Herscher Community Unit School District 2

The meeting commenced with a closed session to consider personnel and negotiations matters, followed by the regular session call to order. Staff recognition was given to multiple individuals for achievements including advanced degrees, specific awards (ACE award), and staff training roles. The consent agenda included approval of the Treasurer's Report/Balance Sheet, bills, salaries, and investments totaling $38,256,997.48, and approval for a resolution regarding closed session recordings/minutes older than 18 months, as well as a medical leave request. Under new business, the board approved extra-curricular resignations for coaching positions and non-certified hires for paraprofessional and secretarial roles. Approval was also granted for a contract for the HHS Principal for the 26-27 SY. Discussion was held regarding the attendance of the school district attorney at all closed sessions (tabled), and a music booster spaghetti dinner fundraiser at a venue serving alcohol.

The meeting commenced with the recognition of Students of the Month. A public hearing concerning the School District Tax Levy was held and subsequently closed. Key actions included the approval of the Treasurer's Report, Bills, Salaries, and Investments, totaling significant figures across regular bills, payroll/benefits, and investments. The Board approved several future leave requests and the Certified Resignation of the HHS Principal and a Non-Certified Resignation. New non-certified hires were approved. A major action was the approval of a resolution to issue up to $50,000,000 in General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2026, for building alterations, repairs, equipment installation for safety and security, and refunding existing bonds. The FY25 Audit Report was distributed. The Board approved security camera upgrades for HHS and the adoption of the 2025 School District Tax Levy, which included a public reading of current cash reserve balances. The Board also approved snow removal quotes and a bid for Asbestos Abatement. Finally, revisions/additions to the Board Policy Manual were approved.

The board meeting included recognition of students of the month. The consent agenda was approved, including the treasurer's report, approval of bills, salaries and investments, approval of resolution regarding closed session recordings, and approval of leave requests. The superintendent's report included donations, good news, FOIA report, overnight trips update, snow removal quotes, report regarding KACC, procurement committee update, discussion regarding possible board training through IASB, and the 2025 official summative designation. New business included a transportation report, review of the district IL report card, tech report, certified and non-certified hires, extra-curricular appointments, review of the proposed 2025 school district tax levy and report, approval of truth in taxation resolution for fiscal year 2026, setting a public hearing regarding tax levy, declaring district owned items as surplus, direction regarding delegate assembly/legislative items, discussion of board convention, approval of 2026 maintenance grant application, and approval of bus maintenance contract. An addendum to a building project was tabled. The board also had a first reading of the board policy manual addition/revision. The December meeting will be on the third Monday to allow for 30 days required for tax levy.

A public hearing to approve a proposed tax levy increase for Herscher Community School District Number 2 will be held. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $17,123,165, while the proposed taxes for 2024 are $18,570,750, representing an 8.452% increase. Property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2023 were $1,848,444, with estimated taxes for 2024 at $1,853,000, a 0.246% increase. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $18,971,816, and the estimated total for 2024 is $20,423,750, a 7.653% increase.

The budget includes estimated beginning fund balances, receipts/revenues from local, state, and federal sources, and disbursements/expenditures for various funds including educational operations and maintenance, debt service, transportation, municipal retirement/social security, capital projects, working cash, tort, and fire prevention & safety. It also covers student activity funds. Expenditures are detailed by function and object, including instruction, support services, community services, and payments to other districts and government units.