Connie Crawley

The Board of Education meeting covered a variety of administrative and operational items. Key topics included the presentation of Board Scholar Awards, the review of financial reports and bills, and the processing of staff resignations and new hires for the upcoming school year. The board addressed policy matters, including the Consolidated District Plan, Special Education policy updates, an SRO agreement, and intergovernmental agreements for the Abe Lincoln Academy and cooperative sports programs. The agenda also included a hearing for the amended fiscal year budget, discussions on insurance renewals, updates to the school calendar, and preliminary approval for changes to board policies. A closed session was scheduled to discuss specific employee-related personnel matters.

The Board of Education approved the consent agenda, which included various personnel resignations and hirings, as well as the IESA Membership Renewal. The board also approved student suspensions and reviewed the Superintendent's report regarding facilities, including concrete work at Central, keyless entry project progress, parking lot maintenance at Northwest, and updates on the scratch cooking program. A public hearing was held for an e-Learning program, which was subsequently approved. Additional actions included approving FMLA requests, providing preliminary approval for changes to Board Policies, changing the upcoming board meeting date, and authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology and Illinois Century Network. The board also held a closed session to discuss employment and collective bargaining matters.

The board meeting included the approval of personnel items such as resignations and new hires, and the designation of Board Scholars for the first nine-week period of the school year. Student suspensions were approved as presented. The superintendent provided updates on a school building addition, parent-teacher conference attendance, Illinois Assessment Readiness scores, community grant funding, sales tax revenue, and district support efforts during a recent food security initiative. The board also approved a Family Medical Leave Act request, a tax abatement resolution for revenue bonds, and the Tentative Tax Levy. Final approval was granted for several board policy updates, and a five-year contract renewal for digital copy services was authorized. Additionally, the board entered a closed session to discuss personnel and property acquisition, later reconvening to approve the purchase of property located at 316 Eighth Street.

The Board of Education approved the consent agenda, including various staff resignations, school improvement plans, local food bids, and maintenance grants. Key topics discussed included student suspensions, a superintendent's report highlighting building transitions at the Central campus, future plans for a Cares Closet, progress on Energy Transition Grant funding, and the promotion of literacy through new book vending machines. The board also designated students as Board Scholars, approved FMLA requests, authorized a workers' compensation renewal, and provided preliminary approval for various updates to Board Policies.

The Board discussed various administrative and personnel matters, including several staff resignations and new hires for the upcoming school year. Additional agenda items included reports from the Superintendent and principals, reviews of student suspensions, and the consideration of handbook changes for the 2026-27 school year. The board also addressed the amendment of the FY26 budget, final approval of board policy updates, the approval of the 2026-29 master contract, and the determination of salary extensions for administrative and non-union employees. A closed session was held to discuss personnel-related matters and collective bargaining.