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District 15 Board of Education Presents Two 'Champions for Children' Awards
Two community residents who have been deeply involved with District 15 were recognized as "Champions for Children" at the District 15 Board of Education's May 28 meeting. Joseph M. Kiszka and Ralph Schultz joined only three other individuals who have been honored with this special award.
"These two men truly are champions for children," said Dr. John Conyers, superintendent. "They have shared their leadership and vision to enhance the outstanding educational opportunities that exist in District 15. Their extraordinary efforts have benefited not only our students and our schools, but also the community."
Kiszka joined District 15 in 1951, teaching fifth grade at Oak Street School, as well as junior high science and math. He was the first principal at Kimball Hill, Jonas Salk and Carl Sandburg schools. In 1964, he was appointed administrative assistant to the superintendent, and then became deputy superintendent and associate superintendent. Since the mid-1980s, he has served as demographic consultant to the superintendent. He spearheaded several referendum campaigns during the 1960s and 1970s, obtained developer contributions for the district, chaired the building committee for seven buildings, developed the district's first emergency planning manual and the first policy manual, introduced the science fair concept and played an integral role in the development of the District 15 Educational Foundation.
"No single individual has given more time or leadership to District 15," Conyers commented. "Joe has dedicated his life to education, children, the school district, and the communities it serves."
Schultz retired as president of AT&T New Jersey in late 1986, returning home to Illinois where he became one of the first participants in District 15's Senior Exchange program, established in 1992. Schultz volunteers at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, working with seventh- and eighth-grade students in the school's computer lab and helping maintain the school's technology network. He chairs the District Advisory Committee for Educational Excellence (DACEE), and he has served on other district committees. In 1999, Schultz received an "Award of Excellence" in the Illinois State Board of Education's "Those Who Excel" program, and last year, he was honored as an "Outstanding Business Partner" by the Northwest Suburban Education to Careers Partnership.
"Ralph is a community supporter with vision who works both in the district and at school in a proactive manner," Conyers said. "He has been and continues to be a valuable member of the District 15 family. We are indeed fortunate that he 'retired' to us!"
Previous Champions for Children have included Robert J. Coles, vice president, Northrop Grumman, in 1998; Rudy Nelson, former director of the Rolling Meadows Park District, in 2002, and Fred Hall, former executive director of the Palatine Park District, also in 2002.
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