Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

We have come to the item on the agenda for Public Comment. Public comments are limited to three (3) minutes per person. At this time, the Board President will call on those who have requested to make Public Comments. Please understand that the Board will not respond to comments made during Public Comment but may direct the Superintendent to address the matter at a later time. 

Mr. Geraci will present the Agenda items.

Approval of Board Meeting Minutes

 The School Board Financial Report provides an overview of the district’s current financial status, including revenues, expenditures, and fund balances.

The Secretary read the Treasurer's Report (Cash Balance for each fund) as of April 30, 2026: 

The administrator’s report provides a concise overview of key developments within the school district, incorporating updates from both the principal and the superintendent. The principal’s report highlights school-level activities, student achievement, staffing, and day-to-day operations, while the superintendent’s report addresses district-wide initiatives, policy matters, and strategic priorities. Together, these reports offer a comprehensive snapshot of current progress, challenges, and upcoming plans.

This report highlights the progress and achievements of our English Language Learners (ELLs). It includes a comprehensive review of the recent ACCESS for ELLs Success Report, detailing student growth, proficiency levels, and the overall effectiveness of our Bilingual Education programming.

The Principal’s Report provides the Board of Education with an overview of current instructional initiatives, student achievement data, school culture updates, and day-to-day building operations.

The Superintendent’s Report provides the Board of Education with a comprehensive update on district-wide operations, strategic initiatives, and leadership activities. This report ensures alignment between Board goals, district priorities, and day-to-day implementation.

Across all district funds, total year-to-date (YTD) revenues have reached $3,239,911.63, which represents 86% of the total FY26 adopted budget ($3,770,345.00).

Concurrently, total district expenditures across all funds stand at $3,145,064.90, representing 70% of the annual budgeted expenditure ceiling ($4,479,277.00). This indicates that spending is tracking safely below budgeted allocations with two months remaining in the fiscal year.

 Old Business includes items previously discussed or introduced at earlier Board meetings that require further review, action, or follow-up. This section allows the Board to address unresolved matters, consider updates, and make decisions based on continued discussion or additional information.

Terminix vs. Guardian Pest Control 

New Business includes items being presented to the Board for the first time. This section allows for the introduction of new topics, proposals, or initiatives for discussion, consideration, and possible action.

Based on the draft policy document for Burnham SD 154.5, the PRESS Issue 121 (March 2026) update represents a comprehensive modernization of school board policies and administrative procedures. The revisions focus primarily on compliance with recently amended Illinois state laws, clarifying board communication guidelines, and enhancing operational transparency.

Here is a descriptive breakdown of the key updates introduced in PRESS Issue 121:

1. Board Governance & Communication Protocols (Policy 2:140-E)

• OMA & Electronic Communication: Rewritten to align strictly with the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and Public Act 104-438. It provides concrete guidance for board members using email and text messaging to prevent unlawful "contemporaneous interactive communication" outside of public meetings.

• Junk Mail Exclusion: Clarifies the definition of a public record under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), explicitly excluding unsolicited commercial electronic communication (junk mail) from disclosure requirements.

• Device Best Practices: Establishes clear protocols for separating public business from personal devices and outlines the legal tests (City of Champaign v. Madigan) used to determine when private emails or texts become subject to FOIA requests.

2. Meeting Procedures and Transparency (Policy 2:200 & 2:220)

• Active Military Duty Exceptions: Incorporates amendments to the OMA ($5\text{ ILCS }120/7(a)$ via P.A. 104-438), borrowing definitions from the Service Member Employment and Reemployment Act. It explicitly allows board members on active full-time military duty to participate and vote in meetings remotely via audio or video conference.

• Special Meeting Transparency: Introduces notes and legal options regarding the proactive posting of notices and agendas at the physical location where special meetings are held (in addition to the district's main office) to enhance transparency.

• Public Participation & Voting: Includes options for districts to restrict public-suggested agenda items and updates choices regarding whether a roll-call vote is required for all final action items.

3. Public Records Access (Policy 2:250)

• FOIA Process Streamlining: Updated to prevent security risks and logistical burdens by requiring that the entirety of an electronic FOIA request reside within the body of an email rather than through attached files or hyperlinks.

• Bot Protection: Grants the district the authority to deny or pause requests if there is a reasonable belief that it was generated by an automated system/bot, giving the requester 30 days to verify they are a physical person.

4. General Personnel & Hiring Criteria (Policy 5:30 & 5:50)

• On-Call Substance Policies: Updates guidelines regarding drug- and alcohol-free workplaces, specifically providing legal commentary on how districts should handle and define "on-call" parameters for administrators, coaches, and maintenance staff regarding cannabis and alcohol prohibitions.

5. Employee Leaves of Absence (Policy 5:250)

• Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act: Introduces an entirely new section mandated by $820\text{ ILCS }157/$ (effective June 1, 2026). This grants eligible employees (including part-time staff) up to 20 days of unpaid leave (or 10 days for smaller districts matching certain employee thresholds) while a child is in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This leave is structured to be separate from, and in addition to, traditional FMLA leave.

• Bereavement Definition Expansion: Updates and refines the definition of a "covered family member" to explicitly include a spouse and other relationships under the Family Bereavement Leave Act.

PLC for Aspiring Leaders

4 Interactive Virtual Sessions | ?
?2 Individualized Mentoring Sessions | One In-Person Workshop

This high-impact hybrid PLC equips aspiring superintendents with the core competencies, strategic mindset, and leadership clarity needed to lead in today's educational landscape. Participants will sharpen their ability to craft a compelling vision, lead through an equity-centered lens, and build the resilience needed to sustain leadership over the long haul — all through a schedule designed to fit your day.

The Board will convene in Closed Session, as permitted under the Illinois Open Meetings Act, to discuss confidential matters including personnel, collective bargaining, student discipline, litigation, and other topics legally exempt from public discussion.

 *Secretary — please ensure that the closed session is being recorded.

The Personnel section includes recommendations and actions related to district staffing, including employment, appointments, resignations, leaves, assignments, and other personnel matters necessary to support district operations and student learning.

Adjournment marks the official conclusion of the School Board meeting after all scheduled business is completed.