001Good evening everyone. We're going to start the a uh July 7th school board meeting at 7 p.m. We'll start with roll call. Valencia here. Suentes here. Reyes here. Lash here. Olivas absent. Moreno here. Johnson absent. Okay. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, we'll move on to public comment. Thank you. In order to speak at the board, you would have had to sign in before 7 p.m. Respect the 3minut time limit, respect the confidentiality of students and staff, and keep comments appropriate. Merl Herren. Hello, my name is Merl Herren, 723 Bank Street, Aurora, and um here's a a resident and a four-time
002over taxpayer and a maintenance mechanic here with the school district. And that's uh the point I'm addressing now. Um by the way, I'm looking forward to working with uh with Andy Allen um leading our department. I think we're have some good stuff going on. um it's take a little while to change things and um and so I would like to say that um for our billing grounds committee meeting we always do a uh review or you know statistics of the work orders well they're a little skewed because I have a list of 56 and now 57 as of recently so things are still the same is of of work orders that I've listed and just verbal work orders that haven't been rendered into print form so um they're not reflected in your statistics it's pretty
003common um but I just want to make you guys aware that um several emails to request these but uh they that goes unanswered and that's that's pretty standard operating procedure. I'm looking forward to a change with that. Um in fact tomorrow I have a meeting regarding work orders. So I'm hoping to address that. So but but for right now your statistics are a little off and thank you. All right, we'll move on to communications from the superintendent, Dr. Halverson. Thank you, board president Suentes. First, we have our community relations report, and we'll have Miss Yelinowski come up, and this will be Miss Yelinowski's final report. So, I'd like to give her a round of applause as she's coming up to the stand here. Microphone. There we go. Thank you again. Um I guess I'll go
004on with what I was going to say at the end. Um as he said, it's my last board meeting and I'm really grateful, really grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve this incredible community. And I want to thank each and every past and current board member, all the incredible leadership, principles, staff, my teammate Carlos, and every single person that I have met and worked with at Easter School District 131 for everything you've done. I mean, for me, and the district is truly blessed to have talented people like you that truly care about the success of the district, district 131 students and their families. And my most memorable moments are the ones that showcase our incredibly gifted and talented students. They have so much to offer this world. There is so much to be
005proud of in our district and to celebrate. And I'll never forget when WG&TV's news anchor Luluare was so excited to meet our three graduates going to Harvard after their interview. She told me how intelligent, kind, and respectful they were and that they will definitely continue to accomplish great things. And I don't want anybody to forget that there's so much, you know, that our students are doing. And I'm again, I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to share these and many other academic achievements. And and I know that there will be more great stories to share with the world about our students and staff. As a class of 1982 Easter High School graduate, my heart will always be here because once a tomat, always a Tom Cat. So, thank you guys. I'm going to cry. Okay,
006I'm going to try not to cry. Now, something very important that we're going to do, we're going to present someone who's done a lot also for our community. Parent involvement plays an important role, as you know, in academic achievement and empowering students to reach their full potential in our district. Many of our parents are making a positive difference, including our very own board president, Juan Ci Fuentes, as a parent himself of a student in our district. Um today we would like to recognize another very dedicated parent, Lilana Lily Olio and if she can come up and Rita Dr. Guzman as well. Uh she served as the East School District 131 bilingual parent advisory council president for three years and her daughter just graduated from Easter High School. Congratulations. Liliana was selected to be part of
007the Illinois State Board of Education bilingual parent summit committee for the 2024 2025 school year where she provided input on how to improve the annual statewide summit. The summit provides a rich mix of information about issues of critical importance to parents from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds. Top speakers are joined by experts and panels on such topics as pathways to academic success and has parental participation in schools, bilingual education programs, and so much more. So, on behalf of District 131 and the Illinois State Board of Education, thank you, Liliana, for your commitment to helping parents, students, and educators in our community and across Illinois. Here are these Do you guys want to be a part of it too? Thank you. And remember, if you need anything, just let me know. Okay, guys. Thank you once
008again, Mr. Melnowski. Really appreciate all your hard work. Thank you again. Um, next, I want to provide some district updates for the summer. Um, we've been working hard this summer on both our school improvement plans and our department improve improvement plans to get us ready for next year, both as building leadership and district leadership. Uh, so a lot of hard work's going on for the summer planning for this next school year. Um, so even though the summer time is typically a little bit of a slower pace, we're hard at work continuing to progress and move forward for what we need to run the district for the next school year. I also want to provide an update on summer school. Um, now that our attendance is in, we finished up July 3rd was our last day.
009We had 403 students attend preK through 8th grade programming. We had 411 high school students participate in credit recovery. And to date, we're up to 40 summer grads for our summer graduation, which will be held held July 16th at Aurora University at 6 p.m. Um, and that number will continue to climb as we finish up the year. So, just a lot of hard work going on this summer, both from our summer staff, um, our admin teams, and just the district as a whole. So, I wanted to highlight that. And with that being said, I will turn it over to action action or to, uh, the item number five. All right. Motion to approve the following consent agenda as listed. So moved. Right. Secretary, call the role, please. Yes. Reyes. Yes. Moreno. Yes. Johnson. Yes. All
010right. Moving on to finance and personnel committee with Myra Reyes. Good evening everyone. Buenos toos. Um earlier today at 5:30 we had the uh finance and personnel committee. at 5:30 and um we went over some uh sorry the next meeting the next meeting is scheduled for August 4th uh here at the administrative at the administrative center at 5:30 p.m. And we do have some um action items that we need to um approve that were discussed at the last board meeting. Um, so a motion to approve the following revisions to IA IASB press board policies 1 A through 1 S as listed. So move second. Secretary call please. Sorry. Yes. Valencia. Valencia, yes. La, yes. Moreno, yes. Johnson, yes. Reyes, yes. Before we move on to the curriculum and program committee, um we're gonna have Dr.
011Ballard introduce some of our new staff. Um that was to go on one section earlier. We kind of skipped ahead. So, I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Ballard for some bios for our new staff members to East Aurora. those are that are new to different positions. Thank you, Dr. Halverson. Uh we have several this evening, so I will try to keep them brief. Um we have a couple to go through. Um first, we are pleased to introduce uh Miss Aalia Hernandez as our new elementary assistant principal. U Miss Hernandez, would you stand please? Thank you. Uh, Miss Hernandez brings 17 years of experience as an educator with a strong background in bilingual education. Most recently, uh, she served as a fourth grade dual language teacher at BB Elementary and Lakewood Falls Elementary. She
012holds a principal endorsement from Roosevelt University, a master's in dual language teacher leadership from National Lewis University, a master's in curriculum instruction from the American College of Education, and a bachelor's in education from Roosevelt University. Congratulations and welcome. Next, we are pleased to reintroduce uh Miss Adrien Espinosa Zamora as the new assistant principal at Waldo Middle School. Miss Espinosa Zamora brings over 15 years of experience in education and is being promoted from her current position as a language acquisition services coordinator. She has served as a teacher, bilingual coordinator, department head, and administrator at both the middle and high school levels. She holds a master's in educational leadership with a principal endorsement from Aurora University, a bachelor of arts and education with Spanish K12 and ELLL bilingual endorsements from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Again,
013welcome and congratulations on your new position. We'd like to reintroduce uh Miss Melinda Thompson as the new director of special education uh for East Aurora District 131. She is being promoted from her current position as the assistant director of special education. Miss Thompson brings over a decade of experience in education with a strong background in special education leadership and compliance. She served in a variety of roles including special education teacher, pair professional, and central office administrator. Miss Thompson holds a master's in educational leadership, a master's in special education, and a bachelor's in elementary education from Lewis University. She is currently pursuing a doctor of education and organizational leadership with an emphasis in special education from Grand Canyon University. Congratulations on your new appointment. Next, we are pleased to reintroduce Dr. Katrina Dorsy as the new
014executive director of elementary special special education. She is being promoted from her current position as the director of special education. Dr. Decey brings over 25 years of experience in education having served as a classroom teacher, a private preschool director, special education resource teacher, ESY supervisor, and special education coordinator. Dr. Uh Dorsy holds a doctorate in special education, a master's in special education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a master's in educational leadership from National Lewis University, and a bachelor's in elementary education from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champagne. Dr. Dorsey, congratulations on your appointment. Next, we are most pleased to uh reintroduce Miss Paula Cardona as uh the new executive director of information systems and chief information officer. Miss Cardona is being promoted from her current position as the assistant director of information
015and school systems. Miss Cardona brings over a decade of experience in the education sector, including more than 11 years of dedicated service to East Aurora District 131. Miss Cardona holds a bachelor's degree of science in electronics engineering with a minor in telecommunications, a master's degree in networking and communications management from the Keller Graduate School of Management at Dev University, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in leadership and supervision at Lyola University. Miss Cardona, congratulations on your new appointment. Next, we are pleased to uh reintroduce Mr. Walter Orelius as the new principal of Allen Elementary School. Mr. Oelis is being promoted from his current position as the assistant principal at Waldo Middle School. During his career, he has served as a teacher, dean of students, and an assistant principal. He holds a master of arts and
016school leadership from Concordia University, a bachelor of fine arts and secondary education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Congratulations on your appointment. Thank you. And next we'll move on to our curriculum and programs committee. Yeah, Mr. Soul is absent. So, we'll have Miss Vana give up give the update, please. Good afternoon, everyone. Was um the committee meeting was held at the administrative center and was called to order at 6 pm. Uh the principal at Rollins Elementary School, Juan Corona, and the assistant principal, Stephanie, provided their improvement plan for the school year. They reported the students met their projected growth target in math, English reading, and Spanish reading. Um, they also discussed the average daily attendance rate of 93%. They provided goals for their school to increase the average attendance rate as well as how
017this will be accomplished. Um, they also mapped out their growth goals by winter for both reading and math. The principal for Gates Elementary School, Fatima Vayestto, and assistant principal Christa, shared they also met their growth rates for English and Spanish combined as well as in math. They reported having maintained an average daily attendance rate of 90%. Um, some goals that they set for Gates includes an average daily attendance rate of 95% um by winter, implementing and documenting leadership team meetings as well as meeting or exceeding growth goals in reading and math. The assistant superintendent for curriculum instruction and assessment, Dr. Amy Engel, and Miss Jennifer Mitchell, East Aurora High School's principal and director of high school programming, introduced and revised the grading system. Um, they both uh explained how the previous grading system was calculated
018and the new grading system now ensures a more accurate way to reflect student learning. Dr. Amy Angel along with Nikita Stewart spoke of the post-secary and career expectation framework. Its purpose is designed to guide students through key milestones in college and career planning. The district was required to publish their framework for middle school and high school students by July 1st of 2025. Uh the district aims to continue enhancing its career pathways and industry certification opportunities for students. Dr. Amy Engel along with Dr. Rita Guzman proposed the dual language coaching support comprehensive plan. The initiative includes 52 days of classroom observation, feedback, modeling, and coaching led by Dr. Mercury and her team of consultants. They discussed coaching strategies and how it aligns with the district's strategic goals as well as builds on partnership with Dr. Mercury's
019team. Teachers, district administrators, and building administrators will receive support during a time frame. um during that time frame. Uh the total cost is of 182,000 and it's funded through title 3. Um this will be an action item. Dr. Amy Engel spoke of the skills for success course which will allow for 42 minutes of lunch and 42 minutes of instruction during the block schedule under the partnership with the Aurora Fire Museum and Kids Matter partnership. The course is designed to equip 300 9th grade students with essential life and career skills. The district will hire instructors and partners with both community organizations to offer training for first aid AED and Red Cross CPR along with youth mental health and first aid. The partnership will deliver national recognized credentials to support college and career readiness. This cost is
020of 93,500 and will be funded through um title 4. This also will be an action item. Dr. Amy Engel discussed the partnership with the boys and girls club. It per its purpose is to provide structure in afterchool programming by supporting students with the safe environments academic assistance and enrichment activities. The program would run from 3 to six and this would be funded through grants of sliding skill model um with 80 to 85% of students attending for free. This supports the district's strategic goal of equity and student achievements. This will also be an action item. Dr. Amy Engel requested approval to purchase backpacks and school supply kits to distribute at the annual back to school fair on August 9th. Um the initiative aims to ensure students begin the school year prepared and confident. The event serves
021as an opportunity to connect families with community resources. Uh this year's request includes additional kits to meet growing demands. The total cost is to not exceed 65,000 and will be funded through title one. This is also an action item. The calendar for the school year was also shared with the board as well as the curriculum committee dates. This will be an action item as well. Um the is it flees material needs less? No action on the calendars. I take it back. Um, is it the FLUS? Okay. The FLUS material needs disposal as it no longer will be offered to fifth graders as the dual language program now includes fifth grade. This is an action item. Perfect. Um, and as of May 30th, uh, 12,248 students were enrolled and the district average attendance rate was 84.62%.
022All right, I will read off the action items um, under the curriculum committee. So the first one 7B.1 motion to approve the partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Illinois for the 2025 2026 school year. So moved. Second. Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. Love, yes. Reyes, yes. Johnson, yes. Moreno, yes. Valencia, yes. 7B.2. Motion to approve the partnership with the Aurora Fire Museum in the amount of 55,100 from Title 4 funds. So moved. Second. Any questions? Secretary, call the RO, please. Puentes, yes. Valencia, yes. Moreno, yes. Reyes, yes. Johnson, yes. 7B.3. Motion to approve the partnership with Kids Matter in the amount of 38,400 title 4 funded. So moved. Any Yep. Do we have a second? Second. Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. Moreno, yes. Valencia, yes. Suentes, yes. Johnson,
023yes. Reyes, yes. 7.4. Motion to approve the purchase of back to school backpacks and supplies not to exceed 65,000 title one f uh funded. So move second. Any questions? Secretary Car roll please. Johnson. Yes. Valencia. Yes. Reyes. Yes. La. Yes. Seees. Yes. Moreno. Yes. 7B.5. Motion to approve the resolution for disposal of personal property, outdated flesh and discovered materials. So moved. Second. Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. Valencia, yes. LE, yes. Johnson, yes. Reyes, yes. Moreno, yes. All right. On to building and grounds with uh Mr. Lshe. Yes. Thank you. We had a board meeting tonight at 6 o'clock and our next board meeting is Monday, August 4th, right here at 6 o'clock. Um, we have I'll do the what we talked about next month, our next Yeah. So, we have two action items.
024The first is uh we need a motion to approve the purchase of preschool playground equipment, pour and play surface and sun shade for students 6 to 24 months at Johnson School from Game Time in the amount of $81,7529. So move second. Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. Johnson, yes. Suentes, yes. Valencia, yes. L. Yes. Reyes. Yes. Moreno. Yes. And we need a motion to approve the bid for the demolition of the South Boiler at East Aurora High School to Kfax Corporation in the amount of 44,800. So moved. Second. Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. Tuentes? Yes. Valencia? Yes. L? Yes. Johnson? Yes. Moreno. Yes. Reyes. Yes. All right. I need a motion for uh to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation and the appointment, employment, performance, compensation, and
025dismissal of a specific employee. So moved. Second. Any questions? Secretary, call the role, please. Reyes? Yes. Johnson? Yes. L? Yes. Valencia? Yes. Seees? Yes. Moreno? Yes. We do have there is no action after uh executive session. All right. Motion to go back into open session. Second. Secretary call the role. Yes. Motion to adjurnn. So move. So second secretary call the role. Yes. Moreno. Yes.