Board of Education
Members:
Chris McMahon (President)
Darren Wiseman (Vice President)
Katie Thies (Treasurer)
Jessica Zerjal (Secretary)
George Kriss
Andy Dippolito
Kinjii Dowd
All Board of Education members have completed the professional development leadership training covering topics in education and labor law, financial oversight and accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities of a board member.
Contact the Board of Education
The School Board welcomes communications from staff members, parents/guardians, students, and community members. Individuals may submit questions or communications for the School Board’s consideration to the Superintendent or may use the electronic link to the Board’s email address posted here: board@pwh105.org. The Superintendent or designee shall, during the Board’s regular meetings, submit a report for the Board’s consideration concerning all questions or communications submitted through the active electronic link along with the status of the District’s response in the Board meeting packet. If contacted individually, Board members will refer the person to the appropriate level of authority. Board members’ questions or communications to staff or about programs will be channeled through the Superintendent’s office. Board members will not take individual action to respond to communications. There is no expectation of privacy for any communication sent to the Board or its members, whether sent by letter, email, or other means.
Board Guidelines for Public Participation are as follows:
During each regular and special open meeting of the Board, members of the public and District employees may comment on or ask questions of the board, subject to reasonable constraints. The Board listens to comments or questions during public participation; responses to comments to or questions of the Board are most often managed through policy 3:30, Chain of Command. Participants seeking to provide public comment must complete the sign-in sheet prior to the start of the open meeting. The participants appearing before the Board are expected to follow these guidelines:
Address the Board only at the appropriate time as indicated on the agenda and when recognized by the Board President. This includes following the directives of the Board President to maintain order and decorum for all.
Identify oneself and limit comments to five minutes (per Board Policy 2:230).
Observe, when necessary and appropriate, the Board President's authority to:
Shorten public comment to conserve time and give maximum number of individuals an opportunity to speak and/or
Determine procedural matters regarding public participation not otherwise covered in Board of Education policy.
Conduct oneself with respect and civility toward others and otherwise abide by Board policy 8:30, Visitors to and Conduct on School Property.
Board of Education Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Education are normally scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. The meeting schedule is sometimes altered to avoid conflicts with legal holidays or school vacations. Meetings convene at Pontiac Jr. High School, 400 Ashland Drive, Fairview Heights. An agenda is posted on our website and at the District Office at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.