Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
Jun 15, 2026
The lede
- Amended FY26 budget approved with improved deficit projection: reduced from $9.8M to $8.9M after revenues increased $1.76M but expenses only grew $900K
- Board approved sale of Perry School property at 633 W Perry Street with $300,000 minimum bid price, despite public opposition from resident
- Three new administrators hired: Douglas Mitchell as BHS Principal (12-month), Jolene Miller as Central MS Assistant Principal (10-month), and Peter Schmidtknecht as Secondary Special Education Supervisor (11-month)
- Employee benefits broker contract awarded to Gallagher at $80,000 annually (up from current $45,000) for expanded services including wellness programs and insurance education
- 21 board policies revised covering topics from meeting procedures to student wellness and extracurricular activities
Attendance & housekeeping
Members Present: All seven board members attended: Barbi Yunk, Jermaine Pigee, Scott Mueller, Holly Houk, Jorge Herrera, Jeff Diestelmeier, Brian Hoemke
Meeting Details: Regular meeting held June 15, 2026 at 6:04 PM at 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere. The board entered closed executive session before the regular meeting and again at the end. Agenda approved as presented without amendments.
Decisions & votes (each with vote count and notable discussion or dissent)
Consent Agenda (Items 2-17) - APPROVED 7-0 Included meeting minutes from May 18 and June 4, personnel report, May 2026 financial reports, bills, ParentSquare renewal, insurance renewals, club reviews, excess property disposals, and a $1,000 anonymous donation to Central Middle School.
Policy Revisions (Items 1-21) - APPROVED 7-0 Approved revisions to 20 existing board policies covering meeting procedures, school admissions, harassment prevention, extracurricular activities, wellness, hiring processes, and leaves of absence. Also retired Policy 7:245 (Extracurricular Drug and Alcohol Testing Program), now incorporated into Policy 7:240.
Amended FY26 Budget - APPROVED 7-0 Mrs. Armstrong highlighted revenues increased $1.91M across all funds while expenses only increased $1.02M. Education fund deficit improved from $9.8M to $8.9M. She cautioned the district is “not out of the woods” and still waiting on final health insurance bill and June invoices. Work on FY27 budget will intensify in coming months.
Gallagher Employee Benefits Broker Contract - APPROVED 7-0 Contract awarded at $80,000 annually (current contract is $45,000). District went to RFP and interviewed three of five respondents; next lowest bids were $95,000 and $99,600. Expanded services include wellness programs, new hire orientation participation, staff education through newsletters and webinars, and exploring HRA/HSA account options. Insurance committee includes representatives from all employee groups plus administration. Board confirmed Gallagher is the current provider.
Interfund Transfer from Working Cash to IMRF - APPROVED 7-0 Mrs. Armstrong clarified this is a procedural/documentation requirement if tax receipts haven’t arrived by month-end, allowing transfer on paper that would be reversed in June when taxes come in.
Transfer of Interest Resolution - APPROVED 7-0 Allows accrued interest to be moved to other funds as revenue rather than only going to fund balance, helping offset budget overages.
11-Month Lease Extension with SESI at Kishwaukee School - APPROVED 7-0 No discussion beyond what was covered previously.
Resolution to Hire Real Estate Broker for 7133 Garden Prairie Road - APPROVED 7-0 Authorizes engagement of licensed broker to sell Garden Prairie property.
Resolution to Sell Perry School at 633 W Perry Street - APPROVED 7-0 Board added $300,000 minimum bid price to the resolution. One community member (Dan Snow) spoke against the sale during public comment, stating “I think you got it wrong on the Perry school thing.”
Douglas Mitchell - BHS Principal (12-month) - APPROVED 7-0 Effective July 1, 2026. Mitchell arrived late due to flat tire on highway but was welcomed and introduced. He has 11 years as administrator at Rockford Public Schools, previously athletic director at Rockford Christian. Emphasized “student service mindset” and ensuring everyone has greatest schooling experience.
Jolene Miller - Central MS Assistant Principal (10-month) - APPROVED 7-0 Effective July 1, 2026. Coming from Indian Creek School District in DeKalb County. Was substitute teacher in Belvidere in 2011; her mother taught in district for nearly 20 years, retiring from South Middle School in 2024. Lives in Winnebago County.
Peter Schmidtknecht - Secondary Special Education Supervisor (11-month) - APPROVED 7-0 Effective July 1, 2026. Coming from McHenry High School District; previously served at Community High School District 155 in Crystal Lake and Rockford Public Schools. Lives in Belvidere with wife and three children; son attends Central Middle School.
Affirm Superintendent’s April 28, 2026 Uniform Grievance Procedure Decision - APPROVED 7-0 No discussion provided on the nature of the grievance.
Discussion items (no vote)
Upcoming Contract Renewals & Reports Administration working to add contracts exceeding $25,000 to regular board review list.
Strategic Plan Updates:
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Goal 1 (Academic Achievement): Continued math/literacy training; new Read 180 intervention program for middle school special education ELA students using scaffolded, data-driven approach on HMH platform. RFP issued for external review of multilingual program focusing on compliance, staffing efficiency, and programming effectiveness (results expected August). Elementary time study ongoing.
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Goal 2 (Learning Environment): SEL committee reviewing student well-being supports; SEEDS program work group addressing emotional disabilities entrance/exit criteria and safety plans; kindergarten play-based learning expanded to second cohort; Handle with Care partnership with police department; expanded learning opportunities/pathways presented at board workshop.
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Goal 3 (Family & Community): Family partnerships efforts refocused through existing groups and parent advisory team; cell phone policy research team recommends keeping procedures with modest changes; district to be featured nationally in Ed Week publication in July/August; first annual report since 2020 being created for distribution at fair with postcards to homes; BPAC meeting focused on strengthening bilingual family partnerships.
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Goal 4 (Premier Workforce): New staff satisfaction surveys averaged 9/10; substitute orientation scheduled for August 14; four library media teacher positions open with interviews scheduled for following week.
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Goal 5 (Operational Resources): Construction underway at all schools with visible disruption (dumpsters, torn-up parking lots); Business Services Committee meeting moved to June 30 at Washington Academy to view construction progress; E-rate funding letters received for technology programs; FY27 tentative budget discussions to begin at July meeting.
Annual Reports:
- Agriculture departments (BHS and BNHS) submitted comprehensive annual reports
- School wellness report submitted per Policy 6:50
- Library media teacher job description updated for hiring
Business Services Committee Meeting Change: Next meeting June 30 at Washington Academy (moved up from regular schedule).
Public comment
Dan Snow appeared and stated: “Thank you for your service, staff, board members, Miss Shug, but I think you got it wrong on the Perry school thing. That’s all I have to say.” This was his only comment and he indicated he had promised to appear regularly.
No other public comments were made.
Notable moments (anything colorful, tense, or unusual)
Douglas Mitchell’s dramatic arrival: New BHS Principal Mitchell arrived significantly late due to a flat tire on the highway. He texted Dr. Shug with a photo of the flat tire as proof and took an Uber to the meeting. Board voted to approve his contract before he arrived, then welcomed and applauded him when he walked in mid-meeting. He apologized saying “the dash went crazy” and noted Triple A was changing the tire.
Board President recognition: Jorge Herrera was honored as one of Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s “40 Over 40” honorees. Dr. Shug also announced Herrera completed the Rockford Iron Man triathlon with his daughter Gabby the prior Sunday.
Teacher/staff recognitions: Emotional recognitions for Leah Hendrickson (4th grade teacher at Lincoln) for exceptional support of students with individual learning needs, and Sam Peters (instructional coach) for going beyond his role to support staff with technology and new teaching methods. Both came forward for photos and applause.
Peter Schmidtknecht’s son in audience: New Special Education Supervisor brought his son to the meeting, noting “he’s learning about local government this evening” while his daughters were at softball practice.
Construction chaos: Ms. Armstrong colorfully described current school conditions: “If you drive by any school, it has big dumpsters in front of it. Parking lots are tore up. Front entrances are a mess. That is what it has to look like, I guess, to make the progress.”
Perry Legacy celebration: District held well-attended community event to celebrate Perry Elementary School’s history before its sale, coordinated by Sue Thomas with Perry staff.