Public commenters, former board members and fellow trustees used nearly an hour of the April 17 meeting to recognize Tony Quagliano for more than 20 years of service on the Huntley Community School District 158 Board of Education.

Jennifer Troy read written remarks from former board member Kim Skajah recounting Quagliano's role finding what she described as a tax‑cap loophole and traveling to Springfield to help craft a legislative fix. "It was Tony who discovered this problem, and it was he who traveled to Springfield on numerous occasions working with other board members and our state legislators to fix the loophole," the remarks read.

Commenters praised Quagliano's fiscal leadership during a period when the district faced cash shortages and had to issue tax‑anticipation warrants, credited him with helping the district recover financially and described him as a steady collaborator during teacher contract negotiations and district growth. Several speakers — including Dr. Rowe, Kevin Gentry and others who identified themselves as former board members or long‑time community residents — noted Quagliano's role in referenda, debt management and negotiations with state officials.

The board presented plaques and a newly created "platinum pass" — a token that, the superintendent said, will allow outgoing members to attend district home athletic and fine‑arts events as a guest — and other gestures of appreciation. During the public‑comment period and later in board remarks, speakers repeatedly thanked Quagliano's family for their support.

Why it matters: Multiple speakers credited Quagliano with technical knowledge of school finance that they said benefited the district and, in at least one instance, other Illinois districts. Comments described policy work that reached beyond local budgeting into interactions with state legislators to change the application of a tax cap provision.

Quagliano spoke briefly near the meeting's end and thanked colleagues and his family. The board did not take any formal governance action arising from the tributes; the remarks were recognition and public comment.

Speakers who contributed remarks in the meeting included Jennifer Troy (who read Kim Skajah's comments), Kim Skajah (former board member; remarks were read), Dr. Rowe (identified with the honorific "Dr."), Michael Clark, Don Trudell, Kathleen Truffman, Kevin Gentry and multiple current board members who offered personal reflections and public thanks.