001Okay, George said he would fill in for Julie. So George, can I please have attendance? Joel Finfer. I George fevered here Michael angle here Stephanie Peters here Carl Borchers here Julie Clifford Robin clique here six present one absent. Is there anybody from the public who wishes to comment? Hello, miss Roach I Thank you Great. Is there anybody else from the public that wishes to comment at this time going once going twice gone, okay This time I'm gonna turn it over to the recognition committee if there is any tonight George and Carl. Yes, we have recognition So a good evening everyone. Welcome on behalf of the Hawthorne Board of Education It's my honor to recognize Brittany Ulrich from townline elementary Brittany was nominated for board recognition by Jennifer Schmidt in the nomination Jennifer shared Brittany has
002been a natural leader at town line She has a remarkable gift for building authentic relationships creating a home away for home Where every child feels safe and cared for in Brittany's room safety and kindness are her top priority Her dedication to teaching is evident in the way. She approaches instruction Brittany goes above and beyond Developing deeply engaging lessons that spark curiosity and meet the needs of the unique learning styles of each of her students She has a talent for delivering each lesson with a positive spirit that keeps her students motivated and excited to come to school each day Her ability to balance rigorous academic standards with a joyful nurturing atmosphere makes her a truly exceptional educator and a leader within our halls Her leadership extends far beyond her own classroom. She is a natural collaborator
003who consistently elevates the work of her peers She is a vital contributor to her grade level team often leading the way in data analysis and curriculum Mapping with a focus on meeting the needs of all learners In addition to Jennifer's nomination town line principal Jen Hawk and building assistant supervisor Lauren Sachs felt this recognition was especially well-deserved They reached out to the recognition committee to share the following Brittany is a positive and collaborative team member She has worked this year to lead our efforts in team teaching with an LBS one Which has led to a great deal of success for students She is data-driven and is regularly reflecting on her practices to ensure that they are meeting students needs and the results are reflected in the data She is proactive and works to meet students
004where they are and push them to achieve their goals Brittany on behalf of the Hawthorne Board of Education Thank you for your leadership your positivity and your commitment to your students and colleagues Please go over to miss Flores to receive your certificate and have your picture taken And once she finishes her lap that concludes recognition for the evening Okay. Thank you so much and congratulations Brittany You guys are welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting or not Okay, I'm gonna move on to the president's report Very brief tonight The board met in closed session on February 5th 2026 in accordance with board policy to colon 220 the semi-annual review of closed meeting minutes to review the closed session minutes from the 2023 2024 school year after completing that review and based on the
005recommendation of legal counsel It is recommended that those minutes remain closed due to confidentiality At this time may have a motion to approve the board's semi-annual review of the unreleased closed session minutes and to keep them closed So moved second motion by Carl seconded by Stephanie. Can I get a roll call vote, please? Joel Finfer. I George Feavott. I Stephanie Peters. I Carl Borchers. Hi Michael Engel. I Robin clique. I motion passes six eyes zero names That's it for me mr. Finfers or an ad read report there is I thought I'd take a few minutes this evening just to Explain a little bit about our participation and in Ed read and what it means This is a long-term investment. This is not a situation where for example, you're buying Playground equipment and then six months
006later you have a finished playground You have to sit you have to wait and hopefully you get some sort of return The results and the reports tend to be nuanced because the legislature Doesn't move in a straight line Sorry, I tried to be serious, but I And many times unfortunately that the results are the least bad option And just a little opinion here, but no one including legislators Belong in a classroom. No one belongs in a classroom except a professional educator That said and for those looking for a definition of irony There are just under 500 pieces of new legislation related to bills Education related bills that Ed read is watching. So once again, this is not something where You cross the goal line and spike a football you wait and and hope Thank you
007Mr. Engel, is there a seat all report? There is our the last executive board meeting was actually this morning last governing board meeting was December 3rd Administration in regards to Fairhaven school requested approval of the resolution for an emergency contract as Recommended by Erickson engineering associates for sewer repairs at Fairhaven school without proceeding through the competitive bid process Repairs are anticipated the costs in excess of $50,000 And then in regards to summer bid projects summer contracts after review of the bids for the 2026 summer projects administration is recommending awarding the bid to Ephraim Carlson construction in the amount of one million one hundred thirty nine thousand dollars Projects will take place at Siddalash Academy, which will be closed for ESY Gauges Lake School Prevocational John Powers Center and Fairhaven Next executive board meeting is March
00819th and the next governing board meeting is March 4th Okay, thank you so much Miss Peters or mr. Fever does there a site and facilities reports there is and sorry, it's me this week So lamp like you to lamp is already so I think Stephanie brings a new fresh outlook Flay you have a flare. I don't have that's true For summer projects lamp has already gotten things moving We've started with our material order material ordering and we should be prepared for our June 3rd start date We're in great shape to have everything ready for the first day of school in August, so we can't stop thinking about that already We have a custodial bid in play. We do have 13 bidders. So there's a lot of interest It's an engaged bunch. They asked 41 questions.
009So we're gonna give them some answers And we should see bids for this with our discussion in March 6 bids in March 6 discussion will follow, right? We reviewed some district signage work. We talked about last year The district did complete all of the recommended fixes but did pause on some items due to some Consistency across the buildings to make sure things were all fair and complete. There are still some targeted improvements planned But right now we do have The the bulk of the work that was expected completed Maybe the the biggest bombshell of the the meeting as of February 1st Lakeside was purchased by first student So we now have a different transportation company We will be working with first student on that transition throughout the rest of this year. The plan for this
010year should be status quo same drivers same apps same branding But when you are working to understand what we will see for the next school year and how this may affect us Within food service. We're still working with our new on-site executive chef to make sure that she's got the right level of support and that our buildings get the same Do want to share that on February 25th everyone should have got an email that the parent food council is kicking off First 20 adults to get there at 6 o'clock get to enjoy some vittles first come first serve. So don't be late And in a student event should follow later this year. And then once again, we recommend or we Welcome Kevin Coles to the district during a passport meeting. He's now been here for
011three weeks He's already got his hands dirty with compliance and tooling and the copiers are in Yay And we'll bring our next meeting our minutes to the next meeting in March Okay without the contract in front of me, I assume we are still obliged to Finish the contract with lakeside, even though it got transferred to their change in control provision So that was my number one question when they came on site to to meet with us in person, which I appreciated they are going to Keep our contract that we have in place with our six percent renewal for next year after that we have to go out to bid Anyway, they're aware of that But they're saying do we want to keep it? I don't have enough time not on the agenda tonight Question for
012I will look into that later because I remember first student has had some service issues in the past Okay into that and do we have the means because it's a change in control So For follow-up like is it an option for I will gather more information and bring it to you next meeting This might be a future agenda topic. Okay, understood if we wrap enough large SUVs in yellow vinyl Pull this thing off. I did see a cyber truck in yellow the other day. Okay Mr. Finfer, is there a wellness committee report? Okay, this Clifford is not here to offer the key to 73 foundation report There's a golf outing in June if you want to sponsor it let them know Thank you Yeah, there's tomorrow night at aged and oak. I don't know exactly
0136 p.m. Okay bingo going down. It's for adults only Okay, I think child care was offered at the mall the the sports place on the second floor. Yeah. Okay. Yep. See Collectively the board look at us all cobbling together a key to 73 report Teamwork, okay. I'm gonna go to discussion items then I'm gonna turn it over to our assistant superintendent. Mr. Adam Palmer to discuss the 2026 2027 staffing plan. Thank you Good evening tonight. I'm presenting the administration's recommended staffing plan for the 2026 27 school year. This plan is based on enrollment trends projected student needs and our commitment to fiscal responsibility While enrollment can shift between now and August we believe this recommendation positions us well for the upcoming school year as Always we will continue to monitor data and adjust if necessary
014All staffing decisions begin with our mission learning for all every one every day Staffing is one of the most important ways that we operationalize that mission Every allocation is made with the goal of ensuring equitable access to strong instruction and student support across the district This plan is aligned to the board's four strategic goals We remain focused on high levels of proficiency and reading and math strong growth performance Closing achievement gaps and supporting the whole child Throughout this process building leaders evaluated staffing through the lens of student achievement and overall student well-being We began reviewing enrollment and staffing in late fall Throughout the winter cabinet and building administrators worked collaboratively to develop recommendations This spring will finalize any internal adjustments before posting new open positions This process reflects strong collaboration with our building leaders When
015we look at our eight-year enrollment trend, we see a gradual overall decline total enrollment has decreased from 2017 levels but has begun to stabilize more recently given these trends we continue to use conservative projections to avoid over staffing a Major driver of enrollment stability is the size of our incoming kindergarten class compared to our graduating eighth grade class Kindergarten projections can be unpredictable and student mobility throughout the year also impacts our numbers Because of that we build flexibility into our planning our projected pre-k through 8th grade enrollment for next year is 3378 students, which is very similar to where we are currently at Kindergarten is projected at approximately 318 students district-wide Overall these projections suggest stabilization which supports maintaining current staffing levels in most areas Accuracy in enrollment projections is certainly important in making informed
016staffing decisions This slide compares what I presented to you last February with the actual enrollment numbers from September of 2025 I'm pleased to report the projections were We're close. We were two students off which demonstrates hopefully some effectiveness in our forecasting Process by continuing to refine our projections We can ensure that we are properly staffed to meet student needs while being fiscally responsible Based on projected enrollment and student needs We are not recommending additional general education staffing at this time Due to enrollment decreases We will be reducing three classroom positions at the elementary level through attrition We are not recommending any additional student service staffing nor are we recommending any additional multilingual staffing? We believe that current staffing levels align with our projections and we will adjust if needed At a previous meeting the board
017requested some additional information regarding elementary clubs and activities So this slide and the next two are in response to that request This slide reflects the current contract language outlining district paid stipends for elementary activities These activities are available at elementary buildings and are funded annually Provided there is student interest and an available sponsor This structure ensures consistency to enrich opportunities across our schools while also maintaining clarity around compensation and expectations Extracurricular offering offerings remain consistent across the district's elementary buildings with student council course and yearbook serving as core activities and nearly all locations While this table indicates some inactive programs at specific buildings such as Science Olympiad or Girls on the Road or SOAR It is important to note that these positions are available at every elementary building annually The active status of a club
018is determined by two primary factors Sufficient student interest and the availability of staff sponsor for that particular school year For example the stipend committee previously approved a drama program at one of the elementary schools where the activity was Grandfathered into this contract from the previous agreement The committee recognized that other elementary schools could also implement this program using available building funds Provided that both student interest and a staff sponsor were available and present Consequently while the specific lineup of active clubs may shift year-to-year based on these variables the opportunity to host these programs remains consistent across all sites at The young learners campus activities continue to be tailored to the developmental level of the students specifically focused on broadcasting and yearbook This slide reflects a change in the newly negotiated agreement in Addition to the
019activities listed in the contract buildings now Elementary buildings now have the opportunity to add new clubs where there is demonstrated student interest and a staff Member or members willing and interested in sponsoring the activity This change provides increased flexibility at the building level allowing principals to be responsive to the students interest While still ensuring that additions are sustainable and appropriately staffed Staff were informed of these new opportunities through August Institute days staff meetings weekly communications and guided coalition committee meetings together these three slides are intended to provide clarity on both the established stipend structure and the Flexibility afforded under the new agreement. So in closing this staffing plan that I've shared this evening reflects careful analysis Collaboration with our building leaders and alignment with the board's goals We believe that it balances strong academic programming
020with fiscal responsibility We will continue certainly to monitor enrollment and student needs as we move forward At this time, I'd be happy to answer any questions that the board may have Thank you. So anybody have any questions for mr. Palmer? But I'm gonna yield my time to mrs. Peters, I Don't know if it's if it's for mr. Palmer actually in regards to the extracurriculars one of my questions And I heard you say it a couple times is based on student interest. How are we gauging student interest? ditto I Think that's that's something where students will share what they what they are interested in through a variety of sources and opportunities throughout the building through that whether that be through student council conversations or other discussions that they have with Teachers that they are interested in
021pursuing a particular club or activity is how we've done that so far Okay, I'm gonna Go ahead and see if mr. Borchers has anything to say That was my primary question But I was gonna lead with appreciation on the alignment on the staffing plan, which is the front load of the topic but I want to just re-emphasize my appreciation that we have a Clear and consistent infrastructure and process to encourage our staff if they want to engage our students and activities to bring these more Equitably equitably across the buildings. It's there to take yes and to be mindful of that So I really appreciate this their own is to show everything is in place and you answered miss Peters question which Peaks my interest a little bit more about how we can continue to engage
022our students and not just and maybe Show them a little bit of what's possible versus, you know, just hoping that a Fourth grader comes up with an idea. So yes, that's all. Thank you anybody else Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you I'm gonna now turn it over to assistant superintendent. Dr. Allison Stein to discuss the title one school wide waiver for Middle School North Okay The business office would like to apply for a waiver to reclassify Middle School North from a targeted title one school to a school wide status school While the number of students at Middle School North qualifying for free or reduced lunch is still under the state's threshold of 40% Our ISB e title one principal consultant is recommending that we apply for this waiver The shift if approved would provide
023more opportunities for title one funding and simplify some of our reporting requirements All title one school wide plans must be drafted and approved by our Board of Education prior to our district submitting a Consolidated district plan or CDP to the state of Illinois and prior to us submitting any waivers to ISB e Mrs. Katie Wagner principal of Middle School North has therefore submitted a title one school wide plan That includes a needs assessment as well as responses to six open-ended questions The guiding coalition at Middle School North helped to provide information in response to those questions We do recommend that the board approve the Middle School North school wide plan at which time it would be signed by dr Hannigan and kept on file with our title one records. The plan is only sent to
024ISB e if requested there any questions Anybody have any questions? Is there any downside in the change of status request? Not that we're aware of Jennifer Aiken, would you cool think of anything? There is no downside to being school wide versus targeted. Well, that's good to know. Thank you. You're welcome That's my question as well. Anybody else? Okay. Thank you Dr. Hannigan, do you have a superintendent's report? Tonight okay I'm gonna move on to the consent agenda tonight's consent agenda consists of board meeting minutes from January 15th, 2026 closed session minutes from February 5th, 2026 an expenditure report of February 19th, 2026 Amazon expense report of February 19th, 2026 the MasterCard report of December 22nd 2025 the treasurer's report of December 2025 and a personnel report consisting of one new hire three resignations two leaves
025of absence and one retirement Does anybody need anything? Pulled out and voted on separately By the way, I think that's a typo. I'm sorry 6.1 should be board meeting minutes of February 5th 2026 corrected for the record Yeah Okay um Well, then can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda items as presented? So moved second Motion by Joel seconded by George. Can I get a roll call vote, please? It was Michael. Oh, I'm sorry Michael Classy Motion by George second motion by Joel seconded by Michael. Can I get a roll? Motion by Michael seconded by George I'm sorry. It's the kids table. Anyway, I'm gonna correct this though for the record motion by Michael seconded by George Can I get a roll call vote, please? Michael Engel. I George Pivot. I Stephanie Peters.
026I Carl Borchers. I Joel Finfer. I Robin clique I motion passes six. I zero nays Okay, I'm gonna turn it back to dr. Hanigan to review the first action item on tonight's agenda The first action item is related to press issue 120 As I shared at the last board meeting the policy subcommittee met on January 22nd to review the policy updates included in press issue 120 the committee reviewed a total of 31 policies which were presented and discussed at the February 5th board meeting as a reminder in addition to Approving the policy updates the board is required to respond to the following question related to policy six colon six zero curriculum content Does the board provide instructions studying the causes and effects of the Irish famine at this time? The committee recommends that the board
027respond yes to this required question The appropriate department heads and I are now available to answer any questions the board may have Anybody have any questions about press policy 120? Okay, thank you Next we're gonna hear from dr. Allison Stein to review the last action item on tonight's agenda We are recommending that the Board of Education Approved the adoption of bridges and mathematics third edition for implementation at the start of our 2026 2027 school year This proposal reflects an extension of our initial bridges and mathematics adoption with the most recently released edition Anybody have any questions? Thank you Then can I get a motion to approve policy press issue 120? Second motion by Joel seconded by Stephanie. Can I get a roll call vote, please? Carl Borchers? I Stephanie Peters. I Joel Finfer. I George
028she fit. I Michael Engel. I Robin clique. I Motion passes six. I zero nays Can I get a motion to approve the elementary math foundational resource recommendation? So moved second motion by Carl seconded by Michael? Yeah, I got it right this time. Can I get a roll call vote, please? Joel Finfer. I Call Carl Borchers. I Michael Engel. I Stephanie Peters. I George she fit. I Robin clique. I motion passes six eyes zero nays Back to you. Dr. Hannigan. Thank you We've received two FOIA requests since our last Board of Education meeting which have been identified in section 8.2 of the board agenda Okay Topics for future meetings. I think a lot of us would like some clarification on what we do with this new Service provider for transportation. I think there's some questions Do
029you want us to send in our questions like in advance so, you know If you wanted to give us stuff for site and facilities we can start it there Okay, and then bring it to the board when we have a concrete picture or at least a semi concrete picture Okay. Yeah, it might not be at the March meeting necessarily, but we can okay. So later this spring Any other topics for future agendas? Okie-dokie With no further business to discuss an open session Can I get a motion to adjourn to closed session pursuant to the open meetings act exemption one to discuss? the appointment employment compensation discipline performance or dismissal of specific employees specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park recreational or educational setting or specific volunteers of the public body or legal
030counsel for the public body including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee a Specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park recreational or educational setting or a volunteer of the public body or against legal Council for the public body to determine its validity However a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body That is subject to the local government wage increased transparency act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held In accordance with this act five. I'll CS 120 slash to see one so moved Second motion by George seconded by Joel all in favor. Aye any opposed Six ayes zero nays. Let's recess until about 740. Is that work? Yeah, thank you, and we will not
031be conducting any business when we come back to open will just be adjourning the meeting Have a good night everybody Thank you