skip to main content
Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Board President's Statement
5. Approve Agenda
6. Benjamin Middle School 4.0 Recognition for First Trimester
7. Approval Draft of Minutes (Roll Call Vote)
7.a. Approval of the Draft Minutes from the November 11, 2024, Regular Board Meeting.
7.b. Approval of the Draft Executive Session Minutes from November 11, 2024
7.c. Approval of the Draft Special and Executive Session Meeting Minutes of December 2, 2024.
8. Truth in Taxation Hearing
8.a. Motion to Open the Truth in Taxation Hearing
8.b. Truth In Taxation Hearing Information
8.c. Public Comment
8.d. Board Discussion of Public Comment
8.e. Motion to Adjourn Truth In Taxation Hearing
9. Presentation of the Final 2024 Tax Levy
9.a. PTAB Resolution
10. Public Hearing Regarding Fund Transfers
10.a. Motion to Open Public Hearing
10.b. Purpose and rationale for Fund Transfers
10.c. Public Comment Regarding Fund Transfers
10.d. Board Discussion of Public Comment
10.e. Motion to Adjourn Public Hearing and Return to open session
11. Superintendent's Report
11.a. General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds, Series 2025, Schedule of Events
11.a.1. PMA Municipal Advisory Agreement
 
11.b. FOIA Report
12. President's Report
12.a. Board Planning Calendars 
13. Board Reports and Requests
14. Citizens' Desire to Address the Board on Agenda Items 
15. Financial Report (Roll Call)
15.a. Treasurer's Report for the Month Ending November 30, 2024.
15.b. Year-to-Date Financial Statements for the Month Ending November 30, 2024.
15.c. Accounts Payable
15.d. Payroll
16. Consent Agenda (Roll Call)
16.a. Personnel Employment:

Kerri Snyder will be the new social media manager. The start date is January 15, 2025. Stipend Position at $10,000 per annum, prorated for first employment year.

Michele Davis: transfer from .6 Teacher/.4 TA in 2024-2025 to a full-time teaching position in 8th grade ELA for the 2025-2026 School Year, replacing a retiring teacher

Martha Aranda - Student Services Administrative Assistant. The hourly rate is $25. Start Date of January 6. 



 
16.b. Personnel Resignation:
16.c. Personnel Leave:
FMLA for MJ Westlund from December 11 through December 20, 2024
FMLA for Greg Martin, December 9, 2024 through January 14, 2025
16.d. Retirements
Anna D'Anna, TA at Evergreen - entering retirement track. Retiring at the end of the 2027-2028 school year.
16.e. PMA Municipal Advisory Agreement
16.f. Policy Updates Second Reading. 
17. Discussion Items
17.a. D25 Benjamin: Re-imagine Excellence Project Proposal
17.b. Options for an Interim Superintendent - Ensuring strong leadership during this transitional period
18. Action Items (Roll Call Vote)
18.a. Approval of 2024 Tax Levy
18.b. Property Tax Appeals Board Resolution
18.c. Fund Transfer Resolution
18.d. Approval of the "Benjamin 25: ReImagine Excellence" Proposal
18.e. Approval of the Superintendent's Separation Agreement
19. Citizens' Desire to Address the Board on Non-Agenda Items
20. Executive Session
21. Return to Open Session
22. Action Items as a result of Executive Session Discussion
22.a. Appointment of the Interim Superintendent
22.b. Approval of appointment of a search firm or intent to interview search firms to conduct the superintendent search
22.c. Acceptance of Dennis Peterson's resignation from the office of Board President
23. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: December 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting
Subject:
1. Call to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President
Description:
I am calling this Regular meeting of the Benjamin 25 Board of Education to order on December 9, 2024 at _____ p.m.
Subject:
2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President/Recorder
Description:
Would the Secretary Please call the roll.
Subject:
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President
Description:
Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Subject:
4. Board President's Statement
Speaker(s):
Board President
Description:
As the Board President, it is my responsibility, by Board Policy and the School Code of Illinois, to develop and set, alongside the Superintendent, Board meeting agendas. Due to an unavoidable conflict, the Superintendent could not be present this evening. 

As I am most familiar with this agenda, I will run tonight's meeting. However, at the conclusion of this meeting, I will be stepping down as Board President. By statute and by Board Policy, the Vice President, currently Eric Rogers, will take over the duties of the Board President until such time as a formal election can take place by the Board. Thank you. 
Subject:
5. Approve Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
6. Benjamin Middle School 4.0 Recognition for First Trimester
Speaker(s):
Dr. Fitzgerald
Description:
Each trimester, students who achieve a 4.0 GPA are honored and recognized by the Board. I want to welcome all parents and other visitors as well as our students who have worked so hard to achieve this milestone. Tonight, we recognize 54 students. As your name is called, please come forward to be recognized and receive your certificate. 
Subject:
7. Approval Draft of Minutes (Roll Call Vote)
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
7.a. Approval of the Draft Minutes from the November 11, 2024, Regular Board Meeting.
Subject:
7.b. Approval of the Draft Executive Session Minutes from November 11, 2024
Subject:
7.c. Approval of the Draft Special and Executive Session Meeting Minutes of December 2, 2024.
Subject:
8. Truth in Taxation Hearing
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
8.a. Motion to Open the Truth in Taxation Hearing
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
8.b. Truth In Taxation Hearing Information
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
8.c. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President
Description:
Is there anyone in the audience who would like make public comment to the Board regarding the Truth in Taxation agenda item?
Subject:
8.d. Board Discussion of Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President
Description:
Is there any Board comment or discussion regarding public comment?
Subject:
8.e. Motion to Adjourn Truth In Taxation Hearing
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
9. Presentation of the Final 2024 Tax Levy
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
9.a. PTAB Resolution
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
10. Public Hearing Regarding Fund Transfers
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
10.a. Motion to Open Public Hearing
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
10.b. Purpose and rationale for Fund Transfers
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
10.c. Public Comment Regarding Fund Transfers
Speaker(s):
Board President
Description:
Is there anyone who wishes to make a public comment to the Board regarding this agenda item?
Subject:
10.d. Board Discussion of Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President
Description:
Are there any comments or discussion from the Board regarding public comment?
Subject:
10.e. Motion to Adjourn Public Hearing and Return to open session
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
11. Superintendent's Report
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas in the stead of the Superintendent
Subject:
11.a. General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds, Series 2025, Schedule of Events
Subject:
11.a.1. PMA Municipal Advisory Agreement
 
Subject:
11.b. FOIA Report
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Description:
Deltek - Requested information regarding the Construction Management Service Bid.

Smartprocure - Requested purchase order information.
Subject:
12. President's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
12.a. Board Planning Calendars 
Subject:
13. Board Reports and Requests
Speaker(s):
Board Members
Subject:
14. Citizens' Desire to Address the Board on Agenda Items 
Speaker(s):
Board President
Description:
Under Board Policy and the Open Meetings Act, public comment opportunities are afforded at each open meeting of the Board of Education. Please be advised that individuals are requested to limit their comments to a total of three minutes in length.

The Board does not engage in dialogue with individuals during public comment, but will take all public comments under advisement and consideration for future discussions or will refer the comments to the appropriate administrator for further consideration and resolution.
Subject:
15. Financial Report (Roll Call)
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
15.a. Treasurer's Report for the Month Ending November 30, 2024.
Subject:
15.b. Year-to-Date Financial Statements for the Month Ending November 30, 2024.
Subject:
15.c. Accounts Payable
Description:
Total Amount: $1,247,897.99
Date Range: 11/12/2024 - 12/09/2024
Subject:
15.d. Payroll
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
16. Consent Agenda (Roll Call)
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
16.a. Personnel Employment:

Kerri Snyder will be the new social media manager. The start date is January 15, 2025. Stipend Position at $10,000 per annum, prorated for first employment year.

Michele Davis: transfer from .6 Teacher/.4 TA in 2024-2025 to a full-time teaching position in 8th grade ELA for the 2025-2026 School Year, replacing a retiring teacher

Martha Aranda - Student Services Administrative Assistant. The hourly rate is $25. Start Date of January 6. 



 
Subject:
16.b. Personnel Resignation:
Subject:
16.c. Personnel Leave:
FMLA for MJ Westlund from December 11 through December 20, 2024
FMLA for Greg Martin, December 9, 2024 through January 14, 2025
Subject:
16.d. Retirements
Anna D'Anna, TA at Evergreen - entering retirement track. Retiring at the end of the 2027-2028 school year.
Subject:
16.e. PMA Municipal Advisory Agreement
Speaker(s):
Dr. Filas
Subject:
16.f. Policy Updates Second Reading. 
Description:

PRESS Draft Updates
Policy 2:105 - Ethics and Gift Ban.
Policy 2:120 - Board member Development.
Policy 4:60 - Purchases and Contracts.
Policy 4:150 - Facility Management and Building Programs.
Policy 4:170 - Safety.
Policy 5:10 - Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment.
Policy 5:20 - Workplace Harassment Prohibited.
Policy 5:90 - Abused and Neglected Child Reporting.
Policy 5:125 - Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct.
Policy 5:230 - Maintaining Student Discipline.
Policy 6:60 - Curriculum Content.
Policy 6:135 - Accelerated Placement Program.
Policy 6:270 - Guidance and Counseling Program.
Policy 7:10 - Equal Educational Opportunities.
Policy 7:100 - Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students. 
Policy 7:180: Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment. 
Policy 7:200 - Suspension Procedures.
Policy 8:10 - Connection with the Community.

Draft Update - Rewritten
Policy 2:265 - Title IX Grievance Procedure.
Subject:
17. Discussion Items
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
17.a. D25 Benjamin: Re-imagine Excellence Project Proposal
Subject:
17.b. Options for an Interim Superintendent - Ensuring strong leadership during this transitional period
Subject:
18. Action Items (Roll Call Vote)
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
18.a. Approval of 2024 Tax Levy
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
18.b. Property Tax Appeals Board Resolution
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
18.c. Fund Transfer Resolution
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
18.d. Approval of the "Benjamin 25: ReImagine Excellence" Proposal
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
18.e. Approval of the Superintendent's Separation Agreement
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
19. Citizens' Desire to Address the Board on Non-Agenda Items
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
20. Executive Session
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
21. Return to Open Session
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
22. Action Items as a result of Executive Session Discussion
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
22.a. Appointment of the Interim Superintendent
Subject:
22.b. Approval of appointment of a search firm or intent to interview search firms to conduct the superintendent search
Subject:
22.c. Acceptance of Dennis Peterson's resignation from the office of Board President
Subject:
23. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President

 

Web Viewer