment and compensation of specific individuals who serve as independent contractors of the public body.

Recall to Order (7:30PM)

Public Hearing
FY27 Final Budget

Changes / Additions to the Agenda

Public Comments - Comments that are read aloud at the meeting will hold to the District’s limit of three minutes per comment.

Student Representative Comments

Approval of Consent Agenda
Monthly Bills and Payroll
Personnel
Minutes - 8/4 Regular and Closed, 8/18 Special, 8/20 Special, 8/25 Special
Niles West Buildings & Grounds Equipment (Gator) Purchase
Niles West Varsity Baseball Field Fencing and Netting
Auto Vehicle Disposal

Business
Curriculum Review & New Course Proposals (Discussion)
Summer School Report (Discussion)
Summer School Proposal (Discussion and Action)
Summer School Fees (Discussion and Action)
Advanced Placement (AP) Report (Discussion)
IGA for the Provision of Certain Special Education Programming from NTDSE 807 (Discussion and Action)
IGA for the Provision of Certain Special Education Staff from NTDSE 807 (Discussion and Action)
FY27 Budget (Discussion and Action)
Vehicle Maintenance and Safety Inspection Agreement (Discussion and Action)
Seating of a New Board Member, Taking of Oath (Discussion and Action)

New Business

Superintendent’s Report

Board Committee Report

Information Items
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) Requests
Monthly Financial Report
6-Day Enrollment
PA 97-0609 Compensation Report

Closed Session (if needed)

Adjournment

09/06/2026

How can this happen?

CFO Miller noted salaries, transportation, special education causing rising costs; D65 will have less than 90 days cash on hand.

08/27/2026

Want to know what’s changing in the upcoming Illinois School Report Card?

The next Illinois School Report Card is coming this fall, and it’s not just another update. The state has made some significant changes that will impact how school performance is measured and understood.

Here’s what to know:

• New Proficiency Standards: Illinois reset what “proficient” means on state tests. Scores may look higher, but it’s a new baseline, not a sudden jump in performance.

• ACT Back in High School: The ACT is now the official high school assessment again, replacing the SAT.

• Growth Now Matters More: Student growth is now tracked in high school, not just earlier grades. This gives a better picture of progress over time.

• New Performance Categories: Updated levels (like “approaching” and “proficient”) aim to give a clearer picture than simple pass/fail labels.

• Big Changes Coming to School Ratings: Starting with this report cycle, Illinois is rolling out a redesigned accountability system that could change how schools are labeled and evaluated.

Bottom line:
This isn’t just new data. It’s a new way of measuring performance. Comparing this year to past years will be tricky, so we'll need to focus more on trends and growth than raw scores.

If you follow local schools like D219 and the "Little 9", this year’s report card is one to look at carefully.

I'll be curious how people interpret these changes. Will they make the system clearer, or just more confusing? STAY TUNED!

08/26/2026

Niles West Named 2026 School of Distinction by Illinois Art Education Association

Niles West High School was recognized as a 2026 School of Distinction by the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) in August 2026. This honor celebrates schools with rigorous art, design, and media education programs. Through programmatic and professional excellence, Niles West’s Fine & Applied Arts Department demonstrates high-quality curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The program also reflects the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and emphasizes equity, cultural responsiveness and inclusion.

Niles West educators Deanna Sortino, Dawn Zalkus and John Zilewicz were recognized for distinguished programming and the opportunities they provide students. Sortino teaches photography, digital art and graphic design courses. Zalkus teaches ceramics and sculpture courses as well as design courses. Zilewicz teaches drawing and painting courses.

“This award recognizes rigorous and innovative art, design, and media programs, but what it truly celebrates is the impact our teachers have on students every day,” remarked P.A. Ford, Director of Fine & Applied Art at Niles West. “It recognizes the countless hours spent preparing lessons, providing feedback, showcasing student work, mentoring young artists, and creating spaces where students feel inspired, challenged, and supported.”

School of Distinction 2026-2028
In addition to celebrating students’ creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and social and emotional skills that develop through the arts, IAEA’s Schools of Distinction program values how these skills and experiences help prepare students for college and future careers.

Visit the Niles West Fine & Applied Arts page for more information.

08/26/2026

D219 Board appoints Mateo Farzaneh

08/22/2026

8-25-26
NOTICE OF SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026 - 5:30 p.m.

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF

NILES TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 219, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

The Board of Education of Niles Township High School District 219, Cook County, Illinois, has scheduled a special board meeting to begin at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in the Boardroom of the District Office, located at 7700 Gross Point Road, Skokie, Illinois. For information on the D219 Strategic Plan click this link.

Instructions for Public Comment: Individuals may arrive at the Board meeting, sign in, and when called, provide their comments in person. Only individuals in person may read their comments aloud to the Board. Each individual will have up to 3 minutes for their comment. Public comment will proceed for one (1) hour.

Call to Order and Roll Call (5:30 p.m.)
Pledge of Allegiance

Public Comments - Comments that are read aloud at the meeting will be held to the District’s limit of three minutes per comment. See above for instructions on how to submit your comment.

Closed Session

Section 2(c)(3) The selection of a person to fill a public office, as defined in the Open Meetings Act, including a vacancy in a public office, when the public body is given power to appoint under law or ordinance

Appointment to Fill Board Vacancy (Discussion and Action)

Recall to Order

Adjournment

08/17/2026

08/13/2026

Have a great year Bridges!

08/11/2026

Welcome to a new school year D219!