SE Illinois News

Community Unit School District #201 Board of Education met March 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

On March 19, 2024 at 6:02 p.m. President Hoover called to order the regular meeting of the Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education.

Roll Call

Members Present: Adina Hoover, Whitney Rogers, Jessica Radogno, Carlos Hevia, Angela Steketee, Kevin Marren, Leah Conover

Leah Conover arrived at 6:08 p.m.

Also present: Superintendent Jack Baldermann, Business Manager, Anthony Ruelli, the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant, Shannon Cossairt.

Pledge of Allegiance

Adina Hoover led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren, to enter closed session to discuss personnel issues and student discipline.

Ayes: Steketee, Radogno, Rogers, Hevia, Marren, Hoover Nays: None.

Motion Carries.

The Board entered closed session at 6:03 p.m.

The Board returned to open session at 7:05 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

February 27, 2024

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Steketee, to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Steketee, Radogno, Rogers, Hevia, Marren, Hoover, Conover Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

February 27, 2024 - Closed

Motion by Ms. Rogers, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the February 27, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Steketee, Radogno, Rogers, Hevia, Marren, Hoover, Conover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment at this time.

The Board is going to jump to the Discussion Item: Auditors Present. They will return to the scheduled order of the agenda after the auditor has finished.

INFORMATION and Discussion

Auditors Present

Don Shaw with Lauterbach & Amen, LLP, gave the Board a brief overview of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the 2022-2023 school year. He did inform the Board the District received The Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2022.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Radogno to approve the consent agenda as presented:

1. Personnel Recommendations:

a. Lisa Ryan - Nurse Assistant

b. Shannon Simpson - Long-term Sub Elementary Art Teacher

c. Resignations

d. Retirement

2. Approval of Ombudsman Contract

3. Approval of March 2024 Expenditure Report

4. Ratification of February 2024 Regular Payroll

5. Approval of IHSA Membership

Ayes: Radogno, Rogers, Hevia, Marren Conover, Hoover, Steketee Nays: None.

Motion carried.

INFORMATION and DISCUSSION

RFQ for Architect

Anthony Ruelli, Business Manager, shared with the Board the timeline for the RFQ for the Architect. Packets were made available on March 4, 2024. The District has met all legal requirements regarding the posting of the bid. It has been put in the paper. An architect will be brought to the Board for approval on April 9, 2024.

RFQ for Construction Manager

Mr. Ruelli shared with the Board the timeline for the RFQ for the Construction Manager. The construction manager will be brought to the Board for approval on April 23, 2024.

Sunrise Contract 

Sunrise provides transportation for some of CUSD 201’s special education students. Last year the District saw a large increase from the previous year. Business Managers within the SASEDCooperative met and negotiated a one-year contract extension withan increase of 5% for next year as well as revisions to shared routes. Approval of the 2024-2025 Sunrise Contract will be on the April 9, 2024 agenda for approval.

Westway Contract 

CUSD 201 currently contracts with Westway for transportation services. Per school code, the District can extend the contract for two additional years without going out for bid. The cost of transportation has increased significantly. Mr. Ruelli has been working with Westway and they have agreed to a 6% increase for 24-25 and a 5.5% increase for 25-26. The contact will be presented to the Board for approval on the April 9, 2024 Board meeting.

Clear 

Mr. Ruelli shared with the Board that the District has seen an uptick in the number of students who attend CUSD 201 but do not live within the District boundaries. The District would like to sign a contract with CLEAR from Thomson Reuters. CLEAR is a software program that would check if students reside in the District when they register for school. The Board has asked for feedback from other local districts using the software.

The Board would like feedback from other districts using the software.

The contract would be presented at the April 9, 2024 Board meeting for approval.

Contract for Internet Service with Comcast 

The District’s contract with Comcast is up for renewal. Instead of signing a five year contract with Comcast, the District would like to enter into a three year contract. Rates are continuing to drop so it would be best not to be locked in for five years. The contract will be presented for approval later in this meeting.

Wireless System Refresh 

The wireless system at Miller and Westmont Junior High is not as strong as it needs to be. The District would like to do a refresh to increase the wifi and allow for more connectivity. The item is budgeted and there is some reimbursement from E-Rate. The contract will be presented for approval later in the meeting.

Presentation of Monthly Financial Statements February 2024

Mr. Ruelli gave the Board a brief overview of the finances through February 2024. He reviewed the expenditures and revenue of the District.

ACTION ITEMS

Approval of the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Financial Audit

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Audit, as presented.

Ayes: Rogers, Hevia, Marren, Conover, Hoover, Steketee, Radogno

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

Approval of NIIPC Joint Agreement 

Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the NIIPC Joint Agreement, as presented.

Ayes: Hevia, Marren, Conover, Hoover, Steketee, Radogno, Rogers

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

Approval of the Authority for Additional March 2024 Expenditures

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Ms. Steketee, to authorize and direct the Treasurer to pay any bills received in March 2024 that have been budgeted for the 2024 fiscal year.

Ayes: Marren, Conover, Hoover, Steketee, Radogno, Rogers, Hevia

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

Dismissal of Probationary Teachers for Other than RIF

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr. Marren, to adopt the Resolution Authorizing Dismissal of First Year Probationary Teacher: Cynthia Arnold for Reasons Other Than Reduction in Force, as presented.

Ayes: Hoover, Steketee, Radogno, Rogers, Hevia, Marren, Conover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

Approval of Continued Employment of Non-Tenured Teachers and Tenure Recommendations 

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the Employment of non-tenured teachers and tenure recommendations, as presented.

Ayes: Steketee, Radogno, Rogers, Hevia, Marren, Conover, Hoover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

Approval of 5 year Contract with Comcast 

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Conover, to approve a 36 month contract in the amount of $142,956.00 with Comcast for implementation during the 2024-2025 school year, as presented.

Ayes: Rogers, Radogno, Steketee, Hevia, Marren, Conover, Hoover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

Approval of Wireless System Refresh 

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Steketee, to approve the wireless system refresh, as presented.

Ayes: Radogno, Rogers, Hevia, Marren, Conover, Hoover, Steketee

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Communication 

As we head into spring break, Mr. Baldermann would like to thank everyone for working hard. He would also like to remind everyone we will be heading into testing season when we return, so we needeveryone to be in attendance.

FOIA Request 

FOIA Requests are attached in BoardDocs.

BOARD REPORTS 

Mr. Marren would like to thank the Fine Arts Department for the wonderful trip to Disney.

Ms. Steketee shared that the WJHS Swing Choir just had their first competition.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

No public comment at this time.

FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

District Fine Arts Night

March 20, 7:00 p.m.

Westmont High School

Spring Break- No School

March 25-April 1

Elementary PTO Night

April 2, 6:00 p.m.

Manning

Special Meeting of the Board of Education - Workshop

April 2, 5:30 p.m.

South School

Preschool Screening - Call South to Schedule an Appt.

April 5

South School

BPAC International Night

April 5, 6:00 p.m.

Westmont High School

CUSD 201 Board Meeting

April 9, 6:00 p.m.

Westmont Village Hall

CLOSED SESSION 

Not needed at this time.

COMMUNICATIONS 

None at this time.

ADJOURNMENT 

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Steketee, to adjourn the March 19, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 8:03 p.m.

Motion unanimously passed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd201/Board.nsf/files/D3ZRV56ED6A4/$file/3.19.24%20Regular%20Minutes.pdf