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Board approves personnel actions, software and facilities contracts; authorizes solar negotiations
Summary
Decatur SD 61’s board approved several personnel, software and facilities items Tuesday, including hiring Dr. Danielle Lusby as director of student services and authorizing negotiations on an on-site solar power purchase agreement.
Decatur SD 61’s Board of Education approved several personnel, contracting and facilities measures Tuesday evening, including a three-day unpaid suspension for a custodial employee, the employment of a new director of student services, a three-year Skyward software agreement, and authorization to enter negotiations with Straight Up Solar for an on-site solar power purchase agreement. The board also approved replacement of rooftop HVAC units at the Kyle Administration Building and renewed a summer-program scholarship agreement for FY25.
The board approved the consent calendar (which included minutes, FOIA report, bills and a resolution authorizing release of school property) by roll call. The motion carried 6–0 with one member absent.
Formal actions and notable votes
- Suspension without pay: The board approved a three-day unpaid suspension for custodial employee Amanda Francis, effective Feb. 12–14, 2025. The motion passed with a final tally the board clerk recorded as 4 ayes, 1 nay, 1 abstention and 1 absent. During roll call and discussion a board member (Mister Scheider) said he would abstain and another board member (Mister Dionne) was recorded as voting no; President Clevenger and Mister Reynolds were recorded as voting aye in the transcript.
- Employment: The board approved the employment of Dr. Danielle Lusby as director of student services. Dr. Lusby was introduced to the board; administration summarized her 16 years of teaching and administrative experience, including recent roles in Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and prior work as dean of students. The employment motion carried (roll call recorded in the meeting as 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent and 1 present).
- Skyward software: The board approved a three-year Skyward Software agreement as presented. The roll call vote was 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
- Rooftop HVAC units (Kyle Administration Building): The board approved replacing two rooftop HVAC units after administrators described a failed heat exchanger that created a hazardous condition and said the existing units were about 20 years old. Administration said repair would cost roughly half of replacement and replacement is the prudent course. The motion passed by roll call (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent).
- Solar PPA negotiations: The board authorized administration to enter contract negotiations with Straight Up Solar for an on-site solar photovoltaic power purchase agreement (PPA). Board members said legal counsel and staff would scrutinize contract terms and return for approval; administration noted a projected PPA rate of about 2 cents per kilowatt-hour under the preliminary proposal and described the need for diligence because the agreement is long term. The motion passed by roll call (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent).
- Summer program scholarships (FY25): The board approved a summer-program scholarship agreement for FY25. Administration said organizations administering scholarships must report the number of participating DPS students and associated costs to central office so the district can validate eligibility; the vote carried 6–0 with one absent.
Other personnel and calendar items on the agenda passed as presented (amended ancillary wages for FY25; personnel action items), each on unanimous recorded votes with one absence.
Why it matters: The personnel actions and contracts affect district operations (new director of student services, software that supports student information, and critical building HVAC), ongoing expenses (possible long-term PPA obligations) and program support (summer scholarships). The solar authorization moves the district toward a possible long-term energy contract intended to reduce electricity costs but will require careful contract review before final approval.
Next steps: Administration will return with negotiated contract terms for the solar PPA and any recommended final contracts for board approval. The personnel hires and contract approvals are effective per the motions and will be processed by central office.
