Meeting Summary and Briefs: Summit Hill School District 161 for Jan. 21, 2026

Summit Hill School District 161 Meeting | Jan. 21, 2026

The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education met on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, for a meeting that began with a somber tribute to a late administrator and concluded with plans for the upcoming school year.

The meeting opened with a moment of remembrance for Julie Stearns, the district’s Director of Business Services, who recently passed away. Dr. Paul McDermott delivered a tribute, describing Stearns as “thoughtful, hardworking, very funny, and a joy to work with.” He noted that while her work was often behind the scenes, her impact was felt throughout the district.

Briefs:

Kindergarten Registration Dates Set:
The district announced that kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year will take place from February 2 through February 6. Parents can schedule appointments online or by calling the district office, which will offer evening hours until 6:30 p.m. during registration week. Board Member Joy Murphy suggested increasing the fee discount to incentivize early registration and help families, but the administration noted that fee structures had already been approved.

Students Request ‘Edible’ Lunch:
Student Board Member Leah presented a report from the student body’s suggestion box. The primary request from Summit Hill Junior High students was for “a more edible lunch.” Leah told the board that students are asking for improvements to the food program to offer items they actually enjoy eating.

Third-Party Administrator RFP:
The board authorized the administration to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) to manage the district’s 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans. Dr. McDermott clarified that this action has no immediate financial impact on the district, as TPA fees are typically covered by the plan vendors or passed to participants.

FOIA Requests Reported:
The district reported completing two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests during the last month. SmartProcure requested purchasing records, and the Lake County Gazette requested copies of all active full-time aide contracts. Both requests were fulfilled within the appropriate timeframe.