Board RECAP
October 19, 2023
February 20, 2025
The District 211 Board of Education met Thursday, February 20, 2025, in the Board Room of the G.A. McElroy Administration Center. Below is a recap of key items acted on and reviewed.
Appointment
Hoffman Estates High School – Associate Principal
Dr. LaWanna Wells was appointed Associate Principal of Hoffman Estates High School. She currently serves as Chief Equity Officer for Niles Township High School District 219, a position she has held since 2017. She began her career in 2002 at Memorial Junior High in Lansing, Illinois, teaching English, literary, and social studies. From 2005 until 2017, Dr. Wells was employed at Homewood-Flossmoor High School as an English teacher and instructional coach.
She holds a bachelor’s in English Education from Northern Illinois University and a master’s in Educational Administration from Governors State University. Dr. Wells earned her doctorate from Loyola University-Chicago in Instructional Leadership, Finance, Law, and Administration of Special Education.
Student Recognition
The Board of Education formally recognized students who achieved state recognition.
William Fremd High School
ILMEA All-State Honors Band
Presenter Matthew Moore
Christopher Chung
Ashwin Mahidhara
Malavika Pisharody
Elyse Schlesinger
ILMEA All-State Honors Choir
Presenter Christina Collins
Cristian DeJesus
Max Gould
Madeline Ranieri
ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra
Presenter Marla Caballero
Maxwell Blanco
Minhee Cho
Yechan Kim
Nadia Rosadi
Conant High School
ILMEA All-State Honors Band
Presenter Leann Roder-Manson
Jiho Park
ILMEA All-State Honors Choir
Presenter Timothy Koll
Suhani Bhanderi
Cordell Cady
Nina Rosiles
ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra
Presenter Devin Godzicki
Lily Yoshihara
Schaumburg High School
ILMEA All-State Honors Band
Presenter Vincent Inendino
Esteban Avila
ILMEA All-State Honors Choir
Presenter Braulio Muro
Mya McCurdy
Ava Ramirez
ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra
Presenter Susan Carlson
Brandon Padillo
Amelia Sanders
Sarah Sekiguchi
Evangeline Sikler z
Hoffman Estates High School
ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra
Presenter Thomas Chester
Lauren Kim
Strategic Plan Update: Technology
The facilities and finances priority in the District 211 5-year Strategic Plan includes indicators addressing innovative and secure technology solutions. Related strategies drive keeping pace with evolving technology updates and innovations and continuously evolving and enhancing the District’s infrastructure and resources in order to protect District electronic assets and employee and student information. Gary Gorson, chief technology officer, presented on the District’s progress toward the Technology goals of the District 211 Strategic Plan.
Approval of Minutes
The Board approved the minutes from its Regular Meeting of January 23 2025.
Bids for Consideration
The Board awarded the business for fuel tank replacement at James Be. Conant High School to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Crowne Industries, Ltd., for $516590.
View the full summary.
Acceptance of Donations
The Board accepted the donation of a 2002 Cadillac DeVille DHS from Ms. Cynthia Stockwell to be used by the automotive classes at William Fremd High School; and $1,000 from Emerson and Elder, P.C. to support the Cougars in Need program at James B. Conant High School.
Class Size Committee Report
Following each semester’s sixth-day audit, the Class Size Committee meets to comply with a Letter of Agreement contained within the Master Contract between the District 211 Board of Education and the District 211 Teachers Union. The sixth-day audit for the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year occurred Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The Class Size Committee, composed of Jeremy Harkin, Schaumburg High School Mathematics teacher, representing the Union, and Director of Student Services Danielle Hauser, met Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
The Committee reviewed master schedule data and concluded that fewer than 0.2% of all class sections exceeded the range for course enrollment. The second semester of the 2024-2025 school year began with 3,351 active course sections across the District’s five high schools. The schools’ master schedules organize course sections to accommodate nearly 12,000 students, each of whom averages five academic courses in their daily class schedules. Resolving course conflicts and arranging daily teacher schedules to allow students the maximum opportunity to participate in their requested courses presents an immense scheduling challenge.
Only eight course sections began the semester with more students than prescribed by the scheduling guidelines, and each exceeded the limit by a single student. The overages were a result of new students moving into District 211. Six were resolved within days of the audit.
2025-2026 Financial Calendar Including Budget and Levy Sequence
Financial planning for the District requires approval of both the levy and budget each year, and numerous communications are shared throughout the year providing detailed information for the Board to make informed financial decisions that will maintain financial stability in both the short and extended terms. The Board reviewed a report providing details surrounding the budget and levy calendars and budget considerations and their relationship to the financial planning sequence. Expenditures for the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget are under development by schools and will be reviewed and prioritized by the administration prior to their inclusion in the budget.
ISBE Non-Regulatory Guidance on Immigration Enforcement Actions
The Board reviewed a report issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in January regarding non-regulatory guidance on Immigration Enforcement Actions relative to schools.
Five-Year Financial Projection Update and Acceptance of the 2024 Recapture Levy
To sustain and uphold the educational excellence and extraordinary learning opportunities that District 211 has delivered for many years, the District utilizes a yearly operating budget of more than $300 million. Our commitments to developing college and career readiness skills in today’s world demand that we provide quality instruction from highly qualified professionals within a rigorous curriculum that integrates the use of technology within effective learning environments and facilities. We prepare our students with the skills and talents so that they can continue their full involvement in our communities, our local businesses and our local economy. To accomplish these goals requires financial planning and strategy integrating the current financial position into a projected financial forecast that accounts for numerous influences, both within the organization and outside the District’s control.
The Board reviewed a report summarizing the current year’s financial standing, declaring a number of potential future budgeting variables and providing a projected financial forecast including these budget assumptions. Safeguarding the District’s financial stability is necessary in order to continue the educational excellence that is the hallmark of District 211.
The Board agreed to accept $4.2 million through the 2024 recapture levy under section 18-233 of the Property Tax Code to the full amount extended by the Cook County Clerk.
In-Service Dates and Early Morning Work Sessions for 2025-2026
At its October 19, 2023, meeting, the Board revised and approved a school calendar for the 2025-2026 school year, with 180 student attendance days and four institute days. Shortened days for in-service training of our staff have been used in the past and are consistent with the allowances under School Code. According to State guidelines, students must be in attendance for at least three hours during a shortened day. For the designated shortened days in District 211, students attend classes for four-and-a-half hours and for the remainder of time, the staff is focused on continuing the work to increase student achievement. Early Morning Work Sessions are a designated time when faculty members who teach the same course have the opportunity to meet to examine multiple data points relating to student success.
The Board approved shortened instructional days on August 28, 2025 (Parent Open House); March 5, 2026 (College Night) and Friday, November 7, 2025; Friday, February 13, 2026;
Friday, February 20, 2026; and Friday, May 8, 2026 for in-service training of certified staff and special events of which each school may choose a maximum of two days for 2025-2026; and two shortened days for state-required testing days as determined by the Illinois State Board of Education. The Board also approved implementation of 14 morning 75-minute work sessions on the select Tuesdays: August 19, 2025, September 2, 2025, September 16, 2025, September 30, 2025, October 28, 2025, November 18, 2025, December 2, 2025, January 13, 2026, January 27, 2026, February 10, 2026, February 24, 2026, March 10, 2026, March 31, 2026, and April 28, 2026.
More in-service and morning work session information is available here.
TIPS-USA Cooperative Purchasing Agreement for Stadium Lighting Upgrades
Each high school stadium has a range of 56 to 84 metal halide flood light fixtures providing lighting to the interior of the stadium. The floodlight bulbs are inefficient and produce a lighting cast that expands beyond the stadium. To continue with the District’s energy efficiency initiatives, replacement of the current lighting fixtures with upgraded LED fixtures is recommended. ComEd is offering rebates toward the purchase of LED lighting. LED lighting for the stadium will provide an improved lighting source with greater visibility and a more uniform lighting distribution and a longer lifespan. LED lighting are approximately 64% more energy efficient compared to floodlights.
Impact Sport Lighting has provided a proposal for replacement of stadium lighting at all five high schools. This is provided under the TIPS purchasing cooperative, providing competitive pricing and eliminates the need for overhead costs for design services provided by the District’s architect. Replacement would start this summer.
The Board awarded the replacement of stadium lighting to Impact Sport Lighting, LLC, as presented, with approval of ComEd rebates.
More detailed information on lighting replacement is here.
OMNIA-National Cooperative Purchasing Agreement - White Magnetic Marker Boards
In alignment with the District’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficiency, the purchase of white magnetic marker boards for Conant High School through OMNIA-National Cooperative Purchasing Agreement is proposed. Cooperative purchasing agreements allow the District to leverage pre-negotiated contracts, ensuring competitive pricing and compliance with state procurement regulations. The transition from traditional chalk blackboards to modern white magnetic marker boards is consistent with improvements across our schools. Conant will be closed for summer school in 2025, providing an opportunity to upgrade the remaining chalkboards. Purchasing through OMNIA Partners provides cost savings, eliminates the need for a lengthy bid process, and ensures compliance with procurement laws.
The Board approved the purchase of 49 white magnetic marker boards from Educational Environments using the OMNIA purchasing agreement, for $63,340.
Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement – Track Resurfacing
The existing running tracks at Fremd and Schaumburg high schools have deteriorated over time due to continuous use, weather exposure and natural aging. Resurfacing is essential to maintain safety, enhance athletic performance and extend the longevity of the facilities. The resurfacing of the tracks is scheduled for summer 2025. The project was sourced through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement as allowed under the Illinois Procurement Code.
The Board approved the purchase of track resurfacing services for Fremd and Schaumburg high schools from FieldTurf USA through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement for a total cost of $323,105.
Proposed Policy Revisions, Deletions and Addition
The Board reviewed nine proposed policy changes and deletions and one proposed new policy. All proposals were reviewed by the Administrative Board Policy group comprising Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Joshua Schumacher, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services Kurt Tenopir, Director of Administrative Services Matt Hildebrand and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion LaShaunda Sandifer. The proposed changes and deletions were presented for an initial review.
Policy BCA: Board of Education Organizational Meeting (Revision)
Policy BBA: Board Powers and Duties (Revision)
Policy BDDB: Agenda Format (Revision)
Policy BD: School Board Meetings (Revision)
Policy BDA: Regular Board Meetings (Deletion)
Policy BDB: Special Board Meetings (Deletion)
Policy BDDD: Quorum (Deletion)
Policy BDDE: Rules of Order (Deletion)
Policy BDDG: Minutes of Board of Education Meetings (Deletion)
Policy IGCFB: High School Credit for Students in Grades 7 or 8 (New Policy)Board Member Expenses
The Board approved the Pre-Approval Form for Future Expense Reimbursement for Anna Klimkowicz and Steven Rosenblum to attend the North Cook Division Dinner Meeting on March 4, 2025 as submitted.
Next Board Meeting
The next scheduled regular Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, with closed session beginning at 6:30 p.m. and recognitions beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Anne Koller Board Meeting Room at the G.A. McElroy Administration Center.