Andrew Farkas

The board accepted treasurer's reports and approved bill payments for February and March. Discussions included staff updates regarding cleaning services and accreditation progress, the progress of the sensory bus project, and outreach and programming reports. Additionally, the board approved several resolutions concerning updated personnel policies, including revisions to vacation leave, blood and organ donation leave, VESSA leave, pregnancy discrimination, artificial intelligence usage, family neonatal intensive care leave, mobility device access, and service animal policies. An agency overview was provided, and updates on FOIA request trends and upcoming facility and event initiatives were discussed.

The board meeting agenda includes the review of the Treasurer's Report, approval of payments for March bills totaling $195,426.19, and the presentation of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget for subsequent approval. Staff and committee reports will be presented covering areas such as fundraising, sponsorships, marketing, outreach, facility management, and programming for various demographics including youth, teens, and adults. The board will also address facilities, planning, and other general functions.

The board meeting covered several key items, including the acceptance of the treasurer's report and approval of bill payments. A special presentation was held by the Lincolnway Special Recreation Foundation, highlighting record-breaking donations and upcoming fundraising partnerships with local businesses. The executive director provided updates on staff activities, including evaluations of cleaning services, progress on various grants, and the sensory garden initiative. Further reports included updates from the outreach, facility management, and recreation programs divisions. Finally, the board conducted an amendment to previously held meeting minutes and reviewed an agency overview for the spring-summer period.

The board meeting agenda included reviews of the treasurer's reports and the payment of bills for February and March. Reports were provided by the executive director, superintendent of recreation, and various supervisors regarding fundraising, outreach, inclusion, facility management, and programming. The board reviewed policy memos and deliberated on new business items, specifically an agency overview, and the adoption of several resolutions related to record disposal, employee leave policies, pregnancy discrimination, artificial intelligence usage, mobility device access, and service animals.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Key financial discussions included the acceptance of the December 31, 2025 Treasurer's Report and the approval of bills totaling $245,833.32, which included lodging and travel expenses. New staff members, the Facility Foreman and an Intern, were introduced. Staff reports covered the Foundation's activities, receipt of a $10,000 donation, securing a $5,000 Ecolab grant for the Sensory Mobile program, progress on the Heroes Village Sensory Garden grant submission, and updates on the Sensory Bus repairs. The Distinguished Agency Accreditation goal was reset to 2027. The Marketing Coordinator reported on social media performance and the brochure launch. Program supervisors detailed activities including wheelchair basketball teams, Special Olympics participation, and program intakes. An audit presentation was delivered by Lauterbach & Amen representatives. New Business involved the approval of the 2024-25 Audit as presented, a review of the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, and a summary of the 2024-25 Annual Report. Legal counsel advised the Board on changes to FOIA request procedures effective January 1, 2026.