Erik Hjerpe, Board Member | Community Unit School District 200
Erik Hjerpe, Board Member | Community Unit School District 200
Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education met Dec. 11.
Here is the agenda provided by the board:
The first regular meeting of the month of December of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District 200, DuPage County, Illinois, was called to order at the Edison Middle School, 1125 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, IL, by Board President Rob Hanlon, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 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
Ms. Alyssa Barry
Mr. Matt Biscan
Ms. Melissa Murphy
Dr. Brian O’Keeffe
Dr. Chris Silagi
Mr. Jason Spencer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Board Secretary Dave Long led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE HOST SCHOOL
Ms. Rachel Bednar, Principal of Edison Middle School, welcomed the Board, administration, community leaders, and staff to the school and noted she is fortunate every day to lead alongside so many incredible professionals. Every year, the school aligns its work with the District vision and work plans noting the piloting of ELA materials, mastering the IM math curriculum, designing classrooms with the architects that will provide students with the best possible learning environment, and all teachers focusing on building positive relationships with their students. The wide range of Edison clubs, activities, and sports were noted. Three Edison students reflected on what it means to participate in extracurriculars. Edison choir members performed holiday music numbers as people arrived and performed a song for the Board during the meeting.
MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
None
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
Heather Gordon Edison Community
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Dr. Schuler provided the following updates:
● Shout out to Edison staff member Heather Gordon, along with Student Ambassador Carla Fonseca Gonzalez, who participated in new staff/teacher orientation at the start of the school year, representing both the teacher and student voice to our new staff welcome.
● City of Warrenville Recognition - Warrenville City Manager Cristina White and Warrenville Mayor Dave Brummel received a certificate of appreciation for their valued community partnership with the District’s Career Pathways program. Each year, the City of Warrenville provides high school students with valuable job shadowing and internship experiences as they explore their career interests in the future with local government. Ms. White and Mayor Brummel spoke about the program, as did Student Ambassador Katelyn Groves, who participated in this year’s job shadow day in Warrenville.
● Student Ambassador Reports—The Student Ambassadors at WNHS and WWSHS provided reports on their high school’s activities, athletics, and events over the past weeks.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Acceptance of Gift to Sandburg Elementary School Giving Tree Program – Recommend acceptance of gift to Sandburg Giving Tree Program as presented.
2. Acceptance of Gift to Wheaton North High School Cheerleading Program – Recommend acceptance of gift to Wheaton North Cheer Program as presented.
3. Approval of Curriculum Content for AP Precalculus Course - Recommend approval of curriculum content for AP Precalculus course as presented.
4. Approval of Curriculum Content for Dual Credit Social Media Marketing Course – Recommend approval of Dual Credit Social Media Marketing course curriculum as presented.
5. Approval of Curriculum Content for Dual Credit Introduction to Literature Course – Recommend approval of Dual Credit Introduction to Literature course curriculum as presented.
6. Approval of Curriculum Content for Engineering Essentials High School Course – Recommend approval of Engineering Essentials high school course curriculum as presented.
7. Approval of Adding Roth Contribution Option to 403b and 457 Tax Sheltered Annuity Plans – Recommend approval to add Roth contribution option to tax-sheltered annuity plans as presented.
8. Approval of Xerographic Bond Paper Bid – Recommend approval of Xerographic bond paper bid as presented.
9. Approval to Printshop Paper Bid – Recommend approval of Printshop paper bid as presented.
10. Approval of 5-year Mist Access Point License Extension – Recommend approval of 5-year Mist access point license extension as presented.
11. Approval of Bills Payable and Payroll – Recommend approval of bills payable and payroll as presented.
12. Approval of Minutes – November 13, 2024, Regular Meeting, Open and Closed, and Approval to Destroy Recordings of Closed Sessions Prior to July 2023 As Allowable by Law – Recommend approval of the minutes as presented and approve the destruction of recordings of closed sessions prior to July 2023 as allowable by law.
13. 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:
● # 1-2: Gifts Approved by the Board - the Board was provided with a six-month summary of the generous gifts accepted totaling over $165,000.
MOTION
Member Kulovits moved, Member Rutledge, 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.
FACILITIES APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of FY25 School Maintenance Project Grant Submission – Recommend approval of FY25 school maintenance project grant submission as presented.
2. Approval of Bids for 2025 Facility Improvements: Flooring Removal and Replacement at Wiesbrook Elementary School – Recommend approval of bids for 2025 facility improvements: flooring at Wiesbrook as presented.
3. Approval of Bids for 2025 Facility Improvements: Paving/Concrete at Wheaton North High School, and Paving/Sealcoating Projects at Hubble Middle School, Johnson Elementary School, and Madison Elementary School - Recommend approval of bids for 2025 facility improvements: paving/concrete at WNHS, and paving/sealcoating at Hubble, Johnson and Madison Schools as presented.
4. Approval of Bids for 2025 Facility Improvements: Roofing Projects at Washington Elementary School, Wheaton North High School, and Wheaton Warrenville South High School – Recommend approval of bids for 2025 facility improvement: roofing at Washington, WNHS, and WWSHS as presented.
5. Approval of Statements of Completion from the DuPage County Regional Office of Education for Bower Elementary School, Hubble Middle School, and Wiesbrook Elementary School Summer 2024 Projects – Recommend statements of completion from the DuPage ROE for Bower, Hubble, and Wiesbrook for summer 2024 projects as presented.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
● Member Paulsen provided a report on the December 4th Facilities Committee:
○ #2-4: completes the bidding for the summer 2025 work that was approved earlier this year; so far is $1.2 million under budget.
○ Discussed the middle school capital projects and laid out the steps being taken over the next six months.
MOTION
Member Paulsen moved, Member Rutledge, seconded to approve the Facilities 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 2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 2:105 for public review and comment as presented.
2. Approval to Post Revised Policy 2:120 Board Member Development for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 2:120 for public review and comment as presented.
3. Approval to Post Revised Policy 4:30 Revenue and Investments for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 4:30 for public review and comment as presented.
4. Approval to Post Revised Policy 4:60 Purchases and Contracts for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 4:60 for public review and comment as presented.
5. Approval to Post Revised Policy 4:170 Safety for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 4:170 for public review and comment as presented.
6. Approval to Post Revised Policy 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 5:10 for public review and comment as presented.
7. Approval to Post Revised Policy 5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 5:20 for public review and comment as presented.
8. Approval to Post Revised Policy 5:90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 5:90 for public review and comment as presented.
9. Approval to Post Revised Policy 5:120 Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 5:120 for public review and comment as presented.
10. Approval to Post Revised Policy 5:125 Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 5:125 for public review and comment as presented.
11. Approval to Post Revised Policy 5:230 Maintaining Student Discipline for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 5:230 for public review and comment as presented.
12. Approval to Post Revised Policy 6:60 Curriculum Content for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 6:60 for public review and comment as presented.
13. Approval to Post Revised Policy 6:135 Accelerated Placement Program for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 6:135 for public review and comment as presented.
14. Approval to Post Revised Policy 6:270 Guidance and Counseling Program for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 6:270 for public review and comment as presented.
15. Approval to Post Revised Policy 7:10 Equal Educational Opportunities for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 7:10 for public review and comment as presented.
16. Approval to Post Revised Policy 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 7:100 for public review and comment as presented.
17. Approval to Post Revised Policy 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 7:180 for public review and comment as presented.
18. Approval to Post Revised Policy 7:200 Suspension Procedures for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 7:200 for public review and comment as presented.
19. Approval to Post Revised Policy 8:10 Connection to the Community for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 8:10 for public review and comment as presented.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
● Member Kulovits provided a report on the December 2nd HR/Policy Committee:
o The committee reviewed all of the above policies.
o Many of the edits were more editorial in nature. Some questions are outlined in the HR/Policy notes from the meeting, which are attached to the board packet.
o Noted that all policies posted for public review and comment are attached in a specific section on the CUSD 200 website under Board of Education. Any proposed curriculum, textbooks, and calendars are also accessible on this website page.
o This is a reminder that we receive policy revisions through PRESS. They are drafted and vetted by a team of school lawyers and administrators from various firms and school districts throughout the state.
● #14 - Policy 6:270: confirmed the D200 counseling staff have the required certification added in the policy, and will not impact our staffing.
MOTION
Member Hjerpe moved, Member Long seconded to approve the Policy Posting Consent Agenda for public review and comment 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:
● This policy was posted for community review last month, and no feedback was received.
MOTION
Member Kulovits moved, Member Paulsen 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
#1 Approval of Municipal Advisory Agreement between CUSD 200 and PMA Securities, LLC Public institutions require financial and advisory assistance when the institution has been authorized to issue new debt or refinance existing debt. A Municipal Advisor performs services that assist public institutions in developing structure, timing and the overall expected terms of a debt issuance.
PMA Securities, LLC is a widely recognized financial firm that represents many public institutions that issue new or refinance existing debt. PMA Securities, LLC has represented CUSD 200 in past debt transactions. The Municipal Advisory Agreement that was attached to the board agenda item allows for PMA Securities, LLC to continue serving CUSD 200 with the Scope of Services defined in Section I of the agreement. The Scope of Services are related to future debt issuances that would be required to support the approved November 2024 Middle School Capital Project referendum. This contract has been reviewed by Robbins Schwartz, the Board of Education's representative in contractual matters.
No funding is required at this time. Fees associated with PMA Securities, LLC serving as Municipal Advisor on behalf of the CUSD 200 Board of Education will be based on the schedule in Section VI of the agreement, which is based on the amount of debt issued and are paid from the proceeds of the bonds.
There was additional information/comments on the following:
● The first two action items are tied to the referendum bonds that the Board is scheduled to approve after the first of the year.
● PMA Securities has been the District’s municipal advisor for over a decade and was part of the advisory services provided to the Board when the refinancing occurred in 2019.
● This agreement allows PMA to represent the Board in the market when the District issues debt. PMA provides a comprehensive service.
● This agreement is necessary to take the next step forward after the community's approval of the referendum.
It was recommended that the Board of Education approve the Municipal Advisory Agreement between PMA Securities, LLC and CUSD 200 for bonds issued as a result of the approved November 2024 referendum.
MOTION
Member Rutledge moved, Member Paulsen seconded that the Board approve the Municipal Agreement between PMA Securities, LLC and CUSD 200 as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
#2 Approval of the Bond Counsel/Disclosure Counsel Engagement Letter between CUSD 200 and Chapman and Cutler LLP
Prior to the issuance of new debt or the refinancing of existing debt, public entities are required to obtain a legal opinion that ensures all relevant Illinois Law and applicable tax regulations arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are adhered to in the transaction(s).
Chapman & Cutler LLP is a widely recognized law firm that focuses on financial law while representing public institutions that issue new or refinance existing debt. Chapman and Cutler LLP has represented CUSD 200 in past debt transactions. The engagement letter was attached to the Board agenda item and allows for Chapman & Cutler LLP to continue serving CUSD 200 in the capacity of Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel for future debt issuances related to the approved November 2024 Middle School Capital Project referendum. This contract has been reviewed by Robbins Schwartz, the Board of Education's representative in contractual matters.
No funding is required at this time. Fees associated with Chapman & Cutler LLP serving as Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel on behalf of the CUSD 200 Board of Education will be determined and agreed upon by both parties before any November 2024 referendum bonds are issued.
There was additional information/comments on the following:
● Chapman and Cutler have been the District’s law firm advisors regarding any debt or refinancing issuances for the same timeframe as PMA.
● As bond counsel, this engagement agreement allows them to begin working on all of the necessary requirements, specifically the preliminary official statement before the issuance that goes out to the market.
● Process: Bond counsel prepares the POS, which is then reviewed by the District and by PMA. Any necessary information is returned to the Board. Once the statement is finalized, it is sent to the rating agencies for review. The POS is then released to the market and serves as the baseline for debt issuance.
● This agreement is necessary to take the next step forward after the community’s approval of the referendum.
It was recommended that the Board of Education approve the engagement letter for services as Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel with Chapman and Cutler LLP for bonds issued as a result of the approved November 2024 referendum.
MOTION
Member Paulsen moved, Member Kulovits seconded that the Board approve the engagement letter for services as Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel with Chapman and Cutler LLP as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
#3 Approval of the 2024 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 levy proposal was previously discussed with the Board Finance Committee and presented to the Board of Education on November 13, 2024. The recommended levy, which provides for an aggregate 4.25% increase, is listed below.
The proposed levy increase of 4.25% is a blend of an increase in the Operational Levy of 4.66%, and a decrease in the Bond and Interest Levy of 0.36%. The decrease in the Bond and Interest Levy reflects smaller annual debt payments associated with the 2024 Levy. The "Tax Cap" will limit tax growth by the consumer price index for 2023 of no more than 5.00% (December 2023 CPI was 3.40%), plus any new construction growth in the District, which is estimated at $50M. While the exact growth in new construction is unknown at the time of this request, a levy request was developed to capture all potential new EAV growth. Additionally, the 2023-24 Budget anticipated accessing the full CPI (3.40%) and included new construction growth; therefore, it is recommended that the Board access the funds available under the tax cap plus any anticipated new EAV growth.
FUND 2024 LEVY REQUEST
Education - $141,785,897
Special Ed - $3,450,000
Tort - $0
O & M - $19,375,000
Transportation - $6,300,000
IMRF - $1,200,000
Social Security - $2,900,000
Life Safety $0
Working Cash $0
TOTAL $175,010,897
The proposed 2024 tax levy (excluding debt services) increase is less than 105% of the previous year's (2023) aggregate extension, which was $167,221,556.32. Therefore, the Board of Education is not required to hold a public hearing on the tax levy. The anticipated Debt Service (Bond & Interest) levy is $14,664,975.00.
There was additional information on the following:
● Member Long provided a report on the December 5th Finance Committee:
○ We will be doing an FY25 amended budget - required to do this by law due to the referendum being passed.
○ Question on the amended budget after reviewing the Finance committee notes regarding the debt. When debt is issued there will be a specific place outside of the normal revenue accounts. It will be built into the amended budget which will come to the Board in the Spring. There is no comingling of funds.
○ Will be doing an RFP for the audit in January.
○ Financing for the middle school projects - approval of spending money for the pre-work.
● The levy presentation is the same as what was presented at the November meeting.
● The operational levy increase is 4.66%, which is a combination of 3.4% for CPI plus what is estimated for new construction.
● There is a slight decrease in the debt service fund year-over-year for a combined projected increase of 4.25% (below the Truth-in-Taxation requirement of 5%, therefore no hearing).
● The final tax levy numbers/extensions come directly from DuPage County.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
● If you take the tax levy and divide it by the property values, and essentially, if that denominator changes, whether it is TIFs rolling off or EAV changing, that changes everyone’s tax bills. Increases in the tax levy do not necessarily mirror increases in individual tax bills.
● The November CPI of 2.7 is a little higher than expected. Does this change the projections for 2025? They are projecting 3%. The CPI aggregate 12-month year-over-year is at 2.8%.
● This levy is consistent with the assumptions in the budget approved in September 2024.
It was recommended that the Board of Education adopt, as presented, the resolution and certificates for the 2024 Tax Levy, execute the Certificate of Tax Levy, and file all forms with the DuPage County Clerk.
MOTION
Member Hjerpe moved, Member Long seconded that the resolution and certificates for the 2024 tax levy be adopted as presented, that the certificates of tax levy be executed, and that all forms be filed with the DuPage County Clerk as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
#4 Acceptance of the 2023-24 Financial Audit and Annual Financial Report Annually, our auditors prepare an independent audit of the financial statements of CUSD 200. They also express an opinion based on the combined financial statements of the District. The Board is asked on an annual basis to accept the independent audit as presented by Baker Tilly US, LLP.
Nick Cavaliere, a partner with Baker Tilly US, LLP and the lead auditor for CUSD 200, provided the Board of Education with a high-level overview of the audit at the meeting. He highlighted the audit process and shared the results of the 2023-2024 AFR and Financial Statements with the Board of Education. There are no findings or questioned costs in the 2023-2024 AFR or Annual Financial Statements. A copy of the audited 2023-24 Annual Financial Report (AFR), the audited 2023-2024 Annual Financial Statement and a communication from Baker Tilly LLP, US to the Board of Education were attached to the Board agenda item.
There was additional information on the following:
● The annual audit is an opportunity every year to test the financial controls.
● Thank you to Dr. O’Keeffe, Mr. Thorse, and the staff for their work with Baker Tilly in providing the necessary information - noted the availability of the information and how it was provided to them was exceptional.
● Action items #4 (the annual financial reporting mechanisms) and #5 (the single audit) were presented together.
● The District is required to submit a consolidated year-end financial report to the grant accountability and transparency unit of the state of IL.
● Baker Tilly rendered an unmodified audit opinion (a clean audit opinion) on the financial statements and all other documents. This is the highest level of assurance that you can receive from the external audit.
● The single audit rendered an opinion on the District’s compliance and on the internal control testing performed on those programs. It also rendered an unmodified audit opinion.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
● Noted what was looked at during the internal controls review portion of the audit. There were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies reported from the audit.
● Revenues projected vs. received from the state - we have received less than projected. Is that typical? Intergovernmental receivable line - money owed to the District as of June 30 that may not have been received as of June 30. The timing gap from when it is owed to when it is received. Collectively, as a whole, throughout the state, noted a decline in the level of receivables at year-end.
● State assessment of the District’s financial health - financial profile score. Has this changed, and what factors contribute to it? Noted there is a 4.0 scale, and the state looks at the operating funds within the AFR and a series of ratios and criteria that are assessed against various percentage ratios. A score is then given. District 200’s financial profile score is 3.9 out of 4.0 (this is the same as last year’s score). The only way to get to a 4.0 is to increase our cash on hand. The amount needed to reach a 4.0 would exceed the Board’s fund balance policy.
● The efficiency of the audit - saves the District money and is a credit to the Business office.
It was recommended that the Board of Education accept the 2023-2024 Financial Audit and the Annual Financial Report as prepared and presented by Baker Tilly, US LLP.
MOTION
Member Long moved, Member Hjerpe seconded that the Board accept the 2023-2024 Financial Audit and the Annual Financial Report as presented by Baker Tilly US, LLP. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
#5 Acceptance of the 2023-24 Single Audit
Annually, our auditors prepare an independent audit of the financial statements of CUSD 200. They also express an opinion based on the combined financial statements of the District. The Board of Education is asked on an annual basis to accept the independent audit as presented by Baker Tilly US, LLP.
A Single Audit is an organization-wide financial statement and federal awards' audit of a non-federal entity that expends $750,000 or more in federal funds in one fiscal year. It is intended to provide assurance to the Federal Government that a non-federal entity has adequate controls in place, and is generally in compliance with program requirements.
Nick Cavaliere, a partner with Baker Tilly US, LLP and the lead auditor for CUSD 200, provided the Board of Education with an oral report at this meeting. He highlighted the audit process and shared the results of the 2023-2024 Single Audit with the Board of Education. There are no findings or questioned costs in the 2023-2024 Single Audit. A copy of the 2023-24 Single Audit was attached to the Board agenda item.
The above action item (#4—Acceptance of the 23-24 Financial Audit and AFR) included any additional information, comments, and questions on the single audit.
It was recommended that the Board of Education accept the 2023-2024 Single Audit as prepared and submitted by Baker Tilly US, LLP.
MOTION
Member Long moved, Member Hjerpe seconded that the Board accept the 2023-2024 Single Audit as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
#6 Approval of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 School Calendars
The District calendar committee has created a 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school calendar. These calendars follow the parameters of federal, state, and local holidays as well as past school calendars that reflect the interests of our students, staff, and school community.
The proposed school calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years were attached to the Board agenda item. Community feedback has been shared with the Board regarding these proposed calendars.
There was additional information on the following:
● The District received seven additional comments from the community outside of those identified on the Board email log regarding the proposed school calendars. Some topics included feedback on the Friday start day and Kindergarten’s first day on a Monday.
● There was not a significant amount of feedback received on this calendar.
● A reminder you can do anything with a calendar; you just cannot do everything.
● While the Board would approve two years of school calendars for transparency and planning for the community, it does not mean the Board cannot come back and modify/adjust the second year (2026-27) calendar.
● As we examine the specific construction schedule for the three middle school projects, we may also need to tweak a summer calendar to ensure we have the necessary construction window.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
● Establishing a process for calendar development. If a change were to be made to the latter year, it would be done in a public meeting.
● The rigorous process in terms of soliciting student voice, community voice and educator voice. The surveys did not necessarily include free-form input, so do like the flexibility to modify the latter-year calendar if needed. Consider noting on the calendars that ISBE counts the parent-teacher conference day as an attendance day.
● Appreciate all of the feedback from the community.
It was recommended that the Board of Education approve the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school calendars as presented.
MOTION
Member Paulsen moved, Member Rutledge seconded that the Board approve the 2025-2026 and the 2026-2027 school calendars as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
ORAL REPORTS
Behavioral Wellness in CUSD 200
Behavioral Wellness is a key component of CUSD 200’s comprehensive SEL Framework. Ensuring appropriate and positive student behavior contributes to an optimal school and classroom environment for learning. Essential components of Behavioral Wellness include creating and maintaining a safe school environment, school-wide expectations for success, effective classroom management and proactive behavioral practices. CUSD 200 has done extensive work in providing training and resources to support student behavior in our schools.
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Dr. Chris Silagi, provided a PowerPoint presentation on Behavioral Wellness in District 200. The classroom and school-wide behavioral frameworks were highlighted along with programming, strategies, and considerations for the future. This included information on the following:
● CUSD 200 SEL Framework
○ Relationships, Mindset, Learning, Emotional Wellness, Behavioral Wellness
● Behavioral Wellness - Why?
○ Creating an Optimal Learning Environment: Clear Expectations, Safety, Connected, Engaging
○ CUSD 200 ranks in the 96th percentile amongst all Illinois School Districts for Supportive Environment as reported by our students on the IL 5 Essentials Survey
○ 96% of CUSD 200 students surveyed report being connected to school through a trusted adult
○ CUSD 200 ranks in the 95th percentile amongst all IL School Districts for Ambitious Instruction as reported by our students on the IL 5 Essentials Survey
● Behavioral Wellness EC-5 Focus
○ The optimal school and classroom environment for all students: CUSD 200 Tier 1 Behavioral School Framework, CUSD 200 Tier 1 Behavioral Classroom Framework ● CUSD 200 Tier 1 Behavioral School Framework (core components)
○ School-Wide Expectations
■ School has established and taught school-wide expectations
■ School has established and taught school-wide expectations for success in common areas
■ School has process for recognizing positive behavior aligned to school-wide expectations
○ School Safety and Physical Environment
■ School has established and implemented safety, emergency and crisis protocols
■ School has quality supervision for students at common transition times
■ Common areas are clean and free from physical danger
■ School has protocol for responding to significant misbehavior
○ Teacher-Student Relationships
■ School has systemic process for ensuring each student has a trusted adult in their school
■ 5:1 Positive Interactions - school-wide
■ School utilizes clubs, activities, and events to ensure school connectedness
● CUSD 200 Tier 1 Behavioral Classroom Environment (core components)
○ Classroom Expectations
■ Establish classroom expectations based upon school-wide guidelines for success
■ Expectations should be written as what students “should do” not a list of “not tos”
■ Provide direct instruction of classroom expectations
■ Review and reinforce expectations for each instructional activity (verbalized and visual)
■ Consistent predictable classroom routines are established for transitions ○ Student Engagement
■ Students are highly engaged in learning
○ Physical Environment
■ All students can access, view and hear all materials and information
■ Teacher can visually monitor students when working in any area of the classroom
■ Transition areas are cleared to prevent traffic and misbehavior
■ At least one space free of decoration and materials that allows for student regulation
○ Student-Teacher Relationships
■ Students know that teacher cares about them and their learning
■ Students feel connected to the teacher and classroom
■ 3:1 ratio of positive interactions established
○ Feedback
■ Correct misbehaviors in a calm, brief, consistent manner
■ Pre-plan responses to misbehavior
■ Provide frequent positive and corrective feedback to individuals and whole class (3:1 ratio)
● Tier 1 Behavioral School and Classroom Implementation
○ Extensive Training
○ School-Based Behavioral Leadership Teams
○ School Improvement Integration
○ Monitoring and Feedback Loops
● Early Proactive Programming and Strategies
○ Student Connectedness - Safe and Supportive Environments
○ Jefferson Early Learning Center
○ Head Start Preschool Program
○ Camp Kinder
○ Decision Making - DARE, Can’t Do/Can’t Say, Health
● Most Students Thrive with Positive Support
○ SAEBRS
■ Low Risk: 92.8%
■ Some Risk: 6.3%
■ High Risk: .9%
○ Grades 6-12
■ 8.9% of student population has had a discipline referral
■ 0.9% of student population have had more than three referrals
● For Students That May Need More…
○ Behavior Intervention Plans
■ Functional Behavioral Assessment (Behavior Specialist)
■ Identification of Target Behaviors
■ Detailed Description of Interventions
■ Motivators and Positive Supports
■ Methods for Evaluation
■ Restrictive Disciplinary Measures
■ Parent Communication
○ Support Staff
■ Total Number of Social Worker, Psychologist, Counselor,
Emotional/Behavioral Wellness Coordinator, Behavioral Specialist Positions from 2019-20 (86.65) through 2024-25 (108.4)
○ Student Discipline - Handbook
○ Parent Collaboration
○ Individual Supports / Accommodations
○ Referral GPS
○ Instructional Programming
○ Alternative Placement
● Instructional Programming
○ SAIL Programming
■ Number of Sections in 2019-20 (3 sections) and in 2024-25 (6 sections)
○ Skills Elementary
■ Number of Sections in 2019-20 (2 sections) and in 2024-25 (2 sections)
○ Skills Middle School
■ Number of Sections in 2019-20 (3 sections) and in 2024-25 (2 sections)
○ Skills High School
■ Number of Sections in 2019-20 (2 sections) and in 2024-25 (3 sections)
● District Discipline Support Team
○ Quarterly Meetings with Schools
○ Purpose
■ Discuss processes to address student discipline, Share effective strategies, Identify areas of growth, Identify supports
● Key Strategies
○ Utilize relationship mapping and response strategies to connect students to school ○ Implement co-curricular connectedness strategies for non-participatory students ○ Fully implement Tier 1 Behavioral School Framework at the elementary level ○ Expand discipline support team structure to elementary while maintaining the structure at the secondary level
○ Continue proactive programming
○ Continue Camp Kinder, Jefferson, Early Learning Collaborative, Special Education Supports
○ Continue individualized plans and supports for students in need
○ Develop tiered supports for family resources and education to support student behavioral and emotional wellness
● Continued Considerations and Planning Ahead
○ Meeting Individual Needs
○ Increased McKinney Vento Population and Mobility
○ Continuing a Culture of Positive Supports and Interventions
○ Partnerships with Parents and Community
There was additional information on the following:
● The overarching definition of behavioral wellness is that behavior is shaped by providing clear expectations through direct teaching, modeling, monitoring, and giving both positive and corrective feedback.
● The four core components of Behavioral Wellness include creating and maintaining a safe school environment, schoolwide guidelines/expectations for success, effective classroom management, and being proactive around behavioral practices.
● The framework is based on research, best practices, and what will help our children accelerate their learning and social-emotional growth.
● Students should be able to answer the following questions in an optimal learning environment: What do I need to do to be successful in this school or class? Do I feel safe? Do I feel connected? Am I engaged in learning?
● Behavioral wellness is really about creating an optimal learning environment because our goal in schools is to help kids grow academically.
● Teaching expectations: You have to establish them first (for example, how to demonstrate respect and responsibility), teach them continually, and make them a part of the culture.
● Classroom framework (almost a microcosm of the schoolwide framework) - creating an ideal environment for a classroom that will maximize learning and the student experience. The goal is consistency in expectations from classroom to classroom, from year to year.
● School-based leadership teams comprise six to eight staff members, principals, and behavior specialists. They meet multiple times during the year with Dr. Silagi and the chair of the psychology department. Extensive training is done, and they return to their buildings and work to implement there.
● Information on the number of students and services provided at Jefferson ECC, Head Start, and Camp Kinder.
● From a database perspective and in the behavioral space, the majority of our students thrive with the tier 1 and positive supports that have been outlined.
● Behavior intervention plans for students who need more - doing a functional behavioral assessment to find out what is the targeted behavior, why it is happening, what are the specific interventions we have tried, what we need to retry or do differently, and how are we working closely with parents in this plan.
● When there is an escalated behavior, we work hard to try and work through and make sure there is a support plan for the student, and that we are maintaining an optimal learning environment for the student.
● There has been a consistent increase in staff working with students who may need more support.
● The Referral GPS partnership has been very valuable for us. Parents are accessing that site frequently, and the District has one of the highest user hits on that site.
● Instructional Skills program is designed to provide intensive services for the social emotional side, executive functioning, and behavioral skills. The instructional SAIL program is designed more for students who have delays in social interaction communication. This may also come with some significant academic deficits.
● An increase in SAIL program sections - six sections spread across the district at three school sites.
● The District Discipline Support Team meets with schools quarterly. It is beneficial to hear from the building leadership on what is going well and their challenges. It also allows the administration to share strategies from other schools, ask what may be needed, and see if buildings are responding in a consistent manner.
● The key strategies are all tied to ensuring that our kids are doing well behaviorally.
● Partnering with 5-6 other local districts on a wellness symposium in March that will be available to our whole community.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
● What is embedded in the supportive environment metric of the IL 5 Essentials survey?
● SAEBRS (Social, Academic, Emotional, Behaviors Risk Screener) is another layer of assessment through the FastBridge suite, is completed three times per year by teachers, and is tied to risk factors for academics - emotional or behavioral.
● The scope of what is encompassed under “discipline referrals” is a wide range of things.
● SAEBRS data being tracked over time - honed in on over the past two years with the 5 lab student analytics system data.
● Concern that 8.9% of the students in grades 6-12 have one discipline referral seems high. It is noted that not all cases are extreme, the number is not trending upward, and meetings will continue to occur with the behavioral teams.
● Support staff numbers for students who may need more are for all levels. These support staff members work in a variety of roles across our system.
● The decrease in the total number of students from 2020 to the present, while there has been an increase in behavioral support staff. Should we be concerned? Noted the intense needs being seen post-2020, especially at the younger levels; the possibility of an increase in specificity and intensity of behavior; and the trend seen statewide and nationwide from a behavioral space. Concern if we will continue to see this increase? Noted we are in a better place than we have been post-2020 and have a lot of systems in place to monitor, be responsive to, and be proactive.
● The number of students in the SAIL program sections.
● SAIL students transitioning from elementary to middle school level - included as part of the Essentials program at either Hubble or Monroe - dependent on home schools and student needs; putting together classroom compositions to meet like student needs.
● Move-in students and the process for obtaining records from other districts to recognize what challenges we may face.
● Support staff numbers as it relates to enrollment; seeing more intense student needs.
● Looking at phone and technology use policy (see topics for future discussion).
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
Board Facilities Committee
The Board Facilities Committee met on December 4, 2024. The meeting notes were attached to the agenda item. This update was provided during the discussion of the Facilities Approval Consent Agenda.
Board Finance Committee
The Board Finance Committee met on December 5, 2024. The meeting notes were attached to the agenda item. This update was provided during the discussion of the Approval of the 2024 Tax Levy.
Board Human Resources/Policy Committee
The Board Human Resources/Policy Committee met on December 2, 2024. The meeting notes were attached to the agenda item. This update was provided during the discussion of the Policy Posting Consent Agenda.
OTHER REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
● Board members noted visits to/participating in the following:
○ DuKane Art Show/Awards
○ Pack the Gym event at Hubble
○ WNHS Chamber Choir Performace
○ Adopted School Visits
○ IASB Joint Annual Conference - Board members shared sessions attended
WRITTEN REPORTS
Monthly Financial Reports
FOIA Report
Board Communication Log
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Report
TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION
5-Year Financial Projections
Middle School Capital Projects
● District 200’s cell phone and technology use policy. Note: The CAC and the Student Ambassadors are currently studying this topic. The CAC identified a series of questions for students, teachers, and mental health support staff. Once they provide feedback, the policy will be brought to the Board.
● Joint Annual Conference - what was learned, heard, and talked about from Board Members.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
January 8, 2025, 7:00 PM, Jefferson Early Childhood Center
ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 22, 2025, Committee of the Whole, 7:00 PM, School Service Center
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
There being no further business to come before the Board in Open Session, Member Long moved, Member Paulsen seconded to adjourn the meeting. Upon a voice call being taken, all were in favor. The motion carried 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.
https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3696/CUSD200/5168844/Minutes_12.11.24.docx.pdf
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