The Antioch CCSD 34 Board of Education welcomed three Board of Education members, Kelly Beall, Josh Cornwell and Tamar Lasko, who took the oath of office at a Special Board Reorganization Meeting on May 2nd and participated in their first Board of Education meeting as acting board members on May 16th.
Superintendent Aron Borowiak understands the important contributions and recognizes the role board members play in the success of a school district. “School Board Members are some of the most unheralded positions when school districts are running well; however, they are one of the most spotlighted positions when schools face turmoil. We often forget that these positions are filled by volunteers who simply want to contribute positively to having good schools as part of a solid community. Their role is extremely important in making well-informed decisions that ultimately impact the well-being of students, staff, and the surrounding community.” D34 Board of Education President Mary Beth Hulting echoed Mr. Borowiak’s sentiment and expressed her optimism and excitement about the new board and what the new members will bring. “The addition of our three new board members will provide our school community with continued leadership while bringing fresh perspectives to help us carry through on our newly developed strategic plan. We look forward to their onboarding and can’t wait to collectively roll up our sleeves and get to work on some of our exciting district initiatives.”
Kelly Beall
Kelly Beall has been an active member of the D34 community throughout the years. Kelly has served as both a lunchroom/homeroom aide and as a substitute teacher in the district and is a parent to former D34 students Emily, 22, and Andrew, 19, and is currently working with the D117 Strategic Strategic Planning Committee. Kelly and her husband Mike are 25-year residents of Lake Villa and are actively involved with Save-A-Pet, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Open Arms Mission and Indivisible Western Lake County.
Kelly earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade from Auburn University and a Master of Arts Degree in German Literature from the University of Alabama and spent ten years working as a senior account manager for public entity self-funded medical and dental plan cooperatives. She is excited to work with the new and current board members to carry out the vision set forth in the new D34 Strategic Plan. “I have faith that we will all work to the best of our ability to help D34 thrive and be a place where we inspire students to dream and empower them to achieve.”
Josh Cornwell
As the principal of Big Hollow Middle School, Josh Cornwell will be coming to the D34 Board of Education with a wealth of educational knowledge and experience. Currently in his 16th year as an educator, Josh began his educational career teaching middle school ELA and Social Studies before transitioning into administration, where he has served as both a middle school Assistant Principal and Principal. Josh earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Illinois, in addition to a Masters in Arts in Secondary Teaching and a Masters in Arts in School Leadership, both from Concordia University Chicago.
Antioch residents since 2015, Josh and his wife Chanelle are proud parents to Nathaniel, 6, and Georgia, 8, who attend Hillcrest Elementary School. As a parent, Josh has served as a member of the D34 Parent Advisory Committee and as a board member, is looking forward to supporting the ongoing work that is already taking place in the district as we “continue to ensure schools are inclusive, equitable spaces for all students” and “provide learning environments that educate the whole child (academic, behavioral, social-emotional.)”
Tamar Lasko
A 14-year resident of Antioch, Tamar Lasko and her husband Loren are parents to two Hillcrest Hurricanes, Amelia, 5th grade, and Ellie, 2nd grade. Having served as a middle school Language Arts teacher for ten years, Tamar Lasko comes to the D34 Board of Education with a students-first approach and is focused on the success of all students. “My hopes for the future of D34 are to see decisions made with the inclusivity of all students in mind.”
Tamar received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois, a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis and a Master in Science in Library and Information Studies from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Tamar has a passion for reading and baking and spends time regularly volunteering at Feed My Starving Children.
The new board members will join incumbents Mary Beth Hulting, Lori Linck and Tiffany Cappell who were all re-elected to the D34 Board of Education, as well as Angie Baranello, who was not up for re-election this year.
