001Amen. [music] Amen. [music] Amen. [music] Amen. [music] Amen. [music] Ooh. [music] Ooh. [music] Ooh. [music] Ooh. [music] Ooh. [music] Ooh. [music] Ooh. [music] Ooh. [music] Ooh. [music] Ooh. Ooh. [music] [music] Ooh. Amen. [music] Amen. [music] Amen. [music] Mhm. [music] Mhm. [music] Hallelujah. [music] [music] Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. [music] Mhm. [music] Yeah. I'm really I'm forgetting his name. I get nervous. I'm so excited to talk about them. I'm excited about hearing from There's people talking to All right, I'm going to call this regular board meeting to order. Regular board meeting March 25th. Can I get a roll call? President Sterling. Here. Board member McNight. Present. Board member McHenry. Here. Board member Carlson. Here. Board member Johnson. Here. Secretary Hicks, here. Pam Cook, the recording secretary. Turl Yarbro, superintendent. Shelly Wagner, human resources. Michelle Harper, Human Instruction. Josh
002Rand, Business Operations. Jason. Jason, my Jason He's with parent. Oh, he's on the phone right now. I can see him. All right. Yep. Yep. Yep. [laughter] Welcome, Maple. So cute. Good evening, Dr. Yarbro, members of the board. Thank you so much for this opportunity to highlight Maple School. As you know, we have very high expectations for behavior and academics and attendance. And these students have been selected this year at um different months to be our students of the month because of the outstanding job that they've done. And I also want to thank their parents as well because their parents are such a support of our school and it just sends us the best kids ever. So, we're so appreciative. So, we have Ty, Althea, Avery, Mia, Miss Colby, Olivia, Evelyn, I think, Brantley, and then
003Benson. So, if you would please stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I promise to take responsibility for my learning and my behavior. I will be caring, honest, and respectful. Maple School is a better place cuz I am here today. YES, IT IS. [applause] ALL RIGHT. NICE JOB, STUDENTS. SO, WE'RE GOING TO DO A PHOTO real If you want to turn around and face me, and then we're going to scooch in just a little bit. And then I'll have the board members All right, here. I'll I'll just Right here. Here we go. 1 2 3. Nice job. You guys taking photos? Okay. Good job. GOOD JOB. [applause]
004YOU OH, YOU'VE DONE THIS BEFORE? NOTHING NOTHING NEW FOR HER. You just keep doing good. You keep doing it. Come on, you guys. You missed your score. Yes. I'm sorry. Can I get a motion and a second for approval of agenda? Motion. Second. Board member Knight. Aye. Board member Kenny. Aye. Board member Carlson. Yes. Board member Johnson. Aye. Secretary Meeks. Aye. President Sterling. Aye. Thank you, President Sterling. Um as we say at every board member I mean board meeting, um, the mission of the Harlem Consolidated School District and their vital part in the community is to help diverse learners realize their unlimited potential by providing an educational program dedicated to academic excellence and development of strong character in a safe and respectful learning environment. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Can I get a motion to
005approve board meeting minutes closed session meeting minutes of March 9th, 2026? Board member seconds to close session on the motion. Board member Kenny? [clears throat] Aye. Board member Kenny? Aye. Board member Clausen? Yes. Board member McCarthy? Aye. Secretary Hill? President Sterling? Aye. All right. Good evening, everyone. So, we have, uh, two recognitions this evening. Uh, my first is really a pretty exciting opportunity, uh, for us to meet a young lady, Maddie Hennings, who's a freshman at Harlem High School. Um, you may have seen if you follow Facebook or look at our newsletters that, um, she placed six six sixth Okay, sixth place in the 130-lb weight division of the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament. Um, that's a big deal not only because she qualified for state and placed sixth, but the first to ever qualify for
006state for, um, the Harlem School District Harlem High School. Um, so, we got to give her a ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [applause] HER COACH IS IN BEAUTIFUL Alaska right now and so unable to and I didn't even want to attempt to I tried to stream the coach in and stuff, but, um, according to coach like she's an awesome kid, um, great attitude, great work ethic. Um, I believe he got second place at sectionals, right? Qualified for third. And the Cal 130 lb. Um, because he's out here, I can't speak to the rest of the season. I want to say 33 and 11 was your record, but it probably was more than that cuz I think that was the last number I saw. Um, so obviously successful season. And not only again to be a freshman is
007is pretty amazing. Um, but to set history for us at, you know, in Harlem High School and competing at that at that level. Um, there were quite a few area athletes from Rockford that um, qualified for state. Um, but she was the only one that that was able to place and so uh, pretty proud not only for us, but also for the NIC-10 conference to to have somebody uh, compete at that level. And again, to be a freshman. So, I'm sure that we will be back here next year and the following year and the following year uh, recognizing as we always recognize our our student athletes that are able to uh, qualify for state competition. And so, uh, pretty big deal. And I could try to put you on the spot and ask if you
008wanted to box, but she was okay. I'm not talking to you so you can talk. You know, but uh, again, we want to say congratulations. Job well done. Sorry I can't speak to more of the ins and outs, but I'm sure that uh, with the record showing the way it did, um, the way that you competed at state like we know that you had a great season and and again to coach's words about being a great student athlete and the work ethic and just being a great kid like that means more than anything. So, congratulations to you and your family and everybody. So, um, job well done. Good job, man. [applause] Who did you follow CUZ THIS IS A BIG DEAL, RIGHT? SO, WE'RE GOING TO KICK the door open. Yep. We're excited like you
009know, I didn't mention this, but this you know, as we we know we saw some flight football, like, you know, setting this trend of like being able to perform at that level, having a sport that's relatively new uh within the IHSA and to, you know, for us as a school district, like, you're setting that and then we know that there will be students that are going to follow in your footsteps and that's a that's a really big deal. So, you should be be incredibly proud of that. All right, here we go, picture time. 1 2 3. Thanks. Nice job. [applause] [laughter] [clears throat] Um I have one more. We're going to call it a recognition, but it's really more of a show of appreciation. Yeah. Uh Mason and and Dr. Boyce up. [applause] So, this
010is probably a familiar face uh to you. This is a young gentleman that has been helping us out these last few months um as we did a lot of our board meetings at home high school. Um Mason played a key role in helping us get the tech set up, supporting Michael, supporting Dr. Boyce in all of our sound, all that type of stuff, you know, turning mics on, turning mics off, and just all of it. And um you know, he's uh uh been doing some of this type of stuff through theater for the the past few years, since really since a freshman. Um cuz I was asking him like, "How did you get into it? Like, how did you end up in this spot where you were you were helping us out?" And um he
011just said, "Through theater, got these interesting productions." Um found out that uh next year he's planning to go to RBC. Um lots of study productions um he's been working on um some potential uh opportunities with a local uh production agency. And so, um I I wanted to invite him here just to give us a chance to say thank you. Um I know we changed meeting times and dates and all these things and and you were always more than willing to adjust your schedule to to be there to help us out and and I think, you know, things went flawlessly between these three individuals. Did a great job of pulling off the live streaming, pulling off the mics, all the things that needed to happen in order for us to be in that facility to be
012able to allow people to be able to hear our public comments, to hear our board members, to hear our admin team, all that stuff. So, on behalf of all of them, I want to say thank you. I'm going to let Jeremy if he wants to add anything to that, but Yeah, Mason's Mason's an awesome kid. I've gotten to know him over the last 3 years. He's been a member of the Principal Advisory Council. So, he tells me what to do, which is awesome. He's just a lot of fun to be around as well. It's kind of fun hanging out in the booth with us while we're you know, adjusting the sound and everything for speakers this tall and you know, adults and everything else and it was fun to watch him kind of learn the
013process and everything. He's also an all-state theater qualifier. He made the all-state theater production on the tech side at Theaterfest, which is one of the overnight trips that you all approved at the board level. So, we appreciate that cuz it gives opportunities to to kids like Mason and he was able to provide tech for the state level theater production. And it was in Bloomington? Champaign. Champaign. Okay, Champaign. So, yeah, it's just I really like talking about Mason. He's an awesome kid. So, we're really proud of him and he's going to be a member of the class of 2026. So, yeah, lighting up stages all around the area. [laughter] When you go to one of those theaters, like he's running the back there. So, that's he does a great job. Is this going [clears throat] to
014be a long distance lifetime goal? Yep. Yeah, we're trying to I want to put him on public record that who he wants to work for, but I'm not going to do that. So, he's a good person that he's trying to get a an internship type of thing through. So, we're trying to make sure that that happens, but again, on behalf of our board and and our admin team, thank you for you know, supporting us, but obviously all the work that you've done, John's board meetings and congratulations obviously on that recognition with CFE of Atlanta. So, good job. THANK YOU. OKAY. [applause] I NEED ONE MORE PHOTO. YOU KNOW WHAT? SO, YOU GUYS WANT TO STAND IN FRONT? YEAH. OH, I'll sit. I'm sorry. I was slow on the uptake. I'll sit in the back. I'll
015sit next to the front row. I want to sit in the I'm going to sit in the I'm going to sit in the front in between you and her. Very good. All right, here we go. One, two, three. Really good. You look good. Okay. All right. She's not going to be happy. Thank you for your help. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. Sorry. So sorry. Yeah. I know. I can't see. I know. 2016 I know. I can't see. I have to look at my live feed. I have to look. Thank you for the sign. Yes, right. Thank you. That's right. Thank you, guys. Yep. Yep. Thanks. It was good to see you. Are you good there? Yes. That's the problem. And then this one we're going to go over to public comments. Good evening,
016board. I'm coming to you to you tonight to keep a promise to my students. In the weeks after the vote to close the schools, um to particularly the school they attended, I noticed a significant change in their attitudes and behaviors. I took some time to ask them what was going on, although I was pretty sure, um because sometimes that's what teachers do. We have to take advantage of teachable moments. So, some students felt comfortable sharing their concerns in a class discussion, but others were more comfortable sharing their concerns in writing. I told them that I would share their information with the people who made the decisions because it's important for our students to believe that they not only have a voice, but that their voice is valued. Um they cannot control the situation they found
017themselves in, they have control over their response, and I believe using their voice is an appropriate response. I'm going to share with you some of the concerns um of my students and ask you to give a little bit more information to the community on the future of not only Maple building, but also Olson as well after the closure. Um and so, I'm just going to read you a little bit of snippets from their notes. Um "I feel upset that the school I've gone to for 4 years is closing. I'm bummed out. My friends in third grade will have to go to a different school now, which means I won't get to see them as much. And the playground, during the summer lots of the kids go to the park." That's what they call it, so
018you're going to hear park reference several times. Um "have fun with their friends, um play on the track, the swings, the basketball hoop, the blacktop, etc. I've made so many friends here, I will miss it." Um "While I it doesn't affect me as much because I'm going to the middle school, I'm sad for what will happen to the building in the future." "Maple Elementary should stay open because what's going to happen to the playground? Will it be demolished? Um I grew up at Maple since I was three. Sure, I'm an 11-year-old kid with no power to stop the inevitable. I get that life isn't fair, but all of these children are going to random schools, and my fourth-grade friend really prays that she goes to Windsor. Um but she also prays that they will change
019their mind. I think some third-graders who are new might be nervous about a new school they go to, and their best friends might not be there, and they would be separated. Um and I wanted to end with one that I just I loved this student's attitude. Um she said, "I feel bad for all of the kids that are still in elementary because of the changes. Um I'm super sad that Maple won't be a school anymore, but I'm glad that all of my teachers throughout the years have made me feel like I am I belong here, and have supported me even when I'm having a bad day." So, I just wanted to ask that you guys will share some information going forward as to what will happen with that because I know um particularly at the
020building and at that playground is it's a part of the community. And and that's not something that would have been a a consideration in a lot of these, and I know you have to make tough you have to make tough decisions. Um but that's something that's that's very central to a lot of those kids. It's something we'd like to hear some more on. Thank you. All right. Okay, let's move on. All right. Thank you. Total payables this period were $1,176,343.78. There were two payrolls this period for a total of 7 million 163,007 dollars and 79 cents. For total expense of 8 million 339,351 dollars and 57 cents. Split up by fund, the education fund paid 7 million 175,653 dollars and 89 cents. The operations and maintenance fund fund paid 496,105 dollars. [snorts] The debt service
021fund paid 300 dollars. The transportation fund paid 399,909 dollars and 73 cents. The IMRF social security fund paid 245,897 dollars and 95 cents. Capital projects fund paid 8,027 dollars and 50 cents. And the life safety fund paid 13,457 dollars and 50 cents. Again, for total expenditures of 8 million 339,351 dollars and 57 cents. Are there any unanswered bills? That is the approved bills. Motion to approve the bills. Motion. Second. [clears throat] President Starling. Aye. Vice President Dawson. Aye. Board member Aye. Yes. Board member Kenney. Aye. Board member Crawford. Yes. Board member Dawson. Aye. Secretary Scott. Dr. Sharon. I have no report Okay. All right. George. My first item is a recommendation to approve resolution declaring surplus property at Richesney Elementary and the transportation department. 10 B 2 is a recommendation to approve resolution authorizing attorney
022Amy Sylvester to intervene in property tax appeal number 2025-02442. He loves these ones. Uh, for property index number 08-20-228-011 for the year 2025. Um, this is Home Depot and Home Depot is appealing their um, their assessment down to PTAB. This So, this is for tax year 25. They also have 23 and 24 in PTAB. Um, so, what we see here and in many scenarios is there's an appraiser that appraises things way lower than they should be and so, therefore, they just send everything to PTAB because of their low appraisal. So, the current assessment uh, in 2025 is 6.5 million. They're requesting just under 3.3 million. So, we have an appraisal The township has an appraisal of 7.8 million. So, even currently, they're 1.3 million under that appraisal number. Um, so, All right. This is just
023appointing our attorney to represent us in PTAB. Which is 6 years from now in the period ends. Yeah. Did did they Did they use a run-down thing in Chicago again? Right. I I don't know what their comp is exactly, but What Hopefully, it's not an empty parking lot. Okay. I think it is. I think it is or a vacant building. No, it's an empty It's an empty building. I don't know where though, but I saw a picture of it when I was there. But, Any questions on that? We good? Okay. 7B3 is a recommendation to award uh, the high school and Parker Center flooring replacement project bid to a Rapid Carpet Landing USA with a base bid for the high school of 61,400 and Parker Center with a base bid of 28,750. This is year
024two of our plan to remove carpet. Um, this is eight classrooms at the high school and three at Parker Center. Now, I 30 years in that carpet in the high school? It's good. Well, there's none of 99. 99 so we'll we're approaching that. shampoo Yeah. We're putting in food and carpet carpet with the littles at Parker, too. Yeah. I get that part. [clears throat] Any questions or concerns about that? There's no dust mites in there. So, it would be just like putting in milk and food. Oh, okay. 27-year-old milk and So, that would be tough. It will. Yes. Okay. down tile. If If anyone saw it at the high school, it's like that gray flooring that looks a little nicer than the small 12 by 12 tiles we're going to put in. And so, last
025year, just a note, at Parker, we just replaced where the carpet was and that left two different tiles and it was two different ways to clean it. So, this year, we're just doing three classrooms and replacing the the whole classroom so that it's consistent flooring throughout. They made that request cuz it's hard for the custodial team to clean two different types in all these different classrooms. So, Okay. Uh 10 10 B 4, my final item is a recommendation to approve an agreement with McMahon Associates Inc. for professional services for the expansion of the Rap Cut Elementary School parking lot. Uh we're we're adding approximately 25 lots there spots there. I reached out to Hagney and he had pointed us to McMahon uh to contract with the engineer directly like we had discussed about in the
026past. Have we reached out to Arc on these again as well or are we just sticking Did you hear that? Hagney told us to go to McMahon which is awesome. We often use Arc and so, my when the issue was raised, I called Hagney just out of habit and he recommended McMahon who does all of the village stuff. So, Never mind. I'm not a fan of something. No, but I guess it was But I knew it was refreshing to hear that our big company said no, we can Cuz we DLA never did that. No, DLA would then hire another company then upcharge us on their services. my managers and they would charge us their services. Correct. This is good, better. All right. I'll be nice. Thank you. Sorry. Yeah, sure. I just wanted to to
027know that. Well, that's why when I asked you and you were like, "No, DLA DLA didn't recommend this." Yeah. And typically this would go to business services, but I based on what the summer is and designed it to get on schedule, so get this rolling. So Did we say how much it was? Uh the the project projection I suppose is about 175 for the expansion of the parking Because we added a while back a walking path so that path will be on the outside of the lot like we did at Marquette. I don't know if you remember that. We did the capital there. So we have to because the path from the neighborhood comes into that parking lot, we want to make sure there's a safe walking path for the kids to get to the
028playground. Makes sense. Okay. If there are no questions at this time, we'll proceed. Thank you, sir. Okay. So it's only my recommendation to approve the personnel agenda and addendum this evening. It includes seven employments, three transfers, and eight resignations. That is my report. Thank you. Dr. Taylor, you have a Thank you, President Sterling. I have a few FOIA requests here. Um the first one, 10D1, um Freedom of Information Act request dated January 27th of 2026 was submitted by Rory Torres from Lingard requesting payment and performance bond related to the construction project at Harlem High School softball field. The district responded to the requestor on February 3rd of 2026 with the inclusive documents. The next FOIA request, 10D2, um dated January 30th of 2026 was submitted by David Harveaux from the painter district council number 30
029requesting copies of the documents related to painting, drywall finishing, and glazing projects that were initiated or completed within the past 5 years from the date of this request. The district responded on February 13th, 2026 with the inclusive documents. 10 D3 request dated February 2nd of 2026 was submitted by Rostein Smith from Sunlight Records requesting copies of the most recent contracts, agreements, amendments, and renewals by Harlem Union School District 122 from January 1st, 2021 through January 29th of 2026 in connection with specific or specified vendors listed. The district responded to the request on February 18th, 2026 with the inclusive documents. 10 D4 is the final one dated February 5th of 2026 was submitted by Michael Henry requesting records of performing background checks for board members prior to giving the oath of office. The district responded to
030the request on February 12th, 2026 with no inclusive documents. I do want to say with this one though, this is one that a lot of districts in the area got, you know, from the same person. So, who knows what the reasoning was. Um but we did respond with no inclusive documents. So, wasn't just this board. I just want to point that out. It was a lot of boards in the area. So. Can I ask you a question? Uh D3 uh specific vendors listed like what they what are they like the one previously was looking for drywall finishing. What were they looking for? Was this like the Pepsi company looking for vending machines or I'm just curious cuz it said specific vendors listed like what are they The second one was for instructional services. Yeah, that
031was for my Yeah, this Sunlight Records requesting copies of the most recent contracts. it was everything that we use um as far as curriculum. Curriculum is okay. Cool. That's I was just curious to see what what we're being put in on. And and and really a lot of a lot of them do this so then so they can they can start. Yeah, so all that stuff and talking to us so yeah. And which is fine. Thank you. Board member McKnight? I. Thank you, sir. Can I get a motion to approve the personnel agenda and addendum? Motion. Second. [clears throat] Quick draw. Cool. Board member McKnight? I. Board member McKinley? I. Board member Carlson? Yes. Board member Johnson? I. Secretary Meeks? I. President Sterling? I. Vice President Thompson? I. Let me get my water ready. Can
032I get a motion to approve resolution authorizing attorney Amy Sylvester to intervene in property tax appeal number 2025 208 surplus. Oh, yes. I'm just getting ready for that one. [laughter] Can I get a motion to approve the resolution declaring surplus property? Motion. Second. Let me turn my water on. Board member McKinley? I. Board member Carlson? Yes. Board member Johnson? I. Secretary Meeks? I. President Sterling? I. Vice President Thompson? I. Board member McKnight? Yes. Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the resolution authorizing attorney Amy Sylvester to intervene in the property tax appeal number 2025-02442 for property index number 08-20-228-011 for the year 2025? Motion. Second. Board member Carlson? Yes. Board member Johnson? I. Secretary Meeks? I. President Sterling? I. Vice President Thompson? I. Board member McKinley? I. Board member McKnight? Still here. I. Can
033I get a motion to approve the HHS and Parker Center flooring replacement project bid to Rock- Rockford Carpetland USA with a base bid of for HHS of 61,400 Parker Center with a base bid of 28,750 dollars. Motion. Second. Board member Carlson. Aye. Secretary Meeks. Aye. President Sterling. Aye. Vice President Thompson. Aye. Board member McMahon. Aye. Board member McKinney. Aye. Board member Carlson. Yes. Can I get a motion to approve the agreement with McMahon Associates Inc. for professional services for the expansion of the Rockcut Elementary School parking lot? Motion. Second. Board member I mean Secretary Meeks. Aye. President Sterling. Aye. Vice President Thompson. Aye. Board member McMahon. Aye. Board member McKinney. Aye. Board member Carlson. Yes. Board member Thompson. Aye. For announcements and discussion, um I'd like to thank um the community's understanding for moving the
034meeting from Monday to today. Um we had four board members that went to Springfield um trying to meet with local representatives and also other representatives and just hear what's going on with the state. Um it was good. I was one of the people that was there. I can speak on meeting with uh a couple of our state representatives and a state senator um talking about the our EC our EC funding uh unfunding of the or mandates that are unfunded that uh we are obviously required by the state. Um if you didn't know, about 48% of our mandates that come down from the state are not funded. That means that we as the district have to do these things and make up where that money comes from. So, uh it's just trying to get legislators to
035understand we understand a lot of times where their heads are at, but uh they need to understand where the dollars are at. So, if they're going to mandate something, they should also try to fund it. Uh that way we're not trying to do it on the backs of our taxpayers. Um and that's my little spiel for at the moment. Uh we did get a lot of good dialogue when we were talking about uh early childhood and bussing and different effects of what the deputy uh governor is going to be trying to work on for education. Um they're at They seem to be understanding. Um cuz I stood up and asked them some of these questions. And they said they are currently working on some of these questions, so hopefully they work faster. Um cuz we
036all can hope. I'll kind of Yeah, go ahead. I'll piggyback off that. One of the things One of the things that got Well, first of all, there's 811 school districts 808 school districts in our I think it's 865. It could be 865? Yeah. Oh, I thought it was close. Okay. There's a lot over 800 school districts. And um just wanted the community to know like there were 74 school board members that showed up for advocacy day in Springfield out of the 800 and four of them. And our our district had four of those. Um and we we divided and conquered. Um we all four of us met with the uh senator together, and then we split up two and two um to go with state reps because they were at the same time, and you
037can't be in two places. And and both sessions were in um Senate and um House were were in session, so it was very busy. A lot of advocacy groups there. Uh we got really good information and the information that we couldn't get answered from our locals, we now know who to talk to because I didn't realize you know, we know the chair and the co-chair of the education committee now. We you know, and we introduce our we can now introduce ourselves like We introduce Uh we introduced our we can we can call their offices and say, "Hey, we're at advocacy day. We heard this person speak. Now let's Now let's continue that conversation." So we we might not have got anything done, but we built the bridges and now we know who to talk which
038committees to go through, who's in what committee, um who's who's for funding education, who's not. Like we we we we figured out a path. One of the scary things is is there's actually a bill going to be coming through. I don't know if it's going to be the house or the senate that it's going to start in, um about paying school board members. And and when um I can't remember who was speaking. I think Tony McCombie was speaking at that point in time. Um which she's a uh house minority leader. Um said, "No. No, we don't want people to be for-profit as as school board members. Like it it really taints your vote. It really it really clouds the judgment. We're here as volunteers to represent our constituents in the best way that we feel."
039So um that ever comes down, do your witness slip because that's not something any of us are are are shooting for. Other states do it and we heard applause for that one. There was there was more applause for that than anything else. I mean it can't be a lot of applause from 74 people. Um when there could have been thousands, but um so that you have those are some things that I was not aware of that are coming down and there's some other bills. Um and and for or against. So Overall like what Mike said, I'm going to echo it. It seems like they're all for the schools. They just don't know what we need and that's why days like this are so important. They have they have um they haven't done one of these
040since 2019. So we wanted to make sure we were there and hopefully we can continue to to attend these and get good information and make the right contacts and and hear what we need to do to get get stuff done here um without extra burden. Yeah, I mean, part of the advocacy, right? We they know we're there. They know we want to be part of the conversation. We know where to go with our questions and I think it just gives us one more additional outlet to to to make sure we're part of this conversation. We have a lot of um there's a lot of unknowns with what's going on with uh early childhood at the state level and I think that some know a little, some know a lot and just again, making sure that
041we supply them with everything that we hear. Right. Can Sorry, can we get an email of these people that you've met with and the people of the different groups and Oh, yeah. There's lots of documentation. Anything we should really find a way of sharing it out there in a digital form. Yeah, um I'll put it out to the board members, but also put it out to the community that what we learned and what's coming down the pipe and what we can do. And one other thing I'm going to add and we're kind of having a discussion earlier like, you know, every I I'm I'm just going to say this cuz I I I feel this way. Um our district may or may not have issues, but when I'm talking to other board members in districts
042where literally the outgoing superintendent fired the whole cabinet, now there's an interim superintendent, and now there's a new superintendent that's going to come in and now has got to hire a whole cabinet and the interim superintendent might end up being a teacher. a a special education teacher. Like, and that's a district the size almost the size of Rockford that this happened to. That they have no administration team. Like, so we we can we can say how things that are going on, but when you look at something like that and hearing this from a board member going we're spending $160,000 just to try to find people to fill positions because the optics of firing a whole board before you leave is pretty bad. So, we got we also got to network with other districts. So, now
043we have other resources that we can reach out to, too. So, that was kind of nice. So, other than that, I'm done. I just think big on [laughter] It was really nice. [clears throat] Start off kind of what it was kind of cool, you know. Start being nice but it was really nice to see all the people networking and just hearing about other districts and seeing, you know, getting information that we didn't know was there. So, now we're in communication with trying to move forward try to do what we can to help our district. Especially with the like you said, it's 2019. with my mom Colby to start with. So, I'm glad we started back up. But, it was a really nice educational Well, it's also good to just get in front of those people
044that are making these decisions and then ask them some so certain questions. So, you know, you They would talk about EC, early childhood, and then they would say K through 12. And then they said, "Well, instantly you're breaking these things apart. And if you're going to talk about as early childhood as education, then it's EC through 12." Yeah. And they'll start treating it as the as as education piece as a school piece cuz otherwise it needs to be funded that way. So, once they started to understand the terminology that way, I think I think things are starting to starting to change cuz we just kept trying to break it apart. If you're going to If you're going to make it part of the school, then it needs to be part of the part of the
045discussion. Anybody have anything else at the moment? All right. Can I get a motion to go into executive session to discuss employment of personnel 5 ILCS 120-2 C1? Motion. Second. Board member Knight? Yes. Board member McKinney? I. Board member Collerton? Yes. Board member Johnson? I. Secretary Mesa? President Sterling? I. Vice President Thompson? I. All right. One minute [music]