Grundy Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education Finance and Audit Committee of the Whole met Sept. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Illinois State Board of Education Finance and Audit Committee of the Whole met Sept. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Roll Call

Committee Chair Dr. Patricia Nugent brought the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Roll call was taken. A quorum was present, with seven 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

Dr. Sherly Chavarria

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

Dr. Matt Seaton, Chief Financial Officer

Dr. Jason Helfer, Chief Education Officer – Instruction

Jennifer Saba, Chief Education Officer – Operations

Tassi Maton, Chief Internal Audit Officer

Irma Snopek, Chief Policy and Communications Officer

Miguel Calderon, Chief Operating Officer

Rae Clementz, Executive Director of Data, Accountability & Assessment

Angela Foxall, Director of Assessment

2. Public Participation

There was no public participation.

3. Approval of Minutes: August 12, 2025

Dr. Leak moved that the Finance and Audit Committee of the Whole hereby approve the August 12, 2025, meeting minutes. Dr. Isoye seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Dr. Leak abstained from the vote.

4. Upcoming October Board Action

A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – approval to Upward Amend the Pearson Administration Contract for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness

Director of Assessment Angela Foxall discussed this item

Dr. Chavarria asked in what situation would a student have been pre-assigned the text-to-speech option. Ms. Foxall stated that it is available to all students, however, districts pre-assign students. She said that it may be due to IEP accommodations, students who are in Tier 2 or Tier 3 system of supports. She also shared that some districts select it for all students, some don’t select it at all. The direction given from ISBE has been to provide the same supports on the test that they are being given in daily instruction. Dr. Chavarria asked for confirmation that the guidance would not change, just the routing of the opportunity would be more universally available. Ms. Foxall confirmed yes.

B. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Contract Award for Facilitation of an Accountability Technical Advisory Committee

Director of Accountability Milton Leathers discussed this item.

Dr. Chavarria asked why they are choosing to move from a three-year contract to a five-year contract. Mr. Leathers stated that it ensures stability across the critical 2026 redesign in the three required federal review cycles that follow. He further stated that national experts are in high demand and a longer contract allows Illinois to secure time to ensure the state’s work receives priority.

Dr. Leak asked how this contract would be impacted if federal funding disappears during this particular contract and how the work will still be facilitated. Mr. Leathers stated that they would move to more virtual meetings versus in person meetings and use state funding.

Dr. Sanders shared that most of ISBE’s contracts have an out in the event that funding is not available, so the contract could be cancelled, if necessary, without penalty. He further stated that staff are thinking through contingency plans for anything that is currently funded through federal dollars.

Dr. Nugent asked for FYs 2024-26 funding rates before the October Board meeting to have for comparison. Internal Audit Updates

Chief Internal Audit Officer Tassi Maton led this discussion.

A. Current Audits and Forthcoming Reports

I. FY 2023 Statewide Single Audit

II. FY 2024 Statewide Single Audit

III. FY 2025 Statewide Single Audit

IV. FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Statewide Audit

B. FY 2023/24 Compliance Examination Progress Report

Chief Internal Audit Officer Tassi Maton led this discussion on external audits. She stated the FY 2023 statewide single audit report is scheduled to be released soon, and she is hopeful it is on track to be on the October Board meeting agenda for acceptance. Testing for FY 2024 and FY2025 statewide single audits continue, and the FY 2025 ACFR is underway as scheduled.

Ms. Maton discussed the FY 2023/24 Compliance Examination Progress Report. The audit department has had meetings with departments to explain the agile finding follow-up process and to gather information on their corrective action progress that has been made. Quarterly progress reports will be provided to the Board. Ms. Maton stated she would be happy to discuss specific questions related to the progress report and the updates but suggested they do it in closed session, as the findings relate to internal controls around compliance.

5. Closed Session (if needed)

Dr. Chavarria moved that the State Board of Education go into closed session for the following exception item: A. Meetings between internal or external auditors and governmental audit committees, finance committees, and their equivalents, when the discussion involves internal control weaknesses, identification of potential fraud risk areas, known or suspected frauds, and fraud interviews conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards of the United States of America. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(29)

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

The open meeting recessed at 9:18 a.m. to go into closed session. The open meeting reconvened at 9:25 a.m.

6. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda

There was no discussion on this item. Dr. Nugent shared that the FY2 207 Budget Hearings are coming up – the first one is September 30 in Springfield.

7. Next Meeting: October 14, 2025

Dr. Nugent noted that the October 14, 2025, Finance and Audit Committee of the Whole Meeting will begin at 2 p.m. in Flossmoor.

8. Adjourn

Dr. Rice moved to adjourn the meeting. Dr. Isoye seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Chair Nugent adjourned the committee at 9:27 a.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/091625-FA-Minutes.pdf