Jenna Eberhardt

The meeting addressed several key areas. During the visitor comments, concerns regarding livestreaming music events and interior security cameras were raised. In the Superintendent's Report, updates were provided on construction projects, noting that Meadowbrook Gymnasium is on schedule and bidding is underway for the new Meadowbrook School, Greenbriar, and Westmoor projects. A significant issue discussed was the negative financial impact of delayed property tax billing from Cook County, leading to an approved resolution requesting accountability and correction of these systemic issues. The Board also approved a resolution authorizing participation in related property tax proceedings. The consent agenda covered payroll disbursements for parts of November, December 2025, and January 2026, along with vendor invoices for December 2025 and January 2026. Personnel actions included the recommended employment of several staff members and acceptance of various resignations and leaves of absence. The Human Resources section involved the approval of two new job descriptions for the Tech Department: District Systems Technician and Network and Systems Engineer. The Director of Student Services announced that two teachers will lead the 2026 Summer Programming. The Board approved an application for the School Maintenance Project Grant to fund HVAC replacements at Westmoor. The Policy Committee's final review and approval of numerous updated policies from PRESS 120 were confirmed. Regarding the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 reorganization, the report confirmed its official approval and discussed the need for districts to evaluate service utilization and subsequent staffing adjustments.

The meeting began with a Tax Levy Hearing, where the 2025 Tax Levy of $48.3 million, representing a 4.99% increase from the 2024 levy, was presented, calculated to fund the 2026-27 school year, before the hearing was closed. A visitor commented on ADA accommodations. The Superintendent provided construction updates, noting that the Meadowbrook gymnasium is on track for spring completion, and design phases for new schools at Meadowbrook, Greenbriar, and Westmoor are nearing completion, with bids planned soon. Updates were also given on the TrueNorth Cooperative reorganization and the proposed 2026-27 School Calendar. Under the Consent Agenda, payroll for late October and early November 2025, vendor invoices totaling $3,935,340.84, and personnel actions including new hires and resignations were approved. The Finance Report for October 2025 was approved, and a resolution was adopted to authorize bill payments during the gap between monthly board meetings. The 2025 Certificate of Tax Levy was formally adopted, along with the 2025 Tax Levy Extension Resolution detailing fund allocations. Amendments to the 403(b)/457(b) Retirement Plans to comply with SECURE 2.0 legislation were approved. Student Services reported progress on Summer Programming Principal hiring. The Annual Student Achievement Update was presented. Payments (Pay App #3 and #4) for the Meadowbrook Gym Construction were approved. Legislation updates concerning immunization access and civil rights protection were shared. Finally, the Board convened in Closed Session to discuss employee matters and potential litigation.

The agenda for the regular meeting includes superintendent reports on construction updates and several action items for the consent agenda, covering payroll spanning from November 2025 through January 2026, bills, personnel changes, and the destruction of old closed session recordings. Staff and committee reports focus on Finance, including approval of the Financial Report, the Tentative Budget Calendar for 2027, and resolutions concerning the FY27 Tentative Budget and property tax proceedings. Human Resources will address job descriptions for a District Systems Technician and a Network and Systems Engineer. Buildings & Grounds will present an action item regarding the FY26 School Maintenance Project Grant. Policy updates involve the final reading and adoption of PRESS 120, along with numerous specific policy updates and one review item. Communications and TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 updates are also scheduled before New Business and Closed Session.

The Policy Committee meeting included a review of PRESS 119 for the first reading, encompassing suggested changes for updated policies. Fifteen policies were reviewed as part of the five-year review and monitor cycle, and these policies are slated for presentation at the subsequent October Board Meeting for final adoption.

The board meeting primarily focused on construction updates for several district facilities. Key discussions included the ongoing construction at Metobrook, noting that work is on schedule with no safety incidents reported, progress on concrete pouring and masonry work, and upcoming milestones such as finishing wall construction in November. Conceptual drawings for the new Metobrook building layout were presented, including office, library media center, hub spaces, and STEM classroom areas, with plans to go to bid in December for a potential April construction start. Updates were also provided for Westmore, detailing the cafetorium addition, remodeling, relocation of the blacktop, and plans to repurpose the current gymnatorium into flexible classroom or physical education space, with bidding scheduled for spring. Finally, a detailed multi-phase replacement plan for Greenbryer was discussed, focusing on replacing the oldest wing to eliminate basement classrooms, relocate the cafeteria, and add new classroom additions on the east side, while carefully managing the scope to avoid triggering mandatory storm shelter requirements. The future possibility of expanding the Greenbryer building was noted but deferred due to funding and code timelines.