Park Board Approves Staff Travel for 2026 Dance Competitions

Frankfort Square Park District Meeting | October 16, 2025

Article Summary: The Frankfort Square Park District board has approved travel, meal, and lodging expense reimbursements for dance staff to attend four regional competitions in 2026 as part of the Braemar Dance Center’s company season.

Dance Competition Travel Key Points:

• The board unanimously approved staff travel to four competitions in Elgin, Oswego, Normal, and University Park between February and April 2026.

• Expense reimbursement forms were presented for Dance Directors Donnette Castle and Kari Jensen for two of the trips.

• Officials explained that expense estimates are based on federal GSA per diem rates and include a 20% buffer for estimated hotel taxes.

• Actual costs will be covered using a park district credit card, ensuring only actual expenses are paid.

The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners on Thursday, October 16, 2025, unanimously approved funding for dance staff to travel to four company competitions in early 2026.

The approved travel is for the Braemar Dance Center’s 2026 competition season, which includes:

• Kids Artistic Revue in Elgin, IL (February 20-22)

• CRU Dance in Oswego, IL (February 27-March 1)

• Precision Arts Challenge in Normal, IL (March 13-15)

• Rainbow Dance Competition in University Park, IL (April 10-12)

The board reviewed and approved travel, meal, and lodging expense reimbursement forms for Dance Directors Donnette Castle and Kari Jensen for the competitions in Oswego and Normal. Estimated costs for the CRU Dance event in Oswego were $613.54 for Castle and $616.06 for Jensen. For the Precision Arts Challenge in Normal, estimates were $777.48 for Castle and $787.66 for Jensen.

Executive Director Audrey Marcquenski explained that all expenses are calculated based on established Government Services Administration (GSA) per diem rates. She also noted that the expense forms include a 20% buffer to cover estimated hotel taxes. Since staff members use a park district credit card for payment, only the actual expenses incurred will be paid by the district.

The motion to approve the reimbursement forms was made by Commissioner Frank Florentine, seconded by Phil Cherry, and passed by a 4-0 vote.