TTHS D205 approves agreement with county sheriff for event security

The Thornton Township High School District 205 board secured a partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, approved trademarking plans, and authorized a transportation contract for McKinney-Vento students at its Oct. 7 meeting. 

The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide additional security services at games and select school events. 

The district will pay an hourly rate of $80 per officer and $90 per supervisor.

District to begin trademarking process

Associate Superintendent Jerry Doss presented a resolution to begin registering district trademarks. Doss said he has been working with the board attorney to copyright the district’s logos, likenesses, and images. He shared that a school in Texas allegedly attempted to sue the district for using a “triple-T” logo for Thornton Township High School.

“As we are moving through this AI environment, it’s very easy to co-opt those things,” Doss said. The board unanimously approved the resolution.

Transportation services for McKinney-Vento students

The board approved a master agreement with First Student Transportation for the 2026-27 school year. The company will provide transportation services for McKinney-Vento students starting at a daily rate of $680.

Karen Anderson, director of pupil and personnel services, explained that the daily rate is an average and that the final cost is determined by student and district needs. She added that the district may be required to hold a bid meeting to determine a solution for students in the foster care system.

“If it is determined by the state of Illinois that it is in best interest for [foster care students] to remain at our home school, then we are required to transport those students,” Anderson said. “Therefore, we split those costs, or sometimes the other district will carry the cost, but we get one hundred percent reimbursable coverage.”

News from the schools

Tony Ratliff, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, presented updates and student achievements from across the district.

Ratliff updated the board on Thornridge High School’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. Through the program, students can earn points for punctuality, consistent academic engagement, and leadership in their classes and redeem them for monthly after-school field trips. This month’s reward is an excursion to Lynwood Skating Rink.  Ratliff said 64 participating students have earned 150 points each, so far. 

Forty-seven Thornridge students participated in Falcon Academy on Sept. 26, a program where teachers and academic coaches provide tutoring assistance on most Saturdays. The academy plans to add ACT prep, credit recovery, community service projects, and character education to its offerings. 

Thornton Township High School students participated in the Jesse L. Jackson National Teen Voter Registration and Youth Empowerment at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters. Students participated in voter-registration assistance, a discussion about House Bill 4339 — which requires schools with grades 9 through 12 to provide voter registration opportunities — and other civic-engagement programming and entertainment.  

Thornwood High School’s Ladies Flag Football team completed its season on Oct. 5 following a 12-18 loss against Orland Park’s Sandburg High School in the state playoffs. The Lady Thunderbirds were undefeated during their regular season at 11-0. 

Thornwood High School alumna Amira Hondras is now a professional baseball champion after the Los Angeles Queens won the World Series in the inaugural women’s professional baseball league. The South Holland native was featured on NBC Chicago following the victory.