Facilities committee considers district security audit, maintenance grant and 3.9% levy recommendation
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Summary
District administrators proposed a district‑wide security audit, said they will apply for a $50,000 FY26 maintenance grant for a Vernon Hills pool air‑handler project, and recommended a 3.9% 2025 tax levy to provide an estimated $300,000 cushion.
District administrators presented several facilities and finance items at the Nov. 3 committee meeting, including a proposed district‑wide security and emergency‑planning audit, a state matching maintenance grant application, surplus‑property disposals and a recommended 2025 tax levy.
Security audit: Staff recommended a comprehensive audit of safety and emergency practices — the district’s last full review was in 2018 — covering five areas such as policies and practices, video surveillance, perimeter and site elements, main‑entry access controls and classroom locking/capabilities. Staff said the audit would compile separate campus emergency response manuals into a single district manual. Administrators named Allegion as the proposed vendor because security expert Paul Timm, who performed previous audits while with another firm, now works for Allegion. The board was advised that any recommendations related to vulnerabilities would be reviewed in closed (executive) session under the Open Meetings Act exemption for security.
Maintenance grant: Staff described a recurring FY26 school maintenance portal that offers a $50,000 matching grant for projects with a minimum of $100,000 in eligible work. The district intends to tag the Vernon Hills pool air‑handler replacement on its summer 2026 project list and will seek board approval to apply and accept the grant at the November full board meeting if directed.
Surplus property and levy: The administration listed a refrigerator and a mower for disposal on the November consent agenda under the district’s disposal policy. On taxes, staff recommended a 3.9% levy for 2025 — based on a 2.9% CPI baseline and new construction estimates — to create an approximate $300,000 cushion because two formula variables will not be known until spring.
Next steps: Audit recommendations will be handled in executive session; the maintenance‑grant application, levy resolution and surplus‑property disposal items will be placed on the November full board agenda for formal action.
