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Board approves consent agenda, substitute pay increases and tentative tax levy; adopts several policy updates
Summary
At its Oct. 15 meeting, the Evergreen Park ESD 124 Board of Education approved an omnibus consent agenda, increased substitute pay rates, set the tax-levy hearing for Nov. 18 and adopted multiple policy updates and a resolution defining board-related committees. All motions passed by roll call vote.
The Evergreen Park ESD 124 Board of Education approved a slate of administrative and policy items during its Oct. 15 meeting, adopting the consent agenda, two substitute pay increases, a tentative tax levy and several revised or new board policies.
The consent agenda (items a1–a7) passed by roll call and included approval of monthly transaction reports for September 2025, the district fund balance report for September 2025, the October expenditure and projected payroll report, regular- and closed-session meeting minutes for Sept. 17, 2025, authorization to destroy closed-session tapes from June 2021, and personnel recommendations (five additions and two resignations). The board approved the omnibus consent agenda unanimously.
Separately the board approved a long-term substitute pay increase (item b) from $212 to $225 per day and a permanent substitute pay increase (item c) from $225 to $250 per day. The board also set the public hearing on the 2025 tax levy for Nov. 18, 2025 (item d) and voted to adopt a tentative tax levy of $26,715,000 (item e), presented by district finance staff.
The board moved on policy items: it approved first and second readings and adopted a revised board policy 8:110 (Public Suggestions and Concerns); it approved the first and second readings and adoption of new board policies 7:254 (Students Who Are Parents or Expectant Parents) and 7:256 (Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence). The board also approved a resolution designating which committees are board related versus superintendent related and will be posted accordingly.
A motion to enter closed session citing 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) (review of closed-session complaint testimony) and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) (collective bargaining/deliberations concerning salary schedules) closed the public portion of the meeting.
Votes at a glance (selected items) - Consent agenda (items a1–a7): approved; roll-call: Dr. Michael Thomas — Yes; Denise Jones — Yes; Rachel Merriquin — Yes; O'Neil Gray — Yes; David Shepherd — Yes; Lauren Dowden — Yes; Michael Allmiller — Yes. Outcome: approved. - Long-term substitute pay increase (item b): approved; roll-call unanimous. Outcome: approved. - Permanent substitute pay increase (item c): approved; roll-call unanimous. Outcome: approved. - Tax-levy hearing date (item d): set for Nov. 18, 2025; roll-call unanimous. Outcome: approved. - Tentative tax levy (item e): $26,715,000; roll-call unanimous. Outcome: approved. - Policy 8:110 (first reading item f; second/adoption item g): adopted. Outcome: adopted. - Policy 7:254 (first reading item h; second/adoption item i): adopted. Outcome: adopted. - Policy 7:256 (first reading item j; second/adoption item k): adopted. Outcome: adopted. - Resolution on board committees (item l): adopted. Outcome: adopted.
Board members voting were: Dr. Michael Thomas, Denise Jones, Rachel Merriquin, O'Neil Gray, David Shepherd, Lauren Dowden and Michael Allmiller. All formal roll-call votes recorded during the action items listed above were unanimous "Yes."
