BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

4 Tuesday, December 16, 2025 BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING East St. Louis School District 189 1005 State Street East St. Louis, IL 62201 5:00 p.m. URL: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/est189/Board.nsf 1. CALL TO ORDER Subject A. Roll Call Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 1. CALL TO ORDER Type Procedural The meeting will be called to order by the Board President. File Attachments 2. PRAYER Subject A. Prayer Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 2. PRAYER Type File Attachments 3. PLEDGE Subject A. Pledge of Allegiance Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 3. PLEDGE Type File Attachments 4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Subject A. Adoption of Agenda giving the Board President discretion to take items out of order or in Executive Session Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Type Action, Procedural Recommended Action Motion to approve the agenda. File Attachments 5. RECOGNITIONS Subject A. Recognitions Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 5. RECOGNITIONS Type Information, Recognition Two District Staff Honored as Community-Rooted Innovators The Biz Spot hosted the 2025 Community-Rooted Innovation Awards in early December to celebrate local leaders who move with purpose, build with love and pour back into the East St. Louis community. Among the few awardees included MyKeia Thomas, Library Media Specialist at Mason/Clark Middle, as the Advocacy Honoree and Catrice Johnson, School Social Worker at Bush Alternative Center, as the Education Honoree. We salute their recognition and the lasting impact they are making within the community. Highlights from Fall Sports We salute all the fall sports student athletes and coaches from the City of Champions. Success highlights include: · East St. Louis Sr. High Flyers Football Team : IHSA Class 6A 2nd Place State (Head Coach Darren Sunkett) · Unified East St. Louis Sr. High Flag Football Team : State Champions . This is the 3rd state title under Head Coach Kelvin Rodgers and 4th with Assistant Coach George Mumphard. · Unified East St. Louis Sr. High Boys Bowling Doubles Team : 2nd Place State (Head Coach Jason Rogers) · Unified East St. Louis Sr. High Girls Bowling Doubles Team : 2nd Place State (Head Coach Jason Rogers) · Daniya Hill, East St. Louis Senior High, Cross Country : 5th Place at IHSA Class 2A Carterville Cross Country Regional (Head Coach Nino Fennoy ) · Kobe Wright, Younge School of Excellence, Cross Country : Qualified for IESA State Class 1A Meet (Head Coach Robert Cowman ) · KK Clark, Lincoln Middle School, Cross Country : Qualified for IESA State Class 2A Meet (Head Coach Rodney Burrell ) · Kenneth Walton, Lincoln Middle School, Cross Country : Qualified for IESA State Class 2A Meet (Head Coach Rodney Burrell ) · Carlos Clay, Mason/Clark Middle School, Cross Country : Qualified for IESA State Class 3A Meet (Head Coach Cortez Branch ) · Zaiden Cullum, Mason/Clark Middle School, Cross Country : Qualified for IESA State Class 3A Meet (Head Coach Cortez Branch ) · Mason/Clark 7th Grade Girls Basketball Team : IESA 7-4A Region 15 Champions (Head Coach Asheley Browning) File Attachments December 2025 Recognitions.pdf (268 KB) 6. APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES Subject A. Motion to Approve Minutes of the November 17, 2025 Regular Board Meeting Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 6. APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES Type Action, Minutes Recommended Action Motion to approve the Board meeting minutes as presented. The Board will approve the minutes as presented. The minutes will be made public within ten days of Board approval. File Attachments 7. PRESENTATIONS / REPORTS Subject A. Presentations/Reports Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 7. PRESENTATIONS / REPORTS Type Information, Report File Attachments Subject B. Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Results: Nick Cavalier, Baker Tilly Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 7. PRESENTATIONS / REPORTS Type Information, Presentation File Attachments East St. Louis School District 189 AUD Audit Results FINAL 06-30-25.pdf (1,527 KB) East St. Louis School District 189 FS FINAL 06-30-25.pdf (1,186 KB) East St. Louis Area Joint Agreement AUD Audit Results FINAL 06-30-25.pdf (916 KB) East St. Louis Regional Vocational System AUD Audit Results FINAL 06-30-25.pdf (1,000 KB) Subject C. School Improvement Presentation: Lincoln Middle School Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 7. PRESENTATIONS / REPORTS Type Information, Presentation School Improvement presentation required by the Illinois State Board of Education. File Attachments 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Subject A. Public Comments - A request to speak form must be submitted 30 minutes prior to the time the meeting is scheduled to convene Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Type Procedural The Board of Education will hear comments from individuals who have requested to address the Board. A request to speak form must be submitted 30 minutes prior to the time the meeting is scheduled to convene. File Attachments 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION Subject A. Motion to Move to Executive Session to consider one or more of the following reasons: (120/2(c)(1) Employee appointments, employments, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissals or dismissal of specific employees, complaints; 120/2(c)(2) Negotiations; 120/2(c)(5) Property Acquisition/Lease/Purchase; 120/2(c)(8) Emergency Security Procedures; 120/2(c)(9) Student Discipline; 120/2(c)(11) Actual/Potential Litigation; 120/2(c)(16) Self-evaluation, practices and procedures or professional ethics when meeting with a representative of a statewide association of which the public body is a member; 120/2(c)(21) Closed Meeting Minutes Discussion/Review) Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION Type Action Recommended Action Motion to move to Executive Session to consider one or more of the reasons listed below. A closed session in accordance with the Illinois Open Meeting Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) will be necessary to consider one or more of the following subjects including, but not limited to: 120/2(c)(1) Employee appointments, employments, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissals or dismissal of specific employees, complaints 120/2(c)(2) Negotiations 120/2(c)(5) Property Acquisition/Lease/Purchase 120/2(c)(8) Emergency Security Procedures 120/2(c)(9) Student Discipline 120/2(c)(11) Actual/Potential Litigation 120/2(c)(16) Self-evaluation, practices and procedures or professional ethics when meeting with a representative of a statewide association of which the public body is a member 120/2(c)(21) Closed Meeting Minutes Discussion/Review Click here to read the applicable Illinois Statute File Attachments 10. OPEN SESSION Subject A. Reconvene in Open Session for possible action on items discussed in Executive Session Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 10. OPEN SESSION Type Information File Attachments 11. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT(S) Subject A. Update - Projects & Activities Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 11. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT(S) Type Information, Report File Attachments Subject B. Report - FOIA Requests Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 11. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT(S) Type Information, Report File Attachments 12. ACTION AGENDA Subject A. Consider Approval to Read All Resolutions by Reading of Heading Only Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 12. ACTION AGENDA Type Action, Discussion Recommended Action Motion to approve the Superintendent's recommendation File Attachments Subject B. Consider Approval of Resolution Regarding Renewal of Amended Charter & Charter School Agreement with SIUE Charter High School Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 12. ACTION AGENDA Type Action, Discussion Recommended Action Motion to approve resolution(s) as presented. File Attachments 12.B Resolution (SIUE Charter) 121625.pdf (721 KB) Subject C. Consider Approval of Worker's Compensation Settlement Agreement(s) Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 12. ACTION AGENDA Type Action, Discussion Recommended Action Motion to approve the settlement agreement(s) as presented. File Attachments Subject D. Consider Approval of Student Discipline Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 12. ACTION AGENDA Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve the student expulsion(s) as presented. File Attachments 13. PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL REPORT Subject A. Consider Approval of Financial Report for the Month of November 2025 Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 13. PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL REPORT Type Action, Discussion, Report Recommended Action Motion to approve Financial Report as presented. 1F. Approval of the Comparative Analysis/Financial Report for the month ending November 2025 Approval of the Monthly Finance Department Reports: Part A - Cash Reconciliation Detail. Included in Cash Account Funds on Worksheet. Approval of Part B - Necessary Expenditures Approval of US Credit Card - Expenditures Approval of Part B - Wire Transfers Approval of the Journal Entry Form Direct Energy Electric. Approval of the Construction Payments Approval of Workers Compensation Claims Approval of Part C - Miscellaneous Cash Receipts Approval of Part D - Athletic, Admissions, Concessions & Game Guarantee. Approval of Part E - Money Returned from Expense Checks & Miscellaneous Payments Approval of Part F - Projected Open Accounts Payable (Unrestricted) Approval of Part H - Payroll (Overtime Pay) Approval of Part I - Funded Program Claims File Attachments 1F. Finance Report 12.9.25.pdf (3,462 KB) 14. PERSONNEL Subject A. Consider Approval of the Personnel Report Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 14. PERSONNEL Type Action, Discussion, Report Recommended Action Motion to approve the Personnel Report & addendum as presented. File Attachments 15. REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES Subject A. Consider Approval of the Buildings & Grounds Committee Report Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 15. REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES Type Action, Discussion, Report Recommended Action Motion to approve the Buildings & Grounds Committee Report as presented. Attachments : B&G Report - Informational File Attachments 1BG B&G Report 12.1.25.pdf (67 KB) Subject B. Consider Approval of the Curriculum Committee Report Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 15. REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES Type Action, Discussion, Report Recommended Action Motion to approve the Curriculum Committee Report as presented. Attachments: 2.A. & 3.A. - Curriculum Committee Reports - Informational 5.A. Professional Development Requests 6.A. No Field Trip Requests for Month of December 2025 7.A. Action Requests & Attachments Referrals to Finance Committee: The following referrals are included in the Finance Committee Report: 5.A. Professional Development Requests 7.A. Action Requests & Addendum File Attachments 2A_3A_Curriculum Reports_12.02.25.pdf (1,128 KB) 5A_Report_Curric Prof Dev_12.02.25.pdf (45 KB) 7A Report_Curric Action Items_Addendum 12.09.25.pdf (13 KB) 7A. 1 Agreement with Catapult Learning.pdf (1,205 KB) 7A. 2 Revised Agreement with Go International.pdf (679 KB) 7A. 3 Agreement with St. Louis Area Foodbank-Officer Elem..pdf (1,654 KB) 7A. 4 Cisco Phone System Flex Plan Renewal.pdf (914 KB) 7A. 5 Annual Chromebook Lease with Trafera.pdf (213 KB) 7A. 6 All Precision Analytics, LCC Tutoring.pdf (367 KB) 7A.9 AIR Agreement 12.9.25.pdf (1,192 KB) Subject C. Consider Approval of the Policy Committee Report Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 15. REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES Type Action, Discussion, Report Recommended Action Motion to approve the Policy Committee Report as presented. FIRST READINGS: The following policies are hereby presented to the Board of Education for approval of First Reading, waiving Second Reading. POLICY REVIEWS, REWRITES & DRAFT UPDATES 2:120 – Board Member Development Updated for continuous improvement. 2:150 – Committees Updated for continuous improvement. 2:270 – Discrimination and Harassment on the Basis of Race, Color, and National Origin Prohibited Updated for continuous improvement. 4:10 – Fiscal and Business Management Updated for continuous improvement. 4:30 – Revenue and Investments Updated in response to the Public Funds Investment Act. 4:80 – Accounting and Audits The district may add the two optional sentences. 4:140 – Waiver of Student Fees Legal References are updated. 4:190 – Targeted School Violence Prevention Program Legal References are updated. 5:10 – Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment Updated in response to the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA). 5:90 – Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Updated in response to 325 ILCS 5/.5, amended by P.A. 104-245. 5:100 – Staff Development Program Updates citations. 5:190 – Teacher Qualifications Legal References are updated. 5:200 – Terms and Conditions of Employment Updated in response to the Nursing Mothers in Workplace Act. 5:220 – Substitute Teachers Legal References are updated. Districts are required to provide all substitute personnel with 1) training on school evacuation drills and law enforcement lockdown drills, and 2) support that includes, at a minimum, the information packet given to employees with district-approved materials outlining evacuation and lockdown procedures. Maps indicating all school exists must also be prominently displayed in every classroom. 5:280 – Duties and Qualifications Updated for continuous improvement. 5:300 – Schedules and Employment Year Updated in response to the Nursing Mothers in Workplace Act. 6:20 – School Year Calendar and Day Updated in response to 105 ILCS 5/24-2(c), amended by P.A. 104-391, making commemorative holidays optional to observe and moving the last Friday in April (Arbor and Bird Day), October 9 (Leif Erikson Day), and the day immediately after Thanksgiving (Native American Heritage Day) to commemorative holidays. Removed American Indian Day and Just Say No Day from the list of commemorative holidays. 6:40 – Curriculum Development Updated to reflect that districts are required to evaluate single-sex classes and extracurricular activities at least every two years. 6:60 – Curriculum Content Updates made throughout. Answer required: No. The Board selects the default answer and is not adding the optional sentence. Added new requirements for instruction on online/internet safety and media literacy. Updates made to Comprehensive Health Education Program (CHEP). 6:130 – Program for the Gifted Updated to remove references to State funding for gifted programs and related requirements. 6:160 – English Learners Updated for continuous improvement. 6:220 – Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Program; Responsible Use and Conduct Legal References updated. 6:260 – Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs Updated in response to Mahmoud v. Taylor. 6:300 – Graduation Requirements Updated to include the requirement that students pass an exam on patriotism, principles of representative government, and proper use and display of the American flag, formerly addressed in a separate statute. 6:310 – High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students Legal References updated and other minor updates. 6:315 – High School Credit for Students in Grade 7 or 8 Updates made that allow a grade 7 or 8 student high school course credit if they pass the course and the end-of-course examination given at the high school granting the credit for the same course, demonstrating proficiency at the high school level. Legal References updated. 6:320 – High School Credit for Proficiency Legal References updated. 7:10 – Equal Educational Opportunities Updated. Codifies Plyer v. Dow, prohibiting districts from taking any action that would deny a child free public education based on the child’s or their parent’s/guardian’s actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status, and requiring districts to establish a policy and procedures regarding agency and law enforcement requests, to ensure this right is preserved. 7:150 – Agency and Law Enforcement Requests This policy is renamed and rewritten in response to 105 ILCS 5/22-105, requiring districts to establish a policy by 7-1-26 regarding agency ad law enforcement requests at school, and for continuous improvement. The district must still comply with federal and State laws, such as FERPA and the Illinois School Student Records Act, governing the disclosure of student records and information. The Board attorney shall be consulted regarding legal requirements when requests are received from federal law enforcement agencies. 7:70 – Attendance and Truancy Updated in response to 105 ILCS 5/10-19.05(k), requiring an approval process for students to attend allowable activities by the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year. This includes provisions for the student to make up missed coursework that does not penalize them. 7:180 – Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment Updated with revised language required beginning 7-1-26. Definitions expanded on Artificial Intelligence, cyberbullying, and digital replica. 7:190 – Student Behavior Language added to expand the required notices school staff must make to include: becoming aware of any person in possession of a firearm on school grounds, or becomes aware of any threat of gun violence on school grounds. Language added that in the event of a report of threatening firearm violence made by a student, the Building Principal or designee shall attempt to notify the student’s parent/guardian as soon as possible to ensure the student does not have access to a firearm. 7:290 – Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention Updated. Effective 1-1-26, districts are required to insert the same contact information for suicide prevention helplines used on student ID cards to be added to employee ID cards for employees serving any of grades 6-12. 7:310 – Restrictions on Publications; Elementary Schools Legal References updated. 7:315 – Restrictions on Publications; High Schools Updates made. 7:340 – Student Records Minor revisions made to match the text of the Illinois School Student Records Act. 8:30 – Visitors to and Conduct on School Property Updated for continuous improvement with Legal References also updated. File Attachments Policies - Dec 2 2025.pdf (712 KB) Subject D. Consider Approval of the Finance Committee Report Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 15. REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES Type Action, Discussion, Report Recommended Action Motion to approve the Finance Committee Report as presented. Finance Committee Report 1F. Consider approval of the Comparative Analysis/Financial Report for the month ending November 2025. 2F. Consider approval of payment to Becker, Hoerner, & Ysursa P.C. invoices for services rendered for the month of November 2025. Cost: $7,859.25 Funding Source: District Funds 3F. Consider approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) Between Venice School District #3 and East St. Louis School District 189 for Venice Students (grades 9-12) to attend East St. Louis Senior High School for 2025-2026 School Year. 4F. Consider approval of the Bluffview Headstart lease extension from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026 in the amount of $12,000 paid in two installments. Bluffview Headstart Lease Date Payment Amount First Installment June 1, 2025 $6,000.00 Second Installment January 1, 2026 $6,000.00 5F. Consider approval of a donation of Thanksgiving meals for 30-50 families at Dr. Katie Harper-Wright from Jack and Jill of America. Estimated Value: $2,500 Addendum 12-9-25 6F. Consider approval of Renewal of District’s Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with Alliant / Mesirow for the Calendar Year 2026. Buildings & Ground Referrals 1BG. B&G Report - Informational Curriculum Committee Referrals 5.A. Professional Development Requests 7.A. Action Requests 1. Previously approved August 2025. Change in cost . Consider approval of an agreement with Catapult Learning to provide academic tutoring services to students at Broken But Not Shattered Academy (BBNS). Cost $12227.00 $10,181 Funding Source: Title I 2. Previously approved September 16, 2025 - Consider revised Agreement with Go! International for after school youth programming and PD for staff at James Avant Elementary School. Cost: $15,000 $8,000.00 Funding Source: Community School FSCS Grant - Avant 3. Consider approval of an agreement with the St. Louis Area Foodbank for Officer Elementary to participate in the School Pantry program and receive free shelf-stable food items for distribution to school families. Cost: $0 4. Consider approval of Cisco Phone System Flex plan renewal from Presidio 64 months Cost: $161,292.30 Funding Source: District 5. Consider approval of Annual Chromebook Lease payment to Trafera. Cost: $90,479.00 Funding Source: District 6. Consider approval of All Precision Analytics, LCC Tutoring services/ Student Math Support that directly focus on the math skills ( Mechanical Concepts and Graphic Arithmetic) required for ESL industrial trades programs (Construction, Welding, Electrical) and industry-recognized exam CAST-R Test . Cost: $3,325.00 Funding Source: CTEI Grant 7. Previously approved September 16, 2025: Board-approved as part time employee on November 17, 2025. Consider approval of a Contract with Bernice Bonds to serve as an Officer Elementary reading tutor. Cost: Up to$15,000 Funding Source: FSCS Grant-Officer 8. Previously approved September 16, 2025: Board-approved as part time employee on November 17, 2025. Consider approval of a Contract with Edna Hudson to serve as an Officer Elementary reading tutor. Cost: Up to $15,000.00 Funding Source: FSCS Grant-Officer Addendum 12-9-25 9. Consider approval of the agreement between East St. Louis School District 189 and the American Institute of Research (AIR) to conduct a school-wide needs assessment for Mason/Clark Middle School, Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence, and Katie Wright Elementary School per ISBE guidelines for "comprehensive" schools. Cost: $124,923.00 Funding Source: 1003A Title I School Improvement Grant File Attachments 1F. Finance Report 12.9.25.pdf (3,462 KB) 3F. Venice IGA (2025-2026).pdf (790 KB) 5F. Jack and Jill for Wright-Donation.pdf (711 KB) 5A_Report_Curric Prof Dev_12.02.25.pdf (45 KB) 4F. Lease (Bluffview School Site) Dec 2025.pdf (736 KB) 16. OLD BUSINESS Subject A. Old Business Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 16. OLD BUSINESS Type Discussion, Information File Attachments 17. NEW BUSINESS Subject A. New Business Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 17. NEW BUSINESS Type Discussion, Information File Attachments 18. ANNOUNCEMENTS Subject A. Regular Board Meetings: January 20, 2026; February 17, 2026; March 17, 2026; April 21, 2026; May 20, 2026; June 16, 2026 Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 18. ANNOUNCEMENTS Type Information File Attachments 19. ADJOURNMENT Subject A. Motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting Dec 16, 2025 - BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Category 19. ADJOURNMENT Type Action Recommended Action Motion to Adjourn the meeting. File Attachments