The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, November 13. You can watch or listen to a replay of the meeting on our YouTube page.
Spotlight on Music
We started the night on a high note with the Lincoln Chamber Orchestra, which played Variations on an Irish Tune for the School Board and Audience, led by Lincoln Orchestra Director Max Hellermann. Afterward, we celebrated our outstanding District 64 musicians who participated in the Illinois Music Educators Association Festival. These students auditioned and were selected to participate in one of the most competitive and prestigious music opportunities in the state. Read more about the D64 music all-stars.
School Board Members Day
School Board Members Day in Illinois was on November 15. Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins recognized our seven Board members for their dedication and volunteer service. “Thank you for all that you do,” said Dr. Collins. “We are on a really great trajectory, and we’re just getting started. The future is very bright.”
Thank you to the members of the District 64 Board of Education:
- Matt Doubleday - President
- Andrea Cline - Vice President
- Beth Rankin - Secretary
- Rachel Georgakis
- Kurt Kuempel
- Vicki Loise
- Monica Milligan
Financial Update on Bond Issuance
The Board received a positive update regarding the sale of the second series of referendum bonds. Dr. Collins and Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Brian Harlan were joined by financial advisors Elizabeth Hennesy (Raymond James) and Tammie Beckwith Schallmo (PMA).
The total tax impact is $11, $17, and $27 less than originally estimated per year for a $350,000, $500,000, and $750,000 mark value home, respectively. We plan to sell the remaining portion of the referendum bonds (approximately $24.1 million) in January 2026. Due to favorable market conditions, interest rates are tracking lower than the conservative estimates made last year.
The District is estimated to earn nearly $2.75 million in interest on the bond process, which can be used toward facility projects. View the Bond Presentation.
Approval of Resolution #1371 Loaning Funds from the Working Cash Fund to the Bond and Interest Fund in Anticipation of the Collection of Taxes Levied by the District for such Purposes for the Year 2024 and such Moneys so Transferred to be Reimbursed from such Taxes upon their Collection
Motion Approved
Review of Tentative 2025 Proposed Tax Levy, Adoption of Resolution #1372 to Approve 2025 Proposed Tax Levy, & Establishment of Public Hearing
Motion Approved
The Truth in Taxation hearing is scheduled for the next Board meeting on December 18, 2025.
View the November 2025 Levy Presentation.
Approval of Resolution #1370 Authorizing the Issuance of not to Exceed $9,250,000 Taxable Tax Anticipation Warrants in Anticipation of the Collection of Taxes Levied for the Year 2024 for Educational Purposes and Authorizing the Sale of Said Warrants to the Purchaser Thereof
Motion Approved
Approval of Maintenance Grant FY26
Motion Approved
Superintendent Update - Strategic Plan
Dr. Collins gave an update on the initial stages of the strategic plan process. We will review and revise the mission, vision, and values to guide decision-making for the next several years. Led by a diverse steering team, the process emphasizes broad community engagement using surveys, focus groups, and community goal-setting evenings. This will ensure priorities reflect both staff and stakeholder input. This collaborative approach aims to set clear, actionable goals and a flexible roadmap for the future.
View the Strategic Plan Update.
Presentation of the 2024-25 Illinois School Report Card
Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning Dr. Samantha Alaimo presented an overview of the 2024-25 Illinois Report Card data. The most recent report cards for the District and each school are available on our website.
We are proud to announce that Field, Franklin, and Lincoln earned the “Exemplary” designation, ranking in the top 10% of schools statewide. The remaining schools, Carpenter, Emerson, Roosevelt, and Washington, earned a “Commendable” designation. Commendable schools have no underperforming subgroups but are not in the top 10% of schools statewide. Jefferson Early Childhood Center does not receive a rating.
“We have so much to celebrate,” said Dr. Alaimo. “We have three schools that fall into the exemplary category, which we have never had in my 10 years here in District 64, and Roosevelt was only one point away from meeting Exemplary. It just shows how wonderful we are doing.”
Other key highlights from the district-wide data include:
- IAR Proficiency: District 64 met its goal of having 60% or more students meet proficiency. In English Language Arts, 79% of students met proficiency, and in Math, 69% met proficiency.
- Chronic Absenteeism: Rates of chronic absenteeism have been reduced, particularly at schools where numbers had been elevated in previous years.
You can view the full presentation deck here and read more about the report card designations.
Approval of Resolution #1374 Authorizing Issuance of a Notice of Remedial Warning for a Tenured Teacher
Motion Approved
Consent Agenda
Motions Approved
- Bills, Payroll and Benefits
- Approval of Financial Update for the Period Ending September 30, 2025
- Approval of Personnel Report
- Approval of Minutes of the Closed Meeting October 16, 2025 and Regular Meeting October 16, 2025
- Approval of Resolution #1373 Authorizing An Amendment of the Intergovernmental Agreement Relating to the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission
- Approval of Asbestos Abatement Bid