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DeKalb board approves staffing, differential payouts and school handbook; moves to finalize purchase of Normal Road property
Summary
The DeKalb CUSD 428 board approved consent agenda items including staffing changes, a $77,412.49 differential committee distribution, the 2025–26 parent-student handbook and additions to nursing and driver's education staffing; staff reported progress on a new building and plans for August ribbon-cutting and community events.
At its meeting the DeKalb CUSD 428 Board of Education approved multiple consent and staffing items, heard an update on a new school building and directed staff to proceed with a draft resolution to acquire property at 1240 Normal Road.
The board approved the consent agenda (items 5b–5j), which included minutes, personnel actions, purchase order requisitions, an employment contract for an elementary restorative dean, and agreements for therapy services, speech and language services and Sunbelt staffing. A roll call recorded affirmative responses from board members including Nick Atwood, Steve Byers, Jose Jacquez, Christopher Boyce and Krista Bailey.
Trustees also approved specific agenda items on the night’s docket: the 2025–26 parent-student handbook; the differential committee recommendations totaling $77,412.49; and an increase of two registered nurse FTEs. The board approved a 0.6 FTE addition in driver’s education at DeKalb High School to increase capacity for behind-the-wheel instruction; staff said the program can currently accommodate 456 students (336 during the school year and 120 in summer) and that each student requires 12 hours behind the wheel (6 hours driving, 6 hours observing).
Board members received a construction update for the new building: blacktop work on the north parking lot is complete and visitor parking and landscaping are installed; playgrounds will be installed in July so they are fresh for opening; a digital marquee is planned and a formal ribbon-cutting is scheduled for Aug. 8 with a larger community celebration on Aug. 9.
Armir Doka, the district’s chief school business official, presented a draft resolution and background on a lease-to-purchase agreement with NIU that gives the district an option to acquire the building and land at 1240 Normal Road. Doka said the district completed payments ahead of schedule and under budget and recommended exercising the purchase option so the building starts the upcoming school year under district ownership. Trustees gave consensus to bring a formal resolution back to the board; no final purchase vote was taken that night.
The board also heard reminders about fall registration requirements: staff emphasized that families registering students in pre-K through fifth grade and new students must provide proof of residency; sixth through twelfth grades are not required to provide proof of residency at registration, according to staff remarks. District leaders reported the booster club needs an executive board and volunteers and that the athletics department will send a letter inviting volunteers.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous motion to adjourn.
