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Board reviews FOIA fee schedule proposal and approves 3% raise for substitute staff in consent agenda
Summary
The board discussed a proposed public‑records fee schedule (presented as compliance with board policy 2.250 and Illinois statute provisions for voluminous requests) and debated megabyte‑based charges and reporting of staff time. The board also approved a 3% substitute pay increase and the full consent agenda, including the public‑health MOA and personnel items, by roll call.
John presented a proposed fee schedule for responses to public‑records/FOIA (FOYA) requests that the FOIA officer is required to provide to the board under board policy 2.250. He said the schedule aligns with Illinois statute language for commercial and voluminous requests, including the statutory threshold that characterizes a request as 'voluminous' (more than five categories within 20 days or more than 500 legal‑size pages). "This fee schedule submitted in compliance with that board policy," John said, noting the district had not previously posted an official fee schedule.
Board members asked technical questions about charging by megabytes (concern that resolution could change megabyte totals), whether the district alters files (staff said records are provided as kept and are not manipulated to change size), and whether internal and legal staff time could be tracked and reported in follow‑up. John and staff said internal staff hours could be tracked with extra work and legal costs could be reported after invoices were received, usually one or two meetings after a FOYA closes.
Separately, Angie presented a proposal to raise substitute teacher and teaching‑assistant pay by 3% (daily sub from $160 to $164.80; long‑term subs from $240 to $247.20 under the proposed increase). Members discussed competitiveness with neighboring districts and budget tradeoffs.
Both items were placed on the consent agenda. The board moved to approve the entire consent agenda, which included personnel actions, the Champaign‑Urbana Public Health District MOA for dental clinics, the FOIA fee schedule, substitute salary allocations, and approval of 2025 UHS graduates. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all members recorded as 'yes.'
Why it matters: A formal fee schedule clarifies the district’s approach to public‑records costs and helps set expectations for commercial or voluminous requests. The substitute pay action addresses recruitment and retention pressures ahead of the school year.
What happens next: The FOIA/FOYA fee schedule becomes part of policy implementation and will be available to the public; staff will follow up on operational questions about tracking staff time and legal costs if the board requests.
