A recording from tonight’s meeting will be available on the District 54 YouTube channel once it has finished processing.
Call to Order
The Board meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
Public Comment
Three members of the public asked the School Board to vote against the issue of up to $50,500,000 of working cash fund bonds and the levy of taxes to pay the bonds, which is scheduled under New Business this evening.
Another community member asked the School Board and District 54 to acknowledge the trauma some families are facing with ICE in the community, and to provide resources to support these families.
Recognition – Ambassador for Excellence Award
The District 54 School Board recognized Hanover Highlands Elementary School and Mead Junior High School, who were both named National Banner Unified Champion Schools by Special Olympics, two of only four schools chosen in Illinois this year.
They are now two of the 21 nationally recognized schools in Illinois joining Campanelli, Lakeview, Addams and Keller. District 54 is the only school district in Illinois to have more than one school with a Champion banner.
The Unified Champion School team at Mead has been led by Rebecca Dombro, Arianna Woods, Gina Ravanesi and Jennifer Rialla (Geraghty) for the last few years. At Hanover Highlands, Rachel Rosone, Laura Jaeger and Sarah Duda have led these efforts.
Freedom of Information Act Requests
District 54 received and replied to five Freedom of Information Act request since the last report to the Board, related to purchase orders, contracts, staff contact and salary information and information about a teacher who doesn’t work in District 54.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda.
- Minutes of the regular and closed-session Board of Education meetings on October 9, 2025
- Resignations, leaves, termination and employment of personnel
- Checks dated October 3, 17 and 31, 2025
- The treasurer’s reports on cash and investments for September 2025
- The monthly update of revenues and expenditures for September 2025
- The School Maintenance Project Grant application for 2025-2026
- The destruction of the verbatim records of the closed-session School Board meeting held April 11, 2024, for which approved minutes already exist
Correspondence
The School Board received thank you notes from some schools, as well as the SEA and SEEO unions, in recognition of School Board Members Day, which will be celebrated on Nov. 15.
President’s Report
Board President Nick Scipione thanked all the PTAs and their volunteers for all they do for the schools. He also thanked the schools for the Veterans Day celebrations held across the district this week, and the music teachers who led the Combined Choir Concert with District 211. Mr. Scipione recently participated in a League of Women Voters panel with other education representatives to discuss curriculum, school safety, finances and social-emotional learning.
Illinois association of school boards (iaSB)
The Board discussed a resolution being considered at the IASB delegate meeting next week, which addresses seat belts on schools. District 54 Board members expressed that while safety is important, this is another unfunded mandate from the state. In addition, it would be difficult to find a harness that would fit both a small kindergarten student and a large eighth-grade student.
D54 Foundation Report
Board Member Jim Pye thanked the SEA and SEEO for hosting their annual Craft and Vendor Fair to raise money for the Foundation. He also thanked everyone who attended that fair and those who participated in the QP Kitchen Dine to Donate this month. Mr. Pye encouraged people to consider the Foundation Crisis Fund and District 54 Food Pantries when making holiday and year-end donations.
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New Business
- The Board Policy Committee brought the following policies for a first reading:
- 7.90 – Student Arrival and Dismissal from School
- 8.150 – Building and Program Fundraising
- 8.90 – Parent’s Organization (PTA)
- The Board approved changes to the following policies
- 2:265 – Title IX Grievance Procedure (revised)
- 5:10 – Equal Opportunity Employment (revised)
- 5:20 – Workplace Harassment Prohibited (new)
- 7:10 – Equal Educational Opportunities (revised)
- 7:185 – Teen Dating Violence Prohibited (revised)
- 8:30 – Visitors to and Conduct on District Property (revised)
- 7:60(a) – Proof of Residence (revised)
- 7:255 – Students Who Are Parents, Expectant Parents, or Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence (new)
- 2:210 – Organizational School Board Meeting (new)
- The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement for shared improvement costs with the Schaumburg Park District at 12 parks adjacent to district schools.
- The Board approved a resolution providing for the issue and sale of not to exceed $50,500,000 of working cash fund bonds.
- The Board approved a resolution estimating amounts for the 2025 aggregate tax levy.
- The Board appointed Debbie Schmidt to serve as the Illinois Association of School Boards Governing Board representative for District 54.
- The Board approved a proclamation in recognition of American Education Week and International Education Week, both of which will be celebrated Nov. 17-21, 2025.
Announcements
- Board members thanked the schools for all they did to celebrate veterans this week.
- They thanked the SEA and SEEO for hosting the craft and vendor fair to raise money for the District 54 Foundation.
- The Board thanked the Goebbert family who donated thousands of pumpkins for students.
- Board members commented on how excited they were to join the Unified Banner Champion Schools celebrations and read the Inclusion Pledge.
- The Board invited everyone to attend the District 54 Special Olympics Pack the Stands basketball game on November 18 at Frost Jr. High.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 8:47 p.m. to closed session for employment/appointment matters and student matters.
