1 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,760 Everyone logged in. 2 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:09,040 » Good evening. I'd like to call the September 17th Lincoln Way 210 Board of 3 00:12:07,680 --> 00:12:13,000 Education meeting to order. Please stand if you're able for the pledge of 4 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:13,000 allegiance. 5 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:32,480 Can you please call the role? >> Dana Dana Berthal 6 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:34,160 » here. >> Katherine Johnson 7 00:12:33,680 --> 00:12:35,519 » here. >> Joseph Costic 8 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:38,160 » here. >> Richard Lassine. 9 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:40,240 » Caitlyn Oennic >> here. Dedra Stokes 10 00:12:39,519 --> 00:12:42,639 » here. >> Aaron Jan 11 00:12:40,959 --> 00:12:47,440 » here. This time I'd like to open the Lincoln 12 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:55,240 Way 210 budget hearing. We have one individual signed up for public comment 13 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:55,240 on the budget. Uh Dr. Kenishha Brown 14 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:18,720 Ma'am, there's a little green or a little button in the middle. 15 00:13:15,839 --> 00:13:24,240 » Okay. I'm usually loud enough. We Okay. All right, team. We cooking with gas. 16 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:28,959 Good evening, board members, community, and also any Lincoln Way staff that is 17 00:13:26,560 --> 00:13:33,120 here. I want to advocate for certain areas in the budget in light of recent 18 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:39,120 events. I'm not going to spend too much time on what necessarily has happened. 19 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:43,920 I'm going to spend my time on solutions. In reviewing the budget, I've noticed 20 00:13:40,959 --> 00:13:48,959 two things. Number one, I was disheartened to see that we're not 21 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:56,240 getting any Title 4 funding which could be used to um provide programs for the 22 00:13:53,200 --> 00:14:02,079 whole education of students. However, that should not stop us from providing 23 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:07,519 professional services through supports, especially in light of recent events. 24 00:14:04,959 --> 00:14:12,560 Where could we find this money? Lincoln Way has just received a little bit over 25 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:19,199 2% increase in your evidence-based funding. I would advocate that 1% of 26 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:24,800 that, approximately 140,000, be put back into schools for student supports. It is 27 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:30,000 important as a community that we show we are reflective, that we understand what 28 00:14:27,519 --> 00:14:34,560 happened, but as we move forward, we're going to make sure that our students 29 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:41,199 have the support that they need. I also want to advocate for more professional 30 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:47,440 services not only under your um psychological services area but for your 31 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:53,040 social work services area as well. I don't think that we have done a good job 32 00:14:49,839 --> 00:14:59,040 in the followup of our students. I can say this as a parent because my daughter 33 00:14:55,440 --> 00:15:05,440 Ocean has not received any follow-up social work services after the event. In 34 00:15:02,639 --> 00:15:10,639 addition to that, I would implore you to also maybe consider using some of your 35 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:15,279 title one. That money could be used for professional learning for staff. It 36 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:22,240 could additionally also be used for programs for students. Once again, 37 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:26,560 please use the budget to reflect that we as a community care about our students. 38 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:31,839 We're going to support our students and move forward while acknowledging the 39 00:15:28,639 --> 00:15:35,405 recent events that happened. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] 40 00:15:38,079 --> 00:15:43,920 All right. We have no one else signed up for the budget hearing. With that, I'd 41 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:47,360 entertain a motion to close the budget hearing. 42 00:15:45,839 --> 00:15:52,000 » We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. 43 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:57,839 » I. All right. The budget hearing is closed. With that, I would uh entertain 44 00:15:55,199 --> 00:16:00,720 a motion to adjourn to close session to discuss the appointment, employment, 45 00:15:59,199 --> 00:16:04,560 compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of employees, student 46 00:16:02,959 --> 00:16:09,920 disciplinary cases, student related matters, and/or litigation. 47 00:16:08,399 --> 00:16:14,000 We have a motion, a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. 48 00:16:11,839 --> 00:16:18,880 » I. We are in close session. The board will uh step out and we'll be back with 49 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:21,880 uh action after uh our close session deliberations. 50 00:56:18,559 --> 00:56:24,559 All right, we are uh back in open session. I appreciate everyone's 51 00:56:21,599 --> 00:56:29,280 patience. Uh may I have a motion to approve student 20267-1 52 00:56:27,599 --> 00:56:32,960 agreement to voluntary withdrawal from Lincoln High School in lie of it 53 00:56:31,119 --> 00:56:35,599 proceeding with the administration's recommendation for expulsion as 54 00:56:34,400 --> 00:56:40,480 presented and discussed in close session. 55 00:56:38,079 --> 00:56:44,520 We have a motion to second. Can you open the vote, please? 56 00:56:48,000 --> 00:56:51,559 Voting is open. 57 00:56:54,559 --> 00:57:02,480 » The vote is unanimous. Motion passes. >> All right. May I have a motion to 58 00:56:59,839 --> 00:57:05,920 approve student 20267-2 agreement to voluntarily withdraw from 59 00:57:04,240 --> 00:57:09,359 Lincoln High School in l of proceeding with the administration's recommendation 60 00:57:07,359 --> 00:57:14,559 for expulsion as presented and discussed in close session. 61 00:57:12,400 --> 00:57:17,559 Have a motion a second. Please open the vote. 62 00:57:19,119 --> 00:57:22,760 Voting is open. 63 00:57:30,079 --> 00:57:38,480 The voters unanimous motion passes. >> All right. May I please have a motion to 64 00:57:36,000 --> 00:57:41,920 approve student 20267-3's agreement to voluntarily withdraw from 65 00:57:40,319 --> 00:57:46,000 Lincoln High School in L of proceeding with the administration's recommendation 66 00:57:43,839 --> 00:57:49,040 for expulsion as presented and discussed in close session. 67 00:57:48,880 --> 00:57:55,040 A >> motion second. 68 00:57:51,599 --> 00:57:55,040 Please open the vote. 69 00:57:59,359 --> 00:58:03,000 Voting is open. 70 00:58:09,359 --> 00:58:18,000 » The vote is unanimous. Motion passes. >> All right. May I please have a motion to 71 00:58:15,359 --> 00:58:21,359 approve student 20267-4 agreement to voluntary withdrawal from 72 00:58:19,440 --> 00:58:25,440 Lincoln High School in L of proceeding with the administration's recommendation 73 00:58:22,880 --> 00:58:29,319 for expuls expulsion as presented discussed in close session. 74 00:58:30,079 --> 00:58:34,839 We have a motion a second. Can you please open the vote? 75 00:58:40,960 --> 00:58:44,640 » Voting is open. 76 00:58:56,960 --> 00:59:04,319 Vot is unanimous. Motion passes. >> All right. May I have a motion to 77 00:59:01,839 --> 00:59:07,440 approve student 20267-5's agreement to voluntary withdrawal from 78 00:59:06,000 --> 00:59:11,280 Lincoln Waste High School in L of proceeding with the administration's 79 00:59:08,720 --> 00:59:16,040 recommendation for expulsion as pre is presented and discussed in close 80 00:59:13,040 --> 00:59:16,040 session. 81 00:59:17,200 --> 00:59:21,559 Motion second. Please open the vote. 82 00:59:24,000 --> 00:59:27,559 Voting is open. 83 00:59:30,319 --> 00:59:37,839 The vote is unanimous. Motion passes. >> May I please have a motion to approve 84 00:59:35,599 --> 00:59:41,359 student 20267-6 agreement to voluntary withdrawal from 85 00:59:39,440 --> 00:59:45,280 Lincoln High School in lie of proceeding with the administration's recommendation 86 00:59:42,960 --> 00:59:48,760 for expulsion as presented and discussed in close session. 87 00:59:48,880 --> 00:59:54,839 » Second. >> Have a motion. Second, please open the 88 00:59:51,839 --> 00:59:54,839 vote. 89 00:59:58,559 --> 01:00:02,119 » Voting is open. 90 01:00:05,200 --> 01:00:09,640 » The vote is unanimous. Motion passes. 91 01:00:10,480 --> 01:00:16,720 » All right. Before we get to public comment, Dr. 92 01:00:14,319 --> 01:00:21,280 Tingley would like to make a statement. So before we move forward, I want to 93 01:00:18,799 --> 01:00:24,799 take a moment to address some of the process here that the district has 94 01:00:22,720 --> 01:00:28,480 followed. We became aware of the students of students behavior late 95 01:00:26,799 --> 01:00:31,680 Friday night, September 4th, and into Saturday morning, September 5th. The 96 01:00:30,000 --> 01:00:35,280 district promptly released a statement condemning the students behavior and 97 01:00:33,599 --> 01:00:38,559 apologizing to the homework fossil community. I made clear the students 98 01:00:37,359 --> 01:00:42,559 behavior does not reflect the expectations and values we have for 99 01:00:40,240 --> 01:00:47,440 Lincolnway students. From that point forward, however, my responsibility as 100 01:00:44,400 --> 01:00:52,400 superintendent was to ensure the law and the board of education policies were 101 01:00:49,520 --> 01:00:56,559 followed at every step with respect to those students discipline. To do that, 102 01:00:54,880 --> 01:01:00,799 the administration conducted a thorough and timely investigation, carefully 103 01:00:58,720 --> 01:01:05,520 assessed each student's individual level of involvement, and offered every one of 104 01:01:03,119 --> 01:01:08,400 them the right to be heard. This investigation, which involved 105 01:01:06,880 --> 01:01:12,400 interviewing numerous students, reviewing multiple video recordings and 106 01:01:10,640 --> 01:01:16,480 angles, and speaking with their attorneys, took the administration only 107 01:01:14,319 --> 01:01:20,559 eight school days and ultimately resulted in the administrating 108 01:01:18,480 --> 01:01:24,720 recommending expulsion for the students determined to have been involved. 109 01:01:23,200 --> 01:01:29,200 The parents of those students have chosen, however, to voluntarily withdraw 110 01:01:27,599 --> 01:01:34,240 their children from Lincoln Way East High School and forfeit all student 111 01:01:31,760 --> 01:01:38,799 privileges rather than proceed through the expulsion process. Given the nature 112 01:01:36,880 --> 01:01:42,559 of the investigation and the due process requirements involved, I am confident 113 01:01:40,799 --> 01:01:47,280 that this matter was handled as quickly and responsibly as possible. 114 01:01:45,280 --> 01:01:51,280 I also want to address the situation involving the Lions Township cross 115 01:01:49,040 --> 01:01:54,480 country meeting. The district and certain of its employees have been 116 01:01:52,720 --> 01:01:58,480 threatened with legal action and the allegations surrounding that incident 117 01:01:56,640 --> 01:02:01,920 are currently under investigation by the IHSA. 118 01:02:00,079 --> 01:02:06,880 We we are fully cooperating with the IHSA and will cooperate with any other 119 01:02:04,799 --> 01:02:11,760 appropriate agency or law enforcement authority should an additional 120 01:02:09,040 --> 01:02:15,440 investigation occur. While that investigation remains 121 01:02:13,440 --> 01:02:18,559 ongoing, I will not make additional public comments regarding the 122 01:02:16,640 --> 01:02:23,599 allegations. The district has already made one public statement available, 123 01:02:20,880 --> 01:02:28,400 noting that it has been unable to corroborate the allegations. Once the 124 01:02:26,240 --> 01:02:31,760 IHSA has completed its investigation and it is clear that no additional 125 01:02:29,680 --> 01:02:36,400 investigations are pending, I intend to address the matter more fully. 126 01:02:34,240 --> 01:02:40,799 Finally, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Goldie has researched and contacted 28 127 01:02:38,720 --> 01:02:45,200 organizations and/or individuals that provide training and support in areas 128 01:02:43,280 --> 01:02:48,960 including restorative justice, equity, inclusion, and wellness. We have 129 01:02:47,200 --> 01:02:52,480 scheduled meetings with four potential providers for Monday. Both the 130 01:02:50,720 --> 01:02:58,960 principles, Dr. Goldie and myself will meet. We will keep the community updated 131 01:02:55,839 --> 01:03:02,880 as we move forward with a plan. Recent events have reinforced that there is 132 01:03:00,480 --> 01:03:08,280 still work to be done in this area and we are committing to doing that work 133 01:03:04,960 --> 01:03:08,280 moving forward. 134 01:03:08,400 --> 01:03:16,720 » All right. Thank you, Dr. Tingley. Uh we are now to the public comment portion of 135 01:03:12,880 --> 01:03:21,359 our agenda. Uh our public comment is uh 30 minutes in total. Uh each individual 136 01:03:19,920 --> 01:03:25,359 will have five minutes to speak. Obviously, if you don't take the full 137 01:03:22,799 --> 01:03:29,760 five minutes, that that's fine. Uh we do have quite a few people that are signed 138 01:03:27,920 --> 01:03:34,480 up to speak. If we don't get to everyone, we we are going to ask that uh 139 01:03:31,920 --> 01:03:39,359 people are welcome to submit a statement which we would include in the board uh 140 01:03:37,119 --> 01:03:44,319 packet for tonight along with other communications we've received uh from 141 01:03:41,440 --> 01:03:50,680 the community over the past uh few days. Um so with that, we would welcome 142 01:03:47,039 --> 01:03:50,680 Jasmine Malinowski. 143 01:04:22,799 --> 01:04:27,839 Good evening. Good evening. My name is Jasmine Milanowski and I'm here tonight 144 01:04:26,160 --> 01:04:33,359 because I believe that the students who found the courage to stand against 145 01:04:30,319 --> 01:04:38,240 racism deserve to know that the adults in their community are willing to stand 146 01:04:36,160 --> 01:04:42,799 with them. What happened at these sporting events 147 01:04:39,760 --> 01:04:47,119 should disturb all of us. Black students should never have to 148 01:04:44,880 --> 01:04:52,799 attend school sporting events and hear monkey noises, see monkey gestures, or 149 01:04:50,319 --> 01:04:57,440 feel as though that color of their skin has made them a target. 150 01:04:55,520 --> 01:05:01,599 I also want us to examine something uncomfortable. 151 01:04:59,359 --> 01:05:05,119 I want to un or I want to understand that these students are minors or I 152 01:05:03,920 --> 01:05:10,799 understand that these students are minors and that there may be legitimate 153 01:05:08,240 --> 01:05:14,880 privacy rules governing what the district can publicly release. But I 154 01:05:13,039 --> 01:05:21,920 want the community to ask whether the same protective restraint presumption or 155 01:05:17,440 --> 01:05:28,000 privacy are all applied equally to every student regardless of race because 156 01:05:24,799 --> 01:05:33,680 accountability and privacy can exist at the same time. 157 01:05:30,720 --> 01:05:37,280 We do not need the names or faces in order for the district to clearly tell 158 01:05:35,359 --> 01:05:42,880 the the community what happened, what policies were violated, what correct 159 01:05:40,160 --> 01:05:49,119 what corre corrective measures were taken, and what will uh 160 01:05:46,480 --> 01:05:53,200 prevent this from happening again. And when children experience or witness 161 01:05:50,880 --> 01:05:57,359 racism, the lesson we teach them through our response matters as much as what 162 01:05:54,960 --> 01:06:02,240 happened in the first place. That is why I also that is why I am also 163 01:06:00,640 --> 01:06:06,559 concerned about the students who participated in the walk out. Those 164 01:06:04,640 --> 01:06:13,039 students made a decision, a conscious decision decision that this is not okay. 165 01:06:10,240 --> 01:06:17,520 This does not represent us and there's no room for racism here. 166 01:06:16,000 --> 01:06:22,160 Yet they walked out knowing that they could potentially face school 167 01:06:19,359 --> 01:06:26,400 consequences for doing so. I understand that the schools have attendance 168 01:06:24,079 --> 01:06:30,799 policies and procedures, but I want the board to think about the larger message 169 01:06:28,559 --> 01:06:35,599 we send young people when students peacefully stand against racism and 170 01:06:33,039 --> 01:06:40,640 their primary primary lesson from the experience becomes that speaking up can 171 01:06:38,160 --> 01:06:44,880 get them punished. We tell children to stand up to 172 01:06:42,480 --> 01:06:49,680 bullying. We tell them to report discrimination. 173 01:06:46,640 --> 01:06:54,559 We tell them not to be bystanders. We tell them to do the right thing even 174 01:06:51,680 --> 01:06:58,799 when doing the right thing is difficult. So when they actually find the courage 175 01:06:56,160 --> 01:07:03,359 to do exactly that, our response should not make them wish that they remain 176 01:07:00,400 --> 01:07:07,599 silent. Protecting the privacy of minors does not prevent the district from being 177 01:07:05,359 --> 01:07:13,520 transparent about what it's going to do moving forward. We need accountability. 178 01:07:10,720 --> 01:07:20,400 We need education. And we need clear expectations for students, coaches, 179 01:07:17,280 --> 01:07:24,960 staff, and spectators. And we need black students to know that 180 01:07:22,480 --> 01:07:31,760 when they walk into a classroom, onto a field, or into the stands, their dignity 181 01:07:28,319 --> 01:07:35,280 is not negotiable. The young people who stood up against 182 01:07:33,520 --> 01:07:38,319 racism should know that their voices matter. 183 01:07:36,880 --> 01:07:44,160 Because I don't want the lesson from this situation to be stay quiet, stay 184 01:07:40,880 --> 01:07:49,119 compliant, don't make trouble. I want the lesson to be when something is 185 01:07:46,400 --> 01:07:54,319 wrong, you have the right to speak. When someone is being dehumanized, you have 186 01:07:51,440 --> 01:08:00,119 the courage to stand beside them. And racism has no place in our schools. 187 01:07:56,880 --> 01:08:00,119 Thank you. 188 01:08:01,351 --> 01:08:03,371 [applause] 189 01:08:07,280 --> 01:08:12,440 Next up is Josie Iligas. 190 01:08:21,359 --> 01:08:26,799 Good evening. [snorts] My name is Josie Hiligus and I'm a 191 01:08:24,560 --> 01:08:31,440 senior at Lincolnway Central. My parents are both alumni at HF. I have two older 192 01:08:29,679 --> 01:08:35,040 siblings that have both graduated from Central. 193 01:08:33,199 --> 01:08:39,199 I'm really disappointed to say that I am finishing my senior year with a deep 194 01:08:37,279 --> 01:08:43,600 sense of shame and embarrassment for being a part of Lincoln Way District 195 01:08:40,640 --> 01:08:47,040 210. What upsets me the most is that this district called what occurred at 196 01:08:45,359 --> 01:08:51,759 the football game a display of inappropriate and behens offensive 197 01:08:49,279 --> 01:08:57,737 behavior. Please call it what it was. It's racism and it's hate speech. 198 01:08:55,717 --> 01:08:57,737 [applause] 199 01:09:01,600 --> 01:09:09,279 I am also deeply upset with central silence on this matter. This situation 200 01:09:07,199 --> 01:09:13,679 doesn't just affect East. It is a district-wide issue. 201 01:09:12,092 --> 01:09:17,759 [snorts] Racism affects students at every school 202 01:09:16,159 --> 01:09:21,120 and your silence is extremely disappointing. 203 01:09:19,952 --> 01:09:24,719 [snorts] Do the right thing and acknowledge this is a district-wide 204 01:09:22,640 --> 01:09:29,199 problem. Stop sweeping this under the rug. Students at Central want to talk 205 01:09:27,040 --> 01:09:33,279 about it and we want to make it better. Please take action as a school district 206 01:09:31,120 --> 01:09:38,348 to address this with students across the community. Thank you. 207 01:09:36,328 --> 01:09:38,348 [applause] 208 01:09:42,799 --> 01:09:47,000 Next up is Rebecca Brown. 209 01:09:59,520 --> 01:10:06,239 Good evening and thank you for having us here tonight. My name is Rebecca Brown 210 01:10:04,000 --> 01:10:12,320 and my daughter is a junior at Lincoln Way East. She is a student athlete and 211 01:10:09,600 --> 01:10:16,320 she is a person of color. I am here about the racist behavior at the East 212 01:10:14,480 --> 01:10:20,880 Homewood with Flossom football game and about what happens next. 213 01:10:18,320 --> 01:10:25,840 These last two weeks, I spoke with two friends from home Flossmore. Both 214 01:10:23,679 --> 01:10:31,280 parents of color with sons who play sports there. Neither of them were 215 01:10:28,800 --> 01:10:36,400 surprised. They told me that they have heard Lincoln Way students say things 216 01:10:33,199 --> 01:10:42,159 from the sidelines at other athletes event athletic events going back years. 217 01:10:39,440 --> 01:10:47,280 One of them told me her own sons have had slurs said directly to them. They 218 01:10:44,800 --> 01:10:53,120 were called monkeys, blackies. They were called the nword and nothing was done. 219 01:10:50,320 --> 01:10:59,199 This broke my heart. It means that this did not start with the video. The only 220 01:10:56,480 --> 01:11:02,440 thing that changed is that this time it was recorded. 221 01:11:03,444 --> 01:11:10,000 » [applause] >> A small number of students is enough to 222 01:11:07,360 --> 01:11:14,800 make every student of color at this school and at home with Flossmore and 223 01:11:12,320 --> 01:11:18,159 around the community wonder who around them thinks that way and whether the 224 01:11:16,640 --> 01:11:23,199 next time it will be said or done directly to them. I wonder about that 225 01:11:20,880 --> 01:11:28,159 for my own daughter. I wonder about it for my two other children who will be at 226 01:11:25,040 --> 01:11:32,480 East in the next couple of years. I want to make sure students of color at 227 01:11:30,239 --> 01:11:38,400 East and at every surrounding community school feel safe and supported. What 228 01:11:36,159 --> 01:11:44,000 cultural competency and anti-racism education is planned for students and 229 01:11:40,640 --> 01:11:47,280 for staff. I do want to say I thank you for addressing some of this already 230 01:11:45,679 --> 01:11:52,400 tonight. Two additional suggestions. Number one, 231 01:11:50,159 --> 01:11:57,360 send out an anonymous survey to every student asking how safe and supported 232 01:11:55,199 --> 01:12:03,679 they actually feel. Other parents I've heard raise this to. 233 01:12:01,440 --> 01:12:09,199 You cannot fix what you have not measured. 234 01:12:06,560 --> 01:12:14,560 Also, please bring a panel or cultural competency and anti-racism 235 01:12:11,920 --> 01:12:18,400 uh group to the school. Not a one-time assembly, but real voices with real 236 01:12:16,400 --> 01:12:21,920 experience and time for students to ask questions. 237 01:12:19,920 --> 01:12:25,679 Part of your plan here has to be making sure that every student knows exactly 238 01:12:23,840 --> 01:12:30,480 what the consequences are for behaving this way. Not a vague reminder about the 239 01:12:28,159 --> 01:12:34,480 code of conduct, but a clear message that says, "If you do this, here is what 240 01:12:32,400 --> 01:12:38,000 happens." They need to hear it before the next game, not after the next 241 01:12:36,320 --> 01:12:41,840 incident. We are asking that you please do not 242 01:12:39,840 --> 01:12:46,520 sweep this under the rug. And we are watching how it is handled. Thank you. 243 01:12:46,935 --> 01:12:48,955 » [applause] 244 01:12:52,400 --> 01:12:58,239 » And thank you. One one thing I did forget to mention here from my 245 01:12:56,320 --> 01:13:03,760 statement. Uh Dr. Goldie and I met with a uh company that is planning to do a 246 01:13:01,199 --> 01:13:07,440 climate survey and and we'll do that districtwide, not just for Lincoln Ways. 247 01:13:06,080 --> 01:13:11,040 That will be a district thing and that will be encompassing all social 248 01:13:09,440 --> 01:13:16,080 emotional needs of our students. So we're working on that now and that's in 249 01:13:13,280 --> 01:13:21,360 the works um that's in the works to be next week and uh that'll be part of our 250 01:13:18,880 --> 01:13:26,000 meetings also on Monday to see how that can be incorporated with whatever 251 01:13:24,320 --> 01:13:29,560 whatever whatever avenue we choose to take. But thank you. 252 01:13:31,600 --> 01:13:35,960 Next up is Sequoia Williams. 253 01:14:00,560 --> 01:14:07,360 Good evening board, cabinet members, parents, staff, and communities. 254 01:14:05,679 --> 01:14:13,040 My name is Sequoia Williams, and I'm here as a parent advocate. 255 01:14:11,440 --> 01:14:16,400 I'm here tonight because what happened between Homewood Flossmore and Lincoln 256 01:14:14,800 --> 01:14:21,920 Way East is not simply a football incident or a student discipline issue. 257 01:14:18,640 --> 01:14:26,000 Our children were hurt at Lincolnway East versus Homeway Homewood Flossmore 258 01:14:24,239 --> 01:14:31,520 football game. There were reports and videos of Lincoln Way East students 259 01:14:27,760 --> 01:14:37,040 directing racial slurs, monkey noises, and monkey gestures towards HF students. 260 01:14:34,719 --> 01:14:42,159 HF leadership described the conduct as racist harassment and Lincoln Way East 261 01:14:40,159 --> 01:14:46,880 acknowledged that racist slurs and gestures occurred and called the 262 01:14:43,600 --> 01:14:52,159 behavior hurtful and unacceptable. Let's be clear, calling black children monkeys 263 01:14:49,360 --> 01:14:57,120 is not harmless. There's a long history of using that comparison to dehumanize 264 01:14:55,120 --> 01:15:01,760 black people. Our children experienced that humiliation in 2026 and we cannot 265 01:14:59,679 --> 01:15:06,640 simply tell them to forget about it and move on. I'm also not saying every 266 01:15:03,920 --> 01:15:10,159 Lincoln way east student is racist. Many students spoke out because they knew the 267 01:15:08,480 --> 01:15:14,640 behavior was wrong and did not believe it represented them. That brings me to 268 01:15:12,800 --> 01:15:19,040 the walk out. These students were not simply trying to skip class. They were 269 01:15:16,400 --> 01:15:24,000 protesting racism, standing with HF students, and saying this is not who we 270 01:15:21,199 --> 01:15:27,120 are. I understand schools have rules. I understand attendance matters. But 271 01:15:25,600 --> 01:15:31,040 students were reportedly told that they could receive three detentions for every 272 01:15:28,880 --> 01:15:35,040 period missed, one period, three detentions, three periods, nine 273 01:15:32,880 --> 01:15:39,600 detentions, four missed periods, 12 detentions. Correct? So the question is, 274 01:15:37,920 --> 01:15:44,239 are these ordinary attendance consequences applied consistently or are 275 01:15:42,480 --> 01:15:49,120 students being punished because they are participating in expressive activity 276 01:15:46,400 --> 01:15:52,719 protesting uh racism? That distinction matters. The first amendment protects 277 01:15:51,120 --> 01:15:56,640 freedom of speech and peaceful uh peaceful assembly. And in Tinker versus 278 01:15:54,960 --> 01:16:00,760 De Mo Independent Community School District 3 393US5031969, 279 01:16:01,120 --> 01:16:05,600 the US Supreme Court recognized that the students do not share their 280 01:16:04,080 --> 01:16:09,520 constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse 281 01:16:07,360 --> 01:16:13,679 gate. Tinker does not give students unlimited freedom to disregard school um 282 01:16:11,760 --> 01:16:17,679 rules. Schools can maintain order and address legitimate disruption. But it 283 01:16:15,600 --> 01:16:21,199 does not require us it does require us to look carefully at why students are 284 01:16:19,520 --> 01:16:25,040 being disciplined and whether their expression is being punished. So, I 285 01:16:23,360 --> 01:16:28,640 asked the question for Lincoln Way East students. Where does the three 286 01:16:26,719 --> 01:16:32,719 detentions per period consequence come from? Is it in a student handbook or 287 01:16:30,480 --> 01:16:37,040 board policy? Was it already the standard consequence for unauthorized 288 01:16:34,640 --> 01:16:41,600 absences? And is it applied consistently to students who miss class for other 289 01:16:38,960 --> 01:16:45,600 reasons? Accountability must be uh fair, transparent, and consistent. There was 290 01:16:43,679 --> 01:16:49,840 also a separate reported allegation involving a Lincoln Way East coach and a 291 01:16:47,520 --> 01:16:54,400 comment referencing running uh past those monkeys. Lincoln Way East has 292 01:16:52,400 --> 01:16:59,679 disputed the characterization and stated the culture was referring to a portion 293 01:16:56,080 --> 01:17:03,040 of the course known as the jungle. That allegation should be investigated 294 01:17:01,440 --> 01:17:07,840 fairly and based on facts and documentation. It is the audacity for 295 01:17:05,920 --> 01:17:11,360 the lack of accountability. But regardless, our children deserve to feel 296 01:17:09,600 --> 01:17:14,800 safe and respected. Before we talk about detentions, let's talk about dignity. 297 01:17:13,280 --> 01:17:17,920 Before we talk about attendance, let's talk about the racial accountability. 298 01:17:16,480 --> 01:17:22,159 And before we punish students for speaking up, let's ask what caused them 299 01:17:19,760 --> 01:17:26,800 to speak up in the first place. I am not asking anyone to um to punish an entire 300 01:17:24,880 --> 01:17:30,719 school. I'm asking for four things. Protect our children. Investigate the 301 01:17:28,800 --> 01:17:34,800 facts. Take this racial harassment incident seriously and apply discipline 302 01:17:33,040 --> 01:17:38,960 fairly and consistently with students constitutional rights. There they are 303 01:17:36,960 --> 01:17:42,159 children. They are watching us as adults and they're watching how we respond. 304 01:17:40,719 --> 01:17:46,480 Let's show them what accountability looks like. Not retaliation, not 305 01:17:44,000 --> 01:17:50,960 silence, not minimizing. accountability. I commend our HF community on their 306 01:17:48,640 --> 01:17:55,440 handling of this situation. I came here to tell you that this behavior will not 307 01:17:52,800 --> 01:17:59,920 be tolerated in our communities and I'm saying that as a parent that is not from 308 01:17:57,679 --> 01:18:03,360 Homewood, but I'm right next door to it. And we all from the suburbs are one 309 01:18:01,840 --> 01:18:09,199 community and you will not come to our community and harass our children. 310 01:18:07,360 --> 01:18:13,520 And we do show up for our children and we utilize our voices. And I'm here to 311 01:18:11,120 --> 01:18:18,960 tell you that to allow those children to withdraw rather than expelling them is 312 01:18:16,719 --> 01:18:22,360 very problematic for me because there is no accountability. 313 01:18:24,480 --> 01:18:29,920 Our children will feel safe in their communities and if your children cannot 314 01:18:28,000 --> 01:18:36,054 do what they need to do when they come to our side of town, keep them here. 315 01:18:33,520 --> 01:18:38,074 Have a good night. [applause] 316 01:18:43,440 --> 01:18:51,800 Next up is um having trouble reading the first name. Uh Deming Senior 317 01:19:07,360 --> 01:19:12,880 Good evening. It's actually both of us, but I'm just going to speak on behalf 318 01:19:10,640 --> 01:19:18,640 for my husband and myself, Yolanda Deming and Mich. 319 01:19:16,719 --> 01:19:22,719 First of all, good evening to everybody and to everybody out here. I'm very 320 01:19:20,880 --> 01:19:27,520 happy and I'm excited to know that we all were able to come here as one. 321 01:19:25,120 --> 01:19:33,600 That's the first thing. Come here as one and as professionals and as parents to 322 01:19:31,280 --> 01:19:40,400 discuss a issue that's very near and dear to me as well. I am a parent. I am 323 01:19:37,040 --> 01:19:45,280 a parent of a Lincoln Way Central student. And as the Lincoln Way Central 324 01:19:42,640 --> 01:19:50,239 students said, I'm upset too at the fact that Lincoln Way Central students didn't 325 01:19:47,040 --> 01:19:56,000 come together and surround their sister school, Lincoln Way East. However, I'm 326 01:19:53,280 --> 01:20:03,120 coming as a parent of a African-American young black boy. And I'm here to say my 327 01:19:59,760 --> 01:20:10,239 son was very upset. This was new to him because in our household we teach, we 328 01:20:06,400 --> 01:20:15,760 preach and we practice love. Despite the color, despite the race, wherever you 329 01:20:12,480 --> 01:20:21,120 come from, that's not what we teach him. So my concern is these youth and these 330 01:20:18,880 --> 01:20:26,880 children that did this. This was a parent issue. This was a learned issue. 331 01:20:23,840 --> 01:20:31,600 This was a taught issue. And if we're not teaching our, this 332 01:20:29,040 --> 01:20:36,719 starts from home. This starts from the cradle. We have to teach our children. 333 01:20:34,159 --> 01:20:41,199 We have to set that example and be that example and let them know despite the 334 01:20:39,600 --> 01:20:46,239 color, the race, the issue, the disability because my child is visually 335 01:20:43,120 --> 01:20:52,320 impaired. So, he can be and will be discriminated double. We need to teach 336 01:20:48,960 --> 01:20:58,800 our kids. But again, it starts at home. What are we doing as parents, as adults 337 01:20:55,600 --> 01:21:02,320 to ensure that we are teaching our children? This is something that needs 338 01:21:00,400 --> 01:21:06,719 to be taught. This is something that needs to be placed in somebody's book. 339 01:21:05,120 --> 01:21:09,679 Parents, we need to teach the parents, too, because they're no better than the 340 01:21:08,400 --> 01:21:13,840 kids. If the kids is doing it, they're getting this from their parents. This is 341 01:21:11,679 --> 01:21:19,679 a learned behavior. Thank you. And on behalf of Lincoln Way 342 01:21:16,960 --> 01:21:25,360 Central student and all Lincoln Way students and the parents, I personally 343 01:21:22,080 --> 01:21:30,400 apologize to HF because this is totally unacceptable. We thank you for coming 344 01:21:27,840 --> 01:21:35,679 here. I don't teach my child that. Again, in my house, we love everybody 345 01:21:32,960 --> 01:21:39,920 regardless. Period. The end. So, on behalf of Lincoln Way Central and 346 01:21:37,120 --> 01:21:43,679 Lincoln Way 210 District, I love all of y'all up in here. I don't care. I don't 347 01:21:41,520 --> 01:21:48,000 know you. And if I don't know you, fine. and I still love you cuz that's what I 348 01:21:45,840 --> 01:21:51,520 know. That's what I was taught and that's what my son is going to continue 349 01:21:49,679 --> 01:21:55,231 to be taught. Thank you. Have a good evening. 350 01:21:53,211 --> 01:21:55,231 [applause] 351 01:21:57,760 --> 01:22:02,600 Thank you. Next up is Camille Howard. 352 01:22:15,199 --> 01:22:24,080 Good evening members of the board, superintendent, administrators, 353 01:22:20,880 --> 01:22:30,080 parents, students, and community members. My name is Camille Howard and I 354 01:22:27,600 --> 01:22:38,320 come before you tonight as a member of the HF community and most importantly as 355 01:22:34,159 --> 01:22:43,760 a parent of a former HF student athlete. What occurred at these sporting events 356 01:22:40,880 --> 01:22:50,639 is hate speech. Seeing the videos that we saw, reading 357 01:22:47,199 --> 01:22:57,360 the lackluster responses that we that were justifying a staff member's actions 358 01:22:54,159 --> 01:23:05,120 signifies there is an institutional problem. And as a parent of a black son, 359 01:23:01,600 --> 01:23:12,080 this is personal to me. HF students distri um demonstrated 360 01:23:08,800 --> 01:23:17,760 extraordinary restraint and maturity in the face of these actions and these 361 01:23:14,239 --> 01:23:24,000 hateful words. But accountability cannot end with just five students as the 362 01:23:20,480 --> 01:23:28,880 demeaning incidences incidents affected many more than five students, families 363 01:23:27,120 --> 01:23:33,280 and parents. The question before this board should 364 01:23:30,719 --> 01:23:37,600 not simply be how do we discipline the students 365 01:23:34,800 --> 01:23:42,719 for what they did. The larger question should be what allowed young people in a 366 01:23:40,719 --> 01:23:47,440 school administrator to believe that they could behave and that it would be 367 01:23:45,040 --> 01:23:53,520 acceptable. The actionable response to this question 368 01:23:50,239 --> 01:23:59,280 must be so uncomfortable that it forces institutionwide change inside and 369 01:23:56,800 --> 01:24:06,400 outside the classroom. So I am asking this board to examine the 370 01:24:02,880 --> 01:24:11,840 totality of what took place and truly listen not only to your students but 371 01:24:08,960 --> 01:24:18,560 listen to the HF students and the HF community. The student voices should not 372 01:24:14,960 --> 01:24:23,760 be second to conversations about intent, reputation, 373 01:24:20,080 --> 01:24:29,760 income level, or damage control. They are students who were hurt by other 374 01:24:26,639 --> 01:24:35,679 students and not just at one event, but at backto back school sponsored sporting 375 01:24:33,920 --> 01:24:41,120 events. So, this is a moment where Lincoln Way 376 01:24:37,920 --> 01:24:47,440 has a choice. It can be remembered as simply an ugly incident that resulted in 377 01:24:43,920 --> 01:24:52,560 an apology and fractional discipline. Or it could become a moment when people put 378 01:24:49,679 --> 01:24:58,719 in place to be concerned about the welfare of students demonstrate to those 379 01:24:56,080 --> 01:25:03,679 students that institutionwide accountability, leadership, and 380 01:25:01,120 --> 01:25:07,000 meaningful change. what that really looks like. 381 01:25:09,920 --> 01:25:19,280 As a parent, I am asking something that is absolutely within your power. When 382 01:25:16,400 --> 01:25:25,760 hate enters your school or school sponsored activities, make it 383 01:25:21,920 --> 01:25:32,480 unmistakably clear through your actions, through your words, that there is zero 384 01:25:28,719 --> 01:25:39,880 tolerance. there is no tolerance and that hate has no place in the entire 385 01:25:36,159 --> 01:25:39,880 Lincoln Way district. 386 01:25:43,520 --> 01:25:53,360 So yes, Lincoln Way students are watching, HF students are watching, HF 387 01:25:50,159 --> 01:25:57,719 community is watching, and I would say the world is watching. 388 01:26:02,320 --> 01:26:10,400 I want to thank the Lincoln Way families who are standing with the HF community 389 01:26:08,159 --> 01:26:15,440 and I want to thank this educational board for this forum tonight. Thank you. 390 01:26:14,559 --> 01:26:18,679 [applause] >> Thank you. 391 01:26:18,960 --> 01:26:23,400 » Next up is Kimberly Christmas. 392 01:26:29,624 --> 01:26:31,644 » [clears throat] 393 01:26:36,639 --> 01:26:43,920 » First, I want to say good evening to the parents, all the parents in the 394 01:26:40,400 --> 01:26:48,320 building, to the board, and um everyone watching. 395 01:26:46,159 --> 01:26:54,320 First, I'd like to say if we are looking at actions, the current superintendent 396 01:26:51,199 --> 01:26:58,880 has been writing. You all have been paying attention to every speaker that 397 01:26:56,560 --> 01:27:04,239 has come to this podium and I thank you for that. But the superintendent has 398 01:27:01,520 --> 01:27:09,600 been writing has been looking at paper as if to disregard all of the speakers 399 01:27:06,560 --> 01:27:13,120 that have come before me and I think that is problematic. 400 01:27:10,960 --> 01:27:17,280 » Ma'am, I'm I'm taking notes. I I've done that consistently through my time as 401 01:27:14,880 --> 01:27:19,920 » This also is being recorded though, >> so you could go back and look at the 402 01:27:18,880 --> 01:27:25,679 notes, too. >> Yes, I could. But I take notes. But 403 01:27:21,600 --> 01:27:31,760 thank you. Thank you. Now that we all know that there will be 404 01:27:27,440 --> 01:27:36,960 no punishment levied for the incident, we need to talk about two other Ps 405 01:27:35,040 --> 01:27:41,600 outside of punishment. We need to talk about policy and purpose. 406 01:27:39,840 --> 01:27:47,920 According to your own Lincoln Way handbook on page 25, prevention and 407 01:27:45,199 --> 01:27:54,639 response to bullying, imitation, intimidation, and harassment is covered. 408 01:27:51,520 --> 01:28:00,719 It's based on race, origin, and etc. and explains the settings in which behavior 409 01:27:57,600 --> 01:28:07,840 is not acceptable. The behavior has in fact been part of the Lincolnway culture 410 01:28:03,280 --> 01:28:13,679 for many years. In 2017, there was a complaint levied with the NAACP that was 411 01:28:11,120 --> 01:28:19,120 never addressed. There are several of them. As a matter of fact, 412 01:28:17,280 --> 01:28:23,040 these complaints were never addressed from the school district, from the 413 01:28:20,719 --> 01:28:29,760 superintendent. The parents were never contacted. As a matter of fact, the 414 01:28:26,080 --> 01:28:35,520 young lady, the incident that occurred, someone took her lunchbox, 415 01:28:32,000 --> 01:28:40,480 another student, and called her blackie, and told her she couldn't have her 416 01:28:37,600 --> 01:28:45,040 lunchbox back. There are loads of stories in here from parents just like 417 01:28:42,560 --> 01:28:51,840 that here. in Lincoln that have never been addressed. We need to find out why 418 01:28:48,320 --> 01:28:58,239 that is. Why when our students report something to a teacher, a principal, an 419 01:28:54,719 --> 01:29:05,679 aid, or anyone that these are not taken seriously. None of these incidents were. 420 01:29:02,560 --> 01:29:11,280 This subject has become taboo at Lincolnway and it needs to stop. It 421 01:29:08,880 --> 01:29:15,396 needs to be addressed by everyone that is confronted with it. 422 01:29:13,376 --> 01:29:15,396 » [applause] 423 01:29:17,120 --> 01:29:26,159 » It should no longer be acceptable to be racist in this community. This is 424 01:29:23,840 --> 01:29:32,159 supposed to be a community. It's supposed to include everyone. We all 425 01:29:29,199 --> 01:29:37,520 live here. And I also don't think that the advisory 426 01:29:35,040 --> 01:29:43,199 committee should wait until next year to address policy changes for the next 427 01:29:40,639 --> 01:29:50,080 school year. changes should be addressed right now. I also believe that a parent 428 01:29:47,040 --> 01:29:55,280 panel, a student panel should also be implemented to address some of these 429 01:29:52,480 --> 01:30:01,280 issues and maybe possibly send recommendations to this board for what 430 01:29:57,840 --> 01:30:06,080 should be done under these circumstances because in some cases I feel some people 431 01:30:03,600 --> 01:30:11,080 on this board may be too close to these decisions to make the decision. 432 01:30:11,679 --> 01:30:19,440 Because these things are happening right now to our children. We need to do 433 01:30:16,480 --> 01:30:25,040 something right now. Not next week, not in a few months, not when people call 434 01:30:21,440 --> 01:30:30,067 you back, but when right now. Thank you. 435 01:30:28,047 --> 01:30:30,067 [applause] 436 01:30:35,920 --> 01:30:41,040 Next up is Terrence Jackson, I believe it is. 437 01:30:50,159 --> 01:30:56,719 Good evening. I have a statement prepared from the 438 01:30:53,280 --> 01:30:59,719 NAACP Chicago Far South Suburban Branch 30006-B. 439 01:31:00,560 --> 01:31:07,360 The NAACP Chicago Fire South Suburban Branch is deeply disturbed by the 440 01:31:05,199 --> 01:31:11,600 reported racist harassment directed toward Homewood Flossmore High School 441 01:31:09,199 --> 01:31:18,080 students during a September 4th football game involving Lincoln Way East High 442 01:31:14,239 --> 01:31:22,719 School. Racial serves, racist gestures, and dehumanizing conduct have no place 443 01:31:20,239 --> 01:31:27,600 in our schools, athletic programs, or communities. Such behavior cannot be 444 01:31:25,199 --> 01:31:32,800 dismissed as a joke or simply attributed to youthful misconduct. It causes real 445 01:31:30,480 --> 01:31:38,080 harm and reinforces a culture of intolerance that we must work together 446 01:31:35,760 --> 01:31:42,880 to eliminate. We commend the homesmore administrators 447 01:31:40,560 --> 01:31:48,320 and staff for responding to the incident and protecting their students. We also 448 01:31:45,440 --> 01:31:52,159 acknowledge Lincoln Way public apology and a stated commitment to addressing 449 01:31:50,480 --> 01:31:58,000 the conduct through his disciplinary process. 450 01:31:54,080 --> 01:32:01,920 An apology, however, must be accounted accompanied by accountability and 451 01:31:59,920 --> 01:32:06,800 meaningful action. The Chicago Far South Suburban Branch, 452 01:32:04,159 --> 01:32:11,120 NAACP, calls upon the school districts and the Illinois High School Association 453 01:32:09,120 --> 01:32:14,560 to ensure that this incident is thoroughly reviewed and appropriately 454 01:32:12,960 --> 01:32:20,480 addressed in accordance with its established policies and applicable law. 455 01:32:18,000 --> 01:32:25,520 We also encourage both communities to strengthen efforts around racial equity, 456 01:32:23,120 --> 01:32:30,639 student accountability, respect, and inclusion so that every student can 457 01:32:27,760 --> 01:32:35,440 participate in school activities without fear of racial intimidation or 458 01:32:33,120 --> 01:32:41,040 humiliation. We will not normalize racism. We will 459 01:32:38,480 --> 01:32:44,960 not excuse it. And we will not remain silent. 460 01:32:42,639 --> 01:32:49,840 We stand with the students, families, educators, and Homewood Flossmore 461 01:32:46,880 --> 01:32:54,000 community. Every young person deserves to learn, compete, and participate in 462 01:32:52,159 --> 01:32:59,840 their community with dignity and respect. The Chicago Far South Suburban 463 01:32:57,120 --> 01:33:04,960 Branch NAACP remains committed to confronting racism, protecting our 464 01:33:02,560 --> 01:33:10,480 children, and building communities where every student is treated with dignity, 465 01:33:07,760 --> 01:33:14,474 fairness, and respect. Thank you for your time. 466 01:33:12,454 --> 01:33:14,474 » [applause] 467 01:33:18,639 --> 01:33:24,840 » I think we have time for one more. Um, Kelly Johnson. 468 01:33:33,679 --> 01:33:40,400 Worried I wasn't going to make it in. Uh, good evening. My name is Kelly 469 01:33:37,600 --> 01:33:45,280 Johnson. Uh, you might recognize my name. sent quite a few emails since this 470 01:33:42,800 --> 01:33:49,040 all occurred a couple weeks ago. I'm the mother of a current Lincoln Way East 471 01:33:47,040 --> 01:33:54,800 varsity football player, so I was at the game. Um, and I'm also the parent of 472 01:33:52,480 --> 01:34:01,360 three black children, two of whom enter Lincoln Way East next year. Um, and this 473 01:33:58,800 --> 01:34:05,520 isn't in my notes, but they are I'm not even sure that they would know if racism 474 01:34:03,840 --> 01:34:08,960 happened to them. they're they have a lot of other things going on. So, it's 475 01:34:07,199 --> 01:34:13,840 my job to protect them because I'm not even sure they would recognize it. I 476 01:34:11,600 --> 01:34:18,560 know there's many things that need to be addressed. Um, and it sounds like some 477 01:34:15,760 --> 01:34:23,120 of it we're addressing with the um restorative justice, the education, the 478 01:34:20,800 --> 01:34:26,800 accountability, policy changes need to happen. So, I'm happy to hear all of 479 01:34:24,800 --> 01:34:31,280 that is taking place. And I'm not an expert at any of that. Um, so I won't 480 01:34:29,840 --> 01:34:36,000 even touch it. What I am good at is advocating for my 481 01:34:33,760 --> 01:34:42,000 children. You can ask anyone who's ever sat across from me in an IEP meeting. I 482 01:34:39,360 --> 01:34:45,840 am absolutely a teammate. I will listen, collaborate, volunteer, and do the work. 483 01:34:44,320 --> 01:34:51,280 But when my children need someone advocating for them, I am relentless. 484 01:34:49,120 --> 01:34:56,400 And right now, I believe our children need that kind of advocacy. Not just my 485 01:34:53,920 --> 01:35:00,639 children, but every minority student in this district. My concern is that while 486 01:34:58,880 --> 01:35:04,480 the district is kind of trying to figure some things out and things are taking a 487 01:35:02,400 --> 01:35:09,440 while, the silence that is coming from us has been into the broader community 488 01:35:06,560 --> 01:35:15,199 is creating a vacuum and that vacuum is being filled by everyone else. The 489 01:35:11,760 --> 01:35:19,679 conversation hasn't stopped. It's simply happening without us talking about it. 490 01:35:17,840 --> 01:35:22,560 That's why my request tonight is actually very simple and it sounds like 491 01:35:21,280 --> 01:35:27,120 it's going to happen. So, I'm going to have to adjust this. Um, we are going to 492 01:35:25,440 --> 01:35:31,520 be doing the climate survey. It sounds like um which is great that it's already 493 01:35:29,440 --> 01:35:37,280 next week. So there's a couple of things I was thinking about when I um heard you 494 01:35:34,480 --> 01:35:41,120 say that you were doing it is that there maybe having some input from other 495 01:35:39,679 --> 01:35:46,880 people to make sure that we're asking the right kind of questions. I have 496 01:35:42,800 --> 01:35:52,080 three teenage boys. Having large amounts of questions are not going to to be 497 01:35:49,440 --> 01:35:56,880 tolerated. And we need to make it really clear not everyone we're not High 498 01:35:55,679 --> 01:36:00,480 schoolers don't always feel like they belong and that's not what we're talking 499 01:35:58,320 --> 01:36:04,239 about here. We need to make it direct about the problems that we're obviously 500 01:36:02,320 --> 01:36:07,280 experiencing and so there needs to be some feedback as to what that survey 501 01:36:06,000 --> 01:36:13,040 looks like and who's putting it together. 502 01:36:10,159 --> 01:36:17,199 Um we need to make it short. I'm sure it's going to be anonymous, but it has 503 01:36:14,880 --> 01:36:21,040 to be measurable as well so that we can have action items that we're taking 504 01:36:18,800 --> 01:36:26,080 forward and we're looking at. And it has to be transparent. Don't do it and not 505 01:36:23,920 --> 01:36:30,080 tell us what the results are, even if they're bad. We need to know what it 506 01:36:28,320 --> 01:36:34,480 looks like so we know which direction we're going to 507 01:36:32,080 --> 01:36:37,520 without a baseline. We can say that we're doing better. And I think some 508 01:36:35,920 --> 01:36:41,679 people do say we're doing better. It's getting better. It's getting better. But 509 01:36:39,199 --> 01:36:45,760 we have no way to know if our students actually feel that difference. And there 510 01:36:44,000 --> 01:36:50,159 is another group of students that I don't want forgotten and some of them 511 01:36:47,520 --> 01:36:55,040 have talked. There are many students at Lincoln Way East and at the other 210 512 01:36:52,800 --> 01:36:59,600 schools who did not participate in this behavior and they do not want their 513 01:36:56,639 --> 01:37:05,520 values or school defined by the actions of others. They deserve the opportunity 514 01:37:02,400 --> 01:37:09,679 to change this story, too. I've offered it privately in the emails 515 01:37:07,520 --> 01:37:13,840 that you have received and I'll offer it publicly tonight to help in any way 516 01:37:11,600 --> 01:37:18,400 that's appropriate. I obviously don't expect to control this, although I like 517 01:37:15,520 --> 01:37:24,320 to control a lot of things. Um, I simply want to see it begin. So, my question 518 01:37:22,159 --> 01:37:29,360 was to make sure that we are going to do the anonymous survey, which we are. We 519 01:37:26,800 --> 01:37:35,520 have the timeline, but I am going to ask for to publicly report the findings and 520 01:37:32,880 --> 01:37:41,360 the actions that will follow. Um, there's more. 521 01:37:39,280 --> 01:37:46,560 I'm not asking for perfection tonight. I don't think anybody here is expecting 522 01:37:43,360 --> 01:37:51,679 it. Um, I'm just asking for a concrete first step, timeline, and transparency. 523 01:37:49,520 --> 01:37:56,639 Our students are watching us right now how us adults are responding to this 524 01:37:54,159 --> 01:38:02,320 moment. And I hope that we show them when something is wrong. Lincoln doesn't 525 01:37:58,960 --> 01:38:09,827 just address the incident. We listen, we measure, we act, and we make sure things 526 01:38:05,199 --> 01:38:11,847 actually do get better. Thank you. [applause] 527 01:38:14,239 --> 01:38:19,520 » All right. Uh we're going to close off the public comment. I know there are 528 01:38:17,600 --> 01:38:22,400 still several people that still uh want to speak. Um we are going to move 529 01:38:20,960 --> 01:38:26,080 forward with the rest of the agenda. I would just ask if you wanted to submit a 530 01:38:24,239 --> 01:38:32,320 comment, we would include it in our packet um in our correspondence portion 531 01:38:28,639 --> 01:38:35,520 of the agenda um at a future date. So we thank everyone for coming tonight. 532 01:38:33,679 --> 01:38:39,920 Obviously, we've heard from several of you via emails, obviously those that 533 01:38:37,440 --> 01:38:45,360 spoke tonight, and we continue or expect to continue to uh hear from people over 534 01:38:42,239 --> 01:38:49,360 the coming weeks. Thank you. Uh, moving on with the rest of the 535 01:38:47,679 --> 01:38:56,159 agenda, we have the consent agenda items F1 536 01:38:53,040 --> 01:38:58,639 through F7 or excuse me, F6. Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda as 537 01:38:58,000 --> 01:39:01,679 presented? >> So moved. 538 01:39:00,320 --> 01:39:05,080 » We have a motion second. Can you please open the vote? 539 01:39:09,360 --> 01:39:12,920 » Voting is open. 540 01:39:19,119 --> 01:39:28,239 Vote is unanimous. Motion passes. Next up under action items, we have the 541 01:39:24,960 --> 01:39:34,000 presentations of invoices from August 21st, 2026 542 01:39:32,480 --> 01:39:40,239 through Oh jeez, this new diligent platform 543 01:39:38,080 --> 01:39:47,520 uh through probably today, September 17th of 2026. Thanks. 544 01:39:43,840 --> 01:39:50,000 » Motion to approve invoices as presented. So 545 01:39:47,760 --> 01:39:52,800 » move a motion and a second. Any questions? 546 01:40:02,880 --> 01:40:10,440 The diligent platform is still being platformed out by May. 547 01:40:06,719 --> 01:40:10,440 » Voting is open. 548 01:40:15,280 --> 01:40:23,679 » Vote is unanimous. Motion passes. >> All right. Next up, we have the 549 01:40:19,280 --> 01:40:25,920 treasur's report for can't read the dates. So, we have the 550 01:40:25,040 --> 01:40:30,320 treasures report. >> You got 551 01:40:27,760 --> 01:40:34,960 » in August, uh, revenues totaled 6.5 million. Expenses totaled 15.1 million. 552 01:40:33,199 --> 01:40:40,400 District's total cash balance on August 31st was 62.4 million. 553 01:40:38,080 --> 01:40:45,280 through August 31st of this fiscal year, 7 and a half% of budgeted operating 554 01:40:42,480 --> 01:40:49,199 revenues have been received and 18.5% of budgeted operational spending has 555 01:40:46,880 --> 01:40:54,400 occurred. Uh the comparison I always give through this point last fiscal year 556 01:40:50,960 --> 01:40:58,960 it was 6.3 and 18.2 both operating revenues and expenses are trending 557 01:40:56,320 --> 01:41:04,880 appropriately at this time through August liquid investment rates 558 01:41:01,199 --> 01:41:10,159 were 3.6% 6%. We have laded investments maturing in September and in November 559 01:41:07,679 --> 01:41:13,600 and December. A lot of short-term investments right now just because we 560 01:41:11,920 --> 01:41:20,320 need to ensure we keep enough liquid cash for January bond payments. Happy to 561 01:41:16,480 --> 01:41:24,360 take any questions you might have. >> Any questions for Dr. Dubc? 562 01:41:28,719 --> 01:41:32,880 Hearing none, I'd entertain a motion to approve the treasures report as 563 01:41:32,159 --> 01:41:36,320 presented. >> So moved. 564 01:41:34,880 --> 01:41:39,320 » Motion a second. Can you please open the vote? 565 01:41:41,440 --> 01:41:44,920 » Vote is open. 566 01:41:48,880 --> 01:41:56,639 » Vote is [clears throat] unanimous. Motion passes. 567 01:41:52,719 --> 01:42:01,639 » All right. Next up is the student activities report for July and August. 568 01:42:02,400 --> 01:42:07,679 So those that are watching, we just switched our 569 01:42:06,000 --> 01:42:12,159 platform and everything is in different spots now. So it's hard to find it real 570 01:42:10,639 --> 01:42:15,760 quick on the fly. >> It's it is a challenge. So for the month 571 01:42:14,000 --> 01:42:19,199 ended, we we have two this evening. We have both July and August. For month 572 01:42:17,040 --> 01:42:22,199 ended July 31, fund balance is 2,824,793. 573 01:42:22,719 --> 01:42:30,480 um the accounts in in that have been negative have been taken care of by the 574 01:42:28,239 --> 01:42:35,159 time of this meeting. And then for 575 01:42:35,840 --> 01:42:41,159 for the month of August, we're at 2,726,829 576 01:42:41,199 --> 01:42:47,960 with revenues of 420,88 and expenditures of 517989,000. 577 01:42:48,400 --> 01:42:54,239 Quite a few here, but once again, at the time of the printing, we're We're in 578 01:42:52,239 --> 01:42:58,000 pretty good shape moving forward. Be happy to answer any questions, but I ask 579 01:42:55,760 --> 01:43:01,800 that you approve the student activities reports as presented. 580 01:43:02,960 --> 01:43:09,280 » No, it's not. >> No, go ahead. No, go ahead. Go ahead. 581 01:43:06,960 --> 01:43:16,080 » All right. Okay. So, all the ones that are on the September 17, 2026 report, 582 01:43:12,880 --> 01:43:20,080 you said that they are now positive. >> Correct. So, the individual band 583 01:43:17,840 --> 01:43:24,960 accounts for for music boosters, that one's larger. That's a transfer that 584 01:43:22,960 --> 01:43:29,600 that goes through then in the summer once the individual students begin to 585 01:43:26,800 --> 01:43:33,760 fund raise. Uh boys golf central same thing they they purchased all their 586 01:43:31,760 --> 01:43:36,800 supplies, all their golf balls, all their bags and freshmen buy their own 587 01:43:35,520 --> 01:43:42,480 bags. That's why that's a large expenditure as well. But yeah, once once 588 01:43:39,440 --> 01:43:45,280 then we you make the team then you write the check, you get your bag and you keep 589 01:43:43,920 --> 01:43:49,760 it for four years. So that's why some of those are a little larger. 590 01:43:47,199 --> 01:43:52,800 » Yes. What what is tri? >> Try math. All 591 01:43:56,400 --> 01:44:02,400 right. Any additional >> music? Music. Music. Music music. My 592 01:43:59,520 --> 01:44:07,920 bad. Trying this music society. Got it. Any other questions? 593 01:44:06,480 --> 01:44:12,320 Hearing none. I entertain a motion to approve the student activities reports 594 01:44:09,760 --> 01:44:14,400 as presented. >> Second. 595 01:44:12,960 --> 01:44:17,440 » Motion a second. Can you please open a vote? 596 01:44:16,239 --> 01:44:20,562 » Rich, I think you said why don't we switch back? I think they got bought out 597 01:44:19,040 --> 01:44:25,239 and this is what we get now. >> [laughter] 598 01:44:22,239 --> 01:44:25,239 » choice. 599 01:44:26,400 --> 01:44:32,080 » The vote is open. >> It's like the screen just shrunk. 600 01:44:29,440 --> 01:44:35,440 Everything's all compressed. >> All right. Next 601 01:44:33,040 --> 01:44:40,639 » vote is unanimous. Motion passes. >> See that pops up. I can see. 602 01:44:38,800 --> 01:44:43,520 » All right. Next up is the second reading for policies, student superintendent 603 01:44:42,960 --> 01:44:50,000 notes. >> Just including your backing materials is 604 01:44:46,239 --> 01:44:56,159 second reading of policies primarily our our footnotes. Um, nothing as I wouldn't 605 01:44:53,760 --> 01:45:00,239 consider a major consequence. Happy to answer any questions. Obviously, this 606 01:44:58,000 --> 01:45:06,159 comes through press and something we bring to the board quarterly as we 607 01:45:02,400 --> 01:45:09,600 adjust based upon press recommendations. >> Just for clarification, any of the 608 01:45:07,760 --> 01:45:12,960 policies or procedures that were addressed tonight or by public comment 609 01:45:11,600 --> 01:45:15,600 are not included in this. This was already on the horizon. 610 01:45:13,920 --> 01:45:20,960 » This was this had a first reading from last month and a second. We typically 611 01:45:17,920 --> 01:45:24,000 would do two readings for any policy uh policy changes 612 01:45:22,080 --> 01:45:28,480 » and these policies are recommended by the service we use to change. 613 01:45:26,239 --> 01:45:33,320 » Correct. >> All right. Any additional questions? 614 01:45:33,520 --> 01:45:40,520 Hearing none, I'd entertain a motion to approve the policies as presented. 615 01:45:41,840 --> 01:45:46,199 » Motion second. Can you please open the vote? 616 01:45:50,320 --> 01:45:53,639 What is open? 617 01:45:57,360 --> 01:46:05,760 » Vote is unanimous. Motion passes. >> Next up is the district 210 advisory 618 01:46:03,040 --> 01:46:10,560 meeting calendar for 2026. >> Have the meeting calendar included for 619 01:46:07,760 --> 01:46:16,080 your consideration. Um we continue to work through different types of topics. 620 01:46:13,920 --> 01:46:20,719 Obviously this after listening this evening uh it's a possibility we would 621 01:46:18,239 --> 01:46:24,000 bring some of our analysis and our discussion points back to this group as 622 01:46:22,480 --> 01:46:27,440 we have teachers and students and parents from all three schools. So 623 01:46:25,920 --> 01:46:30,719 that's something we'll work on moving forward. But we need to approve the 624 01:46:28,960 --> 01:46:34,239 dates as this is a committee of the board. These are considered public 625 01:46:32,480 --> 01:46:40,239 meetings. And so this would be the procedure to to do at this point is to 626 01:46:36,639 --> 01:46:40,239 approve the meeting dates. 627 01:46:42,560 --> 01:46:48,320 That's okay. I had to entertain a motion. Motion to approve the calendar. 628 01:46:46,400 --> 01:46:51,440 We have a motion. Do we have a second? Any questions or comments on the 629 01:46:49,840 --> 01:46:59,639 calendar? All right. Hearing none. Open the vote. 630 01:46:56,320 --> 01:46:59,639 What is open? 631 01:47:09,280 --> 01:47:18,600 » Vote is unanimous. Motion passes. >> Right. Next up is the adoption of the 632 01:47:13,840 --> 01:47:18,600 fiscal year 2027 budget. 633 01:47:18,639 --> 01:47:24,320 » All right. Thank you. Good evening. Um my presentation tonight will be be 634 01:47:22,159 --> 01:47:30,239 succinct. There are no surprises in this final version of the fiscal year 27 635 01:47:26,560 --> 01:47:34,960 budget and the work that has gone into this budget aligns with the board's 636 01:47:32,239 --> 01:47:38,960 strategic initiatives. Tonight, what we'll take a look at are any changes 637 01:47:36,960 --> 01:47:43,520 from the tenative budget presented in June and at the end we'll provide a 638 01:47:41,280 --> 01:47:47,760 snapshot of fund balances. Our our district administrative team believes 639 01:47:45,119 --> 01:47:52,480 this year's budget shows continued stability for our district. There are 640 01:47:50,480 --> 01:47:56,239 several resource documents included in your packing materials tonight I'd like 641 01:47:54,000 --> 01:48:01,360 to draw your attention to. These include a cover memo summarizing the budget. Uh 642 01:47:59,040 --> 01:48:06,639 a brief two-page Q&A document highlighting what we anticipate may be 643 01:48:04,080 --> 01:48:10,639 common questions from the board uh andor the community and the accounting book 644 01:48:08,639 --> 01:48:14,679 detail outlining each fund and its revenue and expenditure types. 645 01:48:14,960 --> 01:48:23,760 We've prepared this fisc year 27 budget to include roughly 33.3 million in 646 01:48:21,360 --> 01:48:29,920 operating revenues as you can see in the top right of that light red uh column 647 01:48:26,960 --> 01:48:35,760 and 133.1 million in operating expenditures. This represents a 4.9% 648 01:48:33,600 --> 01:48:41,679 increase on the revenue side and a 6% increase on the spending side which we 649 01:48:37,679 --> 01:48:46,000 feel is conservative uh but appropriate from that. Uh moving your way down that 650 01:48:43,760 --> 01:48:50,320 column we've set aside 2.2 2 million in transfers out of the operating funds and 651 01:48:48,000 --> 01:48:54,000 into other areas such as debt service for capital lease payments which I'll 652 01:48:52,000 --> 01:48:58,159 talk about in a little bit and capital projects for s uh future our capital 653 01:48:56,320 --> 01:49:01,760 projects fund excuse me for future site improvements. 654 01:48:59,760 --> 01:49:07,440 The ending budget on paper shows an operating deficit of $2 million, which 655 01:49:04,480 --> 01:49:12,480 however includes the planned spendown of debt certificate dollars from revenue 656 01:49:09,520 --> 01:49:17,600 that hit last year's books uh for our financing to own purchasing model for 657 01:49:14,480 --> 01:49:22,320 the new buses. Um that those dollars cross fiscal years and so that was a 658 01:49:19,520 --> 01:49:27,920 planned check of $2.9 million, excuse me, that we spent in uh 659 01:49:25,040 --> 01:49:32,880 July, which hits this fiscal year. when you exclude that payment, uh, we see a 660 01:49:30,800 --> 01:49:37,600 true structural state of the operating budget. And I like to show both of these 661 01:49:34,800 --> 01:49:40,639 because if we had a structural recurring deficit forecasted, that would be 662 01:49:39,360 --> 01:49:47,920 something I would want to make sure we discuss. That is not the case. Um, we 663 01:49:43,520 --> 01:49:51,360 have an operating surplus of 874,540 when you exclude that one-time planned 664 01:49:49,840 --> 01:49:55,000 payment from the purchasing the board approved last year. 665 01:49:55,119 --> 01:50:02,159 A brief overview of some revenues and expenses um talk a little bit about 666 01:49:59,679 --> 01:50:07,679 local revenues illustrates um our sources local sources are expected to 667 01:50:04,400 --> 01:50:12,400 increase to 113 million this year. You can see here on this slide uh some of 668 01:50:10,320 --> 01:50:17,199 the changes listed from the tentative version of the budget presented in June 669 01:50:14,400 --> 01:50:24,159 for example. One particular note is our CPPRT allocation uh which we had um 670 01:50:21,280 --> 01:50:27,600 anticipated to be about a 10% reduction uh is higher than was initially 671 01:50:25,760 --> 01:50:31,360 anticipated. will actually be a moderate increase this year, which is great news. 672 01:50:29,760 --> 01:50:34,960 Uh, as for state revenues, our evidence-based funding allocation 673 01:50:33,040 --> 01:50:40,880 released from ISBY, as was mentioned earlier, uh, in public comment, has a 2% 674 01:50:38,400 --> 01:50:46,400 increase this year, and federal revenues are a bit higher based on grant and 675 01:50:43,600 --> 01:50:50,719 Medicaid reimbursements. On the expenditure side, 676 01:50:48,960 --> 01:50:56,960 salaries and benefits are planned to increase 4.4 million this year to 677 01:50:53,280 --> 01:51:01,040 roughly $92 million in total. Um these salary costs, as we discussed in June, 678 01:50:59,040 --> 01:51:06,239 are based on staffing needs and the district's collective bargaining 679 01:51:02,400 --> 01:51:10,159 agreements. Many benefits costs as well also mirror those wage rates because 680 01:51:08,239 --> 01:51:16,400 they're percentage based such as pensions, social security, uh and 681 01:51:12,880 --> 01:51:21,119 Medicare. One item we've we I feel like we do discuss many months is our medical 682 01:51:18,480 --> 01:51:25,199 insurance continues to trend high. That is a focal point for our district 683 01:51:22,960 --> 01:51:29,199 administrative team as we review plan design coming up here for open 684 01:51:27,040 --> 01:51:35,119 enrollment. Purchase services are budgeted to 685 01:51:31,280 --> 01:51:40,400 increase $700,000 this year. One example I did want to note here are special 686 01:51:36,960 --> 01:51:44,239 education transportation costs and um just wanted to share an update. Our our 687 01:51:42,000 --> 01:51:49,199 team is currently identifying ways in which I believe we can streamline this 688 01:51:46,639 --> 01:51:54,320 and try to make um more efficient our outofd district transportation costs. I 689 01:51:52,159 --> 01:51:58,639 I would like to acknowledge um here as we look at the aggregate of the purchase 690 01:51:56,560 --> 01:52:04,639 services budget just in light of public comment this evening um and particular 691 01:52:01,840 --> 01:52:08,320 the budget related public comment. We allocate funds across all of our various 692 01:52:06,880 --> 01:52:12,719 departments for a variety of professional development planning um And 693 01:52:11,199 --> 01:52:17,119 in light of recent events and and to echo Dr. Tingley's comments um about 694 01:52:15,280 --> 01:52:21,599 initiatives and and things we will take a look at for next week, we do have room 695 01:52:19,679 --> 01:52:26,239 uh in our professional services budget for the professional development student 696 01:52:24,080 --> 01:52:30,800 supports um that we will continue to investigate. 697 01:52:28,560 --> 01:52:33,679 » Mike, can I quick question for you? >> Of course. 698 01:52:31,520 --> 01:52:38,400 » We're purchase services are around 13.4 now and they're going to 14.1. 699 01:52:37,040 --> 01:52:41,440 » Going to 14.1. >> Okay, gotcha. Just the way I read it at 700 01:52:40,320 --> 01:52:45,840 first, it looked like it was going from 700,000 to 14 million. 701 01:52:43,199 --> 01:52:48,480 » I'm sorry. It will increase 700,000 to get to 14.1. I'm sorry. 702 01:52:47,119 --> 01:52:50,719 » At first, I sound like that's a massive jump. Where do we How did I miss that 703 01:52:49,920 --> 01:52:52,480 the first time? >> No, I apologize. 704 01:52:51,840 --> 01:52:57,239 » Okay. >> So, Mike, I have a quick question, too. 705 01:52:54,239 --> 01:52:57,239 So, 706 01:52:57,920 --> 01:53:04,480 » so as it relates to the public comment, as you indicated, 707 01:53:01,840 --> 01:53:09,199 » so it was regarding the increase that we received and was it the title one funds? 708 01:53:07,119 --> 01:53:16,080 Was that what it was? And so you said that across the board we have increased 709 01:53:13,280 --> 01:53:22,000 uh for professional services for all of the and so it's shown where where would 710 01:53:18,960 --> 01:53:26,639 we be able to point that? So within the accounting book detail um of the actual 711 01:53:24,960 --> 01:53:31,280 budget book we have professional services across be that psychological 712 01:53:29,040 --> 01:53:36,080 services social work title federal grants um and then local spending in 713 01:53:34,000 --> 01:53:40,000 terms of our be that the business office budget the curriculum budget and so on 714 01:53:37,599 --> 01:53:44,639 and so forth. So that book detail has salaries, benefits, purchase services, 715 01:53:41,760 --> 01:53:48,239 supplies, so on in each of those areas. And in aggregate, as we take a look at 716 01:53:46,719 --> 01:53:52,159 some of those line items, be that evidence-based funding, tier money, or 717 01:53:50,159 --> 01:53:58,000 title, or some of our local district dollars, um I I believe there are are 718 01:53:55,280 --> 01:54:01,760 several areas in which we have some room in terms of the planning for fiscal year 719 01:53:59,760 --> 01:54:08,080 27 where we can financially incorporate some of those initiatives. 720 01:54:04,080 --> 01:54:13,599 » So when we would pay for some of the uh programs or the the different companies 721 01:54:11,199 --> 01:54:18,400 that we are engaging in or that Superintendent uh Tingley is engaging in 722 01:54:16,560 --> 01:54:22,639 that those funds will come out of each one of will come across the board out of 723 01:54:20,560 --> 01:54:25,520 different categories. Is that correct? Is that what I'm hearing? 724 01:54:23,840 --> 01:54:28,800 » Yes, that is that is correct. I would need to take a look at exactly where we 725 01:54:27,199 --> 01:54:34,520 choose to take that from, but I I believe there are a few spots from where 726 01:54:30,239 --> 01:54:34,520 it can be. Okay. Yep. 727 01:54:39,040 --> 01:54:46,080 Moving on through other expense types, the aggregate supply costs um in this 728 01:54:44,080 --> 01:54:52,719 year's budget and to clarify increase 1.6 million to go to 13.4 million. But 729 01:54:50,239 --> 01:54:57,360 the two primary reasons here are our student devices, laptops. We've been 730 01:54:55,119 --> 01:55:02,239 able to hold those flat for two or three years um with a new generation of 731 01:55:00,320 --> 01:55:05,760 devices and things. Um we talked about that previously at another meeting. 732 01:55:04,000 --> 01:55:10,000 There's a jump there as well as our utility rates for electricity and 733 01:55:07,679 --> 01:55:14,880 natural gas capital spending. Now, this is capital 734 01:55:12,080 --> 01:55:20,560 spending in our operating funds is set actually to decrease one point or $1 735 01:55:17,679 --> 01:55:24,480 million as only one payment, sorry, as only one payment was needed for the 736 01:55:22,000 --> 01:55:29,599 buses compared to two payments last year. So, that's why the capital outlay 737 01:55:26,560 --> 01:55:33,920 in the operating budget is going down. And finally, our expenditure category of 738 01:55:31,679 --> 01:55:40,239 tuition dues and fees, which Yes, that's a broad expense category 739 01:55:36,800 --> 01:55:44,159 is is expected to increase 1.6 million this year. One budget line we're 740 01:55:42,400 --> 01:55:49,599 tracking closely is private facility tuition costs which are projected to be 741 01:55:46,159 --> 01:55:54,560 up $600,000 based on special education student data and programming needs this 742 01:55:52,239 --> 01:55:59,199 school year. Now, this budget line does fluctuate. There are years it goes down. 743 01:55:56,480 --> 01:56:04,239 There are years it goes up. Um we feel this is conservative but appropriate for 744 01:56:01,679 --> 01:56:07,239 this year's projected and needs at this time. 745 01:56:09,360 --> 01:56:17,520 $200,000 of the 2.2 million transfer total I mentioned earlier is for capital 746 01:56:15,040 --> 01:56:21,840 leases, which are uh driver's education car lease payments. It's printer copier 747 01:56:19,760 --> 01:56:26,000 leases. If you recall, this was an accounting exercise we discussed uh when 748 01:56:23,840 --> 01:56:30,080 our auditors were here last time. They asked us to instead transfer this money 749 01:56:27,920 --> 01:56:34,719 into our debt fund and make payments from there. It's the same money, 750 01:56:31,840 --> 01:56:39,599 different accounting exercise. The remaining 2 million is the capital 751 01:56:37,119 --> 01:56:45,360 projects transfer for this uh this year for summer 2027 projects. This amount is 752 01:56:43,040 --> 01:56:49,360 smaller uh than the last couple of years. It does align with what we talked 753 01:56:47,280 --> 01:56:54,880 about in June. Again, illustrating that this is a tighter year. We do have some 754 01:56:52,320 --> 01:56:59,360 other revenues in fund 60, be that from rental income or investment income. And 755 01:56:57,280 --> 01:57:05,360 so when we combine that, we're targeting right now conservatively a three 3 756 01:57:01,920 --> 01:57:11,440 million 3.1 million total allocation as we begin planning with our district's 757 01:57:08,320 --> 01:57:15,920 architects and more to come in uh future months on that. 758 01:57:14,159 --> 01:57:20,159 Finally, really high level did want to share an update on our efforts to remain 759 01:57:17,920 --> 01:57:24,080 financially transparent and to enhance that transparency whenever we can. 760 01:57:22,400 --> 01:57:28,320 Within board policy, there's guidance from Illinois school code that outlines 761 01:57:26,159 --> 01:57:32,960 that school districts uh shouldn't tax more than necessary and accumulate 762 01:57:30,320 --> 01:57:36,560 excess uh reserves. There are actually a number of different analyses that we do 763 01:57:34,800 --> 01:57:40,719 to make sure we're compliant with school code and policy. Essentially, if we have 764 01:57:38,960 --> 01:57:45,040 cash reserves that are more than two and a half times our annual spending is says 765 01:57:43,440 --> 01:57:49,360 a school district should implement a reserve reduction plan. Now, Lincoln Way 766 01:57:47,520 --> 01:57:54,320 is nowhere near that. We do not have that in reserves as you know. Um we 767 01:57:51,920 --> 01:57:58,560 remain fiscally lean, very operationally efficient. Um but we want to share that 768 01:57:56,639 --> 01:58:03,440 our administrative team completes these analyses in our daily work to make sure 769 01:58:00,880 --> 01:58:07,560 that we're keeping us um in line financially and transparent. 770 01:58:07,679 --> 01:58:13,920 Summary slide here shows revenues and expenditures for each one of the 771 01:58:11,199 --> 01:58:18,480 district's funds. Third from the left is the transportation fund where um you 772 01:58:16,639 --> 01:58:23,119 will see the 3 million spendown which again was planned in the middle of this 773 01:58:20,719 --> 01:58:26,639 table. Do want to highlight a moderate spend down in the tort fund as well. 774 01:58:25,280 --> 01:58:31,199 You've heard me say that probably three or four years in a row. Now, we have 775 01:58:29,199 --> 01:58:36,159 enough in reserves here and so we've reallocated levy and interest income to 776 01:58:33,280 --> 01:58:41,199 other funds. On the right are the capital projects fund and the life 777 01:58:38,800 --> 01:58:46,320 safety fund. Both of these funds have planned spendowns for construction and 778 01:58:43,520 --> 01:58:50,239 life safety HVAC work. The money is already sitting in those accounts 779 01:58:48,000 --> 01:58:55,440 waiting to be spent. And so these are the uh conservative amounts that we 780 01:58:52,320 --> 01:58:59,440 believe will be spent this fiscal year. Once again, in terms of an ongoing 781 01:58:57,520 --> 01:59:04,880 structural operating picture, we are balanced and stable at this time. Happy 782 01:59:02,719 --> 01:59:08,400 to take any questions you may have about this presentation or any of the 783 01:59:06,719 --> 01:59:15,360 additional documents in your packing materials. Thank you. 784 01:59:12,560 --> 01:59:21,040 » Any questions for Dr. Dubc? >> I have one quick question. 785 01:59:18,080 --> 01:59:25,599 Um so [clears throat] I I did I am looking at the professional services and 786 01:59:23,199 --> 01:59:32,320 under the improvement of instructional services I see that there's a decrease 787 01:59:28,159 --> 01:59:37,520 in the professional services for you know what that's okay I look at it's 788 01:59:34,560 --> 01:59:42,560 fiscal year 2026 but fiscal year 2027 there is an increase so I'm good 789 01:59:40,800 --> 01:59:47,280 no question >> how do you project the uh increase in 790 01:59:44,480 --> 01:59:52,880 the private tuition is that just we know we're going need to place two students 791 01:59:49,840 --> 01:59:56,800 or is it and it's going to cost us X or is that I won't say a guesstimate but 792 01:59:55,360 --> 02:00:00,400 » uh yeah well well some of it is projection based on on students that we 793 01:59:59,119 --> 02:00:04,480 believe are moving in or where their placements will be. They might not be 794 02:00:01,920 --> 02:00:09,119 placed yet or they might have um IEP changes certainly um Katie Hunt can 795 02:00:06,880 --> 02:00:13,679 speak in more detail to this than me but but we meet and we go over the students 796 02:00:11,119 --> 02:00:17,360 that we know we have uh services that we know we can provide in the district 797 02:00:15,040 --> 02:00:21,119 versus outplacement needs. Like I that fluctuates every year. So I think and I 798 02:00:19,679 --> 02:00:24,960 don't I don't have this particular line in front of me. I think it was 3.2 799 02:00:23,440 --> 02:00:28,400 million a couple years ago, then went down to three million. Now it's up to 800 02:00:26,560 --> 02:00:32,400 three. So it it fluctuates with the needs. This is just a year where we we 801 02:00:30,719 --> 02:00:36,960 feel it's appropriate to be conservative based on what we anticipate. 802 02:00:34,639 --> 02:00:41,360 » As we as you know, we faced historically if we have a child move in or we we 803 02:00:39,119 --> 02:00:47,760 don't know of someone and then that's an additional significant increase. Um we 804 02:00:44,880 --> 02:00:52,320 we have to remain conservative. We we we were caught by that several years ago 805 02:00:50,000 --> 02:00:58,080 when we went to the dollar amount of the students that we just knew and and we 806 02:00:55,040 --> 02:01:02,080 were significantly short. And so we think this will encompass any additional 807 02:01:00,080 --> 02:01:06,320 changes, but that's always because of the level of cost 808 02:01:04,320 --> 02:01:13,560 that that can be challenging as a one or two student move can significantly swing 809 02:01:09,679 --> 02:01:13,560 that line item budget. 810 02:01:15,440 --> 02:01:22,800 I do have one other question. Under the auditorium, how did we um how did how 811 02:01:20,480 --> 02:01:27,599 did our budget go down there? Um there's a Oh, is it because of the is it because 812 02:01:26,080 --> 02:01:32,480 of repairs? >> No, actually that was something that's a 813 02:01:29,679 --> 02:01:36,560 very good question. Um a takeaway for me as well. Some of that uh overall 814 02:01:34,480 --> 02:01:43,440 auditorium budget has to do with we spent more in uh wages as we were doing 815 02:01:40,400 --> 02:01:47,840 extensive rental out of the North Auditorium and then once we partnered 816 02:01:46,000 --> 02:01:54,400 into that film production company taking over North this fiscal year we will have 817 02:01:50,480 --> 02:01:58,239 less of that. It's a great question. >> It's a huge decrease. 818 02:01:56,320 --> 02:02:02,320 » Okay. >> Also a decrease of revenue from the 819 02:02:00,159 --> 02:02:05,719 rental however made up by that production company. 820 02:02:06,719 --> 02:02:14,080 » Anything else for Dr. Dub? >> Appreciate the larger screen. 821 02:02:11,520 --> 02:02:17,440 » Yeah. screen for this. We should always move our budget hearing into this room 822 02:02:15,840 --> 02:02:19,599 so we can see. >> All right. Thank you. 823 02:02:18,159 --> 02:02:24,400 » So, I'm going to try to navigate the small screen now. 824 02:02:21,360 --> 02:02:28,639 » Uh, hearing no further questions. I entertain a motion to adopt the fiscal 825 02:02:26,080 --> 02:02:35,400 year 2027 budget as presented. >> So, move 826 02:02:30,480 --> 02:02:35,400 motion a second. Please open the vote. 827 02:02:43,119 --> 02:02:46,280 is open. 828 02:02:54,639 --> 02:03:00,880 The vote the vote is unanimous. Motion passes. 829 02:02:58,000 --> 02:03:06,480 » All right. Next up isformational items. Report of the Lincoln Way Special 830 02:03:02,880 --> 02:03:09,760 Education District 843. This report is from the August 6th 831 02:03:08,480 --> 02:03:12,880 meeting which was actually the July meeting that needed to be rescheduled 832 02:03:11,119 --> 02:03:19,040 due to the loss of power to Pioner Grove. Um so at this meeting our budget 833 02:03:16,080 --> 02:03:24,719 was preliminary presented which has now since been approved for 2627. Um we 834 02:03:22,000 --> 02:03:30,239 received updates on the extended school year staffing and full school year 835 02:03:27,040 --> 02:03:35,760 staffing which has all completed. Um some purchasing of additional technology 836 02:03:32,400 --> 02:03:41,440 in terms of a printer or that needed to be replaced and some 837 02:03:39,440 --> 02:03:49,239 additional playground repairs which have all been addressed as well. 838 02:03:46,239 --> 02:03:49,239 Questions? 839 02:03:49,679 --> 02:03:55,199 » Thank you very much. September foy 840 02:03:53,760 --> 02:03:58,960 included in your back of materials for your review our building and grounds 841 02:03:58,320 --> 02:04:02,639 report. >> Once again, utilities and contractual 842 02:04:00,639 --> 02:04:06,880 maintenance is all included. >> Anything on the legislative front? 843 02:04:04,000 --> 02:04:10,080 » Nothing. at this time. >> Superintendent District report. We we 844 02:04:08,480 --> 02:04:14,239 kind of covered a lot of that already this evening and we'll be reporting back 845 02:04:12,000 --> 02:04:17,599 in October with directions. 846 02:04:15,840 --> 02:04:19,920 » Marian Catholic. Oh, sorry. Correspondence. 847 02:04:18,159 --> 02:04:23,119 » Correspondence. We did receive a thank you from Marian Catholic for use of 848 02:04:21,520 --> 02:04:28,080 Lincoln Way North Cafeteria for their homecoming. Wonderful event last 849 02:04:25,920 --> 02:04:34,080 Saturday. Thank Michelle for helping coordinate that. They paid the actual 850 02:04:30,800 --> 02:04:38,400 cost because we did provide them with some of our cleaning crew and some 851 02:04:35,760 --> 02:04:41,520 different services, but uh they had lost their gym in one of the storms and 852 02:04:39,920 --> 02:04:45,360 didn't have a place to to host their homecoming. So, it actually it was 853 02:04:43,760 --> 02:04:49,199 fantastic. They brought the food trucks up the back. Really really had a nice 854 02:04:47,599 --> 02:04:54,000 time. So, that was we were we were happy to help out there. And then we also 855 02:04:51,440 --> 02:05:01,520 included any correspondents the board has received since September 4th. um is 856 02:04:59,360 --> 02:05:05,119 on there as well in PDF >> and then I'd like to make sure we update 857 02:05:03,040 --> 02:05:12,520 that with anything we get over the next day or two for the 858 02:05:07,520 --> 02:05:12,520 » uh topics that we discussed tonight. 859 02:05:13,040 --> 02:05:20,520 » No other business to attend to >> that. I'd entertain a motion to adjourn. 860 02:05:20,639 --> 02:05:26,719 Motion second. All those in favor signify by saying I. 861 02:05:23,599 --> 02:05:33,040 » I. We are adjourned. Our next meeting is October and Can't see the date. October 862 02:05:30,320 --> 02:05:33,040 15th.