Sauk Village school chief honored, knows many made it happen
Most educators know that external factors often determine whether a child is successful in school.
Social concerns like hunger and housing affect learning. Practical considerations such as transportation and technology can make the difference between good grades and poor results.
Some public school systems are better than others at overcoming challenges and meeting needs of students.
The Illinois Association of School Administrators this week recognized Donna Leak, superintendent of Sauk Village Elementary District 168, as the 2021 Illinois Superintendent of the Year for her leadership, professionalism and community involvement.
“I might be holding the award, but this award is for all of Sauk Village,” Leak said. “It is significant because it showcases the collective effort we have all been putting in over the years.”
The state group announced the honor as District 168 was preparing to distribute 30,000 meals on Monday to help sustain students over the upcoming two-week holiday break.
“The meals have really helped us out,” parent Valencia Coleman said Wednesday while picking up a box of meals at Wagoner Elementary School, 1831 215th St. “We really appreciate it.”
Providing nutritious meals is one example of how District 168 served needs this year. Another accomplishment was lowering the chronic absenteeism rate to 11% during the 2019-2020 school year from 36% the previous year.
“If we have to use a district bus to go pick up children because the parent couldn’t get them to school that day, we’ll do whatever it takes,” Leak said.
Seventy-six percent of the district’s pupils meet low-income requirements to qualify for free or reduced-price meals, according to the Illinois Report Card. Federal funding covers the cost of providing meals.
The state group noted that the district this year provided computers to all 1,300 students in three schools. The district also provided Wi-Fi hot spots to households that needed better internet connections.
Leak pursued grant funds that became available on short notice due to the pandemic to obtain the technology, said Tammy Jones, president of the District 168 Board. Furnishing every student with a home computer has long been a goal, and this year it was achieved, she said.
“Every child has a computer at home,” Jones said. “We have been a model for other districts.”
The state association noted other accomplishments factoring into the recognition included installation of a state-of-the-art water filtration system, removal of asbestos from buildings and renovation of a junior high school.
“Our board said we needed fresh water in our buildings,” Leak said.
The project was an example of how school board members, administrators, teachers, parents and other community members worked together to identify a priority and find a solution, she said.
“Sometimes I think as educators we just think about what we need to do for education,” Leak said. “Whether the needs are academic, social or in the community, we’re going to find a way to address it.”
Leak, 53, of Flossmoor, has been superintendent for 11 years. She also serves as vice chair of the Illinois State Board of Education, the first active superintendent to hold a seat on the state board.
I asked her how District 168 was successful when other districts in the south suburbs seem to struggle to overcome similar challenges.
“We really listen to what the needs are in our community,” she said.
Some parents picking up meals Wednesday morning at Wagoner School praised the professionalism of district staff, the quality of the food and the efficiency of the distribution operation.
“It’s really hard right now,” said parent Jalissa Mosley. “I just moved back here from Alabama. I’m not working right now.”
Parent Jasmine Cook said she worked overnight shifts at a meat processing plant in South Holland and that her children looked forward to the meals.
“They appreciate it,” Cook said.
Meal distribution began when the pandemic first forced schools to close buildings in March and continued throughout the summer, said Opal Anderson, a District 168 spokesperson.
“Everything kept going during the summer,” she said. “We feed the babies.”
The operation will face its biggest test to date on Monday, when workers with the district’s food service vendor plan to distribute 30,000 meals.
“Each student will get 10 breakfasts and 10 lunches, so 20 meals per student,” said Tiana Johnson, vice president of operations for Just A Dash catering, based in nearby Highland, Indiana.
The meals can be frozen and reheated, she said. The food service company is Black- and women-owned and has about 40 employees, Johnson said. Just A Dash has served about 500,000 meals in District 168 since March and also serves other districts, she said.
“We’ve learned how flexible we can be,” Johnson said.
The district offered a Meals on Wheels Bus Route Delivery Service for a time, but the service was suspended Nov. 16, according to a notice on the district’s website.
The quality of food service reflects the district’s attention to detail and is a result of strong leadership, said Jones, the board president.
“This is my 11th year on the board,” she said. “You didn’t used to see board members in the school buildings. People didn’t know how to react. I went to see how things we were voting on were being implemented and how they were working.”
Now, parents and community leaders work together with teachers, the administration and school board to do what is best for students, she said.
“It speaks volumes for Sauk Village,” Jones said.
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