Board of Education

District 65 is governed by a locally-elected, seven-member School Board. Correspondence may be sent to the School Board Secretary at 1500 McDaniel Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 or can be sent via email to schoolboard@district65.net. Messages may be left with the School Board Secretary at (847) 859-8111.

Name	Development and Training	Date Completed
Pat Anderson	Basics of Governance 2025-2027	May 1, 2025
	Professional Development Leadership Training (PDLT) and Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) Training for School Board Members 2025-2027	May 2, 2025
	Open Meetings Act (OMA) Training for School Board Members 2025-2027	May 4, 2025
Sergio Hernandez	Open Meetings Act (OMA) Training	April 19, 2017
	Professional Development Leadership Training (PDLT) for School Board Members	April 20, 2017
	Trauma-informed Practices for Veteran School Board Members	September 8, 2023
	Equity Institute	August 9, 2022
	MBM/LSA Conversion	August 23, 2021
Nichole Pinkard	Open Meetings Act (OMA) Training for School Board Members 2025-2027	May 11, 2025
	Basics of Governance 2025-2027	September 18, 2025
Maria Opdycke	Basics of Governance 2025-2027	September 2, 2025
	Open Meetings Act (OMA) Training for School Board Members 2025-2027	September 2, 2025
Mya Wilkins	Open Meetings Act (OMA) Training for School Board Members	December 4, 2022
	Trauma-Informed Practices for Veteran School Board Members	January 7, 2024
	Professional Development Leadership Training (PDLT) and Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) Training for School Board Members	December 4, 2022
	Basics of Governance	October 13, 2023
Andrew Wymer	Open Meetings Act (OMA) Training for School Board Members 2025-2027	May 2, 2025
	Professional Development Leadership Training (PDLT) and Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) Training for School Board Members 2025-2027	June 10, 2025
	Basics of Governance 2025-2027	May 22, 2025

Pursuant to School Board Policy 2:150, the Board of Education may establish committees to assist with the Board’s governance function and, in some situations, to comply with state law requirements. Each committee reports directly to the Board of Education. 

Committee members may include both Board Members and non-Board Members depending on the committee’s purpose. Committee appointments are made at the organization meeting of the Board that is held following the consolidated election in April of odd numbered years. The Board of Education President makes Board Committee appointments unless specifically stated otherwise.

A Board Committee may not take final action on behalf of the School Board and may only make recommendations to the entire Board.

Members of the School Board may also serve on both internal district committees and are assigned to serve on the following Board Committees: Curriculum and Policy Committee and the  Finance, Buildings & Grounds and Personnel Committee. Board Members are also actively involved as appointed representatives to external boards and committees. These include but are not limited to the Board for the Joint Agreement for the Operation of Park School, the City School Liaison, Ed-Red, Foundation 65, and the Joint D65/D202 Committee. All Board Committee meetings shall comply with the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

2025-2026 Assignments

committee	members
curriculum & policy committee	Mya Wilkins (Chairperson) Dr. Andrew Wymer Pat Anderson
personnel, building & grounds, finance committee	Maria Forres Opdycke (Chairperson) Dr. Nichole Pinkard
park school advisory board	Pat Anderson Dr. Andrew Wymer Sergio Hernandez
joint district 65/202 committee	Dr. Nichole Pinkard Sergio Hernandez Mya Wilkins
city school liaison committee	Dr. Nichole Pinkard Sergio Hernandez
ed-red	Maria Forres Opdycke
illinois association of school boards delegate	Mya Wilkins
head start parent policy committee	Pat Anderson

 

School Board members are encouraged to become familiar with the entire District 65 school community. Additionally, in order to establish and maintain connections and communication links with parents, individual school board members are assigned certain schools where they can serve as a liaison.

2025-2026 Assignments

school	member
bessie rhodes
Chute	Sergio Hernandez
dawes	Dr. Andrew Wymer
Dewey	Mya Wilkins
early childhood center	Patricia Anderson
foster	Dr. Nichole Pinkard
Haven	Maria Opdycke
king arts	Dr. Nichole Pinkard
kingsley	Mya Wilkins
Lincoln	Dr. Andrew Wymer
Lincolnwood	Dr. Nichole Pinkard
nichols
Oakton	Sergio Hernandez
orrington	Sergio Hernandez
park	Patricia Anderson
rice	Patricia Anderson
walker
washington	Sergio Hernandez
Willard	Maria Opdycke

 

School Liaison Protocols

• A liaison to each school shall serve until the next reorganization meeting before rotating.
• Each school liaison is responsible (via phone calls, small group meetings, school visits, attendance at PTA or other school meetings, etc.) for familiarizing him/herself with the school's program, principal, and parents and for providing information on School Board proposals and school system procedures so that the school community can successfully bring its needs and concerns to the attention of either the Superintendent or the School Board.
• The school liaison does not serve as a direct advocate for the school/program on issues.
• The school liaison does not involve her/himself in administrative/operational matters but instead refers concerns to the appropriate staff.

For each designated school, the liaison shall:

• provide information to individuals/groups (e.g. PTA, civic associations) on how best to communicate to the Superintendent or full School Board specific needs/concerns, acknowledging that all operational matters should be routinely referred to appropriate staff or the Superintendent;
• keep Board Members and the Superintendent informed of concerns or issues that may develop at the school over the course of the year;
• provide information to individuals/groups on upcoming issues that may impact the school/community;
• return citizen phone calls made to the School Board office or to the member's home regarding that particular school/community;
• represent the School Board at events and official functions, as invited; and
• communicate School Board policies and actions as requested.

The last consolidated election was held April 1, 2025. District 65 had four seats to fill, with four-year terms expiring April 2029.

In accordance with changes to the Election Code in 2014 (10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq.), prospective school board candidates will no longer file nominating petitions with the school district. Petitions must be filed with the Cook County Clerk's Office. Please contact The Cook County Clerk's Office at (312) 603-1127 for further election-related information.

Prospective school board candidates may visit the websites of the Cook County Clerk's Office, Illinois State Board of Elections or Illinois Association of School Boards for information regarding School Board Elections, including important School Board Election Deadlines, checklists, petition forms, and more.

Additional resources:

• Key Dates for School Board Candidates (April 1, 2025 consolidated election)
• Qualifications and Characteristics of a School Board Member
• Dates and link for four upcoming webinars (fall 2024)
• Illinois State Board of Elections documents

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 2025-2026 School Board Agreements

Approved August 18, 2025
 

Mutual Respect 

• Board members will treat the superintendent and administration with respect.
• Board members will treat each other and staff with respect. 
• The superintendent and staff will treat all board members with respect. 

Board/Superintendent Relationship 

The board and superintendent recognize that a relationship based on mutual trust, support, and cooperation is essential to the successful operation of the district. The board and superintendent agree that some fundamentals of such a relationship include: 

• open and honest communication; 
• recognizing the strengths, talents, expertise, and positive contributions of each other;
• the expression of and respect for diverse opinions; and 
• a “no surprises” approach to business. 

Board/Superintendent Roles 

• The board’s responsibilities focus on governance: to set vision and policy for the district focused around student learning and organizational effectiveness, to be responsible stewards of district finances, to connect with the community, and to monitor progress towards district goals. 
• The superintendent’s responsibilities focus on management: to hire and manage district staff, to manage all instructional, business, and other operations of the district in accordance with board policies and applicable laws, and to advise and make recommendations to the board with respect to such activities. 
• Both the board and superintendent will fulfill their responsibilities in accordance with board policy, with a specific focus on maximizing student educational outcomes utilizing an equity lens as directed by the District 65 Racial and Educational Equity Statement and District 65 Racial and Educational Equity Policy and the adopted racial/ethnic equity impact assessment tool. 

Board Meetings 

1. Purpose of board meetings 
   • Board and committee meetings are meetings of the board held in public, for updates on the administration of strategic priorities and policy, to hear from various committees or departments on work, and to vote as one elected board. 
   • Public meetings will include time for public comment, as set forth in board policy, and commenters will be treated fairly and equally. 
   • The board is obligated to discuss, and if appropriate, debate, the impact of policies during the board meetings, prior to voting on district business as it relates to school administration. 
2. Annual Planning Calendar for board meetings 
   • Board members, in collaboration with the superintendent, will generate priorities for board meeting topics and agenda items, in accordance with the strategic plan, prior to the end of each school year. 
   • The superintendent will work with staff over the summer to create an Annual Planning Calendar for the upcoming school year, using the board’s priorities list and the strategic plan to inform the process. 
   • The Superintendent will present an Annual Planning Calendar, with agenda topics that are aligned to the board’s priorities, at the September board meeting. 
   • The Board President and/or the Vice-President will consider proposed agenda items and its implications, to decide on its inclusion in the Annual Planning Calendar. 
3. Placing additional items on the agenda 
   • Board members may phone, text, or e-mail the board president or vice-president with suggested board meeting agenda items, which must be submitted a month prior.
   • Board members may also suggest board meeting agenda items during the “Other Business” section of the agenda. 
   • Board members may phone, text, or e-mail committee chairs with suggested committee meeting agenda items. 
   • To the greatest extent possible, board members will ensure that suggested agenda items align with the Annual Planning Calendar created by the superintendent and staff over the summer. 
   • If a suggested agenda item does not align with the Annual Planning Calendar, then the Board President and Board Vice-President, in consultation with the superintendent, will determine the implications of the Annual Planning Calendar and the best course forward, including whether to adjust the Annual Planning Calendar. 
   • The Board President and/or the Vice-President will bring the agenda item, including the determined implications, to the full board to determine if it should be included in the Annual Planning Calendar. 
4. Creation of the agenda/distribution of packet 
   • 10-14 days prior to each board or committee meeting, the superintendent will strive to present a draft agenda, based on the master board meeting calendar, to the board president and vice-president or committee chair for review/inquiry/feedback. While the agenda will primarily follow the master calendar, the administration may add items as needed to address emergent, time-sensitive issues. 
   • Once received, the board president or committee chair will forward the draft agenda to all board members for review/inquiry/feedback. 
   • Suggested agenda amendments are due within 72 hours of the draft agenda release.
   • 3 days prior to each board or committee meeting, the superintendent or employee designated by the superintendent will post the meeting packet for review by the board/public. 
5. Questions on items in the board packet 
   • As soon as possible, prior to the regular or committee meeting, board members will submit questions/comments/concerns directly to the superintendent. 
   • Board members’ questions/comments/concerns are intended to make the superintendent and the superintendent’s team aware of the possible public discourse and to allow ample time for preparation. Questions/comments/concerns should not request substantial additional information or require preparation of additional reports. 
   • Answers to any board members’ questions/comments/concerns will be given during the public board or committee meeting. Such communications are not intended to supplant public discussion of the questions/comments/concerns or to otherwise violate the Illinois Open Meetings Act, either explicitly or in spirit. 
6. Decorum during board meetings 
   • Board members will avoid private conversations to anyone while someone else is speaking. 
   • Board members will refrain from texting or taking phone calls during a meeting except in the event of emergencies. All public records can be requested via FOIA.
   • Board Members will focus on their governance role—centering on vision, policy, and accountability—while leaving day-to-day operations and management to the Superintendent and staff. 
   • Board members will engage in discussion with purpose—staying on topic, prioritizing key points, avoiding repetition, and clearly signaling when we are offering a comment versus asking a question. 
   • When several board members wish to speak, they will wait to be recognized by the Board President before speaking. 
   • Board members will refrain from making assumptions and will disagree reasonably, remembering to attack the issue and not the person. 
   • Board members will abide by the will of the majority. Once a vote is taken, board members will abide by Robert’s Rules stating that they should “gracefully” submit to the majority decision. 
7. Board meeting evaluation forms 
   • Board members will conduct a mid-year self-evaluation (check-in) prior to the superintendent’s mid-year evaluation at the discretion of the Board President and Vice President.

Requests for Information

In recognition that requests for information from the superintendent and staff can require substantial time and effort to prepare, board members will adhere to the following guidelines in making requests for information: 

• All requests should be directed to the superintendent, with a copy to the whole board. One board member’s request for additional information will result in all members receiving a summary email or having access to the same information. If one “gets,” all “get.” 
• The superintendent and board leadership will collaborate to determine whether the request warrants a response. In reviewing requests, the superintendent and board leadership will consider how the request corresponds to the Annual Planning Calendar, the amount of staff time necessary to respond to the request, and whether the request reflects the interest of the board. 
• If it is determined that a request warrants a response, the superintendent and board leadership will collaborate to determine how, if at all, to adjust the Annual Planning Calendar. 

Communicating with the Public 

Recognizing that the community, as key stakeholders in the district, should be informed and consulted on its priorities and performance, board members will actively encourage and invite community engagement through the following efforts: 

1. Board/Superintendent Community-Wide Engagement
   • To supplement the limited public comment period during board meetings, board members and the superintendent (as time allows) will alternate months in hosting community engagement events (to alternate with any scheduled superintendent community engagement events). No more than two (2) board members will be present at such community engagement events, and they will be scheduled at different times of day/days of the week to be as inclusive as possible. 
   • Board-approved protocols will guide community engagement events, specifically cafes, policy workshops, and proposal discussions. Each type of event will have a designated meeting protocol to encourage participation. These events will allow board members to engage with community members, listen to their concerns, and provide updates on district initiatives. 
   • The District will leverage its communication tools and partnerships to help ensure all community members have access to event information. 
   • Board members will use a provided template to share out the general contents of community engagement events that they host with the rest of the board and the superintendent, including directing any stakeholder concerns to the superintendent and/or appropriate staff. 
2. School Liaisons 

Board members are required to become familiar with the entire District 65 community. Additionally, in order to establish and maintain connections and communication links with parents/caregivers, individual school board members are assigned certain schools where they will serve as a liaison. The purpose and goal of the liaison is to create a connection between the school and the school board, whereby the liaison is aware of, and participates in the school community, as invited and as time permits. 

Each school liaison is responsible (via phone calls, small group meetings, school visits, attendance at PTA or other school meetings, etc.) for familiarizing her/him/themself with the school's program, principal, DEC representatives, and parents so that the school community can successfully bring its needs and concerns to the attention of either the superintendent or the board.

The school liaison will provide information to individuals/groups (e.g. PTA, civic associations) on how best to communicate to the superintendent or full board specific needs/concerns, acknowledging that all operational matters should be routinely referred to the superintendent and/or appropriate staff. 

• The school liaison will keep the board and superintendent informed of concerns or issues that may develop at the school over the course of the year. 
• The school liaison will provide information to individuals/groups on upcoming issues that may impact the school/community. 
• The school liaison will return citizen phone calls/emails regarding that particular school/community within seven business days. 
• The school liaison will represent the board at events and official functions, as invited.
• The school liaison will communicate board policies and actions as requested.
• The school liaison will conduct themselves in accordance with the following protocols: 
  • The school liaison will not serve as a direct advocate for the school/program on issues, in alignment with the Code of Conduct; 
  • The school liaison does not involve her/him/themself in administrative/operational matters but instead refers concerns to the appropriate staff. 

3. Responding to communications from community members 
   • Community members often email board members, either individually or collectively. Board members may respond to any such emails, in accordance with board policy and these agreements, and are encouraged to forward those responses to the full board when the communications concern topics that are of general interest or that are to be discussed during an upcoming board meeting. 
   • Communication to the school board will be forwarded by the designated school board member to the superintendent. 
   • When an email has been received by multiple board members, the board president, vice-president or school liaison (if it is a school-based issue) will respond on behalf of the board and copy the board on the response. The Board generally won’t respond to form emails. 
   • Board members will listen carefully to any questions or concerns from community members regarding district/school management, remembering that they are hearing only one side of the story. Board members should then forward such questions or concerns to the superintendent and/or appropriate staff within the chain of command who is able to help the community members resolve their concerns. Board members handling questions/concerns in this manner will clarify that one board member has no individual authority to fix a problem. The superintendent, when appropriate or requested, will provide board members with an update on how the concern was addressed or resolved. 
4. Social Media 
   • Board members may share updates about board and district business via social media. When using social media in their role as public officials, Board members should clarify that their pages/accounts reflect their own views, not necessarily the official position of the board. 
   • Community members may discuss their questions or concerns about district management or governance on social media platforms, such as in Facebook groups or on X. Board members should use discretion in participating in any social media discussions about district business in accordance with the Board Member Code of Conduct and the following general principles: 
     • participation in social media discussions should not violate the Illinois Open Meetings Act; when appropriate, clarify that their statements reflect their own views, not necessarily the official position of the board; and 
     • recognize that social media discussions are representative of some, but not necessarily all, community voice on a matter and should not replace other avenues of community engagement. 
5. Communicating with the media 
   • The board president or vice-president is the spokesperson for the board as it pertains to board business. Individual board members may respond to requests from members of the media but should clarify that their views do not necessarily reflect the official position of the board and refer any such inquiries to the board president. 
   • Prior to responding, whenever feasible, Board members shall consult with the superintendent, communications staff, and legal counsel regarding media communications, particularly those related to potential or ongoing litigation.
   • Any individual responses to the media will be shared with the board, district administration, and chief of communications. 
   • The superintendent is the spokesperson for the district. If a member of the media contacts a board member regarding a topic typically under the superintendent’s purview, that board member should refer the member of the media to the district’s communications department. 

Visiting Campuses 

In recognition of the board’s responsibilities, including school liaison duties and the fiscal responsibility to approve facilities maintenance and capital expenditures, board members are encouraged to visit schools. In order to minimize any concern or disruption related to school visits, board members will adhere to the following guidelines when visiting a school in their official board capacity: 

• Board members who want to visit a school during the school day will notify and/or coordinate with the superintendent and/or appropriate administrator (e.g., the school principal or central office staff). 
• Board members may coordinate directly with an authorized member of the school community to visit a school during non-school hours (for example, for a PTA meeting).
• If a board member would like to invite other members of the public to accompany them on a school visit, that board member should first discuss and/or coordinate the visit with the superintendent and/or relevant administrator regarding who will be joining the visit and why. 

Board Training 

Each Board member is responsible for his/her/their own compliance with the mandatory training laws: 

• Board members elected or appointed to fill a vacancy of at least one year's duration must complete at least four hours of professional development leadership training in education and labor law, financial oversight and accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities within the first year of his/her/their first term. 
• Board members must complete training on the Open Meetings Act no later than 90 days after taking the oath of office for the first time. Training on the Open Meetings Act is only required once. 
• Board members must complete a training program on evaluations under the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) before participating in a vote on a tenured teacher's dismissal using the optional alternative evaluation dismissal process. This dismissal process is available after the District's PERA implementation date. 
• The Professional Development Leadership (PDLT) and Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) Training includes Trauma-Informed Practices training that is required for all new board members. (There is also a Trauma-Informed Practices for Veteran School Board Members Only, which is a standalone course.)