001Wait till she comes back. We're going to start the July 28th 700 p.m. regular board meeting. Secretary, call the role, please. >> Valencia >> here. >> Sephuentes >> here. >> Reyes >> here. L >> here. >> Olivas >> here. >> Moreno >> here. >> Johnson >> here. >> Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of America to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, we're going to move on to public comment. All right, we do have one speaker. In order to speak at the board meeting, you would have had to sign up before 7 p.m. Respect the three-minute time limit and respect the confidentiality of students and staff. Edgard Hunto Okay. Hello, my name is Edgar Hunes. I'm going into my junior year
002in East High School. And tonight, I'm AC I'm accompanied by other fellow student athletes from Eastora High School. Today, I want to speak to you about starting a boys volleyball program at East Aurora. Volleyball has always been a big part of my life. Both of my older sisters have gone through the volleyball program at East. My older sister is now the varsity assistant coach and my second oldest sister is going to senior year as a player. Their dedication and love for the game have deeply inspired me and my younger sister who now plays for the middle school team at Simmons. Unfortunately, I've never had the chance to play volleyball in school because East Road does not offer a boys volleyball program. Despite my passion for the sport, there simply hasn't been enough space for boys
003to participate. In fact, if you look at the current sports offering at Eastora, there are more teams and opportunities available for girls than there are for boys. While this is great for female athletes, it also highlights an imbalance. Adding a boys volleyball program would not only take away from any existing programs. It would simply bring balance and offer boys the same opportunity to pursue a sport they love just as my sisters have. That's why I'm here today to advocate for change. I believe Easter should give the same opportunity to boys that's already provided for girls. A boys volleyball program would not only benefit students like me, but it would also promote inclusivity, athletic growth, and school pride. We've also taken upon ourselves to start a petition and we've received more than 200 signatures before this
004meeting. However, it is still going and we're fully confident that we'll receive more. I hope that today we can take our first step towards making that vision a reality. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you, >> Edgar and the rest of the student athletes. Thank you so much for your advocacy. We're all about trying to find ways to make sure that our students feel involved, engaged, and belong in school. So, your uh proposal to us is something that we'll definitely take into consideration and see if there's opportunities out there in the future for us. So, thank you so much for the way you handle the situation and coming up to advocate for yourselves as student athletes. We truly appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> All right, we'll move on to communications from the superintendent, Dr.
005Dr. Halverson. >> Sure. Thank you, board president. Uh, tonight we have 4A1, which is the board workshop. I just wanted to make an announcement that on September 10th, 2025 at 6 p.m., we will have a board workshop with the superintendent and the ISA, um, to come out and host a board workshop for us. So, I wanted to make sure that we were all on the same page and we had that date saved. Thank you to those of you who reserve the time with Lisa when she reached out. We truly appreciate it. Next, when you look at 4 A2, we have our back to school fair on August 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. and that's at East Aurora High School. It's a great opportunity for all of our families to come out, celebrate the
006start of the school year together. We have each school in the district with tables there. Uh we have our annual backpack giveaway where we uh hand out supplies to all of our students. Uh just a great uh way to kick off the school year and we'll have a lot of community partners there as well. So, I encourage you all to attend that. And then we have 4 A3 which is the FY2526 budget presentation. And Dr. Mike Angel will go through the budget presentation briefly this evening. Um and then we'll move on to um to the item five motion to approve the consent agenda items after he's concluded. Thank you. >> Absolutely. So uh tonight we're going to go through the FY26 tenative budget. So as you can see here, here's the timeline for it. Uh
007we've gone through the timeline before. Um not much has been updated here. I just want to give a kind of an overview. So, the month of August, we're going to continue to update and refine the FY26 budget. Um, all the federal grants should hopefully be finalized by then. Uh, we will hopefully be receiving that second week in August some additional state up uh updates for evidence-based funding. Typically, it comes out August 15th, August 16th, somewhere in there. So, on the uh next board meeting coming up on August the 4th, we'll have a resolution to adopt the FY26 tenative budget. Um the budget will also go on public display at that point in time uh for 30 days. On the uh September the 15th board of education meeting will have a public hearing and uh we
008will have it as an action item that evening for uh the board to approve said budget. Next slide. So some here are some of the uh assumptions for this year. So the corporate personal property replacement tax is decreasing by approximately 20%. Interest income will remain strong at a four plus percent. Uh state categoricals will decrease by 3% mainly due to transportation and the proration amounts. State categorical payments will be on time assuming all four payments for this year. Uh rollovers have not been calculated into the FY26 budget yet for grants. Um evidence-based funding has not yet been released for FY26 and federal funding at this point in time. There's a $2 million decrease. Um, as of a couple days ago, I want to say last week, Friday, there was a a letter that went out
009from the US Department of Education stating that they were going to be funding Title One, 2, three, and four. Um, we just don't have those amounts as of yet, but that that is coming. Uh, salaries on average have increased by 3.75%. Benefits uh approximately have increased by 8%. Purchase services by three. Transportation across the board is up. both for special ed and regular transportation at 4%. Supplies and materials this year will remain flat and utility costs are both up for natural gas and electric uh per the contract. Next slide. So here is the revenue summary by fund. As you can see the education fund has the largest amount of revenue at just over $196 million making up 74 uh% of our total budget. Operations and maintenance fund at 21.3 million about 8% debt service at
0105.6 6% transportation at 6.3 IM ref and social security at 3.2% 2% capital projects at 2.3 and working cash at.3 for a grand total of 265 million and change. This is a uh representation of breakdown of visual as you could see the big blue section there that's the education fund followed by O andM there in the orange debt service there in gray uh kind of that light orange transportation IMRF that light blue um capital projects the green and then obviously working cash toward the small little amounts there next slide so this is the biggest change from FY26 versus FY25 as you could see uh local sources are are relatively the same. They went up a a slight bit, but the state um really is the majority now with $179 million of funding making up 67.7%.
011If you look at federal um as you guys will remember the the days of ESSER funds and being about 20% of our budget, it's down to 10% of our budget now. So, this is the biggest change there on the federal side. So, this is the expense by summary. As you can see again, uh, very similar to revenue, education fund is our largest fund there. We have $200 million in expenditures. So about 74% of our total expenses come from the ED fund. Operations and maintenance at 7.9 with just a little bit over 21 million. Debt service at 14 a.5 million at 5.5%. Transportation just over 20 million at 7.6. Social Security and IMRF at 6.3 million. and capital projects at $5 a.5 million for a grand total of 268 million. Next slide. Here it is. As
012you guys can see, the ED fund is again threequarters of our expenditure budget followed by O andM at 8%, debt service at five, and transportation at 8. Next slide. So, here's all the expenses broken out by object. Uh the biggest uh object that we have are salaries. Salaries make up 50.5% or just a little bit over 135 million. Benefits at 34.5 million at 12.8%. Purchase services at 50 uh million at 18.8. Supplies materials at 15.3. Capital outlay at 7.2. Other objects including debt service at 24 and then non- capital outlay at 1.2 million for 268 million. So here is the breakdown. As you can see, uh, twothirds of it is made up by salary and benefits there. Next slide. So, in summary, right now we're, uh, we're anticipating a $2.8 million shortfall for FY26. Um,
013it makes up about 1.1%, but keep in mind that this is a working document. As we get more information obviously from the state and federal sources, we're going to keep this up to date and any updates bring it back to you. Okay, any questions? Any questions? >> So, first of all, I'm a little surprised to see a deficit that usually has not occurred in the past, but uh do you expect to see that deficit go away >> in the entirety? Um it depends on what evidence uh based funding comes out with on August the 15th. >> So, we're still a tier one school district, correct? >> We're sliding into tier two. We are we are at that point where we are this last year we were tier two. Um we're just right above that threshold.
014So I'm not sure exactly what the pration amount of new money is going to be in tier 2 versus tier one. Um it also is going to be a reflection of not just our school district but every other school district in the state to see how they've done as well. Um there there's going to be movement and I I don't know what that movement's going to be yet. So, you're not budgeting anything for the torque fund? >> Uh, right now torque coming in, not much. No, >> I think you know that's something that needs to be reflective, but um Okay. So, um and what what do you anticipate with doing with the tax levies and things like that? >> Um the tax levy we would probably go for the CPI of December, last year, December.
015So, just under 3% as an extension, >> just a normal tax levy for this upcoming year because we can't go beyond the CPI and there's not a lot of new growth so far this year. >> Well, you can't go beyond 5%. So, you're expecting 3%. Correct. >> Well, we can levy up to 5%. >> Um, however, we're we're indexed off of the CPI, so it would even if it was at we asked for five, we'd still be at 3% plus any new growth. >> Okay. >> All right. So again, what is the plan to to uh decrease the budget? >> Um, right now there's about a 1.1% difference between revenue and expenditures right now and it's going to be a little bit of belt tightening for this upcoming year and trying to find some uh
016discretionary funds to try to um help balance the budget throughout the year. And I look at it this way. We have 12 months to kind of write the ship. And I think if uh multiple departments just kind of uh do their part, we we can make this up in in the given year. But as of right now and the information that we have from both state and federal sources, this is this is the revenue that we have for the year. >> Well, we never go into a deficit budget. So I think that in terms of our committees, we need to to look at the individual department budgets and see exactly what we're spending money on and then we need to start decreasing those types of amounts also in terms of uh buildings and grounds. What
017what is the major expenditures there that can be pushed backwards or not pushed backwards? So, we have looked at the five-year uh kind of capitalized plan and there is some movement um I want to say with Andy's department there with some windows with some tuck pointing that could be pushed. So, and we're we're just waiting on final decisions for those. >> So, I think that um we do not have deficit budgets. We should not be having a deficit budget. That just does not happen in District 131. So, we just don't start to spend our our money and have a deficit. So, I think that we really need between now and August to tighten that gap and and I'd like to see what that gap is. >> Absolutely. >> So, okay. Any other questions? >> All
018right. We'll move on to the consent agenda. Motion to approve. Can I get a motion to approve the following consent agenda as listed? So moved. >> Any questions? All right, hearing none. Secretary, call the role, please. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> no. And I will be voting no on the personnel report as far as the administrative hires. I uh do believe in climate and culture in our district and um we have viable candidates for those positions. I do believe we should hire those positions. I'm also voting no on the list of bills. So we will discuss that at a later date. >> Yes. >> Sephuentes. >> Yes. >> Olivas. >> Yes. >> Moreno. >> Yes. >> I believe we've got some introductions. >> All right. Um thank you. First
019and foremost, um, we are pleased to announce Miss Britney Walker as the new public relations officer. Thank you, Miss Walker. Miss Walker recently served as communications and community relations coordinator for district 94 in West Chicago. Previously, Miss Walker was campus activities coordinator at the Illinois Math and Science Academy and also served as the college and career readiness coordinator for school district 46 in Elgen, where she was responsible for communications and outreach to increase college access and community engagement. She holds a bachelor of arts in broadcast journalism and radio from Columbia College Chicago. Miss Walker, welcome. Uh, next, uh, we are pleased to introduce, um, Mr. Jeffrey, um, I'm going to Winsk. Did I get that right, sir? Thank you. Uh, as our new uh, school safety and security manager, Mr. Winsk brings extensive experience in
020law enforcement, security, and school safety. most recently served as the safety specialist for the DuPage Regional Office of Education. He has also served as the security manager at Rush CPPley Memorial Hospital and an adjunct professor at North Central College. In addition, he served for 25 years as part of the Aurora Police Department where he served in a variety of leadership roles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology with a minor in business administration from North Central College. Welcome. [Music] All right, we'll move on to curriculum and programs with Mr. Olivas. >> Thank you. We had our uh curriculum committee meeting this evening here at um six o'clock in the admin center. Um our minutes will be shared at our next uh meeting. Thank you. All right, we'll move back up. I
021apologize. I went I scrolled a little too far down. So now we'll go over to Miss Reyes for Finance and Personnel Committee. >> Good afternoon everyone. Buenos to um so the finance and personnel committee um met last July 2025 um at 5:30 here at the administrative center and we went over some stuff. Dr. angle um went over some donation information. Oh, one second. I can't see. Um so, Dr. Angel presented all of the donations received by the district to which the committee agreed that the donations were in order. We went over the monthly financial reports. Again, Dr. Angel presented the financial reports for May 2025. There were no questions on the financial reports and the committee agreed that the financials looked uh in order. And as he did just moments ago, um he also presented
022the fiscal year 26 budget timeline. Um with the dates that he previously um stated after Dr. Engel's presentation of the timeline, uh Dr. Halverson confirmed that there will be no need to conduct an additional board meeting for the budget's approval. Uh we also spoke about a demographic study. Uh Dr. Dr. Engel summarized the purpose of a demographic study which tracks a timeline of births, movement, and enrollment in the district to provide analysis of future enrollments. He continued that this particular type of study is typically performed every 5 to seven years and that after reaching out to a few professional demographers, the district received two proposals, one of which he will be recommending for action at the next board of education. Um, uh, Mr. Cuentes asked if the t asked about the timeline of the last
023study um to which Dr. Angel informed us that the last study was performed around 15 years ago. Um so definitely due for that um we also went over a review of the revisions to the press board policies. Uh Dr. Ballard kindly um stated the policies um and there were some um special attention made to the following um policy 5100 the continuation of updates via IASB press for students that are parents or expected expecting parents who have been victims of domestic or sexual abuse. Uh the re revision to this policy will ensure that training will be available for staff to deal with this population of students. Policy 6150, expansion of home and hospital instruction criteria for students. Policy 6235, adoption of language regarding AI. Per the district's attorney attorneys, there are few options to adopt as
024is, to modify, or to not change at all. Uh Dr. Balor then continued that the administrative team is recommending not to adopt the current language, but instead gather a group of stakeholders to create a more comprehensive plan for language around AI uh to present at a later date. Uh Mr. Cuentes followed up by asking about the timeline of implementing this these changes. Um to which Dr. Ballard responded that as the subject of AI is changing rapidly, the administrative team wants to provide language that is broad enough to encapsulate various perspectives and any changes that might occur. Um Dr. Dr. Halverson then also shared that his team hopes to have the plan completed by January of 2026 as they would like for staff and students to be involved in the process due to the language surrounding
025training for students and staff. Um, and we also did have one request uh for an FTE for a preschool grant secretary. Um, this uh Dr. Ballard stated that the preschool and Jumpstart program budgets have increased by at least 1 million in grant funds. uh which will present an increase in workload for staff. Um as such, an additional secretary will be needed to support the preschool program and that salary will be paid from grant funding. The meeting then adjourned at 5:41 p.m. Um and we do have an action item uh 5B1 motion to approve the demographic study agreement with John D. Casarda in the amount of 19,400. So move. >> Second. >> Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. >> Yes. >> Sequentes, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> no. >> L. >>
026Yes. >> Reyes? >> Yes. Moreno? >> Yes. >> Right. We'll move on to section eight. Uh, building and grounds committee with Mr. All that. >> So, I just want to inform about the next meeting. Um, the finance and personnel committee meeting will meet on Monday, August 4th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. here at the administrative center. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you. All right, we'll move on to billing and grounds with Mr. Lofty. >> Thank you. Um, we met on June July 7th and uh Mr. Allan reported that summer projects are progressing and we completed the Johnson roof and the windows at O'Donnell. The high school air conditioning units have been lifted in place at East and they should be finished on schedule. Career technical center update was given by Mr. Allen that um
027several people from the district including Dr. Amy Engel visited South Elgen High School and Streamwood High School who have similar spaces and Dr. Dr. Amy Engel is working with high school administration to develop the best use for the plan. We're still thinking of um opening fall of 2027, but we're not going to start building it um at least till next spring, but probably next fall. Uh East High School boiler is being removed. Waldo does not have a stage, but money's been slated for that in the IT budget. So, that should is that going to be this for this fall, Andy? Waldo stage or next? >> Yes, we're working on RFP right now for proposals to replace the audiovisisual stuff on the stage because theirs is very dilapidated and older uh nonfunctional in many regards. So,
028we're working on that right now to release soon and see what the proposals come back. We'll bring that back to the committee. >> Cool. Thanks. So, uh Johnson Elementary School um earlier the year earlier in the year the board approved purchase through grant money for a younger age appropriate playground for the jumpstart program. Further grant money has been obtained to include playground equipment and a shade appropriate for six months to toddlers. So that will come back before the board for full approval. Um we talked about KMED monitoring program train's going to help us get into that and it should save us 5 to 15% for the whole district which would be great. Um East High School business lab um IT department has already budgeted for this. So to stay current with technology, we're going to
029improve the um computer lab at East and we had a summary on the work orders and that was it. Our next meeting is August 4th, Monday at 6 p.m. And I don't think there's action item. Motion to We need someone to approve an action item. Motion to approve the purchase of 30 new computers for a high school lab 202 from CDW in the amount of $29,700. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any questions? Hearing none. Secretary, call the role, please. >> Duentes, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Olivas, >> yes. >> La, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> yes. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> All right. I need a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition, student discipline, negotiations, and the appointment, employment performance, compensation,
030and dismissal of a specific employee. >> Some move. >> Second. >> Secretary, call the role, please. >> Reyes, >> yes. >> L, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> yes. >> Valencia, >> yes. >> Fuentes, >> yes. >> Moreno, >> Yes. And there will be action. All right. I need a motion to reconvene from executive session. >> Move. >> Second. >> Secretary call the roll. >> Yes. >> All right. The next item on the agenda. Motion to approve general release of claims by Lisa Keerly Ruff as reviewed in close close session. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? Hearing none. Secretary, call the role, please. >> Yes. >> Motion to adjurnn to move. >> Second. >> Secretary call the role. >> Yes. Yes. >> Valencia. >> Yes. Weird. You can go to