001I call this regular board of education meeting to order on Monday, July 28th, 2025 at 6 PM. If we could please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> Thank you. If we could take a roll call, please. >> Yes. Bridg Sandlin, >> my fingers aren't working. I'm here. >> Darling, >> here. >> Julie Jetty is absent. Katherine Potter >> here. >> Jason Jansik >> here. >> Stacy Salt is absent. Mindy Hartman >> here. >> First up, we have community input. The board and administration welcome your input. When recognized by the board president, members of the public are welcome to supply information for the board's consideration or to express their opinion of district policies. However, public debate between members of the public and the board of education members or the district staff will not be permitted.
002We ask that individuals speaking before the board identify themselves with full name and address and be brief. Comment shall be limited to three minutes. Uh looks like we have one speaker tonight, Jana Dioro, 207 South Wolf Street. Um, teacher and resident. Uh, first I just wanted to again thank you this year for those classes. The exercise classes in the summer, the strength training classes are phenomenal. Um, and they just Lindsay's awesome, but they just bring so much of what we need. And it's also nice not only to feel strong, but to touch base with the teachers or district members who I haven't seen or I don't know and just to meet them and from different buildings that's not in a meeting. So, they're really appreciated. Um, and the second thing I saw I was trying
003to find all the notes on the superintendent uh search. Um, I didn't the video wasn't up yet so from last week's. I apologize. I didn't see it. Um, but I just want to a few things that concerned me when I looked at the thing, the presentation tonight was about how they're um how they're recruiting and not I don't know if the last company did this, but it's almost like we just got Brandon taken away from how they did their search and we all were very upset of how they did that. Do we want to do that to someone else? And that's what it sounds like. this company is how they're finding the next superintendent, but I could be wrong, but it sounds like they're recruiting more than they're applying. The people are applying. Um, and
004I didn't see a cost on there, so I'm not sure what the last one cost compared to this one, and I'm hoping it's not too much. And the last thing with the I Ready, um I just want to confirm that there will not be a third grade third test for the first graders like the STAR test. I'm sure that's in our stuff somewhere, but I couldn't find it or remember where to find it. So third grade normally has the three tests with the star. I was just wondering if you go over that again or where I can find it that they'll only have two. Now that's it. Thanks. Okay, next up we have board items. First is the foyer request. There was one foyer request this month. The foyer request can be found on board
005docs. Uh next up we have member comments. First up, Mrs. Hartman. >> I don't have anything tonight, but I hope everyone is really enjoying their summer and soaking up the last sun, not the court sweat, before we come back. >> Thank you, Mr. Janzik. I I echo the sentiments about having a great summer. Uh and just a point that was brought up last week that I want to make sure the community knows because I've had a few people ask me. Um we are not we are no longer responsible for a majority of the groundskeeping at Maplewood and that is directed those concerns should be directed to uh the village instead. So, um, I had a few people reach out and or sorry, informal conversations ask me like, "When are you guys going to mow it?"
006And it's not ours anymore to mow. So, I just want to make sure the community understands that and to direct those concerns uh to the village hall. And yes, have a great summer and let's get off to a good start this year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Potter. >> Thank you. I want to first thank everybody who uh comes to our meetings regularly and um who comes and makes a comment and watches online. Um thank you especially in the summer when everyone should be enjoying it. Um but um thank you for um yeah just thanks for joining us and um I also want to say that it has been great having Miss Sanlon here and she's asking great questions and I just think that you're you've really dived right in. So um bravo on
007with that and that's all I have to say. Thank you. >> And that brings it to to Mrs. Sandlin. >> Why thank you. I appreciate the sentiment. Thank you um very much for that. Um I don't really have much else, but I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and thank you to Avette and David and John for stepping in and then I'll go last. Um I don't really have anything to add either. I hope everyone's enjoying their summer. Keep your thermostats low because the energy rates are going up and we're going to all feel it next month. So, uh, next up we have the superintendent's update. Dr. Thomas, >> thank you. So, I have, uh, just a handful of things. First of all, I want to thank the board of education, the entire cabinet, all
008of the staff, everybody's been extremely supportive in what's been almost the entire first month now of this year-long transition. So, um, many many thanks to everybody for that. Um, just a wrapup, extended school year wrapped up last week. Um many thanks to all the people who make that possible. The teachers, the administrators, our summer school principles, the pair of professionals, custodians who keep everything running and make their uh cleaning schedules work around all the students who are uh there. And uh also behind the scenes, uh Sue Husman and uh Michelle Chris do an unbelievable amount of work behind the scenes to make all of that happen. So many thanks to everybody involved. Um going on to the school year. So the school year 2526 is right around the corner. Staff are returning on the 18th
009of next month uh for institute days with school starting on the 20th. Um we have uh actually next week already scheduled pickup for the junior high on August 4th, 5th and 6th uh for sixth, 7th, and eighth grade respectively. And August 6th there's a night session from 6:00 to 7:30 as well for parents who are not able to make it during the day. And um if uh you need to check, there's a schedule online on the junior high's website that you can uh take a look at what times are open on those days. And then just a um update that there are the board meeting dates next month are just a little bit earlier. The committee of the whole is going to be on August 11th and the board of education meeting is on August
01018th next month. So just a little bit earlier than usual. The last two things I have to share are actually really exciting celebrations. Um the first one is a congratulations to Miss Rivera. She and Dr. White had an article written about them in the let's see the journal of learning the learning professional in the June 2025 edition. And it's all about highlighting the um instructional framework how that was developed over the last two years, the incredible work all of our teachers and all of our staff did to help develop and implement that plan. Um it's actually a fantastic article. I will be sending it out to everybody in the district. It will be in your weekend review as well. But kudos, good job. And this is exactly the kind of thing we're hoping to continue
011forward because it's great work that really celebrates all the work that all the staff are doing in the schools. So very much appreciated um for that. And then finally, I would like to introduce Kimberly Dalum. Kimberly is the um is in your board packet for approval tonight for the interim director of special services. I have known her for many years about 12 years altogether. She is the um or has been in district 155. She was the director of special student services and the assistant superintendent for student services. We worked very closely together planning programs. Our students all transitioned up to 155. So she became very familiar with our students and our programs. So those things transitioned into 155. Um and vice versa. when we knew what things were available, we could work on and prepare
012our students as well to go up to 155. Um, and she's also been a teacher, a teacher, a reading specialist, a guidance counselor, a guidance um, uh, department chair, and uh, was also a special services director in another district as well. So, she has seen a lot, she's done a lot, and I'm very excited that she's here tonight. Actually, if you don't mind, if you want to step up and say hi, say a few words, that would be great. But very happy to have her here. Believe me. Good evening, Boore and Dr. Thomas. Thank you so much and colleagues to be I think I've met a couple of you already. It's an honor to and a privilege to be here tonight and to serve as the interimm director for the upcoming school year. I am
013a resident for the last 23 years. I have one final child uh finishing in district 155. So, um, this is a community I love and have been in and will continue to be in. So, my communication style is very collaborative. I look forward to meeting and working with all of the teams, pushing the teams maybe a little bit. I'm very much boots on the ground and I'm teacher first um, and student first. So, uh, I plan on being in rounds in buildings every week. That's just how I lead. That that is how I work. So, um, I had the opportunity to meet a couple of our team members earlier, uh, today and we chatted a bit and then I will be at, I believe, our administrative retreat that's coming up this week as well. So,
014I'm really excited to put some faces and names. I know a lot of people in your district already just being, you know, a mom at Juel or at church or, you know, running around and then being obviously in the in the high school district there. So, um, this will be a passion project of mine for this year and I'll be with you, you know, part time to do that as well as some other passion projects that you'll see within the the county. I'm very involved in the county. So, yes, and a common woman of distinction as as you de I don't remember your year. I was 2022, but I know where we have similar classes. Wonderful. Yes. So, it's an honor to be here. Thank you very much. You >> So, that's exciting news. Uh,
015next up we have the teaching and learning update. Miss Rivera, >> so I see how this is going to work. Dr. Thomas, you will have things on your list as well that I have on mine, just like we used to do with uh Dr. Brandon. I was at Dr. White. Um, so you've covered the Kerry Junior High schedule pickup. and I can't recall if you mentioned that the class lists go uh live and are available for our K6 families beginning August 6th. Um in addition, I want to do a shout out to all of our staff who has been hard at work already. Um we have our dual language academy coming up August 5th to August 7th that will encompass all of our dual language teachers. uh whether they are brand new to the district
016or continuing, they will be at this dual language academy to ensure there is cohesion within our dual language program. We also have our new teacher orientation scheduled for August 11th to August 13th. Uh we will be sending out notification to mentors. Um, we still currently have some fluctuations with our new hires and so we're still solidifying those mentors to new hires and as soon as that is as close to possible as finished, we will get out the um it is a Google form type contract that goes out to the mentors to uh notify them of their position of being selected as a mentor. And then as Dr. Thomas mentioned, we do have institute day August 18th and August 19th. August 19th will be our first full I Ready PD session with other ones to follow.
017Um I did send an email already, but I'm going to go ahead and just clarify right here. It is only one reading assessment and one math assessment for each of the windows where I know STAR had a reading, a CBM, and an early literacy. we would it will it will just be one reading, one math, K8 for fall, winter, spring. That is it. Um with the exception of those who are in duel, uh there they'll have the addition of like the Spanish for math and then the last links as well, but for mono just so you are correct. And then also we're super looking forward to the first day of school August 20th. Not that I'm rushing it. Everyone enjoy the rest of your summer, but August 20th does mark the first day back for
018our students. And with that, I want to just take a moment with the article that Dr. Thomas had shared. While I'm appreciative of my name and and the reference to the work that we did, the true work and the true thank you goes to our teachers. There is no way that the work that we have accomplished so far would have been done without the staff that we have here. And I know it has been a bumpy road and I know we have asked for so much from two years ago with the street strategic plan and the instructional framework and there were questions and there were concerns and there were more questions and more concerns and more questions, right? and we did it together along the way and I hope everybody had an opportunity to see
019the data presentation last week to see that it is working and we are moving in the right direction but it is only because of our staff here in Kerry 26 and the dedication that they have to our students and to our families. So I personally when you read that article it's a big thank you to the Kerry community to the teachers the students our admin team everybody who has their hands in the lives of our students here in Kerry and very much specifically to our board here who has approved so much of that work because you had a vision you had a vision for Kerry and it has come to fruition as a result of your leadership in this district. So, thank you points. Next up, we have the committee of the whole update. Um,
020pretty much everything we're discussing tonight that's on the consent agenda. We had the HYA superintendent search presentation. Uh, we had a presentation from uh, Solar G Energy with Allied Facility Partners. We reviewed the beer the bills, the treasur report. uh discuss the resolution approving the petition to annex parcel 1911 176002 which is the property next to Aldi that is the new transportation center uh the star assessment data results uh recording of the meet meetings update administrative procedure project we did some press policy updates that were very minor and uh discuss the summer construction updates a very thorough presentation that we saved for the very Uh, next up we have the consent agenda. Included are those items that are routine in nature. Should any board member wish to remove an item from the consent agenda, the
021item will be discussed at the end of section 8. 7.1 is the closed session minutes from the June 23rd, 2025 committee of the whole meeting. 7.2 are the open and close session minutes from the June 30th, 2025 regular board of education meeting. 7.3 are the monthly bills and payroll total bills and payroll for board approval in the amount of $4,235,1526 7.4 is the treasur's report 7.5 is the resignation dismissal retirement 7.6 are employment 7.7 is the destruction of closed meeting audio recordings 7.8 and 8 are disposal of assets. 7.9 are policies 280, 230, 740, 7300, and 880. May I have a motion to approve the following 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, and 7.9. >> Yes. >> So moved. >> Sec. Any discussion? Hearing none. If we can take a vote, please. >>
022D. Darling, >> yes. >> Katherine Potter, >> yes. >> Jason Jansik, >> yes. >> Mindy Hartman, >> yes. >> Bridget Sandlin, >> yes. >> Okay, the motion is approved. Next up, we have agenda items requiring discussion and board approval. First, we have the approval of choosing a superintendent search firm, which apparently I'm in charge of. uh the board and in public view we have a couple of uh proposals that were sent and I would open the discussion up to the board if there were any questions about either of the two firms. It's HYA and IASB. Yeah, I just want to point out um the price for IASB is initially uh low. Uh but then when we look at the add-ons of the things that I think I don't want to speak for the board, but
023the things that I as a board member value, which is reaching out to the community, reaching out to the teachers, getting the survey, uh was just having a discussion a little bit earlier on with some folks up here with my colleagues up here about how we've grown over the past two years. So, I think the needs the perceived needs of the community have changed for what they want out of our school district. Uh, and that's a good thing because of the work that that Mr. Rivera referenced and the work that Mr. Shepard's team has put in. Um, and so I think having that community input is key and that's not included on the initial cost. It sounded like Hazard had a very comprehensive community input component that I think would be valuable for us uh
024and what we're what the community is looking forward to hear like from the community members as to what they're looking for. So, I'm in favor of moving forward with with Hazard. um they they've got a great list of experience they you know and of of districts that they have worked with that have all gone on to do excellent things. Um and so I would be in favor of of HYA moving forward with HYA. >> I mean I can chime in real quick too. I agree with you on on the pricing. The initial cost certainly is cheaper with IASB. But as soon as you throw in in-person interviews and community stakeholder interviews, we will blow right past the HYA quote. I think um I think the M if if we just think about how many in-person
025meetings we did when we were searching for Dr. White, I think we were at three or four community meetings and three or four nights of interviews. So, even if we were safe and estimated that at 6 * 1,500, we're blown right past HYA on that one. And we don't know what the community wants it. We may find out that what we thought we wanted, we don't we we want a different way. And I think the community input is probably one of the most valuable things we do in the superintendent search. I know it was really helpful when we were looking for Dr. White, too. So, I am also uh in favor of HYA, but I do appreciate Mr. Ooro's comment and I we could potentially give some thought as to where they're recruiting from or
026set a net on it. I think it's worth giving some more thought to. >> So in favor just from being the person reviewing these um uh it really added up very quickly with IASB. Um you know we get up to 24 uh meetings that they'll come in and talk with our different stakeholder groups with HYA. Those are $1,500 each with the other group. Um, I liked the fact the last time we did the search that we had our staff involved in coming up with their own um, you know, second round of interview questions. I liked them having their own chance to actually feel out the top three superintendent. Um, and those are all things I think we need to consistently stay with and involving the community as much as possible every step along the way.
027So, um, I'm also in favor of HYA. Um, and then just so we know, there was a contracting fee on theirs as well um that I do have um from them that they're waving that fee. So, that there is no contracting fee. Good job. Mr. Shepard, the HOA fee that is well within the expected uh expenses that we figured that we were going to incur in this. Is that correct? >> That is correct. The amount that uh it would cost for HYA is below my initial uh budget figure uh that would have been included in the budget. >> Great. Thank you. There's a question regarding what we paid for the last I believe the last one was 17,500 two years ago. I believe that was the cost but there was travel. There was lodging. There
028was meals there. This is local. There will be no travel. There will be no lodging. None of that will be part of this contract. Uh the amount on this contract is $19,500 in today's market with everything that we're getting. um we're not going to have all those additional fees. >> I echo that sentiment. At first when I first saw the IASB, I'm like, "Wow, that's that's quite a difference." But you're right. When you add everything up and everything that's included with HYA, I I would agree that seems like the better bet. Well, my initial reaction to the presentation and the materials was the same as Mrs. Oreos and that was why I had asked my question at the committee of the whole meeting about the recruitment heavy kind of way or process or um and
029I believe that they did reassure us that there was they they wouldn't be coming after our anybody that we would place if we went with them. I don't I can't I I wrote s y I don't even know what that means. So um but does I don't know if anybody else can >> I think you wrote a two or a five. What they had said is they certainly will not come back and recruit from anyone they place with us for a period of years. I don't remember if it was two or five. They certainly didn't make us any guarantees that they won't go poach from anywhere else, >> right? >> Which is what I think the concern that was raised tonight. So I think that's certainly like a final conversation we can have if they
030need direction of maybe we want to be good neighbors, maybe we don't want to look at Fox River Grover like right in the immediate vicinity, but we also the idea of a local candidate is someone who is familiar with our local community. So, it's just a question of where. >> That's right. Cuz I got that. I That's right. Cuz then I started their response. I started getting the impression that it wasn't like they were going after supers like superintendent, but people who would qualify for that or be working towards that. Um, I guess I can be on board with with with HYA too, but don't come after our next super or >> so I mean I agree like that was nobody no district wants to have to go through that um especially after putting so
031much time into a search. Um, I understand the reasoning behind some of the blinds just because they'll never like to go back to their school district if we're in we're hiring so early out before the school year and then they still have to finish out that whole year with that district even if their very intention is to not stay with a district. how are they going to go to work that the next you know what I'm you know you know once they know that somebody's name is out there I understand that aspect of it again you know it's something the board can look at about you know being good neighbors etc. um my personal I'm worried about district 26. So I want the best person for our district. Um so that's what matters to me.
032So I'm hearing a consensus that we're in favor of this. Um I did have a discussion I did hear from Julie u who also supported whatever the board would decide. Um, so if we are all in favor, uh, we will have them proceed with writing us up a contract that we can then approve as a board. Is that the direction we'd like to go in then? >> I think that sounds like a great plan. >> Okay. Hya it is. Thank you. >> Do we need to motion that or is that okay? We're approving the contract. We don't have a contract. >> We'll approve the HA hya though. >> Will they write up the contract for us in August? Okay. Sorry. I just I appreciate the clarification on the timeline. Thank you. >> So, I'm just
033going to say may I have a motion to approve HYA as the firm will hire for the superintendent search. >> Okay. So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Next up, we have Julie or I'm sorry, Laura, go ahead and take a take an individual vote on that. >> Katherine Potter, >> yes. >> Jason Jansik, >> yes. >> Mindy Hartman, >> yes. >> Bridget Sandlin, >> yes. Darling, >> yes. Okay, that motion's approved. Next, we have the approval of the resolution approving the petition to annex parcel 19-11-176-00002. Mr. Shepard. >> Yeah. So, as we discussed at the committee of the whole, we know that of the two parcels that we purchased for our new transportation center, the smaller parcel that is on the west side of the property was
034never officially annexed into the the village. In order for the village to consider our zoning petition, it the entire property needs to be within the village limits. So, uh we have every intent to bring this forward tonight to have the board approve this petition. Uh once the board approves this petition, it will go to the village and the village has on their agenda to approve not only the the petition to annex that property, but also our zoning petition on August 5th. Uh just as a side note, I I believe uh uh the district is now accepting bids for uh the construction project. Uh and we hope to bring uh a recommendation to the board for a construction firm in August. Uh so this is really a formality to help clean up things, make it uh
035um much simpler process than having to navigate things with the county. Uh and uh we look forward to the board approving this tonight and then the village on August 5th. >> This doesn't put us, Mr. shepherd behind the eightball too much with our construction timeline of the transportation center. >> This uh specific item, no, there have been other things. We we've been finding out uh how slow and tedious the construction process is, especially when you're building a new facility. Uh but uh that there is uh there groundbreaking is now seen. We we can see a future where we're going to be breaking ground uh sometime this fall, especially as we uh approve a construction contractor in August. >> Great. Thank you. >> Question. So, groundbreaking in the fall, that means we're moving now to spring
036>> with the construction timeline hopefully, fingers crossed, uh if it's a mild winter, uh and they're able to work majority of the the fall and winter. Um there are some other uh specific logistical delays in there. Comeded has been a real struggle in in getting uh electrical components and that would have been a struggle no matter what uh whether we were uh uh already building the facility now. Um the the lag time for transformer parts is is quite lengthy. Uh so odds are uh we would be looking at a move sometime late spring or at the very end of next school year. And how confident are we that the current facility will fold up this winter? >> We will get it through. >> Okay. >> I have a motion to approve the resolution approving the
037the petition to annex parcel 19-11-176-002 as presented. So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Hearing none. If we could take a vote, please. >> Katherine Powder, >> yes. >> Jason Jansik, >> yes. >> Mindy Hartman, >> yes. Absolutely. >> Bridgen Sandlin, >> yes. >> Darling, >> yes. Hopefully, this is the last. >> Next, we have the approval to purchase a vehicle for the transportation department. Mr. Shepard. >> Yeah. So, this has been an item that I know we have talked at at the board level before about uh possibility of purchasing a smaller vehicle to be used to transport our out of district uh students. Uh, as the board knows, we spend uh uh pretty close to $300,000, if not more, on outside transportation services. These are for students going to other places outside of of
038our district. In fact, I believe we have students going as far as uh Lombard in in that area. uh taking a school bus to those locations is not exactly the most economical of of vehicles to be doing that type of travel. Uh so Mr. Kavala and his staff and I have been talking about the possibility of uh purchasing uh a vehicle to go on those longer trips and possibly take on uh some of those outofd district placements. Now that we are more fully staffed and we have the drivers to to do that, uh we decided now is the time to look at purchasing a vehicle. Um, unfortunately, a lot of dealerships don't line up nicely with the board schedule timeline, and a lot of dealerships are not willing to hold their inventory on the lot,
039waiting for board approval. Um, kudos to our transportation staff uh that uh visited many dealerships in the area to locate the vehicle that you see before you tonight. Uh they found a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse with limited mileage. Uh about 31,000 uh a little over 31,000 miles on it. Uh and it is from a local dealership, Martin Chevrolet. Uh and the total price that they have quoted us is at 36 38670. That includes a 4-year 100,000mi warranty of lifetime free oil changes and new tires, I believe, when it rolls off rolls off the lot. Our original budgeted figure uh for the FY26 budget was 60,000 because we just weren't sure what uh we were going to find. Um one additional thought, one of the questions I've heard, why don't we buy a new vehicle? In order
040to buy a new vehicle, we would have to go out to bid. Uh we did approach this topic with our attorneys and school districts by far have the strictest bidding requirements. municipalities if they need a new police car, they can wave the bidding requirement and go work with a dealership. We do not have that luxury. So, uh we needed to really uh do our due diligence uh and see what was out there for for used vehicles, but uh lightly used vehicles that will meet our needs. So, uh administration does recommend that the board approve uh this purchase. And again, many thanks to Mr. Kabala, Miss Joiner, and the rest of the transportation staff for uh really doing a lot of the leg work uh with this uh uh research. >> Let's throw in the fact
041that the car depreciates the minute you drive it off the lot. So, buying a used car is typically a good financial decision. So, I really appreciate that that's the direction we went. And also, good job to the transportation team. If you negotiated free oil changes, that's saving the district some money. That's phenomenal. So, whoever on your team is responsible, you're getting your finger pointed at you. job. Any extra benefit is an extra benefit. It also seems to say free car washes on there. So, you know, if you're driving past it on a route and you're going to get the car washed every day, have a nice time >> and a fouryear 100,000 mi warranty. A >> and I would also uh reemphasize too that in theory, this is going to really help us uh uh
042bring down our contracted services for transportation costs. Um, we started taking all of the summer school out of placement uh routes this for for summer school and that uh I'm pretty confident saved us probably between uh 35 and $45,000 just for the uh the month of June. >> So my question is what do you anticipate the savings will be just by bringing us bringing this truck in this van? Uh, I would I would be willing to to um argue that um if all of our outplacement needs stayed the same and it didn't increase, uh we probably are looking at about $100,000 savings. >> Okay. And there's nothing on this vehicle that needs to be retrofitted or for any of the students that we're transporting or anything like that? >> I do not believe so. No.
043>> I have a question. And does this in any way change insurance liability? >> It it it does not. Uh we will just need to do what we normally do if we buy a new vehicle. That's notify our insurance group that we have an additional vehicle to to cover. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Perfect. All right. May I have a motion to approve the purchase of the vehicle for the transportation department as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. Any discussion hearing? None. If we could take a vote, please. >> Jason Jansik, >> yes. >> Mindy Hartman, >> another absolutely yes. >> Bridget Sandlin, >> yes. >> Darling, >> yep. Yes. >> Katherine Patter, >> yes. >> All right, that motion is approved. >> You get a van. >> Rolling with you. >> All right. Next
044up, we we have the approval of the fiscal year 26 hazardous walking conditions resolution. District Shepard. >> So this is a routine item that uh has not changed uh in the the past many years. It is something we are required to uh bring forward to the board. Basically designates those areas that are hazardous uh within the mile and a half designation that we would be responsible for providing transportation. Uh Mr. Cabala has reviewed this and assures me no changes are are needed. Uh so we would uh uh recommend the board approve the H FY26 hazardous walking conditions resolution. Okay. I have a motion to approve the fiscal year 26 hazardous walking conditions resolution as presented. So moved. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion? Hearing none. If we can take a
045vote, please. >> Indy Hartman. Yes. >> Yes. >> Bridget Stanland. >> Yes. >> D. Darling. >> Yes. >> Katherine Potter. >> Yes. >> Jason Jans. >> Yes. >> That motion is approved. >> Next up, we have the approval of fiscal year 26 lunch prices. Mr. Shepard. >> Again, this is a a routine item that we bring forward to the board every year. Uh this year, for this upcoming school year, we are recommending no change to lunch prices. Uh this is in part due to uh the fact that our lunch uh our lunch program continues to bring in slightly more than what it costs. Um I do anticipate that changing as uh the the cost of food service uh goes up uh and uh by by keeping rates uh flat. It's not increasing revenue. Uh I
046should mention that the lunch prices are really driven by what ISBY tells us we have to do uh every spring. Uh, thus far they've approved us keeping our our lunch prices the same, but I do anticipate uh in the next year or two they are going to require us to uh raise lunch prices by anywhere between a nickel to uh 15 cents. >> Okay. May I have a motion to approve the fiscal year 26 lunch prices as presented? >> Moved. >> Take the second. >> Any discussion? >> I do have a quick discussion. Can Mr. Dr. Shepard, would you mind just going over quickly um about is that there is a reduced rate right on the lunch that you have to apply for. >> Correct. And and I'm glad you bring that up. We would
047encourage all of our families uh to fill out the free and reduced uh lunch application. And not only will this uh give you the opportunity to possibly get a a free or reduced cost for lunch, uh but it also is a beneficial to our title one uh programming as the uh the higher our free and reduced population is uh the more uh it could possibly open up title funds. So we do encourage all of our families to uh fill those documents out to see if they qualify. Uh yes, the district does offer free and there is a reduced price as well. I think the reduced price is 40 cents. Uh but don't quote me on that. >> Thank you so much. >> I know we ask this every year. Is there since we are running
048a surplus, is there any chance to tweak even a nickel off if we're anticipating it's going to go up again next year? >> The lunch price well set in stone. Um, ISBY allows you to raise it. Um, it doesn't necessarily go down. Uh, and I would also say, uh, our lunch program is sufficient, pretty self-sufficient. Uh, the money that comes in for that program. Anything extra does help us uh um with any unexpected costs such as a failing dishwasher or a garbage disposal that needs to be replaced. So, uh, it goes beyond just paying for the actual food service. It's also the equipment needs as well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Uh, we already made a motion. Can we take a vote, please? >> Mindy Hartman, >> yes. >> Bridget Sandlin, >> yes.
049>> Darling, >> yes. >> Katherine Potter, >> yes. >> Jason Jansen, >> yes. Okay, >> that motion is approved. Next up, we have the approval of the fiscal year 26 athletic fees. Uh once again, another routine item. Uh we once again are recommending no change to the the fee structure for our uh athletic and extracurricular uh curricular program. Um when looking at this, it does help us uh offset some of the costs uh uh of the the athletic program by about half. Uh really the these funds go to paying for the referees for events uh and and coaching stipens. Um, so we would not uh recommend uh a raising of these fees at this time. >> Okay. May I have a motion to approve the fiscal year 26 athletic fees as presented? >> Second. >>
050Any discussion? Hearing none. Can we take a vote, please? >> Bridget Stanlin, >> yes. >> Darling, >> yes. >> Katherine Potter, yes. >> Jason Jansik. Mindy Hartman, >> yes. That motion is approved. Uh, next up we have a topic just for discussion, the potential solar energy project. Mr. Martin and Mr. Shepard. >> Yes. So, uh, we appreciate the board's attentiveness to the the presentation from allied facility partners last week. Uh, as you know, it's been one of our, uh, one of my goals to get this type of project to the board. Um, and this is this has been the opportune time to to do it as we're in the the midst of construction projects. So, um, we appreciated the Allied giving us a conceptual view of of what a possible solar project could look like
051for for D26. Uh, the purpose of tonight really is to, uh, gather feedback from the board. What are your thoughts? Um, we have found that solar energy uh is a very timeconsuming uh, endeavor and there is so much that goes into these type of projects. uh before we really start diving into it, uh we want to make sure that uh we're on the same page as as the board. And uh um so we're just interested in hearing your feedback uh ranging from yeah, let's do all the buildings uh to let's see what other options are out there uh to uh anything that that's on your mind. Before we get to that, just a couple of of clarifying points. Um I think it's important to uh talk about why we landed on Allied. Um Mr. Martin
052really as soon as he was hired what back in January uh literally we welcomed the board and said hey here's all sorts of solar energy consultants that are chomping at the bit uh to to meet with you. Uh and he has been spending a lot of his time meeting with various uh uh uh contractors some of which I know have uh emailed uh emailed the board. Uh and we've been uh really fleshing these out and and seeing what's going to be the best fit for for our district. Um there are different models uh that we started to explore leasing versus owning of the the solar panels. Uh we started to explore the financial benefits of each, but really what set Allied apart from the other uh contractors uh was the fact that they're local. They
053have a stake uh in the community. uh and the fact that uh in talking with D155 uh they really got a nice review uh from that district uh and I believe D155 is now expanding their solar uh panel project uh with with allied facility partners. So uh really we thought this would be a great spot to start. Uh the other question that I know is going to be brought up uh is is this subject to bidding? Uh the answer to that is no because they are part of a purchasing co-op uh that is sponsored by the state of Illinois. Um so they've already been vetted by the state of Illinois. There are certain requirements that they have to meet annually uh in order to be a part of that that fulfill the the RFP process.
054Uh so with that I I know Mr. Martin and I are are interested to hear uh the thoughts of the board and the direction that you guys would like us to take. >> I have a couple questions. Um, so to me, like looking at the total lifetime benefits, it it makes a lot of sense for the three schools that are almost a million dollars to over $2 million. Um, I'm afraid if we don't do all that we're lost out on that window of opportunity to get reimbursed for money, but my question on that is that's over $700,000 for that. Uh, what is it? Not Illinois Sunshine, isn't it? The Illinois Sunshine Um, >> it's it was IRA. >> I don't know. >> Yeah, the acronym was IRA because I remember thinking about retirement, but I
055don't >> 700 something thousand that was paid over 20 years is how you explain it. My question is is are we paying that upfront and then they're reimbursing us every year for 20 years because that's a lot of upfront money. >> Correct. There there is an upfront cost to this. Uh and that is why um some districts uh a lot of districts will do some of their buildings and then over time will uh see how it works um because they don't want to dive right in, put them on all their buildings and find out it's a a logistical nightmare. Uh so some districts will uh put them on one or two of their buildings, maximize their return because some of the credits you do get uh right away. uh and then use those returning returning
056credits to help fund future future projects. Uh some districts decide that they only want to have them on certain buildings after they really dive into the numbers to see what's what's feasible and what's not. Um I do agree with you. The upfront cost is pretty pretty hefty. So that would definitely be a discussion point I'd want to have uh to see what the desire is is for that. Um could we find the money for that upfront cost? Yeah. Would I feel comfortable upfronting all of it at that same time? No. So, it would really be up to the comfort level of the the board with that. >> And then um it has the cost exclusions. So, um soil testing for I don't know what purpose it's on the roof. Um any necessary structural upgrades and
057then the utility upgrades. They had to have been able to kind of just briefly coming into our buildings and looking give us an idea of any type of just off the bat any type of upgrades just looking. >> Oh, that's the next part of the process. If we decide to go with that company or another one, they would go even more into the buildings to do more of that research to see uh what else would be needed if anything or like the structure of the roof, any other upgrades to the electrical and uh those additional possible charges um in their experience. So like uh if you remember back from their pages, they had like a rough order uh rough order of magnitude project cost. So for each building and they were basically uh describing that
058as like a not to exceed number like even with like some of these cost exclusions. >> Okay. So they they really are conservative, you know, with that number like for the projects that they do. And uh I had asked them like to get me some more information back of on your previous estimates, you know, how close were you like to those? And they said, "Yeah, we didn't we've never exceeded our our um a ROM project cost." >> Okay. Thank you for that. Um I guess I know you're looking for direction tonight. So for me though, it's real hard to give direction until I know a total cost. So like I need all the data before I can make a decision that's going to approve them for anything. >> Sure. and and I I understand that
059that the issue that we have is a lot of these companies since it is so time inensive uh of looking at everything are are not they're not eager to spend all the time and energy to go through and give us an official contract um unless there is some guarantee that uh they're going to be getting the business in the end. So um to clarify a little I I think what I'd be looking for is uh does the board want to hear another alternative? We have another group lined up that talks about leasing of the solar panels. Uh that would lead to uh fewer benefit uh uh that the district would see long term, but it is an option. Uh and from there uh it sounds like that the board is agreeable that we we need
060to stay on this path. Um but from from there uh do we want to uh direct Allied to give us a more thorough proposal and then go from there or uh do we just want to keep uh uh going through various contractors to to see what else is is out there? >> Feel like I can throw my two cents in it. Um one, their presentation was really good. Two, I do appreciate that they are a local company. I love that one of the guys backs up to our school. It's what you said. that gives them a vested interest in doing a good job because they know their neighbors are going to be talking about them if they don't do a good job. Um, and I also like the idea of doing business with people that
061are located here that are and and again they also said they are using all products that are made in the country. So, we're not stuck behind shipping times. We're not stuck behind tariffs. We're not stuck behind a lot of things. Um, I also think looking at solar is probably one of the only avenues we've ever come up with for introducing new revenue to our district. I think that is part of what we're tasked with doing as a board. So that for me is an easy yes. I think I would like to hear more about the solar. Um I think we have to hear from at least one other company just to get a sense of are these guys in the right ballpark. I'm assuming since they've already been vetted by this by ISBY, they're clearly
062in the ballpark, but I'd still like to hear from somebody else maybe who's outside of the ISBY process just so we have a sense of what that is. But if the rest of my board members are very happy with the vetting process already, I would back down on that part. Um, and then I think the final question you wanted was did you want to know thoughts on doing the whole project at once? Was that the final question? >> Um, I think the most interesting part of the presentation they gave us was on the transportation center using the solar not only to power and we've talked about what it could look like to convert to electric buses in the future. So having a project that is multi-purpose and serving both as a cover and as a
063charging station and doing multiple things that is certainly the most attractive to me and then it looks like the junior high would junior high and deer path are probably the most logical places to start because that's where we would see the most revenue saved and also they're the ones get >> did I skip three Oaks on the list? It's very close. Um, to me it was Carrie Junior High Dear Path and then transportation center which is out there because we don't see the savings yet but it's new construction. So for me those are kind of my thought and and that we know the roofs are getting repaired so hopefully we wouldn't have too many surprise costs because we're getting a good roof anyway. So that's kind of where I'm aligned. I would also I think
064the most helpful thing um would also be even if it's not a full presentation maybe even if it's just an email a summary of why you've disregarded some of the other people that are knocking down your door for me the most helpful thing is is some of understanding why you said no to people because that helps me understand how we got to yes these are your favorite people well basically it's like the collaborative efforts and like local versus just a company from like I don't even know where you know like so um the two companies I we have been talking to. So, Allied is one and Moresco is another. Um they they both are in that cooperative and they they are both um pre-approved, you know, so you wouldn't have to go out for bid.
065Um, also, um, their response, you know, like in, um, like easy to deal with. They get back to me right away. Cuz for me, I I if I get an email, I try to get it done that same day. I don't leave it just sitting. And for somebody else to to make that time, oh, hey, what's your cell phone? I'll get back to you. I'll text you back. just the uh the back and forth and upfront information, easy to easy to deal with, easy to communicate and answers when you need answers. Even tonight, you know, like uh the allied uh Kevin, the gentleman that is local with us, Kevin K, he's like, "Well, text me if you got a question. If something comes up you can't answer, just text me right away. I'll I'll get
066you an answer." So, I was like I was like, "Okay, well, because we had a few questions earlier. He gave me the answers we needed." So yeah, it's just uh pretty much just open, transparent, give me the information we need, numbers up front so we can make a good decision. And like um like you said, like it doesn't have to be the full boat cuz like uh even timelines for the construction and installation and um connecting it to the u to the electrical grid. some of those things probably won't meet like the current, you know, like uh incentives and rebates, >> right? >> For say Kerry Jr., I know you mentioned Carrie Jr., but it still needs a brand new roof. Like it still has to be scheduled and done and possibly that wouldn't be
067the the best use of the funds right now because of all the extra work that needs to get done. But definitely Briergate Oaknull's only got a 2, threey old roof. So like uh those roofs are 100% ready to put solar panels on maybe some structural like upgrades. Uh but uh from all the schools, Brierggate, Oaknull, and they even they said uh the transportation center, even if there isn't a cover or carport, you know, like for extra panels for future electric buses, he said the size of the building, they could easily power that building with panels, you know, like if if it was necessary or, you know, deemed appropriate to help save some extra funds. >> For me, I would still need to see leasing versus purchasing. And um because maybe in the the the numbers
068that are coming in of what the savings will be as far as initially in energy may be lower or whatever. I'm concerned about 25 years from now when we have to dispose of these panels and that's the life of these panels and where they're going to go and the expense that the district is going to have to you know and then start this process all over again. Um if we're leasing them that's their problems. That's not our problem. So, >> well, I think at the end of the lease, it would still be our problem because they're only leasing it to us for those 25 years. >> Then they're theirs after that. >> So, >> I mean, that's what we're working with. What kind of >> So, it's our problem to replace, but it's their problem
069to dispose. That's that's okay. >> That's just what I'm thinking. I'm like, we got to think down the the future down the road like, yeah, it's a great solution now. >> But, >> yeah. Yeah. And then just just for your information too, like all the information I've been receiving is that owning versus leasing is is kind of the way to go, especially over 25 years >> as far as the better savings over the 25 years and the future, >> right? Um I we would uh um we would be happy to uh bring forward another uh vendor to come speak. Um I believe we could probably get that for August 11th. Um, it could be short notice, but we'll try for for August 11th because we do know that this is timesensitive. We want to keep
070the the ball rolling. But I believe that firm that we would bring on August 11th would talk about leasing. Correct. They have both options available. So, power purchase agreement and owning and the pros and cons for both. >> Can you confirm um you mentioned time sensitive and that's what I was thinking too. when do we have to make a decision in order to make sure that we receive all the incentives and >> yeah for the current incentives um they were saying that uh the projects would have to get started by uh middle of July like uh next summer the 2026 so yeah it is something we'd have to make a decision on for one school two schools how many we could u u viably get going to get uh get it And as far as
071like in um commissioned or up and running 100% it was like December 2027. So as long as we had purchased or started those projects like uh by next summer then we would still qualify for those rebates as it stands right now. Yeah. Things are changing. So >> So what's the time sensitivity here? That's a year. So >> Sure. So, it um this type of project is going to take time for whoever we decide. Uh there's going to be extensive amount of research that's going to be done as they dive into our electrical uh um structures and our uh electrical bills and and uh the the paperwork for these rebates. Uh this is a a a federal government, state government thing. They don't make anything easy in in that regard. Uh so it's it's very there's
072there's a lot of uh a lot of time heavy tasks that will need to be done. Uh and also while if we were to say choose one of these companies that's going through the co-op, they're then going to be responsible for finding the the vendors, making sure that the supplies are there. And we know that there's a a lag for for a lot of the supplies. We just don't know what the market is going to do. So, uh, really we would want to, uh, enter into an agreement with one of these contractors, uh, um, sometime early this fall, uh, to give it adequate time to, uh, really review our needs so that we can bring a proposal back to the board that the board can support. >> And is it subject to change? Like so
073if we discuss and we say we want to do these schools and then we decide hey we we looked at all the benefits we want to add this one or that one but they wouldn't be able to do their due diligence on the schools that we're not talking about because we haven't that wasn't in the initial ask. Is that correct? >> Right. So if if that were the case that would then come back to the board. The one thing about allied facilities is that they have said that uh uh they are willing to do as little or as much as the district asks. So if we are working with them on one particular project and we we say hey uh this is going very well can we add in a building they would probably then
074immediately start looking at that building starting the work to to prepare that for the work to to happen there. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So I have a couple questions. Um, first of all, I'm I'm on board with getting this started. Uh, I work at Grace Lake 127 and that is a success story in solar power if if I would encourage my colleagues to check it out. They took out bonds quite a few years ago and I believe they're pretty much paid off. Uh, so it has been great to see uh at the district that I'm currently employed. So I'm I'm in favor of this. I just have a couple of questions. um zoning and I know that makes your heart skip a beat, Mr. Sheepard. Um because it does for me as well given
075the past year. Do we need are we aware of any special zoning issues with putting these on our on our roof or because they're on our roof, the village can't really touch that. >> Correct. It would be cons just like if we were getting a new roof on on our facility. We do not go through the village for those type of improvements. Uh if we were to want to put a solar farm right next door, that would be subject to zoning. Uh however, modifications to our our building uh would would not uh so we would not have to uh go through that process. >> So you walked right into my next question, right? Um can you remind us of the of the contract we entered into regarding the transportation center land specifically with lot two
076and lot three? we have two years to sell it or do is does the village still have the right to for first refusal on that in terms of if we're going to sell it to a commercial property or something along those lines? I I can't remember off the top of my head. Um >> there is a there is a specific timeline in there from the time that we I believe start construction or that we know what our usage of the property is going to be. Uh that the front two parcels we have to put on the the market. Uh, and I believe it's for a period of two or 3 years. If the property doesn't sell within that time, then it's it's ours. >> Okay. >> To do what we want with it. >> Okay.
077I that's that's I knew there was some type of contingency in there because I I don't see lot two selling really ever behind the water tower there and I'm wondering if that would be another spot for a potential solar farm uh in the future. And so I didn't know how what the timeline was with that. or if that's something that we could explore in the future as well. >> We can most certainly explore that sometime in the future if it becomes evident that those parcels are not going to sell. >> Got it. Thank you for the clarification. So, uh to answer your last question, yes, I I'm on board with that and u I want to echo my colleague sentiments about finding somebody else just to get a second opinion on this before we move
078forward. >> Yeah, we can definitely get that done by the next meeting. >> Thank you. Um can you clarify just with the allied facility partners uh any this part confused me during the presentation any energy that is generated my understanding was it we it wouldn't any extra energy wouldn't be going back to comed we wouldn't be getting any kind of like payment for that >> correct yeah there the the way they design the system uh it u balances the cost of the system for the size of the system for the optimum return like of the electricity produced. >> So it's going to get a big fat check from KMED for all of the sun and stuff. Okay. >> So it's it's basically it's just going to produce like that offset number like around that percentage
079to help you know like power the schools so we wouldn't be buying that energy from KMED. >> Okay. And so I guess my I would like to know is what savings is I mean for the if we it seems like we're interested but I would want to know what savings is going to look like actually for us if we're going if the incentives and the hard numbers like the firm numbers is something um that are a guarantee the >> Yeah. So the um the total lifetime benefit like on um >> no it's one of the last pages. So that would be the savings over the 25 years >> and is that like are the incentives are the um different rebates and stuff are those guaranteed or are those just like an estimate of how much
080we would be getting? So, at this point, yes. Like, as far as the ones that are out there and available, >> um, as long as we do get them installed within the timelines and those those, uh, those due dates. >> Okay, that's good. Um, and then has the district conducted an energy audit like recently? >> Uh, well, when uh, for this company for Allied, so I did send them like all our gas bills and electric bills for the last 12 months. And on those bills, it does show like a breakdown of what we use, the temperature outside, how much each day for every month, and that's what they use to generate this uh proposal, >> but not like um any kind of third party energy audit or com energy. I I don't know. I don't
081energy audit, but I I hear it's a thing. Um has anybody like walked the buildings and and given us those numbers? Uh so we we do have coming up like in the next month or so. So it's a health life safety visit and uh those walks is like a 10-year plan of ways to save energy in all the schools even more cuz uh we've already done uh so Briergate with all the improvements we're doing there. Three Oaks, you know, they got their LED lights. Uh Deer Path is next for uh for next summer. So, all those improvements we're going to be doing for Deer Path, uh, that's going to help, you know, for the energy audit, but this next visit that we do have coming is basically a plan for the next 10 years. And
082I would just add on to that that whoever the board decides to enter a contract with, one of their first uh uh items that they're going to be responsible for is being in our buildings uh to really look at the equipment we have, really uh dive into to our energy needs. that that would be something that would occur um after we agreed to uh this the scope and size of the work with a particular vendor. >> Yeah. They call it like an asset assessment. So like your HVAC, your lights, like everything that's drawing power like and then what we can do to improve it. >> Okay. Well, I tend to lean towards wanting to hear at least another option or of what's what's out there. Uh, I hesit I hesitate like I cringe at the
083thought of putting I know that there's nothing in this scenario that gets permanently installed onto a roof. Um, but it does make me nervous about doing it when we've just spent like a million dollars to put on a brand new roof. Um, I I tend to think it when I'm looking through the bills each month that Kerry Junior High obviously in Deer Path are are energyheavy. Um, I suppose um if there's a new roof going on here, I just think that would be something logical, the the right place to start. If there's roof action going down at Deer Path, then I would also feel like that would make sense to me. Uh, I can't I can't say with this plan that I'm all in for every school um at this point. I'm not against solar.
084I'm I I guess that there's still questions out there, but I would I would more lean towards kind of what Miss Hartman was saying is hear more. >> Yeah. all the improvements that we're doing like in the schools especially right now you're going to see a big difference in Brigate like changing the lights new insulated roof so like um all these electrical numbers for Briergate was with their old systems so with a brand new roof new LED lights so that power consumption is going to go down and then we will be getting even more benefit out of if we did put solar panels on on those roofs. >> I I see what you're saying and I appreciate you coming at me with that perspective because I'm just thinking, well, this and this building sucks energy.
085Um, we're filling up all the space. Put them on there. That'll reduce the bill. But I I appreciate you coming from the angle of well, we've made everything energy efficient in this building. Why not just go go max max it out and see how close to zero we can get? >> Yeah, that's the idea. And then like your concern of the new roof. So, believe me, the solar panel companies, they want to make sure they're not disturbing that at all because they don't want to be responsible for any damage, especially Rgate brand new, 30 years warranty. They want to make sure those panels last that 25 years that they're warrantied or even even more. And same thing, they don't want to take the panels off to fix the roof. So like they kind of like
086go hand inand new roof and solar panels. It like just works. >> Okay. >> So I I think based on what I've heard, I think what uh the direction that we'll we'll go is we will look to bring someone in on August 11th. I pretty sure that will be doable. uh that company will talk about uh uh the prospect of leasing versus ownership. It'll give you a different perspective from a a different company that's out there. Uh and then perhaps uh with how the August board meetings are spaced out, we can circle back uh at the second meeting in August and hear what your thoughts are uh at that time after you've had time to reflect and if there's any other tweaking that we need to do um uh moving forward. I know I brought
087up in the past um like as Mrs. Hartmann said, it's our responsibility to come up with revenue ideas for the district. And I have brought up charging stations because we do have staff that have electric cars, etc. Perhaps maybe we look at that as well since we're already bringing in solar. Maybe that's something we actually think about at the time is the schools that we do. We have we have parents coming with their cars to games. We have It's all an opportunity to have him go on our charging. >> Never occurred to me. >> All right. Are we all good then? >> Thank you, Mr. Sheepard. Thank you. >> All right. May I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. Okay, this meeting adjourns at
0887:11 p.m. Have good night everyone.