October 27, 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. "REBELS IN THE SPOTLIGHT!" - Ms. Marj Oesch and Speech Team

5. VISITORS AND CORRESPONDENCE (Audience Participation)

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

5.II. Cory Cowan - District Audit (FY25) - Auditor Gorenz and Associates, Ltd.

5.III. Other

6. BOARD OF EDUCATION GROUP PICTURE

7. REPORTS

7.I. Board President's Report - Debbie Lowman

7.II. Finance Summary Report - September 2025 (FY26) - Dr. Matt Gordon

7.III. Principal/Athletic Director's Report - Nick Beard

7.IV. Board Committee Reports - Dr. Matt Gordon

7.V. Enrollment Report - Dr. Matt Gordon

8. CONSENT AGENDA

8.I. Approve Minutes 

8.I.A. Approve Minutes - Regular Board of Education Meeting - September 22, 2025

8.II. Approve Treasurer's Reports Ending September 30, 2025

8.III. Approve Financial Report Ending September 30, 2025

8.IV. Approve Activity Fund Report Ending September 30, 2025

8.V. Approve Bills - October 2025 - Excluding Payment to Allison Lowman

9. ACTION ITEMS

9.I. Approve (Adopt) Resolution Estimating Tax Extension

9.II. Approve Gorenz and Associates, Ltd. FY25 Audit - Annual Financial Report and Other Important Information 

9.III. Approve Short-Term Agreement and Payment - Allison Lowman - Inside Shed Housing of Concession Trailer

9.IV. Approve 1st Reading/Adoption - Policy 7:60 Residence (Updated)

9.V. Approve (Adopt) Resolution for District's Intent to Utilize Health Life Safety Funds - Replacement Grounded Rooftop Unit - 2004 Building Addition 

9.VI. Approve Service Order #25031 - Keach Architectural Design, Inc. - Architectural Services - Replacement for Grounded Rooftop Unit #3 - 2004 Building Addition 

9.VII. Approve Updated Proposal - Busey Bank - Continuation of Banking Services and Collateralization Plan - Federal Home Loan Bank Letter of Credit

9.VIII. Approve Illinois School District Liquid Asset Funds -  Addition of Dr. Matthew Gordon, Superintendent - Authorized Account Security/Authority - Full Rights

10. DISCUSSION ITEMS

10.I. Cheerleading Schedule

10.II. Solar Energy Project - Update

10.III. Planning for Attendance, Participation, and Sharing of Information - 92nd Annual Triple I (IASB-IASA-IASBO) Joint Committee - "Lighting the Way" - November 21-23, 2025

10.IV. IASB - 2025 Resolutions Committee Report

10.V. District Operations - Inclement Weather - Winter

10.VI. Superintendent Evaluation and Timeline - Update

10.VII. Technology Committee Meeting - December 2025 (TBD) 

10.VIII. Finance Committee Meeting - December 2025 (TBD). 

10.IX. Building and Grounds Committee Meeting - December 2025 (TBD) 

10.X. Other

11. INFORMATION ITEMS

11.I. Congratulations - Honor Roll Students - Rankin Junior High School -  2025-2026 School Year - 1st Quarter!

11.II. Annual Average Expenditures to Combined Cash Reserve Balance Report - AFR FY25

11.III. Principal Appreciation Day - October 23, 2025 - Thank you to Rankin School District #98 - Principal/Athletic Director, Mr. Nick Beard

11.IV. "Rankin Reveal" with Students and Staff - October 30, 2025 - 8:20 a.m.

11.V. District Health Insurance Committee Meeting - November 4, 2025 - 4:15 p.m. 

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

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

11.VIII. Rankin Celebrates Mrs. Michelle Gaddy's Nomination - IASB Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award

11.IX. Elzada Markley - Letter of Resignation - Custodian (Part-Time)

11.X. Kailee Rockhold - Letter of Resignation - Assistant Cheerleading Coach

11.XI. Other

12. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (2nd Session)

12.I. Other

13. EXECUTIVE SESSION

13.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.

13.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. 

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

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

13.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.

14. ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

14.I. Approve Executive Session Minutes - Regular Board Meeting - September 22, 2025

14.II. Personnel

14.II.A. Approve Employment - Christina Jowers - Custodian (Full-Time) - Remainder of 2025-2026 School Year

14.II.B. Approve Employment - Stephanie Leichtenberg - Permanent Substitute Teacher - Remainder of 2025-2026 School Year

14.II.C. Approve Employment - Ashley Martin -  Short-Term Substitute Teacher

14.II.D. Approve Employment - Gina Perry - Assistant Cheerleading Coach - 2025-2026 School Year

14.II.E. Approve Employment - Court Farwell - Assistant Track and Field Coach (Boys and Girls) - 2025-2026 School Year

14.II.F. Approve Employment Contract- Nick Beard - Principal/ Athletic Director - July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028

15. ADJOURNMENT
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, November 17, 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.