Morris Elementary School District 54

The working session focused on several administrative and operational topics. Discussions included maintaining the five-minute limit for public comment periods, confirming that Issue 120 would proceed to a final reading at the subsequent regular board meeting, and reviewing the implementation of BMO/P-Cards, which will primarily be used by administrative staff for expenses like conferences to improve spending data. Curriculum and technology discussions covered an upcoming FETC Conference attendance, the mandatory completion timeline for KnowBe4 cybersecurity trainings, and planning for the next Parent/Teacher Advisory Committee meeting, including developing a school safety strategic plan with parent input. The Insurance Committee noted the January 1, 2026 effective date for medical/health insurance and ongoing resolution efforts regarding the flex provider, Healthequitiy. Other topics involved setting expectations for Board/Superintendent communication, previewing the draft 2026/2027 school calendar, and follow-up meetings with vendors Alpaca/Counslr.

The meeting included the approval of the Consent Agenda, which covered various items such as employment approvals (hiring one bilingual paraprofessional and accepting one resignation), approval of leave requests for three staff members, and approval of an extra-curricular assignment for an Assistant Girls Track Coach. In the Superintendent's Report, updates were provided on the collaborative development of the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar with neighboring districts and the mid-year financial review for the 2026-2027 budget planning. The Administrative Team Report included updates on 8th-grade activities, staff volunteering, and an analysis of the increasing trend of English Language Learners qualifying for special education services. Action items included the approval to apply for an ISBE School Maintenance Grant for FY26 to fund infrastructure upgrades like plumbing work and flooring repairs, approval of PRESS Policy Issue 120, approval of HVAC service invoices totaling $75,607.71 from C. Acitelli for boiler and chiller maintenance/repair, and official approval of the collaboratively created Board/Superintendent Communication Expectations and Board Protocols.

The working session included a review of PRESS Policy updates addressing curriculum revisions due to Public Act 104-391, changes regarding student disciplinary fines under Public Act 104-430, revisions to permanent student record definitions, updates to policy regarding agency and law enforcement requests in response to Public Act 104-288, and changes related to teacher evaluation factors under Public Act 104-20. Key finance discussions involved the successful closing of the Series 2025A and Series 2025B Bond Sales, where excess funds were allocated to associated fees, and the requirement for a Truth In Taxation hearing due to a proposed levy increase exceeding 5%. In Curriculum & Technology, staff was being updated on new Google Class Tools functionality. The status of the Studio GC bid process was reviewed, with bids due on December 10th. The Insurance Committee reported on the ongoing Open Enrollment period utilizing the new Employee Navigator platform. Board members shared takeaways from the Joint Annual Conference. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss personnel matters and conduct a Board Self-evaluation.

The meeting included the approval of the Consent Agenda, which covered several items such as the minutes from the previous board meeting, the list of bills, financial and payroll reports, and PTO/Booster Club financials. Employment actions approved included one new lunch server/kitchen staff hire, leave requests for two employees, and a retirement request for a crossing guard. An extra-curricular assignment for an assistant wrestling coach was also approved, with invoicing to Saratoga noted. In administrative reports, the Superintendent announced plans to bring the ISBE maintenance grant for approval in January, discussed starting conversations regarding the 2026-2027 school calendar, and mentioned the upcoming merger of the district's legal counsel firm. The administrative team reported on PreACT 8/9 data for 8th graders, provided parent-teacher conference attendance statistics, and detailed the ongoing selection process for a new Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program based on the CASEL framework. The Dean of Students reported on positive behavior incentives, including the Golden Spatula award and the Morris Market. Action items included the award of the Chiller and Boiler Replacement Bid to Commercial Mechanical, Inc. for $1,153,000.00, the approval of the 2025 Tax Levy, and the decision to keep the Semi-Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes from July 2025 to December 2025 closed due to confidential information.

The primary focus of this session was the conduct of the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing. Key discussion points included a review of changes, if any, to the previously presented Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Levy, which noted no changes, and a period for public comment regarding the Tax Levy, which received no submissions.