Mandy Bakas

The board received reports from the Student Board Member and Community Relations representative. The board approved the renewal of the IHSA membership and accepted the 2024/2025 Independent Financial Audit. An energy update was provided regarding electricity and natural gas procurement via reverse auction. The board also addressed upcoming student testing (ACT/Pre-ACT), reviewed committee reports, and approved the purchase of Middle School Social Studies curriculum resources. Following an executive session, the board approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of a remedial warning to a tenured teacher.

The committee meeting focused on the presentation of school improvement plans for three elementary schools: Rosie Krug Elementary, Hermas Elementary, and Brady Elementary. Key discussion areas included instructional strategies for literacy and numeracy, such as the use of flexible differentiated small group instruction and HMH resources, efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism, community building initiatives, professional development for staff, and the use of formative assessment data to drive academic success and student engagement.

The meeting included a student board member report highlighting student events such as career fairs, testing, and various extracurricular senior nights. The board recognized students for their outstanding performance in a reading tournament, noting participation numbers and values promoted through literature. The Human Resources department presented an improvement plan focused on staff retention, wellness initiatives, collective bargaining updates, and recruitment strategies. Additionally, the board approved a $62,000 grant agreement with the City of Aurora to support services addressing opioid use and substance abuse.

The committee reviewed numerous donations for various schools, including clothing, food, bicycles, and musical instruments, as well as monetary contributions for specific school programs. Monthly financial and payroll reports for February 2026 were presented. The agenda included the transfer of capital project funds, budget amendments, and the integration of the Bentech benefits platform with existing payroll systems. The committee discussed food service kitchen equipment projects, the amendment of food service contracts with Sedexo and Witson's to include a fresh fruits and vegetables grant, and meal rate adjustments. Finally, the committee initiated a request for qualifications process for employee benefits and liability insurance brokers to align future contracts with the school district's fiscal calendar cycle.

The committee discussed the results of the EAHS stadium scoreboard request for proposal, noting that costs will be offset by a donation and advertising revenue. Updates were provided regarding the resolution of sewer line issues at Krug and the progress of the district-wide facility assessment, with a request for additional cost estimates. The committee also agreed to proceed with a no-cost electrical efficiency assessment offered by ComEd to help qualify for future infrastructure grants. Additionally, the committee reviewed the status of ongoing facility maintenance work orders.