District 303 board approves driver's-ed and school-improvement waivers, awards emergency rooftop-unit contract

The District 303 Board of Education voted July 14 to approve several routine waivers and to ratify an emergency facilities contract.

The board approved a driver's education simulator waiver covering school years 2025–26 through 2029–30; the motion was moved by board member Lackner and seconded by board member Hancock and the chair announced the motion passed, "7 2 0." The board then approved a school improvement days waiver for the same multi-year span; that motion was also moved by Lackner, seconded by Kuchert and recorded as passing "7 2 0."

Separately, the board approved a contract awarded to Helm Mechanical to replace a rooftop unit at the Norris Recreation Center. Board members discussed cost comparisons referenced in the contract documentation — the materials said repairs could cost more than $30,000 while a new unit was slightly more than double that — and noted the award arose from an emergency condition at the recreation center that required timely action under district policy. The motion to approve the Helm Mechanical contract was moved and seconded and recorded as passing "7 2 0." The administration said the award was made consistent with the district's emergency procurement guidance and was coming to the board for ratification.

The board also approved a ballot for the Northwestern Illinois Association subregion executive board, voting for Diane Terrell for district administrator and Steve Florentino for school board member; that item passed with a recorded outcome of "5 2 2," with two abstentions recorded during the roll call.

These items were taken during the board's action agenda; roll-call votes were recorded on the public record.