Northbrook School District 28

The meeting commenced with the appointment of a Secretary Pro Tempore due to the absence of the Board Secretary. Key discussions included the presentation of the Annual Financial Report by Lauterbach and Amen, LLC, which resulted in a very clean audit with recommendations focusing on IT security, outstanding check policy, budget expenditures, and deficit fund balance. The Board approved contracts for Alanna Lambert as Greenbriar Assistant Director of Student Services and Mitch Dubinsky as Westmoor Principal, both scheduled to start on July 1, 2026. Construction updates were provided, noting the Meadowbrook Gym project is on schedule, and bids for Greenbriar and Westmoor projects are forthcoming. The Board approved the Finance Report for January 2026 and adopted the annual audit report for the 2025 fiscal year. Additionally, the 2026-2027 Student Fees were adopted, including a 3.5% increase in bus fees. Approvals were also granted for annual intergovernmental agreements related to safe schools and alternative learning programs. In Buildings and Grounds, the bid for the Meadowbrook School Project was awarded to Happ Builders for $40,664,000, and two subsequent payment applications to Happ Builders were approved. The Teaching and Learning segment included a discussion regarding a proposal to change the starting grade for orchestra from third to fourth grade to improve program retention. The Board adopted a Resolution for Notice to Remedy concerning a tenured teacher.

The meeting addressed several key areas. During the visitor comments, concerns regarding livestreaming music events and interior security cameras were raised. In the Superintendent's Report, updates were provided on construction projects, noting that Meadowbrook Gymnasium is on schedule and bidding is underway for the new Meadowbrook School, Greenbriar, and Westmoor projects. A significant issue discussed was the negative financial impact of delayed property tax billing from Cook County, leading to an approved resolution requesting accountability and correction of these systemic issues. The Board also approved a resolution authorizing participation in related property tax proceedings. The consent agenda covered payroll disbursements for parts of November, December 2025, and January 2026, along with vendor invoices for December 2025 and January 2026. Personnel actions included the recommended employment of several staff members and acceptance of various resignations and leaves of absence. The Human Resources section involved the approval of two new job descriptions for the Tech Department: District Systems Technician and Network and Systems Engineer. The Director of Student Services announced that two teachers will lead the 2026 Summer Programming. The Board approved an application for the School Maintenance Project Grant to fund HVAC replacements at Westmoor. The Policy Committee's final review and approval of numerous updated policies from PRESS 120 were confirmed. Regarding the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 reorganization, the report confirmed its official approval and discussed the need for districts to evaluate service utilization and subsequent staffing adjustments.

The meeting began with a Tax Levy Hearing, where the 2025 Tax Levy of $48.3 million, representing a 4.99% increase from the 2024 levy, was presented, calculated to fund the 2026-27 school year, before the hearing was closed. A visitor commented on ADA accommodations. The Superintendent provided construction updates, noting that the Meadowbrook gymnasium is on track for spring completion, and design phases for new schools at Meadowbrook, Greenbriar, and Westmoor are nearing completion, with bids planned soon. Updates were also given on the TrueNorth Cooperative reorganization and the proposed 2026-27 School Calendar. Under the Consent Agenda, payroll for late October and early November 2025, vendor invoices totaling $3,935,340.84, and personnel actions including new hires and resignations were approved. The Finance Report for October 2025 was approved, and a resolution was adopted to authorize bill payments during the gap between monthly board meetings. The 2025 Certificate of Tax Levy was formally adopted, along with the 2025 Tax Levy Extension Resolution detailing fund allocations. Amendments to the 403(b)/457(b) Retirement Plans to comply with SECURE 2.0 legislation were approved. Student Services reported progress on Summer Programming Principal hiring. The Annual Student Achievement Update was presented. Payments (Pay App #3 and #4) for the Meadowbrook Gym Construction were approved. Legislation updates concerning immunization access and civil rights protection were shared. Finally, the Board convened in Closed Session to discuss employee matters and potential litigation.

The agenda for the regular meeting includes superintendent reports on construction updates and several action items for the consent agenda, covering payroll spanning from November 2025 through January 2026, bills, personnel changes, and the destruction of old closed session recordings. Staff and committee reports focus on Finance, including approval of the Financial Report, the Tentative Budget Calendar for 2027, and resolutions concerning the FY27 Tentative Budget and property tax proceedings. Human Resources will address job descriptions for a District Systems Technician and a Network and Systems Engineer. Buildings & Grounds will present an action item regarding the FY26 School Maintenance Project Grant. Policy updates involve the final reading and adoption of PRESS 120, along with numerous specific policy updates and one review item. Communications and TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 updates are also scheduled before New Business and Closed Session.

The Policy Committee meeting included a review of PRESS 119 for the first reading, encompassing suggested changes for updated policies. Fifteen policies were reviewed as part of the five-year review and monitor cycle, and these policies are slated for presentation at the subsequent October Board Meeting for final adoption.