Summit Hill 161 Accepts a Dozen Resignations, Approves New Hires

Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education processed a significant number of staff changes, accepting twelve resignations and approving a slate of new hires for the 2025-2026 school year. The new employees include special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and a new building secretary.

District 161 Staffing Changes Key Points:

• The board accepted resignations from 12 staff members at its meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

• New hires include three special education teachers, a building secretary, and multiple paraprofessionals and custodians.

• The staffing changes were approved as part of the consent agenda.

The Summit Hill District 161 Board of Education on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, approved a lengthy list of personnel changes, accepting twelve resignations and hiring numerous new employees to fill vacancies across the district.

The board accepted resignations from George Daly, Sara Barnes, Jason Swanson (two separate resignation records), Alissa McDermott, Renee Ries, Debra Foster, Ann Petrovich, Kim Lammers, Shawiece Griffen, Keith Seaton, and Jovani Gordon, with effective dates ranging from May to August 2025.

To fill open positions, the board approved several new hires. Key appointments in certified staff include Megan Mistrella and Kathleen Welcome as Special Education Teachers (TIP) at Summit Hill Jr. High and Dr. Julian Rogus School, respectively. Alesandro Montes was hired as a Resource Special Education Teacher at the junior high, and Christopher Perez will serve as a .5 Music and .5 Permanent Substitute teacher at Rogus School.

In support staff roles, Jennifer Bendy was hired as the new Building Secretary at Indian Trail School at a rate of $17.00 per hour. The district also hired a number of paraprofessionals at hourly rates of $19.81, including Susanna Mackay, DeAnna Batie, Danielle Grtizenbach, and Fatimah Muhammad-Fonseca at Rogus School, and Diane Klootwyk at Indian Trail School. New night custodians hired at $17.00 per hour include Noris Yanes at Summit Hill Jr. High and Joseph Horn at Rogus School.

Additionally, Patricia King was approved as an FMLA teacher at Summit Hill Jr. High, covering a leave from approximately October 21, 2025, to February 13, 2026.