Prairie State Wire

Illinois State Board of Education met June 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Roll Call

Vice Chair of the Board Dr. Donna Leak called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.

Vice Chair Leak announced that the Board meeting was being audio-cast live over the internet and video recorded.

Vice Chair Leak asked the clerk to call the roll. A quorum was present with five members attending in person.

Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders also was in attendance.

Members Present:

Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chair of the Board

Dr. Sherly Chavarria, Secretary

Dr. James Anderson

Dr. Judy Hackett

Dr. Patricia Nugent

Dr. Jonah Rice

Members Absent:

Dr. Steven Isoye

Laura Gonzalez

Staff Present

Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent

Kim Clarke, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent

Jo Ireland, Board Services Coordinator

Isabel Schoeman, Special Assistant to the State Superintendent

Dr. Kimako Patterson, Chief of Staff

Kristen Kennedy, Chief Legal Officer

Dr. Jason Helfer, Chief Education Officer – Instruction

Jennifer Saba, Chief Education Officer – Operations

Dr. Matt Seaton, Chief Financial Officer

Tassi Maton, Chief Internal Audit Officer

Irma Snopek, Chief Policy and Communications Officer

Miguel Calderon, Chief Operating Officer

Christine Paxson, Executive Director of Improvement and Innovation

2. Swearing-In of Board Member(s)/Roll Call

Vice Chair Leak welcomed Dr. Judy Hackett, a newly appointed member of the State Board of Education. . Chief Legal Officer Kristen Kennedy administered the ceremonial oath of office for Dr. Hackett. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present with six members.

3. Public Participation

Vice Chair Leak reminded those in attendance of the Public Participation Policy and the sign-up procedures for today’s meeting.

Jodi Scott, regional superintendent of Regional Office of Education (ROE) 33 and president of the Illinois Association of Regional School Superintendents (IARSS), thanked the Board and the ISBE team. She shared this meeting would be her final Board meeting before her retirement. She thanked Dr. Sanders and Chief of Staff Dr. Kimako Patterson for their support of the ROEs and the Learning Partner Bill. She added that after 18 years of interacting with ISBE as a regional superintendent, the past two years have been some of the best two years of engagement.

Jacquelyn Willer, principal of Elgin Math and Science Academy (EMSA), spoke on transportation funding. She thanked ISBE for renewing the EMSA charter agreement in 2023 and allowing it to serve students in its area. She shared the immense growth that EMSA has had since its inception and described the school’s English learner education model and philosophy on education. Ms. Willer emphasized EMSA’s service for low-income populations

and students of color and the positive impact the school has had on the community. She shared her hopes that Board members would come visit EMSA to see this for themselves.

Sue Bennett, chair of the EMSA board, also spoke on transportation funding. Ms. Bennett described the student population from underserved communities and noted that families choose EMSA because they believe in the school’s model. She noted that student outcomes support parents’ choice to send their children to EMSA. She then stated, however, that politics pertaining to charter schools are interfering with the transportation resources that EMSA can offer to families, which has become a barrier to access. She requested the same transportation support from the state as other public schools and invited Board members to visit EMSA in person.

Kathryn Martinez, executive director of EMSA, also spoke on transportation funding. She emphasized that charter schools are public schools that serve all students, and EMSA students are largely from underserved populations. Ms. Martinez shared that student achievement at EMSA is high, and EMSA uplifts students from marginalized communities; however, she feels that EMSA is treated differently due to charter school politics. She said that EMSA receives inconsistent transportation funding, which is frustrating and negatively impacts all members of the EMSA community. She requested fair treatment as compared to all other public schools.

Susan Stanton, executive director of Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, spoke on after-school programs. She discussed ACT Now’s mission and statewide footprint. She discussed the strides ISBE has made in running the After School Programs Grant, highlighting its expansion under Dr. Sanders’ leadership, specifically for non-Local Education Agency (LEA) applications. She also gave a shoutout to ISBE’s annual grant calendar, the introduction of letters of intent, and the transition of IWAS applications to the new MyISBE portal. Ms. Stanton then requested the swift release of new funding for after-school programs, noting the increase in funding for this line item in the recently passed state budget and requesting that the funding go toward the non-LEA grant competition. She also encouraged ISBE to release Requests for Proposals for FY 2026 as soon as possible.

Eli Rosenberg, an advocate for children with disabilities, spoke on Part 452 of the Illinois Administrative Code (IAC). He noted that this part of the IAC on public university laboratory schools cites an implementing authority that was repealed, and he requested that ISBE announce administrative rulemaking to update this outdated rule. He emphasized that this rulemaking is important because laboratory schools in Illinois have a history of rejecting evidence-based education through a special education forfeiture scheme, which is not common practice in other states and not allowed for similar magnet and charter schools in Illinois. He cited evidence that certain public university laboratory schools do not provide proper special education programming. He thanked the University of Illinois for taking steps to improve this issue, but he said it is difficult to improve with outdated guidelines.

4. Presentation | Strategic Plan

Dr. Patterson presented on updates regarding ISBE’s Strategic Plan. She provided an overview of the collaborative process to create the plan and showed a tracker documenting the progress the team has made on each of the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan. Dr. Patterson noted that all six of the goals set forth for FY 2024 were met, and 13 of the 25 set forth for FY 2025 have been completed thus far; overall, 19 of the 48 action plans articulated in the Strategic Plan have been completed to date, and 25 are in progress. She then gave a brief overview of the following goals that ISBE has met in FY 2025 -- Goals 1.1.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.3.1, 2.2.1, 2.3.1, 2.4.1, 3.1.1, 3.3.2, 3.4.1, and 3.5.1.

Dr. Nugent asked for clarification on whether the highlighted goals are goals that are in progress or goals that have been met. Dr. Patterson said they are goals that have been met.

Dr. Leak expressed appreciation for the weekly updates on the Strategic Plan that have been provided to the Board.

Dr. Sanders praised the ISBE team for its progress on the Strategic Plan and reminded the Board that it was a very collaborative progress to create the strategic priorities.

Dr. Nugent asked if ISBE staff will continue to monitor completed goals, and if so, how that is being done. Dr. Patterson said ISBE is continuing to monitor completed goals. She used the annual wellness fair as an example – the first fair was already completed, but the agency is already in discussion about the creation of the next fair. She added that she and Dr. Sanders discuss monitoring and next steps at their periodic meetings. Dr. Sanders stated that big Strategic Plan priority updates are presented at executive staff meetings. Dr. Patterson said that if the executive team has questions or concerns about a particular goal, the goal’s cross-collaborative committee will regroup to address these concerns. Dr. Nugent asked if the six goals met in FY 2024 are currently being monitored, and Dr. Patterson said yes.

Dr. Rice said he appreciates the collaborative process for the Strategic Plan. He asked for more information on collaboration with institutions of higher education. Dr. Jason Helfer, chief education officer -- instruction, explained that Dr. Sanders was able to gather information from his statewide listening and learning tour about the levers that can be used to impact change in program delivery models and experiences, most importantly in light of opportunities and experiences for young people. He stated the goal of weaving together threads, such as the statewide numeracy and literacy plans, to create a more coherent system so that young people have a better sense of what they are getting themselves into. He explained how the curriculum approval process is highly variable by institution and said that the Strategic Plan is strong in its ability to weave together these different threads to create some sort of consistency so that students can be served properly.

Dr. Chavarria thanked Dr. Patterson and members of her team for their ability to remain strategically focused, especially given the current political climate, and shared her hope that the Strategic Plan can serve as an anchor for what is strategically important during conflicting times.

Dr. Patterson continued with her presentation, stating that an update on three of the FY 2026 goals was provided to ISBE leadership on May 27. She added that she could give an update on completed goals and the continuation of goals in the fall of this year. Dr. Sanders added that this update should include a connection to budgeting priorities per Board member request. Dr. Patterson finally shared June and July presentations for the action plan and the staff members that are involved.

Dr. Leak appreciated the intentionality connected to sustainability behind the Strategic Plan. Dr. Nugent emphasized the importance of data to prove that these actions are working and achieving their goals.

5. Closed Session

Dr. Rice moved that the State Board of Education go into closed session for the following exception items:

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)).

B. Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)).

He further moved that Board members may invite anyone they wish to be included in this closed session. Dr. Nugent seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The open meeting recessed at 11:11 a.m. to go into closed session. The open meeting reconvened at 11:37 a.m.

6. Public Participation

There was no further public participation.

7. Consent Agenda

Vice Chair Leak reviewed the items under the consent agenda.

Dr. Chavarria moved that the State Board of Education hereby approve the consent agenda. Dr. Anderson seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The following motions were approved by action taken in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes

*Plenary Minutes: May 14, 2025

The Illinois State Board of Education hereby approves the May 14, 2025, meeting minutes.

8. Announcements and Reports

Superintendent/Senior Staff Announcements

Dr. Sanders acknowledged the upcoming conclusion of Isabel Sternberg-Schoeman’s Project 55 fellowship at ISBE. He shared that since the last Board meeting, he had a fireside chat with Shalinee Sharma and the agency launched its numeracy summit. Dr. Sanders added that he and Dr. Isoye were able to have lunch with former ISBE Board member Dr. Anna Grassellino and presented her with her Board resolution. He then discussed the May 17 Teacher of the Year Banquet, thanking Board members who attended and encouraging all Board members to attend in the future. He also acknowledged the ISBE team members who worked on putting the event together. He told the Board about his keynote presentation at the Advanced Placement Consortium in Westmont, discussed the completion of ISBE’s Statewide System of Support tour, and recognized Jodi Scott for her service as president of the IARSS and a regional superintendent. Dr. Sanders then requested that Chief Financial Officer Dr. Matt Seaton address earlier public comments on transportation funding for EMSA, noting that he has recused himself from all matters related to EMSA due to his former position as superintendent of School District U-46.

Dr. Seaton said that Public Act 103-0588 passed last year, and it amended the way that state-authorized charter schools are paid for transportation, creating some amount of parity in transportation funding for public school districts and charter schools. He stated that this Act was a net win for charter schools. Dr. Seaton articulated that EMSA at one point received overpayment for at least one year, if not two, which was discovered during the negotiations pertaining to PA 103-0588. ISBE has worked with EMSA to create a repayment plan, which Dr. Seaton emphasized is normal business operations for the agency, and there are a number of repayment plans currently in place as ISBE statutorily has to reclaim funds when there is overpayment. Dr. Seaton explained that his team worked with EMSA to create a repayment plan that worked with its budget constraints and in fact gave it a longer payment plan allowing for lower payments in the earlier years. Dr. Nugent asked for clarification on EMSA’s specific request, and Dr. Seaton said that he is not sure. He stated that he believes PA 103-0588 has accomplished charter school parity with public school districts for transportation funding. Dr. Sanders went on record saying he is unsure what the public comment reference to politics refers to, as there are repayment plans in place with many major districts unrelated to charter schools. Dr. Seaton clarified the communication chain with EMSA regarding the repayment plan given Dr. Sanders’ history with the school, noting he worked with ISBE’s legal team and Chair Isoye directly and only informed Dr. Sanders of the outcome after the plan was settled. Dr. Nugent asked, where do we go from here? Dr. Sanders said he solely wanted to address the comment and ensure the Board was aware of the history. Vice Chair Leak clarified that there is a repayment agreement on file currently and that is how it will go forward. Dr. Seaton confirmed that is correct and said that in accordance with all repayment plans, deductions will be made from future funds EMSA receives to repay the funds.

Dr. Sanders recognized Vice Chair Leak for her induction into the Illinois Black Hall of Fame. Dr. Leak shared that anyone can visit the hall museum at Governors State University.

Chair of the Board’s Report

Vice Chair Leak reflected on the Those Who Excel Awards Banquet and thanked staff who worked on it. She reminded the Board that the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) annual conference will take place Oct. 27-29 in Austin, Texas, and the call for proposals to speak will be out through June 30. She said that former Board member Roger Eddy presented at last year’s conference. She said it was very well-received, so she plans to ask him if he is willing to present again. Vice Chair Leak told Board members how to submit their own proposals and shared there will be a Q&A on June 13 to discuss how to submit proposals. She highlighted that ISBE has been a leader at NASBE in the past and there are lots of opportunities for ISBE to share its progress with other states at the conference.

Member Reports

Dr. Nugent added for new Board members that she strongly encourages they attend the NASBE conference to learn about avenues for change at the national level and what is being done across the nation in education, which is especially pertinent at this time. She said that Board Services Coordinator Jo Ireland will send information to the Board about the conference when it is available. Vice Chair Leak reminded new members that there is a NASBE New Member Institute on July 8 and 9 in Salt Lake City, Utah, which Ms. Ireland has already emailed them about.

9. Information Items

ISBE Fiscal & Administrative Monthly Reports

Freedom of Information Act Monthly Report

ISBE Quarterly Staff Demographics Report

10. Motion for Adjournment

Vice Chair Leak stated that the next Board meeting will be held on Aug. 13, 2025.

Dr. Nugent moved to adjourn the June 11, 2025, meeting of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Dr. Hackett seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 11:53 a.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/isbe/Board.nsf/files/DK5Q3Y676860/$file/DRAFT%20Plenary%20Minutes%20-%20June%2011%202025.pdf