SE Illinois News

Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education met Oct. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The first regular meeting of the month of October of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District 200, DuPage County, Illinois, was called to order at the Sandburg Elementary School, 1345 Jewell Rd., Wheaton, IL by Board President Rob Hanlon, on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 7:00 PM.

ROLL CALL

Upon the roll being called, the following were present:

Board Members: Mr. Rob Hanlon

Ms. Julie Kulovits

Mr. Dave Long

Ms. Angela Blatner

Mr. Erik Hjerpe

Mr. Brad Paulsen

Mr. John Rutledge

Also in Attendance: Dr. Jeff Schuler, Superintendent

Mr. Matt Biscan

Ms. Erica Loiacono

Ms. Melissa Murphy

Dr. Brian O’Keeffe

Dr. Chris Silagi

Mr. Jason Spencer

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Board Vice President Julie Kulovits led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE HOST SCHOOL

Ms. Stacey Bailey, Principal of Sandburg Elementary School, thanked everyone for coming to the school. There is an emphasis on school connectedness and Ms. Bailey noted the five clubs that are taking place at Sandburg, one of which is the Leadership Club (made up of mostly fifth-grade and some fourth-grade students). Student representatives from the Leadership Club highlighted some of the events taking place that are coordinated at the school, as well as some of the club’s other functions/jobs. This includes but is not limited to the whole school book exchange, Sandburg Cares Week, spirit week coordinators, and providing morning announcements to the school.

MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA

Board Member Blatner requested that Consent Agenda Item #5 (Approval of Personnel Report) be moved to an Action Item).

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

Rachel Heneghan        Special Ed

MaryAnn Vitone           Budget & Expenses

Bob Stozek                  Sherman Dergis Funding

Harold Lonks               Abatement

Tom Halan                   Illegal Noise Emission

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Dr. Schuler provided the following updates:

● The 2023-24 Fine and Performing Arts Calendar for the high schools were included in the green folders. This is available to the community and has also been shared with some of our community partners.

● October Committee of the Whole on October 25th - some initial feedback on the community engagement process will be provided.

● Student Excellence Foundation - Swing Fore Excellence fundraiser on November 4th at Top Golf. This is one of their main fundraising events. The amazing work of the foundation was noted, including handling food insecurity and education enhancement opportunities.

● Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) weekly update - highlighted the school districts that gave College and Career Pathway endorsements on student transcripts. District 200 is one of 39 districts across the state that were recognized (19 students from D200 received that pathway endorsement).

● October 20th is Principal Appreciation Day in Illinois. Thankful for our leaders in the district.

● This weekend, Dr. Schuler will be sharing at a conference some of the work that happened this summer in the redevelopment of the LLC spaces at both Johnson and Whittier Elementary Schools. This work happened through a combination of some district funds, some developer donation funds, and a State Grant.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Approval of Statements of Completion from the Regional Office of Education for Longfellow Elementary, Sandburg Elementary, and Wheaton Warrenville South High School – Recommend approval of the statements of completion as presented.

2. Approval of Professional Learning Expenditure Request for Board Members – Recommend approval of professional learning expenditure request for board members as presented.

3. Approval of Bills Payable and Payroll – Recommend approval of bills payable and payroll as presented.

4. Approval of Minutes – September 13, 2023, Open and Closed, September 26, 2023 Special Meeting with IASB, Open and Closed, September 27, 2023, Committee of the Whole, Open and Approval to Destroy Recordings of Closed Sessions Prior to May 2022 As Allowable by Law – Recommend approval of the minutes of September 13, 2023, Open and Closed, September 26, 2023 Special Meeting with IASB, Open and Closed, September 27, 2023, Committee of the Whole, Open, and approve the destruction of recordings of closed sessions prior to May 2022 as presented.

5. 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. (Moved to Action Item after the Closed Session)

There were comments and/or questions on the following:

● #3 Bills Payable - some changes were made to the bills payable list that is attached to the agenda item. The list now includes a description of the account code and what that account code means - location and expenditure. This was feedback from the community and was discussed at the Finance Committee meeting.

MOTION

Member Kulovits moved, Member Paulsen seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, moving item #5 to an action item after closed session. 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 4:152 Capital Renewal Funding for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 4:152 for public review and comment as presented.

There were comments and/or questions on the following:

● Background was provided on the development of the original Policy 4:152.

● Discussions with both the Finance and Facilities Committees.

● Exploring the idea of Sherman Dergis having some escalator built into it over time.

● Initially went into play as an accountability measure.

● Added language to bring greater clarity around what Sherman Dergis is and how it is used, and will do a rolling three-year look ahead at high-priority capital needs within the District.

● The need to continue to ramp up when possible, and to benefit and modernize learning environments and spaces when possible.

● Supporting the Portrait of a Graduate and the District’s strategic plan.

● The revised policy was also reviewed by the HR/Policy Committee before coming before the full Board tonight.

MOTION

Member Paulsen moved, Member Rutledge seconded to approve the Policy Posting Consent Agenda as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.

POLICY APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA

1. Approval of Revised Policy 2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure – Recommend approval of revised policy 2:260 as presented.

There were comments and/or questions on the following:

● Clarification that the form that was attached to the agenda item was the UG form at the time. This original version of the form has been removed. The revised form is live on the website.

MOTION

Member Blatner moved, Member Kulovits seconded to approve the Policy Approval 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

Approval to Post the 2024-2025 Calendar

The CUSD200 Calendar Committee worked on this calendar proposal for the 2024-2025 school year. The proposed 2024-2025 calendar was attached to the board agenda item. The CUSD200 Calendar Committee will reconvene before the holiday break to assess the guidance provided by the DuPage ROE on the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 calendars.

There was information on the following:

● Worked on the proposed calendar with WWEA President Bryce Cann and a cross-section of staff across all three levels.

● Looked at past calendars and different options regarding the start date for 2024-25.

● Focus on the balancing of the first and second semesters.

● Unique challenges include November 5th, 2024 being an Election day (holiday), and Christmas falling on a Wednesday in the middle of the week. These factors helped determine the proposed start date for the year.

● Calendar committee to reconvene after some guidance from ISBE to discuss the 2025-26 and 2026-27 calendars.

● Overwhelming feedback from the Board on the previous calendar to get the first semester done before winter break. This remained a guidepost and the driving principle the committee wanted to honor while discussing the proposed calendar.

● It was noted we are in year two of the adjustment to complete the first semester prior to winter break.

There were comments and/or questions on the following:

● Have we looked at feedback from staff and the community regarding the change last year (completing first semester before winter break)? Feedback was obtained from students and staff at the HS level last year via a survey and shared with the Board. Dr. Schuler will reshare this with the Board.

● October 11, 2024, is a non-school day for students but considered an attendance day from ISBE (due to districtwide parent-teacher conferences). Request for this to be more clearly noted in the calendar.

● Noted that one of the days this year during Thanksgiving week is considered (for ISBE purposes) an attendance day because we only do evening parent-teacher conferences over two nights. ISBE gives district options if this is the case.

● Difficulty with the imbalance of semesters.

● Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day is not a required holiday, it is one of the holidays you can waive. Like Veteran’s Day, there’s value in being in school on that day.

● The traditional week off at Thanksgiving is an option to change; the strong preference from the community previously to keep the week as is.

● The option to move finals back after winter break, and the feedback of wanting finals done before break.

● Moving finals after break would push the start date in August a week later.

● Feedback from HS staff on taking finals before break.

● Feedback about the week of Thanksgiving off predates the pandemic.

● Last year surveyed 975 high school students and 95% were satisfied and happy with having finals before winter break.

● Noted there are pros and cons to both sides (when to have finals), but there was a sense of accomplishment and relief from the students and staff with having finals done before the break.

● The feedback from the community will be important; consistency of the calendar; concern and challenge as a Board member to changing the finals calendar back and forth.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the 2024-2025 calendar to be posted in order to garner feedback from the school community.

MOTION

Member Rutledge moved, Member Long seconded to approve the 2024-2025 calendar be posted in order to garner feedback from the school community as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0.

The motion carried 7-0.

Approval of Personnel Report to include Employment, Resignation, Retirement and Leave of Absence of Administrative, Certified, Classified and Non-Union staff (This item was moved from the Consent Agenda and to an action item)

Additional information was asked for on section IV - Reject Mid-term Resignation Request of Teacher. Due to this being a personnel discussion, this will take place in a closed session and the Board will come back into open session to take action on the personnel report.

ORAL REPORTS

COPS Grant/Building Hardware Sight-Management Systems

An updated report regarding the COPS federal grant along with general information on building hardware/site management systems was shared with the Board of Education.

Dr. Brian O’Keeffe, Asst. Superintendent for Business Services provided an oral report on the COPS/SVPP Grant Building Hardware & Site Management System Update. The presentation included information on the following:

● COPS/School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) Grant

o Purpose - to assist States, Units of Local Government, or Indian Tribes to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the jurisdiction of the grantee through evidence-based school safety programs and technology

o Who is Eligible?

● Local and State Law Enforcement Agencies, Units of Local Government (including counties, cities, and school districts), Federally recognized Indian Tribes, and Public Government Agencies

o Funding

● Up to $73 million in funding is available for FY23 SVPP; each award is three years (36 months) in duration for a max federal share of $500,000 per award, there is a local cash match (cost share) requirement of at least 25%

● SVPP funding will provide up to 75% funding for school safety measures in and around K-12 schools and school grounds, including coordination with law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence against others and self; metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; any other measure that the COPS office determines may provide a significant improvement in security.

● CUSD 200 COPS/SVPP Grant Team (2022-23)

o Dr. Kyle, CUSD 200 Safety Committee, Mr. Spencer, Mr. Weisenberger, Mr. Figg, Dr. O’Keeffe, and external grant writer to assist with application

o Work began in October 2022 as the COPS grant was due in May 2023

● COPS/SVPP Grant - Beginning Discussion

o CUSD 200 Security Measures - What existing measures are in place? (security measures the district is actively addressing)

o CUSD 200 Security Measures - What additional measures would we like in place? (security measures the district is investigating)

● Security Measures Actively Addressing

o Exterior door locks; front door buzzers; panic alarms, Informacast for immediate alert notifications (emergency/non-emergency); new walkie-talkie standard (facilities repair and replace units, building batteries); purchasing individual replacement cameras that reach end of life; intercoms/speakers throughout buildings

● Security Measures Actively Investigating

o New camera systems at high schools (interior/exterior); additional cameras at middle schools (interior/exterior); new camera systems at all elementary schools (exterior focus); common EC-12 exterior door digital swipe (keyless/fob) entry systems; common/standardized EC-12 visitor/guest ID management system

● COPS/SVPP Grant Identified Priority Areas

o Twelve identified priority areas ranking 1-12: Cameras for high schools (HS), Keyless/Fob entry select doors for HS, Keyless/FOB entry select doors for MS, Keyless/FOB entry select doors for Elementary, Cameras for the MS, Keyless/FOB entry all doors HS, Keyless/FOB entry all doors MS, Cameras on exterior doors - Elementary, Keyless/FOB entry all doors Elementary, Guest management solution HS, MS, and Elementary

● COPS/SVPP Grant Submission/Estimated Pricing

o New camera systems at high schools (interior/exterior) - $114,675; licensing - $33,000/servers - $18,000 and CISCO switches to support new camera systems - $13,000; new exterior door digital swipe (FOB) entry systems (select # of doors per building) at all D200 buildings - $266,400; new door intercom systems (main entrance) at all D200 buildings - $80,500; installation and cabling of all cameras - $140,000

o Total CUSD 200 COPS/SVPP Grant Submission - $665,575

● COPS/SVPP Grant Maximum Award - $500,000

● Local Obligation if Full Grant Awarded - $165,575

● Where Are We Today?

o COPS/SVPP Grant submitted - May 10, 2023

o COPS/SVPP Grant updates requested and submitted - July 2023

o Final project award announcement date - October 2023

● Further Discussion

o If COPS/SVPP Grant is not awarded, does the Board view this as a funding priority? 

o If COPS/SVPP Grant is awarded, how do we approach updating cameras at MS and Elementary schools and a Uniform Visitor Management System in all buildings?

There was additional information on the following:

● This agenda item came through the Facilities Committee. There was also a request to bring additional information about visitor management systems.

● The whole issue around safety, where we have been, and the analysis that went into the Grant; how this ties into the visitor management piece for the buildings.

● COPS - Community Oriented Policing Services; a division within the U.S. Dept. of Justice.

● There are more than one hundred cameras at each of the high schools, and there is a significant amount of infrastructure and hardware that is necessary for that.

● Used the identified priority areas to assist in what would be put into the COPS Grant. 

● The full COPS Grant amount gets you through priority areas 1 - 4.

● Should the award be received - doing the work at one time vs. spreading the work over the three years?

There were comments and/or questions on the following:

● The varied age of the cameras at the high schools (8-10 year range); the extensive infrastructure/cabling required for the cameras.

● Currently, the only cameras at the Elementary schools are through the door system.

● The estimated cost for priority items 5-12 is not yet finalized. Likely to be an estimated $500K-$750K to complete those remaining priority items.

● Should the district get funding through the Grant this time, we will still be eligible to apply two more times for the maximum of $500,000 each time.

● Visitor Management System - have to get updated pricing; there are different systems; estimate approximately $1,500 per visitor management system.

● The camera discussion at the MS is a bigger chunk of money than the visitor management system.

● Another potential source of revenue to tap into for potential consideration - the distributions for the vaping litigation. This is expected before the end of the year and would be large enough to cover the visitor management piece.

● Most of the work (an example being running cables and camera work) would be summer work.

● The expected lifetime of new camera - 8 to 10 years; licensing costs - cameras are a one time license fee. Guest/door management systems licensing may be ongoing.

● COPS is a national program; the odds of receiving one of the grants?

● Local law enforcement - part of the safety committee, their role in the Grant process, ranking the priority of the items, and ensuring their was no overlap or concerns about what was being looked at for the grant. Local law enforcement had to sign off on the grant; their priority typically is around visual accessibility and the ability to quickly access visual on a building. There are no alternate means for visual access - you either have a camera or you don’t have one.

● Don’t know how we don’t prioritize something that is a student safety issue, should be right up there in priority.

● Phasing in projects vs. doing it all at the same time - do not want to prioritize one building over another. Would rather do it all at one time.

● Safety is a fundamental need. If we anticipate needing to refresh some security aspect/system every 8-10 years, shouldn’t this be built into our operations budget? ● The advantages to having a keyless/FOB entry to buildings - uniform system and can control access to buildings, common in education; have to be careful when keys go missing, keys are expensive, you can disable a FOB if one is lost, law enforcement has quicker access with FOBs, provides better data for the district.

● Cost of the visitor management system - approximately $1,500 plus a recurring licensing element; there are a few different systems; would have to establish a standard system; do not believe this should be a fundraising item, but is a safety standard.

Performance Contracting

The Business Office provided an oral report to the Board of Education on Performance Contracting. Dr. Brian O’Keeffe, Asst. Superintendent for Business Services provided an oral report on Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts. The presentation included information on the following:

● Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts

o Adopted into IL law April 2003; 10-20 year terms; competitive procurement via RFP; school selects best solution, not required to select lowest submitted price; school buys results, not just equipment; sole accountability - no fingerpointing; no change orders; anticipated lower costs and faster speed of delivery

● Definition/Meaning

o Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts - means an Energy Services Co. (ESCO) guarantees annual measurable monetary reduction in utility and operating and maintenance costs for each year of a guarantee period

o Important to note: Guarantees are specified around adhering to operating schedules and control set points, not necessarily tied to cost savings as utility rates and building operations may change over time

● Savings Guarantees

o Measured & Verified (M&V) Guarantees - Savings must be “proven”; appropriate for weather-dependent energy improvements (HVAC systems, equipment, and controls); ESCO monitoring/assistance keeps the building running most efficiently 

o Stipulated Guarantees - Savings agreed upon upfront; appropriate for weather-independent energy improvements (lighting, water); appropriate for energy improvements with minimal energy savings

● Rebate/Savings Opportunities

o Boilers, Chillers, Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s), Kitchen Equipment, Solar SREC/Smart Inverter - (Roof or Ground), Geo-Thermal

● Accountability

o Traditional Construction - Lots of cooks in the kitchen - who is accountable?

o GESC Provider - One chef = Full accountability

● Advantages

o Flat Procurement Structure

● Plan-Spec > Owner’s Cost - multiple layers of compounded markup

● GESC > Owner’s Cost - flat markup

o Advantages to GESC’s

● One point of accountability; Expected reduction in overall construction costs; Guarantees - Design/Performance/Outcome (owners are in control, no “change orders”, Energy savings; Financing options (projects can be paid through O&M)

o Advantage - Owner in Control

● Owner evaluates and chooses - Design, Contractors, Equipment, Quality, Price, Value

o Advantage - No “Change Orders”

● Owner can still add scope to project, Owner’s cost for errors and omissions are eliminated, Since GESC team pays for mistakes - measure twice, cut once; spend far more time investigating existing conditions; persistent focus on processes that eliminate mistakes

● How Does This Work

o District defines needs; District and ESCO detail project(s); ESCO prepares documentation, drawings, solicits vendor partners, etc.; ESCO presents open book pricing to district (transparent process - all cost category pricing competitively submitted ); District/BOE approves project(s); ESCO executes project delivery

There was additional information on the following:

● Performance Services Annual Report - CUSD 200, Phase 10, Year 1 (April 2022-March 2023) was provided.

● This item also came from the Facilities Committee, with the goal being to provide the board with some education about what these specific contracts are. We have been using these contracts in the district for more than a decade.

● Noted we have looked at both this model and the traditional delivery model for some of our projected work into next summer. The first approval that’s going to come to the board is a Guaranteed Savings Contract Approval and the Facilities Committee felt it was important to make sure Board Members had some foundation to understand that before it comes before the board for approval.

● The lag time for equipment as it relates to HVAC and those types of systems is longer than some of the other standard things we are looking at accomplishing next summer. Therefore, instead of trying to bring it all to the board for approval in December, this will be brought sooner, assuming the work is done, at the next meeting.

There were comments and/or questions on the following:

● This delivery method has worked well for our district.

● The annual report provided is just one report for the summer of 2021. Performance Services is responsible for bringing us a report for every phase of the first three years of the phases. This helps the district hold PSI accountable for the deliverable. If the guarantees are not met, they are responsible to pay us out of pocket for the difference between what we did achieve and what they promised us we should have achieved.

● We have been careful in this district to stick to strict energy enhancements and implemented this true to the spirit of the law. The process has worked well for us and this has been an effective, fair and important tool we have had at our disposal to implement these improvements.

● HVAC improvements are not only energy efficient, but they create a better learning environment for kids.

● The value in the consistency of controls.

● A request to PSI to see three bids for each of the individual line items.

● The $17,000 savings noted - what is that total spend? A request for that information and the Business Office will provide this to the Board.

● The alternative to using this - How would this work if we didn’t use PSI or something like this? A traditional bid route would be used and would likely have architects, construction management or a general contractor running the program.

● Why would a district not do this? What is the risk involved? Some players are taking any type of project and turning it into an energy savings model, and those projects that it would be difficult to ascertain what the cost savings would be to the project and placing a guarantee on top of it too.

IASB Resolutions Report

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 Erik Hjerpe will represent the Board as the Delegate for the November meeting.

Board members discussed which of the resolutions under consideration will require additional information prior to a discussion at a future meeting. The resolutions will be voted on at the 2023 Delegate Assembly meeting on November 18, 2023.

There was additional information on the following:

● The steps in the resolution process - the board delegate representative (Erik Hjerpe) will have an opportunity at an upcoming webinar to learn more about the resolutions.

● Board members were asked if there were any additional pieces of information needed before deciding to support/not support the committee recommendations on each resolution.

There were comments and/or questions on the following:

● #2 - School resource officer funding - if financial constraints were not a concern, would we have a different view on where and how many school resource officers we would want in the district? Look at whether other resource needs would take priority over the cost of that resource officer (especially at the MS level). Other mental health resources or supports have been identified as a priority.

● #4 - Employment History Review (EHR) - would like to understand why the resolutions committee does not think this is the right system to use to fix the issue.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

2023 Tax Levy – Bond & Interest Fund Abatement Discussion

The Board of Education will discuss options on how to use anticipated surplus proceeds in the Bond & Interest Fund after all future bond payments are made.

Dr. Brian O’Keeffe, Asst. Superintendent for Business Services provided a review of the options regarding the excess/surplus proceeds in Fund 30 (Debt Service). This included information on the following:

● Option 1 - Abatement of a Levy

● Option 2 - Declare Interest Earnings

● Option 3 - Issue Working Class Bonds

There were comments and/or questions/discussion on the following:

● This agenda item also came out of the Finance Committee, with the recommendation to move forward with the abatement ($2 million).

● A chart listing the CUSD200 annual existing referendum bonds debt service since 2018 was provided. The current LY 2023 was highlighted.

● How the abatement of a levy process works.

● Between the 1% and interest earnings dollars (more significant in the last year) - this can add up.

● There is not $3.5 million in the debt service fund now - that is what the projected amount will be when the last payment is made (October 2025).

● If we are going to abate, the $2 million amount would be safe - those funds are in the debt service fund and won’t have an impact on overall fund balance, and if the extension amount with the total bonds exceeds the total abatement, you are potentially going to create a lopsided debt service fund payment and the downward trend we are on with the debt service.

● The Finance Committee reviewed the referendum question that was asked when the funds were borrowed (to build Hubble MS) - the reason we have these funds to begin with and the purpose that was stated they would be used for.

● Feedback from CAC was divided as to whether we should or should not abate.

● If we are anticipating borrowing funds for the MS capital improvement projects, we would not be fiscally responsible if we return $3.5 million only to borrow it and have to pay interest on that over several years.

● When the taxpayers would realize the abatement funds - it would be on next year’s tax bills.

● What amount the average homeowner would receive back should we abate?

● Homeowners receiving minimal dollars vs. long-term savings if we don’t abate.

● Definition of Debt Service Extension Base.

● The money was borrowed for a specific purpose and the district does have borrowing capacity. Believe it is the right thing to do and keep it separate from the MS capital projects conversation.

● The board could look at two different mechanisms/options if they chose to do so.

● Timing as it relates to abating - under-levying debt service payment in December vs. adjusting request in March? Noted presenting the levy as a whole, but approving a resolution to abate separate from that. The resolution would go to the county (letter has to be received in late February) and they would adjust collections based on that. There would be no impact on our Debt Service levy.

● The dollar amount of those interest earnings. In favor of this option, as it can be an important impact to our schools as it relates to safety improvements.

● Will be bringing a tentative tax levy to the board in November. This has to sit out there for twenty days before the final approval of the tax levy until December. If an abatement is being considered, there would be a resolution associated with that in December as well.

● The idea of breaking the components apart - abating $2 million now and declaring interest earnings (possibly in the future) - can we do both? What are some of the alternatives?

● The three options presented are the three legal options available to consider.

● Support for the work and the recommendation of the Finance Committee.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

Board Facilities Committee

The Board Facilities Committee met on September 29, 2023. The meeting notes were attached to the agenda item. There was additional information on the following:

● Most of the Board agenda covered the topics discussed during the Facilities committee.

● There was a short conversation about the value of making the improvements at the middle schools, both in terms of student impact and the potential value in things such as teacher attraction.

Board Finance Committee

The Board Finance Committee met on September 28, 2023. The meeting notes were attached to the agenda item. There was additional information on the following:

● There is quite a bit to review in the upcoming months on the bond abatement, the levy, the financial audit, and the five-year financial forecast.

● Options with the All-Day Kindergarten (ADK) fees, and other fees; looking at comparable district fees.

● TIF 3 surplus likely to be distributed - discussed what fund to put this in.

● Accounting codes being added to the check register; reviewed the parameters of the p-cards, procedures, and agreements.

There was a comment on the following:

● The focus should be on the procurement cards and the checks and balances, accountability - having the right administrative controls. Reviewed this with the Finance Committee and by and large were okay with the processes in place.

● Valuing relationships and keeping employees happy; costs seem to be in check; want staff to work in our schools and be happy; there are controls in place.

Board Human Resources (HR)/Policy Committee

The Board HR/Policy Committee met on September 25, 2023. The meeting notes were attached to the agenda item. There was additional information on the following:

● The discussion was reflected in the minutes. Highlights include:

○ Reviewed the administrative procedures that align with policies in sections 1-3; Section 7 will be reviewed at the next committee meeting.

○ Uniform Grievance Form - have an online form and have added the questions suggested by the board.

○ Discussed policy 5:120 Employee Ethics and Code of Conduct - training on boundaries and texting, getting input from CAC and possibly the student ambassadors on this.

REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Other Reports from Board Members

● Update on the High School Student Ambassador Program - has been a great experience and the students who applied are amazing. The next step is to narrow it down to two students from each of the high schools. The final interviews will be on November 1st. The two high school principals are exploring some ways to utilize the other candidate's expertise to keep the students actively engaged.

● Visits to Board Adopted Schools including Wheaton North High School and the Transition Program took place and saw the Portrait of a Graduate living and breathing in those buildings.

WRITTEN REPORTS

Monthly Financial Reports

FOIA Report

Board Communication Log

Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Report

Vision 2026 Professional Learning Work Plan for 2023-24

TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION

2023 Tax Levy

Schools and District State Report Cards

Middle School Facilities Community Engagement Report

NEXT REGULAR MEETING

November 8, 2023, 7:00 PM, Bower Elementary School

ANNOUNCEMENTS

October 25, 2023 – Committee of the Whole, 7:00 PM, SSC

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) and Litigation, when an action against affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed session 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11).

MOTION

Member Hjerpe moved, Member Kulovits seconded to adjourn the meeting to closed session for the purpose of 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11). Upon a roll call being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.

Action will be taken following the closed session.

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 9:23 PM.

RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION

Member Paulsen moved, Member Kulovits 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 9:48 PM.

ACTION ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS

Approval of Personnel Report to include Employment, Resignation, Retirement and Leave of Absence of Administrative, Certified, Classified and Non-Union staff (Moved from an Action Item to Action Item after the Closed Session)

Additional information was asked for in section IV - Reject Mid-term Resignation Request of Teacher. Due to this being a personnel discussion, this took place in closed session and the Board came back into open session to take action on the personnel report.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Personnel Report as presented.

MOTION

Member Paulsen moved, Member Kulovits seconded to approve the personnel report as presented. Upon a roll call being taken, the vote was: AYE 6 (Paulsen, Kulovits, Hjerpe, Long, Rutledge, Hanlon), NAY 1 (Blatner). The motion carried 6-1.

CLOSED SESSION 2

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) and Litigation, when an action against affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed session 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11).

MOTION

Member Rutledge moved, Member Long seconded to adjourn the meeting to closed session for the purpose of 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11). Upon a roll call being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.

No action was taken following the second closed session.

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 9:50 PM.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3696/CUSD200/3711678/Minutes_10.11.23__BOE.pdf