July 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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I. Call to Order
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II. Pledge of Allegiance
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III. Roll Call
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IV. Consent Agenda **
Description:
Minutes of regular meeting held June 12, 2025
Minutes of closed meeting held June 12, 2025 July Bills Payable June Treasurer's Report Destruction of closed meeting audio recording from January 18, 2024 Quarterly list of authorized depositories, investment managers, dealers and brokers |
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V. Superintendent’s Report – Recognition and Informational Items
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V.A. Excellence in Education Award – 4th Quarter
Description:
Stacy Mays is scheduled to be in attendance to honor her receipt of the 4th quarter Excellence in Education Award.
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V.B. Policy Changes – First Reading
Description:
I am recommending changes to the following School Board Policies based on Direction from the Illinois Association of School Boards and legal counsel:
Section 200 Board of Education 2:80 Board Member Oath and Conduct 2:130 Board-Superintendent Relationship Section 700 Students 7:140 Search and Seizure 7:325 Student Fundraising Activities 7:40 Nonpublic School Students, Including Parochial and Home-Schooled Students 7:90 Release During School Hours Section 800 Community Relations 8:80 Gifts to the District The PRESS Update Memo is included to provide supporting information for all proposed changes. Policies with non-material changes, including those with legal reference and footnote updates only, will be modified administratively and are not presented for change. The proposed policy changes are presented as a first reading only this evening. They will be presented for a second reading and potential action at the August meeting.
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V.C. Organizational Chart and Succession Plan
Description:
Annually, the administration updates its organizational chart as a visual tool representing the leadership structure, outlining roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships. This helps staff, students, families, and community members understand who is responsible for what, while also supporting accountability and efficient communication.
Similarly, annual succession planning is equally important, as it ensures leadership efficiency and clarity, particularly in the event of emergencies. The succession plan minimizes disruption to district operations, supports the seamless continuation of our work, and helps to maintain continuity of operations. With multiple additions to the leadership team this year, it is important that these items are shared with the Board of Education to ensure alignment of the district’s organizational structure. It also provides context for staffing decisions, budget considerations, and ensures the board is well-informed. |
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V.D. Principal’s Report
Description:
Mr. Schoell will give his monthly Principal’s Report
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VI. Public Comment
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VII. Superintendent’s Report – Action Items
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VII.A. PreACT Fall Testing **
Description:
The administration is recommending implementing the PreACT digital exam for students in grades 9-11 on October 14, 2025. This assessment aligns with the ACT, offering valuable diagnostic data and preparation benefits to students.
The proposed model mirrors the structure, logistics, and cost of the PSAT testing implemented in previous years. The estimated total cost to the district would be $22,137.50 ($17.50 per student). The proposal recommends continuing to offer interested students the opportunity to participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program by offering a test administration of the PSAT/NMSQT on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Grant. A school-wide administration of the PreACT will provide students an opportunity to enhance their readiness, reduce test-related stress, and ultimately prepare students for future ACT administrations. Recommended approval for the purchase and administration of the PreACT digital exams for fall 2025. |
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VII.B. Overnight Travel Requests **
Description:
The Cross-Country Team is requesting to travel to Peoria from September 12 - September 13 for the First to the Finish Cross Country Invitational. Approximately 35-50 student-athletes will attend with three (3) coaches and one (1) adult chaperone. The cost of the trip, approximately $2,000, will be paid with student activity funds, with students responsible for the cost of one meal.
The Journalism teacher/sponsor is requesting to travel to Nashville, Tennessee from November 13 - November 16 for the National High School Journalism Convention. Up to seven (7) journalism students will attend with one (1) sponsor. The cost of the trip, approximately $424, will be paid by individual students, with this amount being reduced through planned fundraising convention-awarded grant efforts. The Wrestling program is requesting to travel to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio from December 11 - December 13 for the Ironman Wrestling Tournament. Two (2) student-athletes have been invited to attend this invite-only tournament. One (1) coach will chaperone the student-athletes. The anticipated cost, between $400 - $600, will be paid with activity funds Recommend approval of the overnight travel requests as presented. |
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VII.C. Exceptional Learners Collaborative Intergovernmental Agreement **
Description:
We are seeking the renewal of a contract with Exceptional Learner’s Collaborative (ELC) for physical therapy services at the rate of $150.46 per hour. We have a small number of students who require physical therapy services based on their IEP’s, and ELC adequately meets these needs. We began contracting with ELC for this service in 2022 when SEDOL stopped providing the service to our district. Recommended approval of the intergovernmental agreement as presented.
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VII.D. School Psychologist Professional Services Agreement **
Description:
Tina Sonders, Director of Special Education, is requesting the approval of a professional services agreement with Milestones Speech & Sped Services, LLC. This contract approval will fill the currently open school psychologist position for the 2025-2026 school year. The contracted school psychologist meets all posted certification requirements and will assume full school psychologist responsibilities as a 1.0 FTE member of Grant’s Red Teams. The contract begins on August 6, 2025, and ends on June 1, 2026. The individual will work up to five (5) days per week, totaling 37.5 - 42.5 hours per week, with the district paying $90 per hour only for hours worked. Recommended approval of the contract as presented.
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VII.E. Personnel **
Description:
Recommend accepting the resignation letters from the following individual:
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VIII. Business Affairs
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VIII.A. Final 2025/26 Budget **
Description:
Attached is the final 2025/26 budget in the Skyward format. I’ve updated the tentative budget with new employees that have been hired, deleted Title II and Title III grants on both the revenue and expense side, and adjusted the other grants per the allocations the state has indicated we will. The state budget form is available, and I will have the budget in that format at the meeting for you as well. The budget has been on display for the statutory 30 days. Recommend approval of the 2025-26 budget as presented.
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VIII.B. Treasurer’s Bond for 2025/26 **
Description:
The treasurer is required by law to be bonded for 10% of the amount of monies they have custody of. The bond must be approved by the Board of Education and then filed with the Regional Office of Education. Included in your board packet is the calculation determining the amount the bond should be based on the monies in custody. We have obtained a renewal on the bond. The bond is for $4,000,000 and the cost is $3,800, which is a $0 increase over last year. I have attached the bond information for your review. Recommend approval of the 2025/2026 Treasurer’s Bond.
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VIII.C. Construction Bid Opening – Trade Package 23a: Mechanical Work for the Boiler Addition **
Description:
If you recall earlier this year, we had steam pipes which connect to the steam boiler that had corroded to the point that the steam was escaping the pipes causing inefficient heating. Many parts of the steam lines are original to the building. We have recognized that parts of the steam system are failing and with the issues we had this year, we put out a bid to replace the heat exchanger in the 2nd floor Mechanical Room with a hot water boiler system. This will allow us to abandon the limited/non-accessible failed steam lines that exist in the tunnels. Additionally, the project will allow us to provide adequate heat to the PE& Varsity locker rooms, wrestling room and offices in that area, as well as bringing us one step closer to replacing the steam boilers with hot water boilers for our entire heating system. IHC is managing the project for us and their recommendation for bid award is attached. Six bids were received and the lowest, responsible bidder is Premier Mechanical, Inc. for $204,000. Recommend approval of awarding the bid as presented.
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IX. Other Business
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IX.A. FOIA
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X. Closed Session
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X.A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) **
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XI. Action items from closed session discussion
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XI.A. Potential Board action regarding personnel and compensation **
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XII. Adjourn
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