001and we are returning from closed at 7:49. Um, so we'll move on to the approval of minutes. The chair will entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the December 16th, 2025 regular meeting of the board of education as presented. >> I have a question. I fixed it. >> Okay. [laughter] Done. >> Second. [clears throat] >> Uh, all in No. >> Yes. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Uh the chair will entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the closed session of the December 16th, 2025 regular meeting of the board of education as presented. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Okay, [clears throat] motion passes. We'll move on to public comment. We do have public comments tonight, so I'm going to read the guidelines. Um good evening and welcome.
002Public comment is a time for the community to address the board with comments and questions. Each community member addressing the board has five minutes. Once you have been notified your time is up, kindly step away from the podium. Public comment will be for 30 minutes with no more than each subject lasting 20 minutes. Please understand this is not an engagement time. The board will consider your comments in its decision. For those comments or questions requiring a follow-up response, the board president or superintendent will follow up. Mark Forsley uh is subject is digital sign board. Thank you for letting me talk real quick. Uh, first I I never realized this was all happening tonight. Somebody, my neighbor, called and I looked it up and first thing I want to do is compliment the person who put
003all this stuff together. A group of people that put it all together. They did their homework. They did a really nice job. Uh, basically is I many of you may or may not know I worked with Jerry Hackbrush. Uh my dad worked with Pat, her husband. I knew him before I knew Jerry uh through my dad. So I've known the family before they passed away for a number of years. Uh super family. They were both very nice couple. Uh but I don't think this is what they wanted the money to be spent for. And based on what was written here on the website, uh it basically says Halfbush Family Trust to be used for educational purposes as determined by the Halfbush family and the trustees. And then a little further uh it again benefit the
004educational needs of Westmont High School. In fact, it said trust to Westmont High School and to benefit the needs of Westmont High School. There's a fine line. I could see where this benefits Westmont High School. I understand that, but I don't think this is what they was I don't think this is what they wanted. From when I heard about the donation, it was my understanding that it was suggested that they would use the money to improve the science department at the high school and whatever you would need, lab, uh books, technology, nowadays. Back then was the books, but all use the money for that. And then when you were going for the referendum, uh that was one of the needs was to improve the high school science department. So I would have thought that's where
005the money would have gone and not here. And again, may you may or may not know, I did teach in the district and I was the uh uh AD at the junior high. And in 2001, we got a a scoreboard for the gym. And what I did is went out to the community and we got donations. And at the time, it was bank and our PTO from the gym. Brandon that was the scoreboard back in 2001 is not $47,000 but uh it it was at the time it was a lot of money and we were able to acquire some donations from different organizations and I looked at your list of people uh that you might be able to use and and there might be some of those that would donate uh the expressions dance the
006aspiration dance the church open homeowners maybe they would donate money I don't know if you looked at that or not [clears throat] uh that would be my suggestion to look at that because I don't know that this was the trust was designed for something like this. I read it as the educational needs of the students at the high school and to me since she was a science teacher I think that's where we belong. >> Thank you for letting me speak. >> Thank you. >> And Keith Nega on the sign. Uh, I have to agree with Mark on a lot of that. And I think the sign, granted, digital would be nice, but for the cost, I believe at the last meeting was supposed to be 35,000. They said 30 to 35,000. Now we're up to
00747,000. 30% increase at least. And I'm thinking, how does that happen in a month? I don't know. something wasn't done right or whatnot. But, uh, I I think it needs to I don't see how it's going to benefit a kid. Nine months of the year, you got 300, 400 kids coming to the school and how many people drive through besides the people that live in nowadays, everything's on social media. I mean, it's it's on the on the websites and all that other stuff. And if you're involved in it, you know what's going to be going on. It's not you're not going to be pulling people in off the street, you know, and and I think uh I think it needs to be spent more on the kids and I would like to see it in
008the science. I talked to a science teacher a while ago and they've gotten nothing and she was a science teacher. So, you think you'd want to at least throw a little money towards them and uh and help the kids out that way. So, that's all I'd like to say. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> And Judy Wilson, subject is uh an agenda item. >> I'm here to question the sign as well. And thank you for allowing me to speak. Um, I'm sure you've all read the hack trust and the language of the trust states that the funds be used for educational purposes while other language further down in the trust reads the board is authorized to receive donations for use in whatever the board chooses. Is this sign that you want considered
009a restricted gift? The Internal Revenue Code says restricted gifts are restricted for their purpose. Please tell me how an electronic sign will benefit the students education. Putting student of the month for nine months out of the year. Where is the educational component in that? I think you'll do what you want and probably vote for a sign tonight. But the sad thing is not one penny has been spent on science. and Jerry Hackbush love science. She taught for 27 years and instilled the love of science in her students. Last year when there was a referendum, it was stated that asbestous within the science lab tables. Is it okay to get electronic sign first and worry about the student safety later? I'm really sorry none of you got to know Jerry, but I can tell you the
010education of the students would come first before assigning. Um, last year I called your attention to unused hip funds that were forgotten and I was told the superintendent or the president would get back to me. That never happened, but I am expecting someone to get back to me on this subject. There's been a level of mistrust among the public with the school board. I've talked to several people. I've talked to one or two board members and putting a sign before the students education is not the way to earn trust within the community. I hope that you'll all reconsider this. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And moving into the consent agenda, the chair will entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Uh, number one, donation for the Westmont High School and
011Westmont Junior High Schools from Downer's Grove Panthers cheerleading program. This is the donation of mats from the Downers Grove Panthers cheerleading program. They're in great shape. Uh, they've already been like looked at. uh they named Dun's Grove Panthers chewing program had eight left over since they've bought even newer mats and when the high school and the junior high looked at them they said wow how great this would be because they are in better shape than what we have now >> chair will entertain a motion roll call >> Mr. >> yes >> Mr. Aia >> yes >> Mr. Orin, >> yes. [clears throat] >> Franklin, >> yes. >> Dr. >> Yes. >> Miss Conover, >> yes. >> Miss Mill, >> yes. >> Okay, motion passes. So, now we're moving into the information and discussion. Um, if
012we can review the budget and staffing timeline. Um, so this is, uh, normal process that kicks off in January, um, every year. And so what we've got on the excuse me budget and staffing timeline within the content shows kind of what happens right so in January now we are refining our budgets we're talking about contracts um because then they help inform the budget process um in February the administration team really kind of works through that budget process um and is working through staffing discussions so that in March we make a final determination on staffing discussions. So, this is one of those pieces where we are governing the process. We're not involved in the process. We don't we're not making the decisions on staffing. Um, however, in March, those staffing decisions do come to us for
013approval and we approve them uh because the experts have made those decisions. But they're all that's like the end result a three-month process is that we'll see well it's not just a piece of it but in March that staffing needs to be approved by the board. Um whatever staffing decisions are made need to be approved by the board to meet March 26th is the deadline >> the deadline. >> Yeah regular deadline March 26 when we have to let staff know if we're retaining them or not. So, um that is our hard deadline that's not set by us, um that we have to meet for the staffing, which means that all of these other budgetary things need to be solved before then. And so that is kind of the process that we're entering into here. Um
014any questions, comments, any information from admin you guys want to >> So the district utilizes PMA which is our financial forecasting team. Been working with them a little bit trying to understand what the long-term implications are for staffing, not just a one-time piece or whatever. So that's something we're reviewing at this time. Uh Dr. Balderman and I will meet more so like we have been doing and just kind of looking over the needs versus what student needs are, the district needs are and what we can afford and accommodate. >> And can I ask so we just kind of went through the 2025 um budget and public hearing um and just like educating us and then the community? Are we considering making those decisions with our end of the year budget or um like and how
015you make decisions what we can what we like to do where we are uh with hiring or using that that uh budget that was passed at the end of the year 2025. We do. We look at the the hardest part that took up a lot of my winter break was the uh the look back for the last couple years was [clears throat] looking at it over the last several years. You can see the differences including for our prior year and watching it reflect based on what has been staffed. Um any sort of economic changes that have occurred, CPI, COVID dollars. So that all goes into this. We're trying to do something with it >> and that process um and hearing about it. Do the committees hear a little bit more detail um about those decisions
016and how we're considering things? >> Absolutely. >> Not necessarily. and this larger board meeting that are interested. >> Correct. Yes, we're um this it's it's a heavy lift. So, right now there's narratives being put together with each program as well as how much each program costs and the finding out the why behind it rather than just saying, "Oh, this is how it should be." I mean, there should be a why. That's kind of what we're looking at right now. we're using as our guidelines. We have a strong fund balance. We want to uh create a budget that's a balanced budget or as close to that as possible. So, not put that in jeopardy. And then prioritizing student learning and making sure we keep the quality of the district at the level that it's at and
017all the components that Ron talked about with the forecasting. But our commitment is to come in as close to balanced budget, if not balanced budget, as possible, while still maintaining excellence in education and we think we're in a position to do that. It's going to mean there may be a few people are retiring that we do not replace, but that's preferable to having to release people who are good employees in the district. So, we anticipate some and we made some last year too, some reductions in overall staff for the upcoming school year, but nothing dramatic, but some some of those cuts are necessary. And so once again to really for people that are involved in and want to understand the why a lot of that comes in the committees as we discuss and even more
018so I'll speak for myself in this way that I've been asking for and there's scenarios and things that >> we'll discuss that we can discuss with our community but >> um scenarios for cuts and things like that for the as we prepare >> and there's give and take in those committee meetings. Yeah, that's is not as formal. So, >> yeah, >> there's that. >> Got a question for for you you two about the about the timeline itself. Um like there's a lot to do in a given school year, in a given calendar year. There's there's a lot that goes on this in in this timeline. I guess my my I'll get to the the my question is is is the way this is structured feel comfortable in term I look at this and I see
019so much front loing in January and February so much heavy lifting to be done in and when I look at the the the agenda items that are on there the timeline that's on there it's like you have this March 26 deadline and you have all this work that happens in January February and you're in it now so there's no there's no changing it now right but but thinking about the next lap around the sun here is is there any is there so much going on in the in the latter half of the year that there's just no room for for some of this to to maybe be started a month earlier or am I what what is your thought on on on that? >> Well to be frank uh being in the first year here
020that some of this is kind of what the trends have been. I expect a welloiled machine in the next couple next year year after where this is going to be spread out a lot more. We'll anticipate more with the staffing. We'll see trends over time. Look at data and you find out why rather than just >> do whatever. >> Now, I'm not saying that has happened. What I'm saying though is that my preference, >> just like you said, Carlos is >> this is I mean we have a continual pulse on everything. >> Yeah. >> And that's what we're working on. >> Yeah. Yeah. So one of the main drivers is if we don't notify people in March then we have them whether we want them or not we have so that's part of what's driving
021us to figure out who can we keep what the budget is and then notifying people by that March deadline. >> Yeah. Carlos is talking about should we start this process earlier in the school year essentially >> especially especially because when I look at the agenda items for for January and February it's a lot of information gathering right and and can some of that start a little bit sooner it just feels super compressed now if you tell me look this is how we run a this is how you run a school district this is how most school districts are run and this is this is pretty standard and we're professionals and this is how we do things I'm good with that answer I'm asking the question because to me it's it's giving publications just looking at
022it. But that's just me, you know? I I don't know. >> It's standard, but I don't like standard. >> Is it something that's always ongoing and it's just formalized now? >> Yeah, >> it's kind of why tip a business a business manager should be monitoring the current budget while building the future budget at the same time. It's like trying to build a plane while you're flying it >> except that you you're supposed to land it. Okay. So, um if there's not any other comments or questions, just a couple of points on this that we have our finance meeting, finance committee meeting in um March, that is like the the opportunity to really kind of um get into more of the nitty-gritty stuff and finalize recommendations. The next action item that will come to the board
023is that end of March action item where we approve the final staffing. So um again the work of that staffing is done by determining that staffing is done um correctly by the administration and by the buildings. Um what staff are we going to retain or or not retain or all that chess board is done by those folks. The next opportunity to really talk through it is in the finance um committee meeting around March. I don't have that date exactly. Um and then we will see the the final kind of action item on the in the last March meeting >> but there are fire dance and facility committee meetings happening before that. Is that correct? >> February 10th is the next correct. >> Okay. >> Finance and facilities meeting. Yeah. and we'll make sure the board
024is still in the loop and if we if you do have any additional we will >> we typically have just a finance committee meeting not a finance and facilities committee meeting to discuss this >> arch I see thanks for the clarification >> fin facilities and finance a lot to talk about with that >> yeah which we'll get into >> okay next item finance and facilities recap so if you guys would recap kind the finance and facilities uh meetings, the previous ones, and then this is our opportunity as a board to give um the admin is looking for some input on what it would like to what we would like to see on the agenda for the next um finance and facilities meeting which is that February 10th meeting. Um >> yeah, so can you give
025us the update? [clears throat] >> Absolutely. So the October 28th meeting, we discussed that the administration should be working on essentially three plans. We were looking at if a referendum were to have ever have come to fruition. Um if some funding came out of this or if neither nothing came out of fruition. Uh the plans at the time were based on the health life safety pieces and the need. Uh a lot of it was uh Mr. Joe Smith who did a fantastic job looking at what was needed across the buildings. Uh there was $11 million of working cash uh funding bonds which would kick in March 1st or sorry May 1st of 2027 as well as life safety bonds that you can utilize once you have a health life safety survey. The district is eligible
026for up to 7 million and then uh that's kind of how these plans were built. So this is what Joe provided. If you look at the event of a major reservation, he stated it was like a peace meal. And that's the thing I think people around here we'd like to discuss is there is a plan of certain things and and needs and wants and whatnot. Not everything set in stone. Things can be peacemeal. I like to call, you know, value engineering, right? It's all about the goals, the community, the staff, what the needs are for kids. Uh so the biggest pieces with some of these re renovations were um the necessities across the schools and renovating the science labs getting an upgrade uh and anything of um there may still be some short-term planning. Not
027everything's going to be completed, but that has to do with the district planning going forward and saving putting aside for funding. this plan. If you picked on every piece that they were looking that Joe prioritized, it was about 59.9 million. It doesn't mean that's what the cost would be. All it means is that those were the items that he really thought were valuable and the administration did as well. Again, that's a number that may not even be that number. It's just kind of a it was like a play by how it would happen if this were to >> correct. Um if there were some funding uh we look at the necessities of each building including the parking lots that apparently uh they've caused quite a bit of issues. Uh and that cost about 375. So
028you look at alternate funding le such as the working cash that we discussed and the health life safety as well as maybe additional dollars maybe passing partial um voting. And then if neither came to fruition, there were items that were absolutely necessary projects and that was based more on priority essentially health life safety and working cash bonds would be included. Uh this would be more of 22 million 22.6 million. It's more of a here's what are we're not even going to tackle all of our health life safety pieces, but we could tackle as much as we could to keep afloat. doesn't mean it's optimal when it comes to safety, but that's what we could possibly figure out. Um, again, the p the prices in the project list are reduced compared to what has been presented
029in the past. Um, as there was an original list. Uh, just because an architect and a construction site recommends something doesn't mean we have to take it at full thought face value. That's something again where the district will ultimately have to make decisions. Um, we're going to continue doing that within budgetary constraints. Again, I love the phrase value engineer because we look at what is needed versus what we're going to end up doing. Um, and that's all about discussion the need collaboratively. It can't be just something that one person decides on. So, um, we're we're we'd love to entertain more discussions as a district starts thinking, prioritizing what programs are needed, um, and tying this in eventually with staffing and other financial implications. Can I add because we are asking for board input. So we
030were asked to put a continuum of options together, right? And I want to be very brief about this. Let's say either there's decision of the board not to go to referendum as an example or a referendum never passes in this district. How are we going to meet the needs of the facilities? There is the working cash money. And so the idea was as major needs arise or to repairs, we access the working cash. That's one thing. The other thing is there's a life safety. The visit biggest example on my radar is the roof at the high school which is absolutely in need of repair. The and life safety money could be used to address that. So and we can go into more detail. what Joe Spence has provided is extremely detailed in my opinion, but
031that's one option. So, if the board says we're not going to referendum or the community never passed a referendum, those would be the funds we would access to keep the buildings alive. Kind of like patching as we go and addressing life safety needs through the life safety funds if we were to go for a referendum and as Ron pointed out to do significant renovations to Miller and Manning. So, keeping those existing sites, addressing some needs at the junior high, at South, and at the high school, like the science labs, then the price tag gets up to the $59 million mark, which obviously would necessitate a referendum. Now, that is if you put the life safety and the working cash money into that, that is less than we've requested from the community in the past. The
032other concession, just to put it out there, is I think the idea of building new on the Ty Warner site has evaporated. I don't I'm not saying it's dead, but it's not really uh a viable option at this time. So, we're looking more at a renovation of Miller and Manning. That's an option. So I think on the high end it would be going to referendum again in the neighborhood of the dollars we're talking about. The details have been put in this document by Joe. It's very thorough. You could combine an ask from the community with life safety and working cash to reduce the because the working cash technically when that comes off the books um there could be a reduction for the taxpayers or at the very least you could access that money. um it's
033in the neighborhood of eight to9 to10 million depending on how it's funded. Um and it would be no increase to the taxpayers if that makes sense. So, um, the one is we move forward at an added need needed basis and access the working cash, use life safety for things that are absolutely dire like the high school roof. Um, or a reduced ask of the community with referendum dollars to renovate Miller and Manning and use life safety and working capital as part of that equation. [cough] And [clears throat] those seem to be the continuum of options. So just to bring some clarity around like what this means in in terms we can all understand, right? The bonds are our credit card bills, right? So we took out a really big loan x number of years ago
034and we've paid it off. We are paying off we're we we do that with some regularity. All districts do it with some it's how you can get a large amount of money to be able to do things like this. So those Those are usually not large scale things like large >> well they're large projects but not like this not like building or [clears throat] renovation scale there they're the AC at the junior high was the last time that we did it. So a section of bonds is retiring. So that will essentially we are paying off a credit card and that could be about 10 to 10 to 11 million that we could bond for again in 2027. If we were to bond for that $11 million in 2027, there's essentially no change to the to
035the taxes, right? If we let that um if we let that bond remain that credit card remain paid off, there will be a decrease in the taxes though there's because we're just not paying that credit card bill though we doesn't change our needs. So it but it would potentially decrease the taxes. So, this is one method that a lot of districts have done to get referendums passed is actually they will pass the referendum and then let the bonds retire because the referendum is a more solid number. It's a more specific number over the course of years. So, so you're saying some districts have done a referendum where people are concerned about the tax increase, but they didn't use their credit card. And so that brought it down. So it's like a hit, they used a
036mortgage instead of a credit card. So essentially the district the district turned in their credit card bill and took out a mortgage with a set payment. Um that for the taxpayers resulted in either a decrease or no or very minimal change. But what it showed up on their tax except for Yes. But then for future boards, the credit card won't always be available. The bond's 30 years, there'll always be that credit card available, which could >> Yes. >> actually end up increasing taxes in the long run. >> Correct. >> Certainly though, when you don't have the credit card, right, and emergencies happen, >> which is essentially where we are at. We're maxed on our credit card. So, there is that. The other piece of it to understand is that a life safety bond is essentially
037like, holy canoli, right? You need this in order to retain the safety to a safety level where we are allowed to take out another a bond. Okay. So we are allowed to borrow money above and beyond what we in a bond format without going to referendum. Okay. So that is a but there is there is work that has to be done behind it. Da da da. You have to you have to say right. So this is why it is things like roofing or plumbing or nothing fancy in a life safety. However, it is a bond that we take out that does increase the cost, okay, the taxes without going to vote. So I want to be really clear that when we say life safety funds, those aren't funds from nowhere. They're just a bond that
038we need so badly that we're allowed to take it out to retain the safety of our buildings >> at an additional cost to taxpayers. >> At an additional cost. Yes. >> There's also approximately 1 point I'm giving an estimate $1.3 million in tip funds. >> And so with the ask >> Wait, wait, wait. No, no, no. We need to clarify that we have $1.3 million in our TIFF account right now or that is the potential amount that would be added when the TIFF expires. Can we clarify that? >> No, as of right now, uh there is like the village actually gives us a yearly check, right? So there is money available. >> Okay. And then so that does add in the one thing I would like to see added to this is the um when
039the tiff ends what that oneyear uptick in our revenue is because the way that tiffs work is that when they they're it's frozen our property values within the tiff district for 30 years and what they do is they give a one-time infusion when that tiff ends of those property values like hop 30 years and so we will have a one-time kick up in our revenue of massive amounts, right? So what that would be as of if the tiff ended today what that payment would be which is something that we can calculate with some amount as probably as well as we could calculate construction costs, right? Um and then could also update every year so that we're taking that into consideration, right? Because that's like 20 30 something. So that we could like hey in 2030
040something as of today we get a $6 million B now that's actually a bond that doesn't impact that's not a bond that's just I have a question with that also so now I have two questions so going just making it relevant for the tiff is it is that date set that the tiff ends >> well it has not been extended so yes >> it hasn't been extended >> so there is an ask to extend or maybe maybe there I don't know that there is still a current ask to extend, >> but I'm just saying if if there's an ask that came out, >> then we're moving that date. >> Yeah. >> If we extend it, we would be moving. Yes, that is. >> So, I just I I know we've discussed that before because that
041was one of my questions. We say or people say you have money and if there is already if there could possibly be an extension, we don't have that money. Then we have to wait even a longer time to get this. Um, going back to us going to ask for the board as we consider this, I guess it's been on my mind is timing and discussion and figuring out what we would like to see a decision made as what uh the community wants or I say we the community what does the community want to do or what do we you know for a referendum or just bare minimum let's patch or as we've you've said before um bandaid um is is there a certain timing you should look to um say what we're going to do
042>> do we want to put that on the agenda for the facilities meeting >> just to discuss potential times I think that's a good >> I don't think I think this is great I like seeing this as these are options but I just I contemplated that to like okay when when will we or when should we or know that's looking at different aspects even if we're saying it used to be the word we didn't say but now we can say it a lot because we tried a lot the referendum is there a timing that makes sense that if you're going to go you need to go we want to go by this time for this election so I just want to get that timeline and >> as a I suppose and or the timeline for
043bonding >> because that I mean that's 27 that's here tomorrow practically so we're coming up on a timeline for that as well because we have to ask and submit we to use your analogy we have about 10 or 11 million worth of band-aids if you will I'm not I think we all would agree I think the community would too it makes more sense to have a comprehensive plan that considers all revenue sourc resources and address the needs of the district at one time. So if the will of the board and the community is to not ask for additional dollars, then that means we use the band-aids as needed going forward and we address life safety issues with the money that we have available. that would one could be would not increase the tax burden the
044working cash um it could decrease the tax burden if we don't utilize it but as Tim said if we if it's available once you use it then limited availability going forward the life safety piece is for the things as Leah said that are really we must do this some of those things are at our doorstep because if that roof collapses which has happened at a local high school quite frankly >> or it could damage our then it's on us that we did not take action. So I think that is something that but we wanted to do it all as part of a comprehensive [clears throat] plan where we look all revenue sources all needs all the potential needs have been outlined in Joe's plans. The buckets of money include the tiff money, which is, you
045know, like we say 1.3 currently that we could access. There's another $7 million approximately life safety approximately $10 million. That's not going to meet all the needs. It would require more referendum dollars potentially. The if we're not building new, if we're not acquiring property, it's a significantly less of an ask of the community than in the previous two referendums. So the guidance from the board is which direction one option is let's just keep doing business and access the working cash and life safety as needs arise. That's not a comprehensive plan. That's not strategic thinking. I don't think it's in the best interest of the district or the community. The other is to board makes a decision. We listen to the community which we have been. The point is that maybe the renovation of the two
046existing sites is a possibility. We come up with numbers which we have detailed numbers which are going to be adjusted slightly as Ron said. But then the ask if you factor in life safety and working cash would be significantly lower than the previous two asks because we're not acquiring property. We're not building new. It's less expensive to renovate than it is to build. Now, >> different question. [clears throat] >> How is the amount of the working cash >> bonds determined? So, it says $11 million. Is that is are there ones that are a few more years out >> that could also be uh accessed? >> I think >> or is 11 million the the absolute max that we ever had? No, I think our total is in like the 30 million and we've done it
047traditionally in phases to let about 8 to 11 million retire every five or six years to give us the ability to do some of these pro larger projects but not renovation. So that was how it was how the money was structured to like initially take it all take it out. And if you'd like to, we can uh reach out to the the people who do the bonds and just say, "Hey, look, this is the >> we could have Liz Hennessy do a presentation of the board if needed." >> Just a talk. Yeah. >> She's the expert on that has been. >> So, yeah, it's just And also, it's something we've talked about before, but like again, it's weighing. How long do you wait? Do you wait for them to build up and hope our roof
048doesn't cave in uh or [clears throat] plumbing doesn't get out? So it's it's not saying like I'm not you know trying to say that in a um mean way but just we all have weighed that. I think they've waved it in the past and way you know certain things like hey we need to do this now we also want to leave the board something in case an emergency happens. So it's just how much how much you wait we can you know kick the can. That was the other time we usually like we'll keep going this business allows and wait two years to get a more substantial amount of money to use. So we I think that's something we talk about too and this is >> I guess my question is after May 1st of 2027
049when is the next >> two rounds retiring? Yeah. Can you have that for >> Can you have that for the agenda >> because that could also be part of this >> the finance facilities meeting >> be a whole more comprehensive plan if it's only three more years >> you know that's that's >> I don't know I mean only >> and that's what it was part of our conversation two years ago >> you know we wait two more years and then two more years again that's been a conversation I think of the board across the years and essentially kicking the can. >> Well, but that is part of the if we get no more money, right, we need to think about the next 15 years of [clears throat] dollars, right, of like what potential we have
050and what that means. So, I think the retirement schedule, the working cash bonds and the rough estimate, it adjusts a little bit because it's based on how much we took and blah blah blah. And working cash is one of those things, those bonds was like set very arbitrarily. once upon a time x number of years ago and it was based on I want to say >> um how much debt your district had at the time. Yeah. >> Right. It was like a four it was like a so like >> we have like 30 million is our max but like Oak Park could have like 60 million because they just had and like Lyall could have like 2 million. Like there's no rhyme or reason to the amount that districts have. It was based on like
051a snapshot in time. >> So my question isn't about kicking the can. My question is If the if the next bond is available in 2030 for example, >> yeah, >> that could be something where you project on and you say the taxes are going to level out and you know if we don't use that bond because we're asking for >> the referendum now. So it's part of a comprehensive plan. >> When and how much? Exactly what I'm asking for with when the tip retires, right? If the tip ends today and that day that it ends, what do we get? >> The same thing but with our working cash bonds. I think is a fair ask to have. >> Yes. So, we need Ron and possibly Liz to come to that finance facilities meeting to do
052a comprehensive report on where we stand with working cash going forward in the future. >> Okay. >> So, what would we like the finance uh the finance and facilities committee to discuss? Right. We're asking for um direction on the agenda for the February meeting. So we've the the previous um the previous meeting it was hey let's figure out some no money some money actual referendum. So now what do we want? What would we like the finance and the facilities committee meeting to report back to the board to make decision on? >> Once so you'll have that timeline kind of present. >> So yeah, we have a timeline. So far what I have on the agenda is a timeline for the decisions as far as bonds are concerned but then also referendum >> um because those
053are two different timelines. Shannon, >> are you getting all this text? >> Um the working cash bond retirement schedule and the tiff ending amount as of today is however the tip. So that those are the three things on the agenda to discuss at the next facility. Now >> it's only an hour long. That [laughter] is a lot to discuss in an hour. >> But I was going to say with that it's um recommendation scenarios of what? >> Yeah. >> I mean do we want to ask them like hey discuss these things and like then is there a clear way that you'd like us >> to go? will appreciate a recommendation or if there's a sense of of what they're discussing and hearing and learning and seeing um where [clears throat] where they would like to
054see um >> I guess the board go >> I don't know if there's a way like it's an hour but like a if if maybe not a necessary decision but for the board if you want to do this this is when you need to do that like if you want to recommend them this is when you need to do AB and C. If you need to go to the community, you need to do it by this time to get a decision. If you want to not go and discuss referendums right now, you don't think that's the pulse of the community, then these are the times for our bonds and this is what you need to consider, make decisions on what we're going to do, and and this is the timing for it. So kind of
055a a a because it's so long. I don't know if it's a decision we they a recommendation. >> I think that would be that's I think like the if this then that from a timeline perspective on both of those is like the information um to give to the committee to review. But what we need from the committee back is based on that timeline, the working cash bonds, the tiff information. How do you want the board to to move with these three? >> I kind of feel like I we haven't had this in a while. I don't know this like the rates right shape or form, but I don't know if we can. I I want to hear if there's a larger forum for our community to weigh in. That's what I kind of want to
056hear. >> I don't [clears throat] and I don't have that in my mind. I don't have the right answer for that, but I I need that sense of >> Can we ask the committee for that recommendation? I think that it is important to let the community know about this specific um committee meeting just there's a lot of people with interest in this in this topic and so if this if we could have a presentation that evening and then maybe have some goals and I'm wondering too if before then um if there we talk about timelines would Joe be able to look at his list and say we need the roof done by summer of 2027. Do we even have time to wait for a referendum to do the plumbing at Manning and the roof at
057the high school? Is that even is that something that's on the table for us or do we need to access funds be before that would be a viable option? So to your point, we'll advertise the February 10th meeting that's open to the public >> and we're kind of discussing what options the board wants to at least consider. Part of that timeline would include different avenues. For instance, non-referendum and referendum. Part of the timeline would also include if the board and the committee say no referendum at this time, what would it look like to do some of the necessary life safety repairs? >> So, think I I I think that Joe has has and the message has been pretty consistently like we're out of time on all of them yesterday, >> you know. Um, and I
058know that we are out of time on all of them. And I I think that even though we are out of time on all of them, we still have to figure out a [clears throat] >> figure out what >> a prioritization. Totally. >> Right. The 22. We have to >> this has to happen. This one we're the most out of time on, right? And I know that we are out of time on all of them, but we need to really like like pull those hairs >> and say because that will determine potentially on the you know on the lowest one right no additional funds if we're like the most out of out of time on all the Manning stuff right and that's $20 million like we only have 11 million you know like >> is
059it >> we really have to split the hair >> yeah I I was going to say that my I've been pretty quiet this whole discussion because my only concern when I look at what I'm seeing here, the only thing that's on my mind is it says that the bare minimum we have to do is 22.5 almost $22.6 million worth of work. And I'm assuming to your point like that has to get done now. All all of it has to get done now. And can you prioritize this over that or does this because since you can't do everything at the exact same time, what has what's has to get done first, second, and third? And this this isn't this 22.5 million. I don't believe this is in Joe's mind or anyone's mind money that that needs
060to be spent between now and three years from now or four years from now or six years from now, but one between now and one or two years from now is my understanding. Otherwise, it wouldn't be on this list. I don't think it's like this summer. >> I don't think so. So, that being said, we have access to $18 million and we have two $22.6 $6 million worth of immediate needs. And then there's this little bullet point here that says additional funding to be determined by who and when and where's it coming from. Because that's four and a half million, which is about I don't know three months worth of salaries in this district if I'm mist not mistaken. So when we say additional funding to be determined, what do we mean by that? >>
061Well, we have cash. We have a fund balance that we could tap into. That's not preferred, >> but it's an option. >> We can say that on here. That's what that's what I want the finance and facilities team to come back with is to tell us where that other money is going to come from >> because I don't know that >> because another point that I just I'm shut up in a second but but um the the other the other point is we we we've been discussing this evening and we tend to discuss the option of going for a referendum and not going for a referendum. But there's a third option which is going for a referendum and not being successful which happens to be the history in this district. So >> he did say
062it. >> What's that? >> He did say it. >> Well, no. What what what we're we're saying is is what I'm saying is I it's not about deciding whether we're going for referendum or not. In my mind, it's about deciding what we're going to do when it fails. That's what that's what I'm concerned that we don't have a plan for when it fails. We have a plan for going for it. We have a plan for not going for it, but we don't have a plan for when it fails. >> I think it includes and he did say >> we don't go for it fails. I think that's the same thing because we still we're tacked with >> going I think we have to say it. Yeah. >> But we're ted with going with and and
063then we said we have to go with the bare minimum. So if you have a plan for it, we don't go or it fails, then then you don't have addition fun additional funding to be determined. >> You have additional funding from here. >> Yeah. >> And that's the part, this is the piece that I'm missing. >> Okay. I could I could close that gap. >> We reduce expenditures on an annual basis. Cut into some of the services we provide our students. >> I want to know what those are. >> Jack, we can't say we reduce. We have to say what it is because reducing $4 million worth on a $35 million budget is not is not possible. Now the other piece of that if it is take from the fund balance which if that's the
064recommendation rock on that also has board action attached to it because our policy is at 40% fund balance so we would have to change our fund balance policy which is which is fine we can do that but right so like if it's this then rack on but I don't want to just say like we cut >> if it's a cut it's a cut what how much does it save d what's the impact because that's not coming from how much is in the tiff is in the tiff fund right now. Is that 1.3 that's in there? >> I'm not approximately. Yes. >> Okay. Well, there's 1.3 of it. I mean, that's not >> approximately. I I haven't heard anyone say that that's worth that number. >> We should said it is 1.3. >> So, the other
065the 22 million as an example. Let me just because I think it's a valid question. >> It's not like okay, we need to do that. I mean, some of those things are of the utmost urgency, like the high school roof as an example, and there are some other projects that would fall under, but the 22 million, like this is a non-negotiable thing that we have to spend. We we like you said, there's about a $4 million gap there. We we don't have to spend that $22 million this year. Mhm. >> We could get that last $4 million over the course of a couple years if if that's the the desired option. >> I Yeah, I want Yes. I want to see where it's coming from. I want I want to know where the additional funding
066is coming from. Is 1.3 If 1.3 is coming from TIFF and some other is coming from from fund balance changes, then fine. But but let's spell it out. I want I really would like to see it. just all say yes that not that's not the committee meeting because that's something we've brought up as a board to say you know that that is we keep we keep talking about we have to make this meeting of what we're willing to cut we need to put that we need to say as a board what we are and have that conversation and say you know this is a reality that could be a reality that we never pass anything I don't think it's for the committee it's already long that the committee is not going to say I think
067they do weigh in as something to hear about. But I think us making those tough decisions to say, "Okay, we're going to make this budget work and or we're willing to be in a deficit or we're willing to go into our our fund balance." That's something we say or we're willing to cut programs. [clears throat] >> I think we have to say that, but I think it's back and forth. We have to know what we're working with. I think Joe's worked hard and gave us numbers that, you know, could change. Yes. But we also have to in our scenarios to say hey guys this is what we're considering and everybody has to hear that and they have to hear us go through that exercise. Um that's >> yes >> and with recommendations from the administration
068and we have to say it like what what things could look like what we're not willing to do. We could also say we're not willing to make any cuts to programs but what does that mean? So we I think that's for us to say. I do I do think there is what one thing that neither the committee nor us have necessarily discussed with enough I don't know recency or information is the is our fund balance right so SAS in previous years made a a choice to it was a very complicated choice but they essentially had a fund balance when they didn't really need a fund balance and so they made the choice to spend that fund balance down over the course of years into a more appropriate amount and that was that was a poor
069decision but really like dove into fund bal that's when we talk learned a lot about fund balance so I think it's something that we haven't necessarily talked about is okay we have a fund balance right we have x number of dollars sitting we're what is fund based accounting right um and how we because it's how we operate our schools every year and what does it mean to decrease our fund balance what's a realistic amount what's a oh crap that's something that I think we haven't necessarily the committee hasn't necessarily explored as an option and um I don't think we necessarily have is like cuz cuz yeah we have a very healthy fund balance now what are the impacts of that our fund balance is healthy and that is one of the impacts on our financial
070um ratings and scores right >> so >> if you pulled from that you know that's an impact that we have to cons our rating will go down what does that mean right does that mean that we have a higher um bonding interest rate because our rating is down Right. So those because these are all these are all um not ideal options. Right. However, if a roof falls down, we are going to have to change our fund balance policy and take from our fund. So like let's understand what that I think that is um one of the pieces of this, one of the money puzzle pieces that we haven't um explored. >> Yeah. How far can we push ourselves before we end up with receiverhip for example? I mean there is a the uh there there
071was a there is a district in that >> the last uh >> isn't there three >> our superintendent not superintendent our the helping CPL last year he was working >> he was working managing it or something >> yeah exactly >> it goes up north yeah >> yeah well aware but yeah continue >> I feel like we have a clear handle on what we need on that February time. >> Yep. >> Feel like we need to schedule more time. [laughter] >> I agree with you on that. I think we need to schedule >> um [clears throat] >> there's nothing restricting us really. >> I will be honest, there is a limit to how much effective conversation can happen. And I think that the absolute max on that is an hour and a half. So if we
072need to set up more time, I think that the appropriate and the well not even the appropriate but frankly the more effective way is to add a meeting as opposed to add time to it. It is also a meeting night for us as well, right? So like there are those there's just only so much that people can like >> talk about in a day before it's just devolves into >> that. adding more time. I think we should add an additional meeting, not have the meeting be long. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, so would one of would this be fair to give the administration um direction to go ahead and schedule an additional um facilities meeting? >> I think I think it makes sense. I think >> as much as I don't want another
073[laughter] >> Well, what meeting do we have at the second February meeting? What's policy meeting? We know what uh >> I don't know. I don't have my computer. Or is it >> what committee meeting do we have? >> PR. You're talking about the 27th. >> Yes. >> February. The 24th. >> Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. The 24th is the PR meeting. Yeah. >> So the 10th and the 24th PR >> no 10th is facilities >> 10th is facilities 24th >> 24th is PR >> and then we have the March the March finance meeting which is for the staffing discussion is before the 17th which is the next meeting >> and that meeting can't be >> that has to be that is a and that has to be finance that is not >> what does the board prefer
074we could not hold the PR meeting that evening and change it to a finance and facilities committing So, we have a second one. >> I I would say that I feel like um that [clears throat] is the the more pressing issue than PR >> and that's kind of a PR issue anyway. [laughter] >> Sure. >> So, finance and facilities will replace >> the PR committee on the 24th. So we'll have Do you want to uh elongate the 10th meeting a half hour? >> No, I think two 1-hour meetings is good. Yeah. >> So that's my opinion. >> Can Can and so cancelling the PR meeting, can we have um Edith and the PR team give us uh what direction they need via like one of our board updates or something from us for the from
075the PR standpoint so we could >> so that we don't like >> yeah we don't want to [clears throat] >> we don't want to we don't want to slow down PR because they're they're moving a lot of stuff but can she just find a different way to >> Yes. She doesn't need a meeting to do her work >> and she can still get board input without a meeting. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So can we do that? >> Yes. >> Okay. And so the 10th and the 24th will be finance and facility committee meetings for an hour. >> Yep. >> And we have a good list of things to present to you on the 10th. >> Yeah. >> I don't have to summarize that, do I? >> Please. I have three recordings. >> Yes. [laughter] >>
076That's only two of three. So are we good on finance and facilities recap and direction? Yes. [snorts] >> Wonderful. Okay. Policy second reading. So, as a reminder, we talked about policies in the last this is um in the last meeting. This is our uh second opportunity to read them and discuss them followed by of course the action item to approve them tonight as per standard. So, is there any discussion? Kevin, you want to all I want to say really is that we're following Press's recommendations. They're our experts that we hire to review these team of lawyers. So, um, it's really why I thought we're following the president's recommendations, >> which is the thing to do since we pay them to get better. >> I've got nothing. >> Cool. Great. Action items. Um, approval of policy.
077The chair will entertain a motion to approve the policies as presented. So, moved. >> Second. >> Uh, roll call. >> Mr. Ria. >> Yes. Yes. Mr. Orman, >> yes. >> Miss Franklin, >> yes. >> Dr. Hoover, >> yes. >> Miss Conover, >> yes. Miss Mill, >> yes. >> Mr. Marin, >> yes. >> Okay. Uh, the next one is the chair will enter a motion to approve the purchase of the electronic sign from Sign Outlet utilizing the Hackbrush Trust in the amount of $47,715. Um, I am going to ask the board if they would like to table this based on the new information about a potential restricted gift issue that we can explore. >> I move to table. >> Yes, >> I can I ask a question for the like >> the question I guess I
078don't have a question about it. We had a lovely presentation um that is in our board docs um about what has been spent and what it has been on um and now asked that the um when the mission that's written here and say have we not um they say the funds are available to enhance and enrich the educational experience. I you know there's different definitions of that that people can take on but um I consider that when they gave their presentation it's not discussion my question is is um this is not an enriching and enhancing thing that we're doing and in the presentation where they've shown what the recipients and what recipients have done that um for example a sensory room um that was um it was fulfilled. So has that not been done? Is
079that not uh an enriching? And >> so I want to clarify my um my ask about about tableabling it is not about the is it an educational piece of it. the Hackbrush trust already um went through that and said we deem this applicable for the hackbrush for the to utilize the hackbrush funds, >> right? >> Um and this is the only reason this is coming to us is because of the amount. It's not coming to us because we initiated this process. We didn't um it was initiated by staff and initiated um and they went through the hackbrush um use of funds process which they spoke about a little bit during their discussion um and I'm not the expert in education. If if the educators have decided that it does um cover an educational component I
080I do personally think it is it is a stretch. However, the hackbrush fund and the team that manages that fund went through the process of saying it is an educational component. So, the piece of it coming to us is not actually are we deciding if it's an educational component. Are we deciding if it is a if it is it is a it is just a are we letting the funds be the donated funds be utilized because it's over the X dollar amount. So, I'm asking about the restricted gift piece of it from a legal standpoint. if there is some restricted gift issue that we have not looked at or not vetted to make sure that we're covered from that legal side of it that's tied into it. So I'm not asking about like that has
081that been reviewed. >> Well, I think if we need to ask that then we need to table this. >> I'm not asked yet. So, >> so do we want to I would like to table it and look into it before we >> because that was not my question when I present it, but we can vote. >> Do we need to have a motion to table? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Can we get clarity on this? What? Um because I mean I if this gives the board some uh in you know comfort we can investigate this issue and then come to some kind of conclusion at the February meeting get you a solid answer on this between now and then. >> Yeah I think >> specific issue is you know is it a restricted gift issue?
082>> Mhm. >> That's the question. That's the question. >> Yep. >> U tell you. Yeah, we'll get after that. >> So, let's just let's vet it. That is the only piece of technically new information. Um, so let's vet it and make sure. >> Is this coming to the board for a vote because it was because they had thought they had they had thought it was going to be $45,000 and it went over by 2,000. So it's 40ome. >> It's coming it's coming to the board because it is over the purchase threshold. So well any any staff purchase over period >> comes to us. So regardless of where the funds come from [clears throat] the funds are being paid by the district even though they're not the half brush trust like the district writes the check
083even though the halfbrush trust is >> but isn't that the whole point of the board approving it is not is is it illegal? >> Yeah. is it's keeping like the district from spending it or accepting it itself that the we have the set amount that the board approves. That's not the illegal part that there's a certain amount that is accepted. I've not heard of that. So that's that's why that's not my question. That question was does it come to the board? Because they have a set amount that it comes to the board for and we are to approve that. I don't think there's a but and when I say that there's I don't think there's a legal issue with that >> but that's a think >> I think there's enough question as to whether or
084not there's a legal issue that it deserves to be tabled so that we can get clarity on the issue >> because that's all donations that this district has had >> and if that wasn't a question then why is it a question now? I'm just saying. So, >> but to be clear, the presentation that they gave us, I'm looking right at it. It's in the the docs. The total sign project is for 47. Like, they projected that at that price when they presented it at the last meeting. >> So, there hasn't been a change in price. >> To be fair, because I want to that's the direction the board goes in. I think I have a clear handle on this question, but I am not like does the board have a real clear handle on what
085exactly is being questioned? >> I guess it'll be a general question about donations then. So we would we would ask legal counsel if approving this expenditure is within our jurisdiction and no jeopardy for some kind of violation of donations or tax codes. [laughter] >> I think it's a restricted so I think that it's a more specific question. It's whether or not the wording of [cough and clears throat] the trust language is a restricted donation which requires different handling than the way that we're handling this right now. Because I when I read this mission statement, it says the trust allows for funding of projects that encourage creativity, innovation, and excellence. This sign does not encourage creativity. It does. Yes. And I That's your subjective analysis, right? It displays multiple things that go on. >> But the
086question is when you read that to a lawyer, is a lawyer going to interpret? >> No, that's not our question. Our question is not how it's being used. It's is this donation in our exactly what you said. I'm not going to question definitions and what is excellence and what is what is not because we have to look at everything that was given from Hackbooks. I have a question if that's a set amount each year. So I think we have to answer the question you said you had. Is this within our jurisdiction? If there is any amount that um has to go to a different approval for gifts, is there something else that we should be doing here that we're [clears throat] not applying now and we can't definitively say now? So we answered that question.
087We're not answering definitions and we have like you Leah said, we have educators that >> Yeah. >> So that have gone through this process already. Can I just the they there was an application that went to the hackburst trust that was approved by the hackburst trust. Yes. >> And so how why would we not be able to accept >> an approved donation from the hackbrush trust >> and trustees. So the the hackbrush trust and the hackbrush trustees are the ones who decide if it follows >> the criteria. They have deemed that it does. >> So why would >> so then the reason it comes to us is just because the amount because it's not wasn't started by us. It was started by the hackbrush trust. And so the question of if it's a restricted gift
088from a legal or an IRS standpoint, >> what does a restricted? >> Well, I think that's part of and why was it been a question last year? Why would it be a question? >> Yes. >> So, we spent money and we accepted money last year. >> It wasn't. >> So, I don't know the amounts of hand, but >> yeah. I just want to be able to give a a clear answer. This has been vetted by the attorneys quite frankly. >> Yeah. >> And it is a little vague on both ends. I mean the language itself is not definitive and the whole question about is this an educational value is subjective >> but I'm not worried about that because we didn't make that decision that was not that was not a board decision that was the
089trust decision they decided that >> my question is what does this mean the the legal terms of the restricted gift that's all I want to know is are we in any way violating that if we aren't great accept the gift we didn't >> define question are we asking? What question are we asking? >> What is this considered? >> Only the donor can restrict the gift. The nonprofit board, which is us, cannot unilaterally designate funds as restricted. So, it's it's the donor that determines >> it's not the board that's receiving the funds that determines whether it's restricted or not. >> Why do we have to so angry? >> It's because of the >> because we write the check. I after reading what I'm reading and understanding what a restricted gift is, I'm I'm ready to vote
090on this tonight. >> I don't I don't think we need to table this. >> I I think it's pretty clear. >> What is clear? >> It's clear that the idea of a restricted gift is is the onus is on the donor. In this case, it's the hackbrush trust that is donating this money to the district. And to answer your question, because we have to write the check from the district, this board legally has to vote on on approval of that check. That's it. We're not approving whether this whether they've made the right determination as to what these funds can be used for. That's their decision to make. All we're doing is saying, "Yep, write the check." That's all we're saying. And so >> we're front the money so they can give their donation later. >>
091We're not even fronting it. >> We're just writing the check. >> Yeah. So I don't I mean so do we have the money or not? Is it money in our funds or is it >> it's here it's a donation. It's not been generated by taxpayer dollars but it's district funds because anything that comes through is district funds. It wasn't generated by taxpayers. It was a donation. It I just to be as transparent as possible. I mean is a sign board promoting excellence? Is it of educational value? That is a subjective decision >> and one and one that's been made by the by the trustees of the hackers. >> Uh by the yeah the people who run it. Yeah. >> That's a determination that they have made. It's not a determination that we are voting on
092or that we are making. >> Just so it's really crystal clear. We did pass this by the attorneys and I'm going to tell you, you know, they gave it a green light, but it wasn't like it's not definitive in nature. You know, it is subjective. I would agree with that. It is, you know, I don't want to go down that road, but >> again, I I think it's simply I I didn't do the approval process. So that's not if there's a complaint that needs to go out to the hackbush and they can complain to our trustees [clears throat] that accepted this um form of giving money, it goes to them. I'm saying thank you for your gift. Thank you. I feel privileged and if you deem us um worthy of of having that >> Okay,
093so I think here's where we're at. Um, we can we have two options. We can take action on this tonight or we can table it. And I'm sorry, Alex, can you restate because you said it best and I don't want to restate. >> I was just wondering what that was. >> The restricted gift. I just I didn't know what that was and so I wanted to be clear if we were violating that in. So, um Okay. So we can take action on it tonight or we can table it to ask for clarification from the lawyers on what the restricted gift is. >> I mean from what >> and what a restricted gift is >> essentially. >> Does this qualify as a restricted gift? >> Yes. And it's not about we're not tableabling it to get
094more information on why it was approved because the trust approved it. They already said they have determined that it is that it needs but I'm with Carlos now that I >> Yeah. what it is. I follow. >> So if we're going to go around the room and sort of straw pull this thing, I'll just say >> straw pull the table. >> Yeah. Just if we want to do that my my I'll start and I'll say look I have no doubt where this ends up when we when we do consult. I have no doubt where it ends up. that ends up back at this board at the next board meeting as an agenda item that we will we will either vote to approve or not approve each each individual make their decision. But that we could
095vote on it tonight is not a question that I have in my head. If someone wants to wait another two weeks until we get clarification on this so we can so we can approve or disapprove this fine by me. I don't we can wait two weeks. So struggle wait the first thing is are we voting to their table >> I'll vote today I'll vote in two weeks I'll vote today >> I think it should be >> I'll vote today >> I can't math right now that was three vote today either and one vote that math just come off together. You know what? Let's just take like out of just >> Yeah. If you're curious, let's just table it. Let's just till two weeks from now. >> Two weeks. Easy. >> Signs don't matter. Signs can
096wait two weeks. >> It's fine. >> It's not the roof. >> Okay. Just to clarify, it was four for That's four for tableabling. >> No, no, it's we can we get can motion to table, right? That's >> we can go around again because we it was four for vote today. But that's clarify what your either way. >> I say we table it. >> What do you >> I move that we table. >> Yeah. Table. That's fine. >> I say I stand by what I say and say we vote [laughter] today. >> Let's just get clarification. I'm fine that table. I'm tableabling. It's not going to change my decision. >> Yeah. Do I have to ask a specific motion? But there's no action like >> we're just removing an action item from the agenda. >> They
097removed it from [cough] >> So I'm entertaining a motion to remove the >> We're done. We don't have to We don't have to We're removing an action item from the from the agenda. It's fine. >> Okay. What Ron, do you have legal requirements for me? Thought it was a motion to table. >> We already have a motion to table and I second it. >> Okay. And we st witches votes also. Okay. >> Cool. >> You don't need to roll call on that one. >> No. Just >> Nope. [laughter] >> Okay. Uh moving right along. Approval of the Westmont High School um student early graduation. The chair will entertain a motion to approve student X's early graduation from Westmont High School. So, I want to be very clear that what we are approving today is a
098onetime um exception to the existing policy for early graduation. Our existing early graduation policy um essentially allows a student to graduate one semester early. This student is asking to graduate one year early. So two semesters early um for extreme and unique extenduating circumstances that are out of the students and our control. Um and so again we are not changing the early graduation requirement. The early graduation policy will still stand at one semester. It is utilized with some amount of regularity and su and a lot of success. Um but that will stay the same. This is we are approving a onetime exception for this student. Okay. So the chair will entertain that motion to approve student X's early graduation from Westmont High School. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Miss Franklin. >> Yes.
099>> Dr. Hoover. >> Yes. >> Miss Conover. >> Yes. >> Miss Mill. >> Yes. >> Mr. Marin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Davia. >> Yes. >> Mr. Orman. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. Okay. Superintendent report. Um we started the second semester strong. We had our office meeting [clears throat] last week. Um we really emphasized not just a celebration of some extraordinary accomplishments but uh need to continuously improve the work that we've done [clears throat] and keep the students at the center of what we are doing. The major focal areas remain um you know developing compassionate human beings who give back to this world is our priority. Um using our efforts to make sure students are present in our classroom so they can maximize their learning. We looked at the data that says we're in the top
1001% of the state when it comes to the chronic absenteeism which is a source of pride. But we need to continuously work on that and our whole team is dedicated to that and talk to our students at grade level meetings every grade level from K through 12. Reach out to parents and tell them it's so important to have our students here that our community supports excellence in education and take advantage of that. Um the growth that we have in student learning is tremendous but it's not guaranteed. We have to continuously sharpen the saw. So we talked about that continuous improvement model, teamwork, collaboration is our goal and we're confident that we're monitoring our student progress on a daily basis to ensure excellence and that the teams are learning from each other. It's very powerful. Um,
101and that is our mission always, but especially in the second semester, keep monitoring our work for our students and for our community. And including the students at the center of that and having them be partners, not something that happens to them, that happens with them. And all students are sacred. Every single student in this district, the ones who are struggling, the ones who are have challenges, every student is sacred to us and I'm very proud of our team and our students for the work they do on a daily basis. on a on a supportive note on February the 3 is the uh DUP page division of ISP and there's a meeting and Carlos and Leah and I attended that at the previous meeting but we'd love to have other board members join us if you
102can on February 3rd. It starts at 5:30 uh six o'clock dinner and a 7:15 presentation by Dr. Tony Sanders, who's the state superintendent, and he knows 2011 very well. He's visited us on several occasions in the past year, but he will be doing a presentation. So, any board members who can attend, we would love to have you there. If you could please let Shannon know and let myself know and then we could >> I'm going to attend the dinner. It's February 3rd, starts at 5:30, dinner at 6:00, presentation at 7:15, should be done at 8. It's a great way to connect and be aware of the work of ISB. >> Are you guys set to go? >> I'm going. >> So, I'm not able to go. I was going to talk about in my board
103report, but I'll just Is it okay if I jump ahead of it? >> All right. So, um yeah, I'm not able to go. Uh I'm I'm I'm uh I'm away on on on a business trip and um but I want to encourage everyone especially the new board members here to take this opportunity to go if you um you you two of you join after the the tri conference and this is like a mini many mini tri conference right and it's an opportunity to you to understand how other boards function and um network a little bit hear from other you know have have um colleagues outside of just this board here. Um it's a little bit of an investment in time. It's a mere 15 minutes away from here, but it is it is your evening.
104I will say that that's true. Um and then um and also that like it it doesn't in the past I I went to one and then and then Jack and and Leah joined me at a recent one. Um and um but the truth is when you go to these things it's it's usually districts either have almost their entire board there including you know their superintendent or like nobody from the district goes. And I really would like us to be the kind of district that shows up um for for things like this. So I I'm I'm asking you as a like a personal favor on this board to make the time to to to get there if you can. So >> where is it at? >> Will High School. Um, and it's like I said, it's
10515 minute drive from downtown West. So, >> yeah. >> Okay. >> And maybe you can carpool if enough of y'all go. >> So, any other [clears throat] uh communications from your jack? >> No. Okay. Board reports. Carlos already gave his. >> Um, I'm going to give mine. Carlos and I met with Arlana to talk about our um >> board treat. Thank you, Adena. you're used to working at night [laughter] um to talk about and plan our board retreat which is um essentially all of our next meeting. So um I'm gonna I this just came to mind. Is it possible for everybody to be here at six o'clock >> for the next meeting instead of 6:30? >> I can. Yes. >> Okay. So we'll put out a message tomorrow at the meeting starting at 6. >>
106Can we do that? Yeah. So that it's it'll and it'll very likely be 6:00 to 9. We'll take the whole evening. Um plan will we'll have a working dinner. Um so we'll go through our procedures. Our Lana has got some good stuff. Um and it will it's really about like how we as a board interact um how we uh interact with the administration, how the administration acts from uh interacts with us and really kind of setting our precedent. So, it's going to be a great meeting. Um, and it will be incredibly informative. The vast majority of it will be in closed session. We will basically do an open and um consent agenda and then we will go into closed um for really all of it. >> Yeah. Only one action item >> and this is
107potentially one action item which we will put before we go to close. >> Yes. Boy, we worked really hard to make sure there were no action items on that. [laughter] >> Should be 14 days from now. >> So, we did move that facilities and finance um meeting that was originally scheduled for next week um so that we can really focus. This is critically important and with three brand new board members. Um, so >> it's just >> it's a it's a real moment and it's a really important um it's it's a very important time for us to come together and decide how we act as a team. So um so >> come at a better time. >> Yes. So any other board reports? >> The only thing I want to say uh high school NHS is
108having a blood drive on January 15th. Um it's from 8 am to 2 pm unfortunately just during a school day. Um so look at social media to find that and register. [laughter] >> I have one question. When what time is the committee meeting on the 10th >> 5:30 to 6:30? >> Okay. Moving on to future uh we have no public comment. So, moving on to future meetings and events. No school on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, uh, January 19th. South uh, has its school family night right here at South School, January 20th from 5 to 6:00 p.m. Our next board meeting is January 27th at uh, it will be six o'clock uh, at Village Hall. And that's all I've got for future meetings and events. There's no other current information. >> Can I So, the
109the retreat is not here. It's after >> it's it is at Village Hall. Yeah. >> Um and Shannon is double checking with them if we whatever. >> So, >> yeah. No, we talked about not we're just at village hall. >> Yeah. Um okay. The chair will entertain a motion to adjourn the January 13, 2026 regular meeting of the board of education. >> So move second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes.