The Public Meeting Index

This was the first joint quarterly finance meeting between the Newport City Council and the School Committee, held on October 22, 2026 to align both bodies on the city and school budget outlook. Participants reviewed the school department's FY2026 closing results and FY2027 forecast, the city's financial condition, debt and enterprise funds, consolidation opportunities, and the path to a balanced budget. School Department Financial Report - School Business Manager Ronald Gonzalez reported that the FY2026 unaudited results ended with a $445,000 surplus after the city provided a $1.5 million appropriation. Without that appropriation, the school department would have recorded approximately a $1 million deficit. The plan also relied on an approximately $600,000 fund balance appropriation and a $700,000 interest-free city loan held on the balance sheet. - Gonzalez projected a roughly $2.6 million FY2027 first-quarter deficit, unchanged from earlier forecasts, driven largely by out-of-district tuition costs. He confirmed he had not yet spoken with General Assembly members about a state proposal to cover some of these costs. - School Committee Member Cullen reported 47 out-of-district placements as of October 15, 2026, compared with 31 in October 2025 and 33 in October 2024. The Superintendent explained that out-of-district placements are required when a student's needs cannot be met within district programs, and the district must bear the costs. - A speaker noted that the school committee had voted 4-3 to adopt a budget that set out-of-district placement spending at zero despite known expenses. School Committee Chair Dring said he voted against the budget and called the zeroing out of the line item bad accounting. School Committee Member Powers defended the budgeting approach as a way to put the deficit in one clear location and argued the district is underfunded rather than mismanaged. - The Superintendent said bids for an independent consultant review have been received and scored and will be presented to the School Committee in November. The RFP is public on bid.net; the second RFP removed auditing language and focuses on school funding adequacy. - Council members and the Deputy City Manager discussed returning $445,000 of the city appropriation and reversing the $700,000 loan. Deputy City Manager Krillo said a September 28 city memo recommended deducting the $445,000 surplus from the $1.5 million appropriation, and that he supports both the repayment and the loan reversal. If the item is not placed on the October 28 City Council agenda, the city administration will bring it forward. - School Committee Member Leary said the out-of-district line was $1.996 million last year and zero this year, representing about $2 million of the $2.6 million deficit, and said he would ask the School Committee to transfer the $445,000 surplus to the city. City Financial Report - Finance Director Jim Nolan reported an unassigned general fund balance of $36.798 million, with a city policy target of maintaining up to 30 percent of the next year's budget. He noted the city transferred $6 million to water pollution control for the clarifier project, expected to be reimbursed in November 2026, and $1.5 million to the schools; the city is not expected to meet the 30 percent fund balance target for FY2026. - The city's budget-to-actual position is on target. The full $95 million tax levy is recognized up front under accounting standards, and police and fire budgets show approximately 50 percent spent due to pension contribution timing. - Debt service includes $10.8 million outstanding for Pell School refunding, about $96 million for Pell expansion and Rogers High School construction, and $24.6 million for the infrastructure bond. The city has submitted an F-100 estimate to RIDE and plans to submit the F-105 reimbursement request in June 2027. It expects a 52.5 percent reimbursement rate; filing was delayed while regionalization remained possible. The Deputy City Manager explained that reimbursements will be amortized over three years and the city has been carrying the debt service in the meantime. - Enterprise fund long-term debt totals $7.2 million for maritime, $40.5 million for water, and $45.4 million for water pollution control. First-quarter results, with caveats that not all invoices had been received, included maritime revenue of $780,000 and expenses of $605,000; parking revenue of $1.5 million and expenses of $500,000; water pollution control revenue of $8.1 million and expenses of $4 million; and water revenue of $9.2 million and expenses of $4.4 million. - Councilmember Smith said the resolution creating these meetings was intended to keep the public and elected officials informed before budget season so there are no surprises, and that he is willing to revise the resolution if the scope is too broad. Deficit Reduction, Consolidation, and School Funding Debate - The Superintendent said the school department has left two vacant positions unfilled, is scrutinizing all spending, and will evaluate whether to fill future vacancies. Ongoing talks with the city are exploring consolidation of IT and facilities services. Deputy City Manager Krillo said combined Custom contracts are worth more than $750,000 and IT consolidation could produce significant savings; IT Director Nick Craig confirmed the savings are real. Facilities consolidation has been attempted before and faces operational and collective bargaining challenges. - Some School Committee members expressed concern that consolidation alone will not fix shortages of intervention specialists, librarians, and support staff. School Committee Member Cullen said the district has lost 143 students since October 2025 and cannot continue spending without enrollment; regionalization had been proposed to share services. - School Committee Member Cullen also recommended hiring a demographer to study long-term enrollment trends, moving Thompson fifth and sixth graders to Pell and seventh and eighth graders to Rogers, and potentially repurposing Thompson for city or workforce housing. - A council member warned that if the projected $2.6 million deficit remains by January 1, 2027, he would ask the state Commissioner of Education to force action, adding that the school committee is not balancing the budget as required by state law. School Committee Member Powers disagreed, describing the district as underfunded, saying Newport's taxes are not as high as almost every other place in the state, and citing historically low allocation increases; he said this is an artificial crisis and education should be the community's biggest investment. - Dr. Floes, who said she served 18 years on the School Committee, opposed any recommendation to turn the schools over to the state, noting Providence's problems were not solved by state takeover. She defended the district's work, warned against packing students into fewer buildings, and said Newport's diverse student population and legally required services must be respected. - A city council member said the maintenance of effort numbers understate actual city support because the city has added hundreds of thousands of dollars outside maintenance of effort over the years, but agreed the city must examine whether schools are properly funded. A School Committee member noted prior school surplus money went into Rogers High School, contributing to current pressure, and urged giving the new Superintendent a chance. Public Comments & Testimony - Carrie Cassidy of Bradford Avenue said a budget shows a community's values, and the school department has to keep asking for money because the city does not appropriate enough. She said fewer students with higher needs does not mean lower costs, and the city should fund the schools adequately so they do not need to return each year. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken during this first informational joint meeting. - The city administration committed to placing the $445,000 repayment and $700,000 loan reversal item on the October 28 City Council agenda if it is not introduced by the chair. - School Committee Member Leary said he would ask the School Committee to transfer the $445,000 surplus to the city. - The independent consultant RFP results will be presented to the School Committee in November. - IT and facilities consolidation discussions will continue between city and school administrations. - The next quarterly joint meeting is scheduled for January, with no specific date set.

The Gastonia Historic District Commission (HDC) met on October 22, 2026, to consider two certificate of appropriateness applications: an after-the-fact approval for window and door removal at 615 South Chester Street, and a new construction proposal at 424 West Second Avenue. The meeting also included the swearing in of new commissioner Mary Kelly and approval of minutes from August 27, 2026. Consent Calendar - No items were designated as a consent calendar; the minutes approval was moved to later in the agenda. Public Comments & Testimony - Cathy Spencer (956 Oaks Road, Bessemer City; daughter of former owner) spoke on 615 South Chester Street. She stated that the removed door and window were not original to the house, but added when the porch was enclosed for a beauty salon/dog grooming business. She also said the property owner (her aunt, Miss Biddington) acted in good faith, relying on her constructor's assurances regarding permits. - Brawny York (412 West 2nd Avenue) spoke on 424 West Second Avenue. She complimented the design and suggested a door color (Evergreen Fog) and noted that the windows and lighting looked good. Discussion Items - Oath of Office: Commissioner Mary Kelly was sworn in by Rebecca Mintz. - Agenda Amendment: Commissioner Jeff Triple moved to postpone approval of the August 27 minutes to agenda item 4 (Other Matters) to allow time to review them; motion carried. - Item 3B – 615 South Chester Street (after-the-fact approval): Staff planner Jalen Nash presented. The property (non-contributing in the York Chester Historic District) had a code enforcement complaint regarding unauthorised removal of a window and door on the front elevation (facing 6th Avenue). Additionally, all original 4/1 sash windows had been replaced with windows having grilles between glass (pohibited by design standards). Commissioners discussed the history and the non-contributing status. Legal counsel advised that non-contributing status gives the commission more discretion even with absolute prohibitions. A motion to approve both requests based on the property's non-contributing nature was made, seconded, and carried unanimously. - Item 3A – 424 West Second Avenue (new construction): Senior planner Veronica Bateson presented. Applicant Garrett Cox appeared. The proposal for a new house and driveway had been previously subcommitteeed and updated with a survey and landscape plan. Commissioners discussed front door color (preference for Evergreen Fog over white or navy), addition of a faux window or architectural detail on the front gable, addition of at least one window on the rear elevation (a transom above bathroom and a window in bedroom), and lighting on the front porch (two sconces, size to be determined by staff). The applicant agreed. A motion to approve with these modifications was made, seconded, and carried unanimously. - Approval of Minutes: The August 27, 2026 minutes were approved with a correction (changing “Commissioner Hower” to “Commissioner Hooser”). - Other Matters: A subcommittee meeting scheduled for after adjournment was cancelled. Commissioner Charles announced his retirement; this was his last meeting. Staff reported that a project at 1223 Oakwood would require after-the-fact approval and is under internal review. Key Outcomes - Item 3B (615 S. Chester St.): Approved (unaimous). The motion cited the property's non-contributing status as justification for variation from design standard prohibiting the window grilles. - Item 3A (424 W. Second Ave.): Approved (unaimous) with conditions: front door color either Navy or Evergreen Fog (not white); inclusion of a faux window or architectural element on the upper front gable; addition of a window on the rear bedroom and a transom in the bathroom; and two front porch sconces (size approved administratively by staff). - Minutes: Approved with correction. - Retirement: Commissioner Charles to depart after November 2026.

The Dunedin City Commission held a regular meeting on October 22, 2026. The meeting covered a broad range of topics including the approval of a major rezoning, the consolidation of citizen advisory committees, the award of a new golf course maintenance contract, and a crucial reconsideration of the city's recycling contract after a vote failed two weeks prior. The overarching theme involved reaffirming environmental commitments and improving government efficiency. Consent Calendar - Minutes: Approved minutes from the September 1, 2026 workshop and September 3, 2026 regular meeting. - Board/Committee Appointments: Approved appointments for the Committee on Aging, Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund Board of Trustees, and Library Advisory Committee. - Bid Awards & Agreements (Items 2C-2G): Approved bids for water treatment plant bleach tank replacement ($164,185), fire boat lift ($98,164.45), lift station repairs ($89,963.51), the Clearwater Ferry Service ILA renewal ($85,000 NTE), and a Hammock Boardwalk change order ($16,528.64). Items 2D and 2F were briefly pulled for questions before passing unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - John McDoney (Resident): Praised city staff for promptly fixing a plugged storm drain, highlighting their customer service as a direct reflection of the city's mission statement. - Gregory O'Lenich (Resident): Described an incident where his wife suffered a broken nose and a deep laceration requiring six stitches after tripping on an uneven sidewalk. He expressed frustration over the city's lack of response to their accident claim. Mayor Franny personally intervened, offering immediate assistance. - Elizabeth Cascalera & Emily Wallett (Residents): Voiced long-standing complaints (7+ years) about dangerous traffic conditions and noise caused by parents using their narrow residential street (Texas/Carolina Ave) as an unauthorized school drop-off zone. Staff committed to renewing dialogue with the school and sheriff's office. - Recycling Contract (3G) Testimony: - Leslie Viance: Urged the Commission to maintain the recycling program, noting it is a key characteristic of the city and a frequent question from potential homebuyers. - Eric (Resident): Described recycling as part of "Dunedin's discipline" and a healthy habit for residents, stating cancellation would make the community feel guilty and adrift. - Patrick Clare: Argued that scaling back recycling would directly contradict the newly approved Stormwater & Sustainability Advisory Committee and the DREAM plan. - Nan Bennett: Suggested that future contracts use a petroleum-based index for cost escalation rather than CPI, given the industry's reliance on transportation. Discussion Items - 3A: Rezoning of 968 Douglas Avenue (Ordinance 26-09): The Commission unanimously approved the second reading to rezone the 1.07-acre property from Downtown Industrial (DI) to Downtown Core (DC) to allow for a 318-space parking structure and 25,000 square feet of retail. Commissioners praised the developer's design and community engagement. - 3B & 3C: Advisory Committee Consolidations: The Commission voted unanimously to merge the Social Services Committee with the Disability Advisory Committee and the Environmental Quality & Sustainability Committee with the Stormwater Advisory Committee. The consolidations were aimed at improving quorum and efficiency after years of inactivity on the individual committees. - 3D: Bond Reimbursement Resolution (Resolution 26-23): Unanimously approved to allow the Water/Wastewater Enterprise Fund to seek reimbursement for approximately $8 million in capital projects (e.g., filter feed pumps, well facilities) from future tax-exempt debt. Staff called it a standard financial tool. - 3E: Marina Boat Ramp Fees (Resolution 26-27): Staff successfully requested a continuance to the November 19, 2026 meeting. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Gow dissenting. - 3F: Dunedin Golf Club Maintenance Contract: The Commission unanimously awarded the five-year contract to BrightView Golf Maintenance for $868,010.08 annually, which was lower than the current contract. Parks & Recreation Director Blair detailed site visits to nine of BrightView's municipal courses in Florida and stated he was "100 percent convinced" of their ability to meet the city's high standards for the course. - 3G: Recycling Services Contract (Reconsideration): Following a vote that failed 3-2 on October 8, 2026, staff provided an extensive follow-up presentation covering the RFP scoring process, cost comparisons, and the impacts of eliminating the program. A representative from Pinellas County Solid Waste warned of generational impacts on the landfill. Following robust discussion and public testimony, the motion to award the contract to Waste Pro for $1,170,000 passed unanimously. Commissioners cited strong community support and a clear environmental mandate. - Commission Discussion & Future Items: - SB 1134 (DEI/Cultural Legislation): Commissioner Gow led a discussion on state legislation affecting cultural festivals. The Commission gave consensus direction to work with Scottish heritage groups and state legislators to pursue an exemption, emphasizing that Scottish heritage is intrinsic to Dunedin's identity. - Code Enforcement & Marina Update: Mayor Franny requested a future workshop on the $5,000 code enforcement fine cap and a holistic update on the Marina's permitting and construction status. Key Outcomes - Ordinance 26-09 (Rezoning): Approved unanimously on second reading. - Resolutions 26-20, 26-22, 26-23: Passed unanimously, enacting committee consolidations and the bond reimbursement declaration. - Marina Boat Ramp Fees: Continued to the November 19, 2026 meeting. - Golf Course Contract: Awarded to BrightView Golf Maintenance. - Recycling Contract: Awarded to Waste Pro of Florida, Inc., securing the program for the foreseeable future. - Workshop Canceled: The November 3, 2026 Commission Workshop was canceled in recognition of Election Day. - Future Workshops Requested: Staff was directed to provide workshops on Code Enforcement citation policies and a comprehensive Marina update.

The Town of Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals met on October 22, 2026, to conduct public hearings on six applications and to consider four additional business items. All applications on the hearing calendar were granted except one hearing that was adjourned because required legal postings were not completed. The board also acted on two accessory dwelling unit (ADU) requests, an amended written decision, and a time extension request. Consent Calendar - The board accepted the October 8, 2026 meeting minutes, as corrected by the chairman, on a motion by Mr. McGrath seconded by Mr. Cortey; all voted in favor. - Town counsel confirmed that affidavits of posting, publication, and notice were filed to establish jurisdiction for the evening’s hearings. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public requested to be heard during the public comment portions of the hearings. - Richard Bronchick (JL Drafting), for owner Dawn Fasano, testified at the 48 Highland Court hearing. - Paula Ruiz (Universal Science and Service), representing Wing Stop, testified in support of the proposed signage at 215 W. Jericho Turnpike. - Jessica Zalin (Cuddy & Fader), attorney for the Dickens Avenue applicants, presented the retaining wall requests, with structural engineer Charles Clackett available to answer questions. Discussion Items - 88 Harriet Lane (Public Hearing 23779): The hearing was adjourned to December 10, 2026, because the applicant did not complete required postings and publications. - 48 Highland Court (Public Hearing 23762): The applicant requested a front-yard setback reduction from 20 feet to 17 feet to build a three-foot-deep front vestibule. The representative said the vestibule would address a dangerous stair entrance located less than four feet behind the front door. The agenda describes the work as a one-story addition, while the transcript describes it as a two-story addition; this discrepancy was not discussed by the board. - 215 W. Jericho Turnpike (Public Hearing 23757): Paula Ruiz requested a 12-foot-tall freestanding ground sign with a 10-foot setback. She argued the sign was needed for visibility on a 40 mph commercial corridor. Board members noted the application also covered existing building signs and asked about vacant space behind the 14-seat food shop; the representative said she did not have that information. The board determined a negative declaration was required under environmental review before granting the request. - 8, 10, 12, 14 Dickens Avenue (Public Hearings 23781, 23776, 23770, 23775): The four contiguous properties were heard jointly. Attorney Jessica Zalin explained that a shared rear retaining wall appearing on surveys from 1969 was removed in 2024 after the town found a portion at 12 Dickens unsafe. The proposed replacement wall, with a ready rock ledge stone base and a 5-foot PVC fence, would have a maximum exposed height of about 11 feet. Letters of support were provided by owners of rear properties at 9, 11, 16, and 17 Cather Avenue. Board members praised the application and stated all five legal factors were met, characterizing the project as a repair rather than a new hillside cut. - Other Business: The board heard four non-hearing items: a second extension for Application 23314 at 104 Soundview Terrace, Northport; an amended decision for Application 23752 at 33 Pine Drive, Cold Spring Harbor to include 993.2 square feet of retaining wall relief (code allows 746.2 square feet) that had been granted on October 8 but omitted from the written decision; and preliminary approvals for ADU 2258 at 27 Weston Street, Huntington Station (300 square feet, one-bedroom, owner-occupied, no saturation issues) and ADU 2256 at 689th Avenue, Huntington Station, after the building department confirmed a meaningful connection between the main dwelling and the proposed ADU. Key Outcomes - The October 8, 2026 minutes were approved unanimously. - Public Hearing 23779 for 88 Harriet Lane was adjourned to December 10, 2026, without action. - Public Hearing 23762 was granted: front-yard setback reduced to 17 feet for the 48 Highland Court vestibule. - Public Hearing 23757 was granted: sign variances for 215 W. Jericho Turnpike, with a negative declaration under environmental review. - Public Hearings 23781, 23776, 23770, and 23775 were each granted by separate unanimous motions for 8, 10, 12, and 14 Dickens Avenue, respectively. - Application 23314 received a second extension of the prior grant due to family and financial concerns. - Application 23752 was directed to receive an amended written decision reflecting the retaining wall relief granted on October 8. - ADU 2258 and ADU 2256 received preliminary approvals. - The meeting was adjourned to October 29, 2026.

The Charter School Review Committee met virtually (5:03 PM) to review annual performance reports for five Milwaukee charter schools. Chair Kevin Ingram opened by sharing insights from a recent meeting with Wisconsin DPI, highlighting the agency’s “Portrait of a Graduate” initiative and posing three reflective questions about school vision, professional resources, and graduate readiness. Dr. Baylor then presented each school’s data (demographics, academic outcomes, culture/climate survey results) followed by committee discussion. The committee voted on each school’s monitoring recommendation. Consent Calendar - Minutes of March 26, 2026 – Approved unanimously. Discussion Items 1. Darrell Lynn Hines College Preparatory Academy of Excellence (DLHA) - Enrollment: 209 students; 97.1% free/reduced lunch; 20% special education. - Attendance: 87.7% (K‑5), 86.2% (6‑8). - Licensure: Partially met – one expired teacher license, one administrator lacking appropriate licensure (position no longer requires it). Current teachers licensed; one teacher on a license-with-stipulations pending DPI review. - Academic Growth (local measures): reading 71% (elem.), 66% (middle); math 62% (elem.), 71% (middle); writing 77% (elem.), 88% (middle); 100% of IEP students met at least one goal. - Forward Exam Proficiency: 3‑5 ELA 14.1%, math 6.3%; 6‑8 ELA 14.1%, math 15.6%. - Year‑to‑year Progress: ELA 38.2%, math 30.9%. - Contract Compliance: Progress target of 35% was not met in math (29%); overall 37% of students in developing/approaching range made progress. - Scorecard: Elementary 65.3%, Middle 63.3%, Weighted 64.7%. - Culture/Climate: Improved in all categories except ambitious instruction (flat). Gaps in facility conditions, middle‑school academic culture, discipline consistency. - Improvement Goals: Restorative practices, academic‑culture norms for middle school, structured family engagement. - Recommendation: Five‑year contract renewal with continued annual monitoring, emphasis on reading and math. - Committee Questions: Bill Christianson asked about strengthening academic culture; Principal Dr. Fletcher described tiered instruction and social‑emotional learning. Dr. Brookshire inquired about special education services; Dr. Fletcher explained push‑in/pull‑out models. Chair followed up on licensure status. - Vote: Motion carried unanimously. 2. Downtown Montessori Academy (DMA) - Enrollment: 232 students; 14.7% free/reduced lunch; 14.5% special education. - Attendance: 94.5% (K‑5), 95% (6‑8). - Licensure: All teachers appropriately licensed. - Academic Growth: reading 86% (elem.), 69% (middle); math 75% (elem.), 74% (middle); writing 78% (elem.), 81% (middle); 86% of IEP students met at least one goal. - Forward Exam Proficiency: 3‑5 ELA 69.8%, math 33.3%; 6‑8 ELA 90.5%, math 73.8%. - Year‑to‑year Progress: ELA 89.6%, math 67.5%. - Contract Compliance: ELA 71.4%, math 54.3% met (target ≥35%). - Scorecard: Elementary 80.4%, Middle 83.6%, Weighted 81%. - Culture/Climate: Overall 75.8% (proficient), but declines in supportive environment (−20), collaborative teachers (−15), effective leaders (−29), involved families (−5.6). Staff reported limited PD and unclear career pathways. - Improvement Goals: Structured professional development, establish parent advisory committee with board seat (already completed), strengthen math instruction in grades 1‑5. - Recommendation: Continue annual monitoring with emphasis on math. - Committee Questions: Bill Christianson asked about the gap between high academics and lower climate scores. Interim Principal Dawn Zant and board member Lauren Taylor cited leadership transitions; Dawn listed measures including shared‑decision‑making teams and increased visibility. Chair commended the school for maintaining certified staff through transition and for having a parent on the board. - Vote: Motion carried unanimously. 3. Escuela Verde (EV) - Enrollment: 111 students; 100% free/reduced lunch; 24% special education; 30.6% ESL. - Licensure: All teachers appropriately licensed. - Academic Growth (STAR): Reading growth percentages presented inconsistently (40% and 80% of students met goal in different parts of the presentation); math growth reported at 55%. - Pre‑ACT Secure (9‑10): English 18.6% proficient, math 0% proficient. - Four‑Year Graduation Rate (2024‑25): 73.1%; 93.3% post‑secondary acceptance; $400,000+ in scholarships. - ACT Progress (11th graders): 64.5% made progress over pre‑ACT. - Contract Compliance: 10th grade improvement 40% (target 50%); 11th grade 64.5%. - Scorecard: 72.8% (single grade‑band). - Culture/Climate: Declines from previous cycle; supportive environment and ambitious instruction flagged. Staff reported isolation, fragmented curriculum. - Improvement Goals: Structured onboarding/mentorship for new teachers, strengthen instructional rigor, improve student voice on policies. - Recommendation: Continue annual monitoring with emphasis on reading and math. - Committee Questions: Bill Christianson asked about downward trends and instructional guidance. School representatives acknowledged turnover and the challenge of project‑based learning; they have begun more regular teacher meetings. Chair encouraged the school to embrace the feedback and use it to fuel innovation. - Vote: Motion by Bill Christianson, second by Dr. Davis; carried unanimously. 4. Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS) - Enrollment: 1,734 students (K‑12); 100% free/reduced lunch; 12.4% special education. - Attendance: 88.3% (K‑5), 87.2% (6‑8), 82.2% (9‑12). - Licensure: 32 issues (14 expired, 9 pending, 8 no file, 1 invalid lifetime). School reports many teachers struggling to pass licensure tests; HR case‑managing each individual. - Academic Growth: reading 57% (elem.), 77% (middle), 57% (high school); math 55% (elem.), 66% (middle), 52% (high school); writing 54% (elem.), 49% (middle), 66% (high school); IEP goals met: 88% (elem.), 58% (middle), 77% (high school). - Forward Exam Proficiency: 3‑5 ELA 12%, math 9.4%; 6‑8 ELA 20.2%, math 22.3%. - Pre‑ACT Secure (9‑10): English 12%, math 3.3%. - Four‑Year Graduation Rate: 93.5% (2025); 97.1% post‑secondary acceptance; $5.3 million in scholarships. - ACT Progress: 59.2% of 11th graders improved. - Year‑to‑year Progress: ELA 43.3%, math 34.7%. - Scorecard: Elementary 57.5%, Middle 60.8%, High School 75.7%, Weighted 62.1%. - Culture/Climate: Overall 74.5% (developing); supportive environment up 6.2 points; effective leaders down 6.9. Staff reported limited decision‑making influence and inconsistent discipline across grade levels. - Improvement Goals: Increase academic rigor and student ownership (especially math), strengthen PLCs and coaching, ensure speech/language pathology staffing, build coherence in discipline and communication across campuses. - Recommendation: Continue annual monitoring with emphasis on reading and math. - Committee Questions: Dr. Davis asked about middle‑school suspensions and restorative practices; Dr. Mallet described dean PLCs and SEL curriculum. Dr. Brookshire inquired about low 9‑10 English and math; Dr. Mallet outlined a new ninth‑grade cohort structure. Chair asked about licensure improvement; Dr. Mallet noted investment in test preparation and study groups. Chair also cautioned about growth‑related staffing challenges. Dr. Brookshire pressed on the elementary scorecard under 60%; Dr. Mallet responded with focus on early literacy and math fluency. - Vote: Motion by Bill Christianson, second by Dr. Davis; carried unanimously. 5. Milwaukee Math and Science Academy (MMSA) - Enrollment: 230 students (K‑8); 94.8% free/reduced lunch; 20% special education; 13.5% ELL. - Attendance: 85.8% (K‑5), 83.2% (6‑8). - Licensure: Two concerns – one teacher in support role working toward bachelor’s (no license), one teacher with expired license scheduled for test. - Academic Growth (MAP): Reading 65% (overall seems), math data unclear; growth percentages for reading and math were reported with apparent transcription inconsistencies. Writing 80% (elem.), 51% (middle); 100% of IEP students met at least one goal. - Forward Exam Proficiency: 3‑5 ELA 23.6%, math 13.9%; 6‑8 ELA 11.3%, math 3.2%. - Year‑to‑year Progress: ELA 40.7%, math 27.2%. - Contract Compliance (progress): ELA 34.7% (target 35%), math 27.8%. - Scorecard: Elementary 63.2%, Middle 59.8%, Weighted 22.2% (appears inconsistent with component scores). - Culture/Climate: Overall 88.8% (proficient), improved in all areas. Staff reported strong professional culture; students raised fairness and discipline concerns. - Improvement Goals: Improve foundational math/reading through core instruction; extend relational strengths to formal student voice and career development; build SEL/digital citizenship programming; diversify certified staff. - Recommendation: Continue annual monitoring with emphasis on reading and math. - Committee Questions: Chair asked about current licensure; principal confirmed one teacher in support role finishing degree, one testing. Bill Christianson opened for broader comment; principal addressed support‑staff development and student‑voice gaps. Dr. Davis asked about enrollment retention (76.7%); principal cited academic/behavioral attrition and new strategies (positive calls, summer bridge). Dr. Brookshire questioned math performance and student/teacher beliefs; principal described bridging NWEA to Forward exam with multi‑step problem practice and CISA support. Chair asked about parent involvement; principal noted opportunities but limited uptake. Chair also encouraged outreach to DPI regarding Portrait of a Graduate. - Vote: Motion by Bill Christianson, second by Dr. Davis; carried unanimously. Key Outcomes - All five schools’ recommendations were approved unanimously. - DLHA received a recommendation for a five‑year contract renewal with continued annual monitoring and emphasis on reading and math. - DMA, EV, MAS, and MMSA received recommendations to continue annual academic monitoring and reporting, each with emphasis on reading and/or math outcomes. - No action was taken on administrative matters (Item 8) as there were no formal proposals. - The meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM.

The Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) reconvened on October 22, 2026, for a continued public hearing on APPL-2026-0004, an appeal of a zoning permit (ZONC-2025-054564) for a 150-foot telecommunications monopole at the Hamilton Safety Center. The board voted 3-2 to deny the appeal and affirm the Zoning Administrator's decision that the monopole is a by-right accessory use. Public Hearing Testimony - Appellants' Position: Attorney Michael Overson, representing 22 local residents, argued the permit was improperly issued without a commission permit. He contended the monopole is a principal commercial use, not an accessory use, and does not meet compatibility requirements with the surrounding rural area. - Applicants' Position: Len Forkas (Milestone Towers) confirmed a binding lease with AT&T to install FirstNet equipment. Heather Beardsley, President of the Hamilton Safety Center, testified that the monopole is an essential accessory use for modern emergency communications, directly supporting the safety center's public safety mission. - Staff Position: Planner David Moore reiterated the county's legal justification, stating the monopole is permitted by-right per Section 4.07.08.d.1 as an accessory use and is exempt from a commission permit under Section 10.09 as it is part of a Comprehensive Plan facility. Board Deliberations - Board members extensively debated the definition of an "accessory use." - Mr. Gray and Mr. Clark argued to uphold the appeal, stating the appellants successfully rebutted the presumption of correctness of the zoning administrator. They maintained the monopole operates as a separate principal commercial use and is not subordinate to the fire station. - Mr. Canonico, Mr. Moyes, and Chair Forbes argued to deny the appeal. They stated the Board of Supervisors had already established the by-right framework, the integration of FirstNet makes the tower incidental to the fire station, and the appellants failed to meet their burden to rebut the presumption of correctness. Key Outcomes - Vote on Appeal: The BZA voted 3-2 to deny the appeal (APPL-2026-0004) and uphold the Zoning Administrator's issuance of the permit (ZONC-2025-054564). - Administrative Updates: The November 2026 meeting was cancelled. The Zoning Administrator provided updates on pending Zoning Ordinance Amendments, including data center standards and cannabis regulations. - Process Discussion: The board discussed formalizing a two-step hearing process for complex cases to allow additional deliberation time.

The Loudoun County Historic District Review Committee (HDRC) met on 2026-10-22 in the Purcellville Room of the Loudoun County Government Building in Leesburg, Virginia. The agenda and raw transcript are dated October 19, 2026, and call the meeting to order on that date; this summary follows the supplied meeting date of 2026-10-22. Members present were Elizabeth Ellis, Madeline Skinner, Amanda Ruckman, Lucas Berger, Ed Good, Cochrane, and Carl Riew. The committee considered one certificate of appropriateness application and approved the September 14, 2026 Action Summary. Public Comments & Testimony - Kristen O'Rourke, a neighbor on Sands Road adjacent to 18464 Foundry Road, submitted written comments because she could not attend. She requested that the county and HDRC defer the application until revised drawings reflecting her requested changes and material selections were shared with the community. She said the house is visible from her property, surrounding properties, and Taylor Road, especially after the trees lose their leaves. She asked for clarification of the proposed roofline, deck materials, and stair tower, and estimated the proposal could be 24.25 feet of enclosed deck addition plus a 13.7-foot-wide stair tower. - A resident who said he had lived in the area for 46 years attended; he later expressed support, saying he was familiar with the property and applauded what the applicant was trying to do. - Commenters also raised notification concerns: a roadway placard for the application was down, the neighboring Lincoln community was not notified in a timely way, and the public online packet omitted red-line revisions, so the community did not have the same drawings as the committee. Discussion Items - Staff presented CAPP-2026-0017 for 18464 Foundry Road in the Goose Creek Historic District. The property is an 11-acre landlocked lot with a contemporary two-story house built in 1977 and a large addition in 1989; neither phase had received a certificate of appropriateness. The house is non-contributing and about one-third of a mile from nearby roads, with only a distant view of its roofline from Taylor Road. The application originally proposed a low-slope shed roof rear addition, a rear deck with stairs, and a minor front addition; staff described the additions as minor and roughly 150 square feet at most. - Staff explained that the applicant revised the rear addition after a septic-tank inspection placed the tank near the originally proposed work, but final architectural drawings were not submitted. The applicant provided marked-up drawings instead. Staff presented options: defer the application; impose specific form, massing, and material details; or approve with a condition that the certificate not be issued until final drawings are approved. - Applicant Waleed Arabshahi stated that he submitted plans on June 16, 2026, was not initially aware of HDRC review, and could not get updated drawings because his architect was unavailable. He said the health department's septic inspection changed the plan, and he moved the addition setback from 10 feet to 13 feet from the septic tank. He proposed steel columns with concrete footings instead of a full foundation. He said he bought the property for his parents, who live in California, and wanted a 10-foot kitchen bump-out, a 15-foot dining-room extension, and a 13-by-15-foot deck. He said he was willing to reduce the proposal to the kitchen and bathroom front addition and set aside the roof, deck, rear, and other work to avoid further delay. He also said he was under time pressure because a loan related to the property matures on December 1. - Committee members expressed conflicting views. Some said they could not approve the application because the drawings were incomplete and the public and committee had received different packets. One member said, "I'm not gonna support moving forward because I just don't feel like everybody has the information." Another argued that holding up the applicant for the kitchen portion "seems a travesty" and proposed approving only that portion. A third questioned how much authority the committee should exercise over a non-contributing 1977 house that is not visible from a public right-of-way. Key Outcomes - The transcript records a voice vote approving a certificate of appropriateness for CAPP-2026-0017 as amended, limited to the kitchen and bathroom addition on the north/front elevation of the house at 18464 Foundry Road (PIN 455-20-3268-000), in accordance with the Goose Creek Historic District Guidelines and the findings in the staff report. No tally was read. The rear addition, rear deck, stairs, roof changes, and other proposed work were not included and would require a future application. - The committee approved the September 14, 2026 Action Summary as submitted by voice vote; no tally was read. - The chair noted that the next meeting is November 9, 2026, with three applications and one informational item, including a potentially controversial application in Bluemont.

The Cook County Asset Management Committee met on October 22, 2026, at 1:30 PM. After initially lacking a quorum, Commissioner Anaya was added to the roll, achieving quorum. The committee considered consent items, including contract approvals, lease renewals, and deferred two items after questioning. One public speaker registered but did not appear. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes from the September 22, 2026 meeting (moved by Commissioner Degnan, seconded by Commissioner Anaya; voice vote unanimous). - Approved the following items as amended by an errata (item 26-1806 corrected contract value and fiscal year impact): - 26-223: Authorization for payment ($194,933.22) to Millhouse Engineering for design and engineering services related to DOC Division 1 and 1A demolition. - 26-227: Authorization for payment ($3,366,993.52) to Pagoda CCI Joint Venture for final balances and change orders on DOC demolition. - 26-2278: Lease renewal with Bass Furniture and Rug Company for the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland (36 months, $80,000 fiscal impact). - 26-2282: Lease renewal with UCAN for Restorative Justice Community Court (1 year, $12,000). - 26-2283: Lease renewal with West Side Health Authority for Freedom Defense Center of Austin (3 years, $263,000). (Moved by Commissioner Anaya, seconded by Commissioner McCaskill; voice vote unanimous.) Public Comments & Testimony - One speaker, George Blake Moore, registered but was not present at the time of public comment. Discussion Items - Item 26-1806 (FH Passion SN Nielsen Associates CMR contract): Bureau Chief Jamie Myers and Director of Capital Planning Earl Manning presented the contract for a new Department of Transportation and Highways District Maintenance Facility in Schaumburg, with a not-to-exceed amount of $61,322,870. The project is supported by a $10.5 million TIF fund from the Village of Schaumburg (approved December 2024). Commissioner Degnan raised detailed questions about the cost breakdown, noting discrepancies between the total project estimate ($64 million after TIF credits) and the contract value ($61 million); an errata had been issued to remove duplicate pre-construction fees. Degnan questioned the inclusion of $6 million in contingency and escalation for years 2024-2026, arguing costs already known, and the structure of other contingencies (total $5 million additional for design changes and upper limit). She expressed concern about budget discipline given competing county needs. Staff acknowledged the numbers may need adjustment and agreed to provide corrected information. The committee deferred the item pending further review. - Item 26-2242 (Countywide roof replacement services contract): Also deferred without discussion (moved by Commissioner Anaya, seconded by Commissioner Degnan; voice vote). Key Outcomes - Deferred: Item 26-1806 (CMAR contract) and item 26-2242 (roofing contract) were deferred for additional information. - Received and Filed (voice vote unanimous): - 26-2287: Corporate Portfolio Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Status Report (July 2026) – noted late but committed to future timely submissions. - 26-1424: Annual ADA Improvement Report – covered county efforts on accessibility, policy updates, and work with the accessibility working group. Commissioner Anaya inquired about ongoing guidance from the group and incorporation of universal design standards; staff responded that higher standards are being developed for FY27. - Adjourned: Motion by Commissioner Anaya, seconded by Commissioner Degnan; voice vote carried. Note: Commissioner Britton was added as excused absence at the end of the meeting.

The Cook County Commission on Human Rights met on October 22, 2026, from 2:34 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. Commissioners approved routine items, elected leadership, reviewed the director's quarterly report and outreach activities, approved investigation extension requests, and acted on a request for reconsideration. Consent Calendar - Approved Commissioner Ratner's virtual participation. - Approved the meeting agenda. - Approved the May 21, 2026, regular meeting open minutes. - Approved Commissioner Orr's virtual participation due to her employment exception. - Approved the May 21, 2026, regular meeting closed minutes, with abstentions noted: Commissioner Block abstained because he was not present at that meeting, and another abstention was recorded for an item in which a commissioner did not participate (the request for commission initiation). Director's Report - The director reported second-quarter caseload statistics: cases pending 236 (compared with 240 last quarter), inquiries 226 (down from 260), cases filed 75 (down from 112), investigations closed 83 (compared with 80), known settlement amounts totaling 162, and seven cases settled in the quarter. No cases were in administrative hearings, though an increase was expected by the next meeting. - The director highlighted work on an online complaint portal with the Bureau of Technology, led by data fellow Julian Lance, and noted the 2026 Cook County minimum wage increase effective July 1: $15.40/hour for non-tipped workers and $9.25/hour for tipped workers, with overtime rates of $23.10 and $16.94, respectively. - A commissioner asked for the number of cases going to mediation and how many are resolved through mediation. The director said the report does not currently capture that breakdown and agreed to provide it in the future. Outreach Report - Outreach staff reviewed communications and public education work: a May 27 fireside chat on the JHA Impact Assessment with a recording available on YouTube, Illinois Reentry Council participation, fair housing resource events, and the June 16 release of the 2025 annual report with a social media reel and distribution to more than 250 community partners. - The outreach team noted press coverage of the minimum wage increase and Check Your Check on WBBM, WGN, WTTW, and the Chicago Tribune. - Upcoming events included a July 21 virtual Where to File training (6-7 p.m.), Fiesta del Sol volunteer shifts on July 24 and 25, an August 17 Illinois Reentry Council housing work group meeting, and an August 29 fair housing training for CIC. - The human rights newsletter has 2,548 subscribers, and Instagram followers grew by 46 since the start of the year to 336. Investigation Extension Requests - The commission considered 42 investigation extension requests. One case, 2024 PA006, was noted as a fourth extension; the director attributed multiple extensions to vacant investigator and legal counsel positions and limited senior staff capacity, noting investigators carry 80 to 90 active cases. - The chair amended the extension for 2024 PA006 to January 9, 2027, then the commission approved all 42 extension requests by voice vote. Executive Session and Reconsideration - The commission moved to executive session and later reconvened. - It denied the request for reconsideration in case 2026 PA0018 by a unanimous roll-call vote. Key Outcomes - Chair Sohel was reelected chair and Commissioner Isaacs was elected vice chair by unanimous roll call; both positions were uncontested. - All 42 investigation extension requests were approved, with 2024 PA006 extended to January 9, 2027. - Reconsideration request 2026 PA0018 was denied unanimously. - The open and closed May 21, 2026 minutes were approved, with noted abstentions. - The meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.; the next meeting date was not announced.