Illinois State Board of Education Finance and Audit Committee of the Whole met Feb. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Roll Call
Committee Chair Dr. Patricia Nugent brought the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Roll call was taken. A quorum was present, with six members attending in person. State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders also was in attendance.
Members Present
Committee Chair Dr. Patricia Nugent
Dr. Steven Isoye
Dr. Donna Leak
Laura Gonzalez
Dr. Judy Hackett
Dr. Jonah Rice
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
Tassi Maton, Chief Internal Audit Officer
Dr. Matt Seaton, Chief Financial Officer
Cynthia Lund, Chief Governmental Relations Officer
Miguel Calderon, Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Jason Helfer, Special Advisor to the State Superintendent
Dr. Michele Morris, Interim Chief Education Officer – Instruction
Jennifer Saba, Chief Education Officer – Operations
Edobor Efam, Chief Information Officer
Dr. Christine Paxson, Executive Director of Improvement & Innovation
Dr. Ronda Dawson, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning
Joyce Gronewold, Executive Director of Specialized Instruction
Dr. Nikki Combs, Director of School/District Improvement
Dr. Nakia Douglas, Director of Special Education
Dr. Deshonda Daniels-Wright, Director of ROE/ISC
2. Public Participation
Isabel Cabrera, a parent, spoke about protecting the conservatory model at the Chicago High School for the Arts.
3. Approval of Minutes: January 13, 2026
Ms. Gonzalez moved that the Finance and Audit Committee of the Whole hereby approve the January 13, 2026, meeting minutes. Dr. Hackett seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
4. Superintendent’s Consent Agenda
There were no questions regarding the consent agenda items. Dr. Leak noted that the specific schools listed in the item Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of FY 2026 Upwardly Amended Continuation School Improvement Grants already had the designation for the grant but were only being upwardly amended.
Dr. Nugent reminded everyone that both items on the consent agenda had been discussed at the January meeting.
5. Upcoming March Board Action
A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Grant Agreement for the Illinois Elevating Special Educators Network Project.
Director of Special Education Dr. Nakia Douglas discussed this item.
B. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Truants’ Alternative and Optional Education Program Grant Notice of Funding Opportunities/Request for Proposals
Director of ROE/ISC Dr. Deshonda Daniels-Wright discussed this item.
Dr. Leak asked what metrics were used for a school district to know if they are eligible to continue with this program. Dr. Daniels-Wright stated that each program is able to continue if they provide reports and engage in dialogue with ISBE staff during site visits. She further provided details on program objectives and performance measures used to determine the success of the program. Dr. Leak asked for a map of the state defining where the programs are located.
6. Internal Audit Updates
Chief Internal Audit Officer Tassi Maton led this discussion.
A. Current Audits and Forthcoming Reports
i. FY 2024 Statewide Single Audit
ii. FY 2025 Statewide Single Audit
iii. FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Statewide Audit
Ms. Maton shared that the FY 2024 statewide single audit testing has concluded for the agency, and we are waiting on the auditors to complete testing at other agencies. She stated the FY 2025 statewide testing is underway, and the FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report is showing signs of nearing competition, but she does not have any definitive conclusion information at this time.
7. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda
There were no requests for items for the next agenda.
8. Next Meeting: March 10, 2026
Dr. Nugent stated that the next meeting would be on March 10, 2026, in Moline. She noted that it would start at 2 p.m.
9. Adjourn
Dr. Hackett moved to adjourn the meeting. Dr. Rice seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Chair Nugent adjourned the committee meeting at 2:31 p.m.Â
https://go.boarddocs.com/il/isbe/Board.nsf/files/DRPSGF729B6B/$file/3.A%20FA%20Minutes%20-%20February%2018%2C%202026.pdf
