001So when we get the shorter people that come up to talk we actually have a step. Look at that. But I I can't run down here to do that. But you're you're kind of right here. You could say Hey, go ahead and pull the steps up. I'll stand on it. Okay. Just for the shorter people. Wonderful. I Most people don't even realize it's there. >> I didn't even know it was there. So I thought I'd bring that to your attention. >> Thank you, Don. That's very nice. I appreciate that. >> [music] [music] >> Good evening. Welcome to the April 13th regularly scheduled Valley View School Board meeting. I would ask that you uh silence your cell phones, rise, and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And followed by the pledge, we have a moment
002of silence for Derek Smith, one of our uh instructors who passed away recently. Uh our prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends. And that will be post pledge. Mr. Beduras. public for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with justice for all. Again, our thoughts and prayers out to the Smith family. I'm told he was a special person, a special education teacher. And uh I'm also told that we will have appropriate uh counseling for those who feel like they are in need of it. All right, moving down the agenda. Board affirmation 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. Secretary Sutherland. Uh agenda, Dr. Paulson. Yes, thank you, President Quigley. Tonight we're seeking your
003approval on the agenda as presented. We have a motion. So moved. Second. Motion and seconded. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed, same sign. The eyes have it. All right, moving down the agenda, student staff recognition. We have spotlight video, Misty Lopez, early childhood teacher at the Mitcham Early Childhood Center. Key it up. Or key it up, I guess. Welcome to the classroom of Misty Lopez. We're in the flamingo room at the James Mitcham Early Childhood Center. And the reason why we're sitting on the floor crisscross applesauce is because this is the way many times your students sit, and it's many times the way the teacher sits. But let's be honest about this. The older one gets, the harder it is to sit in this position. Which, Misty, my question
004for you is, please share with people that being an early childhood teacher, because you're constantly getting up and down and getting at eye level to the students, it is physically taxing. It it it can be hard on you, right? Yes, yes it can. And I used to do circle time story, everything on the floor. And in my 11 years, I've advanced to a little chair for our whole group. But during centers, we're on the floor, we're in the tiny little kid chairs. It's it's a lot. You want to play the doctor? Addy has a play idea. She wants to play the doctor. And you want to play hair salon. Hmm. And you want to play birthday. Oh my goodness. That's a lot of play ideas. Hmm. Do we think those are all going to work
005together? In high school, I did not know what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to do something with kids, but I didn't know. And I had a wonderful guidance counselor who said, "Take our early childhood class." And it's one, you know, kind of like Little Raiders here, where you're working hands-on with kiddos. And we worked on things like creating lesson plans, and I was like, "This is great." And I student taught kindergarten and thought that's what I always wanted to do. And then I was here um subbing, and I knew that I needed these little itty-bitties in my life. Explain what an empathetic citizen looks like in your classroom, considering that one of the most basic skills early childhood teaches students is how to interact with other people in a classroom. You have
006to welcome them with a smile and happiness and warmth and love. It's kind of you have to leave everything else at the door. And then we have to keep them engaged and get them excited about learning and make sure that we're not, you know, breaking their spirit. If I have to redirect you, I don't want it to be a nasty kind of thing. So it has to be a little more fluffy and light and it's just a lot goes into it to make it nice and kind and loving all day. Were you a theater kid at Morris High School? >> Gosh, no. Not at all. >> [music and singing] [music and singing] >> Like the things I do now in my career, the singing and the puppets, I didn't do that 10 years ago. It
007took time to get there. Hey, Wrigley. You sound like you MIGHT BE UPSET. YOU'RE TOO LOUD. >> What do you think Wrigley needs to do? Calm down. And you calm down. How can Wrigley calm down? So how do you learn that skill? For me, I just I just stopped caring what other people thought. Cuz you know, in the beginning it was like embarrassment. Like, "Oh, no, I don't want to do puppets. That's weird." But my kids are three, four, and five, and they love it. They think it's amazing. They're super invested. And when I just stopped caring what the person who walked in was going to think, um the magic happened, where I just kind of the songs just come out of me. And I might never be able to sing them again, because I
008just sing them on the spot. And they love it, and I feel that from them, and that makes me love it. And so I just stopped caring what other people would think, cuz my kiddos love it. How is your singing voice? If you had to grade your singing voice, how would you grade it? It it is real bad. Like Simon Cowell would eat me alive. It's not good. It's not good. But they don't care. >> [laughter] >> This is how we listen. This is how we listen at circle time. At circle time. Nice job, Tabby. Misty, thank you so much for allowing us to be in your classroom today. We're going to end the interview right here because you're going to have to get up, and you are going to have to help me get
009up because I've been sitting here for quite a while now with my legs crossed, and it's not easy for me to get up out of this position. I can do that for you, Mr. Blaney. Thank you so much for coming and spending some time in early childhood. >> [applause] >> And those of us who know, know it's easy to get on the floor. It's a lot harder as you get older to get up off that floor. Moving down the agenda, what do we have? Uh Humphrey Middle School state wrestling champion. Yes. Welcome. >> Welcome. Thank you. Good evening, President Quigley, uh school board, Dr. Paulson, senior admin. Uh I'm excited to I'm Dan Lavery, principal at Humphrey Middle School. I'm excited to introduce our uh wrestling coaches to talk about our state champion. So, we
010have Coach Hart, Coach Clark, and Coach Della Morte. Thank you. Uh good evening. This is Coach Hart. We're here to celebrate Dominic Budzisz first-place finish at the IESA wrestling championship at DeKalb. Uh we've had him for 3 years now, and Mr. Blaney was joking with us earlier when we were coming in that we have an annual speech for Dominic because he's he's that good. Uh when when I first saw him in 6th grade, I he start he startled with me with how excellent he was just naturally seemingly. I would go up and accost him constantly and say, "Have you wrestled before?" He said, "No." And I didn't believe him. I went and talked to his mom. "Has he has he wrestled before?" "No." Couldn't believe it. Uh about halfway through 6th grade his 6th grade
011year or season, I finally had enough. At one time there was a wrestling tournament, and I walked up and sit next to his mom, Dominic's mom, and I and I say, "You know, I think he's probably one of the most naturally gifted wrestlers I've had in 16 years." And uh she's his biggest champion. The first thing she says was, "Well, yeah, he's good at everything he does." And this almost derailed my sales pitch, but I was going to say, "Unless his other coaches are telling you something like this, I think you ought to focus on wrestling." And and just to the extent that it worked, we got him for 3 years, and it's been excellent. It's just been an awesome to see him develop. And and uh it it wasn't just the natural talent, you
012know, that only takes you so far. He was He paired it with really an intensive work ethic and and uh tried his best at all all instances that he could. Uh throughout the last 3 years, as we said, we come up here once a year talk about how great he is. Uh but he's also racked up lots of wins at IKW and club wrestling as well that we're very excited to follow along and see how he's doing with that as well. Um he's team captain. He's well respected. His GPA is fantastic. He's one of the best scholars at Humphrey Middle School. And um he he's been preparing for this year his his whole middle school career. He he he walked through the competition this year. He walked through it just very simply. And he won
013his state match in 58 seconds. So, we're very pleased to see him develop in that way. And he was a great wrestler to coach. Uh we'll miss him. Like I said, we've developed a relationship with him, but Coach Clark and I we we we teach at Bolingbrook High School. So, we're excited to see him in his next journey too when he moves on to the high school. So, without further ado, we'd like to congratulate Dominic Budzisz on his first-place victory. >> [applause] >> Mr. Kinder. Good evening, President Quigley, members of the board, Dr. Paulson, members of senior leadership, and board ambassador Trejo. Good to see you again. Uh members of the audience, members of the community, my name is Eric Kinder, very proud principal at Romeoville High School. It's my privilege to introduce our head
014girls volleyball coach Paige Reinhardt. Hello, everyone. Um it is my honor tonight to introduce Ariana Thomas. Um she has been a staple on the varsity volleyball team for the last two seasons and was recognized this postseason by the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association as part of the all-state team um on as an honorable mention. Ari led varsity in kills per set, hitting percentage, total kills, total blocks this season. Um she tallied 57 blocks, 171 kills, and 33 aces. She was also voted to be part of the all-tournament team at Oak Lawn Spartan Classic and the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup. She achieved IVCA's academic all-state team as well and is currently a team captain and was MVP for the past season. Ari will return to us next season for her senior year, and we cannot wait
015to see what she can accomplish this fall. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Patrick. >> Good evening, members of senior leadership, the school board, and Valley View community. My name is Patrick Woods, the assistant principal for athletics at Bolingbrook High School. Tonight, I am here to introduce Coach Brost, our boys basketball coach, and he will talk about three young men. I want to say two things before I do that. The first is these three young men that he is introducing, I can just say they're anchors of a team that was an amazing team. So exciting for me to watch. If anyone followed us the last two games especially in our gym at a sold-out crowd, the place was electric. So, uh we were lucky to have them. It's a memory that I will carry with me uh
016forever, and I was lucky to have it. But I also want to share a quote. I'm a big quote guy, and it says uh "Players are reflection of the coach, and the coach is reflection of the team." And I think this is true with Coach Brost. Uh he doesn't know that I'm going to announce this right now, but he is a candidate for coach of the year. So, how about a round of applause for that? The The IBCA has nominated him as one one of the many candidates for coach of the year. Uh and his leadership uh with these three fine young gentlemen behind us brought us to where we are at. So, thank you, and Coach Brost. Thank you. Uh I stand before you humbled to be the coach at Bolingbrook High School. Um
017Dr. Paulson, President Quigley, and members of the leadership team. Uh it's my honor to be here, and it's it's even more so an honor to be the coach of Bolingbrook High School basketball team. When I walked in tonight, Mr. Blaney said, "Well, here's our annual meeting. Um you have three all-staters again," which obviously I knew uh The three young men that stand before you tonight, if you only know them as basketball players, you have a short-sided view of them. Um Trey told me don't cry tonight, but I It's it's hard sometimes because we develop such a bond not only with these three, but with all members of our team. And uh we have our team banquet actually on Wednesday. So, I'm really looking forward to that just to be together with them uh again. And
018and the memories that we share are once-in-a-lifetime. And uh I'm not only proud to be the coach of these three, but all members of our team. So, uh without further ado, I want to describe to you some of the honors for for these three. First is TJ Williams. If you just want to say hello or just wave wave your hand. Um If you have ever If you came to a game this year, you saw what TJ can do. He can literally put your chin on the rim, I tell people. Um and that's not an exaggeration. Um he's an electric electric player. He averaged 16 points a game for us. Was voted all-state by the IBCA. And just saying a little bit about the IBCA, that's the coaches in the state that have voted these three
019young men all-state. So, um he was first team all-tournament at the Iona Classic over the holidays. He was first team SPC. He scored over 1,000 points in his career. Uh and he, on top of all of that, is one of the best young men that I know. So, um TJ Williams, if we can give him one more big round of applause, and then I'll have all three of them come out. Uh TJ was a senior for us. Brady Pedegrue uh is a sophomore for us. Um this is going to take me a minute here to get through all of these things um because there are a lot of them, and I probably missed some. Um He averaged over 20 points a game for us. Was voted first team all-state by the IBCA. He was voted
020uh Joliet Herald player of or named Joliet Herald player of the year. He was named a top 20 players in the state of Illinois by the Sun-Times. He is currently ranked in the top 20 players in the country in his class of 2028. He was all-tournament at the Decatur Thanksgiving Classic. He was all-tournament at the Iona uh Holiday Classic. He won the dunk contest at that same tournament. He's first team all-conference for the second year in a row. He was Suburban Prairie Conference uh most valuable player and to date has about 20 plus Division I offers. Um and he is only a sophomore. So, Brady Pedegrue, everybody. >> [clears throat] >> This one This one is going to be the hardest one for me because >> [snorts] >> I spent a lot of time in
021the with this kid. E S Dad, don't cry. The port So, obviously I'm not doing so great with that. >> [snorts] >> Um He uh was voted all-state by the IBCA, two-time all-conference um first team, was all-tournament at the Decatur Thanksgiving Tournament. He's the only player in school history to be a four-time regional champion. And if you know anything about our program, when you're the only player to do something at Bolingbrook High School, that's rare. Um he averaged more assists than any player in school history this season. Um and so he's committed to on a full scholarship to go to Michigan Tech. He is a senior. So, uh Trey Bros everybody before I lose it again. >> [applause] >> Is it safe to say he's the best basketball player in your house, coach? No. >>
022[laughter] >> Thank you. My man is on Trey. I want to go watch that pick up game, one-on-one. All right, moving down the agenda. Treasurer's report, Mr. Renich. Thank you. The uh Treasurer's action report 6.1 for the month of March includes the normal schedule of financial reports, balance sheets, summary of revenue and expenditures, interim obligations, and debt service payments It's totaling $9,409,525.60 for your approval. There a motion? Moved. Motion and seconded. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, hearing none, roll call vote, please. Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Haye? Yes. Member Boderick? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. >> President Quigley? Yes. Mr. Renich? 6.2 is the schedule bills for the month of April. We have six funds totaling bills payable $4,979,826.17 for your approval. Motion? So moved. Motion and seconded. Any discussion? Roll call
023vote, please. Member Haye? Yes. Member Boderick? Yes. Member Pipkin? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. President Quigley? Yes. Mr. Renich? In your packet, you have uh 6.3, which is a summary investments for the month of March. 6.4 state funding update. 6.5 property taxes is no report. Um and 6.6 is all schedules trust activity. This is an informational agenda item. As always, if you have any questions on those items, talk to Mr. Renich. Thank you. Consent agenda items, Dr. Paulson. Yes, we are seeking approval on eight consent agenda items. Board meeting minutes on March 23rd, 2026. Executive session meeting minutes, March 23rd, 2026. 7.3 is gift to Oakview Elementary School. 7.4 is trip to Bolingbrook High School. 7.5 trip for Romeoville High School. 7.6 is the 2026-2027 Easter Seals contract. 7.7 is student activity
024contract for golf fundraiser for Bolingbrook High School. And 7.8 is gift for Romeoville High School. There a motion? So moved. Seconded. Motion and seconded. Any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Member Boderick? Yes. Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Haye? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. President Quigley? Yes. Moving down the agenda. Liaison reports. Any no from my right? Any no from my left? Secretary Pip Sutherland. Yes. Go ahead. Okay. I'm all ears. Okay, last Tuesday I attended the um Illinois Association of School Board Members and Superintendents, the Three Rivers Division um meeting. The topic was on AI and um how it can be a useful and beneficial tool in learning and teaching for both the teachers and students. They recommend um instruction being given to the uh students and teachers in order to use it
025to use AI appropriately and that policies need to be developed in order to keep it from being misused. The presentation was very informative. The second um um report I have is a recent update from the Director Kaufman of the Wilco Career Center. Um [snorts] each uh career center is required by the state to complete a desk audit, which will be conducted this Thursday. Um a desk audit is a remote review of its documentation records and compliance data, such as policies, fiscal and grant management, program quality, accommodating special uh special population. The center did well at the Family, Careers, and Community Leaders of America conference in Springfield. There were nine early childhood um students uh and uh three culinary students. The uh early childhood students had earned gold medals and the three culinary students had earned
026silver medals. From Valley View, we had Abigail Oleas and Jenna Germas from RHS. And Camilia Camelia uh Vasquez from and Gonzalez from BHS that earned gold in the early childhood education categories. And then Lloyd Jackson and Joseph Matel from RHS earned silver in hospitality and tourism. Last Thursday, the center had a a great turnout at their spring open house. Dr. Paulson and I had attended the event. There were various programs that were represented represented. Um I visited the fire, law, health, welding, computer tech, and also um automotive. The one thing that I was really impressed with is that the students uh from the career center and also the uh former students came to give the presentations and uh at answer questions. In fact, there was one student from RHS who was a graduate who came
027back and gave the presentation on the fire safety program and had nothing but high praises for the center and how it had given her a great foundation. She spoke with knowledge and confidence and her enthusiasm for the program was quite evident. Um it was a pleasure talking to her. That's the end of my report. Thank you. Thank you. I just wanted to add on to Secretary uh Sutherland's uh report. And also at that AI, I just happened to have on my IASB, Illinois Association of School Boards. I am the Three Rivers Division Director, so I reported at that meeting as well that um Secretary Sutherland was at and they want us to really consider on what kind of policies that we as a board going to look at uh for uh AI for our students
028and our staff. And because it's not something new, the Illinois Association of School Boards have already have some policies and examples that we can look at, so we might want to consider that as a new business as well. Thank you. Can I get some good news? So, last Thursday uh several with some of the board members, we had the ability or the opportunity uh pre- presented by the United States Marine Corps JROTC program uh to watch their walkout training before they went to nationals. Uh Master Gunnery Sergeant Cur- Couturier, I think I got it right. Uh was very accommodating. I sat there in awe of these students for probably an hour and a half as they trained and they drilled and uh uh they went through it. I want to thank the volunteers from the
029veterans associations who did the evaluations of the individuals as they went through the training or through their practice. Uh they got on a bus at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, drove all the way to Georgia on Friday. They had 2 hours to practice some time on Friday, and then they had their competition on Saturday. For those of you who don't know, they finished second place in the nation. >> [applause] >> Additionally, uh at that meeting, Dr. Paulson and I had the opportunity the weekend before actually Good Friday was, Good Friday to talk to the colonel who was in charge of the national program who had brought forth uh the idea that we might not have a program. Uh letters were written to numerous people, but him in particular, and we CC'd our congressman, our
030local representatives, our state representatives, uh so on and so forth. And in the midst of the conversation, he said, "I got it." So, we're not going to not have a program. We are in fact going to have a program, and we're going to be getting paperwork from them spelling out the details of our end. So, the USMC JROTC at RHS will be continuing for the foreseeable future, at least 3 or 4 or 5 years. We have some work to do on our part, and that means basically we got to get some more recruits in there, but I want to thank all of the people who came out not only to watch the kids. I want to thank the kids, they're amazing. I can't believe how good they were. You guys have no idea how much
031uh uh I I don't know how often they practice, but it's got to be a lot because they were lockstep most of the time. Uh and if they weren't lockstep, they got there in a quick hurry. Uh so, compliments to all. They will be back here uh to be recognized for their accomplishments. I want to thank the parents who were involved and everybody uh for the outreach to the community and to us. So, thank you. Big round of applause for everybody involved. Hoorah! >> [applause] [applause] >> And yes, when he announced it, I actually got choked up and had a tear in my eye. So, uh I just want to let everybody know how what a wonderful thing that is. So, that being said, moving down the agenda, student ambassador liaison report. Good evening to
032our board and our audience and community members. I'm very excited to be here for my last report from the behalf of Romeoville High School and our district here today. So, firstly, kind of piggybacking off of that, huge congratulations to our ROTC Nationals, MCJROTC 2026 National Unarmed Exhibition winning fourth in the nation, Unarmed Regulation placed second, Color Guard fourth, and overall Unarmed Drill Championships second place winners. Again, just to highlight that, second in the entire nation. >> [applause] >> So, once again, just huge huge congratulations to everyone that took part in that. Our district is incredibly proud of you guys, and we take so so much honor in being able to recognize you all. Now, moving on, good luck to all of our juniors and our underclassmen with their ACT and pre-ACT exams tomorrow. We wish
033you the best of luck with your exams. Seniors are not required to attend your classes, so please make sure to enjoy your day of college and career readiness outside of school. Alongside to Romeoville's MCJROTC, the RHS Raider team will be traveling down to Fort Knox, Kentucky this Thursday to compete at Raider Nationals, a 3-day competition with intense physical fitness events our 14 Raiders will compete in. Five females and nine males. Competing at the highest levels and representing Romeoville strong. We wish you the best of luck. Our Best Buddies Spirit Week is this week at RHS. Tomorrow is Twin Tuesday, and if you have not had the chance already, students and staff can add a fingerprint to our Watch Inclusion Grow banner before school in the cafeteria on Thursday and Friday. After stamping the banner, students
034and staff can get a Best Buddies sticker until supplies last. VVS C will be sending students down to Peoria next weekend for SkillsUSA, and we wish the best of luck to all of our competitors. The SPC Literary Festival at Lewis University was this past Friday, April 10th. Students listened and engaged at the keynote speaker and were able to attend breakout sessions. On a special note, Nathaniel Enrique Diaz took special took a special second place in the Dramatic Scene category for his piece, War in Static. RHS seniors, we ask that you make sure to fill out the form and send your picture to the RHS Counseling Instagram page with your post-high school plans in order to be featured in a post again with the RHS Counseling College Forum. Congratulations to our RHS junior, Arianna Thomas, on
035her IVCA Illinois Coaches Volleyball Association Academic Award and her IVCA All-State Award. She is truly an exemplary student athlete, and I'm so so proud to be able to call her one of my co-ambassadors. We're so so proud of you, Ari. And now, in terms of our old business, we conclude our 2026 VVS C Spirit Week before spring break. And thank you to everyone, all the students, staff, and families that took part in our VVS C Unity. Congratulations to all of our students who were honored at our Those Who Excel luncheon. We are extremely proud of every single one of you. Our summer school registration began last month and continues into May. Please be on the lookout for more information regarding summer courses if you are interested. We want to make sure that our district tries
036to achieve 100% registration before the end of this school year. Another reminder for parents for registration to continue being updated in your student updates for registration, classes, extracurricular activities, and more. For our new business, Talk Day at RHS, our event for teens activating the language of kindness, is scheduled for April 16th at RHS. Make sure to look out for your QR codes posted around the school and online in order to sign up. Step Up Day for our incoming freshmen at Romeoville High School is set for Friday, April 24th. We can't wait to welcome, it's crazy to say this, our class of 2030 at Romeoville High School, and can't wait to welcome them here. With AP exams beginning early next month, many teachers at both schools are offering study sessions before and after classes. Don't forget
037to study as soon as you can and dominate your exams. Prom coming soon at both high schools. Romeoville's is Friday, May 1st, Moonlight by the Sea, and Bolingbrook's is Saturday, May 2nd, A Night in Athens. We want to make sure that all of our students have a fun but safe night at their prom, and we hope that you have the best time. The high school graduation dates are set. Bolingbrook High School graduation is on Monday, May 18th at 7:00 p.m., and Romeoville High School graduation, Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m. Make sure that you finish strong, seniors. Sophomores, make sure that you keep an eye out for applications to be sent out by your schools to become a student board ambassador. We want to make sure that we welcome everyone into order to this incredible
038opportunity. Me personally, I have had the most amazing time creating these connections, getting to know our different board members and ambassadors more, and I would truly 100% recommend this opportunity and encourage anyone that's even the slightest bit interested to apply. Staff, please make sure that you're pushing this out. Parents, please make sure that you're letting your kids know about this. Again, truly is an incredible opportunity for all of our student body. And now, in closing, as again, this is going to be our final ambassador report for Romeoville High School this school year, we would like to thank the board, our school leadership, and our community for the opportunity to represent our schools and VVS C. This position was created a couple years ago with the goal of ensuring equity and representation on our school board,
039and we are grateful to have brought that vision to life. There is always more work to be done, but I am confident that our junior and students and be senior leaders will continue to strengthen and elevate this role. We look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish and wish you the very very best in your future endeavors. I ask that our board continues to support and advance the ambassador position as we work to expand both the presence and the impact of equity throughout our VVS C community, ensuring that every voice is heard and that every learner is supported every day. As I leave VVS C after 13 years in this district, I carry with me the lesson that I never could have imagined that I would have learned the most, but most importantly being
040that I must be the change that I want to see in the world, and I encourage our entire community to do the same. For me, my journey began here, and I ask that our students remember to push beyond your comfort zone, challenge yourself to pursue what may seem impossible, and reach for the stars, and never allow anyone or anything tell you that you can't. Again, thank you to everyone who helped us reach this point. I am truly eternally grateful. We wish everyone a strong strong end to this school year and a wonderful summer break coming up. Thank you. Thank you, Ari. >> [applause] >> Uh audience participation, is there anybody in the public who would like to address the board? If so, please limit your Hold on. I want to uh respond to our our
041student ambassadors. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You guys know how much this mean to my heart. Somebody email me, and I'm hoping that they are listening to see if it was too late for them. And I got the email kind of late late last night, but I'm hoping that they're listening, and as she said, I'm hoping and praying that the information is getting out cuz we want representation. And you don't have to be A student. That is not what we looking at. We looking for all voices. So, if you are that person or you know of that person or somebody is interested in becoming a student ambassadors, please see your administrators at your school, and if not, email me back. Thank you. Uh audience participation, if you wish to address board seating, please limit
042your comments to 3 minutes or less. If you have documents, please hand them to the clerk. Good evening. I don't have any handouts today. Um good evening um Dr. Paulson, President Quigley, Vice President Campbell, board members. My name is Nicole Alanis and just on behalf of myself, I wanted to speak today um first and foremost um in regards to this JROTC program being recommissioned, I just have to say all glory, praise, and honor to God our loving father who opens the hearts and minds of stubborn men and gives the words wisdom and conviction um to those who seek to to do good for the the least of these. So, um thank you so much to each and every one of you who have worked so hard for this decommissioning decision. There are way too many
043thank yous um to be given in just 3 minutes um but I will do my best and I will really try to not start crying until the very end. Um first and foremost, I want to say thank you to our in- structors and to their spouses um who have given us such an excellent program that it was easy to defend. Uh their results, their numbers, their scholarship amounts, um their service hours, and of course, we see again um their excellence in action at Nationals. I want to say thank you to all of the parents and their families um who showed up again and again and again to our meetings. They read our emails. They contributed ideas. They encouraged their cadets to come and speak and they found their own voices to come and participate in
044this experience. This is what it means to be a community who comes together um for the good of others. I want to thank Dr. Wood and Dr. Paulson so much. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for listening. Thank you for showing up when we really needed you to. I'm so incredibly grateful. Um I also want to say thank you to all the people in the community and at the schools who also listened, who also shared their ideas, and supported us in our new ideas, specifically Dr. Rollerson and Principal Kinder. Um I'm incredibly grateful for your time and I look forward to uh new partnerships as we move forward. Um I also really want to say thank you to President Quigley and Vice President Campbell. Um we remember not the
045words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Thank you so much for not being silent. Thank you for standing up for us. Thank you for giving us words and using your platform when we didn't have them anymore. And to all of you board members, I just want to say thank you so much for your support. Thank you for those one-on-one conversations. Thank you for giving us your ideas in the hallway. Thank you for staying with us after 10:00 p.m. Thank you for your encouragement. It has all been invaluable. Um just a couple weeks ago, I took my nieces and nephews to Lincoln Park Zoo. Um at the end of one of the animal houses, there was this gigantic wall with all of these major global problems that still need to be solved. But
046above all of the problems, there was a quote that I know we are all familiar with by Margaret Mead that said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." And maybe you're sitting here today thinking, "Well, we didn't take black rhinos off the endangered list and we didn't cure cancer and we didn't stop plastics from entering the ocean." But I just want to challenge that for a minute and I want to tell you that to so many people in that room, 902, you changed their world. You changed their world last week when you announced this. And if you ask any of these parents who their world is, they will tell you it's their child. And you changed their world and
047I am so incredibly grateful for you. And um as we've all heard the proverb before, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Thank you for helping us cross this finish line together. Thank you for giving people hope in this time period. And um we look forward to all the good work that we have um to do in the future. Thank you so much. Thank you. She was really good at keeping a secret, too, cuz I felt like I needed to call her. I did not know that you weren't going to be there for the walkout, but uh I felt like the need and she didn't tell anybody until after Master Gunny announced it. So, thank you very much for that. Miss, before you speak, I'd like
048to speak also. And I want to thank the both of you because uh Nicole, she uh gave so many accolades and thank yous to everybody. But Nicole and um and Liz that's standing up there right now, give them a round of applause. Please, please, please, please, please. >> [applause] >> Uh These ladies never slept cuz we were talking all times of day and night and everything. And so, they did they they took the spirit and like all the people that she thanked, but I want to thank them and thank all you all everybody that's had a part. But these ladies went out and they saw that there was a need and they came forth with it and they worked together and we see what the solution as they said to come together. So again, just
049one more round of applause for Nicole who just spoke and Liz. >> [applause] >> Hi Liz, please state your name. Thank you. Thank you so much, First Person Campbell. Um I don't know how to follow that up, but um good evening um President Quigley, Vice President Campbell, members of the board, Dr. Paulson, and RHS administration. Um as you know, my name is Elizabeth Blake and I have a son currently enrolled in the JROTC program. I hope I don't go over too much. Um at the last meeting, there was an amazing show of support from cadets, families, and community. Uh we were provided with a wave of letters testifying to the benefits of the program and the variety of ways that they have been touched by its impact. There were more letters than we can read,
050as a matter of fact. People took the time to consider their words and compose a message that they put their name and integrity behind. While we understand that these letters may not now be directed in the same way because of the effective and collaborative efforts of parents, RHS administrators, both current and incoming superintendents, as well as you, the VBSD Board of Education, I would still like to share a letter from a former cadet in the pro in this program. Dear members of the Board of Education, my name is Christopher Baker and I am a graduate of the class of 2023. I had been in RHS JROTC for all 4 years of my high school career. When I first began high school, it was all new to me. I'll admit I was not the most well-behaved
051kid and my mom wanted to change that when I went into high school, so she enrolled me in JROTC. When I first walked into the classroom, I could tell it was a very professional environment, something I I was not accustomed to. After the first day of the program, I cried to my mother telling her I wanted to quit. She said, "No. I'm going to stay in the program and I cannot do anything about it." So, I had no choice but to stay. The program made me do things I was afraid to do and overcome them. So, over time, I grew accustomed to the program and decided to stay. I was able to try many new things that I was also afraid to do, like speaking in front of crowds. It also got me out of
052my comfort zone. They always made practice fun and I enjoyed going every day. I do regret not trying as hard in my first 2 years, even even though there was COVID at that time. I should have pushed myself for more promotions. I only began pushing for promotions in my third year. Um >> [clears throat] >> I lost my spot. Um but the program pushed me to become something greater than I was before. It taught me how to start my adult career and be successful. After high school, I attended UTI, an automotive trade school, where I was able to use what the program taught me and apply it in my new school. I was unaccepted into Toyota, where I am today, a certified Toyota technician, where I work on cars full-time. The program helped me succeed
053in high school and it continues to help me even today. I'm grateful that my mother put me into this program. Without it, I may not be where I am now. I thank all of my fellow JROTC students and the instructors who have helped me throughout my high school career. I know that this program has helped me and many others change themselves to be better than they were yesterday. And I know it can continue to help future students like it did for me. This letter embodies the experience of just one student, but it mirrors the transformative effect it has on many. This is what drives us in our mission to advocate for and actively contribute to this program's sustainability. We understand that this is our only opportunity to ensure its success and we take this responsibility
054very, very seriously. With a full heart and on behalf of the voices of students past, present, and future, I say thank you. Their voices are being heard and we are grateful. We look forward to our continued partnership. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Next. Hi. Hi. Please state your name. Good evening. My name is Rachel Garza. This is my husband, David Alvarado. He'll be passing one thing out to you guys. Hand them to the clerk and then she'll hand them down. Thank you. I'll be extra. Um good evening, President Quigley, Vice President Campbell, the rest of the board. Um we have been residents in the Romeoville community for the past 20-plus years. We currently have three students at RHS. I have a senior, which he just recently received the second place award for war in
055statics on Friday. So, he was just recently recognized for that. I have a junior and I have my sophomore here who is currently enrolled in the McJROTC program, as well. Um everyone knows that the McJROTC program was on the verge of being shut down and we are truly grateful to each and every one of you who have I don't have exact names of everyone which I wish I did. Um but we are truly grateful to each and every one of you who have gone over and beyond and spent time with us specifically with Nicole and Liz. They have been a huge part of this. Um we have fought they specifically have fought with a lot of people to try getting this program reinstated and I want to thank each and every one of you for
056doing that. All the parents, the families, staff. Um again like I said there's too many names to to mention. Um we were fortunate enough to be able to be there with our McJROTC this past weekend. In your envelopes you will see a picture and on behalf of them we are very truly thankful to each and every one of you. Um they did wonderful. I wish and with all [clears throat] my heart that each and every one of you were able to make it there so that way you could see exactly what it is that they do. I know on Wednesday at their send-off some people were able to make it. A lot of people in the community were there. They got to see a little portion of what these kids do on a daily basis.
057They literally train every single day. My daughter is there Monday through Friday. On Saturdays she goes in and she does some more training and she's to that point where three four years ago she would didn't want to go to school. I'm not going to say too much because I know she has her own words that she wants to say as well but it was to the point she didn't want to go to school. She was very discouraged going into the McJROTC program. I told Master Guns he did a 360 on her. I can't thank him enough First Sergeant Master Guns, you guys are wonderful. You do with the transformation you guys do with these kids. I I can't even speak on it as much as I'd like to. Um now if she's sick and I
058tell her you know what you're not getting anyone else sick you're staying home she throws a fit. And it's to that point she wants to be there every single day with not only her her team her classmates. She wants to go and she wants to make more change and improvements so thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Hi. Hello. Uh good evening members of the board, parents, cadets, and members of our community. My name is Sophia Alvarado. I'm currently a cadet here at Romeoville High School and I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for your continuous support for our MCJROTC program and your commitment, encouragement, and belief in what in us and that we truly make a difference. To the board members, thank you
059for recognizing the value of this program and providing us with the opportunities and resources we need to grow and succeed. Your support allows us to develop leadership, discipline, and responsibility skills that will stay with us long after high school. To all the parents, thank you for your consistent encouragement and trusting us to be a part of something that challenges us and helps us grow. Your support behind the scenes will never go unnoticed. Thank you. To my fellow cadets, thank you for your dedication, teamwork, and pride to this program. Each and every one of you plays a role in making our company stronger every day. And to our community, thank you all for standing behind us, showing up, and believing in the impact we can make. Your support motivates us to continue striving for excellence. This
060program is more than just an activity. We are a family and it is only possible because of all of you. We are truly grateful and we hope that all of us coming together will make a difference and while there's still more work to be done I'm uh truly thankful for everything every single one of you have put into this program. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Hi. Good evening. Good evening. I'm Sergio Llanes. Uh I am a father of a cadet uh Jayden. Um my wife Nicole Llanes. I'm more nervous because she doesn't know that I'm actually up here so um She should go through the program. Yeah, she should right? Um good evening board. Thank you for being here. Um Principal Kinder family, friends um over the past few months you all have
061seen two young mothers come before you and rally others to fight for a club that we all care deeply for. I want to take a moment to thank each of you not only for listening but for having the heart and willingness along to work alongside us. When I first began attending how challenging how challenging it must be to actually hold a position that you hold. I've seen people walk up here and tell you all these things and complain and they're mad and they're furious and it takes a lot of heart and a lot of guts to just sit there and take it. So I've completely noticed that and I am actually absolutely amazed at how you how well you guys carry it. But despite those challenges you found it in your hearts to put forth
062extra effort and to work with us to save this incredible program. From phone calls made while you were in Springfield to calls and emails during spring break and and over Easter weekend your dedication did not go unnoticed. We truly appreciate the time and commitment you gave above and beyond what was required. We all know how hectic the world can be and we also know that even when we put our best foot forward achieving our goals is never actually guaranteed. When the goal feels distant and unclear it can feel lonely. Doubt and fear can creep in and that little voice in your head starts to say this might not work. Luckily we had two women who refused to listen to that voice. When I saw them get organized and prepare and prepare for what felt like
063a long march I knew we had a chance. They grabbed each other's hands committed to the journey together and rallied parents across Romeoville to walk alongside them. They empowered parents to speak up to show up and to stand before you all and advocate for this program. To these two women Liz Blake and my lovely wife Nicole Llanes I want to take a moment to give them their flowers and say thank you. Now if you allow me for a few seconds I want to glow about my wife Nicole Llanes. Do it. She absolutely hates taking credit for anything she does. She can cure cancer and she does not want anyone to know about it. Um also since I'm up here there might be a good chance I might mysteriously end up disappearing after putting her on
064the spotlight so please look for me in the Peoria area if I end up missing. My wife lives by the scripture where God asked who shall I send and who will go for us? And Isaiah responds here am I send me. That is who she is. She steps forward when things are hard, uncertain, and uncomfortable. Unbeknownst to me when I met her eight years ago she was exactly what I needed. She has made an immeasurable impact on my life from the moment I met her. My friends adore her. My niece calls her second mom. My parents always take her side which I don't understand why. Um and my son uh which is her stepson rushes to her defense every single time I tease her. That's the kind of person she is and that's the heart
065she brings to this community. I once heard a great mentor of mine say the most important decision you will make in your life is who you decide to marry. He was very very right. I would not be here where I am today if she had never entered my life. I am I am incredibly proud of her and she is truly an honor to and it is truly my honor to call her my wife. To the cadets when you guys heard this news that something that you would beloved and something you loved dearly was going to be taken away I want I overheard a cadet say this is really scary. I don't know what I'm going to do. I will tell you this. As a human being it is a normal feeling to feel fear and
066it's a normal feeling to to be scared of what's in front of you. But what's not okay is to allow fear to control your next step. Please put your left foot forward and you keep going. Once again everyone thank you to the board, the parents, everyone who believed in this program that was worth fighting for. Thank you. Thank you all for your comments and I can answer the question you know how we do the things that sometimes are rather uncomfortable up here because of things like this. That is what makes it worth it. So thank you. Thank you all for your comments. >> [applause] >> All right, seeing no further audience participation moving down the agenda. Action item number 10 Miss oh Miss DiDonato. Yes, action for 10.1 is to approve the consolidated action report
067for certified, classified, and administrative personnel. The administration is respectfully seeking your approval on all items as presented. The motion? So moved. Motion and seconded. Is there any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Member Bedardis? Yes. Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Hayo? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? No. President Quigley? Yes. DiDonato. And with the approval of tonight's consolidated action report, we want to take a moment and welcome Ms. Pauline Zdanowicz, who's out in the audience. Ms. Zdanowicz, if you can wave for the group. >> [applause] >> We welcome Ms. Zdanowicz back to Valley View as the new director of pre-K 5 mathematics and science. Pauline is a familiar leader within the Valley View School District, having served as an assistant principal from 2017 to 2022. She returns to us after working as an account manager for
068the Northwest Evaluation Association, and her most recent role is the coordinator of professional growth for Yorkville Community Unit High School. I'm sorry, Unit School District 115. Her background in mathematics and STEM pedagogy, coupled with her institutional knowledge of Valley View systems, position her to lead our elementary curricular initiatives with excellent with excellence. Congratulations, Pauline. >> [applause] >> And moving along on the agenda, action for 10.2 is for the approval of two job descriptions that were brought for information at the last board meeting. These job descriptions reflect updates to current positions. The Infrastructure and Security Operations Manager allows for the Technology Department to keep current with evolving infrastructure and security needs, and the Safety and Security Supervisor position will be posted as a vacancy due to retirement at the end of the school year. These updates
069reflect shifts in the role since its last approval. Motion? So moved. You have a motion. You have a second. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, hearing none. Madam Clerk, roll Oh. I didn't press fast enough. Um just a comment, I know that one was made before, but is there any change in FTE? No, there is no change in FTE. Both of these are existing positions. And one actually, there's a decrease in FTE for um one of the positions, the Infrastructure and Security Operations Manager. So there is a cost savings for that position. FTE? Full-time equivalent. Equivalency, so that's not necessarily full-time person each one, but it's the when you accumulate their hours, it'd be full-time equivalent. Sorry, thank you. Thank you. >> [snorts] >> Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Hayo? Yes. Member Bedardis? Yes. Secretary Sutherland?
070Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. President Quigley? Yes. 10.3, Ms. DiDonato. Action for 10.3, the administration is respectfully seeking your approval for resolution number 2623, authorizing the dismissal of educational support personnel employees for reasons other than reduction in force. There a motion? So moved. Motion seconded. Is there any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Member Hayo? Yes. Member Bedardis? Yes. Member Pipkin? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. President Quigley? Yes. 10.4. Action for 10.4, the administration is respectfully seeking your approval for resolution number 2624, authorizing the non-reemployment of part-time and temporary educational support personnel. There a motion? Motion and seconded. Is there any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Bedardis? Yes. Member Hayo? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. President Quigley? Yes. 10.5, Ms. DiDonato. Action for 10.5, the administration
071is respectfully seeking your approval for 10.5, resolution number 2625, authorizing the honorable dismissal of educational support personnel. There a motion? So moved. Motion and seconded. Is there any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Member Bedardis? Yes. Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Hayo? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. President Quigley? Yes. Action reports, number 11, Mr. Rennich, cleaning services. Thank you, President Quigley. So as most of you know, uh um I usually prepare uh notes before I make a recommendation, and this one required a lot of thought and a lot of process in my notes that I want to share with the board. Um it should be, cuz this is a $25 million contract that we're looking at right now. So to provide the Board of Education with a comprehensive understanding of the proposed cleaning service
072contract, the following timeline and background information outlines the district's rigorous approach to physical responsibility and operational efficiency uh efficiency over the past year. In March 2025, the district initiated a formal bid process for cleaning services. This resulted in only two submissions, and both of which were determined to be non-compliant with the district's specific uh bid requirements. Consequently, the district opted to extend the existing contract for 1 year to allow a comprehensive and deep dive into the services components for uh before re-bidding. Over the 12 past 12 months, the administration has engaged in some disciplined review of this process. Monthly operation reviews, starting in April of 2025, I directed Mr. Domenico to meet monthly with GSF to dissect all the expenses and services components. Quarterly strategic meetings, Mr. Domenico and I met quarterly to share findings,
073monitor the service quality, and draft a more precise bid document. Inventory audit, a full audit of the district's own cleaning equipment was done by Mr. Domenico, and was conducted to assess the depreciation schedules and future needs. After an exhausted review, the administration has successfully identified some significant cost containment measures that do [snorts] not compromise the cleanliness or the physical conditions of our facilities. But the key adjustments include a calendar alignment, um reducing the number of work days from 254 to 247. These are days that align with when staff aren't here, why would we have cleaning crew the next day if the buildings hadn't been used? Work of workforce optimization, decreasing full-time staff from 110 to 102 to better reflect the district's actual labor costs. Capital management, implementing a more aggressive cost containment on new equipment
074and refining depreciation schedules based on a recent inventory audit that I just spoke of. And finally, sometimes one of the things that are overlooked is an annual escalation cap, limiting the year-over-year increase to just 2%. If we could do that with all of our expenditures, the district would be in a much better financial position, cuz you know, we're limited by the growth of revenue um based on the consumer price index or CPI. So overall, the financial impact, when we compared the data from the previous bid that I spoke of, these strategic changes will result in an estimated $1.8 million opportunity savings over the next 5 years. So I'd like to take the time and recognize Mr. Domenico's hard work over the last year to look at these cost-saving measures. So we're not only looking at
075staffing, we're looking at all areas where the district has an opportunity to save money. So based on that, the administration is recommending that the Board of Education award a 5-year contract for district-wide cleaning services to GSF USA for a total amount of $24,745,155.74 as presented and pending our attorney's review. Motion? So moved. Second. You have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Member Hayo? Yes. Member Bedardis? Member Pipkin? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. President Quigley? Yes. Moving on the agenda, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, Ms. Thank you. uh memorandum of understanding, Mr. Rennich. At the March 23rd Board of Education meeting, an information report was presented on the status of the dispatchers memorandum of understanding, MOU, to the the transportation contract. The
076district has successfully concluded negotiations regarding the inclusion of dispatchers into the transportation bargaining unit. Highlights for the memorandum of understanding outlined in my previous memo are salaries will now align with bus drivers on schedule B, reduction of sick days from 18 to 12 days, again will align with the bus drivers, vacation days, holidays, and personal um will remain the same, and um raise will be paid retroactively as with most agreements. We have worked directly with our attorneys to draft a similar view and has It's reviewed by them. So the administration recommends that the Board of Education approve the proposed changes to the memorandum of understanding becoming part of the contractual agreement between the Board of Education of Valley View Community Unit School District 365 and the local Council for American Federation State and County Municipal
077Employees AFL-CIO. These changes won't be incorporated into the working agreement dated July 1st, 2024 through June 30th, 2027. Motion? So moved. Second. Motion and second. Is there any discussion? One discussion. I just want to um This is hard because whenever you're entering the contracts, then you think of money, but I do want to say the dispatchers have personally been a benefit to my family. So, there's been many of times where everything from the Chromebook left on the bus >> [laughter] >> to sick students. So, um I just want to give a commendation for all of our dispatchers who care about our students so much. Thank you. Uh No further comments? Roll call vote, please. Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Bidoris? Yes. Member Hile? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. President Quigley? Yes. Moving down
078the agenda, Panorama, Dr. Paulson. Yes, this is um coming to you this evening for 12.1 is action for Panorama. This is a primary resource for that's provides a unified technology way across the unit district to track our multi-tiered of supports for students that need additional support from an academic and or social emotional lens. This is a renewal. So, we have been in um engagement with this company since 2018. And for this particular part of the the platform, we have been in um in agreement in in a had an agreement with them since 2023. And you will notice if you had an opportunity to review the action report that this time go round we did remove some of the professional learning because it is not a new platform for us and with that it allows us
079to engage into a slight um uh recoup of funds from the previous contract. So, that is an a positive support. From What does this do for our students across the district? Only our educators engage in the platform. And as of March of this school year, we've had almost 77,500 ways that we've intervened and supported students both academically and or socially emotionally. And of those 7,500 plans, about 62% of them have been successfully completed. So, what does that mean from day to day? That means that our students are getting the support that they need. We're able to consistently track it and we're finding some success with their students and making gains. Um this uh is presented in your board packet and the administration is respectfully asking that you approve it as presented. A motion? So moved.
080Motion and second. Is there any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Member Bidoris? Member Pipkin? Yes. Member Hile? Yes. Secretary Sutherland? Yes. Vice President Campbell? Yes. President Quigley? Yes. 13, Dr. Paulson. No report. But I still have to say it. So, you have to say no report. >> Thank you. Moving down the agenda, Superintendent Information Report, Superintendent Update, Dr. Paulson. All right. Uh as they're pulling it up, on behalf of Dr. Wood, we have a brief update for you this evening. So, as a reminder, as we've reminded for the last month or so, our kindergarteners are ready to get enrolled, but even more importantly along with our kindergarteners, as you have students that are returning to us next year, all individuals can be enrolled at this time. So, the sooner we all jump in and get
081our students enrolled, the sooner we can get planning for your students to arrive in August. I know our seniors don't want to hear that, but I But the rest of us will be back in August. So, please uh coordinate with your buildings and get your students registered for the next school year. On your screen in front of you, on your left, you see our food pantry at Bolingbrook High School. On a monthly average, we service over 200 families um supporting over 700 individuals in our communities. So, I'm just wanted to celebrate all the work all hands-on deck there for serving our community. And I think third time is the charm in celebrating our programming at um RHS for the ROTC. They Everybody stole all the wonderful thunder, but rightfully so, but wanted to celebrate them
082again. This was a picture of the send-off right before they made their journey the next morning at 2:00 in the morning as President Quigley talked about jumping on the bus and rolling to Georgia. And um our board ambassador had an opportunity to share exactly all their placements of each of the different competitions. So, a huge celebration for everyone involved. And lastly, just a couple reminders. Early release is coming up on Wednesday this week and our next boarding will be on April 27th. It's quick. Don't forget to pay your taxes. Uh moving down the agenda, so let's see, Morgana BM5000 Booklet Maker Printing Services. Man, there's a mouthful. Mr. Renich. I will not repeat that. Um so, this is an informational report on the purchase of a workbook binder. The current binder has reached its useful
083life and this is part of the long-term capital plan. Um what you might not know is that back in 2017, the district's printing services began producing our 6 through 12 science and mathematic uh workbooks in-house. Um which in turn has generated a significant savings for the district. So, this uh booklet maker allows us to seam those those binders and be able to put those workbooks together for our students. So, this is just an information report with the intent to bring in a formal recommendation at the next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting. Thank you. Next up, 14.3. I assume that's you as well. The Kyocera Task Alpha 15000C. 7090, all right. So, this is an information report to replace the kind of Konica C7090 color production copier. We're transitioning to a newer technology which will
084achieve several goals. First, the life of the copier will will improve from 7 years to 5 years. It will increase our volume production. So, right now the print shop under this current configuration is printing 60 million copies every 5 years on this one machine. That's a million a month that we're producing to produce these workbooks and all this stuff to help support our our kids. Um and then it will generate a savings of $454,606 over the next 5 years. So, this is again an information report with the intent to bring a formal recommendation at the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting. Thank you. 14.4. Technology device replacement. I think I know what this is. Yeah, go ahead. So, we it it You're right. So, uh what President Quigley's referring to is um before I got
085here, the district used to purchase technology, not have a formal plan or rotation cycle in its device management. In addition, we used to issue short-term loans that we would take out to help pay for some of these devices. So, we were able to put together a plan, a 4-year cycle plan, incorporate that into the budget, eliminate high interest costs that we were paying on these short-term loans of somewhere around $400,000 that we were paying on that that total loan. I think that's what you were referring to. So, this is an information uh technology purchase uh that we bring to the board every year. In alignment with the district's strategic plan, technology department has developed a comprehensive 4-year device replenishment plan to support our students and our staff. The technology team has done an outstanding job
086in outlining the plan's components including detailed cost projections for this area. A full breakdown of the plan is included in your packet and we're currently working with Mr. Gilmore to ensure that this plan is fully integrated into the 2026-2027 budget. So, this again is just an information report with the intent to bring a formal recommendation at the next regularly scheduled board meeting. Thank you. Brooks Middle School Band Locker Replacements, Mr. Renich. Thank you. >> [snorts] >> So, the band instrument lockers at Brooks School uh middle school have endured an extensive use, to say the least, uh over the last several decades and are well past their useful life. If you guys recall, these lockers were relocated from B.J. Ward when the school was converted to an elementary school and Brooks was converted to a middle
087school. So, that's a long time. The estimated construction cost of this project is between 90,000 and 110,000 based on the current scope definition. The project funding will be from Brooks Band Escrow account. This is an information report with the intent to bring a formal recommendation at the next board meeting. Thank you. And last but not least, Ms. DiDonato, job descriptions. Yes, information for 14.6. Attached to the board packet are two job descriptions for review. Our payroll department currently uses a single a single job description for all three payroll positions. We are seeking to update and differentiate these roles by establishing two levels, payroll specialist one and payroll specialist two, to more accurately reflect the distinct responsibilities and essential duties of each position. These will be up for action at the next board meeting. Thank you.
088Uh moving down the agenda, legal services report. No report. Thank you. Association reports, local 604. You guys can come down this way. >> [laughter] >> There's There's no line. That's not 604. Oh, I'm sorry. So, uh office personnel, council 604? No? Oh, there you got one in the back. All right, here we go. Sorry, transportation. I didn't see the bus. Now I see the bus. You know, it was once said to me, cuz I asked about sometimes our buses gets get in accidents, and a previous superintendent said, "You'd be amazed at the number of people who wanted run into our big yellow buses." Hi. Hi. Um >> [clears throat] >> Good evening, um Superintendent Mis- Dr. Paulsen, uh senior leadership, school board members, the community. My name's Maria Reisas, president of the Valley View office
089personnel. Uh first, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to speak. Um our third session for contract negotiations with the district is tomorrow. Respectfully, we ask that before any immediate responses were given I'm sorry. Before any immediate responses are given to contract negotiation proposals, we believe it's important to provide context. Context that reflects the reality of the secretarial role as it exists today. Over the years, the responsibility assigned to secretaries have steadily and significantly expanded. Tasks were once clearly designated to specialized departments have gradually been absorbed into the secretarial role. These include, but are not limited to, the finance uh related duties, such as obtaining W-9s, onboarding um vendors, producing purchase orders, human resource responsibilities, such as managing certification processes, uh supporting systems like time clock setup, um different software systems, and operational supports
090across transportation, payroll, and the technology systems. These are not minor additions. They represent a fundamental shift in the scope and the complexity of the position. At the same time, secretaries remain the first point of contact and the last impression of each building. They're the first to arrive, the last to leave, and the consistent present that presents that shapes the climate and culture of Valley View School District. They are, in every sense, the front line. It's also important to recognize that secretaries work more days and longer hours than many other employee groups, bringing not only time, but deep institutional knowledge. More than half of the office personnel currently have dedicated decades of service, bringing expertise, continuity, and stability that cannot be replaced. Despite this, um they have continuously adapted to new systems, procedures, and expectations. Often
091with little to no formal training, demonstrating professionalism, resilience, and initiative. In many buildings, administrators themselves have acknowledged um what we already know, that secretaries are the individuals who keep the operations running smoothly each day. They're often described as the one who run the place. Given this reality, it's only appropriate that their value, recognition, and compensation align with the level of responsibility that they carry. The district's guide guided principles, such as every learner, every day, and a force of one, speak to both the community and the unity. We ask that the values be fully recognized in practice. Every learner, every day must include the secretaries who continuously learn, adapt, and perform at a high level. And a force of one must reflect true unity, where all roles, including the secretaries, are valued, supported, and recognized as
092essential contributors to the district's success. When we recognize secretaries as what we truly are, the heart of the office, and the foundation of the daily operations, we we create an alignment with the district's core values, strengthen engagement, and elevate job satisfaction. This is not just about compensation. It's about respect, sustainability, and investing in the people who ensure that every building functions effectively. Finally, I'd like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible works that incredible work that executive secretaries and office personnel, as well as administrative assistants, um across the district. With Secretaries' Day soon approaching on April 22nd, we extend our sincere appreciation and heartfelt thank you to your continued dedication, professionalism, and the essential role that you play every single day. Your contribution does not go unnoticed and is deeply deeply valued.
093We ask that you consider these points carefully before responding to all the proposals and look forward to your partnership and collaboration. In unity and solidarity, thank you. Thank you. Valley View transportation, local 3057. Now everybody can see the bus. Thank you very much, uh school board and administrators and the Valley View community. I am Jackie Nordstrom, uh president of local 3057, and I want to thank you on behalf of our dispatchers for voting yes towards the MOU to include them into our union and uh their financial increases. Um thank you very much. I have two of our dispatchers with me this evening. We have Rhonda and we have Diane. Uh they're both on big bus side, and we'd like to thank you very much for all the work you do with our all our children,
094cuz you do not just do big bus, you're covering every side. Thank you. All right, rolling down the agenda, any old business before the board this evening? Any new business before the board this evening? I just wanted to highlight um something we have at the courthouse at Joliet. There's um we have Law Day is on May 1st, and there is an event that we are having that um the judges have gotten together to host, um and there are many that are coming from some of our uh high schools, and so I just want to encourage you. There's a beautiful Law Day, so if you're there, I'm going to be participating and volunteering somewhere. I don't know where they're stationing me, but if you see me, say hi. Thank you. That's at the Joliet Will County
095um uh courthouse in Joliet. Thank you. All right, any other new business? Uh freedom of information reports are available through Mr. Wip Blayney on our website. He's back there somewhere. Announcements by the board. From my right. From my left. Announcements by the administration. From my right. From my left. Being no further business before the board this evening, thank you all for your participation, and have a good and safe evening. Motion to adjourn would be in order. So moved. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed, same sign. Ayes have it. Have a good night.