Frankfort District 157-C May 6, 2019 Special Board Meeting Recap

FRANKFORT, IL — The Frankfort School District 157-C Special Board of Education meeting of May 6, 2019, was called to order by Board President Edith Lutz at 8:00 p.m. The roll call was taken, and a quorum was present. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Board adjourned the special meeting and voted to enter into Closed Session at 8:02 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment and compensation of a principal for Hickory Creek Middle School. The Board began Closed Session at 8:04 p.m.

The Board adjourned Closed Session at 9:12 p.m. and returned to Open Session at 9:14 p.m.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Jason Crockett as principal of Hickory Creek Middle School effective July 1, 2019, at a base salary of $92,000.

Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni said the district received 39 applicants for the principal position and screened 13 applicants face-to-face. Four finalists were identified, and these candidates participated in interviews with district stakeholders including administrators, principals, teachers and parents. They also each provided writing samples and gave presentations during the interview process. Crockett was chosen as the top candidate. He is currently assistant principal of Bryan Middle School in Elmhurst.

“This was a thorough, rigorous process, and we feel we identified the top candidate to lead Hickory Creek,” Zinni said.

Crockett said he is honored and ecstatic to be the next principal of Hickory Creek. He said he looks forward to getting to know all of the students, staff and parents at the school.

“We will continue the tradition of excellence and ensure we are providing students with all they need to be the best they can be,” Crockett said.

Lutz said she is glad that the district was able to hire Crockett.

During Public Forum, Sital Bhargava said she was in attendance at the last regular School Board meeting to discuss transparency, and she felt there is still a need for greater transparency. She also questioned why the public forum was at the end of the special agenda.

Emily Biegel said she also wanted to see greater transparency from the School Board, why the district did not send out an email about the special board meeting and the placement of the public forum at the end of the agenda.

Stephanie Pierson-Davis said she would like to see a stronger relationship between the School Board and the community so that community members feel heard by the Board. She also voiced concerns about testing practices, the principal transition process and cultural competency in the district.

The Board adjourned the special meeting at 9:32 p.m.

The next regular District 157-C Board of Education meeting will be held on May 15, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office, 10482 W. Nebraska St. in Frankfort, Illinois.