In Attendance
The following members were in attendance: President Stephanie Clark, Vice President Kurt Buchholz, Secretary Jason Loebach, Robert Bruno, Bruce Currie, Linda D’Ambrosio, Erica Nelson.
President Clark opened by reading a statement from the Board of Education | watch
The Board and Dr. Gordon have been engaged in confidential discussions since last spring about the renewal of Dr. Gordon’s contract which ends June 30, 2019. At that time a majority of the Board favored, and still favors, non-renewal. At the request of Dr. Gordon, the board has held off on taking action in deference to his efforts to obtain a superintendency in other school districts. The board was able to extend Dr. Gordon this courtesy as the Board would not have begun a search until the fall of 2018 at the earliest and the contract calls for notice by the Board or Dr. Gordon of their decision on non-renewal of the contract by no later than April 1, 2019. The board also saw the timeframe as a positive approach towards matters that would be important when entering the search process.
In the fall of 2018, Dr. Gordon renewed his request that the board hold off on taking action on non-renewal and beginning the search. The board was cognizant about the timing necessary to conduct a search and thus consulted with an experienced search consultant about this request. We were advised that the fall and January are typically times when you would begin and search and there would be sufficient time to conduct a successful search for a highly qualified superintendent beginning in January.
Tonight the board will make a decision to take action on non-renewal and on hiring a search firm. Much effort and thought has been put into this decision by the Board over the last nine months. We thank Dr. Gordon for the work he has done in District 41.
Presentations from Superintendent Search Firms
Illinois Association of School Board Executive Searches | watch
School Executive Connect | watch
B.W.P. & Associates | watch
Superintendent's Report | watch
- Fiscal Year 2018 Audit Presentation
A representative from Baker Tilly presented the audit and answered Board member questions.
Board Reports | watch
Public Participation | watch
Discussion | watch
- Technology Device Recommendations for the 2019-2020 School Year - Teacher/Staff Laptop Refresh
Director of Technology Mike Wood presented his recommendations for technology including a refresh for teacher and student laptops.
Action Items | watch
Consent Agenda
Personnel Report
- Leave Request
- Resignations
- Resignation and Retirements
Finance, Facilities & Operations- School District Payment Order - January 4, 2019 - January 14, 2019
- FOIA Report - January 4, 2019 - January 14, 2019
- December 2018 Financial Reports
- Monthly Revenue/Expenditure Summary Report
- Investment Schedule
- Treasurer's Report
- Summary of Bills and Payroll
- Vandalism Report
- Disposal of Surplus Property
Board Meeting Minutes
Superintendent Recommendations | watch
- Adopt 2019-2020 School Calendar
(Voted Yes: Clark, Buchholz, Loebach, Bruno, Currie, D’Ambrosio, Nelson)
- Board Policy Revisions - Second Reading and Adoption
(Voted Yes: Clark, Buchholz, Loebach, Bruno, Currie, D’Ambrosio, Nelson) - Accept Fiscal Year 2018 Audit
(Voted Yes: Clark, Buchholz, Loebach, Bruno, Currie, D’Ambrosio, Nelson) - Approve Referendum Construction and Summer Capital Project Bids - Bid Packet #3 (Voted Yes: Clark, Buchholz, Loebach, Bruno, Currie, D’Ambrosio, Nelson)
Other Action Items
Non-Renewal of Superintendent’s Contract | watch
Nelson motioned that non-renewal action on Dr. Gordon's contract be moved to June 30, 2020. Bruno seconded.
(Voted Yes: Bruno, Loebach, Nelson)
(Voted No: Clark, Buchholz, Currie, D’Ambrosio)
Vote for Non-Renewal of Superintendent Contract Effective June 30, 2019
(Voted Yes: Clark, Buchholz, Currie, D’Ambrosio)
(Voted No: Bruno, Loebach, Nelson)
Selection of Superintendent Search Firm | watch
(Voted Yes to select B.W.P. & Associates: Clark, Buchholz, Currie, D’Ambrosio)
(Voted No: Bruno, Loebach, Nelson)
The Board will be working with the search firm B.W.P. & Associates in the next week. Details of the search calendar will be forthcoming.
