River Forest SD 90 board moves into closed session to discuss personnel; meeting recessed nearly five hours

The River Forest SD 90 Board of Education met in a special Committee of the Whole session on Dec. 10, 2025, at the Roosevelt Library Learning Center. Mrs. Kathleen Avalos called the meeting to order at approximately 4:58 p.m., and the board approved the meeting agenda on a roll-call vote before taking up a motion to move into closed session.

"It was moved by Mr. Ehart and seconded by Mr. Cortese that the Board of Education move into closed session in order to discuss 1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees," the minutes record. The motion, which cited statutory language and noted the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act exception for certain compensation discussions, passed on roll call with all seven members voting aye. The board moved into closed session at approximately 4:59 p.m. and returned to open session at approximately 9:51 p.m., after which the Committee of the Whole adjourned.

The minutes do not specify personnel names, details of the matters discussed in closed session, or any formal votes taken during the closed session. The board's action to enter closed session followed the statutory grounds listed in the motion text; the minutes also note that meetings to consider increases in compensation that fall under the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act must be open to the public. The meeting record shows the same seven members present throughout: Kathleen Avalos (President), Joseph Cortese, Eric Isenberg, Josh Ehart, Kristine Mackey, Katie Bevan (recording secretary), and Beth Vlerick.