Board approves student‑built home partnership; photography vendor vote fails amid past complaints
April 25, 2024 | Township HSD 211, School Boards, Illinois
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The Township High School District 211 Board of Education on April 25 approved a three‑year partnership enabling District 211 students to build one house per year on lots at the Summit Grove subdivision in Schaumburg under a Builder Edu curriculum. Niik Nitti of Nitti Development described the plan during public comment and board members voted to authorize the superintendent to execute a contract pending attorney review. The partnership will pair students with construction professionals and the district said standard background checks will apply to all personnel working with students.
Dr. Small described the program as an expansion of a robust building construction pathway already in District 211. The board approved the motion after members asked for clarification about background checks and supervision; the administration said Nitti Development would coordinate professional tradespeople and comply with district background‑screening procedures.
On other business the board approved several staff recommendations and contracts:
- Approved summer curriculum project allocations (Title I $140,000; Title II $180,000; IDEA $18,000).
- Approved a three‑year extension of the district’s wellness program contract with HealthCheck360 after staff explained annual employee physical screenings and early identification benefits.
- Approved purchase of multi‑functional devices from Proven IT at a purchase price of $48,990 with related services of approximately $7,500 per month for four years and authorized the superintendent to execute the contract.
A separate selection by the committee recommended Visual Imaging Photography (VIP) as the district student‑photography vendor for three school years, but the motion failed after trustees cited a November 2019 incident and parent complaints about prior experience with the vendor. Several board members said they would welcome VIP bids in the future if the vendor can demonstrate improved professional conduct and stronger privacy safeguards; staff will consult the selection committee and return with next steps.
Personnel items on the agenda included acceptance of multiple retirements, approvals of assistant‑principal appointments and other administrative hires; the board also approved some disciplinary and termination actions as recorded in the meeting minutes. The meeting ended after committee reports and other routine business.
What’s next: administration will finalize the Builder Edu/Nitti contract language for board signature and report back on the photography vendor selection process following committee review.
Dr. Small described the program as an expansion of a robust building construction pathway already in District 211. The board approved the motion after members asked for clarification about background checks and supervision; the administration said Nitti Development would coordinate professional tradespeople and comply with district background‑screening procedures.
On other business the board approved several staff recommendations and contracts:
- Approved summer curriculum project allocations (Title I $140,000; Title II $180,000; IDEA $18,000).
- Approved a three‑year extension of the district’s wellness program contract with HealthCheck360 after staff explained annual employee physical screenings and early identification benefits.
- Approved purchase of multi‑functional devices from Proven IT at a purchase price of $48,990 with related services of approximately $7,500 per month for four years and authorized the superintendent to execute the contract.
A separate selection by the committee recommended Visual Imaging Photography (VIP) as the district student‑photography vendor for three school years, but the motion failed after trustees cited a November 2019 incident and parent complaints about prior experience with the vendor. Several board members said they would welcome VIP bids in the future if the vendor can demonstrate improved professional conduct and stronger privacy safeguards; staff will consult the selection committee and return with next steps.
Personnel items on the agenda included acceptance of multiple retirements, approvals of assistant‑principal appointments and other administrative hires; the board also approved some disciplinary and termination actions as recorded in the meeting minutes. The meeting ended after committee reports and other routine business.
What’s next: administration will finalize the Builder Edu/Nitti contract language for board signature and report back on the photography vendor selection process following committee review.
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