April 2026 Board Meeting Recap

Public Hearing

Regular Board Meeting

Board President Gabriela Whipple highlighted the District's recent strategic goal planning efforts for 2026-27, which included a verification session consisting of District administrators, teachers, and Board members. She also remarked on the District earning the Meritorious Budget Award for the 16th consecutive year for clear, transparent, and high-quality budget presentation, emphasizing the District's commitment to responsible planning and transparency in its budgeting efforts.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Trisha Kocanda stated that the District's recent community and staff survey resulted in over 410 responses from parents, staff, and community members. The overall satisfaction rate continues to be above 90 percent for staff and families. She acknowledged the staff and crew of this year's Fremont Middle School musical, "Wipeout!" for their hard work, preparation, and practice. She also highlighted the District's nominees for this year's Lake County Educator of the Year awards: Cory Davis, Lexi Kasamis, Jacqui Park, and Kyle Snow. They will be honored next month during a ceremony alongside educators from throughout Lake County.

Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting's Pledge of Allegiance was led by first-grade students from Fremont Elementary School.

Recognition

The meeting featured a trio of recognitions. Honorees included the Fremont Middle School wrestlers who qualified for this year's IESA state meet, the two Fremont teachers who were honored by the Illinois State Board of Education with the "Those Who Excel" awards, and teachers from Fremont Middle School who introduced new CTE/STEM curriculum at the school.

Presentation

Assistant Superintendent of Learning Dr. Brian Bullis gave an update on the progress of the CTE/STEM Committee and future enhancements to District programming, aligned with the FSD79 strategic plan. Fremont Middle School CTE/STEM teachers Stacey Begg, Bethany Collings, Lindsey Miska, and David Stopps highlighted changes at the school this year, including the introduction of three new 8th-grade related studies CTE courses that are being piloted (a year-long rotation of Digital Art, Multimedia Design, and Video Production), the piloting of an entrepreneurship program (mxincedu) at each grade, and the planning for a new CTE/STEM lab and studio this summer in collaboration with SmartLab. At the Elementary School, the District is evolving the Technology position into a STREAM position for 2026-27. Meanwhile, at the Intermediate School, the Makerspace course has been rebranded as STEAM, and Technology has been rebranded as Skills for Success, with both programs adopting SchooLinks as a resource. The lower level of the school has been reenvisioned as a CTE/STEM hub to support these changes, which have allowed for the incorporation of more college and career readiness skills, as well as the pursuit of more career connections through all of our K-8 related studies courses.

Informational Items

Development Update

Dr. Kocanda provided an update on new residential developments within the District's boundaries.

• On February 23, 2026, District 79 and District 120 filed a lawsuit. The suit challenges the approval of high-density residential developments on the “Walnut Ridge” and the adjacent “Agricultural Property” sites. The Village of Mundelein requested an extension on April 10, 2026, to file a request to dismiss. The hearing is scheduled for July 2, 2026.
• On April 15, 2026, Fremont administrators met with the Village of Round Lake’s consultant regarding modernizing the impact fee ordinance. The Village Administrator expects to follow up with a joint meeting with all impacted school districts to collaborate on next steps.
• Next steps for the District include presenting an updated enrollment forecasting analysis with Cropper GIS to embed new residential developments approved since 2024, and monitoring the lawsuit’s status and keeping the community informed.

Cropper GIS 2026 Demographic Study Report

Cropper GIS completed its most recent enrollment forecast study for the District. Since the 2024 study was conducted, the residential development landscape has shifted due to Ivanhoe Village being delayed by at least two years, as well as the addition of new residential developments and the pacing of Sheldon Woods being doubled. As a result, Fremont's 2025-26 baseline enrollment is 71 PreK-8 students higher than originally projected for this school year. The district’s total enrollment is forecasted to increase by 130 students (6.2%) between the 2025-26 and 2030-31 school years. This growth is expected to continue, adding an additional 134 students (6.0%) between 2030-31 and 2035-36.

Safety & Security Coordinator Recommendation

Following a comprehensive selection process that included over 30 candidates, FSD79 and Diamond Lake D76 are recommending Ms. Sara Balmes-Flores for their shared Safety & Security coordinator position, effective August 3, 2026. She has an extensive background in law enforcement and community engagement, most recently serving as a Lieutenant with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. In her most recent leadership role, she served as the agency liaison for more than 50 K-12 schools.

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendment

To account for the $27,118,510 in Health Life Safety bond proceeds received in November 2025, the District is required to amend the FY26 Budget. This amendment also includes a technical

reclassification of copier leases.

Instructional Materials Annual Report

The Board was given an annual curriculum resource inventory update. The inventory includes print and digital resources that are used to support our curriculum and instruction.

Discussion to Establish 2026-27 Board of Education Committee Assignments

Based on previous discussions, the Board formally established its committee assignments for the upcoming 2026-27 school year.

The Following Action Items Were Approved:

1. Director of Buildings & Grounds Contract
2. Establish Dates, Time, and Place of 2026-27 Regular Board of Education Meetings
3. 2026-27 Fremont School District Employee Work-Year Calendars
4. Amendment to the 2026-27 K-8 Fremont School District Calendar & Lincoln ELC Calendar
5. FY27 Consolidated District Plan
6. Resolution 26-17 Authorizing Repair of School Grounds
7. Resolution 26-18 Directing the Regional Superintendent of Schools for The County of Lake, Illinois, to certify to the County Clerk of said County the question of imposing a retailers' occupation tax and a service occupation tax to be used exclusively for school facility purposes, school resource officers, and mental health professionals, for submission to the electors of said County at the general election to be held on the 3rd day of November, 2026
8. Agreement with Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative
9. Agreement with TIPS Purchasing Cooperative
10. Request for Proposal (RFP): Annual Financial Audit Results
11. Award of Bid #07-2026: Fremont Middle School Kitchen Equipment
12. Award of Bid: Fremont Elementary & Intermediate School(s) Exterior Tuckpointing
13. Award of Bid: N Fremont Center Road Secondary Exit
14. Award of Bid: Intermediate School Partial Roof Replacement
15. Proposal: Warehouse Direct - Cafeteria Tables
16. Proposal: Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc - Roof Restoration
17. E-rate Purchase Agreement with CDW
18. Professional Services Contract: Pepper Environmental
19. Professional Services Contract: Pepper Construction

To view the Board Packet materials from the April 20, 2026, meeting, click here.

Address: 28855 North Fremont Center Road, Mundelein, IL

Phone: (847) 566-0169

Website: fsd79.org

Instagram: @FSD79

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