Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education met April 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The first regular meeting of the month of April of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District 200, DuPage County, Illinois, was called to order at the Whittier Elementary School, 218 W. Park Ave., Wheaton, IL by Board President Chris Crabtree, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 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
Dr. Chris Silagi
Mr. Jason Spencer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Board Member Blatner led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE HOST SCHOOL
Mr. Bob Cerny, Principal of Whittier Elementary School, welcomed everyone to the school and noted Whittier is a special place because of the community. The Whittier staff, students, parents, and PTA were recognized. Mr. Cerny noted the SAIL program for students with autism and the co teaching taking place with those students, as well as the new fifth-grade leadership club. Three fifth-grade students in this club shared a presentation with the Board they put together on the renovated LLC that will be completed in the summer of 2023. Lastly, Mr. Cerny noted Whittier’s 100th birthday would be in 2025.
MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
None
RECOGNITIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS
The Board recognized the following individuals:
ProStart Culinary Team 1st in State – TCD (Technology Center of DuPage) – WWSHS Ana Gomez
D200 Flying Tigers Special Olympics Basketball Team – Silver Medalists – State Championship Competition
BOARD PRESIDENT REPORT
President Crabtree reported on the following:
∙ Dr. Schuler, Mr. Long and Mrs. Crabtree attended the TCD (Technology Center of DuPage) Foundation Dinner for the Professional Cooking, Baking, and Service Program. This was an unbelievable event.
∙ Visited Johnson School and was able to see two pilot classrooms for ELA, as well as a fifth grade math classroom and a first-grade room. All classrooms were very interactive.
∙ Visited WNHS – noted great use of the LLC space as well as the WN courtyard space.
∙ Glad to be back at Whittier. This is the first building in the District Mrs. Crabtree set foot in thirty years ago.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Agenda Items & Non-Agenda Items
None
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Dr. Schuler provided the following updates:
∙ Introduced Ms. Ashley Weltler, the new incoming principal at Monroe Middle School next year.
∙ Reintroduced Mr. Matt Biscan, who will be in a new seat next year, Asst. Superintendent for Administrative Services. Mr. Biscan is currently the principal at WNHS.
∙ CAC (Citizens Advisory Committee) – noted the volunteer service of 37 people who serve on this committee. Recognized those that have served for the last five years that will be rolling off: Carey Bebar, Jennifer Castino, Brooke Gennaro, John Houlihan, Daniel Kruse, and Mia Martich.
∙ Attended the IASA volunteer recognition breakfast today. Every April, Superintendents can thank two community volunteers. Dr. Schuler brought Board Members Chris Crabtree and Susan Booton to thank them for their service as they are about to roll off the Board.
∙ Upcoming event dates: The Student Excellence Foundation Celebrate Our Stars Event is on May 3 at WNHS to recognize some teachers and former staff, and the annual D200 Service Awards and Retirement Celebration will be on May 31 at WWSHS.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval to Post Middle School Novels for Review – Recommend approval to post middle school novels for review as presented.
2. Approval of Snack Vending Contract Renewal – Recommend approval of snack vending contract renewal as presented.
3. Approval of Contract Extension for Physical Education Uniforms - Recommend approval of contract extension for physical education uniforms as presented.
4. Approval of the 2023-24 Student Fee Schedule – Recommend approval of the 2023-24 student fee schedule as presented.
5. Acceptance and approval of the 2021-2022 Financial Audit – Recommend acceptance and approval of the 2021-22 financial audit as presented.
6. Acceptance and approval of the 2021-2022 Single Audit – Recommend acceptance and approval of the 2021-22 single audit as presented.
7. Approval to Purchase Network Switches – Recommend approval to purchase network switches as presented.
8. Approval of Anti-Virus and End Point Security Software for District 200 Networked Devices – Recommend approval of anti-virus and end point security software for District 200 networked devices as presented.
9. Approval of Bills Payable and Payroll – Recommend approval of the bills payable and payroll as presented.
10. Approval of Minutes – March 8, 2023, Open and Closed, March 20, 2023, Special Meeting, Open, and Approval to Destroy Recordings of Closed Sessions Prior to November 2021 As Allowable by Law – Recommend approval of the minutes as presented and approve the destruction of recordings of closed sessions prior to November 2021 as allowable by law.
11. 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:
∙ #4 Student Fee Schedule:
o The student registration fees were cut in half in the middle of the pandemic and they have remained at that level.
o Jefferson ECC tuition fee has been lowered. There is a focused effort at Jefferson to blend more classrooms. This is based on best practices for kids at Jefferson as well as the targets set by the state in terms of the number of students served through blended programs vs. self-contained programs. This has been on the radar for a long time. Looking to expand enrollment by 120 students, but not increasing the overall sections at Jefferson.
o The number of blended classrooms – if increased, more teachers needed? Likely will need more paraprofessionals; making sure blended classrooms are supported; servicing students through the most appropriate model.
∙ #6 Single Audit:
o The single audit is a federal audit that was required of all public school districts throughout the U.S. that received more than $750K in revenue from the federal government – can come through Title grants, IDEA grants. ESSER dollars have increased over the most recent years – includes NSLP (National School Lunch Program). Anything specific to the federal reimbursement of expenditures is included in the single audit.
o The single audit is a separate and distinct audit run outside of the AFR (Annual Financial Report) because that audit is specifically given to the federal government. At the March meeting, only had a draft copy of the Annual Financial Report. The single audit was developed by the Federal government and is a supplement to CUSD 200’s financial statements.
o What the auditors found - $1.9M worth of reimbursement related to capital projects that occurred over the summer of 2021 – revenue was booked into the O&M fund; auditors felt that revenue should be booked where the expenditure occurred (inside the capital projects fund). This did not matter from the federal audit side of things. If the revenue was not booked where the expenditure was booked, then it is a material weakness. This did not change the AFR, the draft numbers are the same.
o Noted the revenues from this last summer (2022) were booked into the capital projects fund so we do not run into the same situation again.
o There is no change in the value of dollars available and managed by the Board. o It was material because of the size of the spend on capital projects.
o The wording is consistent with anything you will find in any other single audit where this is found, regardless of the school district.
o The capital projects fund is a separate fund from the O & M fund.
o Timing of the audits – due to the ROE no later than December 15; the changeover in the Comptroller/Treasurer of the District last year affected the audit process/scheduling.
MOTION
Member Booton moved, Member Hanlon 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.
POLICY POSTING CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval to Post Revised Policy 7:340 Student Records for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 7:340 for public review and comment as presented. 2. Approval to Post Revised Policy 8:80 Gifts to the District for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 8:80 for public review and comment as presented.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
∙ #1 - 7:340: Student Records
o This policy was previously brought to the Board and was pulled from the agenda to return to the HR/Policy committee.
o The policy committee reviewed this and ultimately decided not to adjust any of the language in the policy. It is being recommended for posting as the revision from PRESS recommended.
o Adding the words “to the board” as opposed to it being inferred.
o Student biometric information being used currently – there are a couple of unique circumstances around the use of technology where a higher-needs student may require a biometric login to a piece of technology. Unsure of when this was put into play for these circumstances vs. when language in policy put into play.
o Going forward, if we are employing a new use of biometric information, it should come to the Board.
∙ #2 – 8:80: Gifts to the District
o A question came up several meetings ago related to gifts to the district.
o A minor revision is recommended. The phrase “viewpoint neutral” was included as it applied to gifts. This language was pulled out of this specific portion of the policy and was moved to a section of the policy that talked about the process for accepting a gift, which was viewed as the appropriate place for “viewpoint neutral” to be included.
o The policy committee and the District attorney reviewed the revised policy language.
MOTION
Member Booton moved, Member Kulovits seconded to approve the Policy Posting Consent Agenda as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: AYE 6 (Booton, Kulovits, Hanlon, Long, Paulsen, Crabtree), NAY 1 (Blatner). The motion carried 6-1.
ACTION ITEMS
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing Non-reemployment of Full-time, First, Second, and Third-year Non-tenured Certified Staff
Illinois School Code requires that probationary (non-tenured) certified staff be notified 45 calendar days before the end of the school year if they are not to be reemployed for the following school year. This provides the District the flexibility to review staffing needs for the upcoming school year, which ensures fiscal responsibility of the District.
A resolution addressing non-renewals and /or honorable dismissals for the end of the 2022-2023 school term was attached to the Board agenda item.
There was additional information and or comments on the following:
∙ This is an annual action done at this time of year. In many cases, teachers are hired back, but the step has to be taken now or the District does not have any flexibility should staffing adjustments need to be made.
∙ A request to track data on the number of teachers we bring back or those that move to another district.
It was recommended that the Board of Education adopt a Resolution Authorizing Non reemployment of Full-time, First, Second, and Third-year, Non-tenured Certified Staff, and authorizing notification according to the requirements of the Illinois School code, Section 24-11
MOTION
Member Hanlon moved, Member Long seconded to adopt a Resolution Authorizing Non reemployment of Full-time, First, Second, and Third-year, Non-tenured Certified Staff, and authorizing notification according to the requirements of the Illinois School code, Section 24-11 as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0.
The motion carried 7-0.
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing Non-reemployment of Part-time Non-tenured Certified Staff Illinois School Code requires that probationary (non-tenured) certified staff be notified 45 calendar days before the end of the school year if they are not to be reemployed for the following school year. This provides the District the flexibility to review staffing needs for the upcoming school year, which ensures fiscal responsibility of the District.
A resolution addressing non-renewals and /or honorable dismissals for the end of the 2022-2023 school term was attached to the Board agenda item.
There was additional information and or comments on the following:
∙ Same as the previous action item.
It was recommended that the Board of Education adopt a Resolution Authorizing Non reemployment of Part-time, Non-tenured Certified Staff, and authorizing notification according to the requirements of the Illinois School code, Section 24-11.
MOTION
Member Hanlon moved, Member Booton seconded to adopt a Resolution Authorizing Non reemployment of Part-time, Non-tenured Certified Staff, and authorizing notification according to the requirements of the Illinois School code, Section 24-11 as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0.
The motion carried 7-0.
WRITTEN REPORTS
Monthly Financial Reports
FOIA Report
Board Communication Log
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Report
∙ A reminder to the community about what a FOIA is, placing a call to get information from the District, starting a dialogue to get questions answered, questions asked vs. FOIA requests.
REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Other Reports from Board Members
None
TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION
MS Facilities Plan
∙ Request for the HR/Policy Committee to consider a revision to policy 2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban to include making section 1, point 2 of the policy applicable to candidates for the Board of Education.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
May 10, 2023, 7:00 PM, School Service Center
ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 26, 2023, Committee of the Whole, 7:00 PM, School Service Center (SSC) May 10, 2023, Board Reorganization Meeting, 7:00 PM, School Service Center
CLOSED SESSION
The Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees, Specific Individuals who Serve as Independent Contractors in a Park, Recreational, or Educational Setting, or Specific Volunteers of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body, including Hearing Testimony on a Complaint Lodged Against an Employee, a Specific Individual who Serves as an Independent Contractor in a Park, Recreational, or Educational Setting, or a Volunteer of the Public Body or Against Legal Counsel for the Public Body to Determine its Validity 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1), Collective Negotiating Matters Between the Public Body and its Employees or Their Representatives, or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules for One or More Classes of Employees 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2), and Student Disciplinary Cases 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(9)
MOTION
Member Crabtree moved, Member Hanlon seconded to adjourn the meeting to closed session for the purpose of 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2). Upon a roll call being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
Action was expected following the Closed Session.
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 7:51 PM.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Member Booton moved, Member Paulsen seconded to reconvene in Open Session. Upon a roll call being taken, the vote was: AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
Roll call was taken, all Board Members were present, and the open session was reconvened at 8:48 PM.
Open Session Minutes – April 12, 2023 Page 6
ACTION ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
Approval of Student Discipline Recommendation, Student E2022-23-04
The Board of Education is authorized to expel students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct for a period not to exceed two years. The Board, in Closed Session, reviewed information regarding a student discipline issue.
It was recommended that the Board approve the administrative recommendation related to the student disciplinary matter reviewed in Closed Session.
MOTION
Member Crabtree moved, Member Paulsen seconded to approve the student discipline recommendation determined in closed session for student E2022-23-04. Upon a roll call being taken, the vote was: AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
CLOSED SESSION
The Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees, Specific Individuals who Serve as Independent Contractors in a Park, Recreational, or Educational Setting, or Specific Volunteers of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body, including Hearing Testimony on a Complaint Lodged Against an Employee, a Specific Individual who Serves as an Independent Contractor in a Park, Recreational, or Educational Setting, or a Volunteer of the Public Body or Against Legal Counsel for the Public Body to Determine its Validity 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1), Collective Negotiating Matters Between the Public Body and its Employees or Their Representatives, or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules for One or More Classes of Employees 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2).
The Board addressed 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(9) in the first closed and returned to closed session to address 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2) and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1).
MOTION
Member Crabtree moved, Member Hanlon seconded to adjourn the meeting to closed session for the purpose of 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2). Upon a roll call being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0.
The motion carried 7-0.
There was no action expected following the Closed Session.
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 8:52 PM.
https://www.cusd200.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=22857&dataid=38204&FileName=Minutes%20Apr%2012%202023.pdf
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