Community Unit School District #201 Board of Education met Nov. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER
On November 18, 2025, at 6:38 p.m., Leah Conover called to order the regular meeting of the Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education.
Roll Call
Members Present: Leah Conover, Carlos Hevia, Adina Hoover, Kevin Marren, Alexandria Mil
Members Absent:
Also present: Superintendent Jack Baldermann, Ron O’Connor, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and HR, and the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant, Shannon Cossairt.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Conover led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 28, 2025
Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Hoover, to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2025, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.
Ayes: Hevia, Hoover, Marren, Conover, Mil
Nays: None.
Motion Carried.
October 28, 2025, closed
Motion by Ms. Mil, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the October 28, 2025, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.
Ayes: Hevia, Hoover, Marren, Conover, Mil
Nays: None.
Motion Carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment given.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the consent agenda as presented:
1. Personnel Recommendations
2. Approval of November 2025 Expenditure Report
3. Ratification of October 2025 Regular Payroll
4. Approval of Student Tours for WJHS
Ayes: Marren, Hoover, Mil, Hevia, Conover
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
INFORMATION and DISCUSSION
Tentative 2025 Tax Levy
Mr. Ron O’Connor, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Human Resources, explained the levy to the Board and his reasons for the levy request. His presentation to the Board included the following information:
● 2025 Levy Calendar
● Definitions
● What are the steps in property taxation?
● How do property taxes work?
● Consumer Price Index
● Last Year’s Extension
● This Year’s Levy
The public hearing and approval of the levy will take place at the December 16, 2025, Board meeting.
Presentation of Monthly Financial Statements
Mr. O’Connor referred back to the presentation about the levy and the ask.
WHS Course Approvals
WHS is requesting two new courses for the 2026-27 school year: AP Business with Personal Finance and Child Development. The courses were reviewed at the October 28, 2025, Board meeting and will be presented for approval later in this meeting.
2026-2027 School Calendar
The Board discussed the options for the calendars that were presented. The Board agreed with the Calendar Committee’s recommendation of Calendar 1 with the earlier start. The Board will vote on the calendar later in this meeting.
IASB Resolutions
Kevin Marren, the CUSD 201 School Board Delegate, will be voting on new resolutions at the Joint Annual Conference in November. The Board had no questions regarding the resolutions.
JAC Sessions
The Board members attending the Joint Annual Conference in November discussed which meeting sessions they were interested in attending.
ACTION ITEMS
Approval of Tentative 2025 Tax Levy
Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the Tentative 2025 Tax Levy, as presented.
Ayes: Hoover, Mil, Hevia, Conover, Marren
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Approval of New WHS Course: AP Business with Personal Finance
Motion by Ms. Mil, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the new course AP Business with Personal Finance at Westmont High School for the 2026-2027 school year, as presented.
Ayes: Mil, Hevia, Conover, Marren, Hoover
Nays: None.
Motion Carried
Approval of New WHS Course: Child Development
Motion by Dr. Hoover, second by Ms. Mil, to approve the new course Child Development at Westmont High School for the 2026-2027 school year, as presented.
Ayes: Hevia, Conover, Marren, Hoover, Mil
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Approval of Authorization for Treasurer to Pay Additional November 2025 Bills
Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Dr. Hoover, to authorize and direct the Treasurer to pay Bills received in November 2025 for the 2026 fiscal year.
Ayes: Conover, Marren, Hoover, Mil, Hevia
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Approval of the 2026-2027 School Calendar
Motion by Ms. Mil, second by Dr. Hoover, to approve calendar #1 for the 2026-2027 school year.
Ayes: Marren, Hoover, Mil, Hevia, Conover
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Holly Days Festival
Reminder: The Board will be participating in the Holly Days parade on December 6, 2025.
Communication
Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent, visited the schools this week. The buildings hosted some great Veteran celebrations.
FOIA Request
Recent FOIA requests are attached in BoardDocs.
BOARD REPORTS
Mr. Marren gave a shout out to the WHS Fall Play. There were two different casts and they both did an amazing job.
Ms. Conover would like to express her appreciation for everyone who reached out to her to express condolences for the recent passing of her mother.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment at this time.
FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS
No School
Nov 26 – Nov 30
CUSD 201 Special Meeting
Dec 2, 5:30 pm
WHS Band Boosters Craft Fair
Dec 6, 2025
WHS
WJHS Band and Choir Concert
Dec 9, 7:00 pm
WHS
WHS Band and Choir Concert
Dec 10, 7:00 pm
WHS
Manning Band and Choir Concert
Dec 11, 6:00 pm
WHS
CUSD 201 Regular Meeting
Dec 16, 2025
Westmont Village Hall
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Dr. Hoover, to enter closed session for the purpose of discussing specific employees, student discipline, purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, and potential litigation.
Ayes: Hoover, Mil, Hevia, Conover, Marren
Nays: None
Motion carried.
The Board entered closed session at 7:24 p.m.
The Board returned to open session at 7:34 p.m.
COMMUNICATIONS
None at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Mil, to adjourn the November 18, 2025, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 7:34 p.m.
Motion unanimously passed.
https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd201/Board.nsf/files/DP6K9650BA5A/$file/11.18.25%20Regular%20Minutes.pdf
