June 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Description:  The Board will convene in closed session to discuss the selection of a person to fill a vacancy on the school board - 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3). 

Description:  The Board will reconvene in open session.

Description:  The Board President or designee will review the agenda.

Description:  Students will be recognized for their academic, athletic and extracurricular achievements.

Description:  The Board will accept public comment related to current agenda topics or other items limited to three minutes (time may not be ceded to another). Anyone wishing to speak is asked to complete the sign-up sheet provided at the meeting. The Board, typically, will listen, but not respond. When called upon, citizens are asked to come forward to the podium to provide their comments. Visit this link for complete guidelines for public participation.

Description:  FOIA requests received since last month's report: 3.

Description:  The Superintendent will acknowledge awards, honors and recognition earned by students and staff and other items of interest or necessity.

Description:  The Board will appoint a member to serve as the IASB delegate at the Delegate Assembly during the annual Joint Annual Conference in Chicago in November.

Description:  Included is the report from Mark on the summer 2026 capital projects.

Description:  President Kotwal will declare the public hearing open.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance Dan Stanley will share information on the Fund Transfer from the Education Fund to Operations and Maintenance Fund.
President Kotwal will extend an invitation for public comment on the Fund Transfer.
President Kotwal will declare the public hearing closed.

Description:  President Kotwal will declare the public hearing open.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance Dan Stanley will share information on the FY27 Budget.
President Kotwal will extend an invitation for public comment on the FY27 Budget.
President Kotwal will declare the public hearing closed.

Attached are the Tentative Budget report, the ISBE Tentative Budget form that is on public display and the presentation slides.

Description:  The consent agenda includes items that are routinely approved by the Board with a single motion - minutes, destruction of closed session recordings, educational tour requests, employment matters, disposal of obsolete capital equipment, bills payable, and financial reports.  Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all Board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any Board member.

Description:  Closed session minutes remain in the closed file.

Description:  Employment of Employees

Description:  1. LHS Dance Team to Orlando, FL 3/2027
2. LHS Wrestling to University of Illinois 6/2026
3. LHS Cheer to Kenosha, WI 7/2026
4. LHS Flag Football to Camp Duncan 8/2026
5. LHS Culinary and Spanish Students to Spain 5/2027
6. VHHS Culinary and Spanish Students to Spain 5/2027

Description:  Per Board Policy 4:80, we are requesting Board approval to dispose of these items. The items include: over 140 obsolete Chromebooks; 16 end-of-life printers; over 200 desktop PCs.
Our Information Technology Department takes great care to ensure that any equipment planned for disposal has had all data remnants removed using various methods, including overwriting, degaussing, manufacturer-provided tools, or physical destruction prior to it leaving our facilities.  
The technology items will be picked up by eWorks Electronics Services, Inc. sometime in late July. eWorks is a new-to-us recycler which recently began working with some of our Transition Pathways students to assist them in learning marketable skills and pursuing employment. Additionally, eWorks holds several responsible and sustainable certifications, including R2V3 and ISO 14001.
In addition, there are two VHHS Buildings & Grounds obsolete items.

Description:  Under the Open Meetings Act, we are required to review the need for continued confidentiality of closed session minutes. The administration recommends that because of their subject matter, recentness, and/or specificity, the following minutes fall into the "need for confidentiality still exists" category and at this time no minutes fall into the "confidentiality no longer exists" category.
January 27, 2026; February 23, 2026; March 4, 2026; March 16, 2026; April 27, 2026.

Description:  The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) provides training, networking opportunities, resources, and advocacy on behalf of public education to assist member school boards in developing confidence and competence in their pursuit to build excellence in local school board governance.

Description:  We recommend approval of an agreement with Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (IBJI) to provide athletic training services for Vernon Hills High School. The current agreement with Athletico expires July 31, 2026. On April 2, 2026, the District issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and received three proposals. Following a review of the submissions and an evaluation of the District's athletic training needs, IBJI was identified as the proposal that best meets the needs of VHHS.

The proposed agreement is for a five-year term beginning August 1, 2026. The first-year cost is $154,500 and includes staffing for 2.0 FTE athletic trainers, which aligns with the District's current service expectations. The agreement also includes provisions for additional athletic training support should the District require expanded coverage.

The cost represents an increase from the current cost of approximately $100,000. We believe the IBJI proposal provides the staffing stability and comprehensive athletic training services necessary to support VHHS student-athletes and recommends approval of the agreement. 

Description: 

As discussed with the Board in May, Administration is recommending the transfer of $4,600,000 from the Education Fund to the Operations and Maintenance Fund to support the LHS Cafeteria Project. The required public notice and hearing have been completed in accordance with statutory requirements, and the District is now prepared to proceed with the transfer.

Administration recommends approval of the resolution authorizing the transfer of $4,600,000 from the Education Fund to the Operations and Maintenance Fund.

Description:  Administration is recommending the abatement of $2,500,000 from the Working Cash Fund to support the LHS Cafeteria Project. Unlike transfers between the Education Fund and Operations and Maintenance Fund, Working Cash Fund resources must be made available through an abatement or abolition process. An abatement allows funds to be transferred while maintaining the Working Cash Fund.

State law requires the Working Cash Fund to maintain a balance equal to at least 0.05% of the District's Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV). Based on the District's current EAV of $3,948,389,348, the minimum required Working Cash Fund balance is $1,974,194.67. The current Working Cash Fund balance is $4,552,241.79, allowing for an abatement of up to $2,578,047.12 while remaining in compliance with statutory requirements.

The proposed abatement of $2,500,000 complies with these requirements and will leave the fund above the required minimum balance. Board approval is required to authorize the abatement; no public hearing is required. The last Working Cash Fund abatement approved by the District occurred in 2022.

Administration recommends approval of the resolution authorizing the abatement of $2,500,000 from the Working Cash Fund.

 

Description: 

In order to ensure the timely payment of District obligations during the transition between fiscal years and in the event that a July Board meeting is not held, Administration is requesting authorization to process and pay routine District bills and expenditures incurred during this period.

All payments made under this authorization will be presented to the Board of Education for review and ratification at the next regular Board meeting. This process ensures that District operations continue uninterrupted while maintaining appropriate Board oversight of expenditures.

Administration recommends approval of the resolution authorizing the payment of bills through the next regular Board meeting.

Description: 

Administration is recommending approval of the agreement with the Rosemont Theatre for the Vernon Hills High School Class of 2027 commencement ceremony. The Rosemont Theatre continues to provide a venue that accommodates the VHHS graduation needs, including seating capacity, accessibility, parking, and event support services.

The proposed agreement is for a total cost of $47,000, an increase of $2,350 from the prior year's cost of $44,650. Administration has reviewed the agreement and believes it provides an appropriate venue for the Class of 2027 graduation ceremony.

Administration recommends approval of the agreement with the Rosemont Theatre for the Vernon Hills High School Class of 2027 commencement ceremony.

Description: 

Due to the anticipated absence of a July Board meeting, administration is requesting authorization to make conditional employment offers and appointments as needed prior to the August 2026 Board meeting. This authorization will allow the District to fill vacancies and onboard employees in a timely manner while ensuring that all employment actions remain subject to Board ratification at the August 2026 regular meeting.

Description:  Our current 5-year agreement with Groot is expiring. Mark Koopman has been working with the Groot representative, and they have agreed to the same rates as the Village of Libertyville. This will result in approximately a 19% decrease in our current costs. The 5-year agreement includes 3% increases each year. 

This is not a flat rate agreement, so it is difficult to precisely calculate the total cost. The way the agreement is structured is that there are recurring charges that happen on a monthly basis and "on call" charges where there is a charge based on how frequent a pickup is requested a pickup. This will vary depending on the amount of trash. Additionally, there is a charge for the weight of the trash by ton.

Based on the historical trends of usage, the anticipated total annual cost is approximately $45,000. Administration recommends approval of the 5- year agreements.

Description:  The Board may vote to appoint and seat a new Board member to serve the remainder of the vacancy term until the next school board election in April 2027.

Description:  Board members may provide general comments or report on events.

Description:  There may be information to report on activities related to the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).

Description:  Delegate Austin may have information to report on activities related to the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL).

Description:  Executive Board Member Wes Polen may have information to share related to ED-RED.

Description:  Board members and District Administration may propose future agenda items.
July 27, 2026
-2026-2027 ED-RED Membership Dues
-Resolution to Regulate Expense Reimbursements for Board Policies 2:125 Board Member Compensation; Expenses and 5:60 Expenses
-Rental Labor Rates for FY 2027
 

Description:  The meeting will adjourn.