District certifies hazardous school bus routes, hires Evans, Marshall & Pease as auditors

The Prospect Heights School District 23 Board of Education voted to certify its annual report of hazardous transportation routes and to hire Evans, Marshall & Pease for financial audit services for fiscal years 2025–27.

Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Amy McPartlin presented the hazardous-routes report using Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) criteria and recommended annual certification under Section 29-3 of the Illinois School Code. “Motion to approve the annual reporting of hazardous routes,” moved Dr. Long and seconded by Mr. Nordmark; the motion passed on a 5–0 vote. The board record lists multiple IDOT-coded locations across the district to be certified, including intersections on Hintz, Elmhurst, Schoenbeck, Palatine Frontage and Wheeling Roads and sites associated with St. Alphonsus.

Separately, McPartlin summarized the district's RFP for financial audit services, noting the prior engagement with Baker Tilly ended in June 2023 after fee increases and concerns about timeliness and staffing. The administration recommended Evans, Marshall & Pease based on proposals, references and interviews. “Motion to approve Evans Marshall as the District Auditors,” was made and passed (recorded vote: unanimous). The board accepted a multi-year proposal totaling $73,500 for FY25–FY27 plus the costs of any required single audits.

The hazardous-route certification preserves the district's eligibility for State Board of Education transportation reimbursements tied to IDOT's hazard criteria. The auditor contract will cover audits under the district's modified accrual accounting, with costs budgeted in the Board's Auditor Contracted Services Account.