After the Board: Highlights from the May 26, 2026 Board of Education Meeting

Dear Sycamore Community School District 427 community,

Thank you for taking the time to review After the Board, a brief recap of each month’s regular Board of Education meeting, designed to keep our community informed. Below are the major highlights from the Board of Education meeting held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Superintendent Video Recap

In addition to this written summary, we are pleased to include a special video recap from our Superintendent, Dr. Kristen Campbell. This brief update is designed to keep you well-informed of district happenings and provide additional context from the meeting.

Student and Staff Recognition Spotlight

The Board recognized two outstanding members of our school community:

• Allison Vavra, a student at Sycamore Middle School, was recognized for her outstanding character and leadership. She consistently goes above and beyond and is always willing to help others who may be struggling. 
• Katie Friel, a fifth-grade teacher at West Elementary School, was recognized for going above and beyond in service to students. Her compassion, quick thinking, and unwavering commitment to students exemplify what it means to be a Spartan and reflect our belief that all students are our students.

Action Items

Old Business

Consideration to Approve Bus Hazards

The Board approved seven hazardous transportation route designations. These routes meet state criteria for hazardous walking conditions and allow the district to seek state reimbursement for transportation services provided to students who qualify.

Consideration to Approve Board Goals for 2026-2027

The Board approved its goals for the 2026-27 school year following a collaborative process involving community members, staff, students, administrators, and board members. The goals focus on student achievement, organizational excellence, facilities, district finances, community-district relations, and student well-being and school safety.

Consideration to Approve the Amended 2026-2027 Board of Education Meeting Schedule

The Board approved the amended 2026-27 Board of Education meeting schedule, including the addition of a special meeting on June 9, 2026.

New Business

IASB Board April 7 Workshop Next Steps Discussion

The Board discussed next steps following its April 7 Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) workshop. Recommended updates to board governance documents and procedures will be considered at a future meeting.

FY26 State Library Grant Award

The Board received information regarding the district's Fiscal Year 2026 State Library Grant award, which will support library resources and services for students and staff.

Memorandum of Understanding for School Resource Officer (SRO) Discussion

The Board reviewed proposed updates to the Memorandum of Understanding between Sycamore Community School District 427 and the City of Sycamore regarding School Resource Officer services. The updates align the agreement with current practices and legal requirements.

Bus Hazard Study Review

The Board reviewed an additional transportation hazard study for a potential future hazardous route designation. The study will be refined and submitted to the state for review.

Request for Proposals (RFP) for Board Attorney Discussion

The Board discussed issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for legal services to ensure the district continues to evaluate service providers and maintain responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.

First Reading of Board Policies

The Board reviewed several policies for first reading. Several proposed policy revisions would expand extracurricular participation opportunities for district-resident students who are homeschooled or attend private schools, consistent with applicable association requirements.

Stay Connected

You can view the full agenda and attachments from the meeting on Diligent Community. You can also view the full recording on YouTube.