East Aurora School District 131 Board of Education Meeting 09 15 25

001Good evening everyone. We're going to start the September 15th 7 p.m. public hearing first. Secretary, call the role, please. >> Valencia here. Sephuentes >> here. >> Johnson >> here. >> Olivas >> here. >> La >> here. >> Reyes >> here. Moreno >> here. >> Do we have any public comments for the public hearing? >> And this has to do with the district budget. >> There's another >> Hold on just one second. All right, we have no public comment for the public hearing. We'll start with discussion items. >> Good evening. We're actually going to go through the FY26 budget here. we're going to present it. So, this is the timeline. We've gone through this a couple times, but I'll go from the beginning. Back in July on July 7th, we had the uh FY26 tenative budget

002presentation in front of the board of education. Um then on the 27th, we had again uh the tenative budget with the 5036 form with the state format there. In August, we continue to update the FY26 tenative budget. Uh federal dollars were uh budgetized and finalized. Evidence based funding was also updated. And then on August the 4th, uh the resolution to adopt the FY26 tenative budget was approved by the board that evening and then the budget was put on public display. Um it was actually beyond 30 days. We were quite a bit on beyond that. And then 9:15 tonight um this our public uh hearing for the budget this evening and during the regular open session of the meeting uh we have an action item tonight for the approval of the FY26 budget. Next slide. So

003some of the budget assumptions are that CPPRT will be decreasing by 20%. Um this has been updated. The state has actually come back. Uh it was a smaller decrease but still um we are seeing additional dollars there. Interest uh income will still be at 4% plus. State categoricals uh are decreasing by 3%. Um we're also assuming all four payments. Uh rollovers are now officially included. Evidence-based funding has been uh officially um announced and federal funding uh still decreased by approximately $2 million. Salaries on average have increased by 3.75%. Benefits on average by 8%, purchase services by 3% and transportation costs are across are up across the board at approximately 4%. Uh supplies and materials for FY26 will remain flat and utility costs for both electric and gas are up for FY26. So this is the

004revenue summary by fund. As you can see, our largest fund is the education fund. We're bringing in almost $200 million there. About 75.7% of our entirety of revenue is coming in the education fund, followed by operations and maintenance at 7.9% or just under 21 million, debt service at just under 14 million, transportation at 7.9, IMRF and social security at 6.3 million, capital projects at 5 million, and working cash at 50,000. uh tort and both fire prevention um with the set amounts of 50 and 11750. Next slide. This is a visual breakdown by revenue by fund. You can see from the previous slide the biggest fund there is the education fund then followed by operations and maintenance and then debt service. Next slide. So this is a breakdown of the sources of of funds. As you

005can see 22.1% are from local sources. 68.3 come from the state and 9.6% are coming from the federal sources for a grand total of 263 million and change. Next slide. The expenses, this is across all funds here. Our largest expense is the education fund at almost $200 million. Um again percentage of breakdown at 75.7%. O andm operations and maintenance there at 20.6 million, debt service at 13.8, 8 transportation just under 18 million, social security and IMRF at 6.3 and working and capital projects at 5 million for total expenditures of 263,000 or 263 million. Next slide. So you can see again visually broken down a vast majority of the expenses are coming out of the education fund uh followed by on andm and uh debt service and transportation. Next slide. So this is the expense summary

006by object. You'll see we we'll have salaries up there, benefits, purchase services, uh supplies, materials, capital outlay, and other objects and non- capital outlay. Again, most of our expenses are people and benefits. If you look at it, it's just under 65%. So 135 million uh for salaries, 35 just under 35 million for benefits, purchase services at 50.3 million, supplies, materials at 14.6, capital outlay at 6.2. other objects at 20.8 million and non- capital outlay at 1.2. Again, more than half the pie chart is salary and then twothirds combined uh with salary and benefits and then purchase services there in gray at 19%. Next slide. So in summary, revenues at 263 million at 311,828 and expenses at 2636811. We're running a surplus budget right now of $243,17. Any questions? >> So, I have a question. So,

007um lower enrollments, how much did you factor that in? Because I've never seen the enrollments uh dip to such lower levels. >> Sure. En enrollment is declining. Staffing is still remaining the same. We're actually up a a couple percentage in FTE for this year as well. Um, as far as accounting for the budget, um, enrollment, uh, is used for, uh, evidence-based funding from year to year. Um, there's a whole harmless, uh, in evidence-based funding, meaning you won't receive less money than the year that you, uh, prior. >> That's correct. >> So, um, which is advantageous for us right now with with declining enrollment. >> Okay. Okay. >> All right. And how much um I was looking at the fund balance. So, how much of the fund balance um is included in the fact that we

008have to pay the state back and the fact that um you know we did get the bond money for the career center. Is the bond money in your numbers >> right now? The bond money is in fund balance right now until we uh start the project. >> Okay. >> Correct. >> And and how about the state money payback? What what level are we at with that? I know we've made a couple payments. >> Sure. So, we're going to be working on our third of five payments coming up for this year, and it's included in the budget as well. Um, it goes against our um our transportation claim. So, that that will be finalized here probably second or third week in October and then totally finalized in early November. So, we'll see exactly what the net

009difference is between what we would have brought in and what we actually owe back. So, we'll end up paying the difference. >> Okay. All right. So, can I get that number kind of factored in? Yeah, it's it's actually in the budget right now. We have an estimated number in there about 2.9 million. >> Not necessarily because we have a lot of other expenses coming up um as far as paying down. I know you you did make a statement in the budget that that budget or that number fluctuates. That is actually correct. But we do have a lot of large projects coming up. So, I would like to see the major projects and how it's going to move that fund balance up and down instead of just having it slam the fund balance at at one

010point. So, if we could get more of a more of a a calculation based on that, that would be great. >> Absolutely. Um, currently we're about 175 million in fund balance. >> Absolutely. Um, and if you if we subtract out the obviously the bond funds and any type of future projects going forward, that would then be coming out of fund balance. >> Yeah, >> I know. But I like to see the the larger projects just noted as to how much we are estimating. We pretty much know, you know, how much our heating and air conditioning to fill up fill in the high school is. And with the declining enrollments, I really want more of a study made of east high because the career center is going to be tough to fund with a lot of

011our declining numbers because the numbers are what they are this year. But but because of these lower enrollments, they're going to start to go down and because this district is heavily heavily funded on basically state aid, >> um we cannot rely on the taxes to come in and make those numbers jump. So, I just need to uh see a better look at where that's going. It doesn't have anything to do with tonight, but but I think it's important that the board really knows where they're at with the fact that we have these declining enrollments. And how does that look at East High? >> Absolutely. And we are working with a demographer right now, Dr. John Casarda, who's doing the enrollment study for the district as well. So, we I've not gotten back any results from

012that, but we did do a data request. Um they have all the data about our enrollment and they're they're running the demographer uh study right now. >> Okay. All righty. >> Okay. Thank you. >> As soon as we have it, we'll present it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other questions with regard to the budget? >> All right. Motion to adjurnn. >> No. >> Public hearing. Yes. >> So moved. >> Second. All right. Secretary, call the role, please. Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. We'll start the regular board meeting of September 15th at 7 o'clock. Um secretary, call the role, please. >> Here. L >> here. >> Johnson. >> Yeah. Here. >> Valencia >> here. Sephuentes >> here. Moreno >> here. Olivas >> here. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge

013allegiance 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. >> All right, we'll start with public comment. And let me just get the clipboard here. Um, in order to speak at the board meeting, you would have had to sign in before 7 p.m. Respect the 3minut time limit. Respect the confidentiality of students and staff. And we're going to keep uh comments appropriate, please. Now, I wanted to make sure with the board if we're okay. Um, we do have quite a few speakers on the sheet and typically we only allow 20 minutes when we have quite a, you know, public comments. We only allow 20 minutes. So, I wanted to see if it's okay with the rest

014of the board to extend it out an extra 15 minutes to provide 35 minutes um for public comment. >> That's fine. >> All right, we'll start with the first one. So, Theodia Gillespie, good evening board members. Um I want to s first start out saying that it's not about any one particular person and me in particularly uh that we are here um to represent our children, our schools, our staff and our future. We are here tonight because of a comment that was made by Reyes Mayor Reyes, a newly elected board member and staff member of Asiggo School District that works in the human resource department regarding the black students in the bilingual program. About a month and a month and a half ago, the NAACP, the Urban League, Regina Brent of Unity Partners, Dr. Peggy

015Hicks and myself raised these concerns. um two two concerns. We shared these such remarks that Miss Reyes presented that divides the district and our community and call for real and we calling for real accountability for better staff training safeguards to protect staff and students and a culture that builds trust and not fear. the school board um that we met and along with the attorney um we felt like their silence and refusal to implement accountability measures have emboldened hostility, created unsafe environments and perpetuate disproportionate discipline for all students. These behavior violates both the district mission and fundamentals fundamental civil rights. Therefore, Myra, we're asking you to resign for the good of the community based on your remark. We also ask the school board to fulfill their duties and making sure that this kind of behavior is

016not tolerated by not just board members and staff. ensure that every student and staff member, no matter their race, ethnicity, or zip code, is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. Now, I yield my time to my um and to the community, Michael Chilis with the president of the NAACP. >> Thank you, Miss Gillespie. Good afternoon. Good evening, uh, board members. First of all, I'd like to thank the school district 131 for allowing me to speak today. Um, I also want to thank the Quad County Urban League for its partnership with the NAACP. Um, I just want to make sure everybody understands there's no daylight between the Urban League and the NAACP. No. Uh, I came to speak about the board member Myra Reyes comments on a recording that surfaced a few months ago. On that

017recording, she stated that black students should not be allowed to learn Spanish as a second language because it would take away their inherent advantage and make everyone equal. I keep asking the question, keep getting the question to ask of me. Do you think Myra Reyes is a racist? Well, I don't even know her. My my comment is always back. I can't look in a person's heart. Can't look in a person's soul. I'm here to deal with the behaviors and responsibility she has to the community. We're clearly we're we clearly have an elected official does not believe does not share those beliefs. She clearly believes the students should be siloed into groups that would give certain groups an advantage over black students. This belief system is something we've been fighting since 1619. For 407 years, that

018belief system has infected this country. As we stand here today, ISIS roaming our communities like rabid robots looking for pe looking for human beings while the NAACP is reaching out the hand of brotherhood. This person's comments makes a mockery of the relationship that we are building with our Latin brothers and sisters. It puts everything in terms of a zero sum game. Her comments has now gotten the attention of all of DuPage, if not the entire country. With the attention, the NAACP intends to to take the opportunity to consolidate our power and voting before the next election. Because of this, the NAACP is asking Miss Reyes to resign immediately from her position in the school board uh district 31. The NACP doesn't take asking for res resignations lightly. She has violated the core trust of our

019very existence, which is to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens. Eliminate race prejudice and racial discrimination. and and we advocate for the civil rights and laws to educate the public on their constitutional rights in every language and any language they so choose to take. And with that, thank you. >> All right, next on the list, Cynthia Lannimer. Good evening. I was hopeful that this issue would have been resolved when it was brought up rather than having to have it addressed here in this manner. I've had a career of teaching and creating learning environments with the focus on student achievement and provide opportunities for all students. While bilingual director, I created and implemented improved and improved programming for testified at the state level on behalf of and fought for the rights of

020Spanish-speaking students to learn English. You can imagine my thoughts standing here tonight addressing comments about denying black students access to learn Spanish. comments that are in direct conflict with our beliefs as an educational system. Board member Reyes's comments are completely inappropriate. It is fundamentally wrong. It suggests um it suggests that it's acceptable to deny any student an opportunity to access the instructional programmatic offerings of this public school district. The statements one run counter to what public education is all about and counter to the views and or characteristics of an effective board member. As such, those cannot be tolerated and two are even more unacceptable because she explicitly labels and singles out a specific group of non-speaking students. Your targeted comments reference others by language they speak, Spanish speakers, but you reference black students by who

021they are, African-American. And this is damaging. It's one thing to have an opinion, but to state that opinion and then sit in a seat of power to establish policy and have oversight over those that same students is unjust and inconsistent with what it means to be a board member. The this kind of thinking is detrimental to the students in this community. Her comments indicate that she does not have the best interest of all students at the forehand of her mind. Fairness and equitable treatment are critical underpinnings of being a board member. Her words document her sense of fairness and equitable treatment is questionable. For clarity, if a current or seeking board member said anything like what Reyes said, but used a different group of students. If they said, "We would not teach English to Spanish-sp

022speakaking students and reference denying Spanish-sp speakaking students across and access to instructional programming." the board, the community would all be making the exact same request we are making today, requesting that board member to stand down and I would be right alongside with you supporting that request. We are better than this. There is no place for this kind these kinds of thoughts and education. Board member Reyes needs to step down. Silence of board members on this issue makes you complicit. Please speak up at the next board meeting and expose where you where you stand on this because your silence condones these actions. Thank you to all of the hardworking teachers, staff, administrators, and board members who do not pick and choose which students to serve, but pour into every single student who are in front of

023them. And it's unfortunate that this topic takes our focus off of what's most important, and that's our children and the teaching. Thank you. Thank you. Regina Brent. Good evening everyone. Uh, I want to start off by saying I'm appalled of these images because when you walk in this room, and I've never been here before, it gives you a false pretense of what's supposed to be happening here opposed to what's really happening here. But hey, um, Miss Reyes, I just want to tell you a little bit about my work, what I do. Our organization is Unity Partnership. We partner the community with policing to basically rebuild trust and um relationships and uh I have a nephew who's chief designer for Nike. One year we got 7,000 pairs of shoes. We distribute them all over the state

024of Illinois. I didn't ask anyone if they're Hispanic. Everybody got them because I believe in fair treatment. I see on your line of items here, board members, line line item E says you distributed backpacks. We did that at the beginning of the school year. We sent them down to Pinrook. We sent them on the south side of Chicago. We sent them all over. We didn't ask anyone what color are the recipients. There's a food pantry. I just left Reverend Jesse Jackson. I'm I'm an expansion of the King family as a godchild. It's a It's a minister sitting in this audience who is connected to the King family. We just distributed with the Church of Jesus Christ Latterday Saints, the Martin Luther King project and Rainbow Push. 70 pounds of food. 70,000 pounds of food. 10

025meats, two bags of condiments. We didn't ask no one, are they Hispanic? We didn't ask them that. My point to you ma'am is that politicians have a fiduciary oath to serve the community at large. We supposed to have everyone interest at heart. Public servants they are supposed to make sure that the legislation that the uh the the requirements of anyone learning in an educational system is fair treatment. for you to make accusations about prohibiting black children from learning Spanish is appalling. And not only that, but you have a president of this United States in the White House right now talking about this country is going to become the language of just English. And so perhaps if you're caught speaking Spanish, okay, you're going to be put in the same position we were in back 600

026years ago when we could not read or write, when it was illegal to read and write or to marry anyone else other than your own race or even to get married. So I say to you, I cannot and the churches in this area will not and the people in this area, the African-American public race will not sit idly by and watch this go down. We're waiting on an outcome and I hope it's positive and we're asking you to resign for the greater good of the people. Thank you, >> Sir Vincent Gettis. Good evening. I'm Dr. Vincent Gatis. This is my 30th year of teaching. I'm a professor at Elgen Community College. I'm a resident of Aurora. And I'd just like to say that this discussion tonight really is about values because values are what a

027community or a board or an individual decides what is allowable and what is not. What is acceptable and what is not. What are the moral imperatives behind policy? That's what values are. The expressed values through the mission of district 131 is quote, "Our purpose is to educate and empower all students to reach their full potential." How does the silence of this board over these comments of Miss Reyes support that mission? How do the comments themselves square with the mission of the Easter schools? How do the comments hold up as a value statement that black students shouldn't be able to get bilingual education? How does the knowledge and damage of those comments do is that an accurate reflection of the mission of your district? We have two values going on as exemplified by these comments. One

028is the value of division and exclusion. A value system that says our group deserves the resources and advantages over that group. The values that say only we can be bilingual because we don't want them to have an advantage. It's for us, not for them. versus values that say all students should have all access to all resources and programs to put them on the path to success. The values that say all students can and must have the resources to thrive. The values that say having bilingual students is a benefit for all students. Those are the values of inclusion. So tonight, this board, you as an individual, us as a community have to ask ourselves, what values are we going to choose? Are we going to choose? Are you as a board going to choose the value

029of exclusion and division? The values of it's for us and not for them. or are we going to stand in solidarity on the values of inclusion and solidarity? Do we want black and brown communities united in the cause of creating great education experiences for all students or do we want to create a divide that ultimately hurts us all? Your choice. Randy Writer. Everybody, I'm just going to piggyback off of what Mr. Gatis just said. It is the impetence of this board and its leadership that has allowed this to take place. You all should be looking at yourselves because you allow this bigot on your on your staff. This should have been addressed three weeks ago when I came here three weeks ago and told you about this issue. What it says to me is that

030the board in its in entirety does not have any respect for the FBA's foundational black Americans that inhabit this school. It's not just the students. We've had complaints about discriminatory actions towards staff and you people sit back and act as if you don't hear us. But I can guarantee you if nothing is done in this situation, I'm going to the state's attorney general. I'm going to the human rights commission in Aurora. I'm gonna file title title six complaint against this school district. Maybe that will get your attention because I'm tired. I don't know about the rest of the people here. We are tired of being ignored. It will no longer be acceptable. This lady has to go. Period. We're not negotiating. We're not compromising. You ain't going to be able to gaslight us into nothing

031else. You need to take action. If you don't take action, we will. Simple. Pastor Burch. Good evening, board. Good evening, board. It's hard to follow these things that have already been said. They've covered just about everything. My name is John Burch. I am a 50-year resident of the East Roar School District. My children have benefited from the education that has been provided by your agency over the years and I thank you for that. Two of my children in the professional field and they both learn to speak languages other than English in these school district. It has provided them with skills that allow them in the medical field to make a difference. It's because of decisions that were made by previous boards that they have that level of education. My wife and I are the parents

032of four Easter graduates who were successful because of the education that was provided by this school district. I'm here tonight because I'm in despair. I'm a child of the 50s. I saw what happened when certain people received benefits that others were denied. And this school district has come too far to take a step backwards. I am disappointed because my expectation of you was that you would feel the way I do. Miss Marie Wilkerson was instrumental in our community of reaching out to all people. my work life worked for over 20 years in that field. And one of the things that she always shared with me was that children are innocent. Children need to be protected. Children need to be provided for. They should not have to fight adult battles. Do you understand what I'm saying?

033I'm not angry. I'm disappointed. My heart is broken. I expected much more of you. You were elected just a few weeks ago, many of you. And I in spite of things I heard, you know, people talk in the barberh shop. And to see those things come to fruition leads me to despair. the decision that you made allegedly that there's nothing you can do about it. Well, let me share with you. In my 49 years of public service, I've served on multitudes of boards. And in each one of those boards, there was a letter of conduct that we had to sign that neither our actions nor our words nor our attitudes would bring despair on that board. I believe if what I've been told is correct about your response, board members, I'm talking to you, you

034have failed the test. I do have to move on with the other public speakers on that. Thank you, Pastor John Thompson. Good evening. I'm Pastor John Thompson of the Haven Christian Ministries located here in the city of Aurora. I am not a resident of Aurora. I pastor the people of Aurora. It's been said that if you don't have a seat at the table is because you're on the menu. As I look around this table, I don't see a seat that represents the African-American child. Now, you don't have to represent the African-American child simply because you have that child's skin color. However, if you don't have that child's skin color, then you need to have a voice that speaks on behalf of that child loudly, brashly, and boldly. Because I don't see a seat for us

035on that board on this board. or see a seat for us at this table. Appears to me then that member Reyes, by the sentiments that she has shared, has decided to put our children's future on the menu. And here is one of the undeniable moments where representation matters. I'm hardressed to believe that board member Reyes would have made these comments so cavalerely if she had to make them in the presence of African-Americans at the time. But somehow somehow she felt brave enough to say it in a room where she did not know she may have been being recorded, knowing full well that she would not get public push back for it. I don't blame you. You're being who you are. I blame you for letting it happen. They tell us that these comments happened almost

036a year ago. I believe August or so of last year is what I heard. And yet here we are now a year later addressing this issue. Lastly, as I prepare to go back to my space on the wall, I'm mindful that any mindset that's willing to sacrifice the educational opportunities of children for their own attempt at social engineering should have no place in a position of influencing policy for their twisted ideology. I pastor here in Aurora, the church where I pastor, we've given away 300 bikes to kids. Never once asked anybody's ethnicity. Pastored here in Aurora and we've given we've given over 2,000 families groceries for several weeks at a time. never once asked anybody's ethnicity. We've given away over 400 laptop computers to children. No racial quota needed to be met whatsoever. How then

037is it with all of this sharing of that's going on in the community that has nothing to do with race or ethnicity that you, our elected officials, see fit now to specify who has access to a quality education based on their ethnicity. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. All right, I do have to move on to the next one. Thank you, Desiree Folultz. Rosar Folultz. Hi, my name is Rosiah Folks. I go to Easter High School. I'm in 10th grade and basically I came into the school meeting today so I can like get my words out cuz I'm not feeling hurt at school. No problem. >> Okay. I feel like every time I go to school, it's not a safe place. This happened since last year. So, um it was I told my teacher

038cuz I been like I've missed classes. I've been special at education and like I told my teacher I don't feel comfortable in his class. I'm the only female in his class and he basically have a a male teacher like follow me around like everywhere I go. Like if I go to the bathroom, the male teacher would be outside the bathroom waiting for me. And I remember one day I was going to the rec center. I like I didn't want to talk to anybody. He like screwed my name. He was like, "Resire, let's go to class right now." Like he was screaming my name. Like he was like my relatives. So I was like feeling like I was feeling hurt because like why are you screaming at me? Right. Then like one day I was leaving

039for lunch like and I was like trying to like go to like a PPA. I feel comfortable. I was telling her like I don't feel comfortable like the teacher standing following me. Like I cannot like even like go to my social worker when I'm getting follow. So I was like tell every teacher I don't feel her. Then like we just had testing at Easter. I told my teacher like then my teacher called me disrespectful like like he was like oh oh all you do is use your phone and I thought that's not even true. All I do is less is listen to music in all of my classes. All my teachers let me do that. So then he then he was like oh you're very disrespectful. Let's talk about the phone rule mister. I know

040the phone rule, but like you let me use my phone every day. Even Justin, he didn't take my phone. He let me use my phone. And I was like, okay, I feel weird. So he took me up to my D and like I was like trying to tell my D what happened and my D was like, "Shut it up. I don't even want to hear you. I heard stuff about you since last year." Cuz she wasn't even my D last year. And like I was trying to like tell her like that's untrue. She was like you cause trouble with teachers. You're so disrespectful. Like you look at the whole train and like she was basically like coming at me like she love me. And I was like that's not even true. Like and she was

041keep going on about stuff that happened last year. And I and one day like I was like talking to like my principal about it cuz like she let me like sit out of a class like one day last year. >> Huh? >> You wanted to stop right cuz it be a while. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yes. she can continue just you know I just want to make sure that we >> and I feel like like the teachers at my school is not a safe place to go to certain people so the only person like I go to is my social worker cuz that is my safe spot because my D she don't she just might be like school just started and like I be trying to talk to her like she say I trouble

042she say you're trouble you're disrespectful and all you do just cuss out teachers. That's not true. I don't even cuss out adults. So, that's not true. So, I feel like it's not it's not like where I'm supposed to be at at my school because they usually be different from a lot of kids and I don't like that at all. >> Well, thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Next public speaker, Mary Folultz. Thank you. So, in case you don't know, that's my granddaughter, Razire. Um, she did good. You guys give her a hand. >> Desireh comes from a place of a lot of sadness. My granddaughter called it twice. Very shy. A lot of people in this room, this community, they know it was out here. To have someone to say those things about her,

043hurt me, hurt her. I reached out to some people. I talked to some people. I got out of the hospital. Two days later, I got a Uber over to East High School cuz it wasn't right. I was unannounced, but there were some staff members that met me. We talked about some things, but then to find out the things that were happening, she's in bed. You heard her. Those are her words. She came to me and said she wanted to come to a schoolboard meeting and it just happens to fall in line with everything else that's happening here. Now, many of you know I ran for the schoolboard not once but twice. I ran in the moors of parents, kids, my grandchildren. I have 13 of them. I have a child right now that my granddaughter,

044my oldest granddaughter is afraid to put my greatgrandson in District 131 because he's non-verbal autistic. Imagine how we feel. I'm advocating so hard to get my granddaughter to say yes, but then we got this. So, my name is Mary Folks. I'm a EA graduate, a mother, a grandmother, a community servant with a blended, very blended family. Each person knows why they are here. I'm here generally because I care about the kids, the families, the staff, and having fair and unbiased education for us all. East Aurora, you we are lacking when it comes to engaging black families. It would be nice to see a platform that is not afraid to speak up when families are having concerns or issues and need guidance or help. It would be it would it would also be nice to see

045something that doesn't look like um what it say something that doesn't look like us against them. That comes from the kids. I deal with a lot of families of all nationalities. I've been doing them for over 20 years. These last years have been hard. Many of them, they're upset because I didn't get on the school board. Thought I was going to treat it unfairly. But guess what? I'm still there with them. Still a voice. We're still together. That matters. It matters. Starting with um um there's so much that can be done before we get to this school board. Starting with allowing parents to work with administration in school buildings. That's community engagement. Yeah, we're going to do one more public uh comment and then after that one um we do have another section on the

046agenda after uh executive session if if people want to continue with public comment. We have another 20 minutes allotted for that. So the next uh person on the list, Bishop Jeffrey Donaldelsson. >> Thank you. I am Bishop Jeffrey Donaldson. I was born in Aurora 1957. And our class just celebrated its 50th anniversary. The class of East High. We just celebrated the 1975. We just celebrated 50. And uh my my parents and all them went to they went to East High when it was Walder. So, my family's been in this community for eight generations. And I just want to say that my grandchildren were the first part of the dual language program. They're here today. And uh my grandfather was born in Mexico and I don't speak Spanish. So, I was really glad that they are

047learning the language. So, I can have that connection to my grandfather because he's from San Juan, Mexico, which I never heard of. I've heard of Puerto Rico, but not Mexico. But my point in coming tonight was it's really disheartening and that we have to fight these same racial battles year after year and you get tired. And I know Maya Angelo said, "I'm tired of being tired." But when you don't hear a voice and as Pastor Thompson put so eloquently, you either at the table or on the table. And it's time that we are represented as a community. And I come here as a pastor and someone that is known in the community asking for representation and asking for justice and fairness on the board. And I ask that you listen to these comments and listen

048to the children and what they're saying. I'm hearing about teachers being harassed. I'm hearing about people afraid to speak out because they might lose their job. And there's a whole thing within 131 that was never there. I remember how proud I was when Dr. Count Hill became the first black doctor in the 70s. He was my teacher at Simmons. And then he became a doctor and we had to call him, you know, Dr. Hill and I always just knew him as Count. Well, I graduated with his daughter. It's a lot of rambling, but I just want to get to I am tied into this community. I'm committed to this community. My family's buried at Spring Lake. So, we've been here for a long time. And I plan on being here for the generations after me.

049And I just ask that you listen to the people that spoke and you hear their not only their comments, but hear their heart. Thank you. >> Thank you. before we continue with the regular meeting. I >> Well, I have something to say. >> Yeah. >> So, um so I've been listening. I've been getting sad here, you know. So, um I'm speaking up. So, right now, I think we should let them finish speaking because they want to be heard >> and um and I would like to file a motion because obviously, like I said, they've been coming to the past couple meetings and we haven't done nothing and they want to see something done. And I would like to let them be heard. >> That is fine with me as long as you guys are fine

050with it because right now this big issue and right now I'm saying I'm born and raised in East Aurora, you know. >> I know Mayor Wilkerson, you know. >> Yep. >> Dr. Roberts was a stupid. >> Yep. >> All right. >> Let's make it happen. >> Yep. >> All right. The next person, Jeriah Donaldson. Thank you. Uh, good evening. Uh, I just want to say as a black mother of a black daughter who's been part of District 131's dual language program since the beginning, and my nephew as well, uh, uh, Thomas was also part of this program. I feel deeply compelled to respond for my daughter and nephew. Um, this program has been nothing but short of a blessing. It's given them the confidence that they needed, the uh the uh problem solving skills that

051they needed. It's also allowed them to expand other opportunities for themselves. They're in band. They they're going to uh different uh field trips and things like this. So, this this program has really been life-changing for us. Um, and at her school at Calhur, she has many different classmates of many different cultural backgrounds. There's even a student from Russia. So, the dual language program is not just for Spanish speaking or English speaking. It's dual language. There's two languages. It's got to be different type of languages. So I so the attack of of just black children not being able to have access to this as a black mother and as a woman who's been raised in this community and had to carve my way and I thought things were better. I thought they were better to hear

052those comment was so disappointing. And to know that all the work that I've done personally myself and the ways that I've tried to pay for my daughter, we still got ways to go. >> We still got ways to go. and a and a woman a woman of color. Come on. I don't know what made you think you're separated from everybody else. You're you're in it, too. You're in it, too. So, when we're looked down, you're looked down. Got off my notes. This is why it's so disappointing to read the comments made by Mrs. Reyes in this article. Words matter, especially from those who sit in positions of leadership and have influence over our children and their future. When our leaders dismiss and dismanage the value of programs that are lifting students up and programs that

053clearly fulfill the district missions, they are not question they are not just questioning the program. They're questioning the worth and the potential of the children and the family it serves. For this reason, I stand with the community leaders calling for the resonation of Miss Reyes over the board. Our district deserves leaders who believe in equity, who embody the mission they represent, who fully respect the support of the diverse community they serve. Anything less is a disservice to our children, our family, and our future. You have to go. You have to go. There's no room. There's no room. And as a single parent who is tired making all efforts to make sure my daughter gets to these programs and make sure that she has all the resource to have someone sit there and say that my

054efforts are useless, are wasted and that she has no future. How dare you? How do you You owe the parents an apology. You owe the parents an apology who worked hard and to make sure that their children are provided for. This program has been a helpmate. It helps with trans transportation. It helps with meals. It helps with uh tutoring and every this program has literally been that other parent on the side of me. And for you to sit here and deny opportunities just because you feel like you could say that, you have to go. The community spoken. You got to go. Thank you. Thank you. Amina heart. Amina heart. Thank you. I give an honor to God who is the head of my life to superintendent Dr. the board members and all who are in

055attendance. It's an honor to be standing in front of a school board in my alma mater school district that sealed the fate of my education 30 years ago. What I learned then has prompted me to be here before you today. Representation matters at the schoolboard level to ensure that all students have the proper representation, consideration, and the opportunity to receive fair practices. As shown in this case, partiality should not be allowed. Although we respect freedom of expression, board member Reyes spoke of taking opportunities from specifically African-American students to give Spanish speakers an advantage in the workforce. Taking away a learning opportunity from one race with the sheer intent to benefit another is poor conduct, unfair practices, and systemic racism. As you know of all of your policies, I don't have to read them. I'm sure

056you know, right? far as section 130 far as the your philosophy right also with section 2 item 80 your oath of conduct you also have your section two item 270 which speaks of it's fairly new but it's there the discrimination and the harassment of any basis of race okay color or national origin I'm refering referencing them because I want to make sure that you know that you did follow a oath, right? You signed up for this. Having board members who are uneducated and dare to share unconscious bias toward African-American students is deeply rooted and based on their own personal deep-seated thought patterns. Since Since Reyes began became a new board member, she should be in a mentoring program to become an effective leader. With racist rhetoric being comfortably shared in a boardroom meeting question if

057she was trained with bias or made to feel comfortable to speak candidly with her peers who have the same agenda. I agree that Reyes should be held accountable for her discriminatory tactics, including her mentor and anyone else who did not report her statement. Now that we identified the problem, I would like to propose a solution. Every board member should take cultural intelligence, inclusive communication, and implicit um bias training to better serve your diverse student population and to be effective leaders in the school district. As you know, you have mandate reporters. Within the mandated reporter that is issued by the state, they have two trainings that's provided to you for explicit bias. Thank you. >> Thank you. Jessica Ecman. >> Good evening. My name is Jessica. Um, so thank you for letting me speak. I'm addressing

058a recent article in which Superintendent Halverson was publicly quoted in a response to the concerns outlined in the NAACP's letter that he is launching audits, updating staff training, and updating processes for hiring and retaining staff who reflect the values of our community and are equipped to meet the involving needs of our students. Per the article quotes, he further emphasized the importance of fair and equitable treatment for all and spoke of his lifelong ties to Aurora. While these words sound promising, the hiring practice prior to his tenure appeared fit to this ideal and actually the practice under his leadership are the ones that raise significant concerns. Effective March this year, upon assuming his role, numerous members of the cabinet and executive cabinet, leaders with exemplary records with lifelong ties to Aurora, one with stellar letter of

059recommendations from you, Dr. Fuentes, were non-reed, renewed, or recommended for demotion. These decisions were not performance related, but as Superintendent Halverson has communicated, his prerogative and allegedly his dep uh determination of who was a good fit. It is a matter of record that those individuals deemed not a good fit were all African-American or of African ancestry. and that and that the superintendent's current executive cabinet is now composed entirely of white administrators whom he has recommended for hire without speculating on intents. The community can glean from this outcome what did not make those individuals a good fit. This result stands in direct contrast to the superintendent's quoted commitment to fair and equitable treatment and to leadership that reflects the the diversity of East Aurora. I respectfully ask this board which of his communications support these decisions

060and how do they align with the district's obligation to equity. Furthermore, given the community's investment of thousands of taxpayers dollars in a superintendent search earlier this year, I urged the board to make it transparent whether a superintendent was in fact a recommended candidate for the search firm. In the last 15 years, up until March 2025, we have not faced racial concerns of this magnitude since he is launching an audit. This would be one worth adding to the list as a community deserves clarity on whether these issues stem from a superintendent whose leadership skills are undermatched or insufficient for the role from defi um from decisions that reflect bias and discriminatory practices or from both. So tonight, accountability should be shared with Myra Reyes and the superintendent. Thank you. Sandra Harrison. I'd like to say, Mr.

061Marino, thank you. I appreciate your consideration for our voice. As black leaders and community stakeholders, we are deeply concerned about the ongoing climate of exclusion and inequity at East Aurora High School District 131. Our voices get reported as grievances, but we stand firmly on truth. Black students, families, and professionals at East Aurora are experienced systemic bias, exclusion, and disrespect that cannot be ignored. Our students excel in the classroom, athletics, and in leadership roles. Yet, their success is met with disproportionate discipline, silencing, and barriers to opportunity. Our professionals bring skills and commitment, yet they too often are denied leadership roles and are pushed out of decision-making spaces. This is not a misunderstanding. It's a pattern. We reject any attempt to reduce this to a black versus Latino narrative. This is not This is not about competing

062demographics. It's about justice, fairness, and representation. When black students and families say the climate is unwelcoming, they're not being divisive. They're speaking their true reality. They are speaking their experience. The claim that black staff and students are disciplined because they fight back is especially troubling. Fighting back against inequities is not defiance. It's survival. To pu to punish us for resisting unfair treatment is proof of the systemic barriers that we're facing. Let's be clear. Black families are not asking for special treatment. We are demanding what is rightfully ours. Justice, dignity, and inclusion. We are not outside of East Aurora. We are an essential part of its past, its present, and its future. The district needs to make a decision whether it's going to continue to resist equity or embrace it. Our presence is not a problem.

063The refusal to honor equity is. We will continue to stand, speak, and act until equity is not just promised, >> but fully practiced for every black child, black family, and black professional at East Aurora. I won't ask you to step down. My community has done that for me. Sadi Rashid. >> I would not dare speak above my elders. They spoke very eloquently. They said everything that I came here to say. I don't have notes. I apologize. So I don't need notes to speak about injustice. This is unjustified. Our children fight a war every day when they walk out these homes. They shouldn't have to fight in a safe space that's supposed to be school. An institution of learning, a place where they should be able to express themselves and look at adults and get back

064what they put in. >> Yes. >> But they come home in fear. Now they got to go to school in fear. Pastor said it best. We see no representation of us up here at all. So, how can I expect empathy from you? Should I expect to believe that all of you think the same way as one spoke of themselves or their opinion and they made their opinion reality? The question I have is why is she so comfortable saying it? Huh? Are you the pillow that she rests her opinion upon? Cuz if you're that pillow, maybe we need to switch you rooms. Every last one of you does not never know how should a child like Rosiah, our baby sister, feel like how she feels when she go to school. Not one. And I'm not excluding

065any other race. But I am black. And I'm going to talk about that because that's what I know. I don't live in a European home. I don't live in a Latino home. I live in a black home with black children, five of them. And guess what? They all homeschooled. You know why? I don't trust your school. I don't trust what you teach. I don't trust how you teach. I don't trust your attitude. And how we going to teach attitude? How we going to teach responsibility? The two proper things for all children, all adults. And you are irresponsible and your attitude stinks when you walk in the room. How you going to do that? I would love to get some answers from you. I'd have been in hearings from children who are being expelled and the

066attitude in the room was so horrible. I just turned to the family said, "Take your child up out of here and don't come back. Now that's that's telltelling. So if you feel guilty, you should. If you don't feel guilty, go find out what that is and then feel guilty later. Cuz this is horrible as far as saying what blacks shouldn't learn. Does anybody in this room remember Frederick Douglas? He wasn't supposed to read. He had to sneak and read. We live in a city where it's predominantly Hispanic. Am I right? >> Telling us that we shouldn't be able to learn what Hispanics learn in Spanish is like telling us that we shouldn't be able to read. What's the difference? So, I won't be able to point. I won't stand up here and say everything that

067my my fellows family has already spoke of. They did it well. And I appreciate every last one of you. I really do. But I want you to think when we leave here today. Don't react because if you react, you're doomed to let it happen again. I want you to be proactive in your attitudes and how you carry out things. Thank you very much, >> Natalie Bonner. Good evening everyone. Pleasure to be here unfortunately under these circumstances. Um I'd just like to say a little bit about my experience learning a second language. So I was able to learn French. I am district 129 in middle school and I loved the experience so much so that I continued throughout high school and when I went to college I was able to clip out if you don't know

068what that means that means test out of that grade and I was able to minor in French so I decided to take Spanish and with that experience I was able to learn a lot more about the culture how it's outside of just one demographic it's all over the world it gave me in a sense of community, a sense of connection. And for those comments to be made by someone who represents the education system is unacceptable and is extremely against everything that education means. When someone learns another language, it's not about becoming an interpreter or taking anything from any other culture. It's about connection, human connection and communication. I work with district 131 students and they're a joy. 90% of them are Hispanic. That would be crazy for me to say, you know what, I know

069my program is great, but I only want to work with African-American students. I would never say that because I care about all children and that's how all children should be treated under this administration. My son is an African-American boy. He has a lot of different friends from different cultures. How are they going to relate for a child who comes in who does not know English unless he's possibly given the opportunity to learn Spanish? So, what I'm saying is think twice about your comments and what they mean, especially in this city. We have worked extremely hard to mend the relationship between the black and brown community and we're doing a great job. It would be a shame for something like that to set us back. Javier Soleno Sorry, I got my notes in my in my

070phone. Was not ready. Good evening. Um, one of the things that I want to mention to the board this night is to please be more considerate about um, when you guys do public comment. Um, I know there's a very important community relations report today. So, uh, I know there's families that are here just for that. And uh since it extended today, I want to ask you guys to please um maybe for the future you guys can put it before the public comments on the agenda. So it's uh that would be something nice um to do. The other thing that I um would like to um I would like to know more information of the I was very surprised when I saw that article. Uh, I honestly did not see um, Miss Reyes um, make that

071comment, but I would really um, I know that the superintendent sent out um, uh, email regarding it regarding the the um, article. So, um, it it would be nice if more information went out to the parents uh, of when it happened. Did it actually happen before she got elected? Did it happen afterwards? I mean, it doesn't change that if she said it, she she still said it, but um people did vote for her when she um got elected. Some people voted her in. So, my name is Javier Solano and I do want to take this opportunity to thank um Dr. Halerson for all your hard work and dedication that you have been doing. I know we have met a couple times um and I know that the changes are not going to come one day

072to another, but it's nice to see that we're moving in the right direction. Um I am one of those people that believes that it takes a community to educate our kids. It's not just us as parents. It also takes the the uh teachers um it takes uh hard work from the teachers, from administrators, but also from the community. Um so I say that we work together as parents, teachers, administrators for the better of our students. Um and division is not the answer. Please, our community is going through a hard time right now. Uh please I ask everybody here this evening that division is is is not let let's do you we united not division please. Thank you, esteemed schoolboard members and community leaders and the community as a whole. We are gathered here today not

073just as individuals not merely as representatives of institutions but as guardians of justice, equity and the future of every child in this school district and not only in the school district in this city. These are not ordinary times. These are times when injustice doesn't whisper. It screams. It screams from our streets, echoes through our classrooms, and leaves its marks on the lives of our families, our communities, and it echoes in every space where silence has replaced courage. ICE is creating havoc on our community. They are stopping people like me because of me looking like me and because of me speaking in Spanish. Five people were held today because of how they looked and because they looked at Spanish in West Chicago. Let me be clear. We can't be divided. We can't be distracted. We can't

074afford to let misunderstanding cloud our progress. We are not each other's enemies. The enemy is the system that profits from our pain. The enemy is the narrative that tells our children they are less than. The enemy is the lie that says justice must be rationed when it should be shared freely and fully accessible to all. Here's the truth. When we unite across race, culture, and background, we are unstoppable. When our communities come together, not in competition but in coalition, we become the heartbeat and the transformation that is needed in this country. Let us build bridges, not barriers. Let us trade stories, not stereotypes. Let us fight side by side, not in isolation. As leaders, we must show up for one another in our policies, in our classrooms, in our boardrooms, and most importantly, in our

075neighborhoods, and in our hearts. Because unity is not a slogan. It's a strategy. It's survival. It's the soul of our resistance. So today, I ask you, look beside you, not with suspicion, but with solidarity. reach across the lines that have been drawn to divide us and erase them with love, with truth, with action for everyone, not just a few. Let's be mentors to those that need to be mentored. We are not the problem. We are the solution. And together, we can rise above this turmoil. Together, we heal. Together, we fight. Together, we win. I have not heard that recording. I cannot make judgment on someone until I heard it. And I am willing to sit down with her and speak to her to remy this to put a amend to this. We cannot fight each

076other. This is ridiculous. Black on brown. Come on. That's ridiculous. We got a bigger problem in this country. Thank you. Thank you. >> That concludes the public comment section. Um did anyone anybody want to say anything before we continue and move on? I I um I just wanted to briefly say something. You know, as board president, I want to begin by acknowledging the concerns raised by the community. Um, your voices matter, and your experiences that you've shared cannot be ignored. Um, you know, every student and staff member in East Aurora deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported. You know, that commitment is not something that's new. Um, but it is something that we, you know, that we have to renew with urgency. Um, so the work ahead like you know it's not going to be

077easy but it is essential and it is something that we have to do together as a community um to make the district you know where every student is able to thrive and staff members feel like they're at home. So um with that I don't know if anybody wants to go raise. >> Good evening everyone to um I believe that conf conflict often grows when communication is unclear. Approximately a year ago, I applied and was interviewed for the vacant uh position in the board and I responded to a question regarding the district's dual language program. While the recent article in the Beacon News does not reflect the entirety of my response, I do take full responsibility for my poor choice of words, which are the subject of the statement. At the time of the interview, I

078was very nervous as I am now. And I was so focused on responding to the questions being asked that I failed to respond to this particular question with the sensitivity and care that it warranted. I regret not being able to express myself more clearly, and I deeply apologize for the hurt and frustrations I clearly have caused. It was never my intention to offend or discriminate in any way, shape, or form against any minority group. This experience has taught me the importance of slowing down enough to ensure that my words properly reflect my intent, my values, and my actions. I was ultimately not chosen to fill the vanet board seat, but that did not change my commitment to represent the district. During the 2025 elections, I worked hard to earn a place on the ballot, even

079harder to secure the votes needed to win this seat. And now that I'm here, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the goals set forth by this board to benefit the district employees, the students and community are achieved. My experiences as a former student, former employee, a mother of children currently indul en enrolled in the district, one of them being in the pilot program of the dual language gives me a unique and broad perspective that I will use to benefit the district in many ways. I will always advocate for the respectful, fair, and transparent treatment of our staff, students, and community partners. Life has a way of bringing us face to face with our shortcomings and failures. In these moments, we have two choices. We're either defined by our failings or we learn from them

080and grow. I sincerely apologize for the pain my words have caused. I have grown from this experience and I'm renewing my commitment to stand with this board of education, the administration, the teachers, support staff, and the community to ensure that every child in district 131 receives highquality education, regardless of their race, background, economic status, or legal standing. I look forward to working with the entire EA community, to creating a sense of belonging for all. communications from the superintendent. >> Thank you, board president Suventes. Uh before I go on to my formal communications, I just want to reaffirm to the constituent group that we met with um both on August 6th and August 27th that I'm still open to meeting together to remedy this problem and figure out exactly what we can do to continue to

081support all of the students within our school district regardless of color, race, creed. I still would like to meet with all individuals. Miss Gillespie, I will be reaching back out to you as I did with my email on August 27th, extending that monthly meeting. Um, as well as a follow-up meeting with that. I'd love to meet with you again. And I would love to have other constituents that want to come to the table to be problem solvers for the entire community come to that table as well. Thank you. Moving on to the formal formal comments from the superintendent. First thing we have tonight and we can take a brief pause because we are going to recognize our student board members. So I would propose to the board that we take a brief pause. Board members,

082are you okay with that? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> We'll take a fivem minute recession and then we'll come back for our student board members to get the student board members up for their seats as well. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Everything was muted. Oh, >> that was dead. It's left. It was left on. >> This goes on. We're going to continue with the regular board meeting now. Go ahead, Mr. um Halverson. Dr. Halverson with communications from the superintendent. >> Thank you, board president Suvantes. Uh first thing on the agenda tonight from communications from the superintendent is item 8A. Um we got a really exciting time, the appointment of our student board members for the 2025 2026 school year. So, if both student board member candidates could come up to the podium there,

083and I'm going to read a brief bio about each one of them, and then we're going to go through the oath of office. So, first, let's yeah, let's give them a round of applause. Uh, I had the wonderful opportunity last week to interview both of these candidates after Miss Morales and Miss Walker did the initial screening interviews. Um, and both candidates rose to the occasion, really articulated uh their desire to see East Aurora continue to be a place that's great for all students. They really uh expressed their desire on just their leadership capacities. Both of these students came through our educational system all the way through from elementary through middle to high school. So without further ado, I'm going to give a little bit of an introduction and then we're going to go through our

084oath of office. First, we have Zeon Laalwala who is a senior at East Aurora High School. He previously attended Allen Elementary School and Fred Rogers Magnet Academy. He he Fred Rogers is in the house back there. He has also participated on the chess team, math team, and track and field while also demonstrating strong leadership as president of the science national honors society and secretary of the National Honor Society. He was also selected to participate in the highly competitive preol summer program Dartmouth bound. Congratulations on that. His honors chemistry teacher, Brian Taylor, noted, "He is a great listener and is approachable to all students for ideas, feedback, or just someone to talk to." And his English teacher, Shangillespie, shared, "In addition to being an excellent student, Zeon is a tremendously influential individual." When asked what he

085values most about East Aurora, Zeon said, "Everyone is tight-knit and there and we're there for each other." Zeon hopes to gain valuable leadership experience and be a bridge between the student body and administration while serving as a student member of the board. Let's congratulate Zeon. And in just a second, we're going to go through with the oath of office. Next, we have Elizabeth Carell Moreno. She's a senior at East High who previously attended Dietrich Elementary School and Fred Rogers Magnet Academy. Like many tom cats, Elizabeth's parents, aunts, and uncles are D131 alumni. She has been a part of the student council, math team, bad mitten, and currently serves as a president of the national honors society. She is a QuestBridge college prep scholar who has been been given the tools to get a head start

086on the challenging college planning stages. Elizabeth's English teacher and NHS adviser states, "Her infectious passion elevates the academic environment, and I have no doubt that she will bring that same energy to the school board." Shane Gillespie noted she has a passion for where she lives, the community, and people within it. Elizabeth mentioned her most favorite memory being a Tomcat has to be attending has to be attending sporting events with her friends. Elizabeth hopes to have a meaning to have meaningful discussions as well as to help help tell the student side during her time as a student member of the board. Let's give a big round of applause to Elizabeth as well. And with that, Miss Morales is going to come out to have you guys take part in the oath of office for being a

087student board member. So, it was a pleasure to meet you guys and meet you guys last week. It was really nice to get to know what your aspirations are past high school. Um, so right now we're going to take the oath of office. So, uh, I'm going to read um, and I'm going to pause after I read um, uh, a little bit and then you will answer I do if you agree with what I say. Okay. So I do sle solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of of school board member of students schoolboard member of the board of education of district 131 in accordance with the constitution of the United States the constitution of the state of Illinois and the laws of the state of Illinois to the best

088of my ability I further swear I shall respect and represent east aurora's student interest by serving as a faithful protector ctor of that interest while serving as a student board member. I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow students and others who want to express their ideas to me and I promise to bring those ideas to the board of education for discussion. Welcome. >> Congratulations. Do you mind if we take a picture right up here? They both told me they were going to play rock paper scissors to see who had the first board meeting next. We're waiting, guys. Go ahead. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. Uh, next on the comments from the superintendent, we have our community relations report from Miss Walker. Miss Walker's got a couple awards to

089hand out this evening. >> I'm going to ask my two students to stand. This evening, District 131 is proud to recognize two of our outstanding eighth grade students. Yahira Ferrer from Fred Rogers Magnet Academy and Talen Gaddati from Coward Middle School. They've both been selected as Jack Kent Cook Young Scholars. So, the Cook Young Scholars program is a highly selective five-year preol scholarship for exceptionally promising seventh grade students. It's a mouthful. The program provides comprehensive academic and college advising as well as financial support for school summer programs, internships, and other enrichment opportunities. Through this program, young scholars receive guidance and support to maximize their high school experiences and prepare to thrive at the nation's top performing colleges. Please join us in congratulating both Yah and Talen on this incredible accomplishment and in celebrating their bright

090futures as a part of East Aurora District 131. Sorry. >> Hold on real quick. Ma'am, if you want you can come. You want to come up and get a picture of him real quick? >> Real quick. Go ahead. Go ahead. And for everyone, just to clarify, this is a program that they had to apply to as seventh graders and they go through it from eighth throughout their 12th grade year. So if we have any other upcoming seventh graders, look into the Jack Canook program. Great. Thanks, Continue continuing with the superintendence report. I just wanted to highlight the fact that we're right in the middle of our curriculum nights. We had our middle school curriculum nights last week on uh September 9th. Elementary on September 10th, and those that are in the early learning program, we

091have that open house on September 16th. And then our East Aurora High School and our extension campus is on September 18th. Um so just make sure parents you're looking for that information. I also would like to highlight, I don't have it on the agenda, but our girls flag football team is in their first season at the high school and they're having a great start to the season. Their next game is this Wednesday night um at home against Larkin High School at 5:30. So, I'd encourage members of the audience, members of the school board, if you're available, let's stop by and support the girls in their first inaugural season of flag football. Next on the superintendent report, when we come down to item 82, teacher and administrative salary and benefits report, I just wanted to provide

092a little context for this. Uh Illinois school code requires that school districts share a public report on the salaries and benefits of the superintendent, administrators, and teachers each year. The report provides a look back at the prior year and is designed to ensure openness and transparency. Tonight, we are presenting the administrator and teacher salary and benefits report for the 2024 2025 school year. It is one year in the rear in the board packet and it will also be posted on our district website on October 1st. So, just anformational item. And then finally, um, I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Suentes because we have the motion to approve the FY26 school district budget. >> All right, we'll move on to section 8. C.3. Motion to approve the FY26 school district budget. >> So move.

093>> Second. >> Do we have any questions from anyone? >> All right. Secretary Karol, please. >> Valencia. >> Yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. Olivas, >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. Johnson, >> no. And I will be voting no tonight because I still would say this budget was not properly prepared. We really are a tier one school district and that is really going to hurt district 131 in the future with its drop in enrollments and the fact that now we are a tier 2 school. Something to really be watched. So, I definitely will be voting no tonight. >> Miss Johnson, thank you for that information. I would propose that we have Dr. angle just provide a little update on our movement to tier one. >> We have to finish. >> Yep. >> Offsh. >> Yes. >>

094Okay. So, now that we are done, um it has passed. If you want to just give a a quick update regarding the >> the movement from tier two or excuse me tier one into tier two. Yeah, >> there's obviously the reasons and I have a couple reasons here. So, I just want to give a little bit of background on evidence-based funding. So, historically, the state has tried to fund evidence-based funding with $350 million each and every year of new money with $300 million going towards evidence-based funding and $50 million going towards property tax relief. And this has been going on since 2017. Um, as the board probably knows or may not know, but for FY26, the Chicago public schools had a $700 million budget shortfall. uh CPS receives the lion share of any new funding

095um through evidence-based funding. Also note, please uh note that CPS moved from tier 2 into tier one, moving 87 other school districts, including um if I remember correctly, I want to say 21 out of the 54 LUDA districts out of tier one and into tier 2. Also uh to make note a lot of the tier uh tier one and I went back to 2023 the the adequacy was at 73% then the next year 77 the year following so this is last year for 25 but that's 78%. In 2000 for 2026 the adequacy actually dropped to 75.62 and we were just above that cusp edging us out because CPS needed additional funding. There's also a regionalization factor that went into play um which is caused by it's they call it the com the comparable wage index.

096It's a CWI that was originally done by&m Texas University back in 2017 and then was redone in 2024 by the University of Illinois Champagne uh which gave Cook and Chicago higher indexes for the cost of living within their communities and the Coller County suffered and so did downstate help with the regionalization factors and that's why we ended up moving it to tier 2. It does not have to do with enrollment. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you, Dr. Angel. >> Any other questions? All right, moving on to the So, do we have a motion to approve the following consent agenda as listed? >> So, move. >> Second. >> Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. Oliva, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. Yes. >> All

097right. I believe we have a couple bios or one >> one bio this evening. >> Yes, we have uh one bio this evening >> about that. Hit the wrong button. You hear me now? Pleased to announce um Mr. Carlos um Aentenko as the new public relations and web services coordinator. He is being promoted from his current position as the district's web master and graphic designer. Carlos brings extensive experience in graphic design, digital marketing, and web management, having served as a graphic designer at AMS Performance, Patrick Dealer Group, and Windy City Motorcycle Company. He holds a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design from the Illinois Institute of Art in Shamberg. Carlos, congratulations on your promotion. All right, moving on the agenda with finance and personnel committee with Miss Reyes. >> Good evening everyone. Buenos to

098uh the finance personnel committee met on September 2nd, 2025 at 5:30 here at the administration center and at this meeting um Dr. Michael Engel uh presented us with donations that were received by the district of which the committee agreed that the donations were in order. He also presented presented us with the financial reports for July 2025. There were no questions on the financial reports at that time. Uh he also presented us um with the fiscical year 26 budget um which he noted would be dropping down on the agenda for the action uh during the today's board meeting. Um President Cuentes did have a couple questions. Um and he asked if any changes had been made to the budget since the last presentation to which Dr. Engel confirmed that no changes were made. Um but most

099recent updates were made just a few moments ago. Uh there were some reviews to um press board policies. Dr. Ballard presented those and uh they just majorly included minor language changes, formatting, or legal reference changes as part of the district's 5-year review. Um he did note that policy 750 uh needed a a clause added to the current language provided because it did not reflect legislation that had recently passed. There were no questions at that time. Um okay sir we discussed uh Dr. Ballard also stated a request for one bilingual overload and eight CTE overloads. Uh he also brought up a volleyball memorandum of understanding uh which would be similar to flag football um and it was it would allow boys to play volleyball in addition to the classifications for the assistant coach and head coach.

100Dr. Dr. Halverson noted that there was a little more time for the approval. So, this would go to the full board in comparison to pastus which were on time crunch due to the season start dates and there was no questions regarding that matter. That meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. that night. And we do have a couple action items. 10B.1 motion to approve one bilingual overload and eight CTE overloads for Isora High School. So moved. >> Second. Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> 10. B.2. Motion to approve the memorandum of understanding for volleyball at East High School. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Valencia, >> yes.

101>> Johnson, >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> Zuentes, >> yes. >> Our next finance committee meeting will meet Monday, October 6th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. here at the administrative center. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Uh, moving on to curriculum and programs committee with Mr. Olivas. Good evening, Wardes. Uh we had our curriculum committee meeting uh this evening uh September 15 at 6:00 pm here at the admin center. Um give a minutes of this meeting at our next uh regular board meeting which is October 6th. Our next curriculum committee meeting will be October 20th at 6 p.m. here at the admin center. Thank you. >> Thank you. Moving on to building and grounds committee with Mr. Lshe. >> Yes. Thank you, President. Um we met on September 2nd

102and We talked about Mr. Allen gave an update about all the summer projects and the work that was going to be completed. We talked about the uh first alt the uh extending the contract for the bus company to match the other contract we have. We talked about our facility assessment update that we need. Uh we've postponed the contract with Cortigan and then u Mr. Allen provided us a sample of a uh evaluation of uh one of one of our schools. It was very detailed. Um we talked about the uh updating the web host and it was brought to our attention that we didn't have three bids. So uh Dr. Herson did provide those bids to us. Um so I think that's an action item tonight. Um, we talked about Oak Park gutters and flashing and

103they asked for a request to go out to bid because there are some things that need to be repaired. And then finally, we had a work order summary. Uh, Mr. Allen gave a report about uh where we're at and there's a couple people out, but hopefully they're going to be back soon so we can catch up. But um, seems like that's coming around. Our next meeting is uh, Monday the 6th at 6 PM right here. So we have one action item and that would be get it here. Motion to approve the final site to approve the company called final site as a district's website host. >> So move >> second. >> Any questions? >> All right. No questions. Secretary, call the role, please. >> La, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. Johnson, >> yes. >>

104Reyes, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> Olivia, >> yes. >> All right. Now, moving on to executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation, workers compensation, student discipline, negotiations, and the appointment, employment, performance, compensation, and dismissal of a specific employee. >> So move second. >> Secretary of the RO, please. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> yes. >> Love, >> yes. Yes. >> Yes. There will be action after uh sess executive session. Motion to go back into >> so it >> yes >> I didn't realize realiz he was I didn't realize he wasn't here. >> Who's done? Oh, it's not here. >> He moved. >> Wait a second. I thought everyone was here. >> Oh, there he is. >> It's just motion to go back into open session. >>

105So, say yes. >> Okay. >> All right. We've got a motion. Uh let's see here. Where is it at? Motion 14.8. A motion to approve the memorandum of understanding for the Tomcat Navy regarding the districts and Navy fiscal calendar. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> Secretary, call the role, please. >> Yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> yes. >> Motion to adjurnn. Second. So move. >> Second. >> Secretary call the role, please. Reyes. Yes. L. >> Yes. >> Johnson. Yes. Valencia. >> Yes. Moreno. >> Yes. >> All right.