001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> [music] [music] >> Mhm. >> [music] [music] >> Good evening and welcome to the May 11th, 2026 Valley View School Board meeting, the last one for this blessed school year that we've had 25 26. And please forgive us for being late. Uh there's a lot of matters going on since this is ending our school year. I hereby call this regular meeting of the Valley View School Board to order. Please silence your cell phone. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by member Beduras. And please remain standing to observe a moment of silence in memory of Mrs. Jody Bankers, counselor at Brooks Middle School, who recently passed away. We offer our condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones. Beduras. United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands,
002one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. Secretary Sutherland, would you please read the affirmation of the Board of Education mission statement. Our mission is to empower every learner to be college, career, and life-ready and to develop, grow, and achieve as a productive citizen. Thank you so much. Dr. Woods, the agenda, please. Yes, thank you, President Pro Tem Campbell. We are seeking the board's approval of the agenda as presented. Have a motion to approve? Second. Any questions or discussion? Seeing none, hearing none, roll call vote, please. Member But there is Yes. Member Pipkin? Yes. >> Member Hile? Yes. >> Member Shroba? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. >> President Pro Tem Campbell? Yes. Student and staff recognition, Dr. Woods. Yes, tonight's uh teacher spotlight video is Tracy Strzempa
003um Woodview Elementary. Three things that will help you get there to accomplish the goals that you've set for yourself. And suggestions from your partner. What else can I do? Use your partner as a resource. They can help you, right? Maybe they they do something that you don't. And you're like, "Oh, I didn't think about that." That's why we all talk together. The activity that we're going to do today is setting goals. They have set their goals every quarter since um we got here in August. And they have learned to adapt to how things are run in this classroom. They have learned to adapt to each other. They've learned to recognize the things that they need to work on and improve uh educationally and they write their goals and have the language that they're using just
004changes. They come in with I can't and they leave with I just can't do it yet. So, do you see how broad those are? I think that we've gotten more specific, right? Fractions. The first quarter, I'm not really, you know, I need to improve in math. Well, now we're very specific. I want to improve on fractions in math. I tell them, "What you do now, you need these skills forever. When you go into the workforce, you need to be able to do things on time. You need to be able to get along with others. You need to set goals for yourself. Where are you going? What are you doing? And if that goal doesn't work out, what what's next? What's the next plan? 26 years teaching in Valley View, but you grew up in Bolingbrook
005and in fact you went here to Woodview. So, think back to your time in VVSD schools. Who was a teacher who inspired you and why? Sixth grade math at Humphrey, Debbie Sikora. Debbie Sikora was very influential. She made learning very fun. So, anytime we would review, it would be a baseball-themed game. So, she would say, "Okay, sports fans, this is what we're going to do today." So, it just was fun and I loved to learn in her class. So, as an adult when I did my um observation hours, I went back to her room. And I did some of those hours there. What are the things that Mrs. Sikora did as a teacher in her classroom when you were a student that now that you're a teacher, you've incorporated into your classroom? Very strong discipline.
006I have um a way that I run my classroom that is a very high expectation. And they still know that I love them. And she did that, too. Because you've been teaching at the same school for 26 years in a community in which you grew up, do you have those moments where you're out and about in the community and someone comes up to you and says, "Remember me?" Here's a really cool moment. I was actually at Culver's with my old fifth-grade teacher from here, Joan Zambito. May she rest in peace. Um with my girls having lunch, and one of the workers there said, "Do you remember me?" I'm like, "Please, you have to give me a name because I have so many in there, right?" And they grow up, so they change. Their faces change
007sometimes. So, he actually pulled his manager over and said, "She is why I'm successful. This is why I got to graduate high school early because of the things she taught me when I was younger." It was the coolest thing. It was very special. All right. >> [applause] >> So, it's evident that teachers are responsible for inspiring their students the same way Mrs. Strzempa inspired was inspired by teaching the classroom years ago. Mrs. Strzempa, thank you for carrying the torch and serving as an inspiration for the next generation of student learners and educators. Thank you. Next up, we have SkillsUSA state qualifiers. I'm hopefully they're ready. BHS and RHS high school. All right. Dr. Paskevic, proud principal of Bolingbrook High School. Good evening, community, students, colleagues, friends, our Board of Education, President-Pro-Temp Campbell, senior leadership, and
008our Superintendent Dr. Wood. Might be the last time I ever should say that. Congratulations on your retirement. Um tonight, I get to introduce our SkillsUSA sponsors. So, for Ms. Campbell and our audience, what is SkillsUSA? SkillsUSA is a CTE, career and tech ed, based competitive club in which students decide on a career-based program to showcase their skills and compete against other students from different schools. It is also the number one national workforce development organization for students, empowering more than 442,000 members. So, tonight, I get to introduce our sponsors, Mr. Scott and Ms. Sterino. Good evening and thank you for having us, Superintendent Wood, senior leadership, and the Board of Education. My name is Caleb Scott. I'm the Bolingbrook High School industrial technology teacher and one of our SkillsUSA chapter advisers. This year we had 21
009competitors qualify to travel down to Peoria in late April for the state conference and competition. Senior Claire Mitchell was the state runner-up for t-shirt design competition and was recognized on stage with a medal and prize. >> [snorts] >> In addition to this, Bolingbrook High School was recognized as a chapter of excellence for the third year in a row. This year as a gold level chapter of distinction and award given to only five other high schools in the state. Brought that with me here tonight. This award confirms that our chapter went above and beyond the minimum expectations of a chapter, completed multiple service projects, and hosted a technical skill presentation conducted by our chapter's president Eva Mannings. Before I introduce some of our members who are able to join us tonight, I want to thank my
010co-adviser Kathy Sereno, Dr. Jason Pascavage, Chuck Merrick, Angie Beam, CTE executive director Tammy Khan, and probably some others that I'm forgetting for all of their support in running this club as smooth and successful as possible. Joining us tonight, uh Melissa Carreras in basic health care skills. Regina Barajas in advertising design and fashion design. >> [applause] >> Eva Mannings in community service and job skill demonstration open. >> [applause] >> Isabelle Scott in culinary arts. Teddy Ceson in first aid and CPR. And Maha Shahin in medical terminology. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Good evening uh President Quigley, members of the board, Dr. Wood, senior leadership, audience and community members. My name is Rick Rujawitz. I am the Career and Tech Ed Department Chair at Romeoville High School. I'm also a Career and Tech Ed teacher as well
011as one of two SkillsUSA advisors at RHS alongside Mr. Jim Maggio. Uh I like to thank RHS administration, Mr. Kinder, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Maggio alongside uh our administrators at the Ed Center in Bolingbrook, Timmy Kahn and Angie Beam. Uh this year we took 22 members from our chapter from Romeoville High School. We had several top 10 finishers along with two students who finished first place uh with gold and we also had a silver or second place this year. Uh at this time I'd like to announce the students. Go ahead. We have President Raya Turner for nurse assisting. >> [applause] >> Juan Carrasco community action service. Miley Morfin technical drafting. Rian Joel Garcia architectural drafting. Daniela Santander computer programming. Caitlin Moreno, early at childhood education. Keith Beachler, construction teamworks. All right, fantastic job to all of
012our SkillsUSA state qualifiers. Next up, Seal of Biliteracy for both Bolingbrook and Romeoville high schools. Good evening, President Pro Temp Campbell, members of board, Dr. Wood, and senior leadership. My name is Angie Beam, and I am the Richmond administrator for BHS and RHS. And I'm Rachel Million. I'm the World Languages Department Chair at RHS. Nicky Luo, I am the World Languages Department Chair at Bolingbrook High School. It is our privilege to be here tonight to present the 2026 Seal of Biliteracy awards. The Seal of Biliteracy is a national movement to recognize students for proficiency in English and another language. This evidence of biliteracy is becoming increasingly lucrative in post-secondary life. In addition to being recognized tonight, all students will have a notation of this academic honor on their transcript. As a result, some students may
013automatically earn college credit or even receive a higher wage or salary with employers in the future. What does it mean to be biliterate? According to the state of Illinois, all students must demonstrate proficiency in English by scoring a state benchmark of a minimum of 18 on the English portion of the ACT, or score intermediate high in listening, reading, writing, and speaking on an approved proficiency assessment. In addition, students must also demonstrate an intermediate high level of proficiency in a language other than English in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. So, we are especially proud that 240 seals are being awarded to Valley View grads of the class of 2026. Their accomplishments are truly remarkable given the rigor associated with this award. At this time, we'd like to bring up the recipients that were able to join
014us tonight to introduce themselves by saying their names before crossing the stage. Please hold your applause until the end. Our first seal from BHS is in the language of Korean, and our remaining seals from BHS are in Spanish. Emma Chung. Please hold your applause till the end. Thank you. Oluwashayo Adioye. Lucero Aguilar. Diego Alarcon. Briana Alcantar. Rain Kim Angeles. Zoya Sattar. Enrique Avalos Escamilla. Leah De Ayala. Regina Barajas Ramirez. Michael Belore. Joseph Abacuc Cardenas. Danielis Carrasquero. Melissa Carreras. Brandon Castellanos. Valerie Segudo. Eileen Chen. Alexandra Chaparro. Sarai Contero. Ashanti Cruz. Elise De Lara. Rachel Demel Riley Dennis Estanislao Chavez Karina Escobedo Maximilliano Frias Partida Dayana Gonzalez Stephanie Gonzalez Yadira de Lara Ylianita Labrador Joan Hernandez Emily Irwin Joshua Irwin Miranda Izquierdo Barrientos Sofia Jimenez Eric Lopez Ruby Luna Jennifer Marquez Gabriela Medina Gonzalez Jose Mendoza Fernanda
015Miranda Miguel Navarro Ortiz >> [screaming] >> Nicole Orozco Citlaly Ortiz Marifer Pasindo Yvette Quintana Amanda Rodriguez Rocio Reynoso Wendy Tobar Carrillo Camila Torres Mildred Vargas Hernandez Ryan Verbeek Yazmin Villa Senor Kaylee Sagal And the following students are the Romeo Ville High School recipients of the Seal of Biliteracy. My name is Briana Garcia and I received the Seal of Biliteracy in French. Gabriela Makarewicz, I received my seal in Polish. And the remaining seals are all in Spanish. Osiel Aguilera Sean Alexander J Amazing Melanie Arellano Mariangel Barroso Chacón Kiara Cardenas Sanchez Ingrid Castellanos Jocelyn Cisneros Sydney Cunningham Fernando Domingo Elizabeth Davalos Yanalie Gonzalez Sienna Grant Angel Marie Hatton Celine Hernandez Daniela Lara Marcial Martinez Jean Carlo Martinez Carlos Aldair Mora Caitlin Moreno Abigail Olaz Bianca Oreana Stephanie Perez Amelia Pruitt Noemi Ramirez Samantha Rodriguez Evelyn Ruiz Daniela
016Santander Ariana Soto Breanna Ashley Sedano Aileen Esmeralda Torres Analise Torres Elani Trejo Maureen Boglin Janet Vallejo Valentina Vasquez Paulette Vasquez Melissa Zuniga Donna Hernandez, I got my seal in French and Spanish. Alexa Jimenez, I got my seal in Chinese and Spanish. Now, let's give them a big round of applause. Congratulations, Seal of Biliteracy. >> [applause] [applause] >> So, congratulations to all of our Seal of Biliteracy recipients. It's amazing to see the diversity that exists within our school community. Um congratulations, once again. >> [applause] >> Okay. At this time, we have Treasurer's report. Mr. Dennis. Thank you. Uh 6.1 is the Treasurer's action report uh for the month of April, which includes the normal schedule of financial reports. The balance sheet, summary of revenue and expenditures, interim obligations, and debt service payments totaling $12,466,007.21 for your
017approval. Motion? Second. Motion. I need a second. Second. Second. Any questions or discussion? Seeing none, hearing none, roll call, please. Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Hile? Yes. >> Member Shova? Yes. Member Baderis? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. President pro tem Campbell? Yes, motion carries. Uh scheduled bills. 6.2 is the schedule bills for the month of May. We have six funds totaling bills payable of $4,260,149.65 for May have a motion. Second. Motion and second, any questions or discussion? Then I'm hearing none, roll call vote, please. Member Heil? Yes. Member Shova? Yes. Member Badares? Yes. Member Pitkin? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. President Pro Tem Campbell? Yes, motion carries. Summary of investments. Uh in your packet you have 6.3, which is a summary of investments for the month of March, um along with 6.4, the state funding update, 6.5, taxes
018received, there is no report. Uh 6.6 is the um all schools trust account activity. This is an informational agenda item. All right, and you said um summary of investments, uh you said March, but I think you meant April. Ap- April, I'm sorry. >> Thank you so much. Okay, thank you. Uh consent agenda, Dr. Wood. Thank you, President Pro Tem Campbell. Tonight, we are seeking your approval of the board's approval of four consent agenda items as listed, 7.1, board meeting minutes, April 27, 2026, 7.2, executive session meeting minutes, April 27, 2026, uh 7.3, resolution um number is that 26 2629 for the disposal of district surplus personal property, and 7.4, Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation 2026-2027 grant awards. And before we take action on those items, I would like to invite Foundation President Mike Lawler to
019the podium to speak on the grant awards. Thank you, Dr. Wood, and thank you, President Pro Tem Campbell, school board members, and the administration for the opportunity to speak. We have come to the near completion of our grant process for the upcoming school year. As a reminder, the applications are submitted starting November 1st of each year for the upcoming school year. They are scored by judges. Only our grant administrator knows who the judges are, so we have a clear and they they've got a process to score the grants and give recommendations. So, we've got anonymity with the judges' scoring. The foundation board elected to fund a certain amount, which is referenced in the document that was provided to you. So, um the next step, if you vote to approve the funding from the foundation, we
020will then take action to notify the grant applicants of their application status and have them ready to start uh uh gathering the materials and preparing for the upcoming school year. Um one two points I want to make I'm up here. We've got two more fundraising activities in the next month. Uh one I'll be wearing the shirt at both events, but this the next event will be the uh Valley View Educational Research Foundation annual golf outing on Thursday, June 4th. As I checked the app just before coming up here, we do have a few spaces left for sponsors as well as golfers. It is a fun day, but we could use the support because we're dipping into a bit of our reserves this year to be able to fund the grants that were recommended by the
021judges. Uh the other event you there'll be an email tomorrow to all the district a Zany's Rosemont comedy night. Um they've given us tickets that we can sell and it's a fundraiser directly impacting the upcoming school year actually giving funds for that. Um I want to thank uh all of your consideration for allowing this phenomenal partnership for the last 31 years and we have seen some amazing results over the years and look forward to a continued partnership. I'll answer any questions, but uh you were provided a memo without any specific information identifiable information except for the funding so that we can have a surprise for the grant applicants. Anything any questions at all? Thank you. I appreciate your support and appreciate the partnership and we look forward to an amazing year uh coming up the
022just one quick note the grant requests we're asking for for the public um awareness $106,000 in grant funds um for the upcoming school year. So, we're excited to have that activity from our educators, our extremely excellent educators in Valley View schools. Thank you. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Malloy and we always glad to see you because you got money. So, the administration is seeking your approval of seven I mean the four consent agenda items as presented. So moved. Can I get a second? It's been motioned and seconded. Any discussion? Any questions? Seeing none, hearing none, roll call vote. Member Shova? Yes. Member Bedaris? Yes. Member Pitkin? Yes. Member Haye? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. President pro tem Campbell? Yes. Motion carried. Liaison reports. Any from my right? From my left? Okay. Secretary Sutherland and then a member
023Pitkin, please. Thank you. Okay. Um this is report from about Wilco Center. Uh Wilco Wilco Center celebrated their students at their annual awards night. Students were in uh were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Also, students were recognized as students of the year and scholar scholarships were presented. Uh Wilco received a safety grant and will continue with adding safety features to their campus. During the recent Illinois Association of School Administrator meeting, there was a discussion regarding the impact of the recent breach of the Canvas Student Information System, which is used largely by universities and colleges. Although Wilco does not use the system, there are students attending courses at or through Joliet Junior College. The president of um JCC has sent communication to the parents and staff regarding this breach of data. Wilco had its
024annual safety review conducted. There were no major concerns, but a more formal review will be shared later. Uh recommendation was made to conduct a training for handling bomb threats since there has been an increase nationwide in these kinds of threats. Last, congratulations to Riley uh Byers of uh Romeoville High School who was featured in the last edition of um the latest edition of the uh um of the uh Illinois State Board of Education Connect did. And also featured was Project Curse a Cure, not Curse, I'm sorry. Project Cure, which um the uh feature was the Health Occupation Students of America Club. And Project Cure collects donations of medical supplies and equipment to be distributed to developing countries. Their main warehouse is here in Woodridge. So, that concludes my report. Thank you. Thank you, President Pro
025Temp Campbell, for allowing my report. I just had a couple of things. I was not at the last board meeting. I did miss it, but I was attending a concert at uh Bolingbrook High School where my daughter was performing. And they did a wonderful job. This is the uh vocal concert where you have those uh performing without um instrumental music, but they were using their voices as music. So, the Madrigals as well as Vibe. They were phenomenal. I posted some links on my page, so if you want to go to Facebook, you can listen. Um [laughter] so, I just wanted to say that, and I'm sorry I missed the board. I did confirm that next year's concert will not be on a board night. It'll be on a Tuesday. So, there will no be no
026conflict there. Um the other thing is there were several concerts. I just wanted to commend all of our musicians who work so hard all the way through while they have AP exams to study for and finals to get ready for and all of these things and you know, prom, etc., but they still have all of the concerts in the evenings, and I really wanted to commend their um performances there. The other thing is today I was able to go to Bolingbrook High School scholarship recognition luncheon. There were others at Romeoville High School and at some of the middle schools they had different um activities, but today I had the opportunity to go to Bolingbrook High School and there were over 50 awards given out for thousands of dollars for those getting scholarships and our very
027own actually today she's actually on the panel but our very own student ambassador who's on the panel today Zoya Mian she actually got Yes she did. >> [applause] >> I want I want to specifically commend her because she was given an award called the Silent Servant Scholarship and she definitely exhibits that and when we had an event I think it was Black History Month and we just made a call at the very last minute I think Friday night you know the night before the event was supposed to happen which was on the Saturday and she was one of the ones who showed up silently didn't ask for any recognition but she just came to serve and I just want to thank all of our student ambassadors and specifically Zoya for all of your service to
028our Valley View community. We really appreciate you. Thank you. That's all. Only report I have reported that I had went I went to like six schools in one day so I'm not going to announce all the schools. I just show up there right with my whole little Um but I made I mentioned last time at the board meeting with the career fair at Brooks and the young man did not identify himself nor did his mother at the the last board meeting but the attorney that was there was Antonio Ariola BHS class of 2015 which is our board secretary's son so let's just shout it out for him. >> [applause] >> All right. Thank you so much. Now we will have our student ambassadors report by Zoya Mian. Good evening everyone. My name is Zoya Mian
029and I'm a student ambassador here at Valley View. To start off we want to remind every To start off, we want to remind everyone the applications for next year's student ambassadors have officially been sent out. We're excited to see future leaders step into this role and continue building strong connections throughout our school. AP testing season is coming to an end this week and we want to encourage all students who still have exams left to finish strong. Your hard work and dedication throughout the year deserves recognition. And graduation is quickly approaching in May 18th for BHS students and May 19th for RHS students. We're definitely excited as we prepare to celebrate the class of 2026 and all of their accomplishments. All honor societies recently had held their cord celebrations recognizing students for the academic achievement, leadership,
030and service throughout the school year. We would also like to thank everyone who attended our BHS Night Market on May 8th. It was a very successful event and a wonderful celebration of many cultures represented throughout our community. Another congratulations to Jane Addams Middle School for winning the district-wide math competition. We're really proud of their hard work and achievement. And I also want to recognize our middle middle school students who will be graduating and preparing to begin their high school journeys next year. Good luck as you enter this new chapter in your life. The scholarship luncheon at BHS was held today where many outstanding students were recognized and celebrated for their achievements and future plans. And lastly, I want to recognize and thank this year's retirees for their years of dedication, service, and impact for our
031students and schools. We wish them all the best in their next chapter. And as this is my final report as student ambassador, I also want to say um thank you and take a moment for everyone who's been a part of this journey. Being a student ambassador has given me opportunities, experiences, and memories that I'll always carry with me. I'm incredibly grateful for the chance to represent our students, connect with so many people, and grow both as a leader and as a person. And to the future ambassadors, I wish you the very best. Use your voice, be present, and never underestimate the impact and kindness and involvement you can have with others. This role is more than giving reports, representing your community and helping others feel seen and heard. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you
032so much. At this time we do have audience participation. Okay, a little bit unusual. I just talked to our superintendent, Dr. Wood. We just reversed our decision. We're going to come in here and do this now instead of June because June's a summer time and it's awfully difficult to get cadets during the summer time in here. And so, we're just going to take this while we're here. A little bit unusual. Um On behalf of Nicole Alanes and Elizabeth Blake, all the members of the cadets of the Roma Ville MCJROTC program, and First Sergeant Efren Casas and I, we just want to extend our gratitude to all the board, particularly the superintendent, the president, and every member that had a hand in the decision for this program to continue. So, just just to show our level
033of gratitude. And when you guys hang this up in your uh in your what we call the wall of fame plaques, right? Uh and your wall of fame walls in your offices, hopefully you can uh think of uh this program and what it means to this community. So, on behalf of everyone, thank you guys so much. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Good. Good. Good. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, that works Thank you. Thank you to all the members of the community. Uh just again, thank you. Uh just our level of gratitude uh goes out to uh the community and the members of the board, RHS administration. Thank you guys so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Let's give it up for our MGRTOC. [applause] And um Miss Nicole and Elizabeth, they did
034a fantastic job and not only just us, but the community came together and look what happened when we all on the same agenda. So, thank you so much. >> [applause] >> State your name and your um Go ahead. address for the clerk. Yeah. Ready? Yes. All right. Good evening. This is Jim Fisher. As I did like the last meeting, I did a Google on Jim Fisher and sure enough, I didn't get to see my middle name Ellard. What I did is got to see a nice article about a a lawsuit against the school that I'm associated with. They didn't use my middle name, so Ellard, e l l a r d. So, I also want to say that one of my kids did get a literacy certification, and he's currently in the spring semester in
035Madrid. So, you know, there's life after the certification. Uh I also want to say kudos on the uh uh event on Friday, the signing event at Bolingbrook High School. One of my students is going to play in college, and so that was a nice event. I appreciate that, and I thank you. Okay, so one of the things that happened a few years ago with my all my students in in school is you guys were sued by the parents because you masked us. You guys aren't uh doctors, and you lost the suit. You had a special session. You held a meeting to put your own masking policy in place. So, as you retire, Mr. Superintendent, I ask you a second time I did August, do you have a masking policy in this district? I'll follow up
036with you, Mr. Fisher. And that's before or after you retire? Thank you. All right, so my kid has 4 days left. Please don't mask her. Let us graduate. Let the adults have the graduation without masking. Okay? And public notice, the lawsuit that currently is associated with the current superintendent, you're in luck. When you retire, that lawsuit doesn't go with you. It stays here in the district. Ms. Paulson takes that honor. And so, the hope I have is we can sort that lawsuit out. If not, we will go to court cuz that lawsuit will last past your retirement. Thank you. Is there any more audience participation? Action port. Yes, action for 10.1 is to approve the consolidated action report for certified, classified, and administrative personnel. The administration is respectfully seeking your approval on all items as
037presented. Motion. I have a motion. So moved. Second. Second. Any discussions or questions? Seeing none, hearing none, roll call vote, please. Member Bednarz. Yes. Member Pipkin. Yes. Member Hayo. Yes. Member Sherva. Yes. Secretary Sutherland. Yes. President pro tem Campbell. No. Motion carries. 10.2. And prior to getting to 10.2, I would like to acknowledge um one of our new administrative hires, Robin Ulrich, our director for pre-K literacy and social studies. Robin, if you wouldn't mind standing so we can acknowledge you. >> [applause] >> Robin's extensive experience as both a curriculum coordinator and literacy department administrator in West Aurora School District 129 have helped prepare her as a strategic instructional leader in a diverse, multilingual setting. Her leadership in the development of coherent, research-based systems are grounded in her knowledge of the Illinois comprehensive literacy plan, embedding
038both culturally responsive practices and equity-based decision-making. Welcome to Valley View, Robin. And then moving on to 10.2, the administration is respectfully seeking your approval for resolution number 2630, authorizing the dismissal of educational support personnel employee for reasons other than reduction in force. Motion. We have a motion. So moved. Second. Second. A motion is properly second. Any questions or discussion? Then I'll hear none. Roll call vote, please. Member Pipkin. Yes. Member Hayo. Yes. Member Sherva. Yes. Member Baderis. Yes. Secretary Sutherland. Yes. President pro tem Campbell. Yes, motion carries. Action for 10.3, the administration is respectfully seeking your approval for resolution number 2631, authorizing the dismissal of a tenured educator for reasons other than reduction in force. Motion. So moved. Second, please. Second motion is second. Um are there any questions or discussions? Then I'll hear none.
039Roll call vote, please. Member Hayo. Yes. Member Sherva. Yes. Member Baderis. Yes. Member Pipkin. Yes. Secretary Sutherland. Yes. President pro tem Campbell. Yes, motion carries. 11.1 is uh the action report for the purchase of a workbook binder. Uh it was an informational report uh presented at the April 13th Board of Education meeting. The current binder has reached its useful life as part of the long-term capital plan. It is important to note that in 2017, the district's printing services began producing 6 to 12 um science and mathematics workbooks in-house, which in turn has generated significant savings for the district. So the administration is recommending that the Board of Education approve the purchase of the booklet making system from Canon Solutions America at a total cost of $91,101 and a 5-year maintenance agreement with Canon in an
040annual cost of $10,500 as presented. So moved. Second. Motion and second. Any questions or discussion? Seeing none, hearing none, roll call vote, please. Member Butera's? Yeah. Member Pipkin? Yes. For hire? Yes. Shrova? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. President Pro Tem Campbell? Yes. Motion carries. Continue, Mr. Ennis. Sure. 11.2 is for the Kyocera production color copier replacement. Uh this too was an information uh report presented at the April 13th Board of Education meeting for the replacement of the uh color production copier. Transitioning to newer technology will achieve several goals. The life of the copier will now be seven versus five. It will increase the volume production. Uh currently, the print shop prints over 60 million copies over 5 years or 1 million per year uh per month, excuse me. Uh it will generate a projected savings of
041$454,606 over 5 years. So, the administration recommends that the Board of Education approve the purchase of the Kyocera at the cost of $205,578.27. Also, enter into a 5-year maintenance agreement uh contract with Ricoh pending attorney review at the rate of 0.0033 per impression as presented. So moved. Motion and second. Any questions or discussion? Seeing none, hearing none, roll call vote, please. Member Pipkin? Yes. For hire? Yes. Member Shrova? Yes. Member Butera's? Yeah. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. President pro tem Campbell? Harris, thank you. 11.3 is the Brooks Middle School band locker replacement. The band instrument lockers at Brooks schools have endured extensive use over several decades and are well past their useful life. These These lockers were located from B.J. Ward when the school was converted to an elementary school and Brooks was converted to a middle
042school. Uh project funding will be from the Brooks band escrow account. So, the administration recommends that the Board of Education award a contract to L&R Labor DBA Exmore Construction for $114,900 to replace the band lockers at Brooks Middle School. Motion. Second. Okay. A second. Any questions or discussions? Seeing none, hearing none, roll call vote, please. Member Hoyle? Yes. Member Schova? Yes. Member Boudreau's? Yes. Member Pipkin? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. President pro tem Campbell? Yes, motion carries. 11.4 is the purchase of natural gas and electricity. The state of Illinois has deregulated electricity and natural gas markets enabling commercial and public entities the ability to seek alternative energy suppliers. The competitive price quotes from suppliers are often valid for only a few hours. To navigate this time-sensitive constraint, the administration requires the agility to act on competitive
043quotes in real time. It is recommended that that the Board of Education Resolution 2632 appointing Nania Energy Advisor as broker and authorizing the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services or the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services or the Facilities Operation Manager to approve the contract with the lowest cost electricity provider and natural gas providers. A motion? I got it. Motion and second. Any questions or discussion? >> Question. Uh just wanted to ask um would this require would a new contract require approval of two individuals or just one individual? So the contract will require two, one for our gas supplier and one for electric supplier. Um both contracts have been reviewed by our attorneys prior to us going out for quotes for this to the market. Yeah, I have a couple. Uh first question, this uh name doesn't
044look familiar. Is this the uh is this our current energy broker? It's not our current energy broker. Uh who's the other one? Who was the other one? >> was the prior one? >> [snorts] >> I I don't remember off the top of my head, but they had worked for the district for about 40 years as our broker. I don't I don't see any dates on here. So what were the terms of the prior broker's contract? But when does this one start as opposed to when the other one ends? I don't know. I mean unless I missed it, but I didn't see any dates here. >> [clears throat] >> The other one ended with notice of uh us giving notice um prior to going out and having conversations about uh moving in a different direction. But
045when does this take effect? I mean there's nothing in here. >> This This will take effect July 1. Not in the packet. W- When does the other one So the other one is a The other one was terminated on July 1st? Well, terminated on June 30th, correct. What was the name of that company? I can look it up for real quickly if you like. Their contract with those expires on June 30th and this one takes place July 1. Correct. All right, can we get that in here? Sure. What are the current rates that we are getting through the current energy provider? How do they How do they compare to this? How do they compare to the proposal? I don't see >> I mean, I don't even see any There's no numbers here. Well, we haven't
046uh gone out to market yet, but we did um have a conversation and look at um where the market is approximately and there would be a savings um under our current rate um with our gas, but there would be a slight increase for our electric, depending on the term and the length of what the market dictates. But if they haven't given any numbers, how do we know that they're going to be better than the current contract that we're notice to? We went out and got um approximations of where the market is at and obviously that market can change any day given what's happening in the Middle East. Um I don't know. I There's just in the summer here, doesn't Nothing about the current one in here, is there? There's not. For the recommendation appointing this
047broker don't see the prior one, but then there's no explanation for why we Right. I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. I said we're a point we're vote we're we're asked to vote for this broker to replace the other broker, but we don't know what the There's no There's nothing in here that says why, is there? There's not. Is there a reason for that? Myself, Mr. Lopez, and Mr. D'Amico uh met with eight different broker. It felt like that they had a lot more um services um given the complexity of the energy market. We Can we find out who the other the current broker is? Current broker is Kenneth J. K O G U T and associates. He has been with the district for 46 years. I don't know if he's retiring or not. I didn't
048ask him that question. More questions? Then roll call vote. Member Shuba? No. Member Griffith? No. Member Prepster? No. Member Hile? No. Secretary Sutherland? No. President Pro Tem Campbell? Action report on Dr. Paulson, Dr. Wood action report. Yes, thank you, President Pro Tem Campbell. Tonight we are seeking the board's approval of student discipline due process case A and B as presented. Second. Second motion. Second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, roll call vote, please. Member Medaris? Yes. Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Haywood? Yes. Trova? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. President pro tem Campbell? Yes. Motion carries. Information reports, superintendent update, Dr. Wood. Yes, thank you, President pro tem Campbell. I'm happy to share a superintendent update for this evening. Um, had quite a few activities last couple of weeks. I would like to um, recognize all the elementary
049schools who participated in the walk, bike, and roll event last week. Students, staff, and parents came together for this special event. Um, I also had the opportunity to participate at Woodview Elementary School in Miss Pertuit. Dr. Hampton did a phenomenal job of organizing the event. I rode my bike and I definitely wore my health helmet for safety. We extend our thanks and gratitude to Romeoville and Bolingbrook police departments and other district staff who also participated in the event. If you see, look at the pictures, everyone had quite a bit of fun. Um, we would like to extend another thank you. Last week was teacher appreciation week and also known as staff appreciation week. Celebrations and recognition activities occurred across the district. I want to express my sincere gratitude for the work of our teachers and
050all the staff members who support them do for every learner, every day in facilitating students' learning. Even though the school days on the calendar are doing the link for 25-26, remember that as a teacher, each day presents an opportunity to make a truly lasting impact on every learner. And additionally, not pictured, and Zoya spoke to this earlier, but no less noteworthy, we held our annual district retirement celebration for 50 staff who are retiring this year. Um as always, I was blown away by the testimonials that described each retiree's impact on their fellow colleagues, students, and parents. To our retirees, you have made an impact on the next generation. Best wishes to you on the next stage of your journey. And I'll go ahead and include myself in that. And next week will be filled with
051celebrating our students who are moving on to the next level. We wish we wish the very best to our senior board ambassadors. >> [applause] >> Our senior high school graduates, students who are exiting the secondary transition experience program, and our eighth grade students as they move up to the next level in high school. And just to note the dates, um 5/18 on Monday is Bolingbrook High School graduation. 5/19 on Tuesday is RHS graduation. On Wednesday, 5/20, is the STEP exit ceremony. And on Thursday, 5/21, is the middle school promotion ceremony. So, quite a lot of celebrations and congratulations to come. That takes me to the or brings me to the end of my update. Thank you. Thank you. Uh other informational 14.2. 4.4 14.2 is the annual consolidation uh instructional operations software maintenance renewal that
052we bring every year. This is an annual report that is presented to the Board of Education to provide an overview of the software titles that support both instructional and administrative operations across the district. These software solutions are essential in maintaining the functionality and effectiveness of the educational and operational systems. For the upcoming fiscal year, we are considering a renewal of 30 software titles um that exceed $25,000 threshold. Of these, 20 titles fall within the educational services, directly supporting teaching and learning, while 10 titles fall under the administrative services, primarily supporting technology infrastructure operation. The total estimated cost for renewals are $2,560,644. A detailed breakdown of the software titles under consideration is included in your packet. This is information report. It will be administration's intent to bring forth a recommendation for approval at the next regularly
053scheduled board meeting. We have the next informational report. 14.3 is the technology department initiatives in alignment with the district's strategic plan. The technology department committed to identifying software and services that can help us meet our goals and include, but not entitled but not limited to continuity, connectivity, and the support of technology in our classrooms. We are leveraging the federal E-Rate program to modernize our infrastructure at the fraction uh of the market cost. The district currently qualifies for an 85% discount at category two eligible services and equipment. This funding represents a significant opportunity to stretch the local tax dollar. For this report, we have identified $325,522 of category two hardware. The district is eligible for $252,978 of e-rate funding of these items. Items that do not qualify are upgrading servers, cybersecurity, and student device purchases. All
054these items have been identified in the attached report. This is an information report uh for your review. It's the administration's intent to bring a recommendation of these purchases at the June 15th, 2026 board meeting. It's my pleasure to introduce Elizabeth Hennessy, managing director at Raymond James, who joins us this evening to provide a professional update of the district's outstanding debt. Her expertise was instrumental in successfully positioning our district for its recent bond rating upgrade. Um a milestone that has significantly reduced the borrowing cost for our community. I also wanted to add before Ms. Hennessy begins her presentation that the finance committee met on Tuesday, April 21st. During the meeting, Ms. Hennessy presented a strategic opportunity to refinance the district's existing debt, an opportunity to yield significant savings for our stakeholders. Furthermore, the committee discussed the
055issuance of essential life safety bonds to fund to fund critical school infrastructure improvements. So, thank you for coming to our uh board meeting presentation. Thank you for having me and uh appreciate your time tonight. I'm going to start with an overview of the tax-exempt municipal market, and then talk about the district's outstanding debt uh and the refinancing opportunity that I want to talk to you about tonight, refinancing some of your debt for savings. Then um health, life, safety needs and funding options for those needs. So, uh thanks for your time tonight. I appreciate it. So, the themes for the municipal bond market today and moving forward are really uh dictated by the cautious footing the market is on given the um the uh ceasefire in Iran. As that's holding, the markets are watching every move.
056Uh rates have increased, but the good news is that demand is still strong for municipal bonds. I don't know why that disappeared. There it is. Um and so, the markets are behaving in an orderly fashion and we've had some great bond sales. This graph shows the current market and the 30-year average. So, um the x-axis, you have the years or the term maturity of the bonds, and on the y-axis, you have the yields. The dark blue line is the 30-year average. The light blue lines that are vertical show the max and the mins for each of those maturities, and the red line is where we are today. So, the bottom line is interest rates today are very similar to the 30-year average. Since January 1 and the beginning of the war in Iran, we've seen
057rates go up. Uh right now, we're looking at differences between Jan 1 and May 1 of a maximum of around 22 basis points. That's down from what was a maximum of around 40 basis points at the beginning of the war. So, just to review the district's outstanding debt, you have several bond issues outstanding, but the good news is they're getting paid off very quickly. So, um very copies just so you could see the some of these small numbers, but going back uh 2023 2021B and 21A were refundings of prior bonds issued via referendum. Go to the next page. We see 2019 bonds was also a refunding. The 2018B's was new money working cash for improvements at all 20 of the district's buildings. The 2018 bonds were new money for capital improvements, again district-wide including roof
058and parking repairs. Go to the next page. Uh we've got the 2016s were again uh roof, parking repairs, mechanical, and 12 12 room expansion of the early childhood center. And then the 2012 bonds and 2009C's were also refundings, refinancings. So, uh one more page. The 2007B and 2005. Those were new money and refundings authorized by referendum. Um and you can see there's only one more year to pay those off. So, the debt's getting paid down quickly. Shows the total debt service. And by debt service, I mean principal and interest. If we start on the left side of the page, we've got the equalized assessed value of the district. The current debt DSEV debt service, that's bonds issued without referendum. Moving to the right, current referendum net debt service. And then the total. So, you can
059see the payments right now are right around 35 million. But in '28, there's a significant decrease by about 6.5 million. Two years later in 2030, there's another decrease of 8.2 million. And then, a very large decrease in 2032. Um the bonds are totally repaid in the current schedule by 2037 levy year. I think the graphic helps show it a little better. You can see those decreases in debt as it steps down. Um the yellow line represents the debt service extension base and non-referendum bonds. And you can see by 2032, all referendum approved bonds would be completely paid. So, I'm going to talk tonight about the opportunity to refinance the 2016 and 2018 B's. Unlike mortgages, municipal bonds can only be refunded at the call date. And we're coming up to that call date uh next
060fall. So, uh those bonds, if we refund them or refinance them, and reissue them with the same final maturity, you get gross interest rate savings to the taxpayers of 1.283 million present value, 995,000, which is 4.16% of the bonds refunded. Why does that matter? 3% is the minimum savings target, and that savings is net after paying all issuance cost to execute the refinance. So, that's a good deal. Uh and you can see you still have those savings. Um I mean, uh drop-offs in the tax rate. So, this is the impact of refinancing. The drops are just a little bit bigger than they were before. We're going to another option on refinancing. What about paying the debt off a little early? So, this we call an accelerated refunding. So, um in this case, we pay the
061bonds off actually 4 years earlier, so that in total your debt is shortened by 2 years. And the savings are much larger here. We're keeping the payments about the same, but we're refinancing them, so that we're paying debt off early, saving taxpayers in this case over 3.5 million. And in present value, that's about 1.6 million or . So, this generates much more savings over time, but it's taking the savings all in the later years, kind of keeping the payments the same as they are now in the early years. So, if we look at our stair-step paying off debt, we still have a drop. It's 5.4 million now instead of 6.6 million. Um but you can see the debt is shortened up um by uh 4 years by the refunding bonds and 2 years overall. So,
062that's that's a great option. Next, I'm going to talk about health-life safety needs. Health-life safety refers to the school district construction projects needed to alter repair existing school buildings and equipment for fire prevention and safety purposes or in other words, to bring the school buildings up to code for the state of Illinois. Health-life safety amendments by building are approved by the regional superintendent and state superintendent of schools in order to issue these bonds, um you either you have to have this authority and you're allowed to levy a tax up to 10 cents or to issue health-life safety bonds. Health-life safety bonds are subject to the statutory debt limit, which is 13.8% very large for the district. A public hearing is required and those types of bonds can be repaid with a dedicated bond and interest
063tax levy. So, um the district may only issue health life safety bonds for state approved amendments. School boards hire an architect as you've done and you could just completed your 10-year health life safety survey. And so, the architect uh puts together a report on those violations, repairs, and alterations and certifies to the best of their knowledge that the recommendations and the estimated costs are true and accurate, submits those to the board and their ROE, and the state regional superintendent reviews these and checks them through the IWAS system. It is submitted to ISBE. Then, uh ISBE will issue a certificate of approval. After the state approves the amendment, there's an order to affect compliance. That requires the district to go and make those approved improvements. Um so, the state superintendent uh checks all of this accuracy
064and uh certifies the work um and that takes a while. It takes about two to three months. But, the district has done a great estimation of these health district-wide health life safety projects and in the broad categories, we have roof replacement. Uh district-wide about 42 million. Other health life safety concerns 1.5 million. Mechanical improvements there's 30 million. Electrical 11.3. And fire protection together 9 million for a total overall cost of 95 million 56,351. That's per the district architect. Timing and of these projects cuz to get them done would occur over 3 years, '27, '28, and '29. So, uh each year you would do some of these improvements. Look at funding options for these uh life safety improvements. Just to give you an overview of borrowing options for Illinois school districts, uh there's life safety bonds
065have recently been authorized to be issued outside of the tax cap. That means that once the district receives life safety approvals, and assuming the bonds are within the debt limit that it is, it may issue health life safety bonds for a maximum of 30 years in the repayment. The only requirement is a public hearing. So, for the issue of 95 million health life safety bonds, um because the district has these nice drops in its outstanding debt, you're able to layer these bonds in. You could pay them off over 13 years and still maintain some reductions in the debt payments to the taxpayers. They're smaller than post refunding, but you still can maintain some of those reductions. In this scenario, we look at the accelerated refunding. There's that savings of 3.6 3.5 million. And then in
066the column next to it, we look at proposed 2027 health life safety bonds. In this example, they would be issued in May of '27, a year from now. Graphically, you can see how this impacts the district's debt payments. Um the orange bars represent the payments on the health life safety bonds. You see a drop in the year 2028 levy year. They're much smaller than before, but still a small drop of 702,000. Uh that same large drop in the year 2030 is still 8.25 million. We still have a nice drop in the year 2032 again, when all of the referendum approved debts repaid. Um and then uh the final year payment of the health life safety bonds would be 2040. So, they'd be paid off in 14 years. So, why don't I pause here? I've been
067talking a lot. Do any of you have any questions at this point? Any questions? I have a simple question. Um the B&I tax rate, can you describe what that is? Yes, that's part of the tax total tax rate to the district. It is the bond and interest tax rate pays bonds. It's not part of It's not limited by the tax cap, uh and so it's part of the tax bill. Else? Then let me just review where we are on the schedule. Um we had a working group meeting back in March on the refinancing options and reviewing health life safety improvements. There was a Facilities and Finance Committee on April 21st, where we reviewed the refinancing savings options and the district-wide health health life safety projects with a committee and set the framework for the health
068life safety project prioritization process. Uh here we are tonight talking to the Board of with that same presentation that we talked to the Finance Committee about um and recommending the accelerated finance refinancing uh because of the large amount of savings, the 3.5 million and moving forward with a health life safety uh amendments. What I've distributed to you is also for review what's called the parameters refinancing resolution. That would we suggest the Board consider for approval at its June 15th meeting that authorizes the Board uh and the district to move forward with the refinancing of the debt um with the no further Board action within certain parameters, including a minimum savings target over 3% as you might recall from that slide, we're saving over 6% right now, so we're in very good shape there. And then
069uh it would be subject to the final approval of the Board delegates, which are typically the Board President and the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. So that's what the resolution does. That's the legal resolution, just a draft tonight. Um we would have it uh for the June 15th meeting for Board consideration. Then we would uh move forward with June, July, August 26 work working group prioritizing the health life safety projects and setting forth a timeline. Uh week of August 3rd, we would sell the refinancing bonds assuming appropriate market conditions and approval by the board delegates. Come back to finance committee in August with a full report of the results of that refinancing. Um September 2nd, that would close. Board meeting September 21st, uh report to the full board about the refinancing and review facilities
070and finance committee recommendation for health life safety priorities and funding options. Then the district would uh receive the bids for the health life safety projects in October, November, or December for the following summer start to the health life safety work. Um Before December 21st, the district would receive the approved health life safety amendments from ISBE and the ROE. Have a public hearing on the issue of health life safety bonds December 20 1st uh at the regular board meeting. And then at the March 16th board meeting at 27, the board would authorize a parameters resolution for the issue of health life safety bonds and authorize the sale of health life safety bonds within certain parameters and with final approval of the board delegates. Uh assuming appropriate market conditions, the district would sell those bonds uh in
071April and close May 4th of 27 in time to fund the construction in summer 27. So, it's kind of a a long schedule there, but I want to give you a feel for both the refinancing, which is the first step this summer starting with the meeting next June, and then consideration and prioritization of those health life safety projects and issuing of debt next year at this time and beginning construction summer 27. Additional question, um what are the risks of us not receiving the refunds on our refundable bonds because that accelerated plan relies on us getting an an advance of the refunded bonds? So, the market's been um pretty stable uh despite the inflationary pressures of the prices of gas and CPI. Uh especially with the ceasefire of the war in Iran. Things, you know, we
072are double our savings target right now, so I think we've got a good amount of room to lock in those savings by next uh September or August when we suggest selling the bonds. So, I'm feeling that based on what we're seeing in the market and that we're probably at the high point and as the ceasefire continues, fingers crossed, uh we will see rates return to some of the levels they were in January uh before the Iran war, which would mean even more savings. All right, thank you. Thank you so much for your time and patience tonight. Yes, information 14.5 is our annual process of um presenting as an information item I our um Illinois State Board of Education System for Accountability for Grants. Uh Across multiple different grants, we engage in one process called a
073consolidated district plan, the CDP, which outlines our needs and supports that we must submit to Illinois State Board of Education ISBE in order to have access to our funds for the upcoming school year. So, this is an information report that we will bring back to you for action at the next board meeting. I have to say ISBE, right? All right. >> Got it. ISBE, Illinois State Board of Education. I know it's your turn now. Yes, information item 14.6 is to present an updated job description and job title for the current role of the administrative assistant for employee benefits. This shift to the proposed benefits manager title and responsibilities listed reflect updates to the role over the past several years. This will go to action at the June board meeting. Legal Service Report. No report tonight.
074District Federation Report. Valley View Council 604. Good evening, Valley View community board and everyone who stuck around. Uh I want to start this update tonight with a shout-out to one of our members at Woodview, Kaylin Miller. He showed great dedication in dealing with a very sensitive occurrence uh involving a forced entry at Woodview Elementary. Those are our members. In addition to that, um Jonathan Velasquez, our building maintenance personnel who stepped stepped into that situation as well. Both went above and beyond and we thank them making sure that our students are safe. Uh we also mourn those members, former members, and their loved ones that we have lost over the year. Um since I became Valley View Council President, I always make sure to uh whenever I receive those notifications to reach out um individually to
075each of those members in their time of mourning. Um it's something I feel like should always be done and it's a heavy load to carry when when you're doing that throughout the course of the year. But, um we think about all of them as well. We do celebrate our retirees. Very [clears throat] proud to have attended the meet um the dinner the other night and wow, what a what a bunch of uh talent in that room. And this year has seen the usual blood, sweat, and tears poured out by our educators, paraprofessional, maintenance, security, mechanics, nurses, support staff. Over 1,700 Valley View Council members >> [clears throat] >> making sure this district excuse me, is here to serve the community's most valuable asset, its future, our children. We advocated to make sure our high school
076students were not going to school any earlier than they already do. Our staff, often out of their own pockets, are now having to go back to school and keep up with the changes needed. I do want to thank Ms. DeDonato for working with us to ensure that we are doing what we can for our dedicated members who have been here for decades at this point. The work is not done, however. We currently have 15 members of our council who were let go and have not been hired back. Morale is also a challenge. >> [clears throat] >> As we look at the behaviors our members are dealing with day in and day out in classrooms. Behaviors that have led to uh things uh like staff with broken fingers, emergency room visits, and workers' compensation claims, which
077can and have affected our members' retirement. Which means when one of our members is hurt by a student on the job, it literally could affect them for the rest of their life. I want to remind us that many of our members work in areas like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other areas that reduce our need to outsource to outside vendors that would cost the district more money. And right now, work must be done on the morale for our maintenance department. The morale in our maintenance department is the lowest I have seen in 20 years. >> [clears throat] >> I want to remind everyone that our HVAC mechanics, plumbers, electricians, and more provide us with an in-house service which allows us to save money by not outsourcing many of the services they provide. If you want to
078see cost savings from anything that has to do with grounds or preventative maintenance, our members help save the district a great deal of money every year. If you suddenly start to see some of those people leaving, I implore you as a board to start asking questions. We all do our part for our district that we serve. For my part, I'm being asked to teach civics in addition to social justice next year. I love to point out local civics. So, I'll give you a local civics lesson. As a former board member, I want to remind us how this works. If I'm a board member and I leave here and think the weeds outside are a problem, I let you know, Dr. Wood. Superintendent decides what to do with that. The rest of the board has the
079right to know if the superintendent is having to spend time catering to one board member. The board has one employee, the superintendent. The rest of the employees here are the superintendent's employees. Building principals, maintenance employees, other administration should never have to take direct day-to-day directives from a single board member ever. If you have a problem with weeds, you have two options. Take it up with the superintendent or put it put it on an agenda item in a board meeting. Be transparent. This is not my advice, just so we're clear. This is is something I created. I'm sure your attorneys have had the same speech, and I'm sure you have as well, about the dance floor and the balcony. This is not something I created. And I'm sure that you have been told the same thing
080that many of us have, right? Which is when board members get involved with hiring, how a building should be run, or any day-to-day operation, it causes problems every single time. Again, still don't believe me? Ask the Illinois Association of School Boards to come in, explain this. Stay the entire time and ask them. For anyone upset or insulted, I I'm sorry. This is exactly what board members are told by the state organization that we pay to be a part of. And guess what? When a board member decides not to play by those rules, it causes problems again, every single time. I tell my people all the time, four board members can get together, call meeting, pretty much do whatever they want. It's a public meeting and the guidelines are followed. If they do something the board
081shouldn't do, the legal system will correct it. However, one board member is not supposed to wield power that way. It's not fun to have to call out a four a fellow board member. I get it. I've had to do it. I sat in meeting once, called out another board member who wanted to talk about hiring a family member in the district I res um I represented at the time. It was inappropriate. But it had to be done. The board now has a choice. I'm here to tell you that I have never seen morale issues like this. You have a new su- superintendent coming on board. I implore you to get IASB in here, Illinois Association of School Boards. Get some board agreements, set in stone to support her. And do the tough love work. When
082one of your fellow board members decides they are going to get involved in day-to-day operations, the rest of the board needs to step in. Because not having agreements and not setting expectations and then holding each other accountable means it falls at the failure of the board at that point. Not keeping all board members in line with the agreement they create causes issues right down the line. And some of those things I'm dealing with. What I'm describing to you tonight and what I have explained in the past is not an attack. I'm asking you also to do the right thing. I've stood in front of you before trying, imploring you to do what is right for the good of the district, our staff, the community, and yes, it rolls down to our kids as well. Here
083I am again today. I'm trying to hold us together as a family. Point where I was going to implore President Quigley, "Hey, at this point, I'll sit down with you, Dr. Paulson, my vice president, cuz I think we need to talk." And um at this point, um you know, I I and your administrations, right? Administrators, they know what it's about. We all want our new superintendent not to deal with people under her going directly to board members and circumventing her authority. We all want board members to be active advocates. We do want you to be an advocate through the superintendent. We all want transparency. If you see something, bring it here. Talk about it in the open. I have seen an increase in questioning. It's great. Questions are awesome. We love questions in education. But
084what if you are the only board member with a certain perspective and a superintendent is trying to juggle seven board members who each want their own thing and those things sometimes conflict. That is a recipe that is not successful. When you have administrators underneath the superintendent going directly to board members and you have board members going directly to the people under the superintendent, bad things will always happen, period. You have an opportunity to empower your new superintendent. Get those agreements, hold each other accountable, and show everyone no one is above anything. Not me, not you, not anyone. For those of you who are listening, thank you. You would be surprised how much that simple motion and action may actually help morale. But, I implore you, Dr. Wood, you and I have talked. I've never seen
085it this like this. And there's perception, reality, and it's probably a little bit of both. Thank you. Valley View Office Personnel Council 604. Good evening. Um Superintendent Dr. Wood, Pro Tem President Campbell, board members, administrators, educators, staff, families, and community members. My name's Maria Raices, president of the Valley View Office Personnel. As VVOP, Valley View Office Personnel, returns to the negotiation table tomorrow, we encourage all members and those who stand in solidarity with us to wear union blue, which coincidentally also matches Valley View Blue. Every learner, every day, a force of one, and most importantly, a union of professionals. I've been fortunate throughout my career to work alongside building administrators who inspired me to be the very best through transformational leadership. Their leadership focused on active coaching, membership, individualized recognition, development opportunities, empowerment, and clear
086communication. The leaders who made the greatest impact fostered growth by setting personal goals, delegating authority, providing honest, constructive feedback, and creating a supportive and psychologically safe environment where staff felt respected and valued. They encouraged autonomy, which maintained I'm sorry, they encouraged autonomy while maintaining accountability. And that approach inspired intrinsic mo- intrinsic motivation, self-regulation, and personal responsibility. Because of that leadership, I learned to hold myself to a high standard, not because I was told to, but because I felt empowered and trusted to make meaningful contributions for students, colleagues, and this community. This is the kind of culture that we continue to strive for together. We build on collaboration, professionalism, mutual respect, and unity. When educators and leaders work in partnership, students benefit the most. As negotiations continue, I remain hopeful that we can move together in
087good faith, recognizing that we are still working towards the same shared mission, supporting every student every day. Thank you for your time and continued dedication to our school and our community. In the famous words of Maya Angelou, "People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel." Allow me to take a page out of one of my administrators or one of my previous administrators' playbook. I promise, just two additional minutes of your time. She opened the back-to-school welcome staff meeting with something like this. Take a moment, a pause, and remember why why you came into your position. Why you became a teacher. Why you became an administrator. Why you became maintenance. Why you became a secretary. Why you became an administrative assistant. Think
088about it for a moment. And think of the role that you play on this little rock we call Earth. I'd like to close with a song and the tone that that administrator also set at that back-to-school meeting. For almost 20 years, that speech, that approach, and how she made me feel will always be remembered. Michelle Zepka, this one's for you. Buffering. Nope. Okay, technology not working. For those of you who have um radio system at home, it's Lady Antebellum, I was here. That's all. Thank you and have a great evening. Thank you. Vallejo Transportation Local 3057. A report? Any old business? Any new business? Yes, I have something. President pro tem Campbell. Yes, go ahead and remember what it is. Thank you. Uh first of all, on behalf of the school district, I'd like to
089apologize to the families, the parents, and the children of R.C. Hill for the condition of the grounds on your family family night on Friday, May 8th. This is unacceptable. The school yard should never be allowed to look in that condition at any point time, let alone during your family's time at the school. Member Hile, I'm sorry that you and your children had to experience the school yard in that condition for your family night, but I do thank you for sharing those photos with me. That being said, I encourage any parents Vallejo Vallejo View 365 students who see their children who who see their children's school grounds in a state of neglect or disrepair for an extended period of time to reach out to the Facilities Operations Director Mike Lopez at [email protected]. This will allow him
090to coordinate with his staff of maintenance personnel to remedy these these problems. You can also email Superintendent Dr. Keith Wood at [email protected], and they will make sure that the issues are resolved. After all after all, it is your tax dollars that pay for the facilities and those that maintain them. Hopefully the Facilities Department will have their the inefficiencies resolved during the new fiscal school year on July 1st, so things like this will not happen again. Thank you. The old business? New business. Freedom of information, please direct your request to Mr. Balani. Any announcements by the board? I just want to say happy Mother's Day to all the mothers both on the board as well as in the public. All of our teachers who mother bare children as well as our children. I want to say
091thank you for all of those staff who do the same thing and where they hand out things, tissues, everything from they reach in their mama bags and and serve our students. I've seen it personally and I just want to say thank you and happy Mother's Day. I just want to say congratulations to the seniors and I wish you the best of luck as you move on to your next chapter in life and whatever pursuit that you have whether it's going on to a career or um university or college. And thank you for all that you did. And I also want to thank um the staff and wish them a uh happy, safe, joyful summer that they're able to enjoy. But thank you for all that you do. Any announcements by the administration? No announcements this
092evening. Thank you. Piggyback as um just want to give everybody an opportunity and I do want to thank all our Valley View uh family, staff, parents, community, all those who come out and sit with us for our school board meetings. And we do we appreciate your input from our our our our unions, everybody. We are part of this family and we want to advance, to go forward, to do everything that we need to make our district even better. Then we need everybody at the table. And I'm hoping that everybody feel free to do that. And to Dr. Wood and all those that are are retiring, um we hope you come back to help us out still cuz we always needing subs and whatever ever position that you feel that God has gifted you to. So,
093we do hope as they said that everybody has a a great summer. This will be our our last meeting before the children are actually out uh for the summer, but we do thank everybody and even we talk about the money and bonding and they have your questions cuz I know a lot of people got their tax bills. So, uh and uh I know the Mayor Bolingbrook has a has a video out there too explaining about your tax bills as well. So, if there's anything that we can do, we are here to serve. We are the the only elected officials that don't have financial money, but because we have the blessings of to being able to serve. And I always believe that the word says the greatest among you is the servant. So, we are here
094to serve you and as Dr. Wood passed on the torch to Dr. Paulson that we are uh here to come and to pass on that that torch. And we do want to be as uh he's mentioned as a board member, our only employee is our superintendent. And then but we still need to work together. The things that we see is all for the benefit of everybody. All this Valley family. If we are and we say it takes a village, you know, we talk about the the teachers and the the napkins and things they bring out, you know, that mom uh you know, that instinct of whatever the case may be. And so, everybody everyone that was mentioned in all the reports, we need everybody. And until we can do that, we won't be the best
095that God wants us to be. So, enjoy the summer and come back. Let's go forth. I have one more thing. Is that okay? Okay, I I also forgot to thank the student um ambassadors or student um board members. I appreciate all that they've done and wish them the best of luck, especially the seniors going on and welcome looking forward to um the juniors moving up to the seniors. So, thank you very much. Now, I'll piggyback on that because that is I call them my baby. So, uh that's why they were saying like, you know, they've got to go and study. So, that's why uh they uh did, but normally they're here till the end of the meeting and it's like she said, it's more than just getting a report, it's getting the input. And in
0963 more years, I'm I'm hoping that we have some of them sitting on here not as student, as ambassadors, but as board members to this district. Like we saw the teacher that came forth through the district and now she's a teacher. And so, now the same thing, we're hoping that they will come and see the benefit of serving as a school board member. So, let's give them a round of applause, our school ambassadors. >> [applause] >> Any other announcements? Any other comments? If not, I'll have a motion to adjourn. All in favor, say I. All right, good night and thank you for coming. >> Mhm.