Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox School District 122 for March 19, 2026

New Lenox School District 122 Meeting | March 19, 2026

The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education managed a packed agenda during its March 19, 2026, regular meeting. In addition to securing a long-term labor contract extension with its support staff, finalizing a $1 million technology refresh, and updating its School Resource Officer agreement, the Board authorized several critical vendor renewals and personnel actions. The meeting, originally scheduled for March 17, was moved to Thursday to comply with a new state law prohibiting school boards from meeting on Election Day. Board member Fay Bowie was absent.

Financial Health and Vendor Contract Renewals:
Chief School Business Official Robert Groos delivered a positive financial planning update, reporting that NLSD122 is nearing the completion of its eleventh consecutive year with a balanced budget. For Fiscal Year 2026, projected operating expenditures are approximately $69 million against $74 million in revenues, resulting in an estimated $5 million surplus.

To maintain facility operations, the Board approved a wave of one-year contract extensions for the 2026-2027 school year. Calumet City Plumbing & Heating Co. was renewed with a 2.7% rate increase, bringing their regular hourly rate to $126.28. Precision Control Systems secured an HVAC preventative maintenance extension featuring a 4.5% rate increase. The Board also renewed its food service contract with Quest Food Management Services, noting a 2.7% increase in the per-lunch cost to $3.7588, though the price charged to students will remain $4.00. Finally, Prairie Farms Dairy was renewed for milk supply, with prices increasing by $0.015 per half-pint.

Personnel Actions Yield Split Votes:
While the consent agenda passed unanimously, individual personnel actions resulted in split votes. The Board approved a resolution authorizing the Notice of Non-Renewal of Certified Personnel in a 5-1 vote, with Board member David Rush casting the lone dissenting vote. Additionally, the Board approved one-year contracts for the district’s Assistant Principals. Superintendent Dr. Lori R. Motsch praised the group, stating the district is “very fortunate to have the best of the best of assistant principals.” The administrative contracts passed 5-0-1, with Board member Bill Pender abstaining.

WillBeReady Mutual Aid Agreement Approved:
The Board unanimously adopted an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement to join the “WillBeReady” network. Administered by the Will County Regional Office of Education, the network establishes a mutual aid framework among Will County school districts. The agreement allows participating districts to share personnel, equipment, and facilities during major emergencies or disasters that exceed a single district’s capacity. The pact explicitly clarifies that school personnel will not act as first responders.

The Drawing Board Art League Showcases Talent:
Prior to the formal meeting, the Board recognized student artists from Tyler, Bentley, Haines, and Oakview schools as part of the district’s “Drawing Board Art League.” Art teachers Lori Wieclaw and Samantha Schultz-Archey introduced the students, whose original artwork was displayed in the Board Room. Recognized students included Olivia Alcala, Isabella Ott, Mabel Bills, Paxton Bontrager, Ashtyn Fahey, Maggie Williard, Kinsey Fahey, Jahriana Burgin, Isla Smith, Emma Nemeth, Juliana Ott, and Brooklyn Nicastro.

FOIA Requests and IMRF Agent Appointment:
The administration logged two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests between mid-February and mid-March. Max Binnington of “Judiciocracy” requested highly detailed legal billing records and attorney engagement agreements spanning 2024 and 2025. Justin Wenig requested copies of all executed contracts and purchase orders related to professional development and learning services over the past three years.

In administrative housekeeping, the Board appointed Payroll Coordinator Lyssette Alvarez-Heck as the district’s Authorized Agent for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), replacing Gloria Kouba due to a shift in job duties.