Board of Education
The District 125 Board of Education is dedicated to supporting the district’s vision of “Success for Every Student.” As an elected school board, we are also committed to engaging with our community in a clear and consistent way. Below, you will learn more about the board, answers to frequently asked questions and more. We also invite you to stay in touch with us via our Minuteman newsletter.
- Board Members
- Meeting Agendas/Minutes/Bulletin
- District Finance 101
- You Asked, We Answered
- Stay in Touch
Board Members
District 125 Board of Education
President: Amy Neault
aneault@d125.org
847-415-4136
First year on board: 2018
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Vice President: Steven Frost
sfrost@d125.org
847-415-4130
First year on board: 2000
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Secretary: Terry Moons
tmoons@d125.org
847-415-4134
First year on board: 1985
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Gary Gorson
ggorson@d125.org
847-415-4131
First year on board: 1999
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Roni Ben-Yoseph
rbenyoseph@d125.org
847-415-4133
First year on board: 2022
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Grace Cao
gcao@d125.org
847-415-4132
First year on board: 2022
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Don Tyer
dtyer@d125.org
847-415-4135
First year on board: 2022
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Meeting Agendas/Minutes/Bulletin
Meeting Agendas, Minutes and Bulletin
Agendas, minutes and meeting recordings of District 125 Board of Education and committee meetings for this year are listed below. For more historical information, please navigate to the tabs.
Note: Minutes of regular board meetings are posted upon approval at the next scheduled board meeting. Example: July 2020 meeting minutes will be approved at the August 2020 meeting, and posted the next day.
2024-25 School Year
Monday, July 15, 2024
Special Meeting (10:00 a.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Friday, August 2, 2024 - Saturday, August 3, 2024
Annual Administrative Retreat: Announcement
Monday, August 19, 2024
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Site & Facilities Committee Meeting (6:00 p.m.): Agenda
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, September 16, 2024
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Finance Committee Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Monday, October 21, 2024
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Finance Committee Agenda (6:00 p.m.): Agenda
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, November 18, 2024
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, December 16, 2024
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, January 13, 2025
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, February 10, 2025
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, March 17, 2025
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, April 21, 2025
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, May 19, 2025 (tentative)
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
2023-24 School Year
Friday, August 4, 2023 - Saturday, August 5, 2023
Annual Administrative Retreat: Announcement
Monday, August 21, 2023
Finance Committee Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, September 18, 2023
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, October 2, 2023
Special Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Monday, October 16, 2023
Site & Facilities and Finance Committees Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
November 2023
Official Notice
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Special Meeting (8:00 a.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Monday, November 20, 2023
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Site & Facilities and Finance Committees Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Monday, December 18, 2023
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Official Notice | Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, January 22, 2024
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, March 18, 2024
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Finance Committee Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Monday, April 15, 2024
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording (*not available due to technical difficulties) | Board Bulletin
Monday, April 22, 2024
Special Meeting (7:00 a.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Special Meeting (4:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Monday, May 20, 2024
Special Meeting/Organizational Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m) - CANCELLED: Agenda
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Special Meeting (3:00 p.m): Agenda | Minutes
Monday, June 17, 2024
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m): Agenda | Minutes
Finance Committee Meeting (6:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
2022-23 School Year
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Site & Facilities Committee Meeting (1:00 p.m.): Agenda
Monday, July 18, 2022
Special Meeting (6:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Friday, July 29 - Saturday, July 30, 2022
Annual Administrative Retreat: Announcement
Monday, August 15, 2022
Site and Facilities Committee Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, September 19, 2022
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, October 17, 2022
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
November 2022
Official Notice
Monday, November 21, 2022
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, December 19, 2022
Site & Facilities and Finance Committees Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Special Meeting (6:15 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Official Notice | Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, January 23, 2023
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, February 13, 2023
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, March 13, 2023
Special Meeting (4:30 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Monday, March 20, 2023
Site & Facilities and Finance Committees Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Special Meeting (6:15 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, April 17, 2023
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Monday, May 1, 2023
Special/Organizational Meeting (7:30 a.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Final Meeting of Retiring Board of Education: Minutes
Monday, May 15, 2023
Finance Committee Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Monday, June 12, 2023
Special Meeting (5:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Finance Committee Meeting (6:00 p.m.): Agenda | Minutes
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Minutes | Video Recording | Board Bulletin
District Finance 101
District Finance 101
The Illinois State Board of Education has recognized Stevenson with top tier “Recognition” status for financial excellence for 15 consecutive years. We are firmly committed to continuing that tradition of strong financial stewardship and full transparency to our use of taxpayer dollars.
Below is a high-level snapshot of three key district financials: your tax dollars at work, our district budget and our per pupil expenditures for the most current year. For more detailed information and updates about district finances, we invite you to subscribe to our monthly Minuteman newsletter.
Your Tax Dollars At Work
Your Tax Dollars At Work
Over the years, our neighbors have rightfully asked how their taxpayer dollars support our school district. Below is a breakdown if your tax dollars at work, if your property tax bill was scaled down to a dollar. These figures are an average of the tax rates from each of our three largest feeder districts (District 96, District 102 and District 103):
With nearly a third of taxpayer dollars allocated to Stevenson High School, where do those funds go? And why is funding for Stevenson — the only high school in the district — nearly comparable to all of our feeder districts combined? The answer simply put: the size and scope of our school. A few key factors that distinguish Stevenson from its feeder schools:
- On average, student enrollment at one of our feeder districts is 2,560 students. At Stevenson alone, we have more than 4,400 students. Demographic data show that this number is projected to increase to 4,900 by 2030. Additionally, by virtue of each student taking at least six classes per semester, Stevenson employs more faculty and staff.
- Stevenson’s robust course offerings set our school apart from other elementary and high schools in Illinois. As an example:
- The depth and scope of our science and technology curriculum requires funding of state-of-the-art equipment and supplies, such as 3-D printers and other lab equipment, to support our STEM learning experience.
- Our fine arts division, recognized by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, offers students a world-class education that also requires funding for materials and supplies year to year. We have 430 students in our marching band alone, which makes our marching band larger than most marching bands in the Big 10 Collegiate conference.
- Our special education division provides crucial support for many students until they are 22 years old. This division helps students prepare for life after high school through job training and placement, as well as residential learning.
- Our co-curricular experience at Stevenson is another reason why students and families are attracted to our school. Stevenson’s athletics division, which requires equipment, staffing and resources for our more than 2,000 athletes, is comparable to many collegiate athletic departments. Also, our Student Activities division is home to more than 150 clubs that round out the academic experience of our students.
- Stevenson also offers robust student supports, including full-time counselors, deans, psychologists, social workers and tutors to support students throughout their high school journey.
Bang For Your Buck (Per Pupil Expenditure)
Per Pupil Expenditure
As the nation’s top school district, we are proud to see our students achieve excellent educational outcomes while keeping our annual operating expense per-pupil (OEPP) low, compared to comparable districts. The OEPP calculates average spending per student, providing a true apples-to-apples comparison between schools and is the Illinois School Board of Education’s gold standard for measuring school financial performance.
The OEPP excludes certain expenses, like purchased services and capital expenditures, that vary and do not allow for a truly accurate comparison between schools. Even including these excluded expenses, Stevenson still ranks comparably for FY20.
Our District Budget
Our District Budget
Our commitment to thoughtful use of our community’s taxpayer dollars cannot be overstated. Our budget is funded primarily through local property tax dollars, every cent of which goes toward advancing the educational experience here at Stevenson High School. In an effort to maintain full transparency on district finances, below is a breakdown of our school district’s current budget, including total operating revenue and total operating expenses.
You Asked, We Answered
You Asked, We Answered
At the November Board of Education meeting, the board approved the intent to sell bonds in January to provide final payment of the east building addition. Over the course of the past few days, we have fielded a number of questions and want to clarify confusion about the bond issuance and the final phase of the east building addition. Please click here for answers to those questions.
Getting to and parking on campus is challenging. What is being done to alleviate this issue for our students, families and staff?
Currently, there simply is not enough surface space on campus to expand our parking capacity. School leadership understands that parking can be challenging and is exploring options to expand parking capacity.
What is a PLC and why is this important to Stevenson?
In order to ensure “Success for Every Student,” we will sustain a culture focused on learning, collaboration, and results. Our culture of continuous improvement will be driven by collective inquiry, innovative instructional practices, and learning-centered assessment and grading practices. We will implement impactful intervention strategies that provide students with more time and support when needed in order to ensure learning and achievement. As a model Professional Learning Community, we will participate in state, national, and global initiatives focused on improving educational outcomes.
Can you explain the role of school budgets on property tax rates and how they are calculated?
In answering this question, it’s important to first understand how property tax rates are calculated. Below is a simplified overview of that process:
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Every year, local assessors determine each property’s taxable value, also known as the equalized assessed value (EAV). At the same time, taxing bodies — such as public libraries, public schools, park districts, etc. — hold public meetings and post their proposed budget, including funds needed from property taxes, also known as a levy.
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Once the assessments are completed and budgets are approved, the county clerk’s office determines the property tax rate by dividing the equalized assessed value by the tax levy, limiting increases in the tax levy to the inflation rate.
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Finally, the local treasurer’s office collects tax payments and distributes funds to the taxing bodies.
This context is important to understand when comparing the tax rates of different districts: The tax rate depends on property values. Two districts may have the same tax levy (and collect the same amount of taxes), but the district with higher property values will have a lower tax rate and the district with lower property values will have a higher tax rate. Thus, a district may spend more (and collect more in taxes) per student than Stevenson but still have a lower tax rate if the other district has higher property values. Also, Cook County puts more of the property tax burden on commercial properties and less on residential properties, which skews comparisons with Cook County school districts.
How do you plan for the future and make construction decisions?
Each year, Stevenson High School, along with Districts 102, 103 and 96, receives and shares enrollment projections from DecisionInsite, an industry leader in enrollment data and analytics. Enrollment data is critically important, as this data guides our long-term planning and decision making for future generations of students.
As construction projects are approved, school leadership remains committed to transparency by holding public meetings, sending certified letters to nearby residents and posting all construction updates discussed at board meetings to our website, per the Open Meetings Act.