For Immediate Release
November 19, 2006
Brian Waitkus named 2006 Thomas Lay Burroughs Award winner by Illinois
State Board of Education
La Salle Elementary District school board president honored for dedication
Springfield, Ill. – Brian Waitkus, president of La Salle Elementary
District #122, was honored today by Dr. Christopher J. Ward, vice-chair of
the Illinois State Board of Education, with the 2006 Thomas Lay Burroughs
Award during the annual joint conference of the Illinois Association of School
Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and Illinois Association
of School Business Officials in Chicago.
“The State Board of Education is honored to recognize Brian Waitkus
for the work, passion and dedication he has shown thru his years of service
on the La Salle school board,” Ward said. “His leadership to
improve educational opportunities and learning for LaSalle students should
be admired.”
Waitkus has served on the La Salle school board since 1991. This November
marked his ninth year as school board president of the elementary district,
which has an enrollment of 920 students in grades pre-K through eighth-grade.
“Mr. Waitkus addresses crises and difficulties with courage and patience.
He is able to reach consensus in solving a problem,” Dr. Joan McGuire,
La Salle Elementary District Superintendent, wrote in her nomination letter
for Waitkus. “The board is informed and educated by Brian in a calm,
non-judgmental fashion. He has earned the respect of the students, teachers,
administration and community.”
Named after a former State Board chairman, the Thomas Lay Burroughs Award
was created in 1991 and is presented annually. The criteria for the award
are:
- leadership on behalf of improved student learning and educational excellence;
- leadership on behalf of equal educational opportunities; and
- leadership in resolving a crisis or major difficulty.
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