Demetra Baxter-Oliver

The agenda for this meeting included the Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, general Discussion items, and Board of Education Action Items concerning the approval of two conferences: NABSE and NSBA. Policy matters were scheduled, followed by an Executive Session to discuss specific employee matters (appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal), student disciplinary cases, collective negotiating matters concerning salary schedules, and the discussion or approval of minutes lawfully closed under the Act. The agenda concluded with Audience Participation and Adjournment.

Key discussion topics for this meeting include the Superintendent's report covering Monthly Fund Balance and Tax Collection Update. Presentations are scheduled for TAW, PHESD 144 Interfund Loan Approval, Tax Levy, Lit in the Hills Incentive, updates from Highlands School, the Athletic Department, and SY 25-26 School Improvement Plans, as well as ISBE SY25-26 Summative School Designations. Department updates are expected from Curriculum Instruction and Equity, Specialized Services, Human Resources, Family and Community Engagement, Technology, and Operations. Action items include approving TAW, the interfund loan, the Tax Levy, personnel recommendations, adoption of Press Plus Policies (117, 118, 119), invoices, payroll, SY 25-26 School Improvement Plans, and several new vendors (Curalink, Identity Force-Transunion, The Chicago Wolves, I-Hire, Prime Food Service), and professional development. Policy actions involve approving Press Plus Updates and revisions for several policies for adoption. An Executive Session is scheduled to discuss a Teacher Vacancy Grant, employee discipline/performance, student disciplinary cases, collective negotiating matters concerning salary schedules, and review of lawfully closed minutes.

The meeting agenda focused on critical administrative and contractual matters. Key discussion and action items included the appointment of an Interim Superintendent and an Interim Director of Student Services. The Board also addressed several consultant contracts, including those related to CSBO, Bryn Gibson, Damond Holt, and Alexander Dumas, along with their Statements of Work (SOW) and invoices. Other items involved the HYA Search Firm Contract, payment processing for Kirhaboucek and Attorney Boucek, and reconciliation for the 2026 EDI Speaker. The Executive Session covered topics such as the appointment/discipline of employees, litigation, student disciplinary cases, collective negotiating matters, and review of executive session minutes.

The key discussion items for this special meeting included potential actions regarding the appointment of an Interim Superintendent, the approval of an Interim Director of Student Services, the approval of a CSBO Consultant, the approval of various stipends, and the approval of personnel recommendations. The agenda also included a section for approving consultant invoices. The body planned to enter an Executive Session to discuss employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees; litigation matters; student disciplinary cases; collective negotiating matters concerning salary schedules; and the review/approval of lawfully closed minutes.

The agenda for this Board of Education meeting included reports from the Board President and Superintendent, with a specific focus on the Monthly Fund Balance. Discussion topics covered the Board Retreat, Bremen Township Policy, NSBA Earlybird Registration/Classes, a debrief of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Conference, Special Education Consultants, the Black History Month Extravaganza scheduled for February 2026, a Professional Development Request, and various department updates spanning Curriculum, Instruction, Equity, Specialized Services, Human Resources, Technology, and Operations. Presentations included updates on HYA-CSBO, the FY 26 School Maintenance Project Grant, and a Financial - Tax Collection Update. Action items involved approving payments for several consultants and individuals, approving new vendors and existing vendor contracts, approving invoices, payroll, personnel recommendations, professional development, Quarter 2 Compensation, the Black History Month Extravaganza, Board Retreat dates, the FY 26 School Maintenance Project Grant, and a second reading of Press Plus 120. New Business included a possible disciplinary action concerning administrative staff. The session concluded with a closed Executive Session addressing employee employment/discipline, litigation matters, student disciplinary cases, collective negotiating matters regarding salary schedules, and discussion of lawfully closed minutes.