Summit Hill School District 161 | October 15, 2025

The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, reviewed highly positive preliminary data from the state report card, showing significant gains in student proficiency in math and English. The board also discussed a potential district-wide technology shift, laying the groundwork for a pilot program to test MacBook Air laptops for teachers. For full details on these topics, please see our main stories.

During the meeting, the board recognized a local business owner for his generous donation to the junior high, approved longevity-based pay raises for non-certified staff, and discussed enrollment numbers that sparked a conversation about lowering kindergarten class sizes. A student-led initiative to improve the school lunch program also took center stage, with updates on a recent food taste-testing event. The board approved several action items, including the purchase of new custodial equipment and the resolution of a student transfer agreement.

SRO Deployment and School Closure Savings Questioned
During public comments, parent Lisa Brace asked for more transparency regarding the deployment of the new School Resource Officer (SRO) and the financial benefits of the district’s recent school closures. Superintendent Dr. Paul McDermott responded that while SRO Deputy Justin Farkas is based at the junior high, he has a presence at all schools, attending events and drills to maintain visibility across the district. The question regarding the financial impact of closing two schools was not immediately addressed.

Frankfort Business Owner Honored for Donating Flooring
Jay Hoots, owner of Pinnacle Flooring in Frankfort, received the October Summit Award for donating the labor, time, and materials to completely replace the flooring in the Summit Hill Junior High “Action Lab.” The classroom, run by his wife, teacher Maria Hoots, was transformed by the project. Principal Laura Gobel, who nominated Hoots, said his contribution “has elevated the entire learning environment.”

Board Approves $150,000 for Custodial Supplies and Equipment
The board unanimously approved a $150,000 budget for custodial cleaning supplies and the purchase of new equipment. The funding will allow the district to buy new, properly sized floor cleaning machines for each building, some of which currently lack operational equipment. By purchasing the machines outright, the district will save over $18,000 in financing interest over five years.

Board Approves Student Transfer and Staff Discipline Agreements
Following a closed session, the board approved two separate agreements. The first was a settlement involving the transfer of a student to another school in exchange for releasing the district from liability related to an alleged incident. The second agreement approved a one-day unpaid suspension for a teacher as part of a staff grievance resolution.

District to Sell Surplus Equipment
The board approved a resolution declaring various old equipment as “unneeded surplus,” giving the administration the authority to sell or dispose of the items. The surplus includes old copiers, district cell phones, wireless access points, and old security cameras. The district’s attorney explained that selling surplus property to the public is a legally complex process, and it is often simpler to transfer items to other government entities or sell them to wholesalers.

Graduation Date for 2026 Set
The board officially set the graduation date for the current eighth-grade class for Monday, May 26, 2026.

ESY 2026 Dates Announced
The district announced the schedule for its 2026 Extended School Year (ESY) program for students in special education. The program will run for five consecutive weeks, with classes held four days per week. The schedule was adjusted to avoid interruptions from the Juneteenth and July 4th holidays.

Annual Tax Levy Hearing Scheduled
The board authorized the publication of a public notice for its annual tax levy hearing, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, during its regular board meeting.