James A. Britton

The meeting included an executive session followed by a return to open session. Key discussions and actions involved the recognition of students and coaches for state championship participation and a Coach of the Year award. Public comments were received concerning specific high school matters and a local issue. A public hearing was held and subsequently closed regarding the proposed 2025 tax levy. A significant agenda item was the censure of Board Member Peter Dombrowski, which passed 6-1. The Board unanimously approved several consent agenda items, including bills for payment, financial reports as of October 31, 2025, and personnel recommendations covering new hires, resignations, and employment terminations. The Board approved the 2025 tax levy of $290,701,000. Financial reports, including the 2024-2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Popular Annual Financial Report, were received and reviewed. The Board approved an application for the FY 2026 School Maintenance Project Grant for chiller replacement at Palatine High School, approved customization services from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), and adopted Board of Education Protocols and Superintendent Communication Guidelines. Finally, retirement requests were approved, and the administrative appointment of Michael Smith as principal of James B. Conant High School, effective July 1, 2026, was ratified.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. A significant portion of the agenda involved an action item to enter closed session to discuss confidential matters including personnel, security, and collective negotiating. Following the closed session, the board reconvened in open session. The main focus of the open session was the recognition and honoring of numerous student athletes from various high schools who achieved state placements in golf, boys cross country, volleyball, unified soccer, and tennis championships. Coaches provided detailed accounts of the athletes' achievements, including records set and team successes. Later in the meeting, the 2025 boys tennis 2A Coach of the Year award was presented. The session concluded with greetings for the upcoming winter break and an appreciation segment where students from an applied technology class presented the board members with custom-made cutting boards.

The Board of Education meeting included several recognition segments. The first acknowledged 43 District 211 students from the class of 2026 as National Merit Semi-Finalists, representing the top academic performers in the nation. Subsequently, recognition was given to students who achieved a perfect composite score of 36 on the ACT, another rare academic distinction. Additionally, a staff member, Rebecca "Becky" Mcnami from Shamberg High School, was recognized by the Board and the Shamberg Fire Department Chief for her quick thinking in performing the Heimlich maneuver twice to save a choking student. Public comments were then heard, focusing on topics such as student safety regardless of zip code or identity, and domestic violence awareness during October, including statistics related to gun violence in domestic abuse situations.

The Board of Education convened for a regular meeting, which included a closed session to discuss lawfully closed meeting minutes and employee matters, reconvening into open session later. Key discussions and actions involved honoring Veterans for the upcoming Veterans Day. Public comments were heard on topics including English as a Second Language programming, Physical Education/Lunch Flex, Mid-Suburban League sports, and Palatine Township matters. Under the Consent Agenda, the Board approved payment of bills totaling $3,417,488.06 and accepted several donations. The Board approved a base bid for locker room renovation at Hoffman Estates High School, personnel recommendations including new hires and resignations, and resolutions for intervention in State Property Tax Appeal Board proceedings concerning valuation reductions exceeding $100,000 for property tax year 2024. Furthermore, the Board approved the proposed 2025 tax levy resolution of $290,701,000, directing a public hearing notice for December 11, 2025. Other actions included directing the posting of School Report Cards by November 30, 2025, approval of the fall Curriculum Committee report, approval of five new in-district professional development courses, approval of business for auditorium improvements at Palatine High School, approval of the sale of property at 1527 Louise Lane, Palatine, and approval of future expense reimbursement for a Board member attending a conference. The Board also approved the retirement request effective May 2026 and resolutions for the suspension and dismissal of two tenured employees, Kevin Beers and Leonel Clark-Johnson. The Superintendent provided updates on recent activities including involvement with the District Advisory Committee for Educational Excellence and the first Superintendent's Student Advisory Council meeting.

The Board of Education meeting included recognitions for National Merit Semifinalists and students with the highest possible composite score on the ACT exam. The board discussed and reviewed the District Academic Goals Progress Report for 2024-2025, financial reports, investment reports, student activities reports, and accepted donations. They also approved personnel recommendations, resolutions authorizing intervention in proceedings before the State Property Tax Appeal Board, and reviewed Freedom of Information Act requests and information on free and reduced-priced meal eligibility for 2025-2026. Furthermore, the board discussed and approved proposed policy revisions and deletions, foreign exchange trips for the summer of 2026, and the purchase of SWYE360 software. The formation of a Board of Education Finance Committee, Board of Education Student Representatives, and Board of Education Protocols were also discussed. Finally, the board approved retirement requests, an administrative appointment, and setting a sale price for the sale of a student building construction house.