Southern Illinois News

Community Unit School District #201 Board of Education met Sept. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

On September 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., Leah Conover called to order the regular meeting of the Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education.

Roll Call

Members Present: Leah Conover, Carlos Hevia, Adina Hoover, Kevin Marren, Alexandria Mil, Jessica Radogno, Lauren Zekiri

Members Absent: none

Also present: Superintendent Jack Baldermann, Ron O’Connor, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and HR, and the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant, Shannon Cossairt.

Pledge of Allegiance

President Conover led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Dr. Hoover, to enter closed session for the purpose of discussing specific employees, student discipline, and purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body.

Ayes: Hevia, Marren, Zekiri, Mil, Hoover, Radogno, Conover Nays: None

Motion carried.

The Board entered closed session at 6:34 p.m.

The Board returned to open session at 7:22 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 9, 2025

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Dr. Hoover, to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2025, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Hevia, Marren, Zekiri, Mil, Hoover, Radogno, Conover Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment was presented.

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025-2026 BUDGET

The Board President, Leah Conover, calls the Public Hearing to order regarding the Proposed 2025-2026 Budget at 7:22 p.m.

Ron O’Connor, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Human Resources, gave a presentation to the Board to recap the tentative budget presented on August 12, 2025. His presentation included the following:

● Introductions and Budget Timeline

● FY 25 Revenues Recap

● FY 25 Expenses Recap

● Revenue Variables

● Revenue Breakdown

● Local Revenue Breakdown

● Personnel Variables

● Expense Variables

● Expenses by Object

● Operating Funds

● Non-Operating Funds

● Recommendations

The President takes comments from the Board regarding the 2025-2026 Budget. The Board asked about the Programmatic Review, which Mr. O’Connor plans to complete this year. It is explained that we will be able to see how data impacts finance and how programs impact students. It is also asked if we can close the gap in regards to the operating funds. Mr. O’Connor can not guarantee it, but things will be done in the best interest of the kids.

There are no comments from the public regarding the 2025-2026 proposed budget.

President Conover declares that the Public Hearing of the Proposed 2025-20206 Budget is closed at 7:37 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Radogno, to approve the consent agenda as presented:

1. Personnel Recommendations:

● Christian Rosa, Volunteer Wrestling Coach, WJHS

● Stephen Michalik, Volunteer Scholastic Bowl Coach, WHS

● Carlos Rivero, Volunteer Soccer Coach, WHS

● Resignations

2. Approval of September 2025 Expenditure Report

3. Ratification of August 2025 Regular Payroll

4. Presentation of ISBE Salary Compensation Report

5. Presentation of IMRF Salary Compensation Report

6. Presentation of Salary Compensation Report for All Employees

Ayes: Marren, Zekiri, Mil, Hoover, Radogno, Conover, Hevia Nays: None.

Motion carried.

INFORMATION and DISCUSSION

1. No topics for discussion.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Adoption of 2025-2026 Budget

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Radogno,

WHEREAS the Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 201, County of DuPage, State of Illinois, caused to be prepared in tentative form a budget, and the Secretary of this Board has made the same conveniently available to public inspection for at least thirty days prior to final action thereon;

AND WHEREAS a public hearing was held as to such budget on the twenty-third day of September 2025, notice of said hearing was given at least thirty days prior thereto as required by law, and all other legal requirements have been complied with;

NOW, THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the Board of Education of said district as follows:

Section 1: That the fiscal year of this School District be and the same hereby is fixed and declared to be beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026.

Section 2: That the following budget containing an estimate of amounts available in each fund, separately, and of expenditures from each be and the same is hereby adopted as the budget of this school district for the said fiscal year.

Approve as presented.

Ayes: Zekiri, Mil, Hoover, Radogno, Conover, Hevia, Marren Nays: None

Motion Carried.

2. Approval of Contract for Consultant

Motion by Ms. Mil, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the contract with Consultant, Fred Peronto, as an Instructional Coach for the 25-26 school year, as presented.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Communication

Superintendent Baldermann reported that it is a positive week, and homecoming activities are taking place. There have been great gains in literacy. Mr. Baldermann appreciates the partnership with parents and encourages everyone to read 20 minutes.

FOIA Request

Recent FOIA requests are attached in BoardDocs.

BOARD REPORTS

None.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment at this time.

FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

WHS Homecoming Parade

Sept. 25, 6:00 p.m.

WHS Homecoming Football Game

Sept. 26, 6:00 p.m.

SIP Day Dismissal

Oct. 8

Parent- Teacher Conferences

Oct. 9

No Student Attendance

No School

Oct. 10 and 13

CUSD 201 Board Meeting

Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m.

Westmont Village Hall

COMMUNICATIONS

None at this time.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Dr. Hoover, second by Mr. Marren, to adjourn the September 23, 2025, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 7:44 p.m.

Motion unanimously passed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd201/Board.nsf/files/DM9PKL64D800/$file/9.23.25%20Regular%20Minutes.pdf