September 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM - Regular School Board Meeting

1. CALL TO ORDER - Debbie Lowman, President

2. ROLL CALL - Nena Cox, Secretary

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING AND OVERVIEW OF THE 2025-2026 (FY26) ORIGINAL BUDGET - Debbie Lowman and Dr. Matt Gordon

4.I. Overview of 2025-2026 (FY26) Original Budget and Public Comments

4.II. Approve (Adopt) Original Budget Hearing Resolution

4.III. Close Original Budget Hearing

5. VISITORS AND CORRESPONDENCE (Audience Participation)

5.I. Student Council Report - Olivia Myers, President

5.II. Other

6. REPORTS

6.I. PFK Report - Gina Perry, President

6.II. Board President's Report - Debbie Lowman

6.III. Finance Summary Report - August 2025 (FY26) - Dr. Matt Gordon

6.IV. Principal/Athletic Director's Report - Nick Beard

6.V. Board Committee Reports - Dr. Matt Gordon

6.VI. Assessment Report - Nick Beard and Dr. Matt Gordon

6.VII. Enrollment Report - Dr. Matt Gordon

7. CONSENT AGENDA

7.I. Approve Minutes 

7.I.A. Approve Minutes - Regular Board of Education Meeting - August 25, 2025

7.II. Approve Treasurer's Reports Ending August 31, 2025

7.III. Approve Financial Report Ending August 31, 2025

7.IV. Approve Activity Fund Report Ending August 31, 2025

7.V. Approve Bills - September 2025

8. ACTION ITEMS

8.I. Approve (Adopt) 2025-2026 (FY26) Original Budget

8.II. Consideration of Snow Removal Bid Results and Awarding of Bid 

8.III. Approve Maintenance Assistant and Custodian - Job Description and Evaluation Template (Full-Time)

8.IV. Approve Employment - Kyle Uselton - Maintenance Assistant and Custodian (Full-Time) - Retroactively Beginning September 15, 2025

8.V. Approve Employment - Jacob Wattles - Custodian (Part-Time)

8.VI. Approve Gas Sales Confirmation - NextEra Energy Services Midwest, LLC - Natural Gas Purchasing Terms - Beginning July 1, 2026 

9. DISCUSSION ITEMS

9.I. Solar Energy Project - Update

9.II. Board of Education Picture - October 27, 2025

9.III. District Banking Options - Update

9.IV. Tuition-Free Waiver for Children of Full-time Teachers, Administrators, and Full-time (12 months) Support Staff Expires Following 2025-2026 School Year and Development of New Policy to Replace Expiring Waiver

9.V. Insurance Benefits for Staff and District Health Insurance Committee Meeting - November 4, 2025, at 4:15 p.m. 

9.VI. Preparation for Attendance and Participation - 92nd Annual Triple I (IASB-IASA-IASBO) Joint Conference -"Lighting the Way" - November 21-23, 2025

9.VII. Board Policy 8:20 - Community Use of School Facilities 

9.VIII. IASB - 2025 Resolutions Committee Report

9.IX. Transportation (Current and Future)

9.X. Superintendent Evaluation and Timeline

9.XI. Other

10. INFORMATION ITEMS

10.I. Principal Appreciation Day - October 24, 2025 - Thank you to Rankin School District #98 - Principal/Athletic Director, Nick Beard!

10.II. "Rebels in the Spotlight!" - Ms. Oesch and Speech Team - Regular Board of Education Meeting - October 27, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. 

10.III. 2025 Rankin PFK Chili Supper - November 8, 2025 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

10.IV. Technology Committee Meeting - December 8, 2025 - 4:45 p.m. 

10.V. Finance Committee Meeting - December 8, 2025 - 5:20 p.m. 

10.VI. Annual Board of Education / Staff Holiday Dinner - Sangalli's - December 13, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. 

10.VII. Building and Grounds Committee Meeting - December 15, 2025 - 5:00 p.m. 

10.VIII. Lakin Flynn - Letter of Resignation - Custodian (Part-Time)

10.IX. Durk Brandt - Letter of Resignation - Custodian (Full-Time)

10.X. Kyle Uselton - Letter of Resignation - Custodian (Seasonal/Part-Time) - Contingent upon Hiring - Maintenance Assistant and Custodian (Full-Time) 

10.XI. Other

11. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (2nd Session)

11.I. Other

12. EXECUTIVE SESSION

12.I. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.

12.II. 5ILCS 120/2/(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more class of employees. 

12.III. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9) Student disciplinary cases.

12.IV. 5 ILCS120/2(c)(10) The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.

12.V. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.

13. ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

13.I. Approve Executive Session Minutes - Regular Board Meeting - August 25, 2025.

13.II. Approve Principal/Athletic Director Performance Goals - 2025-2026 School Year

13.III. Approve Superintendent Performance Goals - 2025-2026 School Year

14. ADJOURNMENT
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, October 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. 

Rankin School District #98 "Our School is a Great Place to Learn"

Mission: Empowering all students to reach their maximum potential and become productive, respectful, responsible, and well-rounded citizens.  

Vision: Building the foundation of the future by engaging youth through rigorous and diverse educational opportunities.