Dunlap CUSD 323 board adopts 2025 tax levy, approves $5.69M in bills and finalizes 2026–27 student fees

Dunlap Community Unit School District #323 Board of Education members on Wednesday approved the district's 2025 tax levy, authorized payment of $5,687,950.19 in bills and finalized the 2026'027 student fees after a split vote on an earlier amendment.

The board adopted the 2025 tax levy as presented on a motion by board member Hall, seconded by Nicolas Yemm; the roll call vote was unanimous. Immediately afterward the board approved a resolution to abate taxes on the General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2018 on a motion by Theresa Holshouser, seconded by Tom Feldman; that motion also passed unanimously.

In finance business, the board approved payment of bills totaling $5,687,950.19 on a motion by Hall, seconded by Tim Wagenbach. The roll call vote recorded Holshouser, Feldman, Wagenbach, Hall, Boudjarane and Yemm voting aye.

Student fees for 2026'027 generated more debate. Board member Tim Wagenbach moved to approve the fees with increases (raising the activity fee to $100 for a first activity, $150 for a second and $200 for a third, and increasing the graduation fee to $40); Wagenbach's motion, seconded by Theresa Holshouser, failed on a 2'for/4'against split (Wagenbach and Holshouser aye; Hall, Boudjarane, Yemm and Feldman no). On a subsequent motion by Youssef Boudjarane, seconded by Nicolas Yemm, the board approved the student fees as originally presented. The second motion passed 4'to'2 (Hall, Boudjarane, Yemm and Feldman aye; Wagenbach and Holshouser no).

The board also approved several routine and administrative items: the 2026'027 Course Selection Guide (motion by Boudjarane, seconded by Hall), revisions to Board Policy 4:10 (motion by Boudjarane, seconded by Hall), the IASB Professional Services contract to support a superintendent search (motion by Holshouser, seconded by Boudjarane), and the Human Resources consent agenda covering new hires and separations (motion by Holshouser, seconded by Hall). All of those motions passed on recorded roll calls.

Board members approved an out-of-state trip for the Dunlap High School varsity baseball team after discussion about transportation costs. Tim Wagenbach noted that a district bus and driver would be required and that this expense was not listed in the information item; on the approval vote Wagenbach cast the lone no while Holshouser, Feldman, Hall, Boudjarane and Yemm voted yes.

Superintendent Dr. Dearman's report noted two FOIA requests completed by Mr. McKenzie since the November meeting, thanked the board for a holiday luncheon for district office staff, provided a construction update on the Dunlap Training Center and reminded the public that winter break begins Dec. 22 with students returning Jan. 5.

Personnel items included a list of new hires and assignments (including substitute and aide positions, coaching staff and a bus monitor) with effective dates in late 2025 and early 2026, and multiple retirements and transfers with separation dates in May 2026 and September 2025. These were approved as part of the HR consent agenda.

The board opened and closed a public hearing on the 2025 tax levy; there were no public comments. The meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.