Meeting Agenda
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
C. Adoption of Agenda
D. Presentation of Agenda Items & Questions/Comments from the Public
E. Approval of Consent Agenda Items #1
E.1. Minutes:
  • June 9, 2026 - Regular Meeting
  • June 17, 2026 - Special Meeting
E.2. Payroll Report:
  • June 30, 2026
  • July 31, 2026 
E.3. Accounts Payable Report: 
  • June 30, 2026
  • July 31, 2026
F. Committee Reports
F.1. Policy Committee
F.2. Finance & Personnel Committee
F.3. Curriculum Committee
G. Administrator's Reports
G.1. ECHO Central Office Administrators
G.1.a. Mrs. Brenda Murillo, Director of Finance & Operations/CSBO & Dr. John Gibson, CSBO
G.1.a.I. Financials
G.1.a.II. Member & Non-Member District Tuition Report
G.1.a.III. FY25 Audit Presentation
G.1.a.IV. BakerTilly Engagement Letter
G.1.a.V. FY27 Tentative Budget
G.1.a.VI. Chase Bank Account Resolution
G.1.a.VII. 403(B) Plan Contract Update
G.1.b. Mrs. Diane Barnes-Maguire, Director of Human Resources

G.1.b.I. Staffing Report
G.1.b.II. Independent Contractor Agreements
G.1.c. Mrs. Megan Drangsholt, Teaching, Learning Assessment Specialist
G.1.c.I. Program Enrollments
G.1.d. Ms. Tracy Avant-Bey, Director of Technology
G.1.d.I. Technology Department Updates
G.1.e. Mr. Vicente Castillo, Director of Buildings & Grounds
G.1.e.I. ECHO Facilities Update
G.1.e.II. HVAC Bid Specs
G.1.e.III. FY27 Prospective Project Budgets
G.1.e.IV. 3E Project Plaque
G.1.e.V. ECHO School Pool Discussion
G.2. Superintendent's Report
G.2.a. When Girls Get Together Memorandum of Understanding
H. Unfinished Business
H.1. Approval of the 2026–2030 Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the ECHO Executive Board of Directors and the ECHO Employee Association IEA/NEA
H.2. Classroom Lease Cost Discussion

H.3. Approval of FY2027 Classroom Lease Rate and Classroom Lease Agreements

  • Thornton School District 154 
  • Calumet City School District 155  
  • Sunnybrook School District 171
  • Thornton Township High School District 205
I. New Business
I.1. Approval to Reschedule the September Board Meeting
I.2. ECHO Board Committee Assignments (2-Year Term)
  • Policy Committee
  • Finance & Personnel Committee
  • Curriculum Committee
I.3. First Reading of PRESS Policy 122
Policy Number Title
2:230 Public Participation at Board of Directors Meetings and Petitions to the Board
5:40 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease
5:70 Religious Holidays
5:240 Suspension
6:70 Teaching About Religions
6:80 Teaching About Controversial Issues
6:190 Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities
7:130 Student Rights and Responsibilities
8:70 Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities
7:330 Student Use of Buildings - Equal Access
3:40 Superintendent
3:50 Administrative Personnel Other Than the Superintendent
3:60 Administrative Responsibility of the Program Administrators
3:70 Succession of Authority
4:120 Food Services
4:175 Convicted Child Sex Offender; Screening; Notifications
5:110 Recognition for Service
5:140 Solicitations By or From Staff
5:185 Family and Medical Leave
7:80 Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observance
7:345 Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security
8:100 Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies
I.4. Approval of Consent Agenda #2
I.4.a. First Reading & Approval of PRESS Policy Issue 121
Policy Number Title
2:200 Types of Board of Directors Meetings
2:220 Board of Directors Meeting Procedure
2:250 Access to Joint Agreement Public Records
2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure
4:165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors
5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria
5:50 Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition
5:250 Leaves of Absence
5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves
6:65 Student Social and Emotional Development
6:100 Using Animals in the Educational Program
7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited
7:50 School Admissions and Eligibility for Services
7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students
7:185 Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
7:240 Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities
7:300 Extracurricular Athletics
7:220 Bus Conduct
7:230 Misconduct by Students with Disabilities
7:280 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease
I.4.b. Approval of FY27 Tentative Budget for Public Display
I.4.c. Approval of BakerTilly Engagement Letter for the FY26 Audit
I.4.d. Adoption of the Resolution Authorizing the Establishment of Imprest Accounts for Petty Cash and Change Cash and Setting Limits and Procedure for Their Use
I.4.e. Adoption of a Resolution Ratifying the Appointment of Brenda Murillo, Director of Finance and Operations, as ECHO Joint Agreement’s IMRF Authorized Agent, effective July 1, 2026, and approval and certification of IMRF Form 2.20.
I.4.f. Approval of VALIC Portfolio Director Group Master Application and Enhancement Form for ECHO's 403(b) Plan
I.4.g. Approval of FY2027 Independent Contractor & Staffing Agreements
  • Metro Behavioral Health, LLC/Ernestine Robinson
  • AMN Healthcare, Inc.
  • ExpertHiring, LLC
  • Shannon Horton
  • Lisa Johnston
  • DKennedy Consulting Services, LLC
  • Little Sunshine Speech Therapy, PLLC
  • Select Savvy, LLC
  • Speech Plus
I.4.h. Approval of Amended Contract for Custodial Services with Citywide Building Maintenance, Inc.
J. Closed Session
K. Possible Actions after Closed Session
K.1. Personnel Report - Approval of Resignations, Retirements and New Hires 
L. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
M. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: August 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM - Regular Meeting of the ECHO Executive Board of Directors
Subject:
A. Pledge of Allegiance
Subject:
B. Roll Call
Subject:
C. Adoption of Agenda
Subject:
D. Presentation of Agenda Items & Questions/Comments from the Public
Description:
Public comments are limited to three (3) minutes per person.  At this time, the Board President will call on those who have requested to make Public Comment.  Please understand that the Board will not respond to comments made during Public Comment but may direct the Superintendent to address the matter at a later time. 
Subject:
E. Approval of Consent Agenda Items #1
Subject:
E.1. Minutes:
  • June 9, 2026 - Regular Meeting
  • June 17, 2026 - Special Meeting
Subject:
E.2. Payroll Report:
  • June 30, 2026
  • July 31, 2026 
Description:
June, 2026
06/05/2026 $769,065.65
06/18/2026 $194,048.03
06/30/2026 $242,514.56
TOTAL $1,205,628.24
   
July, 2026  
07/02/2026 $139,764.88
07/16/2026 $194,595.38
07/30/2026 $180,884.12
TOTAL
$515,244.38
Subject:
E.3. Accounts Payable Report: 
  • June 30, 2026
  • July 31, 2026
Subject:
F. Committee Reports
Description:
The ECHO Standing Committee Chairpersons or their designee will report on items presently in progress.
Subject:
F.1. Policy Committee
Subject:
F.2. Finance & Personnel Committee
Subject:
F.3. Curriculum Committee
Subject:
G. Administrator's Reports
Description:
The Board will be updated on items presently in progress by the ECHO Central Office Administrators.
Subject:
G.1. ECHO Central Office Administrators
Subject:
G.1.a. Mrs. Brenda Murillo, Director of Finance & Operations/CSBO & Dr. John Gibson, CSBO
Subject:
G.1.a.I. Financials
Subject:
G.1.a.II. Member & Non-Member District Tuition Report
Subject:
G.1.a.III. FY25 Audit Presentation
Presenter:
Nick Cavaliere, BakerTilly, LLP
Subject:
G.1.a.IV. BakerTilly Engagement Letter
Subject:
G.1.a.V. FY27 Tentative Budget
Subject:
G.1.a.VI. Chase Bank Account Resolution
Subject:
G.1.a.VII. 403(B) Plan Contract Update
Subject:
G.1.b. Mrs. Diane Barnes-Maguire, Director of Human Resources
Subject:

G.1.b.I. Staffing Report
Subject:
G.1.b.II. Independent Contractor Agreements
Subject:
G.1.c. Mrs. Megan Drangsholt, Teaching, Learning Assessment Specialist
Subject:
G.1.c.I. Program Enrollments
Subject:
G.1.d. Ms. Tracy Avant-Bey, Director of Technology
Subject:
G.1.d.I. Technology Department Updates
Subject:
G.1.e. Mr. Vicente Castillo, Director of Buildings & Grounds
Subject:
G.1.e.I. ECHO Facilities Update
Subject:
G.1.e.II. HVAC Bid Specs
Subject:
G.1.e.III. FY27 Prospective Project Budgets
Subject:
G.1.e.IV. 3E Project Plaque
Subject:
G.1.e.V. ECHO School Pool Discussion
Subject:
G.2. Superintendent's Report
Subject:
G.2.a. When Girls Get Together Memorandum of Understanding
Subject:
H. Unfinished Business
Subject:
H.1. Approval of the 2026–2030 Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the ECHO Executive Board of Directors and the ECHO Employee Association IEA/NEA
Subject:
H.2. Classroom Lease Cost Discussion
Subject:

H.3. Approval of FY2027 Classroom Lease Rate and Classroom Lease Agreements

  • Thornton School District 154 
  • Calumet City School District 155  
  • Sunnybrook School District 171
  • Thornton Township High School District 205
Subject:
I. New Business
Subject:
I.1. Approval to Reschedule the September Board Meeting
Subject:
I.2. ECHO Board Committee Assignments (2-Year Term)
  • Policy Committee
  • Finance & Personnel Committee
  • Curriculum Committee
Description:

In accordance to ARTICLE II - ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION, Section II  - Standing Committees of the ECHO Articles of Agreement, there shall be three (3) Standing Committees:  Curriculum and Assessment, Finance and Personnel, and Policy, consisting of Public School Superintendents or Designee of Member Public School Districts.
Five members are selected to serve on each of the Committees and shall serve for a term of two (2) years beginning July 1 of the same year.  The sixth member shall be the ECHO Board President, who serves in an ex officio capacity.  One member will be selected to serve in the capacity of alternate should a quorum be needed within any committee.  After the first term served all terms will be for a two-year period.  In the event of a vacancy in an unexpired term, the new superintendent of the same district will complete the term.

Standing Committees’ Roles and Responsibilities:  The role and responsibility of each Committee is to research, investigate and make recommendations to the ECHO Board, but the ultimate authority to make decisions will continue to reside in the Board. Committee minutes shall be reported to the ECHO Board at its regular meetings.
Meetings:  The Committees shall meet at such times and places as deemed necessary by its Chairperson, upon request of the Superintendent/Designee, or by the call of three (3) members of the Committee.  
Subject:
I.3. First Reading of PRESS Policy 122
Policy Number Title
2:230 Public Participation at Board of Directors Meetings and Petitions to the Board
5:40 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease
5:70 Religious Holidays
5:240 Suspension
6:70 Teaching About Religions
6:80 Teaching About Controversial Issues
6:190 Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities
7:130 Student Rights and Responsibilities
8:70 Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities
7:330 Student Use of Buildings - Equal Access
3:40 Superintendent
3:50 Administrative Personnel Other Than the Superintendent
3:60 Administrative Responsibility of the Program Administrators
3:70 Succession of Authority
4:120 Food Services
4:175 Convicted Child Sex Offender; Screening; Notifications
5:110 Recognition for Service
5:140 Solicitations By or From Staff
5:185 Family and Medical Leave
7:80 Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observance
7:345 Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security
8:100 Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies
Subject:
I.4. Approval of Consent Agenda #2
Subject:
I.4.a. First Reading & Approval of PRESS Policy Issue 121
Policy Number Title
2:200 Types of Board of Directors Meetings
2:220 Board of Directors Meeting Procedure
2:250 Access to Joint Agreement Public Records
2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure
4:165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors
5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria
5:50 Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition
5:250 Leaves of Absence
5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves
6:65 Student Social and Emotional Development
6:100 Using Animals in the Educational Program
7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited
7:50 School Admissions and Eligibility for Services
7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students
7:185 Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
7:240 Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities
7:300 Extracurricular Athletics
7:220 Bus Conduct
7:230 Misconduct by Students with Disabilities
7:280 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease
Subject:
I.4.b. Approval of FY27 Tentative Budget for Public Display
Subject:
I.4.c. Approval of BakerTilly Engagement Letter for the FY26 Audit
Subject:
I.4.d. Adoption of the Resolution Authorizing the Establishment of Imprest Accounts for Petty Cash and Change Cash and Setting Limits and Procedure for Their Use
Subject:
I.4.e. Adoption of a Resolution Ratifying the Appointment of Brenda Murillo, Director of Finance and Operations, as ECHO Joint Agreement’s IMRF Authorized Agent, effective July 1, 2026, and approval and certification of IMRF Form 2.20.
Subject:
I.4.f. Approval of VALIC Portfolio Director Group Master Application and Enhancement Form for ECHO's 403(b) Plan
Subject:
I.4.g. Approval of FY2027 Independent Contractor & Staffing Agreements
  • Metro Behavioral Health, LLC/Ernestine Robinson
  • AMN Healthcare, Inc.
  • ExpertHiring, LLC
  • Shannon Horton
  • Lisa Johnston
  • DKennedy Consulting Services, LLC
  • Little Sunshine Speech Therapy, PLLC
  • Select Savvy, LLC
  • Speech Plus
Subject:
I.4.h. Approval of Amended Contract for Custodial Services with Citywide Building Maintenance, Inc.
Subject:
J. Closed Session
Subject:
K. Possible Actions after Closed Session
Subject:
K.1. Personnel Report - Approval of Resignations, Retirements and New Hires 
Subject:
L. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Subject:
M. Adjournment

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