001Okay. Roll call, please. >> Chavis tower >> here. >> Jackson Mason >> present. >> Mora here. Walker >> here. That's been all sent. >> Okay. Any public participation written? >> We ask that the board accept the written correspondence as presented. >> Okay. Get a motion. Mo and Miss W. Roll call, please. >> Hi. Howard. >> I. >> Mason. >> I. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Waford. >> I. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Any public comment, Mr. Burn? >> There is none. Open. We ask that the board approve the minutes of the regular board meeting of February 23rd, 2026, and the close session minutes of January 26th, 2026. The facility meeting minutes of February 23rd, 2026, and the policy meeting minutes of February 23rd, 2026 as presented. Okay, I got a motion. Miss Moore and Miss
002Mason. Roll call, please. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> I. >> Higher. >> I. >> Motion carries. >> Report. Superintendent for the superintendent. No old business. >> No old business. >> The suggested motion is that the board of education approve the accounts and claims payable as presented. There are no questions this month. >> Okay. A motion. >> Miss Mo, Miss Walker. Roll call, please. >> Heard. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. Motion. >> Also, the building rental usage report is provided in your packet for your information. And there's no other business. >> No business. >> Any other new business? Okay. I get a motion to go into close session. Miss Walker and Miss Moore. Roll call, please. >> Walker. >> Hi. >>
003Mora. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> To hi. >> Motion carries. >> Please. Uh, board reports. M. Mason. I do have the meeting recap from the uh March 18th, 2026 governing board meeting. Uh for the record, I am submitting and that's all. >> Yes, we have two done >> and we'll send you a reminder today. silence. I'll make sure not to wait until they go through. >> I sent you a reminder, but I want to tell you 99% of the administrator. Um nothing about public health safety, but I know we do have our PTA um meeting committee meeting coming up I believe April 30th. Um so I look forward to that. >> Any reports to report back? >> Okay. So, a licensed personnel leave of absence. We ask that if the board approve the
004licensed personnel staff's leave of absence requests as pres presented for Jennifer Buckawitz, Jennifer Soverino, Angelina Gorter, and Amanda Campos as presented. >> I get a motion. Miss Walker and Mr. Chavez. Roll call, please. >> Chavez. >> Hi. >> Heard. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. Mora. >> Hi, >> Walker. >> Hi, >> Espinosa. >> Hi. >> Motion carries. >> Licensed personnel employment. >> We ask that the um board employ the following personnel pending all employment paperwork. Trisha Romero, second grade teacher, Jefferson, as presented. >> Good motion, Miss Espinosa and Miss Walker. Roll call, please. >> Espinosa. I >> Walker. >> Hi, >> Mora. >> Hi, >> Mason. >> High Tower. >> Hi, >> Chavez. >> Hi. >> Motion carry. >> Technology specialist employment. >> We ask that the board employ the following personnel pending all
005employment paperwork. Dustin and Nathan. >> Get a motion. Minosa and Mrs. Roll call, please. >> Ktow. >> Hi. >> Chavez. >> Hi. >> Espinosa. >> Hi. >> Walker. I >> Mora >> I Mason >> I >> motion carried. >> License personnel resignation. We ask that the board accept the following resignations as presented. Jose Rivera prek bil by legal resource teacher effective at the end of the 2526 school year. Angelo Tfano, English language arts teacher, North Lake Middle School, effective the end of the 2526 school year. Elizabeth Boaz Monsa, crosscategorical special education teacher at North Lake Middle School, effective March 20th, 2026. Emily Camry, social worker at Whittier School, effective May 29th, 2026. Julianne Dfani, third grade teacher at Sunnyside Intermediate School, effective at the end of the 256 school year. Tracy Davis, fourth grade teacher
006at Riley Intermediate School, effective at the end of the 2526 school year. And Edith Alva, second grade bilingual teacher at Whittier Primary School, effective March 23rd, 2026 as presented. >> I got a motion. Mr. Chavez and Mosa. Roll call, please. >> Misso. >> I. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> High tower. >> Hi. Chavez. >> Yeah. >> Motion car. >> District technology specialist resignation. We ask that the board accept the resignation of Sebastian Rols, District Technology Specialist, Tier 2, effective March 13, 2026. >> I get a motion. >> Miss Moore and Mr. Miss Espinosa. Roll call, please. >> Chavez. >> Hi. >> To. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Espinosa. Uh motion carried. >> I have to read a resolution resolution authorizing non-renewal
007of employment agreement and transfer of administrator whereas Dr. Nicole Spataphor is currently employed as the director of assessment excuse me as the director of special services whereas the board has considered the report of its superintendent and provided Dr. spatterfor an opportunity to respond to the superintendent's report and is determined to renew the current employment agreement between the board and Dr. Spatteraphor and not to re-employ Dr. Spataphor as director of special services effective with the 26 27 school year and whereas the board has determined to transfer Dr. Spataphor to an Illinois State Board of Education licensed teaching position for which he is qualified to hold and to uniformly reduce the salary and compensation for Dr. Spataphor based upon the current collective bargaining agreement between the board and the Berkeley Education Association pursuant to section 2411G of
008the school code effective with the 2627 school year. Now therefore be made resolved by the board of education of Berkeley school district 87 of Cook County, Illinois as follows. The foregoing recital are incorporated into and made a part of this resolution to reference the current employment agreement between the board and Dr. Spatteror is hereby nonrenewed effective June 30th, 2026 and Dr. spatter for shall not be re-employed as director of special services or as an administrator in the school district effective with the 2627 school term and the present employment of Dr. Spataphor as director of special services shall terminate at the end of the 202526 school term. Dr. spat shall be transferred and reassigned to an Illinois State Board of Education licensed teaching position in the school district which she is qualified to hold and her
009salary and compensation shall be reduced and determined in accordance with the then effective professional negotiations agreement between the board of education and the Berkeley Education Association effective with the 2627 school term. The president and secretary of the board are hereby authorized and directed to send to Dr. Spataphor written notice of non-renewal and transfer by certified mail return receipt requested first class mail and personal delivery by April 15 2026 which notice shall be substantially as set forth in the exhibit attached here too. This resolution shall be in full force and effect for upon its passage. Okay. So we ask that the board of education approve the resolution authorizing non-renewal and of the employment agreement and reassignment of administrator concerning Dr. Nicole Spatford as presented. So we need a motion. >> I get a motion Mrs. Chavez
010and Miss Walker. Roll call, please. >> Chavis. >> High Tower. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Walker. Hi, >> Miss Esposa. >> Hi. >> Motion carried. >> We have a notice of suspension without pay and recommendation for dismissal and non-renewal. We ask that the board of education adopt a resolution authorizing the dismissal and non-renewal effective immediately of Camila Isopo Novi who is employed by the board of education school district 87 Cook County Illinois as a full-time firstear probationary teacher whereas the board of education has heard the administration's report concerning Miss Isoko Milvi and has determined that she shall be dismissed effective immediately. and not re-employed for the 2627 term pursuant to section 1022.4 and section 24-11 of the Illinois school code as amended. Now therefore be it resolved by the
011board of education of Berkeley school district 87 Cook County Illinois as follows. The foregoing recital are incorporated into and made part of this resolution. Camilo Isopo Novi is hereby dismissed effectively immediately and shall not be remployed as a teacher in the school district for the 2627 school term. The president and secretary of the board of education are hereby authorized and directed to send said teacher a written notice of dismissal and non-renewal substantially in the form attached here two as exhibit one and incorporated herein by this reference containing specific reasons for said teachers dismissal and non-renewal by hand delivery by the superintendent or the superintendent's designate by April 15th of the 2526 school term. The superintendent or designate shall also deliver a copy of said notice to said teacher by certified mail, return receipt requested by
012April 15th of the 2526 school term. This resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption. All prior resolutions or portions thereof which are inconsistent or in conflict with the resolution are hereby repealed. So, Mr. President, we need a motion that the board of education adopt a resolution authorizing notice of dismissal and non-renewal effective immediately of teacher Camila is both noi as presented. >> I get a motion. Walker and Mr. Roll call, please. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> High Tower. >> Hi. >> Chavez. >> Hi. >> Motion carried. Educational Support Staff Employment. We ask that the board employ the following personnel pending all employment paperwork. Raina Castro, administrative assistant to the director of special services effective April 6th, 2026. >> Get a motion. Miss
013Moore and Miss Espinosa. Roll call, please. >> Walker. >> I. Mora. >> I. Mason. >> I. Espinosa. >> Hi. >> He to. >> Chavez. Okay. >> Motion carried. >> Educational support staff resignation. We ask that the board accept the following resignation. Venia Lobos Diaz, administrative assistant at North Lake Middle School, effective immediately. >> Get a motion. Miss Mo and Miss Extinosa. Roll call, please. >> Mason. >> Hi. Tart. >> Hi. >> Mora. Hi. >> Espinosa. Hi. >> Walker. Hi. >> Chavez. Hi. Motion carried. >> Educational support staff leave of absence. We ask that the board approve the educational support staff leave of absence request as presented for Laura Lauro Ruiz Perez. Custodian Jefferson. >> Get a motion and Miss Walker. Roll call please. >> Chavis. >> Hi Tower. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >>
014Mora. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Espinosa. >> Hi. Motion carried. >> Rehire administrators. We ask that the board rehire the following administrators. Kelly Zimmerman, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Latish Travis, assistant superintendent for human resources. Irene Dashuk, certified school business official, assistant superintendent for business services as presented. to be a motion. Your motion, >> Mr. Chavez and Miss Mason. Roll call to eight. >> Mason. >> I >> Mora. >> I >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Chavez. >> High Tower. >> Hi. >> Minosa. >> Hi. >> Motion carried. >> We ask that the board rehire the following principles. Trace Tracy Bowden staff, Maria Hendrickx, Sunil Modi, Paris Brandon May, Nancy Turra, and Kevin Gowski. I get a motion. >> Miss Mason and Miss Moore. Roll call, please. >> TZ. >> High Tower. >>
015Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Espinosa. >> Hi. >> Motion carried. >> We ask that the board rehire the following assistant principles. Jennifer Bar, Stanley. So, Sharon Urban, Elizabeth Pikes, Tasha Thompson Gray, and Patricia Saltzman. >> I got a motion. >> Mr. A Miss Walker. Roll call, please. >> Espinosa. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> He to. >> Chavez. >> Hi. >> Motion carried. >> We ask that the board rehire the following directors. Laura Henigan, director of multilingual teaching and learning. Joseph Burn, director of educational technology. Marcus Shelton, director of nutrition services. Cara Misanic, director of teaching and learning and John Dathy, director of facilities and transportation. >> Get a motion. >> Miss Mason and Miss Wer. Roll
016call, please. >> Chavis. >> Hi. >> Espinosa. >> I. >> Walker. >> I. >> He tower. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> I. >> Mason. >> I. >> Motion carried. >> We ask that the board rehire Mr. Steven Katy, nutrition services supervisor, and Miss Terresa Gargano, facility supervisor, as presented. >> Get a motion. >> Miss Mason and Miss Roll call, please. >> Esposa. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> I. >> Chavez. >> High Tower. >> I >> Mora. >> I. Motion carried. We ask that the board rehire the following district and school nurses for rehire for the 2627 school year. Paula Lind, district nurse. Barb Allesie, school nurse. Chatavia Winston, school nurse. Danielle Scott, school nurse. Jasmine Martinez, school nurse. And Sophia Milani, district Florida nurse as presented. >> We got a motion.
017Miss Moore and Missa. Roll call, please. >> Mossa. I >> Walker. >> Hi, >> Mora. >> Hi, >> Mason. >> Hi, >> Heidi. Tower. >> Hi, >> Chavez. >> Hi. >> Motion carried. >> We ask that the board rehire the following technology personnel. No Diaz, technology assistant. >> Got a motion. Miss Mason and Miss Moore. Roll call, please. >> Chavez. >> Hi. >> He tower. >> I >> Mason. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Espinosa. >> Hi. Motion carried. >> We ask that the board approve the 2627 student fees as follows. >> So we need a motion. Get a motion. This Mr. Chavez and Miss Mason. Roll call, please. >> Espenosa. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Chavez. >> High towers.
018>> Hi. >> Motion carried. And uh in your backup material, you have a copy of draft number three of the school calendar, which is up for adoption. We ask that the board adopt the 2627 school calendar as proposed and attached to the minutes of this meeting showing the beginning of school is August 17th, 20 26. The ending of school is May 28th, 2027 with 175 days, three institute days, and two all day parent teacher conferences and five emergency days for a total of 185 days. In working with the uh teachers union as we've revised our calendar, an idea came up of working to have the first full day of school be an early dismissal. And the idea behind that is the teachers would like the opportunity to be able to have meetings for school safety
019and also for IEPs on that very first day of school to make sure that they are as informed as they need to be at the start of school. It used to be that our first early dismissal was a few few weeks later. So, we're going to try it this year and we will work together with the teachers and the administrators for good communication. I know I'm spending a lot of time on this, but it's a big deal the very first day of school for our parents, but also our teachers ride the buses home. So, we have to ride the buses home on the first day and come back to be ready for the meetings. But the teachers would like to give that a try. And uh I think it's an innovative idea, especially the idea
020of wanting to meet ahead of time to make sure that we know everything we can about our children. So, I think it's worth a try. So, I'm recommending that we approve the calendar as presented. >> A motion, Miss Mason, Miss Walker. Roll call, please. >> Chavis, I >> Tower, >> I. >> Mason, >> I. >> Warm. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi, >> Espinosa. >> Hi. >> Motion carries. >> And we ask the board approve the fundraiser as presented for the Jefferson Sunnyside MacArthur PTO family paint night. April 24th, Eisenhower Park with Memorial Park in Hillside from 5 to 7 p.m. as presented. >> Motion, >> Miss Mora and Miss Espinosa. Roll call, please. >> Walker. >> Hi, >> Mora. >> I >> Espinosa. >> I >> Mason. >> I >> Heard >> I >>
021Chavez. >> Hi. >> Motion. >> Be very brief with my report. Mrs. Espinosa, as you know, just went to the conference and uh she learned a lot about artificial intelligence. I just wanted to piggyback on that really quick. One of the things that we've been working on here in district 87, we're not using artificial intelligence as much as they are in the colleges and the high schools right now, our students, but it's out there. As a matter of fact, it's becoming sort of permeating everything that you do. If you do a search now on on the internet, AI will pop up. It's uh relevant. It comes up on our phones. It records things on our phones. One of the couple places where it interacts with us in district 87 is one came up just the
022other day. We had a meeting on Panorama, which is one of the databases that we use for attendance and behavior. And uh we had a meeting. I want to say Dr. bikes that might have been sitting with you with the chat in checkout if I'm remembering that correctly. And in Panorama, you have the ability to go in and click now in Panorama and it's closed just to our students. So it it isn't out to the web. It's it's closed and Joe could explain more that meaning it's safe because it has our student data. But you can click a button and it will use AI to tell you based on our behavior reports which of our students would most likely benefit from a check-in checkout. And I thought, wow, that's a really interesting tool with AI
023as you were you were just talking about, Mrs. So there's a a little commercial for AI. >> Do we need to do any updates or policy as it relates to the intent of AI? Uh, not yet, but that's the thing we have to keep watching because it's changing so quickly. >> Agreed. >> But we do have the most current press plus updates and we'll keep monitoring that for a I anticipate something's going to to change with that. But Mr. Burn and I will continue to give updates on artificial intelligence. But it's here. It's here and we're seeing it. And I sent some pictures out the other day in your weekly memo. Here's a nice copy that Mr. Travis brought back for us from the Scotty Awards, which uh hopefully you saw those nice pictures of
024all of our young people who were um able to be rec be recognized by West 40. And then one other thing is last meet last week I met with state representative Norma Hernandez and one of the topics I know you're familiar with representative Hernandez, Mrs. as we know was about school funding and concerns about public education. So I was at that meeting along with some other uh superintendent because she's very concerned as we are about making sure we have stable funding in the future. So just those are just a few updates. Uh unless there any questions that's been just on the AI just um recently we had let go of one of our employees because manipulation utilizing pictures was inappropriate around the rest of other customer. So I think uh just something we need to
025be cautious with our children. >> Yeah, that's a great point, Mr. Chavez. We always have with technology, people use it for things that it isn't intended for. But thank you. >> Okay, that's it. >> Thank you, Mr. Zimmerman. You're up. >> I'm going to piggy back on the AI real quick. So, um, actually, Mr. Bird and I just had a conversation today and we'll be setting up a time for he and I to meet um to talk about what our next steps are in terms of curriculum um because many platforms are now start now starting to integrate that into curricular platforms on how UI um AI can be utilized and so we are going to be talking further about what our next steps may be in the next couple of weeks. Um for my oral
026report, I'm going to keep it very quick. Um it's that time of year again. Our consolidated district plan will be um coming. It's open um through Isby and that's working on the we are working on the plan and I plan on bringing that to the board for recommendation at our next board meeting. As you know, this plan is what outlines how we will support our schools um with continuous school improvement and this is the plan that opens the gate for us to allow to apply for any fed all of our federal grants. So, we will do that next month and we have some wonderful opportunities. Um right now we have a team of um principles and teachers going to u restorative practices certification in um there's 11 individuals actually going to from the restorative practices
027committee and some team leaders. They're going to San Diego to deepen our learning around those restorative practices that we've been working on. It's going to be held at Health and Sciences High led by Corwin. It's going to be April the 20th. Um it's three days. It's um an opportunity for us to use the our grant funds to continue exploring what it truly means to create a sense of belonging in our schools and putting that into practice and helping us continue to build and connect those structures and help um our scholars understand their impact. foster u belonging centered leadership and ultimately develop schools that communicate to every scholar that they matter here. And so we're um very excited to wait to see what they will be bringing back to us to as we continue to build
028that sense of belonging in our school improvement planning. The second piece of that is we also are fortunate enough with um our school improvement plan school improvement funding to be able to send a team this summer to the visible learning conference and I'm calling them my visible learning ambassadors so that they can come back um as well. I believe we have enough funding to send 30 again this year so that it's in Nashville. Um I'll be going with them. That's the conference I went to last year and became certified in to be the ambassador for the district. So, we're my hope is that we'll these ambassadors will come back and work with me to plan continue to plan our professional development um for the next two to three years so that we will become a
029visible learning district and that they will be um supporting all of the teaching and learning teams in the buildings and the school improvement teams to keep deepening our learning around effective instructional practice. businesses. And Camp Berkeley is just around the corner. We're getting ready to roll that out for the summer. I'm delighted to announce we officially have hired two summer school principles for Camp Berkeley. We have Ken Gardner. He is our energetic and creative physical educator from Jefferson and the newly created athletic one of the athletic directors here on the southside. So, we're w looking forward to welcoming him back for his second year as the Southside summer school principal. And Karen Johnson is currently the um inspiring instructional coach for the Riley Raptors and is also serving as our North Side athletic director. So,
030we're looking to see looking forward to her bringing some fresh new ideas to Camp Berkeley. And the teacher application process is officially open. Um, and it will close on April 10th and then we'll work on our NEXT STEPS FOR PLANNING A successful Camp Berkeley. Currently, Dr. Misanic and our fifth graders and teachers are out at White Pines Ranch. She says to me, "It's been a wonderful first day um with the Riley Raptors at our new outdoor experience. They had 62 raptors and 65 stallions sign up, which is above the estimated numbers. They're very excited. Um, they will be participating in some horseback riding and petting the ranch dogs and donkey, Chubs the donkey, and they've been having a lot of fun taking care of the wildlife and animals and doing some team building activities. So,
031I'm excited to see some pictures. She sent us one today. Uh the kids seem to be loving the bunk house and so um they're having a lot of time and fun and they're excited for the night hike this this evening and a campfire this evening. So thank you for always supporting um this amazing tradition. We appreciate that so much. That is the end of my report. >> Good report. Thank you. Glad the kids having a good time. >> Yep. >> Okay. All right. >> Okay. So, in your board packet, the summary of budget, the statement of position and the student activity reports for the period ending February 28th, 2026 are provided for your information. The first item is a request for approval for the - contracts with AT&T and Comcast for the fiscal year 27
032school year. The contracts presented have been reviewed by our consultant and our Berkeley 87 attorney. The suggested motion is that the board of education approve the -ate vendor contracts for the 2026 2027 school year as presented. >> Get a motion. >> Miss Walker and Miss Moore. Roll call, please. >> Chavis. >> Hi. >> Tower. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Menosa. >> I. >> Motion carries. Our second action item is for a three-year contract for landscaping services with Romano Landscaping. The three-year term includes the rest of FY26, all of FY27 and it goes through November of FY28 in the amounts of 20,000 20,800 and 21,600 respectively and it'll be paid in monthly installments for the lawn care season. Uh the contract has been reviewed by our
033attorney and the suggested motion is that the board of education approve the three-year landscape maintenance contract with Romano Landscape LLC for the 2026 2028 seasons as presented. >> Get a motion. Second, >> hi. >> Walker. >> Hi. >> Mora. >> Hi. >> Mason. >> Hi. >> He hi >> Chavez. I >> motion carried. >> Okay. For our my oral report, um for the financial update, we've received most of our the majority of our 2024 tax collections as of March 16th. So, we are almost at 100 or we're about 95%. I've also received confirmation from Cook County today that the first installment of the 2025 levy will be distributed next week as scheduled. Uh, regarding grants, there have been no delays in state and federal funding. The business office continues to meet with teaching and learning
034and special services to re review the financial statements and the program updates. We're monitoring expenditures, budget balances, um discussing any needed amendments and of course ensuring accuracy and accounting and reporting. The next item is um the final insurance renewal rates for TW for FY27 were released on Wednesday and they have not changed sub substantially from the preliminary projections. So there will be an increase of 18.4% for HMO and 19.2% for PO and 3.9% for dental. and they're primarily driven by prescription drug costs, increased hospitalizations, more high-cost claims. Um Dr. Sullivan and I are going to be meeting with um the union presidents and we'll be reviewing these in greater detail to discuss potential plan adjustments. And while we recently concluded the FY25 financial audit seems like just yesterday, planning for the FY26 audit is already
035underway and Joe Cap partner from Baker Tilly should be here next month to present any planning updates. In addition, last Friday is conducted a food service resource management review focused on the financial aspects of the lunch program. And I'm pleased to report that we received a clean review and no compliance findings. Um during the exit conference, the auditor provided several helpful recommendations which Mr. Shelton and I will review for possible implementation implementation for any cost savings that we might be able to to do. Um the facilities department also participated in an assessment review and physical hazard risk assessment conducted by self our workers compensation provider and Dr. Sullivan Mr. Mr. Davyy and I met with the auditor and the review included an evaluation of policies and procedures related to risk management along with walkthroughs at
036Riley and North Lake and the assess this assessment also went well with only a few minor recommendations that Mr. Dy and his team will be addressing. Um Joe Burn, Jesseline Kelly and I met regarding the audiovisisual project for Whittier and Jefferson. If you remember last month, they we tried bidding it out and we didn't get any sub um any bids for the project. So, we are going out for bid again on April 16th and we'll bring back more information next board meeting. And I just wanted to thank you. I completed my coaching for leadership classes. So, I want to thank you all. Thank you. And I just want to thank you for the opportunity to participate. I was very grateful. Thank you. That's it. Any questions? >> Good report. >> Thank you. >> Very good.
037>> All right, Miss Travis. >> All right, our vacancies pretty consistent from last month. Certified staff, seven uh vacancies, support staff, six vacancies, and one districtwide stop. Those vacancies will keep them up for this school year, but we also will open up our vacancies for the 26 27 school year. Miss Walker helped me out with my oral report. Don't forget to complete your statement of economic interest. They are due on May 1st. And then last but not least, Mr. term. I wanted to share I concluded the 2026 education career fair. Um they were amazing this um hiring season. So it was really great. This time I added some pictures. I never take pictures. I was like, "Okay, I'm going to show you what um a few pictures." And so um I added a few pictures.
038Uh the first one at top is uh me at West 40 Career Fair. The second one in the middle is Dr. May at the University of Illinois and Eastern Career Fair that partnered together. And then the third one here is at Lewis University Career Fair. The bottom, Miss Sausman was with me, but I did capture a picture of her, but this was a future teacher who was a friend of one of our teachers and she came to meet me. And that's at Illinois State University Career Fair. This middle picture here is from the University of Illinois and Eastern Career Fair. Those were the candidates. I was able to capture them as they got ready to come into the uh career fair. And then at the bottom again was our West 40 career fair. It was
039um two weekends ago had a really great turnout. It was one of the best West 40 career fairs um that we've uh participated in. And then the next slide, Dr. B, Mr. B. Community shows are um the universities and organizations that we partner with for the career fairs. Um I've shared most of them. The one I didn't uh know uh tell you about was National Lewis. They had two virtual career fairs that I attended. And then also ISPA, the Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators. They have three virtual career fairs. I participated in two this career affair season. So about 11 uh career fairs we participated in and I can tell you all of them had great attendance. That's the first time in a long time where each one of them I was uh very
040excited and I have to share a personal story. I kid you not at each career fair. The first or the second candidate I met the first name was Grace. Each one of them I could not believe it. I was like, "Oh my goodness." At every career fair, the first or the second candidate's name was Grace. I said, "So," and then something I say, "I give grace." And I said, "I don't know." The universe was speaking to me. But, and I told each one of them, they was like, "No way." And I was like, "Everybody," and it was so noticeable and I was like, "Oh my goodness, let's see if it continues to happen." It continued to happen. >> So, that was amazing. So, >> we're a blessed community. Yes, we are. Yes, we are. But
041I really have um high hopes for this uh hiring season, a variety of candidates. So, I am excited and I really hope we can really have zero to just a couple if any vacancies, but I'm hoping for zero vacancies right now. >> Good for you. Good job. >> And that's the end of my report. >> Good report. Thank you. Okay, Dr. Mford, you have >> um so nurse Lynn uh was able to get that stop courses for our staff going and we had um March 1st was our first course and what was really nice is a lot of our custodians um came to that course which I think and agree too that it's really important for our custodial team to have that training and first aid and stop them leave because they're working alone sometimes.
042Um so that was great. Um they were a wonderful participant. It was really fun. Um, so that was our first um try doing the stop and lead course and we're going to be looking working with Elmer to have more of those ongoing and give more staff opportunity to do it hands on and do that together. Um, for preschool we had family events on March 13th. Actually, you could probably talk more than I could. >> Right. >> Exactly. I can't share that. I was actually in Louisville at the Cosmo conference, so I wasn't there right now. I'm sad about that. >> That's okay. So each of the schools had um family events for um their schools. Um Jefferson had a cyber discussion with the B police department, the library and you know came together for that.
043And then Jefferson, do you want to share with Miss family singing event? And we had uh senior come out farmer um and she did songs with our um families. And we also had Dr. Marcus bring his intern and they did a nutrition event and shared um information about proper nutrition and breakfast for our family. So it was really nice and we had a lot of people. So it was really good. um special education Berkeley 87 as of this school year so far has welcomed about 40 children with special needs that moved into our district. There has been positive feedback from um personalized coaching visits um with our teachers um with Caitlyn who is an ARC um consultant. Dr. Dixon has also um been working with us and Dr. Dixon we've got really good feedback from
044our professionals. She's been doing we have those early service days. She's been doing um professional development specifically for the parapros and feedback has been very positive. Um we did give a memo, I'm not sure if it was in your packet or not, the staffing memo that we give to um the PACE cooperative um requesting some more support for our multilingual coordination services. And we also uh put in the request that there is a BCBA which is a behavior like consultant who would have um trained technicians under that umbrella. And we asked PACE to really look into considering having an ECBA not just for Berkeley 7 but that would be supportive for the entire co-op. And so working with Mr. James and Miss Cohen on how that can be structured and how that can work and
045it's very very positive um support that our students especially our students who might be on the spectrum they have different types of behavior supports that are needed. So looking very much forward to working with PACE on that behavior um support there. Um the coordinators and I have been participating what's called the cyclical monitoring process. We just got our final review just back today actually. Um so the special education coordinator has been working really um that getting feedback from ISBY and then making different suggestions and corrections and putting that back. So we've been in that process and been going very well. Good feedback. Um the coordinators and I have also been meeting because um we do need to have a district intervention plan. Um there's a committee that's um comes together as a board to review
046the behavior intervention plan. So we've been getting feedback again from our own staff getting feedback from other districts and how they implemented their plan. So we have a draft that is together and we're going to review that on Friday and then bring that back um to Dr. Sullivan and the board so we can have a behavior committee um behavior intervention plan committee um draft for you. Um and the team has some other proposals that they are looking at. We're reviewing those on Friday. We have some things to give Dr. Sullivan um just some ideas for the future that we would like to propose. And then for safety, the annual safety meeting we are proposing looking at the end of April for everyone to meet. Um we've been reviewing our needs for bullying reporting. Currently, um
047we use safe to help and we have our own um processes and policies and procedures. Um but given some of the feedback from this the staff that we've been working on um and then some of my colleagues, we're going to look at tweaking our reporting processes and investigations. Currently, we do use our Navig 360 platform which is wonderful and helpful for all of us to share, but we're taking a look at um some ideas we're getting from some of the new guidance that's come out from ISBY last year. some um things some of my colleagues are using at their districts to kind of make a little more seamless process, something a little easier for our principles and assistant principles and social workers and counselors who do a lot with that polling process to have something
048a little more easy for them to work with and also something that's very accessible for our families if they need to report anything. So, we're looking into tweaking that process and >> good update. Thank you, Dr. P. >> Um, I have a couple of things. Um, one thing, the last time I reported out, I think it was about the, um, primary role within the kind of special ed world and they had done a survey, seeing where our primary staff was and their viewpoints just on where their role was with our special education scholars. And so we kind of took that a step further um and extended that to all of our staff three to eight. So we got those results back and we were able to kind of analyze that and bring it back to
049our special education task force at our last meeting um a couple of weeks ago. And what was interesting in those results is that they were very similar to what our primary staff um but that essentially our special ed staff really know what they're doing but where we're seeing we have some gaps of where people's roles are being defined and so whether that's related service or whether that's a gened teacher and how their role meshes with that the special ed teacher and that was really good information for us to start to see because then we can start to see where do we need to provide training, where do we need to provide professional development, where do we need to provide clarity so that people know where to work with our scholars. The issue wasn't in crosscat
050as much or kind of the self-contained rooms, but when we're looking at our scholars that are in inclusion, right? And so it was just a lot of a lot of data, a lot of information, but it was really good and we got to see the district-wide picture now in K. So that was awesome. Um then on a different note, if we just bring it to Whittier, um actually not not just to Whittier, to your side. Um I'm excited to announce that we're getting ready to prepare for like the end of the year. We're using our teacher vacancy grant um very wisely and we're planning to celebrate all of our staff. Um so we're having our second annual um north side showdown putting all the final touches in for that so that we can celebrate all
051of our staff between Lydia Riley and North Lake. We combined um an event last year and it was a huge success. So we're going to do it again this year and get everyone together. So we're really looking forward to that. That's it. >> Good report. Good job. >> Yes. So, as you all know, spring break is coming up. So, I'm excited about that because the time that we're able to get stuff done. Um, so during the break, I have custodian team conducting a comprehensive deep cleaning of all of our buildings, including disinfecting and sanitizing all services to ensure they clean and safety um for our staff and to return upon return. So, let's see. Okay. >> Dr. Modi, >> um, we just wrapped up our FA assessment readiness testing. Uh, our scholars took both the
052math and courses. I think we'll get initial results sometime in June and then a final result in October. So, can't wait to share the good things with you. Regarding our testing, um, I got to give it out to this is our last athletic team event that happens. It's a girls soccer. And I'm going to say they by far the toughest athletes because they practice outside no matter what the weather is. This is not air conditioned, not heated. And so they've been out for the last couple weeks. They had their first game last week. Varsity lost two zero, but JB won. So um they are tough as nails and they're out short practicing outside the field. >> Wow. >> And it's hard out there. So uh congrats to them. Um, I'm saying this, I know it's
053far away, but it's close, but we are meeting with our parents at North Lake Middle School for the next few weeks to pass out our caps and gowns and our graduation tickets. So, that's coming up. So, the year's wind down pretty quickly for our eighth grade scholars. Um, we are excited about spring break. It starts in uh about 96 hours, but no one's coming. Uh, and then, you know, we're going to come back and finish the year strong. So, we're excited about that. Lots of good things happening. We're inviting you to graduation on May 28th at 5:30 at Provis West High School. I think this year North Lake is first qualified. >> Thank you. >> Anything else? >> That's it, >> David. Yep, sir. >> All right. Uh, so our maintenance team, they continue to
054perform at a very high level. um they've been completing on on average about 80 work orders a month. Um pull that data from the work order system that we put in uh place um earlier this year. Um and those are also in addition to you know responding to any ongoing emergency calls. There's a water leak here, water leak there, things like that. Um so they're being really efficient with their time and the response has been been really great. um over spring break and we'll keep talking about it. Um the at our third the maintenance team is going to remove um the affected section of the gym floor in between the locker rooms. Um so we're going to do that to try and further investigate where the source of moisture is coming from. Once they remove
055that, we're going to put a couple of fans on the floor, try and dry it out. Um, and then we're going to put a couple of layers of plywood back on the floor so it's a smooth um surface and hopefully stop having the warping continue out um the rest of the floor. Um we're doing this as a you know proactive step um and we'll ultimately get the floor um this summer especially once we determine where the the source of that moisture is coming from. Uh a couple of weeks ago we had an issue with a piece of duck work on one of the air handlers over at Jefferson. Um I had our the control team precision. I had them pull all this sort of data from about two months prior um so that we could
056try and determine what caused the dump to kind of collapse and shrink on itself. That shouldn't have happened. Um so we're trying to get that figured out. Um and then between RO and Advanced Mechanical, they're reviewing all that data. Um and then once they determine, you know, what happened, we're going to have the work in place so that it doesn't happen again. >> Was this >> Yeah, it was on one of the on that got a couple years ago. It was our weekend building checks. Um, so we've been all kind of scratching our heads as to why. Um, but with all the data that precision was able to send over to us, both somebody answers to why that dump work collapsed the way that it did. Um there's a potentially a some sort of a
057stuck damper or a command issue with the damper and then one of the exhaust fans turned on that just that came up with a a plan and getting some pricing for um some safety enhancements for all of our classrooms and office spaces throughout the district. Um the ideas that I have for this uh have been proposed by the entire administration team. U more details um I'll be sharing that as part of the planning process. Um Dr. Molly talked about soccer starting up. Um, our maintenance team has been painting the fields the last couple of weeks uh for the soccer teams and I'm going to be working really hand in hand with our landscaper this summer and throughout the spring um to try and keep the field as nice as possible for as long as possible.
058Um because it's towards the end of the boys soccer season, we were starting to get a lot of dirt areas and just the heavy use on that field. So, we're trying to be as proactive with it as possible to extend the the life of the grass and do whatever we can to keep that field as nice as we possibly can. So, you're going to be able to rotate your field or No, because North Lake has a a field behind their school. Um, but it's a little bit smaller. Um, and the field over here is where it's at. We can't move it anywhere else on the property. >> Okay. So, the configuration is what it is. >> Yeah. It just it's one of those it fits perfectly right where it's at. Um, which is good. Good
059and bad, right? It's great. And we have that space. Um, but yeah, we don't have much flexibility when it comes to trying to move move any of the field. So, uh, the at the last board meeting I brought up how we have some changes coming transportation wise with Westwood being acquired by first student. Um, I'm going to be sending out a communication to the administrative team and the families um to let them know of some of these changes. The drivers are not going to be changing. However, in the coming weeks, they're going to start wearing high visibility vests that have the first student name on them, not West Richley Vans. Um, so just to try and alleviate any confusion and try and get ahead of the game. Um, going to send something out to everybody
060over the summer is when they're going to rebrand all of the buses from Westway or Richley Vands to First Student. Um, so just trying to get ahead of the communication game. Um, when it comes to the transportation stuff, we don't want people to be second guessing. They're going to see, you know, Westway on the bus, but then first student on the vest. So, just so that they're all aware. Um, over break, we're also going to have the RPZs worked on, which are the backflow preventtors to try and keep our water as nice and clean as we can and not have any contaminated water get pushed back through the systems. Um, we had a couple of devices that need a little bit of work. So, best time to do that over spring break so we can
061shut the water out. Um, and then we're also scheduling some mechanical work. to the chiller at MacArthur and Sunnyside and Jefferson. Um, we had some issues that were found during a recent inspection by Johnson Controls who does our preventative maintenance on the HBAC systems for us in the district. Um, and it's just a a great thing that we have to have a company come in and do our preventive maintenance for us to try and really get down into the nitty-gritty with some of the equipment so that they can report back to us any, you know, deficiencies with the equipment, anything that they see that's broken so that when we do need to clean equipment to start up, you know, in the coming weeks, um, that everything will be working properly for us and for the
062students and staff. Uh so that's all I got for you guys. >> Good report. Thank you. >> For the uh transportation, are we having any impact related to the increase in gas prices? >> Not that I'm not the owner set up. We >> we have one more year with them and it was a set a set percentage to go up. But in terms of the fuel, is there any stipulation contract that based on certain amount of increases that they're able to pass out or >> I don't think so. I don't think I saw anything like that. >> Are you anticipating? >> Oh, you're seeing a 40% increase in fuel and I don't see that reducing anytime soon. Yeah, >> I don't know what our contract states. >> I will have to double check that. I'm
063not sure. Um I know in the past we've used to have fuel charges added occasionally, but I don't think it was with this this contract. >> I'll double check though. >> How's your experience with? >> They've been good. I didn't know that they had an entire service side. Um I was just controls is the controls side. Um, but the technician that they always send out, he's extremely knowledgeable, really knows this stuff. Um, which is a a great asset, you know, to us. So, I've been really active with them for my customer. Okay. >> Yeah. So, I I I facilit Okay. Yes. Burn, you up, a lot of soccer talk tonight. So, uh, I wanted to communicate that I'll be coaching my 5-year-old daughter. So, call upon me. I stand ready. Um, so I met with
064the schools today, the administrative team and the office team to talk about our residency verification process. This year um we again use the clear system that's where we upload our famil family's addresses into a database. It results in a score on the confidence level that the guardians the address that they provide to us. Um and that helps us not have to verify the residency of all of our families. It's very time consuming. So we narrow it down to a small percentage. Um, so we reviewed that process today as well as a Skyward custom form that we created that um, hopefully will make the process a little easier and more efficient for our schools. We'll be opening up returning student online enrollment April 1st to get our families registered for the next school year as well
065as new student online enrollment. Um, and then you approved uh the database and systems specialist hire pending paperwork. Um, so I am very excited about that person, Dustin, starting next week. Um, and then we are interviewing for Sebastian Rolex's position. He took a position at another company recently, so we're hiring from that and we are excited to um get a replacement for that position. So that is the end of my report. Report. Thank you. Thank you. >> Any questions from anyone? No questions. When the next board meets, Miss >> April 22nd, >> right, guys? >> Seven. >> Next week, we start our spring break. We're going to have a safe spring break. If you're going out of town, be safe and enjoy. Okay. I get a motion to join. >> We got a consensus. Thank
066you very much.