Glenbard News for July 22, 2025

In this issue:

• GPS speaker spotlight: Gretchen Rubin
• Highlights of July 21 board meeting

GPS speaker spotlight: Gretchen Rubin
Glenbard South senior Sydney David is reading “Secrets of Adulthood” by Gretchen Rubin. Rubin is the renowned author of “The Happiness Project” and will be in conversation with Dr. Laurie Santos of Yale University’s popular course “The Science of Well-Being”. Go to GPSParentSeries.org for details on upcoming events, and check out Rubin’s preview video.

Highlights of July 21 board meeting 
Board Highlights feature a brief description of the action items and discussion items on the meeting agenda. Board Highlights do not replace minutes. The minutes are approved by the board and posted after the next regularly scheduled board meeting. Present: Jay Bastian, Margaret DeLaRosa, Kermit Eby, Hetal Lee, Pete Nolan and Jim Shannon. Absent: Martha Mueller.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

1. Glenbard West Forensics team members Lily Wiedholz and Lucie Williams competed at the National Speech and Debate Association’s National Tournament on June 16-20 in Des Moines, Iowa. Congratulations to Lily Wiedholz on placing third in the nation in Expository Speaking. West Forensics coaches are Grace Rangira and Austin Waters.
2. Our online registration for the 2025-26 school year is underway. Families may register at glenbard87.org/registration. We look forward to meeting new students and welcoming back our returning students on August 14. Resources are being sent to families regarding medical requirements for registration.
3. Administrators from all buildings will convene on July 31 to continue the summer planning component that is vital to our work plan school improvement model. This will be our culminating work planning event before the school year after two other work plan days in May and each building’s summer instructional council retreat.
4. Let me begin by saying, I understand that some members of our community feel their voices have not been fully heard throughout the planning and communication of the 10-year Facility Master Plan. We truly value that feedback and recognize the importance of ensuring everyone feels informed and included. As we move forward, we remain deeply committed to transparency, open dialogue, and strengthening our partnership with the greater Glenbard community. I want to personally say thank you for your continued care and dedication to the district, our schools, and most importantly, the educational success of our students. At this time, I would like to share a brief update with you on our capital improvement work.

   Construction crews have been busy in our buildings this summer with capital improvement work, including projects such as: 

• Curtain wall replacement at East
• Restroom renovations at East, North and West
• Renovation of the library and AV center at East
• Replacement of stadium field turf and track at East
• Mechanical work in all four buildings
• Roof replacements in preparation for solar panels at South
• Tuck pointing
• Conversion of LED lighting in gymnasium at North and South
• Gym surface and bleachers at South and West
• Parking lot renovation at Biester Field House
• Window installation at South and window replacements at West
• Improvements to outdoor sport facilities at South and North

As we have begun the work for our 10-year Facility Master Plan, we are committed to ongoing communication to our greater Glenbard community. I want to share with you a sample of what our communication has looked since Fall of 2023:

• District 87 mailings since Fall 2023 have provided information about the 10-year Facility Master Plan and include how to find out more information. These are mailed to all postal customers 2 times per year.
• Each of the principals have offered a mix of in-person or virtual information sessions to the community, including visits to parent groups at our feeder schools and our own parent booster organizations.
• The initial outline of the work appeared in the flyer from March 2024 that informed the community about the scope of the work in the 10-year Facility Master Plan.
• The Board Finance Committee meetings have had quarterly updates about the facility planning process and were presented at regular Board of Education meetings.
• Information has been available on the Glenbard District 87 website throughout the process leading up to the referendum vote in March 2024, and since then. We are committed to continually improving our website so that it is convenient, transparent, and easily accessible for information for each school community.
• We continue to work in partnership with the villages and communities we serve to go through the permit process. Thank you to the Glen Ellyn Village Board of Trustees who recently voted 5-1 to approve the variance requests for the addition to Glenbard West. Some members of the community expressed the need to value tradition and the history of the hill at Glenbard West. We worked with our architects to minimize the impact on the topography of the hill. We will also continue to work with our architects to provide renderings that reflect accurate depictions of the landscape. We have a meeting scheduled with the planning commission for the Village of Lombard on July 28th for the next steps in the Glenbard East construction project.

5. On May 20, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from Records Retrieval Solutions, Mike Vichich, requesting records of all purchase orders issued by Glenbard District 87 from January 1, 2020, through March 31, 2025. The district has responded to this request.
6. On June 4, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from SmartProcure, Sheri Reid, requesting all purchasing records from February 18, 2025 to the present. The district has responded to this request.
7. On June 4, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from CT Mills, requesting current staff contact directory for all school and district-level administrators. The district has responded to this request.
8. On June 11, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from Painters District Council No. 30, David Arvayo, requesting invoices or receipts for any paint purchases made since May 1, 2025, and any paint contracts awarded for that same time period. The district has responded to this request.
9. On June 11, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from Yami Fresh, Aileen Perez, requesting current contracts for snack/beverage vending and coffee services. The district has responded to this request.
10. On June 18, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from DuPage Policy Journal, Owen Wang, requesting a list of all Glenbard graduates in the past five school years. The district has responded to this request.
11. On June 23, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from DuPage Policy Journal, Owen Wang, requesting information regarding school math teams from Glenbard high schools attending the annual Mu Alpha Theta convention. The district has responded to this request.
12. On June 27, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from Kurt Buchholz, requesting all contracts and invoices pertaining to any referendum work between Wold Architects and Engineers and District 87 beginning with the dates March 1, 2024 to present. The district has responded to this request.
13. On July 1, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Kyrie Reitz, requesting union dues report and/or collective bargaining agreements containing the number of union members who are having dues withdrawn from their paycheck, and the total number of people covered by collective bargaining agreements, as of the first pay period in June 2025. The district has responded to this request.
14. On July 10, 2025, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from the Chicago Tribune, Hope Moses, requesting copies of former District 87 Superintendent David Larson’s full employment contract, including any documents pertaining to bonuses, expense reimbursements and contract modifications over time. The district has responded to this request.

THE BOARD APPROVED:

– the June 16, 2025 regular meeting minutes and closed session minutes.

– the following personnel items:

LICENSED STAFF – EMPLOYMENT:
Name                                             School/Position                                       FTE            Effective Date
Clemens, Corrie                     West / Library+Media Specialist      65%                 08/11/2025
Dornbos, Malary                    East / FaCS Teacher                              70%                 08/11/2025
Schikschnus, Anastasia    East / Art Teacher                                    12.5%             08/11/2025
Torres, Jordan                        East / EL Teacher                                    40%                  08/11/2025
Urman, Frank                          South / English Teacher                       62.5%             08/11/2025

SUPPORT STAFF – EMPLOYMENT:
Name                                          School/Position                                              FTE             Effective Date
Cunningham, Kennedy    West / Special Education Assistant      100%                08/11/2025
Ideler, John                            West / Special Education Assistant      100%                08/11/2025
Megna, Gina                         Directions / Administrative Assistant    100%                08/04/2025
Scumaci, Joseph               DO / District HVAC Technician                 100%                07/15/2025

SUPPORT STAFF – RESIGNATION/TERMINATIONS:
Name                               School/Position                                                                     Effective Date
Ancheta, Arlita           North / Study Hall/BIA Supervisor                               06/28/2025
Karesh, Kelly              South / Admin Assistant to School Counseling     07/07/2025
Martenson, Ann        DO / District Accounting                                                   10/03/2025

LICENSED STAFF – TENURE
Name                               School/Position                                                                     Effective Date
Reeves, Emily            West / Science Teacher (correction)                          08/11/2025

– accepting the following donations: Ms. Pekkarinen, $1,000.00 for Robotics Club at South. Glen Ellyn Rotary Club, $500.00 for student activities at West. Glen Ellyn Rotary Club, $500.00 for special programs at South.

– two excursions.

– COSSBA conference expenses. Glenbard became a part of the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) when it was founded by state school boards associations in late 2021. The consortium is a non-partisan, national alliance dedicated to sharing resources and information to support, promote and strengthen state school boards associations as they serve their local school districts and board members.

The consortium’s national safety conference took place June 25-27, 2025 in St. Louis, MO and Board Vice President Martha Mueller attended. Her expense receipts for lodging, meals and transportation have been received and total $710.36.

– appointment to DAOES Board of Directors. Glenbard District 87 is a member of the DuPage Area Occupational Education System (DAOES), the system that oversees Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) in Addison, Ill. Superintendent Jessica Santee was approved as the board representative for the 2025-26 school year.

– policies and procedures for second reading and adoption. 5:290 Employment Termination and Suspensions; 6:280-AP5 Mandatory Final Assessment; 7:70 Attendance and Truancy; 7:140-AP3 Use of Canine Units for Schoolwide Grounds, Lockers and/or Automobiles; 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment; and 7:190 Student Behavior.

BOARD INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS INCLUDED:

– instructional technology program update. Instructional technology is an integral part of teaching and learning at Glenbard. Our technology foundation remains strong, with iPads, digital books, and Schoology fully integrated into daily instruction. Artificial intelligence tools, including Magic School, Perplexity, and Gemini, are available to students and staff as supplemental resources, with opt-out options for families.

The presentation outlined the continued success of our technology professional development program and instructional technology coaching. Professional development for educators continues to emphasize both technology integration and responsible AI use. Looking ahead, we are focused on leveraging technology to support hybrid block scheduling and deep learning and further exploring the instructional potential of AI.

– furniture products and services contract. The district is scheduled to make significant investment though construction projects over the next several years. All new spaces and most renovated spaces will receive new furniture. Understanding that this is also a significant investment, administration evaluated several furniture vendors which we have worked with over the past several years. 

Warehouse Direct has demonstrated the ability to deliver high-quality furniture at a competitive price. They also are providing the district with additional savings based on the volume of furniture that will be purchased over the next few years. This agreement will allow the district to maintain a consistent discount over the next four years as well as receive reduced and fixed cost increases on all products.

– fiscal year 2025-2026 tentative budget. The district has published its 2025-26 budget calendar and are on track to review and approve the District 87 budget consistent with the plan and timeline. The district presented a budget that indicates a net operating surplus in operating funds for the upcoming school year.

The budget funds all staff and program needs for the upcoming year. 

Operating budget: 

• Operating revenue = $194,896,132
• Operating expenditure = $191,960,281
• Gross operating surplus = $2,935,851
• Permanent O&M transfer to Debt Service Fund = $2,718,730
• Net operating surplus = $217,121 (Gross operating surplus less transfer to Debt Service)

– board vacancy matter. Superintendent Santee apprised the Board of a matter that recently surfaced related to a Board member conflict of interest concern (that ultimately is not one) and a related Board vacancy matter. Superintendent Santee also provided a suggested course of action for the Board to take at its August 11 Board meeting.

Board member, Martha Mueller, recently took a job as a routing coordinator for Safeway, which is the District’s regular and special education transportation contractor. Ms. Mueller’s relationship with Safeway is solely as an employee, without any ownership or economic interests, other than as a non-executive level employee.

In the process of her employment, Ms. Mueller informed Safeway that she was a Glenbard Board of Education member. On the mistaken assumption that this created an unlawful conflict of interest, Safeway advised Ms. Mueller that she had to either resign from employment with Safeway or resign from the Board. Without seeking advice from administration, but in good faith toward Glenbard and Safeway, Ms. Mueller emailed her resignation from the Board on July 7, 2025, at 3:15 p.m. addressed to the Board President with copies to the Board Secretary, Superintendent Santee, and another administrator. Superintendent Santee informed Ms. Mueller that her employment with Safeway may not have required her resignation from the Board and at 3:59 p.m. that same afternoon, she emailed the same people rescinding her resignation. 

The District promptly consulted the Board’s attorneys, who advised that Ms. Mueller’s employment by Safeway was not an unlawful conflict of interest which required her resignation from the Board. The attorneys advised that while the Illinois School Code generally prohibits Board members from having an interest in contracts, that section expressly provides that a School Board member is not deemed interested if the Board member is only an employee and has no financial interests in the company other than as an employee. The attorneys also advised that although not legally necessary, it would be prudent for Ms. Mueller to publicly disclose her employment with Safeway and refrain from all discussion and voting on any matter pertaining to Safeway. 

The Board’s attorneys were further consulted on Ms. Mueller’s status as a member of the Board in light of her resignation and immediate rescission of the resignation. The attorneys advised that although there is a sustainable position that Ms. Mueller’s resignation was not effective due to the mistaken assumption of an unlawful conflict of interest and that her prompt rescission may be effective, the more transparent and legally sound interpretation of the law is that there is a vacancy. The School Code provides that a vacancy arises when a Board member files a resignation in writing with the Secretary of the Board and Illinois courts have determined that, once filed, an unconditional resignation cannot be revoked. Thus, a vacancy likely arose on July 7 when Ms. Mueller filed her resignation with the Board Secretary despite her attempt to rescind it.

Based on discussion with legal counsel, the District believes the most transparent course is to proceed with the understanding that a Board vacancy exists. Therefore, the District was required to give the Regional Superintendent notice of the vacancy. We provided timely notice on July 14. The Board has 60 days to fill the vacancy by appointment. Here, anyone appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the end of Ms. Mueller’s term following the April 2027 Board election, as she was last elected to a four-year term in April of 2023. 

Superintendent Santee’s further recommendation, after consulting with the Board President, is that the Board take the necessary steps to reappoint Ms. Mueller to the Board at the August 11 Board meeting. Reappointing her clears up a mere mistake and satisfies the intent of the electorate for Ms. Mueller to serve on the Board until April 2027.

To effectuate that action, the August 11 agenda will include the following items for Board action:

• Suspend Board Policy 2:70 regarding Board vacancies.
  That Policy, if not suspended, requires the Board to accept applications from District residents. Board policy 2:240 permits the Board to temporarily suspend policies so long as it is not prohibited to do so under law. There is no School Code obligation that a school board accept applications related to a board vacancy. If the Board wishes to reappoint Ms. Mueller, accepting applications would be a waste of time for the Board and applicants.
• Vote to reappoint Ms. Mueller to the Board to fill the vacancy.
• Administer the Board oath to Ms. Mueller.
• Reappoint her to the office of Board Vice President.