Steger SD 194 board approves discipline recommendations in two student cases

Member Michele Helsel called the Steger School District 194 Board of Education meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on March 13, 2025, at Columbia Central Middle School. After moving into and then back out of a closed session held under the statutory exception for student disciplinary matters (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9)), the board considered two separate disciplinary recommendations under agenda items 5.1 and 5.2 and approved both motions by 4-0 votes.

Under agenda item 5.1, "Student Discipline Case #24-25-01," Karen Turner moved to consider the recommendation; Jill Raymond seconded. The board recorded the vote as yes from Michele Helsel, Jill Raymond, Karen Turner and Buffy Garcia and the motion carried 4-0. The board then took up agenda item 5.2, "Student Discipline Case #24-25-02," with Turner again moving and Raymond seconding; that motion also carried 4-0. The meeting minutes list the actions in sequence and indicate the board adjourned at 7:37 p.m.

The transcript identifies the legal basis for the closed session as 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9), the Illinois statutory citation referenced in the record for exempt discussions of student disciplinary cases. The motions on both cases were moved by Member Karen Turner and seconded by Member Jill Raymond; the roll-call "Yes" votes were recorded as Michele Helsel, Jill Raymond, Karen Turner and Buffy Garcia. The minutes do not specify the disciplinary measures or further procedural steps for appeal in the public record; those details are not specified in the transcript.