DeKalb board approves routine consent items, conference travel and field trips; facilities bid results reported under budget

The DeKalb CUSD 428 Board of Education on Monday approved routine consent items and a series of informational/action items including summer programming, contract salary schedules and multiple travel requests, while facilities staff reported that 2026 summer project bids came in below budget.

What the board approved: The board approved the consent agenda (items 5b–5e) that included board events, purchase orders, personnel actions and a staffing services agreement for a registered nurse. The board also approved the 2026 summer programming and the DCTA program course salary schedule by roll call.

Conferences and field trips: Several out‑of‑state professional development requests were introduced and carried forward with board consensus to return for action. Shannon Armstrong, principal of the ELDC, described a Pyramid Model conference (Tampa, April 7–10) the ELDC team wants to attend; she said registration and travel costs are covered by grants and asked only for permission to travel. The board also approved Reading & Rigor conference travel (San Diego) and the Black Literacy Matters conference (Norfolk) attendance for educators presenting or receiving training, with grants covering most costs.

Student trips and activities: Dr. Donna Larson presented an informational request about an overnight DHS a cappella trip (Milwaukee) tied to semifinals competition. The board approved an overnight trip request for DHS BarbCast students to attend a video opportunity and approved IHSA wrestling‑related travel; the motion to approve the BarbCast trip passed by roll call.

Facilities bids and budgets: Tammy Carson, director of facilities and safety operations, reviewed multiple 2026 summer bid results including seal coating/striping, site improvements (largest: Tyler parking lot), floor replacement at Huntley, asbestos abatement, HVAC/boiler work and several renovation alternates. Carson told the board the combined projects remain under the district’s budgeted operations and maintenance amounts, estimating the recommended package would bring the summer O&M spend closer to $2.1 million rather than the historical $3 million average. She said some alternates (band room and certain smaller Founders bathroom work) are being held pending decisions tied to Vision 4‑28; she reported several bid packages came in substantially under budget.

Quotes and fiscal detail: On bid results, Carson said the site improvements and seal‑coating package was “still under our budgeted amount by a $135,000.” On flooring bids and asbestos abatements she reported additional savings and that the Huntley boiler replacement would still come in under budget when including abatement costs.

Next steps: Most items that required action were approved; several informational items will return to the board with final staffing and cost numbers. Facilities staff will bring bid approvals and contract recommendations to a future meeting for final action.