[{"_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",5983071,"mediaKeyId","5793466-d65c978d63d456e6f2844fa9e15ff7b3","parentId",5793466,"title","Superintendent rebukes social-media criticism over calendar; board unanimously backs collaborative process","audioSeconds",272,"startMs",1676690,"endMs",1948710,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793466-d65c978d63d456e6f2844fa9e15ff7b3&start=1676&end=1948","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793466-d65c978d63d456e6f2844fa9e15ff7b3/thumbnail_1676690.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5983071/Illinois/Superintendent-rebukes-social-media-criticism-over-calendar-board-unanimously-backs-collaborative-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983071-1ef5d59588c374f2b90a7bd361eead21/orig.mp4?Expires=1776231315&Signature=TGkGemzEJDUqWUPGgCboylCYfdcatltEune4qYRa0tyNZV5sJFKxgVsxB1cC8tfUYI5OBS1iFX2uclBofKe36ouKxYOsaOlnCN7a9LU~zNO-O4HDKjQ0mGk0sBuk4KoE8R9SI6AJvSZgA45wRU8FF0ZW-km4i1rngccES6tx5A5sA-rVruzrWFZyipZQUDbhFA2AQAkn2fmOdvBejK7QjySyecc1GFYBf0xrVnr8KpStaG2xbZOu~OanuwY25e0~X7eAcQqc1jLHf5rc-3xXcMqec0NZxSSvzQbvrUI8Zv1YAO0fUzAgZZq88p4-oo6r7gLcRD7QpgOCLo4YM2Ip3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Homewood SD 153","date","2025-09-16T13:14:42Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Scott McAllister used his Sept. 15 report to address a social-media post that criticized the district's calendar and questioned his personal circumstances.

Dr. McAllister said a post had questioned \"how the childless superintendent could be allowed to create a calendar by putting Institute days on random Wednesdays instead of being quote veil and doing it on Fridays.\" He said he took offense and asked community members to \"call or come in and meet with me face to face\" to discuss concerns. \"To imply that the decision to place an Institute Day in the middle of the week was made because I, as someone who does not have children of my own, could not possibly understand nor care about those who do, is ignorant, uninformed and completely without merit,\" McAllister said.

McAllister outlined the calendar rationale: midweek institute days produce higher staff and student attendance than Friday institute days, improving professional development and consistency of instruction. He said an explanatory email with the calendar process would be sent to families.

Board members responded with public support for the superintendent and the district's collaborative calendar process, emphasizing that calendar decisions reflect input from administrators, teachers, principals and the board rather than a single individual. Several board members urged community members to seek understanding and constructive dialogue rather than social-media attacks.

Why it matters: The superintendent framed the remarks as a defense of professional educators and a call for civility in public discourse, linking respectful engagement to broader concerns about educator recruitment and retention.

Action: No formal board vote was required on the matter; the superintendent's remarks were recorded as part of the superintendent's report and board members voiced support on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting of September 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Scott McAllister responded at the Sept. 15 meeting to a social-media post criticizing midweek institute days, called the post's personal attack \"ignorant\" and urged community members to seek dialogue; board members publicly supported the district's calendar process.","taxTitle","Homewood SD 153, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",56487,"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},5983077,"Board approves $9.45M in James Hart life-safety work and $176K at Willow; district plans bond sales",445,2634630,3079910,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793466-d65c978d63d456e6f2844fa9e15ff7b3&start=2634&end=3079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793466-d65c978d63d456e6f2844fa9e15ff7b3/thumbnail_2634630.jpg","/articles/5983077/Illinois/Board-approves-945M-in-James-Hart-life-safety-work-and-176K-at-Willow-district-plans-bond-sales","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983077-64dcd633a831e40b9aac16c99678123c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776231315&Signature=kWw-bl9D8FptRrTlE1tmvQawiPhZ-pRwtOYNOEdvaJkjojrUIbCTR8r5CbGomsNgAutwKnb1j374x1Oe0qezp7pjgH8NjAZt3sPzjv7Hwn2RW-QiriBh6Rihy6Y6jzzmwNOVJ6eTHR7m6SwpTpdyyKfSO0QHs7twNv2znKBaLoY8rMnNGzXf7t1TTa6cFTIjEFqUQltrHl46BAB66HP~wKDBEFChEyF5fT63mfKZtNtIKqHQUE0M6KAkb7NsX7B~yTsZ33PDovPIA2CuyDPr454ejjhEIx~S6FtIWP1Rv9-wHMtJ0Fu-9QIIx8P1k1Q8X~FZTiT23o7WtZzAiMm6FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Homewood School District 153 approved life-safety amendments on Sept. 15 to address facility repairs identified in a districtwide assessment by architect Studio GC.

The largest single amendment approved that evening covers James Hart School and totals $9,453,289.78, the board was told. The scope includes approximately $6.5 million for roofing work and roughly $1.5 million for heating and air-conditioning work; the amount includes architect fees (7.5 percent) and a 10 percent contingency, administration said.

For Willow School the board approved a separate life-safety amendment to replace five classroom unit ventilators that had been omitted from earlier construction, at a base cost of $150,000 and a total with fees and contingency of $176,250. The projects were described as scheduled for work in 2026.

Studio GC's districtwide review identified roughly $31 million in life-safety amendments across all buildings, the administration said. Dr. Eric Trimberger summarized the categories used by the Illinois State Board of Education: urgent \"category A\" items must be completed within one year, \"category B\" within five years and \"category C\" are maintenance items. Trimberger said the district's assessment included a little over $1 million in category A items, about $14 million in category B and approximately $15 million in category C.

On financing, Trimberger told the board the district plans to sell life-safety bonds in two installments (late 2025 and calendar year 2026) and said the debt could be structured \"so there won't be any additional cost to our taxpayers on the debt portions of their property tax.\" The board also heard that the district is working with its financial advisor, Raymond James, to explore options for leveraging financing without increasing taxpayer burden.

Board action: A motion to approve the amendments for James Hart School ($9,453,289.78) and Willow School ($176,250) passed by roll call (six ayes). The board previously heard Studio GC's full assessment at a Committee of the Whole meeting.

What it means: The approvals start procurement and design work required to bid and complete roofing and mechanical repairs. Administration said the projects will be underway in 2026 and that the new superintendent will inherit an active facilities program requiring oversight.

","Following a facilities assessment from Studio GC, the Homewood SD 153 board approved life-safety amendments for James Hart School (roughly $9.45 million for roofing and HVAC) and Willow School ($176,250) and discussed selling bonds in two installments to fund repairs without raising the debt portion of taxpayers' bills, officials said.",{"_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},5983082,"Consultants present superintendent profile after community forums and 162-survey responses",667,327670,994760,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793466-d65c978d63d456e6f2844fa9e15ff7b3&start=327&end=994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793466-d65c978d63d456e6f2844fa9e15ff7b3/thumbnail_327670.jpg","/articles/5983082/Illinois/Consultants-present-superintendent-profile-after-community-forums-and-162-survey-responses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983082-5c1848c79cd82620d44d26aa110ad206/orig.mp4?Expires=1776231315&Signature=A1eID-m0gsuGfePpebV817DpYXMjbY498pWerrlqFqdbG2tHBoVO0JxKsD~tGGgrVtnu0FtL5JzaQ0f3AOBE21OOIewX5Z4Fqy77zTZOnZjQqq0Xo5WbPfzuuDlomImTzQILrzjRV1V-aVAaDhLC2VH9nhCN6OGMYVUd1lpyS9gktn3NPCx2Q~RHzSoYsO5PBxEPr~vg2dOO8Ziwg0MkMNaeNJJBK7bZte1-8XY9nuj4kwy1BL5GMpgqzr74UC~6tm2PZ3udCg30HaCDiwQACN-dZkuHKIMcFzIxwGRHbUh1Rxpk70gytNB6BKNoDmiPs6dJiW4Hawm3ZZmfD1dsHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from School Exec Connect briefed the Board of Education of Homewood School District 153 on Sept. 15 on a recruitment profile for the district's next superintendent, summarizing input from focus groups, open forums and an online survey.

Kevin O'Meara, president and owner of School Exec Connect, said the firm conducted targeted stakeholder focus groups and two open forums and collected survey responses. \"41 people participated in the focus groups and open forums. A 162 responded to the survey,\" O'Meara said. He said the consultants asked participants to identify strengths, challenges and early priorities for the next superintendent and produced a proprietary candidate profile for the board's use.

The consultants reported consistent strengths: a \"strong supportive culture\" and active community support for programs such as STEM, high staff retention and pride in the district's schools. Noted challenges included fiscal stress, facility needs, enrollment decline, perceptions of past fiscal mismanagement, strained staff morale related to contract issues and growing special education and English-learner populations.

O'Meara said stakeholders prioritized relationship-building in a new superintendent and expected immediate attention to fiscal concerns, upcoming contract negotiations and special education services. \"Early priorities will include addressing special education issues and responsiveness, strengthening staff morale, and clarifying systems of communication for parents and staff,\" he said.

Survey highlights cited by the consultants included respondent demographics (57% identified as parents and 31% as staff), and that 70% of respondents listed the quality of teaching staff as a top strength. O'Meara said the profile describes the district as \"highly supportive, family-oriented\" and recommends a visible, approachable leader with instructional and financial acumen and a commitment to equity.

Process notes: O'Meara said the firm assured participants their comments in closed sessions were confidential. The presentation concluded with consultants providing the board a packet of materials to inform recruitment, screening and selection.

Board reaction: Board members thanked the consultants and said they would review the material in depth. Several board members noted the profile aligned with their expectations for district priorities.

Action: No formal vote was required; the presentation provides recruitment guidance and a candidate profile for ongoing selection work.","School Exec Connect delivered a candidate profile to Homewood SD 153 based on focus groups, open forums and a 162-response survey; consultants emphasized priorities including relationship-building, financial acumen and special education leadership.",{"_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},5983087,"Homewood SD 153 adopts FY2026 budget with $753,000 operating deficit, plans bonds for school repairs",2547,68260,2615340,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793466-d65c978d63d456e6f2844fa9e15ff7b3&start=68&end=2615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793466-d65c978d63d456e6f2844fa9e15ff7b3/thumbnail_68260.jpg","/articles/5983087/Illinois/Homewood-SD-153-adopts-FY2026-budget-with-753000-operating-deficit-plans-bonds-for-school-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983087-b3292878052436f5b75dfda618fcb19b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776231315&Signature=XY2Lo5Ws6bRwpafo12IvaF4jcsdWCyWtHu9~EPNmV5QKssWfv7iolCT9drdiDuR5JMwNUGhKi-miCePyP9EbXEOBnvPQDBOO8~OMCjuzjk2CCXhvBu9oMHDWzL1JgBQgNqKyDU-TU64FTs2tFuvAbdAUztJrtY4qbOy9CTizI2OyLCGDIoqMXndHQg-26z6qzHxHgtxjmhxI9oHNQNV5iII4ifkkTFalAYlBleremIo6x8kHL3pzFyiNP9vKbz~HILhC8Bap6ifq0wdUHSyCYEo5U8xJnkXRr6JtejRHmtr5l4gVQFsKMyYSx8AZA4iuqVc8G~MSXzNvoAbIJHWM0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Homewood School District 153 on Sept. 15 approved the district's fiscal year 2026 budget, adopting a spending plan that includes an operating deficit of $753,000 and a package of life-safety repairs to be financed in part by bonds.

The budget vote followed a public hearing and a presentation by district business manager Dr. Eric Trimberger, who said the district increased projected revenues by roughly $315,000 and trimmed expenditures by about $30,000 since the preliminary budget was discussed. \"We increased our revenues about $315,000 . . . and we increased our Medicaid reimbursements through the timing of when we received those from the state,\" Trimberger said. He also told the board the district made about $1,500,000 in budget cuts this year.

The district's operating deficit reflects a $1,000,000 abatement that trimmed property-tax revenue to $557,000 after the district received a property tax relief grant last year. \"That gives us an operating deficit of $753,000 this year,\" Trimberger said.

Why it matters: The adopted budget sets the district's tax levy and spending priorities for the school year and frames near-term staffing and program decisions. Board members said the document reflects months of committee work and that officials will monitor spending closely.

Most important details: The budget resolution the board approved instructs the superintendent and business office to implement the FY2026 budget as presented and to adjust line items if public hearing or meeting comments require changes. During the roll call the board recorded six ayes and the motion carried.

Support for planned repairs: Trimberger told the board the district will sell life-safety bonds in two installments, late 2025 and in calendar year 2026, and said the financing can be structured \"so there won't be any additional cost to our taxpayers on debt portions of their property tax.\" That financing plan ties directly to a separate board action that evening approving life-safety amendments for district facilities (see separate article).

Other notable items addressed during the budget public hearing included the district's use of a property tax relief grant and the timing of state Medicaid reimbursements that temporarily increased revenue projections. Trimberger reiterated the administration's projection that more cuts or conservative spending will be required going forward.

Board action: The board adopted the FY2026 budget by roll call (six ayes). The motion was made \"upon the recommendation of the finance and property committee and the chief school business official\" to approve the budget for the 2025-26 school year as presented and to adopt the attached resolution declaring the budget.

What's next: District officials said they will monitor enrollment and spending during the year and make adjustments if required.

","The Homewood School District 153 board on Sept. 15 adopted its fiscal year 2026 budget showing an operating deficit driven by property tax adjustments and planned budget cuts, and approved issuing life-safety bonds to fund building repairs without increasing the debt portion of taxpayers' bills, officials said.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent rebukes social-media criticism over calendar; board unanimously backs collaborative process

Board approves $9.45M in James Hart life-safety work and $176K at Willow; district plans bond sales

Consultants present superintendent profile after community forums and 162-survey responses

Homewood SD 153 adopts FY2026 budget with $753,000 operating deficit, plans bonds for school repairs