District 58's Board is one of only 46 Illinois school boards to receive this honor
The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education earned the 2024 School Board Governance Recognition from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). District 58's Board is one of only 46 Illinois school boards to earn this prestigious two-year honor. This is the second consecutive time that District 58’s Board has received this award.
“This recognition is designed to acknowledge those school boards that have engaged in activities and modeled behaviors that lead to excellence in local school governance in support of quality public education,” said Kimberly Small, J.D., IASB executive director. “We commend you for your hard work and distinction as a School Board Governance Recognition recipient.”
IASB’s School Board Governance Recognition program acknowledges local boards of education that practice good governance behaviors as outlined by IASB's Foundational Principles of Effective Governance. The focus of Governance Recognition is on full board development and participation. Boards that meet the necessary requirements are recognized for the two-year honorary distinction.
“I am proud of District 58’s Board of Education for earning the School Board Governance Recognition two consecutive times,” said District 58 Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. “District 58’s School Board comprises seven community members who are deeply committed to District 58’s mission, and who work tirelessly and collaboratively to carry out our school district’s work. We are fortunate to have these individuals representing our School Board; they are very deserving of this honor!”
Dr. Russell added that the Board’s leadership has enabled District 58 to accomplish a wide variety of important work in the past two years, including, but not limited to:
- Overseeing the use of the $179 million in facility referendum funds that voters approved during the November 2022 election. This funding is being used to make District 58 schools safer, healthier and better-prepared for future generations of learners.
- Engaging the community on a comprehensive strategic planning initiative.
- Adopting a new Strategic Plan, informed by community input, that focuses on five major goals; the Board’s District Leadership Team keeps the District accountable for its Strategic Plan goal progress.
- Enhancing the District’s safety and security protocols, aligned with best practices and in partnership with local law enforcement.
- Enforcing a fund balance policy to better manage capital funds and developing a five-year financial plan to ensure fiscal stability and transparency.
- Partnering with the Village of Downers Grove to consolidate administrative offices and move to a new shared administrative office.
- Implementing new writing, English-language arts, and social-emotional learning curriculums, as well as creating a systematic curriculum review timeline.
- Implementing free full-day kindergarten, enhancing the gifted program, and joining a new athletic conference that will provide more opportunities for students.
“I am also proud of the camaraderie and mutual respect our Board members show each other. While they may not agree on all topics, they have robust, respectful conversations and always keep students’ and staff members’ best interests at the forefront,” Dr. Russell added. “While School Board members are elected, they are not paid, and they volunteer many hours to support our school district.”
District 58 Board of Education members are: Darren Hughes, president; Gregory Harris, vice president; Kirat Doshi, Melissa Ellis, Emily Hanus, Steven Olczyk and Tracy Weiner.
"We are honored to accept this award and thank the IASB for their recognition. As Board members, we hold each other to high standards and strive to continually improve our leadership skills and broaden our knowledge," said Board President Darren Hughes. "We will continue to work collaboratively to provide an excellent educational experience for all students in a fiscally-responsible manner."