Board approves grants, contracts and personnel resolutions; teacher RIF passes 6–1

The Evanston CCSD 65 Committee of the Whole on April 7 handled a slate of approvals that included grants, contracts, fees and personnel resolutions. Key actions recorded in the meeting minutes and motions include approvals of a Head Start grant and an accompanying change of scope, multiple vendor contracts for auditing and technology services, summer programming funding, HVAC monitoring services, routine bills payable and personnel resolutions including nonrenewals and a reduction in force for teachers.

Votes at a glance

- Head Start FY25–26 grant application: Motion to approve the FY25–26 Head Start grant application was made and seconded; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes). Staff later moved and the board approved a Head Start amendment to convert a half‑day/double‑session classroom to a full‑day classroom and reduce funded enrollment by 27 students; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes).

- School‑age childcare fees (School Year 2026): The board approved the proposed school‑age childcare fees (no change in fees except for adding a processing fee); the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes).

- April 2025 bills payable: The board approved the bills payable for April 2025; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes).

- Auditing services contract (FY25–29): The board approved awarding the district auditing services contract to Wipfli LLP; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes). The contract schedule indicated a first-year fee of $61,200 rising to $71,000 in the fifth year (the memo noted the fee includes auditing Park School).

- Jamf device‑management contract: The board approved a contract with Jamf to manage district-issued devices in the amount of $81,204; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes).

- McGaw YMCA summer programming: The board approved a $400,000 contract with McGaw YMCA for summer math and science coaching programming; the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes). Staff said this amount was lower than prior summers and aligns with a previously presented summer learning plan.

- Syserco (HVAC monitoring) three‑year contract: The board approved a three‑year contract with Syserco Midwest to monitor district‑wide HVAC systems (Year 1 $67,225; Year 2 $70,545; Year 3 $73,862); the motion passed (recorded as all voting members in attendance voting yes). Staff said monitoring helps detect room‑level HVAC issues, automate adjustments and support indoor air‑quality oversight.

- Personnel resolutions: The board adopted a resolution authorizing nonrenewals of non‑tenured teachers (language in the resolution protects individual employee identities). The board adopted a resolution authorizing a reduction in force of educational support personnel. The board then considered a resolution authorizing a reduction in force of teachers; that motion passed by a recorded vote of 6–1 (Salem recorded as No; motion passes 6–1). The board clerk announced the motion passed 6–1.

Procedural notes: Several motions were moved and seconded during the meeting; votes were recorded by roll call with board member surnames (Hilburn, Salem, Sue, Wilkins, Kim, Lindsey Ryan, Hernandez) responding. For many routine agenda items, the vote record in the transcript shows unanimous yes votes by the members present. Where the transcript did not identify a specific mover or seconder by full name, the minutes record the motion language and roll‑call vote rather than a named mover.