Illinois State Board of Education Finance and Audit Committee of the Whole met Dec. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Roll Call
Committee Chair Dr. Patricia Nugent brought the meeting to order at 2:44 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. Nugent 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.
Dr. Hackett moved that the State Board of Education hereby permit the participation of Dr. Sherly Chavarria via video conference. Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
Next Dr. Nugent 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.
Ms. Gonzalez moved that the State Board of Education hereby permit the participation of Dr. Jonah Rice via video conference. Dr. Hackett seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
Members Present
Committee Chair Dr. Patricia Nugent
Dr. Steven Isoye
Dr. Donna Leak
Dr. Sherly Chavarria (Virtual)
Laura Gonzalez
Dr. Judy Hackett
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
Dr. Michele Morris, Interim Chief Education Officer – Instruction
Jennifer Saba, Chief Education Officer – Operations
Tassi Maton, Chief Internal Audit Officer
Irma Snopek, Chief Policy and Communications Officer
Miguel Calderon, Chief Operating Officer
Kirsten Parr, Director of Standards & Instruction
Dr. Tiffany Burnett, Executive Director of Safe & Healthy Climate
Michael Gum, Director of School Business Services
Jeffrey Judge, Director of Wellness and Student Care
2. Public Participation
Bryce Hansen, director of McLean-Dewitt Regional Vocational System, advocated for a 10% increase in CTE funding for next fiscal year. He introduced Abby Baker, a student who shared how important and valuable the CTE program has been.
3. Presentation | Fiscal Year 2025 School District Financial Profile
Director of School Business Services Michael Gum presented this item. He shared a high-level overview of the results of the 2025 profile score calculations which are based on the FY 2024 audit financial data.
4. Approval of Minutes: November 20, 2025
Dr. Leak moved that the Finance and Audit Committee of the Whole hereby approve the November 20, 2025, meeting minutes. Dr. Isoye seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
5. Superintendent’s Consent Agenda
Dr. Leak said in regard to the consent agenda item Approval of the Grant CCSD 110 Revised Financial Plan that based on the previous report, the district is moving in the right direction. Dr. Nugent noted that she was comforted to know that there is a process set up to help districts that need the extra support.
6. Discussion & Approval
A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Ratification of the Release of a Request for Sealed Proposals and Award of a Contract to a Vendor for the Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Statewide Evaluation
Executive Director of Safe & Healthy Climate Dr. Tiffany Burnett and Director of Wellness and Student Care Jeffrey Judge discussed this item.
7. Upcoming January Board Action
A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval to Release and Award the Request for Sealed Proposals for the Restraint and Time Out Training Project
Executive Director of Safe & Healthy Climate Dr. Tiffany Burnett and Director of Wellness and Student Care Jeffrey Judge discussed this item.
Dr. Leak asked if every staff member in the districts would need to complete the eight-hour online training. Ms. Jennifer Saba stated that it is not a mandate, but it is a recommendation for all staff members. Dr. Burnett noted that if you are a staff member engaged in any restraint or time out of a student, you need to have been trained in order to do that work.
8. Internal Audit Updates
Chief Internal Audit Officer Tassi Maton led this discussion.
A. Current Audits and Forthcoming Reports
i. FY 2024 Statewide Single Audit
ii. FY 2025 Statewide Single Audit
iii. FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Statewide Audit
B. FY 2023/2024 Compliance Examination Progress Report
Ms. Maton shared that the auditors are continuing testing for both the FY 2024 and FY 2025 statewide single audits, and they are focused on wrapping up the FY 2024 testing by the end of this month. There are no specific timelines for conclusion of the audits at this time. Ms. Maton said the report for item B was provided to the Board. It includes updates on the status of corrective action for those findings listed in the report. She will provide future progress reports at the March and June meetings. Dr. Nugent stated that they would move into closed session to answer any questions regarding the compliance examination as it is related to internal control over compliance.
9. Closed Session
Dr. Rice moved that the State Board of Education go into closed session for the following exception item:
A. Meetings between internal or external auditors and governmental audit committees, finance committees, and their equivalents, when the discussion involves internal control weaknesses, identification of potential fraud risk areas, known or suspected frauds, and fraud interviews conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards of the United States of America. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(29)
He further moved that Board members may invite anyone they wish to be included in this closed session.
Dr. Hackett seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
The open meeting recessed at 3:20 p.m. to go into closed session. The open meeting reconvened at 3:33 p.m.
10. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda
There were no requests for items for the next agenda.
11. Next Meeting: January 13, 2026
Dr. Nugent noted that the next meeting would be on January 13, 2026, in Springfield.
12. Adjourn
Dr. Chavarria moved to adjourn the meeting. Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Chair Nugent adjourned the committee at 3:34 p.m.
