001Can I get a motion to reconvene a special meeting of the Proviso Township High School Board of Education? So moved. Second. Ms. Smith, please call the roll. Ms. Mallenauer? Aye. Mr. Pace? Aye. Mr. Ocampo? Aye. Ms. Morris? Aye. Dr. Pruitt? Aye. Ms. Barabino? Aye. Ms. Smith? Aye. Motion carried. At this time, the Board of Education opens the floor for public comments. The board will receive public comment from any individuals present this evening and have two minutes to request to address the board for the established procedures. Comments will be limited to three minutes and according to board policy 2230. We believe that all participants in the meeting desire the best outcomes for our students, families, and communities. As a reminder, this meeting is being live-streamed and will also be archived and available on the district website.
002Ms. Smith? >> [clears throat] >> I have two public comments. Dr. Keisha Lane. >> [clears throat] >> Giving honor to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the head of my life. Great evening. My name is Dr. Keisha M. J. Lane and I am one of the assistant principals at Proviso East High School. I am here this evening because I was informed by the Superintendent Moehling that he intends to recommend the non-renewal of my contract to the Board of Education. When I asked for clarification regarding this recommendation, I was told that Proviso East is moving in a different direction. I am compelled to speak tonight because I do not understand how this decision aligns with the documented success of Proviso East during my tenure. Since 2021, the leadership team at this school has worked
003collaboratively to move Proviso East from intensive support to comprehensive to support to targeted support and now to commendable status, which is one step away from exemplary. The school has achieved this rating for the second consecutive year. This improvement did not occur in isolation. It is the result of intentional work by administrators, teachers, students, and families. As an assistant principal, I have consistently served this school with fairness, consistency, and a strong commitment to excellence. I arrive each day prepared to give my full effort and support of my students and staff. I regularly attend after-school activities, athletic events, and school functions. And I have maintained an active presence at the board meetings for four consecutive years. Throughout my tenure, I have supported the professional growth of teachers while building positive, meaningful relationships with students. As a dedicated
004member of the community, I actively contributed through participation [clears throat] on multiple committees that support both the school and the broader community. I also served as administrative lead for the class of 2025, which achieved the second highest graduation rate in the past five years. We functioned as a cohesive grade level that produced measurable and sustained outcomes for student success. Given this record of service and progress, I struggle to understand how my contract non-renewal is being considered or recommended. I have fulfilled every responsibility aligned to me, assigned to me as a leader, with professionalism, integrity, and care. Superintendent Moehling has publicly acknowledged my work through email communications, which further underscores my confusion regarding this recommendation. I appear before you today to respectfully ask the board to please reconsider the non-renewal of my contract. I am requesting
005the opportunity to continue serving this school community. Above all, to conclude my service with dignity and respect. Thank you for your time, consideration, and for allowing me to speak this evening. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Della Patterson. Hey Ella, long time no see you in a while. Hello. >> [snorts] >> Good evening, board members. Good evening. My name is Della Patterson. I [clears throat] am a member of this community. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm here to express my serious concern regarding the potential termination of an assistant principal and a buildings and grounds manager. Assistant principal has been in the educational field for 29 years. Buildings and grounds manager has dedicated 29 years of service to this district. 29 years is not simply a measure of time. It represents a career defined by
006commitment, reliability, and service to generations of students, families, and staff. Individuals in these roles help ensure that our schools are not only places of learning, but also environments that are safe, stable, and well-managed. Their work supports everything from daily operations to long-term continuity continuity, often without recognition, yet always with impact. It is precisely because of this level of service that decisions of this magnitude demands the highest degree of care. As a community, we expect that any actions taken, especially one as serious as termination, reflects a process that is thorough, fair, transparent, and grounded in due process. I want to be clear, this is not only about one individual, two individuals, it's pretty much anybody that you bring in before this board, because many of these people, we have 20, 25, 29 years of service, close
007to retirement. >> [clears throat and cough] >> It's about the message this decision sends to every employee in this district. When someone who has devoted nearly three decades of their professional life to this community faces termination, it raises fundamental questions about how experience, loyalty, and long-term dedication are valued. Decisions like this shape perceptions. They influence morale amongst staff. They impact the trust that families and community members place in district leadership. If a decision is viewed as rushed, unclear, or lacking full consideration, it risks undermining confidence in the very system that is meant to support our schools. Therefore, I respectfully but firmly urge the board to pause and re-examine this matter with the seriousness it deserves. I ask that you ensure all factors have been fully and fairly considered, that the process reflect both policy and
008principle, and that the outcome honors the values this district stands for: fairness, integrity, and respect for those who have served. >> [clears throat] >> 29 years of service warrants not only recognition, but careful and deliberate consideration before any final decision is made. Before my time is up, give you a little history. Keisha started out at Proviso East. Then she was sent to Proviso West. Then she was sent from Proviso West back to Proviso East. Then she was a dean. Then she was assistant principal. How do we remove this lady? It's not about personalities. You don't have to like me. But if I'm doing the job that you guys hired her to do, or we hired her to do, why are we worried about uh pressure from the union? Cuz this is the community. The lady
009is doing her job. They've just bounced her around. Now they're going to bounce her out the door. She has 29 years. Two more years she can retire. Why mess her retirement up? It's not fair. It's not fair to tell her, "You can go back and be a PE teacher." This woman has been a dean, assistant principal, twice, three times, a school principal in Chicago, back here as an assistant principal, and then you tell me to go back and be a PE teacher. Think about that. That's all I'm asking. As far as LT goes, I've had conversations with him. He doesn't want to come back. 29 years, 18 months less, and he can retire, and you can put him out. That is not fair. Move some of this high paid, these high paid uh Thank you,
010Ms. Patterson. You're welcome. Staff says upstairs that it's a budget issue. I'm just saying. Thank you all so much. >> [applause] >> That concludes public time. Moving on to item number six. May I have a motion to approve the March 27th, 2026 personnel report, including the hiring, assignments, resignations, separations, stipends, positions, and leaves of absences? So moved. Second. Ms. Smith, please call the roll. Ms. Maldonado? Aye. Ms. Stephenson? >> Aye. Mr. Ocampo? Aye. Ms. Morris? Aye. Dr. Fisher? Aye. Ms. Barham? Aye. Ms. Smith? Aye. Motion carried. Item seven A. May I have a motion to authorize the resolution to reclassify Dr. Keisha Lane to the position of teacher for the 2026-2027 school year as presented. So moved. Second. Ms. Fisher or sorry, Ms. Smith, please call the roll. Ms. Maldonado? Aye. Ms. Stephenson? Nay. Mr.
011Ocampo? Aye. Ms. Morris? Aye. Dr. Fisher? Aye. Ms. Barham? Aye. Ms. Smith? Nay. Motion carried. Item eight. May I have a motion to non-renew the administrative contract of Angela Marion, and reassign her pursuant to her statutory tenure rights to a teaching position for which she is qualified for the 2026-2027 school year as presented. So moved. Second. Ms. Maldonado? Aye. Ms. Stephenson? Nay. Mr. Ocampo? Aye. Ms. Morris? Aye. Dr. Fisher? Aye. Ms. Barham? Aye. Ms. Smith? Aye. Motion carried. Item C. May I have a motion to non-renew the administrative contract of Aaron Peppers, and dismiss him from employment effective June 30th, 2026 as presented. So moved. Second. Please call the roll. Motion. I'm sorry. Can we Can we do that after Sure. Item C. May I have a motion to non-renew the Wait, do you want
012Okay. May I have a motion to non-renew the administrative contract of Aaron Peppers, and dismiss him from employment effective June 30th, 2026 as presented. So moved. Second. Please call the roll. Ms. Maldonado? Aye. Ms. Stephenson? Aye. Mr. Ocampo? Aye. Ms. Morris? Aye. Dr. Fisher? Aye. Ms. Barham? Aye. Ms. Smith? Aye. Motion carried. Item D. May I have a motion to non-renew the administrative contract of LT Taylor, and dismiss him from employment effective June 30th, 2026 as presented. So moved. Second. Please call the roll. Ms. Maldonado? Aye. Ms. Stephenson? Nay. Mr. Ocampo? Aye. Ms. Morris? Aye. Dr. Fisher? Aye. Ms. Barham? Aye. Ms. Smith? Nay. Motion carried. Item E. >> [clears throat] >> May I have a motion to approve the multi-year employment contract for Rodney Hull to serve as the district's executive director of athletics,
013activities, and security from July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2028, instead of principal of Proviso East High School as presented. So moved. I'm sorry. That should say chief of athletics. Chief executive director? >> No, just chief of athletics, of activities, and of and security. Let me start again. Amended. Item E. May I have a motion to approve the multi-year employment contract for Rodney Hull to serve as the as the district's chief of athletics, activities, and security from July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2028, instead of principal of Proviso East High School as presented. So moved. Second. Please call the roll. Ms. Maldonado? Aye. Ms. Stephenson? Aye. Mr. Ocampo? Aye. Ms. Morris? Aye. Dr. Fisher? Aye. Ms. Barham? Aye. Ms. Smith? Aye. Motion carried. Item H. May I have a motion to authorize the resolution to
014honorably dismiss education educational support personnel employees Valencia Stackhouse, Sarah Barron, Rob Daniels, Melanie Molina, Johnny Lucas, and Marsheen Chambers effective June 30th, 2026 as presented. So moved. Second. Please call the roll. Ms. Maldonado? Aye. [clears throat] Ms. Stephenson? Nay. Mr. Ocampo? Aye. Ms. Morris? Nay. Dr. Fisher? Aye. Ms. Barham? Aye. Ms. Smith? Nay. Motion carried. >> [snorts] >> May I have a motion to adjourn? So moved. Second. Done. Please call the roll. Ms. Maldonado? Aye. Ms. Stephenson? Aye. Mr. Ocampo? Aye. Ms. Morris? Aye. Dr. Fisher? Aye. Ms. Barham? Aye. Ms. Smith? Aye. Motion carried. We are adjourned at 7:09 p.m.