Grundy Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education met April 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Roll Call

Chair of the Board Dr. Steven Isoye called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Chair Isoye announced that the Board meeting was being audio-cast live over the internet and video recorded.

Chair Isoye asked the clerk to call the roll. A quorum was present with five members attending in person. Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders also was in attendance.

Chair Isoye 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. Anderson moved that the State Board of Education permit the participation of Dr. Chavarria via video conference. Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

Members Present:

Dr. Steven Isoye, Chair of the Board

Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chair

Dr. Sherly Chavarria, Secretary (virtual)

Dr. James Anderson

Laura Gonzalez

Dr. Patricia Nugent

Dr. Jonah Rice

Staff Present

Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent

Jo Ireland, Board Services Coordinator

Isabel Schoeman, Special Assistant to the State Superintendent

Dr. Kimako Patterson, Chief of Staff

Kristen Kennedy, Chief Legal Officer

Dr. Jason Helfer, Chief Education Officer – Instruction

Jennifer Saba, Chief Education Officer – Operations

Dr. Matt Seaton, Chief Financial Officer

Tassi Maton, Chief Internal Audit Officer

Edobor Efam, Chief Information Officer

Irma Snopek, Chief Policy and Communications Officer

Miguel Calderon, Chief Operating Officer

Rae Clementz, Executive Director of Data, Accountability, of Assessment

Jeffrey Judge, Director of Wellness and Student Care

Lindsay Record, Press Secretary

Erica Thieman, Director of CTE

Dr. Christine Paxson, Executive Director of Improvement and Innovation

Dr. Ronda Dawson, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning

Dr. Tiffany Burnett, Executive Director of Safe and Healthy Climate (virtual)

Nick Heckel, Supervisor of School/District Improvement(virtual)

Ryan Levin, Supervisor of Wellness and Student Care (virtual)

Joyce Gronewold, Executive Director of Specialized Instruction

2. Swearing-In of Board Member(s)/Roll Call (as needed)

Chair Isoye welcomed Dr. Jonah Rice as a newly appointed member of the State Board of Education.. Chief Legal Officer Kristen Kennedy administered the ceremonial oath of office for Dr. Rice. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present with six members.

3. Public Participation

Chair Isoye reminded those in attendance of the Public Participation Policy and the sign-up procedures for today’s meeting.

Cynthia Riseman Lund, legislative director at the Illinois Federation of Teachers, spoke on updates to the Part 25 (Educator Licensure) rules. She expressed concerns about the proposed changes to Part 25.120, which she argued would diminish the authority of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) in approving and monitoring educator preparation programs. She stated that allowing for a path that circumvents SEPLB approval would potentially allow for the approval of sub-standard programs. Ms. Riseman Lund suggested that clear expectations and stronger technological guidance would help programs to meet standards without sacrificing rigor or integrity. She emphasized the importance of SEPLB’s role in the educator licensure process and urged ISBE to reconsider the proposed changes.

Jessica Handy, Illinois government affairs director for Stand for Children and facilitator of the Illinois Early Literacy Coalition, spoke on literacy. She first thanked Dr. Sanders and the Board for their leadership under the current federal administration and for defending culturally affirming curricula. She then discussed a white paper recently released by the Illinois Early Literacy Coalition. The paper examined what drove literacy recovery post-pandemic in several Illinois districts. The themes that arose in their research were:

• Depending on leadership bringing systemic change to schools and creating space for teachers to lead and learn,

• Adopting new curriculum and screeners and empowering teachers to use those materials effectively, and

• Maximizing the schedule for adults to look at data together and undergo instructional coaching whilst increasing instruction time for students.

She noted common barriers of capacity, funding, and qualified novice teachers. Chair Isoye reminded Ms. Handy that she can share additional materials with Board Services Coordinator Jo Ireland.

4. Resolutions

A. Dr. Anna Grassellino, ISBE Board Member

Ms. Gonzalez read the proposed resolution honoring Dr. Anna Grassellino, ISBE Board member. Dr. Anderson moved that the State Board of Education hereby approves the resolution for Dr. Grassellino. Ms. Gonzalez seconded the motion. Chair Isoye thanked Dr. Grassellino for her service on the Board and stated his excitement for the students that she will be able to work with in the future. Dr. Nugent thanked Dr. Grassellino for her representation of females in the STEM field. Dr. Leak noted it was refreshing to see a woman pushing the envelope in the STEM field through Dr. Grassellino and appreciated her work on the Board. Ms. Gonzalez commented on her positive experience working with Dr. Grassellino and acknowledged her for being a champion for women and student growth in the STEM field. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. Chair Isoye reminded the Board that he and Dr. Sanders will be visiting Dr. Grassellino to present her with the resolution and discuss her experience on the Board.

B. Roger Eddy, ISBE Board Member

Dr. Nugent read the proposed resolution honoring Roger Eddy, ISBE Board member. Dr. Nugent moved that the State Board of Education hereby approves the resolution for Mr. Eddy. Dr. Leak seconded the motion. Dr. Nugent extended gratitude to Mr. Eddy for his welcoming presence when she first arrived on the Board and for sharing his political experience with the Board and the National Association of State Boards of Education. Dr. Leak spoke on Mr. Eddy’s long-term prominence in the education field, noting that Mr. Eddy has been a role model for fellow superintendents. She appreciated his commitment to making change, taking action, and being a man of his word who centered students always. Ms. Gonzalez said Mr. Eddy was incredibly helpful to her as she began her time on the Board and expressed her gratitude to have worked with him. Chair Isoye added that he’s been aware of Mr. Eddy as an advocate for students for almost his entire career and shared that he is grateful for the opportunity to work with Mr. Eddy. He added that he knows that Mr. Eddy will continue to advocate students even after his time on the Board. Chair Isoye noted that he and Dr. Sanders will be going to dinner with Mr. Eddy as well and will present him with the resolution. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.

5. Closed Session

Dr. Leak moved that the State Board of Education go into closed session for the following exception items:

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)

B. Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)

She further moved that Board members may invite anyone they wish to be included in this closed session. Ms. Gonzalez seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The open meeting recessed at 9:29 a.m. to go into closed session. The open meeting reconvened at 10:01 a.m.

6. Public Participation

There was no further public participation.

7. Consent Agenda

Chair Isoye reviewed the items under the consent agenda. Dr. Leak clarified for item 7.B on the consent agenda that Part 25 rules updates contain language protecting the authority of SEPLB. Chief Education Officer – Instruction, Dr. Jason Helfer, stated that the proposed rule solely adds an additional level of refinement and allows programs to operate while SEPLB seeks additional clarification on more minor factors. Dr. Leak confirmed with Dr. Sanders that item 7.F is solely approving a Notice of Funding Opportunity/Request for Proposals and not awarding funds.

Dr. Anderson moved that the State Board of Education hereby approve the consent agenda. Ms. Gonzalez seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The following motions were approved by action taken in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes

*Plenary Minutes: Mar. 12, 2025

The Illinois State Board of Education hereby approves the March 12, 2025, meeting minutes.

Approvals

*Approval for Adoption – Part 25 (Educator Licensure) Various Updates

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the State Superintendent to submit the proposed rulemaking for Part 25 to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for second notice.

Further, the Board authorizes the state superintendent of education to make such technical and non-substantive changes as the state superintendent may deem necessary in response to suggestions or objections of JCAR.

Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million

*Approval of the One-Year Intergovernmental Agreement with Northern Illinois University for the Illinois Report Card, My Data Dashboard, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Northern Illinois University for the continued hosting, development, enhancement, maintenance, and support of the Illinois Report Card, My Illinois Report Card, My Data Dashboard (formerly Ed360), and 21st Century Community Learning Centers for fiscal year 2026 in an amount not to exceed $2,918,225.59.

*Approval to Award the Environmental Protection Agency Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Grant The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to award nine school districts a total of $19.6 million to fund 70 electric school buses per the grant terms in the 2024 EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle grant program.

*Approval to Release a Request for Sealed Proposals for ELIS Contractual Team for Educator Effectiveness Applications

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to release and award a Request for Sealed Proposals to procure a contract with a team to assist in the continued development and maintenance of existing and future data systems, including the Educator Licensure Information System and the Annual Program Report, which are utilized by the Educator Effectiveness Department. The initial term of the contract will begin Jan. 1, 2026, and extend through June 30, 2030. The contract total cost will not exceed $5.428 million.

*Approval of After-School Grant Program Pursuant to Part 268 Rules

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to award After-School Program grants to school districts and other eligible entities in a total amount not to exceed $25 million in FY 2025. This includes authorization to release a Notice of Funding Opportunities/Request for Proposals for eligible non-school district entities and to award grants to successful applicants. It further includes authorization to award formula grants to school districts that meet defined low-income criteria as set forth in administrative rule.

The State Board of Education further authorizes the state superintendent to execute grant agreements within defined parameters to any entity eligible to receive more than $1 million for a single award.

* Approval to Enter into One-Year Intergovernmental Agreement with Northern Illinois University to Provide CTE Professional Learning Opportunities

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to enter into a one-year intergovernmental agreement with Northern Illinois University to provide CTE Professional Learning.

8. Announcements and Reports

Superintendent/Senior Staff Announcements

Dr. Sanders discussed the ISBE Student Summit held on March 13 in Bloomington. He thanked Dr. Nugent for attending, as well as the Wellness and Student Care Department for organizing the event. He updated the Board that this event will happen annually and that the student advisers will present to the Board on their findings at an upcoming Board meeting. The students have also been presenting to their local school boards on what they learned at the summit. Dr. Sanders then shared that he attended the Council of Chief State School Officers Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., and presented during one of the sessions. He stated that he also presented at the Illinois Association of School Administrators and Illinois Association of School Business Officials joint economic conference. Dr. Sanders said that he was able to do school visits and Statewide System of Support tour stops at CUSD 300, Hall HSD 502, Carterville CUSD 5, Pawnee CUSD 11, and ROE 33. He shared that he additionally presented at the ISBE Wellness Conference and thanked the ISBE team for putting together that event.

In response to a Board member request, Dr. Sanders then provided a federal update. He explained that ISBE received last-minute notification that late liquidation Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds would be at risk, which would total $77.2 million for the state and affect 35 school districts in the amount of $40.1 million. He listed the numerous state and school district programs that would be at risk should this funding be lost and announced that Illinois has joined multi-state lawsuit in response. He assured the Board that school districts will continue to be kept abreast of updates. On the subject of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Dr. Sanders shared that Illinois and all other states have been asked to sign an attestation that they are in compliance with Title VI and the Harvard et al. case. He detailed the requests made by the federal government of ISBE to ensure compliance with these policies and noted that is ISBE is unaware of any federal authority to require ISBE to undertake such actions and that the request fails to define DEI. ISBE sent a response letter certifying its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulation. The agency submits regular application certifying compliance with all required assurances for federal programs, and that those certifications and assurances remain in effect. He emphasized the significant ramifications of any cuts in federal funding.

There were no senior staff announcements.

Chair of the Board’s Report

Chair Isoye thanked Dr. Sanders for the federal update and his correspondences sent out to the field, as well as his focus on supporting the students of the state of Illinois. Chair Isoye discussed learning about what a month is like for a military child through one of Dr. Sanders’ weekly updates. He stated that Illinois is part of a compact to ensure that students from military families get a continuum of education despite their potential to move at any point throughout the year. He reminded the Board that the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) is doing a federal exchange on April 23, a regular monthly exchange on May 5, and a central state exchange on May 20. He thanked Ms. Gonzalez for joining the last central state exchange. He additionally shared that the NASBE new member conference will take place on July 7-9 and encouraged Dr. Rice to consider attending. Chair Isoye shared that he attended the Milken Educator Forum, where Jessica Wentz was the Illinois awardee. He welcomed

Dr. Rice again and thanked Dr. Grassellino and Mr. Eddy for their service. He concluded by reminding the Board members that they will need five members to attend in person for a quorum despite only having seven Board members appointed currently; he noted that two members already have shared they cannot attend the June meeting, so all other members will need to attend in person to have a quorum.

Member Reports

Dr. Leak reminded the Board that the NASBE annual conference will take place in October in Austin, Texas. Dr. Leak commended Dr. Sanders, Dr. Seaton, and Dr. Patterson on the work they did to prepare for the Senate appropriations hearing the day prior. She also noted that the Board meeting this month takes place on Emancipation Day, which is poignant given the ongoing national fight to best support children no matter what their background is.

Ms. Gonzalez said that the 19th annual Bilingual Parents Summit will take place on May 3. She stated that she loves the summit and that it is great to see parents grow through the event.

Dr. Nugent thanked Dr. Sanders and the ISBE staff for organizing the student summit. She reflected on how moving the event was to her and encouraged everyone to attend next year. She shared that she also attended the Midwest Association of Teacher Educators Conference in Lafayette, Indiana. She said that she was encouraged to hear about developments in teacher preparation using AI and research on teacher empowerment. She highlighted the importance of teacher autonomy and noted she also attended a dual language session. She concluded by stating her gratitude to live in the state of Illinois and under the leadership here, which is recognized in the field.

9. Information Items

ISBE Fiscal & Administrative Monthly Reports

Freedom of Information Act Monthly Report

10. Motion for Adjournment

Chair Isoye stated that the next Board meeting will be held on May 14, 2025.

Dr. Rice moved to adjourn the April 16, 2025, meeting of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Dr. Anderson seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 10:28 a.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/isbe/Board.nsf/files/DGAM6C59B161/$file/DRAFT%20Plenary%20Minutes%20-%20April%2016%202025.pdf