Lynette Ford

The board discussed and approved a 10-year Health Life Safety (HLS) list, the renewal of the IHSA contract, the Alternative Learning Opportunities Program, the SYTF contract, and staffing updates for the upcoming school year. Reports covered finance, committee updates on curriculum for ELA and Science, technology infrastructure projects, and school highlights. The board also addressed personnel matters including resignations, employment recommendations, and the re-employment or non-renewal of probationary teaching staff.

The board meeting agenda covered various items including the approval of Press Policy 121, membership to the Illinois Central Eight Conferences for the 27-28 school year, the SHS Band and Choir trip to Disney World, and property, casualty, and cyber insurance policies. Additionally, the board reviewed the 2026-2027 meeting dates, received a finance report including a financial snapshot, an SNP audit review, an insurance update, summer project and K-5 alignment updates, and discussed future funding options. The session also included committee updates for the Handbook and ELA committees, a closed session regarding personnel matters, student discipline, and property sales, and concluded with a review of the personnel report.

The agenda for this regular meeting includes reports and recognition, followed by approval of consent items, which cover expenditures, payroll, and investment plans. New business items slated for discussion and approval include the IHSA renewal for the upcoming school year, Press Plus Policy 118, meal rates for the 25-26 year, and an amendment to the 24-25 School Calendar. The Superintendent's Report will cover the 25-26 Board of Education meetings schedule, an update on HB 1237, and ongoing construction projects. Committee updates will be provided by the Safety Committee and the DLT Committee. The meeting is scheduled to include an executive session to discuss personnel matters, collective bargaining, student discipline, litigation, and property transactions, followed by a return to open session for approval of closed session minutes and motions arising from closed session, specifically the Personnel Report.

The Board meeting agenda included reports and recognition for student achievements, specifically IESA State Wrestling Qualifiers and Winners. Key discussions involved the review of the Policy Manual regarding Administrative Procedures and Exhibits, and the approval of the revised SYTF contract under Old Business. New Business items covered the renewal of student accident insurance and student fees for the 2025-2026 school year. The Superintendent provided updates on end-of-year events and the financial status. Committee updates were presented for Curriculum, Handbooks, and Technology. The meeting included a period for Audience to Visitors, followed by a Closed Session to discuss matters concerning personnel, collective bargaining, safety, student discipline, litigation, closed session minutes review, and property transactions, concluding with a return to Open Session for approval of Closed Session minutes and motions arising from the Closed Session, such as the Personnel Report.

The meeting commenced with a BINA Hearing concerning the Board of Education's intent to sell Working Cash Fund Bonds, not to exceed $5,000,000, for increasing the District's Working Cash Fund. Following this, the Regular Meeting included reports and recognition, such as salutes to Excellence in Education Finalists, Illinois State Scholars, and ILMEA District 8 festival selected students. Key discussions in Old Business involved community solar subscription discussions and the approval of the 2026-2027 school calendar. New Business items included discussions on the HLS List and Funding, school fees for the 2026-2027 school year, and approval of a three-year auditing contract. The Superintendent's Report provided a Financial Snapshot covering July through December, reported the approval of a $50,000 matching maintenance grant for the SHS Girls Locker Room, detailed a one-year contract service extension for Groot, and provided updates on Registration and Comprehensive Facility Planning. The meeting concluded with executive session discussions regarding personnel matters, followed by necessary approvals upon return to open session.