SE Illinois News

Community Unit School District #201 Board of Education met Aug. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER On August 12, 2025, at 6:47 p.m. President 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, Jessica Radogno, Adina Hoover, Kevin Marren,

Members Absent: Lauren Zekiri

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.

INFORMATION/DISCUSSION

Board Member Resignation 

Anglela Steketee has submitted a letter of resignation. President Conover asked the Board how they would like to proceed with the appointment of a new member. The Board can do what they did in May which was waive policy 2:70 and appoint the next indiviudal on the ballot or follow the traditional method. The Board agrees they will appoint the next person who ran in the election, Alexandria Mil.

CLOSED SESSION 

Potential Closed Session to Discuss Filling a Vacancy in a Public Body is Given the Power to Appoint Under Law . 

The Board does not need to enter closed session. 

ACTION ITEM 

Suspend Policy 2:70 Procedures and Appoint Candidate from Election to Fill Board Vacancy

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Dr. Hoover, to temporarily suspend Board Policy 2:70’s procedures for Board vacancies and to appoint Alexandria Mil to fill the Board's vacant seat through the April 2027 election.

Ayes: Hoover, Radogno, Hevia, Marren, Conover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

Oath of Office 

President Conover swore in Alexandria Mil.

CLOSED SESSION Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Mr. Hevia, to enter closed session to discuss specific employees and probable or Imminent Litigation.

Ayes: Hoover, Radogno, Hevia, Marren, Mil, Conover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

The Board entered closed session at 6:58 p.m.

The Board returned to open session at 7:31 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

No public comment.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

July 15, 2025

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Hevia, to approve the minutes of the July 15, 2025, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Hoover, Radogno, Hevia, Marren, Mil, Conover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried

July 15, 2025, Closed 

Motion by Dr. Hoover, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the July 15, 2025, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Marren, Radogno, Hevia, Zekiri, Hoover, Conover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried

CONSENT AGENDA 

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Dr. Hoover, to approve the consent agenda as presented:

1. Personnel Recommendations:

● Nancy Van Ness, Outplacement Coordinator

● Dr. Nadine Norris, Interim Director of Technology

● Vanessa Corley, Long-Term Sub WJHS Dual

● Hector Solis, Long-Term Sub Manning Dual

● Stephen Davis, Teaching Assistant

● Rebecca Hamilton, Teaching Assistant

● Sharon Vozenilik, Head General Worker, Food Service, Miller

● Rebecca Hildebrand, General Food Service Worker

● Josh Ott, Teaching Assistant

● Erin Slattery, Teaching Assistant

● Lauren Degrance, Manning Principal Secretary

● Hedit Leon, Parent Liason

● Resignations

● Retirments

2. Approval of August 2025 Expenditure Report

3. Ratification of July 2025 Regular Payroll

4. Appointment of Hearing Officer

5. Approval of Student Tours Requests - WHS Athletics

Ayes: Radogno, Hevia, Marren, Mil, Conover, Hoover

Nays: None.

Motion carried

INFORMATION and DISCUSSION 

1. Handbook for 2025-2026 Review 

Mr. Adam Kordalewski, Assistant Principal/Dean, Westmont High School, shared with the Board the District's change to the Illinois Principal Association Model Student Handbook. This handbook will align with the Illinois School Code and the District’s Policy. This will also align all handbooks across the District. The Board will be presented with the approval for the handbook later in the meeting. An approved handbook will be shared out starting August 13, 2025. 

2. Tentative 2025-2026 Budget 

Mr. Ron O’Connor, Assistant. Superintendent of Finance and Human Resources shared the presentation of the 2025-2026 tentative budget. His presentation included the following:

● Introduction

● Timeline

● FY 25 Revenues Recap

● FY 25 Expenses Recap

● Revenue Variables

● Revenue Breakdown

● Local Revenue Breakdown

● Personnel Variables

● Expense Variables

● Expenses by Object

● Operating Funds

● Non-Operating Funds

● Recommendations

The Board will be presented with the approval of the tentative budget later in the meeting. A copy of the tentative budget is available for viewing at the CUSD 201 Business Office through September 23, 2025, where it will be presented for final approval.

Finance and Facility Committee Meeting Recap

The Board held a Finance and Facility Meeting prior to the Board meeting this evening. They have received some really great feedback. Items discussed were projects and how to tackle them, how to reach everyone. The team will continue to do revisions and rollout information by September 1, 2025.

Policy First Reading 

The Board held a Policy Committee meeting prior to the Board meeting this evening. There are no major changes to policy but some policies are being updated per a five year review. The District subscribes to Press Policy. The policies will be presented at the September 9, 2025 meeting for a second review and approval.

ACTION ITEMS 

1. Approval of Authorization to Pay Additional August Bills for the 2025 and 2026 Fiscal Year

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the policies, as presented.

Ayes: Hevia, Marren, Mil, Conover, Hoover, Radogno

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

3. Approval of Tentative 2025-2026 Budget 

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Mil, to approve the Tentative 2025-2026 Budget, as presented, and that said budget will be available for public inspection in the District’s Business Office from August 13, 2025, until Board adoption on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

Ayes: Marren, Mil, Conover, Hoover, Radogno, Hevia

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

4. Approval of Contract with Legat

Architect

Motion by Dr. Hoover, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the contract with Legat Architect, as presented.

Ayes: Mil, Conover, Hoover, Radogno, Hevia, Marren

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

5. Approval of Amendment to Contract with Sunrise for Special Education Transportation Services

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Radogno, to approve the special education transportation amendment to contract with Sunrise to be effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, as presented.

Ayes: Conover, Hoover, Radogno, Hevia, Marren, Mil

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

6. Approval of Contract Services for Counseling at Westmont High School

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Radogno, to approve the contract with Kate Reass Moon Wellness LLC (Contractor of Oak and Elm Collective Therapy) and Westmont High School to provide counseling services to high school students from Westmont High School, as presented.

Ayes: Hoover, Radogno, Hevia, Marren, Mil, Conover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Communication 

Superintendent Baldermann reported that the summer school programs at the school were successful and that the data is still coming in. He is looking forward to a great school year and that the focus will continue to be on attendance. He would also like families to commit to 20 minutes of reading a day

FOIA Request 

Recent FOIA requests are attached in BoardDocs.

BOARD REPORTS 

Mr. Marren would like to give a shout out to Ms. Biedermann for asuccessful band camp.

FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

First Day of School for Students

August 20, 2025

Preschool Screening - schedule with South School

August 21

First Day of Pre-school

August 27

Miller Curriculum Night

August 28 5:00 - 6:00

Manning Curriculum Night

August 28 6:15 p.m. - 7:15

No School - Labor Day

September 1

WHS Open House

September 3, 6:30

WJHS Curriculum Night

September 4, 6:00

CUSD 201 Regular Board Meeting

September 9, 6:30

PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment.

COMMUNICATIONS None at this time.

ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Dr. Hoover, to adjourn the August 12, 2025, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 8:27 p.m.

Motion unanimously passed

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd201/Board.nsf/files/DL7HD447EEA5/$file/8.12.25%20Regular%20Minutes.pdf