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Valley View board approves dismissal of certified staff after public outcry over cuts
Summary
After extensive public comment and a required public hearing, the Valley View CUSD 365U board voted to authorize the honorable dismissal of certified personnel for economic necessity, citing declining enrollment and funding shortfalls; the motion passed with one board member voting no.
President Pro Tem Campbell presided over the March 9, 2026, meeting of the Valley View CUSD 365U Board of Education where the board voted to authorize the honorable dismissal of certified personnel under resolution 2617, citing economic necessity.
Superintendent Dr. Wood told the board the district faces falling enrollment, the loss of pandemic-era ESSER funds and a drop in the corporate personal property replacement tax, contributing to a projected operating deficit. "We are enacting an economically necessary reduction in force ... to address declining student enrollment and rising salary and benefit costs which has outpaced revenues," Dr. Wood said, explaining the district also plans a 7% reduction in administrative staffing and a 2% reduction in certified staffing.
Parents, students and community members made repeated appeals during the public comment period and at the required public hearing. Ruth Michaelson urged the board to "vote no on resolution number 2617," saying the list includes "valuable teachers" and would harm students. Parent Elizabeth Blake, whose son participates in MCJROTC, presented data she said shows JROTC participation correlates with higher attendance and graduation rates and asked the board to collaborate with families to seek alternatives to program cuts.
Students described tangible consequences. Seventh grader Addie Lowry said removing teachers on the list could remove "safe people" for students; Romeoville High students and parents described the impact of coach layoffs on athletic programs and student leadership opportunities.
Board members asked administrators for legal and procedural clarifications. One member said they had read the governing statute (cited in the hearing) and noted the district's hands are constrained by the required sequence for dismissals. Administration representatives confirmed the union was consulted on the sequence of dismissal lists and that staffing decisions were based on credentialing/evaluation and course needs rather than extracurricular stipends.
After discussion, the motion to authorize the honorable dismissal of certified personnel (resolution 2617) was called and carried on roll call; one board member announced a "no" vote while the remaining voting members voted "yes." The board then approved additional related personnel items, including honorable dismissals of educational support personnel and nonreemployment of part-time and temporary staff.
The superintendent said the district is pursuing grants and state funds to offset reductions but warned such funding is widely sought by other districts. The board concluded the meeting by returning to other agenda items and approving a learning partner for Oakview Elementary.
The board's immediate action is to implement the personnel resolutions approved at the meeting. Administrators and union representatives said they will continue communication with impacted staff and the community about next steps.
