[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",6076198,"mediaKeyId","2972008-93937c4811c13c6a6437dd83a0e54b51","parentId",2972008,"title","Board approves grants, contracts and personnel resolutions; teacher RIF passes 6–1","audioSeconds",4768,"startMs",647000,"endMs",5415000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2972008-93937c4811c13c6a6437dd83a0e54b51&start=647&end=5415","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2972008-93937c4811c13c6a6437dd83a0e54b51/thumbnail_647000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076198/Illinois/Board-approves-grants-contracts-and-personnel-resolutions-teacher-RIF-passes-61","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076198-c04ea09f6fb726fb53999a94c50e80d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770779535&Signature=DAl5zbilR9WTrojfhaA7jhgnyINlVVP5zHKpClYJwVPTx9kwbiNnmbXO-lUca8wg3KAx04s9dm0t4Q78bGV2vxvgez992ffRIzesjX25SLgwD86fyf9KRbfCUOsEYH7r~EKgRqZJHUTMU2L-TFO8Jxok4rCmSEQTGP6n4I0m0A8RWjuhC~RGXggVULaaofE1Gc1WTcXvp4GzrUjhCAUCdsZ93mTbNchw~koilk4Wpln5Ox~32e3P9vMbkqyZCzvdd5e4cekXyKTo-Y~QDUItIZRXVsHYuiaJ8k7MOd0n-oD3bYmeWYUqoW3HTtxoz6U1a4w3SPSL80JWlTnk0K2eyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Evanston CCSD 65","date","2025-04-11T19:56:25Z","article","The Evanston CCSD 65 Committee of the Whole on April 7 handled a slate of approvals that included grants, contracts, fees and personnel resolutions. Key actions recorded in the meeting minutes and motions include approvals of a Head Start grant and an accompanying change of scope, multiple vendor contracts for auditing and technology services, summer programming funding, HVAC monitoring services, routine bills payable and personnel resolutions including nonrenewals and a reduction in force for teachers.

Votes at a glance

- Head Start FY25–26 grant application: Motion to approve the FY25–26 Head Start grant application was made and seconded; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes). Staff later moved and the board approved a Head Start amendment to convert a half‑day/double‑session classroom to a full‑day classroom and reduce funded enrollment by 27 students; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes).

- School‑age childcare fees (School Year 2026): The board approved the proposed school‑age childcare fees (no change in fees except for adding a processing fee); the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes).

- April 2025 bills payable: The board approved the bills payable for April 2025; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes).

- Auditing services contract (FY25–29): The board approved awarding the district auditing services contract to Wipfli LLP; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes). The contract schedule indicated a first-year fee of $61,200 rising to $71,000 in the fifth year (the memo noted the fee includes auditing Park School).

- Jamf device‑management contract: The board approved a contract with Jamf to manage district-issued devices in the amount of $81,204; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes).

- McGaw YMCA summer programming: The board approved a $400,000 contract with McGaw YMCA for summer math and science coaching programming; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes). Staff said this amount was lower than prior summers and aligns with a previously presented summer learning plan.

- Syserco (HVAC monitoring) three‑year contract: The board approved a three‑year contract with Syserco Midwest to monitor district‑wide HVAC systems (Year 1 $67,225; Year 2 $70,545; Year 3 $73,862); the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes). Staff said monitoring helps detect room‑level HVAC issues, automate adjustments and support indoor air‑quality oversight.

- Personnel resolutions: The board adopted a resolution authorizing nonrenewals of non‑tenured teachers (language in the resolution protects individual employee identities). The board adopted a resolution authorizing a reduction in force of educational support personnel. The board then considered a resolution authorizing a reduction in force of teachers; that motion passed by a recorded vote of 6–1 (Salem recorded as No; motion passes 6–1). The board clerk announced the motion passed 6–1.

Procedural notes: Several motions were moved and seconded during the meeting; votes were recorded by roll call with board member surnames (Hilburn, Salem, Sue, Wilkins, Kim, Lindsey Ryan, Hernandez) responding. For many routine agenda items, the vote record in the transcript shows unanimous yes votes by the members present. Where the transcript did not identify a specific mover or seconder by full name, the minutes record the motion language and roll‑call vote rather than a named mover.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","[4/7/25] D65 - Committee of the Whole Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its Committee of the Whole on April 7, Evanston CCSD 65 approved multiple contracts and grant actions and adopted personnel resolutions including a reduction-in-force of teachers that passed 6–1. The board introduced a sustainability-policy revision for future adoption.","taxTitle","Evanston CCSD 65, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",50856,"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},6076203,"Foster School construction remains on schedule and on budget, district reports",282,2786000,3068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2972008-93937c4811c13c6a6437dd83a0e54b51&start=2786&end=3068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2972008-93937c4811c13c6a6437dd83a0e54b51/thumbnail_2786000.jpg","/articles/6076203/Illinois/Foster-School-construction-remains-on-schedule-and-on-budget-district-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076203-163777d40daa4303317ecdbdeedc7a76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770779535&Signature=IQJkxNVFRZZOLAW6Dq4IBExaIF8M80lmHwV7vum5~zjVeU1tbGDuA3ZNQQDDVtNGdWyPPAzqxMaXLGpkMHoW~LRATJCpMY7OIT-mhxBPi0IDXRtrbd4mY4tEu1odTeDx~7ih8zJMeEzQVeKLmZnHGkZP-r5J8XlQeWS5zDyx9Mc17L6hYa5rTKHOt8vg4k-hHWK0WHNJ9Dik2e-Yu-TYqZWGdRDDy-~on0ecSaZo16cTwCsPP6ft1D24wtitjkXWskNvGnvvSwOO8kovt~a209gGhrkPduoeqHvU8iKULltjwjDf6jE2dhlYK0KMu85nC0x3yWHRirSLzod7tlimiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 65 reported progress on the Foster School construction project at the April 7 Committee of the Whole. District staff said the project remains on schedule and within budget and described recent site milestones: exterior wall panels have been installed and steel erection has begun, allowing work to move to roof and interior construction.

District construction staff described the gym as a reinforced storm shelter built to withstand severe weather in compliance with state requirements. A short time‑lapse video shown at the meeting illustrated rapid wall panel installation; staff said weather slowed work but the site remains on track.

Board members asked about the impact of tariffs and rising material costs. District staff reported that most major steel orders were made before recent tariff changes and that about 80% of the project budget was already under contract; they said furniture costs remain a potential pressure point (furniture represents a small share of the total budget and vendors cited a possible 25% increase, which the district is monitoring). Staff said landscaping and later-stage items are generally less tariff-exposed because tariffs target materials rather than labor.

No budget overruns or schedule changes were reported at the meeting; staff reiterated the project remains within the approved budget and on the planned timeline.","District staff told the board Foster School construction has reached major milestones — exterior walls and steel are in place — and remains on schedule and within budget; staff noted most major steel orders were placed before tariff concerns intensified.",{"_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},6076208,"District 65 committee recommends Nichols as site for second dual-language middle school",875,1817000,2692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2972008-93937c4811c13c6a6437dd83a0e54b51&start=1817&end=2692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2972008-93937c4811c13c6a6437dd83a0e54b51/thumbnail_1817000.jpg","/articles/6076208/Illinois/District-65-committee-recommends-Nichols-as-site-for-second-dual-language-middle-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076208-99d46a575fa9ae6d30dea59f4777ff6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770779535&Signature=hNwMVhy3H0Jg03furSrWQXwc5dsG0TSgHOrPiD4Pq3~PHWB4VFLwURff9L0-VRccfRSjCr8mbRE0Gu~LvYUNM-u0ZtZEwsRBxJk-fvtaOk04YUH0RFFQJhXO~AMUfZfFACPgpgknMcA9l08Oalfki4m580-Owd2543oja-KT6fKiVZ4mrbBKWnPlyNeJzwM9ALi01kxS4Q7tXz-pnl7NgED89fQndARKPqAKXVJ-r~XJUPj8DBAesSguat7FxADmVcO49ng1F7Q~mRKLzRDxHqQUuOHHhs3Nqmisc1qGzXlBfmt2jINFNyTzc89jGW9Wt6~bb5a8Ur3POC-S7T03Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 65’s SAP 3 committee recommended on April 7 that Nichols Middle School host the district’s second dual-language middle school program in fall 2026–27. The recommendation follows a three-meeting review of enrollment projections, family interest surveys and school readiness indicators and was presented by district staff overseeing multilingual education.

Amy (multilingual program lead) and Kim Kelly, multilingual coordinator, described the committee’s rubric used to weigh enrollment, family interest and readiness (including the district’s 5Essentials and dual-language guiding principles). Cecilia (district staff) summarized the data: Nichols was projected to serve the largest number of current Tweed Spanish-speaking students when the district’s new middle school openings were considered, and survey responses showed 68% of respondents said they would continue in a dual-language middle school if it were available in their neighborhood.

Committee members prioritized serving the most students and location; readiness metrics favored Schuht (a different middle school), but that advantage did not outweigh enrollment and location considerations in the scoring. The committee’s final recommendation therefore favored Nichols. Principal Fishman of Nichols was in the audience and expressed support, and district staff said implementation work will include professional development for a cohort of dual-language middle school teachers, administrator learning, curriculum planning, family outreach and letters to Nichols families and staff the following morning.

District staff described the next steps as regular planning meetings between central office and Nichols administration, development of curriculum and program structure, staff and family communications, and preparation of teacher cohorts and professional learning. The recommendation is an administrative decision informed by the SAP 3 process; staff will move into implementation planning for the 2026–27 roll‑out.

No formal board vote on site selection was recorded at the April 7 Committee of the Whole meeting; staff presented the committee recommendation and described the implementation timeline.","A stakeholder advisory process (SAP 3) recommended Nichols Middle School as the location for District 65’s next dual‑language middle school program, to begin in the 2026–27 school year; the district will begin implementation planning immediately.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6076212,"Evanston District 65 unveils first sustainability plan; board to consider policy revision",992,393000,1385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2972008-93937c4811c13c6a6437dd83a0e54b51&start=393&end=1385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2972008-93937c4811c13c6a6437dd83a0e54b51/thumbnail_393000.jpg","/articles/6076212/Illinois/Evanston-District-65-unveils-first-sustainability-plan-board-to-consider-policy-revision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076212-a3fc3af5db99e2e5263788356d967e37/orig.mp4?Expires=1770779535&Signature=UI18ywsAtxcP0fw9K3mbJVnBtplrTIf11GiT--eXvJDU0tideDG~fKeXBFCghbGMIpRw5tZUrWX8F8mM4eKTzk9X9VYC5knUe5nCO921F16ABDxkEjqMZN3Fe9bxCJrY37BhOPbgUsZjeMKtjhyvwme3oxs642GxHzzOHq9VqPMRGxWwFz-8nm02XH9knge3XH3vQQQDdFObbekEQSWsFLhQEpToIteiXtXjLihFW0IfScbf1ounpESod-sb2GDyUtBXja0oe3FM7okHDB-bQFCYIpddLdYg1KkUXC3DSJMiS-KlTOtTiX1j6uD~48MrnjiOUSLOKLhGmLSZg7mMUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 65 presented its first comprehensive sustainability plan on April 7, outlining goals for teaching and learning, healthy environments, sustainable operations and transportation. The district asked the Board of Education to introduce a revision to Policy 4:70 (Resource Conservation) that would formally reference and hook the new plan into board policy; a vote on the policy was scheduled for a future board meeting.

The plan, titled Sustainable Schools, Healthy and Just Futures, was presented by District 65 sustainability staff and noted in a prerecorded message from Superintendent Dr. Turner. Karen Baratta, identified in the meeting as District 65 sustainability coordinator, described a development process that began in October 2024, involved a 40-person working group and produced a 29-page plan the district placed in the board packet.

\"Scientists agree, it's real, it's us, it's bad, and there is hope,\" Baratta said while summarizing the plan's rationale and goals. Jack Jordan, executive director of Climate Action Evanston, urged the board to adopt the plan and called the process “one of the best, like, well run planning processes I've ever seen,” praising staff and community involvement.

The plan sets specific goals across four focus areas. For teaching and learning it calls for pre-K–8 climate education, staff learning and change-making opportunities for students. Healthy-environment goals include a districtwide indoor air quality management plan, facility performance standards for new construction and renovations, and expanded outdoor learning spaces. Sustainable operations goals include reaching net-zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050, installing low-flow water fixtures, increasing sustainably sourced food procurement, and improving waste reduction and recycling. Transportation goals address the district fleet, school buses (in partnership with private transportation providers) and increasing sustainable travel modes for students and staff.

Staff told the board they plan annual public reporting via a dashboard and periodic plan updates. They also asked the board to adopt the revised Policy 4:70 so the plan has a policy anchor; the revision was introduced but not voted on at the April 7 meeting. Board members praised the collaborative process and asked for a redline of the policy changes in the next packet so members can see what was added or removed compared with the district’s prior policy and an external model (Press Plus).

Baratta and other staff acknowledged that implementation will require funding and partnerships. Board members and staff discussed using the plan to inform long-term capital decisions and financial planning, and to leverage external grants and partnerships to implement projects such as energy upgrades, outdoor learning spaces and transportation changes. Staff said the policy revision would be presented for adoption at a subsequent board meeting after members have time to review redline language.

The district also emphasized equity tools: administrators said the district will apply the district’s equity impact assessment when implementing sustainability actions and when coordinating shared projects with the City of Evanston and other partners.

The presentation concluded with staff offering to return with implementation timelines, indicators of progress and multilingual outreach plans. No formal board vote on the policy change occurred at this meeting; adoption remains pending.","District 65 presented its first-ever sustainability plan — Sustainable Schools, Healthy and Just Futures — and proposed a revision to Board Policy 4:70 (Resource Conservation). Staff asked the board to introduce the policy change tonight with a vote at a future meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves grants, contracts and personnel resolutions; teacher RIF passes 6–1

Foster School construction remains on schedule and on budget, district reports

District 65 committee recommends Nichols as site for second dual-language middle school

Evanston District 65 unveils first sustainability plan; board to consider policy revision