Meet Your Board of Education!
Sari Montgomery - President
Term Expires: 2025
Email: sari.montgomery@dps109.org
Ryan Kuo - Vice President
Term Expires: 2027
Email: ryan.kuo@dps109.org
Kelly Jakymiw - Secretary
Term Expires: 2025
Email: kelly.jakymiw@dps109.org
Rosie Bonar
Term Expires: 2027
Email: rosie.bonar@dps109.org
Andrew Morrison
Term Expires: 2025
Email: andrew.morrison@dps109.org
Mitch Dornfeld
Term Expires: 2027
Email: mitch.dornfeld@dps109.org
Kate Joyce
Term Expires: 2025
Email: kate.joyce@dps109.org
BOE Calendar
2024/2025 Board of Education Regular Meeting Dates
Approved by the Board of Education on 3/14/2024
Thursdays 7:00 PM
July 25, 2024
August 15, 2024
September 19, 2024
October 17, 2024
November 14, 2024
December 12, 2024
January 16, 2025
February 13, 2025
March 13, 2025
April 10, 2025
May 15, 2025
TUESDAY June 17, 2025
Back row from left to right: Mitch Dornfeld, Kelly Jakymiw, Ryan Kuo, Andrew Morrison.
Front row from left to right: Kate Joyce, Sari Montgomery, Rosie Bonar.
Board of Education Membersare elected by the voters who reside within the District 109 boundaries. Elections are held every two years. As required by the Illinois School Code, all Illinois school board members must receive training in the areas below. All of 109's Board Members have either completed these trainings or new members will complete as outlined below.
-
The Basics of Governance - Board and board member roles and responsibilities and learn how high-functioning boards make a positive impact on student learning in their districts.
-
Open Meetings Act (OMA) - Learn the law as it applies to school board meetings and members.
-
Professional Development Leadership Training (PDLT) and Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) Training for School Board Members - Review education and labor law, financial oversight, accountability, fiduciary responsibilities, and evaluation procedures.
Board of Education Policies
The Board of Education sets the policies of District 109, which the administration and staff follow to ensure that the District provides the best education of students and meets its responsibilities to all stakeholders.
Deerfield Public Schools District 109
Board of Education Norms
Reviewed/revised: September 9, 2021; May 18, 2023; September 24, 2024
Concerns from the community and staff (“Customer” concerns)
- Board members will listen carefully, remembering they are only hearing one side of the story.
- Board members will then direct that person to the person in the district most appropriate (Chain of Command) who is able to help them resolve their concern.
- Board members handling concerns in this manner will clarify that one board member has no individual authority to fix a problem.
- Board members will call the superintendent if they think this is an issue of concern.
Speaking with one voice
- Board members have an obligation to express their opinions and respect others’ opinions.
- Board members understand the importance of speaking with one clear voice to both the superintendent and the community.
- The superintendent is accountable only to the full board of education.
- Board members have the right to disagree with the decision of the board, but will support the board in its decision by abiding by the will of the majority.
- No individual board member, other than the board president, has the authority to act or speak on behalf of the board without the consent of the board.
Visiting campuses
- If a board member would like to visit a school as a board member, they should notify the superintendent ahead of time.
Board member use of email
- If an email is sent from a community member to the entire board, the board president and/or the superintendent will respond.
- If a board member receives an email from a community member sent to them individually, the board member may respond, and they may cc the board president and/or the superintendent.
- Board members will be judicious in their use of email and understand that most emails are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and as such can be made public.
- In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, board members will not “reply all” to any district email.
- Board members will not email other board members stating their thoughts or opinions.
Communicating with staff
- Board members will communicate directly with the superintendent. That is, board members will ask questions or bring concerns to the superintendent first and not communicate them to other staff.
Social media
- Board members will not reply to comments posted on social media.
- Board members will remember the neon “BOARD MEMBER” sign that is always on when posting something on social media.