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A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) Between the Village of Oak Park, Oak Park Elementary District 97, and Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 for the Purchase of Services Pertaining to Early Childhood Education
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Introduction
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This is a resolution to approve an IGA between the Village and Districts 97 and 200 for the purchase of services pertaining to early childhood education. The IGA is among the primary funding sources for the Collaboration for Early Childhood (The Collaboration), which provides dedicated infrastructure to connect Oak Park families and care providers with resources pertaining to early childhood. The initial IGA was signed in 2013, and this resolution provides key updates regarding funding, governance, and language.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the resolution.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
• On April 24 2013, at a joint meeting between the Village and the two school districts, the Village entered into an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with School Districts 97 and 200 for the purchase of services pertaining to Early Childhood Education. In addition, the Village and School Districts 97 and 200 entered into a contract for services with the Collaboration for Early Childhood Care and Education at that same time.
• On June 20, 2016, the Village Board passed a resolution (RES 26-154) approving an amended contract for early childhood services between the School District 200, School District 97, the Village of Oak Park, and the Collaboration for Early Childhood Care and Education.
• The most recent Tri-Board meeting between the Village and Districts 200 and 97 was held on December 10, 2025.
Background
The Collaboration for Early Childhood receives its primary (roughly 80-85%) funding from an IGA between the Village of Oak Park, District 97, and District 200. Additional information about the Collaboration’s funding is available in the FAQ attachment.
The Collaboration’s operations are governed by its board, which is comprised of a group of two elected officials and one administrator each from the three groups that make up the IGA (the Village of Oak Park, District 97, and District 200). Village President Scaman, Trustee Eder, and Village Manager Kevin Jackson are the two elected officials and administrator who represent the Village on the Collaboration’s governing board.
The Collaboration and updated IGA align with multiple Village Board Goals. The Collaboration addresses Affordability (Goal 1.3, Pursue Governmental Partnerships) through partnering with the school districts to purchase resources that no entity could do on its own, and improves information sharing between them. The IGA addresses Community Health (Goal 2.5, Strengthen Oak Park’s Public Health Network to Improve Current and Future Health Outcomes) and Equity (Goal 3.2, Assess and Address Historical Lack of Equity) through connecting families with resources regarding early childhood support and helping families understand when children may need additional support for their children inside and out of school. The Collaboration has also worked with ECHO to help ECHO better support families they come across in their work.
The new agreement primarily changes the funding ratio and schedule among the Village, D97, and D200. Additional recommendations include changes in language to the IGA. These can be viewed beginning on Page 7 of Attachment 5 (Collaboration for Early Childhood Investment Rationale).
Timing Considerations
Approval of the IGA at this time will allow staff to account for the updated payment schedule during the FY27 budget process.
Financial Impact
Financial structure updates in the IGA include 3 key categories: updated contribution ratios, an annual adjustment mechanism, and a one-time reset of contribution amounts. Regarding contribution ratios, the Village’s total share as a percentage will decrease from 27% to 25.5%, with D97 and D200 covering 42% and 32.5%, respectively.
Under the new agreement, beginning on January 1, 2028, annual contributions will be adjusted each year by the lesser of 4% or the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the prior calendar year.
Payments will be scheduled as follows from the Village:
|
Payment Date |
Village of Oak Park Contribution |
|
July 1, 2026 |
$177,608 |
|
January 1, 2027 |
$224,928 |
|
July 1, 2027 |
$221,103 |
|
January 1, 2028* |
$228,548 |
|
July 1, 2028 |
$250,223* |
|
January 1, 2029 |
$265,609* |
*Indicates estimated payment
These payments are budgeted for and covered under the Village Manager’s Office - External Support (GL 1001.41020.101.530667.0000).
Operations Impact
Staff spent approximately 25 hours reviewing the IGA and coordinating with D97, D200, and the Collaboration for Early Childhood. The Village Manager anticipates an annual time commitment of 12-15 hours assisting with the implementation of this agreement.
DEI Impact
The Collaboration for Early Childhood works to engage families, local organizations, early childhood educators, and health and caregivers for equitable, nurturing, and interconnected support systems in a community-driven manner. The Collaboration also works to provide early intervention to young children who need support to be successful and prepared by the time they enter kindergarten, supporting more equitable outcomes in school and life. The Collaboration also supports accessible, affordable early care to support resource-strained families in the community.
Community Input
The Collaboration for Early Childhood presented at the D97 Board Meeting in June of 2026.
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the resolution.
Advantages:
• This action aligns with Village Board goals surrounding governmental partnerships, equity, and health outcomes.
• This action ensures the Collaboration for Early Childhood is sustainably funded.
• This action provides measurable, predictable funding obligations for the Village to plan and prepare for.
Disadvantages:
• This action requires the expenditure of funds, with obligations increasing yearly after 2028.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can reject the resolution.
Advantages:
• This action can save the Village annual funding that may be allocated to other priorities.
Disadvantages:
• The Collaboration for Early Childhood will not be fully funded and will need to seek revenue elsewhere.
• This action misaligns with Village Board goals.
Alternative 2:
The Board can request additional information.
Advantages:
• The Board will be provided with the information requested.
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to this action.
Anticipated Future Actions
Future tri-board meetings between the Village, D97, and D200 will be held to receive updates from the Collaboration for Early Childhood.
Prepared By: Jack Malec, Assistant to the Village Manager
Reviewed By: Brooke Lenneman, Village Attorney
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Intergovernmental Agreement
2. Resolution
3. Collaboration for Early Childhood Memorandum
4. Collaboration for Early Childhood Fact Sheet
5. Collaboration for Early Childhood Investment Rationale
6. Collaboration for Early Childhood IGA FAQ
7. Collaboration for Early Childhood D97 6/9/26 Slide Deck