|
Approval of Real Estate Consultant Services Agreement
Over the past two years, the Board of Education has engaged in extensive discussions regarding the Willow Springs Property and its potential future uses. These conversations have taken place both during public Board meetings and in individual meetings with representatives from the Village of Willow Springs, Pleasantdale Park District, and Pleasantdale School District.
At the March 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting, the Board approved an agreement with MoHall Commercial and Urban Development to provide real estate consultant services regarding the District’s Willow Springs Property.
The Board continues to view the Willow Springs Property as a valuable asset and is committed to leveraging its desirability and value to support facility updates across both campuses and advance Goal 5 of the Strategic Plan. Equally, the Board is dedicated to ensuring a transparent and thoughtful process and will continue to share updates with the community in the months ahead.
Learn more about the District 204 Willow Springs Property.
Approval of 2026-27 Staffing
At the March Board of Education meeting, the Administration presented recommendations related to course sectioning, staffing, and contract renewals for the 2026-2027 school year. Following a review of course enrollment data, the Central Leadership Team proposed an overall instructional FTE of 259.3, which represents a net instructional decrease of 7.9 FTE (full-time equivalent), brought to the Board for approval. Additionally, the Board reviewed a summary of Capstone courses and those with enrollments below 18 students.
The Board also received a recommendation regarding administrative staff contract renewals for the 2026-2027 school year. In addition, due to a reduction in force, the Board approved a resolution to honorably dismiss any certified staff members affected by necessary reductions. Similarly, a recommendation was made to reduce the number of paraeducators by releasing all first-year paraeducators at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. As discussed with the Board, this is part of the district’s standard process each spring, and first-year paraeducators are typically recalled over the summer as staffing needs are finalized.
Approval of 2026-27 Textbook and Instructional Materials
At the March 2nd Committee of the Whole Meeting, the Board reviewed the textbook recommendations brought forward by Dr. Payne. All texts that are being replaced are 5 or more years old, indicating that the District has maximized the use of previously purchased texts. As has been the trend since all students have been given Chromebooks, a few new textbooks include electronic access for students as well as class sets of hardbound books to be used in the classroom. Curriculum used by teachers was also included. While these are not “texts,” they will provide the curriculum materials in the classroom. In most instances, these include online resources as well as student access to materials. All of the proposed curriculum is being presented as District Purchase. Costs for any training or professional development are not included and will be a part of the regular Curriculum and Instruction or Division professional development budget for 2026-2027.
The textbook materials will remain available for public review in the Curriculum and Instruction Office located in North Campus room 110.
At the Regular Action Meeting on March 16th, the Board approved the recommended textbook and instructional materials as presented.
Five-Year Financial Forecast Presentation
At the March 16 Regular Action Meeting, an updated Five-Year Financial Forecast for the District was presented by Director of Business Services, Brian Stachacz. The purpose of this forecast is to provide some definition to the future financial trajectory of the district based on current known factors as well as unknown factors, and to point out possible factors that will impact the District’s financial future. The Five-Year Financial Forecast is a projection, and the assumptions used are based on the current financial climate.
Overall, the Five-Year Financial Forecast that was presented shows that District 204 remains on stable financial ground. Each year of the current forecast projects a small operating surplus. The financial condition of the District is the direct result of responsible financial decisions and management.
Approval of Facilities Related Items
The Board approved two contracts related to Summer 2026 facilities projects:
-
Asbestos Removal Project: The Board approved a contract with CEC Environmental Inc. in the amount of $39,410 for asbestos removal in conjunction with HVAC work that will be performed at North Campus. The removal of the asbestos is required as part of this project prior to the commencement of the HVAC work. The asbestos removal project is expected to be completed in the first two weeks of June, 2026.
-
North Campus Life Safety Door Replacement Project: The Board approved a contract with Toro Construction Co. in the amount of $766,700 for the replacement of various doors, frames and hardware at North Campus in conjunction with the recently updated Life Safety Survey. This project will begin at the end of the school year and will be completed before the start of school in August of 2026.
Parent Teacher Advisory/ Behavior Interventions Committee Update
The PTABIC met on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The committee utilized this time to conduct a working session for the purpose of examining the district’s discipline data with a focus on areas of disproportionality. Within two groups, the committee followed a data protocol with the goal to, “Examine discipline data and disproportionality through a systems and equity lens while generating thoughtful, actionable improvement ideas aligned to restorative practices and culture of belonging.”
The committee had productive discussions that identified areas for further exploration that provide opportunities for addressing disproportionality such as examining the differences among North and South Campus and determining if different supervision patterns should be implemented. Additionally, the committee agreed that obtaining student voice and perspectives from the groups that have higher rates of behavioral referrals and discipline events is essential to both understanding and planning for implementation changes. The committee acknowledged the progress that has been made in many areas of student discipline and remains resolved in the goal of continuous improvement.
| 
