Dolton 149 Renews School Board Leadership Spotlighting “Experienced Stewards”

(Calumet City, IL) – Dolton School District 149 renewed its board leadership last month opting to embrace “experienced stewards” to guide the district’s ongoing transformation program, according to a school official.

District 149’s seven-member board voted unanimously on April 27 to reelect board President Darlene Gray-Everett, Vice President Lolita Crisler-Liggons, and Secretary Bertha Jolly to two-year terms.

“District 149 is in the middle of district-wide transformation program to improve student education outcomes, and the board’s members decided to embrace the experienced stewards who have been guiding that transformation,” said board advisor Dr. James Cunneen who swore in the officers. “Combined, Gray-Everett, Crisler-Liggons, and Jolly bring a total of 48 years of experience to their leadership posts.”

Gray-Everett has been a board member of the south suburban district since 1994. Crisler-Liggons took her seat in 2005 and Jolly, 2004.

Cunneen cited the Illinois State Board of Education’s recent recognition of the district’s improving financial management, placing the district in its highest performance category – “financial recognition,” as an example of board leadership success.

“There are four financial ranking categories and last year we were working on trying to make category two, but, instead, we achieved category one ­– ‘financial recognition,’” said Cunneen. “That’s the highest financial category that you can receive.”

Attending the swearing-in ceremony of new officers included: District 149 Superintendent Dr. Shelly Davis-Jones, Dr. Denita Scott, Twyla Harris, Cedric Lewis, Dellnora Winters, Karen Slate, Carolyn Franklin, Dr. Renata Patterson, Dr. Christal Walker, John Johnson, Michael Steele, Dr. Hester Alfred, Gabrielle Herndon, Jamie Hayes, April Brown, Carmen Canales, Sheria Robinson, Sue Dykas, Jamar Everett, Dion Wiley, Bolden Jones, Stacy Miles, Shelia Colone, Sharonne Dinnwiddie, Suzy Brath, Dr. Tasha White, and Zetta Piggott.

“On behalf of all the administration and the staff we thank you for your continued service on the board and your dedication,” said Cunneen. “I think that I speak for all of us here when I say that we appreciate your stewardship and your long-time commitment to improving both the financial health of district and the education of District 149 students.”

The other District 149 board members include: Pamela Eldridge, Rayya Ghani, Kim Knight-Anderson, and Will Tillman.

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