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Board receives update: regional superintendent won’t remove member; district responds to multiple FOIA requests
Summary
Central CUSD 301’s referral to the regional superintendent seeking removal of board member Jeff Gorman did not proceed; district staff also reported responses to several Freedom of Information Act requests and a denied property tax relief grant application.
The Central Community Unit School District 301 board was briefed on several governance and administrative items at its Feb. 26 meeting: the regional superintendent of schools declined to remove board member Jeff Gorman, the district reported responses to multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and the Illinois State Board of Education property tax relief grant application was not funded.
Board members reported that on Jan. 22 the board’s memorandum seeking removal of board member Jeff Gorman for alleged willful failure to perform duties was sent to the regional superintendent of schools. The regional superintendent reviewed the memorandum and concluded that the allegations did not fall within the statutory scope of official duties for removal under school code; consequently, no removal action will be taken by her office. The board update noted Gorman remains on the board unless he resigns or is not re‑elected when his term expires.
The district’s FOIA officer summarized several requests the district had processed recently, including requests for communications related to the former superintendent’s separation agreement, project exhibit addendums for past construction, and wireless leases on district property. The district said it complied with many of the requests in part and redacted portions of records where permitted under law; in one case the district denied a request for student enrollment counts by county because the district does not track county of residence in that format.
The board packet also included a finance update: the district applied for a property tax relief grant administered by the Illinois State Board of Education but did not qualify; the district was ranked 76th and only the top 36 applicants received awards. The packet and presenter noted revenues and expenditures through January and that the district received $35,632 tied to five new home starts during the month.
Ending: The regional superintendent declined to pursue removal, FOIA requests were mostly fulfilled with redactions where applicable, and the district did not receive an ISBE property tax relief grant. Board members asked staff to continue transparency in records and follow reporting obligations.
