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Committees
The Board of Education leads four committees that comprise Board members, administrators, teachers, parents, retirees and other community members. Committees meet periodically throughout the school year, and the committee chair provides updates during regular Board meetings.
Click here to learn how you can get involved in Board Committees.
Board of Education Committees
(Pages include Agendas, Minutes, Calendars and Members)
Financial Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule
View the 2025-26 Financial Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule.
| 2025-26 Financial Advisory Committee | Agendas: |
|---|---|
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Darren Hughes – Chair – School Board Member Steve Olczyk – School Board Member Dr. Kevin Russell – Superintendent Dr. Gregory Harris – Assistant Superintendent for Business/CSBO Kevin Barto -- Director of Buildings & Grounds Nick Brand -- Community Member Scott Cimo -- Community Member Tim Cruse -- Community Member Tammy DeStefano -- Community Member Jason Fugitt -- Community Member Michelle Kovar -- Manager of Business Services Mark Leipart -- Elementary Principal Katherine Neal -- Community Member Geoff Neustadt – Asst Director of Buildings & Grounds Ron O'Connor -- Community Member Cynthia Pietrucha – Community Member Susan Sierakowski -- Community Member Laura Stone -- Community Member Jason Suchy – DGCMA Rep Chris Sagan -- Community Member Jason Sparks -- Community Member Jeffery Villalobos -- Community Member Joe Wojciechowski -- Community Member Craig Young – DGEEA Rep
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Agendas are available in BoardDocs. MINUTES:
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Charge – The FAC shall:
- Operate in an advisory capacity, not in a decision making role.
- Review monthly financial reports and monitor revenues and expenses for compliance with the budget as adopted.
- Review the year end audited financial statements and later report to the full Board of Education.
- Review and make comments with respect to the proposed annual budget as it aligns to district policies. Such review and comments shall consider and include an evaluation of the total revenue available for district expenditures.
- Assist in the development of monthly reports for BOE and administration use.
- Consider long range capital improvement programs and make suggestions.
- Facilitate cooperation and communication regarding financial affairs between the schools/school district and the community.
- Report to the Board of Education at the regularly scheduled board meetings and to have input at any Budget/Financial workshops.
- Items outside of the committee’s scope would include curriculum matters, labor negotiations, personnel issues, etc.
Meetings –
- Meeting dates are at the discretion of the committee chair, typically, monthly on a Monday at 7:00 a.m. at O'Neill Middle School.
- Meetings of the FAC shall be open to the public and all minutes of said meetings shall be made available to the public.
Membership – (20 to 25)
- Assistant Superintendent for Business/Controller – 1
- School Board Member (Including chair) – 2
- Principal – 2
- Representatives from the employee unions – 3
- Citizens/Parents – 7 to 12
- From time to time other Assistant Superintendents or Directors may be invited to participate depending on the meeting agenda.
- FAC members should possess;
- An interest in financial issues as they affect the district.
- A background in finance, accounting, business, communications and or human resources.
- An open mind and willingness to learn.
- A desire to further the success of the students and families served by Downers Grove Grade School District 58.
Terms for Citizen/Parent members – Members will serve staggered two year terms. The Board of Education reserves the right to remove any member and may remove a committee member who fails to attend 3 consecutive scheduled meetings. The removed member will be replaced by a Board of Education appointment.
Budget – The Board of Education shall budget funds for the operation of the FAC including at least supplies and materials for preparing and distributing minutes and reports.
The District 58 Legislative Committee meets five times per year.
View the 2025-26 Legislative Committee Meeting Schedule.
| 2025-26 Legislative Committee | Agenda: |
|---|---|
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Melissa Ellis, Chair– School Board Member Katie Thomas – School Board Member Dr. Kevin Russell – Superintendent Sarah Borgetti Ebenezer -- Community Member Zachary Craft -- Elementary Principal Kelly Novotny -- Middle School Asst Principal Charles Brewster -- Elementary Principal Phil Bolton -- Community Member Julie Byars -- Community Member Samantha Figueroa -- Community Member Emily Hanlon – Community Member Allison Hannam -- Community Member Cam Johnson -- Community Member Allison Rickard -- Community Member Julie Relihan – Community Relations Jason Suchy – DGCMA Representative Bruce Swanson – Retired Teacher
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Agendas are posted in BoardDocs.
Mar. 5, 2025
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Legislative Committee – Membership Structure
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|---|---|---|---|
| Member Category | Number | Recommendation: | Special Duties |
| Board of Education | 1-2 | Board President | |
| Board President | 1 | (Ex-Officio member) | |
| Business/Finance Administrator | 1 | Superintendent | Clarify impact of legislation on district |
| Superintendent | 1 | Superintendent | |
| Principals | 1-2 | Superintendent | Keep principals informed |
| Certified Staff | 1-2 | DGEEA designee | Keep staff informed |
| Support Staff | 1-2 | DG Educational Support Personnel designee | Keep staff informed |
| Custodial/Maint. Staff | 1 | DG Custodial Maint. Assoc. designee | Keep staff informed |
| PTA | 1 | PTA Council President or designee | Keep PTA informed |
| Parents | 1-2 | Legislative Committee Chair(s) | Work with PTA to keep parents informed |
| Retired Personnel | 2-3 | Superintendent/Leg. Committee Chair | Voice of experience |
| Residents | 2-4 | Committee Chair | Voice of the taxpayers |
| Business Member | 1 | Committee Chair | Voice of the business community |
| Total Membership 15-23 | |||
Background and History:
The Legislative Committee was established by the Board of Education in February 1990 and charged with the responsibility of keeping the Board updated on current legislation and its impact on District 58.
Mission:
The Mission of the Legislative Committee is to assess existing and proposed state and federal education legislation; impact and promote legislation in support of District 58; and communicate vital information to our school community.
Committee Charge:
- Discuss, analyze and evaluate pending legislation and related issues that will impact District 58.
- Encourage and support legislation that:
- Provides a blend of stable and adequate funding sources for free public education;
- Fosters a climate for the improvement of educational programs and educational opportunity for all public school children in the state;
- Provides property tax relief which is fair not only to taxpayers, but fair to children, the nation’s future;
- Funds state mandated programs with state revenues;
- Is consistent with the state’s constitutional obligations for public school funding;
- Maintains the use of public tax dollars for appropriate public education;
- Maintains local control of public schools.
- Promote legislative issues through education:
- Work with the PTA to educate parents. Activities may include articles in PTA newsletters, presentations at PTA meetings, supporting letter writing campaigns, and assisting with lobbying trips to Springfield. Legislative information, including Committee minutes and explanations of pending bills, should be shared with PTA.
- Inform local residents and taxpayers. Activities may include regular articles in the district newsletter explaining current issues, editorials in local newspapers, presentations at local civic organization meetings, updated information on district website.
- Establish mutually beneficial relationships with local legislators:
- Frequent contact with state and federal legislators representing Downers Grove.
- Attend meetings and functions where legislators will be present.
- Invite legislators to attend functions in Downers Grove.
- Host annual Legislative Breakfast to discuss current issues.
- Participate in Legislative Education Network of DuPage (LEND) and Education-Research-Development (ED-RED).
- Report to the Board of Education at their monthly meeting
The Policy Committee usually meets quarterly on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 a.m. at Herrick Middle School.
View the 2025-26 Policy Committee Meeting schedule.
| 2025-26 District 58 Policy Committee | Agendas: |
|---|---|
|
Darren Hughes, Chair – School Board Member Nicole Bernard – School Board Member Dr. Kevin Russell, Superintendent Matthew Duke -- Community Member Lauryn Humphris -- Middle School Principal Michael Krugman – Elementary Principal Brett Kurtenbach -- Community Member Michelle Lytle -- Community Member Carolyn Quinn -- Community Member Justin Sisul -- Administrator Jessica Stewart -- Administrator Michelle McGarry -- School Nurse Jason Suchy – DGCMA Representative Fanny Vlahos – Community Member Mary Ellen Walker -- Community Member Melissa Jerves – Secretary to the Superintendent |
Agendas are posted in BoardDocs.
MINUTES:May 20, 2025
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In support of the District's Strategic Plan, the District Leadership Team (DLT) is formed to assist the District and the Board in developing, refining, monitoring and providing input regarding the action plans and objectives of the Strategic Plan Goals. This Team will serve as a Committee of the Board of Education and will meet at least three times annually to monitor progress and suggest adjustments in action plans. Its mission is to support the District by providing oversight to the aspirations and accountability of the Strategic Plan through stakeholder representation and input to inform the planning, monitoring, and communication of the Plan.
Meeting Schedule
View the 2025-2026 District Leadership Team Meeting Schedule.
Meeting dates are at the discretion of the committee chair; typically, quarterly on a Monday at 3:45 p.m. at O'Neill Middle School.
Meetings of the DLT shall be open to the public and all minutes of said meetings shall be made available to the public.
Agendas
Meeting agendas are posted in BoardDocs.
Minutes
Oct. 27, 2025
May 19, 2025
Feb. 24, 2025
Oct. 21, 2024
May 21, 2024
Feb. 26, 2024
Dec. 18, 2023
Sept. 11, 2023
Feb. 27, 2023
Nov. 21, 2022
Sept. 19, 2022
May 16, 2022
Feb. 28, 2022
Feb. 7, 2022
Aug. 30, 2021
May 17, 2021
Feb. 22, 2021
Aug. 31, 2020
July 8, 2020
May 18, 2020
Feb. 24, 2020
Nov. 18, 2019
Aug. 27, 2019
May 21, 2019
Feb. 25, 2019
Nov. 27, 2018
Sept. 10, 2018
Aug. 28, 2018
Charge
- Operate in an advisory capacity, not in a decision-making role.
- Review and monitor action plans and progress reports of the District related to its Strategic Plan.
- Review and make comments with respect to the proposed action plans of the District’s Strategic Plan. Such review and comments shall consider and include an evaluation of the action steps planned, the progress accomplished, and the related accountability measures and outcomes.
- Review the triennial reports of progress toward accomplishment of the Strategic Plan Goals, and later report to the full Board of Education.
- Assist in the development of annual reports for Board of Education and administration use.
- Consider long-range planning and make suggestions.
- Facilitate cooperation and communication regarding Strategic Planning affairs between the schools/school district and the community.
- Report to the Board of Education at the regularly scheduled board meetings.
- Provide input and support for community presentations of the Strategic Plan and the district’s progress.
Membership (16)
The DLT will include representatives from the District’s various stakeholder groups, including the following:
- Kirat Doshi – Board Member, Co-Chair
- Emily Hanus -- Board Member, Co-Chair
- Katie Hurckes – DGEEA Representative
- Craig Young – DGEEA Representative
- Jason Suchy – DGCMA Representative
- Lisa Niforatos – Building Principal Representative
- Brent Borchelt – Building Principal Representative
- Ami Johanson – Parent Representative
- Justin Sisul – Administrator
- Liz Ehrhart – Administrator
- Gregory Harris – Administrator
- Julie Relihan – Community Relations
- Kevin Russell – Superintendent
- Melissa Jerves – Secretary
The Meet & Confer Strategic Plan Committee was established by the Board of Education in October 2016 and charged with reviewing governance topics related to the District’s Strategic Plan.
Mission:
- To provide a venue for truthful, meaningful, regular, ongoing communication, collaboration, and feedback among different stakeholder groups within the District 58 community.
- To review the current strategic plan and ongoing progress of District 58.
- To develop a roadmap/recommended approach for updating the District 58 Strategic Plan.
View the revised 2017-18 Meet & Confer Strategic Plan Committee Calendar (as of 5/7/18).
Agenda:
May 24, 2018
Mar. 22, 2018
Mar. 1, 2018
Dec. 7, 2017
Nov. 9, 2017
Oct. 12, 2017
Sept. 14, 2017
June 8, 2017
May 11, 2017
April 13, 2017
March 2, 2017
Feb. 2, 2017
Jan. 12, 2017
Dec. 6, 2016
Minutes:
May 24, 2018
Mar. 22, 2018
Mar. 1, 2018
Dec. 7, 2017
Nov. 9, 2017
Oct. 12, 2017
Sept. 14, 2017
June 8, 2017
May 11, 2017
April 13, 2017
March 2, 2017
Feb. 2, 2017
Jan. 12, 2017
Dec. 6, 2016
Committee Charge:
The Meet & Confer Strategic Plan Committee shall:
- Operate in an advisory capacity, not in a decision-making role.
- Collaboratively discuss and review governance topics related to the four focus areas of the District’s Strategic Plan.
- Review Strategic Goals Action Plan and progress being made toward accomplishing each of the goal areas.
- Report to the Board of Education at a regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Meetings
- Meeting dates are at the discretion of the committee chair, typically, the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 a.m. at Longfellow Center.
- Meetings of the Meet & Confer Strategic Plan Committee shall be open to the public and all minutes of said meetings shall be made available to the public.
Membership
- School Board Member (Including chair) – 2
- Superintendent
- Assistant Superintendent for Personnel
- Assistant Superintendent for Business/CSBO
- Director of Innovative Technology & Learning
- Principals
- Employee Union Representatives
- PTA and Community Representatives (North & South Side representation)