Illinois State Board of Education Education Policy Planning Committee of the Whole met Dec. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Roll Call
Committee Chair Dr. Donna Leak brought the meeting to order at 3:57 p.m. Roll call was taken. A quorum was present with five members attending in person. State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders also was in attendance.
Dr. Leak stated that members would consider the participation of Dr. Sherly Chavarria via video conference due to employment purposes. In accordance with the bylaws of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Board may permit a member to participate by other means if they cannot physically attend a meeting because of employment purposes.
Ms. Gonzalez moved that the State Board of Education hereby permit the participation of Dr. Sherly Chavarria via video conference. Dr. Hackett seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
Next Dr. Leak stated that members would consider the participation of Dr. Jonah Rice via video conference due to a family emergency. In accordance with the bylaws of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Board may permit a member to participate by other means if they cannot physically attend a meeting because of a family emergency.
Dr. Nugent moved that the State Board of Education hereby permit the participation of Dr. Jonah Rice via video conference. Ms. Gonzalez seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
Members Present
Committee Chair Dr. Donna Leak
Dr. Steven Isoye
Dr. Sherly Chavarria (virtual)
Laura Gonzalez
Dr. Judy Hackett
Dr. Patricia Nugent
Dr. Jonah Rice (virtual)
Members Absent
Dr. James Anderson
Staff Present
Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent
Kim Clarke, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent
Jo Ireland, Board Services Coordinator
Kristen Kennedy, Chief Legal Officer
Dr. Kimako Patterson, Chief of Staff
Dr. Matt Seaton, Chief Financial Officer
Edobor Efam, Chief Information Officer
Tassi Maton, Chief Internal Audit Officer
Dr. Michele Morris, Interim Chief Education Officer – Instruction
Jennifer Saba, Chief Education Officer – Operations
Irma Snopek, Chief Policy and Communications Officer
Miguel Calderon, Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Tiffany Burnett, Executive Director of Safe & Healthy Climate
Kirsten Parr, Director of Standards & Instruction
Michael Gum, Director of School Business Services
Crystal Strohkirch, Interim Director of Educator Effectiveness
David Turovetz, Director of Charter Schools
Dr. Ronda Dawson, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning
Dr. Christine Paxson, Executive Director of Improvement & Innovation
Joyce Gronewold, Executive Director of Specialized Instruction
Sara Littrell, Supervisor of Wellness and Student Care
Lisa Armonda, Interim Executive Director of Legislative Affairs
Hector Rodriguez, Co-Director of Government Relations
Samantha White, Co-Director of Government Relations
2. Public Participation
There was no public participation.
3. Approval of Minutes: November 20, 2025
Dr. Hackett moved that the Education Policy Planning Committee of the Whole hereby approve the November 20, 2025, meeting minutes. Dr. Nugent seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
4. Superintendent’s Consent Agenda and Action Items
There was no discussion on items A-F.
David Turovetz, director of Charter Schools, provided an overview for the action items: Approval of Renewal Decision for Betty Shabazz International Charter School and Approval of Renewal Decision for ACE Amandla Charter High School.
Dr. Nugent asked for clarification on the history of charter schools that are state-authorized charter schools and those that are authorized by school districts. She also asked how the decision was reached on the recommendation for the number of years to be renewed. Mr. Turovetz provided the background information on charter schools and how the renewal decisions were made.
Dr. Leak stated that the two charter school renewal decisions were not in the consent agenda, as she asked for them to be removed. She is advocating to change the funding structure for charter schools so the money comes directly from the state budget and not out of the local school district funding. She shared that she will be abstaining from the vote; not because she is against the charter schools themselves, but because of the legislation that impacts the funding and the local school districts.
Dr. Nugent acknowledged that she raised a question at the November meeting regarding the consent agenda item Approval for Publication – Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) Social Emotional Learning Standards and noted that the Board did receive the information regarding the standards.
5. Discussion & Approval
A. Approval of the Spring Session Legislative Agenda
Interim Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Lisa Armonda and Co-Directors of Government Relations Hector Rodriguez and Samantha White discussed this item.
Dr. Leak asked about chronic absenteeism in regard to the mental health days designated for student use. Ms. Armonda stated that it was a federal law that those days be included in the total absences for chronic absenteeism.
Dr. Leak advocated for “foreign language” to be updated to “world language.” Ms. Armonda stated they are mirroring what is used currently in statute, which is “foreign.” They are hoping to make that change this legislative term.
6. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda
There was no discussion on this item.
7. Next Meeting: January 13, 2026
Dr. Leak shared that the next meeting would be on January 13, 2026, in Springfield.
8. Adjourn
Dr. Nugent made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Isoye seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Chair Leak adjourned the Education Policy Planning Committee of the Whole meeting at 4:49 p.m.
https://go.boarddocs.com/il/isbe/Board.nsf/files/DPX298010C91/$file/EPP%20Minutes%20-%20December%2016%2C%202025.pdf
