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Harlem Consolidated School District #122 board adopts FY26 tentative budget, approves $920,751.57 in payables
Summary
The Harlem Consolidated School District #122 board on Sept. 22 adopted the FY26 tentative budget with recommended changes to the final budget, approved $920,751.57 in payables, and cleared personnel and policy items in unanimous votes. The board also recorded several FOIA requests and scheduled an executive session to address personnel, negotiations and litigation.
The Harlem Consolidated School District #122 Board of Education on Sept. 22, 2025, unanimously adopted the district's FY26 tentative budget and approved $920,751.57 in accounts payable during a regular meeting at the Harlem Administration Center in Machesney Park.
Josh Aurand, assistant superintendent for business & operations, presented the FY26 budget public hearing report and recommended the board adopt the FY26 tentative budget "with changes recommended to the FY26 final budget." The board approved the recommendation on a 7-0 vote after a motion by Diana Johnson and a second from President Michael Sterling.
The board also approved the accounts payable warrants, recorded as a payables summary of $920,751.57; that motion was moved by Kurt Thompson and seconded by Aaron McKnight and carried 7-0. The meeting record shows the consent agenda passed unanimously and included the personnel agenda and a student travel request.
Dr. Shelley Wagner, assistant superintendent for human resources, presented the personnel agenda and addendum included on the consent agenda: the packet listed 2 transfers, 13 employments, 2 open paraprofessional positions at WN, and 7 resignations. The personnel items were approved as part of the consent agenda by a unanimous vote.
Other formal actions taken by the board included approval of a resolution declaring surplus property (motion by Diana Johnson, seconded by Evelyn Meeks) and the second reading of policy updates originally presented Aug. 18, 2025 (motion by Rebecca Carlson, seconded by Aaron McKnight); both motions carried 7-0.
Superintendent Dr. Terrell Yarbrough reported several Freedom of Information Act requests the district received in September 2025 seeking records such as vendor contracts for alternative transportation, contracts for principals and teacher collective bargaining agreements, vendor rates for related student services, and an employee directory. The record notes the district responded to at least two of those requests on Sept. 16 and Sept. 17 with inclusive documents.
The board announced it would move into an executive session to discuss a range of matters, citing the Illinois Open Meetings Act sections listed on the agenda, including employment of personnel, negotiations, pending litigation, student discipline and other lawfully closed matters. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Approve agenda: motion carried (mover: Aaron McKnight; seconder: Kurt Thompson) — 7 ayes. - Approve minutes (Sept. 8, 2025): motion carried (mover: Rebecca Carlson; seconder: Michael Sterling) — 7 ayes. - Approve payables and accounts payable warrants ($920,751.57): motion carried (mover: Kurt Thompson; seconder: Aaron McKnight) — 7 ayes. - Approve personnel agenda & addendum (consent): motion carried (mover: Diane McKinney; seconder: Diana Johnson) — 7 ayes. - Approve student travel request (consent): motion carried (mover: Rebecca Carlson; seconder: Diane McKinney) — 7 ayes. - Approve resolution declaring surplus property: motion carried (mover: Diana Johnson; seconder: Evelyn Meeks) — 7 ayes. - Adopt FY26 tentative budget with recommended changes to FY26 final budget: motion carried (mover: Diana Johnson; seconder: Michael Sterling) — 7 ayes. - Approve second reading of policy updates: motion carried (mover: Rebecca Carlson; seconder: Aaron McKnight) — 7 ayes.
What this means - The adoption of the FY26 tentative budget allows district staff to proceed with planning and positions the budget for final adjustments before final adoption; the FY26 final budget will reflect the changes recommended at the public hearing. Specific dollar totals for the FY26 budget were not specified in the meeting text provided.
Next steps and context - The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Oct. 14, 2025. An executive session was announced for the items listed on the agenda; no action items after the closed session were recorded in the transcript provided.
Attributions - First references: Michael Sterling, president; Kurt Thompson, vice president; Evelyn Meeks, secretary; Jason Blume, assistant superintendent for communications & community relations; Josh Aurand, assistant superintendent for business & operations; Dr. Shelley Wagner, assistant superintendent for human resources; Dr. Michelle Erb, assistant superintendent for curriculum & instruction; Dr. Terrell Yarbrough, superintendent.
