Board of Education Work Session: May 2026

The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the Liberty Middle School Auditorium for its monthly work session.    

These are not the official meeting minutes and do not include every detail from the meeting, but rather a summary to inform the District #7 community. The official minutes can be found on the Board of Education Diligent website once approved by the Board. 

Nature Preserve Foundation 
Representatives from the Nature Preserve Foundation at the Watershed Nature Center, shared information with the Board of Education regarding the organization’s longstanding partnership with District #7. The organization, which has served the community since 1991, provides nature-based programming for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Presenters highlighted the addition of a full-time educator in 2025, the creation of a junior board focused on engaging young people, and the impact of programming, which has already served more than 1,000 students since January. The programs are designed to encourage exploration, curiosity, and hands-on learning experiences outdoors. 

Curriculum Advisory Committee 
The Board discussed the establishment of a Curriculum Advisory Committee, which would help the board better understand curriculum decisions before votes occur. The proposal will continue to be refined and discussed in detail at a future meeting. 

Update on 2025-26 Facility Projects 
Lincoln Middle School 
The Lincoln construction project continues to make significant progress, with much of the work now shifting away from active classroom learning spaces after this summer. Major updates include the transformation of the former small gym into a new band and orchestra area featuring rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, high ceilings, and future window installations. Construction also continues on the new “elective link,” which will connect sections of the building and improve accessibility through the addition of a second elevator. 

Several key academic spaces are nearing completion, including the CASTLE suite, seventh- and eighth-grade classroom areas, science labs, and restrooms. Exterior restoration work, including window replacement and courtyard improvements, is also underway. 

This summer’s work will focus heavily on infrastructure improvements, including underground plumbing installation, major auditorium renovations, completion of the future choir room area, and continued exterior construction. Crews will also begin demolition of the Lucco Gym area once abatement is complete, significantly changing the appearance and functionality of the campus entrance along Route 157. Parking lot reconstruction and installation of a new switchback ramp connected to the shared-use path will improve accessibility and traffic flow for students and families. 

Looking ahead to the 2026-27 school year, construction will primarily focus on the remaining lower-level and first-floor areas.  

Completed and Upcoming Facility Projects  

Completed projects include the EHS track, EHS softball field, and the turf field at Winston Brown.  

Upcoming projects include: 

• Final phase of track and field improvements at EHS, including replacement of the high jump pit, long jump runway, pole vault runway, and shot put ring 
• Reupholstering auditorium seating at Edwardsville High School beginning Memorial Day weekend 
• Resurfacing the staff parking lot at Edwardsville High School this summer 
• Planned parking lot improvements at Midway Elementary School 
• Tuckpointing work at Glen Carbon Elementary School 
• Additional summer projects at Leclaire Elementary School and Woodland Elementary School 
• Water line valving work and replacement of an overhead water line in the gymnasium at Edwardsville High School 
• Fire alarm system improvements at Woodland Elementary School 
• Roof replacement at Nelson Elementary School through an insurance claim 
• Installation of solar panels at Hamel Elementary School 

In action, the Board approved:  

• Display of the 2025-26 amended budget. Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer David Courtney discussed the proposed changes earlier in the meeting, which include updates to revenue and grant allocations from the Illinois State Board of Education and federal sources, adjustments to expenditure budgets related to grant allocations and changing costs, minor revisions between budget accounts, and accounting for the bond refinancing previously approved by the Board of Education on February 23, 2026. 
• The successor contract between the Board of Education and the Edwardsville Federation of Secretarial Employees (EFSE), which includes approximately 50 members. The new contract includes a four percent salary increase for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years and a three percent increase for the 2028-29 school year.  
• Student travel outside the continental United States to allow EHS German teacher Levi Antrim to take students on an extracurricular German American Partnership Program (GAPP) Exchange Trip to Germany during a projected date range in June 2027. 
• The engagement of FGM Architects to provide professional services related to the exterior evaluation and assessment report for Hadley House. The work will help identify the building’s current condition and support future planning efforts related to the historic facility. The total cost of services is expected to be less than $40,000.   
• A three-year contract for Dr. Allen Duncan, Jr., to serve as Superintendent of District #7 beginning July 1, 2026.  

Next Meeting:  
Tuesday, May 26: Board of Education Monthly Meeting (7 p.m. at Liberty Middle School) 

5.14.26 May 2026 Board Work Session Summary.pdf