001I'm calling our regular school board meeting of Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 to order. Roll call, please. >> Here >> we are in session. Please stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Any additions to the agenda? All right. Recognitions and celebrations. >> Well, I am so excited for Mrs. Urban to come on up because I hear we have some really amazing bus riders. >> We do. This is one of them right here. >> Go ahead, girl. Get up there with me. >> Hi. This is Miss Miss Lilith. And she last week was one of our golden riders. And this year as an administrative team, we've
002been really working on improving the behavior of our students on the bus. >> And so we have put into to um place some consistent expectations across all levels as well as some other strategies. And so at Walsh, we have golden riders and we recognize them. Every Friday their bus driver picks a drive a student who has demonstrated all of the bus expectations for the week. And so Miss Lilith here, she demonstrated she didn't have food on the bus. She kept her hands to herself. She got all her fun items in her bag, quiet voice and stayed sitting, which is really hard when you're in, you know, first in kindergarten. So, she did a great job. So, we are super proud to recognize her along with three other students last Friday. We continue to recognize them
003every Friday, but we're very proud that they show pride on the bus. So, >> way to GO [applause] UP. All right, we got an eraser >> and a dispenser. Do you want lemon, lime, or watermelon? >> Do you want a picture? >> Megan, do you want to take one by the thing? >> And I should mention we have three other students who were awarded as well. My Sanders, Ava Dero, and Leo Fonte. So very proud of all of our students. >> Way to go. Lilith, can we get your picture? >> Sure. >> Yeah. Valer, you can get if you want to get a picture, you guys can go by the backdrop maybe. >> You guys get it. Good job, Lola. [laughter] All right. And now I'm super excited to invite Mrs. Fork Cash up for
004a very special celebration. [laughter] Mr. >> You want to come take a SEAT BY ME? >> [laughter] [laughter] >> I DO NOT HAVE A STENCIL FOR YOU. >> And you do not need to sing. [laughter] >> All right. I am really excited to congratulate Mr. Kendrick Bond um who recently received the 2026 Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Distinguished Middle School Coaches Award. [applause] >> Um he has had a highly decorated career spanning over three decades in Illinois middle school and high school athletics. His resume reflects a rare combination of coaching excellence, event management, and elite level officiating. for cross country experience. He has 23 seasons as a head coach. Um and he has established a legacy of success, >> not just at Oak Prairie, but in in all that he has done. Um
005he has served as our head coach um of the Oak Prairie program for Cross County for nearly two decades. um beginning in 2007 to the present. He has led six teams to state trophies um including two second place finishes at Shelbyville and two second place finishes at Oak Prairie and qualified 27 teams for the state meet across two different programs. Incredible. I have to say that I almost it's unfair to Oak Prairie, but I'm like, "Oh, we're going to state again." [laughter] Um and it is really due to his his dedication and commitment to our student athletes in the program. Um he has coached uh 28 allstate athletes in cross country. In track and field he has secured two state trophies when he was at Atwood Hammond in 1996 and 97. He's guided 17th athletes
006to all state performances and he serves on the IESA track and field advisory committee from 1997 to 2000 helping shape the sport at the state level. And then he also has some very elite officiating um experiences under his belt. I do remember in 2024 when he was at the Olympic trials um and officiated the horizontal jump for um USATF. So that was really cool. I remember him sending me some pictures and >> um it was really neat. Um he also serves as the IHSA cross country track and field rules interpret interpreter and clinician um and as primary authority on rules of the sport for other officials and coaches. Wow. >> Um, and so he just has extensive experience and we are truly truly blessed um that he is at Oak Prairie and he works with
007our our our runners, but he also supports them just as as people as individuals. And um I have seen our program thrive because of his dedication, commitment year in and year out. And I um I I know that we all anybody who has experienced him as as a teacher or as a coach is truly blessed that he has dedicated his career to Oak Prairie. >> So thank you, Kendrick. Yes. [applause] [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Bye. >> Love you. Thank you. She's like, I'm out. >> Yeah. >> Well, thank you. And as a parent who experienced your program, it is really fantastic and your dedication is very evident as the students who come through. >> Yes, you did. >> I tried to convince mine. It didn't work out very well. [laughter] Actually, it was it
008was really uh it helped Megan come out and be more assertive, you know, herself and um really push herself. So, you know, that's all on you for bringing that out. So, thank you. >> Yeah. >> All right. Uh AFT report. Okay. Public comments items on the agenda? None. All right. Uh Mr. Mr. Bond, you're welcome to stay, but we are going to jump into the meeting. So, if you slide out, we're good. All right. Administrative reports. >> All right. I'll kick things off here. So, my report is there for the board. A couple things that I wanted to highlight. Um, I know it's just January, but we are already starting to think about the 2627 school year. And so one of those things that we are working on, shout out to Penny and to Sean,
009they are working really hard on getting enrollment up and going so we can have that out to families by midmarchch. And I'm really excited about that because as we get the enrollment numbers, it helps us drive staffing. And so if there are staff members that potentially are split between buildings or assignments, it lets us be able to help better identify for them exactly where most of their day will be or what it will look like or even within the same buildings if they need to support different grade levels. So we're super excited to get an early jump on enrollment so that we can um see what our students need and make sure that we're able to properly staff to deliver those needs. And then being January, it is cold weather season. So, um, we're closely
010monitoring the weather. Huge shout out to Gary and his crew. Last week, we had that snow swall that >> kind of came out of nowhere in the middle. And so, um, huge shout out to you and your team for all the work that you did to make sure that staff and students were able to arrive safely. Greatly appreciated. Um, we'll continue to monitor them. I shout out to Dave. He works really closely with Grand Prairie Transportation. They did inform us that they have a um cold start crew that actually starts their buses in cold weather to make sure that everything's going. Um and even with frigid temperatures coming ahead, they did say like their their team's ready to go and and have things going. So, we'll keep an eye on it. Um but huge shout
011out to all the people that are making it happen. So, >> that's enrollment. Is that earlier than normal? I don't remember. I just It is. >> I just click a button. Go. >> Yes. Yes, it is. >> It is. Okay. it is earlier than normal and that's just because we want to be able to tell staff like hey this is what we need and so the student numbers is what we need and I know last year we were waiting a little bit for some of those numbers and so we just want to be able to get a good jump on that so that >> that's good >> I'm excited >> okay >> all right assistant superintendent for business services >> all right um in the memo tonight uh good evening everyone just wanted to update
012a couple things obviously it's a busy time in the business office We have W2s, affordable care act, a lot of year-end reporting that's that's happening right now. So, a lot happening in the board packet. Then there's also a really nice presentation that was on mandated categoricals and some of the funding challenges that um I started talking about during the budget cycle, but this was kind of emphasized from IASBO and I IASA. So there's some lobbying work that they're doing obviously on our behalf, but um as EBF has been pretty steady. So that's our state funding, our old um state uh sort of formula for funding schools. Uh the categoricals like reimbursements for transportation, other things like that are significantly dropping. And so that presentation shows some serious numbers to to that. And that is some
013of the shortfalls that we see within not only our budget but across Illinois. So, um, real interesting takeaways from that. Um, the, um, there was also a inquiry from from Jeff today that came in. I've responded to, uh, just been preparing a a response. I'll get out probably tomorrow if if not tomorrow, at least by Thursday. Um, there were some follow-up questions about just uh, levy compared to budget. So analyzing that and then also some um other questions about the audit and um I'll be able to respond to that as well. Uh there was one thing that was asked about the attendance incentive. So what in the monthly um expense uh report that you'll see there's just a line item that says attendance incentive. So in the past I had been given the full breakdown
014of everything. If we were to do that for every bill it'd be pretty overwhelming. So we don't really provide that level of detail. If the board wishes, I can continue to provide the breakdown of people, but otherwise in the bill itself, it just shows a oneline itemized amount for the uh attendance incentive. So happy to do whatever the board wishes. >> I'm good with just the one amount. I mean, we can >> Okay. >> Yeah. And uh in April or May when we >> review it, [clears throat] >> we can we'll look for more detail. >> All right. That's my report. Thank you. >> Thanks, Steve. >> Okay. Uh, director of student services. >> Good evening, everyone. And my board memo, just a few things. Uh, we have professional development going on across the district
015still on institute day. It was pretty fun actually. We were able to get all special ed in one place together at one time, which is a rare occurrence. So, I don't know if they had as much fun as I did, but it was great to get everyone on the same page looking at IEP development and services and how we do our minutes and documentation. So just streamlining and that consistency which was great um to go over with them. And then we have teams across the district still working on behavior support over at Walsh early childhood indicators and then our teach curriculum for our self-contained classes is going really well. Um shout out actually to Christy Gazella who's been doing every component of it. She's really enjoying. So we're excited about that. >> And then I
016know it's really cold but we're looking at extended school year. It will be starting in June and you know eye on the prize. Sun will be here soon. Uh we will be relocating it to Reed this year which I think you were all aware of and we're looking at June 2nd through June 30th at this point. So in a couple weeks we'll [clears throat] be sending out to staff in terms of who wants to work and then we'll do registration for families to register and get that going about it for now. >> All right >> questions >> director of curriculum. >> Good evening everyone. Um I'd just like to highlight our parah committee that met. So every year we have to meet as a pair committee to just review our evaluation tool for staff. So
017we met in November and we started looking at um the new Danielson framework. So our evaluation tool for staff is based on Danielson framework um that has different domains and different components. And the language that we currently have is from 2013. So there was a newer version that came out that was updated in 2022. So part of the work we did when we originally met in November was to look at that to see is it time for us to update the language we have and the tool that we have. So we started that discussion in November um didn't finish. So we came back in January to really look at that and have some nice conversations and really compare how that language changed and um across the board with everyone from the committee they felt like
018you know what this new language really is more concise and really reflects what is happening in class now. So, as a committee, we decided that we would update the language for all of our um rubrics for our evaluation tools. So, we'll be doing that between now and then our plan is to share it with staff in April so they can see how the language has changed and then we'll come back at the beginning of the year and review it again. It's nice to see in April what's changed, but then summer happens, so it's nice to come back and review when we start the year. So, we'll be kind of cleaning up that language between now and April and probably share with staff in April and then again in the fall. So, we're really excited about
019those changes. Any questions? >> Cool. >> All right. Director of Technology. >> Hello everyone. Um, you all have my board report. Um, a couple things I want to touch on is HBS has sent out uh two pallets worth of hardware that we have received. Uh, we have inventoried it. Uh, and we are waiting on some backordered items from them. Um, as well as uh some shipping list items that they listed were shipped but we did not receive. So, I'll be following up with them. Um, but with getting all of our hardware on board, uh, we'll get those next steps of setting up the kickoff meeting and scheduling. So, I'll be providing more information to you um, on the HBS project going forward. So, that's pretty exciting. >> Yeah. Um [clears throat] previously I had talked
020about um getting numbers uh for devices in front of you. You see uh the cost per unit. Uh I did not include all the individual particulars, the warranty, the cases, the licensing. Um th those weren't as significant numbers. I just wanted to give you guys an understanding of what we are building into next year's budget. Um, and I did have talks with them about getting these devices early enough and then paying in our next fiscal year. Um, again, hopefully in future fiscal years, I will be able to have, um, budget space to where I could buy devices early, maybe at the end of years, uh, calendar years, so that we can get a discount on devices and stuff like that before, you know, new everything comes out and prices go all over the place. Uh,
021so that's future [clears throat] planning. Um, and then uh, the -ate process has begun. Um, I've been sharing emails with our consultant uh to get that uh off the ground and running. Um, we're looking at new switches, a firewall, and a couple strategic access points to where we need some more coverage uh specifically at OP. And then uh guest and student management. We will be demoing two different um softwares uh one from Raptor, one from Verata um which both I have seen. They look uh very promising uh have a lot of bells and whistles of what we're looking for. Um but then we're also going to have a proof of concept um done at the buildings so that um our team members in the main office can see these and know how they work and
022give their input as well. >> And does anybody have any questions for me? >> Did you look at blinking inform um visitor? They have a visitor piece. I've never used it. I've never seen it. So, we have not looked at uh InformicCast yet for the visitor piece. Um >> Lockport High School uses Raptor. So, we you know, and they have a pretty slick >> crisis management piece which would potentially replace Crisis Go for us. Bicata also has that piece as well. Um and we're going to assess all of that kind of stuff out. Um I I still anticipate to use um InformicCast for like the backbone of deployment of information and things. Um but we'll see. So it's it's it's in the works. >> Yeah. I just I know they call me every once in
023a while and want me to look at it, but Raptor is very good. So we don't like making that change is more trouble than they want it to be. >> Yes. And Raptor currently owns school pass who we currently have. Oh. >> So it's And they just bought them last year. So, it might be one of those scenarios where it's easier just to roll right into it um and just expand our products with them. >> Right. Good. All right. All right. Director of maintenance. >> Happy New Year. We have a couple of changes new Tony Mandola fulltime midnight person and well has retired after 10 years. >> He will be missed part time position at L. a lot of mess I'm a pain point me a parttime but very important I am reassign to cover
024Tony's position at W he was a night custodian at range of location we had some project completed over the Christmas break. We installed some sound panels in room five to try to help with some complaints of the classroom being a little loud. As far as I know, it has help. I haven't heard any complaints. Uh at also room 18 had a leaking coil. The coil came in that was replaced also. I read in Chicago was out and worked on our anti devices that we were lacking on our 10 year life safety survey. So that has been completed. We had a re uh double sign in recent refrigerator at open had a bad coil emerald appliance repair that the mouth and then AMS has been out clean the hot water heater and they have they adjusted
025the burners and gas pressure they all see me working as of right now we do not need to do a a and I have >> good news. Great. >> Thank you. >> All right. Principles will be up next month, >> right? All right. We need a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Topi >> Washington. All right. Uh, roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Washington, >> Yes. Motion carries. All right. Uh, board action items. I need a motion to approve the job description of accounting manager. >> Washington. >> Correct. >> All right. So, um, as I, uh, provided to the board last month in an update, um, with just the changes that have been going on in the business office, this is a, um, repurpose position. So, it's a, it's a new position
026for, um, for Lisa Krueger and, uh, pulls together some of what our remote employee had been doing, uh, part of what Lisa had been doing as well, but it's sort of a a new, it's definitely a new position for her. Um, so we we looked at just the the title to coordinate really the the level of bookkeeping that she's going to be doing, the general ledger work. It's much more accounting based than um than like a true uh sort of role that she had been where she was doing payroll and benefits. So a very different position there. >> All right, any questions? All right, roll call, please. >> Washington, >> yes. Yes. >> Yes. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the job description of business office specialist >> Washington. >> Top key. >>
027And so very similar to the accounting manager position. Um this is pulling together some different roles um and really kind of right sizing that position and um streamlining it to business office functions. So this is more the accounts payable, accounts receivable, uh handling some benefits, which is sort of an oddball for the for um that's more of an HR function, but we without an HR department, a lot of of those tasks fall within the business office, so we wear multiple hats, and this is one of those positions. It's a bit of a hybrid. >> All right, any questions? >> And this position is being filled by >> Mary Glewa. Okay. >> Yes. All right. Roll call, please. >> Yes. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the school calendar for 2627. >> Washington DOP.
028All right. So, last month the we discussed the school calendar. I just wanted to highlight um two changes that we added. So, one we noticed that we did not have early dismissal times. So, historically, um, the Friday before winter break and, um, the Friday before spring break, we've gotten out early release days. Next year, when we look at the calendar, we're off actually Friday, so it would be Thursday that we would be um an early release day. So, those are two changes that we just adjusted similar to this year, just that early release time. Opra and Lewig um with release time at 12:50 and Reed and Walsh at 1:50. And then we had to add the Oak Prairie quarter dates because they're on quarters, not trimesters. So those two changes are different from what you
029saw last month. Besides that, everything else is the same. >> And it pretty much mirrors the high school, right? >> Yes. Yes. >> Very close. >> Yep. >> All right. Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Washington. >> Yes. Motion carries. and a motion to approve the 2627 student parent handbook. >> Washington key. So there are no changes since we reviewed this last month. Um the one thing that we're now able to add that you just approved is the 2627 school. [laughter] So we had to be strategic about placement there. So um now that that's approved, that is placed in here as well. So that that'll be in the handbook. Again, one of the reasons we're bringing this earlier than usual is because we want to include it in enrollment. So, historically, what we've done is
030when we've brought it later, all of our parents get a message and they enroll and then we got to hit them back up to be like, "Hey, we also need you to check out the yearbook." So, just by being more proactive, we're able to really engage those parents one time through that enrollment process, and they'll be able to see the handbook as well. Cool. >> All right. Uh, roll call, please. Yes. >> Yes. Motion carries. All right. I need a motion to approve issuance of notice to remedy to Alyssa Leferson, >> Washington DPI. >> All right. Uh, this was covered in close session. Roll call, please. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Washington. >> Yes. Motion carries. All right. Uh board policy updates. First reading. >> All right. So, tonight we're bringing uh several policies
031that have been revised for a first reading to the board. Um two policies I wanted to point out that we talked about at our policy meeting was one was policy 640. This is a curriculum development policy. Um this addresses single gender classes. We currently don't have any classes that are single gender classes. Um what this policy does not address is intercolastic club or intermar athletics. So where we have let's say girls basketball and boys basketball that's handled separate. That was a great question that came out of policy committee that I just wanted everyone to be able to hear. And then additionally um policy 660 which is on curriculum content as well. This policy addresses internet safety and online safety. And while those two are very interrelated um press goes in to explain to us that
032internet safety includes like social networking on a website, emails, online messaging, posting and other means of communication on the internet. So that's kind of why they're separated. That was another great question that came out of the committee. So I just wanted to share that with everyone >> in the well we don't have whole classes the only gender specific things we do are around health at at OP right >> at Lewig >> um Lewig and Oak Prairie yes okay so yes when we're looking at um sexed there there are different classes where >> right but it's not a whole >> it's not an entire section and that's really what this policy >> is more addressing is like if you have let's say um a single gender math class. I'm just picking one off the top of
033my head. Um, so correct, we do not have that, but I just wanted to be clear because I do think that was a really great question. It's not looking at sports or intercolastic. >> All right, [clears throat] those will be back next month for approval. >> Correct. >> All right. Uh, no old business. Any new business? Okay. Uh, information items. There was quite a few foyas. >> Yes. >> Three or four. We're not alone in that. That's that that's going around. >> Um, student conduct review conduct review is in the >> board packet. Communications. There was a letter. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Okay. Uh, any public comments? Items not on the agenda. All right. I All right, I need a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Washington >> Tidwell. >> All those in favor
034signify by saying I. >> I.