March 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

A consent agenda consists of items that are, by general agreement, acceptable to all Board Members without discussion and can be approved by a single vote.  The Consent Agenda shall include items of a routine nature on which the Board of Education has received sufficient background information to take action on the items presented for approval.  Typically, the following routine items are included as part of a Consent Agenda: 1) minutes; 2) bills for payment; 3) periodic reports; 4) personnel; and 5) resolutions that are adopted annually.

As part of our multi-year Strategic Communications Plan, the Communications Department explored new mass communication platform options to streamline communications with staff, families, and the community. After an initial review, we narrowed the options down to Apptegy and ParentSquare for deeper evaluation. A task force representing all job groups then assessed the current tools, identified district needs, and participated in platform demonstrations. The task force unanimously recommends ParentSquare (PSQ). The platform is widely used nationally and by many neighboring districts and offers a comprehensive, streamlined solution to strengthen our communication practices. The task force will reconvene within the next month to plan a phased rollout, beginning with district and building leaders in the 2026-27 school year. 

With a phased rollout approach, the cost of ParentSquare will reflect implementation stages. Year 1 costs will be $13,050, which is lower than what we currently spend on SchoolMessenger and Smore. In Years 2 and 3, the cost will increase to $29,000 per year as the platform is available to all users. ParentSquare also offers optional add-on features that may be considered in the future and could result in additional costs. 

On February 17, 2026, we opened transportation bids from 3 vendors: Durham School Services, First Student and Safeway Transportation. After a thorough review, Durham School Services is the lowest responsible bidder with a stable financial position and a long-term history of delivering services. Durham School Services already meets the distance requirements with their existing terminal in Wheeling and is currently finalizing an arrangement for a terminal within our school district boundaries on Oakton Ave, near Friendship Junior High School. We also have an assurance from them that they have sufficient vehicles and drivers to have a seamless transition from our current service provider. 

Bid Detail Summary

This transition from Safeway Transportation to Durham School Services comes with a significant increase in cost. The new contract is estimated to be 18.77% higher than our current contract, which exceeds our expected revenue growth by approximately 16%. 

As included in the long range Technology Financial Management Plan, staff computers are due to be refreshed at the onset of the 2026-2027 school year. Staff will be provided with a new MacBook Air for the refresh. The cost per unit is being finalized with Apple. CCSD59 currently maintains an instructional staff of approximately 1,100 individuals, and an additional 55 total units will be purchased for spare deployment purposes. The total cost for all units will be shared once the quote is finalized.

As we have done in past staff device refresh cycles, we will be offering the option for staff to purchase their current MacBook Air for the fair market value price of $200. After the first round of staff purchases, any remaining devices will be open for employees to buy in multiples until inventory is depleted.

A. To consider information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)

B. Collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees  5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)

C.   To consider a student discipline/residency/transportation matter 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9)

D.   To consider pending litigation 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)

E.  Security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8)

F.   The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the District, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)