Board of Education

Meridian Board Honored As One of The Best in State

Meridian’s Board of Education is one of 18 districts in the state of Illinois to receive the Illinois School Board Governance Recognition. As a point of reference, there are over 850 school districts in the state of Illinois. Illinois Association of School Board (IASB) members will formally present Meridian Board members with the award at the IASB fall Northwest Division meeting in October. The Board will again receive recognition at the state conference in November.

The "School Board Governance Recognition" program acknowledges school boards that learn and practice effective governance behaviors as identified in IASB's Foundational Principles of Effective Governance, through participation in and support for board development programs and events. The primary focus of this program is on full board development and participation rather than individual board member efforts. Effective school boards understand that excellence in local school board governance requires full board commitment to obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to good governance

Meridian CUSD 223 Board President, John Smith, discussed the effort and energy put into the district by Board members at the August Board of Education meeting where this recognition was first publicly announced.  Smith stated, “I am proud of the Board members sitting around this table. This can be a thankless and time-intensive job. For this Board to be recognized for their hard work is appropriate and rewarding.” The Meridian Board has seen little turnover in the past four years after significant turnover in the years prior. The stability and effort of the Board has helped lift Meridian from a time of stress and uncertainty to one stability and hope.

Meridian Superintendent, Dr. PJ Caposey, stated, “For this Board to be named among the top 2 percent of Boards in the state of Illinois is entirely appropriate and deserved. The hours put forth and true love for the district and community is apparent and makes working with and for them a pleasure.”

Meridian Board members are as follows:

John Smith – President
Jill Huber – Vice President
Tim Devries – Secretary
Matt Rhodes
Dr. Tim Flynn
Marsha Welden
Kristine Youman