The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2026. You can watch or listen to the replay of the August 13 meeting.
Superintendent Update
Construction Update
The district has worked extensively over the summer to ensure all schools will open on time. The construction projects have created safer, healthier, and more instructionally efficient environments for students and staff in all of our schools. Additionally, new playgrounds at Field and Jefferson are essentially complete and already in use. As of August 13, this was the construction update given to the Board, noting that the construction timelines are constantly moving as we get closer to the first day of school.
- Carpenter: Roofing and casework are complete, flooring is going down, and 95% of rooms will have had their furniture returned.
- Roosevelt: Progress remains steady, with more rooms finished each day and turned over to our crews to furnish.
- Franklin: The new multipurpose room is coming together despite a delay in the delivery of basketball rims. Temporary windows are currently installed and will be permanently replaced during a future break.
- Lincoln: As the largest and most complex project, seven new third-floor classrooms will be ready for the start of school. Other specific spaces, including the art and photo labs, are scheduled for a September 11 turnover. The multipurpose room faces delays due to steel availability, weather constraints, and ComEd power restoration delays.
"The hope would be that the contractors could turn over any spaces to us before the dates that they've given," said Director of Facility Management Michael Browning. "There's been about 150 workers on site at Lincoln every day, and as some of the other school districts have come back to school already, it freed up some more workers from other job sites."
Transportation Update
This school year marks the start of a renewed partnership, as we have switched general education transportation services back to Lakeview/Sunrise. This summer, we worked with all the bus drivers for an institute day and training. They ran their routes for the first time and gave feedback to the Lakeview dispatchers to make adjustments.
“We had a really great event with them where we had over 30 people on hand from the company to kick off the year,” said Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations/CSBO Brian Harlan. “We’ve had three to four planning meetings with them throughout the summer, which has been wonderful. We are optimistic we’ll have a strong start with Lakeview this year. We’ve had a great start so far."
Adoption of Resolution #1394: Approval of 2026-2027 Tentative Budget & Establishment of Public Hearing Date
Motion Approved
The preliminary budget presentation highlighted the district's alignment with its 2030 Strategic Plan. Assistant Superintendent Brian Harlan tied the budget to the district's resource allocation goals, which are:
- Create a long-term plan to fix and maintain schools.
- Set a strict schedule for repairs and replacing equipment.
- Save enough money to reach a 50% fund balance.
- Improve the District procurement process.
Watch the FY27 Preliminary Budget Presentation that was given by Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations/CSBO Brian Harlan and Director of Business Services Phoebe Wood. You can also view the FY27 Preliminary Budget presentation slides on Canva.
The public hearing on the budget will take place on September 17 at the regular board meeting in the Hendee Rooms at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center. Learn more about the 2026-2027 Tentative Budget.
Approval of 2026-2030 Superintendent Employment Contract
Motion Approved
Attached is the approved contract extending Dr. Ben Collins’ employment through 2030.
Uphold Student Disciplinary Decision/Action – Student 2026-02
Motion Approved
Consent Agenda
- Board President Action Item 26-08-4
- Bills, Payroll, & Benefits
- Approval of Financial Update for the Period Ending June 30, 2025
- Approval of Personnel Report
- Approval of the Third Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement for Facilities Use for
- Beyond the Bell with the Park Ridge Park District
- 1st Reading from PRESS Issue 122
- Technology needs for Lincoln MPR
- Approval of the Meeting Minutes of June 18, 2026 Regular Meeting, June 18, 2026 Closed
- Meeting and July 21, 2026 Special Meeting