[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6289304,"mediaKeyId","2532537-81d4484b657f07347388daee1286051e","parentId",2532537,"title","Public comments at Valley View meeting focus on DEI, transgender students and high property taxes","audioSeconds",537,"startMs",2752000,"endMs",3289000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532537-81d4484b657f07347388daee1286051e&start=2752&end=3289","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532537-81d4484b657f07347388daee1286051e/thumbnail_2752000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289304/Illinois/Public-comments-at-Valley-View-meeting-focus-on-DEI-transgender-students-and-high-property-taxes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289304-bf4fe3e539472a4e894e1b49014051e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440138&Signature=JqRvKzgCvHmR8OnNYl~D1YLc4hFUhYWKU9f6zCh2WgzeHuNePz4d81np~8aqdM8ff3WHYf5SPp7-GCoiWLkNLXlcsjMyT90N4dpALWYFFE1OLi8kbjjhS7SlHlbMFHdQ6OgaKbyN~Xp4zOq9kr9gYZf0OGehXNEi0U~LNDiQV5MTJVw8v1NvV-69bPo~cs~V20WfrRMxwYLzGs1a3TywhTKgPtq4AOCXP30OIpAZIImlZJq2stsPaNMVsktjoaudT1oe5RE3I2kxOh-b~S0mdzkDT-r3CLjrQWLSC9SZaKr~qtcp1RpDO-C682S6l8x-enerhk4t8T6lpSYoE9Nk2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Valley View CUSD 365U","date","2025-03-10T22:08:54Z","article","Several members of the public addressed the Valley View CUSD 365U Board of Education during the audience-participation segment, raising issues that included support for district staff and programs, criticism of diversity-equity-inclusion efforts, defense of transgender students’ rights, and concerns about property taxes and a student trip.

Jim Fisher, a parent, thanked the board and staff for supporting athletics and extracurricular programs and encouraged continued attention to athletic trainers. A later speaker criticized the district’s DEI work, saying, “DEI destroys everything it touches,” and urged voters to replace the board, attaching electoral endorsements to their remarks.

Alison Wold spoke in support of transgender students and urged civil treatment, saying that “folks that are trans are people. They’re humans. They deserve human rights,” and noted that her child is a trans male. Her remarks contrasted with an earlier commenter who asked the board to “get that boy out of our girls’ bathrooms.”

Another resident, Sean Salisbury, raised concerns about property taxes and a recently approved school trip. Salisbury said his total tax bill was $17,087.84 and that the school district’s portion accounted for about 69% of his tax bill among taxing bodies; he criticized the district for overall spending levels and questioned whether the spring trip to Cincinnati for 55 participants (students, chaperones and staff) — budgeted at $35,200 — had booster or parent reimbursement details included in the packet.

Board president Quigley and administration accepted the public comments without formal response during the audience participation period; some speakers used the public-comment period to endorse candidates ahead of an April 1 election. The board did not take immediate action on the subjects raised during public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Valley View CUSD 365u Board Meeting 3/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment, speakers praised staff and athletic programs, criticized the district’s DEI stance and policies toward transgender students, urged support for board candidates, and voiced concern over high property taxes and field trip costs.","taxTitle","Valley View CUSD 365U, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",38217,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6289310,"Board approves multiple staffing resolutions, new grant-funded itinerant SLP job description and personnel actions",195,3336000,3531000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532537-81d4484b657f07347388daee1286051e&start=3336&end=3531","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532537-81d4484b657f07347388daee1286051e/thumbnail_3336000.jpg","/articles/6289310/Illinois/Board-approves-multiple-staffing-resolutions-new-grant-funded-itinerant-SLP-job-description-and-personnel-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289310-57806a0b021a6c159fd15e3d8788324c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440138&Signature=QSOGXCosr5jv2SDrkb7xHFzCXXqQxj2f53gOEnf3wskvauG29EmiCHxA8WjtUJyj6gMBbt1XOrCyrOD8Ena16GT84vzr3S~sGI8UUT1i5rC6cblg0DTwSKobS9wLceA1uShclK2C1-FvxOuQiFAR13PhyUT0zmgcEQxxZ~gHchGi-NJLrQF0R1LqRVsI--~TvXrtZ~zbQpefQJd-5G2TPU41yC9D2O3dzwK4kEC5GV-Z2HhPcQHyoApVCxbxgsZ4mx3qOt0OEydAKkygPIz7nncE~UIvVgTuTjtKCURlQVq6aTCKnWF6wcIOzFP5IssB9uKV5GKbYdgzgR-CRPWMkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Valley View CUSD 365U Board of Education approved several personnel items including a consolidated action report, a new job description for a community-based itinerant speech-language pathologist (SLP), and three annual personnel resolutions authorizing non-reemployment and honorable dismissals.

Human-resources leader Misty DiDonato presented the consolidated action report for certified, classified, and administrative personnel (agenda item 10.1) and the itinerant SLP job description (agenda item 10.2). The itinerant SLP position was described as a new, grant-funded position created under a community outreach grant. Both items were approved by roll call.

The board also approved annual staffing resolutions required as part of the district’s staffing process: Resolution 2526 (authorizing non-reemployment), Resolution 2527 (honorable dismissal of part-time and temporary educational support personnel), Resolution 2528 (honorable dismissal of certified personnel), and Resolution 2529 (honorable dismissal of educational support personnel). Administration said these actions are routine, reflect shifting staffing needs tied to enrollment, and that it is the district’s hope employees affected by reductions may be re-employed before the next school year.

During discussion prior to the roll calls, a board member asked about enrollment trends. DiDonato confirmed the district is “definitely down in enrollment significantly” and that staffing levels have increased since 2011. The transcript records a board question that the district is down “around 3,000 students” compared with 2011; DiDonato said she did not have the specific number on hand but that the characterization of significant decline was accurate.

Votes at a glance: Consolidated personnel action report (10.1) — approved; Job description for grant-funded itinerant SLP (10.2) — approved; Resolutions 2526–2529 (annual non-reemployment / dismissals) — approved by roll call.","The board approved the consolidated personnel action report, a grant-funded itinerant speech-language pathologist job description, and annual resolutions authorizing non-reemployment and honorable dismissals (Resolutions 2526–2529). Administration noted significant enrollment declines and that staffing levels have increased since 2011.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6289314,"Valley View board approves monthly financial reports and consent agenda including $3.66 million in bills",82,2349000,2431000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532537-81d4484b657f07347388daee1286051e&start=2349&end=2431","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532537-81d4484b657f07347388daee1286051e/thumbnail_2349000.jpg","/articles/6289314/Illinois/Valley-View-board-approves-monthly-financial-reports-and-consent-agenda-including-366-million-in-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289314-26d17d272277eab80a5d803a10878bcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440138&Signature=D0-GRe7K61U3QsaQQBSiSoaDy~aXMbZ9wtFWfD6HdB0T~Er~khQW0CwqocuNkIlPGaG6b8SOSJMr4sq5CBTaYMR4ZfPLsqcXZWFZn~UwsIzUfewstdZh6cCWrV84mYnrLfl61zMOW7870jesM7jUsJ6bKQwP0MqxB6GXXaDiHfYrh3vEyuH-7kYY2OTjOIyzI6XDx0jaRNf7Q47TQ9afkBMw1hXPbC1kv9WjrsHgHUopnu8R0zupsaloTcxrRnw9AV4L6PdWOBIov0ARfwccQ4O3Tt3MebtHESGmhcY2oAJPajScFhPDwc1U6bZ2BYdQ7vo1qkdWEKNVnfOXcWlQ7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Valley View CUSD 365U Board of Education approved the district’s monthly financial reports and consent agenda at tonight’s meeting.

Treasurer Mr. Renich presented the treasurer’s action report for February, listing interim obligations and debt service payments totaling $10,468,765.32, and a separate schedule of bills payable for March totaling $3,660,205.91. Both items were approved by roll call after a motion and second.

The consent agenda — 11 items including meeting minutes from 02/24/2025, gifts to several schools, field trip approvals, renewal of Illinois High School Association membership, and Resolution 2530 authorizing disposal of district surplus personal property — was approved in a single roll-call vote.

Board members did not request extended discussion during the roll calls. Mr. Renich also noted that the meeting packet included the summary of investments for February and a state funding update as informational items.

Votes at a glance: Treasurer’s action report (agenda item 6.1) — approved by roll call; Schedule of bills for March (agenda item 6.2) — approved by roll call; Consent agenda (agenda item 7.0, items 7.1–7.11) — approved by roll call.","The board approved the treasurer’s action report listing interim obligations of $10,468,765.32 and a bills-payable schedule of $3,660,205.91; the consent agenda (11 items including surplus property resolution) also passed by roll call.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6289321,"Valley View board extends Superintendent Keith Wood’s contract for one year",0,5288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532537-81d4484b657f07347388daee1286051e&start=5288&end=5288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532537-81d4484b657f07347388daee1286051e/thumbnail_5288000.jpg","/articles/6289321/Illinois/Valley-View-board-extends-Superintendent-Keith-Woods-contract-for-one-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289321-d812b87547d01056bcbb499d59e3033b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440138&Signature=QeCnlMKYo2~dvvN6ef0ZDlgTj2kB~8SrlOetFlrevw64pm18SxBIQvm-D8jpYYsK-cSfCHmqCzsCNOsJ~8FLTkGtXVYbEOGme3QkkxR0pVea3EGiRwPTPvejyfR-KgGqxaxiwi7wLflnhsfwg0CBDmjd5uConp0zRHNKfo49v8nOlIliC1jlhu~267EcVI3L7ggnzmeGuDkRNadZXb-YuZstaSGZULIi2Aw~Sze3t-lXLvUF2zFdysQ2D7K9ITvEsECG06MduMfm9rQ5~cxxieOmI7GzfJ9UYcmq5YjyXbKQxkI0PJj1xr~mZIRJFFM7bfCJmf8KU9Ami~vA4lb36g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Valley View CUSD 365U Board of Education voted 6-1 on resolution 2531 to extend Superintendent Dr. Keith Wood’s employment contract for one year.

The vote came after the board considered an item described by administration as authorizing the extension of Dr. Wood’s contract. President Quigley called for a roll call; Member Campbell voted no while the other six members voted yes.

The extension was presented as a renewal of the superintendent’s commitment to the district’s stated mission. In remarks after the vote, Dr. Keith Wood thanked the board and described the added year as “renewed commitment to the mission we share, which is to empower every learner to be college, career, and life ready.”

Board members did not enter extended debate on the motion on the record during the roll call. The formal motion text and mover/second were recorded in the meeting materials as presented; specific motion language was not read into the public transcript.

The contract-extension vote followed routine business on the agenda and occurred before a brief administrative-services and superintendent update. The board did not attach a date for the contract’s new expiration in the public remarks recorded during the meeting; that detail is included in the district’s personnel records.

Dr. Wood used his remarks to note ongoing district priorities and partnerships and thanked staff, unions, and the community for their work. No formal amendment to the resolution was proposed during the meeting.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2531 — extension of superintendent employment contract; outcome: approved 6-1 (Yes: Member Soderlund; Member Vaduris; Member Heil; Secretary Sikora; Vice President Zak; President Quigley. No: Member Campbell).","The Valley View CUSD 365U Board of Education approved a one-year extension to Superintendent Dr. Keith Wood’s employment contract (Resolution 2531) in a 6-1 roll call vote; Member Campbell voted no. Dr. Wood thanked the board and emphasized continued focus on district goals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public comments at Valley View meeting focus on DEI, transgender students and high property taxes

Board approves multiple staffing resolutions, new grant-funded itinerant SLP job description and personnel actions

Valley View board approves monthly financial reports and consent agenda including $3.66 million in bills

Valley View board extends Superintendent Keith Wood’s contract for one year