Grundy Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education met Sept. 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 noon.

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 seven members attending in person. Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders also was in attendance.

Members Present

Dr. Steven Isoye, Chair of the Board

Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chair

Dr. Sherly Chavarria, Secretary

Laura Gonzalez

Dr. Judy Hackett

Dr. Patricia Nugent

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

Dr. Kimako Patterson, Chief of Staff

Kristen Kennedy, Chief Legal Officer

2. Public Participation

There was no public participation.

3. Closed Session

Dr. Rice 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. 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. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(16)

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

The open meeting recessed at 12:02 p.m. to go into closed session. The open meeting reconvened at 4:48 p.m. 4. Board Self-Evaluation Discussion (Closed Session)

5. Strategic Plan – Superintendent Evaluation Discussion (Closed Session)

6. Motion for Adjournment

Chair Isoye stated that the Board meeting will reconvene the next day at 9 a.m.

Ms. Gonzalez moved to adjourn the September 16, 2025, meeting of the Illinois State Board of Education. Dr. Rice seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/isbe/Board.nsf/files/DM4TTN78E20A/$file/DRAFT%20Plenary%20Minutes%20-%20September%2016%2C%202025.pdf