Kendall County Times

Newark Community Consolidated School District 66 Board of Education met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. Call to Order/Moment of Silence/Pledge

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order at 6:34 PM on May 19, 2025 by President Fordyce at Newark Grade School.

II. Roll Call

For those members who attend remotely an indication will made in the roll call.

Callier present, Davis present, Fordyce present, Hopkins present, Johnson present, Underhill present, Walker present.

III. Audience Participation

A. Public Comment - None

B. Recognitions

PTO

Track team, 12 students went to state.

IV. Action Items

A. Consent Agenda

1. Sine Die Session Minutes - April 22, 2025

2. Organizational Session Minutes – April 22, 2025

Walker moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Hopkins seconded. There was no discussion. Motion carried on roll call vote.

Ayes: Callier, Davis, Fordyce, Hopkins, Johnson, Underhill, Walker.

Nays: none.

B. Approval of Financials for May

Underhill moved to approve the financials for the month of May. Callier seconded. There was discussion. Motion carried on roll call vote.

Ayes: Callier, Davis, Fordyce, Hopkins, Johnson, Underhill, Walker.

Nays: none.

C. Personnel

1. Hire Lisa Snyder - Long Term Substitute

2. Hire Kendra Nichols, Joy Baldoni, Amanda Roehn, Gabby Barracca - Parapros

3. Hire James Martin - Summer Custodian

Walker moved to hire Lisa Snyder, long term substitute; Kendra Nichols, Joy Baldoni, Amanda Roehn, and Gabby Barracca as parapros; James Martin as summer custodian. Underhill seconded. There was discussion. Motion carried on roll call vote.

Ayes: Callier, Davis, Fordyce, Hopkins, Johnson, Underhill, Walker.

Nays: none.

D. Coaching/Activity Personnel for 2025/2026

Underhill moved to hire coaching and activity personnel as presented. Johnson seconded. There was discussion. Motion carried on roll call vote.

Ayes: Callier, Davis, Fordyce, Hopkins, Johnson, Underhill, Walker.

Nays: none.

E. Approve Student/Parent Handbook 2025 - 2026

Walker moved to approve the Student/Parent Handbook 2025 - 2026 as presented. Underhill seconded. There was discussion. On the question there were 7 ayes and 0 nays. Motion carried.

F. Approve 2 Reading of 2026 – 2027 School Calendar

Callier moved to approve the 2nd reading of the 2026-2027 calendar as presented. Walker seconded. There was discussion. On the question there were 7 ayes and 0 nays. Motion carried.

G. Approve 2024 – 2025 Amended Budget

Walker moved to approve the 2024 - 2025 amended budget as presented. Underhill seconded. There was discussion. Mrs. Menth did a great job of capturing the revenue from the bond sale. Motion carried on roll call vote.

Ayes: Callier, Davis, Fordyce, Hopkins, Johnson, Underhill, Walker.

Nays: none.

H. Approve Board Meeting Dates for 2025 - 2026

Underhill moved to approve the 2025 2026 board meeting dates as presented. Callier seconded. There was discussion. The High School will now be charging adults $4.00/meal. On the question there were 7 ayes and 0 nays. Motion carried.

I. Approve Lunch Agreement with NCHS for 2025 - 2026

Hopkins moved to approve the lunch agreement with NCHS for 2025 - 2026 as presented. Johnson seconded. There was discussion. On the question there were 7 ayes and 0 nays. Motion carried.

J. Approve Consolidated Grant Plan

Walker moved to approve the consolidated grant plan for 2025 - 2026 as presented. Underhill seconded. There was discussion. Motion carried on roll call vote.

Ayes: Callier, Davis, Fordyce, Hopkins, Johnson, Underhill, Walker.

Nays: none.

Approve Sira Landscape Bid

Walker moved to approve the bid from SIRA Landscape to clear the brush around the school property. Johnson seconded. There was discussion. Last year they cleared along the West side of the grounds. This year Mrs. Turman would like them to continue on toward the East side of the property. Motion carried on roll call vote.

Ayes: Callier, Davis, Fordyce, Hopkins, Johnson, Underhill, Walker.

Nays: none.

Administrator/Committee Reports

A. Principal's Report

B. Ms. Chase gave the Principal's report.

Superintendent's Report

Mrs. Turman gave the Superintendent's report.

C. Committee Updates

1. Policy Committee

Committee met on May 13 and discussed Press Plus 118. The new policy reverts Title IX policy to the previous version, adds civil rights for students with children and establishes an Article 26A Resource Person whose job is to protect those rights. The rest is mostly reference updates.

2. Building and Grounds Committee - None

3. Transportation Committee - None

D. Miscellaneous - None

VI. Discussion Items

A. FY26 Budget

The 2025 - 2026 budget was discussed.

B. Resolution to Expend Funds

A resolution to pay bills from the new year's revenue was discussed. This is necessary because the new fiscal year is going to start before the budget is approved.

C. 2024 Tax Levy

The lawyer is preparing a letter explaining why we will be extended excess funds this year and what to do about it.

D. National School Lunch Program

Davis proposed to stop accepting federal funding for school lunches so that the cook could make what she wants for lunch without having to worry about compliance with the federal lunch standards. Davis feels that too much food is being served just because the law requires it which the kids just throw away. The financial implications are going to have to be studied.

VII. Old Business/Agenda Recommendations - None

VIII. Executive Session - None

IX. Action as a Result of Executive Session - None

X. Board Member Comments - None

XI. Adjournment

Walker moved to adjourn. Hopkins seconded. There was no discussion. On the question there were 7 ayes and 0 nays. Motion carried. Meeting is adjourned at 7:50 PM.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1482/CCSD_66/5782580/Minutes_May_2025.pdf