Dunlap CUSD 323 board debates Fortress Bank sponsorship language, approves bills, projects and staffing; tables student activity fee change

Dunlap CUSD 323’s Board of Education spent part of its regular meeting discussing the language of a 10-year sponsorship agreement with Fortress Bank and voted on a series of routine items including payment of bills, summer projects and staffing requests.

Board members focused on section 4.3 of the Fortress Bank sponsorship contract, which addresses whether the bank may extend the agreement after the 10-year term. A board member read the clause aloud: “If Fortress is not in default of this agreement, the parties may extend the term of this agreement for an additional period and cost as agreed upon by the parties. Fortress will provide District 223 notice by 01/01/2036 of its interest to exercise its option to extend the agreement. If no notice is received by 01/01/2036, Fortress Bank will then be deemed to have conclusively declined its option to extend.”

Board discussion centered on whether the district would be free to negotiate with third parties immediately after the 10-year term or whether it must wait until Fortress “conclusively declines” its option. One board member said, “I would even be comfortable with the right of first refusal for Fortress,” describing a compromise that would allow Fortress priority while ensuring the district a clear path forward. No vote was taken on the contract language; board members directed staff and attorneys to draft alternative wording and said they would circulate revised language before the next meeting.

The board also moved a slate of action items. Highlights include:

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved (roll call). The consent agenda included routine minutes and reports.

- Payment of bills: Approved. A motion to approve payment of bills in the amount of $7,803,445.14 passed by roll call.

- 2025 summer projects: Approved. The board approved the listed summer projects; board discussion noted driveway/traffic improvements as a future agenda item for additional review.

- Student activity fees: Tabled. Trustees voted to table consideration of changes to student activity fees and asked staff to provide detailed expense and participation data before the June board meeting. The current activity fee referenced in discussion was $90; trustees noted the fee had been $100 about eight years earlier.

- Rental facility agreement: Approved (roll call).

- Staffing requests: Approved. The board separately approved a life-skills teacher position for the high school (noted as required for compliance) and then approved two additional staffing requests that included a psychologist and a social worker after further discussion of workloads and student needs.

- Peoria County School Resource Officer agreement: Approved (roll call). Trustees said the contract mirrored prior years’ agreements with updated dates and amounts.

- Dunlap paving project: Approved (roll call). The board approved paving work at the listed school.

- Banner Elementary piping project: Approved (roll call).

- Human resources consent agenda: Approved (roll call).

Discussion and context

Board members said the Fortress Bank clause needs clearer language to reflect the district’s intent at the end of the sponsorship term. One trustee described a staff suggestion that the district could allow Fortress a right of first refusal to recognize the bank’s prior financial contributions (a trustee referenced an estimated $300,000 contribution toward upkeep). The board instructed staff to draft and circulate proposed language, and indicated they could approve the contract at a future meeting after legal review.

On student activity fees, trustees heard that registration for next school year has already begun, and several speakers urged a deeper financial review before making any rate changes that would require refunds or retroactive invoices. Trustees agreed to obtain full expense detail and return to the issue in June so any change could be considered with a complete data set.

On staffing, the district presented caseload and workload data intended to justify additional positions. Trustees emphasized the positions are intended to support multi-tiered student interventions, special education compliance and broader student supports.

What’s next

Board members said they expect revised contract language from staff and counsel on the Fortress Bank sponsorship for review before the next regular meeting. Trustees also directed staff to gather and present detailed student-activity fee expense data for the June meeting. Several construction and operations items approved at the meeting will proceed to procurement and scheduling.