Board Update 4/8/2026
Superintendent Reports
Agenda Item 5.0
Monthly Updates – 5.01
The monthly Superintendent Report shared updates on key district work. Highlights include:
- A Strategic Plan refresh is underway. Learn more on our website.
- Durham School Services, our new transportation provider for 2026-27, shared its focus on safety, on-time service, and their active recruiting efforts, including current Safeway staff, to support a smooth transition.
- With steady growth over the past five years, the District is planning for strong, high-quality instruction.
- Human Resources is preparing for 2026-27 staffing, focusing on student needs, class sizes, and long-term financial stability.
- ParentSquare, a new districtwide communication tool, will begin rolling out in 2026-27.
- Des Plaines Police Department approved a School Resource Officer (SRO) to support our Des Plaines schools.
- The District is planning for future-ready learning, including skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and using technology.
For more information, please watch the presentation.
Action items
Agenda Item 7.0
Closing Date For the 2025-2026 School Term – 7.01
Annually, the Board of Education establishes the last day of student attendance and the final calendar for the school year. The board has approved the last day of student and staff attendance for Monday, June 1, 2026.
Proclamation for Volunteer Appreciation Week – 7.02
April 20-24, 2026 is proclaimed Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week within CCSD59 in recognition of the contributions made by volunteers working throughout our school district during the 2025-2026 school year for the benefit of students, staff, and our community.
Proclamation for Staff Appreciation Week – 7.03
Staff Appreciation Week, in conjunction with National Teacher Appreciation Week, serves to increase community understanding, appreciation and support of our nation’s schools. The Board has recognized that the week of May 4-8, 2026 will be proclaimed as Staff Appreciation Week within CCSD59.
Approval of Mass Communications Tool Contract – 7.04
As part of the multi-year Strategic Communications Plan, the Communications Department reviewed mass communication platforms to better streamline communication with families, staff, and the community. ParentSquare, a widely used platform that provides a comprehensive and streamlined communication solution, was unanimously recommended by the task force.
The board has approved the adoption and phased implementation of ParentSquare as the District’s mass communication platform, with Year 1 costs of $13,050 and Year 2 costs of $29,000 per year, and with optional add-on features to be considered at the Board’s discretion.
Approval of Staff Laptop Refresh – 7.05
Staff Computers are scheduled for a refresh at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The original budgeted unit cost was $779 per device; however, due to recent updates in Apple’s laptop lineup, a standard device is no longer available at that price point.
To effectively manage costs while meeting staff needs, a tiered approach is recommended: providing all instructional staff with the newly released M5 MacBook Air ($979 per device) and all support staff with the newly released MacBook Neo ($494 per device).
The board has approved the purchase of staff devices at an estimated cost of $906,998. Final costs will be determined by actual 2026-2027 staffing numbers.
Approval of Transportation Bid – 7.06
Safeway Transportation will complete their three-year contract in the 2025-2026 school year and due to their financial uncertainty, the district is not extending the contract.
For the 2026-2027 school year, the district went out to bid for a new transportation service that serves regular education, special education, and early childhood education. Bids were submitted by Durham School Services, First Student, and Safeway Transportation. The lowest bid total for the three-year combined total was Durham School Services. Bidders 3-Year totals are listed below:
- Durham School Services: $22,648,035.04
- First Student: $27,887,940.48
- Safeway Transportation: $24,359,762.40
The board has approved to award regular education, special education, and early childhood students transportation services to Durham School Services with the total estimated three-year bid of $22,648,035.04.
Approval of Donation to Salt Creek Elementary School – 7.07
The board has approved the donation of $500 from Laurie and David Miller to Salt Creek Elementary School to support student school lunches. This is their third donation to the school to support student school lunches.
Discussion items
Agenda Item 8.0
Meal Fees for 2026-2027 School Year – 8.01
The last time the board approved the lunch fee for a full-priced meal was May 2025 at $3.45 for both elementary and junior high students. Districts are required to increase meal fees $0.10 each year. The District Administration is recommending to minimally increase lunch fees from $3.45 to $3.55.
The Administration is also recommending that the breakfast fee stays at $1.30 per full priced meal and the price of a carton of milk to stay at $0.50.
Food Service Contract Renewal – 8.02
The Administration is recommending that the food service contract between OrganicLife and CCSD59 be renewed with a 2.7% increase. This is based on the CPI-AII for December of 2025.
Renewal for Refuse/Recycling Service – 8.03
This year, the contract with Republic indicates a 5% rate, resulting in an increased monthly charge of $375.04, with the total charge being $7,497.98 per month compared to the previous rate of $7,140.94 per month. The Administration has signed and agreed to renew until May 2028 with a max increase rate of 5% per year.
Health/Dental Insurance Renewal – 8.04
The Insurance Committee met with Alera Group to discuss plan renewals. Plan options have been reviewed. The increase in cost to the District is in line with industry average.
Bid for Sealcoating and Restriping at Various D59 Schools – 8.05
CCSD59 has an asphalt maintenance program that requires sealcoating and restriping of approximately half of the district’s parking lots and playground areas every other year. This program is designed to prolong the life of the asphalt.
This summer, asphalt maintenance is scheduled for sealcoating and restriping at the following locations: Admin Building, Grove, Holmes, ELC, Devonshire and Forest View. Restriping will only be at the following locations: Friendship, Brentwood, Clearmont, John Jay, Juliette Low, Frost, Rupley, and Salt Creek.
Denler Inc submitted a $69,463.60 total low and responsive bid for the completion of the work specified.
E-Learning Plan Renewal – 8.06
The revised CCSD59 E-Learning Plan is presented for Board approval as a three-year renewal that builds on the District’s established, state aligned framework for implementing up to five e-learning days in place of emergency closures.
The plan ensures continuity of learning through a balance of synchronous and asynchronous instruction tied to curriculum and Illinois Learning Standards, while maintaining flexibility for the District to determine when e-learning or traditional make-up days are most appropriate.
