The Evanston Township High School District 202 School Board tabled a motion Monday night to approve a pact with District 65 on forming a joint committee on legislative matters.
Gretchen Livingston, who just won reelection to a second term on the District 202 Board, recommended the delay, saying she had some concerns about the makeup of the committee and the tasks assigned to it.
The resolution, recommended by the two superintendents and board presidents, was approved by the District 65 board last month and was presented Monday night for approval by the District 202 Board.
The tentative agreement between the two districts called for a committee comprised of two members from each board, each district’s chief financial officer, plus representatives from the two teachers unions, the community, the City of Evanston, Northwestern University, and a lobbying group, Ed-Red, that represents several Illinois school districts.
The committee would meet on a quarterly basis, or more often if necessary, to address local, state, and national policy issues, participate in the annual Evanston Legislative Day in Springfield, and monitor the state’s budget as it affects school districts.
It would also coordinate its efforts with Ed-Red, the lobbying group.
The resolution recognizes that up until now, “the joint legislative task force established under the auspices of the Evanston/Skokie Council of PTAs has served this role with membership from the community and both districts’ boards and administration.”
District 202 Board President Mark Metz agreed to table the motion “to be brought back at an undetermined future date,” but added that he wanted “to get this wrapped up before the end of the school year.”