Township High School District 214 Board of Education - Regular Meeting

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Hey, today we're here at Arlington Public Works. I'm working here and I'm showing you around my apprenticeship. This apprenticeship is really important to me because it gives you the hand that you will never learn in a textbook. There is certain trade indust like trade secrets that you'll never learn just by doing notes, reading a book, but also working here especially, I have all the guys here that are able to help me and just if I have a question on anything, they're always right there to help me. So that's what's just perfect about this place.

There you go. I've been working really closely with Ryan the last couple months uh doing all sorts of different things. In my opinion, the apprenticeships are actually a really great idea because you don't know what the job is like until you actually go out and experience it a little bit, you know, with your own two hands. You know, some people love it and some people don't like it, but it's good to kind of test it out before you're committed to it. Ryan doesn't know the trick yet. Well, we're teaching him. You use your right arm and sneak past it to the right. If you pull it out quick enough, you can Well, it's good for the body.

You only get some on your hands. Something like this, you can't just teach someone how to take a tire off, put a tire on, dismount a tire. There's kind of some tricks you learn by actually doing it hands-on. And that's some of the most important stuff here. And Ryan's he catches on pretty quick. We we signed up for the district 214 pathways program because uh we feel that it's important not just for us introduce um people to what we do as public works so that they see that as a career in the future but again to introduce them to the workforce get them some life skills to promote the career especially as an automotive technician. But yeah this is our traffic unit. So, their job, they maintain all of the traffic signals, the street lights. Um, they're also electricians. They do a lot of uh electrical work in our in our buildings and things like that. This is all the the standard for all these signs and he has the ability to build most of these here in house. I would just like to say I I really hope that we can continue this partnership um because it's working out well and I would like to be able to help influence other students in the future with their uh future endeavors.

I just love the environment here. Honestly, just being here, coming here every day, just I'm never dragging myself here to work. I'm here to learn and have a good time. And overall, the guys here give me a good experience. And I'd like to thank Arlington Heights Public Works for giving me this opportunity and being so like took me in as one of them and really showed me the ropes of everything and I really appreciate that.

We're at the 2025 Senior Olympics. So today, uh, students from some of our LTS classes, leadership through service from Elkrove High School, came in as as a field trip to do some senior Olympics with the senior citizens. Yes, senior Olympics. It is it was a blast. Oh my god, this was fantastic. We're doing a bunch of different games. Um, my team just finished throwing footballs in bins. So, we're doing bags, botchi ball, and I think we're also doing uh wee bowling. So, that's fun.

My favorite of all was meeting Rod. And I think to myself, what a wonderful. Now, that man is, by the way, if you see his Wii bowling skills, out of this world. Okay. And he's a good coach, too. This is great. Uh, you know, us to get together and exercise. and these girls and guys that volunteered their time for the high school to help us out. Awesome. I really appreciate this. Just thank you very much and thank you for your time and all the stuff that you do for us. I'm just having a lot of fun and I think this is really nice and thank you in

first place. A big community effort at Arlington Heights today is making Chicago proud as students at John Hershey High School collected nearly 38,000 food items for local families. Donations will go to eight area food pantries as many families face those delays in SNAP benefits. The school is here helping out and the vibes are really high.

Over there. I think my favorite part is everyone coming together. Even if the people aren't in the SOS class, you see all your friends in their second period just helping with everyone as a whole school. Our teacher, Mr. Gunther, likes to call it controlled chaos. So, it looks chaotic, but our seniors in the SOS class have put so much work into this. We started at the beginning of the year planning. So although it looks chaotic, everyone it's just because there's so many people, but as you can see, everything's organized and everyone's helping out. So it's it's really cool to see everyone. I just think it's really special that we do stuff like this and we can get the whole school involved to collect cans for people.

All right. Hi, my name is Tony Rodriguez. I'm the community arborist with Oaklands and we're working with district 214 uh today to plant trees all throughout your campuses. One of our main focuses when it comes to working with schools is making sure that students understand the benefits of trees and the benefits that uh trees have on campuses. So, do you do you all see this root that's coming out right here? Yeah. Notice how it's nice and thick and it's a lot bigger than like this one that's growing out of here. Yeah. So, this is what we call the first lateral lateral root. So, we want this lateral root to be right at ground level. uh same as the uh root flare.

Um it's really cool being out here today because I'm learning a lot about what trees need to stay happy and healthy and about how to properly create a hole that's the right size for a tree to live in. Um to make sure that it has a long and healthy life. This is my dance. Whenever we're working with little kids, they love doing this part. So today we're planting 19 trees on the on the school campus. There's going to be a variety of trees that are native to the area. So, we have swamp white oaks. We have some uh more ornamental um service berries and some smaller trees that are going to be going closer to the building.

I wanted to do this because I wanted to help out my community. And I wanted to get some hands-on experience, especially with planting trees cuz you can't really do that every day. And mostly because for FFA, this is really good practice and everything. All right. So, are we done? No. Why do you think we're not done yet? The root flare. Yep. We got a spreader out. And the root flare is buried right now. Right. So, let's go ahead and spread out the soil. I wanted to be a part of this because as an FFA officer, I'm very passionate about plants and agriculture. And I thought it would really be a good opportunity to learn more about trees and planting cuz that's not an area I'm super familiar with.

Not only am I an arborist and working with trees, but it's really important for me to be out working with communities and helping bring trees into their communities. So, it's really awesome for me to go to travel around a lot to different areas and help uh these communities get more trees. I think anyone who's watching this, if they could join your local FFA or just go out of your way to plant some trees, help out the community and the ecosystem.

Today we're here at Prospect High School and like we're going over some really good songs and stuff cuz I never met any of these people, but we all just came together and we're all singing it. Mr. music is pretty nice and stuff. He's teaching it really well. Just that. Put your music down. Teaching is uh feels like a calling for me and especially teaching the these concepts. Yeah. You're not setting it down. You go like this.

I want that big of a difference. The storm. One and two and three. Amen.

We are performing the oldest and in my arrogant opinion best art form uh and most human art form and that we're using our our human bodies to make art um that only exists in the space of time. The most beautiful part of humanity is when we do we're all together doing something uh in unison. And so that's that was the point of today.

Yeah, I'm really excited to hear the final product cuz like um a lot of people here are talented. All of us are talented and I believe like someone out there is giving us this gift and we're using it to like empower and to also inspire other people and I hope we learn from each other too and Mr. Amazing. Draw a circle.

Mr. music is really particular with what he chose as a song with songs cuz he chose like songs that are really meaningful and like for example like draw the circle it's basically kind of like it brings us together honestly I really felt that earlier Let this be our song. No one stands alone standing side by side. Draw the circle. Draw the circle. Yeah, I just like to thank Miss T uh and the whole team here for inviting me in to do uh and to do this. Everybody from the high schools around and and I I love, like I said, I'm living my dream and so I love coming in and sharing this message of music and community with with everybody. And um I think it was I think it was a wonderful day. Try it harder still. Let this be our song. No one stands alone standing side by side. Draw the circle. Draw the circle.

Can you describe today as a deep inclusion revolution? I mean, this is such a big day. You really see the students, they get to see how excited they are. And we're going to cut straight to the game. Marlon Johnson wearing number 58. He's on homecoming court this year and he puts in the first basket of the game. Today we have the big game. It's one of the biggest events of the year. The kids love it. It's all about fun and just friendly competition. And the kids all love it. They're going to try to give an eye on Andrew who puts it in for a basket. I mean, you can really hear the crowd here. This is one of the best days of the year, especially if you're a Husky student. This is just great. Dryer with his third basket already. The big game. So much fun.

Basketball. Going to give another student the opportunity. One-handed. Onehanded. Wow. What a shot by number 38. We always have everyone in the school to come to the gym and see the game starts. I'm excited about shooting the ball in the hoop. Jefferson, Benas, Curls coming down, runs up, takes the shot, and it's in. That's a dynamic duo. Shaq and Kobe down there.

Looking to step back and take a deeper shot. That's got to be the deepest shot we've seen today. All right, Coach Ludis, the final shooter here. Dress of the ref jacket. Girls basketball coach. This one's looking good. And it's Coach Lutis, the last shooter, sinks it from half court. And you had to expect it. She's the basketball coach. You know, you had to expect the shot. Oh yeah. What a shot from Lutus.

It just really gets the whole school together. It's one of the big events that really pulls every student from everywhere in the building and we all come together and support one another and enjoy each other. Again under hand toss and it goes in. An impressive shot right there from they got the balls going to robot. Robot down the court on their feet. They think he can hit it from three but haunts the dribbling move but wasting time drawing time off the clock. He's got some fancy feet. Can he hit it? Bed from three. Oh, the rim. Johnson with the rebound. Just

Oh my god. That could have been the most insane buzzer in the big game history. I'd like to call to order the business meeting for Township High School

District 214 for Thursday, December 11th, 2025. Miss Marini, could you please call the role? Baldino here. Chung here. Dustling here. Fioro. Hinaman present. Sager here. Cryer present. We have a quorum.

Thank you. I need a motion in a second to go into close session for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in an educational setting or legal counsel for the public body. Superintendent evaluation and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representative. Motion in a second, please. So moved. Chong. A motion then second. Please call a roll. Chung. Yes. Hinineman. I. Palino. Yes. Dustling. Yes. Sager. I. Cryer.

I. Motion passes 6.

Okay. We now going to close session. Thank you. Hey. Hey. Hey. You

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Heat. Heat. Hello. Mr. Uh, good evening. So, we have student recognition tonight, but first we're going to have the pledge pledge of allegiance. Dr. McCall, please. Hi, I'm Heath McFall. It's my privilege to serve as the principal of Hershey High School. I'm going to introduce some students to come up on the stage with me first. If you had an opportunity to see Water for Elephants, the musical at Hershey this year. You know that the singing and acting was phenomenal. But Mr. Dustling, you also know that that setting was incredible, next level. And these are the individuals that were uh instrumental in helping to build that and develop that. Uh the stage and the set and the lighting and the and the

tech behind Waterford Elephants this year was nothing short of remarkable. So I'm going to have these individuals really quickly just introduce themselves, their year in school, and then they'll lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

Hi, I'm Rica Patel. I'm a junior. Um, I ran the soundboard for uh Water for Elephants, which is basically doing like all the mics that the actors had. And my favorite part about Water for Elephants was when Rosie, our elephant, came on stage and like the whole audience was in shock. Hi, I'm Scani. I'm a sophomore. I worked on lights for the show and I operated the lightboard during the performances. And I'd say that my favorite part about it was just getting to work with my friends every day. Hello, I'm Sophia Koalo. I'm a freshman. My I worked with this as a sound assistant. So, I helped Readika with mics and everything. And my favorite part was watching the performances.

I'm John Senshin and I'm a sophomore and I did Spotlight.

I'm Bethany Vulkar. I'm a junior. Um, and I worked on costumes for Water for Elephants, which includes quick changes and things. Um, and one of my favorite parts of Water for Elephants was actually working on the elephant. Now, please join us in the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America, Thank you students. Uh continuing with the agenda, can I have a motion and a second to approve the agenda, please? Board members,

you okay, Vicki? Okay, call the role, please. Baldino, Chung, Dustling, yes. Heinman, hi. Sager, hi. Kitzer, I. Motion passes. Passes 6. Thank you. Can I have a motion and a second for the open and closed meeting minutes of November 13, 2025, please? Second. Motion in a second. Please call the role. Chong. Hinineman. Hi. Fino. Yes. Dustling. Yes. Sager. Critzer. I. Motion carries 6.

Thank you. Next on the agenda is student uh recognition. Mr. Maggie, please. Thank you. Uh, President Kryer. Will, uh, Dr. Row and board member Baldino please join us for student recognition. Uh, students, as I call your name or group, please come up along with the principal, coach, or advisor. After you've received your certificate, please uh remain for photos. First up, we're going to have students uh for the perfect ACT. With over a million students taking the ACT each year, earning a perfect composite score of 36 places these students among the top academic performers in the nation. Achieved by less than 1% of test takers annually. This rare accomplishment is a testament to their academic ability, dedication, and perseverance. First up from Buffalo Grove High School, we have Philippo Betaglia. Amanda Stevens, Sam Verma, Riley Wald, Brooke Yang, We'll do the Buffalo Grove photo.

from John Hershey High School. William Corley, Maxwell Droll, Richard Fedico, Timothy Laswitz, Connor Martin, Kaden Chochi, Jackson Wilder, Eric Woods, Subin Ye, and unable to attend this evening is Daniela Jacob.

From Rolling Meadows High School, we have Mary Berwick. Unable to attend this evening are Zachary Rogers and Orin Whitting. and Brendan Frank uh was unable to attend this evening from Wheeling High School. The ACT supercore recognizes students who have combined their highest section scores across multiple ACT test dates to achieve their strongest possible composite score. The approach highlights consistent excellence and growth, showcasing the students ability to perform at their very best. From John Hershey High School, we have Matteline Murphy. Giovan Rora could not attend this evening as well as Eva Zwazak and Jillian Wanzer. I apologize. Would Buffalo Grove's Benjamin Tessier please join us?

Achieving a perfect 800 on the SAT math section, Benjamin joins an elite group of top problem solvers in the nation. This exceptional accomplishment rec accomplishment reflects remarkable skill, focus, and dedication. We look forward to the continued success that lies ahead for Benjamin. Congratulations. Uh this evening, Buffer Groves Alexander Skyles is unable to join us, but Alexander has accomplished an extraordinary milestone, earning both a perfect 36 on the ACT and a perfect 1600 on the SAT, a feat achieved by only a handful of students nationwide. Congratulations, Alexander. Would Hershey's Owen Spokus please join us? Since Owen's first day as a freshman golfer at Hershey High School, he has been a starter on the varsity team and contributed to an incredible career team record of 35 wins and only nine losses. His intensity, determination, and talent is well known in the Illinois golfing community. And these qualities help take on take the 2025 golf team to an MSL conference championship, an IHSA regional title, and a fourth place finish in the state tournament. Congratulations Owen and coach Dan Karuso.

Would Hersy's Jake Narat please join us? Jake had an unbelievable season for Hershey. He was named Allstate Class 7A MSL co-offensive Player of the Year for football. He broke school single secret record single season records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completions. What separates Jake is his leadership ability. He knows when to hold a teammate accountable and when to lift them up. Jake makes everyone around him better. Congratulations, Jake. And coach Tom Nelson. Would Prospects Nate Sitchi please join us on stage? Nate had an exceptional season both on and off the field. Athletically, he recorded 65 receptions for 1,033 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning co-offensive player of the year honors in the MSL East. His outstanding performance also led to a selection as a first team all IHS FCA allstate athlete. Beyond his accomplishments in football, Nate distinguished himself as a student and community leader. He m maintains a 4.58 weighted GPA and will continue his academic and athletic career at Harvard University next year. His character, work ethic, and leadership are second to none and exemplify the qualities we strive to represent at Prospect and within our school district. Congratulations, Nate and Coach Dan Debbuff. Uh, Elk Groves Oliver Bucky was unable to attend this evening, but he was voted all state by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Congratulations, Oliver and coach Dan Clauss. Would the following students from Hersy please join us on stage? Santiago Aoyo, Elliot Bake, Luke Carlson, Jeremiah Espazito, Johan Gonzalez, Gabe Gronsky, Aiden Corb, Matt Lamersfeld, Nathan Marota, Brandon Rug, Connor Rug, Matteas Salamo, Matteo Valera Morales.

Unable to attend this evening is Cass Kruzinski. The Hershey boys cross country team had an incredible season. The boys were MSL conference champions, regional champions, and had a third place finish at the IHSA state championship meet. Their mission this season was to run for each other and with each other. Their commitment to this mission was on display at the state meet where they had a 25-se secondond split from runners one through five. This was the best split among all teams across all three classes. Congratulations Hershey boys cross country team and coach Mike Gloson. Buffalo Grove High School's Ella Houston could not be here tonight, but she completed a decorated high school career by finishing fourth in the state in the 500 freestyle. Over the course of her season, she was also the 500 freestyle sectional and MSL championship. This is Ella's third all-state finish in the event over the last three years. Congratulations, Ella and coach Mike Michael McPartland. Roy Meadows Vera Kanik could not be here tonight, but she concluded her outstanding high school swimming career as a multi-time state medalist, record holder, and three-time all-American. She contributed rolling meadows, MSL and pool records in both the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay. And she established multiple pool records in the 100 backstroke. This season alone, Vera set new rolling medals records in the 200 free, 200 individual medley, 100 free, 100 fly, and 100 backstroke while also breaking the MSL record in the 100 backstroke. She kept her senior year

with a second place finish in the state in the 100 backstroke along with a 15th place finish in the 200 individual medley. She also earned state medals as part of the 12th place 200 medley relay and a 16th place 400 free relay. Congratulations Vera and coach Monica Chia with the following students from Prospect. Please join us. Ella Byasi. Aaron Collins cannot be here this evening. Uh Joselyn Fina cannot be here as well. Okay. Adelaide Gala Allison Kworf, Samantha Lobash, Caitlyn Maza, Juliana Mahelopoulos, Meg Peterson, Caitlyn Reac, Amalia Scorza, Brooklyn Stocking,

Anna Zjac. Unable to attend this evening is Ashley Skelton. On Saturday, November 8th, the Prospect Knights towed the starting line at the IHSA 3A state cross country championships in Puri, Illinois. They raced with heart, grit, and unwavering determination, and they raced for each other. On this day, these girls rose to the moment and brought home the 2025 IHSA state runner-up team trophy. This achievement marks the fourth trophy in school history in flex days, weeks, months, and years of training, belief, and commitment. The Knights were led by senior Meg Peterson and freshman Etle Gala, who both earned all state honors. For me, this performance represents a remarkable fourth consecutive all-state finish, placing eighth, eighth, seventh, and seventh over her four years at the IHS state meet. A career defined by consistency, excellence, and leadership. Congratulations to the Prospect Girls calls country team and coaches Pete Wintermute, Ian Arms, Britney Demerion, and Ryan Hopper. Congratulations. Will the following Prospect Journalism students please join us on stage? Xander Atkins, Sienna Mirandola, Stella Palm, and Sage Gillan could not be with us this evening.

Of the nearly 1,700 students who competed the National Student Media Contest at the JA NSPA National Journalism Conference in Nashville in November, only 120 or 7% were given the highest honor, a superior rating. Four of those happened to be from Prospect with Night Media once again shining on the biggest stage. Seniors Stella Palm and Xander Atkins etched their names in school history by becoming just the fourth and fifth prospect students to earn superior ratings in consecutive years. A truly incredible accomplishment. Stella won hers in newspaper design and Xander earned his in commentary writing. Joining them in earning superior medals were senior Sienna Mirandola in illustration and junior Sage Gillan in editorial cartooning. Congratulations Xander Sage Sienna Stella and adviserss Jason Block and Nicole Stones. Congratulations. I think we all know that um the students we're recognizing tonight have done some incredible things this year and I look forward to even more accomplishments in the future and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of their teachers and their coaches and their mentors. But there's some even more important heroes in the room tonight. If you are a parent of one of these students, would you stand up, please? Tonight isn't just about celebrating your students. It's also about celebrating you because you're the drivers. You're the snack makers. You're

the encouraers. You're the people who show up all the time 247 365 for these students. So, thank you. Thank you for from all of us on the board and from the administration for everything that you do to make it possible for our students to achieve so much. Thanks very much. That ends the uh student recognition portion of the board meeting. We are going to take a few minutes and we're going to go back to the boardroom and continue the meeting. you're all welcome to join us. But if not, uh just want to wish everyone um if you celebrate a holiday, happy holidays and a great new year, but hopefully it's time to spend with family and friends. So, we're going to take a short break. Thank you.

Okay, we are back from student recognition and there is a uh statement I'd like to make. Please before we move forward, I have been contemplating our last meeting as well as the Eio Sullivan survey regarding renovations. I want to clear up a few items that have been circulating on social media as well as at the board table. First, the last meeting was an update regarding the community response to the renovation needs of the district. District 214 agenda did not include an action item for March 2026 referendum. When two board members stated no referendum from March 2026, I was a bit surprised because the agenda did not include a discussion or vote for a referendum. The discussion was a survey update and not to discuss a March 2026 referendum date. Second, the information regarding a possible March 2026 referendum was information given to the board of education. The administration often gives the board of education all information that is available and thus this wasformational. I want to ask the public to please do not believe everything you see on the internet or social media. I understand that someone was circulating that we were voting on a referendum for March 2026. Third, the District 214 Board of Education operates in the following fashion. One, the agenda is listed on our website 48 hours before the meeting, and that's by law. Second, the agenda could have the

following consent items. Several items that are rolled into one vote. Second, discussion items that are purely discussion and not a vote. Third, roll call action items that the board of education will take a vote. We have always operated that we will discuss first and then the next meeting vote. As president, I listened to all board of education comments. It was clear to me that more information is required. As you recall, I did not say that this will be an action item at the next meeting. As you can see from the agenda, there is no vote tonight on a March 2026 referendum. Someone said to me that I refused to say that I was not going for referendum in 2026. I have to remind you that was never on the table. It was never on the agend agenda. It was just information. A couple of board members did say no referendum for March 2026, but as you can see tonight, there is no action item for a district 214 Board of Education to vote on it. Lastly, I believe from what I have heard and read that some believe that we have not completed construction projects in the last 30 years. I believe the term used was water under the bridge. I wholeheartedly disagree. The board of education, ever since I've been here, receives a listing of construction projects which include a dollar amount. These projects are first discussed at one meeting and a vote at a future meeting. I personally have visited construction sites, which usually happen during the summer, to view the projects that the board said yes to. This past summer, I visited Buffalo Grove High School to get an update on the athletic

fields as well as v visiting Wheeling High School to view the soontobe updated student services and front entrance. Construction in district 214 happens yearly. We have not been sitting around doing nothing. Virtually every year there is construction happening in the district. As Dr. road showed the slide at Rolling Meadow High School in-person meeting. For the last 10 years, we spent approximately 20 million a year on construction updates, not new additions. In closing, District 2147 buildings date back to the 1950s and the newest 1970s, consisting of 2.5 million square feet as well as 280 acres of land. These were built before individuals with ill intent coming into school buildings wanting to harm students and staff members. Ever since Coline, we take security and safety to heart. We have gotten better and continue to work with law enforcement to ensure we are doing everything we can for the safety of over 2,000 people in the building 180 days, as well as afterchool, weekend rentals, and summer school. The board of education will have future renovation discussions as well as other recommendations from the administrations besides asking voters via referendum. Uh thank you. So we next on the agenda is the public hearing for the tax levy and it is 7:41 and I call a public hearing for the 2025 tax levy is now opened. This hearing provides an opportunity for the public to address the board of education on a

2025 tax levy. Dr. Adaway, can you please provide a brief overview?

Yes, thank you. Uh, good evening. Tonight, I am going to present the 2025 final tax levy for district 214. U, there have been no changes between the tenative tax levy and the final levy, so I'll move through this presentation fairly quickly. I also do want to note that the required disclosures for the district's audited cash reserve balances and the average operating expenditures are included in the board packet online for public review. So a graphic on this slide illustrates the full tax cycle. So full first the board approves the budget. This happened in September and it determines the expenditures for the year. Second the levy is filed with the county. That is our revenue request. The county then calculates the tax rates based on equalized assessed valuation or property value within the district, applies the state multiplier, and issues the property tax bills. And finally, those revenues are collected and used to support district operations. So, similar to most northern Illinois school districts, uh property taxes are the largest and most stable source of revenue for district 214. In our budget, they account for 82% of our projected revenue and they fund the core instructional support, transportation, and operational services that we provide every day to our students. So, one concept or term that is brought up quite frequently when we talk about the levy is the tax cap, which refers to the property tax extension limitation law or PTEL. PTEL was enacted to allow for predictable growth in revenue that reflects inflation while preventing excessive increases in property taxes. It limits the year-over-year growth in property tax revenue to the lesser of 5% or the rate of inflation or consumer price index. And you can see on the chart on this slide that in most years CPI has been below that 5% cap. But in 2021 and 2022, inflation did exceed the 5% and our increase was capped at 5%. So, while I talked a little about the

purpose of PEL and what it does, I also do want to emphasize what it doesn't do. So, PEL does not cap individual property assessments. It does not cap individual property tax bills and it is not applied to new property that is coming onto the tax roles for the first time. So, even though the tax extension is generally going to be reduced to CPI, it is very common for school districts to request more. And the reason for that is that several factors are unknown or unconfirmed at the time of the levy. That includes the assessed value of existing property, new growth within the district, and the Cook County multiplier. Each of these factors significantly influences the potential tax extension for each individual fund. And we need to make a higher levy request to hedge against any variations or changes to these factors. Once they're actually known, the county actually reduces our levy to the allowable levels before extending the taxes to the community. So let's talk about our 2025 levy. So as I mentioned earlier, there are both known and unknown factors when we complete the levy. So for the 2025 levy, our known variable is CPI at 2.9%. Our major estimates in the levy include current EAV growth at approximately 12% which reflects strong increases in assessed valuation and new property estimated at $70 million which is consistent with the 5-year average within the district boundaries. Um, additionally during development, this levy was stress tested with a wide range of new property and EAV growth, including a reduction in property values, and we're confident that the levy as presented can withstand uh fluctuations in both of those factors. So this chart shows the final levy for 2025 along with a comparison to last year's extension. The unshaded column in the middle shows the 2025 levy as it is being presented tonight. The total levy increase over the prior year including

debt service is 4.94%. That does not mean however that we are increasing property tax bills by 4.94%. As we discussed, there are several unknowns during the adoption of the tax levy, and the levy is developed strategically to withstand fluctuations in those unknown factors. The shaded column that's all the way to the right is the projected extension, which assumes that all of the assumptions on the previous slide are correct. So, in that case, if all of those are correct, we would expect the county clerk to reduce our total levy increase to approximately 3.44%. when when it is actually extended to the community. But again, this is not a 3.44% increase to property tax bills. That percentage is the year-over-year change to the total property tax revenue that the district will receive. How that's distributed among individual bills is solely dependent on the interaction of individual property assessments within the district. So later in the agenda, we will be asking the board to approve the 2025 tax levy as presented and then we will file the levy with the county prior to the deadline on December 30th.

Thank you, Dr. Adway. Is there anyone here who wishes to address the board regarding the tax levy for 2025? Go ahead. This is just the tax levy. Okay. State your name, please. Craig Horowitz.

I distributed to You have three minutes, sir. I know. Okay. Can it start when everybody gets the handout, though, President? Okay. Fair. Okay. Wait, wait till we all get it. Yeah, I think that's fair. Thank you.

Okay, you're it.

Craig Horowitz, Buffalo Grove. uh at your last meeting the tax levy was introduced at 297 and I see nothing has changed. I noted then that 2019 through 22 this board increased the levy each year 2.5%. When 22 arose through 25, you decided to raise the levy to the max or 4.5. Yet each year, this district ends the fiscal year with anywhere from 110 to over 130 million in cash reserves. I'm sure you're aware that SB1 1994 is alive in Springfield to regulate cash reserve abuse. I hope this bill passes. I hope the governor signs it. I ask this board tonight to vote no and to cut expenses and increase this levy to no more than 2.5%. I use this device to communicate what government does when it needs more money. This is called a money faucet. And this board, like many governments, turns on the money faucet and out it comes from you and I, the residents, including you, because I assume you're all residents. The residents in this area are staring down property tax increases ranging from five to 40% next year. They're also staring down, and I'm sure you've heard significant excessive

health care premiums. This is the wrong time to be maxing out the tax levy because you can. In the last s six six years alone, this board has added over $50 million 238 in 2019 and tonight 297. Yet the student population has remained constant at 12,000. The staff population has remained constant at 1,600. I wondered with a show of hands, how many people in this room have seen their incomes rise 25% in the last five years? So, why should this board be any different? As a homeowner, I can tell you also that Buffalo Grove and Wheeling have seen their their household incomes drop by 7%. The money faucet should be turned off. Please vote no on this reckless tax levy tonight. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Anyone else for the levy? Thank you. Um, this will conclude the public hearing at 7:51. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Oh, sorry. You didn't see me. Sorry. So, your your name, please. Jennifer Rose. Thank you. Uh, please, please proceed. Um, actually, you know, I came this evening because I did think we were going to discuss the referendum. I don't know if anybody else here or was under that impression. Um, I found out Oh, I don't know, maybe around 5:30. Can you hear me if I stand over here?

You know, this is for the levy because we have public comments coming later. I'm sorry. So, this is for You're going to speak about the levy. I am. Okay. Go ahead. I am. Go ahead.

However, as I stated, I came to talk about the referendum, but really, I think my position on the referendum and the levy are not much different. And a lot of what this gentleman just said very articulately. Um, money is tight. It's tight for everybody. I'd be curious to know what percentage of the principles, assistant principles and teachers actually live with who work in district 214 actually live in district 214. So, we'll actually feel the pinch in their wallet when when some of these um things move forward. and we're taxed higher. And we're all waiting, if you live in Cook County, you know, we're waiting till the second half of of next year to find out what the tax reassessment is going to be on our properties. I couldn't My property personally um increased $120,000 in three years when I didn't do a damn thing to it. Nothing. Haven't done a thing, but it's worth 120. It's worth $460,000. My parents bought that house in 1954. They paid $25,000 for that house in Mount Prospect. It's a nice little house. It's been wellmaintained. Um, but it's not worth $460,000. I couldn't sell it tomorrow for $460,000. But I'm going to pay taxes on $460,000. That's nuts. It's insane. So, you know, my mother was an English teacher. I'm actually um in favor of the support of education, but there comes a point when enough is enough. The answer is no. N O. It's too much money. Can't afford it. You know, I

have to live within my means. The school district needs to live within its means. That's all I have. Thank you. Anyone else on the tax levy? Okay, we're going to have board comments. If you want to talk about the levy, you can.

Okay, so I'll have public comments. I'll have public comments in a second. Okay. Okay. So, um this concludes the public hearing at 7:54 for the 2025 tax levy for Township High School District 214. Um, the board will be taking action on the 2025 tax levy later this evening. Okay. So, now we have public comments. So, I have a a little uh spiel that I'm going to say here. The board of education and the district value comments from the community at our meetings as well as emails. We appreciate everyone appearing before the board and treat all with courtesy and respect. The board of education asks each person to please limit all of their comments to three minutes. However, if several people want to address the board on similar topics, the board president may limit the time to two minutes per person. The public comments on agenda items will be the only time that the board of education will hear public comments during the meeting. Although comments may be made on almost any matter related to the operation of schools, comments will not be allowed identifying students or staff members. As this is the board of education's business meeting, the board practice is to not respond to public questions or comments at this time because this is not an open-ended forum. However, we do listen carefully. If requested, a written response will be provided. Please ensure that Miss Marini, raise your hand. Thank you. Has your full name and email address on the uh before you leave. To be fair and consistent with addressing the board,

the same protocols and procedures must be in place for everyone. So, let me call Mike Mulligan. Okay. So, uh you can go up there. The the green light indicates your time has started. The yellow light indicates 30 seconds remaining and the red light indicates three minutes have expired. So come on up. I don't want to take three minutes up there. Welcome sir. You you can you can start. I

I appreciate being here tonight. I've been a resident of of this Arlington Heights for over 50 years. I love it. I love it. And I came I came here my daughter's a teacher over Parkridge and she said and I've written 10 or 12 books on career planning and leadership. and she said, "You should present it to the board and see what happens." Just to give you an idea, uh I'm from Savannah, Georgia. My dad was a pipe fitter. My mom and dad finished the 10th grade. We moved to Michigan and um because I we stay in a little town called Algenac and I had sports and I went to Alma College became a teacher and a coach for one year and they got my masters at Michigan State and I went down to Georgia Tech to be assistant dean of students and one year there in the counseling center. Then I went over to the University of Georgia to be director of orientation for five years, get my PhD in counseling student personnel and I became chairman of the college night program. ACT noticed me. I came up here to Chicago with my wife because she was from Cy, Michigan to be with ACT. I didn't cover Illinois. I covered every state but Illinois. And uh I then joined manage as management development director for Century 21 of Northern Illinois helping uh franchise owners be with uh with their business plans and I had six consultants that reported to me and my boss wanted me to teach them counseling skills. I've then had my own career consulting outplacement firm in the civic opera house for about 30 years and we helped about 4,000 executives that were fired from their jobs. We didn't have anybody that came from an organization that was sponsored by taxes. Why is that? Because if people go into education want tenure and they want security. But one of the reasons I'm here, I had two daughters that graduated in Prospect and I tried to get a program this last year with your community education with you know so many 90% of

our kids go to college but how many graduate four years? Have we do we have any statistics on that? I know the program with Harper College is is doing well and getting our kids some graduate some credit and getting them out of school. But the question is do we have any career planning and management courses? My daughter said I should come here because I wrote a book number of books my career mentor and me where parents become the career mentor one a triangle mentoring system one is a career mentor one's a life skill mentor then the specialty mentors the high school counselor the teachers and then they go to college and and they be form a network so they get out but the question is do our students really understand what they want to major in in college you know I I was when I was orientation director at Georgia, we had so many kids would half of them would change their courses when they got back their freshman year. So I I would like to see if the board would like me to do what a I when I was with ACT, I had a program called achievement motivation program and I taught it for graduate credit for Michigan State University and for Glassboro. It's a great program and what I'd like to do is take this achievement motivation program and work with your your administrators on best and field achievement motivation program and then the high school where we have the achievement motivation program for high school through high and then this junior year have a program or the college student achievement program and I would like to see if if you guys would sponsor me and give me a chance.

I won't charge anything. Okay. Thank you. just to see if we can do it and and and become one of the best high schools in America. Okay. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Sorry I went over.

I'll charge you. Okay. Thank you, Joe Schirts. S C H U RTZ. Am I good? Okay. Please come forward. Same protocols apply, sir. Uh, so I I came here also thinking we were talking about the referendum tonight, so I got duped on online, too. Um, but I think in in essence, as we heard, fiscal responsibility, I think, is some of the key aspects and what I'm thinking of here tonight. Okay. And my neighbors and I talk almost every week about affording to live here anymore. We're getting to a point where we don't think we're going to retire here. We're going to have to leave. We can't afford our homes. We can't afford to stay in our homes. We're talking about we're we're we're getting it down to the dollar amount per day to live in our home just because of taxes. And you guys are the biggest part of it. Okay. So, I want you to think about fiscal responsibility, whether it's from the levy or whether it's from the referendum. All right? We to this day, in just the last few years, we've had district 25 referendum got approved. Wheeling Township now approves a mental new mental health board. We are now being affected by a significant transition from commercial commercial property taxes because they're all vacant now to residential and that's what everybody's going to be

seeing real soon. Not to mention in the last five years a 25% increase in inflation. So we got we're we're getting hit. We're getting hit really really really hard. And I remember living here just not too terribly long ago. As a matter of fact, 2014 2015 when you guys sent us out out a questionnaire because you had all this excess money and we built a pool on the prospect and we built a bunch of other stuff. We knew those boilers rolled. We knew that was coming. I know when I have a furnace that's going to be coming up coming due, I save for that. I don't have the ability to be able to run out and make another, you know, $50,000 in order to do all the things I want to do to my house. I don't have that ability. So, I just want you guys to think about being socially responsible and what we fiscally responsible for us us people who and and I had kids that went to 214 loved it. They and I'm not here not to say that I don't want to pay my fair share, but if I can't afford it, my kids are already gone. Some of you that buy my house, they're going to have kids now. You're going to get more kids. Okay? And it's going to cost you more to be able to educate them. My kids are already gone. I'm easy for you because I'm not using your resources anymore. Okay. So, please.

Thank you, sir. I appreciate your comments, Mr. Horowitz. Yeah. Okay, you're good. Okay, Jennifer.

Okay, thank you. Uh Mary Vickers I'm here to talk about taxes and finances. According to the district, it has made $200 million worth of maintenance repairs over the years, but its buildings are 50 and 60 years old, and more repairs and replacements are needed. The district says it has a compreh had a comprehensive plan since 85. A comprehensive plan by definition is comprehensive and builds up reserves for the roof, mechanical system, and other nonoperating expenses. It tells you how to operate within your budget. For example, a comprehensive plan takes into account that more maintenance is required for a 30-year-old roof versus a 5-year-old roof. It includes scenarios when it becomes economically beneficial to replace the roof because of ongoing maintenance is not coste effective. Can I have a copy of your comprehensive plan? Did your comprehensive plan tell you this and how to operate within your budget? If so, how much time did the board spend over the years discussing this comprehensive plan as it undertook projects? At the last meeting, a board member said, "We do not have the money for these needed maintenance items because the community wanted certain things like pools." And the board gave the community what it wanted. A board does not build pools, does not make interior cosmetic changes like you're going to vote on tonight, or consider any other wants until its needs are met first. Saying the community wanted something, so that's why we did it, is

really passing the buck. Even now, the district has given the community categories of projects with needs and wants in each category, and then we're asked to rate the categories. Instead, the district and board should take care of our needs first, and then you can go to the community for input on the wants. It's important to know how and why these past decisions were made, even if they were made 10 or 15 years ago. It matters to the voters. As school board members, you have a fiduciary responsibility, which includes a duty of care and a duty of loyalty. A duty of care requires board members to make detailed inquiries into any matters that appear wrong rather than ignoring problems. You have a duty of loyalty, which means acting in the public's best interests. You are legally bound to do this. In terms of finances, we already have three bonds outstanding. The last one is projected to be paid off in fiscal year 2030. Cook County taxes have gone up significantly. Not everybody can afford the taxes if you're trying to pay your bills. I suggest you look at your needs, work within the budget, see what you can defer, stagger some projects, and then come back to the community with these results. And I'm going to give you my paper so that I can get a copy.

Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate your comments, ma'am. Uh Joan Burke, welcome Joan Burke. Reducing maintenance expenses requires a proactive approach. Regular maintenance prevents costly emergencies, but in addition, the lifespans of roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems must be considered. Possibly the district poured too much money into these critical systems to repair instead of being replaced because they outlive their life. Replacement with newer systems have benefits. they could be more cost effective and more efficient, thus saving money. It appears the recent facility assessment was done to facilitate a need for a hefty referendum. With Prospect being the oldest building at 68 years and the other schools not far behind, I find it hard to believe out of the seven schools, four schools need the mechanical systems replaced, two schools are on the cusp of replacement, and three schools need the electrical systems replaced all at the same time. These are improvements which, as you stated, are necessary to keep our students and teachers safe, warm, and dry. Other individual projects we were asked to rank do not come close to keeping the school community safe, warm, and dry. At present, the district has three outstanding bonds, and the board is the watchdog of our hard-earned tax

dollars. To protect the community's investment in our school facilities, the school board should ensure the district has an adequate comprehensive facility maintenance replacement program. Those who fail to plan then are planning to fail. As Winston Churchill said, "Those that fail to learn from h history are doomed to repeat it." Thank you. Thank you. That's all that's uh signed up for public comment, so we're going to move on. And uh next up is Dr. Ro.

All right. Thank you. Uh thank you very much. Um I have a number of comments um this evening. Um, I want to start one that that actually is related to some of the public comments that we've heard um from our from our residents here tonight and it has to do with the the property tax bill delay. And I would like to update you on kind of the status of what's going on or maybe what isn't going on in Cook County. Um, as you know, property tax bills were delayed. We normally receive um the top property tax bills in in June with an August due date. uh they were not the the the actual bills were not mailed until November 16th with a December 15th due date and Cook County after much pressure finally communicated that it was as a result of a technology error that they were experiencing with uh with a new software that they were implementing. Um they finally got the bills out. Well, the update is they have not remitted any of the property tax payments and and you know the rumor amongst our business officials is beginning to circulate and I state it is a rumor but it is beginning to circulate that the same technology platform is preventing those dollars from rolling on to us. Um and I bring this up because as you know the district uh we as you board members know and I'm I'm happy to share it publicly. We've had to take a financial position um to liquidate some of the investments that the district has using the reserves that Mr. Horowitz mentioned um in order to to pay our bills, pay our teachers, and and keep the you know the lights on. Um the district stands to lose approximately $800,000 of potential investment earnings that we would have realized had those tax dollars continued to be in the investments. some of our neighbors have had to issue tax anticipation warrants. Um, I would actually urge uh our community to consider paying really

close attention to what's going on in Cook County because it is a gross gross misuse of property tax dollars by all residents because that $800,000 would go to educate our kids. the fees and interest that our neighbors are experiencing uh with tax anticipation warrants to make their bills are fees and interest that should not come from our taxpayers because of a Cook County processing error. Um it is it is a real waste of tax dollars. Um so I'm just updating I'm hoping for resolution, but I will tell you that District 214 is actively involved in a an effort to uh to bring some accountability to um the Cook County Board of Commissioners and and increase communication. It's not a commissioner problem. This is 100% a treasurer issue. The treasur is not communicating with us about what's going on. Uh we believe at the very least we are owed updates as to where uh the tax dollars are and why they haven't been sent to us. Normally most people a lot of people escrow their tax dollars. Those it's an immediate it begins to roll off as soon as the dollars come in and we have received nothing. So, um, we're in a fortunately a financial position because we have, uh, a healthy reserve that we don't have to issue tax anticipation warrants, which is a short-term loan in order to make payroll. Um, but if if this isn't resolved soon, that conversation will be coming to you, unfortunately, as as many of our neighbors are. So, um, moving on. Um, in January, you will have our we'll I'll give our first midyear strategic planning update. in year one of the of of the strategic plan for future 214. I'm very excited to share the details of what the team has been working on. Um from administrators in our buildings to to the administrators that set up here with you this evening to our teachers that are engaged in some of our subcommittees. Um really really good progress has taken place and I'm excited to share that with you. So just a preview that's coming next month. Um it'll be our second meeting in January. Um I want to offer a congratulations to Alva. We've been celebrating Alva a

little bit lately. Alva, as you know, was uh was elected as vice president of the Illinois Association of School Boards, the state schoolboard association. So, it's really comforting to know that we'll have uh one of our own in Springfield representing uh our interest with the schoolboard association. So, congratulations, Alva. We wish you very well. Excited for you. And then finally, I I want to um kind of take a just a step further from what uh what Alvis said in her opening opening statements about the community engagement session and really reiterate my comments at the at the last board meeting is that we genuinely are listening and really grateful for the comments of our our our community members tonight share their their thoughts. Um they're not falling on deaf ears whatsoever. And I wanted to give a little bit of a preview because I know the social media conversation is is is out there about that there was a a referendum conversation or a vote tonight and I you know I feel bad that uh that that you came this evening thinking that was going to occur. There will be no March referendum. It it's not happening in March. We we this board gave the direction based on the conversation of we need more time. We want more information. And what's what's what you can expect from us is um in the in the first quarterish of uh of 2026, we'll begin phase three. And what phase three will be will be the next round of feedback and communication where we will take the um the items that the community rated that actually matched the district's priorities, which is good. um and do exactly what the community has asked for, which is make them some very specific projects as well as the dollar amounts and really narrow that focus. Uh what you will not hear from us is $850 million again because it never was going to be $850 million even on the best day. That's not a realistic number. It was sharing a comprehensive plan of what the needs were, but our architects um said in that plan, this was the uh the total need. this is an engagement conversation about uh what what the district wants to

accomplish and what the community may be interested in supporting or may not. Um so that that the next phase will be much more focused with specific projects by specific buildings tied to dollar amounts that will be uh very narrowed and focused just as you've asked. So I just wanted to to share that and the conversation will continue uh but you can expect to hear from us um after the new year as we get in toward the middle to the end of that first quarter of 2026. And that's all I have. Thank you. Thank you. We're up to board member updates. Uh Mr. Dustling,

we uh saw the students that participated in the play Water for Elephants at uh at Hershey. That was uh probably the first uh high school or one of the first high schools to present that play since uh it was on Broadway, which was which was really u really good for them. I also went the orchestra's presentation at Elkrove High School. Student talent of course uh displayed again and then two holiday concerts last Sunday. One at Hershey and then one at Prospect. Prospects is kind of unique. Uh the chorus band and orchestra all get together in the fieldhouse and u it's really really unique um and very good. Uh the second annual Hanukkah party was at BG presented by the Buffalo Grove High School Jewish Club which uh is always a very nice event to go to. It's held during the day and uh usually before classes start but they do a really good job of it. That's it.

Thank you, Miss Baldino.

Um since our last meeting, I was at the Illinois Association of School Board Conference. Um I went a day early to attend a session on um equity in our schools and it was a really interesting session on how to use data and storytelling um within the school district and then attended a lot of sessions um through the rest of the conference um for both new schoolboard members as um as well as a lot of other topics and I particularly enjoyed the networking opportunities to meet with um board members from all the surrounding districts as well. That was really great. Um, and I loved watching the national anthem be performed by the Wheeling High School um, mariachi students. Um, I also attended the Midsummer Nights Dream um, which was put on at Prospect High School and congratulations to those students because they actually did the entire play as written in the original language. It's not easy to learn. I was a Shakespeare geek in high school and and it was it's not not an easy thing to learn that they did an excellent job and it was very entertaining. And congratulations to Jeremy Morton who led the students on that effort and has been named Bubbler's teacher of the year won a $10,000 grant for the fine arts program which is absolutely amazing. So, I love um this the students and the the teachers and the entire community at Prospect did an amazing job of supporting them and really campaigning hard for him on that award. So, been a busy month, lots going on.

Okay, thank you Dr. Chung.

Um so, uh this past Monday, third and fourth year students in our Wildsting Robotics U program presented their thesis projects. So, it was held in a science fair uh format and projects included an outreach initiative to our center middle schools to recruit and mentor students and a reuse and recycle program where they're currently um partnering with Rolling Meadows and Elkrove High Schools and they're looking to expand in the other schools. So, it's just an awesome job um by Mark Cook, Nick St, and all of the Wildstang students. Um, next, the third annual AAPI student summit was held on November 21st here in this room. The theme of the event was one voice and beyond. And just as an example, one of the breakout sessions was K-pop demon hunters, mythology, mental health, and generational memory. So, it's just a great opportunity for the students to celebrate their cultures and build connections with each other. Um, I also wanted to mention that Prospects TPC, Teacher Parent Council, hosted our annual craft fair last month. And um many thanks not only to the parents and the student volunteers, but I also wanted to give a special thank you to two CMA staff, Mago and Darina, because if you can imagine the aftermath of a craft fair with over a hundred vendors, um you know that Mago, Darina, and really the entire all of our CMA staff deserve some special recognition for all their work in keeping our building safe and clean. So, thank you. Um, and finally, Hersy High School held its annual community food drive last month. The entire student body got involved with students in the service over self class leading the way. It was awesome. Very high energy. Over 38,000 cans of food were delivered to eight local food pantry. So, just a big thank you to Mark Gunther who's the service over self-coordinator and all of the students

at Hersy. Thanks.

Thank you, Dr. Sager. So last week uh I was we had the NSSEO governing board for dis uh meeting for December. I'm happy to report that since the previous meeting we had the new articles of agreement uh transmitted to all the the member district boards. At least five of the eight have passed them. So they will go into effect. We may have they by this moment they may all have passed. It wasn't clear at the at the meeting, but uh that means that our operations board made up of the member district superintendent will be uh beginning in January. Um this is an effort uh came out of the strategic planning to improve governance to bring a a greater connection between member districts administration and NSSO to allow it to function as a more cohesive unit and make sure that we are being very efficient in the way that we're using those resources uh build efficiencies into the system. So that then moves to the next step of the uh strategic plan which is around right aligning programming amongst the NSSO and member districts what's done in member districts in house versus what NSSEO and there's been a change in the needs of the student populations that we're seeing at NSSO over the past decade or so or even in the last five years where the needs of the students that are being uh sent there are changing and so realigning programs and just making sure that we at NSSO we have the resources we need to support our students. So because ideally

we want NSSO to be the resource rather than a different out outside facility and um that'll be the next phase. There's going to be a program alignment task force that's going to be working over the next year or so and then spending a year very carefully thinking through what implementation looks like. So, it's really a two-year process to get that programming redone again with input from the new operations board. So, sounds very interesting. Yeah. And and then that'll feed into the other pillars which are finances and facilities and the HR work that that's So, the last time a strategic plan was at NSSO, I don't know.

Yeah, decades. I'm sure it's decades. Mr. Heinman, anything?

Okay, good. Uh just a couple things, you know, uh Vicki and I or doc Dr. Chong and I were at the Wild Stang, but I found out that the Mid Midwest Regional will again be hosted here at Forest View, and that's during spring break. So, that'll be wonderful to see the robots or our uh 111 and 111 + 1 112 robots in action at the Midwest Regional. And uh congratulations to the students who submitted artwork to the Harper College art show. The the um artwork is done on display and anyone in the community could go to Harper College and see all those uh wonderful uh artwork from our students. This is a collaboration with uh 211, 214, and 220 hosted by Harper College. And uh just a shout out to Rolling Meadows High School for their winter music program. They had coral, the magical uh orchestra and band. It was a a really a beautiful presentation. Okay. So, onward department reports uh 131 business services uh budget update. Dr. Adaway.

So, included in your board packet is the budget report for October 2025. Um the good news is there is nothing remarkable or concerning to report from this month. Um all the expenditures are trending in line with previous years. The only discrepancy from uh previous years is the revenue side with the property taxes, but Dr. O covered that in his superintendent update.

Bond recordkeeping 1312. Um, so the district actively maintains appropriate records and procedures to support all postissuance compliance uh requirements related to the tax exempt status of all of the outstanding debt obligations. Um, attached in your board packet are the reporting templates that were provided by Chapman and Cutler. And I am pleased to report that district 214 is in compliance with all the applicable reporting and tax law requirements for uh the outstanding debt. Thank you. Okay. Next we have the uh annual audit. Dr. Adawway, you want to do an intro here?

Absolutely. I would like to invite to the microphone uh Michael Mallet from Baker Tilly to present the FY25 audit.

Thank you guys and thank you for having me this evening. Hopefully you can hear me up a little bit. Okay. So, I'm going to keep my comments brief tonight. Uh before I get started, I do want to thank thank uh Justin and Michael and Jim and their entire team um and their efforts that the meat grinder we put them through on an annual basis as part of the audit process. Um the audit itself is effectively a six-month cycle uh of work. It's not just us showing up for a couple weeks and being done. It's six months of back and forth conversations, requests, uh pulling information, making them jump through hoops for us all while they're doing their day job. Um, so without their professionalism, responsiveness, uh, and efforts to really do everything we ask of them to ensure that we can be here tonight, we wouldn't be here tonight presenting the audit. Uh, so I just always want to thank them for everything they've done to make this audit process as smooth as possible. And I know we've worked from being a little later in previous years to now being really back to a cadence of the district's historically being um, a relatively early issuer in comparison to a lot of other districts. So, it's really a testament to your business office putting a lot of effort into uh making sure we're able to be here tonight. Um, so tonight I'm going to go over all the different reports that uh we issue as part of the audit process. Not going to get into any fine numbers you guys have of the reports. Obviously, if you have questions, gladly answer any of them, but I really want to focus on what the audit means and what we're actually telling you and those nice and easy to read audit opinions that we we issue as part of the audit process. Uh so the first report I want to talk about is the annual comprehensive financial reports. That's your big document. That report presents the district's complete financial picture for fiscal year 25. Where you stand as of June 30th, as well as what happened during the year from a financial perspective. Um that report, everything in there with the exception of three pages is your numbers. It's your information you're putting out to the public and to the various users of the financial statements and also being put out to you as the board for your governing decisions. The only thing in

there that comes from us as our voice as the auditors is that independent auditors report. What that report states is whether that information can be relied upon for decision-making and for understanding uh having a an accurate picture of the district's financial health. We issued what's called an unmodified opinion. That's the highest level of assurance we can provide. What that means is not that we look at every dollar or every penny. It means that the information in there is is sufficiently accurate and we've tested it and beaten it up that you can rely upon it to say, "Yes, this is where we stand as of today and here's what happened during the year." Um, within that report, there's a lot of detail, a lot of data from front to back. It gets more and more minutia and historical trends. There's good stuff in there. Um, but I'm also a crazy auditor, so I that stuff's interesting. If you don't feel like reading the entire report, I do always recommend the most important sections to read are the transmitter letter and the management discussion and analysis sections. I I say this every year, but it's always a great reminder. Those are two biggest bang for your buck sections. Those two are to be read in conjunction with each other. The MDNA is a section that gives you kind of hard numbers. Here's what changed from last year. Here's what happened during the year. Big picture stuff, right? Of what big things happened. The transmitt letter provides a lot of context of what has happened, what is happened during the year, and what is going to happen in the future from a non-financial context. There is financial information in there, but really the two of them together really paint a picture um of what the where the district's at, what's happening, what's happened in the past, and where it's going. Um so, I always recommend reading those two sections together. Um really there isn't too much, you know, significantly different from prior in terms of financial presentation. Um I do always like pointing out the pension funded status. Um, all of the plans that you're involved in are obviously statewide plans. Uh, they have seen upticks in their funded status. IMRF has been overfunded for a while due to some previous uh, additional contributions made to pump up where your your uh, funding status is on that. Uh, it went from already being overfunded at 105% to

106.5%. Um, the TRS plan much lower percentage funded, but you can't control any of that, but it also went up about a point and a half. uh as well as the ths which is the teachers uh health insurance plan uh went up about a percentage. Well, what that means in a dollars and cents standpoint is that the better funded those plans are the less you as a district has to contribute per uh pensionable or uh health insurance eligible salary. So you you can see some of that trend information is while your salaries have gone up over time, the contributions have gone down because you've funded those plans and those plan those plans are have can improved in their relative health compared to historical norms. So, uh, I always want to point that out because it does have ramifications long term. And, you know, while we've seen some relative consistency and strength, you know, in the last few years, we've seen some big up and downs in the past. So, it's always a good thing to point out because not always uh easy to identify the impact of that in the numbers themselves. Other than that, there really wasn't anything too crazy. I think most things were aligned with budget plans. I think you look overall spend was uh primarily uh operating surpluses used to support capital projects. That's kind of the picture if you look at the numbers from a very high level. Um, so that's all I'll say on the annual comprehensive financial report itself. From a number standpoint, there were no new substantial standards that impacted it. Next year there will be. That's a different story for another day. Um, but that's uh this year for 25, it's pretty clean and clear-cut. There are a lot of other reports though we do issue as part of the audit process. So the Illinois State Board of Education requires your financial information to be presented and an opinion issued um on a what's called the annual financial report. It's basically your financial results and some other information um in their prescribed format. It's recorded of every district in Illinois to submit this annual financial report. We issue an opinion on that. That opinion speaks to does this information relate back to your annual comprehensive financial report. If you think about all the different reports you issue the the the ACT for the annual comprehensive financial report that's kind of the center hub and other reports we issue

all connect to that. So it's basically saying all the information in this annual financial report also speaks back to the acter and we're able to issue a clean opinion on that. The one piece I always point out in the ISBY AFR is the financial profile score. That's the state's mechanism for calculating where they view the district's financial health. It's a 4.0 out of 4.0 which you guys have been. Um so that's a continued strong point. Uh I've seen a lot of districts go down in that honestly in the last couple years. Um this year in particular I've seen some dips uh across a number of districts. So this retain your scoring uh at a high level is great. Um, another report we issue and normally we issue this in conjunction with another report. So, usually we issue the single audit which is our deep dive into your federal spends. That report has not been issued as of today. And the reason why is because there are rules issued by the federal government on an annual basis that govern what we need to look at as part of this process. They did not they're usually issued in May or June each year. So that usually we'd say get these they call that annual compliance supplement issued May or June of whatever year and then we use it as part of the audit process. It's that's basically our our bible for this this deep dive work. They did not issue that until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Um that was due to a number of different factors. A lot of turnover at the office of management and budget at the federal level and then obviously the the federal government shutdown further exacerbated that. So we got that about Wednesday at four o'clock before Thanksgiving. So, we're in the process of issuing that single lot. The work has been done. Uh, we did do our work knowing kind of what to expect even though we couldn't release reports associated with it or finalize our work. Um, we did test the uh special education cluster. So, it's your idea programs. Um, that represent about 3.4 million of your 9.2 million in federal spending in fiscal year 25. Um, while we haven't finalized our report, we don't haven't identified any findings to date and don't anticipate seeing any. So, that will ultimately be issued with a clean opinion. One of the things that we do as part of the single audit process, there's usually two opinions in that report. One is on the single audit

and the federal spending itself. One relates to a different overall assessments of your internal controls. It's called the government auditing standards report. Uh we actually issued that one as a standalone one two pager this year um because the single audit wasn't issued. Usually it's part of that package. It will be when it's issued, but we can't we can't issue we can't wait to issue that one. It has to be done as part of your financial. So it's a little bit different. It's a two-pager. It's usually it's an opinion we always issue. It's just kind of bound with other stuff. This year we issued on on its own. What that report does, it kind of evaluates the same way we do on the single law where we look at not just what you spend your money on, but the processes and controls around what you spend your federal dollars on to make sure you're in compliance of the various rules and regulations that each uh federal department puts upon its grants. Uh we also look at some more overarching district controls and processes. Um, now I know we're doing some other work for the district evaluating some very narrowly focused stuff related to uh certain transactions. Now, that's not something we spend a a deep amount of time on as part of the audit. And so, I want to provide some clarification because I know that can be confusing. Oh, why are we looking at something if we're giving a clean opinion, which we do in this gas opinion, which we call it. Um, and I as part of the audit for this, it's looking at your most significant and substantive transaction processes. Payroll, right? That's a big one. Um, your overall cash distributions, which includes PECARDs, but PECards is 3.8 8 million I think of an annual spend versus 425 million of annual spend this year. So as a percentage of less than 1%. We don't look at those cycles as deeply. So uh why we issue a cleanup in here it means those big big processes that could have true real ramifications and risk if something goes wrong that of you know from our perspective as an auditor of materiality 3.8 8 million a year, four million a year of PE card spenders, it's a lot of money from an audit perspective from a district your size, it's not. Um, so it's more of the lens we have to do our work in is a little different. So that opinion while we don't have any findings related to there, there's always things we see and recommend and things like

that and if there is a concern and we can deep dive into, we certainly do that even if it's not prescribed by the standards. Um, but just want to clarify that because we do give a clean opinion on that and I know there's some stuff we're we're looking into for you. Um, so it's really just the scope and the scale of of what of what we're looking at. Uh, from the audit, it's a little bit of a a higher bar, kind of higher than I think even everybody thinks, particularly for a large organization. Whereas, uh, working with the business office on this is more of a a narrowly focused deep dive to really get in the nuts and bolts. If we looked at everything to the degree that we're doing for this thing, we would never leave their office and they'd be really sick of us. Um, so I just want to provide a little clarification because I know there's some little things and it can be really confusing because th those reports aren't necessarily the easiest to don't really put it out there in the nicest uh layman's terms for everybody as to what it actually covers. Um, one of the other reports, the last report from a statute perspective we're required to issue which will be issued in conjunction with the single audit is the government accountability and transparency units consolidator and financial report. It's just another way to slice and dice your information in a prescribed format for the state. Um, it was done for non-school districts because there really wasn't a centralized reporting mechanism like we have with the state board of education that was already in place. But everybody got kind of looped into this. Every government that receives money from the state of Illinois has to submit this report if they receive a certain dollar value. So, it's something we have to do even though it's a bit duplicative um compared to what's already being done by ISBY and what's required there. But, it is a report that is prepared by your business office that we issue an opinion on. when we do get that, we'll issue that opinion. It'll be in compliance with state statutes. We got a longer runway on that than everything else. Um, so that's all the different reports from an audit perspective we issue with information related to the use. The last report is the audit results light letter. So that's like a communication from us as the auditors to you as the governing body. Um, what that is there's the audit standards have a lot of required communications we have to make during the process. We combine them all into one big giant document for you.

they're all in one place and it covers a wide variety of things. Um, from what our responsibilities are, what the board's responsibilities are for the audit process, kind of a high level, what our plan was, what the risk areas we look at are, and also what happened, you know, what are the results are. I like to say that if that letter is boring, that is good because those communications are not designed to give you a pat on the back. The independent audit report, the opinion we give, that's the gold star pat on the back. Job well done. We did it. That's the positive. Um, we tend to kind of gloss over that because the expectation is you're going to get a clean opinion, but that is the the the reward is the clean opinion. This letter is to tell you the bad things that happened. The good thing is is there's nothing bad in here. It's boring. We got everything we need to do. There's no disagreements. There was no major issues in the course of the process, the audit. Things went according our plans. There was no uh detours we had to take because of major issues. So, um, really that letter covers a broad swath of things and there's nothing exciting in there. So, that's great bedtime rating if you want to fall asleep and you want that. You want it to be boring. You don't want anything juicy in there because that means something went wrong. Um, so, um, that letter covers a lot of things. The one thing it does cover in there that I like to reiterate to you as the board is that while we work with your business office for the audit process on the day-to-day, ultimately we're engaged by you as the board as a governing body to do the audit. So, we're always available to you. We always want to report to you. Um, if there's anything you want to know about or like us to know about or have questions about, we're always available. So with that concludes my remarks.

Did you take a breath during that presentation? No. No. Yeah, I know. I'm a fast talker. Jim's used to it. Okay. Um I I know I I asked my questions ahead of time. So board members, uh open it up. Uh Dr. Sager. Yes. I asked most of my questions ahead of time of administration. But so you spoke to uh the level of sort of risk, right? What what level are we talking about for something to become material where it it it would cause a risk to

Right. So roughly so I can't give you a dollar because that would make me not independent and get me in trouble. Um but basically what we do is we look at the overall scale of the organization. Um and we look at things in buckets and how deep we dive on a bucket really is driven primarily by three things. Dollar value, volume of transaction and then other how complicated it is right other stuff. I guess is the is the the less technical way to put it. Basically other considerations of okay what things do we know from out without considering district 214 itself just stepping back from a holistic level what kind of transactions are just inherently more complicated or more likely to be exposed to risk. So we do look at a lot of things. So, for example, we always look at your bank reconciliations because if those aren't done and they're not done right, there's almost always a problem, right? That while it's not necessarily something that's from a high volume or even really tied to a specific dollar value, although it is your bank, your your cash balances, um it is a high-risk area. If they're not done right, can almost guarantee you something's wrong. So, we do a deep dive on those, right? Um for look at your revenues. So for example, we don't while we do a lot of work around a lot of your revenues, we don't walk through the actual control process around some of them because one, they don't happen a lot. Two, most of them are handled by third parties anyways and right wired right into your bank account. So the risk there due to the nature of them is not as substantive. Doesn't mean we don't look at them, but doesn't mean we don't do a deep dive on the control process around if that makes sense. We make sure the numbers are right. Like we look and there's two different things, right? We look at the numbers. We also look at the underlying processes that make sure transactions are being recorded correctly. And so while we might look at some dollar values and say this is a big number, we need to audit, but we can confirm 100% of your property taxes because Cook County has a website that confirms everything for us um when they pay them. Um in the meantime though, from a process standpoint, the collection of property tax is not a risk

because they just wire it right to you. Does that make sense? I'm here's an example. So we do this overall assessment of really everything and it from that assessment determines which ones we dive into from a control perspective and a process perspective and which ones we go through from a pure hey we need to make sure this number is right from a dollar perspective. Okay. Anybody else? Dr. Chung.

Yeah. Um first thank you so much for coming in and presenting. Um we are very pleased to be issued an unmodified opinion. So which is wonderful. I did have a question. Um, so you mentioned that um, there was a score we were four out of four, but you noticed other districts maybe dipping down a little bit. Without getting into any specifics, is there any lessons learned that you saw in other districts that we should just be aware of or be on the lookout for or anything?

Yeah, I I don't know if there's anything that you guys don't already know. Costs of education are just going up at least. again purely Mike's perspective of the you know the schools I audit their costs have gone up and your revenues you are only so much right partic if we look going forward with particularly in the federal you're probably going to see some decreases in available funding from the federal government um we don't know the state's going to do if they're going to plug that gap or what we don't we don't know right um so I think as spend goes up we're seeing people dip into their reserves right now um particularly because there has been because you there's been depending community to community has their own views and appetite for tax increases. Right? So we've seen some communities who maybe historically have have done certain things have changed what they've done and that's both directions, right? Um to either uh catch up because they've been in a hole and they're trying to get healthy. Um it's particularly if we see county and there's delays and we know that the money isn't necessarily as flat in terms of your revenues every year. They come in big swaths. Um and they're trying to kind of navigate those dips. um that they can get deep into. Um but really it's the spending has gone up because the costs of education have gone up particularly on the special educ special education side seems to be significant. Transportation has been a humongous pain I think for everybody. Um so you there's certain things we're seeing everywhere have had some put some stressors on the financial health particular even places that are really have been financially sound. things really macro issues um not individual issues that have kind of created that environment. So when you see that scoring they just it's pure numbers just ratios and there's five ratios. I couldn't tell you top of my head exactly what they are, but basically they they trigger, okay, where's your cash balances at compared to your sp your spending every year, what's your revenue versus your expenditures, what's your debt ratio, kind of how leverage you are, things like that, and then it weights that. And where we're seeing, I think, that those numbers dip is on

their cash reserves and how some a lot of districts are starting to spend into their reserves when they may have not in the past. And again, that's anecdotal from I mean, I do a good we do a lot of school districts, but you know, it's not everybody. And there there's some variability, but that's kind of the general rough trend we've seen.

And not to prolong the audit because I know this is one of the most exciting presentations of the year, but to the point that you just made, you mentioned mandated categorals, categorical, so transportation, special ed tuition, th those that this at the state level, we call them MCATs, mandated categorical um categoricals. And and so what we're seeing is a reduction in the actual percentage that the state is reimbursing us for those. So transportation costs have skyrocketed um since co with um especially with a an outsourced transportation company. You're almost the mercy of whoever the lowest bidder is at a 15% increase if if we were to go out to bid. And then special tuition rates are out of out of this world. And when the percentages of of reimbursement decline while costs go up, I mean you don't have to do the math for you, but we're feeling that. Um and and the state a number of years ago implemented um the evidence-based funding formula which has been a wonderful thing for the state. The schools that are are um are nowhere near in the same category of being healthy funded by by strong property tax bases we are with our you know homeowners and our businesses. But we're like 92% of our revenue comes from local property taxes. The state is offsetting that for districts that are not as financially stable as as we are with our our tax base. But so we're we were a category four, a tier four because of the mandated categorical impact. We're actually a tier three district now, meaning we got an additional I think it was $200,000 you said of state revenue. Um where tier one and tier two districts are increasing. We're starting to see a trend where tier three and tier four districts are going backwards. And I don't believe that was an anticipated um outcome of EBF. I know it wasn't their intent, but it the the underfunding of mandated categoricals in order to fund evidence-based funding, it's starting to feel, and I'm not making this accusation, it feels like a robbing Peter to pay Paul sort of thing. So,

we're elevating the tier one and two tier two districts that are financially in in in a much more dire situation, but tier three and tier four districts are starting to hurt. Uh, and we're starting to see the the the beginning signs of that. I never expected we would go backwards to a tier three. And and again, we're it's not not crying poor here. We we are, you know, wellunded and and uh as you've heard, responsible with how we manage our money, but we're starting to see that impact and and we're feeling it in the pocketbook for sure. Anybody else? You good? Really, there's only one thing I look at. That's the front page, the auditor's comments.

And then I look at page two, uh, specifically the auditor's questionnaire. Any of those boxes that are checked, that's a problem. None of our boxes are checked. We're good to go. Thanks. Love it. I'm one of those board members that enjoy reading the audit. I know you don't hear that ever, but it's out and it's fairly rare. I I know my role. I uh but I'd like it earlier than you know a couple days before the board meeting. It's it's a lot to get through. It's a lot. But um yes, thank you very much. Thanks for the presentation. Thank you everybody for your time. Okay. Thank you.

So we're at uh four four.2 where we have policy changes. Anything? Uh Dr. Row?

I'm I'm going to make a note of just a few things. Um, I know you've you've you've read through it and this is just a a first reading, so you're not taking action on it tonight, but just just to to point out primarily the the majority of the updates are uh legal and note, but there are a couple that I I just wanted to point out. Actually, just after our auditor's presentation, uh the reporting structure, some new requirements of of who has to receive our annual uh financial report and by when has been updated uh our our regional office of education as well as ISBY by October 15th. So uh that's an adjustment that we'll account for. Um and then a couple of others is a slight changes to the the placement of where the teaching of the dangers of fentanyl occur in the health curriculum. This was this was raised by you know Dr. Sager of um that's not the the update. The update is should we consider accompanying uh more formally um the use of Narcan as a uh as an instructional option to teach our students about um about about the what could offset an an opioid o overdose. I wanted to update you all. I did a little bit of research following my conversation with Dr. Sager. Um we do in incorporate um the the value and and the how to use Narcan in the health curriculum. So, that's a plus that it's there. And just as a point of procedure, uh, we consulted with Mrs. Marine consulted with with press to to see if that's something we should solidify in policy. So, it was cemented. Um, and they actually recommended we do that in administrative procedures. Um, but either way, it's being done and I'm happy to to to do that in administrative procedures. We can do that on our own without even um, you know, taking action the policy side, but just wanted to offer that update. Um on another topic, um instruction on voting has been shifted to middle school in terms of when it it's covered in terms of the constitution class typically in seventh grade. Um but the district emphasizes obviously emphasizes voter registration and becoming um

active um citizens through our u our civics and government courses already and that will continue. So just because that shifts, I don't want you to have any concerns about our um our our intentional actions in the classroom of of supporting uh voter engagement with our students. And then finally, uh media literacy. We clearly, you know, need that in today's society. We're being bombarded from all different sides of determining what's right. But media literacy is now being mandated in policy beginning in the 2728 school year. And so Dr. Seager reached out asking, you know, why don't we just start now? And I wanted to to I I I spoke with a couple of our APIs this week just to confirm. But we we have media literacy units in our 9th grade written and oral composition already. So we're we're already in compliance with the with the state law. So we're in we're in good shape there. I appreciate those questions. Uh if there's anything else, I'm happy to answer the question. Otherwise, uh encourage you to push this on till uh the next meeting.

Thank you. Okay. Now we're uh now we're at roll call items where we'll take action on these items and the board will vote on them. So we've got the first one 1511. Can I have a motion in a second, please? So move. Chong. Second. Baldino. Motion in a second. Discussion. Please call the role. Chong. Yes. Baldino. Yes. Dustling. Yes. Hinineman. I. Sager. Crazer. I. Motion carries 6. Okay. Uh motion in a second for 1521, please. So moved. Second.

Motion in a second. Mr. Ulie.

Thank you. I want to just start with just a a review of kind of our our construction process in regards to the board of board of education. Um, we implement an 18-month kind of cycle where we we bring the projects we're about to discuss are brought to the board in March for project authorization. We get approval on the authorization. We trigger a design phase, design development, schematic design with our architects, engineers, construction manager goes out to bid in September. We bring these bids which is this item tonight for board approval. We issue those contracts and then in some cases we begin the work sooner or later depending on the project spring break summer etc. Um so tonight is the project authorization for Wheeling Rolling Meadows and then the three stadium projects which is the third bullet point. At Wheeling High School we have three significant projects. We have the student services um renovation in space which includes all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, lighting, doors, door hardware, etc. Um the second project is the pool mechanical room. I think many of you saw over the summer significant concrete delamination due to um improper exhaust. So, we're going to tackle the concrete and then also address electrical plumbing in that exhaust system in that project. And then the third is the roof replacement of the auto shop roof which was installed in 1979. Any questions on Wheeling High School. Second bullet point is Rolling Meadows High School. If I could just for clarity, I mean, I'm sure you'll cover this, but to emphasize the point you just made.

Um, you mentioned all the mechanicals and infrastructure that you're touching in in in the student services space. So, while we're updating the flow of how things work in student services, we're actually taking things off of the list of mechanicals and infrastructure that we've been working on and engaging with the community. So, we're we're we're completing a a plan that is expiring at the end of this year before we kick off a new 10-year plan, but we're pulling things off of the plan that we're thinking about in the future whenever we have the opportunity. Correct. Thank you. Correct. Great. Thank you.

The Rolling Meadows Plaza um was one that wasn't originally on our radar a few years ago. Um it started to to kind of show itself in the form of the concrete and the heaving of of the concrete itself. So, we had some soil tests done and have found that the the soil and the subgrade has started to fail. What we had to do immediately was remove the flag pole and relocate that to a more secure location. And additional testing has led us to believe we we have to replace um that entire plaza area because of the infrastructure that has failed underneath. And so, the scope of that project is obviously the de demolition of that entire front plaza area. Um, and then we have to replace a portion of the main water line. Uh, we don't know how much yet until we really um dig it up and see. So, this project's a bit intricate, but obviously we're replacing and correcting the infrastructure failures and then replacing it um with more modern amenities um that kind of fit today's schools. the last project. So what th the this is the fence the fence work around the um exteriors of the track and stadium fields. And so it's the demolition and replacement of that fence. This is a district standard fence. Now we we we use the black PVC coated fencing whenever we touch fence which is has a longer lifespan, limited maintenance. um you know the the standard chain link metal requires painting and so so that is a black PVC coated uh fencing that you'll see in those stadiums. We'll bring the remainder of the items for the stadiums next month. We just needed a little bit more time to work through some civil issues in those projects.

Board members question on wheelings for the auto shop. Does that include the AC owning the auto shop? Air conditioning? No. Really? Just the roof? Just the roof.

You're good. Sorry. Good evening. uh in a winning um auto shop. We will be replacing roof and also we will be installing two rooftop units that they were bought three years ago and we store them. They will bring the HVAC to the classroom and to the small office. The auto shop itself we will we will have new exhaust but we will not have a HVAC. Okay. But but the classroom will have it and the office. Correct. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. board members. Go ahead, Dr. Chong.

Um I just want to highlight something that um Mr. Ulie said is a important distinction about the Rolling Meadows project. So um even though we did survey the community about um main entrances and modernizing those spaces, this project is not about modernizing the the the main entrance. The purpose of it is to repair infrastructure. And while we're there, we will do some touches to the entrance, but the reason for it is because of the infrastructure and the need for repair. Correct. Okay. Yeah. I believe I believe there was a comment that we were doing cosmetic at Meadows and that wasn't the case. Uh Dr. Sager, anything?

Yeah, I I think I wanted to piggyback on that and say that uh this is replacing parts of the infrastructure that will serve us long term. With that in mind, we're going to be replacing roof. What's like the warranty? How how many years are we adding to that roof when we replace it? Right. Typically, the industry standards at a 20-year warranty on roofs.

Okay. So, we're taking roofs that are aging and we're updating them and then that's set for the next 20 years. So, every time we're looking at these projects, we're looking at how do we fix something that's wrong, make an improvement as we're doing that, and then how does that last for the next several decades? And that's building into the plan. And I know we're going to do that more comprehensively in as we move forward and you know have it carefully spelled out but that's what we're doing as well with this work.

Okay. Go ahead. Just a point of clarification on the rolling meadows um project. So this is waterline. That's tricky. You don't really know what you're facing until you dig down and you see how bad it is. So, um, do you have a contingency in this plan? Yes. Okay. Yes. I've had my lawn dug up twice to water lines. So, sewer water and sewer. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else? You good? Okay. Okay. We've had a motion and a second. Please call the roll. Dustling step down. Hinaman. I Baldino. Yes.

Chung. Yes. Sager. I quiter. I. Motion carries. 6. 5. It's okay. Can I have a motion in a second for 522, please? So moved. Second. Okay. Tell us what building automation system is.

Yeah. This has been a theme for us. Rolling Meadows will be the fifth building um that that is identified for this project. Meaning we'll have Elkrove and Prospect left. Um significant investment in the controls of our building to gain um increased functionality. So every classroom will have a temperature control. Uh we get critical system alarms um for freezers and various other uh equipment. And then we're able to dial and monitor these things remotely as well. by our current system um is run out of the back of this building on a 30-year-old computer. So, that was been our our goal and that is push uh for the last three years is to kind of move us into the 21st century.

How old did you say the computer was? I believe it's about 20 30 years old. No. Yeah. So, this is this is building five. Just just part of our plan and a significant investment. Board members. Looks good. Call the role. Sager. I. Hinineman. I. Waldino. Yes. Chung. Yes. Dustling. Yes. Croiter. I. Motion carries 6. Okay. 523, please. Motion in a second. So move. Chung. Second. Baldino. Okay. I hope you're gonna talk about IHSA with this. Yeah. Driver. Okay. So go ahead.

So we we have a a scoreboard a we did a scoreboard audit. So we have the ages of all of our scoreboards. Our main gym scoreboards were installed between 2000 and 2010. So they've been on our radar um because that life cycle and replacement cycle is is near. Um the IHSA then came in about a year ago and is mandated that shock clocks be installed in every gym for the 2728 season. 26 27th 26. So next school year.

Um so that's kind of expedited us a little bit in this process. Um because of lead time on equipment install. It's really not that far away. Um and so we've we've kind of taken and and did our homework and we're bringing forward today a video scoreboard option for the main gym. So which has multiple functionalities. Um so every sport will use them. Um, we have the ability to to leverage our media kits to do whatever pregame, postgame, our our assemblies, other programs can use them. And we're leveraging our power ad agreement to do some scrolling digital ads. And to date, we have secured $110,000 in agreements roughly two months into that. So,

okay. So, um, I'm going to open it up here, but I want the public to know the dollar amount on this is 1.2 million. And this is a this is a um an example of an unfunded mandate where IHSA, the governing body for high school sports in Illinois, says you need to do this, but they don't give you any money for it. No, unfortunately. And no um and this has to happen for everybody that is in IHSA across the state. Correct. And uh it's I don't know how other schools are going to do it, but um

well, I do want you to know that we we have watched one of our neighbors um attempt uh to outfit their their existing scoreboards with a uh with a shot clock and adapt it into an older schoolboard. And I believe they were reported they had to abandon that and replace them because I believe the the newer shot clock with an older scoreboard the timing was not sinking with the the game clock and the shot clock. So it we would be in inviting additional problems and ultimately a replacement. So glad that they tried it ahead of us but uh we learned a lesson for sure at their expense. Board members Dr. Sager.

Yeah. Yeah. So, this is one I had a bunch of questions on because it's a a large expense and it uh I my first question was why can't we just add shot clock? So, I'm glad that we did our due diligence. Well, when you try and add them to these older ones, it doesn't work. Um and I was shared the frustrations with IHSA essentially saying you have to do this otherwise we won't be able to host tournaments. We won't be able to host basketball games at our at our facilities. And I think then the next question is okay so we have to replace the existing boards why go to the video board which is must carry some additional expense. Um that is where I sort of struggled and I wanted to have a discussion. And then you pointed out that the power aid sort of offsets some of that because we can do use using the leverage of our uh contract for advertising to recoup some of that investment and improve uh over time. I do have the same question I'm going to ask I think for every facility thing. How long do we expect these boards to last once we make this change? and are they warrantied and all that stuff because because I think no matter what when we replace them we're going to have to do the electrical work. We're going to have So now we're putting in this great scoreboard. Is it going to be there for 20 years?

Yes. Yes. And this is a a local company Sever Electric and they've they've been amazing to work with to this point. Actually the a glowing recommendation out of Bington High School who's in our conference as well could not speak how and our ads went on visits. they went on site visits to do all of their homework and that's how we landed here. Um, any issue that may arise, I mean, they they're they're on the spot on the call. Um, you know, available because they're local for any maintenance, any issues that might arise. Um, so that was part of the thinking as well, but I do think 15 to 20 years is very, very reasonable. Board members,

yes. One other question. Um because we're doing multiple schools in the same time frame. Um were there any pricing advantages to doing the schools instead of doing them one at a time? Correct. It's also thank you for pointing that out part of the strategy. Um we were able to leverage a purchasing cooperative agreement here with with this specific contract. So yes, and part of this is also the install and add additional electrical needed and we do have to move some boards around. So that's why the cost is also a little bit higher because it accounts for the electrical and the install as well. How big are the current uh boards that we have?

They vary by building. I would I would guess 10 by 12 in most cases. Okay. Thank you. So they'll all be standard. They're all standard. They're all the same size. Okay. Correct. Cool. And all by the same vendor. Correct. So any issues correct it's one person one company to call we have I want to say six to seven boards per site all different brands all so that's also part of the strategy as well right I didn't think it could possibly enter a board meeting but you successfully was not intent well you know what anything that we can do to kill that uh that that trend

we should do it five to six scoreboards Call a roll. Mr. Where are the boards going? Where are the old boards going? The old boards, it depends. Um, some some schools want to take maybe that board and throw it in an auxiliary gym depending on the age of that. So, that's also part of this process. And are the boards run by Wi-Fi or are they wired? These are Wi-Fi and actually have Bluetooth capability, which is really amazing for feeders and rentals because you just give them access to the app and they can control it from their phone. But I know in 10 years we're going to be doing it by uh VR, right?

And right cool. Okay, everybody said okay, call the roll. Chung, yes. Baldino, yes. Dustling, yes. Heinaman I Sager I Citer I motion carries 6. Thank you. Motion in a second for 524 please. So moved. Second. You're still up.

Still up. Uh yeah. So so last year at Prospect we replaced one of those old aging chillers. This year we're replacing the second. So that current chiller that we are looking to replace uh was installed in 1993, 32 years old, running on the old R22 refrigerant. So we're looking to leverage train again like we do for most of our HVAC mechanical um to go ahead and do that job for us. Board members, Mr. Dustling, we still have enough R22 around to serve the other remaining ones, right? Yes. Cool. Thanks, Dr. Sager.

Same question. How long does So, the the old one's from 199 something. Is this one How long is this one warrantied for? Or what's the expected lifetime? 20 plus 25 plus year. It comes off our list for the next 20 years. Yes. Yes. Okay. Anyone else? Okay. Okay, call the role. Sager, I. Chung, yes. Baldino, yes. Dustling, yes. Hinineman, I. Quiter I. Motion carries 6. Thank you. Motion in a second for 51525, please.

So moved. Second. This is a an annual exchange that happens at Elkrove High School. We if you board members recall earlier in this school year we approved other exchange programs. So um anything to add about this? No, this is just this month because it's summer. The others were spring break. True. Yep. Okay. Um questions. Call the roll. My didn't have a question. I just had a comment that it's a wonderful program. Yeah, it is. Kids have a great time. Yes, it is. Okay. Thank you. Go ahead. Sager I. Hinaman. I. Baldino. Yes. Chung. Yes. Dustling. Yes. And Citer.

I. Motion carries 6. Thank you. Motion in a second for 1526, please. So moved. Second.

All right. What you have uh before you in a is a is a service contract with Datamation. indemation is going to take um the cumulative files from Forest View High School and Arlington High School that we have to keep for 60 years per state law that are currently being stored at 2123 that we are moving closer and closer to not having uh responsibility for anymore. And we are in the process as you know we have yellow folder. The folder is an online um recordskeeping um data warehouse. And so um datmation this this contract is going to take all those files and scan them to upload uh in preparation to upload into that that online storage system.

So my question is so we we we have to keep records for 60 years correct. Okay. Permanent records and it's permanent record. So um it's the it's okay with the state that we have digital records and not paper records. That's correct. Okay. There are c there are certain parameters of of paper records that are required. Um and I believe those are more in line with some of the board meeting minutes which we have stored in a different location. Oh, okay. I'll give you a tour one of these days. It's it's wild. an entire an entire closet dedicated to board meeting minutes from 50 years ago. 1912

1914 for sure 194 when the district started. Okay. Okay. So um that was my only question because I I know that yes there there are specific records that must be kept and we we we this will narrow that down to the minimum of what we have to keep. So that way if someone were to to contact us looking for that permanent record, we could easily access it and either email it to them in PDF or print it and give it to them.

Okay. Okay. So um we all know de tech technology changes and I don't I know you can't predict what's in the future but um hopefully that if this um software changes or something that data storage people change hopefully it will be easy enough to to go to something else. We have done extensive uh planning and preparation with yellow folder um and that you know it this documents are ours. So they are just they are being stored in a PDF version in the cloud so we don't have to purchase servers for them to to live on. Um should something happen with yellow folder and and they they fail or go under there we still have access to our documents and we can transfer that to a new service. So that's not something we're concerned with. I I didn't call for a motion in a second, did I? I did. I just don't remember. Okay. Sorry. A long meeting. Sorry, Mr. Dustling.

Well, whatever you do with the detimation has to be a lot better than the cardboard boxes we got them sitting in all over the place. And the other thing is we probably got cardboard boxes in every high school sitting down in somebody's uh somebody's closet someplace with records in them, which probably ought to be put onto this, too. So whatever it is in the future, it's got to be better than having cardboard boxes you're seeing sitting around. I agree. It's it's it is a a long process. Oh, it's a terrible process because it is not a cheap process. And so we want to be really judicious with how much we can handle

and we've estab what we've done is we've budgeted for it over a series of years and it'll be a little bit more each year. Um some of the records that we have uh we have allocated some FT some of our assistants in in student services begun chipping away at it. Yep. Um but given the fact that we need to vacate that building uh soon. Oh that we have to do it more quickly. That makes it uh that makes it necessary to do that. But it's we never we never had a capability to do this before. I mean it was just a matter of keeping paperwork straight in cardboard boxes and you know we're past that, right? Anyone else? Okay, we're good. Call the role. Hineman, I. Chung, yes. Baldino, yes. Dustling, yes.

Sager, I. Crazer. I. Carry 6. Thank you. Motion and a second for 1531, please. So moved. Second. Motion and a second. Discussion. Call the role. Chung. Yes. Hinaman. I. Palino, yes. Dustling, yes. Sager, I Citzer, I. Motion carries 6. Motion in a second for 1532, please. So moved. Second. Miss Baldino, please.

A resolution authorizing issuance of a termination of remedial warning. Whereas the board of education of township high schools district number 214, Cook County, Illinois board is empowered to manage the operation of the schools of the district, including management of its employees. And whereas the board has the power to disciplined and dismiss teachers pursuant to sections 10-20.5, 10-22.4, 4 and 24-12 of the school code 105 ILCS 5/10-20.5 5/1022.4 4 and 5/24-12. And whereas the board has received and reviewed information and recommendations from its administrative staff regarding the deficient and unprofessional conduct of Chad Freeman, a teacher on continued contractual service. And whereas the board has concluded that such information and reports of deficient and unprofessional conduct constitute sufficient reason and cause for the teacher's dismissal from the teaching staff of this district. if the deficiencies are not corrected and remediated. Now therefore, be it resolved by the board of education of Township High School District number 214, Cook County, Illinois, as follows. Section one, that Chad Freeman shall be issued remedial warning for the reason stated in the notice attached and incorporated into this resolution as exhibit one. The notice enumerates deficiencies in Chad Freeman's conduct, which if not remedied may result in his dismissal as a teacher in the district. Section two, that the president and secretary of the board are hereby authorized and directed to send this notice of remedial warning to Chad Freeman by certified mail, return receipt requested, and regular first class mail. Section three, that the

superintendent or designate shall personally deliver a copy of said notice to the teacher and subsequently supervise his remediation efforts and observe his professional conduct. Section four, that this resolution shall be in full force in effect immediately upon its passage. Call the role. Chung, yes. Hinimman, I. Baldino, yes. Dustling, yes. Zager, I. Cryer, I. Motion carries 6. Thank you. Motion in a second for 1541, please. So move. Chug. Second.

Discussion. Call the roll. Chung. Yes. Hineman. I. Baltino. Yes. Dustling. Yes. Sager. Hi. Quiter. I. Motion carries. 6. Motion in a second for 1542. Please. So moved. Baldino. Second. Chung. Discussion. Call the role. Palino, yes. Chung, yes. Dustling, yes. Hinineman, I. Sager, I. Croer, I. Motion carries 6. Okay. Motion and a second for 1543, please. So moved.

Second. Anything? Dr. Ro, Dr.

Oh, sorry. Go ahead. Uh so our current agreement with Infinite Visions, which is the district's financial and HR software, expires on May 31st of 26. We requested uh proposal from Tyler Technologies. They proposed a 2-year extension at a modest 3% price increase each year, which is aligned with current market pricing. Um, in full transparency, we are at the tail end of a process where we're evaluating whether or not Infinite Visions is still um the right tool for the district. But regardless of whatever we decide there, we will need to maintain Infinite Visions for an additional two years while we transition even if we were to move away.

Discussion. Okay. Um, call the roll. Sager I Hineiman I Baldino yes Chung yes Dustling yes Croitzer I motion carries 6 motion in a second for 1544 please so moved second motion and second discussion

um so I just wanted to make a broader comment about our budget because it impacts the decisions we're making tonight particularly about the levy. So for our school district and many districts in Illinois, property taxes account for the majority of our revenue. So in our specific case, 82%. So that means our ability to fund our programs and our staffing and our um facility needs is tied up almost entirely in one type of revenue source. Um so on the other hand, most municipalities have a much more diverse mix of revenue. So for them, property taxes might account for just 15 or 20% of their budget and then they receive funds from um sales tax or state income tax or utility fields.

Excuse me, sir. We're in a meeting.

Excuse me. Yes. Um um and uh that 15 to 20% um just off the top of my head, I do know some that um are within that range. So a municipality might decide not to increase their levy because they're anticipating an increase in a different fund. But for us, we're so dependent on property taxes and we don't have that same um flexibility. And um one area where I and I think a lot of people um would love to see changes is in um and this is at the state level um but in how our local school districts are funded so that we're not so heavily dependent on property taxes. And Dr. O I think you mentioned maybe at a previous board meeting your discussions with some state reps about just possibilities about changing. Again, this is all at the state level. We don't have control, but just a better system, a more sustainable system to fund our local school district.

Yes, very preliminary conversations. nothing has taken root yet, but um especially on on the the the interest lived around the funding of some of the the capital projects that schools inevitably need and the the the process that we need to go and ask that additional resources. There are some counties that have have found success with a a one cent um sales tax that are directed to schools for capital reasons. Our argument is is why not do that across the entire state and and to help us not have to go ask our communities to increase property taxes, but use that one cent sales tax because the reality is so many people travel through communities and and spend. And um if that could be done, our our homeowners wouldn't feel the burden as they do now. And it's it's you know, a lot of the comments we heard this evening, they're right. We we we know that it's it's our mechanism, unfortunately. But we need to look at different mechanisms because it is the burden is is heavy. Anyone else? Call the roll.

Hineimman I. Dustling. Yes. Baldino. Yes. Chung. Yes. Sager. I. Quiter. Hi. Motion carries 6. Motion in a second for 1545 please. So move. Second. Discussion. Call the role. Sager I. Chung. Yes. Baldino. Yes. Dustling. Yes. Heinaman. I. Cryer. I. Motion carries 6. So the next item is justformational our foyer request. And are we are we returning to close session?

Yes.

Yes, we are. And so, um, we didn't adjourn close session, so we're going back to, uh, close session right now. Thank you. Uh, before we adjourn, I I, uh, there'll be no action after close session. Uh, but I just want to wish staff and everyone, all our residents, happy holidays if you celebrate a holiday. If not, uh, I hope staff and, uh, students take the time to be with family. And if you travel, be safe. and uh just wish everyone a happy new year and we'll see you in 2026. Thank you Dieago Diego. Heat. Heat.

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Okay, we are out of close session, so I need a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Second. There's been a motion and a second. Please call the role. Chung, yes. Hinaman. Hi. Baldino. Yes. Dling. Yes. Sager. Hi. Quiter I. Motion carries 6.

Thank you. We are journed. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.