Paula A. Cardona

The committee meeting focused primarily on reviewing donations and financial reports. A significant portion of the discussion involved reviewing numerous donations received for various student activities and programs, including food supplies, Thanksgiving dinners, and monetary contributions for sports teams, NJRTC, and Key Club. Financial discussions included presenting expanded, in-depth financial reports for November and December, incorporating cash summaries, cash flow, expenses, and revenue comparisons to the prior year. Additionally, the committee addressed the solicitation of quotes for kitchen equipment replacements at Coward, East High, and Waldo, prioritizing the Coward kitchen due to its role as a central production facility. A request for 0.1 overloads for East High School, including five special education overloads necessitated by a teacher resignation to maintain IEP compliance, was also presented for action.

The meeting addressed informational items and future actions. A representative from the East Educational Foundation provided an update on their activities, including planned scholarship distributions totaling $120,000 and mini-grants, and announced a forthcoming $125,000 contribution toward stadium improvements. The committee received bid results for the Brady Fire Panel replacement, noting only one bid was received, which presents challenges due to tariffs on imported components; a decision on this item is deferred to a future board meeting. Information was also presented regarding the rebidding of E-Rate software licenses for network and wireless equipment, noting that only one bid was received through the federal portal, and an update was provided on the application for a Project Maintenance Grant, intended to fund the Oak Park window project. Finally, there was a discussion about the City of Aurora's Mastodon Lake cleanup project, which involves dredging and shoreline improvements, and a request for consent to use the outskirts of the high school practice field for temporary soil containment, with the nutrient-rich soil planned for field leveling the following year. The committee also reviewed an RFP for a new postage machine, where one proposal from Postal Source for a five-year term was presented.

The meeting commenced with the calling to order and a roll call. A public comment was provided by the Chair of the NAACP DuPage County, raising concerns about achievement gaps and referral rates for African-American students as detailed in the school improvement plan, requesting accountability for promised systemic changes. Student reports included updates on upcoming events like the East West Games, cheer and wrestling team successes, and chess team participation. The Cats Club provided an update on their work promoting cultural diversity and leadership, including receiving the city of Aurora's MLK award and plans for Black History Month activities. The Superintendent provided information regarding the upcoming Black History Month celebration on February 26th, featuring a keynote speaker and performances from the Leo High School Choir and the East Aurora High School Step team. Additionally, an overview of the elementary dual language program was presented, detailing commitments to bilingualism, lessons learned regarding implementation challenges such as family choice and staffing, and the process for gathering community and staff feedback through town halls and surveys to inform future programming decisions.

The committee discussed several informational items. Key topics included an update on the City of Aurora facility assessment, where the committee decided to seek updated pricing from Cord and Clark to potentially lower costs, with a plan to review further information at the next meeting. Another item concerned the City of Aurora Mastadon Lake improvements project, focusing on the temporary storage of dredge material in large socks on practice fields, with assurances provided that the fields would not be fully encroached upon. The committee also reviewed a resolution for the sale and disposal of personal property, involving the recycling of damaged equipment such as servers, battery backups, and student devices (Chromebooks and iPads), noting that an external vendor handles the secure wiping and resale of Apple products. Finally, a work order summary was presented, highlighting on-time completion rates for delivery orders and an expected uptick in maintenance orders due to recent cold weather and a high school coil issue, noting the team's excellent response to the incident. The posting date of the document suggests the meeting occurred in February 2026.

The meeting centered on presentations regarding School Improvement Plans (SIP) and the 2026 magnet lottery process. The Fred Rogers Magnet Academy presented data showing strong math and literacy proficiency scores exceeding district expectations, alongside a focus on respect and relationship metrics, noting a significant drop in chronic absenteeism. Their SIP goals target a 5% improvement in numeracy and literacy standards, emphasizing classroom discussion and questioning techniques. Simmons Middle School also presented its SIP, focusing on strengthening Tier One instruction, noting stable average daily attendance (ADA) at 91% and a decrease in chronic absenteeism from 40% to 28%. Their goals included achieving a 5% increase in literacy and numeracy proficiency and reducing chronic absenteeism below 30%. The committee also reviewed the 2026 magnet lottery timeline, including eligibility criteria based on NWA MAP assessments and grades, and the establishment of a Parent Advisory Committee as required by Illinois law.