Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
Apr 20, 2026
The lede
- BESSA Contract Approved: Board approved a three-year contract (2026-2029) for the Belvidere Education Support Staff following months of negotiations
- Major Construction Projects: Approved roof restoration for Washington Academy and Belvidere High School, and wellness center construction bids following rebid process
- First Readings: Four policies advanced for May approval including grading/promotion, student behavior, bus conduct, and PE exemptions
- Special Education Progress: District reduced therapeutic school outplacements by 60% over two years; all elementary special education teachers being trained in SLANT literacy program
- Mental Health Screening Mandate: State requiring districts to implement mental health screening for grades 3-12 starting in two years; district piloting at Everest High School
Attendance & housekeeping
Members Present: Barbi Yunk, Jermaine Pigee, Scott Mueller, Holly Houk, Jorge Herrera, Jeff Diestelmeier, Brian Hoemke (all present)
Meeting Start: 6:20 PM after closed executive session
Opening Performance: Belvidere High School choir performed “A Beautiful Friendship” and “Don’t Give Up” from their IHSA regional contest
Agenda: Approved as presented without amendments
Decisions & votes
Consent Agenda (Items 2-19): Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Hoemke/Houk)
- Included minutes, personnel report, financial reports, bills, various intergovernmental agreements (Running Start, Dual Credit with Rock Valley College and Highland Community College), ROE truancy support services ($80,000, down $112,000 from prior year), Panorama student success platform, workers compensation renewal, activity account requests, property disposals, facility rentals, and donations
Policy Revisions (Items 1-3): Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Houk/Pigee)
- Policy 5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves
- Policy 6:40 Curriculum Development
- Policy 6:160 English Learners
Northwestern Illinois Association Contract Renewal: Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Diestelmeier/Hoemke)
- Special education services funded through grants
Washington Academy & BHS Roof Restoration: Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Hoemke/Houk)
Interactive Panels Secondary Schools 2nd Wave: Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Hoemke/Pigee)
- Part of technology replacement plan for classrooms not completed last summer
Granite POTS Line Replacement: Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Hoemke/Mueller)
Organic Life Food Service Renewal: Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Houk/Pigee)
- Third renewal of four-year contract; limited by CPI increases
- Participation increasing; district re-verifying CEP qualification
Wellness Center RFP - Bid Package 1A and Asbestos Abatement: Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Hoemke/Houk)
- Rebid process to create space for Everest expansion
Clinic Internet Connection: Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Diestelmeier/Hoemke)
Belvidere Education Support Staff (BESSA) Agreement 2026-2029: Approved
- Vote: 6-0 (Houk/Pigee)
- Three-year contract following months of negotiations; both sides reported satisfaction with outcome
Discussion items (no vote)
First Reading Policies (scheduled for May final approval):
- Policy 6:280 Grading and Promotion
- Policy 7:190 Student Behavior
- Policy 7:220 Bus Conduct
- Policy 7:260 Exemption from Physical Education
Business Services Committee Discussion:
- Dual credit and Running Start programs: Need to help families navigate confusing decision-making about program options
- Suggestion for workshop or decision tree to assist families
Mental Health Screening Overview (Dr. Johnson):
- State mandate beginning in two years for grades 3-12
- Will screen for anxiety, depression, and (for older students) suicidal ideation
- Passive consent (opt-out model)
- District piloting screener at Everest High School
- Action planning team to be formed next year
Public comment
Dan Snow: Expressed disappointment that six board members voted to close Perry Elementary; thanked Mueller for voting against closure
Caitlin Lease (teacher): Detailed the complexity of modern elementary teaching role—simultaneously serving as reading specialist, math instructor, behavior specialist, case manager, and communicator. Emphasized teachers handle diverse student needs academically, emotionally, and developmentally while working behind the scenes on data analysis, planning, and standards alignment. Urged board understanding of full scope of teaching to provide adequate time and support.
Maggie Garcia (Central Middle School teacher): Explained Tier 2 pension inequity affecting teachers hired after January 1, 2011. Tier 1 teachers can retire around age 57 with 35 years; Tier 2 teachers must work until 67 for full benefits despite same contributions (~9% salary). Cost-of-living increases smaller and may not keep pace with inflation. Argued this makes teaching less attractive as lifelong career, causing newer teachers to view it as short-term employment (5-10 years), impacting district recruitment and retention.
Fort Zachary (ESL teacher): Thanked Mueller for voting against Perry closure and Dr. Eddy for allowing him to transfer to Caledonia. Raised concerns about displaced Perry staff not receiving full list of open positions initially; cited example of math interventionist placed in classroom when interventionist position open. Questioned rumor about administrator filling that role. Stated board lost community trust and integrity over Perry closure process, arguing it bypassed spirit of Illinois school closure statute. Warned of difficulties selling vacant 126-year-old building, predicted new EC center will become financial burden, and anticipated higher taxes. Urged community engagement in local politics and school board elections.
Andrew Kitson: Stated board promised to “take care of” Perry teachers but promise was broken within four days when teachers didn’t receive full list of open positions. Questioned why math interventionist being placed in classroom when interventionist position available. Referenced rumor about administrator taking that role. Acknowledged board’s closure decision is done but emphasized trust and integrity were lost. Asked how board will regain community trust.
Notable moments
All-State Musicians Recognition: Five D100 seniors recognized as all-state musicians by Illinois Music Education Association (Isaiah Campbell, Kai Hoban, Lucas Hoemke, Cassandra Carl, Roberto Archuleta). TJ Decker became first Belvidere North student ever selected for all-state theater production crew (Newsies).
Board Shout-Outs: Multiple staff recognized including Kelly Cotter (standing in rain over an hour during March 6 storm for safe student pickup), Megan Hirsch, Deborah Mossman, Jenna Schuster (special education teacher), play-based kindergarten cohort teachers, and ACT Task Force members.
Special Recognition: Board member Pigee highlighted Belvidere North AP Language students placing 2nd and 3rd out of 53 teams in NIU Lead Ethics Case Competition on bonus market ethics.
Chili Cook-Off: Superintendent Schug and board member Pigee judged over 20 chilies at Belvidere Chamber of Commerce event
Pasta Challenge: Middle school students created pasta dishes; winning chicken alfredo recipe will appear on upcoming lunch menu
Special Education Achievements:
- 60% reduction in therapeutic school outplacements over two years
- District recognized by SLANT company for implementation
- All elementary special education resource teachers being trained/certified in SLANT
- New transition pilot program with University of Illinois-Champaign providing free job coaching
Strategic Plan Mid-Year Highlights:
- 81% of staff certified district as “great place to work”
- Teacher substitute fill rate 85% (vs. 77% last year)
- Para substitute fill rate 58% (vs. 40% last year)
- 94% staff and 93% families report satisfaction with district
- Major behavioral incidents decreased 24.5% at Washington Academy, 27% at Meehan Elementary
Perry Closure Aftermath: Public comments revealed tension over displaced Perry staff not initially receiving full list of open positions and perceived broken promises about supporting affected teachers