District 96 Board of Education Regular Meeting 01-21-26

001[music] All right, we're at 701. Okay. All right. Good evening, everyone. Uh, it is 7:01. Tonight is Wednesday, January 21st. This is the Riverside School District 96 regular business meeting. Kathy, would you please call the role? >> Okay. Mr. Varati, >> present. >> Miss Gun, >> here. [clears throat] >> Miss Kick, >> here. >> Mr. Ol, >> here. >> Mr. Mr. Hunt >> here, >> Miss Claps >> here, >> and Mr. Mirhead >> here. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um, okay. So, before we start the meeting, we always have a public comment spot at the beginning of the end. Uh, the board welcomes and encourages community engagement at all board meetings. Therefore, time is allotted at the beginning and end of each meeting for audience members to address the board. We kindly ask that you

002limit your comments to five minutes. Please note this is a board meeting in public and not a public forum or a town hall. The board does not directly respond to questions or comments during the meeting but may ask the superintendent to follow up with you as necessary. Uh Kathy, do we have any public comment tonight? >> No. Okay. So, we will just move on to our agenda. Before we get into it, does any board member have a suggestion to change the agenda tonight? >> Nope. If not, I will hand it over to Dr. Ryan Toy for the superintendent report. >> All right. Thanks. Um, tonight we have a group of students from Central School. We have Mr. Gats who's our central school principal and I know some other staff members here. So, Mr. Gats, if

003you want to introduce the team that's here and >> absolutely. All right. Great. Thank you. Thanks for having us. Um, with me tonight uh are two staff members school, Allison King and Arty Govani, as well as, uh, three students, Gus Sumis. Um, going to blank behind, got to turn around. Lily Trudale and Carlton Bodie. you guys would all come up here. They're here to talk to you a little bit about the Best Buddies program that's been part of Central School for the past few years and some of the recognition they've received over the last year for the chapter that that has developed and and grown quite considerably over the last few years. So, I'm going to turn things over to Gus who's going to share a little bit about things to start. >> Good evening.

004My name is Gus and I am a student representative for our Best Buddies chapter. Best Buddies is an international organization that is built on an important and powerful mission to create an ex exclusive environment where everyone feels valued and accepted for who they are and for their differences. Through Best Buddies, students are given opportunities to connect in meaningful ways and form friendships they may not have h have otherwise made. This program has helped create a school c culture where kindness, respect, and inclusion are encouraged and practiced every day. >> Just talk loud because it's not. >> One of the ways we promote the best buddies mission is through the monthly events. At these events, students learn about inclusion, participate in team building activities, and form friendships in a fun and supportive environment. Our chapter is

005organized into buddy family groups, which include students of mixed ages and abilities. These groups allow younger and older students to connect, support one another, and grow together. Best Buddies has shown us that inclusion isn't about being the same. It's about appreciating what makes each of us in unique. >> This year, a chapter our chapter continues to focus on giving back to our community. We hosted our annual Candy Cane Graham fundraiser where students were able to send kind and encouraging messages to peers and staff member. Throughout this fundraiser, with support from our PTO, we raised over $2,000. We were able to donate to Kids Care to help local families in need. This project allowed us to spread kindness throughout our school while also making a real difference in our community. It showed us that small acts

006of kindness can have a big impact. Good job. >> Hi, I'm Allison King. I'm one of the resource teachers at Central. [snorts] Um, RD and I, we're advisers and we are so proud of our students and their dedication to the Best Buddies mission and their leadership and compassion and their commitment to inclusion have truly stood out and because of their really hard work. Our 2024 and 25 best buddies chapters was recognized for two very prestigious awards. So, we're so excited to announce that we won Illinois um Central Elementary School Chapter of the Year and Outstanding Chapter of the Year. So, very exciting. Thank you. So, um we're so so proud of our students and um these awards really reflect their success and not just theirs, but how they portray it through every day at school

007and how it's truly building a community that is just very special. and we're very excited. So, Best Buddies continues to be more than just a program. It's a movement that empower students to lead with empathy and kindness. We are grateful for the ongoing support from our board of education, our administration, the staff, our PTO, and all the families. Thank you for allowing us to share how Best Buddies is helping us shape a more inclusive, accepting, and connect connected community. We are more We are excited to continue spreading this mission to years to come. So, thank you guys. >> Thank you so much for having us. >> Thank you. [applause] Congratulations. >> Yes. Congratulations. Does anybody have any questions for either the students or for Arthy or Ally? Um you've been in you've had a chapter

008in existence not that long. >> So we we started um I I started the program with um a few other teachers before way before COVID actually and when COVID hit we did shut down for a little bit. So um Ry and I and a few other teachers we revamped the program and now it's just her and I who are the adviserss. Um and it's been really really really great. It is. It It's a lot of work, but it is so worth it. When you see the kids at each event, you have parents emailing us telling us how much their kids are excited to attend the events. They're like, "We [snorts] can't wait." Or my kid was saying, "I wish this was every week." Um, they're so [laughter] excited to attend. I'm like, "Oh my god,

009I can't imagine Ally and I trying to [laughter] make this happen every week." But the [snorts] excitement they have, um, it could be like our we do an annual friendship walk because we can't necessarily host like a whole Chicago walk like Best Buddies does. Um, but our food drive has always been incredible. We have cans, cans of food. I know Mr. Gat Steven was like, you where are you guys putting all of [laughter] this? And I was like, some in your office, some in mine, some in everybody's office. But um we just have everybody that always participates and each and every one of our students is more than happy to always take part in every fundraiser activity and not just the students, every family member is always so excited. >> And we do have one

010of the if not the biggest chapter in all of Illinois. >> Um so we wish we could in include every single one in the school, but um we do have about 75 students right now. Yeah. >> Um it depends on each event how many >> Yeah. >> attend but >> So yeah, it's roughly 60 to 75 students every event. >> So that's great. >> So I've I've heard event a few times. What are those events? >> So each month we have a different theme. Um in September it's we we group the students into families. So that could be it's usually around depending on how big our chapter is. This year we have about 11 groups and each group has about six to seven kids. It's mixed grade levels, age levels, ability levels, and then we

011take our groups and we do different types of team building, exercising. We teach about inclusion, um getting to know each other, >> getting to know each other. um just like ice breakers, like things you wouldn't normally cuz I feel like in now everybody just hangs out with the kids that they play sports with or they're already in the classrooms with, but now we just we mix them up and I feel like between Ally and I we we have a good sense of where the kids are hanging out, what they're doing. So, we always try to mix it up and we do ice breakers. We'll be like, "What's your what's your favorite food? Who's your teacher? Who is your last grade teacher?" [snorts] Um just like that's the first event. Um our infamous what we would

012call it um is our gingerbread Halloween activity and we split them up into um their family groups. We give them a gingerbread Halloween house kit and they're supposed to make they think they're supposed to make this most wonderful gingerbread house, but we're actually going around and judging them based on teamwork and then they get um a special prize and we do a countdown like it's New Year's and the kids are like cheering us [laughter] along and then we re we make like a famous reveal and it's always a good time. I don't know. It's like we do a lot of different things. We try to switch it up, but it's always honestly not even just for the kids. For us, it's always a good time just to see how happy they are each and every

013single time. >> And there are many events we do plan for our fundraisers and our food drives. So students are like working with their group to make posters to spread the word. They write their scripts for the announcements so that we can raise awareness for um you know donating to the the food drive which is in the spring and our friendship walk. So, we physically walk, you know, hundreds of cans of non-per non-p perishable foods down to the Riverside Pantry and it's it's a fun little event. And then, you know, we celebrate at the end with >> popsicles and just try to get kids to branch out of their typical peer group and, you know, make other friends um who they might not typically be friends with. And so, it's really special to see. >>

014You have a question? That was my question. >> Oh, okay. [laughter] >> It's been a while. >> I'm gonna do a few >> talked about I'm just curious, how do the students get involved? Is it just like a sign up and Yeah, >> it's a sign up. So, they have to fill out like a form, a Google form through just that we create and then there's also um through the Best Buddies International website. They have to um register through um that organization. So they're in the system and um we take attendance every time and so it is through if you look it up if it is um it's a national program. So, >> we're we're very proud to be one of one of the only elementary schools in the state that um continues to try

015to raise awareness of inclusion because obviously as a resource teacher and a psychologist, we we want to make sure that everyone feels valued and accepted and >> included and everybody is friends with everyone and that's all that we want, you know. >> And you said you're the biggest in Illinois. >> One of the biggest in Illinois. >> One of the biggest. Okay. And that's based on student count, I'm guessing. I mean, 75 is a lot. That's a lot. >> It is. [laughter] >> Oh, yeah. >> We're very fortunate. And thank you to all of our teacher volunteers who do come. >> Yeah. >> Um because, you know, some of them have needs that, you know, sometimes we do need, >> excuse me, additional adults to support us through it. And it is overwhelming. It's a

016lot of students, but it's it's a learning opportunity for everyone and >> try to make it fun, >> but also >> the teachers that come, they know what to expect, so they're also in it for the fun there. Like, we understand it's fun. Like it is chaotic, [laughter] but it's like a good type of chaos that you just you enjoy that everybody's just, you know, when you see a bunch of different personalities vibing with each other, having fun, getting to know each other, you're just you're not trying to stop and be like, focus on this program. You're just like, have fun. Like I like that you guys are talking about what you learned in third grade and you're a fifth grader. So, it's an amazing time and as much effort as it takes, it's such

017a great program. >> We meet every month and then um March is a special month for us because that's actually inclusion month. So, we have a few spirit days coming up. We do um on um March 21st, we celebrate and honor Down Syndrome Day. Um we do have um let me see, we have a spread the word of inclusion day, which is um March 4th. So, that whole month we're going to try to raise lots of awareness. We're going to do um little speeches and activities in each classroom to try to get everybody involved. And >> we've got bracelets for everyone. So, it says like spread the word. So, everyone, staff and students will be trying to honor that >> inclusion day. >> Cool. It's a great program. Thank you for coming out and sharing.

018Thank you so much for having us. It's been been a while, as you noted. It's been a while since we've talked about this. So, thanks for coming out and sharing. Thank you so much. [applause] >> Thank you. >> Good. It might be starting to snow, so people that need to head home should head home. >> All right. And we have one other very exciting item under the superintendent's report. And we have Lena Mley here who is one of our Hower teachers who has just um gained her national board certification in English language arts. I want to honor Lena. [applause] >> And because this is what we do in school districts, Lena, we have a certificate for you. >> Congratulations. And Lena says she would share just a few words with all of you about what

019it kind of what it takes to become a National Board Certified Teacher. So, >> Sure. Sure. Um, thank you for recognizing me and celebrating my achievement. Um so national board um it's a rigorous and optional uh certification. Um teachers go through it. Uh for me it took five years to uh uh work through the components. There's a test. There's a lot of written reflection and analysis of my teaching pedigogy and methodology. Um deeply deeply reflective. Um, so I I would have to make sure that I knew what my students needs were. Um, I'd have to talk about why those students needed certain lessons or um, activities to enhance their strengths and their their challenges. Um, and then I would have to piece together my rationale and then my next steps for uh, the lessons. And

020um, you know, so this took five years. Um, my family knew about it. uh you know I started it when I was maybe in my fourth year teaching. So right when I could I wanted to try my hand at achieving um I was at a different school district when I had started and uh but when I came here I got a lot of support um you know Melanie Arazzi uh so integral with it so like part of the process that I'll explain to you also comes from the support that I received from school and home but Melanie Arazzi um she herself national board certified and so we kind of became national board sisters in this process. And um this was my last year to try certification. If I didn't get it, I would have to

021redo the whole process again, which it's grueling. Uh but worthwhile. It was like the best PD that I could ever get. Uh but with her mentorship and friendship and like coaching, um she was very honest and critical of like my work. So I would write a lot of my analysis and I would send her emails, hey, how does this sound? How does this look? you know, she would help me and um you know, she she didn't give me like empty compliments if I'm if that makes sense. Like you know, like she would she would tell me like, you know, oh, this was strong, but she would be honest and like I needed that. And I'm just grateful to her for being that coach that I needed and um like one of the best. I I

022continuously go to her for instructional coaching now. Like you know, I'm not in a certificate or a degree anymore, but um she's awesome. she I tell her come every day to my class. Please help me, you know. But um so I'm just thankful to have had the support and um and everybody from here too who were just rooting for me. Uh Allison, you know, we became really good friends and uh we started here at Hower together. This is our third year, so two years ago we started and we just got this friendship bond. she she kind of knew what I was going through and I'm trying to, you know, explain what it is and, you know, maybe not a lot of people know what it is, but she would just give me her love and

023support. Um, and my mom and my husband, uh, my mom Sahar and my husband David, like they've been with me since day one. Uh, again, it's hard to tell like non-educators what this is, you know, but they knew it was difficult. Um, and they would just, you know, they'd pray for me, they'd support me. My husband especially, he went through a lot of um he sacrificed a lot. Like I'd have to put myself in a coffee shop for 5 hours a day just, hey, leave me alone. Let me just try to work on this and he'd be okay with it. And uh when I was getting frustrated, I would tell my mom and I would tell Allison, I tell Melanie, and I', you know, um it was again like the best PD experience. Uh for

024some people it takes them a year. Sometimes three years is like the norm, but they give you up to five years and I needed to take all five years. Um, you know, being like a little bit newer in the teaching profession. Like I was only four years teaching at the time uh when I had started and now I'm like nine years in. So it's like I wondered if I had started it now, nine years in would it have been a little easier? But um now I got it at nine years. So, um I'm just very thankful to the whole school, uh the district, my family, my friends, co-workers. Um and again, thank you for recognizing me today. >> Absolutely. Congratulations again. >> Thank you so much. [applause] >> Did not also mention is she did

025this while also getting her masters as well. [applause] [cheering] >> Thank you so much. Thanks for coming. Thanks for bringing your family, too. That's great. >> None of us >> and Melanie and Allison, too. Yes. All of you. Yeah. >> Yeah. No, that's great. That none of us truly understand what this is, but we all understand the importance of it. So, congratulations and all of the energy and encourage all of your peers to try to go for it. It's not for everybody, and I I know it's very grueling, but yeah, we would encourage anybody else to try to go for it. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. >> And then I try to like I tell them about Melanie like, "Hey, hit her up, too, though. [laughter] >> No Emily compliments. >> She'll she'll shoot you straight."

026>> Well, congratulations. >> Thanks so much. >> Congratulations. That is the superintendent report. >> All right. Uh with that uh we are going to move into the consent agenda. Could I have the board secretary read tonight's consent agenda? >> Sure. Yep. Tonight's consent agenda consists of uh minutes from the following previous meetings. December 3rd committee the whole December 17th regular business meeting along with the December 17th close session meeting. The personnel report as presented. The payables pre-list as of December 31st along with the payables pre-list as of January 21st. the employee recognition event for 2025 2026 and the employee wellness event for 2025 2026 and that's that's it. >> Does any board member wish to remove an item before we make a motion to vote? >> Nope. All right. Um before we do that, let

027me see. I'm trying to remember what was the date on the uh everybody get uh >> May >> first Friday May 1st on your calendar. or at least hold that if you can. That'll be our recognition event. I always look forward to that one. And um I know there was a note in here that the uh staff appreciated the wellness screening stuff. So, as long as that continues to be meaningful, I'm I'm all for it. So, thanks for sharing that. Uh is there a motion for the board of education to approve the consent agenda as presented? >> Second. >> Kathy, would you please call the role? >> Okay. Miss Claps. >> I. >> Mr. Olic. >> I. >> Mr. Mr. Barati. >> Hi, >> Mr. Hunt. >> Hi, >> Miss Gun. >> Hi, >> Miss

028Kick. >> Hi. >> And Mr. Mayor. >> Hi. >> Okay, motion passes. >> All right. Next up is Riverside Education Council. Any comments tonight? No. All right. Uh, any board member comments? >> It's been a long time since our last meeting. [laughter] Everybody have a nice relaxing winter break, I hope, before the cold and and everything set in. Got to enjoy some some time outside. >> It was warmer then. Yes, >> it was warmer then. [laughter] Very much so. Supposed to be cold again this weekend. All right. Uh maybe there'll be some more activities going on by the time we meet uh next month. Okay, that moves us into old business. Uh so we have the Ble Park Playground bid that came in. And if I was reading this correct, this is only for the

029landscaping component of it. >> This does not include the actual equipment, >> not just Okay, so it's just not the equipment. All right, so all the ground work that we need to do. Um, we've talked about this quite a bit. Um, so I'll just go ahead and make a motion. If anybody wants to make comments before we vote, we can. Uh, is there a motion for the board of education to accept Vistara's recommendation to award a contract in the amount of 386,785 to D and J Landscaping as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Yeah. So, as I noted, this is um just for the landscape portion and our total budget, I want to say was 7 Yeah, 750. Um, so that leaves that space for equipment coming in later. Um, is there anybody else

030that wants to make a comment before we vote? Nope. All right. Kathy, would you please call the role? >> Okay. >> Mr. Olic. >> I. >> Mr. Barandi. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hunt. >> Hi. >> Miss Gun. >> Hi. >> Miss Kick. >> Hi. >> Miss Claps. Hi. >> And Mr. Mayorhead. >> Hi. Motion passes. >> Maybe one other I don't know if this is worth saying or not, but this is the no fence option because that was the last time Ryan was here, so they must have figured it out. So, that's good. Uh, next up is the Hower Junior High window school windows bill bid. Uh, is there a motion for the board of education to accept Vistara's recommendation to award a contract of 1,129,519 to Crawl Windows as presented? >> So, second. >>

031Um, and this is as simple as it sounds. It's to replace some very old windows here. Yes. >> Is it the whole building? >> It's the whole building. >> The whole building. So, that'll be a fun project. >> Will these windows be functional? >> Yes. Mark and Jack are over there nodding. Yes. Great. >> It's been a while since we've had to ask that question, Dan, but I remember that little bit of fuffle from a couple years ago. >> I remember it as well. >> Um, >> just saying. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> You know what? What's the contingency? >> What budget? >> The contingency. >> Do you want Do I know Mark and Zach are both here. The contingency that's built in >> I'm seeing including a $100,000 base bid general allowance, which I

032think is I didn't know that is that is that contingency or it's a good question. >> Yeah. Is general allowance is the same as contingency. >> Yeah. So the the general the general allowance for this project was $100,000 essentially the general is your contingency. >> Okay. >> Um >> simply you put about 10% projected project. Some projects you do a little less percentage simply because the contingency on windows for example you're not going to open a wall and find something. So 100,000 seems to be a reasonable amount for >> No, I I I and I like I said I I saw that I didn't know that was that that's what >> Yeah. >> Um >> so all I have to say is that just because we've always run into contingencies especially when we do windows

033and sophets and that I'm a I'm just hoping that this is enough this time. So, >> yeah. I mean, I'm not I'm not a specialist here, but I think we we got all the with the masonry work. I hope that's the bad part. It didn't seem like we had as much around the windows, so hopefully that'll just be a pop them out, pop them in situation, but yeah, these this old building, so >> yeah, windows >> and this will be the summer too, right? They'll get it done this summer. which also means that's um Hower and therefore central will be off limits for summer school. We talked about that already. >> Yeah. And didn't we are we doing another talk pointing finishing the tuck pointing stuff this year too for the summer? >> Yes. >>

034Yeah. So hopefully we'll be done. We can use this building for summer school again because I know that was a bit of an inconvenience last summer, but we just we got to get through it. So okay, anybody else? All right, Kathy, would you please call a role? >> Okay. Mr. Hunt, >> hi. >> Miss Gun, >> hi. >> Miss Kick, >> hi. >> Miss Claps, >> hi. >> Mr. Ole, >> I. >> Mr. Baradi, >> I >> Mr. Mayorhead. >> Hi. >> Motion passes. >> All right. Thank you. So, that moves us into new business. Uh, first up is our strategic plan, which we've been talking about on and off for a little while. So, now we're going to get this thing in motion. >> Um, so I don't I guess I'll hand it over

035to you as I think from what you and I talked about, we need to figure out how the board is going to be involved. Um, >> yeah, that's really step one. I know, um, when Gary Zabila presented to us, he talked about anywhere from one to all seven of you could be involved. Um, certainly if there's three or more of you, we post them as special meetings. Um, I know the board had done that I think two strategic plans ago. uh when we did it five years ago, really six years ago in the development, we uh identified or you all identified two board members to participate. >> Um and then with the agreement that a lot of information would come back and I think there was a nice sort of sharing and reporting of that.

036But uh because sort of the next step is built on building that core team of um board members, school leaders, parents, community members, staff, students. Um, we really wanted to kind of get a sense first of how many of you plan to participate. I know, um, as I've said, like you're all really busy people with jobs and this requires essentially three evenings, 5:30 to 8:30 on the dates that I've noted there. Um, certainly I'm comfortable whether it's one or two, three, four, five, six, or seven of you. Um, but I I do I do want to say that I think the model last time around with two of you also worked really well. and then we're not subject to open meetings and things like that. >> I I would suggest we just do two just

037to make it a little bit easier on that front unless there's a third person that really truly wants to participate. I know I'm going to miss one of these meetings because I have I already have some travel booked for one of these sessions. So I don't um just for myself coming starting it missing some and then trying to come back in is is going to be kind of difficult from what I can remember last time. So, I'll just step out and get updates at the board table, but I don't know how others are feeling. >> I was part of the last one as a parent representative and I would really enjoy participating this time as a board member. So, I had talked to Wesley and Ruth about it. So, I would love to do it.

038>> I have a professional conflict on one of the evenings, so I should probably step back as well. And I know you were pretty interested or had mentioned that you were pretty interested. I assuming you still are. >> I think it I think um you know when you and I were talking last is that last week maybe. Um >> I did I forgot you were on as a parent. So I do think that'd be interesting kind of from what you can remember and then carrying that forward from a different lens a little bit of continuity on how that last discussion went of of the plan that we're ending here. >> Yeah. >> Um I don't know Stephanie, Dave, Dan. No, I mean I'm definitely interested. I also uh have right there's potentially actually two dates

039that are will be conflicts for me. So um more than happy to turn it over to Marlo and Matt. So >> any strong interest? >> Well, it it is something I'm interested in, but similarly my every other my not board meeting Wednesdays I've signed up for something in the evening. So my other two Wednesdays um a month are now occupied and two of the meetings are on Wednesdays. So but of course excited to work on it as a board um you know >> with the two representatives bringing in information to the whole board >> and these dates are maybe a little more condensed than they were last time we did. I think last time we met over six sessions if you call it was over zoom and during a global pandemic. So, this is going

040to be a little bit different, three three-hour sessions. Um, but certainly we'll make sure that it comes back. I'm looking at sort of just the board cycle that'll be in between. There'll be a March cow, a March board, and then an April board where those all be good opportunities for for more conversation. >> Yeah. And then, uh, as noted, ideally we vote on this and have everything approved before the end of this year so that it can you can prepare over the summer and everything goes into effect next year. Well, I participated as a board member last time. I would still be very much interested in participating, but if we're just doing two, then it it should go to folks who haven't done it before. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean, I think for Matt being

041the newest and you're the one that's going to live through it the longest would be my guess. That probably makes sense for you specifically. Um, I mean, I think the only decision point is we have to we just post it as an open meeting. I mean, that's really right right and and it's really not hard and it means in theory, you know, members of the general public could come and observe the process, but that's fine, too. Right. If a reporter wanted to come or >> um it will probably be in here or the houser cafeteria. We have yet to sort of >> finalize just some of the logistics, but um it'll be local and um yeah, it's it's an interesting process. A lot of good conversation I'm sure will be had and conversation will come

042back to this table as we refine each step. So, is that uh >> I I wouldn't mind uh participating again. >> Okay. So, we'll do we'll just do three then. Okay. Um I don't see any issue with that. Um thanks Marlo though. I I think it's gonna be interesting. Just I I'll be interested in your perspective of how it went as a parent now now that you're an insider. How you know was it different or >> I don't know whatever whatever you see. So, [snorts] >> it'll be easier to visualize. And then um I know we've got a couple parents on the docket. I don't know if we've reached out yet and I'm sure you've got some staff in mind. So we'll have to connect with them and um see we've got a little over

043a little over a month to get that put together. >> So really wanted this to kind of be the first step. Make sure you're good with the dates and the board member agreement on this. And then next we'll be reaching out um we're going to make mention of it PLT. Again, not that we are asking the PTA and PTO presidents to necessarily be the ones, but who do they know that might be interested? Um, I always reach out to like our EL department and ask who they know that might be interested. Our special ed department, same thing. And then each um principal from each of the schools, just other parents that they know would be interested. So, um, have not done the kind of if you're interested, please let us know. I anticipate that we

044would have so many more parents than we would be able to place on our team. So um kind of uh through a through a process of essentially being u nominated or offer offer of an interest. So we mentioned it at the family community partnerships meeting and again like asking like who might you know that would be interested. We want to make sure that we have a well represented group of parents and staff. Um and and we're going to have some sixth and seventh grade students participate as well. >> Is it sixth sixth and seventh? sixth and seventh because by the time like the eighth graders will be almost, you know, they're going to be coming to their the end and um so sixth and seventh I think we'll have an opportunity to kind of see

045it. >> Yeah. >> See it lived out a little more. >> Yeah, that'd be good. This is my first year. Here's my whatever my second year feels like it kind of gets a little easier. So, yeah. Okay. >> All right. >> Beyond these dates that are listed here for the first, second, and third session, what's the commitment? I might have somebody to nominate but really it's that it's being being able to participate in those three evening events. Um a lot of information is gathered through survey. So that's the other thing that you have attached here is a draft of the survey. >> Um and >> and I believe Perry sent that all out as a pre-eread. >> Yes. >> To be prepared. So however long >> and we shared it with um I shared it

046with the leadership team. We shared it with family community partnerships yesterday too just to get some feedback. because you can see it's a it's a pretty straightforward survey that really hits on kind of our five goal areas that we have currently and we will do what um we can to make sure that we really uh stir up interest because having a a wide representation and a lot of participation in that survey is really what's going to help us shape the the strategic direction and the feedback from families and staff will be so important with that. >> Yeah, I'm just trying to think back. I don't think it was It wasn't an intense amount of information to prep for each of those sessions. It was they he did I assume they'll they'll do something similar, but

047they did a really good job of grouping the themes of the feedback and like calling out specific thing, kind of drawing your attention to certain things. Then you'd go into the meeting and then they would put together whatever the next thing is and like did this make sense? Just you know, whatever. But I don't remember it being a lot of time to try to prep it. But there's maybe an hour or something like that to go through the material. >> So it it uh it wasn't a tremendous amount of prep >> in addition to the three-hour meeting. So three hours those nights plus prep time. Yeah. >> Yeah. So I'd be interested to hear your nomination later. So >> Oh, yeah. How do you want us to do you want us to talk to the

048people in mind? certainly let me know directly or if you want to talk to people first and say I'd love to suggest your name to our superintendent if you're interested in doing this. These are the dates then and um >> we'll move forward. We'll move forward kind of quickly because our that first date in February is Yeah. So I knew after this meeting we kind of >> start launching that that piece of it all. >> All right. That you need from us today? >> Yes. >> All right. >> Y >> um Okay. So there's the So there's a strategic plan memo here. We just talked about the board member roles and then there's a draft survey here um if people want to look >> for your interest. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Okay. Next up is

049the school calendar for 2627. >> Right. I'm gonna ask Dr. Dozel to come up and and share >> talk us through >> Yeah. >> this Thursday start and Tuesday end. >> Our time. >> Good evening everybody. [snorts] >> Uh so we would let me back up. After working with the RECC leadership and um the co-presidents taking it to their exec board, we collaboratively came up with a recommendation for the school calendar for the 2627 school year. when you most of you probably all of you know that we work with uh RB's recommended calendar for the upcoming school year RBHS to ensure our spring break and our winter breaks align with the high school and so we start with that so our winter break will be um December you know someone should really bring her glasses

050to me December 21st >> through January 1st >> and then our spring break will be March 26 through Friday, April 2nd. Um, so those align with RBHS. Then after that, we uh look at when RBHS is starting. And so Riverside Brookfield High School is starting the week of August 17th this year. And so as we looked at that, that's we usually start around that time, the third week of August. But as we're look as we were looking at that start date and when the end date would be, we notice that we would have ended around the same time as RB if we started that third week. And so um if we end around the same time as RB, it impacts eighth grade graduation because we can't have graduation at RB until after RB has their

051graduation because they have it set up for their for the high school. and then condense as the el the elementary districts use their area they'll condense the chairs from there. So since that impacted our graduation and were too large to look at another location we needed to adjust what we are thinking was for the start. So we are after discussion students we're recommending students start Thursday August 27th which after the 176 student days for institute days we end on Tuesday June 8th. Um we usually start on a Wednesday. That's been our past practice. If we started on Wednesday the 26th we would have ended on Monday uh June 7th. And we've had that discussion before at the board table about ending on a Monday. So we made the adjustment so that we would start on

052Thursday and end on a Tuesday instead. With the students starting on Thursday the 27th, that means our two institute days will be Tuesday and Wednesday. You will see on the draft calendar that we added three additional half days as we had discussed um the administration and the board had discussed. So those half days fall in October for first seme for the first semester trimester not semester and then in um January the 28th for the second trimester and then in April and May for the third trimester. So, we have one at the end of the year because that's our wrapup for the year and working on goals for next year, whether it's curricular goals or um curricular professional learning, but we always have that one at the end of the year for that focus to the

053next year. And now with this additional one um in the third trimester, we're able to also do some wrap up work on what's working, what's not working, and what other professional learning are we going to need then to ensure a smooth start to the upcoming year. So that's a summary of the draft calendar that we're recommending. And then summer school, when we do our draft calendar recommendation, we also uh provide the dates for summer school. So summer school for this summer, 2026 will run from Monday, July 13th through August Thursday, August 6th. And as uh Dr. Ryan Toy stated, it will be at Ames this summer. Any questions for me? >> What's the proposed date of the houseer graduation then on this calendar? >> So um on this calendar what well on any calendar once

054we have um an approved calendar then hower administration comar administration and um uh Brookfield Lrange administrators work together to decide who graduates on what days. So, um, I can't give that to you yet because they haven't talked about it. Mr. Havales and the principles at the other two schools haven't discussed that yet. >> Got it. Okay. I mean, I prefer a calendar that's more aligned on the start and end dates of our high school just because I think that our community relies on high school students for employment um or nanny jobs, daycare jobs, um swim team, lifeguard jobs. Um, and so I I think that having a schedule that's more aligned is ideal. I understand that there's the graduation issue. Is there a different place we could host graduation or like I'm showing on 208's

055calendar that their graduation date is May 28th? So then we would have what, seven potential days between their graduation date and our end of school. Um we would end up probably what happens is usually um usually RV's graduation is the Friday before Memorial Day. Um and then the three elementary districts would use that Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday afterwards. Um that's usually what happens. It's just a matter of who does which day. Uh so I would I would guess that graduation for us would be on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of June. Um, but one thing I do want to say, and uh, Dr. Ryan Toy, you can correct me if I'm wrong. Um, we usually start the following week after RB. So, it's not odd for us to start a week later than them. That's how

056we usually do it. The high school start and then we we start that week following. It just feels later because of the way the calendar is laid out. >> Yeah. And and I get that like that's how we usually do it, but like is that >> you're saying that it would be nice if we could change that? >> Well, potentially, right? like like I said, I think that there is a reliance on high school students for um for jobs that you know and and so if we could change it, I think it would be nice. I think families would appreciate that. And if it's a matter of then holding the house or graduation two days after the end of school or one day after after the end of school, I wonder if like that's something

057that we could do. >> I guess I'm not understanding what's the issue. I understand you're saying it's we families rely on high school students for child care and things like that, but I guess I'm not understanding the conflict. >> So, if you have a bunch of high schoolers going back to school on August 12th, >> okay, >> but then you're not sending your elementary and and junior high age kids to school until August 20s something. like you're having a weak gap for um parks and reccks departments for nanny positions for um you know other roles that high schoolers would have that would service younger students in or younger kids in the community. >> It's just not convenient for >> I don't know that I've ever seen summer camp though for parks and wreck ever. It

058doesn't really go up to the wire like that though. >> Well, there's all there's always a gap now. the gap will be larger. There's always like a week and and families sometimes use that time as their vacation, etc., but there's always like camps and because they're also college students and the college students need to get back. So, not just high school. >> Um, you know, it might end on like the 10th and then you have typically like a week of >> no camp, but now really you have more [snorts] >> Well, it's it's generally been a week. So, I mean, it's it's not now we'll have this. It's basically it's always been that way or at least it's been that way. >> With this calendar, it will still be about two weeks this time because

059we're starting on the 27th of August. So, we're starting a little bit later in August. So, it is going to be about an extra week from when the camps usually close. >> So, I guess my my question is is the is one of the main driving reason is surrounding graduation. >> That is a that was one of the larger reasons. I can't remember >> that is the driving reason. So I I I do think it's important to point out that like elementary schools have historically started, you know, that week almost two weeks after a high school. So high schools, if you've noticed, have like inched to like earlier and earlier starts. High schools by design really work hard to get a first trimester in before winter break. And so as high schools have moved, I'll

060say earlier more into like that middle of August, a lot of elementary districts and a lot of our families like we did sort of float this by our parent leadership team with of course a mixed reaction, right? Because I think for every family that worries about losing a high school babysitter or something. There's also others that are like, we always take a vacation or try to get family time in in late August when the camps have shut down, etc. So, it's it's really it is very challenging to make a decision that really meets every family's needs. I mean, it is our goal, but um I would say the elementary districts in our area are modeling more around this schedule [clears throat] schedule, which is a later August start um with this kind of like we

061don't really want to match what high schools are doing. There's there's a lot of criticism. I shouldn't say like there's criticism that high schools are starting too early and it still feels very much like the middle of summer. I appreciate the the feedback, but I we did sort of go over this quite a bit. We did talk to our feeder districts. We did talk to other elementary districts or I say elementary, I mean K8. I think that's clear. Um so it's it's a it's a challenging question and I and I my my sense is that you would probably get a a very mixed reaction to a a matched high school start. >> I guess that's sort of where I'm going is that I don't think we're going to there's always going to be people on

062both sides of the equation on what we're going to do. I mean, just quite frankly, I've never never really liked this calendar because we start later, especially now that I have somebody Yeah. >> in in high school. >> And we always just found it very difficult. >> But I guess the the question the way I look at the question because we're not going to satisfy everyone, I guess. What is I mean, if if we wanted to move the the calendar up to be more lined up with the high school. >> I mean, and we're just talking graduation, I guess. >> Right. find a different location for graduation, which I I don't think is insurmountable. >> Yeah. >> But not even trying to find a new location for graduation, just graduating after like a couple days

063after schools ends or like 3 days after school ends. I guess that that for me that's the that's the question on the table. It's not so much >> on vacation plans. I would >> pardon. >> I'm not sure parents. I'm sure again >> you're back to the you're not going to please everybody. If you have graduation [clears throat] after school ends, you're going to have some people say, "Well, I plan vacation for after school ends." >> So, I want to go I want to leave town. So, yeah. >> When the eighth graders graduate, they graduate a few days before the last day of school. And then what we do is we use that day for step up um for step up to Hower. So, that's when the fifth graders come to Hower and eighth grade

064teachers don't have students, so they cover classes. So the sixth grade teachers then can divide up the incoming sixth graders and meet those students. If we and I'm sitting here counting, well, if we start here, what would that do with this end date? And how could we make that work? So I am counting that out as everyone's talking. But >> everything I'm coming up with, even if we end a day or two after when RB's last day is, because their last day is on their graduation date, I believe. Even if we end a day or two later, then our graduation would end up being on probably on our last day also. And that would probably um then cancel step up to houser because we wouldn't have the the empty space that we have when the

065eighth graders aren't there. So it's graduation it's step up to houser. Um Brookfield Lraange is starting you know as Dr. Rintoy said we have talked to Kamaric and Brookfield Lraange and um Brookfield Lraange is going to start the Tuesday of that week. Um so they're starting on the 25th of August when we start on the 27th. Um, I don't I I can see both sides of the coin. I am willing to do as the board would like. We can go back and we can continue to play around those dates and come back um at uh March Cow with another draft to consider and then look at the two or we can move forward. I'm I'm open to how the board would like to move forward. Did I miss a um because this one says draft

066B, but I know originally presented to the teachers and wreck like two and so this is >> four. This is the one that [laughter] was that we landed on to to propose to to the board. So draft B really >> that's the one that got selected of the four. >> Yes. Out of the four that were shared with um the union co-president and then the >> Well, we didn't see those, right? Okay. I was like, did I miss? And I think the >> the only way to potentially get a better answer on the family question, you know, the I'd like I I hate going in mid August. I love going in mid August would be to survey parents, which we could do. I mean, I I realize this is a board decision. The board sets

067the the instructional calendar for the school district. So, um I appreciate Angela and working with the RC and and working sort of through a different format this year to gather more feedback. Um you know we had had some criticism that the calendar committee also wasn't representative enough. So um tried to have more representative feedback from our educators. You know our our number one goal is that we have we built a school calendar based on student learning. You know best for student learning um which means best for our families and I appreciate that but in just a lot of conversations the best for our families is not all you know David kind of what you're saying is not all the same. you know, there's just going to be varying opinions, but certainly we could look at

068what the majority of opinion is >> on the proposal of starting on August 25th, which would be the Tuesday, and then that would bump us out of that week of June 7th likely. >> Is that just something that you got a ton of fe of push back from rec on? >> Institute. >> We did get um questions and concerns about that because then we have the two institute days before. So institute day would be Monday and Friday and the concern there is um that last weekend for vacations [clears throat] for staff members as well. Um and so how would they like if they some staff members a number of staff members are concerned that they have their final vacation and lead into that weekend before we start school and so that would impact their plans

069as well. Um so that that Friday institute day there was some concern not just from RAC but from administrators also about whether or not how attendance would look from teachers on that Friday. >> Okay. That was one of the four drafts. >> Well I presume attendance is mandatory now. [clears throat and cough] >> It is. >> Yeah. Okay. No just to call that out. Okay. you you get sick. >> This is a weird This is a weird calendar. >> It is. It is. I agree. And I even when I first started looking at the calendar in October, >> um I you know, Dr. Rento and I had talked about that it just it seemed August 27th seemed really late to me. Yeah. We did some research um and it turns out that it is around

070that time. 27 is not necessarily the number, but it really is around this time that we usually start. um because I'm like this just seems really late and as we did I think we went back probably seven eight years and it's pretty consistent but it it feels weird to me also especially ending June 8th that feels >> yeah because we started the 20th this year and we're ending on May 30th so just ending June 8th feels really late but our spring break is actually a couple days earlier I was initially thinking spring break keeps creeping into April but it's actually >> two days earlier we're going through the 6th coming back the 7th this year we'd be coming back the lost it fourth fifth >> and with this calendar right now November 3rd is a

071non-instructional day so that pushes us out a day for the 176 because of the elections so right now not knowing whether or not Governor Pritsker is going to make it um a mandatory holiday we plan for it to be and so that also pushes us out of date so if you think about if we didn't have that election day there, then we would end up on a Monday. So then we would have pushed it back and then we would have ended up on Friday the 4th starting on a Wednesday. So election day also pushed us into that week as well. >> Yep. >> And the other call out I forgot to mention is we are going to move the October Institute Day from the Monday um of Indigenous People Columbus Day to the Friday of

072that weekend. And we're doing that deliberately because West 40, the ROE that we work with, they've started doing um professional learning series for singleton subjects. So like our PE, our music, our art as well as our pair of professionals and they do it on the Friday before that Friday before that holiday. So we missed it this year and we're trying to be more aligned with that. as well as I know Nority has seen some professional learning opportunities for special education staff as well as pair professionals with other districts because other districts are doing it on Friday also. So it just makes more sense for us to move to Friday of that 3-day weekend so that or of that yeah three-day weekend so that we can now collaborate with other districts too. >> And then I

073think we added some half days in here as well, right? We did we added um a half day on Friday, October 30th. So students will be in school for the morning for all the Halloween festivities and then they'll go home for their Halloween afternoons, but the teachers will stay, the staff members will stay and have professional learning that afternoon. >> But it looks like that counts because we did five hours of instruction. >> Half day counts for student attendance. >> So we're not losing days because of that. Okay. All right. Just the election day is really the Okay. Yep. Where have we landed on I know there's been discussion in the past about um Thanksgiving week. Um I've actually just recently learned this having a child going into high school. They do not get the

074whole week. It's just the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Um I I I'm presuming parents again value having the the full week. Maybe not. I don't know. Wasn't there talk at some point of moving like the um >> the parent the conferences to >> Monday have standardsbased grading fully set then we're going to look at moving conferences to middle of the um trimester the first trimester because then we're reporting on how students are learning the standards how they're doing on learning their grade level content um and it gives the teachers more direction in what they're talking about at conferences um with standardsbased learning piece. So, we're waiting until standardsbased grading reporting is fully in place, which will be um not this upcoming school year, but the 2728 year. And that's when we would look at moving conferences

075to the middle of the trimester. Um yeah, so there is still talk of that, still plans for that. It's just because we're not at the standards space grading piece yet, we haven't moved it yet. And that would be obviously a really big change that required more notice of families. >> Yes. >> And school some school districts even when they don't have conferences still take that as as basically a >> a break. So you still could. It's just all about getting to the 176 instructional days >> and the required professional development days. >> I'm with you though. I just didn't want to say it out loud. >> And I'm also trying to think [laughter] because it was funny. There's one of the policies about the school year calendar day and like um >> commemorative holidays. I

076think they're even making like the Friday after Thanksgiving commemorative that you don't have to. But where where have we landed on like the Good Friday, so like our spring breaks, you know, like the week >> it's all dur So it's >> it's on the Friday the 20some, but that's something that as a district we've decided to it makes sense to have off. >> It's it's it's long baked into the calendar. I can say that. Um it's something that could change. I know there are some districts that are changing it um real honestly and and we haven't pulled our staff in this way that uh one of the sort of thoughts behind that is that um enough people would take it as a religious holiday that you could have difficulty staffing >> okay your school district

077it's a bit of an unknown >> I mean it's not ideal but it's a weird calendar. The only options I really see is you either >> you take the 20th and the 21st as an institute days and we start on a Monday or we've got to fill the two days over Thanksgiving which I don't think it'll go over well. Other than that, I I don't really I don't really see a good option here. It's interesting that RB is starting so late, I guess, >> right? >> But maybe they're not. I don't know. >> You said fill the two days for before Thanksgiving. So you would you're looking at possibly recommending >> if you're just trying to if we're trying to just cut off two days, I don't see any way you get all the way

078into May with this calendar. So if you just want to cut off that Monday and Tuesday, we either use Tuesday, Wednesday, and like because you got parent teacher conferences on Monday, but you can't take three days or we've got to we've got to shift the start back three two day I guess two days. But it doesn't make any sense to do a Friday institute day and a Monday institute day. So you gota like there's not really a good option. >> We talked about that. That wasn't something >> we did and it's not ideal. I would agree that's not ideal. So >> yeah I would I would >> the union did discuss that as well. Um because we did that was one of the drafts we brought and so they had a conversation as well about

079it. Um but yeah that was not ideal. I mean, even from a learning perspective, I'd rather come back the next day rather than take a a weekend off and just knowing some of the content that you all do. It feels like it's better just to do it two days in a row. So, >> you do start to sort of establish your momentum as you're heading into the school year. >> Yeah. >> And moving it to Monday doesn't do any good because then you end on a Monday. We talked about that last year. So, take that feedback and >> Yeah. Right. Try to apply that. But on having the institute days on the 20th and the 21st, if the argument is like teachers are not getting that extra weekend, well then like the benefit of that

080obviously is then they're not using that extra weekend. >> Yeah, because I think we'd be the third or that we're out >> that Thursday instead of >> all out that weekend. >> Tuesday. >> I'd have to count out the days, but it's I don't know. Am I def am I hearing you Wesley that like you'd like us to explore institute day on the 20th and 21st and start school on Monday which would move our end date three days >> we would make the end date um it looks like Thursday June 3rd instead >> yeah I I don't that I think that'd be the only other alternative because I don't think if we're going to take away Thanksgiving I mean we could there's plenty of notice right I mean, I suppose people have booked vacations in

081November already. >> I don't think you should do that. I wouldn't do that without a lot of parent feedback. >> Well, I I that's why I said I didn't want to say it out loud. >> Year and a half talking about >> half days. Put out a whole proposal to like just to throw in a few more even the extra half. We got to communicate those really well. We got to make sure. But um >> I mean it's just baked into your mind. So if we're going to change it, we gota >> Yeah. It's just that people might not have booked a vacation for November now, but in October they might. And just automatically assume that they're getting those days off. >> What about um >> is is this possible >> to make election day

082an e-learning day? >> It depends if the governor declares it as a holiday because if he declares it as a holiday, it's also a holiday for our employees >> and it's it's unclear. I mean it yes that that that is ve if it's not a holiday it probably would be a very good solution for us. Um but >> what happens if he doesn't >> if he doesn't declare it as a holiday then then we're potentially putting it back in the calendar and we're >> Yeah. I mean I mean I >> mean is there any indication >> ending on holidays? >> I guess people are taking it several times now. It's not going to be a >> It's not going to be holiday. >> And what source did you hear that from? >> I don't remember,

083but it's not on our calendar. And some I can't remember how where we heard this, but they said they would not be doing it anymore >> as a holiday for us. So, it's like, you know, parents are going to have to be working anyway. >> It's just kind of a rough day to >> if you take election day out, then you can just move the IDs one day up. Yeah, that was my thought. >> But I guess the question is when's he going to make the announcement, >> right? >> And so I mean I guess that that's >> this would be my this would be my suggestion. Um is I don't know and uh if that this was a proposal of doing seeing if we could do institute day on the 20th and 21st and

084starting school then on a Monday. Um was that a proposal? >> It was not a proposal, but we can definitely take it back. I'd almost say let's let's look at that because then we definitely don't end like on a Tuesday. We would end more realistically on a Thursday or even possibly Wednesday if it's or >> Yeah. Because then if if it isn't then we just that's just one more day off. Right. >> Yeah. >> I mean that that would be my only other alternative solution because nothing else really makes sense. >> Right. Right now, based on information from the Illinois Department of Central Management and the Illinois Secretary of State, the general election day on November 3rd, 2026 is listed as a holiday. >> Listed as a holiday. >> Yeah, that's from AI. [laughter] >>

085Oh, we know how. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Um I mean, I don't know if there's as a board we want bring that back have that at least float that idea because that'd be my suggestion. This is I mean we all agree this is a weird calendar. I think it would be less weird if we moved everything up like >> a few days. >> Um >> I'd be interested in feedback on it at the very least. I mean from my position I would rather do the if if I were in that seat, I'd rather do the 20th and the 21st and get out >> closer to May and more into June personally. But I'd be >> I do know one of the things that we'll get for feedback um is uh a fiveday start is a

086fiveweek start a fiveday start for the first week of school is challenging for kids. Um that is one thing. Yeah, that's one thing that I know our staff members will say because it comes up every time we start the calendar and even when we were looking at different options, we did look at the Tuesday start because that's when Brookfield Lraange is starting. And one of the things that came back is a 4-day start, a 4-day week start is tough for kids. So I know when I go back, one of the things we will hear is that a fiveday week is challenging for the students as well. So just putting that out there. Still very willing and ready to take this recommendation back. I'm just letting you know one of the things we'll see right away.

087>> What I'm just curious, what's the challenge? Just getting back in the groove. >> Getting back in the groove. Yeah. >> Yeah. Not having a lot of stamina, particularly for younger kids, >> right? Because even with the three the three-day start um of a week, they're wiped by Friday. Like if any of you remember if you have the younger ones still or if you remember when yours were younger, like by Friday they're conked out. And so when you think about going five days, yeah, >> the winter break, it takes three days to get back. >> And for what it's worth, using the oldfashioned Google uh on the Secretary of State's website, think um >> election day 2026 is listed as a state holiday. >> So that almost feels like the governor doesn't need to make

088a decision >> unless they change it. >> Okay. >> Or let me let me Oh, never mind. No, >> I mean, yeah, I'm probably more in the minority. Like, I was like, okay, it's not ideal, but if anything, I'm like, I wish the high school started later. Um, >> and it's always felt weird to me to to end in in May. Um, June weather can still be so cold, so I actually like it is a little weird, but I like a later start. Um, gosh, ideally it would be like in September after uh Labor Day, some might think. Um I think CPS used to consistently do that. I'm not sure if they still do. >> Now they're move they've moved into August. >> Okay. So, but yeah, for for me it's more like yes, these

089high schools seem to be starting so early and then it's like sports before that. I mean, really like summer looks so different for high school students. I'm learning. But I I I understand the challenges. I rely on, you know, summer care as well and have always had to figure out that that gap. Um, I think with notice, um, you know, families could could could make that work. I would be hesitant to, yeah, I would just be hesitant for our educators to do a a Thursday, Friday or Friday, Monday institute day plus like just the long week. I I'm not opposed if that if that's what the majority of the board wants to explore, but I would also be fine moving forward with the calendar as it is. >> That's just my >> You make a

090great point about weather being warmer in August as opposed to >> That's my great point. >> Late May, early June weather. You're totally right. I I didn't think about it, but you're absolutely right. I don't I mean it's not ideal, but >> we got some of that feedback at PLT as well that um families would rather enjoy time in August off and away from school than in early June. >> It Yeah, again it's a lot of variation in those opinions, but this this was our recommended calendar. Um the idea being like we would have some discussion. This has been, you know, a lot of discussion, so thank you for that. Um, ideally we were going to bring it back then for approval, but it sounds like there's another iteration. We're gonna >> Sounds that way.

091Yes. >> Okay. I'm not sure I heard all the details, David, but Angela, if you did, then and it'll be in the minutes. >> That Kathy is taking notes also. So, >> okay. >> I mean, >> since she helps me with that. >> Yeah. I guess you mean if the rest of the board doesn't think this is a good idea, but I'd say let's just explore doing the 20 21st. Um I agree with Wesley like doing like 21st and 24th for institute day you you do lose a lot. You lose over the weekend. So I wouldn't even want to approach that but if we can do 20 21st and start on that Monday and realize it might be a rough >> that's where the five day week first week. >> Yeah. And it sounded like

092a good idea to me that 20th and 21st but you did mention the five day week. Now I'm remembering like I've always heard that over the years from everybody at the school. It's like, yep, it takes till halfway through the week until the kids finally get out of their slump. >> It's a bad start to the school year. Sounds like for kids. >> It's It's a definite risk. >> I Yeah, I guess I don't I don't really feel strongly against the way the calendar is laid out now. I think it's just kind of an unfortunate way that all the dates fall in the months. But um [snorts] um and I and I do have I I don't use camps or um high schoolers or anything like that, but I have friends who do and they

093just kind of anticipate that those that hole in August is like typically when they take vacation and um and I think people just kind of prepare for that. So I I don't personally I don't feel very strongly about changing it. I don't know where we're leaning on this. >> I don't know either. [laughter] >> I can't hear you. I'm sorry. If there's >> I I don't know if we need you to go back or not. I I don't have I was just throwing out alternatives, but I could live with this. Um do you want to go back? Definitely just for an option to see what the feedback is. I'm not I'd be interested, but I mean if this the majority of the board wants to go with this, I I mean I'm okay with it.

094>> I don't have strong feelings one way or the other. >> Yeah, I don't have a strong feeling. I just that five day first week does not sound like a good option. >> Stephanie, you kind of gave an opinion, so I'm going to take that as ambivalent. I don't know how you feel, Dan. >> I'm I'm fine with it as is. It's It's ugly. It's >> It's uh what the no good option, but it doesn't sound like there's a better option. >> Yeah, >> let's just move forward. Well, she wants to change it. You want to change it? [laughter] >> I thought that was the whole reason. >> Yeah, I I feel like we can do better. So, I would not vote in favor of this calendar. >> But it sounds like there's consensus, so

095like by all means, go ahead. Yeah, I'm just thinking if if we're going to get if it's going to come back like this anyway, is it worth the time trying to go through it, mull it over, get the feedback and everything? >> I think we got >> I think you have enough. We just move forward with it. >> Okay. >> So, what we would do is we' put it on the agenda for formal approval at the next meeting. >> Um, sometimes what we have done is we have published a draft calendar pending board approval because families do start to contact us and want to know about winter break, first day, spring break, etc. So, um, if you're comfortable with it, that there seems to be consensus and a sense of direction that will likely be

096approved through formal board action at the next meeting is that we would do some communication about it, draft, pending approval, etc. But I know families do start to want to know. >> Yeah, >> you could do that if we get much feedback or what type of feedback we get. >> Yeah. Yeah. One way is if we got really negative feedback, >> right? Because there is there is really no good. I mean, the way I'm looking at this, there's no good option right now. I mean, and to your point, yes, we can do better, but how much better can we? >> I would propose Friday 21st and Monday 24th as teacher institute days and pushing the schedule two days forward is better. >> And and I can I can see that. I guess I just just

097sort of having those education days, breaking it up there, you lose that continuity over the weekend. Yeah, I think on paper it's better, but I think on paper it's definitely better. >> Let's do that. We We can always We don't have to vote on this next one. If we get really bad feedback from the community or something like that, um we can always table it. When do we have to have this approved? >> Is there like a legal >> There's an expectation from the community that it's like around now. Um so again, just more tradition and expectations. Um, I think we can Kathy, I think we can send it submit it to the state board of ed probably up until the end of this school year and then you still can send revisions and so

098it's a kind of a changeable movable document, but that's not what families want it to be, >> right? >> So, >> I mean, I think if you were able to get it out, can we do like a public >> like an email from you or something saying the calendar's out there and just request any any feedback? I I >> I don't know. It's hard to say whether we'll actually get any or not. >> Yeah. I mean, if you want feedback, I would do it differently. If you're sort of like passively feedback might be interesting, but that's different than like actually surveying and asking. >> Well, do we normally get feedback when the calendar is published? >> No, but I'm saying like this one is so unique and different. Oh, you hear the feedback? Yeah. >>

099And it's usually in the year, but I didn't know if anyone >> takes time to feedback. I mean, we get we get exactly that start of the year thing, but it's >> it's not a significant number. People that wish we started earlier and people that wish we started later, people that still say, "Why do we not start after Labor Day?" >> You know, so um >> I would sort of argue that like our role as board members is to solicit feedback from the community and so we should be out there talking to the community about this. So there doesn't necessarily need to be like a formal survey. Like talk to people in the community, see what they have to say about it. Like that's what your job is as a board member. >> Yep. And

100I do and I don't get much. >> I I don't think people look at it as deeply as we do >> is usually the feedback I get >> with [clears throat] that gap in August camping and every school is >> it is a wider gap but yes there always is one. It is wider. And my biggest concern is whenever we do communicate, whether it's, hey, this is a draft it, that we begin communicating early about the half days, >> right? >> Yes. Yeah. And we really do want to get this calendar out there for that reason. Um, but that that that's >> and I don't know if we've then solidified officially the plan with the park district and like how that would be >> once we give them the date. So, just so families know

101like they're >> half these please note, you know, these half days, but we're working with our park district on options for >> Yeah. >> Um I mean that's my bigger >> concern when this is ready to go out to the community. >> Yeah, I agree. >> Those dates aren't in flux. Maybe I mean I this doesn't feel like a strategic plan thing, but you've got a group of people to give feedback. I don't know if this should be something that we talk about. I just this is incredibly difficult to get feedback on. And usually parents are just well for me personally, this is what I want. And so that's always the challenge because I can't personally give everybody exactly what they want. And so >> we've got to balance all these other things. and it's

102just not something that most parents in the community are really thinking about as intensely as what we're talking about tonight. So, I don't know. I feel like you've got enough votes to just move forward with it. It It's not ideal, but it is such It is a very weird calendar this year just the way that the days lay out. So, I think we just move forward with it from what I'm hearing tonight. >> Okay. >> If we need to have a discussion at the next meeting, we can always pivot. So, um not voting. >> Yep. Not voting tonight. Yeah. >> Not tonight. Yeah. All right. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you for the discussion. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> Wasn't quite expecting it to take that long. >> All right. Um Okay. I think

103policy. This is the one I was expecting to take a little bit longer. Is the only thing we have left? Yes. So, Miss Gun, I'll hand it over to you to talk us through the press release. >> What do I have? 45 minutes. No, I'm hoping it won't I'm hoping it won't take that long. I know these always can look overwhelming. Um but we have a combination of press updates um issue 120 which actually came out I think around November October November. So uh it's not due back until sometime in late February after >> okay so we're we're good on on on timing. Um but we also have two district 96 specific edits that are not part of press. So, I just kind of wanted to call those out first and perhaps start with those

104and then as I go through press, um I won't touch on every single policy. I like to talk about it in the in the bundles as it's presented because uh they impact various different policies. Sometimes there's overlap. Um a lot of legislation that came out of the general assembly this past spring affected like one of them affected 31 different policies, right? So, footnotes, etc. Um but for the district specific edits, I saw 2230 um public comment um at board of education meetings was on there. I believe the reason was I think there was perhaps a discrepancy in our understanding on the number of minutes that we allow. >> Yeah, I think there's a difference if if you want it to be three or more. >> Yeah, the board the policy and as we've been um

105stating before, every public comment out loud is five minutes. But I I also thought we were supposed to be three minutes. And again, the board always has the discretion to add more time after. But >> our policy says five minutes. >> Our policy says five. >> I always thought it was five. >> And we've been saying five, >> right? >> But I I don't know how why this one got >> a conversation at one point if it was three, right, Kathy? [clears throat] And so >> yeah, for the longest time I thought it was three, but it's five. For the longest time, we thought it was three and the policy said >> and you're saying five and so >> so do we keep it with the policy then >> do we move it to three?

106>> Right. That's >> Have we stated that at meetings? I guess I've never >> only when people are up here and then I set a we got the timer to help try to keep us on track because just so people know how much time they have and everything. >> Okay. >> You also set a maximum like if there were many public comments. We we use I mean >> yes >> I might have [laughter] >> I just I it's I'm struggling to come up with one was three but okay >> it used to be three >> okay >> and it wasn't really sorry I wasn't supposed to be a fingerpoint but >> before we we did used to I think I used to say three we don't get a lot but then we looked at the

107policy and it actually does say five in the policy so so I changed it I'm fine with it being five we have very limited public comment and um >> I think I think people are pretty good about staying within those general parameters. I think the one challenge we've had is we don't have any kind of >> timekeeping thing, right? And so I always feel a little awkward cutting people off and which is why we got the timer just to help with the time management and stuff like that. Um >> I I don't have any personal issues with it being five the way that it's currently written. >> Okay. Yeah, I would recommend we keep it at five. I think the practice has worked. I appreciate how we've tightened up the communication [clears throat] to um

108both in the public comment sign up and prior to the public comment on the agenda just to reiterate what the expectation is um and what public comment is at a board meeting. So good with that. Um the other one that got updated uh just by us specifically was a chain of command one 330 and I think this came out of um the D96 admin structure was updated because of our uh change in is it the director of operations and maintenance role. So basically a new org chart >> and it actually should say facilities and maintenance Kathy >> facilities but it's one of them still says operations and maintenance. >> Okay. >> We have changed this thing so the board book I think I saw it correct. >> Yeah. So that's just, you know, updating an

109org chart um per policy 330. So whoever caught that, thank you. I did not >> Kathy, I see two different org charts attached. So anyway, we'll clean that up, but it facilities and maintenance. >> All right. Facilities. Thank you. >> That's what it was. Yeah. Okay. anything on just the D96 specific policies before we get into press. Okay, so for press, as I mentioned, this is the fall policy update and it comes out of a lot of legislation. So these are kind of like the musts, right? Like we just have to add these. And I think more than anything they are important for like Martha and the team to know like how it changes perhaps practices that we um just our practices. Um so there's a couple different bundles and I and I just want

110to touch on a few and then of course if there's questions happy to take that back. Um so one of the really big bundles um that came out was the immigration and law enforcement and that is the 7150 suite and essentially it is this new public act uh the safe schools for all act which became effective January 1st. Um schools aren't required to have these policies in place until July 1st of 2026. Um but essentially it like you know and you can read secures the right of every child to equal access to free public education safe from like intimidation and fear. Um and so a lot of schools right now and their effort to promote that right are taking steps to protect like the learning environments of children. A lot of this is tied into

111things like absenteeism, so there's not like discouragement coming to school because of more recent like threats of immigration or law enforcement activity on school campuses. Um, but essentially it's 7150, which is the agency and law enforcement request that I know we've all read and been familiar with. We've shared it with the with the public and our community. Um, but it was like renamed and rewritten to reflect these changes. So essentially establishing a policy regarding you know these law enforcement requests at school and procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests for agents to enter school. Um I think there's also an addition now that you can't disclose information on perceived citizenship or immigration status of students. You cannot put country of birth as like directory information. Um so those are some of the the changes that came

112out of this. And I don't know if it's just because other schools were not other districts did not have as I don't know beefed up. Again, sometimes it feels like these are catching up to practices that we've already >> been doing. >> Um but it just wanted to highlight 7150 from the safe schools for all act that came out. >> Anything on that? Did anybody notice anything? have questions. Okay. And then one of the other sections or bundles is falls within like district operations and safety. So, a couple different laws and public acts that impact our operations including finance um and school safety. So, I think Martha reviews this with kind of relevant members of the team, but there's a couple I just wanted to call out and touch on. Um, I don't really, again,

113sometimes I'm like, I don't know that this exactly relates to us, but 430, which is revenue and investments, basically prohibits districts from depositing funds in what they refer [clears throat] to as financial institutions subject to community reinvestment act. And you're like, well, what are those? What are those financial institutions? Essentially, like state chartered banks and credit unions. So, I don't know that we were doing that anyway, but school districts are now prohibited from depositing funds in something like a state chartered bank or credit union. Um 448, which is accounting and audits. Um, this one might be different than what we've done. So, now it requires the school district's auditor to file the um annual financial report and audit with Isby annually and then the superintendent has to ensure that the auditor makes those filings. they

114were saying that can be as simple as like CCing, you know, the superintendent um on the filing to Isby. So again, I think it's just making sure that's part of the administration's uh practices. Um another one that has to do with safety was 7190, which is student behavior under the required notices. It requires building principles to notify law enforcement upon receiving a report. and now it's been added or a threat of gun violence on school grounds. And if the threat is from a student, the building principal also has to um notify the students parents or guardians as soon as possible. I again I think Martha and I were talking like this is what our practice has been. So I think the policy used to be just a report and now it's also um or a

115threat of >> so beefed up if you will. The language has just been beefed up. And then 522 for substitute teachers. Again, I think maybe we've done this. It requires districts to provide all substitute personnel with training on school evacuation drills and law enforcement lockdown drills. So again, just more of like the operations and and safety and some changes that Martha and team um might need to be aware of, but it sounds like we were perhaps already doing these. >> Um one of the other bundles that was affected was personnel issues. Um so a couple changes to some policies that affect like um nursing mothers, you know, compensating employees at their regular rate of pay um for, you know, nursing or expressing >> That was weird how that was written. So that's just essentially they

116just paid for their time, right, while they're doing that. Okay. Okay. Sure. >> Yep. Um, and then there was another policy that fell under personnel. Again, the these are all kind of all all over the place, but um I think it's a new one, 2270, the discrimination and harassment um which has to do with the Illinois Department of Human Rights um creating like a racism free training for all district employees and then it has to happen at employee on boarding and then once every two years thereafter. So again, just more for the board to be aware of these changes. Um, >> so this was marked new. Was this just a net new policy? >> That's what I thought. Okay. 227. >> I don't recall ever seeing anything marked with new before. >> Don't recall. >>

117Yeah. Some say like rewritten. I think last bundle we had a completely new >> uh new one as well. I'm forgetting which one it was. Um some of the other ones that it impacted um curriculum um was [clears throat] another area. So there was this again public act that impacted many provisions of the school code. Um this one creates what's known as the school code mandate reduction council. So it essentially makes like future recommendations about mandates in schools. It did a lot of like reorganizing, re-umbering, amending topics um that must be covered as part of a district's curriculum. And that bill I was saying [clears throat] like required changes to at least 51 different press materials. And there was like overlap. So it looks a little crazier than it is. Um and they did say

118we would see some more of these changes in the next press update when I joined the webinar. Um but a lot are due to just simple reing in the school code. um sometimes consolidating language, ma making minor amendments. Um but the highest volume of changes is in suite 660, the curriculum content suite, and that one does have a question in it as well, which I wasn't exactly sure how we answer it. >> I'm sorry. I'm just looking back for the 2270 answer. There is a 2270 in our current board manual that was adopted in uh May of 2024. Oh, so maybe it's not entirely new. Yeah, >> I'd have to go back and look at >> Yeah. >> Um I'm sorry, but the curriculum question one, are we at 660? >> 660. The curriculum question.

119>> We do not teach about the Irish famine. Um so that would be >> the default was no. >> Yeah. No. >> So Angela, thank you for looking into that. So yeah, just wanted to call out whenever there's questions that we are in agreement on either adopting the default or >> um not the answer that is a default. No. Okay. >> Well, so if we were to add it, what would be taken out >> of our curriculum? >> Yes. >> I think sometimes some of these required items get like a one day, you know, like I don't know that anything would get taken out. I think it would just get added in, which is, you know, one of the criticism that things keep getting added and things don't get taken out. >> Um, and I

120know we have all we've looked at um 660 curriculum content suite >> a lot over the last few years, but again, it's kind of reumbering, reorganizing, consolidating language. um were some of the more significant changes that came out of it this go around. Um and then along with that 6260 which I know we've also all been familiar with regarding complaints about the curriculum and instructional materials um that's just been updated because of the Supreme Court case that I think many of us are familiar with Mahmud v. Taylor um that came out this past summer, pretty high-profile case impacting K- through2 schools regarding religious objections to materials used in the classroom. So that suite of materials was updated to include um that case law and really the takeaway to each objection is you know handled on

121a case-by case basis and you know pick up the phone, talk to your board attorney as as needed. and a lot of the um AP material was also updated which we don't you know it's not necessarily policy that we bring to the board. Um what else? Oh, 6210 um is also a a policy that has on instructional material. There's an optional question in there as well. And I think we said [clears throat and cough] yes Martha to how we respond to it. >> Yes. So the def I'm just looking the default is no. >> Default is no, but we already include >> but we do include this language. superintendent shall approve the selection of all other instructional materials that part of the language. >> Yeah. And primary. So they would now for so for so

122for districts that have this optional language already and we do have this language already in our policy. If we keep it, which I would recommend we do, they're now going to add the high the underlined portion. So they'll add primary before instruction materials and they will add that final line of the superintendent shall approve the selection of all other instruction materials. This is already what what we're doing. >> Yeah, I guess is that the practice? I imagine it is. >> You know, so it's interesting. It was interesting to to sort of stop and think about this one because we you do approve something like a ELA adoption, a math adoption, something that's going to have some major costs to it. Um, and [clears throat] then there's a lot of ancillary instructional materials. Do you approve

123everything? I would argue that yes, you do because you're approving it in our budget. But I think this policy does make a lot of sense that you're really approving primary because does a teacher bring in uh a different book today? You know, did you approve that um exact book? You know, she um found another alternative lesson that she really wants again. So this idea that you approve absolutely everything is probably a bit of an overstatement. So I I think this policy does clarify. >> So then we would select yes and it would add in that additional line. >> Okay. >> So those are the only policies that had questions attached to them. Some of the other just again bundles under student behavior, mental health and attendance. um 7180 prevention of and response to bullying intim

124intimidation and harassment updated uh different definitions and also just for the board's review we did go ahead and attach the middle school health um social emotional learning topics attached. Um, and we also think that perhaps in the future this could be a good opportunity to bring this type of presentation to the board so we can get more into the weeds and details of you know what that curriculum looks like that touches upon this this policy. >> So on that note, Martha and I actually conferred with this uh over break I've been doing a lot of outreach including other districts and and different people. um we had an incident of a student using a a racial slur towards another student. And so over winter break um I really took some time digging in because we've had

125a couple, you know, it's not like a prevalent problem or anything like that, but we do have, you know, incidents like this happen um more than we would care, right? So, I was I've been talking to Martha about that and I think even just sitting down with her and kind of talking about some of the curriculum stuff that we do, there was a lot of things that I was unaware of that we actually engage with. So, I think um that would be a really good idea for us to just really understand like what do we do? Um there's there's been a lot of talk in the community that I've heard about of like what else can we do? And I would I would always agree. I would always say like there's always more that you

126can do. I think this is a a an issue that'll never have a final solution to it. Um, but we can always try to figure out how to do better. So, I know I talked to Marlo because she got put on a very interesting check text chain with a whole bunch of people that went a little awall, I think. Um, and uh, I talked with Dan and Stephanie as VP and and policy chair around this topic. And I think you both were kind of on board with with doing some kind of summarization of this. And so I was chatting with Martha about putting something a little bit more comprehensive together and just saying here's kind of all the different ways that we approach this topic, things that are embedded in the school. I think even

127talking about just what are our procedures around adjudicating incidents and and things like that. So um just kind of throwing that out there. I wanted to collectively ask if everybody would be on board with that. I know, you know, before we direct any work with the team, we always want to make sure there's four of us, and I kind of counted youth three as as my four there, but I wanted to bring Dan and Matt and Selena into the loop on that one. So, we might try to prepare that one for an upcoming cow either February or potentially March, depending on whether your team has time to actually put that together. But um so yeah, more to come on that because we we did have that one recent incident and we've had some public comment

128on this and I've talked to many people in the community about uh just general engagement. So I think it'd be good to educate oursel on >> how this is. >> So rather than have this written as policy, we're writing up a separate just what do we do like more of insight to the implementation of the policy. Um >> yeah, not to replace the policy. >> Not to replace the policy. Yeah, but just kind of translating >> how are we adhering to the policy and you know and there's so many and I know I I say this there's so many layers and it there certainly because it links to certainly curriculum content it links to social emotional learning policies. Um I I think one of the things is if the board could sort of think about

129what what area of focus like you mentioned sort of the how we address student discipline. Um I know there's been some questions about how we address just the proactive preventative social emotional learning piece, how we address climate and culture. So, are there particular areas that you'd like us to focus in on? Um, because I can certainly say that it's it's part of everything we do, right? It's it's it's it is climate and culture. It is the curriculum. It is the general curriculum and just how our teachers are. Um, it's about responsive classroom and the way in which they interact with students. So, there's just a lot of different layers. And um I would look to you know to Nority to Chris Harvales to our our team to to put together a presentation but to help

130kind of focus in if you have particular thoughts and even if it's not you know tonight if you want to share with them with me as we prepare something um I'm happy to bring that forward. I think a lot of what we do isn't explicit and so just kind of sharing some of the process that we go through like the um culturally culturally responsive classroom and I think from what Martha and I have talked about we have lessons that are kind of baked in at the elementary level but you know it's you know take 20 minutes during morning meeting and do this thing or what and it doesn't quite translate to the middle schools and middle schools chaotic right now with just everything going on with them and so we try to do it through

131whatever's in the curriculum, but it's not like a in-your-face, you know, hey kids, we're going to talk about this thing now. And so I think just kind of going through that and and allowing us to have an understanding of how is this baked into the curriculum. What are the things that we're already doing to try to be proactive on it and then how do we respond when something happens because inevitably something will happen. Um but we just I think I feel like we've had enough of the dialogue at the table and and we all kind of know incidents that have happened in the community just having a collective discussion on how are we How do we go day by day um and facilitate this type of stuff? I mean the and the best buddies >>

132couldn't have been more of a maybe it wasn't a coincidence. I don't know but you know >> it was I heard a lot of that come out in them of the inclusiveness and >> you know intentionally bringing people together and stuff like that. So we do a lot of that and it just doesn't >> it's not overt. You're not going to look at it and say that there it is right there. So just kind of having a a better understanding from ours of like where that actually fits in and then if we have suggestions or questions about what else could we do um starting point is what do we already do before we start throwing more stuff at it. So we'll have more to more to come on that in the future. Um so thank

133you for kind of stating that. I was going to bring that up at the end when you were done anyway. So >> yeah, and kind of alongside that one, uh, one of the final policies um that falls under the mental health and and attendance and student behavior bundle is the 7290, the suicide and depression awareness prevention, which does require districts to have protocols for um requiring education for students on mental health and illness. And um again, we've attached the topics for reference here for the board. It also requires that the district insert um the same contact information for the suicide prevention um helpline that's required right now for our like students ID cards to be placed onto staff or employee cards as well for those serving grades 6 through 12. So just something worth and

134I talked about. Um, so in terms of 120, those are really some of the main ones that I wanted to call out. As I mentioned a lot just coming out of the general assembly this past spring and legislation that affected the policies. I believe there will be more to come in the next issue. Um, and then the only other things I'll mention, um, I do like to join the webinars and at the end of the webinars, they just kind of give you like a progress report for some of the things that might be coming down the pipeline in in future press updates. So, the kind of reumbering continues. Um they did talk about starting in the 2728 school year like mental health screening requirements um that will be offered to all students, but they're still

135waiting on Isby to put out guidance on implementation. So that um will likely update some press materials in like the 7250. Um >> and people are probably aware that we use a ren it's called the Renaissance screener. So, we do a social emotional screener. >> Um, I I know this is an area, it's interesting that policy links it to funding, but it's also an area where I think we all feel challenged by finding something that's uh short that students can easily that can be easily administered to students and and provides us with meaningful results. Um there will be some updates uh regarding um it applies to a lot of Illinois employers including school districts but FMLA for parents that are caring for a newborn in the like NICU. So, the neonatal intensive care leave um

136will be coming down. And then also, I I don't know exactly how this is going to affect us, but there's a Senate bill that impacts the reasons that a board can meet remotely to also include something like active um military duty service. But there was another provision that expanded the exception for board evaluation and going into close session for that. So, keeping an eye on like what effect that might have because we do utilize that for close session um to do our board evals. I don't know if it's going to be a helpful or something. >> It sounds like they're going to allow other other facilitator like right now it has to be with the Illinois Association of School Boards that there would be other facilitators that would be allowed. >> Okay. >> To do

137that is is how I interpret it. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. Again, just something hasn't been signed by the governor yet. I it is a Senate bill. So, >> did we talk about the military leave one in the past? I feel like I thought we had I thought they'd already done that. But you could participate remotely if it was for military leave. >> I don't remember. >> Maybe not around board. I feel like it's been for other >> Okay. >> areas medical child care. Yeah. I forget all the exact reasons, but um yeah, any questions? Anybody see or read anything they wanted to bring up? So, we can circle back with you. There's a lot, but also fairly straightforward. >> Yeah, more intense than the last couple that you brought. And so for action, we

138would wait to put it on the bo the February board meeting if we think we want to have more discussion around any of we could also add it to February cow, but I don't know that we need to just from the feedback here tonight. I'm not hearing that we need to, but if anybody does, >> we've got a little less than two weeks to throw it on there. Right. 20 uh what is it? 48 48 hours. 72 hours. >> 48 hours. >> Okay. So, if anybody wants to put it on, just let uh Martha and I know and or I guess let Martha know. Copy me on it. But if Yeah. If we get one, we can just throw it on there for cow um to cover it. Otherwise, we'll pull this in for our

139next regular meeting in February then. Thank you, Stephanie, for walking us through all that. >> Yes, definitely. >> All right, no more agenda items. Um, I'm not seeing anybody here, but Kathy, is anybody on the >> I just checked. >> Okay. All right. No more public comment. So, future meeting dates will be February 4th, 26, uh, committee of the whole meeting at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Hollywood School. regular board meeting on February 18th, 7 PM in the Hower Auditorium. We must be doing um awards or something that night. Yeah. Okay. Uh March 4th, committee of the whole, 700 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Ames. March 18th at the reg uh is the regular business meeting 7 p.m. here in the Hower Learning Resource Center. With that, this meeting is adjourned. Thank

140you. [music]