Board renews driver’s-ed fee waiver and approves used vehicle purchase for program

The Community High School District 94 board adopted a five-year renewal of the district’s driver’s education fee waiver on July 15 and authorized the superintendent to submit the waiver to the regional office of education and the Illinois State Board of Education. The waiver preserves a $300 behind-the-wheel fee, which exceeds the $250 state base amount; the board also approved purchase of a used Ford Taurus for driver’s-education instruction at $15,540 after a previously approved purchase from another dealer fell through. At a public hearing the administration explained the waiver process: the state allows a $250 fee for behind-the-wheel instruction and any amount above that requires local waiver approval every five years. The district historically set a $300 fee to offset program costs and sought renewal to maintain that amount. After the public hearing was adjourned, the board voted to approve the waiver and to authorize the superintendent to submit the request to the regional office of education and the Illinois State Board of Education; roll-call votes recorded all board members voting in favor. In related action under new business, Business Services reported that an earlier deal for a Nissan Altima approved May 27 had fallen through. The board approved the alternative purchase from Hagerty Ford in West Chicago for a used Ford Taurus at $15,540. There was no discussion that the vehicle purchase is contingent on any additional funding beyond the board-approved amount. The administration also provided a separate report on a temporary freeze of federal Title funds noted earlier in the meeting and said it would monitor any impacts on reimbursements for expenditures related to federal grants. The board approved both items by roll call: the waiver motion carried and the vehicle purchase motion carried.