001Mhm. Oh. Woo! Call this meeting to order. Regular board meeting, April 27th, 6:00 p.m. Can I get a roll call? Here. Present. Here. Pam Cook, recording secretary. Troy Yarbrough, superintendent. Shelly Wagner, human resources. Michelle Erb, curriculum and instruction. Jason Wood, communications and community relations. Josh Ramp, business operations. All right, we're ready to go. Definitely here. Good problem to have. So, it's my pleasure this evening to introduce some of our students from Rock Cut Elementary here to lead us in the pledge. Make sure you They were keeping time to make sure that I told them the exact time we So, you stop right there and face the table. And then I have Ms. Martinez, our assistant principal from Rock Cut, who is going to help us with introductions before we Yes, they were so excited to
002come in. Yes, so we're going to go through it. But, I'm going to let them introduce themselves, actually. So, go ahead, GG. My name is Gianna, and I'm from Rock I'm from Rock Cut Elementary, and I'm in the grade. I I'm Kenna and I'm in fifth grade. Hi, I'm Colton and I'm in second grade. Hi, I'm Dominic and I'm in second grade. Hi, I'm Sidharth and I'm in first grade. Hi, I'm Chase Diamond and I'm in first grade. Hi, I'm Levi. I'm in fourth grade. Hi, I'm Sage. I'm in second grade. Hi, I'm Amelia and I'm in third grade. Um and these students were selected by their teachers for having safe, respectful, and responsible behavior consistently. Um so, we're going to go ahead and get started with Did everybody stand? Yes, stand if you would.
003I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Thank you. Good job, GUYS. THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO START OUR PRESENTATION. I'M GOING TO TAKE A QUICK PICTURE AND THEN I'll just get out of the way and you guys can Okay, got it. Why don't you go to the back? You want to talk I'll get it. Yep, I got it. All right, here we go. One, two, three. GREAT JOB, GUYS. THANK YOU. THANKS FOR STARTING OUR MEETING WELL. GOOD JOB, GUYS. I would like to We're We're going back to our program agenda. I would like to move section 10 B 2 That's the discussion part and the Where is it? 12
00412 B 2 15 to make it 15 B. 15 B Perfect. That makes sense. Can I get a motion and a second with those changes? Motion. Second. Vice President Thompson Yes. Board member McKinney Yes. Board member McKinney I Board member Carlson Yes. Board member Johnson Yes. Secretary Meeks I President Sterling I All right. Dr. Troy Yarbrough Thank you, President Sterling. Uh the mission of the School District as a vital part of the community is to help diverse learners realize their unlimited potential by providing an educational program dedicated to academic excellence and the development of strong character in a safe and respectful learning environment. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Can I get a motion to approve the special board meeting minutes from April 8th, 2026 and regular board meeting uh closed minutes to session minutes for
005April 13th, 2026? Motion. Second. Board member McNair. Yes. Board member McKinney. I. Board member Carlson. Yes. Board member Johnson. I. Secretary Meeks. I. President Sterling. I. Vice President Johnson. Yes. Motion approved. My apologies this evening. We have a few recognitions that we're going to do. So, this evening uh it is my pleasure to introduce our state qualifying Hollom High School math team. If you guys want to come up this way and kind of line up and get across so we can see all of you. We're going to face face this way. So, um I have with us uh um Ms. Gupta, Ms. Adams, Ms. Olsavsky from Hollom High School here. Uh one of the things that I've shared um before uh and something that I'm very proud of is that, you know, oftentimes we have
006programs that we see compete at a high level. Um this being one of them and we see that as we get to invite them back each year and so um I'm proud to be able to invite our math team back for again qualifying uh to compete at the state level. And so, I'm going to turn over to Ms. Gupta to talk a little about um their season. This is a fourth place um regional uh team who qualified, I think, six individuals for the state competition, if I can correct um and so, lots to be proud of, but I'll let turn over to her to talk a little about the uh their season and then obviously the state competition as well, so. Thank you so much for having us. Um the Harlem High School math team
007uh came uh fourth at the regional competition held at the RBC. Um very big accomplishment for us, and six students made it to the state. Um we had Lane Wedding from Algebra 1 earning first spot for the Algebra 1 event at the regionals. We had Taylor Good. He was third in Algebra 1 individual event. We had Aiden Higginbotham and Eli Johnson, who couldn't make it here today, tied for fifth place at the geometry individual event at the regionals. We had Ronan and Jacob Dobson tied for sixth place at Algebra 2 individual event. All six qualified for state. They just came back from uh the state at ISU on April 18th. Uh Jacob Dobson had a very, very good score, impressive at the state. He did a very, very good job. State, we had 160 to
008180 people competing, and he was about 20th position. It's a very big achievement. He Apart from the state and the regionals, we have two competitions, NIU Atom and Hononegah Invitational, and we had numerous awards. We had close to 11 awards at both those competitions, and most of our team events were second and third place there, too. So, we wrapped up a very good season. We start again October 1st week. I have a couple of questions on the spot here, and you're preparing for this question. For For that have maybe not had a chance to see a regional math competition or state level math competition, maybe you can talk a little bit about interdiscipline, what it's like. What are you doing? What are you being tasked with? What are the challenges that you're facing? Um and
009who wants to to start and talk a little bit about what their competition's like for for you? Not all at once. Yeah, you can Yeah, go ahead. So, it's a 50-minute test. It's individual. It's 20 questions. So, you have to kind of go at a fast pace. You have to figure out what you can do and what you can't do. So, you have to pretty much just glance over all the questions and do the easiest ones first cuz it's total score from amount of questions answered. It's not about rigor. It only comes down to rigor for the tie breakers when there's like two scores that are equal to the same. Determined by the rigor of the question, if it's harder or easier, whoever gets the higher place. Robert, Robert. And what Now, what did you
010compete in? I apologize. I know she was just talking to Robert earlier. Okay, perfect. All right. You want to talk a little bit about yours? And a big thing for being prepared for it, as the math team teachers have helped with greatly, is the fact that you have to be able to memorize a lot of the equations that come down and also where to apply them, which through many of the past packets, the three math teachers have helped with throughout every single math every single year of math you that I have been in. Yeah. And like they said, it's pretty hard. It's not coming from the books we teach. That's one thing for sure. We have to have new packets made, new material, new topics brought in. Our team events like the fresh off eight,
011which made it last year, they have like they cannot even use a calculator for those. All these six were allowed to use calculator individual event, but think of a math competition on those events they couldn't use a calculator. And then we have a calculator team separate. So, we are very happy. What year are each one of you guys in school? Yeah. Uh we go by grade so Grade level. If you're a freshman, you take Algebra 1 test. Uh, sophomore takes geometry, Algebra 2 for juniors, and then precalc for seniors. Okay. Oh, that's how it works. I don't know how it works. I don't know. I thought like you picked what you liked and If so, I pretty sure just about everyone will be choosing algebra. What grades are the guys? Yep. So, why don't you
012Yeah, just if you would mind repeating your grades. I'm a freshman. Uh, I'm also a freshman. Sophomore. Junior. I'm also a junior, but I'm a freshman at Frog Valley. Oh, cool. So, I hear that you all will be back next year for this recognition as well. So, are you ready for the calculus? Yes. Awesome. Very proud of you guys. This is awesome. I love seeing you guys come here to give you recognition for your these kind of things. This is awesome. Yep, this is awesome. On behalf of the board and then the school districts, congratulations on all your hard work. I want to thank Thank you for participating. All right, here we go. 1 2 3. Yeah, that one probably. That sounds like A BATTLE PLAY. GOOD JOB. AND BONUS POINTS THANK YOU. YOU GUYS
013CAN STAY FOR business services. We talked numbers. It might help. Yeah, they went like that. I want to thank you too. Thank you. They went like that. That was about it. We're going to wait until they until he comes up. Sorry. Too much man. All right, so tonight it's my pleasure to introduce a bunch of students representing the different disciplines that if you follow us on social media you often get to see some of the highlights and success of our students involved in some of our CTU courses. Sorry. And so I've got Mr. Andrews, Mr. Duncan, and Ms. Herring here to talk a little bit about these students and some of the competitions they've been participating in and some of the success they've had within their programs. We all are aware just in looking at
014the welding store and all these things that we've got some really talented students that can do some pretty awesome things and so we get to hear a little bit about that tonight. So I'm going to turn it over to Ms. Herring because Mr. Duncan said that he didn't want to talk. So Now the math department had an extremely busy spring and so in February these young ladies got to work together to create some centerpieces for the Women of Today's Manufacturing Annual Dinner. So, Isabella Alderman, Kylie Baxter, and Kinsley Johnson all got to work together to brainstorm a creative piece that would be eye-catching in the middle of all the tables at this benefit. It is something that they utilize to promote education for specifically women in the trades to try to expand in that area.
015And so, they worked on what the piece was going to be. They worked together to create the piece, the color matching, which I just have to say was like impeccable. They like matched the napkins perfectly. It was awesome. Then, they got to go up there and not only just create the centerpieces, but Women of Today's Manufacturing asked us to host them and have them come in. They got to be special panel guests and took on questions of asking things of like what are some of the biggest challenges that you face as a female in the trades. And so, they were able to kind of represent the school in that capacity, represent themselves with other business partners, and it's just really great to watch and see them be able to network like that. Um, and then
016in Hold on. Can we I know you said the dimensions, but can you like introduce yourselves, say what grade you're in, and then maybe one of you can talk a little bit about what you designed and what the piece looked like? Or if there are multiple pieces. Do you have a picture? Yeah. I believe you grabbed a photo. Phone only. I actually have the item in my office. Yeah. They auctioned them off at the end. They all signed them and then they auctioned Oh, that's awesome. It's a good reason to not have it. Yeah. Yeah. So, it's on display. So, if you would be willing to introduce yourselves and say what grade you're in, and then maybe one of you could talk about what the piece was. Um, my name is Kylie Baxter. I'm a
017junior in high school. My name is Isabella Alderman and I'm a sophomore. My name is Kinsley Johnson and I am also a sophomore. Would you like to talk about what you designed? Sure. So, we made it as a little thing that stands up on on tables. It had the Woman of Today's Manufacturing logo and um Kylie worked with creating the the design on our water jet and getting that all cut out. What did you do again? I bent and helped paint. Yep. She bent and helped powder coat the designs and I was also the one powder coating them. Yep, and we worked on assembly. How many did you have to make? Um wasn't that 25? 25? Oh, wow. Okay. So, approximately how long did it take you to do that? A LOT. IT WAS A
018HIGH FRAME ON IT, SO IT PROBABLY TOOK ABOUT 2 AND 1/2 weeks, give or take 2 or 3 weeks. Wow. And each piece had about what, three, four pieces? It had three different metal pieces that went to it and I believe I think 16 different spacers that had to go inside and screws and things. That's awesome. Amazing. That's awesome. Very cool. Well, they raised money. And you did that, too. Yeah. We also individually made um what uh yard art for each piece. I made uh drink stands out of horseshoes and um routes. They did a silent auction as part of it as well. So, they came in with pieces for the silent auction as well. Amazing. It was great. Yeah. I made a horseshoe butterfly and what did you make? I just made the little
019pieces. Did you just make the little I think she worked hard on that. She did. That's a lot of stuff. It's a big accomplishment to be recognized by that group, obviously. Uh and to also set this trend. Like we've been Norman since for a long time and like we've had um women that have come through our program, girls that have taken sound and done some pretty incredible stuff and so it's great to see that you are continuing to pave that way, you know, for future students that are interested in this that, you know, as as is kind of alluded, like we know that this is a male-dominated field and so to see what you all are capable of, to have that presence, but also to inspire those that are coming behind you um is a
020big deal. So, congratulations and and good job well done and thanks for representing us so well. Thank you. Then, um at our SIP day last March, um we had four different trades participate in the TNE at competition. So, we had welding, construction, engineering, and automotive. And this is a student competition where students get to take all of the skills that they've been developing in the classroom and then promote them on the in basically real-world settings. So, they got to compete against all different schools in the northern Illinois region and then their completed projects in that time frame were then judged by different business partners or educators from within that same field. Um Harlem actually won the welding category with Mr. Tyler Lasher having the strongest completed project. So, he is up here today with a
021with several of the co-participants. Um again, we have Isabella Alderman, Kensley Johnson, Derek Conklin, and then from auto, we have Logan Maheron and Isaiah Oni Chuck, and Bentley Page, and then from engineering, we have James Gallagher and Telle Tellen Signor. Awesome. All right. Great job. Great job. That is awesome. Just cuz we're recognizing I figured we'd just let you guys introduce yourselves, but if you want to introduce yourselves and then Jason, if there's anything you want to add to to um the experience that competition, please feel free uh to jump in. So, I'll start with you down there. Um I'm Bentley Page and I'm a sophomore. I'm Isaiah Oni Chuck and I'm 12th grade. Logan Maheron, I'm a senior. I'm Tellen Signor and I'm a freshman. I'm James Gallagher, I'm a junior. I'm Derek Conklin,
022I'm a junior. Tyler Lasher, and I'm a junior, also. Excellent. Jason, is there anything you want to add about what they worked on in the competition? Well, the the TNE thing is quite amazing. We kind of we started developing that 6 years or more ago, um where we had a lot of trades kids and budgets that don't allow us to go participate in some of the bigger competitions downstate. There's a SkillsUSA one. It's way more complicated. It's way more expensive. We want to do something locally uh for our kids. It was similar. Um we weren't we weren't ripping off on SkillsUSA at all. Uh but we we made our own thing and we did it locally. So, um all the local schools get together. We bring our trades kids in and we try to showcase
023the talent that we have um in the region. Awesome. Yeah, very cool. Um seniors, there's a few of you. What what's next? If you know. Don't quite know yet. Um That's all right. Going to either pursue welding or automotive. Very cool. Probably go in the automotive. Okay. Very cool. Well, I I'm sure that having this experience and these opportunities have prepared you for that and we're excited to see what comes next for you all. Um and to the rest of you, we we hope to see continued success and you know, as you develop skills and as you go through your coursework, you've got some great Obviously, great teachers that really have a strong skill set and a lot of knowledge in these areas and so uh it would be fun to see what what what
024comes next. To add to that, um they unfortunately couldn't be here tonight, but it was the first year we've ever had construction participate in this. Um so, we actually had four students from construction who were all able to participate and they were so excited. Like it was just really really cool to see. They'd never Hononegah's got a fierce construction program. So, to be able to be at the table with them and then we actually had two students who performed better. Um that was really really No doubt. I don't know how to talk about it, but they did very Well, again, kudos to you guys on behalf of the board, our our school district. Thanks for representing us well. Um I'm excited about these opportunities. I hope that you find them fulfilling and enjoyable. We're excited
025that we're all able to offer these types of courses and be able to have these opportunities. So happy to hear you guys out there representing Harlem and doing what you guys are doing in the way you guys are. We appreciate this so much. To hear your successes and we can build on with them with other people. So, you guys are leading the way. Thank you. YEAH. I CAN SEE THE CAMERA COUNTS. PATRONIZING YOU NOW, MIKE. Here we go. 1 2 3. Now it's Josh's turn. So, it is my pleasure this evening to celebrate a few individuals that we a chance to celebrate on Friday evening. Um and we have our top 20 Golden Apple finalists, Michelle Jaeger, from Harwood Middle School. And we have our Golden Apple Award winner, um Shannon Shirley, from Harwood Middle
026School as well here, um to congratulate, to celebrate, to hear a little bit about um kind of this whole process as, you know, we've been pretty fortunate as a district to have um individuals that have received these honors, but um you know, we we uh we recognize how big of a deal it is to be um chosen to be a top 20. Obviously, out of um I thought it was No, I dropped the number. It was like 560 or something like that, but you know, somewhere in that ballpark, you know, nominees that occur, um you know, it is is pretty impressive. And then for us to have two top 20 people from Harlem, uh specifically Harwood Middle School, is amazing. And science. And science. From the science department, yes, that's uh a pretty big deal.
027So, um I'm going to let them kind of just explain a little bit of that experience and what the process was, but um you know, for the board members that maybe don't know, um we have a nomination process that flips every year, and so elementary is one year, and then it goes to secondary, and it flips back and forth, and so there's a nomination process that happens in the fall, um and then from there they have a selection process that gets down to the top 20, and then once you're in that top 20, then that's when classroom observations occur, all of this type of stuff that that happens before they pick uh well, this year was six, right? Six. Um Golden Apple uh recipients. And so, um I know I'm kind of putting you on
028the spot, but Michelle, you want to talk a little bit about the experience? Um I heard today that this is uh you're going to you're going to you're going to get this apple like next time, right? Yeah, 10 years. Yeah, perfect. Another bite of the apple. Um the process is pretty intense, um and it's very reflective on who you are as a person and as a teacher, where you came from and what it is that you do to provide for your students. And so, that process, um, helped me re-look at my vision and see where I was and where I wasn't. And through the process and, um, interview, um, although I made top 20, I have some new visions, um, and some things I'd like to change and to incorporate into the classroom. And I
029feel that those those things were a few of the things I was lacking in order to get that this time. So, the next time those those things will be in place. Um, I'm going One of them, um, I am signed up to go through national board certification. So, um, starting that process. Um, the second piece is community involvement. So, I'll be working with our community liaisons, um, to bring community members, um, virtually or physically into the classroom to talk about each one of the topics to get our students involved in our community and what the topics mean in the workplace. So, they can see it's not just going and hiking a mountain, what that means for this area. Um, and then, uh, thirdly is parental involvement and how I can get parents, uh, more parents
030into my classroom. So, those are my top initiatives over the next two years, a year and a half, um, to, um, do more than what I have been in the past. So, um, yeah, it's been very reflective. It's a very intense, um, thing and to hear to hear everybody that's gone through it and to understand the feelings that go along with it, um, they're indescribable. You can't The ups and the downs and the nerve-wracking and the all of the things that go into it. So, it was it was a great experience. And I have to say, at first, after she got it and I didn't, I was like, "I'm never doing that again." And then I went home and told my husband, I'm like, "No, that's not true. I'm absolutely doing this again." So, anyway,
031it just, you know, the initial bite and sting of not getting it myself. Then I'm like, "No, that's not true. I'm doing this again." So. Well, I appreciate you sharing that. Like, you know, I appreciate the reflection piece of that and that's not something that we often hear about, but, you know, you're also receiving something on that side of having all these observations, the interview, the things, the feedback that you're getting um from people outside of the districts that are obviously involved in that process. And And if it's anything, like, I got the chance to observe and be a part of your class with some of the weather stuff you were doing and you were involved in community in that. I think it was Aaron was there that day, maybe. Um, you know, and so
032I know that you're already connecting with the community and doing some pretty awesome experiences for our kids. And so getting the chance to see you in action in the classroom, um, I definitely know that that's I have the tornado chaser coming in a couple weeks. Yeah. She's uh I know she's already doing those things and has done some great stuff. And we saw that you were at a board meeting previously and and highlighted a lot of stuff that you were doing and just some of the the connection to getting equipment and all that type of stuff. So. Pets in the classroom coming up? Yep. So. Sorry for PLUGGING THAT IN. NO, THAT WAS THIS YEAR. THAT WASN'T FOR THIS YEAR. I GOT TO DO NEW THINGS. OH, that's old. That's old news. But you guys
033didn't hear that. So this is before Jen started Google Classroom, so she can see this right now. So, but on behalf of Wallace, we want to say congratulations top 20 still. I know that you you want that top five or top 10 or whatever, but um, it's a big deal to be in the top 20. So, congratulations. Thank you. THANK YOU. WELL, OBVIOUSLY, ON FRIDAY WE HAD A CHANCE TO ALSO celebrate you and to hear your speech and you did a fantastic job with that. Uh One of the things before I let you speak and and I heard from a few different people and I think it's just reflective of our whole community but also reflective of who you guys are as teachers and colleagues. A lot of people coming up to me and saying,
034"You know what? You got a big group here." Like you got a lot of represent you know we had how many tables? Four tables at least of people and and I think that speaks to obviously supporting the the school district but really about your presence in the building and your relationships you're building and your colleagues like you had a lot of your your your friends there cheering you all on and being there to support you and so I know that says a lot more than just what this Apple is about it's but you know so I appreciate let's hear a little bit about the experience for you. Um the experience was interesting once I got the observation started. My very first observation my students were constructing a lab. And they their goal was to see
035if your intestines allow food outside to travel outside of the intestines. So they had these dialysis tubes that they had to put together with glucose on the inside and my classroom is very small if you don't know that and my middle table of students did not work very well together that day. For some reason they chose to just go Go work. do whatever they wanted. It did not go well and I was mortified and it was there was produce all over the floor and that's not how my classroom works. So I'm like, "Okay, this is going to be interesting." The second interview or the second observation we were talking about poop and what's in your poop. And I'm like, "I this is who I am. This is what we do. So this is science." And
036then the last one was we planted for the greenhouse plant sale and I knew that was either going to go one way or the other and it was a chance I took. So, going in, I was completely blind. I was like if you want real life, this is real life. And um they must have saw something good because I have my man ball, but it was um it was a great process. Um we really tested the kids and they've enjoyed every process process going on this way, too. Um and like Michelle said, it's very reflective. And in my speech, I just I didn't know where to start. And just a reflective process and everyone was like, "You brought tears to my eyes." And it was just it was amazing. Friday night was absolutely amazing. I
037absolutely loved it and Yeah. It was incredible. So, um it's very rewarding. And it feels great to be acknowledged for the hard work that we put in. So, um yeah. Absolutely. Very cool. That's great to see THAT CONNECTION OBVIOUSLY. AND SO, JUST ON THE SPEECH, WE'RE JUST WE'RE GLAD YOU STUCK with it. We're glad you decided to stay in that and teach it. Yeah. I didn't know how that what part was going to go over, but um a year and a half ago I considered walking away from the classroom and I didn't. And it's just a testament that my time here is not done. So, Absolutely. That's what it's all about. Well, Harlem is better for having both of you guys. Yeah. I'm happy to have you husband. Congratulations. Let's get a picture. Of course.
038It was all easy nights. Talk about rolling the dice. Middle school kids and talking about group They were going to do it anyways. Yeah. I don't know why I'm wearing a coat. It's going to be 90 degrees right now. Did you? Thank you. Yes, all right. As always. All right, 1 2 3. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I'll see her later. I'll see you later. They do. They They can tell you what's in your large intestine and whatever is left in your large intestine as well. Graduation. Yeah, we're going You guys didn't see that speech that she gave that I would say that if she should be giving the commencement speech this year then you are so. I think she should. I'm going to allow it. All
039right, so I have one more recognition this evening. It's an opportunity to not only recognize one of our employees and some of the opportunities that she's been provided over the last few couple years now. To also remind you all of our Special Olympic Games coming up on Saturday. I know you heard about it at the PSJ or at the Junior High Hall on uh Whatever Wednesday the Wednesday we had our meeting. So you know about that coming up at the middle school on Saturday. But I wanted to kind of reintroduce you cuz many of you have met Don before. She's had some pretty awesome opportunities that have come out of Special Olympics. She serves as a bus assistant for us in the transportation department. So I'm going to let her talk a little bit about
040just some of the things that that she has for us and some of the experiences and what she gets to do on Saturday. Okay. Um, thank you. Um, I'm Don Bender. I've worked for how long? For like 10 years now. Going to be 11. Um, I'm not only a bus assistant, I also do Special Olympics who I've done for 30 plus years now. And this last year and a half I have done the athlete leader stuff which has been an incredible journey. I have gone to like the Chicago Auto Show. I got to wear a black and red tie and wear It's been an incredible journey of what I've done and I'm trying to work with the school district now trying to get a Special Olympics started at the middle school. And it's part of
041my project so I can be official official athlete leader. And this journey has been incredible and I could not do it without all your support. I really appreciate you. And it's incredible journey what I have done. Thank you so much. And Mr. Yarbrough, I would like to greatly thank you for everything you've done for me. Not a problem. You deserve it. I saw you. And like Saturday is the spring They're looking for volunteers. They don't have enough volunteers. Um, there's a sheet Did you get the sheet out there? I have to get it. Okay. Well, there's a sheet you have to fill out but they're looking for volunteers. They don't have enough people over there to do it from judging from measuring, from all of that. Um, handing out trophies. I actually get to be
042out there this year and I get to announce the games officially open. So, this is a big deal. I was on the committee for that this year and it's really really an interesting event. I'm doing Dr. Vino. So, get those ducks. And I'm do I just got done doing Polar Plunge. I raised just my team alone we raised $2,000. And I went all the way under. So, but I would like to present you guys with a thank you card for everything you have done for me and I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much. THANK YOU. HOW MANY EVENTS DO I GET? NO, FOR for on Saturday do we do? They have a jab one, softball 100 meter walk and then they do the 4 by 4, they got a 400 relay and they
043just now got the 100 meter walk, which is no 100 meter walk, 50 meter walk. They just got done this year. So, they have revamped when some of these sports are continuing and it's been incredible and I'm telling you I could not be where I am again for you guys for what you have done for me, the encouragement you have given me and all I can say is let's go home. I just want to say one thing real quick because you know, I know Josh and I for sure many of us have had an opportunity to get to know you over the last 10 years. You stopped building your list and like just some of the opportunities that she's had within Special Olympics, the leadership role, some of the activities that you know, we worked
044on together on stuff is is pretty awesome and and you should be proud of yourself and the strides that you've taken to see that growth that's occurred that's led you to be in the leadership position and it's pretty awesome. So we're proud of you. You reflect Harlem well and reflect our employees well and I know that you have the best interests of our students and our athletes. And that's the thing why I do what I do because I work with kids with special needs. I've been where they are. And I understand what it's like to be in their position and for me to get that because once they get out of high school, what do they And with Special Olympics, that's another outlet for them. And that's why this organization not only they do young
045athletes as far as 2 years old all the way up to out of high school. And to get them that foundation now when they're young, they know what to keep them in consistency of what there is out there. And that's why I'm where I am right now is because I know that. I know how hard it was for me because I was in special ed. I knew what it was like to be in that situation. And I can relate to these kids. You can put anything you want in all up here. You've got to want to do it. Awesome. We're proud of you, Don. Let's get a photo op. Absolutely. Absolutely. Don, you guys can come here. All right. Yes. Come on well, you know what? You're an acceptance. Yes. 1 2 3 If you
046guys want to volunteer, if he has a sign-up sheet. I have to get it in an email. Yep. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Don. I got some Josh time, so At this moment, we we don't have any comments from the community. Bring it over to the bills. All right. The total payables this period were $712,337.23. There was one payroll this period in the amount of 3,563,368.91 for a total expenditure of 4,275,706.14. Split out by fund, the education fund paid 3,715,552.85. The operations and maintenance fund paid 194,733.14. The transportation fund paid 240,100.79. The IMRF social security fund paid 125,318.36. Again, for total expenditures of 4,275,706.14. Are there any I'll be answering those now. question. That is it for the bills. Motion to approve the bills. Motion. Second. Board member McCready? Aye. Board member
047Carlson? Yes. Board member Johnson? Aye. Secretary Meeks and President Sterling? Aye. Vice President Thompson? Aye. Board member McKnight? Aye. Dr. Shaw? I have nothing to say. You're welcome. Okay. All right. Now, my one item is a recommendation to approve resolution declaring surplus property at Marquette, Maple, and also Park Elementary's. Uh you'll notice that there is quite a few books and classroom readers, and this is part of uh weeding the libraries and just going through and and clearing out some old older stuff. So, Right. And especially since we'll be um taking stuff since we're closing two of the buildings, making sure that there's room for newer items, and getting rid of some of the stuff that we found in the '70s and '80s. Yep. Okay. Are the kids taking them home? In some cases, some will
048go into classroom libraries. So, there's a variety of uses. Yep. All right. Sounds good. Okay. Let's get those. Dr. Shaw, anything? Good evening, President Sterling. This evening, my recommendation on the personnel agenda includes two employments and three resignations. There is no addendum. That's it for me. Thank you. You're welcome. Turn over. All right. Thank you, President Sterling. I'm going to go through the FOIA's here. Um the first one is 10D1, Freedom of Information Act requested dated April 3rd, 2026 was submitted by Sherri Reed of Smart Procure requesting any and all purchasing records from October 3rd, 2025 to the current date. The district responded to the request around April 9th, 2026 with inclusive documents. 10D2, Freedom of Information Act requested dated March 24th of 2026 was submitted by Bo Kim uh requesting 3626 bid results tabulations
049and which bidder was awarded the project for foreign replacement work at Harlem High School and Parker Early Education Center. The district responded to the requestor on April 15th, 2026 with the inclusive documents. Um next is 10D3, um Freedom of Information Act requested dated March 18th of 2026 was submitted by Justin Winnick requesting all executed contracts, purchase agreements, and purchase orders with a professional learning and development services including any exhibits, addenda, or amendments that are in effect or have been in effect in the last 3 years. The district responded to the requestor on April 22nd of 2026 with the inclusive documents. And then finally, 10D4, Freedom of Information Act requested dated April 8th, 2026 was submitted by Osias Smith from Sunlight Access requesting electronic summary of purchase orders issued by Harlem Unit School District 122 from
05012/1/2025 through February 28, 2026 and the district responded to the requestor on April 23rd of 2026 with the inclusive documents. Um this is that was the last FOIA uh request of the evening. I know I usually have more. I knew you would. But We'll keep going. So, thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you. We'll look at consent agenda. Can I get a motion to approve personal agenda and addendum? Motion. Second. Board member McKinney? Aye. Board member Carlson? Yes. Board member Johnson? Aye. Secretary Meeks? Aye. President Starling? Aye. Vice President Aye. Board Member McKnight Aye. Can I get a motion to approve the resolution declaring surplus property? Motion. Second. Board Member Carlson Yes. Board Member Johnson Aye. Secretary Meeks Aye. President Sterling Aye. Vice President Thompson Aye. Board Member McKnight Aye. Board Member McKinney Aye. Any
051announcements or discussion at this time? I'm going to do a quick plug. Um Harlem uh Middle School is doing Seussical Thursday and Friday at 7:00 o'clock. It's my daughter. May or may not be in it. You may or may not be a drug guard. That's it. Thank you. Uh with that can I get a motion to go into executive session to discuss employment of personnel 5 ILCS 120-2 C1? Motion. Second. Board Member Johnson Aye. Secretary Meeks Aye. President Sterling Aye. Vice President Thompson Aye. Board Member McKnight Aye. Board Member McKinney Aye. Board Member Carlson Yes. 5 minutes.