001Good evening everyone. We're going to get started with the May 4th 700 p.m. regular board meeting to order. Secretary, please call the role. >> Valencia >> here. >> Squent >> here. >> Reyes >> here. L >> here. >> Olivas >> here. >> Moreno >> here. >> Johnson absent. >> All right. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands indivisibley for all. >> Hello. Hello. Happy Monday. >> All right, we do have public comment, but before we get to that point, um I was going to let Dr. Halverson just address something real quick. >> Sure. >> Thank you, board president. I appreciate it. Um, as we can see this evening, we do have a large amount of our student trackers here with us
002this evening. I know a lot of you have signed up to speak and we definitely respect that. I do want to start by saying we appreciate the work that our student trackers have done over the years. Um, and I want to just address the program as a whole and kind of the reason the rationale as to why we're making the the recommendation we are this evening. So, I just wanted to take a couple minutes before we provide the opportunity to speak to share that. Uh, the student tracker student tracker program formerly known as CVAC was originally established through grant funding to support students and families impacted by violence. During the 25 2025 2026 school year, the program included seven student trackers and one manager, Martha Mfonte, and provided support to approximately 300 students across the
003district. The primary role of the student trackers has been to coordinate services and connect families to community-based supports. This work has been meaningful and valued for sure. However, over time, the district has expanded its internal and external capacity to provide these same services. Currently, the district employs 38 social workers who are all well positioned to support students and families in accessing both school-based and community resources. Additionally, the expansion of partnerships with outside providers, including family counseling services increased direct access to counseling and related supports. Notably, many of the external service provided through the student tracker program are now being accessed directly through these established partnerships. For example, when we look at the 300 students who have been service this year, roughly 90 to 95% of those are now receiving services directly through family counseling services
004due to our direct relationship and the uh the uh partnership we've established with them. Given these developments, the functions of the student pro tracker program can be effectively absorbed within existing structures. School social workers with the continued support of Martha Infante will assume responsibility for coordinating services and maintaining connections with community providers. To further strengthen access for families, the district will also be imple implementing referral GPS, a grant-f funed platform. This tool will allow families to directly identify and connect with community resources based on their specific needs, increasing both efficiency and accessibility. While the transition represents a change for some families, the district has taken intentional steps to ensure continuity of support. A transition plan will be implemented to connect current student tracker families with their school-based social workers and introduce them to referral GPS.
005This approach allows the district to maintain a high level of support for students and families while aligning resources more efficiently and sustainably. Once again, I just wanted wanted to go on record and say we appreciate the work that we've had. This was grant funded through SEVAC. Last year, we were able to fund that through our SR3 funds. With the suns setting of our federal grants and the move from a tier one to a tier 2 district, we simply cannot afford to continue with this same model. Once again, the work that you guys have done over the past five years has been substantial, but it was all grant-f funded, and we need to continue to have these ongoing conversations to make sure we can meet the needs of the district in a sustainable and efficient way.
006So, I just wanted to go on record as to the why behind this and then I'll turn it back over to board president Suentes for the public comments. Thank you, Board President Suentes. >> All right, we'll start with the first public speaker. In order to have signed up to speak, you would have had to sign up before 7 p.m. Respect the 3minut time limit, respect the confidentiality of students and staff, and keep comments appropriate. We'll start with Norma Ortiz. >> Thank you so much for allowing me to speak. >> Okay. Good evening. My name is Norma Ortiz and I live at 791 Mccclure Road in Aurora. I am also a district 131 student tracker and I am representing the other six student trackers here today. We were told Thursday that our services are being eliminated.
007Since services started, student trackers, even under the SBA grant, have helped over 800 students and their families through community violence or other traumatic events. These experiences include domestic violence, sexual assault, gun violence, substance abuse, loss, mental health crisis, and bullying. Currently, each student tracker will average between 40 to 50 students and their families in our case loads. According to the district, the student tracker program is a bridge between the community, students, families, and schools. What makes this program unique is the professional relationship that is established in order to foster trust and connection. The referrals come from social workers, school social workers, counselors, police officers, probation officers, teachers, and even self-reerrals, meaning parents asking for help themselves. We even had students referring their peers for this services. these services. When we meet with parents or guardians,
008we conduct a family assessment to get a better understanding in depth of trauma that they are experiencing. We ask them about real life needs. Do they have enough food, stable housing, transportation to get back and forth? Do parents feel safe? Do they feel supported? It is important to get to know them and their home environment because as you know what happens outside of school walks into the CA classroom every single day. After identifying the services that we are able to offer and they agree to participate, we then reach out to the student and conduct a student assessment. We ask them to tell us about their school about school in their own words. What's hard? Do they feel safe? And who do they trust? We ask how they cope with anger, if they feel overwhelmed, and
009if they have someone they can talk to. We ask about things many people don't, whether they go hungry, whether they feel safe at home, and who they would turn to if they were being hurt. These conversations give students a voice sometimes for the first time. And we don't stop at one conversation. We meet with students on a weekly basis and maintain an open line of communication with the parents. We do this to build trust, maintain connection, and ensure support is consistent. That ongoing relationship is what helps real progress to happen. From there, we provide referrals and advocacy such as sitting in on IEP meetings with the parents. We conduct accompanied home visits if it's warranted and even sit with the students on school visits to help with homework. Did you need me to stop? >>
010Yes, please. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Continuing on with Marbel Robinson. >> Good evening. I am yielding my time to Norma Ortiz. >> Okay. We work directly alongside families, school staff, and community providers to make sure students are truly supported, not just on paper, but in real life. Working with all professionals involved, we are able to adjust student support services as the students needs change. I'd like to add that the student trackers all have bachelors and in some and some have masters in fields that offer a comprehensive perspective. We hold degrees in social work, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, Latin American studies, human services, and a master's in science in school counseling. We held positions in the juvenile detention center as youth counselors in the city of Aurora as youth counselors. We have
011also had positions as school behaviorists and special education teachers assistant. We have worked for the regional office of education as a youth outreach worker. We have held a position as a parent liaison in the district and we have extensive knowledge on the McKenna Vento act which is the homeless act if you will. This allows us to consult as a team to be able to provide the best services the students and their families deserve. Might I add that most of most all of us are also District 131 alumni. In addition to the day-to-day student tracker duties, we have received training in teen mental health first aid. This involves going into classrooms and co-eing a a program that equips students with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges in themselves and in others. Our
012social workers and counselors do incredible work. And this is not about taking anything away from them. In fact, they refer students to us because they know we can provide those personal connections and services needed especially during winter, summer, and spring breaks when they are not available. The student trackers ensure that students who are already vulnerable don't lose support when they need it most. And it helps ease the burden on school staff who are already managing complex case loads. And we do have to be honest with that. The district 131 student tracker services puts into action what Dr. Halverson himself stated as his vision. It epitomizes his belief that when we unite our efforts with a focus on common goals, we can create a thriving environment for every student. The district 131 student tracker services elevates
013the top priorities of fostering a positive climate and culture, ensuring continued academic growth for all students and strengthening partnerships with local organizations, business businesses and leaders. This is not done by one single person alone. It is done by the collaboration and commitment of many which include the personal connection the student trackers have with their students with their families and the community as a whole. Eliminating this personal connection removes one of the most effective systems we have to respond to our most vulnerable students and their families. If we are serious about student well-being, mental health, and equity, then we must protect the current system that actively supports our most vulnerable students and create a pathway from trauma to healing. >> I do have to stop you here at this time. >> Thank you, Adrienne Maga. >>
014Good evening. Um, I'll also be yielding my minutes to normal. >> All right. Thank you. The district 131 student tracker services were so important that the unit fought hard and decided to include it in the position include the position in the collective bargaining agreement. They presented it to the board and the board agreed. We urge the board not to eliminate the professional personal connection and services that the student trackers provide and continue to include it in the new collective bargaining agreement. And that is all I have to say. Thank you so much for your time. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next public speaker, Norma Lopez. Hello. >> Hello. Good evening everyone. I'm Norma Lopez. I work for the district as a substitute teacher, but I am also a parent. My daughter attends school at
015the start high school. She's been in the program since she started um at Jun at the high school. Um she was facing a lot of difficulties is very challenging mental issues that we had to deal with as far as with violence, domestic abuse, and all of that. Um my daughter, she went into a deep depression. She didn't really give she didn't she didn't give a care about school. She was being tardy, skipping classes. She didn't care about her her grades. And at that time when she was 15, um we had a loss in the family. Um my nephew committed suicide. So we had to deal with a lot of trauma and losses with the families. A lot of times I felt helpless that I couldn't help my daughter to see her at the end of
016the tunnel. Um I'm very thankful for the program because it has helped my daughter a lot to become a better person and to be a better version of herself and to be thinking about her future or school. She's going to finally graduate this year and I'm very thankful to the program because she did not know what to do. Me as an educator being with students and like I had my own daughter and I felt like I couldn't help it at all. And Adriana was always very supportive to me because I see him every day in the hallways and like how can I not even help my own daughter and through the program we were able to find find her more counseling more support that she needed to be better and right now she was actually
017with her therapist and she couldn't be here today but I'm going to read something that she said on her behalf. She said being part of the student tracker program school really helped me and more than I expected. At first, I didn't think it would make a difference, but it gave me a space with that where I could actually be honest without being judged. I feel better. I I I I learned to better handle the the stress and not keep everything bottled up, which made me feel less overwhelming. It helped me to understand my emotions instead of just reacting on them. Over time, I started feeling more confident and in control of myself, and it even improved how I interact with other people. Overall, it made me it made me and the school safer and to
018have that support for me. And I'm just thankful for for the program because every day I will think I would I wouldn't want my daughter to go down that rabbit hole and commit suicide. And I and I have the services and I'm very thankful for the for all all of them always supporting me. they have always been there for me every single day and I appreciate um I'm just here to advocate for the program letting you know that it does work because it has impacted me in more than one way and my daughter and I'm finally happy that she's going to graduate and she's thinking you know she's been thinking of her mental health and she goes to work out and she's happier these days we get along we don't have all those conflicts she
019started becoming more responsible and then she's she's going to graduate this year thank God and she will be going to Wubansi and she wants to be a nurse so I'm happy with the program and I just very thankful thankful to Adrian and everybody else that is in the program and I thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> All right, next public speaker Sophia Infante. Um, hi. I'm Sophia Infante and I'm a student at Simmons Middle School. Um, I recently found out my good friend Mr. Robinson is not going to continue to see me next year. And it makes me sad because I've known him for a very long time and I see him often. He makes me feel seen and cared about when he visits. I knew this day would happen, but still
020I wasn't shocked and upset because he was not only a great case manager, he was a great friend to me and other kids. Mr. Robinson made me Mr. Robinson made a big impact on me and my family. He um he's always there when I for for me when I feel when I'm feeling down. He also helped me get support and supplies when I needed it. I am very grateful for all that. And I think getting rid of student trackers is a bad idea because they really do help a lot of people and families who really need help and support. And oh, that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next public speaker, Amida Rua. Hello. My name is Okay. Uh she says that in 2018 she was referred to the program by the
021police department. and uh she knew that the program arrived just in time when she thought she most needed it. Uh the police showed up at her doorstep and told her that uh they were there if she chose uh to utilize the services. uh the program helped with counseling, emotional support, and they were always there when they uh needed them. Um, sorry. be this. >> Uh she's very thankful for the program today because she wouldn't uh she doesn't know what would happen to her daughters without it or where they would be right now. Uh now one of her daughters is working and the other is studying to become a nurse and uh she thinks that the program should be uh continued because of the uh services it provided to her and she knows that it could
022also help other families. Thank you for Mr. >> Thank you. >> All right, last public speaker, Briana Alcaras. >> Hello, good evening. My name is Brianna. Um, I'm here to speak about how the program impacted me and my family in the year 2018. Um, we were actually the first family to be in the program. Um, thank you to Alex. I'm sorry I wasn't really prepared to talk, but the program did help me and my family a lot. It provided my mom with a lot of help as well to um for her to keep being a great mom for me and my siblings. Um, thank you to the program, we were able to also, um, receive a lot of therapy services that helped me and my siblings out a lot. The program not only helped out
023with therapy, but they also helped out by giving us things that our home needed, like a new fridge that I still open every single day, and I think about Alex because it was um, very helpful. Um, I was also um, entering high school during that time. Um that program helped a lot because I remember them touring like the school and made us feel a lot better. Um not only that but it al going to school was also like a really good feeling just knowing that other that people were there to support in case of anything and also it helped a lot and it made me feel it makes me still feel happy that the program is still ongoing and that we have people to support to keep it going. I really think that it should
024not end. I think it helps a lot of families. Just to know that 300 families are in the program and they have the chance of getting it cut off is really upsetting. I hope that the program keeps going and I just want to say thank you for listening and just thank you for the programs and everything till this day. It I still think about it every single day and it was a huge impact and I'm thankful for it. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, that is it for public. That is it for public comment. Moving on to communications from the superintendent, Dr. Albertson. >> Thank you, board president. Our first communications this evening are from our student board members. And we're actually going to have a dual report. So, if uh Zeon and Elizabeth
025could both come up, I'd appreciate it. Thank you. Good afternoon. This school year brought many milestones for our programs and students. We are proud to have launched our first ever boys volleyball team and our first ever girls flag football team. Meaningful additions to our Tomcat athletes. Academically, 37 students earned the honor of Illinois State Scholar, a testament to their hard work and dedication. As the school year draws to a close, students will celebrate with several upcoming events, including prom, a senior six flags overnight trip, our honors and top 10% night and a recognition night for the 134 seniors earning the seal of biteracy. In celebration of decision day, the counselor set up a banner in the college and career center for seniors to share where they're committing and also provided photo ops and fun treats.
026Our students remain dedicated to their community, planning to volunteer to sports fest alongside field days for Johnson and Krook Elementary. Our NJRTC Tomcats are currently on their annual Daytona trip. All weekend long, they've been competing in a range of activities and showing off their skills as the largest NJRTC program in the state. We hope they bring back trophies as they've done in years past when they come home this Thursday. >> Last Saturday was a time for the fine arts festival. Every year, our band and art programs collaborate for a final showcase alongside the talented future tomats who are in elementary and middle school. The event was a great success. So, thank you to the students and staff who are involved. Today kicked off, well, yeah, today kicked off the start of two weeks worth of
027AP testing. These final exams put our students hard work to the test where hopefully they can earn college credit and save some money. The next two and a half weeks will be the last few days for the seniors before graduation on the 31st of May. The senior class council has planned a spirit week starting on the 11th till the 20th to celebrate the last days at Isora. Themes range from nostalgia day to class color to many more. Uh yet another senior celebration known as the parade of graduates will take place on the 26th. This is where the seniors choose to walk through the halls of their elementary or middle school to take in the nostalgic memories and to remind themselves of all they've been through to get to where they are now. Graduation rehearsal will
028be taking place on the 29th, which is also the day of our senior sendoff event. After rehearsal, the seniors will have a final chance to celebrate their accomplishments with their friends in the stadium where they can take pictures, eat snacks, and potentially win gift cards. Thank you. >> All right, >> Zeon and Elizabeth, thank you for your final report. And just so everybody knows, our last board meeting in May, um we're going to make sure we honor both of them. So, please come back and see us for our last board meeting in May so we can honor both of them for their tremendous work this year um as our uh student board members. Thank you both for your dedication throughout the year. We truly appreciate it. [snorts] Um next, we're going to move over to
029uh 5B, which is the motion to approve the e-learning program uh plan in lie of emergency days for three years through the 2728 school year. And I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Amy Engel so she can provide a brief overview and then see if the board has any questions before we go through the motion on that. Just a reminder, at our last uh board meeting, we held a public hearing to renew our e-learning program. Um, if you remember, we are required to do this every three years according to school code. This would permit us to uh include or utilize up to five e-learning days as emergency days on our school calendar. Um, so in lie of being out of school and making those days up at the end of the year. Any questions?
030Could I have a motion to approve the e-learning plan in le of emergency in lie of emergency days for three years through the 2728 school year, please? >> Second. Any questions? >> I have a quick question. So, if we do that, we have the Chromebooks and we have the capability of doing it all. >> Correct. >> Okay. All right. All right. Any other question? Secretary, call the RO, please. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Our next uh item is 5C, which is the community relations report with Miss Walker. If Miss Walker could come up, we've got a lot of celebrating to do this evening. Thanks, Miss Walker. All right. Tonight, we're honored to recognize uh to recognize an exceptional group of educators whose dedication, talent, and impact have earned them recognition beyond
031the district. So, over the past month, these individuals have been celebrated throughout the state of Illinois. And I do have some slides. They're coming. [laughter] Okay. Throughout the state of Illinois um for the Illinois State Board of Education Teacher of the Year, which took place in April. Um and then just just this past weekend we celebrated the Kane County Regional Educator um Kain County Regional Office of Education Educator of the Year. These honors are a testament not only to the professional excellence but also the lasting difference that they've made in the lives of our students, families, and community each and every day. It's especially meaningful because as some of you might know, this week is teacher appreciation week. So, it is definitely a time that we set aside to thank the heart, the passion, the
032the commitment to all of our educators throughout the district and and beyond. So, one, thank you to all the educators that are in the room. A round of applause for all of you. And those that are on the screen, I'm going to call your name. We're going to do group pictures with the board of education by the award. So, these are the nominees that were submitted for the slate for the Illinois State Board of Education um for the Illinois Teacher of the Year. And again, this took place April 18th. So, the the nominees were, we can do a little drum roll, [gasps] they're on the wall there, but uh Mr. Robert Sa Savo, come on up. Mr. Richard Gonzalez, I don't believe is here this evening. I'm going to have you stand right over here.
033Mr. Antonio Dila, Miss Laura Krueger, have you stand here? Miss Kristen Doset, Mr. for Walter O'Neel. >> Um, and I don't believe Dr. Sum is here because she is getting her doctoral degree. So, congratulations for her as well. And Dr. Robert Halverson, you're gonna come stand with the group. So, a big round of applause for all of our ISBY nominees. >> And I'll have you all stepped back and we're going to take a picture with the board standing behind you and your certificate is on. >> You're fine. They know what to do. Say no windows. On the count of three. One, two, three. All right. Perfect. Thank you. >> She's coming. >> All right. Next. These awards just took place on Friday evening. It's been a very busy weekend. So, if I can have Mr.
034Kevin Martin come up. Miss Griselda Salmaran, Miss Lisa Kee again, Miss Kristen Ducet and Mr. Joseph Niti. Miss Yanil Delgado and Miss Kathleen Hayes. This is our Cane County ROE Educator of the Year nominees list. And we did have Miss Lisa Conte win the award for her category for middle school. For middle school. So congratulations to all. And we're going to do another group picture. So we'll have you step back. Okay. On the count of three. One, two, three. I've shaken several. All right. Congratulations to everyone. Thank you. And real quick before I move on to the next item, keeping with the celebratory um mood that we're in right now, um this last Friday, our very own Lisa Morales was recognized as an Aurora everyday hero of the Three Fires Council Scouting America. Uh Lisa
035Morales is the true face of East Aurora School District 131. With more than 35 years devoted to public education, her impact spans well beyond the superintendent's office. Beyond our halls, she is a pillar of the community, guiding scholarship programs through the Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council and building the kind of deep, authentic relationships that uplift families across the entire city. I have had the distinct honor of working alongside Lisa throughout my own journey in this district. first as a teacher years ago, then as an administrator last year, and now as a superintendent this year. In every one of those roles, I have I have seen her act as an everyday hero each and every day. Lisa doesn't just show up, she leads with a heart for service that is as consistent as it is inspiring.
036It has been a privilege to witness her dedication firsthand each and every day. And our district is undeniably better because of her. Let's give Lisa a big round of applause for her well-deserved award as well. >> Thank you. And that concludes the community relations report. Next, we have item 5D, which is the amended budget presentation. And this will be led by Dr. Michael Angel. Um, and we will have time if the board has any questions at all before we go through with our motion for 5D1. And then I just have a couple more district updates that I promise we'll wrap up shortly there. Dr. angle. >> Hey, good evening. Can we uh There we go. So, I'm going to give a little bit of a background um on why we're amending the budget. Um we
037had a couple um audit adjustments that need to be done for our audit with uh Crow. So, we ended up doing the transfers and audit adjustments to balance out to zero in our capital projects. So we ended up doing the transfers from working cash to fund 20, fund 20 which is buildings and grounds to fund 60. So those are noted in here as well. There is also we updated the beginning uh fund balances with the ending fund balances based off of the 2025 AFR as well. Um we also the the biggest difference in this one is going to be the finalized state and federal grants. So, the biggest thing from here is going to be the evidence-based funding. At the time when we adopted the budget, we had an estimate being in tier one. Um,
038as everybody here knows, we moved to tier two and received less funding, approximately $6 million in less funding. Um, so that also threw off our our beginning and ending uh fund balances as you will see here in a little bit as well. Um the last thing um that I want to talk about as a difference is we actually use the uh actuals for our state and federal grants versus estimated and as everybody knows state and federal grants have also gone down. So those are in there as well. Um on the expenditure side we did a slight adjustments with some of our outofhouse students. So this would be out of district tuition costs uh which those are up right now about $1.5 million comparatively. So um next slide. So tonight, uh, we presented at the FMP
039committee meeting just earlier, uh, tonight. Uh, we're going to go full board here in a moment. Um, tonight there's also going to be a resolution to adopt the 2026 amended budget. Uh, tomorrow morning, the budget is going to be on public display. There will also be an article in the uh, a news legal ad in the publication of the newspaper for a public hearing coming up on June the 15th. Um, there will also be board action. Um there will be a public hearing that night for the board to approve the 2026 amended budget as well. So that's the tenative timeline. Uh next slide. So this is going to be a revenue summary by fund. As you can see across all funds here um just shy of $260 million. Our largest fund by far is the
040education fund at $21 million. Operations and maintenance at 20 million. Debt service at 13.9. Transportation at 12 and a half. IMRF and social security at 6.3 million capital projects at five million working cash at $50,50 for tort and 1750 for fire and prevention safety. Next slide. As you can see, um this is a visual uh demonstration of exactly what we just went through before. Um a vast majority of our revenue is coming into the education fund. More than two, uh more than three4s of all of our funding comes in through there. Next slide. Um, this gives a breakdown of the source of those funds. So, as you can see, locally, we received 22.4% of our funds, so about $58 million locally. We are extremely state dependent, as you guys could see, we're at 67.1%, so
041$174 million in state funding. Um, federal funding, if you compare it to last year where we had just over $40 million in funding, we're down to 27 million this year. So, that's 10.5% of our total budget. Next slide. So this our expense summary by fund. So this is the expense side of the ledger. As you can see our number one source of expenses are coming out of the education fund $25 million. Operations and maintenance at 20.6 million debt service at 13.8 transportation just shy of $18 million. Social security and IMRF at 6.3 and then capital projects at 5 million. So grand total expenses for the year of 269 million and change. Next slide. As you can see, education fund is the biggest piece of the pie. It's over 76% of our total budget, followed by
042buildings and grounds, uh, which makes up the next 8%. Next slide. So, this breaks it down by objects. So, within the objects, there's salaries, benefits, purchase, services, supplies, materials, capital outlay, other objects, and non- capital outlay as well. A vast majority of our funds are are made up at salaries and benefits, about twothirds of our total funding. Purchase services is at 20.5% at just shy or just over 55 million. Supplies and materials, I'm very proud to say this year we were able to uh do a little bit of belt tightening. Uh we're at 14.6 million. Capital outlay at 6 and a half. Other objects including special education tuition at 21.8 million of the non- capital outlay at 1.2 million. Next slide. As you can see again graphically twothirds of our budget is salary and benefits
043here for the district. Next slide. In total, you can see our revenues are 259, our expenses are $269 million, and we have a $9.3 million shortfall for this year. Any questions? >> Just going back to what you kind of said, I think um I think you mentioned that the big difference here is because of the um >> the evidence base Yeah. the the biggest one was the evidence-based tier movement from tier one into tier two. We ended up missing the tier one cut off by about 4/10en of a point. Uh when when compared to every other uh district in the state, um it it cost us over $6 million moving from tier one to tier 2 this year in funding. >> So, it's not something anything that the district did. It's something that >> it's
044it's it's the calculation that was done by by the state board of education. um nothing that the district could do it. The district has no um kind of thumb on the scale, if you will. We we can't force it one way or another. It's how we compare it relatively to every other district in the state. Um we we just we missed it, like I said, by 4 ten of a point. So, >> well, that's the Yeah, that's >> we're on the cusp, but >> yeah, >> still tier two. >> Dr. Angel, the other two big changes were um we talked a little bit about the outsourcing um for special education needs. Um that was higher came in higher than anticipated this year. Correct. And then and then the other side of that is we no
045longer have our federal funding at the same level we did before because we had SR3 funding which our ESSER funding over the past four years was roughly $90 million combined >> almost $100 million in all the ESRE funds that came in. >> That is that is sunset. Yeah. So that's that's some of the very things we're talking about as far as the needing to rightsize with what we need fiscally at that point in time. Would that be correct? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> The federal funding you said went down from 40 million last year to 27. $13 million. >> Yeah. >> But that has nothing to do with tier one, right? >> No. Tier one and tier two is state funded. Yeah. >> Um if you if you look on the federal side, a lot
046of grants had sunseted. Yeah. >> Um like Dr. Hverson had had implied, uh >> you know, SR3 funds were were wrapped up and ended. Um and also if you guys remember in the beginning of the year there's a lot of uncertainty especially from the administration uh of the United States that were looking at ending possibly title one, title two, title three and kind of going through the federal grants as well. Um there was also talk of the USDA programs being diminished as well. um thinking I'm going to knock on wood that some of the programming is still there but they're not as robust as they were and the outlook that we did get from ISBO from the state on the federal funding was a flat at best increase for this upcoming FY27. >> So this
047is pretty bad. But we have funds to at least cover it, right? >> Correct. We we have balance. Okay. >> We have fund balances in in in our accounts right now. um to give everybody an idea. Um you know, we we have revenue coming in, we have expenses going out, but we still carry um I'm going to call it like a a savings account for the district. It's called fund balance. We we still >> operate approximately about six months of fund balance right now. >> But you have to, right? >> We have to. >> Yeah. By law, basically, >> we have to by by law and the minimum that we can go down to is three months and then we start getting in cash flow problems. >> Is it possible we could I mean I
048know Chicago took a lot of the tier one money, right? That's what it correct. Is it possible to we could next year or the year after come go come go come go come go come go come go come go come go come go come go come go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go back to t one you never know >> isn't it based on Dr. Gi said based on attendance or uh >> students right so our students keep going down >> it's there's a it's a very complex uh formula when you look at it um and from what Dr. Gross shared with this. He doesn't anticipate as long as CPS stays in there because they take such a large portion of that
049pie. He doesn't anticipate school districts similar to ours or some of the ones in South Cook that move from tier one to tier 2 to go back quite honestly. Um because there is nothing you can do unless the unless the formula changes at the state level. That would be the thing that may impact it quite honestly. But I don't anticipate the good news is we do have that hold harmless. So even when our student enrollment goes down, we hold harmless in our funding for three years. So we know that when we've looked at a demographer study, we do look at declining student enrollment um from the past couple years as well as projecting out for the next three years, but we do have that hold harmless in place. So we shouldn't receive less funding, but
050the ability to anticipate re going back to tier one is not something I would recommend at this point. >> Correct. And everything is relative to the health of other districts throughout the state as well. Just because we could possibly get better does not mean that they're getting better at the same rate or worse at the same rate. So everything's moving, but CPS definitely going into tier one ended up kicking out 89 districts out of tier one into tier two. >> So we're not the only >> we're No, no, no. >> Okay. >> Um it was a lot of movement. >> Yeah. >> Tier two. >> Yeah. >> But this will be preemptive to some of the ongoing conversations we'll be having over the next few months as well as the next years here to say,
051okay, what do we need to do to make sure we can continue to get our fiscal house in even better situations? Um because we will not have the level of revenue that we've had in the past. So, those are those tough conversations we're going to be having to have for probably years to come at this point in time to make sure we're sustainable and can provide services to our students um for years to come as well. >> Thank you. Any questions for Dr. Angel? Any further questions before uh board president goes with the motion? All right, we've got a motion. 5D1 motion to approve the resolution for the FY26 amended budget. >> So, >> second. Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Quentes, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >>
052La, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> Okay. Next, we have item 5E1, which is uh district updates. And the first one is the Gates music and movement nights. So, I'm going to have Dr. Erland come up to talk about um one of our special education celebration nights that we recently had at Gates and just provide an overview and some of the highlights from that evening. Thank you, Dr. Erland. >> So, on Friday, April 17th, and then again on Friday, April 24th, the district hosted two music and movement nights, one for students in grades K through two and one for grades 3 through 5. Students in our life skills and SLC programs were invited to participate. Each evening began with an obstacle style activity course followed by a second portion where
053students engaged in dancing and playing musical instruments. The events were led by Stephanie Clay, one of our EA pause handlers who also hosts our music and movement uh a weekly class over at Gates. Uh there was also strong staff support throughout both evenings. We were pleased to see a high level of family participation and the events were filled with energy, engagement, and many smiling faces as you can see from our pictures. >> Thank you, Dr. Limbball. Any questions for about that event? Thanks again for putting it on. Whoops. I apologize. Go ahead. >> Absolutely. Uh, one more positive update for the board tonight. Uh, on Sunday, May 3rd, our students participated in the Special Olympics regionals held at Marmian Academy. Uh despite a cold and rainy start to the day, 66 of our athletes competed
054with enthusiasm and determination across a wide range of events, including the 25 meter walk, 50 and 100 meter runs, mini javelin, shot put, softball throw, tennis ball throw, standing long jump, and the 4x100 relay. their uh results uh uh their efforts resulted in an impressive medal in clout count including 23 gold, 20 silver, and 17 bronze finishes along with several other additional top placements. We're incredibly proud of our athletes and very thankful to the number of staff we had support our students yesterday. >> Otherwise, >> and just to highlight that, I think we had approximately over 25 coaches there. Is that correct, Mr. Simpson, when you're looking at it? right around 25 coaches. So, thank you so much to all of the um staff members who volunteered their time to be there to support our
055students. It was truly an amazing time. Got a couple last things and then I'll move on from the superintendent report. Um this past Saturday, as alluded to by our student board members, uh the district hosted the fine arts festival at East Aurora High School. I'm happy to report that we had over 2,000 students from elementary through high school participate in the festival, which showcased their visual arts or performing in the band, choir, and drama events. Um, the family-friendly event was fun for everyone with face painting, temporary tattoos, uh, make and take art projects, and the boosters sold food, donuts, and were able uh, for the sale. We also had a car wash, and all the proceeds are going directly back to our fine arts program. And mark your calendars now because next year our fine
056arts festival will be on Saturday, May 1st. So, make sure you mark our calendars a year out in advance because it's a great time for all. Uh, next, we've got a in the workplace event update. So, District 131 hosted a community engagement event called In the Workplace. The session focused on educating our greater Aurora Aurora businesses and how our districts are building career ready students, fostering work-based learning and internship opportunities and inviting them to be a part of shaping their future employees. The event was hosted in partnership with Eastern West aurorus. We had an opportunity to partner with West Oregon the P20 network and funded was supported funding was supported um by the Dunham Foundation. The session was well attended with over 20 individuals from various industries represented. So big thanks big thanks to Nikita
057for putting that on and getting everything organized there and also Dr. Angel um thank you for making sure we had that connection there. And our final two announcements uh seal of bi literacy once again touched on by our board members a little bit. Um this Thursday May 7th we will have 352 students who will be honored that evening. It's at bell sale at 5:30 p.m. So board of education I'd encourage you to attend that one. It's a great celebration event and it's the highest number of students we've had recognized. So we're very excited about that. And then finally um educator appreciation week. Britney touched on this a little bit. As we celebrate education apprec educator appreciation week, I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to the heart of our district, our incredible staff.
058Every day I am struck by the dedication, talent, and passion you bring to East Aurora. Having spent over two decades in education, I know exactly what it takes to do what you do, and I take immense pride in working side by side with such a highc caliber group of professionals. You aren't just teaching, you are shaping the future of this community. I also wanted to remind everyone that our together we shine celebration is happening next Thursday, May 14th. This is a special evening where we honor our colleagues milestones of service and celebrate those heading into a well-earned retirement. So once again, board of education, I'd invite you to send us invite you to attend that evening as well. And that concludes my very long superintendent report. >> All right. Thank you. Moving on to six.
059Item six. Yes, >> we can take a few minutes if if anybody wants to take off at this time. You're more than welcome to take off at this moment before we continue on. >> Thank you. >> I know we have some students. So, if the students want to feel free, student board members, thank you. Get ready for those AP assessments tomorrow. >> Thank you. Is that what it was? The pause. Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. We're going to move on to item six. Motion to approve the following consent agenda as listed. So move. >> Second. >> Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Yes. >> Valencia, >> Yes. Moreno, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> All right. I know we do have some introductions. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh, we have a
060few introductions this evening. Uh, first, Jennifer Couo. We are pleased to announce Jennifer Curio as the new dean at Simmons Middle School. Uh most recently, Miss Currill served as the MA as a mathematics teacher at West Chicago Community High School. She previously taught eighth grade mathematics at Lehman Middle School in West Chicago. Miss Krill holds a master's of education in educational leadership from North Central College and a bachelor's degree from Aurora University. Congratulations on your appointment and welcome to East Aurora District 131. Next, uh, we're pleased to announce Miss Tanita Ramy as the new principal of Gates Elementary School. Uh, currently Miss Remy serves as an assistant principal at Allen Elementary and she has previously served as a dean of students at East Aurora High School and in Juliet Township High School District 204. Miss
061Rainey holds a master of science and educational leadership from the University of St. Francis and a bachelor's degree from Bradley University. Congratulations on your appointment. And um we are pleased to announce Mr. Kevin Martin as the new principal of East Aurora High School. >> So that's it, Kevin. I don't I think that's all. >> Um but currently uh Mr. Mr. Martin brings 15 years of school leadership experience and six years in the classroom to this role. He currently serves as the associate principal for school improvement at Easter High School and previously served as division chair for world cultures and also as an assistant principal in Planefield District 202. Mr. Martin holds a master of arts in educational leadership from the University of St. Francis and a bachelor of arts and history education from Western Illinois
062University. Mr. Martin, congratulations on your appointment. Congratulations. All right, moving on to item seven, finance and personnel committee with Miss Reyes. Thank you, President Cuentes. Good evening, everyone. Buenos toos. The Finance and Personnel Committee met just earlier today and I will have a full report at the next meeting on Monday, June 1st, 2026. Uh we do have some action items for tonight. 7B1 motion to approve the 2025 26 2026 independent audit engagement letter. >> So moved. Second. Any questions? >> Secretary, call the role, please. >> Valencia, >> yes. Yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> 7B.2. Motion to approve a three-year agreement with Bentech, a benefits and administration platform in the amount of 80,8005 for year 1, 95,835 for year 2, and 95,835 for year three. >> So move second. Any questions?
063Secretary, call the role, please. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Sequentes, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> 7B3. Motion to approve the quote from Trrimark for kitchen and serving line equipment for East High School in the amount of 210,359. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any questions? Secretary call the roll, please. >> Deas. >> Yes. >> Valencia. Yes. >> Yes. >> Olivas. >> Yes. >> Moreno. >> Yes. >> 7B.4. Motion to approve the quote from Gator Chef for kitchen and serving line equipment for Waldo School in the amount of 88,88428 cents. >> So move. >> Second. Any questions? >> Secretary, call the role, please. >> L. >> Yes. >> Valencia. >> Yes. >> Reyes? >> Yes. >> Moreno? >> Yes. Yes. >> And again, a reminder, the
064next meeting for finance and personnel will be held on Monday, June 1st, 2026 at 5:30 here in the admin center. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you. All right, moving on to section 8, curriculum and programs committee with Mr. Olivas. >> Thank you, Mr. Cuentes. Uh, we did have our curriculum meeting back in April 20 here at the admin center at 6 PM. Uh, we did have the early childhood center present their uh, school improvement plan. The early childhood center focused on building a strong foundation through literacy, math, and social emotional development. Current data shows over half of student meeting growth targets with higher uh success in SEAL, social emotional learning, and ongoing attendant challenges. The school aims to increase achievement by 6% through targeted instruction, professional development, and improved um engagement strategies. We
065also have the Gonzalez Childhood Center presenter school improvement plan. The Gonzalez shall center um shallow centering is working to improve academics outcomes through small group instruction, data use and small collaboration, small staff collaboration. Current performance levels show opportunities to growth in literacy, math and while attendance remains relatively relatively strong. The school goals include increasing student achievement by 6% and streng culture belonging and family engagement. Uh we have the Benabida Steam Academy present also their SIP improvement. Uh the demonstrate strong performance especially in math and attendance. The school emphasizes bilingual learning, students ownership and targeted intervention to support all learners including those with IEPs. Goals focus on continued growth literacy and math along with maintaining high attendance through uh throughout consistence monitoring and family communication. Uh we also had a team uh team doctor proposal. Uh
066the district is proposing the appointment of a team doctor to support student athletes at Eora High School. The doctor would provide on-site care, injury screenings, and fast uh faster access to medical referrals to improve student safety and access to care. uh these services will provide will be provided at no cost if I'm correct uh to the district or families although any additional specialized care will go through the family's insurance uh and the doctor that is being recommended is Dr. Joseph uh Chrisman. Uh we also had a middle school Spanish language arts pilot. The district is introducing a Spanish language art pilot uh to support incoming dual language students. Uh the selected resource anctoodas aligns with state standards and promotes literacy across all language domains. Uh this initiative ensures culturally responsive instruction and strong support for
067bilingual learners. We also had a presentation uh for a new course welding 3 at the high school. The new welding 3 course uh is being proposed to expand career and technical education opportunities for students. The course will provide advanced in industry level skills and leadership experience for students. Um it supports workforce readiness and postsecary success with without requiring additional staffing. We also have a few updates of disposals. The district is updating uh curriculum materials across multiple subject areas to ensure high quality instruction. Uh the middle school social studies materials including Savas Marwell interactive will be um disposed of due to new curriculum adoptions. Additionally, middle school English language arts materials uh specifically my perspective along with other outdated K through 8 I already met material will be removed and replaced with updated resource. We also
068had an updated um attendance and enrollment. Um as of I believe April 10th, our attendance was at 11,720 students with the average attendance of 90 90%. Um and we do have some action items as well. Um, we have item 8B1, motion to approve the additional welding three at East High School for the 2627 school year. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> L, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> 8B2. Motion to approve the resolution for disposal of personal property outdated K through8 I already materials. So >> second. >> Any questions? Secretary call the role, please. >> Yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> Lashe, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> Moreno,
069>> yes. >> 8B3. Motion to approve the resolution for disposal of personal property outdated middle school, my perspective ELA materials. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? Secretary CO, please. Rez, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Sequentes, >> yes. >> Item 8 B4, motion to approve the resolution to to for disposal of personal property outdated middle school my world social studies. >> So moved. >> Second. Any questions? >> Secretary Kell, please. >> Yes. >> Valencia. Yes. >> Yes. >> Moreno. >> Yes. >> Olivas. >> Yes. >> And last one. 8B5. Motion to approve Dr. Chrisman at as the team physical physician at Eastora High School. >> Second. Any questions? >> I have a question. >> Yep. >> So for the team physician, will he have
070his own office or he just comes like when there's sports events or he's there throughout practice or? >> Yeah. So he would be on site for all of our high-risisk athletic events. So predominantly uh football. Uh he could also be there for basketball as well as other sports. >> Game is not practice, >> not for practices. We still have the phys the the trainers there as part of our trainer contract with ATI, but they're there for our high-risisk ones. And then there's also regular days that they would be there for running physicals as well as checkups. >> He's not. >> So he would be part-time for us. >> So there is no cost to the district. But yeah, from a from an our standpoint, he's coming from the he's coming from a partnership with ATI
071uh and through the medical officers that they're associated with. So, it comes as part of our contract with ATI. Uh we have not had a team physician. Um but most most schools do. >> Any other questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Yes. >> Reyes? >> Yes. >> Olivas? >> Yes. >> Moreno? >> Yes. >> Valencia? >> Yes. And as a reminder, our next curriculum and committee meeting will be Monday, May 18 at 6 PM here at the Admin Center. And that concludes my report. Back to you, President Squantes. Thank you. Moving on to building and grounds committee with Mr. Loft. >> Thank you. Um, we had a meeting tonight. Um, and our next meeting is Monday, June 1st. Uh, so we'll give a full uh report at the next board meeting on the 18th.
072We have one action item. We need a motion to approve the purchase of a new scoreboard for Easter High School Stadium from correct digital display in the amount of $219,160. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Suentes, >> yes. >> Boreno, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> abstain. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> Led, >> yes. >> All right. And now moving on to executive session for the purpose of discussing uh negotiation student discipline appointment employment performance compensation dismissal of a specific employee and lang acquisition. >> So moved. Second. Secretary call the role please. >> Deentes. >> Yes. >> Valencia. >> Yes. >> Olivas. >> Yes. >> Moreno. >> Yes. You want to review everything. All right. Motion to reconvene from executive session. >> So move.
073>> Second. >> Secretary call the role, please. >> Yes. >> Valencia. >> Yes. >> L. >> Yes. >> Olivas. >> Yes. >> All right. And at this time, uh, due to the additional information that we received, um, we're going to table the, uh, action item 10 or 11.8, and we'll bring that back up for discussion at some point in the future. Um, all right. Motion to adjurnn. Cinedi. >> Second. >> Oh, wait. I need a motion for the table. >> Motion to table, please. Yep. >> So, move. >> Second. Secretary call the role please. >> Valencia >> yes. >> Reyes. >> Yes. >> Moreno. >> Yes. >> Quentes. >> Yes. >> Oliva. >> Yes. >> All right. Now just adjournment. >> Ajourn. Senadine. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Oh no. What do we hear?
074>> Okay. Part two, board reorganization. In a moment, I will ask for nominations for the position of board president. I will ask that the recording secretary take note of the name or names. And after hearing all nominations, starting with the first name on her list, I will have the recording secretary poll each board member who will vote yes or no regarding the candidate. If the candidate receives four yes votes, I will hand over the gavote to that person as he or she will be our board president. If the first candidate does not receive four yes votes, the recording secretary will pull the members again asking for a yes or no vote for the second candidate and so on as applicable. The new board president will then take nominations in a similar fashion for the position
075of vice president and then secretary. >> At this point, I would like to nominate myself for board president. >> Oh, sorry. >> I would like to call part two of the meeting to order. Secretary, call the role. >> Here. >> Johnson absent. Olivas >> here. you here. >> Reyes >> here. >> As president prom I would like to entertain nominations for board president. >> I would like to nominate myself. >> Are there any other nominations for board president? >> I would like to nominate Saul Leas. >> Are there any other nominations for board president? Nomination is closed. Board secretary, could you please begin with >> Thank you. >> The first nomination for Mr. Squentes. Ves, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Squentes, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> no. >> Olivas, >> yes. And that
076concludes our nomination. Board president is Mr. Suentes. Congratulations, Mr. Suentes. >> All right. So, at this point, I would like to entertain nominations for the office of vice president. I would like to nominate myself, Saul Olivas. Any other nominations for vice president? All right. Hearing none, the nominations for vice president are closed. For the nomination of Saul Leas, um, [clears throat] >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> Sequentes, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. All >> right. At this time, I would like to entertain nominations for the office of secretary. I would like to nominate Jud Lavshi. Any other nominations for secretary? All right. Hearing none, the nominations for secretary are closed. And for the nomination of Jalof for secretary, please call the role. >> Yes. >>
077Reyes? >> Yes. Olivas? >> Yes. >> Moreno? >> Yes. Valencia? >> Yes. All right. Motion 13.D. Motion to read the calendar of regular meeting dates and times for the 2025 2026 school year. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Squent, yes. Moreno, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. Okay. At this point, the assignment uh 13.E. Assignment of board members to board committees and establishment of committee meetings dates and times. >> You keep it the same. Is >> that a motion? >> No. So then at this point um for the finance committee, we are going to leave that one the same with Miss Reyes as chair, myself as a member of the committee along with Miss um Johnson and then Vana
078as the alternate for the building and grounds uh committee. Mr. Lshe will be chair with myself as a member along with Brian and then um >> alternate >> as an alternate I believe we don't have one. No, >> we don't need one. That's fine. >> Um, and then for the We do >> we Well, we should point we should appoint an alternative, I think. Yeah, >> I think so. >> All right, Mr. Leas. All right. And then for the uh curriculum and finance, I mean curriculum and programs committee uh chair, it'll be uh Miss Vana Valencia. And then members of the committee will be Mr. Olivas and Miss Ray. Mr. Mr. Lash has an alter. All right. And then uh All right. Motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second. >> Secretary, call the role,
079please. >> Valencia. >> Yes. >> Rez. >> Yes. >> Moreno. >> Yes. >> Right.