Harlem USD 122 board approves month—nd payables, treasury report and multiple vendor contracts

The Harlem UD 122 Board of Education voted May 19 to approve the period payables and the March 2025 treasurer's report and to award or renew a series of contracts for the 2025—iscal year.

The board approved a bills list totaling $1,361,587.48 and one payroll payment of $3,566,975.89 for combined expenditures of $4,928,563.37, according to Josh Ram, business and operations director. "The total payables this period were 1,361,587 dollars and 48 cents. There were one payroll this period in the amount of $3,566,975.89 for total expenditures of $4,928,563.37," Ram said.

Why it matters: the board also voted on multiple procurement items that affect operations and capital work across the district, including food service vendors, banking services and building projects.

On procurement and contract actions, the board:

- Approved a two-year bakery-products renewal with Alpha Bakery for FY25 nd FY26. - Approved a milk-products renewal with Mueller Pinehurst for FY25 nd FY26. - Approved a two-year extension of the district—anking services agreement with Associated Bank through June 30, 2027. - Awarded the Harlem Middle School corridor painting project to Midwest Decorating Inc., base bid $55,400 and alternate $37,000 (total $92,400). - Awarded a high school and Parker Center flooring replacement project to Rockford Carpetland USA with combined alternates for a total listed in board materials of $107,264 plus the Parker Center base bid of $14,725. - Approved a three-year waste-disposal and recycling services contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, with an average monthly cost of $5,435 and a reported 25% cost reduction over prior terms. - Approved agreements for instructional supports paid from grants: Waggle/HMH support for Loves Park Elementary (SIP funds) and a Formative professional-development session for middle and high school staff to be paid with Title II funds. - Approved renewal of the treasurer's bond for FY26 with a coverage limit presented in board materials.

Several of those items drew brief discussion during the business-services presentation. Tasha Rand, director of facilities, presented surplus-property and facility-use items and reviewed revenue sources in the education fund for board members new to the district. Rand described the district—unding mix and noted variability in the corporate personal property replacement tax (CPPRT) revenues.

LRS representative Kathy responded during public discussion to a community member's question about service availability after board approval. "We should have a site here very, very soon," Kathy said when asked about ZIP-code availability on the vendor—inder tool.

Board votes and next steps: Each listed contract and the bills list were approved by roll call during the meeting; motions and seconders were called and votes recorded in the meeting minutes. Contractors may proceed with scheduled work once procurement paperwork is finalized and required insurance and bonds are received by the district.

Details and context: District finance staff also provided a fund-by-fund breakdown in the treasurer's report: the education fund showed $4,200,470.21 in expenditures; operations and maintenance $215,743.32; transportation $217,175.16; IMRF/Social Security funds $123,201.19; capital projects $137,635.22; and life-safety $34,338.27. Board materials noted that the district's evidence-based funding (state EBF) has not kept pace with CPI over recent years and that federal ESSER funds have expired, changing the revenue outlook.

The board's approvals allow vendors to continue providing services and for planned capital updates to proceed this summer; staff and contractors will carry out the work under the awarded contracts.