Board approves districtwide photography contract, adopts policies and backs Illinois Vision 2030

The Arlington Heights School District 25 Board of Education on Feb. 11 approved a three-year contract for student photography services, adopted a set of board policies and formally approved a resolution endorsing Illinois Vision 2030. Each measure passed on a recorded 7-0 vote.

The board voted to award the districtwide student photography contract to Stewart Rogers for the 2025-26 through 2027-28 school years. Board member Kevin Nearman moved the contract award; board member Anisha Jogi seconded the motion. The board recorded the vote as Yes — Nearman; Yes — Jogi; Yes — Scapolato; Yes — Michael; Yes — Sir Niglia; Yes — Faso; Yes — Olonichuk. The district staff said Stewart Rogers offered a sign-on bonus that will be split among the district’s nine PTAs and that the vendor already works with three district schools. District staff also said the contract requires all school photographs be taken within about 30 days of the start of school to ensure timely access to photos for bus passes and other operational uses.

In related discussion staff emphasized that PTAs will continue to receive commissions and that schools may keep existing yearbook vendors if they prefer; district staff said the photography vendor will provide a yearbook export if a PTA wants to use the photos for a yearbook. That clarification was made during questions from board members and by district staff in the meeting.

The board also approved the consent agenda (personnel reports, invoices, meeting minutes and audio-tape destruction items) by a 7-0 vote. Kevin Nearman moved the consent agenda; Anisha Jogi seconded. Lana O’Brien called the roll.

Later in the meeting the board adopted a package of policies (presented at first reading previously) and then approved a board resolution supporting Illinois Vision 2030, both by 7-0 votes. Kevin Nearman moved both measures; Anisha Jogi seconded the motions. The Illinois Vision 2030 resolution, discussed at the board’s prior meeting, was described as a nonbinding district endorsement of the vision’s priorities (future-focused learning, shared accountability and reliable funding); board members said they expect it to guide advocacy with state legislators.

Other procedural business included a roll call vote to adjourn the open meeting and return to closed session; that motion passed 7-0. No formal board action beyond the recorded votes occurred in closed session.

Why it matters: The districtwide photography contract affects operational timelines (photo IDs/bus passes) and PTA revenue; the policy adoptions set local governance standards; and the Illinois Vision 2030 endorsement signals the board’s priorities to state policymakers. The unanimous votes indicate the board’s consensus on those administrative and policy items at this meeting.

What the board decided (at a glance): - Award student photography contract to Stewart Rogers (three years, 2025-26 through 2027-28) — approved, 7-0 (mover: Kevin Nearman; second: Anisha Jogi). The district noted a sign-on bonus split among nine PTAs and required photo-days early in the school year. - Approve consent agenda (personnel, invoices, minutes, tape destruction) — approved, 7-0 (mover: Kevin Nearman; second: Anisha Jogi). - Adopt board policies as presented (no changes from first reading) — approved, 7-0 (mover: Kevin Nearman; second: Anisha Jogi). - Approve resolution endorsing Illinois Vision 2030 — approved, 7-0 (mover: Kevin Nearman; second: Anisha Jogi). - Adjourn open session and return to closed session — approved, 7-0 (mover: Kevin Nearman; second: Anisha Jogi).

The board did not take additional formal action on other informational items at this meeting. District staff said they will follow up with PTAs and building contacts about photography schedules and clarify yearbook/export options.