Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has released the agenda for its upcoming regular business meeting, scheduled for January 15 in Springfield. The meeting will commence at 9 a.m. and will be audiocast online.

For those interested in participating, an online form will be available from 7:30 a.m. until the start of the meeting on January 15. This form can also be accessed at ISBE's location on North First Street in Springfield. Participants may choose to speak either in person or via phone by dialing 571-317-3112 with access code 919-127-637.

ISBE ensures that all meetings are accessible to individuals with disabilities and is committed to equitable public participation opportunities. For special accommodations, including language translation services, contact Diana Torres, ISBE's Language Access Coordinator, via email at dtorres@isbe.net or by phone at (312) 814-5818.

The meeting agenda includes roll call, pledge of allegiance, public participation sign-ups, resolutions presented by Dr. Christine Benson, and closed sessions addressing various personnel and legal matters as per Illinois statutes.

Key items on the consent agenda include approval of minutes from December 18, 2024; fiscal year 2026 board meeting calendar; several contracts and grants over $1 million related to educator effectiveness applications and nutrition systems; proposals for preschool discretionary grant projects under IDEA Part B; budget amendments for interpreter training; electronic grants management system upgrades; and a contract with Illuminative Strategies Inc.

Further approvals include the fiscal year 2026 superintendent's budget recommendation alongside announcements and reports from senior staff and board members.

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