Across the Board in D303
March regular board meeting
April 13, 2026
Meeting memos, presentations, and other documents in BoardDocs.
District 303 School Board
From Left:
Kate Bell
Heidi Fairgrieve, President
Kim Rich
Matthew Kuschert
Jenna Hancock
Becky McCabe, Secretary
Joe Lackner, Vice President
Reports to the Board
Superintendent's Report
Honoring a Back-to-Back State Swimming Champion from St. Charles North High School
D303 leadership and the School Board honored Thomas McMillan, who has now won back-to-back state championships in the 100-yard butterfly stroke. In doing so, the North sophomore broke the state butterfly record. The full details of Thomas's outstanding accomplishment are shared in North's Stargazer publication.
St. Charles East Athletic Department Recognized with Innovation Award
D303 leadership and the School Board honored East High School Athletic Director Darren Howard. The school's athletic department has received the "Athletic Department of the Year — Innovation Award Winner" by The AEA Institute, for its programs in the areas of: leadership development, intentional culture building, innovation across programs, and community engagement and impact.
Final Report: D303 Communitywide Education Facilities Committee
Superintendent Dr. Paul Gordon and Executive Director of Facilities Amanda Stuber were joined by members of the D303 Communitywide Education Facilities Committee in presenting the Committee's Final Report.
More than 100 members of the D303 community served on the Committee and spent the past five months analyzing, discussing, and prioritizing the district's facilities needs. The Final Report's findings support a communitywide facilities investment that includes 16 projects, with a total estimated cost of $295.6 million.
The Final Report is detailed in this community message from Dr. Gordon.
Consent Agenda
Grouped agenda items up for approval in one action.
Approved unanimously
The consent agenda included:
- Minutes of the March 9, 2026 Regular School Board Meeting, Open Session
- Minutes of the March 9, 2026 Regular School Board Meeting, Closed Session
- Minutes of the March 16, 2026 Learning Services Committee Meeting
- Minutes of the March 23, 2026 Business Services Committee Meeting
- Minutes of the March 23, 2026 Special Board Meeting, Closed Session
- District 303 Personnel Report
- Mid Valley Personnel Report
- District 303 List of Bills, Treasurer's Report, and Payroll Summary
- Mid Valley List of Bills, Treasurer's Report, and Payroll Summary
- East and North High School IHSA Membership Renewals
- Learning Services Resource Renewals
- Musical Instrument & Preferred Vendor Request for Proposal
- GSF Custodial Contract Renewal
- Wasco American Legion Baseball Agreement Renewal
Action Items
Five-Year Academic Goals; approved unanimously
At the March 16, 2026, Learning Services meeting, the five-year academic goals, initially shared with the Board at the September Learning Services meeting, were reviewed to gather the Board’s input and set the stage for the Board’s preferred approval timeline. D303 leadership proposes four areas that are key to our students as a whole. By stepping back to adopt a student-centered approach to these goals, we are again attempting to live out the Boardroom-to-classroom approach in our work as a district. We hope that every student can see themselves and every family can see their child in these goals.
D303's five-year approach focuses on four key outcomes for every student:
● Strong academic growth
● Achievement that is comparatively strong
● Meaningful preparation for life after graduation
● Engagement in a school environment where every student feels they belong
Audit Services Transition; approved unanimously (two abstentions)
The District was informed that Miller Cooper & Co., Ltd. has made the decision to discontinue providing audit services to public entities. District 303 previously renewed its agreement with Miller Cooper & Co., Ltd. to provide audit services for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, 2026, and 2027.
To ensure continuity of audit services, the District will continue working with Betsy
Allen, who has historically supported the District’s audit work and will now be providing these
services through Sikich, LLP. Following consultation with legal counsel, it has been confirmed
that the District may assign its existing contract, including all terms and conditions, to Sikich,
LLP without modification. Sikich, LLP has agreed to honor all existing contract terms, including
the established cost structure, for the duration of the agreement.
D303 leadership recommended that the School Board approve the assignment of the District’s existing audit services agreement from Miller Cooper & Co., Ltd. to Sikich, LLP to ensure continuity of services through the remainder of the contract term.
Benefits Consulting Contract Renewal; approved unanimously (one abstention)
The District partners with Gallagher Benefit Services as its employee benefits consultant, providing support in plan design, carrier negotiations, compliance, financial analysis, and overall benefits strategy. The current three-year agreement, approved through an RFP process in 2023, runs through March 31, 2026, with an annual fee of approximately $106,400. At the time of the award, the fee was reduced from $150,000 to $100,000 with the understanding that Gallagher would retain any available carrier commissions or rebates; however, those revenues did not materialize due to legislative changes.
Gallagher proposed a new three-year agreement beginning April 1, 2026, with
an annual fee of $125,000 and future cost-of-living adjustments consistent with the current
agreement. The proposal also expands services to include support for the District’s employee
wellness strategy, vendor evaluation, use of existing carrier resources, program effectiveness
measures, and exploration of longer-term initiatives such as a near-site health clinic.
During renewal discussions, the District emphasized cost containment, measurable value, and
strategic partnership. Gallagher has committed to enhanced support in data analysis, cost
management, and long-term planning.
D303 leadership recommended that the School Board approve a three-year renewal agreement with Gallagher Benefit Services beginning April 1, 2026.
HR Resolution; approved unanimously
The School Board approved a resolution to honorably dismiss selected non-licensed employees at the close of the current school term.
For Information
Informational reports are typically provided monthly to the Board. There is no action taken.