001All right, I have six o'clock, so I will call this meeting to order. Uh Kim, does it sound like I'm picking up? All right, excellent. Okay, welcome everyone. It's Tuesday, February 17th. Uh this is the regular board meeting of Cook County School District 130. We are at the Eisenhower Co-op in Crestwood. Um if we could please, Miss Martinez, could you do a roll call? >> Sure. Mr. Baining absent Mr. Burmeister absent Mr. Dasmir >> here >> Miss Kiski roll >> here >> Miss McKinnus >> here >> Mr. Warner >> here. >> Oh, we have Cor. Thank you. Sorry, so many abstenses. Um, all right. We'll move on now to our pledge of allegiance. If everyone could please stand. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
002for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We move on now to our comment section of the agenda and we'll begin this evening with board member comments at this time. Do any board members have comments? Yes. Um, I just have something I'd like to read. So, the district firmly denies the allegations that continue to be made by the SEI local SEIU Local 73. These statements misrepresent the facts and appear intended to influence ongoing collective bargaining discussions. Labor negotiations should take place at the bargaining table between the union's representatives and the board's representatives. Instead, SEIU has chosen to engage in public personal attacks. Our leadership team continues to bargain in good faith with the union and remains committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to employees, fiscally
003responsible, and is in the best interest of our students and community. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other board comments? >> I guess I have some. As a board member, member of the negotiation team, I am speaking for myself when I say I should have addressed the public statements surrounding the negotiation sooner. The board chose to stay focused on negotiations, allowed statements remain publicly online and media without response. That silence allowed inaccurate information to circulate. The community has been told things by this union that do not reflect what has actually occurred in negotiations. From the beginning of the process, much of the discussion has taken place publicly rather than at the bargaining table and the public messaging has not matched the documented record. For the first meeting forward, the board district team have came
004prepared every time. We've arrived with proposals, responses, and clear readiness to negotiate. We have records that show this, and those records do not support the public claims being made. Rather than remaining focused on bargaining issues, significant effort has been placed on public messaging outside the negotiation process. This includes petitions, public statements, and repeated information requests. The district has responded appropriately to those requests and continue to negotiate throughout. The statement that both sides have shown some willingness to negotiate is not supported by the record. Repeating the claim publicly does not change what had occurred at the bargaining table. It's also important to note that the board and district team has successfully negotiated three other contracts this year. In those negotiations, the parties stayed focused on the process, came prepared to each meeting and work through issues
005directly. That approach resulted in agreements. The board and district team remained ready to negotiate and remain prepared to do the work necessary to reach an agreement. What needs to change is the continued reliance on public commentary that does not reflect the record rather than substantiated engagement at the bargaining table. The community deserves clean information, a professional process, and a progress toward resolution. You're probably aware these buildings are in terrible need of deep cleaning by the very minimal work that is being done by the bargaining unit here. We may have to bring in outside services to restore our buildings to the standards as they wait when they want to do all their work. Nobody entering these facilities should encounter some of the mess that has been cleared clean, I'm sorry, by district employees, teachers, and we
006greatly thank them for keeping these conditions up to our standards at this facility. >> All right. Are uh thank you. Uh, are there any other board member comments? All right, hearing none, we will move on to our public comments. Um, and I just have a little statement to read before I open the floor here. We are now opening the floor for public comments. If you would like to address the board, please fill out the designated sign-in sheet at the check-in table that's in the hallway. Additionally, please be aware that comments made during this time are not protected for potential legal liability. As a reminder, the board will not respond to or engage in dialogue with individuals choosing to make a public comment. The board reserves the right to limit the length of public comments and
007has exercised that right for this meeting. Individual comments are limited to three minutes for a total of no more than 30 minutes allotted for all public comment. Uh we also ask that all comments be made respectfully and in a manner that does not disrupt the meeting. Um with that said, we will invite our first speaker to address the board and that is Mr. Taylor. And if you could please um I think there's a microphone at the podium. >> Good evening. >> I'm Doug Taylor. I am one of the reps that just got uh uh commentary about from our school board tonight. Uh so changes some of what I wanted to talk about, but uh the essence is still the same. Um and I've spoken with you before about how our members feel they're being treated
008and we've been told that we can't negotiate feelings. Well, they tell stories of disciplined that is arbitrary, discipline that is excessive, uh training that is lax, um equipment that is not up to par, no clear process for making sure that those orders get filled. So we have many things that the administration chooses to uh up their game so to speak when it comes to managing and handling the situations of the buildings then that could be that could be remedied. Uh but I remind you that you the school board is in charge of this. You select these administrators to carry out your mission. It's incumbent upon you to know how your employees feel about working here. And in the times I've come to the podium, I have not spoken about any of the bargaining things. I
009have not spoken to any board members about bargaining things. The threat, the accusation that we've created a bypass is just not true in my experience. And I've worked with many school boards. I understand how this works. So even in these difficult working conditions, our members, your custodians and maintenance staff still care a lot about the kids and the buildings they're at. They care about those conditions. And so I ask the board dig into this so that you can say for yourself that the conditions you can you can I'm glad to talk to anybody about the stories you hear versus the stories I hear because you need to ask those questions for yourself so that you can answer those questions. And I know you have a difficult job. You have many constituencies to deal with. But
010you have the power in this situation, the power to check for yourself to see if this SEIU rep who's telling you about these conditions about whether that's true or not. You need to investigate that on your own and not just trust what you hear because I mean I hear a lot of stories about how things are handled. We've got people showing up at buildings. They don't know what they're supposed to do. They just show up when they're assigned. >> And so that's that's what we have. Remember, you have the power to hold the administration accountable for the conditions of the employees that are here. It is your responsibility. Thank you. >> Thank you. We'll move on now to Mr. Baldwin. You hear me? >> Yes. Go ahead. >> I wanted to talk to you tonight.
011Um, I'll say my responses. Uh, but I wanted to talk to you about short staffing and the schools and the effect that that's having on the schools. Um, our members have been reporting for some time that they show up to work and one of their co-workers is absent and no one is sent to cover for them. Um, our members um care about the work that they do. They want to take pride in their work. But some of the buildings that are designed to have uh three now have two or have more and have fewer custodians. There are not enough employees in many of the buildings to adequately do the work. As I say, our members want to take pride in their work. They want to do a good job. They care about the conditions of
012the buildings uh for students, teachers, for other staff and for themselves. Our members are in these buildings for eight hours during their day. Also, they don't want to work in a building that is in a poor condition or unsanitary or anything like that. But they aren't superhuman. Uh there's only so much that they each can do. um as I mentioned the uh the shorter numbers of staff and the uh lack of coverage for absences but in addition to that man management has created a situation where the later shift the 2 to1 shift uh is seriously underst staffed is not fully staffed to do the work that it is assigned to do unnecessarily. Um but uh you know there are other options you have uh for example um calling folks to do overtime but many of
013our members report to us that they don't want to do overtime and the reason for that is because uh they're not given enough time uh to do the work that they're assigned on those shifts. Sometimes they're assigned a task uh and then they're disciplined for not doing a different task. They're written up for doing something that they were never asked to do or they're being accused of not completing their work when they were given much more work than one person can do in the time allotted. Um, our folks, if you give them the time to do the job and clear instructions and manage the movement of or the location of where they are in which building and the respect that they deserve as professionals, they will be willing to work extra. And it's well known
014that uh the way to get extra work out of folks is to treat them with respect. Three minutes. >> Thank you. Thank you. All right, we'll move on now to our next comment. Miss Tish, >> good evening. 27 years ago, I began my career in Cook County School District as a teacher. I was proud to serve alongside dedicated colleagues, supportive administrators, committed families. Over the years, I have I was honored to be promoted to assistant principal, principal, and ultimately assistant superintendent. Throughout my career, I have been recognized by multiple superintendents and union leaders as a positive contributor to this district. I've always believed this would be the place where I would complete my professional journey in service to students. Recently, however, coming to work has becoming increasingly difficult. For the past several months and more
015broadly over the past year, I have been the subject of repeated public criticism and false statements made by SEIU Local 73 representatives and supporters. My name has been used in public forums in a manner that I believe is misleading and damaging. These statements have questioned my integrity and my professional conduct even though I've consistently received excellent evaluations and have never been disciplined in my 27 years here in Cook County School District 130. In one instance, a petition presented to the board included signatures of individuals who did not reside within the district boundaries or were signed by minors. I've had also been informed that some individuals may not have fully understood the nature of the petition they were signing. It has been explained to me that people who may have signed the petition were told it
016was to improve streets of the communities and the schools. These actions combined with repeated public remarks have created a narrative that does not reflect the facts and cause personal and professional harm. I want to be clear. I do not supervise custodial support staff on a day-to-day basis nor issue employee discipline. I implement procedures. Supervisors are responsible for addressing performance concerns in accordance with district policy and collective bargaining agreements. Yet, when accountability measures are implemented, my name is frequently stated in public comments as a source of grievance. I believe this has resulted in targeted and ongoing harassment. I fully respect the roles of unions and the collective bargaining process. Earlier in my career, I was a union member myself. I understand the value, the importance of advocacy and due process. However, there is also a responsibility
017to engage in that process truthfully and respectfully. Public accusations that misre misrepresent the district practices or individual actions undermine productivity in negotiations and ruin trust within our school community. I previously recommended that the board of education issue a formal statement affirming that the bargains in good faith that we bargain in good faith and deny inaccurate ala allegations. While I had hoped that this would bring clarity to the situation, the statement was never read aloud and the constant attacks continued. Meanwhile, I have been advised that investigations into district practices were initiated based solely on these public claims. That has been deeply discouraging. Board policy 2260 outlines uniform grievance procedures for employees. It is my belief that the spirit of that policy, including protections against bullying and harassment, should apply to all members of our school community.
018Disagreement should be addressed through established processes, not through repeated public attacks on my character. Most importantly, a focus must remain on our students. When internal conflicts escalate publicly, it distracts from our shared mission and impacts our school climate. Our children deserve adults who model professionalism, accountability, and collaboration. I stand before you this evening not to escalate conflict, but to respectfully ask for fairness, transparency, adherence to policy. I dedicated my entire professional life to this district and to the children we serve. I remain committed to that mission and I simply asked to be treated with the same professionalism and respect that I've always strived to extend to others. I do have evidence that shows that I have been harassed. I've been publicly intimidated and bullied throughout grievances filed by SEIU Local 73. I would like to
019know how the board of education will address my concerns. Thank you and I look forward to your side. >> Thank you. All right. Uh seeing no other public comment, we will move on to commendations and recognitions. Uh first off is our February 26 personnel recommend um recognition. Apologies. And Dr. Churillo is up. >> Did you hear me? >> Yes. Thank you. fair. I'm accused of not being loud enough. So, I just want to clarify that's good. So, thank you very much. It's my pleasure to highlight the work of Vleta Salgado who is an exceptional social worker who brings skill, dedication, and heart to everything she does in our district. Uh Vleta serves as both a social worker in the district and she doubles as a parent to students who attend our district. We're grateful for
020that. Giving her unique perspective and a deep genuine commitment to supporting students, families, and staff. Vleta is a strong social worker who lead social worker who leads with humility consistently demonstrating the ability to problem solve effectively while advocating for the best interest of students and families. She's a natural mentor and coach. She provides guidance and support to colleagues both within her school and across the district. She's an invaluable team member who fosters collaboration, growth, and professional development among her peers. Her advocacy extends beyond individual cases. She approaches her work with integrity, empathy, and a solutionoriented mindset, ensuring that every student and family feels heard, supported, and empowered. Her professionalism, compassion, and expertise make her a trusted resource, and a driving force for positive outcomes throughout our district, Cook County School District 13. It's a pleasure
021to have her here, pleasure to work with her, and I'm so grateful for her. I believe she is here tonight. >> Thank you so much. CONGRATULATIONS. >> ALL RIGHT, we'll move on now. Um, I don't believe we have any student board recognitions. I'm looking at Miss Hill. Is that correct? None. >> So, we're gonna be prepared for later in the agenda. So, next month we'll have the great. >> All right. Thank you. So, we'll move on. Um, our next agenda item is actually a board leader recognition. And I'm wondering, Dr. McKay, would you like to speak to this one? >> Um, on March 4th, 2026, the Illinois Association of School Boards will recognize Mr. William Warner for his participation in the 2025 school year recognition program. This honor is awarded to board members who have
022completed approved professional development activities and who demonstrate sustained commitment to continuous learning and effective school board governance. Congratulations. Congratulations, Bill. Um, we'll move on now to our presentation this evening. Uh, Miss Windrum is going to give us a Black History Month presentation. Good evening everyone. >> Um this year first of all yeah everybody watch >> this year marks 100 years of black history. A legacy that began with Dr. Carter B. Woodson, known as father of black history. In 1926, Dr. Woodson believed that African-American history deserved to be taught, celebrated, and remembered. At a time when our stories were excluded, he made sure our voices were heard and our contributions were honored. Today, our students present a dance inspired by his vision, showing that history is not only written in books, but also expressed through movement,
023pride, and purpose. 100 years later, his work lives on through us. 100 years ago my life broke through 100 years ago. The truth is pushed aside strong when the people Oh, we are we are soul. Oh, this is our song. Whispers to a voice out loud from BP. Teachers, dreamers, and and life. Bring on our ros for the light. Heat. Heat. This is awesome. is right here. We take the songs we sing the future. We strong together. We see Oh my god. Thank you. So, we want to thank Superintendent Dr. McCay, the board of education, my principles, Principal Braver and Assistant Principal Wright, for your continued support of cultural learning, student expression, and opportunities that allow history to come alive for our students. This presentation will be featured in the Blue Island Library Black Culture
024Night on YouTube beginning February 14th through 28th. And in closing, as we honor 100 years of black history throughout the district, let us be reminded that Dr. Carter G. Woodson great Woodson's greatest legacy is not just what he started, but who carries it forward. Thank you. Thank you. We will move on now to our consent agenda. Is there um are there any items anyone would like removed from the consent agenda this evening? >> I would like to remove item J from consent. >> Okay. Item J, just confirming that is the um resolution approving the contract of the administrative non-UN personnel. >> Yes. >> Okay. Are there any other items anyone would like removed? Okay. Hearing none, may I have a motion, please, to to approve the consent grouping for this meeting. Items 5 A, B,
025C, D, E, F, G, H, I, skipping to K, L, M, N, O, P, and Q. I have a motion, please. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? I'll second. >> All right. Uh, roll call, please. >> Mr. Bainy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Burmeister. >> Sorry. Mr. Gazmir. >> Yes. >> Miss Kiski. Roll. >> Yes. >> Miss. Martinez. Yes. Miss. McGinness. >> Yes. >> Mr. Warner? >> Yes. >> Motion approved. >> All right. Motion approved. Thank you. I'm sorry. I just had a a moment of waking up for Jay. Did you want to table it to talk about immediately now or do you want to table it to a different point in the meeting? >> Um table discuss and close. >> Thank you. Okay. All right. We will move on then to our new
026business and our student advisory board is um our first item here of new business. Um, so the intent of this was to um allow our student advisory board a a space to share their perspectives and ideas and recommendations for improving the student advisory board for the next school year. Um, and I I would like to commend Natalia for being our student advisory board representative who is here and present this evening. Um, so I will turn it over to you. >> Do you want us to go? >> Sure. Wherever you're most comfortable. If you would like to stand at the podium, that's that's great. >> Sure. Yeah. Little Yes, for sure. >> No, you got it. >> I apologize. We are smiling numbers today. We had two home volleyball games in our district. We had a
027siblings birthday dinner and then we had a a a dance class. So, I mean, it was it's it's tough. So, we're happy that Natalia is here. So, um the student advisory board uh was tasked with sort of looking at different um ideas or ways to perhaps change some of the structure with the board. So, I facilitated the questions that came up and the students came up with the responses for that. So I'll sort of read the question and we'll let Natalyia give um the like overall how the group felt about um some of the ideas or changes or improvements right um to the board. Okay. And here we go. Okay. So the first um suggestion or practice that we sort of looked at was rearranging the agenda to start with reports and new business with
028the focus on including the students on the discussion of new business. Um, we were wondering if this meant the students ask questions on new business or are ask opinions on new business to keep going and then like you know so like there's really like a lot of like this and and then their questions after. So it it's really great. Okay. >> Sure. Um the students have an opportunity to report during the routine reports with their thoughts on agenda items or issues at the school. >> Um we are happy to have the opportunity to be able to discuss things and talk to the board and we think this will really give us a voice. We are happy that we are able to share things going on in our schools as well as things that appear to
029be issues or big ideas that we see or hear from our um the next item that we discussed um as our group is that the students would be excused before the consent agenda and voting >> and that's in place already. So the students are louder. Okay. Okay. Here we go. Um, so this is another one that we really talked a lot about and didn't quite land the plane, but the idea is that students could be on a two-year term. So that would mean one seventh grader and one eighth grader from our three middle schools. So there is some consistency and institutional knowledge from the kids side of things. Big D. >> We thought that seventh graders may not be mature enough. Essentially the seventh grader would get voted in at the end of sixth grade
030as well. And being on the student advisory board for two years we thought to be a good idea and seen as more of a commitment and consistency with the board. And we were also wondering would they take it seriously for two years? >> Um wondering if You cannot be inducted into NHS until seventh grade at the earliest. So does it make sense to be able to be on the student advisory board if you cannot beh um and then a couple um other thoughts is um that you know they like the idea to be able to ask questions because sometimes you I think the consensus was are sitting and often not maybe exactly sure as to what is is going on, you know, in the meetings. And then um yeah, >> uh we were wondering if
031election should be at the start of the school year instead of at the end of the year. >> And that's that's our consensus. So maybe more questions and answers, but food for thought and I think the group is definitely open to refining. >> Natalia, can you send us these links in the email? >> I can Yeah, >> also uh they are very great ideas. I think as a board, we're letting the uh body down by having functions that are surrounded by the meeting. We maybe need to do a better job of maybe moving the meetings back a little bit or finding a way to accommodate the students to be here because as you know a lot of them have other commitments and aren't here. We want them to gain a knowledge and if they're not
032they're not being here watching it on the video is not the same as being here. So we may have to have some conversation try to do some due diligence to make them successful by maybe arranging some things so they can be here. I know there's a lot going on with all the families out there, but feel it's real important to get them introduced to wanting to be a part of the community at an early age. >> You know, this is the third year um of the board and it's like I I say it's really such a great problem to be have, but this particular student advisory board um the students are in all the things, you know. So, it is it is hard. We've even been flexible with our meetings and we've been getting on
033like Zooms or Google Meets at 7 at night, you know, because that seems to be when everybody's, you know, come back from the event. So, it is um it is it is the that's the I don't know the answer yet, but we're every time we meet, we're trying to refine that. You know, >> we could as a board try to brainstorm because we never want somebody to commit quit a commitment that they've been going to. That's not the point of it. I'm wondering too, are there, you know, are there do Tuesdays happen to be busy activity nights and maybe Wednesdays are quieter activity nights or so? You maybe we could be a little flexible as a board too and look at when the student activities fall and if we were to change our meeting night
034perhaps we could be able to better accommodate them. >> I don't know what the answer is. Well, we appreciate the time that we'll send these to any we can collaborate. >> Yeah, Natalyia, thank you so much. That sounds excellent. If we could see that in writing and then just a a quick um sort of procedural question I think for you, Miss Hill is ultimately the decision um certainly some of these rearranging the agenda that falls on the board, but it sounds like some of these might fall under the purview of the student advisory board. Is that correct? like determining when to hold elections. Is that um a decision that is under your perview or is that under the board's purview? >> I I think personally it could be a joint. I'm happy to give like
035my you know ultimate thought, >> you know, on that and and for me really thinking about when the elections I I really like the idea of it being in in August really versus in May so kids have a sense for, you know, when they're going to start, you know. Um so I I did like when the kids brought that up. uh because it was almost like they had forgotten about it over the summer and they were um elected and then it was like a little bit forgotten about but then I like the idea of them being injected before so they're ready to go at the very start of the school year. So I think the more ongoing like conversation decisions would be good. >> Okay. Wonderful. Are there any other board comments or thoughts on
036this? >> All right. Well, we look forward Natalya to receiving uh the the thoughts that your group has put together. So, thank you so much. >> And um as promised, I um would like to invite you if you'd like, you may exit the meeting now if you don't want to stay for the rest of it. Um that was allowed you to leave on the agenda. >> Yes. You can say if you want >> you can certainly say >> all right we will move on. Thank you Natalia. We will move on to our action items. The first one being the um adoption of the 202627 school calendar. Are there any questions or comments about this um this item? >> I have a couple questions on the school calendar. Um, so comparing last school year to this
037school year, the start date is later and I recall a conversation. I may be recalling it wrong, but 1:30 was aligning with 218's calendar. So like last summer was kind of shortened to allow the aligning. Is is it moved back? So now they align. I sure hope I said that right since it's recorded. actually hearing the calendar committee and the meeting proposed calendar speaking. So 218 actually starts on August 10th of 2026. That's their institute day and then their first day with students is August 11th. Um we looking at their calendar aligned with them we proposed five different calendars. um all of which had different start days that Monday of that week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of that week. 218 takes a lot of long weekends off throughout the calendar. So what we did was
038and our teachers, we listened to the voices of our teachers to our pair pros listen to everybody speak saying that we would like to start later in the school year. So, in accordance and trying to align both of them, we could still start on that Friday with teacher inservice day, which is apparent on the calendar right here, the same week that 218 starts. It's just going to be our teachers come back. Then the very next Monday, we start our full day with our students. We would still be on track then with everything 218 does. 218 will get out the 27th of May. We will get out the 28th of May. We will graduate on the Tuesday of that way, that week in May. um they will graduate on that Wednesday that week in May. So
039again, we're just taking out like a lot of the their longer weekend that they added. We do have some, but we don't have quite as what 218 placed. Again, listening to the feedback from the district really hearing the voices of can we start later? Can we start later? We didn't want to start so early. Um that would also if you do look at this if we did start on the 10th that would put teacher inst or new teacher academy the very first week of August giving nobody any kind of break whatsoever right before school started. So that's why this ended up the way it did. Um any did I answer your questions? I hope >> you did but I've got more. So you want to stay standing? >> Um I hope I wrote this down
040right. The first day of school is August 17th. >> Correct. And it's a late start date. >> Yes. >> Why? >> Okay. So, in the CBA, the collective bargaining agreement, the negotiations this year, the teachers decided that they loved it so much last year. It was a mistake. We weren't supposed to have the resource day. We just started on that Wednesday and we happened to have resource hour. But to our mistake was everybody's benefit because they loved the fact that they got to come in, make sure everything was ready to go, that their first days were set for an hour before the students came and then the students came. So with that being said, with the negotiations and what we did is bargained at the table, they said, "Can that first day be a modified
041day just to get that like students not here for that full time, shorter time frame, get used to getting the kids inside, getting them seated, and then preceding the day. So now the collective bargaining agreement says next year, the year after, a year after that, they're going to have to have a modified date for the first day." >> All right. So just to to be clear, it is a late start day. So that just shortens all the classes throughout the day then. So it allows everyone to come back to welcome to school and hopefully focus better on Tuesday. And actually too, just so you know, as a former principal teacher, as you heard in my speech, um it is very hard for these kiddos to come in and start their routine again, especially the little
042ones. So one of the things that they do on the very first day of school is they really don't go through their normal day of school. What they're doing is they're actually going from station to station and they're learning how to do the rules, the school behavior, PBIS things. So shortening that date helps with everybody. It's a mutual agreement. The kids benefit from it and the teachers benefit from it. >> Thank you. >> I'm not done yet. >> Okay. >> Um so the end of May, the 25th and the 28th are both half days. So it's half day, full day, half day. Is that part of the collective bargaining agreement? >> So no, but traditionally the last day of school is always the half day and traditionally uh graduation is always half day. However, it's
043not half day for all of our employees. So our employees come to work all day long and our students do leave because of it being graduation. We normally have the middle school students leave as well as the teachers. They come back then for graduation to extend their day. The elementary school students, they leave for a half day, but the teachers stay the whole time and they have to prepare and do a basically a small inservice so that they're ending their year. So, they do stay for a full six and a half hour day. Um, yes. So, that's that's the history behind it. Um, we've always done it that way. So, >> was that answer? >> We've I I truly don't know. And as a parent, I decided the calendar like you go to school today.
044I don't know. So it it is tradition to do like that half. I think it's half and late start and then is that what it is? It's a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. >> Yes. It's normally with the weight falls in the calendar. So if we are graduating on that Tuesday, it it would be that we couldn't graduate. It was suggested that we go on the Tuesday because it didn't want to confuse any parents for the late start Wednesday. So this way we could still have the late start Wednesday and go about our day. It would be right after graduation. Easier for teachers to come back after graduation being here all day long to start a little later with the kids. >> Would it I'm just throwing it out there. Conversations is welcome when appropriate. I guess
045I'm just Is it feasible to just I think a half day, the full day and the half day gets very confusing for people and we're all kind of done with school at the end of May getting ready for vacation and whatever. Is it possible to just do a full day? So like Monday and Tuesday and not have school. >> Okay, so to answer that question, so graduation for Eisenhower is on the 27th. It's a Thursday. We can't graduate the same day if we wanted to ever use their facilities or do anything. Besides the fact of parents being very angry at the fact that if they have a kid graduating at Eisenhower and we have a graduation over here on the Navy campus for our kiddos, they can't be at both. that that would be definitely
046something that um would not be appealing to our parents. So that was that Thursday that's eliminated right in the collective barb agreement we can't have graduation on Friday ever. So that eliminates that Friday. So then it was do that Wednesday which we could do that Wednesday for graduation or that Tuesday. Collectively the Tuesday stood out and seemed to be a better day to do graduation. we could move it to that Wednesday. Um, that would be something that I could address and I could upload to our calendar. >> No, it's the 25th this year. This is the >> Sorry. Do you want to talk about it? I No, I just wanted I mean I'm a parent. I'm not going to hide that one, but to make sure like the teachers like I guess have the input
047on this. I do think it's silly and I'm sorry to people. The half day, the light starts day and the half day. Looking at that, it does not make sense to me. Thank you for explaining it. it does a little bit more included. >> I did talk to the president of the union um all of the teachers union, the professional union and the secretaries union and um they do go back and give feedback. That's our practice here. So they do take it back to their building reps. They tell them about the calendar and then they come back with information. Nobody came back with any changes whatsoever. They actually really truly appreciated starting later in the school year. So nobody really commented on that last May um that That's all I needed to hear. Thank you.
048>> I I do have a couple of questions. I I just feel compelled Oh, wait. I'm sorry. Sorry. To speak up uh for the parents. Um again, anytime there's a half day or late start day that is falling outside of the sort of designated late start days, it is very difficult and confusing for working parents. There's often a sort of a scramble for child care. These these days can go unnoticed on the calendar until you're kind of they're upon you. Um so I Again, going to back to the first day of school, why not start on a Wednesday then? Why start on a Monday but make it a late start day? It just seems like a recipe for confusion. Your bus schedules are going to be all off. I just I truly don't understand it
049from the perspective of parents and families. >> Absolutely. And again, I'm going back from the feedback that I was given to do the calendar and start later that I I did use that as an option to start on Atlantic. Obviously, same thought process. I have two children at home. I was thinking the same thing. having a different restart day would be very confusing as a parent. Those would be the people that have to make the accommodation. So um collectively I would have to say um and if Sarah Miss Sarah was here um I know that Miss Windham also saw it as the president of the um BIESA um they were the ones that gave me the feedback saying that they would rather start later that Friday. So again it's up to the board of education.
050I could make any adjustments if needed um to let me know before I too busy. >> I'm sorry, Miss Tish. I do have one more question. Um, I noticed in the schedule we have emer emergency days built in. Can you please explain to me what an emergency day is if e-learning is now a thing? Why? What constitute as an emergency that doesn't constitute as e-learning? >> Absolutely. So, um, emergency days are for days that we could not let's say there's um I don't know. I'm I'm going to just throw this out there, but let's say there's a blackout power outages and we can't actually get on devices to actually do e-learning. It's you can't do it. The community is down. We can't do anything. So, if we can't do that and the weather is implemented,
051we can't come into this to any of the schools. That would be our emergency day. So, we would have to take emergency because no instruction was provided during that time whether electronically and or in person. So those emergency days are there after CO very rarely used very rarely used but they have to be there it's part of the mandate that the state asked us to do when we write the calendar. Aren't there a max number of e-learning days you're allowed too five and five. So five emergency days five e-learning days we have a ton of bad weather. have six, right? >> That would help too. And and schools sometimes opt to choose if they want to take an emergency date, not do a learning day. So that's up to the board of education. That's not
052for us to decide. So >> thank thank you. >> Are there any other questions on the school calendar? Um, all right. Uh, could you take it to a vote, please, Miss Martinez? >> Oh, I'm sorry. I guess we do. Yes, we do. May I have a motion to approve the school calendar? >> I'll make a motion. >> And do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Mr. Bamy. >> Yes, >> Mr. Mike's not here. Mr. Gasmir. >> Yes. >> Miss Kiski. Roll. >> Yes. >> Miss. Martinez. Yes. Miss. McInness. >> Yes. >> Mr. Warner. >> Yes. >> Motion approved. >> All right. Thank you. All right. We'll move on now to our 2026 life safety projects. Um, are there any questions about this agenda item? I actually do have some
053questions and I I think Mr. Rochet, they might be directed toward you if that's all right. Um, I have some questions about the bid packages. So, we had separate bid packages for roofing, windows, masonry, and and for each of these packages, we only had two companies provide bids for each. Um, I I guess my question is sort of why were there so many no bid companies listed? And how was this project advertised and posted uh such as that we were only getting two bids for each package? Sure. So, uh, this was advertised paper. Um, also our construction manager advertised it themselves. Um, so they advertised it to local vendors in the area. Um, the reason certain companies bid and others didn't is because of previous projects companies did here. There was kind of litigation against
054the district. So, they chose not to bid based on what happened that had. Um, of course, work gets around. So, window contractors and masons. They all talk and that is why you have to >> Okay. So, it was publicly posted though. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Excellent. Um and I have another question. This is uh super sort of specific, but on the um project budget, there was a line called general conditions staff. Um and the the amount on that line was 51,960. Could you tell me what does this line encompass? >> Uh that's typically for staff on the construction management side. So for this project, they have sex in attendant. They'll have a foreman and then any support staff that they supply to do um project management. So it can range from two to three
055people. That's really just the cost of their windshield time to come here, check on the site. They do reports through Procore, which is a software that we have access to daily updates. >> Okay. Thank you. And then um just a final question here. Um given that the district has an architect, what are the specific services that Shamrock is providing to the district? >> So the architect is obviously known as the design plan in the build phase, the construction manager manual project. So instead of meeting on site based on what has happened previously in the district with other health projects is the construction manager direct contact um they very responsibility if something goes south. So if if something happens, obviously if there's litigation, the district can directly hold the construction manager accountable as well as the
056architect instead of the architect saying that's not my purview. That's not my problem. You just take somebody else who project >> and so is Shamrock a construction manager on retainer in apologies for if you've answered that previously. How is it set up? >> Well, we have a contract with, you know, construction, our construction manager from the district. Um, and they they are bonded um as well. So, >> okay. And and they're on retainer. Do we have an agreement with them? >> We have an agreement that was approved by the board. >> Okay. Could would you mind sharing could Dr. McKay, could you share that agreement with the board again? Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Are there any other questions about the life safety bids? All right, hearing none. Um, may I have a motion to
057approve the life safety bid project? >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Um, Miss Martinez, could you take it to a vote, please? >> Mr. Baining, >> yes. >> Mr. Casm, >> Miss Kiski, roll. >> Yes. >> Miss Martinez? Yes. Miss McInness? >> Yes. >> Mr. Warner? >> Yes. Motion approved. >> All right. Thank you. Moving on. Our next um agenda item is partnership with EAB. And we do have Mr. Rising here to answer any questions that might um we might have about this proposed partnership. Are there any questions before we um have the motion? Um I feel like I'm talking a lot this evening. I do have a few questions. So, thank you so much for being here. Um can you tell me how EAB um guarantees uh sort of
058privacy and anonymity for um soliciting authentic feedback from employees? >> Yeah. So the work that we essentially do start with the district and by the way we're excited to be doing this work with you. Uh first of all it was a collaborative effort. So it'll first start out at the district level working with leadership building leaders uh ensuring they're aligned to support staffing and all employee groups uh on morale, retention and recruitment. Uh from there what we do is we pull together the individual employee groups and have discussions with them and we build that all into you know kind of a process moving forward of what you saw kind of at the beginning as far as how we look into that to look at challenges, policies, procedures. We based on what we learn from each
059of the groups that we have discussions with and how we go forward is essentially you know the strategies that we roll out uh that we've done with dozens if not hundreds of districts now across the country. Uh we lend the professional development where we're hearing that there are existing challenges. Uh because ultimately what the EAP wants to do is not have to have them hire us back for this work two, three, four, five years down the road. We want to ensure that this is rolled out um intentionally and with fidelity across the whole district. Did that answer your question? >> It did. Yes. Thank you. Um, can you tell me to um how it maybe how would EAB support sort of leadership transitions in change management within a district? >> Great question because I know
060you're in the process of doing a superintendent. >> Um, we so EAB works across 100 plus areas within the K12 school system. Um, we have partners that have been with us for 15 years. They're continuously working on their biggest challenges and oftentimes ED will align to strategic planning. In regards to your question, regarding transition, whether it's superintendent or other leadership or even principal leaders, uh, EAB works with districts to ensure that there's smooth transition. In fact, we've got a whole program and process that we go through superintendent transitions and we do that with that reductive pay as that transition takes place. that's working differently. So yeah, and that's kind of why if you saw again if you looked at the uh services that we initially prioritized uh with a lot of the building leaders, the
061central office, but also starting to work with way on morale retention and recruitment. Um we kind of left that third one open because we often find that something rises to the surface and I will give you an example. Uh just this past week the AASA conference was a national system attendance conference. EAP presented with one of the future presentation on our morale work with two of our Illinois districts. One of the districts who is two years into this work now. We have two districts with us from Illinois five years into work and two years into work. The issue that came and rose to the top as far as what we heard from employee groups was the absenteeism issue that that rose to the top. So we focused our work in that third area of working
062on absenteeism and addressing that based on what is learning through the research and what we've done with multiple districts. >> Great. Thank you. >> Y >> are there any other questions? You'd be a multi-millionaire if you could figure out how to treat absenteeism. >> Uh we've had some pretty good success, I will tell you. Uh but it it is it is a struggle. I'm not going to lie. Um but uh we've got multiple case studies out there that shows success we've had even a year ago. So maybe that's >> All right. Are there any other questions? All right. Um, hearing none. Thank you so much. Uh, may I have a motion to approve the partnership with EAB? >> I'll make a motion. >> Do I have a second? Can I make a second? >> All
063right. I will second. Uh, could you take it to a vote, please? >> Mr. Baining. >> Mr. Gasmir. Yes, >> Miss Goliski. Roll. >> Yes, >> Miss Martinez. Yes, Miss McKinnus. >> No, >> Mr. Warner. >> All right, motion passes. >> Okay, thank you very much. Uh, we'll move on to item D, prioritization one, door project proposal. Are there any questions about this item? And uh as a reminder, this is the um phase one door project proposal that our architect presented at the last board meeting in January. Um I I do have a question. Um and I think Mr. O'Shea maybe directed toward you. Um as if if this item is approved tonight, could you tell me what the sort of the next steps and timeline look like? Um the architect start building through every
064individual door and measure it um environmental services involved test around the doors to make sure not as over the course of the next six to eight weeks they build a good for the next 16 weeks you said or >> six weeks six to eight. Thank you. >> All right. Are there any other questions? Um, may I have a motion uh to approve, sorry, let me read it officially. The pri prioritization one door project proposal. >> I'll make a motion. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Um, roll call, please. Miss Martinez. >> Mr. Bainy, >> yes. >> Mr. Gasm, >> yes. >> Missy, roll. >> Yes. >> Miss Martinez? Yes. Miss McInness? >> Yes. >> Mr. Warner? >> Yes. >> Motion approved. >> All right. Thank you very much.
065Moving on. Um to item E. This is our therapy dog program approval. Um do I have a motion to approve proceeding with an exploration of the therapy dog program? >> What things involved? We This is just thinking about it or there comes a lot of liability with this program. We got to make sure we got some things around in place so that you know we have a place where it's housed at who's going to get it if they leave if they have to pay us. Sure. Excellent questions. Dr. McKay, I think I might look to you to uh respond, please. >> So, um to approve, uh the exploration of the therapy jobs program, we would have to obviously explore the different programs uh that are available. The one that was presented at the board meeting
066last month is one option. Um we would have to obviously look at um u like you said u how the district obtain the dog in that particular um the individual who takes the dog would be the owner of the dog. So, we want to look at other options, insurance liability, um the employee that would have the dog and their ability to be mobile around the district if there's allergies. Uh there's all kinds of things. This would really just um open the door for us to begin the exploration to present uh all of those components to the board prior to ever buying the dog tags. Um, so this this will not happen overnight. I think this will take a a bit of time to do. We do have a committee. I'm not going to call it
067Paw Patrol, but um, we do have a committee that is together that has already started to kind of discuss what our options are um to to kind of lay out the I mean, we don't have to reinvent the wheel. There's several um programs um in schools around the United States and we can certainly explore their how they've done it. So we don't have to start from scratch. But we do have some committee members that have already come together to start to explore what this would look like. >> Yeah, I'm good. I'm all all for the problem. I just want to make sure that how it's going to be handled and ruled out here. So, in I I did see the presentation, but is is one of the options that's being explored like the possibility of
068hiring ABC Dog Company and just having them come in once a month and visit, you know, these three schools and then they visit these three whereas, I guess, the request for the exploration to go with this company and one of us lovely people sitting here now owns a dog. Yeah. So, um, obviously, uh, Mr. Far was on the committee. I don't I think we've just at this point just come to the table to discuss what our possible options are, what our next steps are. I always think about, you know, when I was in the fourth grade, we had a bunny, you know, and at Christmas time, the teacher was always, "Who's going to take the bunny home?" You know, and I go home after no, we're not bringing the bunny home. So we obviously want
069to be very wise in in how we adopt a dog district whether it's an employee who is the caretaker of the dog or if it's a company that comes in but I don't know we're at that stage at the option. We are we are in infancy stages. Nothing has been settled. >> She wants a donation. >> Yeah. >> Are there any other questions? All right. Uh, hearing none, may I have a motion to approve the um therapy dog program approval, which is an exploration of the therapy dog program. >> I'll make a move. >> And do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. Thank you. Roll call, please. Miss Martinez. >> Mr. Bing. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gazmir. >> Yes. >> Miss Kiski. Roll. >> Yes. >> Miss Martinez. Yes. Miss McInness.
070Yes, >> Mr. Warner. >> Yes. >> Motion approved. >> All right. Thank you. Our next agenda item, uh, these areformational items. Are there any questions or comments about theformational items, uh, listed on the agenda? >> I just want to make a quick comment, the PBIS reports, and just say I think the principles, the teachers, the admins of the school, you are all doing an amazing job and are getting so stinking creative. Um and the incentives, it's very clear. Um an eighth grader is not incentivized the same way a fourth or fifth grader is talking about dress down passes. Eighth grader, at least mine, not incentivized by that. Um but I love the creativity that's going behind it and like the the Olympics were just like part of that. Just fun things to get the kids
071wanting to be in the buildings. I know. Um, Woodier had done decorate your teacher with love. I may have said that wrong. Just fun fun little things. It's it's really enticing the kids to want to come to school and who doesn't want to dye their teachers hair. Put tension on this teacher is one thing, too. So, thank you all for being so creative and it's lots of fun to see what our kids are deciding to do. >> Any other questions or comments? I'll just note um I'd love to see the articulation with district 218 um really picking up steam this year and and last year I know um so really happy to see a lot of detail around that item. All right, hearing no other questions or comments, we'll move on to our routine reports.
072Um for the president's report, um I just have a couple comments. Um uh really I'd just like to share I mean I think as I've often said this is sort of a new experience for me being for chair. So there's certainly been a learning curve and I always appreciate everyone's grace and patience in the meeting. Um really I am a parent first and foremost and I'm just here to um represent parents. Um and really what I've been most interested in in my time here uh is uh the need for open openness and transparency and you know for accountability so that our families and our public feel like there are voices and advocates for them in the room. Uh so I feel very strongly about this that this is the reason the board is here is
073is to advocate for our families in the district. Um, that being said, I am always available to anyone in the the community who would like to share ideas or concerns in good faith and with good intention. And that's an open offer to parents, district staff, fellow board members, um, whoever. So, I am here as a resource for you. Um, and then just a quick search update for the superintendent search. Um, at the last board meeting, the board engaged school exec connect to help manage our superintendent search process. Um so at our working board meeting in March, we will be kicking that off with school exec connect um meeting to discuss a concrete search timeline and next steps. So I do expect we'll be having a lot more uh sort of regular routine updates as um
074we move into the spring. Uh that is it for my report. Uh Dr. McCay over to you please for your superintendent report. >> Thank you. Um, I want to uh congrat congratulate Alma uh on the recent media coverage highlighting the family first early childhood program and the work that staff is doing to support our families in our communities. Um, I did copy the board of education on the article um this morning. Uh, schools across the district are recognizing Black History Month through age appropriate uh, instructional activities and school-based events. I did put a little calendar in your last email to kind of give you a guide as to what's going on where and when. are available on uh the five essential survey window is currently open and schools continue their efforts to support participation in
075accordance with what's required. Um we some of our schools are running neck and neck with uh student and parent uh responses which is is fun for us um internally and we are in uh preparation is underway for our upcoming state assessments which are the SA and IA which will uh spring testing is fast approaching in March and April. So you'll be hearing we'll be seeing parents square different uh updates regarding that. >> Thank you. Uh moving on to committee reports. Bill, would you like to give a report out on the policy committee? >> How much was that? >> All right. Well, policy committee did meet uh just before the board meeting today and we went over the press plus updates which were included as the consent agenda. So, the board did receive that information. Um
076anything else, Bill? All right. Uh any other I don't think there were any other committees that I met. Um we'll move on to communications from our union reps. Uh first up, BEA. All right. Hearing none, we'll move on to BESBA local 4:30. >> Thank you. Um, at this time we do not have any concerns or anything, but I do want to thank Miss Hower for setting me up today. And, um, we this part of our program, so you know, to thank you. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Moving on. We'll do BIE SPA local 330. All right. Um, SEIU Local 73. >> Would you like us to >> Yeah, the podium, please. Thank you. >> It's a little easier to hear. >> Understood. >> Um, I wanted to speak a little bit about a
077couple of concerns. Um subject of negotiations came up earlier in the uh couple of board members. Um and uh there were some comments that our our concerns were not based on accurate information. I wanted to share with you some uh concerns about the delays and uh so on that we've experienced in negotiation. I've mentioned it before. Um so just so you understand our first uh session of negotiations was July 31st. Uh the next time the employer was willing to meet was August 28th, a month later. Uh that meeting was cancelled because the employer obtained need more time. Uh we did meet September 11th. So that's from July 31st to September 11th before we met a second time. Um we did meet uh then again that month September 25th that meeting was actually cancelled. Sorry we
078did not meet we had scheduled that meeting. Um this continues um I won't go through the whole six months uh that up until last month when we asked for mediation. Um but in those six months we only met eight times and each time only for two hours um which is really not enough time uh given the amount of proposal the employer put on the table. I want to say that I've negotiated contracts with several other school districts over time. Uh sometimes I we have to reach an agreement in three sessions, sometimes only two months. Um those contracts sometimes are uh ratified unanimously. I've experienced delays of course in my experience negotiating contracts with school districts uh cancellations in the past, but I've never seen anything like this. Um, for one thing, the employer proposed four
079pages on sick leave alone. Four pages just on sick leave completely rewriting huge sections of the contract. I won't go into the details. We don't want to negotiate with you over any specific thing in this forum, but I I want you to understand that our complaints are well found, not unfound. Um, we had one of the members of our bargaining team denied uh initially denied access to attend negotiating sessions. Um, the union had to discuss an unfair labor practice with the employer to get that person um included in bargaining. that person had participated in the last contract negotiation without any concern and he worked the same shift then that he works now. Um Mr. Yasmir mentioned our information requests. Um yes we made a lot of information requests and one of those beginning sessions the
080employer made a lot of surprising claims. won't go into the details. There were a lot of them. We asked for information to support those things. Uh in perfectly good faith, uh we didn't get that information for weeks. >> We did ask that um the employer should um give us what information they could as they managed to find it, let us know if there were any concerns. But instead, all of it was held until the day of negotiations. Um the employer then took valuable time out of the two hours that we have to to meet to go through each item and explain its relevance to the information request. I I offer this to you only as an example so that you understand that our concerns are wellounded. They're not based on nothing. We're not making this
081up. Um but the union stands ready to negotiate in good faith to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. That remains true. Um but this is the dance of two partners. We need the district's cooperation and we are hopeful. So, thank you for the second opportunity to speak. Um, so just for clarifications, uh, Ricky is the negotiator and I'm the rep for the unit because of transition transition. So, we started before I started with the CIU 73 started in September state already for a couple months with with the province who fought for continuity. will continue that uh until they finish. And that's happening in several of my units where other people are covering and I'm supporting during those those negotiations. Um but it's not like this anywhere else. I have cordial conversations with superintendents, HR directors. I
082have 30 other units that I work with, schools that I visit. All right, thank you. Um moving on, our next agenda item is uh close session. This evening um we are going into close session for the appointment I'm sorry appointment employment compensation discipline performance or dismissal of employees. Collective negotiation matters between the district and its employees or their representatives. Um, evidence or testimony presented to a school board regarding denial of admission to school events or property. The setting of a price for the sale lease of property, the sale or purchase of securities, investments or investment contracts, security procedures, school building safety and security and/or the use of personnel and equipment to respond to um safety. student disciplinary cases, the placement of individual students in special education programs, pending litigation, uh established reserves or settle claims,
083classification and discussion of confidential matters, and discussion of minutes in close session. May I have a motion, please, to go into close session for these stated reasons? >> I'll make a motion. >> And is there a second? >> Thank you. A roll call, please. Miss Martinez. >> Mr. Bainy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gazner. >> Yes. >> Miss Kisky. Roll. >> Yes. Miss Martinez. Yes. Miss McGinness. >> Yes. >> Mr. Warner. >> Yes. >> Motion approved. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Um, do I have a motion, please, to return to open session? >> I'll make a move. >> A second. >> Sorry, I lost. Don't worry, I'll help you. Mr. Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gazmir. >> Yes. >> M. Martinez. >> Yes. All right. It's 9:20. We're back in open session. Um,
084couple of action items now following our close session discussion. Um, may I have a motion to uh uphold I'm sorry, approve the superintendent evaluation by ILCS20 C1. >> I'll make the motion. Second roll call, please. Miss Martinez. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dasmir. >> Yes. >> Miss Golinsky. Ro. >> Yes. >> M. Martinez. Yes. Motion approved. All right. Thank you. Moving on. Um, may I have a motion, please, to uphold the hearing determination for student SY2026-2 and authorize the superintendent to issue said notice to the students parent or guardian. >> Make a motion. I have a motion in a second. I think I heard. Roll call, please. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gas. >> Yes. >> Mki, roll. >> Yes. >> Miss Martinez. Yes. >> All right. And then may I
085have a motion please to um to approve our consent agenda item J the resolution 2026-071 approving the school year 2627 employment contracts of administrative non personnel. I'm sorry. Uh, no problem. It's um known for I don't know. I don't >> Oh. Oh. Can you just kind of write it maybe under the student suspension? >> I'll make >> this was for seven just to approve 7J. >> Yes. >> We have a motion from Mr. Bane. Do I have a second? >> No second. >> All right. Roll call, please. I'm sorry. >> No words, >> Mr. Bainy. Mr. Gasmir, >> Miss Close, you roll. >> Yeah, Miss Martinez. Yes. Motion approved. >> All right. Excellent. Um, since there's no further business, may I have a motion, please, to adjourn the meeting? >> Motion to second. >> Second.
086>> Roll call. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gasmir. >> M. >> Yes. M Martinez. Yes. Motion approved. >> All right. 9:23. Thank you.