Urbana SD 116 board approves consent agenda and FY24 budgets; new CFO announced

Urbana School District 116's Board of Education approved its consent agenda and fiscal-year 2024 budgets at the Sept. 17 business meeting, and the administration introduced the recommended candidate for chief financial officer.

The consent agenda included minutes, fund bills and checks across education, transportation and other funds, personnel items, and several gifts and donations. The board voted by roll call to approve the consent agenda and the FY24 budget resolution. Roll-call votes were recorded affirmatively by Member Jones, Member Hixon, Member Baxley, Member Langendorf, Vice President Exom, President Palowski and Member Stanton.

Administration reported that a search for the district's next Chief Financial Officer recommended Dr. Maryanne Scholes, who was selected following level-one and level-two interviews. The administration recommended Scholes's appointment effective Oct. 1 pending board approval; Scholes spoke briefly and said she was excited to join the district.

Other consent items approved included: authorization for disposal or sale of library property, creation of two new student activity accounts (Urbana High School junior manners and Urbana Middle School Yonder student account), a list of fund bills (education fund ~$474,000; operations/more items listed in packet), and several gifts ranging from $100 to $4,000 from community donors for programs and athletics.

The meeting also included a facilities update and a listing of completed FOIA requests; no special or executive meetings were scheduled. The board adjourned and will reconvene Oct. 1 for a public hearing on the elementary PE waiver.

Votes at a glance: the roll-call votes on the consent agenda and budget resolution were unanimous in favor from the seven board members present.