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When are board meetings?
Monthly board meetings generally take place at 7:15 pm the fourth Tuesday of each month, except for August when none is typically scheduled. Consult the meeting schedule on this website as meeting dates or locations may change.

The Board rotates its meetings among the District’s five schools and most often meets in the Resource Center of the host school. The public session of the meeting generally concludes around 9:30 pm, depending on that month’s agenda items. Notice of the meeting along with a detailed agenda is posted on each school’s front doors and on this website at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. The public is always invited to these meetings.

What happens at these meetings?
Board meetings are working sessions as the Board is obligated to conduct its business in full view of the public. The meeting typically begins with quick action items such as the approval of bill payment and previous minutes. After an update from the Superintendent, the Board and staff discuss the business before them. The information gathering of the meeting closes with a time for public participation, then votes are taken on action items.

The purpose of public participation is for the Board to hear directly from its constituents, be they parents, residents, or staff. The Board listens to the comments, and may direct the Superintendent to follow up with the constituent as necessary or take the matter raised under advisement. The structure of public participation ranges from an informal conversation to a more formalized process whereby recognized speakers may have time limits imposed so that all speakers receive an equitable chance to convey their opinions. The choice of structure is at the discretion of the Board member facilitating the meeting.

What typically occurs in a Closed or Executive Session?
Executive session often takes place after the public session to discuss matters related to employment of personnel, student disciplinary actions or pending legal matters. The Illinois School Code outlines a very short list of issues that may be discussed in closed session on the basis of privacy concerns. The bulk of issues that come before the School Board are discussed in public session and all official votes (actions) of the Board must be conducted in public session as well.

What happens between the monthly meetings?
It really depends on the month and the responsibilities of the Board member. Board members routinely attend to subcommittee or liaison responsibilities such as writing the monthly Update newsletter, attending Plan Commission meetings, or researching progress on educational bills in the Illinois legislature. Several may be working on specific directives such as facilities planning or financial modeling or updating the website or revising the policy manual. Board members also regularly visit the schools with the superintendent and support Central PTA and Foundation events as much as possible. Special Board meetings in addition to the monthly business meeting are scheduled as needed, with a minimum of 48 hours notice to the public.

If I have a concern, how can I communicate it?
District 36 welcomes your concerns and suggests the following guidelines to resolve them. If you have an issue concerning your child’s class or teacher, first contact the classroom teacher. From there, you should contact the building principal if the matter has not been satisfactorily resolved. Then, if you are dissatisfied with the response at the building level or if you have a District-wide concern, your contact should be the Superintendent. Matters are generally referred to the Board only after these channels are exhausted: most do not have policy implications requiring Board action and are resolved long before this final stage.

Write to the Board
Residents may write to Board members in care of District 36 or at their home addresses which are listed on the Board of Education page. If you send letters to several/all Board members, you may expect to receive one response, most typically from the Board President.