Prairie State Wire

North Chicago Community Unit School District #187 Independent Authority and the Financial Oversight Panel met Feb. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the panel:

1. Call to Order / Roll Call

(Time: 7:03pm) Mr. Kneeland called the meeting to order, members present: Kneeland, Coleman, Bueso

2. Moment of Silence/Pledge of Allegiance

3. Motion to Approve Meeting Agenda as Presented

(Time: 7:04pm) Motion to approve the agenda made by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 3-0

4. Special Presentations

A. Charter Renewal Process - Greg White, CEO, LEARN Charter Management Organization

(Time: 6:04pm) Greg White presented to the board his request for the district to consider renewing a 10 year contract for LEARN 6 and 10.

5. Audience Participation:

(Time: 6:16pm) Alderman Bobby Allen - North Chicago Alderman for the 4th Ward - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:18pm) Rick and Isabella Wahl - Parent and Student at LEARN Charter - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:23pm) Meghan Kirby - Kids Rank - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:24pm) Arica Coleman - Parent at LEARN Charter - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:27pm) Christian Coleman - Former LEARN Charter Student - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:30pm) Ava Coleman and Mesha Lemons - Both Former LEARN Charter Students - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:32pm) Jaciel Pacheco - Parent at LEARN Charter - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:34pm) Cara Kranz - Forrestal Elementary School Principal - Presented to the board updates at Forrestal Elementary.

(Time: 6:38pm) Malika Rodgers - AJK Academy Principal - Presented to the board updates at AJK Academy

(Time: 6:41pm) Michael Grenda - NMSA Principal - Presented to the board and audience stating that the while NMSA is doing great things as many of our schools are we need to remember that all of the schools in D187 including LEARN 6 and 10 are serving our North Chicago students and at the end of the day it's about the kids.

(Time: 6:45pm) Erin Martinez - Parent at LEARN Charter - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:47pm) Briana McDaniel - Parent at LEARN Charter and NCCHS Alumni - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:50pm) Donnette and Jayla Bishop - Parent and Student at LEARN Charter - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:53pm) Anah Murphy - Teacher at LEARN Charter - Support for Charter School Renewal

(Time: 6:56pm) Ashley Cutrer - Parent and Vice President of PTO at LEARN Charter - Support for Charter School Renewal

6. Superintendent’s Report

(Time: 6:59pm) All board members were provided a copy to review.

7. FOIA Report

8. Motion to Approve IA and FOP Minutes

(Time: 7:05pm) Motion to approve January minutes made by Coleman, second by Bueso. Passed 3-0

Open Session

January 28, 2025 Board Meeting (IA/FOP)

Closed Session

January 28, 2025 Board Meeting (IA/FOP)

9. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda

(Time: 7:06pm) Motioned by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 3-0

A. Treasurer’s Report for January 2025

B. Accounts Payable for February 1, 2025 – February 28, 2025 in the amount of $4,974,380.60

C. Payroll for January 2025 in the gross amount of $2,991,561.60

D. EvolveEd Consulting Agreement for Administrative Coaching $5,000

E. NCCP Summer School Contract $25,000

F. NMSA Behavioral Paraprofessional $20,000

G. Summer School Pre-K Program Budget $24,644

H. Approval of Potential Change Orders for Forrestal: 20, 21, and 27 $405,289

I. Board of Education Policy Review Changes/Updates for Compliance

Policy 2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban

Policy 2:120 Board Member Development

Policy 4:30 Revenue and Investments

Policy 4:60 Purchases and Contracts

Policy 4:170 Safety

Policy 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority recruitment

Policy 5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited

Policy 5:120 Employees Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest

Policy 5:125 Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct

Policy 5:230 Maintaining Student Discipline

Policy 6:60 Curriculum Content

Policy 6:135 Accelerated Placement Program

Policy 6:270 Guidance and Counseling Program

Policy 7:10 Equal Educational Opportunities

Policy 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students

Policy 7:160 Student Appearance

Policy 7:165 School Uniforms

Policy 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment

Policy 7:200 Suspension Procedures

Policy 8:10 Connection with the Community

10. Old Business – Discussion/Action

A. Discussion - Prior Business Before the Boards

N/A

11. New Business – Discussion/Action

A. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of FY 2026 Staffing Plan $335,000

(Time: 7:13pm) Motioned by Coleman, second by Bueso. Passed 3-0

B. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of of Contract for 2025 Summer Construction $3,110,000

(Time: 7:16pm) Motioned by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 3-0

C. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Sale of Property ($21,250)

(Time: 7:19pm) Motioned by Coleman, second by Bueso. Passed 3-0

D. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Purchase of New Activity Bus $108,489

(Time: 7:21pm) Motioned by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 3-0

E. Information – (IA/FOP) State of the Schools Report

(Time: 7:21pm) Dr. Price presented to the board a complete overview of the State of the Schools that covered growth and data from across the district.

12. Executive Session – I move that we enter into a closed session under the exceptions set forth in Illinois Open Meetings Act as follows:

(Time: 7:42pm) Motioned by Coleman, second by Bueso. Passed 3-0

● 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) to discuss personnel matters

● 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3) to discuss litigation matters

Reconvene Open Session

(Time: 8:08pm) Motioned by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 3-0

13. New Business – Discussion/Action Continued

A. Action – (IA/FOP) Approve Human Resources Reports – Appointments, Absences, Adjustments, Retirements, Resignations and/or Separations

(Time: 8:09pm) Motioned by Coleman, second by Bueso. Passed 3-0

B. Action – (IA/FOP) Three Day Unpaid Suspension

(Time: 8:10pm) Motioned by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 3-0

14. Adjourn

(Time: 8:10pm) Motioned by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 3-0

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Finance_NCIA/20250225-Minutes.pdf