Addison SD 4 board approves multiple vendor contracts and a $1.8 million loan to cover transportation shortfall

The Addison School District 4 Board of Education on May 22 approved several contracts and a transfer of funds intended to stabilize district operations ahead of the 2024–25 school year.

The board voted to adopt a one-year substitute staffing contract with Kelly Services, a food service management contract with Organic Life, a three‑year custodial contract with ABM Industries Group LLC, and a before-and-after‑school care contract with Right At School. The board also reappointed Melissa Morghazy as school treasurer and authorized execution of the annual treasurer's bond.

Superintendent Doctor Sutton told the board the Food Service RFP drew five bids and that the selection process used a rubric including food tastings and other state-required scoring. "After all the documents were read for all 5 bids and the food tastings were complete, the food service management company with the most points was Organic Life," Sutton said. Board members widely praised the change, with one member noting long-standing efforts to improve school meals.

On custodial services, administration recommended a three‑year agreement with an initial year cost of approximately $1,400,000 and annual increases tied to the consumer price index. The motion passed; one board member recorded a "No." The board discussed that the contract was publicly bid in compliance with Illinois school code.

The most significant financial action was approval of an interfund loan of $1,800,000 from the Education Fund to the Transportation Fund. Sutton explained the transportation fund "has a negative balance primarily due to unforeseen costs related to busing and transportation" and said state reimbursements have fallen short. He added that "expenditures related to... have surpassed the budgeted amount by about $100,000," a shortfall compounded by rising annual transportation costs.

The board also approved a resolution transferring funds from the Operations & Maintenance (Fund 20) to the Capital Projects fund (Fund 60) to ensure a positive beginning balance in Fund 60 for upcoming construction work.

Votes at a glance:
- Substitute staffing contract (Kelly Services): Approved.
- Before-and-after care (Right At School): Approved.
- Food service management (Organic Life): Approved.
- Custodial services (ABM Industries Group LLC): Approved (initial year cost announced ~ $1,400,000); one "No."
- Appointment of treasurer (Melissa Morghazy) and bond renewal: Approved.
- Resolution to transfer funds to Capital Projects (Fund 60): Approved.
- Interfund loan—Education Fund → Transportation Fund ($1,800,000): Approved.

Next steps: administration said it will execute contracts, submit required documentation to the Illinois State Board of Education for food service renewals, and continue work on longer-term transportation planning and possible operational changes to address recurring cost pressures.