October 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

A. Call to Order

B. Pledge of Allegiance

C. The mission of Sunnybrook School District #171 is to maximize student achievement by cultivating: critical thinking skills, innovative instructional practices and a collaborative school, home and community partnership.

D. Roll Call

E. Any person wishing to address the board about an item that is on the agenda should do so when that item is up for discussion. Visitors' statements will be limited to two minutes per person. A total of 30 minutes will be allocated for visitor comments. All comments about items not on the agenda will be held until the visitors' statements at the end of the meeting. Items related to personnel issues will be redirected to the appropriate Administrator.

F. Recommended Motion:
Recommended Motion: To approve the minutes of the September 21, 2026 Budget Hearing and the September 21, 2026 Regular Board of Education meeting, closed session meeting minutes, October expenses and September payroll in the amount of $885,938.35, as presented. 

G. Communications

H. Informational Items:
"Tentative Tax Levy" 
Mr. David Shrader, Chief School Business Official

FOIA Requests

I. Board Reports

J. Administrator Reports:
Dr. Erika Millhouse Pettis, Superintendent
Dr. Lori Owens Stranc, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. David Shrader, Chief School Business Official
Dr. Mike McGowan, Technology Director
Ms. Juliann Greene, Director of Pupil Services
Mrs. Chantelle Cambric, Principal, Heritage Middle School
Mr. Jospeh Kent, Principal, NMathan Hale School
Policy Committee:
Second Reading:
Policy 2:230: School Board:
Public Participation at School Board Meetings and Petitions to the Board
Policy 3:70: General School Administration:
Succession of Authority
Policy 4:175: Operational Services:
Convicted Child Sex Offender; Screening; Notifications
Policy 5:40: General Personnel:
Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease
Policy 5:70: General Personnel
Religious Holidays
Policy 5:110: General Personnel
Recognition for Service
Policy 5:140: General Personnel
Solicitations By or From Staff
Policy 5:240: Professional Personnel
SuspensionPolicy 6:70: Instruction
Teaching About Religions
Policy 6:80: Instruction
Teaching About Controversial Issues
Policy 6:190: Instruction
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities
Policy 7:30: Students
Student Assignment and Intra-District Transfer
Policy 7:80 Students
Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observance
Policy 7:130: Students
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Policy 7:330: Students (Rewritten)
Student Use of Buildings - Equal Access
Policy 8:10: Community Relations:
Connection With the Community
Policy 8:70: Community Relations:
Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities
Policy 8:10: Community Relations:
Connection with the Community
Policy 8:70: Community Relations:
Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities
 

K. Recommended Motions:

K.1. Recommended Motion:
To waive the second reading and adopt the policies listed above.

K.2. Recommended Motion:
To approve the replacement of the defective Nathan Hale Lunchroom compressor by Precision Controls for a total cost of $18,615, as presented.

K.3. Recommended Motion:
To approve the student accident insurance policies with Gerber Life Insurance Company, as presented. 
 

K.4. Recommended Motion:
To accept the Fiscal Year 2026 Audit Report, as presented. 

K.5. Recommended Motion:
To approve the FMLA (Family Medical Leave) for Mrs. Julija Kairys Lapp Swanson, 5th grade science teacher, Heritage Middle School, effective date, approximately November 16, 2026 and approximate return date on February 1, 2027, as presented. 

K.6. Recommended Motion:
To approve the revised Medical Leave of Absence for Mrs. Amy Pelke, effective date October 15, 2026 with an end date of January 6, 2027, as presented. 

K.7. Recommended Motion:
To approve a temporary modified work schedule of four days per week for Mr. Shaun Mensah, effective October 1, 2026 through January 1, 2027 or until further notice to accommodate medical restrictions, as presented. 

K.8. Recommended Motion:
To approve the employment of Ms. Crystal Moore, Paraprofessional, Nathan Hale,  salary of $21.50 per hour, effective October 20, 2026, as presented. 

K.9. Recommended Motion:
To approve the employment of Mr. Noah Shed, Paraprofessional, salary of $21.50 per hour, effective October 20, 2026, pending successful background check results, as presented. 

K.10. Recommended Motion:
To approve the dismissal of Mr. Timothy Howard, job abandonment, long term substitute, Nathan Hale School, effective immediately, as presented. 

K.11. Recommended Motion:
To approve the employment of Ms. Carolyn Hillard as a certified teacher, Nathan Hale School, effective October 20, 2026, Salary of $51,126, Step 1, BA 1, as presented. 

K.12. Recommended Motion:
To approve the Heritage track extensions and PVC water pipe lines runs in the amount of $62,072.46, as presented. 

K.13. Recommended Motion:
To approve the construction and installation of the discus facility and cage, as well as the shot put facility and pad, at Heritage Track in the total amount of $47,262.54, as presented. 

K.14. Recommended Motion:
To move in to closed session for the purpose of the appointment, compensation, student discipline, performance for dismissal of specific employees of the district. Superintendent Relations. 5ILCS 120/2 (c). 

L. Visitors' Statements

M. Adjourn Meeting