April 14, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education - Regular Meeting

Description:  Jim Bednar, Board President, called the meeting to order.

Good Evening. In order for us to conduct this meeting effectively, I ask all participants to MUTE themselves. We will follow a process of calling on members for thoughts and input. Board Members may unmute at any time to ask a question. Member of the public, we are soliciting your input via email at BOE@d23.org. Messages received prior to our public comment section will be read aloud. Those received after that will be  addressed by administration.  Thank You.

Description:  PRESENT: Mr. Bednar, Mrs. Botwinski, Mr. Chester, Mr. Novak, Mr. Greidanus, Mrs. Paul and Mrs. Peters.

ABSENT: No one.

ALSO PRESENT: Dr. Don Angelaccio, Superintendent, Dr. Amy Zaher, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, and Mrs. Amy McPartlin, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations.

Description:  Members of the Betsy Ross Ambassador program will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. 

Description:  At each regular and special open meeting, members of the public and District employees may comment to or ask questions of the Board of Education. If you would like to address the Board, please email your comments or questions to BOE@d23.org.  The Board will be prepared to address those comments related to the agenda within a reasonable time.

Description:  April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. We especially thank all who share their time and resources with District 23 to support our students and staff. April is also recognized as School Library Month. We appreciate our Library Media Specialists Ms. Herzog, Mrs. Strachn, Mrs. Yager, and Mrs. McWilliams for their dedication and inspiration that leads our Media Centers into innovative and Future Ready places of learning. We also recognize Autism Awareness Month in April and thank all of our professionals who bring this specialized skill and expertise to serving our students and families. April 5th was National Assistant Principal Appreciation week so we'd like to recognize our outstanding AP Chris Alms.  Last, but certainly not least we celebrate Teacher Appreciation and Nurse Appreciation Week in early May. We thank all of our professionals for their dedicated service and contributions that make District 23 an amazing place in which students learn and grow. 

Description:  Special recognition of our PTO during volunteer appreciation month for their continued partnership and support of District 23 and our community. 

Description:  As an update, our families have received information and we have opened the process for registration. We encourage all families to register during the month of April. Registered families will receive payment requests for school fees in July. 

Description:  Mr. Curtis and members of the Ross SIP team will share their presentation, highlighting their work toward their goals. 

Description:  At this time, the Board will conduct a public hearing concerning the intent of the Board to sell $3,000,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District.

May I have a motion to open the Public Hearing?

Moved:
Seconded:
Voice Vote:
Time:

Discussion: Mrs. McPartlin will provide an overview of the intent to sell working cash bonds for the purpose of increasing the working cash fund of the District.

Public Comment:

May I have a motion to close the Public Hearing?

Moved:
Seconded:
Voice Vote:
Time:

Description:  Pat will report.

Description:  Gonca will report. 

Description:  Carol will Report.

Description:  Tonight's Consent Agenda include the approval of the minutes from the Regular Meeting and the Executive Session on March 10, 2021 and the personnel report.

 

Description:  Attached is the memo recommending payment of the voucher lists for materials, supplies, and services paid since the last BOE meeting. In addition, the District payments for salaries and insurance benefits during the previous month are included for approval. Those documents are all included for your review.

 

Description:  Dr. Amy Zaher has provided an update on the status our our State and Federal grants.  Of note are the new Federal allocations under the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Education Relief (ESSER) Fund.

Description:  The District has received its final insurance renewal rate information for following insurance coverages:  Life, Accidental Death and Disability, HMO, PPO and Dental.  These are all fully or partially paid District insurance benefits.  The attached chart provides analysis on the rates for FY22 compared to prior years.

Description:  Presented as a first read tonight, the NSSEO has shared their budget for FY22. Next month, we will need to pass a resolution for a directed vote at their June Board meeting. 

Description:  After discussions following the March Board meeting, administration presents a modified calendar for 2021-22 and proposed 2022-23 calendar for approval. 

Description:  Mrs. McPartlin provided a memo explaining the need for us to take formal Board action to rescind a previous formal Board action.  

Description:  The District has received word from our PTAB Attorney, John Izzo, that a new round of tax rate objections will be presented in Circuit Court beginning on May 20, 2021. These objections, seek tax refunds from tax years 2011-14 and are based on allegations that a district’s tax levies were excessive or invalid for some reason.  A resolution for Attorney Izzo's intervenion is presented for the Board's approval this evening.

Description:  The Administration is aware of the ongoing financial challenges for many of our families.  As a district, we have been under increasing local pressure to "share" the additional Federal revenues with impacted families. To that end, we have included a recommendation for the one time reduction of student fees for the 2021-22 school year as well as a clarification on the assessment of fees for low-income students that currently receive State/Federal benefits.

Description:  Administration has finalized requisitions for building furniture orders utilizing the $50,000 Board approved allocation for furniture.  The proposals have been attached along with a brief overview of the purchases.

Description:  Bids were received and opened on March 11, 2021.  A total of eight (8) bids were received.   The apparent base bid low bidder at the time of bid opening was L Marshall Roofing.   Mr. Rominski and ARCON have fully vetted L Marshall and their understanding of the scope of work, schedule, and project details.  We recommend approving the 2021 Roofing Work as presented. 

Description:  Following a in-depth RFP process and evaluation, the Business Office has selected the firm of Baker Tilly as their auditor for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 years.

Description:  At each regular and special open meeting, members of the public and District employees may comment to or ask questions of the Board of Education. If you would like to address the Board, please email your comments or questions to BOE@d23.org.  The Board will be prepared to address those comments related to the agenda within a reasonable time.

Description:  An executive session is necessary for discussion regarding ongoing litigation.