Retiring Dist. 2 board member receives state service award
Bensenville Elementary School District 2 Board of Education Member Kathy Lane recently was honored with a Distinguished Service Award by the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association for 20 years of service.
The statewide Distinguished Service Award program honors individuals who have consistently gone above and beyond on behalf of their schools, and whose efforts have enhanced education and conveyed its importance to the community at large. Distinguished Service Award winners are public relations ambassadors who have made a positive impact on communication and education.
Mrs. Lane was elected to the Board of Education in 1991, after the school district had failed six referendums. She worked on the committee that passed an education fund referendum in 2002.
As chairman of the Facilities Task Force, Mrs. Lane led an exhaustive two-year community engagement effort in 2005 to examine alternatives to updating the district's elementary schools. She brought together parents, community members and staff to develop on the Facilities Task Force plan, which led to an unsuccessful referendum in 2007.
“She was voracious in her appetite to know more, to make solid decisions in the best interest of kids. She didn't care if the outlook for passage of a referendum was bleak - she would never give up,” said Jill Rodriquez, executive director of the Bensenville Community Library, fellow member of the Rotary Club and referendum volunteer.
It is for her overall contribution to the community, her persistent promotion of the needs of schools, her passion for students and a vision for a quality school district that she received a 2011 Distinguished Service Award. Mrs. Lane retired from the Board, stepping down May 3.
“Kathy's collective wisdom, expertise, compassion, and caring for our children and our community cannot be overstated,” said Board President Patty Reyes.
Mrs. Lane received her award at INSPRA's awards luncheon on Friday, May 6, at the Park Ridge Country Club, in Park Ridge, IL.