November 16, 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: Ralston 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. Conduct of Public Hearing concerning the intent of the Board of Education to sell $7,000,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds for the purpose of increasing the District's working cash fund, and $6,500,000 School Fire Prevention and Safety Bonds for school fire prevention and safety purposes
a.  Roll Call
b.  Purpose of the Bond sale
c.  Further comments if any
d.  Any written testimony read in
e.  President asks public for any written or oral comments
f.  Announcement regarding any oral or written testimony 
    Motion and second to adjourn the public hearing by a roll call vote

7. Approval of Board Meeting Minutes for October 28, 2026

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

8.A. Awards and Recognitions

8.A.1. NOVEMBER 15, 2026-NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER DAY!

9. Comments from the Community

10. Approval of Bills

10.A. Payables Summary

10.B. Voided Checks

10.C. Payroll Voucher(s)

10.D. Accounts Payable Warrants

11. Administrative Reports

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

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

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

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

11.B.2. Recommendation to approve 2026 Tax Levy

11.B.3. Recommendation to approve 2026 Tax Levy Resolution

11.B.4. Recommendation to accept August and September Treasurer's Reports

11.B.5. Recommendation to approve an Independent Contractor Agreement with Christina Gouchenour to provide bilingual psychological evaluations at a cost of $1,000 per academic assessment per student and $1,200 per academic and cognitive assessment per student, paid with IDEA Flow Through Part B and IDEA Pre-K

11.B.6. Recommendation to approve an Independent Contractor Agreement with Jannice Bubnack to provide tutoring services for students who attend Rockford Lutheran School for the FY27 school year for a total of $6,932 paid with ESEA Title I Funds

11.B.7. Recommendation to approve an agreement with Lexia Learning Systems for LETRS professional development services in the amount of $15,960, paid with Title II funds

11.B.8. Recommendation to approve an agreement with the Regional Office of Education (ROE) for professional services with Devon LaRosa to develop and facilitate Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Advisory committee meetings, at a cost not to exceed $5,000, paid with local funds

11.B.9. Recommendation to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Hagney Architects to provide architectural/engineering services for Phase III Flooring Replacement at Harlem High School and Parker Center Early Education Center 

11.B.10. Recommendation to re-approve bid amount with McDermaid Roofing & Insulating Co. for the corrected amount of $157,796.00 for Parker Early Education Center 

11.B.11. Recommendation to approve Memorandum of Understanding with Harlem Federation of Support Staff regarding paraeducators who obtain and maintain an active Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification being paid $2.00 more per hour for all hours worked

11.B.12. Approve the 2027 School Maintenance Project Grant Opportunity

11.B.13. Recommendation to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Hagney Architects to provide architectural/engineering services for Lighting Projects at Parker Center Early Education Center, Machesney Elementary, Windsor Elementary, Maple Elementary, and Olson Park Elementary

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

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

11.D. Dr. Terrell Yarbrough, Superintendent

11.E. Freedom of Information Act request dated October 13, 2026, was submitted by David Arvayo from Painter's District Council requesting copies of all invoices and receipts for paint and coating purchases made on or after January 1, 2026.  The District responded to the requestor on October 27, 2026, with responsive documents.

11.F. Freedom of Information Act request dated October 23, 2026, was submitted by Julie Dustin from Databid requesting the companies who submitted bids and their bid amount for the bids received on 10/20/26.”  The District responded to the requestor on October 30, 2026, with responsive documents.

12. Consent Agenda

12.A. Approve Personnel Agenda & Addendum

12.B. Approve Student Travel Request(s)

13. ACTION ITEMS

13.A. Approve Resolution Declaring Surplus Property

13.B. Approve 2026 Tax Levy

13.C. Approve 2026 Tax Levy Resolution

13.D. Accept August and September 2026 Treasurer's Report

13.E. Approve an Independent Contractor Agreement with Christina Gouchenour to provide bilingual psychological evaluations at a cost of $1,000 per academic assessment per student and $1,200 per academic and cognitive assessment per student, paid with IDEA Flow Through Part B and IDEA Pre-K

13.F. Approve an Independent Contractor Agreement with Jannice Bubnack to provide tutoring services for students who attend Rockford Lutheran School for the FY27 school year for a total of $6,932 paid with ESEA Title I Funds

13.G. Approve an agreement with Lexia Learning Systems for LETRS professional development services in the amount of $15,960, paid with Title II funds

13.H. Approve an agreement with The Regional Office of Education (ROE) for professional services with Devon LaRosa to develop and facilitate Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Advisory committee meetings, at a cost not to exceed $5,000, paid with local funds

13.I. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Hagney Architects to provide architectural/engineering services for Phase III Flooring Replacement at Harlem High School and Parker Center Early Education Center 

13.J. Re-approve the bid amount with McDermaid Roofing & Insulating Co. for the corrected amount of $157,796.00 for Parker Early Education Center

13.K. Approve Memorandum of Understanding with Harlem Federation of Support Staff regarding paraeducators who obtain and maintain an active Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification being paid $2.00 more per hour for all hours worked

13.L. Approve the 2027 School Maintenance Project Grant Opportunity

13.M. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Hagney Architects to provide architectural/engineering services for Lighting Projects at Parker Center Early Education Center, Machesney Elementary, Windsor Elementary, Maple Elementary, and Olson Park Elementary

14. Announcements and Discussion:  

15. 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).

16. ACTION ITEMS AFTER CLOSED SESSION

17. Adjournment