[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6588767,"mediaKeyId","5550432-c89895e662cf0dd26416f11fc63ba3d6","parentId",5550432,"title","Aurora East USD 131 board approves FY26 tentative budget, personnel and curriculum items; authorizes headphones purchase and community health event","audioSeconds",809,"startMs",1220000,"endMs",2029000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550432-c89895e662cf0dd26416f11fc63ba3d6&start=1220&end=2029","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550432-c89895e662cf0dd26416f11fc63ba3d6/thumbnail_1220000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588767/Illinois/Aurora-East-USD-131-board-approves-FY26-tentative-budget-personnel-and-curriculum-items-authorizes-headphones-purchase-and-community-health-event","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588767-be45a4c85983e9012abb29f92836d87a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138508&Signature=lPJMGkKvnXy~mTFGa0AG6ubkYDzqpI7BRkuH1KO-cBwLWA0PGBMpahcDNiM6Rz5rnC8kK7zySrt7t5xcGOfSPFu~9fiJ6iZjgP9W0V8uYJqlCzptG1BxQ63JPCJxnMCVXlcXeVUSMRgYSN~qnYRllVHUIfL0oz2ZUH8sXmvCJ15-JZfwmEWsbJZEggi-Q6sHwbYZZqAzT1R2gBdP7rOqvUHCwQiX6x3GuXQj69rEQ0IkEZY632SSwv4jaUK5i5JmY7rp5G2wM2HVizBbSmkG-F6~P6BMvSkmfWuTvyWQjcoOcYn4bxZb1tSGigA7XW~zzMg0AnY56CCWse7TGjCKrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aurora East USD 131","date","2025-08-05T21:01:14Z","article","The Aurora East USD 131 Board of Education on Aug. 4 approved multiple routine and budget items, including a tentative fiscal‑year 2026 budget resolution, personnel appointments and curriculum committee recommendations.

During the finance discussion, district staff told the board that the Illinois evidence‑based funding allocation moved the district from tier 1 to tier 2 for FY26, bringing approximately $2.1 million more in state funds compared with FY25. Board members questioned whether the budget reflected the changed state allocations; district staff said the FY26 salaries and benefits are accounted for and that the budget was prepared with the expectation the district would be close to tier 2.

Board votes and committee actions recorded in the Aug. 4 meeting included:

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda — motion to approve the consent agenda as listed; roll call recorded; outcome: approved (roll call recorded in transcript).

- 6.b.0.1 — Approve 1.0 FTE preschool grant secretary (personnel). Motion approved by roll call (outcome: approved).

- 6.b.0.2 — Approve resolution for the fiscal‑year 2026 tentative budget. After discussion about evidence‑based funding and state allocations, the motion was approved by roll call (outcome: approved).

- 6.b.0.3 — Approve revisions to IASB PRESS board policies A–H as listed. Motion approved by roll call (outcome: approved).

- 7.b.1 — Approve partnership with Companeros en Salud to host a health and wellness event at the Resilient Education Center on Oct. 18, 2025. Motion approved by roll call (outcome: approved).

- 7.b.0.2 — Approve purchase of headphones for elementary students from CDW in the amount of $56,375. Motion approved by roll call (outcome: approved). The district noted an estimated annual replacement cost of $28,000; funding source identified as Title I in committee discussion.

Committee reports and other items

- Curriculum and programs committee reported a summer school review: preK–8 enrollment 546 with 403 participants and average attendance of 86.52%; high school metrics included 411 students and summer graduates of 48. Committee also described an extended‑year and transition program and outlined a proposed guidance‑division restructuring at East Aurora High School for 2025–26.

- The curriculum committee recommended disposal of outdated Fountas & Pinnell materials after adoption of a new literacy platform; the committee said some materials will remain on site for interventions and the topic will return for review.

- The board introduced Yaslyn Zavala as the new assistant director of information and school systems; Zavala was promoted from lead database analyst.

- Building and grounds reported no action items.

The board recorded roll calls for each listed motion in the transcript. The meeting concluded without an executive session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting 08 04 25","oneSentenceSummary","At its Aug. 4 meeting the Aurora East USD 131 Board approved a tentative FY26 budget resolution after discussion of state evidence‑based funding, formalized several personnel and curriculum items, and approved a $56,375 purchase of headphones for elementary classrooms and a community health festival partnership with Companeros en Salud.","taxTitle","Aurora East USD 131, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",74116,"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},6588772,"Speakers tell Aurora East USD 131 board of unfair discipline and hostile workplace for Black staff and students",733,323000,1056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550432-c89895e662cf0dd26416f11fc63ba3d6&start=323&end=1056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550432-c89895e662cf0dd26416f11fc63ba3d6/thumbnail_323000.jpg","/articles/6588772/Illinois/Speakers-tell-Aurora-East-USD-131-board-of-unfair-discipline-and-hostile-workplace-for-Black-staff-and-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588772-99c306a7ad227012485fe16a7cf10d5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138508&Signature=cKHtGkV7SdisGQPmPHnhbpMwpff9YrcS20dgtV6KGmU~nib519HOzIxoE-Qg3kUQmKeFdhniTwTE2AkUYw3Xrr5PPZQyCeqNz4PXcdjUnot7aPMo4ioT44goxb0IQFJdwFefCZon6g1OMM0Bn~eMUvW~ztrYmvvoiPwS38tezN35~xqvLSMKuW5GwXTVwdnkLc~9SxWUOnOCB5Iwehf1fLl~ERHYFxUM68ns-syOaADFzYYQDEzXN0UpKqTW28CFPNsXmo0f6FIFptqaypD0grelKK-O09wX0SPVJ3PA1aripb4vKPbp9eFxjdjlWLjQWJfPpeyMr5MEIjmcG5gOAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple community members told the Aurora East USD 131 Board of Education on Aug. 4 that Black students are being disciplined unfairly and that African American staff face a hostile working environment.

Randy Ryder, a longtime community member, said he has heard “constant complaints” from students and that staff complaints go “unheard and unaddressed.” “Last of our children are being expelled, suspended when there are other forms of discipline that could be done,” Ryder said. “To interrupt our children's education process is not a solution to any of these problems.”

John Birch, who identified himself as a 52‑year member of the East Aurora community, said the Black community has noticed “certain attitudes and actions that are taking place within the school district” that he called “concerning” and “disappointing.” Kim Thurmond, who said she graduated in 1988 and is an athlete and coach, raised a related concern about memorabilia and records being removed from a remodeled gym, saying students should see “all different colors of athletes.”

Dr. Peggy Hicks said the complaints are not new and urged the board to address trauma and hostile environments that affect both teachers and students. “If the environment is not healthy, then the students are not healthy,” Hicks said.

Superintendent Dr. Amy Engle responded during the public‑comment period, saying the district heard the speakers and that she and other administrators are open to meeting with them. “I want you to know that we hear you, and I appreciate you bringing these concerns forward,” Engle said.

The board did not take formal action on discipline policies or personnel matters during the meeting. No specific investigations, timelines, or policy changes were announced on the record. Engle and board members offered to meet with speakers to discuss concerns.

The public‑comment period was the principal forum in this meeting for residents to raise concerns about discipline, staff treatment and cultural representation in school facilities. The board’s later business items at the Aug. 4 meeting included personnel hires, budget actions and curriculum committee recommendations; none included a formal vote to change discipline or grievance procedures during this session.

Plans for follow‑up were described only as offers by district leadership to meet with community members; the transcript does not record a scheduled date or a formal directive to staff to open an investigation.","Multiple community members urged the Aurora East USD 131 Board of Education to address alleged unfair discipline of Black students and a hostile working environment for African American staff during public comment. Superintendent Dr. Amy Engle acknowledged the concerns and offered to meet with community members.","actionData","errors"]

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Aurora East USD 131 board approves FY26 tentative budget, personnel and curriculum items; authorizes headphones purchase and community health event

Speakers tell Aurora East USD 131 board of unfair discipline and hostile workplace for Black staff and students