Call to Order
The Board of Education meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
Administrative Report – Student Leadership: Youth Advisory Committee
District 54 is actively engaging student voice and leadership through various initiatives, including Student Ambassadors and the Youth Advisory Committee.
The Youth Advisory Committee is a district level group of three eighth-grade students from each junior high school and Lincoln Prairie. This program enhances student leadership by having the students provide feedback to enhance the junior high experience, lead activities for all junior high Student Ambassadors and collaborate with sponsors and administrators.
For the past two years, this committee has planned a district-wide community service project that supported an organization that impacts many of our families. Their efforts have totaled over $135,000 for the American Cancer Society and St. Jude’s.
Following the presentation, the School Board recognized the Youth Advisory Committee students and sponsors.
Freedom of Information Act
District 54 received and replied to 10 Freedom of Information Act requests since the last report to the Board related to union contracts, work telephone numbers, First Student contracts and bids, health insurance rates, job titles, employee counts, average salaries, FOIA legislation and lobbying, H-1B employees, communication with District 47, purchase orders and vendor payments.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda
Minutes of the special open and closed-session board meetings on August 31 and September 23
Minutes of the regular open and closed-session board meetings on September 10
Resignations, leaves, retirement and employment of personnel
The bills payable reports and checks dated September 4 and 16, 2026
The treasurer’s reports on cash and investments for August 2026
The monthly updates of revenues and expenditures for August 2026
The purchase of technology licensing and support
The destruction of the verbatim records of closed-session board meetings on March 13, 2025 for which approved minutes already exist
Board President’s Report
Board President Nick Scipione spoke about several events that he and other board members and administrators attended including a Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce event, an Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Presidents meeting, the District 54 Run to Read, the North Cook Regional Office of Education division meeting and a breakfast hosted by the District 211 teacher and support staff unions.
DCAC Report
Board Member Bob Kaplan shared that the District Citizen’s Advisory Committee discussed the proposed cell phone ban policy, as well as the dual language and immersion programs in District 54.
IASB Report
Board Vice President Debbie Schmidt announced that Board Member Bill Harper received a Legacy Award at the North Cook dinner, recognizing his 25 years of service on the District 54 School Board.
D54 Foundation Report
The Foundation raised $12,000 at Septemberfest and $15,400 at the Run to Read. Board Member Jim Pye encouraged everyone to attend the annual SEA/SEEO Craft and Vendor Fair on Nov. 7, which raises funds for the Foundation.
New Business
The Board had the first reading of changes to the following policies:
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 approved medical, dental and vision insurance rates for 2027.
The Board approved voluntary life insurance rates for 2027.
The Board approved Sun Life as the stop loss insurance provider for the district’s medical PPO plan and Blue Cross Blue Shield for the district’s medical HMO plan for 2027.
The Board approved long-term disability, life, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance rates for 2027.
The Board approved a resolution authorizing Franczek P.C. to intervene in appeal proceedings before the Illinois Property Tax Appeals Board.
The Board approved a resolution engaging Frantz Law Group APLC in filing litigation against social media platforms for damages due to their impact on our students.
Announcements
School Board members and Superintendent Andy DuRoss recognized Bill Harper’s 25 years of service on the board. He is the third longest serving member in the history of District 54. The Board recessed at 7:52 p.m. to celebrate with the Harper family.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 8:30 p.m. to closed session for the semi-annual review of closed-session minutes.