Board member Lou Paskalides resigns after distinguished service

Board member Lou Paskalides resigns after distinguished service

Long-time Butler School District 53 Board of Education Member Lou Paskalides resigned from the Board Oct. 15 after nearly eight years of exemplary service to the District’s children and staff.

School board officials will fill the vacancy within 45 days, as required by law, and invite District 53 residents to consider applying to fill the unexpired term. Interested D53 residents are asked to apply by Nov. 1 and interviews with potential board candidates will be held Nov. 5. Details on how to apply and the deadline are on the District 53 website www.butler53.com

Mr. Paskalides was first elected to the Board in April 2011 and re-elected in April 2015. Throughout his time, he was an active member, serving as chair of two committees, Buildings and Grounds and Technology Committees, representing the board as IASB liaison, advising the District on audio/visual needs and also serving as a liaison to the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

“Mr. Paskalides was a diligent, conscientious board member, uniquely chairing two highly productive committees and sharing his expertise as a parent, community member and veteran board member. He advocated for ideal learning environments for all children and also held high standards for board governance,” said Superintendent Dr. Heidi Wennstrom. “His insight, his child-centered leadership and his vision for 21st Century learning will be missed,” she said. 

As chair of Buildings and Grounds since 2011, he helped lead the District through major construction projects such as increasing the safety and accessibility of the school campus, including improvements to walkways, driveways and parking lots, the new PE/activities entrance at Butler Junior High, drainage improvements at both schools and reroofing projects. Dr. Sandra Martin, current Business Manager and former Superintendent said, "Mr. Paskalides will be greatly missed.  He was a dedicated board member who gave his time generously to better the school environment for students and staff."

As chair of the Technology Committee, he helped oversee the advent of a digital learning environment for students and teachers and STEM spaces at both schools. “Mr. Paskalides has been a long-time active member who always promoted the best for our teaching and learning practices,” said Technology Director Farheen Beg. “He was also a great advocate for our teachers, a strong supporter of the arts and a proponent of breakthrough technology,” she said.

“He was a strong example of what public service means to our students and community,” added Wennstrom.
Paskalides is a licensed Realtor and manager of a recording studio. He and his wife have a son who attended District 53 schools.