dec 16 | bOARDBuzz
regular board meeting
The bOARDBuzz is compiled following District 25 School Board meetings and serves as a recap of what occurred.
- For the full agenda of the Regular Meeting, please click here.
As always, the bOARDBuzz is archived at www.sd25.org/BoardBuzz.
1. CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
6:15 PM
2. CLOSED SESSION
3. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TAX LEVY
7:00 PM
This was an opportunity for the public to speak on the proposed Tax Levy for 2025. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
Levy Timeline:
- Presentation of Tentative Levy - November 11, 2025
- Public Hearing & Levy Adoption - December 16, 2025
- Levy Filed prior to December 30, 2025
For a PDF of this presentation from November 11's meeting, click here.
To watch the presentation from November 11's meeting, click here.
To watch the Board discuss this item at the November 11 meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
To watch this portion of the meeting (December 16), click here.
4. RECONVENE PUBLIC MEETING
7:05 PM
5. RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. South Middle School Speech Team
The Board of Education recognized and celebrated the South Middle School Speech Team for its participation in the State Contest:
Arya Bennett | Leah Brown | Ellie Dall'Asta | Leila Delgado | Ella Dimick
Greyson Elia | Obi Eze | Cecilia Faust | Ella Ferrigno | Stella Foley | Silas Gonzalez
Katelyn Grund | Laura Johnson | Archie Kordalewski | Alexa Malone | Josephine Moran
Nora Pacyga | Elan Pattie | Maya Peterko | Angelina Pevzner | Beatrice Popp
Michael Poteracki | Kinsey Poyer | James Repple | Claudio Rodriguez | Leona Rodriguez
Farrah Rybicki | Shaher Samrah | Colette Schroeder | Henry Spiewak | Kristina Svirkova
Evelyn Ullegue | Eleanor Zaporowski
The Board also honored and celebrated Coach Wes Skym.
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B. South Band and Choir Members
The Board of Education recognized and celebrated South Middle School's Band and Choir Members for their participation in the ILMEA District 7 Honor Festival.
Concert Band
Addison Daley - Trombone
Choir
Max Lange - Alto | Maya Peterko - Soprano
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C. ECRA Presentation
John Gatta, CEO of ECRA, and his team presented on the new Illinois proficiency standards, sharing key elements and how they intersect with District 25 data.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To watch the Board discuss this item, click here.
6. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
- Board Member Updates | All Board members reporting
- Legislative Report | Kevin Michael reporting
- Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) &
Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) | Dr. Anisha I. Jogee reporting
For a PDF of the presentation on the Triple I Conference, click here. - NSSEO | Elizabeth Nierman reporting
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
7. COMMUNITY INPUT
Community members are invited to address the Board during this public comment portion of the meeting. According to Board Policy, public comment is heard for 30 minutes at Board of Education meetings and members of the community have three minutes to address the Board.
*No members of the community elected to address the Board during this portion.
Click here to watch this portion of the meeting.
Please remember that the Board can be reached outside of Board Meeting hours by emailing boardfeedback@sd25.org.
8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM DISTRICT PARTNERS
- AHC PTA
- AHC PTA President Erin Lakomski submitted an update that member Melissa Buchberger read aloud.
- ABC25 Foundation
- ABC25 Foundation Representative Gina Faso reported.
- ATA (Arlington Teachers Association)
- ATA President Allison Berg reported.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
action item
MOTION: APPROVED
A. Approval of Consent Agenda Items
That the Board of Education approve those items on the Consent Agenda as follows: (A) Personnel Report and Addendum to Personnel Report; (B) Treasurer's Reports (C) Invoices; (D) Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes of November 11, 2025; (E) Special and Closed Session Meeting Minutes of November 12, 2025; (F) Special Meeting Minutes of December 11, 2025.
The consent agenda documents can be seen by clicking here to visit Diligent Community and scrolling to this section of the agenda.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
10. STUDENT LEARNING
No items were presented by the Department of Student Learning.
11. STUDENT SERVICES
No items were presented by the Department of Student Services.
12. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
action items
MOTION: APPROVED
A. Adoption of the 2025 Tax Levy
That the Board of Education approve the "Resolution of Arlington Heights School District No. 25, Cook County, Illinois Providing for the Levy of Taxes for the Year 2025"
Levy Timeline:
- Presentation of Tentative Levy - November 11, 2025
- Public Hearing & Levy Adoption - December 16, 2025
- Levy Filed prior to December 30, 2025
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
To watch the Board discuss and vote on this item, click here.
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TABLED ITEM
B. Postage Meter Lease
That the Board of Education approve a 60-month lease agreement for a postage mail machine with Pitney Bowes in the amount of $156.59/month for a total of $9,395.40.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
To watch the Board discuss and vote on this item, click here.
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MOTION: APPROVED
C. Worker's Compensation Renewal
That the Board of Education approve the workers compensation renewal through the Illinois Public Risk Fund as presented.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
To watch the Board discuss and vote on this item, click here.
13. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Information Items
A. Five-Year Facilities Capital Plan
Presented by District 25's Director of Facilities Management, Ryan Schulz, the District's Five-Year plan shared the District's preliminary Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, outlining upcoming projects and goals.
For a PDF of this presentation, click here.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
To watch the Board discuss this item, click here.
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B. Ten-Year Life Safety Survey
Presented by District 25’s Director of Facilities Management, Ryan Schulz, the results of a licensed architect and engineer survey were shared, conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with the Health/Life Safety Code for public schools, as required by Illinois state law every 10 years.
For a PDF of this presentation, click here.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
To watch the Board discuss this item, click here.
14. PERSONNEL & PLANNING
information item
MOTION: APPROVED
A. 2026-2027 Calendar
That the Board of Education approve the 2026-2027 School Calendar as presented.
Assistant Superintendent of Personnel & Planning, Kendra Perri, presented a recommended 2026-2027 Calendar to the Board of Education.
For a PDF of the 2026-2027 Calendar, click here for English & click here for Spanish.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
To watch the Board discuss and vote on this item, click here.
15. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
information items
A. Superintendent Update
Superintendent Dr. Brian Kaye noted the following:
- Strategic Plan Refresh: A Data Retreat meeting was held on Thursday, December 11. A recap was sent to the team, and the community will be invited to provide feedback. Three additional meetings are scheduled through March to complete the process.
- Crossing Guards: The district continues to face challenges filling all crossing guard positions. Thank you to the Dunton team for covering the Windsor and Kensington posts over the past two weeks. The district is working with Andy Frain to provide coverage for those locations and several others that have been difficult to fill after the break.
- Board Meeting Schedule Update: A new public act, effective January 2026, outlines when regular and special board meetings may and may not be held. Meetings cannot occur on general election days, primary election days, consolidated primary election days, or consolidated election days. The Board currently has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, which falls on an election day and will need to be rescheduled. An agreeable alternative date will be identified offline.
- January 5 SIP Day: January 5 is a SIP Day for staff.
- HMH Reading Curriculum: A shout-out to elementary teachers engaged in the HMH Reading curriculum. On January 5, a full-day professional learning experience will take place focused on the HMH Reading curriculum.
- Regional SIP Day: Also on January 5, a regional SIP Day will be held at Harper College for NSSEO partners and District 25 special education staff.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
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B. Freedom of Information Act Report
Sam Pappas requested information on the Strategic Plan Refresh Team; a response was provided on November 13, 2025.
Max Binnington of Stop Secrecy requested information on training and evaluation materials and policies regarding abuse and misconduct; a response was provided on December 12, 2025.
Max Binnington of Stop Secrecy requested information on liability insurance RFPs; a response was provided on December 2, 2025.
Max Binnington of Judiciocracy requested information on attorney information and correspondence; a response was provided on November 25, 2025.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
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D. Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Engagement/Appointment of Legal Counsel
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
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E. Website Template
Head of Communications & Storytelling, Adam Harris, presented an update to the Board on the District's website platform and its history. The refreshed template was set to be launched on Monday, December 22.
For a PDF of this presentation, click here.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
To watch the Board discuss this item, click here.
action item
MOTION: APPROVED
C. Second Reading of Policy, 2:260
That the Board of Education approve the policy as presented by IASB.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
To view this in Diligent Community, including any documents associated with this item, click here and scroll to this section of the agenda.
To watch the Board discuss and vote on this item, click here.
16. PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION
The District 25 Board of Education often offers a second opportunity for public comment at each Board Meeting that takes place once all the agenda items have been presented, discussed, or voted on.
*No community members chose to address the Board during this public comment at this meeting.*
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
17. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
FUTURE TOPICS & TOPICS WITH DATES TO BE DETERMINED
- There are no future topics with dates to be determined.
NEW TOPICS
- Incorporation of student voice at Board meetings.
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
18. CLOSED SESSION CONTINUES
The Board did not need to return to closed session.
19. ADJOURN
To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
UPCOMING BOARD EVENTS
Regular Meeting of the Board
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 @ 6:15 PM
*The meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. at which time the Board will move into Closed Session until approximately 7:00 p.m. Following Closed session, the Regular Open meeting will begin.*
This meeting will be held at the Dunton Administration Building (1200 S. Dunton Ave.) and broadcast live and recorded. The link for the livestream can be found on the Board Agenda page (www.sd25.org/BoardAgenda) the week of the meeting.
Public Comments
Anyone who wishes to make a public comment can do so, in-person, at our Board of Education meetings. The Board hosts two public comment opportunities on their agenda: 1) at the beginning of the meeting, prior to any agenda items, 2) at the end of the meeting after the agenda items have been discussed/presented.
Meeting Recordings
A video of the meeting will be recorded and uploaded to our site on the 'Board Agenda' page and on our 'Catch up on Meetings' page.