Board adopts e-learning renewal, contracts, capital project and multiple personnel actions

What the board voted on (March 17, 2025):

- E-learning plan renewal (three-year renewal, 202526ndash;26 through 202726ndash;28). The board adopted a resolution renewing the districte-learning plan, which authorizes the district to implement its remote-learning procedures for emergency days rather than extending the school year. Vote: Aye recorded for Don Carmichael, Lisa Hessel, Jim Batson and Tara Benjamin; motion passed.

- Ombudsman alternative education services agreement (202526ndash;26). The board approved an agreement that allows the district to place students in alternative education services and pay the provideron a per-day basis if spots are needed. Motion: moved by Tara Benjamin; seconded by Lisa Hessel. Vote: Board recorded ayes and approved the agreement.

- IHSA membership renewals (Libertyville and Vernon Hills High Schools). The board approved membership renewal in the Illinois High School Association to permit athletics and activities participation for both high schools. Vote: motion passed (roll call recorded as "Motion passes").

- Consent agenda (routine items). The board approved the consent agenda (motion moved by Don Carmichael; seconded by Lisa Hessel). Vote: Aye by Tara Benjamin, Don Carmichael, Lisa Hessel and Jim Batson; motion passed.

- Employment and personnel items. The board approved listed employment items that had been discussed in committee, including new hires and personnel changes. Motion moved by Tara Benjamin; seconded by Lisa Hessel. Vote: Aye recorded and motion passed.

- Annual certified staffing report and related employment recommendations. (See separate article for full discussion.) The board approved the staffing report and later approved annual certified staff employment recommendations, including tenure recommendations. Vote: roll call recorded ayes; motions passed.

- Nonunion educational support professional (ESP) salary recommendations (202526ndash;26). The board approved salary recommendations for 15 nonunion ESP positions (these positions are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement and include coordinator/manager-level roles). Motion: moved by Lisa Hessel; seconded by Don Carmichael. Vote: ayes recorded; motion passed.

- Libertyville High School ceiling and lighting replacement project. The board approved the base bid with Ephraim Carlson Construction for $223,000 to replace ceilings and lighting in LHS hallways during the summer. Motion: moved by Don Carmichael; seconded by Lisa Hessel. Vote: ayes recorded; motion passed.

- Two-year block safety system agreement (vendor FARC). The board approved a two-year agreement with FARC for a total of $45,050. Motion: moved by Lisa Hessel; seconded by Don Carmichael. Vote: ayes recorded; motion passed.

- Post-closed-session action: resolution authorizing notice to remedy for Sean Farrell. After closed session the board voted to approve a resolution authorizing issuance of a notice to remedy for Sean Farrell. Motion text moved on the floor (mover not specified in public record); second: Hessel. Vote: ayes recorded; motion passed.

Why this matters: Most votes were routine approvals needed for the district to proceed with services, staffing implementation, safety systems and a small capital project. The staffing package and related personnel actions were the meeting most substantive agenda items and are covered in a separate story.

Votes at a glance (formal motions & outcomes): - Consent agenda: approved (moved: Don Carmichael; second: Lisa Hessel). Roll call: Benjamin Aye; Carmichael Aye; Hessel Aye; Batson Aye. - E-learning plan renewal (resolution): approved (second: Lisa Hessel). Roll call: Carmichael Aye; Hessel Aye; Batson Aye; Benjamin Aye. - Ombudsman alternative education services agreement (202526ndash;26): approved (moved: Tara Benjamin; second: Lisa Hessel). Roll call: Hessel Aye; Batson Aye; Benjamin Aye; Carmichael Aye. - IHSA membership renewals: approved. (Motion passed; roll call recorded as motion passes.) - Employment items (new hires/changes): approved (moved: Tara Benjamin; second: Lisa Hessel). Roll call: Batson Aye; Benjamin Aye; Carmichael Aye; Hessel Aye. - Annual certified staffing report (net +2.4 FTE): approved. Roll call: Carmichael Aye; Hessel Aye; Batson Aye; Benjamin Aye. - Annual certified staff employment recommendations (tenure and appointments): approved. Roll call: Hessel Aye; Batson Aye; Benjamin Aye; Carmichael Aye. - Nonunion ESP salary recommendations (15 positions): approved (moved: Lisa Hessel; second: Don Carmichael). Roll call: Batson Aye; Benjamin Aye; Carmichael Aye; Hessel Aye. - LHS ceiling & lighting project (Ephraim Carlson Construction, base bid $223,000): approved (moved: Don Carmichael; second: Lisa Hessel). Roll call: Batson Aye; Benjamin Aye; Carmichael Aye; Hessel Aye. - Two-year block safety system agreement (FARC, total $45,050): approved (moved: Lisa Hessel; second: Don Carmichael). Roll call: Benjamin Aye; Carmichael Aye; Hessel Aye; Batson Aye. - Resolution authorizing notice to remedy for Sean Farrell: approved (second: Lisa Hessel). Roll call: Hessel Aye; Batson Aye; Benjamin Aye; Carmichael Aye.

What the record shows and what it does not: The meeting transcript records motions, seconds and roll-call ayes for all adopted items. For a few motions the transcript did not include a clearly named mover in the public record; those motions are labeled "mover not specified." Dollar amounts and vendor names were stated in the meeting for the LHS capital project and the safety system agreement; contract terms beyond the total dollar amounts were not discussed on the record.

Next steps: The administration will implement the approved agreements and staffing changes. The district also signaled an upcoming RFP timeline for a building-envelope project; that process is underway with consultant review and is expected to return to a future board meeting.