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Zion ESD 6 board adopts 2025 tax levy, accepts audit and other measures; parent urges more youth sports support
Summary
At its Dec. 15 meeting the Zion Elementary School District 6 Board approved the 2025 tax levy resolution, accepted the annual audit and financial report, approved an easement agreement and accepted a first reading of PRESS policy updates. A parent urged greater community support for youth sports.
The Zion Elementary School District 6 Board of Education on Dec. 15 approved the 2025 tax levy resolution and a series of financial and policy items, and heard a parent urge the community to increase support for youth sports.
The meeting, called to order by President Margie Taylor at 6:02 p.m. at 2800 29th Street in Zion, included board members Ken Fielding, Denise Lear, Jacqueline San Diego and Robert Surano; Superintendent Julious Lawson and Chief School Business Official Samantha Synder were among district staff in attendance.
Why it matters: The tax levy and the board’s acceptance of the annual audit and financial report set local property-tax requirements and finalize fiscal-year accounting that underpin next year’s district budget and programs. The board also approved an easement affecting district property and advanced a slate of PRESS policy updates for formal consideration.
Public comment: Davion Armstrong, a parent, asked the board and community to increase involvement in youth athletics, saying younger children “need equipment and use of a field for sports such as football.” The board did not take formal action on the comment; it was recorded during the public participation period.
Key votes at a glance - Approval of agenda: Motion by Ken Fielding, seconded by Denise Lear; roll call: Fielding, Lear, San Diego, Surano and Taylor — all voted yes; motion carried. - Consent agenda (including employment recommendations: Martel Adams, paraprofessional, Lakeview Elementary; Brenda Beasley, Parent Liaison, Elmwood Elementary, stipend $10,000 for 2025–26): Motion by Robert Surano, seconded by Denise Lear; roll call: five ayes; motion carried. - 2025 Tax Levy Resolution: Motion by Robert Surano, seconded by Denise Lear; roll call: five ayes; resolution adopted. - Annual Audit Report (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025): Motion by Denise Lear, seconded by Ken Fielding; roll call: five ayes; motion carried. - Annual Financial Report (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025): Motion by Ken Fielding, seconded by Denise Lear; roll call: five ayes; motion carried. - Access and Utility, Detention Facility and Stormwater Drainage Easement Agreement: Motion by Robert Surano, seconded by Jacqueline San Diego; roll call: five ayes; motion carried. - First reading — PRESS policy updates (policies 2:120; 2:150; 2:270; 4:10; 4:30; 4:80; 4:140; 4:190; 5:10; 5:90; 5:100; 5:190; 5:200; 5:220; 5:280; 5:300; 6:20; 6:40; 6:60; 6:130; 6:160; 6:220; 6:260; 6:280; 7:10; 7:150; 7:70; 7:180; 7:190; 7:290; 7:310; 7:340; 8:30): Motion by Denise Lear, seconded by Jacqueline San Diego; roll call: five ayes; motion carried.
Board discussion and context: During the President’s Report, Taylor reviewed the January 2026 calendar and reminded the board of an interdistrict meeting scheduled for Jan. 22 at Beach Park District 3. Board members Denise Lear and Jacqueline San Diego reported on a SEDOL meeting and said Dr. Jennifer Thomas will become SEDOL superintendent July 1; they reported the SEDOL strategic-plan model could increase district costs by about 25% for students attending SEDOL programs. Finance-related items discussed earlier by staff included classroom-temperature monitoring and bids for summer 2026 fire-alarm work, which CSBO Samantha Synder had summarized for the finance committee.
Superintendent Julious Lawson presented the district reports for the month; Synder presented information on the 2025 tax-levy abatement before the board approved the levy resolution.
What the board did not decide: The meeting recorded public comment but did not take formal action on the request to expand community support for youth sports or on any program changes tied to that request.
Next steps: The board adjourned at 6:32 p.m. President Taylor noted the January calendar and the Jan. 22 meeting with surrounding districts; the board will follow standard procedures on the PRESS policy revisions and any required public-notice steps for the tax levy and easement as they move forward.
