October 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

1. Call to Order of Regular Board meeting at 5:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call

3. Pledge of Allegiance: Rock Cut Elementary students

4. Approval of Agenda

5. The Mission of the Harlem Consolidated School District, as a vital part of the community, is to help diverse learners realize their unlimited potential by providing an educational program dedicated to academic excellence and the development of strong character in a safe and respectful learning environment.

6. Approval of Board Meeting Minutes from September 28, 2026, and Special Board Meeting—Board Workshop from September 30, 2026

7. Jason Blume, Assistant Superintendent for Communications & Community Relations

7.A. Awards and Recognitions

8. Comments from the Community

9. Approval of Bills

9.A. Payables Summary

9.B. Voided Checks

9.C. Payroll Voucher(s)

9.D. Accounts Payable Warrants

10. Administrative Reports

10.A. Dr. Michelle Erb, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction

10.A.1. Recommendation to approve Student Travel Requests:

10.B. Josh Aurand, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations

10.B.1. Recommendation to approve Resolution Declaring Surplus Property:

10.B.2. Recommendation to accept July Treasurer's Report

10.B.3. Recommendation to approve Memorandum of Understanding with Hagney Architects for parking lot and tennis court project at Harlem High School, parking lot and playground project at Machesney Elementary, parking lot and playground project at Marquette Elementary, and south parking lot project at Harlem Middle School

10.B.4. Recommendation to award Hot Water Boiler Replacement at Harlem High School Project bid to Nelson Carlson Mechanical for a base bid of $748,000 and Alternate 1 of $202,000, for a total bid of $950,000

10.B.5. Recommendation to approve an agreement with HMH Into Reading for 4 days of in-person coaching for Rock Cut Elementary, at a cost of $16,800, paid with School Improvement Grant

10.B.6. Recommendation to approve an agreement with Safe and Civil Schools for virtual professional development for the middle school, at a cost of $4,200, paid with School Improvement Grant

10.B.7. Recommendation to approve an Independent Contractor Agreement with Maria Ragonese to provide speech and language services at $125/hour for 140 hours for a total cost of $17,500, paid by IDEA

10.B.8. Recommendation to approve the estimated annual 2026 Tax Levy

10.C. Dr. Shelley Wagner, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources

10.C.1. Recommendation to approve Personnel Agenda & Addendum

10.D. Dr. Terrell Yarbrough, Superintendent

10.D.1. Freedom of Information Act request dated September 30, 2026 was submitted by Sheri Reid from SmartProcure requesting all purchasing records from July 1, 2026, to current.  The District responded to the requestor on October 1, 2026, with responsive documents.

10.D.2. Freedom of Information Act request dated September 18, 2026 was submitted by Oshea Smith from Sunlight Access requesting a summary of all purchase orders from March 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026.  The District responded to the requestor on October 7, 2026, with responsive documents.

10.D.3. ESJ Update

11. Consent Agenda

11.A. Approve Personnel Agenda & Addendum

11.B. Approve Student Travel Request(s)

12. ACTION ITEMS

12.A. Approve Resolution Declaring Surplus Property

12.B. Accept July Treasurer's Report

12.C. Approve Memorandum of Understanding with Hagney Architects for parking lot and tennis court project at Harlem High School, parking lot and playground project at Machesney Elementary, parking lot and playground project at Marquette Elementary, and south parking lot project at Harlem Middle School

12.D. Approve to award Hot Water Boiler Replacement at Harlem High School Project bid to Nelson Carlson Mechanical for a base bid of $748,000 and Alternate 1 of $202,000, for a total bid of $950,000

12.E. Approve an agreement with HMH Into Reading for 4 days of in-person coaching for Rock Cut Elementary, at a cost of $16,800, paid with School Improvement Grant

12.F. Approve an agreement with Safe and Civil Schools for virtual professional development for the middle school, at a cost of $4,200, paid with School Improvement Grant

12.G. Approve an Independent Contractor Agreement with Maria Ragonese to provide speech and language services at $125/hour for 140 hours for a total cost of $17,500, paid by IDEA

12.H. Approve the estimated annual 2026 Tax Levy

13. Announcements and Discussion:  

13.A. Mike Sterling — Board President

13.B. Motion to appoint the 2026 IASB Delegate to the 2026 IASB Delegate Assembly on behalf of the Harlem School District. (vote by consensus)

13.C. Motion that the appointed 2026 IASB Delegate be granted the authority to vote on the IASB Resolutions at the 2026 Delegate Assembly solely in accordance with the consensus of this Board of Education on October 13, 2026. (vote by consensus)

14. Executive Session to discuss Employment of Personnel (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), Negotiations (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2), Selection of a Person to Fill a Public Office ( 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3), Pending Litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11), Student Discipline (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9), Placement of Individual Students in Special Education Programs and Other Matters Relating to Individual Students (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(10), Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the District  (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5), Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the District (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6), Self-Evaluation, Practices and Procedures or Professional Ethics (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(16), Sale or Purchase of Securities, Investments or Investment Contracts (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(7), Security Procedures (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8), Establishment of Reserves or Settlement of Claims as provided in Local Government and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)12), and Discussion of Lawfully Closed Meeting Minutes (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21).

15. ACTION ITEMS AFTER CLOSED SESSION

16. Adjournment