Superintendent Dr. Danny Wiesman told the board on July 29 that district staff and foundation leaders are reviewing a sample memorandum of understanding provided by the Regional Office of Education and drafted with an Illinois school attorney as a starting point to clarify the district’s relationship with the Warren Township High School Foundation.

Why it matters: administrators said a clarified MOU would set expectations about how district staff interact with the foundation, define responsibilities and set boundaries on matters such as use of space, fundraising and scholarship administration.

What was presented: Wiesman said the MOU is boilerplate recommended by the regional office and that district and foundation leaders plan to have legal counsel review the language. He described the draft as a beginning point and asked the board for feedback and direction to continue the review process.

Board comments: board members responded positively, emphasizing clear roles and legal responsibility. One board member said the district should be explicit about who is legally responsible for particular functions and praised the foundation’s renewed leadership and energy. The foundation president and other board members have met with district leadership over recent months, administrators said.

Next steps and action: the board gave informal approval to continue review; district attorneys and administration will examine the sample MOU, and the matter will return for further consideration or formal action if changes are proposed.

No vote was taken on the MOU at the July 29 meeting.