Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox School District 122 for August 2025

Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox School District 122 Meeting | August 2025

The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education took a major step toward modernizing another of its older schools on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, by approving a $908,900 equipment purchase for a complete HVAC overhaul at Tyler Elementary. The total project, which includes other building-wide upgrades, is estimated to cost over $8.1 million and is scheduled for the summer of 2026. More details on the project are available in a full-length article.

In other major business, the board reviewed a proposal to partner with the New Lenox Park District on a $500,000 project to replace aging playgrounds at the Nelson campus. Board members discussed increasing the project’s accessibility with features like poured rubber surfaces. The proposal was not approved and will be brought back for a vote in September. The board also heard from a parent who challenged a $350 busing fee, citing safety concerns on Nelson Road.

Consent Agenda Approved
The Board of Education approved a 15-item consent agenda with a single vote. The omnibus action included the approval of meeting minutes from June and July, the Treasurer’s Report, authorization to pay bills, the monthly personnel report, and various financial updates and contract renewals that were considered routine business by the board.

School Resource Officer Contract Renewed
The board approved its annual contract with the New Lenox Police Department to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the 2025-2026 school year. The district will contribute $25,000 toward the program’s cost. The SRO provides instructional support and collaborates with staff to maintain a safe learning environment across the district’s schools.

Summer Construction Projects Update
Jason Sterritt, Director of Organizational Planning & Facilities, presented a slideshow updating the board on numerous construction and maintenance projects completed over the summer of 2025. Highlights included refinishing the Spencer gym floor, extensive concrete work and sealcoating across the district, a boiler replacement at Haines, and the installation of new, more accessible playground equipment at Haines and Oakview schools.

Administrator Contracts Approved
Following a discussion in the superintendent’s report, the board formally approved one-year contracts for the district’s administrators for the upcoming school year. The board also welcomed three new Assistant Principals: Jaime McElroy (Spencer Pointe/Crossing), Kaila Fjeldheim (Haines/Oakview), and Carrie White (Martino).

Special Education Contracts Approved
The board approved the renewal of a contract with Lakeshore Behavior Consulting to provide a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) for the 2025-2026 school year. The district sought to hire a full-time BCBA but received no qualified applicants. The board also approved a contract extension for miscellaneous special education and homeless student transportation services.

Student Teacher Agreements Authorized
The board approved participation agreements to host student teachers from a wide array of colleges and universities for the 2025-2026 school year. The list includes Illinois State University, Lewis University, University of St. Francis, and Joliet Junior College, among dozens of others, allowing student teachers to complete their training within District 122 classrooms.

Detection Canine and Art Program Contracts Renewed
As part of the consent agenda, the board approved the renewal of annual contracts for supplemental student services. This included an agreement with Interquest Detection Canines to provide contraband inspection services and a contract with Young Rembrandts for after-school art enrichment programming at multiple elementary schools.