Board approves consent items, buys five minivans and OKs levy estimate; discipline plan adopted

At its regular Nov. 19 meeting, the Warren Township High School District 121 Board of Education approved multiple action items on a consent and action agenda, including a vehicle purchase, a grant application, a levy resolution and the annual discipline improvement plan required by the state.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included personnel recommendations, athletics and volunteer personnel items, minutes of Oct. 15, 2024, and payment of bills as read into the record. The motion to adopt the consent agenda passed on roll call.

District staff recommended awarding the bid for five Toyota Sienna minivans to Ziegler Toyota of Racine as the apparent low bidder at $40,445 per vehicle, for a total base bid of $202,225. The board moved to approve the bid award and carried the motion after roll call.

Administrators also asked the board to approve submission of a FY25 state school maintenance grant for O'Plaine roof work (phase 3), with an estimated project cost of $3,277,800 and a requested $55,000 in matching funds. The board approved pursuing the grant application.

The board voted to approve a resolution estimating the 2024 aggregate tax levy; staff explained the timeline for final adoption (Dec. 17) and said that, if adopted at the full requested level, the estimated annual tax increase to the owner of a $400,000 home would be approximately $128. Staff also disclosed a fund balance‑to‑expense ratio of 57.5 percent and reminded members the levy filing deadline is before Dec. 31.

Finally, the board approved the Illinois State Board of Education discipline improvement plan — a required annual submission because the district ranks among the highest 20 percent statewide for disproportionality in exclusionary discipline. The roll call on that motion recorded seven yes votes and the motion carried.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, taken and approved by roll call.