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Proven, Experienced Leaders for District 86
As current Board of Education leaders in our feeder schools, engaged community members, and seasoned education professionals, Liz Mitha and Mary Satchwell will be guided by three key pillars in their contributions as D86 Board of Education members.
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Accountability
The D86 Board of Education must be transparent about its goals and actions.​
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Partner with the superintendent to develop and implement a new strategic plan that supports long-term district success.
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Work with the superintendent to set and achieve measurable goals that drive academic excellence for all students.
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Guarantee access for all students to rigorous, challenging courses that meet state-mandated learning standards.
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Collaborate with the superintendent and CFO to evaluate the D86 budget comprehensively, ensuring spending aligns closely with district priorities.
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Support the superintendent and CFO in building cash reserves to fund essential projects, including facility renovations.
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Develop a facilities plan that addresses both immediate and long-term needs, setting savings goals to fully fund essential updates.
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Increase transparency by making all new FOIA requests publicly accessible online, removing recently instituted FOIA limitations.
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Uphold the Open Meetings Act and all state and federal laws, maintaining the highest ethical standards to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
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Implement a plan to reduce legal expenses by assessing attorney use and clarifying board roles and responsibilities.
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Ensure the district policy handbook aligns with IASB recommendations, modifying only when changes provide clear benefits for students and help minimize attorney fees.
Collaboration
The D86 Board of Education must collaborate with the superintendent, administration, teachers, and feeder districts to ensure rigorous academic achievement for students.
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Foster a collaborative, proactive team environment that prioritizes goal achievement while respecting and welcoming every member of the community.
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Empower district professionals by delegating appropriate authority and hold the superintendent accountable for achieving D86’s goals as outlined in the new strategic plan.
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Engage regularly with the superintendent, administration, and teachers to foster trust and strengthen these essential relationships.
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Build strong connections with educators across the district, prioritizing these relationships as teacher, paraprofessional, and buildings and grounds contracts approach renewal.
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Invite the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) to provide personalized board training on effective governance, relationship-building, and fiscal responsibility.
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Review and uphold board protocols, ensuring adherence by all members, particularly commitments to "build trust" and "function as an effective team."
Communication
The D86 Board of Education should actively welcome input from students, feeder schools, parents, and residents to foster strong community relationships.
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Collaborate with the superintendent to establish a comprehensive two-way communication plan that creates a safe environment for the productive exchange of ideas between district leaders and community stakeholders.
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Partner with the superintendent to establish ongoing communication with feeder schools, ensuring that D86 courses and programs effectively meet the needs of incoming students.
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Use staff climate, entry, and exit survey insights to guide strategies for attracting, retaining, and developing highly qualified educators and staff across all positions.
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Regularly survey current students, recent alumni, and community members to gather feedback and identify opportunities to enhance district programs and curricular offerings.