001Again, we get Heat. Heat. for you. I'm [music] I'm feel Heat. You yourself. [music] Hey, hey, hey. I'll be happy. You prove yourself. Ooh. Io. >> [music] >> Woo! Woo! Oh, hey. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. This is our Halloween meeting. Okay, it is 7:04. The board met in close session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss matters that fall under the following categories that are exceptions to the Illinois open meeting. Legal matters exception C11. Student matters exception C9. Personnel matters exception C1. uh close session exception C-21 and property management exception C5. At this time, I would like to ask for a motion to go into open session. >> I'll move. >> Motion by Mr. Riddle, second by Miss Hannah. Roll call vote, please. >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. >> Miss Hannah, >> yes. >> Miss
002Lensing, >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Miss Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Riddle. >> Yes. >> President Rodriguez. >> Yes. Motion carries. We are now in open session. Mr. Grimes, would you please do us the honor of leading us in the pledge of allegiance? >> I don't know if I know how to do it. Mr. 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. Justice. >> Thank you, Mr. GR. [laughter] >> Okay, next item. President's report. Give me just a minute. >> Okay, we we are in open session. >> You know what? I received an email on October 6 from Mr. Patrick Frund and I'm going to read it to you. My name is Patrick
003Frund. I hope I'm pronouncing your name right. And I am one of the faculty adviserss of the Miguel Wararees Middle School Student Council. As part of a recent lesson on civic engagement, students were asked to write a thoughtful letter to an elected official or school administrator on a topic that they are passionate about. Several letters were addressed to you, which will be delivered this week. These letters include an open invitation to come and speak with a group about these topics as well as the importance of using your voice to make positive change in the world. You're also inviting me to attend one of their student council meetings which I am planning to do. And I just wanted to read these letters to you. I got two letters. Okay. They said they were a bunch of
004them. They're going to be delivered. I didn't get that delivery, but I did get two. Um and I'd like to read them to you. Um dear Walken School Board, Mr. from Michael Rodriguez. My name is Kayla Rosillis and I am in the seventh grade at Miguel Wars in Walkegan. I am also a member of student council. I am writing to you today because of the school lunch. This issue affects students with allergies at my school. A lot of kids have allergies and can be allergic to fruit and dairy and gluten and may have time to bring food to school and it would be a better option to have more choices for kids with allergies and for the kids to have more options. I hope that you can help me and my school to find a
005situation to this problem in our community and hope that you will consider bringing this to our Walkegan school board. [snorts] I would also like to invite you to come talk to council. We meet every other Thursday. Our adviserss are Mr. Patrick Frund and Miss Marielle Nev. Thank you very much for your attention to this issue. Um you can tell what's on that student's mind. Next one is from says, "My name is Elizabeth Morales and I am an eighth grader at Miguel Wars Middle School in Walkegan, Illinois. I am also a member of student council. I'm writing to you today because I am concerned about the school lunches. Seems to be a certain theme here. This this is an issue that affects me, my schoolmates, and also parents who worry that their kids what their kids
006eat. This is a problem because well for me after eating something from school it messes up my stomach. Also many people don't like the lunches because there is barely any options. Other times the food is too cold or it doesn't um look edible. I believe that this issue is important because I hope you will consider bringing the issue to our school board. I would also like to invite you to come and talk to our student council. So anyway, I thought this was kind of interesting because there are two students. I don't know how many letters there were and how many different issues there were, but the two that I got were about the school lunches. It's just kind of uh coincidental that we are at this point also uh in the process of bidding out
007the uh school uh lunch program. So um I don't know if the students are watching or if Mr. Fund is is watching, but uh I told them that I would bring this issue to the uh school board and I did. And um I have another letter I would like to read. This is from Alice, the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendent. Dear Miss Placencia, on behalf of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendent, ALS, it is with great enthusiasm that we congratulate you on your selection to the Alyss Board of Directors. Your leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to advancing equity and excellence in education exemplify the values and vision that define our organization. Your appointment represents not only recognition of your professional accomplishments, but also confidence in your ability to help guide Alice into an
008exciting new chapter of growth and impact. As a member of the board, you will play a vital role in shaping initiatives that empower Latino leaders, strengthen our educational systems, and expand opportunities for the students and communities we serve. We are excited about the energy, expertise, and perspective you bring to the board. Your voice will help drive innovation, collaboration, and advocacy at the national level, ensuring that Alice continues to be a leading force for educational equity and leadership development. Together, we will advance our mission, amplify Latino leadership, and create lasting change in education. Next steps would include a swearing in process which we are presently working on. This will take place another with details to follow. Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved appointment. We look forward to your contributions, your partnership, and the collective progress we'll
009make together. Future is bright for Alice and even brighter with you on the team. With warm regards and excitement, Dr. Ellis Morero, President Alice board of directors. Licious Navarete, executive director of Alice. She didn't know I was going to leave it. But Mr. Sensei, I just want to say we're really happy uh that you have received this honor and want to thank you. You've brought a lot of honor and uh uh recognition to our district. Next one is a letter I received from the Illinois Association of School Boards. At IASB's exe as IASP's executive director, I want to inform you of an exciting strategic initiative and request your participation to make it successful. Beginning in July 2026, IASP will introduce a new member-driven strategic plan and the foundation for that effort begins now. The new
010strategic plan is intended to drive measurable results utilizing a unified vision and actionable strategies that originate from local school board members. How can you help? The first step is to assess your IASB member needs. It's your association. What do you want from it? How can IASB uh better assist you in your local governance work? What challenges do you face as a board member? And how can IASB help you overcome these challenges? We want your honest opinion on what IASB can do better to serve you. Please take a few minutes to complete the 12 question survey. I also ask that you make sure the other members of your board are aware of this process. I don't know if any of you got letters. >> You did get letters. Okay. Just want >> I want Okay. I
011want to make sure. Okay. Uh please make sure the other members of your board are aware of this process and take the time to respond to the survey. So, uh if you if you didn't get the the letter or if you can't find it, I have this letter here. I can get copies to you and give you the information. So, um next item, last item is the fact that we are going to be meeting as a board on November 5th. a follow-up meeting to our um meeting of um self board self- evaluation which we uh did on September 16th with our representative from the Illinois social school boards. Uh we Laura Martinez, we need a follow-up meeting because there were certain items that we wanted to continue to discuss and certain unfinished business. So, we'll
012be meeting uh on November 5th, which I believe is a Wednesday. I think it's next Wednesday here at 6 PM. It's going to be in close session. uh per the uh Illinois Opens Meeting Act, that's for self-evaluation with an ISB uh representative is one of the exceptions allowable exceptions to the Illinois um to the uh um um close open meetings act. The only open meetings act. Okay, I got that out. All right. Uh next item, student board member report. Uh we're going to let Miss Allen go first. Is she here? Hi. Okay. Hello everyone. Uh this is me and Frankie's student board report, but I will go first. Going to go to next slide. So on today's agenda, we have clubs and activity, lunch survey, student well-being survey, and goals. Uh so first we uh
013have clubs and events. Uh this Thursday, uh the principal advisory is starting from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. where we will get insight from both the Washington campus and the uh AOC campus on how to better our campus. And then next, the Rising 9 event um is happening this Wednesday. Oh, not this Wednesday. Uh in November on November 19th from 2000, sorry, November 19th, 2025 from 6 uh p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Brookside campus where we will there will be clubs and sports to like uh explain and try to get eighth graders to join their activities, which I like because from my past uh report, I talked about getting freshman like incoming freshman more involved. So I will be there with my uh club, the future healthcare club to try to like find more kids
014who are interested in the uh medical field to join. Uh and then uh for the lunch survey, I started a lunch uh well I created a lunch survey with Miss T, the head of the food department and just to get the overall opinion of the students like their opinion of the food and how it can be um [clears throat] approved. Uh the steps to get my survey out is to talk to Miss T and uh try to get bulldog points like add it to the survey and then confirm with Dr. T about the survey, create a QR code and then stick them to the tables and announce them on the intercom before school starts. And yeah, thank you. >> Uh um then next up um this is the status over the well-being survey. Um, as
015you can see, I've only received 39 responses, which is not a lot, but um, uh, lots of them are pretty much juniors. Um, I've learned that this is really hard to get people to respond. [clears throat] Um, uh, next slide, please. So after that, uh, after what I've learned about trying to make the survey get answers, um, I'd like to propose a new district survey to oversee the district overall being on top of just the Washington and the Brookside campuses since, uh, we represent the student body. So, I would like to see this um be answered uh for since we're we represent the whole student body and I want to get this out towards middle schools and the elementary schools and our goal is to get our peers overall opinions about our school and how
016they would want to change it for the better. Thank you. >> Great. GREAT. ALL RIGHT. [applause] THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> UM, board president, can I make some comments? Sorry, that's >> I'll put it there or something. Um, I just want to say I really appreciate incentivizing the surveys because I think sometimes our kids get overwhelmed with the amount of surveys that they do. So, putting some sort of incentive on it is very um helpful to encourage engagement. Um, I would just want to um encourage the board that if this information comes to our level or administrators if it gets to your level that we're listening to what the students are saying and doing something about it cuz I think that's the most we to prove that we can get engagement from the kids is
017like if we're actually listening and planning to do something then they're like okay I will tell you but if we have a pattern of just saying, "Okay, thanks for filling it out and we're not moving things forward." There's going to be disengagement. Um, that's just a personal observation. >> Um, >> and then I just had a question as well. I know you said you wanted to get down to the middle school levels. Are we going to bring back the student advisory or the superintendent, sorry, advisory committee where we can have middle school representation and they can work with the board members on getting these things out? your Yes, we will have a superintendent advisory committee. Um, I'll circle back and forth on that, Miss Fabian. >> Okay. Next item, special recognition and presentations of Walkagen
018Schools Foundation grants. >> Mr. Grimes. [clears throat] Hello community board um staff. So uh today we're here to present our foundation o uh teacher grants awards which we've been [clears throat] promoting and actually this year we had um over three times the submission over um the past year. So I'm really excited to see that more teachers are filling this out. However, it made it more difficult for us to choose and it took us a lot more time to go through. So, I really do appreciate the patience that all of our teachers had. I kept getting emails like, "Did I win? Did I get it?" Um, so again, I appreciate your patience um with us as we went through because there were so many innovative projects and obviously we have a a limit, right? Um so
019today, we're going to acknowledge those uh winners and we have eight of them and I believe our total was $8,700 that we're going to give away in total prizes. And these are for um items and projects that enhance the curriculum. These are supplemental going above and beyond the school day. It could be during the school day, but some of them also had after school programmings in there. So um we have Aaron Hansen with extending the tradition of mariachi. If you're [applause] here, please come up and receive your awards and pass that on. and that was over at Walking High School. Um Jessica Chadic with fifth grade mentor intervention [applause] and they are going to use their fifth graders to help support. >> Okay. Um Amina say with the cardboard art project and she'll be serving
020Clark. [applause] Sorry. Oh, she's right there. >> She's right here. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> So, if you want to stay in the front, we're going to eventually take a picture with all of our fabulous winners. Um, and I might butcher this name, so I apologize in advance. Brian Airheart for Botney, thank you for expanding that program. [applause] Thank you. Congratulations. Thomas Stonis for painting the past and uh using paints to explore US history [applause] at the high school. I don't see him. Henry French is going to be doing broadcast network gear so that students can be creating their own broadcasting channel at the high school. [applause] I always love when I do student work. Uh, Nerdy Torres Anton for the Lego vertical garden. [applause] >> Thank you. >> What school were you at
021again? >> What school? What school? Miguel Huarees. Sorry, I didn't memorize all of them. And then Jason Blair with the camera bundle for the yearbook club and journalism, [applause] which is really important. So, thank you at the high school as well. So, um, congratulations. If the, uh, foundation would like to take a picture with everyone up front. >> Oh, okay. So, our art projects that are hanging out in front of the lobby are also from their same art teacher, Miss. So, thank you. >> All right. >> So, we expect more projects. video podcast. Okay. So, my apologies. She did win. Um, apparently we [laughter] we'll just hide the name on it. Uh, but yes, yours was the video podcast with the students. A regular podcast with the students. So, at what school? >> Whittier. Thank
022you. [applause] Okay. All right, we got more. [clears throat] [applause] >> Oh, you're in the last club. You know that's not part of you, huh? >> I wanted to tell you about this. We've got a panel discussion of the Great job. >> You guys did a great job for the scholarship. >> Um, and if you have some other kids that you think would be really good, do you know anything about this world affairs? >> It's a week long experience. I'll tell you, I'll send you some stuff or after the meeting university which is just outside. It's in June after school breaks out and and our club pays >> scholarship. It's a really fun. >> Okay. I just want to thank the Keegan. Um, next item item in session everybody. >> Yep. >> Can you hear?
023>> Item eight, approval of the minutes for the open session of September 23rd, 2025. Had a chance to review them? >> Yep. We have a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion approved by Mr. >> Second by >> Okay. Any comments, corrections, changes. Roll call. [clears throat] >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. >> Miss Hannah, >> yes. >> Miss Lensing, >> yes. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Miss Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. That's okay. And can we get that back door closed, please? We're getting a lot of uh noise coming in from the hall. Thank you. Okay. Item nine, opportunity for public comment. Do we have a signup sheet? >> Thanks, Steve. >> Okay. When I call um your name, please come to the uh
024podium. You'll have three minutes. Um, first name on the list is Randy Sbecki. Good evening everyone. So, I just wanted to talk tonight about one of the things on the agenda tonight which is under personnel and that has to do with the general counsel's contract. Well, reading this, you see all the accomplishments and it says that general counsel saved the district all this money. But what about how come it doesn't mention of how much it costs the district in settlements? That stuff should also be on here when we're evaluating our only two employees [clears throat] when these contract comes up. This is stuff the community should know because we had a lot of highpaying payouts within this district over those years that did we really save the district money? No, we cost the district money.
025The taxpayers paid out a lot of settlements. That stuff should be on here. Mr. Vukovich says every almost every meeting we come up here, that's one of her jobs to make sure these minutes are done on time to follow Illinois law, which are always late. That should also be on these evaluations. So, how could the they always get satisfactory, but we never tell the stuff that they've done wrong in those years. It's just all the positive stuff. When we just like data, when we control the data, you can manipulate data data to make it to to present it how you want it to show and and change things around. If if we're going to be truly transparent like we say, then let's be transparent. Let's put it all out there. And then my other thing
026at the last board meeting when it was brought up about the Lewis the kitchen at Lewis general counsel didn't even have an answer to that to the question that was asked. You know they the general counselor should have did their homework and then they said they'll get it back to the board and voted on it. Well, that should come back to the community also because I'm interested in the the outcome of that. Did it need to go out to bid? Did it not need to go out to bid? We didn't get an answer on that. I'm sure all you've done have got that answer. But if this stuff is asked in a public meeting, in an open forum, >> then the answer should go to the public the same way because it was asked at
027a public meeting, not always. We'll get back to the board with the answer. Those answers should also come back to the community. And it doesn't matter what board meeting we're at. We seem to see that a lot, but we don't have answers, and those answers never come back to the community. We shouldn't have to foyer everything >> and and not just be brought back to the community. you guys at the next meeting can make a statement and let the community know what those answers were. Does it need to go out to bid? Does it not need to go out to bid or vice versa for anything that is brought up at a board meeting and you guys don't have the answers. The information should not just come back to the board and that's it. Because
028a lot of people do show up, a lot of people watch online that are interested in in those in these meetings and we'd like to know the answers and we're just left with nothing. That's all I got for tonight. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Smecki. Ron Edwards. >> Good evening, boy. It's been a long time, right? And uh tonight, I want to get up here and I want to say a few things cuz I heard some of the letters that you read off, but I want to ask a question. Is the Latinos the only one in this community? Cuz in that letter, you said promote Latino leaders. I don't hear nothing else about nobody, no other leaders. It's it's kind of getting redundant and it's offensive to this community because this community is not just
029Latinos. And this is what I'm fighting with in my community now. Why I can't get a lot of people that look like me to come help join this fight with what's going on in my community as it relates to my brown people. Which brings me to the topic cuz we got a superintendent that's a Latino. And de I'm so disgusted that you haven't joined not one march we've had that I've seen. It's not good. You represent this district. How many Latinos is in this district. We pay you too much money for you not to be able to show up for the people THAT YOU REPRESENT. TOO much money. And then we giving the lady a raise. A satisfactory. Rodriguez. You trash cuz you lied to me in my face. I want to say that to
030you. I came here tonight to tell you that you're trash for lying to me. Maybe you did that because it was a way to promote you as you was running cuz oh, I'm going to sit down and I'mma talk to you. Oh, we going to have meetings, you know, but I I got that at the time. I know that when y'all running for these positions, you'll sell your draws. I understand that because you need something from me. But once that need is met, we're obsolete. We non-existent. We are nonfactor. And in fact, I haven't even seen you out here marching for the Latino community, the ones you supposed to represent. What are we doing here? Exactly. And I'm saying to this board now, six explosions. We f to talk about six. And we just is
031getting to a HALF A YEAR. AT SOME POINT, WE GOT TO ASK OURSELVES, SOMETHING'S NOT WORKING. DO YOU BOARD MEMBERS TAKE TIME TO ACTUALLY GO TALK TO THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND? AND IN CASE ANY OF Y'ALL DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND IS, THAT'S THOSE TEACHERS THAT GOT TO DEAL WITH THE MESS DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THE DIFFERENT ATTITUDES, THE ONES WHO DON'T GET SUPPORT, THE ONES WHO'S OFTEN FORGOT ABOUT, THE ONES THAT DON'T MAKE THE BIG DOLLARS. What are we doing? BECAUSE IN 10 YEARS, WE SEEM HAVE TO WE SEEM TO HAVE NOT MOVED FROM ONE SQUARE TO THE NEXT. BUT WHAT I'VE NOTICED IN 10 YEARS, EVERYBODY'S still getting raises on this administration. There's a hot hell. You hear me? Hell is hot in hell, y'all. You Christians. >>
032Thank you, Mr. Edwards. Okay. Next item on the agenda. Consent agenda academics. The consent agenda is an agenda of items that are being voted on tonight and uh th this is the academic area and these are all items that have been uh presented to the board. Board has had a chance to discuss them and review them. They are considered non-controversial and rather than take each one and spend a lot of time on each one, we are going to uh vote for them all uh as one item unless any of the board members would like to request that any of the items be separated out for a separate vote. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, Miss Lensing, >> um I would like to separate out 10 I and 10K. >> 10 I and 10K. Miss Hannah, >>
033I'd like to separate um um F G H. >> Hold on. >> And you got >> Are you wanting all of the professional developers? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. So that's going to be F through I believe K. >> F through K. >> Someone double check on that. >> We had J. >> Are we taking each one individually or do you guys together? >> No. No. They can all be taken together at one vote. >> Okay. So you want to separate out >> E F G >> E also. >> Are you okay with that? >> Yes. E. Well, no, wait. F G H I J K A Well, I'm going to add E cuz I got that that's >> Okay. So, >> do you want these all voted on as one item or do you want
034one item board president? Can we do EFG HJ together? >> Okay. >> And then I >> Wait, please repeat that. E, F, G, H, and K. >> H, H and J. >> H, and J. >> Mhm. >> E, F, G, H, and J. Okay. >> So, through that run, I and K will be separated and then the rest will be >> and K together. >> I and K I'm fine with together. >> Okay. And EFG, H, and J together. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Then what I'm looking for >> is a motion to approve the consent agenda item 10. 10 A through X with the exception of items E, F, G, H, I, J, and K. Is that correct? >> Okay. >> Motion to approve by Mr. Riddle. >> Second by Mr. McBride.
035Any discussion on that motion? And we have a roll call vote, please. >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. >> Miss Hannah, >> yes. >> Miss Lensing, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. McBride. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ramirez. >> Mr. Riddle. >> Yes. >> President Rodriguez. >> Yes. Motion carries. Okay. Then the next uh motion I'd like to ask for the motion to approve items I and K together. Item I is Greenwood School Blue Ribbon Professional Development Request and K is high reliability school summit. Is that correct? >> Okay. Can we have a motion? Motion to approve. >> I miss >> Second by Miss Fian. Any discussion on that motion? >> Roll call vote, please. >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. >> Miss Anna, >> no. >> Miss Lensing, >> no. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Mr. Ramirez,
036>> yes. >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Next motion I would am asking for is a motion to approve items E, F, G, H, and J. No, I I'm You know what? Let me just read the ones that were separated. Okay, just so we know what we voted on. >> Vote on I and K, which are one Greenwood School Blue Ribbon Professional Development Request, and K is a high reliability school summit. That was the one that was just just approved. The next grouping includes item E, which is attendance at the Association for Career and Technical Education Vision Act, December 8th through 1225. F is Whittier Elementary School December. Um, that's what's IB professional development request. >> Um, G is Whittier Elementary School March IB Professional Development Request. Uh,
037H is North School, Ron Clark professional development request. And J is Washington Elementary School NAB professional development request. Did I get those all right? >> Yes. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Mr. R. >> We have a second. >> Second by Mr. McBride. >> We did I and K. Got it. >> We did I and K already. >> Are you asking for a commentary? >> Discussion on the motion. >> You already have a motion. Second by Mr. Fabian. >> Yes. >> Discussion on the motion. >> Yes. I have I have a I have >> Miss Hannah. >> Okay. Um, I am all for continuing education for our staff. >> Um, however, >> we really have reason to deny all of the future professional development because we have uh financial uncertainties because of our federal
038government. And um we need to find a balanced approach to professional development. And while it is important, we need to um uh a temporary reduction or assessment of its necessity given the current financial um uncertainties >> and um and so that's how come um I will be I cannot support these professional developments going forward because um I have talked about reducing spending and this was one area that um that we need to reconsider and reassess uh the actual necessity of this at this time. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Hannah. Miss Lensing, >> um I completely understand uh Miss Hannah, your sentiments and it it is difficult with the current uh federal administration that we have to factor in this uh component with our decisions. I'm going to be voting yes because these items have
039been budgeted for and for that reason I want to make sure that we as a board are upholding the budget that we agreed to aside my personal opinions on the INK that I denied. um if it has been budgeted for whether it's professional development whether it's furniture for the schools etc that's gone under the review process [clears throat and cough] with Miss Poke and I believe if you have it in your budget you should have access to those funds to fulfill your budget so that is why I will be saying yes to this >> thank you Miss Lensing Miss >> um Miss Lensing said one of my points and I I agree if it's already been budgeted for however Miss Hannah has a point we do have to start looking at how we're spending. And
040so what really has been bothering me is that some of these conferences are annual. I understand the newer ones where like we're starting IB schools, Ron Clark, all that. But something like NAV where the same person has been going every year, you know, it's coming annually. It's been budgeted for specifically for that conference, when we wait, we miss out on the reduced costs. So, um I think Miss Lensing for bringing up I saw it for 13 I think. What was the original ask? Then they updated the ask for the um they updated the the ask for NAB. They reduced it down. However, it was down to $450 up to Yeah. So, they were asking $1,330 for conference fees when the conference itself is around seven and we could have only paid uh 495 up until
041last week or two weeks ago. So, that is my frustration because again, these are annual. You know, you're going to them because you specifically budgeted for them. Why are we waiting to the nth hour of when that early bird rate expires to then um apply for these conferences? >> Thank you, Miss M. Yes, I forgot. And um got my other part. And I have said it before and I will continue to say it that um that um based on based on an awful text that I got and I will share it with um with the board president and the superintendent. Um the uh we are we are educating more adults to their excellence than we are our children. I received a text message. Um, and it was a a paper that was written by an
042eighth grader getting ready to go to ninth grade. It was totally illeible. you. It it this this paper was could have been written by a first grader >> and from what I'm understanding as I looked into it further that this is the norm of our students that we're producing. So in terms of professional development, money's being spent, we need to invest that money into teaching our children how to read, to write, to do math. And oh, we're going the the the um the uh adults are going to the professional developments to help the students. Well, you know what? It hasn't been working. Not from what not from what I received as a paper from a um from a teacher and this is the norm. It's the norm. >> Thank you, Miss Hannah. Any further discuss?
043Oh, Miss Lindsay. >> Um I'm just I'm gonna be a broken record. So years ago we had a >> yeah we had as a board come to a consensus to get information as to the impact of administrative conferences on district and student achievement. >> We have never received that and in my opinion there's never been accountability for that. But this again just highlights the importance of circling back to say we went to this conference. This is what we gained. This is how we intend to use it in the district. Because it then starts to reduce the question of is this impactful for wagan students? Is this making a difference for our academics? Is it making a difference for their social emotional learning, for their athletics? Like all what it takes for a kid to go
044through our school system and be successful is primarily reading and writing, but those other components as well. So if we are being proactive communicating how it's going to impact and benefit the district once we come back, it starts to reduce concerns about investing in this PD. >> Thank you, Miss Lensing. Any further comments or questions on this motion? We have a roll call vote, please. >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. >> Miss Hannah, >> no. >> Miss Lensing, >> yes. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. Mr. Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Okay. Um before we move on, we approve the consent agenda and I'm going to read the items into the record. Um items that were on the main consent agenda that we voted on the
045first U vote. A 10 A is amendment for Arbiter Referee Services. 10B renewal of Stars 21st century external evaluator. C is a mirror learning extension for K through 5. D is renewal of follow destiny library [clears throat] and textbook inventory system. L is renewal of Ponapto. Um M renewal of Aruba clear pass Wi-Fi license. N renewal of blue level DDOS protection. Um O is renewal of smart sheets project management tool. P is renewal of AVIC um network monitoring. Q, renewal of Palo Alto firewall maintenance. R, renewal of Cisco smartnet. S, renewal of security web filtering for students. T, purchase of security keys for the two-factor authentication. UFA cyber security project. U, renewal of incident IQ help desk contract and new HR mod module purchase. V, purchase of interactive projectors for classrooms. W renewal of Tyler
046Technologies, I visions and X renewal of Docu Sign. Well, those were all approved in the first grouping, the um the uh consent agenda vote. Okay, moving on. Item 11, consent agenda for operations. We have three items on here. Once again, the consent agenda. These items were all presented to the board before board has had a chance to review them, discuss them, ask questions, and they're being presented as a consent agenda item, which we will vote all vote on alto together unless any of the board members have any reason for wanting to separate them out. And what they are, they're only three items. 11 A is approval of crisis prevention institute instructor certification and renewal. B, approval of Cintest uniform rental agreement for operations department personnel custodial maintenance. and see approval of MCEL 2025 national convening
047attendance. >> Motion to approve. >> Separate C. >> Okay. I was just going to ask if there are any requests to separate items. As Hannah is asking that we separate out item C. Any other requests to separate out items. Okay. Then what I'm asking for is a motion to approve the consent agenda items 11 A and B. >> So moved. >> Motion to approve by Mr. Riddle. >> Second by Miss Fabian. Any discussion on this motion? And we have a roll call vote, please. >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. >> Miss Hannah, >> yes. >> Miss Lensing, yes. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Mr. Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. Okay. Item 11 C, the approval of the MEL 2025 national convening attendance. Do we have
048a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve by Mr. Riddle. >> Second by Miss Favian. Any discussion on this motion? [clears throat] >> This is uh this is uh a continuation of the reason why I am um not approving any professional development. >> Thank you, Miss Hannah. Anything further? Roll call vote, please. >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. Miss Hannah, >> no. Miss Lensing, >> no. Mr. McBride, >> yes. But I'd like to make a comment, though. Uh to Miss Hannah's point, Uh we got a lot of things that's facing us. Families are not going to be getting link cards. I remember co we had to help. And I also would like to uh what put a face on the amount of money that we're spending for for conference where we all can really see the
049big picture because right now it's a little bit at a time but it seems like every board meeting we somebody's going. So, let's look at the big picture and see how much money we spending. Then maybe the maybe we all might take a look at it then and see the amount. Right now, it looks like it's $2, but when we see a $100,000, we might see something different. >> So, you asking Mr. McBride for a total of grand total. It would be nice of professional development. I agree. We can see that. Yeah. Can >> I second that? >> Can we also add to that what funds are being used? if it's sight based budgeting or if we're using title funds etc >> or local funds. >> Can we get that information board? Thank you. >>
050Could could we add to that too some of the conferences that are required you know that I mean >> PD is required so by the state so some of these conferences that people go to >> they have to get this training either inhouse or out of house. So I mean so maybe that could be something put in there too. How much training PD professional PD is needed by put it in perspective. Yes. To keep their >> teaching license. >> Thank you, Mr. Riddle. Okay. We have >> that shouldn't be done on the That should not be done on the taxpayers's money to keep up their um lenture. >> Well, it's mandated. It Yeah. you know, you have to have somebody take their place when you when they go into training that you can't just leave
051the classroom, you know, >> empty. So, >> well, I'd like to see that as well, Mr. uh Riddle because grants grants are usually where the professional development is um mandate >> grants. Well, okay. Okay. I I don't you know some of these stuff for instance to keep the IB designation it's required >> that that teachers get so much training. >> Um so >> we can discuss when we see the actual data. >> Yeah. When we see the data. >> Yeah. All right. >> Okay. Now do we have a motion to second? >> We're in the middle of voting. Mr. Riddle's next. >> We're in the middle. I think >> we are because Mr. McBride made the comment with his vote. >> That's right. He did. >> Okay. >> Mr. Ramirez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Riddle.
052>> Yes. Yes, >> President Rodriguez. >> Yes. Motion carries. >> Okay. Want to keep that straight. Item 12, purchases and contracts. I see none. Item 13, personnel items. >> Or are we doing these one by one because they're not consent? >> Yes, this is not consent. >> Ready? >> Okay. It is the recommendation that the board of education authorizes superintendent or her designate to approve four MCL school staff to attend the 26th annual blue ribbon schools of excellence conference in Orlando, Florida from December 1st through the 4th, 2025 and an estimated total cost of $9,242.96 which includes registration, lodging, travel, and mill perm. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion approved by Mr. Riddle. >> Second. Second by Miss Favian. Any discussion on this motion? >> Yes. Um I am I am um sad that I
053am going to vote no for this or even though I have not seen any staff uh from MCL bring forth a um a professional development request before uh but just so that I am consistent um I will be uh voting know um for this >> miss Fabian >> and I just want to remind the public that when we're talking about the blue ribbon schools this is one of those programs that were cut by the federal administration and has been brought down um by the state. So again, when we're talking about education, unfortunately, politics plays a big part of it. Um, and so I'm hoping that I that more of our families start getting engaged. Um, because for this year, we have blue ribbon schools from the state in future years. >> Who knows? And this
054is um a program that's been going on for quite some time. Um, and McCall won previously, so I hope to see them hopefully win soon again. Any further discussion on this motion? Both >> I'd like to know about the pdiums and how they're being calculated. >> So, every state has a pdeium. Um, and so, Mr. Aljacus, did you get that out to the board? I know we talked about it in Zack. It may not have gone out yet, but I know you're working on something. Can you please grab a microphone please? [clears throat] >> Good good evening everyone. So the board will be getting more information on this. So pdeiums the way they work is one of two ways. Um the GSA the government I don't know what GSA stands for. >> Administration. >> There
055we go. Thank you. Um sets the predem. And so when you go on a trip there's two things that you look at. There's the meals and there's the incidentals which combine for sort of like your daily perdemotment not counting [clears throat and cough] the hotel rate and every city has a different perdium rate. So if you're going to go to New York City and you're going to stay in Manhattan, you're going to get a different rate than if you go to Boise, Idaho. And that is how the PDM rate is set uh domestically. And that's what we look at. And hotel rates are a different thing based on the city again based on the time of year, right? right? You're trying to go to Orlando in the winter, it's going to be more expensive than
056Orlando in the summer. There's a lot that goes into it. So, the GSA sets all that and our school districts and other government organizations follow what that perdm rate is. So, if someone is going somewhere and they know the daily rate is $92, they're going for 5 days, that's going to be calculated into the estimated cost. Obviously we know uh for that pdeium to be you know received you have to give the receipts and everything that the finance office has in place for international travel that is set by the state department. So the department of state sets that perdm internationally should we have any international trips and it works similarly different cities a Tokyo for instance is going to be more expensive than um I'm not going to get myself in trouble and think of
057low-inccome cities here but that's the point >> um and so um is our um finance finance office department calculating the PDMS or are they being um calculated by department heads or what have you and not going through finance >> on their professional development form staff are expected to calculate the pdiums and obviously Miss Poke's team does double check everything that's coming in um when you're asking for the reimbursements and and whatnot. uh to ensure that the proper predium rates are being followed and that the prop all our you know checks and balances are in place >> when it comes to the board of education the finance department and miss poke if I'm misspeaking please correct me looks at the pdium rate and assigns it >> and can I add your days of travel are also
058less so the day you travel in and travel out should be a less perdm than the days that you're actually there >> miss Fab's correct yes your first and final days of travel will be slightly smaller PDM rates than the days that you're fully um out of town. >> Yeah. Thank you, >> Mr. Jackis. Can I ask one other question? So, is it correct then the PDM rate that we see here isn't necessarily paid to the employee. They bring back receipts showing whether or not they >> Well, we all do >> actually incurred those expenses. So, the predium >> That's correct. The predium rate is what your allowance would be, >> right? So, your predium rate is telling you you could spend x amount of dollars on meals and incidentals if you are providing the
059receipts and those receipts are allowable expenses. >> I also want to add that those need to be itemized receipts and not just overall receipts. >> Okay. Any [clears throat] further discussion on the motion? If not, can we have a roll call vote, please? Miss Fabian. >> Yes. Miss Hannah. >> What? >> We're on the professional development 13A. >> Yeah. I'm a pass. >> Miss. Lensing. >> No. >> Mr. McBride. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ramirez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Riddle? >> Yes. >> President Rodriguez? >> Yes. Motion carries. Item 13B, personnel 102825. It is a recommendation that the board of education accept the administration's recommendations to approve the appointments, retirements, and accept the resignations and terminations as found on schedules F10002, L949, T317, and G660. >> Do we have a motion to approve? >> Motion to
060approve. >> Motion by Mr. R. >> Second by Miss Fabian. >> Yes. >> We have any discussion on the motion? >> Can we have a roll call vote, please? >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. >> Miss Hannah, >> yes. Miss Lensing, >> yes. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Miss Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. Item 13 C, amendment number two to the general counsel's contract. >> It is recommended that the board of education approve and authorize the board president to execute amendment number two to the general counsel's contract. >> Motion to approve by Mr. Riddle. >> Second by Miss Favian. Discussion on the motion? >> Yes, >> Miss Hannah. I truly have [clears throat] some reservations and um I have some um let me just make
061my statement here. Um as far as a general counsel satisfactory or better performance for the school year's 20 22 to 2025. I I'm going to say that the mismanagement of legal obligations, consistently missing legal deadlines such as for f the freedom of information requests which jeopardizes the district's compliance with the law. The failure to provide the school board with all necessary information to make informed decisions, particularly on employee matters leading to uninformed approvals. the lack of transparency and integrity. Did not disclose her ongoing employment with an outside law firm for years and improperly engaged the firm causing unnecessary legal expenses for the district. Procure procurement irregularities. authorized a substantial $300,000 contract project without adhering to requiring required bid bidding process, violating standard procedures and risking local um risking the uh local um wait a minute
062risking Financial mismanagement and adver adversarial treatment of staff. Approaches the district management with a prose a prosecuting uh mindset. Creating an environment that feels more like a criminal court than a supportive educational institution. legal missteps with serious consequences. Her approval led to the improper removal of a student, resulting in a lawsuit against the district. She failed to clarify her role in prolonging this litigation unnecessarily. The mishandling of student removal case directly affected Miss Hannah resulting in prolonged [clears throat] legal battles in both federal and state courts. And given these significant issues, the general counsel, in my uh my opinion, it does not merit a satisfactory performance evaluation or an extension to her contract. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, first of all, >> I would like to explain that this amendment to the general counsel's contract
063is something that the board has to do to catch up for failure to perform over the last four years. The board was supposed to have uh performed an annual evaluation of general counsel each year over the last four years, but did not. Okay? Because of that the contract states that any time that the uh evaluation is not done but the general counsel is continued to be employed this is considered to be because of satisfactory performance. So this is strictly following the contract which the board has committed to. So we are in a position now where because of the inaction of the board, the board has to uh agree that general counsel's performance was satisfactory or better. >> Okay. Secondly, um all of the items that we're discussing right now are personnel matters which should be
064discussed by the board. The general counsel is our employee. These matters should be discussed in close session since we are dealing with employee performance. So um that is what we are voting on and we the board kind of got themselves in a situation by not um doing what they were required to do and do the annual evaluation. Miss Fabian, >> Miss Lensing had her hand up. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Miss Lensing. Um my comment is surrounding number two within amendment two and that's what you had touched on board president when the board fails to do its job. It is I cannot get behind holding someone accountable. >> We have to do our job first. >> Absolutely. I am 100% in order for us to do our job, we need to be given factual information. If
065you give me the information of what's really going on, we can figure it out. I don't like to be lied to by my kids. I don't like to be lied to by adults. So, I'm not saying that's happening here, but I'm just saying if we are going to do our job, we have to have the information and we have to be mindful and respectful of people's time. The fact that it didn't happen in 2022, didn't happen in 2023, didn't happen in 2024, didn't happen in 2025, that's on us. So, by approving this, we are taking accountability for not doing our job. Accountability does not just apply to our employees. It applies to ourselves. It implies to the entire staff of of this district. It also applies to our students and our parents. It's a shared
066responsibility. So this if we didn't like what was going on, we should have prioritized the review. So I am going to be voting yes because that's the right thing to do because I can't hold someone accountable for something that we haven't previously discussed. I understand there are mixed feelings. to board president's point, that's close session material, so I'm not going to comment on that. But that is the rationale behind my yes vote for this item tonight. >> Thank you, Miss Lindsy. Miss Fabian, >> so Miss Lensing and yourself already touched upon the fact that we can't hold someone accountable if we don't hold ourselves accountable. So that was on us. But I also want to clarify when you're reading the um the action item, it's for years 22 to 25. This is not an extension
067of her contract. FY25 ended June 30th. So this is backdating and backtracking. And if you look, there are discussions going on to extend that contract. So this is not an extension. And we will have the opportunity to now hold ourselves accountable and properly evaluate. Um, and I understand all of the um the details are close session, but I want to um apologize because I think that every staff member should and does deserve feedback on their work. You can't grow. You can't get better unless you have that feedback. So, I want to formally also apologize um to Miss Vanderbrook for not following up and doing our due diligence and allowing you that opportunity to receive that proper feedback. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I I have um year 2022 um a number of the board
068members weren't here, >> right? And so um and so I understand what you all are saying. Okay. However, I've been here through all that and I I asked the prior uh board president about uh eva uh evaluations for legal counsel. It never happened. So I attempted >> but it wasn't >> to be accountable but >> it's a group right okay >> that's where we're at >> and all through those 22 through 20 25 okay it is you say it is um personnel matters well people have been talking about it in public with they've talked about it at many different issue. And so, um, so as far as, um, uh, uh, personnel matters. Okay. Then, look, they've been tried to be discussed, but they never were. >> Thank you, Miss Hannah. Can we have a roll
069call vote, please? >> Miss Fabian. Yes. Miss Hannah, >> no. >> Miss Lensing, >> for reasons mentioned. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Miss Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. Item 14, grants and donations. I see none. 15. Other something under that. 16. Financial reports. Ratification of the second processing of October 2025 board bills, manual check request payments, and old national bank insurance payments for the period October 8th, 2025 to October 21st, 2025. Superintendent. >> It is the recommendation of the administration that the board of education ratify the second October 2025 of board bills may check request payments and old national bank insurance payments for the period of October 8, 2025 through October 21st 25. The accounts payable board payments for the period of October 8,
0702025 through October 21st, 2025 total $2,650,742.99. The manual check request payments for the period of October 8, 2025 through October 21st, 2025 total 639,849.19. The [snorts] old national bank insurance payment for the period of October 8, 2025 through October 21st, 2025 total 1,946,692. >> Motion to approve by Mr. Riddle. >> Second by Fabian. >> Yes. Any discussion on this motion? >> Roll call vote, please. >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. >> Miss Hannah, >> no. >> Miss Lensing, yes. >> Mr. McBride, yes. >> Mr. Ramirez, yes. >> Mr. Riddle, yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Okay. Um, reports and presentations. Do we have any committee reports? >> Yes, >> Miss Hannah. >> Um, the wellness committee met on the 23rd. Um, Mr. Riddle um was there um with me and um Mr. Riddle,
071you're going to have to help me here. We uh we talked about um >> You want me to run through some of the things? >> Yes. Would you please? >> Okay. Well, we actually surveyed um what had what we had some of the items we had discussed last year. Um, we talked about the anxious generation book that we were reading. We talked about the cell phone policy, the new cell phone policy, the food program. We talked about Boys and Girls Clubs and how was that working with their um after uh school um lunches now or meals. Um, we talked about um, caffeinated drinks uh, and it was mentioned by the nurse that pre and probiotic sodas are now available out on the market and they want he was going to check to see if any
072of those were in any of our machines. >> We talked about the the vaping problem and is that still continuing? We talked about the water filters in our schools and wondered if the water filters um were ever being checked and and filters if they had filters in them. Were those being changed? There was an awful lot of discussion, two items kind of rose to the top and those were the concerns of the health of the wellness committee about the continuous vaping problem and is it even getting worse? Um what actions should we be taking? What action is the school taking? And then this cell phone policy that is a new policy and we wondered whether um you know how that was working out. schools are trying different things um whether the the solution that we
073were working on was having some effect on the difficulties that were being faced in implementing such a program. So the committee really didn't have an opportunity to to delve into anything. Oh, we talked about with the vaping too, whether the um you brought up the fact were the um health department posters ready yet? Something started last year. >> So, there was a lot discussed. Um we're going to have another meeting. Um so um that's >> and and it and if we could ask um uh on behalf of the wellness committee if we could get some kind of report regarding the um the water uh fountain. >> Mhm. >> Um filters and when are they being changed? how often are they uh being changed? >> Um and uh also um we talked about uh kids with
074like allergies. >> Mhm. That's right. >> And if there was um we should we be talking about getting some type of bracelets to identify uh the students allergies. um you know that they would be able to have on them all the time. Um and we talked about the um the the uh ability for students to get glasses for uh free >> through the Lions Club, >> right? And um yeah, and uh the I think there was some talk about uh teaching the kids about reading the labels >> on um on food sugar foods. Yes. So there was a whole lot of stuff discussed. about a lot. >> A lot of things um were discussed and you know we as Miss Hannis suggested you know some of the things that that we were still very concerned
075about was vaping and whether monies that we were receiving now from the uh the lawsuit could be used to >> earmark if it yes for some of it for uh anti- vaping uh efforts and education in our schools. >> So those yeah a lot of lot of things were happening. So we'll have another meeting. We'll see where the club wants or the committee wants to focus on >> to go. Absolutely. >> Yes. >> Thank you, >> Miss Lindsay. >> Um, I unfortunately don't have a committee report. I have more of a formal apology to my committee heads. I've had several obstacles come up during the time, so I haven't been able to attend. Um, but things are calming down. So, I'm excited to attend my first meeting and the next coming. >> Thank you. >>
076So, just formal apology. Any other committee reports? >> Well, I'm waiting on the uh capital improvement uh committee to call a meeting. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. Delegate reports. >> Um well, Mr. Rodriguez spoke about the um the uh survey. >> Yes. >> That uh Isby is um >> not Isbyas, >> the ASB is sending out. And um if you all I'm sure you all receive uh the email and so if you all could um act upon that and get it back to um the um sender for that. Uh and we are getting uh prepared to go um in November to our triple I conference. Um and the delegate um assembly will be uh convening and the resolutions are out and if you all could look at them and um have a consensus of what
077you all want me to support. Mhm. >> Um or not. >> And so if you guys could get that, I'd appreciate >> Thank you, Miss Hannah. >> Superintendent report. >> At this time, I am we're going to run through the strategic plan. So, um at this time, I will just we'll give an update on our strategic plan. I was going to hold it because we do have to return to close session. Um, so I'll defer to the board. Do you would you like me to present it tonight or would you like me to hold it and I can bring it back at student achievement? >> My personal pre Well, my Oh, okay. >> Yeah. I' I'd rather student achievement because it also gives opportunity public comment, >> right? >> You would rather do what? student
078achievement because then it gives opportunity for public comment as well and they should be also looking at the strategic plan. >> Is that the consensus of the board? >> Yep. So we will defer tonight and we will wait for the following um student achievement meeting. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Information items 18 FOYA report September 2025. This >> reflects the FOYA activity for the prior month. Thank you. 19 old business. Is there any old business? >> 9 20 new business. There any new business? >> 21. Student discipline matters. >> Okay. Um board president, you want me to read the first one on expulsion proceeding student number 790? >> Yes, please. Are we are we were we going to handle these all at >> Maybe we could do the others together, but this one was
079was the newest one. Oh, >> I'll need one separated out. >> Okay. We're we're uh discussing whether we should handle these all at once as a consent >> agenda or if we need to separate any of them out or all of them. >> So, the first one is an expulsion hearing. The remainders were all modified expulsion requests. >> Yes. >> It is up to the board if you want to take them all as a consent agenda or take the first one on its own. I think we were thinking of taking the first one separately. Isn't that correct? >> That's an actual expulsion. >> Yes. >> Okay. Then let's let's do that. Mr. Riddle, please. >> Okay. So, I have that one here. So this is um whereas the board of education of the walken community
080unit school district 60 did through its hearing officer on September 25th tonight hold a hearing concerning oh that was on sorry hearing officer on September 25th held a hearing concerning possible expulsion of student number 790 and receive and review the resulting hearing report. And whereas the evidence taken at said hearing report shows that the student has been found to have committed the act of weapons, firearms, handgun level two offense, which is in violation of the rules and regulations of this school district and the school code of Illinois. And whereas other available and appropriate behavior interventions and/or discipline were offered and/or provided to student number 790 and have now been exhausted. Now therefore it is hereby resolved that one whereas clauses are adopted herein by reference as findings of the board the whereas clauses are adopted
081and two the board additionally finds that it is in the best interest of the district to remove students 790 from the educational environment at this time because the students continuing presence in school would substantially disrupt impede or interfere with the operation of the school. The severity the of the infraction demonstrates that the students continuing presence threatens school staff and students. Number three, student number 790 is expelled held in obeyance effective October 28th, 2025 from attendance at said community school district unit school district 60 public schools for the remainder of the 2526 school year and the 2627 school year with the opportunity to reinstate at the end of the school year 20 26 2027 based on successful completion of an alternative placement with the regional loss of education the duration being warranted on the basis of
082the severity of the act weapons firearms handgun level two four student number 790 additionally is prohibited from being on school grounds or district property or participating in or attending school activities for the duration of the period of the expulsion absent specific written permission of the building principal where the activity or uh event is to take place for good cause is determined by the principal in consultation with the director of student outreach or his designate. Number five, the expulsion will be stayed to permit the assignment of student number 790 to an alternative placement with attendance, academic, and behavioral conditions as recommended by the administration provided student number 790 is accepted by the alternative placement. Number six, student is also to be referred for a special education evaluation subject to parental consent and if found eligible following
083evaluation, procedure safeguards of the individuals with disabilities act will apply. And I so move that we approve this resolution. >> Motion by Mr. Riddle to approve the resolution. >> Second by Miss Aen. Any discussion on the motion? Miss Lensing. Um where to start? >> Yeah. Um so with this situation, the information that we were provided, I personally am concerned on a multitude of facets, meaning in many ways um ultimately safety is first. And so I agree with the recommendation um that this student is not fit to attend our schools at this present moment. I do appreciate the last whereas clause because based on my perspective and my understanding of child development, there is something that needs to be in place that was not previously supported. So, I'm hoping that we can get this individual the
084supports that they need through that evaluation. So, I know we can't require our parents to do that, but I strongly recommend it because there are many markers or indicators to which this individual needs some additional supports. Um, so unfortunately, I will be voting yes. It's never a good experience to have to expel one of our students in this district, but when that line of safety is so egregiously crossed, it has to be done. >> Thank you, Miss Lindsay. Miss Fabian, >> um again, I'm glad that we added the amendment um number six in order to have the student assess. I really hope that the parents are watching and agree to this amendment because that is only done with your permission. Um, and it's something that I fully support for the same reasons that Miss Lensing
085has stated. So, if the parents are out there, and if they're not, I hope that our administration does the proper job and fully explaining what uh procedure number six is and what those assessments are and what those procedural safeguards are in order to really um support this student because these matters are not taken lightly. No one feels good pushing any student out. However, safety is our priority. Um, and in this moment, we have to ensure that we're protecting the other staff and students and community. Um, so it is because of safety that we need to push the student out. But when a child is still a child, we also as adults need to do what we need to do in order to ensure that we give them proper support and resources so that they can
086grow into adults who can really fit into our society and contribute um their best. >> Thank you, Miss Fabian. Any further discussion on the motion? Can we have a roll call vote, please? Miss >> Fabian, yes. Miss Hannah, >> Miss Lensing, >> yes. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Mr. Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. Okay. The next five items are um these are students that um were suspended. None of them is up for expulsion. They've all served their time. They're all back in school. And um what is the motion? Do you have that? Uh superintendent. >> So are we doing >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. Cuz if we're doing consent, I would like to pull one out. >> Okay, we can do that. Give me
087a minute. I have to find a document. I didn't realize I had. Okay. All right. That's Which one did you want to pull out? >> Um, I would like to pull out D >> for student number 147 ending three. >> D. Okay. >> Who would like to make the motion? >> Okay, I'll make a motion that >> Oh, wait. Here it is. >> Oh, you've got >> Is this how we're gonna do this? >> If we can pause. So, um, the last time we did multiple expulsion modifications at one time, the board president established the basis for taking it as a consent, identifying each of the students and what the modified expulsion request was so that the public was aware of it. Then asked for the motion as long as nobody wanted to pull one.
088That is the narrative that I um have handed to him and suggested he follow after which the motion then would be made. >> Okay. Then let me read the document then because it's all here and we are going to out of this we're going to we have five items. We're going to pull item D and um handle that separately and if it's okay we'll uh vote on the other four together. Sure. >> Okay. We are now at student discipline. The board met in close session and individually considered each of the student matters listed here. They all address mandatory expulsion referrals for a weapons offense involving either possession or possession and use as required under section 10-22.6D of the school code. This provision of the law also allows for modification of the expulsion period by the
089superintendent whose decision may be modified by the board. Items A through E were recommended by the respective building principles for modification of the minimum one-year expulsion period to varying lengths of time of suspension and other corrective action as follows. A student number 455 expulsion modification to one day in school suspension and an individualized safety plan. B student number 370 >> can >> well >> so we need to clarify because it's within that document we've added expulsion A to the top of the list so while board I understand I'm just we're clarifying that we are not tying it to the agenda letter but it's in the document letter >> that's what I'm saying >> this this is not not the same list that is in the correct agenda that's what we're clarifying >> yep So item
090A in this list is not item A in the agenda. >> It's actually B >> for clarification. >> It will say the student numbers. >> Okay. Then I'll tell you what I'm going to change these so that everybody is clear. >> Right. All right. Student B. >> Better. >> Following the agenda and following this document. Student number 455, expulsion modification to one day in school suspension and an individualized safety plan. Uh, student C is going to be student 370, expulsion modification to 10 days out of school suspension and an individualized safety plan re-entry. Uh, student D, that's going to be student number 147, expulsion modification, 10 days out of school suspension with a board reprimand and an individualized safety plan on re-entry. E, student 936, expulsion modification to three days out of school suspension, and
091ongoing counseling as support services, and an individualized safety plan on re-entry. Item student F, which is student 312, spouse modification to seven days out of school suspension with the board reprimand and an individualized safety plan on re-entry. I read the whole thing >> and then now we can pull one out. >> No, I thought Missing >> the superintendent agreed with each requested modification. In each case, the suspension days already have been served. If approved, board reprimand meetings would be scheduled as soon as possible where applicable during which additional supportive services for the student may be identified. The board is being asked to approve each of these modification recommendations as being in the best interest of the district and student and based on a totality of the circumstances supporting the maintenance of a safe school environment
092free of disruptive influences which can be a distraction to learning while continuing to hold the student accountable for the student's conduct. If approved, the board also would be authorizing the board present to sign individual resolutions specific to each student disciplinary matter memorializing the board's decision and the decision would be t would take effect immediately. Specifics as the nature of each student's weapons offense, possession or possession and use are not being shared as doing so could result in the student being identified when the information is coupled with other information that may be known about the incident. I'm asking for a motion to take these matters collectively unless a board member wants any one of them acted on separately and authorization of the board president to sign the respective resolutions documenting board action. Okay. If any student
093is asked to be vote was a D >> 147. >> It's student 147 that we're pulling up. Okay. All right. Then Okay. So then we can vote on the other four >> together in one one vote. Okay. So, I'm asking for a motion that the board of education approve the SEC superintendent's modification of the mandatory one-year period of expulsion for a weapons offense for students, 455, 370, 936, and 312. Is that correct? >> Correct. So moved. >> Second. >> Motion. Okay. Um today Okay. two days of out of school suspension and an individualized safety plan on re-entry. >> So it'll >> Okay. So that's >> I the motion ends then at the end of the >> So there was there was a motion to take uh to approve the modifications as read for students 455
094370 936 and 312 and then you'll come back. Just end it there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That's the motion I'm asking for. >> That's I'll make a motion. >> Motion by Mr. Riddle. >> Yes. >> And second. >> Second by Miss Fabian. >> Any discussion on that motion? >> I'm sorry to see that we are um we are being inconsistent with our disciplining of our students. >> Any other discussion on the motion? Miss Fabian, >> I just want to thank our principles and our teachers for giving grace when grace is due because again it is very difficult to uh vote on pushing out students knowing that again they are children and children will make mistakes. So again thank you to our principles for looking at everything in totality um and giving grace where grace is
095due. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Any other discussion with Mr. Riddle? >> No, I'd like to clarify that too or just say thank you to them. I think, you know, each person, they're taking each case individually, even though they could just blanket, you know, and use [snorts] the law against everybody. Um, situations are different. And I appreciate the the care that they're showing in the way they do and and the board for evaluating and talking about this in close session and debating what how we were going to deal with folks. >> Thank you, Mr. M. Lindsay. Um, I had the privilege of sitting in on one of these board reprimands and just to um keep the board aware in speaking with one of these students, it it was very obvious that a one-year mandatory expulsion was
096not appropriate. There were just so many layers. Um, and while we need to be aware of the impact of our actions as a board when we're assessing this, intent is still a factor. And so I'm really appreciative of the team that came together to to quickly review and advocate for this student's situation. Not excusing the behavior, but it was definitely a a learning moment. >> Right. Great. Thank you. Can we have a roll call vote, please? >> Miss Fabian. >> Yes. Miss Anna, >> no. >> Miss Lensing, >> yes. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Miss Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. Okay. Now, the motion for >> 147. That's student D. Um, are we going to make the same motion? >> No, it was being
097expelled. >> Yeah. Okay. So, >> the motion. >> Okay. [clears throat] We're just voting on them separately. Okay. So, we're going to make the same motion. I'm okay. Can we have um everybody's attention here, please? [cough and clears throat] Having too many conversations going on at the same time. >> I'm asking for a motion that the board of education approve the separate superintendent's modification of the mandatory one-year period of expulsion for a weapons offense for student number 147. >> So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Riddle. >> Second. Second by Miss Favian. Any discussion on that motion? >> Yeah. Um I didn't know that we expelled um uh middle school sixth graders. >> This this is not this is to modify this is to modify the >> exper none of these students are being expelled. >>
098Okay. >> We cannot be giving >> Can I Can I just jump in real quick? Can we cannot give any identifiable information on students please? >> Right, >> Miss Lindsay. >> Um, so in reviewing the details of this situation, it was of great concern to me. Um, I understand um that while it is within our policy to allow for this, the details of the matter are very concerning. So, I I'm in torn because I want to vote no, but I will end up passing because it is still in line with board policy. But it's very concerning that this is um the situation with this student. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? Roll call vote, please. >> Miss Fabian, >> yes. >> Miss Hannah, >> no. >> Miss Lensing, pass. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. Miss
099Ramirez, >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. Okay. Item 22, board member time. Uh, we're going to start with our student board members. Miss Allen. >> Hello. Uh, I really don't have any closing remarks today, but just thank you everyone for staying, and I hope you guys get home safe. Thank you. >> Short and sweet. Yeah, >> thank you, Mr. Hakobo. >> Um, I also don't have much to say, but just a shout out to Mr. Hamilton and my instructors who helped me try to get this survey out. Um, I really do appreciate their support. Thank you. Have a good night. >> Thank you, Miss Hannah. >> Um, I don't have much to say except um, uh, just everybody keep their heads up. um staff, just keep doing what you're
100doing and you do have support. >> Have a good evening. >> Thank you, Miss Hannah. Miss Lindsay. >> Uh I just want to acknowledge that what's happening in our community continues to take a cold or take a toll um as ICE is concerned. In my opinion, based on personal stories shared with me, ICE is terrorizing our community. Businesses are seeing major hits as people are afraid to come out and actually purchase even basic needs such as groceries. Our students aren't able to focus on their academics, let alone just be a kid. Uh with everything that they have going on, their basic needs are threatened. That mental safety is threatened. Um, so my only ask is that we continue to give grace. We do not know what is going on in everyone's mind. We cannot make
101assumptions. We can't say, "Oh, they're coming to school. They're okay. Oh, they're getting A's, they're okay." We don't know, right? So, my ask is we continue to give grace. You support our local businesses here in Waggan. Stay vigilant in protecting your rights. And to Miss Allen's point, [clears throat] please stay safe. >> Thank you, Miss Lindsay. Miss Fabian. >> Um, on that note, I will remind everybody when you see ICE activity, the number to call is 8554357693. I suggest everybody program that in their phone um because we are seeing a lot of activity. And I will tell you, I am feeling that same sentiment obviously as a Latina. Um, I had a situation the other day where I panicked because I saw a vehicle blacked out windows and truck do an immediate U-turn while I'm
102walking by myself. Um, thank God that it was not ICE, but the fear in that moment is the fear that our children, that our families are feeling. So, I understand and and I I cannot express enough. Love thy neighbor, support each other, do what you can do to help one another, and understand, put yourself in someone else's shoes and be a little bit more empathetic. Um, so again, thank you for posting that up. I appreciate you. Um, on that note, it was also very disappointing to see half of the trick-or-treaters come out um this year. I normally get a a nice crowd um and I did not um >> yeah candy leaves us eating and it doesn't make us feel good. Um, thank you to Miss Hannah for suggesting that uh we come in costumes
103in celebration because again there's a lot of things that various families celebrate and the fact that half of our families that normally celebrate >> could not was very disheartening. Um, and so I thought, uh, it was a great suggestion to come out in costumes so that we can at least lighten the mood, even if it was for a second, cuz I know we look silly up here. Um, [laughter] as a as my bulldog costume is down right now, but I I know we look silly up here, but again, if only for a minute to lighten the mood, I will take it. Uh, I also want to comment uh to clarify what ALASS is. ALS is the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendent. And as a Latina administrator in schools, I was able to attend um
104on behalf of of ISBY. I completely believe in affinity groups just like we're sending um our mail our males to MEL. Um affinity groups are great and show great results for many reasons. Alas for me was super reaffirming and validating in my feelings and in my thought process of what I am seeing happening in my community and to see it on a national level and to hear it from other superintendants who are supporting Latino students feel what I am feeling and validate that and and just to affirm that my thought process I'm not the crazy person going the world's on fire um or the sky is falling was very beneficial and there were some great strategies shared that other districts are doing throughout the nation that I hope that we can um implement here as
105well. Um so when we say that the superintendent was nominated I congratulate her on that because it is a national level and what was really beautiful about the conference it's not limited to just Latinos. Um, so it was beautiful to see all the allies come out as well to uplift the Latino voices because we know that this federal administration is specifically attacking Latinos um, and our black families as well. >> So, we need to again unite and unify as a community and support one another um, as much as we can. I know all of that was very heavy. Um, so I'll go back to the other business. Uh, I know um several of our admin at the high schools are reminding students to please carry their IDs every single day, especially if you are early
106released. You will not be released if you don't have that ID. So families, parents, remind your kids if they lost their ID, it's $5 for a new one, a dollar for a temporary, and those fees add up quick. I know cuz I've seen them. Um so please make sure that you have your IDs and that's also for your safety during this time. Um and the uh last note I just want to leave a thought with our administration uh those students that have been writing in about the food. Um if possible if they could meet with uh Mr. Motton to learn about that process. What does bid process look like? why are we doing or why do we have to look at certain parameters um to fulfill those federal guidelines and help and and for them
107to give him direct feedback as he's putting together the proposals and presentations of what we should be choosing. So um if possible if we could have our actual staff or our students meet with our staff to learn that process. >> Thank you Miss Fabian Mr. McBride. >> Oh no no let's have Mr. premieres. [clears throat] Get all the ladies out of the way. >> Hello and good evening and thank you everybody for always sticking through the very end. Um it is a very rough time right now, but I would like to remind parents that there are systems in place for help, right? Um there are places that you can call um because we know what's coming down the pipe next week. Um, so I want to remind our families that we do have a wraparound
108center that you can self-reer yourself to. Uh, we have uh counselors and social workers at schools that can refer you out to other places. Communication is key during this time. I know that sometimes it's fearful as a parent to reach out to the school and say you need something. Been there, done that. Um, but it's important that we get that help that we need. Um 211 is a tool that um I would always push for people to have. Um you can call and ask for referrals yourself for just about absolutely anything in Lake County um that is resource uh community resource based. I'd like to thank our student um council members, our student board members, sorry, um for their effort for the lunch survey, right? We all know that that's always been a topic of
109contingent and um their effort um shows that um we we we have to get this information. So parents, if your students are at Brookside or Washington, ask them to fill out the survey. This is the way we get things done. This is the way we get things moving. So they're a parent. Brookside Washington campus. So, please fill that survey out um because that's the only way we get the student voice. But thank you guys again for making sure that that voice is included. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayers. Now, Mr. McBride, >> pass. You're going to pass. Okay, Mr. Riddle. >> Um, yes. I would like to uh give a shout out to Principal Kramer and the teachers at Whittier School and uh some of the children who turned out for an event that took place
110last Saturday in as as other board members have said, these are very difficult times, but we planted 33 trees in the Whittier School area neighborhood um around that area. Um and trees [applause] the uh that was uh complements of or because of Openlands Project and Open Lands um is a this Chicago based um charity that does a lot of e ecological work including helping communities like ours that that have a a not a really full tree canopy and the um Mr. Rodriguez, who is their arborist, made the comment that trees are not only provide hope, they trees are essential to our long-term health and well-being. They clean our air, they reduce stress, they provide shade that cools our communities, and so much more. So again, thank you to those who helped on that project and
111um let's do some more next year. >> Thank you. >> That's a different Mr. Rodriguez. [laughter] >> Yes, it's a different Yeah, Mr. Rodriguez, >> right? >> It's not my Rodriguez. All right. Um, I just want to thank everybody for for being here. Um, I really have to make a comment about our student board members because um, you know, we have two really fine young men and a woman here that are participating in the process. they wanted to get involved with this and I don't know if they knew what they were getting into when they put their name names in for this but I think we made a really good choice in the students that we selected. I'm really happy to see the way that they have really gotten into the whole process and >>
112to me I can already see a change in them. Okay. I think this is an educational process for both of them because you're learning something. Th this is politics. This is education. There's there's a lot involved here and you're learning how things are done, how things get done in government. And this is part of it. And you also see that you know the little little guy can be heard. Okay, that's all of you. And we all of us, we're just little guys, too. All we are is just residents of the city of Walke. That's all it is. We just put our names in the hat and uh you know, we are lucky enough to have been selected. But, you know, we're just we're just people. We're just citizens. We're just people that want to make
113a difference. And that's why we're here. And you want to make a difference. And that's why you you're here. and you are making a difference. And you know, sometimes we sit here and and sometimes, you know, we have to sit through some negativity. We have people that get up and uh make accusations and you have to listen to stuff they're saying. You're saying, you know, half the stuff they're saying isn't true. And a lot of it is just motivated by hate and ignorance. And um you know, sometimes it I I used to be really um I don't know. I guess I used to take it very seriously before and it used to really impact me and my my well-being. You know, somebody would say something about me and I' I'd be feeling depressed for for
114the next couple of days. But, you know, when you hear things when you hear people making accusations and and charges that, you know, aren't true, you have to take them just for what they are. And and even if they hurt sometimes, you have to understand that we took a pledge to to work for our students, to work to make our schools better for our students and and to help to improve the whole educational process for our students. And if we have to take some slings and arrows, as they say, people throwing stones at us, well, so be it. It's all part of it. And you know, I listen to people saying things about me, and I say, "Wait a minute. Who are they talking about? [laughter] Who's that villain that they're talking about?" You know,
115and and it's kind of funny. You have to laugh it off sometimes. But I mean that that's all the unfortunate thing is that you know we we start off in a meeting so positive. Everybody's positive and enthusiastic and we come out here wanting to do what's good and then what happens is a lot of times these comments just kind of take the wind out of ourselves a just a little bit. Just a little bit. But as you can see, we have some tough board members here, you know, and we're we're we're willing to put up with the criticism, the attacks, and who knows, they may say some things that, you know, may maybe will help us to be better better people and better board members. You know, they may point out some things that make
116us do some some self, you know, soulsearching. So, you know, if we have to endure a little bit of um discomfort, it's all part of what we signed up for. So, anyway, uh thank you all for sticking it out this late. We're not finished. We have to go back into close session. So, that I would like to ask for a motion to um go out of open session and stand in recess. So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Riddle, >> second by Miss Fabian. Can we have a roll call vote, please? >> Miss Fabian, Miss Hannah, >> Miss Lensing, >> yes. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Mr. Ramirez, >> Mr. Riddle, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. Motion carries. We are now in recess. We are going to reconvene in 5 minutes. >> Oh,
117yeah. Let me say before we the reasons we're going into close session again exception C1 specific personnel exception C21 review of close session minutes and C5 sale or lease of property. >> Thank you. Thank you.