001Good evening everyone. Tonight I have the heartfelt honor of recognizing three extraordinary board of education members. Mr. John Hman, Mr. Dave Candela, and Mrs. Ivan Angorola, whose leadership, service, and unwavering dedication have helped shape the growth, success, and sparkle of District 76. John and Dave, who began their board service in 2017, and Ivonne, who joined us in 2021, have each contributed something truly meaningful to the life, brand, and legacy of our district. Their service spans years of progress, changes, and challenges, and their steady leadership has been instrumental in guiding district 76 forward. What is especially remarkable and a true testament to their character is that all three of them have continued to serve after their own children have graduated from District 76. Their commitment was never just about their own families. It was to embrace,
002empower, and excel each child, each educator, and each member of our community each day. This kind of selfless leadership is rare and it deserves the deepest appreciation. Dave, your decision to return to the board when we needed you most speaks volumes. You've stepped back in without hesitation, offering stability, perspective, and care at a critical time, and we are sincerely grateful. Together, the three of you have been voices of reason, compassion, and strength. You've helped to settle two teacher contracts through collaboration, and respect. You've supported our strategic vision and prioritized our sparkle on core values of service, passion, advocacy, respect, kindness, love, equity, opportunity, and nurture. On behalf of the district leadership team and the board of education, our staff, families, and the entire community, thank you for always leading with the best interests of our
003students at the center of your decision-making. Thank you for your personal time, your integrity, your dedication, and for continuing to selflessly serve, even when the direct connection to your own children has moved on. Your legacy will live in the classrooms, hallways, and the hearts of District 76. You will always be a part of our family, and as we continue to sparkle on, your service, passion, and leadership will not be forgotten. As a small token of our appreciation, we have two trophies for Mrs. Angorola and Mr. for Hman. Dave, you got one when you left the board the first time. So, we've gotten you something else cuz I didn't think you'd want two trophies. Um, but more importantly, I'm presenting you each with a copy of one of my favorite books. Have you filled a bucket
004today? It's the book I read every year, no matter the grade or the age, but it me resonates with everyone. Kindness never goes out of style. Just like each of you, this book reminds us that our everyday words, our action, and our energy make a difference. And that leadership at its core is about lifting others up, treating and treating others the way you want to be treated. With deep gratitude and admir admiration, a heartfelt thank you to each of you. Please continue to sparkle on to come up. Well, let's do Mr. Condella first because so that way I know they each wanted to say something. So, you did. You did. I'm very very grateful for the opportunity to have served as a board member for eight years and I know that Dr. null and our
005new board members will continue the mission of each child each day and I that's been passion for me and for my fellow board members that we serve every child not a select few and I wish our new board members well as you continue that mission and uplift all of our students. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve. Thanks to you, Mrs. Angorella, would you like to come up? Sorry. Sorry. Thank you. so much. Okay, I just want to say thank you so much. It's been an honor serving on the board and working with everyone here. Um, I've learned so much and I am so thankful for everything that I have learned and I just want to thank Bobna for helping put this amazing team together here. We are truly blessed with each and every
006one of you and the way that you care and truly serve our children and district. Um, and even more so the way that you're always looking for ways to get better and to grow and to make our district better. Um, and I want to thank Bobna and the board again for hiring Boba. I wasn't here at the time, but I would have definitely been there to push you through and everything you've done for us. You've made our district what it is, and I am forever grateful to you for that. And we're always you're always a part of this district. And every one of us here, you'll always be a part of us and be with us everywhere we go. And thank you so much for that sincerely. And I have a little thank you for
007you as well. Okay. We weren't supposed to cry. Thank you. Thank you so much. Mr. Hman, can you come up and make us laugh, please? Thank you so much. You're welcome. Thank you very much. Now, there is no need for anybody here to tell my wife that I'm no longer on the board. I figured that, you know, twice a month I would just continue to hitch a ride with David and he can drop me off at least Palmus or the Isish Mill and then pick me up on the way home. Figure that be good for at least a full term. Um, you know what? I never I never set out to be on the board. I sort of just fell into it, I think, like a lot of people. Um it was gosh I would
008say nine years ago when there was a meeting that was called my wife was called to attend the meeting and it was about a referendum to to bring in some needed money for capital improvements to the district and my wife who had been very involved said you know John it's your turn so why don't you go to this meeting and I did and that's where I met Bavna and and and Eric Rogers and Joy you might have been there and uh and Lisa Yaffy And that's where I met your husband as well because uh Senator Seth Lewis, he laid out a whole uh strategy and game plan about how you can win a referendum and then they were just looking for people to execute the plan. And uh so so that's what we did. And
009so you know and we put together a bit of a team and David you were at the first meeting and you were on the team. And I remember that at at the first meeting at my house in walks in this very cheerful mom to be and uh very pregnant and that's where I met Nikki. And I figured well if somebody who was really only minutes from delivering could be this inspired to come and and to help out. Well, you know, I had I had no reason to to to to not pull my pull my own weight. Um, I know exactly where I'm going to put this. I'm going to put this on a shelf in my office where I have another picture so I can see it from my desk. And the other picture is
010one that was taken about six years ago here at at D76. And it was at a back to school for staff event. And the there was a theme and it was the theme was rock and roll. So people were asked to dress up. So, so four of us from the board dressed up as the rock group Kiss with the makeup and everything. And then the picture is of the four of us and Joy and Nikki, you were there as part of it. And and it's a picture of the four of us with Bava in the middle as Tina Turner. So, whenever I, you know, having a bad day or I look at that and I always chuckle because it's always, it always brings a smile to my face. So, this is going to go right
011next to it and again bring a smile to my face. It's great working with you guys. I mean, it's been so easy with the board. These guys are smart and thoughtful and here for the right reasons and um you know, fun to be around and and tolerant of of me and and my and my quirks and uh you know, I couldn't be happier. and Joy, you really shoulder he disproportionately heavy he heavy version uh burden and do recognize that and do do sincerely appreciate that. And to the three new board members, great welcome and uh I'm sure you'll enjoy your time on the board. Also, it's easy because of the D you guys, the DT, it's I mean, what a great group. your professionalism and your your care and compassion for what goes on here.
012Everything that all of you do makes our lives on the board a lot easier than it would be and it is on on other boards. I can tell you I can tell you that. Bava, um, you know, you're the best leader that I've ever worked with and, uh, and what you've done here is just incredible with with reinvigorating, reimagining and reinvigorating the culture here. It's just just remarkable and and the right person at the right time was so needed needed here at D76. and and Hyram, you're so accommodating and cheerful and and helpful and uh we really can't go wrong because you're helping push us along in in in the right direction. So uh so thank you very much. This is very kind and I appreciate it. Thank you. Okay. Um, I just want to
013echo echo what Babna said and thank you very much, John, Dave, and Ivan. We have so appreciated your service and your your different perspectives and your opinions and I think we've all learned so much from you. So, I just wanted to say we're very grateful for all the time that you've spent with us and away from your families and your jobs and everything else that's been going on and we will be forever grateful for you. So, thank you so much. And would you like to take your name tags? And as Dave knows from experience, you may need it again. So just hang on to it. You never know. I think some sometimes Thank you. Okay, I know. I don't want to like kick everyone out. Wait a second. Sitting here needing my text. Good snack.
014I like it. It doesn't matter. Hyram is Hyram is Hey, David. You're welcome. If you Hiram, if you switch Tina and Elizabeth, then they'll be in the order they're sitting in right there and they'll Oh, but I was going to say then they'll just know where to come. There you go. Thank you. That way you guys can just walk up and you're Okay. Um, so fantastic. So now we will move on to announce our newly elected board members who we're so thrilled to have joined us. Um, we have Miss Emily Crutchfield, Miss Tina Holland, and Miss Elizabeth Rays. And I'm going to ask all of you to stand up and to join me in taking the oath. And maybe I'll walk around this. And if you guys want to just come up here, United States
015inance of Illinois. further from The last participation formulate. We'll try to ensure all of our children to ensure all conditions. Yeah. Excellence for every student. Okay. And now um because we have essentially two meetings in one this evening um we are going to appoint a president and secretary prom and then we will adjourn seami. Um so be it resolved that the Diamond Lake 76 board of education accepts and approves the appointment of the president and secretary prom as listed below. Um the board president prom is Joy Hail and the board secretary prom is Alisa Bis. May I have a motion to approve please? Second. Rebecca. Yes. Miss Sullivan. Yes. Miss Bis. Yes. Miss Crutchfield. Miss Holland, Miss Reyes. Okay. And then um can we now have an a do we need a motion for this
016to adjourn scene die? Yes. Okay. And then now can I have a motion to adjourn scene die? No, you're fine. No moves. Miss Hale. Yes. Miss Bis. Yes. Rebecca. Miss Crutchfield. Miss Holland. Miss Reyes. Yes. Okay. That concludes that meeting. Um we will now do another roll call for the committee of the whole meeting. And I appreciate everyone's patience with us. I know this takes a long time. Good news, we only have to do it every two years. So, uh, Miss Bailis here, Mr. Becker here, Miss Crutchfield here, Miss Hale here, Miss Holland, Miss Reyes, and Miss Sullivan here. Okay. And now, um, we will move to reorganize the board of education. Um, so, can I get a nomination for, um, the office of president? I nominate Joy Hale, president. No, what we have to
017do is do we have any other nominations? Okay, then there will be no other nominations, we can do a um all in favor vote. Oh, so I won't have to. No. Okay. Should it do it this way? So, sorry. Okay. No, you're trying. So, I don't have to. So, we can just do all in favor. I Okay, then. Can I get um a nomination for office of the vice president? How about Nicole Sullivan? Works. Do we have any other nominations? Okay, then. All in favor? I I and then um can I get a nomination for office of secretary? I nominate Lisa Bis. Any other nomination? Okay. Um can I get a all in favor vote, please? I I Great. That that concludes the reorganization. So, we're done. We still have an audience, so I'm impressed.
018Okay. So, now we will move to public comments on agenda items. Do we have any public comments this evening? And I have to say, Dr. Null, we keep waiting for a public comment. Okay, sorry to put you on the spot. Okay, moving on to presentations. And I have to just say I am super impressed with the sparkle this evening. I feel like if we could give an award for like the nominators, the two of you would win. Well, okay. So, we we will look into that, Mrs. Saltman. We'll look into that. Thank you so much for dressing the part. Yes. Oh. Oh. So, yes, our presentations this evening, you stole the show with your outfit. So, I don't think you it deserves no or it doesn't need any introduction because you have definitely leveled up
019the presentation. But we will. Yes. And you have what you want to say, but we are doing our diamond awards. one of their colleagues. Can you read it? I didn't bring my glasses. So, can you read it? I No, I can read it, but I just didn't bring my glasses. All right. All right. All right. We cannot think of a better person to earn a diamond award. Both Mary Lou and I were very surprised that this lady has not received this nomination in all the years she has been in the Diamond Lake School District. Cindy has worked in literally every building in our district and has made a huge difference everywhere she has been. This year in particular, she jumped at the opportunity to take on new role at the scary middle school building where
020she worked tirelessly with the eighth graders as she had as first graders as well as fourth graders. Cindy is very passionate about curriculum. So much so she has written it for all the grade levels she has taught. We're not sure where we would be without her because the sixth grade has leaned on her a lot this year for curriculum alone. This passion shows through whenever someone has a question or an idea. She is always there to lend a hand or offer advice. Cindy is also a great advocate for her students. When thinking about graduating eighth graders, she pushes for their advancements in both high schools to make sure they are placed correctly and that they are getting the services that they deserve. She speaks out on their behalf and pushes her students to be the
021best they can be in all aspects of their lives. She is their number one cheer cheerleader in the classroom and beyond. You can feel it in Cindy that all of her students have the potential to go on and do great things in this world. When you ask Cindy about teaching, you can see just how much she loves it. Teaching is not just a job or a career. It is a part of her life. She loves every part of it. She especially loves the students and seeing what she can get out of them. Even the most trying of situations, she will come out of it with a smile and embraces the challenge ahead of her. Cindy, you are truly a diamond. You have gone above and beyond in every task that is asked of you. We
022are so sad to see you go to the other side of the building, but happy we had the chance to experience the spitfire that is you. Don't worry, we will cross the line every now and again. Even if it means going to the scary intermediate side. Congratulations, Cindy. I'll clean it up without the handwriting. Words. Did you want to stand on this? Yes. Um, good evening. I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this diamond award, especially because it comes from you, my peers. There's something incredibly meaningful about being recognized by the very people who understand the joy, the passion, the challenges, and the work that goes into what we do every day. This award is not just a personal milestone. It reflects the support, the collaboration, and the inspiration I've received from so many
023of you. I've learned from your strengths, grown through your feedback, and have continually motivated have been motivated by your dedication. Thank you for this recognition. It means more than I can say. I will continue to strive and live up to the trust and appreciation you've shown me today. Gracias. Amen. And that concludes our presentations. Congratulations, Mrs. Gomez. Congratulations and thank you ladies for leveling up the awards presentation. We love it. Fantastic. So now we will move on to our business agenda for the evening. Um we have five items on the business agenda. Four are for review at this meeting and then we will um take action on them at our second May meeting. and one item is up for action. So the first item on the business agenda is the omnibus vote agenda and that
024is just for review this evening. The second item on the agenda is for action and that is our personnel agenda item. So be it resolved the Diamond Lake 76 Board of Education accepts and approves the personnel items as depicted on the agenda. We have two new hires, one retirement notification and one leave of absence. May I have a motion to adjure uh to approve this item? Getting ahead of myself. Second, Mr. Becker. Yes. Miss Hale, yes. Miss Bis, yes. Miss Crutchfield, Miss Holland, Miss Ry, that motion is approved. Welcome back, Mrs. Brown. I feel like love to see it. Yes. Um the next item on the agenda is an item for also for review and it is um the proposed forward meeting dates for the 2025 2026 calendar. Um and I believe those are attached
025in the packet. Does anyone have any questions on the states or see any concerns? And again we don't um approve these until the next meeting. So if um later if you spend more time reviewing and you see a red flag, please let us know. But does anyone see anything now? Not based it's not on a calendar. So it's an listed. So yeah, but I don't think so. Okay, perfect. So then just um let Hyram and Babna and myself know if you see any issues and then we can um address those before we approve them at the next meeting. And just so everybody knows, they were also shared with Dr. Null, so she doesn't see any conflicts with them going forward. Perfect. Okay. And then at the um the next item up for review is also
026the appointment of the treasurer. So annually we have to reappoint um someone as the treasurer and typically we um reappoint Mr. Rogers every year because he does a fantastic job and no one else wants that job. So it's his time to shine. So, we will um vote on that at the next meeting. And then the last item up for review is the Mindsight um service contract. And I didn't know Mr. Hansen if you wanted to speak to that at all or if the memo speaks for itself, whatever you prefer. Absolutely. Um, regarding uh the board memo for our server infrastructure project, we're coming close to about a decade with our current servers and they're reaching their what you call end of life or end of service and to ensure that you have our all of
027our stakeholders have the um highest capacity of service and reliable service across the board. Um we part of our obsolescence plan is we look at a long range plan of all of our infrastructure projects to take care of and knowing that this was u an important item. Uh I obtained uh multiple bids when it came to our ser uh servers and we were able to land on a a competitive quote uh fortunately from Mindsight who is our MSP and so we order it uh upon a board approval we'll order it and have a project in place for the summer. Does anyone have any questions? I just had one question. Absolutely. In the memo, it says that there be a deduction in the cost. Can you just clarify that? Absolutely. Absolutely. And actually, I'm glad you
028mentioned that. So, one of the things we're looking for at man service provider last year is finding the right partner. And I utilize that partner quite often and they know that as well. So, it's a it's a good um partnership we have with them. So, anytime we have the opportunity to utilize D76 technicians to be able to do some of the work, it'll help offset some of the costs for installations that we have. Also, gets them the ability to grow in the field as well. Uh in collaboration with them, they're fully been on board with it, which has been pleasantly um not a pleasant surprise, but it's wonderful that they're able to do that with us. as we selected the appropriate uh partner for technology. Great. Okay, that wraps up our business agenda for the
029evening. Moving on to board discussion. Do we have any items for board discussion? I do not. Do you have anything? No. Anybody? Sure. No, right now it's fine. um seat meeting and I'm just offering one of like a backup. Yeah, John. Okay. It's June Wednesday June. And that's it where it gauges like it's engages like that way. Yeah, it's helpful just because it's run differently and then you kind of have you understand what's going on and they need us to show up to have quorum. Okay, cool. Oh, of course. Anyone else have anything for board discussion? Okay, then moving on to freedom of information requests. Is that two? We have two or is it one and then the response? It's the requested response. Did we figure this is the same as last month, right? Just
030different dates or does it look some It reminds me of last month. Wasn't it all procurement purchasing? Okay. Okay. Same time. Okay. Okay. That was fulfilled. Notices and communications. We have um kind of the seedall information there. And then we have the district 76 highlights. So we have um the diamond edge newsletter. And then we have the mayor STEM challenge. So congratulations to all the students that participated in that. That was fantastic. Um, congratulations to Noah who came in first. Thank you. I know. It's nice to see my Okay. And then um moving on unless did you have anything else you want to say? No. Okay. Moving on to um public comments on non-aggenda items. Any public comments on non-aggenda items? Mr. Hman, he's done. Um, okay. Moving on to others. Do we have any
031others this evening? Okay. Well, then we do not have executive session this evening. So, we will move to ajourn. Can I get a motion to adjourn, please? Sorry. Sorry, I'm going too fast. She's trying to break her record. My record is like 7:05, so we're we're far away from the record. It was Nikki and then David. Oh, you're fine. Miss B. Yes. Miss Hale. Yes. Miss Holland. Miss. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome. Can I get your um your cell phone numbers?