10/15/2025 Regular Board Meeting

001Excuse me, please. We're going to do a one minute warning and we're going to get started. We're going to be calling this meeting to order of the board of education. October 15th, 603 p.m. >> Could I have a roll call, please? >> Yes. >> Jones. >> Yes. >> Rachel Marquin, present. Lauren Dowin, >> present. >> Dr. Michael Thomas >> present. >> O'Neal Gray >> present. >> David Shepard. >> Michael Miller >> present. >> Thank you. >> Could you please all stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. If the board could please review the agenda and if there are no additions or deletions,

002could I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Beautiful. May I have a roll call, please? >> O'Neal Gray, >> I. >> Dr. Michael Thomas, >> yes. >> Lauren Dowin, >> yes. >> David Shepard, >> yes. >> Rachel Marquin, yes. Denise Jones, >> yes. >> Michael Al, >> yay. >> Excellent. All right, we're gonna jump right in with staff reports. Dr. Woodland, please take it away. All right. So, my first update for this e evening is our first update for this school year with our two eighth two of our eighth grade student advisory board members. Yi, [Applause] I'm Evelyn Shimik. I'm in eighth grade and I went to Southwest Elementary School. >> Hi, my name is Marielle Scutter. I am also in eighth grade and I went to Southeast Elementary

003School. and Evelyn and I are here to talk about the new clubs we have created at Central Middle School to help grow our school's community. Um, in the past I've talked to a lot of students about wanting a drama club and I also have wanted a drama club and now Central having its first uh spring production this year. Because Central doesn't have a stage, I was hoping that we could borrow that high school stage to have our first production. We would also have all grade levels be in the musical so no one feels left out. We also have several teachers that would be able to help us out with the show. We should have auditions after winter break and start rehearsals in January. And I would like the show sometime before spring break so it

004doesn't clash with 8th grade graduation. We've also asked Dr. William for a budget and I would also like to ask you the board if you would be willing to contribute to the budget. Thank you. [Applause] After discussing with my fellow student board members about new clubs we would like to create and add to our middle school, I brought up the idea of a dance club to engage students and get them moving. After running this through my group, my principal and our dean, I was able to obtain my sponsor and start planning my group. So far, we have determined that this group will take place right after we resume from winter break, and people who participate in this group will learn combinations and practice skills. This will benefit both physical and mental well-being. I want to

005thank everyone involved in this club for giving me this opportunity. Thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you so much. And we unfortunately had two others that were unable to make it last minute, but hopefully they can come in November. But we've been in search of seventh graders and we will be enlisting their support with formal invitations to come next week. >> Yes. And you of course can get your cupcakes. >> Thank you so much. >> Very well spoken. >> Thanks, ladies. >> Yes. All right, next up on the agenda is a reminder of Unity Day. So, Unity Day is a day to show support for bullying prevention and to send a message of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. So, this is a reminder to all to wear and share orange next week, Wednesday, October 22nd. This was

006an initiative that we started last year, and we look forward to continuing. We will also send out community notifications and staff notifications for a reminder to wear and share orange next Wednesday. All right. Next, we have a recognition of our teachers earning tenure. So, we have quite the list this year. We actually, I believe, have 18, right, Sonia? Um, which is so exciting because what that shows and demonstrates to me is a a commitment to teaching and learning by our teachers and staff and b a commitment to our principles to really supporting our teachers and recognizing what it takes to really be the great educators that they are. And so I'm going to go through the list and we did invite them to all attend if they were able to. And so we do have

007lovely certificates that Michael and I will hand out. And so I'm gonna go through each. So first is Sarah Heftlin. If she's in the audience, I don't see her, but we'll clap for everyone. Congratulations, Sarah. Rob Lininger. He's fabulous. So grateful to have him. Congratulations, Rob. Nora Mintosh. Congratulations, Nora. Myra Villanueva, [Applause] congratulations. Megan Coleman, congratulations. [Applause] Bridget Doherty, [Applause] Laura Hamilton, Caitlyn Hurley, [Applause] Patricia Klein, [Applause] Stephen Reed, Amanda Carberry, [Applause] Sarah Gonzalez, Cassandra Larson. Would you like to come get your certificate? >> Yay. I was like, I know she >> Thank you so much for coming. >> Thank you so much. [Music] [Applause] >> Dora Croft, Ally Banks, Congratulations, Ally. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Thanks for coming, Grace. >> Thanks very >> Sarah Telvin, Lindsay Meda.

008[Applause] >> And that is all. So give everyone a round of applause and we will make sure that they receive their certificates of appreciation. We are so grateful to have them on our staff and for us to all continue and learn and grow together. So next the month of October or actually next week is principal recognition week. And of course as always I could write a lovely speech but not as lovely as our staff and our students. So, we have asked um some of our proud teachers to represent and share with us what their principles mean to them. And so, I'm going to start with Northwest. So, our representative for Northwest, if you would like to come up, that would be awesome. >> Hi, ladies. Thank you so much for coming. [Music] >> You want

009us to space this way? >> This way would be great. We all know you're talking who you're talking about. >> Okay. >> Um hello everyone. Our names are I'm Siobhan. This is Cassie. I'm Emily. and we are teachers at Northwest Elementary. We wanted to take a moment to recognize someone who truly makes our school a better place every single day and that is our amazing principal, Dr. Banick. [Applause] Um, we can always count on Dr. Banick to be supportive, knowledgeable, and somehow everywhere at once. Whether he's in classrooms helping out, jumping in for rocker school week, or making sure everything runs smoothly, he's always right there beside us. The students absolutely love him, too. Especially when they get a chance to play with him one-on-one basketball. They look forward to those games. Even though most

010of the times he does come out on top, what makes it even better is that he knows every student's name. And it's not just that, he knows their interests, too. He uses that to build real connections and make every student feel seen and valued. >> Um, we also look forward to the holidays when Dr. Bic plans scavenger hunts, team building challenges, and all sorts of silly competitions. Um, we love the games he comes up with. And sometimes, okay, most of the time, um, the staff gets really competitive. Um, and we can always count on one more thing. No matter the day or the event, Dr. Banic will always be wearing a collared shirt. Even on spirit days, you'll find that collared uh that collar tucked nearly under his gear. Dr. Banick is also the ultimate

011organizer. He has a spreadsheet for literally everything and somehow he can pull up the exact one we need in less than 10 seconds. It's kind of like his super secret power and we've con we're convinced that he dreams in spreadsheets. Between that his Mustang Matters newsletters that we get weekly, he keeps our entire run our entire school running smoothly and keeps the rest of us from completely losing our minds. So, he also leads by example when it comes to um caring for our school. One day we noticed him rolling up his dress shirt sleeves and pulling weeds outside. Just another reminder that he's always willing to get his hands dirty for our community. Dr. Dr. Banick, thank you for everything do for everything you do for being a leader, a listener, a role model, and

012a constant support, constant source of support for both students and staff. We are so lucky to have you, Dr. Bick. Right. Next up, I would love to hear from South East. [Applause] Hi, >> good evening. My name is Patty Burn Solomon and I'm here to share a few words in anticipation of principal appreciation day. For those of you who don't know me, I've been a teacher for over 30 years. I've spent 27 of those years here in district 124 here at Southeast. So, you can imagine I've seen a few learning initiatives, worked with a variety of administrators, and made lifelong friendships, heard some stories, and bonded with amazing children and families. In anticipation of principal appreciation day, I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge those who have helped guide me through my teaching journey.

013I started with Jan writing, Jatan Wolverton, Tim Sheldon, Scott Lisa, Gary Bry, Haley. Um, starting with Okay, Scott, I want to or actually Dr. Banick and Dr. Mohler, I haven't had the pleasure, but thank you for what you do. Scott, I wanted to take this opportunity to listen to me during times of frustration and giving me a sense of calm and faith when I knew everything would be okay after talking to you. And Carrie, you were a guiding force, a friend, an example of what was possible. To you, I am truly grateful. Haley, I haven't forgotten you. It's just going to take me a minute to get there. Dr. Woodland, you often refer to us as a district family. 124 is family. To me, you truly are a family. As a principal, I'm going to

014get a little emotional. Haley, you have taken on the quote unquote mom figure. We are a family. You are a mom. First, you might think, "Mom, can I have this? Mom, can I have that? Mom, we need mom. Mom, mom." I think you get the point. However, being a mom can be the greatest gift a child of any age can have. Haley, as a mom of Southeast, you have shown kindness, compassion, empathy, warmth, resilience, and love. And today, in honor of a uh principal and principal appreciation day, I have two small gifts. Grace has got one. I have a small jar to be a reminder. Hang on a second. I have two small gifts to share with you in the hope that it will remind you that as a mom, you have shown seeds of

015hope in all of us. In this jar, you will find a pine cone to represent the seeds that you have sewn and 322 pennies filled with good wishes to represent the children you care for each day. As a second gift, I have a book called All from a Walnut. And this story is about a young girl named Amelia who finds one a walnut one morning and her grandpa tells the story behind it. He tells of his journey across the ocean to a new home with only a bag and a nut in his pocket. And step by step, Grandpa teaches Amelia how to cultivate her own seed. But as her little seed grows, Grandpa begins to slow down until one day Amelia must say goodbye. At the end of this year, I too will go and

016say goodbye. So, I wanted to say thank you to you because you've taught me gratitude. So, thank you. [Applause] Thank you so much, >> Patty. You can always change your retirement again. >> All right, next up, why don't we switch to Central? >> Dr. Mhler. I have to announce it's her daughter's birthday. And so I always if there's ever a board meeting, I take the stance that family is first. And so I she was at work today, but she's at home with her daughter tonight. So I'm sure she will rewatch tomorrow. >> Good evening, school board. First, I want to start by saying thank you to the school board for inviting me to this meeting to talk about our spectacular principles, Dr. Mhler and Miss Lavin. Dr. Mer respects and listens to not only the

017students of Central Middle School but also the teachers and staff. Miss Lavin listens to students needs and helps guide them to achieve their goals. For example, I wanted to become a school store manager during lunch and she guided me on the correct path for me to become one. From my experiences with Dr. Mohler, she has shown me nothing but respect. Her kind morning greetings when I see her in the hall, her friendly morning questions, and her willingness to listen. Dr. Dr. Mo is a principal who leads with respect and kindness. And for that, I hold a lot of respect for her. Their kindness and bold personalities make me feel like someone truly cares about me coming to school. That's why I want to wish them an awesome principal day. [Applause] >> Hi, my name is

018McKenzie Priest and I'm a sixth grader student at Central Middle School. I would like to start by thanking the board of education for having me here to tell you how great of a principal Dr. Mohler is. Dr. Mohler and Miss Lavender. When I first met Dr. Mohler at meet the teacher night, I knew it was going to be a great year. Dr. Mohler is very kind. I've seen her help so many students throughout the school year. I've only been at Central for two months and I already love it here because of the kindness shown by Dr. Mohler and Miss Lavin. Next, they both have amazing school spirit. Miss Lavin plans great spirit weeks to make Central a fun place to learn. It's fun watching the students shoot up so they can hear the end of

019the announcements and Dr. Muller's famous go Panthers to begin the school day. Lastly, they are dedicated. They work the whole week and still keep a smile on their face even when the students are worn out from a long week of school. They make school seem less like a school and more like a home. As you can see, Dr. Mohler and Miss Lavin make Central great for the students, teachers, and support staff. I would like to thank both Dr. Mohler and Miss Lavin for all that they do for Central Middle School. Thank you again for having me here today. [Applause] >> All right. Good morning. Uh good evening members of the board, superintendent, colleagues, my wonderful students. Uh, I stand before you today to express on behalf of our school community a deep gratitude and admiration

020for the outstanding leadership that Dr. Jenna Mohler and Miss Christina Lavin have brought to uh to Central Middle School. Over the past two years, Dr. Mohler has served as principal and for the past three years, Miss Lavin has served as our dedicated associate principal. Together they have created leader a leadership team that is both visionary and grounded. One that has truly transformed our school's culture, consistency, and communication. When Dr. Mohler stepped in her role, she and Miss Lavin inherited both opportunity and challenge. Together they took on responsibility of not only guiding academic growth but also strengthening culture, relationships, systems and support structures. Under their shared leadership, the district has embraced a new leadership framework in the building, introducing dean dean positions to support instruction, behavior, student life, and restorative practices. Dr. Mhler, Miss Lavin and

021their team have intentionally reduced student referrals by more than half, creating a safer and more focused learning environment. Communication with families have been enhanced. For example, the weekly central connections, the newsletter, keeping families informed on classroom updates, school events, and social emotional supports. Both leaders ensure their doors are open, welcoming new staff, supporting returning educators, and staying visible in hallways each day. Their presence and accessibility remind students and staff that leadership is about connection, not distance. Together, they have been steady, guiding curriculum, assessment, staffing, and instructional coherence with a clear vision and a shared sense of purpose. But beyond the metrics and structural changes lie what truly matters, the shift in culture. Under Dr. Müller and Miss Lavin's leadership, there is a new feeling among students and staffs that they have that they are seen,

022supported, and held to high expectations. Central Middle School is now more cohesive, more proactive, more relational, and more focused on both academics and social emotional growth. As a community, we are seeing momentum. As a district, we are fortunate to have a leadership team that models partnership, clarity, compassion, and rigor. The combined contributions of Dr. Mhler and Miss Lavin echo beyond the walls of Central Middle School. The ripple effects of their work build trust, stability, and upward trajectory for the entire district 124. So I ask today you to join me in recognizing Dr. Jenna Mohler and Miss Christina Lavin, not just for what they have already accomplished, but for what they continue to build every single day. We look forward to many more years of their shared leadership, vision, and care. Thank you so much. [Applause]

023>> Hi, good evening. >> Mine's a little bit short and sweet. Um, so when I was asked to share some words about Jenna and Chris for principal day and principal week, the answer was immediately a yes. because they are so deserving and I don't think that we tell them enough how much we appreciate them. Central has seen such a positive shift in our school culture and a lot of that change is because of their leadership. I asked some of my colleagues what words come to their mind when they think of Jenna and none of what they offered was surprising. Some of my personal favorites were girl boss, intentional, collaborative, supportive, understanding, articulate, and of course, a swifty. My favorite thing about Jenna is the fact that she greets her staff with a smile and asks

024how she can support her teachers, and she means it. I can honestly say that I've never seen felt more connected and were seen by an administrator, and I cannot thank her enough for that. CMS would not be the same without Jenna. Chris is an individual that staff and students feel completely comfortable to go to no matter what the situation is. She truly embodies what we work so hard to teach and instill in our students day in and day out of being kind and respectful towards everyone. She is truly a positive Panther who is ready to take on anything that comes her way. Chris is such a light at CMS and she has built an environment in which students are excited to come too. Students are engaged in our social emotional learning lessons and it shines

025through in our school and Chris is a large part of this. We are so lucky to have such a compassionate and understanding leader in her. Happy National Principles Week. All right. How about Southwest? >> No one. >> Well, I'm going to follow up with the person that I talked to and I'm gonna speak about speak about Scott and then I'm gonna have Haley, Carrie, and Matt all chime in because I know they can help me. So Scott is a person that I absolutely look up to and the reason why is because he is an administrator who is driven by relationships. And when he is a person who walks into a room, what Scott wants to do is he wants to connect with kids and he wants to put teachers first. Um, something that I know

026about Scott is that he is here to be dedicated to everything related to Southwest and I couldn't be more proud of his actions every single day. So, thank you so much, Scott, for >> All right, Carrie, your turn. >> Scott's our go-to for numbers and our and our finances, like helps us with our finances. Um so and he's just really overall um just a genuinely caring kind person inside and out. Yes. And I feel like um you know he's been a mentor to me and we kind of like I worked under him like as a teacher. he was my assistant principal and then our roles changed, you know, when we were both hired on um in co. So thankful for him and his um and his expertise and his patience to explain things to me

027over and over again and to help remind me of deadlines and things that are coming. So yes, thanks Scott [Applause] >> when I not too. I think about his ability to connect with people. He always puts others first and I think just not only for his staff, but I think for fellow principles as well, you can always if you call Scott, he's always going to call you back. He's going to be available to help you with whatever you need. >> Great >> and Dr. Banic. >> You know, I think he always puts students first and he is very good about seeing different sides of different issues and he always his famous phrase is like always assume positive intentions. I think it's a good leadership model to have a great job. Um, I worked under Scott

028as a teacher for three years and there was never a time when I didn't walk in. His doors always open and you just kind of pop your head in. You're like, "Hey, you got a minute?" And he always does. Even when it means he's putting his laptop away or the amount of paperwork he's working on, it's like he's like, "Yep, I got a minute." And it's consistent for every teacher and every student. uh he's always open to new ideas, anything we can do to help students like he's he's in he's just there's never enough. So he's always willing to help and change and grow and um and he really respects his teachers a great deal. So it's great to work under him and now to work besides him has been a real privilege. [Applause] >>

029Uh well I only I worked with Scott for a short time for an interim position uh last fall as his assistant principal and I have to say it was very helpful when learning it was October kind of thrown in there and he would always go what are we going to do and really helped me brainstorm and problem solve and guided me and trusted me. So thanks [Applause] [Laughter] As most of these principles know, I am very passionate about my job and I get a little heated when things don't go the way I kind of want them to go. >> So, I don't have to call anybody. So when I went wasn't able to go to the other principal staff was the assistant principal and I went to him on many occasion and we talked often

030and he always talked me off the ledge it was going to be okay. So I truly [Applause] thank you guys. Yes. Um he was my principal >> for um three years because and it was really fun going to Southwest because there was a bunch of activities for holidays and everything and he just made the building a really warm place. >> Well, thank you so much, sweetie. That was amazing. All right, last and not least, Northeast. [Applause] >> Good evening. My name is Bronwin Azerella and I'm a fifth grade teacher at Northeast. I've only been with the district for two years, but I have been a teacher for almost 30 and I've worked with many principles. I can honestly say I hit the jackpot when I received a position at Northeast to work for Carrie Berry.

031It's not every day that we got the opportunity to pause and reflect on the people who make a lasting impact, not just in their roles, but in our lives. Today, I want to take a moment to speak from the heart about what it means to work with a principal who leads with kindness, supports their staff, understands their team, and above all encourages us encourages us every step of the way. Working in education is more than a job. It's a calling, a commitment, and let's be honest, sometimes a daily challenge. But when you have a leader who not only sees that, but stands beside you through it all, it changes everything. From day one, your leadership has been marked by empathy. You listen not just to our words, but to what's behind them. You recognize our

032hard work, even when we even when you don't say it out loud. You notice when we're tired, when we're overwhelmed, or when we need that quiet encouragement to keep going. And you always offer it without hesitation, without judgment. Your support isn't just in the big decisions. It's in the small, consistent ways you show up, checking in, asking how we're doing, offering a helping hand when we're juggling more than we can carry. You lead with heart. And the heart creates a school culture where people feel safe to grow, to speak, to try, and even fail. But perhaps what we're most grateful for is the way you encourage us. You remind us that we're capable even when we doubt ourselves. You see potential in each member of this staff and push us gently but purposefully toward it.

033You celebrate our wins and when we face sets back setbacks, you're there reminding us that we're not alone and that we'll get through it together. You encourage creativity, collaboration, and reflection. You encourage us to be better teachers, better colleagues, and better people. and you just don't talk about values like respect, compassion, and excellence. You live them. Because of your leadership, our school is not just a workplace. It's a community, a family, a place where people feel empowered to be their best selves. On behalf of us all, thank you for your kindness, your strength, your unwavering support, and the belief that you have in that you have in every single one of us. Thank you for leading with both wisdom and warmth, and for creating an environment where people can truly thrive. It's an honor to

034work with you and to learn from you. [Applause] Good evening board members and residents of Evergreen Park. My name is Haru Deose and I attend Northeast Elementary School. Today I want to tell you why Mrs. Berry should be celebrated as a great principal. Mrs. Barry is always kind and positive. She makes sure she starts our mornings with a good vibe with her morning messages and gets us ready for the day. She encourages us to do our best and go for the gold. And speaking of gold, she's also really funny. She came to the classrooms playing the song Golden from K-pop Demon Hunters along with the teachers. As a good leader, she works with the other staff in our Lions pack to make sure we have great and fun activities and programs like kindness club, taekwond

035do, running club, and many more. She also keeps our parents up to date with her berry briefs. My final reason why I know Mrs. B should be celebrated is because she's almost always available and if there are ever any problems, she's great at problem solving. It all makes Northeast a great place to look forward to to look forward to going to. Thank you and remember to go for the gold. [Applause] proud of you. >> Well, thank you so so much for all of your contributions this evening. I could not have said I've done any of this better. So, I just greatly appreciate you showing up and being here and supporting our team. And um of course we have swag and the swag is going to go out to all members of our admin team and

036that's because there's not a fancy director day or a fancy Eric day. So everyone gets a sweatshirt and we wanted to show our appreciation for all the leaders in this room and thank you so much for everything that you do. [Applause] We'll call you up. >> Carrie Berry, >> Mr. John Jensen, >> Dr. Vanic, >> Daniel Weston. Yes. >> Go stadium style. >> I got panic right here. >> Dr. Carlson, >> Miss Haley, >> Dan, >> Mr. Lisa, >> thank you so much. >> Eric Rosie, >> Amanda Hatar, >> it's cuz I threw it too hard. >> Thanks, >> Miss Britney. Vienna. Here's Laura Sullivan. Here's yours, Chris. Thank you, >> Megan. Lock. >> Thank you for your positivity. >> So fancy, right? >> Uh Jim Hennessy, >> Jim, >> get one. Why do I

037have extra? >> No tags. >> There's a couple fell off. >> Julie, did you get yours? >> There's a couple tags that must have >> Julie. >> Here's a Julie tag. >> Yeah, tags fell off. I can catch >> I don't know. Just check the size. You don't want that. >> Okay. [Music] [Applause] >> Just got to get this in there before. >> We really need to make sure that those two are board members next year. So essential because >> those young leaders are Yes, we need to get their names. >> Seven. >> Okay. All right. On to National Lunch Week. Julie, [Laughter] >> this is the second year in a row that I had to go behind some swag. >> Thank you. >> Got it. >> We can put you before next time. >>

038Uhhuh. >> Good evening. I'm here to recognize and celebrate National School Lunch Week. A time to recognize the importance of school meals and the incredible people who make them possible. This week is to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child's life. If not only, it not only provides nutrition and satisfies their hunger, but it plays a very important role in the child's learning. For many children, this may be the only meal they receive during the day. So, making it nutritious and enjoyable is very important. We have five team members at elementary schools and five at Central Middle School that work behind the scenes and go above and beyond to make sure our students have a healthy and nutritious lunch. Their work is not only critical, it is a foundation to student

039success. This past year, we have added an extra item onto the elementary lunch menu. So, they have three items to choose from, hot, cold, and a breakfast bag. Our middle school students can also choose from five items a day, which include salads and wraps. We also added an alle cart to middle school the middle school menu which has been very very popular and has also been welcomed by the staff due to the students having to behave and wear IDs to enable them to purchase alikart. Who would have thought middle school kids would enjoy reduced fat chips, reduced sugar fruit by the foot or reduced sugar ice cream, but they are. And as you can see, the lines are wrapped around in the cafeteria for them to get their ice cream on Fridays. As we celebrate

040this week, I'd like to thank the board for your continued support of children of child nutrition programs in our district. Your decisions help us deliver better food and build better futures. I would like to leave you with a few pictures to show how happy we have made our students and teachers and bringing back oligarch. >> Thanks, [Applause] [Laughter] You took a picture of it already. >> That's good. Thank you. >> I've heard all about the ice cream. >> That's why. >> Of course. >> Sure you have money in the account so I can get >> All right. Next up, we have Miss Amanda Hatar to talk about our very successful Hispanic Heritage Month event. >> Hello. Hi. >> Um, so we have a few district-wide events going on this school year to celebrate and highlight

041different cultures. We just had our first one, which was the Hispanic Heritage One at Northeast. Um, we had I think it was a few more than this, but we had around 110 community members and students that came out. Those were the ones that grabbed a raffle ticket, so I'm sure there was like a little bit more than that. Um, but 110, 54 from Northeast, 19 from CMS, 13 from Southeast, 11 from Southwest, 10 from Northwest, and three from the high school. >> Um, which was nice. Yeah. >> So, we had a mariachi band from KCA Academy. Um, these students practiced so hard for this performance. So, it was nice to have students perform um at the event. We had tacos, we had lotia, which is Mexican bingo. Uh we had raffle prizes and we had

042four rooms, a salsa room, a movie room, a booked book and craft room, and then a flags coloring room. So, it was a successful event. Thanks to Evelyn Lara, uh Dr. Carlson, um Chris Lavin, Ivonne, and Britney Vienna for helping uh plan and implement the event. Um and special shout out to Dr. Woodland and the elementary principles for their visibility at the event and supporting the event. So, >> oh, shout out to our next event which is culture night and that is going to be December 4th at CMS at 6 PM. >> Awesome. [Applause] >> I was in a foundation meeting today and they said the prizes were a huge hit, Amanda. So, thank you for all of your work to this event. And next, we have an update from our deans, Mr. Jensen and

043Miss Danielle Weston regarding our discipline data. [Applause] >> Yay. Discipline. >> The reduction of discipline. Right. >> All right. How's everyone doing? Uh so looking at the uh trend just on the right to start off with the graph on the right. You can see there's a significant just reduction in general. So 2024 uh is in the yellow and green is this year uh just broken down by month. So, uh, if you're looking at August, we went we had a 49% decrease of referrals in general with a 50% decrease in number of students who received referrals. So, uh, the students that were receiving those referrals were kind of repeat offenders and and not as many students as compared to last year. Uh, but if you look into September, that's really we're going to see a dip

044in in what's going on and what we're doing is actually working. So, uh, we had a 73% decrease in referrals. So, and then you had a 67% decrease of students. So again, uh making sure our tier one supports and tier 2 supports are really supporting those students in in their locations and making sure that like uh they previously just talked about in their presentations that students can learn in the classroom now and a lot of that is handled within the classroom and people are able to uh get what they need done. So our key focuses was uh looking at our progressive discipline matrix and implementing that last year and now this year having it um as something that is visible for everyone to see and for uh students to understand it, families to understand it,

045for staff to understand it and be very clear and you'll see in the three C's you talk about in a second. Uh and like Dr. Muller says, clear is kind. So having that expectation of the progressive discipline matrix out there so everyone understands how does it work, where does it go, what happens next, and outside of just the consequence side of it. I know that's kind of usually hear discipline and consequence, but there are supports built in along the way each step and making sure that those are met each time something happens. So, we are supporting those students and not like a lunch detention or one hour as just the consequence piece, but actually a restorative piece where we uh worked with doc uh Miss Lavin and she's done a lot of restorative work and

046having paperwork and different things them for for the students to work on and do in those places. So, it's not just a place you go and sit for 30 minutes at one hour. Even today, we had a couple two hours uh kids serving them, but not a place to just go and sit on a a game or whatever they're doing, but truly work towards fixing whatever caused them to have those uh consequences. Next thing we really focused on was building rapport, and that goes with staff and students. Um so, just being in the hallways, talking with the students, talking with staff, making sure that they know that we're on their side, we're comfortable with them, they're comfortable with us. Our doors are always open for staff and students. So if there any issues or concerns,

047they know to come down to us. I think that has led to a big decrease in those behaviors that we see because before they get to a level of I'm getting a consequence or we're getting in an argument or these different things, students are able to now kind of come down to us and feel safe with us, email us to say, "Hey, so and so just said this to me. I don't want to go and react to them. What can I do?" So we'll call them down, problem solve it, mediate it, do whatever we need to do to fix those situations. And same thing with staff, too. That's if they're not sure in a situation with what's going on, they reach out to us, make sure that everything is handled the way it should. So

048then going forwards, it doesn't get repeated again. Uh the bigger part of here though, I would say, is almost building the capa the capacity. So a lot of these things that uh in the past might have been sent out to the office or even ignored. Uh teachers now are are very capable. be working with a lot of teachers one-on-one and different things um of handling the classroom behaviors in the classroom and not needing to elevate it beyond that. So they can correct the behavior, move on from it in the lesson. If they need to hand out a consequence, they can. Um and it's something again with just being clear that the students know, okay, I messed up. This is kind of the the next step in line and there's not really much push back there.

049So the teachers can continue that lesson and most of the time it does fix or correct a behavior in the moment. So they're able to now work with those students in the classroom instead of making it uh out an outside of the classroom issue. And then the last thing is really addressing uh the dress code issue. You see all uh the numbers from last year, there were a lot of issues with IDs. And the more we like sat back and and thought about it, IDs were less of um like a behavior defiance piece, but it was more of just an executive functioning piece. So looking at it this year and looking at hey what is the true issue here that we're looking at with these and we were able to kind of address that from

050the the jump and put new policies and and practices in place that is supporting the students in place of being like hey this is your third no ID here's a lunch attention oh here's another one here's a 1 hour clearly if a student's at 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 IDs it's not an issue of like oh I'm not listening to you it's a uh executive functioning thing like there's something there that we need to help zone with um so we've kind of really addressed that which is also brought found a lot of referrals this year, too. Uh, and then the three C's. I can't take credit for this one. Miss Weston here, uh, came up with the C's, which I liked because it fits kind of what we do exactly with consistency, communication,

051and just being clear. And that's across the board with the discipline matrix. Uh, we stay very consistent with what we're doing. There is no surprises from what happens. Even when a student comes in or if there is a situation where we have to call home, uh, we tell the parent what exactly is going on in the moment, but what the next step is just in case something would happen again. So it is very clear uh making sure that we do have open communication really streamlined our communication this year that uh to staff to parents to students everything is the same if you're going to talk to me to Miss Weston Miss Lavender Dr. Mohler so if you talk to any of us it's very consistent and again just keeping that the element of surprise isn't

052there anymore you know exactly where you're at within the system teachers know exactly where the kids are at within the system. Um, so it's really done a really good job this year kind of helping uh students deter the behavior because they know, hey, I'm at the three-hour mark already. If I do one more thing, I'm looking at it in school. I don't want to go past that line. And for a lot of students, past their lunch detention is good enough for them and they don't want the one hour. So, um, dealing with that is really nice. And then this year too, coming into it, um, last year having the new dean position and new structure, it was more of the learning experience. this year where we could be more proactive rather than reactive in a

053lot of things. So, in the beginning of this year, even just coming into it, we know there was about 40 students that we sat down, Danielle and myself in the beginning of the year and met with um just to start off the year on a good foot, a good note, and say, "Hey, we're excited to see you here again this year. Let's make sure that we're on the right track. It's a new year. We're going to flush last year. If it was a rough year, if it finished strong, continue that momentum." And kind of came up with plans individually with students. And I feel like that went a long way with building that rapport with the kids because um at least for myself, I knew them from last year, but with Danielle coming and knew

054this year, it was a really good point for some of maybe the um highest flyers that we would have down in our office, she was able to touch base with them right away and have that positive interaction be the first thing they they dealt with and not a negative one. So, they weren't getting kicked out of class or they weren't giving a a lunch attention or something like that. It was, "Hey, what's up? How you doing? How's your summer? Uh what can we do to help support you this year?" It was more of a collaborative piece between us and the students and less of like I said responsive. >> Yeah. And then turn over here. >> Yeah. Um and I'm just going to go over some more of the action items that we did to

055help reduce so we reduced the passing period from four minutes to three minutes to help limit down time and reduce the hallway issues. We established a new culture and climate committee um as a part of our school improvement team which is on October 31st. We have our first initiative recognizing students with one or fewer referrals. And I believe right now for the kids that are not participating, it's only 29 kids that are not participating out of the 566 kids in the building. So um we have our out of the blue days and our coraly um incentive assemblies as well as the student of the month. We implemented common language with the 3Ds which is defiance, disrespect and disruption which helps the teachers know how to deal with it and we can say is it disruption

056so we can have that meeting restorative conversation as well so we can partner with them. Um we also appreciate schoolwide routines during those unstructured times. So we have a lunch supervisors and the always transitions to make sure the hallway visibility is always seen. We make sure that our in school suspension is effective by having a steady staff member. So they don't see it's just a free time. It's actually it's time to reflect and they reflect the whole time. They have a schedule where they go by and they're like I don't want to reflect anymore. >> Um also have introduced the deans groups and the deans challenge. The deans groups help just provide that behavior and social emotional build that rapport with the students and just help them manage building relationships, emotional skills and making respectful

057choices. and the dean challenge are just ways to motivate the students to take pride in their daily actions part of the three Rs. So we had one recently which was ready to learn. They had to have their IDs as well as 90% charge Chromebooks and we had them by team to see who wins. They actually the eighth graders won for that one and they get their prize on Friday. Um and then we also are working closely with the student support service department to make sure that we are collaborating all of same line that piece and we are maintaining tier 2 and tier three fidelity and keeping making sure our discipline practices are fair, consistent and data driven to make sure that everything is on board. So that is how right now we are making sure

058that we are decreasing each month. I like that. And >> before y'all disappear, I like to add something. >> Running away. >> No, just real quick. Um, >> and I'm quite sure my board members will reflect this with me. About two years ago, about this time, we were sitting here literally trying to pull our hair out. How much left? Trying to figure out what to do with central. I mean, the community was yada yada yada yada yada. And we were like, we don't really have a solution right now. So, Dr. willing said, "Hey, let's try this." >> Those numbers you all just put up. That's amazing. >> And I know those are real numbers because the community is not in our area anymore. >> They're not in our ear anymore. >> So, I don't know

059what you all are doing. >> Just like double it, you know, keep on 10 times whatever y'all are doing. And um another thing, we just recently had a safety and security meeting that we just um >> Yes. Yes. >> Mike uh attend I did Dr. willing and we did speak about no rapport. There's something that we're working on and we want to build the rapport you know for certain other things. Uh >> I would like to invite with Dr. Willis permission of course in the future to you all to come out to one of the committee meetings just to tell us what key things you all are doing with the report >> of some of the things that may you have seen you know on the safety side of the school so we can be

060kind of in tune as to what you all may need that we can get for you. Yeah, definitely. >> Thank you so much. [Applause] >> Make sure you got a cupcake. >> Thank you so so much. And um Danielle, did you want to tell everyone who's here? >> I met a lovely woman today. >> Yeah, it's the lady that birthed me. [Applause] And I hear you also work for the community. >> Yes, I'm across the yard right on. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. >> We have had >> some unfortunate news about the cupcakes. >> Oh, yeah. >> But Sonia definitely has a plan. >> Okay. >> So, we will still have cupcakes. They just won't be from small cakes. >> No. >> Yeah. >> All right. Actually, on that note, go

061from the highs of great to the lows of cakes. >> All right. So, I am sharing tonight. Um, we just had an institute day um last Friday. We tried something different this year, which was interesting. Um, we attended an areawide institute day that South Cook put on. So, they did this last year. Um we did not participate last year. Um kind of wanted to see how it went before we brought everyone there. Um it had really um great feedback after last year and I would say maybe mixed a little bit this year, but we had over 900 attendees um that attended. There were 10 school districts um that participated. Um part of the day consisted of two keynotes um fuel for success and then 77 flavors. Um the 77 flavors was really about just the

062community and the community of South Cook in Chicago and how that impacts um students and their history. Um and I would say I feedback from our people were was left a little bit to be desired on the keynotes. I would say um we were a little bit disappointed from that were you weren't there. I didn't you were I didn't even see you all day. I guess 900 attendees said I didn't see you. >> Last year's was 100% better. I don't know what they did this year. It was >> that makes me feel better because I was like seriously there was really good feedback last year. >> Great. >> Okay. Yeah, >> this year. >> Okay. Yeah. Thanks. Thanks for >> speakers with a lot of the things. >> It was Yeah. Not as not as

063great. So, there were 202 breakout sessions. Um they included things um on networking which what we were really looking for is a lot of times it's hard for us to find things for like our specialist teachers and our tech teachers and PE teachers and things that really speak specifically to them. So this was an opportunity where they could network, you know, there were sessions where they could network with other art teachers or other music teachers and even our grade level teams could meet with other first grade teachers from other districts. And so there was a lot of things um that we were really looking from for from this um student engagement. There were a lot of sessions on and behavior MTSS um even self-care, yoga, and taichi. I did talk to one of our teachers

064who was very excited. She's like, you know, she's like, I chose a Taichi session this morning. I did a yoga session. I'm going to a session on optimism. You know, she was very excited about her day. Um what we do find a lot of times with breakout sessions like that um there are it kind of depends on what you pick. You might pick a session that is great and then you pick one that's a done. So I would say of the the three that I went to, one of them was really outstanding for the day. Um and so my hope is that most people that went at least found one session that really met their needs or spoke to what they were interested in. Um, we did have D124 representation which was wonderful. Julie Kelly

065and Matt Orman presented guided gab engaging discussion techniques and they had very high feedback. Um, some from our people but they said they're not being biased. It really was the best session they went to. Um, Amanda presented on relationship building, Ally Wilson um, presented on collaboration in the classroom and Rob Linger presented on scaffolding up tips and strategies for multilingual learners. Um, so I would say my biggest takeaway from the day is that we have gotten to a place where we have built capacity amongst our staff um to really put on some really great breakout sessions like that. And I think that we have resources um that we could do something similar to this and maybe bring in some people that you know can help meet some of those other needs um and do something

066like this somewhere here. I don't know that that we would necessarily take part again, but it was a learning experience. We bust people there. That was my biggest thing. I'm like, I don't want to I don't want to be late and I don't want to leave anybody there and we successfully were not late and we successfully did not leave anybody there. So, that was my huge um win from the day. Um but I do think that there were some takeaways and I don't think it was a wash, but I think that you live and learn and that makes me feel better, Rachel, that it was not just >> it was it was a complete completely different from the year before. >> Okay. >> I was going to try again. >> You think so? You think

067so? I don't think you're going to get >> I don't know that I'm going to give people the >> I mean, professional development for everybody is >> it's hard. It's hard to meet everybody's needs and I think I was pretty hopeful that this would um accomplish some of that and I I don't know that it did everything that we wanted it to, but um >> you live in the alert >> and the keynotes were really disappointing. >> I mean that >> you bring in the best keynotes here. >> We do bring in the best the best keynotes here. So I think that do you want We're in a pretty high bar. Um, but yeah, it was >> stunningly. >> But last year they had a great keynote. You know, I'm not I'm Last year was

068completely different. I don't know what >> and I think that's what I was most because I I have known we can do good breakouts here. We do that for our academy day, but it's hard to to come up with keynotes and so I was hopeful that those would start the day off well and um >> not as much as we would like. So >> So that's my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up, Rebecca Terrell. LEA designation review. Feel like we have to change up the order once in a while because I'm always laughing. Everyone's like, >> we're almost actually. >> Okay. So, I am reporting on the annual LEA. um determination. So, I'm just going to review a little bit of what that is. So, each year the state um

069evaluates individual school districts or other otherwise known as LEA, local education agencies um on meeting the requirements of IDA. So, that process is called the LEA determination. The purpose is to make sure that each school district is following um special education laws, meeting timelines, and providing accurate data when reporting on student services and outcomes. Um so when they're making the determinations, they're looking at performance on compliance indicators. I listed them and I'll go over them when we look at the matrix. Um correction of non-compliance, audit findings, and then timely, valid, and reliable data. And then based on that information they um give ratings. So either meets needs assistance needs intervention and needs substantial intervention. So the purpose of obviously the ratings is for the state to provide school districts with the level of support and

070oversight that they need. So here is that looks weird but here is the 2024 LEA determination matrix. So the indicators and targets are on the left. Um and these are aligned with the ISBY goals um related to student learning. Um so they measure in five groups. Early childhood outcomes. Um they measure in secondary outcomes which I didn't list on there. They're not relevant to us. Those deal with graduation rates and um transition planning. But then there's additional outcomes, fiscal outcomes and data. Um so the targets it's um aligned with the support system risk assessment rubric which is what get then gives the rating scores of three which meeting or exceeding two below target and improved but improved from last year one below target and stayed the same and then zero is um below and um

071not meeting. So I'm going to kind of go through them. So, our early childhood outcomes, this is something I've reported on and talked a little bit about the past couple years. So, we are at a score of two. Um, so we've moved the needle. 2023 we're at 15 um30% to 22.60%. And what this is looking at is the amount of students in our um general education program or at risk program that are identified with IEPs and receiving the majority of their services in the general classroom. So what we've really been focusing on is building um a more inclusive preschool environment. So as you know we have early childhood sections and then we have our at risk sections. So, be our special ed committee has really been targeting um a least restrictive environment at the preschool

072level. Last year, um I'm going to credit Alli Wilson um and the subcommittee for doing a lot of the work. We were going to neighboring districts that have like a fully inclusive preschool model um observing those classrooms, sitting down with those teachers, sitting down with those related service providers and talking about what that could look like. So this year for the majority of our ser our students that have IEPs in our prek programs they're receiving their services and supports within that genetic classroom. So our service providers are pushing into those classrooms. Um and one of the things that we also obviously had to do was provide a lot of that professional development to those teachers and related service providers. But um one of the things that we were able to do fortunately is kind of

073recreate the calendar for our preschool students. So um obviously as part of our grant um we have to have so many days which is less than the actual amount of school days students have. So instead of flipping our half our half days we've kind of um held those day for days for more collaborative time. So for our um Jenna teachers and those related service providers to really work on that collaboration time on those days. So um we're going to continue as a subcommittee um to look at what more we can do to continue kind of moving the um the needle to look at um to get closer to that state target. So, obviously, we know as a district that we're running out of space. Um, so we're um looking at other um creative ways to

074um do that, whether it's um partnering with neighboring preschools um or even talking about um flipping one of our early childhood sections into a prek at risk section. Obviously, as a subcommittee, we really have to look at the trends in our numbers. you know, we do know um we have an idea of um our 0 to3 students that'll be transitioning if they are receiving services through early intervention, but what we've seen I think the last year is that a lot of our students that are coming to our screenings are um what Ally likes to say is off the streets like not receiving any services. So, we have a really great part partnership with SXU um and Lori Winkler. Um we have a really great partnership with our um birth to three program. Um but just,

075you know, trying to get the word out and looking for our students there. There's a lot of little ones out there and our um numbers keep going up up up. So, we obviously opened up two um prek sections at Southwest um in January, which was well needed. Um but again there's just a lot of students and one of the things that um you know might not know or is that in our genetic classrooms you have to distribute it. So you can't have a whole classroom of students with um IEP. So you have to keep that at least 7030. So you you really have to watch those numbers and account for all of those. So we're filling up quickly. Um, so we are going to have to continue to be creative to meet the needs of

076all of our students. More and more of the little ones are needing support. So making progress, but not where we want to be yet. So um our other indicators, so part C to part um B 100% those are transition. So, making sure that we're identifying all those students that are in early intervention um and evaluating and writing IEPs for those students before their third third birthday. Um so, the additional outcomes we have our um LRE for our K through 8th grade students. So, we're at a one because we basically stayed the same. If you see 4750% 47.40% 40%. Um, this is another area that we've really been looking at again in our special education subcommittee and just talking obviously as a team and through our um, building leaders. Um, we have been receiving more and

077more students with IEPs and more restrictive placements, but we continue to make sure that a all of our students that are in our self-contained classrooms that their IEPs are accurate and really reflect um any opportunities that they are they have to push into GenEd. Um, whether it's art, gym, or music, even small amounts of times during reading. Um, one of the other things that we're piloting this year is we're working with a consultant who is um taking our Eureka curriculum and um adapting it um adapting it, sorry, adapting um adapting it to meet the needs of our diverse learners in our second through fifth grade um at Southeast. Um, so our hope is that we're going to build some capacity and get more students a to close their learning gaps, but be able to push

078into those genet classrooms and then even bringing that, you know, across the district to support our other students that are really struggling. Um, and then hopefully pushing that out to math as well. So, or I mean reading as well. So, more students being exposed to gener curriculum, therefore staying in their own buildings, in their classrooms. Um so that's one of the things also really working on PD um for our gened teachers um as as well as like accommodating and modifying students to keep them in gened and um least restrictive environment. and then suspensions and expulsions 4B 9 and indicator 10 really are looking at disproportionality um and just were meeting in those areas so there's no um overidentification based on race or ethnicity for students with IEPs versus suspension or expulsion. Um we're not overidentifying

079students with IEPs based on race or ethnicity disproportionality not overidentifying in any specific um disability category. And then child find is 100%. So making sure that any student who is referred for um special education we evaluate that we complete that evaluation within 60 days. And then the compliance and fiscal risk. We have no audit findings. We are compliant and we um provide timely val um valid and reliable data. So overall we are in a good place. I just really want that clicker sometimes Dan. Sorry. So here is the total score. So we're at 27. Total points possible is 30. um anything from 85% or above. We are meeting requirements and we're tier one level of support with the state which is good but we're obviously continuing to work on a ton of things that we

080need to um especially when it comes to all. So it's a lot of anyone have any questions? >> Oh, this looks good. >> Yeah. >> Definitely trending in the very >> trending in the right direction. I said I feel like this is the first year I feel like all right a lot of what we're doing is is >> like you said I feel like these are like a lot of these targets are a lot harder to meet in some cases than >> you just think in terms of schedules and working with all of those things to make sure that the kids are put in the right place. So >> I feel like that's a very strong score. Good work to you and the team. >> I mean kudos to our principles too. I feel like

081we are, you know, definitely having more collaborative conversations um not only with our, you know, building teams but with our principles about how we can meet students needs, you know, within the general classroom and just being creative and flexible and I feel like that is definitely something that at the department, the district level and I feel like it really is because of the building leaders that we have. So just falls on principle. that I'm saying. >> But no, I think that we appreciate that all the collaboration and creativity that um everybody wants what's best for kids. So that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right, Eric. >> Eric's always last for you, Eric. >> Freedom information request. We had one public records request. It was from a Steve Watts and that has been

082finished. Statement of expenditures. Um nothing crazy expenditure wise. Salaries and benefits with the main expenditures. Um we're staying relatively on par to last year. We're at 23% of our total expenditure from the budget for this year and 20% at the same time of last year. Revenue wise. Um, again, we still have not received any uh property tax payments yet from the state. Um, we had a meeting last week with the township and all I could say right now, I wouldn't worry about it, but all I could say is that the timing of it is they have to give a 30-day notice before the bills are supposed to be collected. So, to my knowledge, there has been no bill, no notice sent out. So, it's at least 30 days from right now. >> 30 days from

083that date. So, >> but what an excellent example as to why it's so important to maintain a healthy fund balance. >> Like, good thing our fund reserves are at eight months. >> Yes. >> Right. >> Yeah. But this is bothering me. I don't like that. >> Not yet. >> So hopefully um >> in the next couple months that'll change. >> But I feel like to your point though, Jen, I feel like years ago that would have been like this would have been a big issue. The fact that like fiscally things have been cleaned up does make it to where you're like, you know, kind of sucks, but it's not the worst thing we could be dealing with at this point. >> Right. We can deal with >> we don't have to take out a loan

084from county. >> Yeah. >> And as a result, the fund balance went down a little bit. You will notice that the capital projects and I spoke about this last month is negative, but the working cash fund we're going to do a transfer over from the capital project. So that'll go into the positive. So now a presentation of the tenative tax levy. Today I will be presenting the aggregate tax levy estimated to the school board. Next month I'll be um putting the final tax levy to you guys November 18th and then I have to file it by December 31st to this is a slide of the CPI history tax cap history since CPI started and it's just to show in the gray is this year. So it's a 2.9% compared to last year was a 3.4

085and the two were 5%. So it just tells you why it's important to capture every percent because you never know what CPI is going to be. Like the one year with 2009 it was.3 and you can see not a lot of progress there. That there's a breakdown of our revenues from the fiscal year 26 budget um to show the importance of our real estate taxes. takes up 67% of our revenues we bring in every year and it just shows how important it is to our students educations. >> Now this is the recommended tax levy for levy year 2025. Um it is 2.9% CPI increase and the requested levy is for a total of 26,715,000. Um, my recommendation is to adopt a adopt a tax levy that'll capture the 2.9% growth in the district's limiting fund

086above its prior year maximum allowable extension. Now, this is as of last year, this is a new requirement, this PA report. So the PA report is to prove that your operating a three-year average operating expense is your fund balance is 250% or more than your three-year operating expenditures then you have to do a deficit plan and we are not close to that. So we're at 47.98% but we have gone up which is a good thing. So yeah, >> any questions? [Applause] >> I think Eric got extra claps though. >> He did. >> Money's always popular. >> Okay. Well, going into the public comments now. Do I have any green cards? We have no green cards. >> All right. Per board of education policy 2230. A few reminders specifically about the logistics for the public comment

087portion of every meeting, including this evening. As is posted on our agenda publicly for every meeting. To respect all of our stakeholders, our commenters, our board, our public, we adhere very closely to a three-minute limit for comments for everyone. We will set a timer and we expect everyone to respect their three minutes. In addition, we do not respond to public comments at board meetings, but we hear them, we respect, we listen to, and we take into account all community community member concerns. If there are specific questions that come up that we can respond to after the meeting, we or an appropriate district employee will do so in a timely manner. All right, jumping into board reports. Uh, Mr. Shepard, if you could please uh report out on theformational bond session that we had last week.

088A >> scary meeting. No, >> David was giving his own TED talk at the end of it. Man, you you lit it up. >> No, so prior to going into that, we had a meeting before the safety security and you know, we were all sitting in the room. We were saying, um h we don't know, you know, are there like are there like pitchforks out there taking torches? They going to show way. We walked in a room, mildly field, you know, maybe 50/50. Um but they were nice. That's all I can say. The community was very nice. We didn't call We didn't get called any bad names. No one cursed at us. >> They didn't throw anything at us. You know, Dr. Willing gave a wonderful PowerPoint presentation. It was really simple and easy to

089follow that the community member could understand what the stakes were, what we're up against, what we're trying to do. Um, we had a community member speak that was supporting us. We didn't take a Q&A at the end. Um, which I'm really interested to see what a Q&A will be actually like live and in person. I just really want to know the what are our what are the adversities that we need to overcome and if we don't get that feedback we don't know how to go later you know brainstorm to come back to maybe that next session so there's only one thing that I was going to say >> maybe I don't know why I'm saying this but maybe we should >> maybe we should I know it's been advised that we shouldn't but you know

090you have all the social media groups out there and there's a lot of them in Evergreen right now and they're talking and they're chatting and you know we can capture some of the things off those social medias, but I'm the person like, "Hey, come to the room, talk to me. Tell me what's the problem, and give me all your nos so I can make them all yes." And that's what I would really like to do. Although I've already did my session, my other board members will be at the other sessions. Just a suggestion, just an idea. Um, I did give a little speech at the end. Oh no, just came to mind. You know, I just tried to ask the community members to just find something, you know, in their families or a reason why

091that they could do this, that they could help us build this school. You know, my granddaughters are here. My daughter went to the school. Of course, she graduated. She moved away for a year. They bought a house back in Evergreen Park. So, they're back in the community. And my granddaughters will be going to the school system. That's my reason. >> You know, Evergreen Park has did very well for me. I've been here since 1999 when we moved here. And I was telling every all the members, my house is appreciated well over $100,000. You know, that's because of good schooling. That's because of a safe community. That's because people are moving in to evergreen. There's four new families that moved in on my block alone that had children that we know they're going to go to

092our community, you know, schools. And I also told them that uh hey, listen, you know, when you're buying a house, you're looking at, you know, safety and security is first. Like what what kind of neighborhood is in you first. Second thing is is schools. That's the second thing. And if next door over in, you know, Oaklan, you know, if they have good schools and good community and everything, they're going to bypass us and go over there. And then your property taxes are going to be, you know, stagnant. They're not going to grow. And then what do you do? Because if you don't have money, you can't improve schools. You can't improve schools. You can't attract people to live here. >> So with that, it was a pretty good meeting in my opinion. Like I said,

093there was only one person that left during the meeting. Not sure. Maybe she had something to do. Maybe she was cooking a roast or something and she'll leave, get home. I don't know. That was a good signal that they didn't leave. And you know, they didn't throw any cabbage at us or nothing like that. So, that was a good thing also. Uh, and if any of my board members don't need, you know, if y'all schedules conflict, I'll fill in for you. But I'm in good spirit that it was successful and that we're moving forward. That's very important. Thank you, D. Well, now I've got a resolution on board committees, but I'm not sure where that resolution is. >> I can speak to it, but it's also in the signature file. >> Okay, stay tuned everybody.

094Perfect. Do I read the resolution now or do we do it at vote? >> You do it at vote. Okay. And I can just summarize if you're >> please. >> So this is a followup from our attorney presentation regarding board related committees versus superintendent committees. So if you recall, we have to be very strategic in terms of what board committees are because of OMA. As a result, Nikki Baser advised that we adopt a resolution to specify based on our policy what our board related committees are and name the remaining as superintendent committees. So I'm going to give you a very concrete example. We have policy committee. Sonia is now going to be joining us because that's a designated policy uh on our policy that specifies that's a board related committee. We will have to post

095minutes and an agenda. Okay. The safety committee is a superintendent committee. As a result, I you saw I had multiple members of my administrative team there. It was very collaborative in nature. You as board members can still report out on it, but it is a superintendent related committee. Doesn't require minutes. Does not require an agenda. Because we didn't have any history related to what the committee functions were previously. She recommended that we adopt this resolution to specify that we're going to stick with the board committees that are listed in our policy because that's what we do best as board members. So, that's exactly what the resolution says. >> Wonderful. >> Can't wait to read it. >> Yep. >> Okay. So, next we've got the finance committee. I'll be reporting out on that. You're going to

096have to excuse me here because I got to go through my notes because it was actually September 17th last month. >> So, Eric walked us through uh revenues report and basically the the the tentative levy was was sort of discussed. Then we were looking at fund balances. uh we were kind of finalizing the the annual budget at that time. I I recall uh doing a deep dive on expenditures, just looking at the largest increases in expenditures year-over-year. We're a school district, so it's no surprise that it was salaries and benefits because that's what we do. We looked at annual growth and just some salary increase projections as it related to the ending of our current CBA and uh just starting to investigate the the upcoming CBA that we'll start negotiating uh soon in the future.

097That was pretty much it. It was really cut and dry. Uh us numbers guys love it though, right? >> That is so true. >> And so next we're going to have a report out on safety and security. So, Dr. Michael Thomas, if you could please. >> Um, so we had our safety and security meeting um what just over a week ago at Central before we had the uh the bond referendum meeting. Um, so it was myself, Mr. Shepard, um, Dr. Woodland, Mr. Lisa, you know, he was there to help out. Um, Jim, we had a bunch of us just talking about like the idea Eric was there. um of what are some points of interest in terms of keeping our schools safe, keeping our kids safe within our community, especially when those kids are like

098under our kind of jurisdiction. Uh so we talked about a variety of things um including like technology, you know, like what are some things that we could do to maybe enhance technology, enhance security so if things do happen, we have more visual evidence of what was taking place. Uh we talked about like physical facility issues like you know doors things like that where like people are like oh these things might stick how are ways that we could like improve upon these facilities to make sure that like our buildings are all secure our buildings are all taken care of um with some of those items we talked about communication you know like what should the lines of communication be if someone notices one of these things how do we go about reporting that to make sure

099that like from point A to Jim's you know team like everything's communicated everything's documented so we can take care of those things in a timely fashion. Um, we talked about staffing, you know, I mean, we talked about >> John and Danielle doing such a wonderful job. U, but this idea of like how can we like like alter our staffing in some cases um to make sure that we are keeping our buildings as safe, keeping our students as like, you know, focused on education and not worrying about, you know, any other thing that could fly off in school. um you know, officer Wright, all of those aspects in terms of like make sure that we're staffing our buildings properly. Um we talked about working with our community, you know, I mean, enlisting some ideas in terms

100of like campaigns or things that we could put out there as a school district to make sure that, you know, the community knows kind of like where do we stand or if the community has issues like how can we be preventative? You know, I know John talked about the idea of like let's be proactive rather than reactive. So, what are some of those things that we can do as a school district to send messages, not only to educate our students, but sometimes to educate our families about things that could keep us safe and secure? Um, you know, like, you know, David threw out there, you know, he comes from a law enforcement background, you know, things like locking up weapons and things like that. Um, just to make sure that our kids are in the

101best position to stay safe. Um, you know, and then as I said, as we continue to meet, um, you know, we've asked to like think about other topics, other things that like could be brought to us in terms of making sure that like, you know, 124 stays um, a safe, happy community, happy place for kids to learn. You know, the kids were just talking about today. You know, clean up any little thing so we don't have to deal with big problems that could arise. >> Just u just add like sometimes when you attend meetings, you don't really think about you learn something new at almost every meeting you go to. I did not really realize that like uh when Dan was talking about like the black top and like getting out the the Wi-Fi. >>

102Never even really thought about that. But yeah, if everybody's outside of the building and we can't connect to the Wi-Fi inside of the building, >> you know, that's a necessity. So I never thought about that. I was like that was pretty good. Never thought about that, you know. So um you know, we discussed a couple of things like do we need more resource officers? Hey, we brainstormed that, you know, we, you know, it was just so many things that you really don't think about until you're in a room with other people collaborating about like, hey, what about this? You know, what about that? As simple as like Mike said, door sticking, >> you know, it might not be a thing to, hey, a doorstep, but no, that could be the way someone enters the school

103because that door never secured itself. And we had a conversation about the the rug. >> We brainstormed on this one rug. It was amazing. It was amazing, you know, cuz the rug was stopping this store from closing and we like, do we use tape? Do we buy a new rug? Do we But like we were all in a room and we we were figuring it out and it was it was pretty cool. So I I really enjoy these meetings. >> Thanks, David. >> All right, next up, the 2025 resolutions committee report. Mrs. Denise Jones, if you please. >> Yes. Very briefly, um, does anyone have any questions regarding the 2025 resolutions committee report that will be presented at the um, IASB conference next month. Um, I emailed it to you all. There are 10 consent

104agendas under the constitutional um portion and one resolution consent agenda under um of course the resolution um the one resolution is is in regards to the school bus safety funding uh which is proposed by Sycamore CUSD 427 and ISB definitely recommends to adopt all the items. You will have them in your email. You can review them and then we can vote on them next month if that's okay. >> Okay. That >> Thank you, Mrs. Jones. >> Thank you. >> Okay, moving on. Action items. We have a consent agenda in front of us tonight. Item A, one, approve monthly transaction reports for September 2025. Two, approve fund balance reports for September 2025. Three, approve expenditure report and projected payroll report for October 2025. Pardon me. Four, approve board minutes from regular meeting of September 17, 2025.

105Five, approve the closed session minutes from the regular meeting of September 17, 2025. Six, approve destruction of closed session tapes from June 2021. Seven, we have some personnel recommendations. Five, additions. Two, resignations. Item B, approve long-term substitute pay increase. Item C, approve permanent substitute pay increase. >> We got motion to approve. >> Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. I was like, oh, this consent agenda item. >> All right. Do I have a motion for the consent agenda? Motion to approve consent agenda item A >> with their second. Perfect. May I have a roll call, please? >> Okay. >> Dr. Michael Tyler, >> yes. >> Denise Jones, >> yes. >> Rachel Maroquin, yes. O'Neal Gray, >> yay. >> David Shepard, >> yes. >> Lauren Dow, >> yay. >> Michael Miller, >> yay. >> Motion passed. >> Wonderful. All

106right. Item B, approve long-term substitute pay increase from 212 a day to 225 a day. Do I have a first >> motion to approve agenda item B? Thank you. Is there a second? >> A second. >> Wonderful. May I have a roll call, please? >> Sure. >> Dr. Michael Thomas, >> yes. >> David Shepard, >> yes. >> Lauren Dowen, >> Rachel Maroquin, yes. Denise Jones, >> yes. >> O'Neal Gray, >> yay. >> Michael Miller, >> yay. >> Motion passed. >> Excellent. Thank you. Item C, approve permanent substitute pay increase from 225 a day to 250 a day. >> Do I have a first? >> Motion to approve agenda item C. >> Excellent. Is there a second? >> A second. May I have a roll call, please? >> Sure. Dr. Michael Thomas, >> yes. >> David

107Shepard, >> yes. >> O'Neal Gray, >> Lauren Dowen, >> Rachel Marquin, yes. Janice Jones, >> yes. >> Michael Almond, >> yay. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. Item D, establish tax levy hearing date and time, which will be November 18, 2025. Do I have a first >> motion to approve the tax levy date and time? >> Is there a second? F. >> Wonderful. And could we have a roll call, please? >> Dr. Michael Thomas, >> yes. >> O'Neal Gray, >> yes. >> Lauren Dowin, >> yay. >> Rachel Marquin, yes. Janice Jones, >> yes. >> David Shepard, >> yes. >> Michael, I'll move it. >> Yay. >> Motion pass. >> Thank you. Item E, approve tentative tax levy as presented this evening by Mr. Grossy. >> Do I have a first motion to approve the tentative

108tax levy? >> Excellent. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> And roll call, please. >> Dr. Michael Thomas. >> Yes. Rachel Maroquin, yes. Janice Jones, >> yes. >> David Shepard, >> yes. >> O'Neal Gray, >> yes. >> Lauren Dowen, >> yay. >> Michael, >> yay. >> Motion pass. >> Thank you. Item F, approve first reading of revised board policy 8110, public suggestions and concerns as recommended by the Illinois Association of School Boards. Is there a first? >> I'll make the motion. >> Second roll call, please. jumping in there. >> Rachel Marquin, yes. Dr. Michael Thomas. >> David Shepard, >> yes. >> O'Neal Gray, >> yes. >> Denise Jones, >> yes. >> Lauren Dowen, >> yay. >> Michael, >> yay. >> Motion pass. >> Excellent. Item G, approve second reading and adoption of reor revised

109board policy 8110, public suggestions and concerns as recommended by the Illinois Association of School Boards. First, second, >> Denise Jones, >> yes. >> Dr. Michael, >> yes. >> O'Neal Gray, >> yay. >> Rachel Marquin, yes. Lauren Dowin, >> yay. >> David Shepard, >> yes. >> Michael, >> yay. >> Motion pass. >> Thank you. Item H, approve first reading of new board policy 7254, students who are parents or expectant parents as recommended by the board policy committee. Is there a first? first. >> Second. >> Can I have a roll? >> Separated. >> Yes, I know. >> David Shepard, >> yes. >> Dr. Michael Thomas, >> yes. >> Lauren Dow, >> Denise Jones, >> yes. >> Rachel Maroquin, yes. O'Neal Gray, >> yay. >> Michael Miller, >> yay. >> Motion pass. >> Excellent. Thank you. Item I,

110approve second reading and adoption of new board policy 7254, students who are parents or expected parents as recommended by the board policy committee. Is there a first? >> I'll make the motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Could I have a roll call, please? >> Okay. Rachel Marquin, yes. Dr. Michael T. >> David Shepard, >> Lauren Den, O'Neal Gray, >> Denise Jones, >> yes. >> Michael, >> yay. >> Motion passed. >> Hey, how about for these last three, we try that thing that Denise showed us from Arrow. You >> guys want to do that? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Item J. Approve first reading of new board policy 7256 victims of domestic or sexual violence as recommended by the board policy committee. Is there a first? >> Is there a second? >> Second. >>

111any objections to previous secretary's got to do it. >> You got to do that first and then and then there's no >> and then do that right. So >> you're the one that >> I don't think we do first or second then we just do objection right. Beautiful. Thank you. >> So any objections to the previous role? There you go. All right. >> Wonderful. >> Motion pass. >> Okay. Item K, >> approve second reading and adoption of new board policy 7256, victims of domestic or sexual violence as recommended by the board policy committee. Are there any oppositions to the previous rule? >> The objection to the previous rule. >> Okay. Motion pass. >> Bang. Item L. >> It is, isn't it? >> It's a lot of them today. But you're still supposed to first and

112second and then any objections really. >> Are you sure? >> Okay. >> You just tell me how to do it. I'll do it that way. >> I will. >> All right. Well, I did first. >> Motion to approve agenda item J >> or K. >> Lot of letters here. >> K. >> All right. Who second? Okay. Okay. And then any objection to previous roll? >> All right. We'll get there. >> We're going to crush it on this one. failing. >> Item L, approve resolution on board committees. >> And a second. >> Second. >> Any objection to previous roles. >> All right. Motion P. >> Wonderful. >> Good. >> Okay. >> Do I need to read it now? >> I don't think he needs. >> He doesn't need to. Okay. Good. >> Okay. Okay. So, at

113this time, we're going to recess to closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the district or legal counsel for the district, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the district to determine its validity. 5 ILCS120/2C1 and collective negotiating matters between the district and its employees or their representatives or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees 5CS120/2C2. Thanks for coming everybody. Scream is going to stop at this time. Please grab your last ever small cakes on your way out. >> Oh, and you're welcome to stay but we just don't know when we're small.