Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education met Nov. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The first regular meeting of the month of November of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District 200, DuPage County, Illinois, was called to order at the Longfellow Elementary School, 311 W Seminary, Wheaton, IL by Board President Chris Crabtree, at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Upon the roll being called, the following were present:
Board Members: Mrs. Chris Crabtree
Mr. Rob Hanlon
Mr. Dave Long
Mrs. Angela Blatner
Mrs. Susan Booton
Mrs. Julie Kulovits
Mr. Brad Paulsen
Also in Attendance: Dr. Jeff Schuler, Superintendent
Dr. Charlie Kyle
Mrs. Erica Loiacono
Mrs. Melissa Murphy
Dr. Brian O’Keeffe
Mr. Jason Spencer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Board Member Julie Kulovits led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE HOST SCHOOL
Mr. Sean Walsh, Principal of Longfellow Elementary School, welcomed all to the school. The staff, students, parents, and PTA were recognized. The best part about Longfellow is the community, and two examples of Longfellow coming together to support students and the community were noted, including the Veteran’s Day breakfast, assembly, and field of honor to recognize the men and women of the community that have served our country. Secondly, the various clubs and activities offered to students at Longfellow help meet the SEL needs of the students by ensuring connectedness. This was highlighted in the Vision 2026 strategic plan. Students and staff sponsors from Longfellow participating in The Kindness Club were present and shared how they work to care for the community and spread kindness. The students thanked the Board for the kind ways they support the students in D200 and wished them a Happy Board Member Appreciation Day (November 15).
MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
None
RECOGNITIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS
The Board recognized the following individuals:
Ms. Lauren Nielsen, Art Teacher, Franklin Middle School – 2022 Illinois Art Education Association Middle School Art Educator of the Year
Tom Wentland, Fine & Professional Arts Teacher, WWSHS – Illinois Design Educators Association Drafting Educator of the Year
BOARD PRESIDENT REPORT
President Crabtree reported on the following:
∙ Dr. Schuler sent out a calendar of Veterans Day events to the Board and noted there are a lot of opportunities for Board members to attend programs in the District throughout the day on November 11th.
∙ The IASB Joint Annual Conference will be next week, which provides professional development opportunities for those who attend. President Crabtree asked for each Board Member attending to share a few sentences at the December meeting about something they walked away with from the conference to bring back to the District.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Agenda Items & Non-Agenda Items
In accordance with Board Policy 2.230, members of the public wishing to offer public comment had the opportunity to do so. A public comment sign-up sheet was made available until 7:00 p.m. at the meeting site. The Board Meeting was available for viewing via live stream on the District’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/communityunitschooldistrict200.
Per Board Policy, the Board may shorten the time allocation for each person to less than three minutes to allow the maximum number of people the opportunity to speak. The Board did not shorten the time allocation for each person to speak due to the number of speakers.
Speaker Topic
Mary Louise Hengesbaugh LLC Policies
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Dr. Schuler provided the following updates:
∙ The front outdoor entrance area of Longfellow – a great collaboration between the Longfellow PTA, Dr. O’Keeffe, and the D200 Facilities Dept. There were drainage/water retention issues that needed attention and the PTA provided the funding to redo that entire area. This enhanced area will be a great outdoor classroom space and the area has also been beautified. Dr. O’Keeffe also encouraged the PTA council and parents as they become aware of opportunities that may be a safety concern, to provide that input to the District as we are developing facility plans.
∙ As mentioned earlier, Friday is Veterans Day, and many great activities are taking place in our schools, and opportunities for Board Members to attend events.
∙ Tuesday, November 15 is School Board Member Appreciation Day – appreciation for all of the work the Board of Education does, and the volunteer effort put into bettering the education in our community.
∙ Dr. Schuler had a half-day visit to the Transition Center (this is a D200 facility that educates students ages 18-22 that are receiving transitional support as they are planning for careers and learning some important life-sustaining skills). The Transition staff was recognized for being an amazing, well-oiled team. Dr. Schuler had the opportunity to do many things, one being to join the students on their community trip to Jewel.
∙ Preemptive reminder to the community regarding winter, which will soon be here, and the District will again use our remote learning plan in lieu of snow days this year. The plan is on the D200 website. Dr. Schuler noted the question he is often asked as to why the call cannot be made (as to whether learning will be in person or remote) the night before if there is a potential to use the remote plan. It was noted the first goal is always to get students in our school buildings, and if there is any uncertainty as to what the morning will look like, the decision will be made as early as possible in the morning.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Acceptance of Gifts from Whittier Elementary School PTA – Recommend acceptance of gifts from Whittier PTA as presented.
2. Acceptance of Gift to Whittier Elementary School – Fifth Grade – Recommend acceptance of gift to Whittier fifth grade as presented.
3. Acceptance of Gift to Wheaton Warrenville South High School – Boys Basketball Program – Recommend acceptance of gift to WWSHS boys basketball program as presented.
4. Approval of Bills Payable and Payroll – Recommend approval of the bills payable and payroll as presented.
5. Approval of Minutes – October 12, 2022, Open and Closed, October 14, 2022, Special Meeting Open, October 26, 2022 Committee of the Whole, Open; Approve Release of Portion of March 9, 2022, April 13, 2022, and June 15, 2022, closed meeting minutes, pertaining to Request for Reconsideration of Media Complaint; Approve Release of Portion of March 9, 2022, April 13, 2022, and June 15, 2022, closed verbatim recordings, pertaining to Request for Reconsideration of Media Complaint and Approval to Destroy Recordings of Closed Sessions Prior to June 2021 As Allowable by Law.– Recommend approval of minutes and verbatim recordings as presented and approve the destruction of recordings of closed sessions prior to June 2021 as allowable by law.
6. Approval of Personnel Report to Include Employment, Resignation, Retirement, and Leave of Absence of Administrative, Certified, Classified, and Non-Union Staff – Recommend approval of the personnel report as presented.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
∙ # 1-3: Thank you for the three generous gifts the Board will be approving.
MOTION
Member Hanlon moved, Member Long seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: AYE 7, NAY 0.
The motion carried 7-0.
ACTION ITEMS
Vision 2026 – Approval of College and Career Readiness Platform
The Vision 2026 Strategic Plan includes the strategy of expanding programming to prepare students for a full range of post-secondary opportunities. This goal includes the following tactics: 1) Expand dual credit opportunities and Transitional Math and English courses 2) Develop an extensive Career Pathways Program including expanded opportunities, endorsements, a review of graduation requirements, and a review of middle school electives to align with Career Pathways.
Mrs. Melissa Murphy and the leadership team provided an update on the 2022-23 work plan for this Vision 2026 strategy. This update included the plans for the expansion of dual credit courses for transferable general education credit and those aligned with Career Pathways, and support for students to earn an Industry-Recognized Credential. The leadership team also identified a new College and Career Readiness platform, SchooLinks, to support the work in preparing students for postsecondary opportunities. There was a Vision 2026 College and Career Readiness PowerPoint presentation on the following:
∙ Three Guiding Questions
o What should CUSD 200 consider to prepare all students for a full range of post secondary opportunities?
o What is included in the 2022-23 CUSD 200 work plan?
o Why and how will D200 update our College and Career Readiness platform?
∙ What should CUSD 200 consider to prepare all students for a full range of post-secondary opportunities?
o Education Level (HS or less, some College, Associate, Bachelor, Graduate Degrees) and Earnings
▪ Top 60% of Earners; Non-Earners and the Bottom 40% of Earners
o College Pricing for 2022-23 Academic Year College Board Average Figures
▪ Public College: In-state students; Public College: Out-of-state students; Private Colleges
o Percent of Students Enrolling in College Within 12 Months & 16 Months (2018-22)
▪ District; State
o Percent of Students Enrolling in College Within 12 Months & 16 Months (2022)
▪ Community College; Universities; Trade/Vocational Schools (not yet reported by the State on the IL report card)
∙ What is included in the 2022-23 CUSD 200 work plan?
o Vision 2026 Strategic Plan – Expand programming to prepare students for a full range of post-secondary opportunities
▪ Tactic: Expand dual credit opportunities and Transitional Math and English courses
∙ Goal: Expand dual credit courses to support Career Pathways and other early college coursework opportunities
∙ Goal: Expand the number of students taking a fourth year of math
with a focus on Transitional Math
▪ Tactic: Develop an extensive Career Pathways Program including expanded opportunities, endorsements, a review of graduation requirements, and a review of MS electives to align with Career Pathways
o Advanced Coursework – this metric includes students that earn a “C” or higher in advanced coursework and/or earn an Industry-Recognized Credential
▪ Advanced Placement (AP); Dual Credit; Industry-Recognized Credentials (New This Year)
o Class of 2022: Advanced Coursework
▪ By demographics
▪ Vision 2026 Goal: +8%
o Dual Credit Coursework
▪ Transferable General Education Courses
▪ Career Pathways Courses (offered through TCD or COD)
o Dual Credit Course Additions
▪ Courses for 2022-23, 23-24, 24-25, and 25-26 by Type of Course
∙ Transferable Gen Ed Courses (Communications, History, Foreign Language, Biology, Mathematics)
∙ Career Pathway Courses (Intro to Teaching I and II, IT Courses, Additional Education Course)
∙ Other (Self-Defense, Latine Literature, British Literature, CPR and First Aid – RTE)
o Focus on a Fourth Year of Math
▪ Students meet proficiency through an exam score or course grade (the IL definition of College and Career Readiness)
▪ Students only need to meet one of the criteria for each subject area
∙ Course option (“C” or Higher) in AP, Dual Credit, Transitional Math, or Algebra II
∙ Exam options (ACT, SAT, or AP)
▪ Options include AP Calculus, Pre-Calculus A or I, AP Statistics, Statistics I, or Transitional Math
▪ Planning is underway for a process to recruit the class of 2024 into senior math classes with an earlier starting point
o Transitional Instruction
▪ Fourth-year HS courses designed to smooth the transition to college and reduce remediation rates
▪ Transitional Math (D200 began offering in 20-21) – a means to address college readiness in math before HS graduation, enabling students to earn guaranteed placement into college-level math classes at all IL community colleges and accepting universities
▪ Transitional English (developing course to offer in 24-25) – can be used as a fourth-year Language Arts class to meet state and local HS graduation requirements
o Community College Remedial Course Enrollment
▪ Provided data on the CUSD 200 Class of 2018, 2019, and 2020 for the following:
∙ Percent of students in courses: Communications, Mathematics, Reading
∙ Number of CUSD 200 students enrolled in a remedial course at a community college
o 2022-23 Work Plan: Tactic - Develop an extensive Career Pathways Program including expanded opportunities, endorsements, a review of graduation requirements, and a review of MS electives to align with Career Pathways
▪ Goal: Support the Intro to Teaching internship opportunity
▪ Goal: Enhance the Info Technology pathway
▪ Goal: Support students enrolled at TCD in earning industry-recognized credentials
o Career Pathways
▪ Assists students in thoughtfully selecting HS courses that are aligned with their personal areas of interest and career goals
▪ Career Pathways include: aligned sequence of courses to a Career Cluster, early college coursework, industry-recognized credentials, extracurricular experiences, work-based learning opportunities
o Career Pathways District Website
▪ https://sites.google.com/cusd200.org/careerpathways/home
o Education Pathway
▪ Information on early college coursework, work-based experience, extracurriculars, courses, and industry-recognized credential
o College & Career Pathway Endorsement (developed by the State Board of Education)
▪ Requirements to earn an endorsement: career-focused coursework, dual credit coursework (6 hours), work-based learning experiences (60 hours), prepared to enroll in credit-bearing reading and math coursework
▪ The endorsement would be included on their diploma
▪ There are seven different areas the State Board is recognizing for an endorsement: Finance and Business Services, Health Sciences & Technology, Agriculture Food & Natural Resources, Information Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology & Trades, Human & Public Services, and Arts & Communications
o IT Pathway
▪ Information on courses, work-based experience, extracurriculars, and industry-recognized credential
o TCD Industry-Recognized Credentials
▪ Currently, 14 of 17 TCD programs have industry-recognized credentials
▪ In total, TCD offers over 40 industry-recognized credentials
▪ There are additional supports for students enrolled at TCD to earn an industry-recognized credential
∙ Survey students about their intent to take their credential exam(s)
∙ Provide students and parents with information about the benefits of obtaining credentials
∙ Pay certification exam fees for students who are on free/reduced lunch status
∙ Provide transportation for students who may need it to an off-site testing location
∙ Contact students during the exam registration period to ensure they are signed up
∙ Why and how will D200 update our College and Career Readiness platform?
o 2022-23 Work Plan – Expand Programming to Prepare students for a full range of post-secondary opportunities
▪ Utilize Career Pathways for students in grades 8 and 9 during course selection
o College and Career Readiness Platform: SchooLinks (a robust college and career readiness platform that provides support to staff and students) by:
▪ Providing a career interest survey aligned to the 16 career clusters
▪ Gaining exposure to different careers
▪ Identifying work experiences and internship opportunities (countywide)
▪ Utilizing a four-year course planner
▪ Providing a robust college search engine
▪ Assisting students and counselors in communicating and scheduling appointments
▪ Searching for scholarships
▪ Allowing parents to partner with the school to support a student’s postsecondary goals
o Students will use the SchooLinks platform from grades 8-12, allowing for multiple years of support
∙ Recommendation: Approval of SchooLinks College and Career Readiness Platform subscription as presented
There was additional information on the following:
∙ Nearly 50% of the top earners have either a Bachelor’s or a Graduate’s degree, while nearly half of the non-earners or the bottom 40% of earners have an HS education or less.
∙ Continued post-secondary opportunities are important, as is the cost of post-secondary education, which has increased significantly over the last decade.
∙ 73% of D200 Class of 2022 students took advantage of one of the advanced coursework opportunities.
∙ Students taking dual-credit courses with COD or TCD do not require an additional cost for students.
∙ Last year, started identifying and recruiting students to take that fourth year of math.
∙ There are several steps in the approval process required before the Transitional English course can be offered to D200 students.
∙ The community college remedial course enrollment numbers are always two years behind, therefore the data shown is for the class of 2020.
∙ The Career Pathways section on the D200 website is a great resource for our staff, students, and the community.
∙ One of the biggest growing industries as far as future jobs are concerned is the IT pathway.
∙ Surveyed students with popular career options in the IT space provided – the top three courses that students expressed interest in were Graphic Design (current D200 course, exploring dual credit), Social Media Marketing, and Video Game Design. Plan to sit with the HS teams to explore the viability of offering these three courses.
∙ The alignment of future courses in the IT pathway with current extracurriculars offered at both HS.
∙ Two of the three future courses could lead to industry-recognized credentials.
∙ Industry Recognized Credentials – certificates students earn to show they have demonstrated mastery in a certain occupational area. These certificates are highly valued by employers.
∙ The team reviewed many college and career readiness platforms over the last nine months before recommending SchooLinks.
∙ SchooLinks offers alumni accounts for life for students.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
∙ SchooLinks will replace Naviance.
∙ Exposing students in 8th grade to this – do MS students have enough experiences and exposure in MS to be able to launch into something that is a potential area of study or career? A review of MS electives is part of the strategic plan and goals to have better alignment with the 16 career clusters.
∙ Video game design is a big industry with huge opportunities.
∙ The number one earning app category in the mobile space is games.
∙ Student career exploration – beginning to think about that and making some decisions about what they want to do; it does not mean they are necessarily locked into that for the next four years. It is an opportunity to be strategic about electives selections.
∙ A student can pursue a liberal arts education.
∙ Would like the District to offer summer school courses in person. Beneficial for those HS students that would like to take electives but are not able to do so due to a rigorous course schedule.
∙ Working with the leadership teams and counselors to discuss transitions from MS to HS as it relates to career pathways, and to discuss rolling out the SchooLinks tool to our students.
∙ Last year 71 of D200 students earned an industry-recognized credit through TCD.
∙ The cost difference between SchooLinks and Naviance is about $3,000.
∙ Transitioning current HS students from Naviance to SchooLinks – information in Naviance would roll over to SchooLinks.
∙ The funding for SchooLinks would be coming from one of our career grants.
∙ SchooLinks – relatively new platform?; The number of districts on the platform; many districts have adopted this platform in the last several years.
∙ SchooLinks raised significant money in the past year to enhance its product, and they have seen significant expansion, even within the DuPage area.
∙ Some of our benchmark districts that are using SchooLinks have said they like the product very much.
∙ Recommendations for language to be included in the SchooLinks contract regarding the return of data to the district if funding issues, locking in the subscription price, and clauses to prevent extra charges in the future.
∙ College enrollment for males – is on the decline; IL report card data as it relates to proficiency in ELA – males vs. females (males are ten points lower than females). As we look at ELA transitional work and developing courses, need to consider this information and what can we do to engage boys in ELA.
∙ Foreign Language dual credit course addition targeting 2024-25 would be a first-year college course.
∙ The proficiency level scores for the exam option that are indicators for college and career readiness (for the ACT or SAT) are from the IL state criteria.
∙ There is a computer science course that would count as a fourth-year of math class.
∙ Like that there is a good deal of focus not on college, as the workforce has changed dramatically.
∙ District 200 currently has seven courses that are dual credit.
∙ For the I-level students that are in Algebra 2, offering the opportunity for Transitional Math. Transitional math is more applicable to daily life.
∙ Transitional Math vs. Pre-Calculus – the benefits of one versus the other depending on your career path.
∙ Staff time and counselors as it relates to extra time that may be needed with the Career Pathways and the amount of student interaction. As we are expanding all this, want to ensure we are adequately staffed and ensure counseling staff has PD (professional development) that may be needed in these areas. We are working with our counseling teams at both the HS and MS levels on these and other issues as it relates to college and career readiness, and what other supports may be needed.
It was recommended the Board of Education approve the College and Career Readiness platform, SchooLinks as presented.
MOTION
Member Booton moved, Member Paulsen seconded to approve the College and Career Readiness platform, SchooLinks as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
Action Items #2-6: Summer 2023 Work
Dr. Brian O’Keeffe provided background information that applies to the following five action items related to summer 2023 capital work.
This included information on the following:
∙ The items presented were approved by the Board to go out to bid at the end of the summer.
∙ Looking at the information in three different silos – capital project work (Sherman Dergis), Library Learning Center (LLC) capital projects, and CUSD 200 playground replacements.
∙ Update on playground replacements – Upland Design (the main architect) is bringing concepts back to each of the teams at Bower and Lowell schools next week, will go out to bid in December, and anticipate bringing a recommendation to the Board for approval in January.
∙ The playground playbook was approved last January. A reminder there is a six-year timeline for playground updates/replacements at the elementary level.
∙ LLC capital projects – have been collecting developer donations from multiple municipalities for a few years. Developer donations are related to any new housing (subdivision) development that comes into a school district’s boundaries (an example is Lexington Trace in Warrenville). There are either developer donations or the developer is required to provide land to the school district in case there is potentially a new school or something that needs to be built.
∙ Information was shared on Developer donations to D200 for FY21, FY22, and year-to-date for FY23. This includes donations for the cities of Naperville, Warrenville, Wheaton, and Winfield.
∙ The donation to the district is driven by the type of home being built, and then the formula associated with what that developer donation is.
∙ The donations must be spent or dedicated to the schools that those development donations have been attributed.
∙ LLC capital projects – the District was given a $100,000 reimbursement grant specifically for Johnson and was earmarked for the LLC project.
∙ Proposing investing developer donations, plus the $100K grant, and potentially a little bit of fund balance that sits in operations fund into the two LLC projects (Whittier and Johnson).
∙ The eight classrooms adjacent to the Whittier LLC – an alternate bid included the ceiling and lighting replacements in these classrooms so the entire wing of the building is complete.
∙ Capital project work silo – includes the construction cost, contingency (dollars that may or may not be spent, but are dedicated in case we run into something that was not anticipated during the project), and max architect fee for each of the projects.
∙ The silo for capital project work includes four major areas – flooring, roofing, paving/concrete, and mechanical work (including HVAC and ceiling/lights replacement).
∙ The benefit of doing ceiling & light replacement at the same time the mechanical/HVAC work is done.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
∙ Discussed the capital projects/facility improvements in detail at a Facilities Committee meeting last week.
∙ Lowell HVAC project – was looked at and was bid out last year.
∙ The construction industry and cost escalation – the ripple effect and impact on the D200 capital project work.
∙ The pricing for the LLC projects is consistent with what is being seen in other elementary school LLC renovations.
∙ Roofing project work – any concern over the schedule and materials (insulation)?
∙ Staying true to the Sherman Dergis policy and taking advantage of funds we have been provided through grants or developer donations to tackle some of the pilot projects that are embedded within the District facility master plan.
∙ Capital improvement projects also support the Portrait of a Graduate (POG) and Vision 2026 strategic plan. The atmosphere and learning environment do impact learning.
∙ Architect fees – built into the capital project budget fund 60.
∙ Review of the summer 2023 capital projects budget (using Sherman Dergis, developer donations, and the grant dollars), estimated cost, and the potential use of fund balance for the difference.
∙ The fund balance percentage is estimated to be approximately 31.5% on the operational side (FY 22 audit is not finalized).
∙ Developer donations – have collected $1.166M as of 10.31.22, and the projection for what is budgeted in FY23 (approximately $268,900).
∙ The timing of payments, the capital improvements summary, and which budget/fiscal year they build this into.
∙ How a Developer donation works in terms of independence in the decision-making: the District has no role in picking developers, or setting the amount of the donation – it is all done by code. We are not collecting funds (the funds go to the city/municipality and then come to us). There is no relationship between the developers we choose for our work and the donations we receive.
∙ Ceiling and lights replacement at Washington – reasoning; follow up to last year’s HVAC replacement.
∙ LLC Projects – Developer donations from Naper Commons need to be invested in any of the schools where the development feeds into (Whittier, Edison, or WWS).
∙ Any funds coming out of the O&M fund balance for the work – the timing and other potential needs the development money can be used for in those schools.
∙ The biggest need identified by both Johnson and Whittier schools was small group instructional space. In the LLCs at those buildings, there is small group individual work with students taking place in the LLCs (there are not significant rooms throughout the building available).
∙ There are capital improvements taking place as part of the LLC capital projects (ceiling, lights, infrastructure), and a chunk of the money is the actual reconfiguration of space to give us more small group instructional spaces to support the learning that is happening.
∙ Noted Whittier is a three-section building, and several sections are teetering on becoming four sections. This can be absorbed but will lose what is a current space dedicated to small group support and instruction (second language instruction and additional supports for resource intervention programs).
∙ Hubble boilers – pushed out to next year.
∙ If all of this work is done, does that mean we cannot do something in terms of hiring teachers or specialists? Fund balance can only be used for O&M (policy 4:20). Teachers are not paid out of the O&M fund.
∙ The HVAC replacement work – has been mapped out for several years and not just picking random schools.
∙ HVAC replacement - related to indoor air quality, energy efficiency, noise, and the impact on student performance.
∙ LLC projects – developing the playbook for other LLCs and trying to create instructional opportunities and purposeful opportunities for instruction.
Approval of Bids for 2023 Facility Improvements: Flooring Work at Three (3) CUSD 200 Schools (Longfellow, Hawthorne, and Sandburg)
The administration prioritized three (3) flooring replacement projects to be completed this summer to replace old VCT flooring. These projects are included in the capital plan and were reviewed and recommended by the Board Facilities Committee prior to bidding. Bids were structured to include
Base Bid 1 (Longfellow), Base Bid 2 (Sandburg), and one alternate (Hawthorne). The alternate is for the multi-purpose room at Hawthorne that was not a part of the summer 2022 project.
The bid opening was held on October 25, 2022. Twelve (12) contractors obtained bid packages, and five (5) contractors responded. The bid package was structured with two base bids for work at Longfellow Elementary and Sandburg Elementary, and an alternate bid for the remaining floor work in the multi-purpose room at Hawthorne Elementary that was not completed in the summer of 2022. A letter from Legat Architects recommending TSI Commercial Floor Covering, Inc., as the lowest responsible bidder for all bidding submissions was attached to the agenda. The aggregate submission from TSI Commercial Flooring was $923,403.
It was recommended the Board of Education award the aggregate bid submission for flooring projects at Longfellow Elementary, Sandburg Elementary, and Hawthorne Elementary to TSI Commercial Floor Covering, Inc. as presented.
MOTION
Member Paulsen moved, Member Long seconded to award the aggregate bid submission for flooring projects at Longfellow Elementary, Sandburg Elementary and Hawthorne Elementary to TSI Commercial Floor Covering, Inc. as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
Approval of Bids for 2023 Facility Improvements: Roofing Work at Wheaton North HS and Hawthorne Elementary School
The administration prioritized two (2) roofing projects to be completed in the summer of 2023 due to the age and poor condition of these roofs. These projects are included in the capital plan and were reviewed and recommended by the Board Facilities Committee prior to bidding. Bids were structured with a base bid at Wheaton North and three (3) alternate bids for Hawthorne Elementary.
The bid opening was held on October 25, 2022. Twenty (20) contractors picked up the bid package and six (6) responded. The base bid is for work at Wheaton North. Three (3) alternate bids are for work at Hawthorne Elementary. Two alternate bids are for three (3) roof sections and the third alternate bid is for the installation of a roof hatch and ladder. A letter from Legat Architects recommending G. E. Riddiford Roofing Company as the lowest responsible bidder for the Base Bid and all three (3) alternates was attached to the agenda. The total bid submission is $1,021,400.
It was recommended the Board of Education award the Base Bid and listed alternates for roofing projects at Wheaton North High School and Hawthorne Elementary to G.E. Riddiford Roofing Company as presented.
MOTION
Member Booton moved, Member Paulsen seconded to award the Base Bid and listed alternates for roofing projects at Wheaton North High School and Hawthorne Elementary to G.E. Riddiford Roofing Company as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
Approval of Bids for 2023 Facility Improvements: Capital Improvements – LLC Updates at Johnson and Whittier Elementary Schools
The administration identified and prioritized LLC updates at Johnson and Whittier Elementary Schools. In addition, the administration sought an alternate bid for replacing all ceilings and lights at Washington Elementary School along with an alternate for replacing all ceilings and lights in the eight (8) adjacent classrooms to the Whittier Elementary LLC. These projects are outside of the capital plan, but were reviewed and recommended by the Facilities Committee prior to bidding. The majority of the funding for the two LLC renovations is from Developer Donations that the District has been receiving from local municipalities (Naperville & Warrenville) since Fiscal Year 2021 and a $100,000 State of Illinois Grant for the Library renovation at Johnson Elementary School.
The bid opening was held on October 25, 2022. Twenty (20) contractors obtained bid packets, and twelve (12) contractors responded. The bid package was structured into a base bid for the LLC renovations at Johnson and Whittier Elementary Schools, an alternate bid for ceiling and lighting replacements at Washington Elementary School, and a final alternate for ceiling and lighting replacements in the eight (8) adjacent classrooms to the LLC at Whittier Elementary School. A letter from Legat Architects recommending Reed Construction Company, as the low bidder on the base bid package and the alternate bid for the additional work in the eight (8) adjacent classrooms to the Whittier LLC was attached to the agenda. The total amount of the Base Bid and Alternate #3 is $1,780,944.
It was recommended the Board of Education reject all bids for Alternate #1 and Alternate #2 from the 2023 Capital Improvement Bid. It was also recommended that the Board of Education award the Capital Improvement Base Bid and Alternate #3 Bid to Reed Construction Company as presented.
MOTION
Member Booton moved, Member Blatner seconded to reject all bids for Alternate #1 and Alternate #2 from the 2023 Capital Improvement Bid. It is also recommended that the Board of Education award the Capital Improvement Base Bid and Alternate #3 Bid to Reed Construction Company as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0.
The motion carried 7-0.
Approval of Bids for 2023 Facility Improvements: Paving/Concrete Rehabilitation at Wheaton Warrenville South HS and Wheaton North HS
The administration identified and prioritized paving/concrete rehabilitation projects at Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton North High Schools. These projects are included in the capital plan and were reviewed and recommended by the Facilities Committee prior to bidding. Bids were structured to include a base bid and two alternates, to allow the District flexibility to stay within our annual budget allotment for 2023 capital facility projects.
The bid opening was held on October 25, 2022. Fourteen (14) contractors obtained bid packets, and eight (8) contractors responded. The bid package was structured into a base bid package with two alternates. The projects consist of pavement removal and replacement and concrete walk replacement at Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton North High Schools. A letter from Legat Architects recommending Abby Paving, as the lowest responsible bidder for the base bid, and accept the two alternates for additional concrete removal and replacement, in the amount of $357,285.00 was attached to the agenda.
It was recommended the Board of Education award the base bid and two alternates for concrete/paving work at Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton North High Schools, to Abby Paving as presented.
MOTION
Member Long moved, Member Kulovits seconded to award the base bid and two alternates for concrete/paving work at Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton North High Schools, to Abby Paving as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
Approval of Resolution and Final Contract for Guaranteed Energy Savings with Performance Services, Inc. for Summer 2023 Work
In 2012, the Board of Education entered into a performance contract with Performance Services, Inc. to perform a series of projects based on their District-wide evaluation of all of our buildings. After 9 years and 9 projects, the District re-bid performance contracting services and selected Performance Services, Inc. to another contract in 2021. In conjunction with the District's capital plan, we have chosen to complete several items that are Condition 1 on the priority list and that can be accomplished in the summer of 2023. The goal is to modernize, address comfort issues, replace control systems, and upgrade aging systems. New for the 2023 project, we have added an additional energy savings component by adding in the replacement of all existing interior and exterior lighting with LED fixtures at Lowell and Washington.
Staff and the BOE Facilities Committee have reviewed the scope of work in the proposal and have determined that projects at Lowell Elementary and Washington Elementary are to be included in this project in the amount of $5,185,041. The resolution to enter into a Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract with PSI, the second amendment to the Installation Contract with PSI, the scope of work for the Washington and Lowell projects, open book pricing for the Washington and Lowell projects, and a side-by-side comparison between a bid for Washington's project and the pricing submission from PSI for the same work were attached to the Board agenda. These projects also qualify for Com Ed/Nicor Rebates in the estimated amount of $67,720.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
∙ Member Paulsen would be abstaining due to professional paths that could potentially be crossing with Performance Services.
It was recommended the Board of Education approve the Resolution and the Second Amendment to the Installation Contract with Performance Services, Inc. as presented.
MOTION
Member Hanlon moved, Member Booton seconded to approve the Resolution and the Second Amendment to the Installation Contract with Performance Services, Inc. as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 6 (Hanlon, Booton, Blatner, Kulovits, Long, Crabtree), NAY 0, ABSTAIN 1 (Paulsen). The motion carried 6-0-1.
ORAL REPORTS
2022 Proposed Property Tax Levy
The school code empowers the Board of Education to levy taxes to support the public school system. If the levy request exceeds 105% of the previous year's aggregate extension, a public notice and hearing are needed before the official levy is adopted. The Board of Education is limited to an increase no greater than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the previous year under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL or "Tax Cap").
Annually, the Board of Education reviews a levy proposal prepared by the Administration. The 2022 proposed tax levy was previously discussed with the Board Finance Committee. The proposed tax levy, which provides for more than a 5% increase, will be presented. Based on the proposed tax levy being greater than 5% over the prior extended levy, a Truth in Taxation Public Hearing will be held on December 14, 2022.
Dr. Brian O’Keeffe, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, provided a PowerPoint presentation on the 2022 Levy, which included information on the following:
∙ Levy Terms – Tax Cap (PTELL), Consumer Price Index (CPI), Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV), Tax Rate (Limiting Rate)
∙ Consumer Price Index
∙ CPI History & Projections
∙ CUSD 200 EAV History
∙ 2021 Township EAV – Milton, Winfield, Naperville Townships
∙ 2021 EAV Description – Residential, Farms, Commercial, Industrial, Railroad
∙ EAV Analysis (Actual and Projected 2020 – 2026, Total EAV Percent Change, Existing EAV Percent Change, New EAV Growth)
∙ EAV, CPI & Tax Rate
∙ Tax Rate & EAV Trends
∙ Five-Year History of Tax Rates (Numbers, Bar Chart)
∙ 2021 Tax Levy Extension Breakdown
∙ Debt Service – Levy Year Payments (2022, 2023, 2024)
∙ Fund Balance History
∙ How is the Extension Calculated
∙ 2022 Tax Levy Extension Breakdown
∙ 2022 Levy Proposal
∙ Major Levy Considerations
o Budgeted Inflationary Cost Increases
o Levy Collection (May, June 2023) Included in 22-23 Budget
o Capture Wheaton TIF #2 (Est. $45M)
o Capture New Construction (Est. $40M)
o Continued Uncertainty in Mandated Categorical State Funding
o Funding of Projects Identified in Capital Plan
There was additional information/comments on the following:
∙ The levy is the largest area of investment into our budget and the district (roughly 3/4 of our total revenue throughout all of our funds comes from the tax levy.
∙ The Township Assessor(s) put the value on the properties as of January 1st of each year. The County Clerk (where we submit the tax levy) does the preliminary and final extensions and determines what the actual tax levy for each district is. The DuPage County Treasurer’s Office is responsible for sending out bills to all the taxpayers, collecting the money, and forwarding it to each public body. The District does not determine the value of a home, does not determine what exemptions are specific to each home, does not determine specifically how the extension is extended, does not issue bills, or collect funds. These are done through the aforementioned agencies.
∙ CPI is the driver for the baseline of our tax levy.
∙ CPI in December 2021 was greater than it has ever been in the history of PTELL. Last year was an anomaly and noted the 28-year average of CPI (2.4 percent).
∙ CPI through September is at 8.2%, with October CPI scheduled to be released tomorrow.
∙ The correlation to the costs of running a school district is not always similar to CPI. This is true for food service, transportation, and benefits.
∙ New growth is comprised of two major pieces – any new construction that was not in the tax rolls last year, and any new property is a part of that.
∙ Wheaton TIF #2 is expiring at the end of this year. When a TIF expires, all those incremental EAV dollars plus the tax dollar based on our tax rate go back to the other public bodies.
∙ In every budget we have two levy years – in budget year 23, the fall collection was levy year 21, and the spring collection will be levy year 22.
∙ The last actual debt service payment is October 1, 2025.
∙ How the extension is calculated – there is a lot of data and a ton of information.
∙ The operational levy increase is comprised of 5.0% from CPI, an estimated 1.34% from Wheaton TIF 2, and an estimated 1.19% from new construction.
∙ The levy is due the last Tuesday in December (12/27/22).
There were questions/comments/discussion on the following:
∙ The potential impact on the taxpayer and the benefit of ensuring we capture the new growth, as it helps with the tax rate.
∙ Tax levy comparison data, and other benchmark unit districts capturing the full 5% CPI.
∙ PTELL- what is included and excluded.
∙ What the tax rate is determined by?
∙ What if we did not capture/levy the full amount?; and the importance of how this may impact the future.
Discussion of IASB Resolutions and Direction for Delegate Voting
Each year the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) holds an annual conference. At the annual conference, resolutions are reviewed which have been submitted for consideration. Resolutions that are adopted then become items the IASB works to change or implement. The Delegate Assembly takes place at the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Joint Annual Conference in November. Board Member Susan Booton will represent the Board as the Delegate at the November meeting.
Board members received the resolutions in September 2022. The Board began a discussion on the resolutions up for consideration at the October 12, 2022 meeting and will continue a discussion on the attached resolutions which will be voted on at the 2022 Delegate Assembly meeting on November 19, 2022.
The following resolutions were discussed:
∙ Resolution #1 – Fund Balances – Miller Ratio Adjustment
∙ Resolution #2 – Alternative Fueled School Bus Funding
∙ Resolution #3 – Firearm Dealer Location
∙ Resolution #4 – Capital Grant Fund for School Buildings – Amend Position Statement 2.11 and 2.18
∙ Resolution #5 – School Safety Fund – Amend Position Statement 2.2
∙ Resolution #6 – Involvement with Candidates for Public Office – Amend Position Statement 3.02
∙ Resolution #7 – Mandates Review Committee – Amend Position Statement 6.02
∙ Resolution #8 – Financial Contributions for School Board Elections – Amend Position Statement 7.07
∙ Current Position Statements – Deletions and Amendments (will be on consent agenda)
There was discussion on the resolutions identified for consideration, which included:
∙ Member Booton attended the Delegate Assembly Informational Webinar last week and provided answers to questions addressed at the October meeting.
∙ There are three IASB constitutional amendments to be voted on at the Delegate Assembly. Member Booton and all other Board members were okay with the constitutional amendments as presented by IASB.
∙ Reminder we are recommending the direction for IASB to lobby the legislators at the state level, not making laws.
∙ Confusion and the lack of clarity over amending existing resolution #6 - Involvement with Candidates for Public Office. There has been no appeal to date.
After discussion, the majority of the Board directed Delegate Booton to support IASB’s position, except for amending existing resolution #6.
WRITTEN REPORTS
Monthly Financial Reports
FOIA Report
Board Communication Log
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Report
REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Board Committee Reports
The Board Facilities and Finance Committees recently convened. The meeting notes were attached to the Board agenda.
Other Reports from Board Members
∙ Board members spoke of visits and experiences at their adopted schools, which included the following buildings:
o Sandburg, Hawthorne
TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION
2022 Truth in Taxation Hearing – December 14, 2022
Library Learning Center Material Selection Process
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
December 14, 2022, 7:00 PM, Johnson Elementary School
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
There being no further business to come before the Board in Open Session, Member Paulsen moved, Member Booton seconded to adjourn the meeting. Upon a voice call being taken, all were in favor. The motion carried 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 10:07 PM.
https://www.cusd200.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=22857&dataid=37834&FileName=Minutes%20Nov%209%202022.pdf
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