Patrick D. Bernardo

The meeting featured reports from the Board President regarding athletic team successes and the Superintendent on theater renovation progress and HIB updates. Committee reports included discussions on 2026-2027 budget planning, potential state aid, curriculum additions for AP courses and cursive writing, and policy reviews regarding student cell phone usage. The Board also received an update on the Superintendent search and approved a series of resolutions spanning personnel appointments and leaves, student home instruction, tuition contracts, textbook adoptions, and financial disbursements.

The meeting included an executive session to discuss matters related to pending litigation, attorney client privilege, and personnel issues. Key agenda items involved approving field trips, tuition for students, the creation of a Psychology Club stipend position, and approving after-school enrichment programs. Finance resolutions covered accepting reports, approving various payments including check journals and vouchers, and renewing participation in the School Employees' Health Benefits Program starting January 1, 2026. Buildings and Grounds discussions focused on payments for unit ventilator replacements and auditorium renovations, accepting the bus evacuation drill completion reports, and submitting the auditorium renovation plan to the State. Personnel actions included approving substitute teachers, various appointments for chaperones and coaches (including splitting stipends for some positions), approving conference reimbursements, accepting a staff resignation effective July 1, 2026, and approving payments for student teacher mentorship programs and home instruction.

The meeting featured a presentation of the annual audit by Jeffrey Bliss of Lerch, Vinci & Bliss, LLP, who reported an unmodified opinion, no material findings in internal controls, and noted a planned reduction in Fund Balance to cover the locker room renovation. Key financial discussions included the planned use of Capital Reserve funds for bridge repairs and HVAC projects in the 25-26 budget, and the existence of $509K in extraordinary aid money. The Board approved several resolutions across education, finance, building and grounds, policy, and personnel categories. Education resolutions included accepting HIB reports, approving home instruction schedules, creating a new stipend club, and approving tuition and mandated services. Finance resolutions involved accepting reports, approving bill payments, approving general fund transfers, accepting a donation, approving student substance abuse testing contracts, and accepting the 2024/25 CAFR. Building and Grounds approved payments to LAN Architects for unit ventilator replacements and a renovation study. Policy resolutions involved the first read of several policies relating to equity, curriculum, and concussion prevention, and reviewing an abolished policy. Personnel actions included approving substitute custodians, rescinding and appointing various coaches and staff for the 2025/26 school year, approving staff conference reimbursements, approving a professional development workshop, approving additional hours for a substitute paraprofessional, and appointing home instructors. The Board also tabled a resolution regarding a Memorandum of Agreement with the Park Ridge Education Association (PREA).

The meeting commenced with the swearing in of new Board Members, Rosemarie Malloy and Matt Rozzi, who will serve terms expiring in 2028. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and reading of the Open Public Meetings Act, the results of the election for two 3-year terms were noted. The organization portion included the election of Mr. Bradler as President and Ms. Browne as Vice-President. Key actions taken included authorizing the payment of vouchers, approving vouchers for review, continuing the Uniform Minimum Chart of Accounts, appointing legal newspapers and setting the time and place for future regular monthly meetings. Additionally, the Board established depository and signature authorities for various accounts, approved petty cash funds, authorized continuations of flexible spending, 403(b), and 457 deferred compensation plans, and approved the Organizational Chart. Various personnel appointments were confirmed, including Robert Wright as Custodian of Records, Qualified Purchasing Agent, IPM Coordinator, and Right-To-Know Coordinator, and Troy Lederman as the Affirmative Action Officer. The Board also approved the District Mission Statement and discussed/approved the Code of Ethics. Finally, Finance Resolutions F1 and F2, concerning the appointment of legal firms and approval of vendors exceeding the bid threshold for 2026, were approved via the consent agenda.

The agenda for the Monthly Meeting included an adjournment to a private session to discuss pending litigation, attorney client privilege, and personnel matters. Key discussion items involved the approval of various resolutions under Education, Finance, Policy, and Personnel categories. Education resolutions included acceptance of suspension/HIB reports, review of the January 2026 SSDS submissions, approvals for student home instruction and tuition revisions, approval of the Memorandum of Agreement with the Park Ridge Education Association (PREA) for 2026-2031, and adoption of basic textbooks for the 2026/2027 school year. Finance resolutions covered the certification of the January 2026 monthly financial report, approval of various payments including bills and athletic vouchers, approval of General Fund Transfers for January 2026, acceptance of 2025-26 legal costs as meeting control criteria, establishment of the maximum travel expenditure for 2026-2027, and approval of tuition/transportation contracts. Policy resolutions included the first read of Policy 5111. Personnel actions approved included appointments and rescinds for Schedule "E" positions, reimbursement for staff conference expenses, approval of a school district liaison to law enforcement, and details regarding staff leaves of absence and additional stipends for teaching extra periods.