001Good evening. Good evening. Thank you all for joining us. >> Can I get a motion to reconvene the regular meeting of the Proviso Township High School Board of Education? >> Second. >> Miss Smith, please call RO. >> Miss Malero, >> present. >> Mrs. Hixon, >> Mr. Campo >> here. >> Miss Mo Morris >> present. Dr. Fischer >> here. >> Miss Barban >> Hi. >> Miss Smith I. Motion car. >> Thank you. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge 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. >> Miss Smith, please read the vision statement. Through expectations of excellence and by providing equitable educational opportunities to empower each student, our graduates are
002prepared for college careers and to serve as contributing members of a dynamic global society. Thank you. At this time, we are going to swear in our student board members. So, if you will please join us at the podium. You want to stand in front of the podium? >> Would you like to state your names and the school that you will represent? >> Will Phillips from Math and Science Academy. [applause] West High School. [applause] [clears throat] >> Do you solemnly affirm that you will faithfully serve as a student member of the board of education for Visa Township High School District 209? That you will represent student voice with honesty? laws and that you will carry out your responsibilities thoughtfully and to the best of your ability in service of students, schools, and our community. If you
003do, please say, "I affirm." >> Thank you. You are now officially sworn in as student members of the board of education. On behalf of the board of education and administration, we welcome you and thank you for your commitment to serve. Please proceed. [applause] Oh yeah. Okay, thank you. >> Two. [applause] [clears throat] Okay. >> And we're going to give you an opportunity if you'd like to um say any words and share with us anything. >> And it's okay if you don't want. >> Thank you. >> We are so excited to have you. Thanks for joining us and I'm sure there's lots of proud parents and friends and community. Um, this is a pretty historic moment for 209 because this is the first time we've ever had uh student board members and student representation. So, we
004were very excited to have you with us. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is public comments. 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 submitted a request to address the board for the established procedures. Comments will be limited to three minutes in accordance with 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 livereamed and will also be archived and available on the district website. Miss Smith. First up, Reverend Paul Jay. >> Good evening to the chairman and all the board members here, our superintendent that I just met and all of the parents, teachers, and others
005that are here. I am Reverend Paul Jates. I am the assistant to US Congressman Danny K. Davis, and uh I am a faith-based coordinator. And my purpose tonight is to listen to the parents, board members, and to observe and to listen because our country is certainly that are going on and we're concerned about it. And so tonight, my presence is to take the information back to Washington DC. Thank you very much, >> Dela Patterson. Good evening, board. >> Good evening. >> I'm here tonight 8 years. >> I've been a parent student advocate for many years. Probably since I was about 22, 23 years old. Quite old now. and just happened to be scrolling through social media and found where a young student from Proviso West put something together and she did an exceptional job. I
006I happened to meet her in the hallway tonight and ever feel intimidated feel like she is not being heard and this is all over Black History Month. She felt when she went to her principal, Mr. Sanchez, Dr. Sanchez, am I uncertain, that she was not heard. She asked for a banner to be hung. According to what I have here, that was refused. She was then pulled from taken to the principal's office, >> not allowed to close the door. And I understand why she wasn't able allowed to close the door. But she also felt interrupted, spoken over over. Her words were reframed. She became emotionally overwhelmed after being gas lit. Her tone was used against her instead of addressing the concerns that she had. She stated that since this requ is has been an issue, it's
007not an issue. It's just a straight up refusal. There's little to no decorations to put up for this important month. And as I continue to write the superintendent after meeting with him on addressing my concerns about the principal, the silence continued. This is not just about me. This is about what happened when black students speak up. This shouldn't be because if it was I say this to you when a student speak right wrong or indifferent listen because they're going to tell you what you want to hear. They're going to tell you what you don't want to hear and they're going to give it all in between. This should never happen. I will not be asked the black student to voice woman. I knew what she meant when she said that because when she became emotionally
008overwhelmed, of course in our culture, your tone change, but when there's a cultural difference, you don't know and you see it as someone uh being disrespectful. She said, 'I don't mind uh being called an angry black woman. We have teachers telling students that Black History Month is for everyone, not just black people. And other teachers targeting certain students three different occasions that spoke about her child being called apes and monkeys and your great president decided that he would do that with our former president and his wife. It has to stop. We should not be waiting [clears throat] for something really bad to happen. You've got to take care of this. Please, I support students. [applause] >> Glenda Thomas >> [clears throat] >> Uh good evening to the board, to our superintendent, um all of those
009who make up this um administration of our proviso uh area schools, and to our parents and everyone who makes up this community. Um I'm so glad to be here representing PT man and our safe school initial east for all of their accomplishments. Every Monday for the last four years, uh, PTN is online and we are praying for you. We are praying for our community schools. We have prayed for you and we had some specific prayers that were answered. We prayed for attendance. We prayed for graduation rates. We prayed for innovation students. We prayed for um, innovation with staff. And we do congratulate you and we do take that that it was hard work. It wasn't just principal hall although we definitely give him his accolades. It was all of the staff. Everyone from the front
010door to the back door from the janitor to the teacher. We thank everybody for the hard work that you put in and we do not take it lightly for the achievements that were made um this year. So we do thank you for that. We also come to stand in support. We came to listen along with Congressman Davis's office. PT man clergy come and we represent um Pastor Bishop their right to protest. We want to stand in solidarity with our community with our schools and our goal to come and help is for our presence to be seen and peacefully praying for everyone. We want safe outcomes and we do those. It may not be right in many people's eyes. It is not for my place to be in the presence and that's what our clergy from
011our safe school initiative at PT [applause] Miss Gomez. I'm sorry. Is it Leonard? Leonard. We'll try again. >> Time was about to end this. Valentine and Gomez. >> I didn't know there was a paper. Is there a way that I can [applause] >> Thank you for raising your hand. >> Good evening members of the board. My name is Armani Phillips and as you very acknowledging the structure of this space, I have three minutes to speak tonight. Three minutes to represent black students face when trying to be heard within formal systems. Limited support of our organizations and inconsistent responses when we advocate for ourselves. These concerns are the one to raise tonight as student privacy. Over the week, teachers, staff, and administrators were were aware of the details market and atmosphere where I felt exposed rather
012than protected. student advocacy colleagues. I am also concerned by the fact that multiple student have shared similar experiences. Instead, they came forward separately describing patterns that closely mirror one another. When multiple students independent nor appropriate together, these issues point to a larger pattern. When black students speak management, I want to be very clear. This is not about attention recognition respected and whether adults in position of authority model professionalism when child institutions respond when challenged. I'm asking this board to take serious equal respect every month of the year for I will continue until I thank you for your time. [applause] tonight. So hopefully everyone's used the bathroom. Um the first group I would like to recognize have asked to be here today. Um we are proud to recognize what I call game changers educators who have
013produced extra in congratulating each of you. The results we are celebrating tonight happens because of intentional planning, high expectations, strong. We also recognize an important truth about our work. Many of our reality and said we get right to the work. We focus relentlessly opportunity to succeed. Will the following teachers [applause] J. The first person I'd like to acknowledge and present to you but I'll talk to him. [clears throat] Um so Kurt is uh he's achieved the high to 12.9. This exceptional growth is a powerful example that led the district in English growth with students improving their average reading levels reflects purposeful instruction and a deep commitment to student success. [applause] created remarkable results in math with students growing from an average of the clarity, rigor, and effectiveness of instructional practices. English growth at Provisal West
014moving students level of 5.5 to 9.2 students advancing from an average level of 6.6 to 9th grade. Your work except [applause] at PMSA she posted the highest growth with students doing excellence but a commitment to pushing students beyond proficiency towards 12.9. >> So for those that did make it at 12.9 every day for our children and for your relentless belief in excellence regardless of [applause] the next group and every one of them. I would like actually could we take a picture with our teachers? >> Yeah. [clears throat] Three, two, one. Got it. >> Thank you. >> Now, this is the week where we traditionally celebrate our school counselors. And so, I do thank you. >> Thank you, Miss for everything you do for the building. >> Thank you, Mr. McConnell. counselor. >> Thank you [singing
015and music] for being the best counselor counselor. [music] >> Thank you for being such a great counselor. [music] Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Miss for everything you do for all. [music] Thank you so much to my counselor. So, I think our students said it best, so I'm going to say my word that they do for our students every single day. Um, please come up and get your [applause] chair. I'm going to take his pres. [snorts] [applause] >> Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you very much. [applause] [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> Not here. [applause] >> Miss Bridges. Greenhouse. >> [applause] >> Thank you sir. [applause and cheering] >> Miss Cop, Miss Hillary Jones. M Conor [applause] be here to get it. >> Miss Alvarez, Miss Robertson. [applause and cheering] Miss your
016own >> [laughter] >> a little west [applause] >> and Miss Paul are for the councils that are here and those that were not able to make it for the work that they do. I for those of you that know about the death of my own sister like how so I think oftent times the the work that you do go right and sometimes you won't even know the impact that you make so at least one time a year I'm glad that we we are very resourced in this area and it is very important that we continue Sorry. >> All right. [applause] go through our school principles. We each have recognition for their schools departments giving recognition. So I want to bring up Dr. Warisani for the science department for Yes, ma'am. Everyone please members of district
01729 community. It is both a privilege and an honor to stand before you this evening to recognize meaningful their growth, their perseverance and their grit. In a field in moments of challenge when the work becomes difficult these students choose to continue. They choose effort over excuse. Very best of what education strives to cultivate resilience intellectual courage and our first uh student recognized is Lis [applause] L was nominated by Mr. Caldwell to improvement. [applause] Are you here? Meeting challenges with resolve and transforming obstacles into opportunities for learning. [applause] Daisy Rose Daisy was nominated by Miss Hules. Da shown remain focused and refuse to be discouraged. Romy. [applause] She exemplifies reflective growth, accountability, and maturity. [applause] These students remind us of the use to surrender to this. [laughter] >> All right. Three. [clears throat] >> That works,
018too. [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Yes, ma'am. Next we'll have for the west. [applause] >> Hello everyone. >> Hi. >> Hello everyone. >> Hi. >> Okay. All right. Talk back to me like we at church. Here we go. All right. So, Proviso West would like to um listen Pearson [applause] student body. Um about 1,500 students in the gym where they all able to hold your principal accountable and tell us about the things you want to improve. >> [applause] >> Um, at Provis West, we stand with each other accountable. That includes the principal. And so, a couple of months ago, Tamaya was here and she was to be featured, but she is a dual enrollment student with all she has 25. [laughter] She has 25 amazing student and she's on the honor roll. And so we appreciate
019her because when her name information was not computing accurately, she came to her my office and not only are we going to feature her tonight, but we are also going to pay for her. Please round of applause for you. You did a great job. Um, we also want to feature our school citizen of the year who was community engager, has academic commitment, attendance, and behavior. I want to read to you what someone said about Maggie Vargas. Maggie, can you come indicate the following? Maggie has been in several of my classes, not only a highranking member of ROC, but she is also a leader in the class. We should recognize her when reading through the six for being an amazing student tonight. So, round of applause for [applause] her administrative team accountable um for various things
020that are happening. Mariah Wilson. Mariah is not here tonight. Mariah, is she here? Mariah is amazing as though she has a 5.0 grade point average um chose for our tour. And so we wanted to celebrate [applause] >> monster. [cheering] >> She's going to make us squish some. [laughter] >> All right. Three, two, one. [applause] >> Good evening, board. Um, this suspense, but I will tell you about both of them. my my father this evening she apologized and said that you know to make sure that she is in attendance my students uh just finished over the last few days those students travel with me both but I have some remarkable students Michelle you guys meet the second weeks and and she's really fought a way to become MB student asked she supported and I allowed her
021to announce and seniors that made uh her attendance pay honor and become a student leader provider lease. I did want to recognize her and uh Emily is one student that you know many people have gotten the turn that she has and I wanted to recognize her when you identify and have a direction students like are the ones that really you know rise to the top. So [applause] >> who's that? >> Oh I'm sorry that did not conclude are we I was actually looking at one of your emails. I'm sorry. Present. And I'm going to have uh Tony help me do that. [applause] >> A certificate of completion in the physical therapy aid and [applause] semester >> is a significant achievement and reflects these students of their accomplishments and excited to celebrate this important evening. Alternative
022arrangements have been made for them to receive their certificates. We have Jasmine Kzada, [applause] >> Miguel Bodinz, [applause and cheering] >> Melanie Mundo, Valencia, [applause] Tamara Sid, >> [applause] >> And from PSA we have Nathalia. [applause] We have Michaela Michaela Mallerie. A Royo Yader Tjo and Dalia Sana. [applause] >> Oh, there's still pants. I'm sorry. I went too fast. >> Let's start lining up. >> I was from 14. >> [laughter] >> Everybody look at All right. >> Three, two, one. Everybody can say yes. [laughter] [applause] >> [laughter] >> So for our next round of recognition, >> what what a great day when we have, you know, 40 45 minutes of recognizing the great [applause] work of our school. >> [applause] >> And I don't have a certificate for this staff member, but I just want
023to say thank you to our IT staff and Mike Swanson in particular who was able to set up our our live streams moving forward so that they can be read in Spanish. So that is a wonderful addition for [applause] Moving on. We have Alex who is going to engage in a public hearing that's required for our calendars for the next two years. >> Good evening members of the board, parents, staff, and community members. My name is Alexander Ashro. I'm the deputy superintendent for academics. Uh, in accordance with section 24 uh 2B1 of the Illinois School Code, we're convening this public hearing to receive testimony and feedback regarding our intent to hold school on specific state holidays during the 2026 2027 school year and then the 2027 2028 uh school year. As a prior uh we
024provided public notice of this hearing which including the date prior location and description of the proposed calendar changes in our board docs and indication that testimony from parents and educators will be taken uh this evening. So the purpose uh of this uh public hearing here is to notify the public that for president's uh President Abraham Lincoln's birthday which is observed February 12th 2027 uh in statute our proposed observance is going to be Monday February 15th 2027. So instructional activities honoring President Lincoln will occur on this date during uh the district uh institute. We'll have to make sure because we're the holding school with with our district institute. And then Katherine Plasky day which is observed on March 1st, 2027 in statute with the proposed observance Friday, February 26th, 2027. Again, instructional activities honoring Kasmoplasty will
025occur then on March 1st. So at this time uh any uh we invite uh board parents, educators and community members to share their thoughts on uh this proposal. All >> [clears throat] >> right. If there are Yeah. If there are no comments or anything from the public or uh anyone uh in the audience now, this concludes our public hearing looking over. All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all for coming. >> This was a very exciting meeting. Not only do we have new student board members, but that was a lot of recognition and especially with the teacher growth. That's amazing gap coverage that we're doing. So, um I have just a quick board president update. Um, as we observe Black History Month, we take this time to acknowledge and
026honor the profound contributions, resilience, and leadership of black individuals throughout history and within our own community. This month is not only a time for reflection, but also a reminder of our ongoing responsibility to advance equity, inclusion, and opportunity in meaningful ways. I want to highlight and recognize the incredible teachers in our school community who intentionally and thoughtfully incorporate black history into their teaching and assignments. As a parent, um I have seen firsthand how black history is woven into everyday learning. [snorts] Not only during Black History Month and not only in our required Black History course and not only just in history, even though American history is black history, I have seen assignments that research black patent holding inventors in science, complete projects focus on black artists, black musicians in art and music, and I've seen
027literature in English that centers black voices and experience. uh through my children's projects and work, I've also learned quite a lot alongside them. And this level of inclusion from our teachers does not happen by accident. It is intentional work. So our teachers are committed. Our teachers commitment ensures that black history and the contributions of black Americans are recognized as an essential part of our shared story every day of the year. So I want to say thank you to our teachers who intentionally do this work every day, not just during February. >> [applause] >> moving on to the superintendent report. I do have a brief statement as well. Um, and I just wanted to read this. [snorts] As we recognize Black History Month, we pause to honor the extraordinary contributions of black leaders, educators, artists, innovators,
028and change makers whose courage, brilliance, and perseverance have shaped our nation, our communities, and our schools. Black history is not only history to be remembered. It is a living history that continues to influence who we are and who [snorts] we are becoming. The progress we see today stands on the shoulders of those who came before us often in the face of profound injustice and adversity. But as but as a school district, our responsibility does not stop with celebrating the past for this month. At Provado Township High School District 29, our goal is to prepare our students to shape the future to ensure that young people sitting in our classrooms today are equipped with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and opportunity to lead, innovate, and make meaningful impact in the communities beyond. We want our students to
029become the individuals whose stories will be told in the years ahead whose achievements will be celebrate celebrated by future gener generations of examples of leadership, resilience, creativity, and excellence. Black history month reminds us that history is written by those who are prepared, empowered, and supported. Our work as a district is to make sure every student, especially those whose voices have too often been marginalized, have access to the future. Tonight, we celebrate the past. We affirm the present. And we recommit ourselves to preparing our students to become history makers of tomorrow. I would like now I would like now to pause and let each principal share how they have chosen to cate celebrate black history in their schools. you guys would like to just come up and just talk about like [laughter] clearly it's a surprise
030but I know because they already sent me this information >> I thought they wanted more celebrations so I was okay >> no we're very proud of KSA to be celebrating Black Excellence Month a couple of different ways first and foremost we're having a black excellence assembly uh for parents on February 23rd uh for students throughout the day on February ruary 24th, we're having lunch and learns for students um all periods of lunch on the 18th and the 25th with uh sandwiches provided. Um we're also having a trip to the do museum. Um and then we're working on um having a counter storytelling sessions u where we bring community members in um to empower our students in the story telling process. >> Thank you. >> [laughter] >> got one to go. They then ain't going to
031get up when I get up. So, [laughter] still trying to figure this guy out. >> Hey, sir. Provos, we are our co-en activity will be the assembly, but they've been working on it the last few months. We have a committee, a student committee. They've been working with uh some of the teachers and really putting together all the activities. They've been um I won't say auditioning kids. They really want to make sure that the assembly goes off with a bang. So, they've been working on that. They've also been working with teachers decorating the school. So, the schools are decorated. The theme is is, you know, Black History Month being celebrated um all throughout the building is is you know, you can see it on every floor. Um all the doors, all the walls are covered with
032um you know, with pictures and there quotes and there all kind of activities happening. So, as we move toward uh the 20th when we're having our assembly, um they're really just, you know, really all pouring into it. The teachers are really involved and they're having conversations in class about, you know, I mean, at this time, you know, there's a lot happening and the kids are, you know, we're we're teaching them about some of the struggles in the past and and what our parents dealt with and and how some of those things are probably coming full circle. having those conversation and making them relevant, you know, cuz we can talk about Martin Luther King. Some of those pe, you know, and you know, I joke saying this, but you know, I said it, I think I
033said a few months ago. I sent a kid in the library to go find an encyclopedia. They asked me what encyclopedia was, right? But as they do the research, they're quicker with computers because this is their time. So as they learn about with some of the current people that that are kind of from that era and so kind of bridging that and having those conversations have been rich uh and the kids are getting a lot of you know information and history out of those conversations. So that's what [applause] >> he just told me beat that. He just [laughter] >> that's that's like a big brother I've never had. Only child. So Rodney treat um Miss Lucas Duncan just made sure she wanted to remind me. She's sitting in the back. Amazing two of ours. Um
034we have our walking museum on February 19th periods 2 through 7. Really excited about that. Miss Diane Lambert, who actually has retired from West in December, will be leading that out. And I'm excited that we have um uh a couple of different u entre that we will be serving to our students. Some black cultural foods that are typically made in kind of the um African-American culture or black culture that she's going to be featuring. In addition to that, um at the end of this month, we're going to do something called Know Your History, and that will be after school. Um and it will be in our cafeteria where we're going to have um different features of different women, powerful women, powerful men that have made a impact not that's in a celebrity st status but
035people like Larry Roberts who has over 15 different barber shops other people that have made a powerful impact as you know good friend of mine Tony Russell on tour with Kendrick Lamar. He's coming back hopefully to be with us. Um, and so I I'm really excited about the opportunities we have to share with them and excited about what our students will be able to experience. Most importantly, I'm meeting with our students and our SLT to ask what is it that they would like to see about African-American or black history because if we put programs together for them, but it doesn't relate directly to what they want to see, sometimes it falls flat. So, we're going to be having those conversations and I look forward to hearing some ideas as well. >> [applause] >> Christian, one
036question. When what date is the know your history event? >> Know your history. We're doing it the last two weeks. We don't have the final date yet because we're waiting on the two people to confirm. They gave us two different dates. So, I'll make sure I put it in our back. >> Thank you. Thank you. [applause] >> All right. At this time, I will turn it over to Dr. Hill for a finance update. Good evening board members. >> Good evening. >> Uh first up for the financial update, I will be bringing up Dr. Robert Rosi, our consultant from Eliminate, who will present a financial analysis presentation for Proviso District 209. Thank you everybody. Good to see you again. >> Um, first of all, I just want to say I had the opportunity to go to
037a lot of schoolboard meetings and there's so few districts that recognize adults. I mean the students is awesome, but to recognize the teachers that would really neat to watch. So that's that's very rare and I think it's great. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Um, so one of the one of the really good best practices that a school could do in this district does is to get an independent assessment of the district's current financial condition and its expected performance in the future. And um, we did this last year and since last year we've completed a fiscal year. We're halfway through another fiscal year. Uh, and there's things happening at the state and federal government that all have to be updated and processed um, as we look at the district's future. So, I'm going to present um, my
038assessment of the district as it stands today. So, so to begin, um, this is a history of the district's revenues and expenditures minus your capital projects. And the blue bars represent revenues. The green line represents expenses. And you can see every year during this 9-year period, revenues have exceeded expenditures. uh which is obviously a very good thing and something that is is rather uncommon for school districts. And when you compare the two together, so this this represents annual revenues minus annual expenses. So zero is a balanced budget. Everything above zero means that your revenues exceed expenditures. The district has done a phenomenal job of spending within its means. Um and in fact over the last nine years, total revenues have exceeded total expenditures by $102 million. As a result of that, the district has been
039able to invest a lot in its facilities, which is obviously a major need over this time period by using these surpluses. So between 2017 and 25, the district has invested $146 million into its facilities um using fund balance reserves, federal estra dollars, and bond proceeds, but most of it came from fund balance reserves. Um when you put the two together um you could see that uh it creates the fund balances. So the district in 2017 started uh with a little over $50 million in the bank. Um in 2025 the district ended with just a little less than $70 million in the bank. Uh which is 228 days of reserve. Uh the the the amazing thing about this chart is that the district has been able to increase fund balances despite the $140 million investment in
040facilities. Again, a great accomplishment. Now, the last five years or so, I've been working with school districts for a lot of years. I have been some of the best years for school districts um in terms of high CPI for real estate taxes. um interest earnings are start were going up as the interest rates were going up. Um evidence-based funding has been growing tremendously. Um everything was going in our favor. Um many people that I work with now believe that the opposite's going to happen that basically every major source of revenues, local, state, and federal are going to start trending downward. In terms of local sources, um before COVID, um inflation was averaged 1.75%. That's the maximum amount school districts can raise their real estate taxes. Um since 2022 to 24, because inflation was up, the
041average increase was just under 4.5%. Well, now the rate is down to 2.7%. And it's trending towards the historical average of 2.3%. So your largest source of revenues, real estate taxes, is is likely going to grow at half of what it grew the last four years. on the state side. Um the state of Illinois was having serious financial challenges precoid um and owing owing um hundreds of millions of dollars in outstanding bills, prorating money to schools, um not paying hospitals, universities. Uh they had they had a serious crisis on their hands when COVID came. Uh just like schools got ESRE money, COVID relief money, the state of Illinois received about $8 billion and that helped them pay off their bills and increase evidence-based funding. Well, just like with school districts, that money is no longer
042available. But now the state of Illinois's budget is significantly higher. So a lot of people are anticipating challenges that continue again. And in fact, at the bottom right uh was the governor's uh projection for governor's office of management and budget projection for the deficit and they're projecting the deficit to grow to multi- billions of dollars. Again, this means to me that there's a higher probability that something negative could happen to school districts as it relates to state funding. And and this just is a graph that shows state funding to schools, the primary source of state funding. And you can see between 2006 and 2017, it was basically flat. Uh for the for um for the people that that are new to school finance, they never lived in a world where where revenues are basically flat.
043But I think there's good probability that we're approaching that scenario again. And this is statewide, not specific to the district. Uh and then and then we have the uncertainty with Washington DC and um and how that's going to impact schools. Um we know that there's been an um an an effort to eliminate the US Department of Education. At this point in time, it's believed that it will impact the administration part of it, not the grant part of it. And that title one and IDA money are is still going to flow to the school districts, but through the state instead of the federal government. So, at this point in time, that money looks safe. But more concerning is um is if if the federal government cuts funding to the state of Illinois. The state of Illinois
044is very vulnerable right now financially. They they they only they're the worst financial condition of any state in the country in terms of days of fund balance reserve. Um they only have like 28 days of reserve left. Uh that's way lower than any state in the country. So, there's a vulnerability there. And the governor's office actually announced last week or two weeks ago that he was going to um uh asking agencies to cut $450 million out of their budget, but not K through2 school districts at this point in time. But again, all these things scient increases the probability that these are going to happen. So almost everybody's anticipates revenue growth to be significantly lower over the next 5 years than it was the last 5 years. So recommendations to proviso. First of all, um the
045districts that are having problems right now and that are really concerned about what's happening are the ones that don't have the healthy fund balance reserves and balanced budgets. Your district has done a great job of putting itself in a position that um a lot of district can boast. So by having the reserves and having the the natural surplus, you're you're you put yourself in a good spot. your re your expenditure growth over the last nine years was around three and a half%. That's one of the lowest expenditure growth rates of any of the schools I work with. So it's clear that the district is spending within its means and you've prepared yourself to what's going to go happen ahead as as much as any other school district. So the key uh observations are controlled spending
046uh expenditure growth has remained below revenue growth. These are the observations. $100 million in surplus uh as I mentioned that that that surplus has allowed you to invest in your facilities without having to borrow out to pay for all those costs. And then you well positioned yourself for the challenges. So you put yourself in a position to um to face, you know, at least for a while what possibly could happen in school districts. recommendations. Um, continue to make uh major decisions that ensure that expenditures do not exceed revenues. So, strive for continued balance budgets. Um, as revenues growth like will likely decline, focus on operational efficiencies now. So, even though you're in a good position, um I'm recommending to all school districts that to get ahead of the problem and and and never and and
047don't stop focusing on ways that you could um slow the growth of your expenditures, decrease your budget without impacting the student market. Um closely monitor uh surpluses were determining size and scope of future capital investment. So, I know that you have a lot of agent buildings, a lot of need. Um, you you've certainly been able to do everything you've done so far, and you're in a position to do more going forward. Um and um so as as as you continue to make those major decisions, keep doing those around uh the the parameters of these financial projections and then continue to make the financial decisions within these regularly updated uh financial projections to ensure long-term fiscal stability. One of the nice things that you do now is that um we do update the projections every year.
048We do do a monthby-month comparison of where you were this year versus last year. So Deborah and I um closely monitor what's going on so we can get ahead of any major um issues that happen. So with that, so that's all I have I have to present on. Is there any questions or or comments? >> Thank you, Dr. D, for your leadership and keeping our expenses low. see our thank you for your leadership. >> She's done a great job. >> Then a question given the state of the given the condition of the the state of Illinois's finances, have we secured that $40 million grant for the sports complex? the $40 million are in the they're in the budget. It's waiting for us to draw it down when we are through the application process. We we've
049applied for it the application process and once once we're ready to need to access those funds and >> but we don't pull the whole >> we don't pull the whole thing down. They'll allow us what we need. They'll be able to follow somebody, but not before. [clears throat] >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you, Dr. Johnson. For property tax updates. Last week, we received $2.9 million. [applause] >> I take it. the the the tax dollars are tripling little by little. We're still shy by close to $14 million. So hopefully 14 million. So hopefully we will see those dollars soon, but I want everyone to be mindful that communication has already gone out that the expected spring tax revenue will be delayed as well. So right now we are in a position where we have allowed
050different departments all departments to resume their spending but we did ask for them to be conservative to make sure it's essential items only and that if the delay is still in place for the spring that we may need to do another pause but we are monitoring the situation as we receive it. Can I ask a question please as I'm learning? >> Yes. >> So generally we receive these monies in one lump sum. >> Yes. So we will receive a fall distribution and then we receive receive a spring distribution. >> Got it. >> So for the fall typically we receive that like around October, November, October. We are now in February and we have only received so much. So, we're behind from the fall distribution that we were expected to receive. And now, typically in April,
051we are being ready for another installment, but that will be delayed as well. So, it's typically two installments that we receive throughout the course of the year. So, by December, we're pretty much 50/50. If you recall last year around this time expenditures were probably about 50% in December and then our revenues were probably slightly higher at like a 55%. We all we were always level but now with the delay we are upside a little bit. So what we have decided to do to get more revenue coming into the district as opposed to completing our grant expenditure reports quarterly, we now complete them on the fifth of the month to make sure that we're getting state revenue coming in from the state because that's the only revenue we really can depend on. So as long as
052we submit it on time, we will receive those funds by the end of the month. >> Thank you. So, uh, quick point of clarification, the property tax funds, they come from Cook County or do they come from specific? >> They come from Cook County, but since we haven't be receiving them like we should, we want to still ensure that we bringing in revenue into the district. So, we know we can depend on the state funds right now. So, we complete those expenditure reports on a monthly basis. Next up, we have the treasures report. And as you can see right now, at this stage of the game, we're halfway through. We've only brought in 42% of our projected revenue for this year and about 56% for our expenditures. So, just think about it this way. if
053we would have received that $14 billion, we would have had more revenue coming in and expenses going out. So, we're still monitoring, as I mentioned before, and as I stated, we are definitely submitting expenditure reports every month for all of our grants to capture that revenue that we know that we need for the district. Next up, we have the bill list. Uh I do want to speak about the bill list just for a moment. This bill list includes some of the bills from December as some of the bills from January. So we're getting back up to speed because if you all remember from the prior month there was a pause. So this month we are playing catchup and then we want to make sure that whoever we owe we pay. But I want to be
054mindful to share with everyone that all essential daily operations were handled. But we took care of pace for our st students. We took care of transportation. All essential services for food for our students. All of those are always taken care of. It was just some of the other non-essential items that was on pause. But now we have reopened. Are there any questions regarding that? >> I want to bid you good people a good evening and enjoy your week and I will see you all next month. [laughter] Thank you. [applause] >> Before we move on into the information items, there's one last item I'd like to discuss and talk to the board with and update the committee on is that we know that there is a possible student walk out um occurring tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.
055We have talked with our students. We have sent messaging to our community, to our students, to our parents, and we are asking them to use good judgment during this time. There was a student walk out yesterday, I believe, in Aurora, and it did not go well. It looked like there was some behaviors by law enforcement. students were arrested and so I am hoping that we do not fall for the same things that Aurora did when their students peacefully attempted peacefully protest. Um I as a school district we do not take a stance on this. We do not interfere with this. We need to explain to our principles to our families to our students that any student that leaves during the day will be marked out and we will be taking attendance. I understand students are
056considering walking out during at the end of second period during third period. We are hopeful and we've been asking that students would remain on school property and not move into the community and into the streets. If they do if they if they do go into the streets, we ask that they stay on the sidewalks. I have talked to all the mayors, police chiefs that could be affected and I've also reached out to the faith-based community. And so, um, there are organizations that are going to help be there, uh, show up and walk with our students and stay with our students as they engage in their first amendment rights to to peace protest something they feel is unjust. Personally, I applaud them for exercising their rights that are guaranteed to them under our Constitution. I just
057want to make sure that we do it in a manner that is least disruptive to our schools and to our community. I still urge our students to reconsider the walk out and work with us to think about different ways to have our voices heard to to lean into the voices in our community that can help elevate and equity at the state level and at the federal level. It's a it's a conversation that's worth having and I'm proud of our students. organizing and and and leading in an area where quite honestly it's something that's affecting students but there has not been a lot of students around. Um I am training all of our central office staff tomorrow morning and I'm going to have them deployed at each of the three schools. Our principles were provided information
058on how to conduct a walk out in the case that this is not something that they encountered before and we've also shared information with our teachers on what they should and should not do or say during this time. But I did want to make you aware I believe most of you knew or all of you knew that this was something that was happening. It was uh evolving quickly. So if I did not get to all of you, I wanted to make sure I'm doing this now and know that the mayors, police chiefs, faithface community, our administrators, our teachers, students here are all aware of the possibility of this tomorrow. And again, we are [snorts] hoping that they would reconsider leaving during instructional time and coming to the table to talk to us about how they
059can about different ways to to have their votes. I have not been able to identify who who is leading this and organizing this. If any of the students know, be willing to still talk to them tonight or tomorrow morning first thing so we can come to a resolution that does not leave lost instructional time and doesn't put anyone in our community. Moving on. Uh going to information items as we had a lot of rec recognitions for students on the inverse we do not have a lot of uh information items. All these information items are things that we talked about in committee of the whole. Um just to to remind the board about these. The first one is policy 7130 which was part of policy press 119. Um but there were some uh this the student
060rights responsibility was one that not update and needed to be updated. If you have any questions happy otherwise the other two information items that we talked about again at um at the the what the market says um what the price would be obviously considering what Dr. Hill just spoke on finances is something that we are keeping a close eye on. Three gentlemen over there in age one. They were very happy when we were able to release the freeze. Um but there are still significant needs that in our facilities that we need to look at. And so the first is looking at our bathrooms at both Proviso East and Proviso West. Looking at considering some some upgrades to those bathrooms, the aesthetics of those rooms have not been paid attention to in quite some time in
061each of the buildings. Um any questions? And then we are also we have taken bids on some updates to the provided these tends. Right now they are virtually unplayable and they do need to be updated. We look at cost. The recommendation that we brought to the board of education was to do some resurfacing work and bypass some of the other wants um but not specifically needs for schools. with this we would have to reduce some fencing and that would add cost and so we're not asking for a recommendation right now just hasn't gone to bid but once we get back the prices we will then share with you what the bid receives and then determine if we can move forward any questions on this or any of the information items moving on with the electro
062a we talked two two committee of the halls at one board of education meeting um with the exclusion of the resolution authorizing tariff for a no cost facility assessment. This is something that we talk about but [clears throat] I did not bring toward a resolution we signed as we discussed. I believe I spoke with all of you about this. This is just authorizing and memorializing that they were going to do this work and if there is any bidding that would come through it they would use an organization called tips which we are already. So, are there any questions about any of the approval items before we run an announcement about the the laptops? And Chris, you and I spoke about about it earlier and for transparency, I sent Chris an email. I did notice that
063the quotes from 700 to 800, you know, almost a million do now. But I I do challenge if we can squeeze a bit more out of the, you know, the laptops that we have or look for alternatives. I think Chromebooks is possibly one one option. I wanted to ask Mr. Swanson if the specs of the new laptops are similar to the ones that we have now. >> Great questions. Um so yeah, each year we spec them. They these are slightly speced up. Um they're speced up in the sense that uh we take the same build of materials, visit with HP, other vendors, um and put together what is available. Um but basically what's the current model? So we go with the current model for the year because we know we're going to be with these
064for four years. Um, so the part part of it that and I I did look because in the past we've been able to kind of I work with the vendors and I'm like, "Hey, do you have any last year's models?" You know, we try to do what we can to see what pricing we could get. Um, they didn't have any last year models cuz a lot of school districts even last year didn't purchase laptops because the price increase. So now they're back and purchasing more. So um, what we had to go with is a new build of materials, which is good. You know, we want to get updated technology. Um but the largest part of that which I've got heard from everyone is that the um the hard drives is the largest part going to
065the AI data centers. Um and I know we blame everything on AI but um for the price increase there's a direct correlation. So I want to say it's almost 30% compared to last year. So I'm working with Dr. Hill um uh Mr. for Moab um to see what alternatives we could go with like is a lease program cheaper um pivoting to Chromebooks and what that would look like to deploy for next school year. >> I was thinking one possibility is getting a Chromebook in a mid tier and then stress testing it to see how well it handles our >> current workload and see is that a viable option. >> Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. That's something we were we were discussing to see what that roll out would look like is Chromebooks are cheaper than laptops period.
066um you know roughly $100 a unit. So you'd save you know $140,000 right there. Um so uh just yeah looking at that option what that roll out would look like instructional it's really just the instructional impact of it and what that would look like but absolutely >> if we change to sorry if we change to Chromebooks so wouldn't we have to also change like >> right because that's a >> it would be a lot yeah I mean it's definitely doable it's absolutely doable >> you have to remember take into consideration the cost of changing all our licenses over as well right >> well they're all browser based >> yeah so so the licensing >> wouldn't affect them >> not really it's just more of the instructional impact and what that roll out would look like.
067You know, are we going to take it and go freshman year forward? Are we going to try to take all the laptops, resell them, and do all Chromebooks with because, you know, if we think we have, you know, let's say 4,500 laptops out there in our environment, you know, to replace those with 4,500 Chromebooks, you know, what that instructional would look like. So, it's definitely something that we're discussing um to see what what options are available and kind of, you know, if that's the route we we think is best. But um but just for this school year um to ensure that you know the instructional model continues. We have the updated technology um yeah this is the I've been squeezing them as hard as we can. Trust me they're watching this because they're you know
068to make sure you know if it gets approved because of uh how volatile the market is. So >> Mike, what performance and durability would we give up if we switched to a Chromebook? we would just get uh get rid of some of the flexibility that the students have now with the and this is my understanding you know the other districts that were was at had Chromebooks that's kind of standard across high schools most of them have Chromebooks uh my understanding was that provisal this is years back um decided to go with laptops to give them more of a workforce ready environment so they're used to using something in I know they all call them Chromebooks but they're laptops so um giving them a device that they would um see in the workforce more more common
069So that was I believe the reason why they initially wanted um going Chromebooks we would lose some of the flexibility some of the Adobe stuff the students use some of the programs just they they can't run on the Chromebooks overall um but you'd get that cost savings so it's really balancing do you want the cost savings or the workforce readiness >> and I'd like to ask our student board members their feedback on their laptops what could be better Um I feel that our laptops that we are provided at provo um all of them I feel like they are well suited they work however often time you see glitches malfunction you have little it for um you see um malfunction with teacher provided program like goardian I know often times I'm at home working on homework
070guardian it pushes me back because it doesn't allow me to do my actual work that I am supposed to do because it doesn't know how to turn off by itself or teachers don't know how to turn it off and I feel there's guys something we can work on and yes >> um um I'll say the same note that I do see a lot of or I hear a lot of people having to go to it for many different issues and um for some people it's come to the point where they feel the need that they have to bring their personal or computer and laptop to the school in order to be able to efficiently get their work done. So, and I know that that's not really supposed to be allowed. So, I think [snorts] >>
071any other questions. >> Thank you. Are we rolling right in? >> May I have a motion to approve the purchase of staff and student laptop devices for the 2026 2027 school year in the amount of 952 213 952,213.15 as presented. So >> second please call the role. Miss Malinero. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Hickson. Hi, >> Mr. O' Campbell. >> Hi, >> Miss Morris. >> Hi, >> Dr. Fischer. Hi, >> M. I >> Miss Smith. Motion carried. >> Item 15. May I have a motion to approve the 2020 presented in accordance [snorts] with section 1019 of the Illinois School Code? So, second, please call the roll. Miss Malino. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Hixon. >> Hi. >> Mr. Okample. >> Hi, >> Miss Morris. >> I, >> Dr. Fisher. >> I, >> Miss Bar. >> I, >>
072Miss Smith. >> I motion carried. >> Item 16. May I have a motion to approve the summer school 2026 positions and compensation not to exceed 700,000 as presented? So, move. Second. Please. Miss Malino. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Hixon. >> Hi. >> Mr. Okampo. >> Hi. >> Miss Morris. >> Hi. >> Dr. Fischer. >> Hi. >> Miss Barbin. >> Hi. >> Miss Smith. I motion carried. >> Item 17. May I have a motion to approve the proposal for from Nehemiah projects presented? >> So move. >> Second. Please call. >> Miss Malinero. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Hixon. >> Hi. >> Miss O' Campbell. >> Hi. Miss Morris >> I >> Dr. Fischer >> I >> Mr. Barberhan >> I. >> Miss Smith I motion carried. >> Item 18. May I have a motion to approve the adoption
073of purchase of Savas Envision Mathematics Resources for Integrated Math 1, two, and three in the amount of $446,000. $44628 as presented. Emily second, >> please call the role. >> Mr. Minero, >> I Mrs. Hson. Hi. >> Mr. Tampa. >> Hi, >> Miss Morris. >> Hi, >> Dr. Fischer. >> Hi, >> Miss Barbber. >> Hi, >> Miss Smith. Motion car. >> Item 19. In accordance with board policy 880. >> So move. >> Please call the RO. >> Miss Miniro. >> I. >> Mrs. Hixon. >> I. >> Mr. O' Campell. >> Hi. >> Miss Morris. >> I. [clears throat] >> Dr. Fischer. >> Hi. >> Miss Barbin. >> I. >> Miss Smith. I. Motion carried. >> Item 20. May I have a motion to approve board of education members attendance at the IASB advocacy day on March
07424th, 2026 in Springfield, Illinois, including associated registration costs as presented. >> So second, >> please call the RO. >> Miss Malinero, >> I >> Mrs. Hixon, >> Mr. Campall, >> hi. >> Miss Morris, >> I >> Dr. Fischer, >> hi. >> Miss Barbin, >> I >> Miss Smith, I motion carries. >> Item 21. May I have a motion to approve the resolution authorizing Optera Energy Services to conduct a no cost assessment and project development services as presented? >> So move second. >> Please call the roll. >> Miss Malinero >> I >> Mr. Hixon >> I >> Mr. Okampo. >> Hi. >> Miss Morris. >> Hi. >> Dr. Fisher. >> Hi. >> Miss Barban. >> Hi. >> Miss Smith. Motion carried. >> Item 22. May I have a motion to approve the settlement agreement department employee
075as presented? >> So move. Second. Please call the RO. >> Miss Malinero. >> I. >> Mr. Pix. >> Hi. >> Mr. O' Campell. >> Hi. >> Miss Lauren. >> Hi. >> Dr. Fischer. >> Hi. >> Miss Barberhood. >> Hi. >> Miss Smith. Motion carried. I mean I motion carried. [laughter] >> Sorry. >> Item 23. May I have a motion to approve the last chance agreement for security offers officer Darian Johnson as presented? So second. >> Please call the roll. Miss Hollinero. >> Hi, >> Mrs. H. Hi, >> Mr. Cample. Hi, >> Miss Morris. >> Hi, >> Dr. Fisher. >> Hi, >> Miss Garban. I >> Miss Smith. I motion carried. >> Item 24. May I have a motion to adopt the minutes of the January 13th, 2026 board meeting? >> So move. >> Second. Please
076call a roll. [snorts] >> Miss Minero, >> I Mrs. Hixon. >> Hi. >> Mr. Okampo. >> Hi. >> Miss Morris. >> Hi. >> Dr. Fisher. I >> Miss Barberhead. >> I >> Miss Smith. I motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Item 25. May have a motion to approve the February 10th, 2026 bill list in the amount of 7 mil. >> Miss Malino, >> I miss. >> Hi, >> Mr. Cample. >> Hi, >> Miss Morris. >> Hi, >> Dr. Fisher. >> Hi, >> Miss Robin. >> Hi, >> Miss Smith. I motion carries. >> Item 26. May I have a motion to approve the February 10th, 2026 personnel report, including the hiring, assignments, resignations, separations, stipen positions, and leaves of absences. >> So move second. >> Miss Malino, >> I miss >> Mr. Okampo. >> Hi, >>
077Miss Morris. >> Hi, >> Dr. Fisher. Hi, >> Miss Barban. Hi, >> Miss Smith. Motion carried. Miss Smith, can you please read the foyer report into the record? >> Between January 4th, 2026 and February 4th, 2026, there have there have been one foyer request received by the district. This foyer request was submitted by Chris Miller. >> Thank you. Um, oh, this is in process due to his time. >> This is in process due to it time. >> Any new business? real. Go ahead. >> Go ahead. Go ahead. >> I just wanted to uh congratulate the recently minted Dr. Ashoff uh to the club of doctors. [applause] [applause] You don't know who get stuff. So, I can't tell you what we get, but you will receive the stuff that doctors get in the mail. [laughter] Well,
078congratulations. That is a [laughter] hard accomplishment if you achieve. >> Congratulations. Thanks, >> Dr. Asha. Dr. >> People been saying it for a while, but now we can say it lately. [laughter] Thanks for >> um I had one thing I wanted to read. Um, as vice president of this school district, I have a moral obligation to speak when I believe matters are moving in a direction that threatens the stability, integrity, and unity of our school. Leadership is not about comfort, it's about accountability. We often tell our teachers and staff, if you see something, say something. That principle must also apply to us as board members. If there are concerns, document them and they should be addressed through the proper channels. Dr. Alvarez is the appropriate point of contact for operational matters and concerns. I trust
079her ability to be neutral and fair. I want to be very clear. Retaliation of any kind against our administrators, educators, and staff is unacceptable. Our employees are professionals who dedicate themselves daily to the success of our students. As a board member, as board members, we must model integrity and assure that no culture of fear or intimidation takes root in this district. Disagreement is part of governance. Retaliation is not. I strongly encourage my fellow board members to publicly and clearly dismiss any actions that could be perceived as retaliatory toward um our academic staff to our students, especially our black and brown students. I want to speak directly and clearly. The use of the nword is unacceptable. Words matter. They carry history, pain, and power. Both black and Hispanic communities face ongoing challenges and division among us
080and division among us only weakens our collective strength. If we fail to stand together in respect and unity, we allow others to define and divide us. Our schools must be places where in where dignity is protect protected and cultural respect is non-negotiable. During Black History Month, it is also important that we honor those who paved the way. I would be remiss not to acknowledge distinguished Provisal East and West alumni who have made extraordinary contributions. In business, we have Sheila Crump Johnson, the first black female billionaire. In politics, Fred Hampton, Speaker of the House, Chris Welch, and Senator Kimberly Lifel. in sports. Jim Brewer, Paris Lee, Michael Finley, Charerelle Ford, Greg Foster, and Glenn Doug Rivers. These individuals remind us that excellence comes from our community. They reflect what is possible when talent is nurtured and
081opportunity is protected. Let us lead with courage. Let us govern with fairness. and most importantly loves to ensure that every student in this district regardless of race, background, or circumstance, feels respected, protected, advocated for, and empowered to succeed. [applause] Any new business hearing? None. All in favor of adjourning? I >> I Newborn mummers, I know you're not allowed to vote.