001It is March 23rd, 2026 at 7:32 p.m. and I'd like to call to order the meeting of the Lyall Community Unit School District 202 Board of Education. And I will entertain a motion to return to open session. >> So moved. Second. All in favor? I. And those opposed. >> Okay. At this point, we'd like to rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Next is our Lyall 202 mission statement, which is to provide our learning community with the essential education, skills, and experiences for future success. So, we'll keep those thoughts in mind as we meet this evening. Student recognition, we're thrilled to have that as
002item six on our agenda, which is our state culinary and dec championships. So, I will, I believe, turn it over to Mr. remote. >> Good evening. Thanks for having me. I am going to call a few people down. Jennifer and Elena are coming down and Mrs. Cornick. So, we have with us this evening, uh Katie Cornick is the DECA advisor and then we have Elena Schroeder and Jennifer Dubin. and a little bit about them. Uh we're here to recognize our state championship as well as the chapter recognition. It's our honor this evening to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of Ly High School DECA chapter for the recent career development conference. Right. Our student leaders competed in rigorous fields. There was over 2500 students um from over 80 plus schools across the nation. And these two fine
003young ladies in here killed it. They came in first overall uh in their in the and I want to get this right so I'm going to read it. The marketing management team decisionmaking event. Um I know Mrs. Cornick like tutored them along the way. Um I want to take a small part because I did get to interview them in the sectional, right? These two didn't. I did. Right. So, you know, I got to hang my hat a little bit somewhere. I'm just kidding. We're honestly here to recognize them. They actually did a absolutely fantastic job and they now get to go to Atlanta, >> right? Atlanta to represent and compete internationally. Um, and so we wish them the best of luck. They're ready with their speeches. Congratulations. You want to go first? >> I'm kidding.
004The fear came over their face. Elena, congratulations. >> Thank you. >> That's for you. And we have this lovely cup as well. >> Thank you. Did you have your speech ready? Um, >> no. >> From someone who's on the stage all the time, I gotta say congratulations. >> Thank you. >> And then I know Mrs. Cornick wanted to say a little something. I'll step out of the way. >> All right. Um, and I just want to say a second congratulations to you both. um they've put in an immense amount of effort. And for those that aren't familiar with DECA, you have to have the academic testing piece that is timed. And then the role plays themselves, they are not given the scenarios until they show up the day of. So they not only have to
005think on their feet, but they have to use any prior knowledge in business and marketing specifically and then present in front of a business professional or professional in the field. Um, so I'm very very proud of you all um for the effort you put in and I know you're going to make us proud. So congratulations. Right. It is now my honor and a very rare privilege to be standing here again. If you recall a year ago we were here honoring Delilah. Time to stand up. Right. Delila is here. Second year in a row. She killed it again at the competition. her and her team winning first place in the ProStar culinary competition. Um Delilah is in charge of the appetizer. All right. Uh and so as we all know, if the appetizer stinks, then the
006whole meal is going to stink. And so she absolutely just set the table, no pun intended, um as we went through and so she's returning defending champs. Her and her foreign teammates faced the high pressure um and and absolutely did fantastic. And with her being the cornerstone, they are now going to move on to the competition held in Washington DC. So our students are just going all over the place representing Lyall uh in future competitions. And so I know Delila is fantastic. I want the other two to realize next year I expect the same. Right. No, no pressure. Delila, congratulations. >> Absolutely. Great job. >> So because it's your second year, you do have to speak. I don't mind. Oh, >> great. Awesome. >> Here we go. >> Okay. >> Hello, my name's Delila. I
007just wanted to come up here to give a shout out to especially TCD because I wouldn't be here without them and that program. I think it's a wonderful program uh for anybody that wants to start culinary. It really gives you a bump. Um I also want to shout out to my chefs. Chef Britt, she's pastry. Chef Barker. He does culinary and chef um Jeff Brit, Chef Barker, and Chef Byron. He helps he does he does like the basics of everything. It's called TCD Go. It's kind of a mix of baking and pastry. Without them, I honestly if they didn't push me, I wouldn't have become what I am now. all their expertise have definitely shown me new things. They also involved other chefs like Chef Michael and Chef Karen. They are actually working at um
008the Purple Pig that's in Oak Brook Mall. So, you should go try um uh there. We also have great counselors. I've actually got a new job at Santosello that's in downtown Neighborville. Um Mr. C, Mr. He actually helped me uh he reached out to them, helped me get a job there. So now I'm currently working there. So I think TCD is a wonderful place for everybody and it's actually helped me so much. Thank you Delila. I'd just like to say the last year we, you know, we were very very proud of you, even more so this year. and some of us had the opportunity to see you uh in action at TCD and we can't wait for you to open up your Lyall Lions restaurant and we'll we will all be there. So, congratulations. And
009Alana and and Jennifer, we are equally as proud of of both of you. And this is only one of the many many things in high school that you're involved in and excel at each and every one of them. So, we couldn't be prouder. We wish you the best of luck as you go on and to the Atlanta, right? We're going. Yeah. So, we'll we'll expect to hear from you on there. You could be you could be like world champions or something. So, but congratulations and thank you all the three of you for your your hard work and your contributions and all that you've done for Lyall. So, thank you. Okay, you're all welcome to stay. You don't have to if you don't want to, but you are welcome to stay. >> We feel like we
010get to watch your family grow. This is always fun. Always fun. I know. He's so big this year. >> Okay. It's always exciting to have the student recognition on there. Next is our is our public comment. And I don't believe we have any any items uploaded on that. So that brings us to our action item. Um action is there anything before we go through the action items that anybody wanted pulled for separate discussion? Okay. Otherwise I I will just mention one thing as we go through. But item 8 A is our consent agenda. Item 8 A1 board meeting minutes. 8 A2 payroll pay orders. 883 vendor pay orders. 884 personnel. 884A administrative employment director of student services. 884B resolution for dismissal of probationary teachers. 884 C resolution of honorable dismissal of teachers. 884D. Resolution for
011honorable dismissal and reassignment. 884E classified resignation. 884F certified resignation. 8 A5 85 Membership in Illinois High School Association. 8A6 contract renewal agreement for food service management company for school year 202627. 8A7 board of education annual policy review. And with that, I just wanted to point out in there there were two items. They were covered in the discussion points and one of them was whether we would make reference uh to our student handbooks and instead there's actually a link provided now in that policy to take them right to the the food. I thought that was a good addition and 888 official school calendar for school year 2027 to 2028. So with that, I will entertain a mo a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> So moved. Second. >> Okay. Could we please have
012a roll call? >> Yes. >> Mr. Helderly. >> I. >> Mr. Nagler. >> I. >> Miss Novousel. >> I. >> Uh. Miss Dino Demenco. >> I. >> Miss. Foster. >> I. >> Miss Sims is an I. And Miss Alman. >> I. Thank you. Item nine is our financial information. The board acknowledges receipt of the following reports. 9A financial report and 9B treasurer report. Uh there were no comments ahead of time. Does anybody have any comments on Okay. And brings us to item 10 which is our discussion items 10A preliminary staffing plan for the school year 2026 2027. Good evening everyone. So as you've read in the the board documents, we'll be reviewing our staffing plan for next school year tonight. I just wanted to highlight a few things and then certainly uh available for any
013questions that the board has or further discussion on any of these points. Um I think the the key enrollment information really is that district-wide our enrollment is is pretty stable but what we see is a decrease at the elementary and as we know that kind of group moving into the junior high. So, and again, remember these are current numbers, particularly with the elementary and kindergarten registration. That is certainly subject to change between now and the start of the year. And we will clearly be communicating any changes that may require additional staffing uh prior to that with the board of education. Um, as far as the the net difference overall district-wide, we're again remaining just like our enrollment relatively stable. we have a um a 0.44 reduction districtwide and that plays out as kind of an
014odd number for a couple of different reasons. So just to highlight a few of those basically at the elementary um because of the decreased enrollment and specific student need. We really try to be really precise about our need for pair of professionals. So we have a retirement there. So we'll have a natural attrition and we won't refill that particular position uh because of the current need there. And then we're showing also a reduction of a 1.0 certified staff member with one less section of kindergarten. So again, that's based on our current numbers. If we would have a need to uh review that again with future registrations, we certainly would do so, but we have we have space right now to still account for a decent number of students to register. The other increase at the
015um elementary that you see is a very slight one. Uh and that has to do with a couple of other pieces. So, what we're looking to do next year is have more of a unified music position across all three buildings, which would be a new 1.0 position, but it's just a slight increase compared to what our our our current level of staffing is. And I'll kind of get to that with each building. So, there would be a small increase at the elementary, which would be good. It would allow them more flexibility that they than they currently have to schedule uh their music uh classes throughout the week. Um, when we move to the junior high, what we see here between the junior high and a high school is a couple of positions that are kind
016of shifting really between the two schools. So, I'd start maybe just to talk about these two schools together. With the junior high, we're seeing a shift with some students moving to the high school that need more support with bilingual learning. So, we have a 1.0 staffed uh the current year in the junior high. We're going to increase the staffing at the high school to a point 6 for bilingual support and maintain uh or reduce the uh that staffing at the junior high of point4. But the position is the person is still staying for next year. And we're actually going to have that person teach in what's called an overload. So they'll be a 1.2 FTE and they're they're more than willing to do that. they've been very supportive of the program and they're actually very
017excited to to continue to work with those same students as they go on to the high school. So, it it I think it'll be a great fit and will allow us to continue to support those students at both buildings. So, that's if you see the number going up and down between the two schools uh districtwide, it's it's that 02 change really is what we're seeing in bilingual staffing as an increase. Um and then with the music piece again you see an increase of music at the junior high because we are going to do similar to what we've done with the band and have a grade level uh choir option just like we've done with band because we have increased interest and increased enrollment which is great. So they'll have a sixth grade, seventh grade and
018eighth grade choir which is just a slight increase uh for them as well. And then you have across the two buildings also the addition of a permanent substitute position which has been very effective at the elementary for the last several years. So we'll have that as a position that can be really used between the junior high and the high school. That'll be flexible. So both schools administration can use that. There might be a teacher that's out for a week at the junior high and they could be assigned there and so they'll communicate and and have some flexibility with that position. The last change that really again is is a balance between the two buildings is art. So again, the the district-wide staffing for art is going to stay the same, but we've had a reduction
019of one section of art at the high school and the need for another elective at the junior high. So it actually worked out really well. Um, and that one of our high school teacher or our high school art teacher, she'll be coming to the junior high to add an additional elective option for those students. So which will be a great opportunity for students to be exposed to a new option in art and give them a new opportunity for an elective. So, as you can see, it's it's a pretty uh negligible uh decrease, a small financial impact in the intended uh budget implications, but I'd certainly uh open to answer any questions. >> Anyone have any? If not, very thorough. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you all. >> Just like to say I really appreciate the
020format how it's evolved over the years because it's really easy to see where our bubble is and how that's moving. So, thank you. Kudos to my colleagues here. They've helped a great deal with that. >> Thank you. Thank you, Dave. >> It's in very good hands. Now, >> all right. Item 10 B is our freedom of information requests, which are in a board packet. Um, any questions on that? And 10 C is public comment uh followup. We did have a presenter last month, but he did not request followup on that. Um, item 10D is the superintendent report. It's actually harder to prepare this than you would think. Uh, we asked the buildings, what are the three things you would like to highlight? And instead of three things, you have three pages tonight. So, I won't
021read this to you, but I'll do my best to kind of summarize some of the high points. At Lyle Elementary, one of the things they really wanted to share is just we want reading to be a huge part of what students actually enjoy. And so a big part of that was for them to read the Monarch and Blue Stream uh recommendations but then vote themselves because it's one thing to read because someone else says good, it's another thing to read it and actually pick your favorite and so the students are able to vote on that and it's a huge celebration every year. uh I don't find this to be as exciting but is the end of second semester and so students have received the report cards but more importantly they're they're ready for the next
022quarter and then with that so much of what we want students to do is no one's excited about taking a test but we want them to understand just how important that test is to us and so all the buildings including the elementary have really I shouldn't say all the buildings junior high and elementary have worked very hard for I getting students excited knowing how important it is to us and making sure that they're as confident as possible so soon as they get back from spring break as their tans start to to disappear, they'll be taking the AR test. For the junior high school, uh we wanted to celebrate our junior high science Olympiad team. They were able to compete regionally. And then we've listed out the 10 students who uh received medals through that. So,
023we're very proud of all their hard work. And then also, uh the junior high had their symphonic band and their concert choir compete at the IGSMA contest on Saturday, March 14th. Both music groups return uh received the highest rating uh which was division one and the symphanic band actually received a perfect score. So we're very very proud of our students. In terms of Lyall High School, uh we have I can't believe we're already talking about this. The academic excellence dinner is coming up. A I feel like we just had it, but uh B I I'm just so excited about what the community has embraced. I don't know for those of you who have been on the board for a while or had students go through it used to be called the top 10 dinner. And
024so what happened is students would compete for those 10 spots. And after a period of time, as much as sometimes something that there's only 10 of feels like it's more valuable, it was actually making students not want to support each other. They wanted one of those spots. And so instead of doing that, the board supported that. We have now what's called an academic excellence dinner. And our hope is for every students, every single student to have the academic achievement to be able to earn a spot in that room and not take one away from someone else. And so in looking at that, we've got 22 students this year. And so that's almost a quarter of our students that have actually performed to the level and earned a spot in the room without taking anything away
025from anyone else. And so um something we value very much, but it's great that we've been able to make it something that we're all proud of and can celebrate together. the TCD group. Um we've got 20ome students. Uh they have something called the A team that really is those outstanding students academically, but also those that come each and every day ready to learn. And so we had 16 of our students actually uh make it to that level of achievement at TCD. You heard already from our culinary state champion team member tonight. Uh we also mentioned that the DECA stain championship, but uh we're proud of our six teams that we sent the state and then the two young ladies that you met tonight actually make it to the national level and getting first place was
026amazing. In terms of the athletic achievements that we've had in the last month, three boys were able to compete at the state level and one of our students was able to come in fourth at the state. Uh we had one individual for bowling, two individuals for basketball skills competition and then as we mentioned before about six of our students were actually able to perform at the state level for DECA science olympiad. I think I say this every single year but we've won once again and so they're competing uh once again at the state level to try and maintain their their top state ranking. And so I don't remember when is the actual competition. Does anyone know? >> April 18th. >> All right. So fingers crossed, but I think we've had a great showing over the
027years and continue will see it again this year. >> And then the High School Musical, uh, Adam's family, hopefully you had a chance to attend that. That was cast wonderfully. Uh, the students did an absolutely wonderful job both on stage and behind the stage. And so huge cast and support group. And so it was another wonderful musical event that we've had been able to have uh over a period of three nights that I think was pretty well attended every single night. And it was a great great musical. And then finally, the fine arts festival. Um, for those of you who were able to attend, the choir concert was amazing. I think it's really one of those things that we can celebrate because it's districtwide. And I think often times, uh, it's another one of those
028things that have changed. And I think initially we would have the elementary perform and they'd go in the back room and then junior high perform and they go in the back room and they didn't get to see what each other was doing. And so we changed that a few years ago now that every student does their part but then they sit in the audience and hear other people perform and then at the very end um having everyone you know sing together as an entire district and very similar for the band. Uh we changed the venue a little bit because it is just so well attended. And so if you recall it used to be on the south gym and every year we would people kept coming and we'd have to add more chairs. And so
029finally we got to the point where we needed to move it over to the north gym. And even with having significant more capacity, I think there was almost not even an empty seat in the house. And so so well attended. The performance did so per students performed so well. But even in the numbers, someone had asked me how many students we have in band at this point. And so we have 102 students at the high school. We have 153 at the junior high and then 93 at the elementary. So 300 and some students are in our band program. And they they definitely showcase their skills at that. And then uh prior to that, we actually had the best of the best art uh display in our commons area there. And so it was incredible to
030look at every level within that display as to I always have my favorites and take pictures, but it was it was hard to differentiate between them all this year because the students just really really did an incredible job. I got through all three pages, but uh this is only the tip of the iceberg. um students do such an incredible job as you saw tonight as you read here as you see each and every day. But um it's just really hard to narrow it down to just a few but uh be assured there's some really exciting things happen in the building and we couldn't if we were given the opportunity we would probably talk for hours in terms of the things that the students are showing us and impressing us with each and every day. I
031think th those numbers for band totaled up to 348 and the the parent or former parent actually they have a um their student graduated several years ago and went on to become a a band teacher, a music teacher um asked asked for the numbers but also said you know the talking about the number of uh level one district performance or when they go down to state and we recognize you know the athletics when they go to state and It's the same for the district, for Scholastic Bull, for band or whatever. They're all being recognized at a state level. That is uh really really a proud achievement. So, excellent report. Thank you. Anybody else? Okay, we'll go on to our committee reports then. Um let's see. 11A is our facilities master planning did not meet. 11B
032finance uh we >> finance did not meet today. >> Okay. But we know it'll be >> oh yes next next month >> big item next month. Okay. >> There will be a packed agenda. >> Okay. Great. Um 11 C policy. >> Uh we approved uh changes to two policies tonight. Uh policy 650 and 7285. >> Terrific. Thank you. and 11D, vision 202 did not meet. Item 12 is our board representative reports. Uh 12A is home and school organization. Kate, thank you. That was a good report included in So >> yeah, it was a great meeting and just um uh they're having the open mic night Friday, May 1st. It's the first ever districtwide. So, it sounds like a lot of fun. So, >> we can we can practice here if we want. Item 12B is
033ISB delegate to board. >> Another report. We've had the division meeting last month and we'll have another one in what three months. So I've got another off top of my head. >> Great. Item 12 C is intergovernmental did not meet and item 12D is lend. Um the summary is in in the packets. There was uh one item I I just to mention is the cell phone policy. I think that was pages is it 8 to let me see um if you look through that it's page 8 through 21. It's uh Senate Bill 2427 and just talking about the cell phone ban and one of the ban not banned uh one of the things that was mentioned in there is that existing policies are grandfathered in through the 2030 to 2031 school year. So I think
034we're ahead of the game with having a cell phone policy in place. So, uh, Lyall Education Foundation did not meet. That's 12E and 12F. Sassid did not meet. >> No, we met, uh, previous to last month's uh, meeting. >> Okay. And item 13 is our agenda topics for future board meetings. I just wanted to mention last month, one of the items was for us to um look at and review uh some information on helping the board evaluation and assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of board policy 7180 on bullying. And Heather and I did talk about um some information that we would like to see in administration. will be bringing us some uh information to review and um that'll probably be during our next um board meeting and then we can make a determination whether that
035will help us as we look at our next two-year review. Last review um was in 12 on 121725. So we can make a decision whether that information will be it's almost going to be helpful as we look at a couple years of year of data to see if we can make any assessment on the outcomes from that. So that's coming up for next month. Anything else for agenda topics for future board meetings? I don't have an agenda topic for a future board meeting, but I just wanted to um bring back a thank you from the board for approving LA activity boosters. Um they had a very successful movie night already that was well attended from the high school. Um the students really loved it and asked for another one. So hopefully we'll get to do
036that again soon. And uh we've already started receiving donations. So it's really good. >> What was the movie? >> Superman. >> The new one. All right. All right, great. Maybe you can get those on the calendar so we can I love that. All right. Thank you. Thanks for your work on that. Um if there are no others, then I will um entertain a motion to return to close session for the purpose of discussing the appointment performance discipline compensation or dismissal of employees and lawsuit settlement. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. We've got Dan and Kate. Or was it was Kate, right? Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Mr. Helderly. >> I. >> Miss Foster. >> Hi. >> Mr. Naggler. >> I. >> Miss D. Dominico. >> Hi. >> Miss Novasel. >> I. >>
037Miss Sims is an I. And Miss Alman. >> I. Thank you. And we'll uh return to close session at 8:01 p.m. Thank you.