001[laughter] Give me a hug. How are you? >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Good evening. Welcome to the Monday, February 9th, 2026 regularly scheduled Valley View School Board Meeting. I would ask that you silence your cell phones, rise, and join us in the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for a long-term educator in our district, Mr. Ron Kray, who put in over 40 years in our district uh in his passing. So, if you would, Mr. of the United States of America for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with all our condolences to the Crowley family. Uh Ron was a very very entertaining and uh dedicated educator and uh he was a mentor to lots of teachers and principles and assistant principles in this district and he
002will be sorely missed by his friends and family. Uh let's see board affirmation statement. Vice President Campbell, you have it up. I see it. >> Much good evening. 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. >> Thank you. Agenda, Dr. Wood, if you would, please. >> Yes. Thank you, board president. Tonight, we're seeking the board's approval of the agenda as presented. >> There a motion. >> Second. >> Motion and seconded. All those in favor say I. >> I. Post. Same. Sign. Eyes have it. Moving down the agenda. Student staff recognition spotlight video. Kathy Derwin, art teacher, Romeoville High School, Mike, let me see what you got. >> Awesome. So, I would also make them a little bit
003bigger. What you can do is make your text box more narrow so that way you can make the photos wider. >> It was my middle school art teacher that made me fall in love with the idea of being an artist. And I took art throughout high school and like I was saying for my students it's their outlet during the day. For me that was what I looked forward to is that downtime to be creative and um do something different than I was doing in my other classes. It was that happy space for me. And once I was thinking about what I wanted to do after high school, I was like, what how can I share this with other people? Um, in addition to creating my own art, then I thought teaching would be the way
004to go because then I could share my knowledge with others. >> What's the one thing that you want each one of your students to take out of your classroom >> that they can do more than they think they can? Because I do have those kids that show up and say, "Oh, I'm no good at art." So, if they can show me growth from the beginning of the semester to the end of the semester and be like, "Hey, look what I was able to do." I feel like that's a big deal for those students who don't think they have that artistic talent because art is so tangible. Art is so um what's the word? Uh everybody interprets it differently, you know? So, it can be what you want it to be. It doesn't have to be
005black and white. It can be, you know, there's that gray area where you make it your own. >> How did your partnership with the multi- needs teachers and students come about? >> When I was teaching middle school in my previous district, the multi- needs students always pushed in to my class. And so the whole 20 years I taught middle school, I was working with multi-d students. and I saw how excited they were to be in my class, to be able to participate, to be able to create art that they might not get to do within their regular classroom, within their self-contained classroom. So, I brought up the idea um to the assistant principal last year and I said, I think this would be really great for the kids. I have experience doing this. Is it
006something that we could make happen? And so, we talked to the multi- needs teachers and they were really excited about it. And um my favorite part of it is when I started the class this year, the kids were so excited. They were cheering and clapping that they found out that they were going to get to have art. So, made my day. What else might a snowman have? >> Buttons. Anything else you want to add? >> A scarf. >> So, you could start with a rectangle. Do you see the one on the board here, kiddo? Look at this one. [clears throat] That try that one might be too big. Would you like a ruler? >> The creativity is already there. A lot of our students come in with the creativity. So, getting that direct instruction from
007Kathy and uh Mrs. Derwin, she's able to really enhance uh those creative skills, but also for our learners who are just now starting or need to work on those fine motor skills, she's able to use those adaptive materials, lots of different ranges of activities that can enhance not only our more creative end, but even our new beginner learners when it comes to their art skills. >> If you wanted to mix colors, I could add a little bit of purple and then it would blend together with my blue. Now watch what happens with the crayon. >> Whoa. >> What? >> See that? >> How is this possible? [laughter] >> Because >> the crayon has wax in it. >> So it doesn't stick >> where the wax is. >> Because crayon is better than paint. >> It's
008not better. It's different. Silly. I'm just joking. >> You're being silly. >> How does art and particularly the instruction in your classroom help students become critical thinkers? >> I think it's because they're using a different part of their brain that they're not using throughout the rest of the day. In every single class, they might do an aspect of art within those other core classes, but in art specifically, that's what they're focusing on. And those critical thinking skills come into the process of art making. Where are you starting? Where are you ending up? How do you get there? Um, and throughout that process, they have to use those critical thinking skills. >> [applause] >> Moving down the agenda, competitive cheer, state finalist, Romeville High School. Mr. Kinder. >> Good evening, PresidentWigley, members of the board, Dr.
009Wood, members of senior leadership, members of the community, and members of the audience. Uh, my name is Derek Kinder, proud principal at Romeoville High School. It's my privilege to introduce our head competitive cheer coach, Tia Martin. >> [cheering and applause] >> Hello everyone. Good evening. My name is Tia Martin. I'm the head coach of the Romeoville High School co-ed cheer program. Um before I introduce these amazing athletes, I want to talk about why we're here today. Um this program, we are the 2026 IHSA state qualifiers this year, meaning that we are the top 25 tier program in the state of Illinois, which is an amazing accomplishment. Um, this team is very special. We have a lot of amazing athletes, big personalities. They really hold near dear to my heart. Um, another big thing that I
010also was on this team, I cheered with this program. So, it means a lot to me to be back as their coach this year. Um, another thing that I would like to highlight that when we performed, we have 16 athletes, 15 perform. out of those athletes on the mat, only four of those athletes have ever performed at IHSA state competition, which is very important. Um, there's a lot of pressure, there's a lot of excitement about it for them to be on that mat and to bring it like they had an amazing routine. I'm very proud of them and for them to push through those nerves and do their best. I really appreciate all of them and I love them so much. So, I will introduce all of them to you now. First we have Justin
011Brios. [applause] Thank you. Bridget Buren, [applause] Ava Esquil, [applause] Tristan Gonzalez, [applause] Julia Harkkins, Ariah Lee, Vanessa Madison, Lily Messa, Bella Nardi, Mia Ortiz, [applause] Abby Rapolo, Deina S. Joanna Stacy, Jayla Summit, Ava Thordon, [applause] and lastly, Taria Ward. Thank you. [applause] It's always nice to have your own cheering section. >> Mr. Kinder, go ahead. >> Yes. It's uh my privilege to introduce our two uh head chess sponsors at Romeville High School, Mr. Steve Stfansky and Dr. Mike Marorrow. [cheering] [applause] >> Good evening. Thank you for having us. Thank you for for being here tonight. Uh my name is Steve Stansy and this is Dr. Mike Morrow. We uh co-sponsored the chess team. This is our second season uh doing uh such the activity. Um and in two years now that we both participated in
012the chess program, we've qualified for state uh both years so far. Uh we've kind of had an up and down season. Um but we we're really starting to peak towards the end of the season. Uh Romeoville did our our school district very proud. Uh this uh past year we hosted the uh Southwest Conference at Romeoville High School where we had the 12 teams there and we want to give a special shout out to Miss Christa Simpson uh who helped us orchestrate and have the uh Romeville High School able to host a great event like that. Um at the week after our uh conference meet, we went on to the sectional uh and it we went two and 0 uh to start the day uh and we upset a much higher seed and it put us
013in a position that uh Dr. Morrow and I were looking back and forth as we're playing Samberg High School. We're both 2 and 0 and it really came down to one final match, one couple of moves that kept us from making it to the finals uh to play the number one seed. So, uh, we're peing at the right time. And this Thursday, we're going to leave, uh, to head down to, uh, the state, uh, chess meet, and we'll play, uh, four matches on, uh, Friday and another three on Saturday. Um, Dr. Morrow is going to introduce all of our, uh, members of the team. [applause] Thank you. We'll start with our three seniors on the trust team. Jan Carlo Martinez, [applause] Nicholas Herrera, Brian Calieos, [applause] Gideon Awen, Ona, [applause] Marco Contrarus, Jan Marco Martinez.
014[applause] Finally, Bobby Roberts. Thank you. going to wish our teams good luck at state championship finals. That'll be something to watch over the weekend. All right, moving down the agenda. We do not have Bowling Brook here tonight. Uh, Three Rivers Reaching Out and Building Bridges nominee IPA. >> Hello. Thank you for having me. My name is Dave Raffle. I'm the district principal down at Morris District 54, but I also serve as the region director for the Three Rivers Region of the Illinois Principles Association. And I did not even have to use Google Maps this year because I come up here now so often. So, a a testament to the staff that you have here, Dr. Wood. The first award is the Horus Man IPA Reaching Out and Building Bridges Award. This award honors those rare
015leaders who look beyond the four walls of their school and create a stronger, more connected ecosystem for our children. It recognizes a partnership formed by an IPA principal or assistant principal and an external agency or community member that has had profound lasting impact on student welfare. This honor isn't just about a one-time event. It's about sustainable collaboration. And to be chosen, the nominees must show true advocacy, community synergy, and a lasting impact. The Community Outreach Inclusion Collaborative Partnership establishes a seamless continuum of care by aligning district resources with Head Start programs to ensure highquality child care and inclusive education for all families. It is my honor to recognize Tanya Williams of James Mitchum and Debbie Sakura Early Childhood Centers as the 2026 Illinois Principles Association Three Rivers Region winner. Congratulations, Tanya. [cheering] [applause] >> [cheering
016and applause] [cheering] [applause] [cheering] [applause] [cheering] >> The next award I get to present is the Horus man IPA Assistant Principal of the Year Award. It's one of the highest honors for school leaders in Illinois. It recognizes K12 assistant principles who go far beyond the day-to-day logistics of school management and become a true catalyst for change. To earn this distinction, a leader must demonstrate more than three years of experience. They must prove that they are a visionary advocate for children. The selection committee looks for individuals who foster a school climate where staff and student morale thrive, take bold risk, and use creative imagination to improve student learning, collaborate deeply with teachers to elevate the educational program, and bridge the gap between the school and the community. It is my honor to recognize Jenna O'allahan of
017Jonas E. Sulkq Elementary School as the 2026 Illinois Principles Association's Three Rivers Region winner. Congratulations [applause] [cheering] [applause] >> [applause] >> All right, moving down the agenda. Treasures report. Mr. Renich, if you would please. Thank you. Uh 6.1 is the treasur's action report for the month of January. includes the normal um schedule of financial reports, balance sheet, summary of revenue and expenditures, interim obligations, and debt service payments totaling 9,334,439.35 for your approval. >> We have a motion. >> So move second. >> Motion and seconded. Is there any discussion? A roll call vote would be in order. >> Member Pipkin, >> yes. Member Hy, >> yes. Member Shrova, >> yes. >> Member Boderis, >> yes. >> Secretary Sutherland, >> yes. >> Vice President Campbell, >> yes. >> PresidentWigley, >> yes. >> Mr. Renitch, >> 6.2 is
018the schedule of bills. The schedule bills for the month of February. We have six funds totaling bills payable of 3,243,63240 for your approval. >> We have a motion. Second >> and seconded to pay the bills. Uh, is there any discussion? Seeing none, hearing none, roll call vote, please. >> Member Hyo, >> yes. >> Member Shrova, >> yes. >> Member Burus, >> yes. >> Member Pipkin, >> yes. >> Secretary Sutherland, >> yes. >> Vice President Campbell, >> yes. >> PresidentWigley, >> yes. >> Mr. Renich, >> so in your packet, you have this uh 6.3, which is the summary of investments for the month of January along with 6.4, four, which is the state funding update. 6.5, property tax received. We don't have a report because we're not receiving taxes at this time. And 6.6, all schools
019trust account activity. This is anformational agenda item. Keep moving. You're on a roll. No fun. There's no property taxes received on 6.5 and in all schools, that's included. Anybody have any questions on that? All right. Moving down the agenda. Consent agenda items. Dr. Wood. >> Yes. Tonight we are seeking the book the board approval of eight consent agenda items as presented. 7.1 Board Meeting minutes January 26, 2026. 7.2 Executive session meeting minutes January 26, 2026. 7.3 Romeoville High School trips 7.4 4 Ben Bowling Brook High School trips 7.5 gift to Oakview Elementary School 7.6 gifts to Jonas Sulk Elementary School 7.7 gifts to Dr. James Mitchum and Debbie Sakor Early Childhood Centers and 7.8 gift to Beverly Scoff Elementary School. >> Move. >> We have a motion. Motion >> second. We have a motion to
020second. Is there any discussion? Roll call vote, please. Member Shrova, >> yes. >> Member Burus, >> yes. >> Member Pipkin, >> yes. >> Member Hy, >> yes. >> Secretary Sutherland, >> yes. >> Vice President Campbell, >> yes. >> PresidentWigley, >> yes. Moving down the agenda, leazison reports. Any all from my right? >> Any from my left? >> No. Okay. Good evening. Um this is an update or a report from um Wil uh Career Center. Um the cent's early childhood competed program competed in the family career and community leaders of America regional competition last Friday. Nine students from the center competed with all nine earning gold from View. The following students were Jenna Jarmas and uh Abby Ole Ole Oasis from RHS and Chamilleia Vasqueuel from and Gonzalez from BHS. Sorry for names. In addition to
021the early childhood program, two students from the culinary program won in hospitality. They were Lloyd Jackson and Joseph Montalo of um B uh of RHS. The students will be competing at the state competition in Springfield April 8th through the 10th. Wil will begin accepting bids on March 10th for construction on an additional bathroom. They will be converting what is currently a storage area into a muchneeded um bathroom. Miss Kaufman, the director of the Wilka Center, met with Julia Township and Grundy Area Vocational Center uh last Thursday determined the allocations of the number of seats for the following classes uh architecture, construction, management and engineering, applied engineering technology, advanced instructional and maintenance. Miss C um Kaufman is hoping to secure more seats um for the um uh advanced instructional and maintenance program. Uh the Illinois Association
022for Career and Technology Education team is preparing for the state conference next week. Their team will be delivering four presentations in the House of Delegates. And that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh student ambassador report Caitlyn >> beforehand. I did. Oh, sorry. >> Sorry. I just wanted to comment. I was able to attend the um the Black History Month um awareness club presentation that they have annually in Bowling Brook. We have been going for years, but we did have a table. So, Valley View School District did have a table this year. And I definitely want to thank our dear student ambassador of Bowling Brook High School, uh Zoya Mon. Thank you so [applause] much. She manned our table the whole time from the beginning to the very end. Even when we had to when
023the board of directors had to go and be introduced, she still stayed at the table and made sure we had everything. So, I really wanted to appreciate that. I also wanted to recognize I believe it was Gian Caamandanda who was there as well um at the beginning to help us as a student as well. Um it was a wonderful time and I just wanted to report back that it was wonderful. We had a great time, lots of people, lots of fun. I love the dancers as well. So, take care. That's all. Thank you. Happy Black History Month. >> All right. Now, Caitlyn, >> good evening members of the board and Valley View community. My name is Caitlyn Moreno and I am a student ambassador from RHS and I am also a senior. I'm going to
024start off with our house shoutouts. And again, as you saw, Romeoville High School co-ed cheer. They've competed at RHSA state cheer competition. So, we want to wish them luck. And Romeoville High School students will be attending the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute conference in Chicago this Thursday. Students are very excited to get to hear from accomplished speakers and attend the college career fair with over 50 institutions. Black Student Alliance will be heading to Juliet Junior College for the Black Teen Summit on February 13th. And students will hear from experts in varying fields and gain valuable resources for their futures. Again, Romeo is one of two all-state pep bands selected to perform at the University of Illinois or Bana of Champagne during the boys basketball state finals. And our RHS McJotc team competed at Ben Davis
025drill sectionals this past weekend, coming home with multiple first and second place trophies in multiple events, qualifying them to compete for the opportunity to attend drill nationals this spring in Georgia. For old business, ACT prep for our juniors has started at both high schools. So mark your calendars for this year's all school testing date Tuesday, April 14th for grades 9 through 11. Seniors will be excused from school on April 9th for a college and career day. For new business, the VVSD family symposium is back. Join us at JJL on February on February 21st for a day of connection and empowerment. Enjoy workshops on student success, mental health, and community resources, plus an inspiring keynote speaker. Please register by February 13th. There is a Google form to complete in parent square. Lasso is proud to host
026our first ever win ballet dance on Friday, February 27th from 600 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will be live music and food and students can purchase tickets through their infinite campus. Semester 2 parent teacher conferences are coming up at the end of the month on February 26th and 27th for RHS, BHS, and Early Childhood. Parents can begin signing up on starting on February 9th. And please remember due to conferences there is no school for students on February 27th 2026. Additionally there is also no school on Monday March 2nd 2026 in observance of Kashmir Palowski Day. Sunday February 15th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Romeoville American Legion Post 52 is partnering with the Hampton Park Social Athletic Club at Lostacre Tavern to host a meat raffle where all proceeds will go to RHSMC Gerotep
027program as they prepare to fund their way to nationals. Any support and any donations are greatly appreciated. Both RHS and BHS have many students eligible to take the seal of biiteracy test within the coming months for a variety of languages. We wish all of these students luck and success and our second annual districtwide spirit week is coming around the corner. We will be posting more so be more much more detailed information soon. So be on the lookout to show your 365U spirit. In closing, as I consider this is my final time sitting as a member on the district board, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the district board members for allowing me to be a part of this extremely valuable and rewarding experience. This role has allowed me to strengthen communication
028between students and leadership, advocate for student perspectives, and contribute to a more connected Valley View community. Stay safe, be mindful, and strive for excellence. [applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you, Miss Marino. Appreciate that. Uh, moving down the agenda, audience participation. Is there anybody who wishes to address the board this evening? Please state your name. Uh, limit your comments to three minutes or less. Uh, and you're addressing the board if you would please. And personal tax will not be tolerated. Thank you. >> All right. Well, good evening members of the board, Dr. Woods and Valley View leadership. Thank you for taking the time and care you put into supporting our students. My name is Susan Meyer and I'm here as a parent of a third grade challenge student. I want to start by saying that I
029genuinely support the direction Valley View is taking with the challenge program soon to be honors program. I believe in expanding access, strengthening neighborhood schools, and ensuring that advanced learning opportunities are available to every learner. Those are goals worth applauding. My concern is not with what is changing, but how it is being implemented for our current students. As a parent, we were informed that current fourth graders are being given a choice either to return to their home schools or remain at the centralized challenge location. However, current third graders are not being offered the same option. For students like my daughter, Caitlyn, this feels especially difficult. She has only ever known her challenge school. Her older brother was a part of the program and were allowed to attend together. This school is not just where she learns,
030it's where her academic confidence, peer relationships, and a sense of belonging have been built. I fully understand and support transitioning new students into the homeschool model. That makes sense. What I respectfully ask is to cons reconsider allowing all current challenge students including third graders the same choice being extended to the fourth graders during this transition year. Offering that choice provides consistency during a major program shift honors the investment current families and students have already made and aligns implementation with the district's stated commitment to supporting every learner's growth both academically and emotionally. My hope is that Valley View can lead this change with both innovation and compassion by supporting future growth while also honoring the journey of students already in the program. Thank you for listening and for considering a solution that gives current students and
031families a voice during this transition. [applause] >> Thank you. Good evening, Valley View board and administrators and audience. Thank you for allowing me to speak tonight. My name is Christopher Johnson. I've got a sixth grader at Brooks Middle School and a third grader at Jonas Sulk. And I'm here to express concern over the changes to the challenge program for next year as well. I find myself in a similar situation to Susan's that you just heard from where uh my third grader has been in Jonas since he was a kindergartener since his brother was admitted uh to the challenge program when he was in third grade and uh and Kyle will uh is being asked to move back to our home school of Woodview next year. Um, it's uh Jonas Hawk's the only school he's ever
032known and uh change is hard, especially when it's possibly unnecessary. In this case, every learner is different. Uh Kyle has struggled even with the uh transition into the challenge program at times. uh we're on the other side of it, but to ask him to make another big change without uh a great reason is uh questionable. Our family chose to enter the challenge program. We chose to move schools, but now we're not being given a choice and told we have to to uh move back to Woodview. Um we believe in the partnership model with with the school district and this feels like um not something a partner would do. It not giving us a choice. So I'm here to respectfully ask for all existing challenge families be given the choice to stay at their school or
033move back to their home school. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Oh, there's somebody else behind a corner. >> Good evening. My name is Jean Walsh and I live in Bowling Brook. Um, my children have all graduated from Valley View School District and um, very active uh, members of the communities where they live. This past summer, I came before the board to raise the issue of poor communication from the administration to all the residents in the Valley View School District boundaries, not just families with children in the schools. I pointed out that the other taxing bodies uh send out quarterly newsletters, but nothing ever arrives from the school district. So, I came here tonight to say thank you for listening to my concerns regarding lack of communication from the district. A few weeks
034ago, I received the very nicely um done information newsletter from the district. It contained numerous facts about the the school district. I understand that Crystal Core and her staff members are responsible for gathering all the information and putting it together in a very impressive, informative newsletter. Uh, job well job well done. I hope this is the beginning of many more publications to come in the future. I would also like to thank Jim Blay for the weekly news weekly emails that I receive. Once again, thank you to the administration and school board members for your listening ears and follow through. >> Thank you. >> Next up. >> Hi everyone. Um my name is Megan Herby. I'm here with my husband Hugh and our son in the audience. Um, our son is a student at Beverly Scoff
035and while at home on a weekend last month, we chose to discuss ICE with him. Um, during this discussion, he said, "I'm confused. My teacher said ICE is good and they take illegal immigrants away." Uh, he also said that he asked if Trump was racist and the teacher replied, "No, he likes lots of people." This conversation happened with the entire classroom. Uh we went to administration to discuss these statements. We requested parents of the class be notified that this was discussed so they could have follow-up conversations with their own kids. Um this was refused during a particularly disturbing meeting with the teacher herself. We were told that she was quote the only adult in the room um and given a sanitized and false version of events. Um, among other things, it couldn't have been true
036because our son does not know the term illegal immigrants to describe human beings. Uh, the teacher's version of events was uncritically accepted by the K through5 director. We did our due diligence, followed up with our son to make sure we understood the version of events and he said what he had originally reported was true. I have no doubt that that's the case. Um, we're disturbed by the use of her being the only adult in the room uh as proof that what she's saying is true. If adults are always believed over children, how could we keep our kids safe? Uh, so our reason for being here is twofold. First of all, parents, um, please have age appropriate conversations with your children about what's going on in the world. Our hearts hurt for the children who could
037feel at risk or victimized by pro-ICE sentiments in the classroom. Um, and we're aware that the classroom could be a child's first introduction to that topic and we don't know how teachers are introducing that. Um, it's hard to weed out hate once it's in the hearts of our children. Uh, please listen to your children, believe them, and trust that they're smart enough to interpret the world around them. Uh second message is to teachers. Please be thoughtful about what you say. Biases can peek through. Kids can pick up on them. Uh we weren't in that classroom, so we don't know the exact words that were said, but our son left with the message that his teacher was pro Trump and pro- ICE, and he was left with the confusion that that caused. Uh no matter what
038your biases are, the leading lesson has to be community and love from our teachers to our students. And if you make a mistake uh in showing your biases, owe it to your community to take accountability for that. Um we're grateful that our son communicated with us so we had the opportunity to direct that discussion, but I hope other parents have that opportunity as well because they do deserve that. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you. Next up, George. >> Hello. >> Did you come see your daughter do this? >> No, it was actually awesome to watch. [laughter] Thanks for calling her out. >> Good evening. Welcome. >> Oh, good evening. >> Have those guys step up with you. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Um, Valley School board members. Oh, can I'm sorry. Can you hear me?
039>> There you go. >> All right. Uh, Valley School board members, thank you for allowing us to come up here and speak. Uh, my name is George Moreno. Over here is, I'm sorry, is Andrew. >> Andrew Kuruma. >> Um, we're both with the NISA Columbus. And, uh, annually we've done the Tootsie Roll Drive. We've kind of missed a few years. We've actually missed a couple years. So, we're actually very happy to come back and be able to come back and present checks today for RHS and AVM for uh, kids with special needs. So I think last time I did this I was able to do it again with Christy Kender which she'll be receiving the checks for all all for today. Sorry. >> On behalf of myself and my brother Knights, we are presenting this
040check to uh Valley View School District for the tremendous job they're doing for challenging kids. >> [applause] >> Thank you very much. You're always welcome if you want to bring jacks. We appreciate it. Good evening. This is Jim Fischer. I have two students that graduated from this school and I have one student that currently is in this school. I do want to say that it's appropriate to have opinions across the board. I did send this um social media item that came across my screen that identified that it came from the students. And then down the road as you read it, it said we and the students. So you are supposed to have an event Friday and it's supposed to be I don't know. Is it studentledd? Um PresidentWigley, are you running it? Do we have
041any idea of who's running this? That's my question to the board and with social media. >> I'm sorry. Okay. So that's fine. But the social media doesn't say what organization, what individual. It's anonymous. So if you're going to ask kids to skip school, it'd be nice to know which person or which organization is asking kids to skip school. All right? And social media has been out four years ago. I helped you get rid of bullying social media and you got rid of it. This is telling kids to skip school and it doesn't have any. It says special edition on it. So, please pass that out if you haven't seen it. But one person that came up here and said, uh, some people may not be appropriate. I I support Trump. I support ICE. My daughter
042actually went to some of the teachers to give them pros and cons about ICE. So, there's two sides of the story. And I'm My daughter is not going to go on Friday. My wife and I agreed it's not safe. It's bullying. You guys don't know who's doing this and it's not appropriate. So when it's over, my daughter was in alignment with this. I am not going to put her in that situation. Thank you. >> You there. >> Hello everybody. I am Hayden Harbek. I am a student at BHS. Um I am knowledgeable about what is happening on Friday is a school walk out organized by students in protection of our Hispanic classmates who feel scared and intimidated by what is going on within our communities. It is not being forced on anybody. It is by
043choice and of our own valition. Um, it's not meant to disavolve anybody's beliefs or make opinions seem wrong. It's just to highlight the inequalities, the disadvantagements, the harm, the trauma that is causing to our neighbors, which we shall all love. Um, it's not a matter of political beliefs. Um, it's just to show that we love and support our students and they should not be fearful to get their education and live within a society that was founded on immigrants. Students are skipping their classes to teach adults lessons they should have learned years ago. So, it's a student's choice and they should be allowed to make that because it's our world, too. And we would like to make it better for our neighbors. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Moving down the agenda. There's no further
044speakers. Uh action M Donado HR >> action [clears throat] 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 presented. >> Motion and seconded. Any discussion? Roll call vote, please. >> Member Bader, >> yes. >> Member Pipkin, >> yes. >> Member Hyo, >> yes. >> Member Shoa, >> yes. >> Secretary Sutherland, >> yes. >> Vice President Campbell, >> yes. >> President Quigley, >> yes. Mr. Renich, action reports. >> Thank you. 11.1 is the Woodview Elementary School kitchen renovation. At the December 8th, 2025 board of education meeting information report was presented outlining a need for the kitchen addition and renovation at Woodview Elementary School. This action report brings forward a recommendation to approve the publicly bid kitchen equipment portion of
045this project. This project is part of the district's long-term capital projects initiative. So, the administration recommends that the board of education approve the contract for Woodview Elementary School Kitchen Equipment and Installation to Great Lakes Hotel Supply as the lowest responsible uh bidder in the amount of $218,293 as presented. >> Motion moved. >> Second. >> Motion and seconded. Any discussion? >> I have one discussion. This the schedule is to start uh the repairs and the renovations beginning after the school year ends. Correct. >> That's correct. >> All right. We have a motion second. If there's no further discussion, a roll call vote, please. [clears throat] >> Member Pipkin. >> Yes. >> Member Shrova. >> Yes. >> Member Hy. >> Yes. >> Member Burus? >> Yes. >> Secretary Suedland? >> Yes. >> Vice President Campbell? >> Yes.
046President Quigley. >> Yes. Moving down the agenda is >> 11.2 [clears throat] I'm sorry. 11.2 is the Jamie McGee Elementary School site improvements. On December 8th, 2025 and anformational report was presented to the board identifying the need for the site improvements at Jamie McGee Elementary School. The scope of the work includes expanding the parking lot to the west and north, providing an additional 43 parking stalls. This project is part of the district's long-term capital project initiative. The project was publicly advertised and the bids were open and read out loud on January 30, 2026. Based upon the bid results, the administration is recommends that the board of education approve the contract to Abbey Construction Company for site improvements at Jamie McGee Elementary School for the base bid amount of $647,89187 as presented. Motion move. >> Motion
047and seconded. Any discussion? Roll call vote, please. >> Member Hyo, >> yes. >> Shrova, >> yes. >> Member Buris, >> yes. >> Member Pipkin, >> yes. >> Secretary Sutherland, >> yes. >> Vice President Campbell, >> yes. >> President Quigley, >> yes. >> Moving on the agenda, Romeo. Again, on on December 8, 2025, an information report was presented to the board of education regarding the need to replace the damaged roof at Romeoville High School gymnasium and main corridor roofing. Last year, Romeoville High School was uh impacted by a severe storm that caused extensive wind damage to the gymnasium roof system. Unlike the two previous capital projects discussed this evening, this replacement uh was not part of our planned capital improvement projects for this year. So, I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize outstanding leadership and
048problem solving abilities of Mr. Lopez and Mr. Dominico for their proactive approach to the situation and ensured that the repairs could proceed without compromising any other of our critical projects. So based upon this bid result and scope review, the administration recommends that the board of education approve a con contract with Armor Shield Construction for $811,000 to replace the gymnasium and main corridor roofing at Romeoville High School as presented. >> Motion second. >> Motion and seconded. Uh I have a quick question, John. Most of this is covered by the insurance, correct? anyone? >> No. Fill your sign. >> This was not covered by this on top of our Okay, gotcha. >> Mr. Dominico would have been all over this if it was covered by the insurance as he's done a great job in recouping a lot
049of money when the claims are available whether it's hail damage or other events like that that we can capitalize on that. So >> okay, >> we cannot on this one >> just so for everybody's we have buildings we have 22 buildings we maintain and we put things in a rotation for maintenance whatever it may be parking lots roofs kitchen equipment so on and so forth. Obviously things some things might wear out sooner than others. some things we can extend the life of based on uh good sound maintenance andor you like the roofs maybe the weather so that kind of thing. So it's not uncommon that these kind of things pop up and we have a rotation that this plan is what five six years out for things and sometimes we jump ahead on some projects
050and push other things back based on the needs and the availability of whatever it is. So uh we have a motion and a second if there's no further discussion. A roll call vote please. >> Member Paderis. Yes. >> Member Pipkin. >> Yes. >> Member Hy. >> Yes. >> Member Shrova. >> Yes. >> Secretary Sutherland. >> Yes. >> Vice President Campbell. >> Yes. >> PresidentWigley. >> Yes. >> All right. Moving down the agenda. Dr. Pollson, phonics adoption for grades K through two. >> Yes. Action item 12.1 was presented as information at the last board meeting to um adopt a primary resource for our phonics programming for K2 that is in alignment with the Illinois comprehensive literacy plan. And that is what uh this particular resource does. So it is being presented as you see in your
051packet for a three-year cost of a curriculum for 481,7468. and the administration is respectfully requesting your approval for the adoption of this resource. Um, pending, subject to attorney review and approval. >> Second. >> Motion and seconded. Is there any discussion? >> Roll call vote, please. >> Member Pipkin, >> yes. >> Member Hy, >> yes. >> Member Shrova, >> yes. >> Member Burus, >> yes. >> Secretary Stherland, >> yes. >> Vice President Campbell, >> yes. >> PresidentWigley, >> yes. Dr. Wood, number 13. No report. Correct. >> No report. >> Thank you. That's always nice to see. >> Student superintendent information report. Dr. Wood, you're back up. >> All right. Caught the guys in the booth off guard. [laughter] >> It's coming up. >> That's all right. people can sit there and look at your amazingly stylish
052tie. >> All right, good evening and thank you, board president Quigley. Um, continuing with our theme of classrooms to community, we have a couple of images to share with you. Um, on the left you see 18 students from Romeoville High School. Um, they re recently participated in [clears throat] a workplace tour at Cage Engineering. um where they were able to gain firshand exper exposure to careers in engineering and advanced manufacturing within their local community. And on the right you see um the mobile food pantry at Bowling Brook High School and um providing resources and services to to folks who need it the most. This wouldn't happen without um a extensive um list of volunteers um from community organizations such as um Good Samaritan Hospital and our very own STEP students, secondary transition experience program students.
053Um again, we're very appreciative of all hands-on deck approach to support um those who need it the most. And also too, I would like to give a special shout out to Mr. Frink and other security team uh members for manning the parking lots because if it wasn't for them, it would not have the high level of organization and efficiency um that was on display and continues to be on display. Just a reminder, our five essential survey window um is open. Um it is an annual survey administered in all Illinois districts and schools. The survey identifies five indicators that lead to improved outcomes for all students, including improved attendance and larger test score gains, and parent voice is important. The surveys can be found on your child's school website, and we encourage as many parents as
054possible to provide feedback. Look at that. Once again, class of 2039. Kindergarten enrollment lifts off February 27th. If your child already attends the Dr. James Mitchum or Debbie Sakora Early Childhood Centers, you do not need to enroll again for kindergarten, but for all others, um, make sure you do so in a timely manner. How cool is that? Love it. And finally, important upcoming dates. February 11th is early release day. February 16th, President's Day, schools are closed. February 23rd is our next board meeting on February 27th again is our kinderg um kindergarten registration opens. Thank you President Quigley. That is the end of my report. >> All righty. Moving down the agenda. School board meeting. Dr. Wood tentative dates. >> Okay. Um tonight we are presenting the 2627 board meeting dates to you for review. We
055will be seeking your approval of the 2627 board meeting dates at the February 23rd meeting. >> Got it. Thank you very much. If you guys have any questions, comments, or concerns, >> Dr. Wood, uh, moving down the agenda, Mr. Renidge, >> thank you. 14.3 is the district cleaning service contract. So, Valley View School District is in its final year of the cleaning service contract with GSF Cleaning Company, which ends on May 31st, 2026. Um, the contract amount for this year is $4,856,956. Um, on February 4th, the district solicited a request for bids for a five-year contract. So, to put this in perspective, this is almost like a $25 million contract that we're putting together. one of the largest contracts that we have with the district. Um, a mand a mandatory pre- bid uh conference is
056set for uh February 13th. Bids are due on March 3rd, 2026 and will be read out loud at a public uh bid opening. We have been working with Trestler to review the bid documents to ensure legal compliance. So, this is an information report for your review. It is the administration's intent to bring a recommendation at the merge board meeting uh once we've received all the bid documents. >> Thank you very much. All right, moving on the agenda. Job description. Miss Donado, I assume. >> Yes. Attached to the board packet are two job descriptions for information and review. The elementary honors teacher position is being updated to reflect the evolution of this role since it was first developed in 2009 and the purchasing specialist position is being revised to reflect the evolving needs of the department
057of the department. These job descriptions will be brought to the next board meeting for action. >> Thank you very much. All right, continuing down the agenda, board policies. Dr. Wood. >> Yes. Tonight we are presenting the attached board policies to you for review as an effort to keep policies up to date. The following policies were either reviewed, contain minor changes in language, or have been revised to reflect changes in the law or school code. Please reach out to a member of the senior administration team or legal counsel if you have any questions. We'll be seeking your approval at the next board meeting. >> You miss no. Legal services report. >> No update. >> Thank you. Association report 604. Hey, listen. I'll take clapping any day. Thank you. Uh, I really did come up here with
058only one thing in mind, but listening to some of these pieces tonight, there's a couple things I just kind of want to remind us of. Uh, if you ever have received an email from me, it always ends with the same quote and uh, I apologize for the gender specific I didn't write the quote. Uh, JK Rowling did. It says, "Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels, but old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young." >> [clears throat] >> And uh I just want to remind us that uh it doesn't matter whether uh it was the Partridge Family or Family Ties, The Fresh Prince of Belair. Uh I kind of remember some lessons from any of those shows that if you do not create an avenue for young people to
059be heard, you can expect a reaction. That should probably be something we remember. And I point that out only because uh if you really really want to get a reaction from young people, tell them that the reason they're doing something is because the adults told them to do it. And that's probably not what they want to hear. But um my purpose tonight is to make sure that um everybody is aware that that we are here to stand in unison with our brothers and sisters of the VVOP. We know they're going to begin their contract negotiations and they are our union brothers and sisters. And so we stand my executive officers that are here. We stand in unison with you. And I just want to remind us all that uh many of um of our staff
060VVOP these are the people that you see at the beginning of the day and for us even the end of the day, right? Some of them are key masters and others uh know secrets that uh you should always be kind to them because um they may be very useful secrets in your endeavors at a school. So we always will stand with you and uh we got our buttons and so best of luck to you in in your endeavors. We will be here to stand with you. That's all. Thank you. Office Personnel Council. Thank you. Transportation. Apparently no report. Old business before the board this evening. Any new business before the board this evening? Freedom of information requests are filled out and followed up with Mr. Delaney online nodding his head in the back and any
061announcements by the board from my left from my right. Oh, thank you. I just wanted to say again, happy Black History Month. Uh, Black History Month is celebrated in US and Canada in the month of February. I know that um I did see a post online and then I got a lot of messages someone saying what's diversity month. Well, there is actually a diversity month, but that's in April. But again, February is Black History Month where we recognize the contributions of uh black Americans to our combined collective history. And so, I do want to say happy Black History Month, not just to the African-Americans in the room, but to everyone in the room because we have a shared history. Thank you. >> You uh any announcements by the administration? >> Dr. Wood? >> Yes. So
062I would just like to thank the Illinois Principal Association for coming out to recognize leadership excellence. And I'm sure if uh Miss Williams uh Mrs. Okalahan were asked, they would say it is not them. It is a team effort. So certainly want to thank the staff at uh James Mitchum Early Childhood Center, Debbie Sakor Early Childhood Center and um Sock Elementary School for um letting their leaders lead and letting their leaders shine. you. [applause] >> Uh, anybody else? No, Dr. Pson, >> just add in one extra thing. As um, families in our community, just a reminder, we're fast approaching our annual second annual family symposium that will take place on February 21st. You should have a parent square message as a means to um, RSVP for the event. There will be tons of resources and
063also sessions to learn and connect different ways with the school district and with your own family at home. So, we encourage you to RSVP and come on out on the 21st. >> Thank you. Any other announcements? Uh, have a great evening. Be safe. I think the weather is finally broke, so we don't have to be freezing to death walking to the car for a change. Um, other than that, a motion to adjurnn would be in order. >> Move. >> Second. >> Motion and second. All those in favor say I. >> I. Post. Same sign. Nice. Have it. Have a good night. Thank you folks.