A recording from tonight's meeting will be available on the District 54 YouTube channel once it has finished processing.
Call to Order
The Board of Education meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
Public Hearing
The School Board had a public hearing on the 2026-2027 Budget. No one asked to speak.
Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
Administrative Reports
Enrollment, Staffing and Facilities Usage
District 54’s 2026 sixth day of student enrollment was 14,144, which is lower than the enrollment of 14,460 on the sixth day of school in 2025. The average class size is 21.3 students at elementary schools and 23 at junior high schools. All teacher positions are fully staffed.
Trimester 1 Instructional Update
The Department of Teaching and Learning provided an update on the following areas of instructional focus for the 2026-2027 school year:
A new Ready, Set, Grow! Kindergarten curriculum;
Year two of the Origo Stepping Stones and Imagine IM math curriculum;
Future ready learning in District 54 which focuses on staff using tools and strategies to enhance educational experiences for students;
The second year of the enCORE curriculum for students with moderate to severe disabilities;
The rebranding of the District 54 Autism Resource Center as the NEST (Navigating Educational Supports Together) to support families of students with a wider range of needs and the staff who support those students in school;
>Preliminary assessment data from the 2025-2026 school year, which showed increases in math and language arts;
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in place for students academically, socially, emotionally and behaviorally; and
The e-learning plan that would be implemented if District 54 were to close for more than two emergency weather days (the first two days would be traditional school closures).
Freedom of Information Act
District 54 received and replied to 12 Freedom of Information Act requests since the last report to the Board related to outstanding checks, purchase orders, attendance, electric bills, human resources consulting, vendor records, food services documents and facility usage records.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda
Resignations, leaves, retirement, termination and employment of personnel
The bills payable reports and checks dated August 7 and 21, 2026
The treasurer’s reports on cash and investments for July 2026
The monthly updates of revenues and expenditures for July 2026
The authorization of the assistant superintendent for business services to negotiate contracts for the purchase of natural gas and electricity for up to three years
An insurance benefits consultant contract with Acrisure
Approval to post the administrator and teacher salary and benefits report
The destruction of the verbatim records of closed-session board meetings in XXX for which approved minutes already exist.
Board President’s Report
Board President Nick Scipione thanked staff, students and families for a great start to the school year. He also thanked Beth Tikvah for the donation of school supplies at their annual picnic and everyone who volunteered with or supported the Foundation during Septemberfest this weekend.
DCAC Report
Board Member Bob Kaplan shared that the District Citizen’s Advisory Committee heard a similar presentation to the instructional update provided at tonight’s board meeting. He also encouraged people to apply for the District Citizens’ Advisory Committee for the 2026-2027 school year. Applications are available online.
D54 Foundation Report
Board Member Jim Pye encouraged everyone to register for the Foundation's Run to Read on Sept. 20. Also, save the date for the annual SEA/SEEO Craft and Vendor Fair on Nov. 7, which also raises funds for the Foundation.
New Business
The Board approved the minutes of the special open and closed session Board of Education meetings on July 27, 2026.
The Board approved the minutes of the regular Board of Education meeting on August 6, 2026.
The Board appointed representatives to serve on the District Citizens' Advisory Committee and the Budget and Legislative Network Committee for the 2026-27 school year.
The Board adopted the 2026-2027 budget, as present
The Board adopted a resolution directing the superintendent to prepare the 2027-2028 budget in tentative form.
The Board approved a property easement agreement with the Village of Hoffman Estates.
Announcements
The Board shared stories of visits to Fox School for its specials night for kindergarten students, to Muir School for the first day of school, to Septemberfest to hear District 54 bands and orchestras perform, and to Addams and Lincoln Prairie to hear motivational speaker Chris Singleton.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 8:12 p.m. to closed session for employment/appointment and security matters.