[{"_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",6197683,"mediaKeyId","3850353-5578a4ef6774a0f53fda60abf3ba3b04","parentId",3850353,"title","Board appoints two volunteers to audit committee and schedules finance/auditor briefings","audioSeconds",92,"startMs",1113000,"endMs",1205000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850353-5578a4ef6774a0f53fda60abf3ba3b04&start=1113&end=1205","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850353-5578a4ef6774a0f53fda60abf3ba3b04/thumbnail_1113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6197683/Illinois/Board-appoints-two-volunteers-to-audit-committee-and-schedules-financeauditor-briefings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197683-65ddf7168fccbe55756ccd76d6d1abfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580476&Signature=hR3mp06o~0zWvnZF7t1QB6UkvAwQL3pWD5Y-nBjrvJxB-~X50n88Dne3o5QyXJqojhCWPoaLvHUFmMClhEihoZwL5~Ftr55-UzpcPWLLN0OXvDec55MfUnMLHVm6HJdtQMrE~cIB-i~lGa7d4GhuQd0kPQGmuwzEKhkYxkXsguqViTbelnfskDKqYFUsUCxijTVTBT5qJ~EHP~6eTcVr4RERQ1jysKALxB6H3MQYQXLNkfA8fGj3QBCJtHDJPYKI23Lp02SB3pVW~jtN2qq-BCvH6K9CdTEN1D30Fy3mOkRf1UshqQhPbeDuuIuNW50fbOcyiejnwzen9nPPR-zxoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Central CUSD 301","date","2025-06-17T12:43:37Z","article","The Central CUSD 301 Board of Education appointed two board volunteers to serve on the district audit committee and discussed upcoming finance briefings and the annual auditor presentation.

Board staff explained the auditor typically asks to speak to a board member (sometimes two) about fraud‑risk questions and financial concerns during the audit process. Two volunteers — Chad and Andy — offered to serve on the audit committee. The board chair asked for a voice vote to appoint them; the chair called the vote and received affirmative responses. “So all in favor of Andy and Chad being appointed to the audit committee. Aye,” the chair said; another board member said, “Aye.” The motion was accepted by voice vote; no roll‑call tally for the appointment was recorded in the transcript.

Separately, board members discussed scheduling a district finance presentation for July (administrators mentioned a July 7 special meeting and a July 20 option) so members can better understand revenue, expenditures, fund movement and audit questions. Administrators said auditors do a formal presentation of results in October after the audit is complete, but the board can invite auditors earlier to answer specific questions about separation of duties, fraud controls and other concerns. Board members asked community‑received questions about finances be forwarded so administrators and auditors can prepare responses.

Why it matters: Audit committee participation and early auditor engagement are routine governance steps that give trustees a direct line to review controls, ask fraud‑risk questions and prepare for the annual audit presentation. The appointment was procedural; no contract award or budgetary action occurred at the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-06-16 301 BOE Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","The board appointed two volunteers to the district audit committee by voice vote and discussed scheduling finance briefings and an auditor visit to answer board questions ahead of the annual audit report.","taxTitle","Central CUSD 301, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",55347,"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},6197687,"Board discusses retention, culture and outreach; members propose staff surveys and town‑hall style community meetings",3989,837000,4826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850353-5578a4ef6774a0f53fda60abf3ba3b04&start=837&end=4826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850353-5578a4ef6774a0f53fda60abf3ba3b04/thumbnail_837000.jpg","/articles/6197687/Illinois/Board-discusses-retention-culture-and-outreach-members-propose-staff-surveys-and-townhall-style-community-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197687-d9f707b32969e4a4e1ebb115be103183/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580476&Signature=DrPYFJTEGqpIKYjUPLHWfOh0Tr9n7p-2LubG~Atm-zz314nBNZw5JqHRJp2uwZJ~KltRb~EoyO1T17PyjfLmIxQ8rfxQ2LCNucmRlHsysdsWvh0fk0WaSBDMztWiF3-~LDm4t-2nNH7aJYqazbK2D~QoRNlLgzCsvftbgLlwFp-90bkcYpIWM4Yd7IGIicMj4JMFFUsSvJMAHn0vlJFvawSQxqnLOgs6-UxdiOyVL-KSMdvmyAo4qp5gIMiEzT3x4y5cuw7rV-gifDHiAMoaBWidjixuo6Brx7DaWAcNEn9mLhESegWFvFAh80aDXk0sAFOpgnuW3J18PGzWGRii8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at the Central CUSD 301 meeting raised retention and culture concerns and proposed steps to diagnose and address them, including an independent employee satisfaction survey and community and staff listening opportunities.

During public comment a resident recommended the district develop summer reporting on staffing conditions and an independent annual employee satisfaction survey. The speaker suggested the board review union surveys and last year’s verbatims for actionable steps on retention. A board member later reiterated that turnover has been high: “I thought there was 1 person who was supposedly bringing bad culture into the district. Now that she's gone, it doesn't seem like culture has gotten much better and retention definitely hasn't gotten much better,” the member said.

Board members proposed a mix of approaches: targeted staff meetings or small “coffee‑talk” sessions with teachers and staff, rotating two‑person board outreach visits rather than full‑board sessions, and district‑run town halls for parents and community members. One board member said regular, scheduled community drop‑ins had precedent in municipalities and could be adapted for the district; another suggested the board start with staff and teachers before broader public sessions to understand whether perceptions match operational reality.

Members agreed that the board should define the culture it wants to foster and use structured feedback to inform superintendent and principal hires. Several trustees said the board would ask administrators to propose formats and a schedule for listening sessions before the next school year.

Why it matters: High turnover at the superintendent and building level was described as disruptive to stability and to long‑term plans, and board members framed diagnosis (surveys, town halls) as a prerequisite to recruitment and retention decisions.","Board members raised concerns about turnover and staff culture, proposed an independent employee satisfaction survey and a series of community and staff listening sessions to identify causes and shape retention strategies.",{"_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},6197689,"Board seeks estimates as architects begin master‑planning; parking, track and stadium cited as priorities",660,4016000,4676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850353-5578a4ef6774a0f53fda60abf3ba3b04&start=4016&end=4676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850353-5578a4ef6774a0f53fda60abf3ba3b04/thumbnail_4016000.jpg","/articles/6197689/Illinois/Board-seeks-estimates-as-architects-begin-masterplanning-parking-track-and-stadium-cited-as-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197689-6bd6107e81c65182bf689c362e885719/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580476&Signature=PHb93er1UQNxjeLWF0n~eb2GFT410pbusx1jJI72c-DerL1RcNPFDr7-sRFlOmuWZIE8AVCe68b2WoD39iW5~LefOSFbsZlUQn-cnq7YaJyTKmyljRUkVwDiPugpV-avTZC-LXbzi1C0A5S3~U9vBv5vJ8zojfpGTcceRkg4yJzbfDq0if2EDj7t1Q-jRpXDpxreZ3XRccJew8-3sc7lWNfDoYZPT6A4lOQmysauVPkN1vXJAMk8oj~7mNRQvxCIKgjlH4YKjnUt20bNtzRPth3duyaH7M5sRhLOIrX7vZi1ZnO~2JXrQ0gutLor5u1fRX7aZuORAzzJetA~dwCBag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members and administrators told the Central CUSD 301 Board of Education they expect a facilities master plan from newly engaged architects and asked for cost estimates on several campus items, including high‑school parking and the failing track at the stadium.

At the meeting, board members said earlier referendum efforts had failed and urged continued planning. One board member said, “we can't just wait a year” to address space and access issues. The board discussed two possible parking approaches on the west side of the high‑school drive and noted pedestrian safety concerns if student parking placed walkers across a heavily used drive.

Facilities staff briefed the board that civil and construction consultants — named in discussion as Erickson Engineering (site/civil), Meg (mechanical/electrical/plumbing), and SMC Construction Services (construction manager) — are working on feasibility and site planning. A board member reported contracts with the architecture firms and construction partners were “being written with the lawyers.” Administrators said they expect the firms to present initial planning work in August or September.

The track was repeatedly described as failing and requiring multi‑million‑dollar repairs; board members said a comprehensive estimate and recommendations from the architects will help the board weigh competing priorities. One trustee asked whether parking is a “need” or a “want” compared with safety and field/track repairs.

Board members said they want a master plan that provides multiple options — “good, better, best” scenarios — that can be shared with the community and used to evaluate whether and when to seek voter approval for major projects. Administrators said architects will develop cost estimates and recommend sequencing so the board can weigh non‑referendum expenditures against potential referendum items.

Why it matters: The discussion frames near‑term budgeting choices (patching or replacing a track, paving added parking) against longer‑term capital planning and the possibility of a future referendum. No formal vote or binding decision occurred at the meeting.

","Central CUSD 301 board members discussed campus master‑planning from hired architecture and construction firms, asked for cost estimates for a high‑school parking solution and a failing track, and noted contracts with consultants are being finalized.",{"_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},6197691,"Northern Kane CTE director reports growth in internships, dual credit and state grant funding",992,1514000,2506000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850353-5578a4ef6774a0f53fda60abf3ba3b04&start=1514&end=2506","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850353-5578a4ef6774a0f53fda60abf3ba3b04/thumbnail_1514000.jpg","/articles/6197691/Illinois/Northern-Kane-CTE-director-reports-growth-in-internships-dual-credit-and-state-grant-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197691-90c64e34e4f45ea53336b95865646930/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580476&Signature=ejpPD79UzsjNTZhQvVuzhLc69GEn32V7dgABDTqESwBQ7HGV-FWGveM1XrZblmOTGoXsd~Crckfc9FNaE4WH0-hcXgluMus-AKw94bRABpDuvH3tX47ZeucDmjQz2MsTjozQB5IOP~ydnWECd7DsqZpgwt9rVT1c2Sj20HzrbhQhzn02eYNWWzaZWpZO6Ynbr4g8SeGFiqTbNbSmt9mGRIF9Foh7OlHPADk~LCByenKmPdkGs9hE6JG9o0oe44WPBQBL-NTjCVWpCOXy8KTBOBCCLsyaYBLroiowR~HMQU-1oCOHtE3AsBLc0qlc9gFoMTkS15suMHxPrCbxwAjV~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Terry Strowell, director of the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System, told the Central CUSD 301 Board of Education onstage that federal and state grant dollars and work-based learning opportunities for students have increased markedly in recent years.

Strowell said the regional system, which serves the districts that feed Elgin Community College, manages Perkins federal funding and state grants that support career and technical education (CTE). “Federal Perkins dollars, we get approximately $600,000 every year,” Strowell said, and “over the course of the last 5 years, we've grown from just over a million to now just over $2,000,000 in grant dollars” from the state of Illinois.

The numbers, Strowell said, have translated into more student access to internships, dual credit and industry partnerships. He reported that this is the fourth summer of a regional paid internship program, growing from 52 students in year one to about 240 students this year across nine career areas. Strowell said more than 1,000 students applied this summer for internships.

Strowell also described large increases in dual‑credit attainment and work‑based learning: program data he presented show post‑secondary credit participation rising from under 2 percent to nearly 55 percent, and work‑based learning participation growing from about 5.4 percent to nearly 10 percent over recent years. He said CTE concentrators — students who take two or more classes in the same CTE strand — have higher graduation and proficiency rates than their peers, and cited improvements for Black and Hispanic students' graduation rates when they participate in CTE concentrator programs.

Strowell reviewed specific regional programs and industry partnerships: Hampshire High School’s American Welding Society–accredited welding lab, Dundee‑Crown’s electrical lab, a veterinary science lab hosted by District 301, WT Group and Bucha Hydraulics internship placements, and first‑responder internships with Bartlett and Hanover Park agencies. He said one employer, the Lucrecio Auto Group, hired all four interns it hosted last year.

Board members asked about the gap between internship applicants and available placements; Strowell said the limiting factors are the number of slots companies can host and clinical window constraints at hospitals. He invited board members to visit regional CTE sites and internships.

Why it matters: Strowell framed CTE expansion as both an academic and economic strategy — higher graduation rates and earnings for participants, reduced lifetime public costs tied to dropout, and local workforce development. He said the region now brings roughly $2.5 million a year back to the community in wages and reduced social‑service needs attributable to higher graduation and placement rates.

Strowell closed by noting the region’s role as fiscal agent for Perkins grants and the Alignment Collaborative partnership used to scale resume workshops and job fairs for students.

","Terry Strowell, director of the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System, told the Central CUSD 301 board that federal and state grant funding and work-based learning opportunities have grown substantially, including a jump in paid internships and dual‑credit attainment for regional students.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board appoints two volunteers to audit committee and schedules finance/auditor briefings

Board discusses retention, culture and outreach; members propose staff surveys and town‑hall style community meetings

Board seeks estimates as architects begin master‑planning; parking, track and stadium cited as priorities

Northern Kane CTE director reports growth in internships, dual credit and state grant funding