001No threat was made and the weapon remained in the student's backpack. As far as we know, the student was taken into police custody yesterday and prompted the thorough and police investigation that is still underway. A lockdown of our of Plum Grove was not called by the school due to the weapons immediate confiscation and that it took place after school hours. This is in alignment with our security protocols as a district. Principal Rivera, Dr. Hines and other administrators, uh, Rolling Meadows PD and the district's legal team were in immediate communication and co and coordination for the district's response. Additionally, the board of education was notified about the incident, and I remained in communication with Dr. Hines until late last night and throughout the day today. Since the incident, Rolling Meadows PD has sent out uh, two
002press releases from the district side. Initial communication was shared with Plum Grove Middle School families um at about 700 p.m. last night as soon as we received word from Rolling Meadows PD that they were far enough in their along in their investigation that we could communicate initial facts about the incident. Discussions with Rolling Meadows PD and our attorneys continued through the evening and we were able to communicate additional information to families late yesterday evening. The district team and Plum Grove leaders um also met late into the evening last night to ensure a plan was in place this morning to support students and staff. Finally, the student involved did not attend school today and will not be present during the investigation. So looking ahead, a communication um with the details that we have shared tonight will
003be sent to families via email um by the district either late tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. Um according to Dr. Hines, building leaders um building and district leaders will be meeting to debrief the incident, reflect on what went well, and identify ways we can strengthen our communication and safety practices moving forward. This is a common occurrence in the district after any major incident to help our team learn and grow in our safety response and practices. Additionally, on September 19th, our district safety committee made up of administrators and representatives from local police and fire departments will meet to discuss their regular agenda items as well as the Plum Grove situation. The group will review our response protocols and determine what adjustments should be made for any future situation involving a weapon at school. Based on
004um findings from the police, the police will determine how to proceed through their investigation. Once they've done so, disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with board policy 7190 under the weapons section. This includes expul potential expulsion up to two years. We know families have questions and concerns. If you're a Plum Grove Middle School parent or guardian and you have concerns, we encourage you to reach out directly to Principal Rivera. She and her team are responding to questions as quickly and clearly as they can in coordination with district administration and our attorney. We have reviewed, we have received feedback about communication from the district, some of which will be incorporated into that reflection and review process I mentioned earlier. Um, and that we will be able to then address, some of which the district cannot
005address due to the legal reasons shared previously. We ask that you please refrain from sharing or resharing rumors on social media as this creates misinformation and is stoking an additional level of fear. Finally, I want to say thank you to Principal Ria and the Plum Grove Middle School staff, Dr. Hines and district staff involved and certainly the Rolling Meadows Police Department for their thank you um for your swift response and coordination. I also want to thank Plum Grow families who reached out to share their questions, concerns, and feedback with us. It is deeply meaningful. As a district, we remain committed to creating safe, welcoming schools for every child every day and continuously continuously improving where needed. We thank you for your trust and partnership in that work. We are in complicated times and this incident,
006the news of today's shooting and recent church shooting in Minnesota only reemphasize the importance of this work together to create a safe community community for each other and for our children. Thank you. All right. um 199 examinations were administered and only 847 or 70% of candidates passed the exam nationally. On August 1st, 2025, Karine passed the national examination, commensurately demonstrating a high level of education, clinical practice, experience, and knowledge, earning her the achievement of being named a nationally certified school nurse. Earning this credential validates Karine's skills and knowledge and recognizes her commitment to student and school safety. At the district level, Karine advanced to her current position of director of health services in November of last year. Since that time, she has distinguished herself as an administrator through her collaborative leadership of the health services
007department. Karine is always championing our certified school nurses, school nurses, and health team who provide skilled care for the health, wellness, and safety of our students, staff, and community. She is resourceful in developing community connections and building supports and relationships to maintain or bring vital programs for vision, dental, and soon-to-be immunization clinics for our students. Her boundless energy combined with her care and concern for the greater good and benefit of all the students, staff, and community of district 15 each and every day. Karin, we thank you for your leadership and congratulations on your new credential. We are so proud of you. highlight. The two of you can take a photo and then we have all her pals that I know had lunch today or dinner tonight to come on up for a picture and then
008we can do one with her family. So, let's have the nurses come on up first. step around. >> We should be here for a few more years to come. Ladies and gentlemen, Darl Fontigaras, I didn't bring flowers, but I bought you a nice box of chocolate from England. >> Thank you. >> Would you like to take a picture? >> You want a picture? We'd love to take a picture of you for our website. >> Mr. Bramley, do you want to join her? >> There you go. >> Congratulations and thank you. Oh, wait, wait. No, Scott wants to take a picture. And then Scott, do you want to be in a picture with Jerel? Are you sure? >> She She's got me in like 18 years. >> All right. >> I just want to get one
009from Harwood. >> I guess we'll let you. >> How did you know that? Thank you. >> All right. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we will now open our meeting for public comment. Public comment is governed by board policy 2 col 230. Please remember this is not a dialogue between you and the board. If you have a specific issue that requires a response, Superintendent Hines or a designate will follow up with you as needed. Please state your name and identify any group that you represent. Please limit your remarks to no more than 3 minutes. If someone has previously articulated something with which you agree, please state that you agree rather than reiterating the entire comment. We encourage you to avoid comments specific to any person, student, or staff member respecting their right
010to privacy. This is not the forum to comment on personnel issues. Finally, the board ac expects and appreciates mutual respect, civility, and orderly conduct throughout the meeting. All right. Uh Luis Gutierrez Good evening board. Uh this is my third time speaking in front of the board and I in previous uh statements I know I spoken passionately and energetically towards the board. Uh I wanted to take a second and personally come in lie and despite yesterday's events to uh thank you uh the to the board members uh Dr. Lazour and Mrs. Urbansky. On behalf of the Gutierrez family, I want to thank you for approving our son's transfer to the Plum Grove um school district so that he can continue his dual language program. He absolutely loves it there. This opportunity allows him to stay on
011path uh that we started many many years ago. I've never seen a kid more excited to go to school. So, I'm grateful and appreciative. In lie of yesterday's events, I am a person that believes that actions have consequences and severe action should have severe consequences. And I know that we're going to hear a lot of statements today from the police and we're not going to spread rumors, but my suggestion is immediate expulsion. You're lucky that a student isn't dead. And I understand that there was an aggression and I understand that the weapon wasn't shown. I think we're all very lucky. Uh I am a proponent and an advocate of the Second Amendment. As an immigrant, I believe in it. But there are reasons why minors aren't allowed to do things and I call for his
012expulsion regardless of what the investigation states. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right, Joyce Slavic. Hello, my name is Joyce Slavic. I'm a parent of graduates in the district and my topic is gun violence prevention. According to CNN's analysis of events reported by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week in Every Town for Gun Safety, there have been 47 school shootings in the United States so far this year, as of September 10th, and probably does not include the two today. 24 were on college campuses, 23 were on K through2 school grounds. The incidents left 19 people dead and at least 77 other victim in v victims injured and trauma across the board. Um to bring this close to home, of course, there was the report of a student at Plumro Middle School caught bringing
013a gun to school. Um that's the school where my kids went. Um what we often hear after a shooting or um is I didn't think it could happen here, but it happens everywhere. It could have happened in our district this week. The good news is we can and are do doing something about it in our school district to educate the public about safe gun storage and I cannot thank you enough. Um I greatly appreciate that the district has created a page on gun safety as part of the district website. I am thankful that BS smart is included as a resource as well as where to obtain free gun locks. Um there is a new law, a new gun safe gun storage law that was signed into law in July and requires gun owners to secure
014their firearms in a locked container um to prevent access by minors, at risk individuals or prohibited persons. The new uh the new law requires the lock containers, but aside from the law, we want adults to understand their ability and their responsibility to prevent gun deaths. My ask is that there's communication pushed out again to parents and guardians with information on the importance of safe gun storage. Uh, safe gun storage is the law for homes that have children under 18 and present in the home. Um, it's great to have that information there, but we need to make sure that um, people are likely to that they're going to see it. Uh, especially now that we have a new school year and many new families. Um, guns are the number one cause of death for children, surpassing
015even car accidents. 4.6 million American children live in homes with at least one gun that is loaded and unlocked. 50% of gun owners have at least one gun that is not secured. And 76% of firearms used in school violence were obtained from the home of a friend or close relative. Suicide attempts with guns are almost always lethal. And I would say the the adults need to be held responsible. They are the ones who should be locking up those guns. Um there is no responsibility for the school board to make sure parents lock up their guns. This is an opportunity to get gun owners and non-gun owners to recognize the lethal risk of unsecured guns. Safe gun storage saves lives. Thank you for your service and for considering this very important topic and please push it
016out in the newsletters. I appreciate what you guys are doing. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> All right, Jane Van. She looks mad. I will be very brief. Um, what brought me here this evening was seeing comments on Facebook and other associated uh groups regarding what happened yesterday with a gun in the possession of being possessed by a student. Um, I saw a lot of frustration from parents directed toward the teachers, the principal, our superintendent. What are you going to do about this? What are you going to do? Our kids aren't safe. I'm afraid to send my kid to school. And on and on and on. My personal belief is your frustrations, rightfully so, frustrated. But those frustrations need to be directed to your state and federal legislators, not your teachers, not your
017principles, not your superintendent. As we saw yesterday, they did a phenomenal job of stepping in when they knew they had a child that needed to be addressed immediately, and they did it. And there was no terrible incident afterwards. The gun issue in this country can only be resolved, my personal belief, based on nothing else, when the adults that own the guns take full responsibility for what happens with that gun that they purchased. I understand there are many children who somehow get a gun through the black market, through gangs, through whatever. That's not the parent that I'm directing it. I'm directing it to the parent that purchases a gun, has it in their house, and as this other woman just said, doesn't have it locked up. I want people to direct their frustrations, not at those
018on the front lines. Whether it's teachers, nurses, the people you need to direct your frustration to are your state and federal legislators. Let them know what you will no longer accept. >> Thank you, Jane. Thanks, All right. Any other green sheets in the audience? Okay. All right. Um we will now move into our tenative um budget public hearing. So um public comments for the FY26 tenative budget public hearing will also be conducted in accordance with policy manual section 2 col 230. All right. Any pink sheets? No pink sheets. Okay. >> Okay. There's one slide. Keep going. Next slide. Thank you. So, uh, to say good evening, President hater, members of the board, >> Diana, sorry, we got to close public. >> Um, okay. I move to adjourn the public hearing and reconvene in open session.
019>> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I I >> All right. Motion carries. Public hearing. >> All right. All right. So now, do you want to go to straight to superintendent's report or you want to go down to 7.1? >> No, totally. >> Okay. All right. We're going to move to 7.1. Um, our FY26 budget hearing. >> Yes. Yes. >> This is the hearing. >> Pardon me. >> You got to have the hearing. >> You have to have the hearing first. >> You have to have formal public hearing. >> Oh, I thought we just did. >> Yeah, that's what we just did. That's the pink paper. Call to order. There were no pink, >> but we still need to have a hearing. You need to call to order to open the public hearing.
020>> Oh, so it goes after. Okay. Got it. Got it. Got it. Okay. Sorry. Go ahead. >> Okay. We're good. No problem. >> We're ready. Sorry. Okay. Um, next slide. Thank you. So, this is just a formality. every year. Uh, ISBY requires there to be a hearing which opens up to public comments or input. Um, it is personally it's kind of an odd um, uh, whatever order because later this evening we will present the final budget which is different than the tenative budget. But this budget has been on display meaning that anybody could have come into the ESC. We published a notice and you could see all our numbers and all of our beautiful accounting work. And if you had any questions, this was a formal uh uh formal u opportunity to um ask any
021um I will just say since this is the moment a tenative the tenative budget is a provisional budget. It is not the certain budget um as certain as we can get. Tonight we will present the final budget and that is our best estimate as we'll talk about um and that from May to uh the end of August when we do finalize that final budget there's a lot of activity that goes on and um and that is all reflected in the final budget tonight. The tenative budget did have a pro a tenative uh deficit of 7 point almost $2 million. Um our final budget tonight is a figure lower than that which we're very happy at least to have made um some financial progress in that in that realm. So, um, if there's no other questions
022about the tenative budget, um, that is all I was going to present. >> Now, we close. Okay. >> Okay. So, can we have a motion to adjourn the public hearing and reconvene in open session? >> I move to adjourn the public hearing and reconvene open session. >> Second. >> Okay. Discussion. All in favor? >> I think it was Eric. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. Um, all in favor? >> I All right. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Sorry, first time doing that. >> All right. >> Now we can move. Are you sure you don't want to move to 7.1? You want to go ahead and do superintendent report first? >> Okay, let's do superintendent. >> No, they want to go. You want to do something? No, >> they already sat down. All right, we'll move
023to superintendent report. >> Okay. All right. So, as I do every month, I uh share with the board and the community what the district has been up to since our last board of education meeting. Um so, our school visits, uh my school visits continue to happen and they're amazing. Wonderful things are happening um because of the staff and students that we have in our schools. It's been very exciting to visit schools. Uh as Diana said, and you'll see in greater detail uh when they present again, budget reduction planning and presentation development has been underway. Um my second year of catch up with Hines is underway as well. My first meeting was with a the group of Kanians and they were a lively bunch. They um really are really looking to partner with district 15. They
024have volunteers and they're excited to help us, you know, with some of our initiatives. So, I'm very um thankful that they had me uh to their meeting at EMTs and I look forward to additional uh time in the community. Uh this year, we're putting a little different spin on catch up with Hines. Instead of having people come to events that we set up, we're looking to go out into the community where there are existing events and clubs um that are already in progress are meeting and that will have me um on the agenda. We're providing an update and um also just taking a lot of questions from um these local organizations about what's happening at the district. Um last year, you recall, we wrote a Discover 15, so it was an inaugural magazine. Um this
025year, we're going to be putting together an annual report. It's under construction and um it'll give the community an update in terms of what the district has been doing on an annual basis. and uh Mindy Renee and I had the pleasure last night of meeting the new early childhood director and we had a a a dinner meeting, very productive dinner meeting. We shared a lot of um exciting information about early childhood and what's been going on in the district and some of our visioning and dreams for early childhood, our three and four year olds uh moving into the future. So, we look forward to uh continued partnership with the new director. um wanted to give uh some fall tryyout data because as you know we've expanded some of our teams based on school size and
026feedback that we received from the community. Uh thank you to Dr. McFaten and uh Mrs. Powell or Mrs. uh Crawford rather for putting the tryyout data together. So for the 2025 2026 fall sports tryyout window um we had uh a nice showing of boys interested in fall soccer at Carl Sanber. We had 57 folks try out, young young men try out. Plum Grove had 118 students try out. TJ had 68, Winston had 97, and Sunling had 54 students try out. A total of almost 400 athletes interested in soccer. That was pretty tremendous. Um, and then in terms of girls and the fall sport, it's basketball season for our female athletes. Carl Samberg had 27 students try out. Plum Grove had 62, TJ had 58, Winston had 34, Sunling had 27. So, just over 200 girls
027tried out for basketball. Um, some of our schools were able to field as many teams as were available to them based on their school size. Some did not have enough to field the full um and enhanced sections that we provided or offered for this school year. So, we're excited to see how the teams progress throughout the fall season. transportation. Um, as we always do, we're trying to give keep the board and the community appraised of where we are in terms of drivers, and we honored a wonderful driver tonight, um, who we hope never retires, but uh, after 45 years, we hope she has many, many more. Uh, the first weeks are underway. We had a few bumps. So, we appreciate everyone's um patience and understanding as new students were on new routes, as new drivers
028were on new routes, and we dealt with a lot of construction and delays on 53, which continues to delay um especially Virginia Lake students um getting to school on time. But, uh we thank you again for your patience. The transportation department also deserves uh a major thank you because they received over 1,200 change requests for four routes and sometimes it was a request of just a few doors. Can can we move the staff down a few doors? But some of the other um requests were quite significant and took time. It's why we um are a little slow with paid transportation. We have to make sure that our routes are settled before we take on any additional uh riders. We also um be because of these changes, we we're managing capacity. So if if routes are
029changed, they're going on a different route, we have to make sure that there's room um for everybody that's within that geographic area that's eligible for transportation. And then we really um move through the process from there. So it it takes time. We usually have a two-eek freeze um letting the bus drivers and kids and parents get used to the routes and the times and whatnot. Uh, but they have worked and I think they're down below 400. Is that correct, Tom? >> Below 200. So, while they're they're really just uh cooking along, moving along. So, thank you again. Uh, as Tom said though, we're still short drivers. Our current driver numbers are 88. We have two in training and we really want to have around 110 total drivers to cover the routes fully without having to
030double up to um make sure that we have uh extra drivers for again those those that call in because that that continues to be you know something that we monitor and and makes transportation on time pickup and and drop off uh challenging. So an update from the administrative services department um supported a lot spent a lot of time in transportation um mentored training for new staff was uh something on the the the to-do list and finished up all goal setting meetings with principles and uh both Dr. Lazor and I have started principal >> especially this summer we'll talk some more about grant revenues that were very uh questionable we um so again we incorporate all this information and then when we put the final budget together we make our best forecasts of what it's going
031to fall in fall out like during the year. So again, you hear me say this every time, budgeting is our best estimate of the coming year's revenues and expenditures. And we tend to want to be conservative. We want to be conservative both in revenues and expenditures. Try to mit mitigate any major surprises as we go throughout the year. So we make our best educated conservative guess. Uh we just want to reiterate again last fiscal year was a unique fiscal year in 25 because we had a lot of con all the construction from just specifically for moving 15 forward wrapped up a year ago and uh we are now into the second year of four middle schools here. So again, last year, Thomas Jefferson became five, I lost my count. Uh Thomas Jefferson became the middle
032school and yes, and all four other junior highs uh became middle. So now we're into the second year of okay, this is the new