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Writer's pictureTerra Rockhold Stene

August Special Board Meeting Not So Special


The August special board meeting turned into a regular board meeting. The agenda listed several regular business items. This points to an inability of the Board Chair and Superintendent to effectively manage business.


Unfortunately, reality can be uncomfortable and unpleasant. Continuing to ignore the source of the issues at hand will only lead to further conflict and mismanagement. One can only hope the kids are able to weather the storm and, somehow, the negative impacts on them can be mitigated.


The first big topic on the agenda, even though it was supposed to be a special budget meeting, was the recommendation to dismiss the discrimination complaint I filed against the Superintendent. In her recommendation, Board Chair Blain did not admit to failure to follow policy outright, but did state that they have been working on handbooks and policies, "Which shows that we take our jobs seriously." This is an interesting justification, but does not change the fact that my allegation that they do not follow their own policies holds.


Further, the complaint asked for an independent investigation into the hostile work environment at Joliet schools. The school's law firm hired a retired lawyer to complete the investigation. I was asked to provide a list of names and questions for potential witnesses. High School Principal Mandi Hernandez was named in my complaint as a participant in the discrimination. The list of people I suggested to interview was sent to her by either the lawyer or the investigator. She then called all of them to set up interviews. This obstruction of justice is appalling. That, coupled with the blatant inaccuracies and lack of evidence included in the report, is malpractice. I provided ample evidence for my case. The school provided no evidence refuting my claims, yet the Board Chair chose to recommend dismissal of the complaint. One does not have to take a huge leap in imagination to see where I could take this if I so choose.


Another issue that begins to rear its ugly head at the August Board meeting is the collection of activity fees and AP testing fees. No one is arguing that they don't want to pay fees, if it is necessary. The issue at hand, as far as activities fees, is the questionability of the necessity when there was significant excess budget authority left at the end of last year in the activities fund, $172,350.23 (see below screenshot from the July Public Board Packet). Parents are also questioning the discriminatory fee collection practices and the misuse of grant funding.



Also discussed at the meeting was the FY25 Budget, a new School Resource Officer and handbooks.


See attached notes for my outline of the discussions at the Board meeting. As always my own personal thoughts are italicized and highlighted. Also attached is the Board meeting packet for reference.



Link to View Recording of August Special Board Meeting.


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