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Berkeley SD 87 board dismisses probationary teacher, approves calendar, contracts and multiple hires
Summary
The board adopted a resolution to dismiss and nonrenew probationary teacher Camilla Isoko Novi effective immediately, and separately approved the 2026–27 school calendar, student fees, E‑Rate vendor contracts, a three‑year landscaping contract and multiple personnel hirings and rehires.
The Berkeley School District 87 Board of Education voted on March 23 to adopt a resolution to dismiss and nonrenew the employment of first‑year probationary teacher Camilla Isoko Novi effective immediately; the resolution also directed that the district provide written notice of dismissal and nonrenewal by April 15, 2026.
During the meeting the presenter read the dismissal resolution into the record, citing the administration's report and the board's determination that the teacher shall be dismissed and not reemployed for the 2026—27 school term. "Camilla Isoko Novi is hereby dismissed effectively immediately, and shall not be reemployed as a teacher in the school district for the 26, 27 school term," the presenter read. The motion to adopt the resolution carried on a roll-call vote.
In the same meeting the board approved a slate of routine and business items: rehires for administrators, principals and assistant principals for 2026—27; appointments of directors and district staff including school nurses; hiring of technology staff; and acceptance of resignations and leaves as listed in the meeting packet. The board also approved student fees for 2026—27 as presented.
The board adopted the 2026—27 school calendar (draft #3) showing a start in August and an end of May 28, 2027, with 175 instructional days, three institute days, two all‑day parent‑teacher conference days and five emergency days for a total of 185 days. The presenter said the calendar includes an early dismissal on the first full day to allow staff to hold meetings on school safety and IEPs.
On finance and operations, the board approved E‑Rate vendor contracts with AT&T and Comcast for the 2026—27 school year as recommended by the district's E‑Rate consultant and legal counsel. The board also approved a three‑year landscape maintenance contract with Romano Landscaping covering the remainder of FY 2026 through FY 2028 at amounts of $20,000, $20,800 and $21,600 respectively.
The business office reported that the district was about 95 percent complete on certain 2024 cash collections, that Cook County would distribute the first installment of the 2025 levy next week as scheduled, and that FY27 insurance renewal rates will increase (presented figures: 18.4% for HMO, 19.2% for PPO, and 3.9% for dental). The business office also said an audio‑visual project will be rebid on April 16 after receiving no bids during the prior solicitation.
All of the above motions were presented by district staff and approved by roll-call votes recorded in the meeting; the presiding officer announced motions "carried." The meeting packet lists specific names, positions and effective dates for each personnel item; the board did not debate most routine hires and rehires at length during the public session.
Next procedural steps include sending required written notices for the dismissal and nonrenewal by April 15, 2026, and rebidding the AV project with information to be presented at the next board meeting.
