Lansing School District 158

The meeting commenced with opening items, including the recognition of the ABCDE Award Recipient, Lynda Torres-Todd, and the Pledge of Allegiance by Coolidge Students. Key topics on the Consent Agenda included personnel actions such as the retirement of a secretary and resignations of paraprofessionals, followed by several new employment appointments for paraprofessionals and a playground supervisor, and the adoption of a Resolution on Hazardous Bus Routes. The Superintendent's Agenda covered the Freedom of Information Act, Summer School 2026 plans, E-Learning Days, and Special Education Enrollment. New Business included the approval of recommended revisions to the Board Policy Manual, waiving the first reading for these revisions, and approving the purchase of four John Deere tractors. Further approvals included the purchase and installation of access control equipment for Oak Glen and the approval of the District Student/Parent Handbook for the 2026-2027 school year. The agenda concluded with a closed session to discuss employee matters, litigation, and student issues.

The Policy Committee reviewed the Illinois Association of School Boards' (IASB) PRESS Issue 120 updates. The Committee reached a consensus to adopt IASB revisions for numerous Board Policies based on legal, style, and review updates. Furthermore, the Committee agreed to adopt the addition of Board Policies 6:135 and 7:130 per attorney recommendation. Certain other policy revisions were agreed upon for adoption by the full Board of Education at the next regular meeting, with the first reading waived. The Committee decided to adopt rewrites for policies 5:10 and 7:70 and tabled potential additions to Policy 2:80. In miscellaneous business, the procedure for facility use was discussed regarding a Village Trustee's request to schedule a basketball tournament for local students, requiring adherence to planning, safety, and insurance protocols.

The meeting commenced with recognition for new National Board Certified Teachers and the 2025-2026 Memorial Girls 7th Grade Basketball Team. The revised agenda was approved. Discussion topics included fulfilling FOIA requests, a review of the New Year Staff Institute presentation and support initiatives, and updates on the State Superintendent's visit. Miscellaneous items covered the success of the Batteries For Tots drive, an eighth consecutive perfect score on the annual Health/Life Safety Inspection, results from the Crosstown Classic fundraiser, and a student receiving a full scholarship to Marian Catholic High School. The Buildings & Grounds Committee reported on security upgrades for elementary school offices, including a bid approval for Oak Glen School Main Office security upgrades, and discussed proposals for door/fob access at Oak Glen and a generator purchase for the Coolidge kitchen. The committee recommended proceeding with Option 2 for the Memorial garage expansion. The Board approved payment for the Memorial Junior High School Class of 2026 Luncheon. An update was provided on the planned implementation of the Gaggle Crisis Hotline pending final background checks. The FY2025 Audit showed no findings, and the Board decided to seek bids from other auditors in the future. Student technology fees for 2026-2027 were approved, keeping the computer insurance fee at $30.00 plus a $25.00 late fee for late registration. The Board entered and exited closed session to discuss personnel matters, litigation, and board development. The next meeting date was announced, and scheduling for Policy Committee review and bid openings was discussed.

The meeting commenced with recognition of eight Lester Crawl staff members for heroic events that occurred on October 30, 2022, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The revised agenda was approved. Key actions included the approval of the Consent Agenda, which covered previous meeting minutes, resignations of two paraprofessionals, and employment approvals for two new Lester Crawl Paraprofessionals, along with approvals for intermittent FMLA leaves. The Superintendent reported on fulfilled Freedom of Information Act requests and provided updates on the IASB Joint Annual Conference. Miscellaneous reports highlighted the success of the Batteries For Tots drive and fundraising efforts, noting the 7th Grade Girls Basketball Team won the Regional Championship. Resolutions were approved concerning the 2025 Tax Levy year, and subsequent actions included the abatement of the 2025 Tax Levy Adjustment and abatement of debt service payments for specific General Obligation School Bonds to obtain the FY26 Property Tax Relief Grant. A closed session was held to discuss personnel matters and review closed session minutes, after which the Board returned to open session. Further miscellaneous discussion covered the upcoming January 2026 Board Meeting, a security upgrade bid opening, and fundraising for the 8th grade lunch cruise. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Key discussions centered on facility projects. For the Oak Glen Elementary School Main Office construction, the lowest bid from Pangere Corporation was presented, and the Committee agreed to recommend this bid to the full Board. Support was expressed for proposed renovations to the Reavis Elementary School Main Office, with completion planned for Summer 2026. The Committee agreed to table renovations for the Coolidge Elementary School Main Office until 2026-2027 to accommodate Summer School activities at Coolidge. For the Coolidge Kitchen Generator, two options were presented, but the Committee decided to table this item. Regarding the Memorial Garage, the Committee chose Option 2, which allows for storage overflow and bicycle storage, and requested that a bid opening be scheduled concurrently with the Reavis Main Office construction. Finally, regarding Oak Glen Access Control, the Committee requested quotes from other bidders for comparison before making a final decision.