November 15, 2022 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Student Achievement & Curriculum Update

Description:  Per Policy 2:230 Public Comments at Board of Education Meetings and Petitions to the Board 
At each regular and special open meeting, the members of the public and District employees may comment on or ask questions of the Board, subject to reasonable constraints. 
The individuals appearing before the Board are expected to follow these guidelines: 

1. Such a person shall submit a request in writing to the Board Secretary to address the Board. Such a request shall be received at least five (5) working days prior to the Board meeting and shall include said reason for the request.
2. At the meeting, a person who has complied with number 1 above shall inform the Board Secretary of his/her presence at the meeting.
3. Address the Board only at the appropriate time as indicated on the agenda and when recognized by the Board President.
4. Identify oneself and be brief. Ordinarily, such comments shall be limited to five minutes.  In unusual circumstances, and when an individual has made a request in advance to speak for a longer period of time, the individual may be allowed to speak for more than five minutes. 
5. The Board President may shorten or lengthen an individual’s opportunity to speak.  The President may also deny an individual the opportunity if the individual has previously addressed the Board on the same subject within the past 2 months. 
6. The Board President shall have the authority to determine procedural matters regarding public participation not otherwise defined in Board of Education policy. 
7. Conduct oneself with respect and civility toward others and otherwise abide by Board policy, 8:30, Visitors to and Conduct on School Property. 

Petitions or written correspondence to the Board shall be presented to the Board of Education in the next regular Board packet unless the Superintendent deems the matter to be urgent. 
 

Description:  We will be recognizing the KG students of the month, Junior Beta Club members, and MG second-grade student representatives.  

Description:  On Tuesday evening we will be recognizing Mrs. Estella Rodriguez for her recognition by the Illinois Association of School Boards as "Established
Board Leader."  In addition, we will be recognizing the entire board for their dedication and commitment to the Lockport SD91 family.

Description:  We received one request for information under the Freedom of Information Act since the October 2022 meeting of the Board of Education.  Attached you will find a copy of the request and reply letter. 

Description:  Attached is the suspension report for Kelvin Grove for the month of October 2022.  There were no suspensions at Milne Grove for the month of October 2022.

Description: 

The Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. in the Kelvin Grove LRC.  The agenda for this committee meeting is listed below.  All members are invited to attend the meeting.

Workshop Reports/Discussion Items

• Review Proposed Tax Levy 

• Truth and Taxation Hearing Timeline

The information discussed at the meeting will be reviewed by the full board during the Board reports/discussion items portion of the meeting on Tuesday.  I look forward to seeing the committee members and all who are interested on Tuesday, at 5:00, in the Kelvin Grove LRC.

Description: 

The Buildings and Grounds Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 6:00 pm in the Kelvin Grove LRC.  The agenda discussion items are listed below.  All members are invited to attend the meeting.

Committee Discussion Items

• Review Facilities Management Plan - Engineers Report

• Review Life Safety Report

• Next Steps to Facilities Management Plan

 

The information discussed at the meeting will be reviewed by the full board during the Board reports/discussion items portion of the meeting on Tuesday.  I look forward to seeing the committee members and all who are interested on Tuesday at 6:00 in the KG LRC.

Description:  Tuesday evening, the board members should be prepared to briefly discuss the next steps following the election results for the limiting rate question.  If the board chooses to place the resolution on the April 4, 2023 ballot, it must be adopted and filed by Monday, December 12, 2022.  The next board of education meeting is on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, so if the board would like this as a consideration, a special meeting will need to be scheduled for the week of November 28th or December 5th.

Description:  On Tuesday evening, the board members will be asked to provide Mrs. Rodriguez feedback on each of the proposed resolutions to be discussed this year at the Delegate Assembly. I have attached another copy of the IASB Report to the Membership - 2022 Resolutions Committee Report for your convenience. 

Description:  On Tuesday evening, the board members that will be attending the Triple I conference will receive their information about the event.  In addition, a brief conversation will be held to discuss the conference sessions members are planning to attend so the board can gather as much information as possible to bring back to the whole board.

Description:  Attached you will find the summative designation letter the district received from the Illinois State Board of Education that will be included on our school report card.  On Tuesday evening, Ms. Rae will provide an update on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness results for the district this past spring of 2022. 

Description: 

We have been very fortunate in District 91 to have an accelerated placement policy in place that was developed with the leadership of Ms. Rae and the administrative team over the years.  On Tuesday evening, Ms. Rae will provide a brief update on how we continue to utilize disaggregated data as part of our accelerated program plan to determine placement in our accelerated classes when appropriate.  

Here is the description of the public act:

Public Act 101-0654 states that following a review of disaggregated data on the participation and successful completion rates of students enrolled in an accelerated placement program, each school district shall develop a plan to expand access to its accelerated placement program and to ensure the teaching capacity necessary to meet the increased demand on or before November 1, 2022.  The plan due on November 1, 2022, does not need to be turned into ISBE or local ROEs.  The plan is to assist districts in updating their accelerated placement policy.  The purpose of this plan is for districts to identify ways in which accelerated placement options can be expanded and address any opportunity gaps that may indicate equity of access issues.

Description: 

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended the Board of Education approves the disposition of district property including various music textbooks and technology items that are no longer in use.
 

BACKGROUND

This past month, a combined effort of the music staff and technology staff took some time to sift through the storage area under the stage in the Feneli gym.  During this time, there were multiple items identified items that were either beyond repair, unsafe for use, or beyond their useful life. Some of those items included old musical instruments, music textbooks, old computer monitors, and various tech items that are no longer useful to keep.  The musical instruments would be sold with the anticipation of covering costs for other band instrument repairs or purchases. 

Description: 

Description: 

RECOMMENDATION

To approve the estimated amounts necessary to be levied for the 2022 levy.
 

BACKGROUND

The levy resolution being recommended will ensure that District 91 does not lose any dollars it is entitled to under a balloon levy. It will make sure that even if the most recent estimated EAV from the county clerk increases or decreases (within limits), the district will capture its full entitlement. This year, the district does need to ask for more than the 5% cap, therefore we are required to publish a notice AND hold a truth-in-taxation hearing before approving the certificate of the tax levy in December.  

The estimated aggregate levy recommended this year is as follows:

Education                                  $4,546,515

Operation and Maintenance     $981,820

Transportation                           $207,650

Working Cash                            $12,435

Municipal Retirement                $164,518

Social Security                          $102,728

Fire, Prevention, & Safety        $5,165

Tort                                           $82,260

Special Education                    $52,000

Unemployment                        $7,270

Total Capped Levy                $6,162,361 (not including Bonds)

Estimated Bond &Interest       $599,329

Total Estimated 2022 Levy   $6,761,690

It is my recommendation that the Board approves the estimated amounts necessary to be levied for the 2022 levy.

Description: 

RECOMMENDATION

Approve the purchase of staff appreciation holiday gifts.
 

BACKGROUND

We would like to purchase each staff member a gift to recognize the exceptional work they have been doing as a team to meet the needs of our students over the course of the past few years. Attached you will find a sneak peek at the holiday gift surprise for the staff.  The current budget includes the funds for this purchase.

It is my recommendation that the Board of Education approves the purchase of staff gifts.

Description: 

RECOMMENDATION:

Contract auditing services through Gassensmith and Michalesko, LTD. for a three-year term commencing June 2023 through June 2025.

 

BACKGROUND:

Gassensmith and Michalesko, LTD. have provided auditing services for the District for over 20 years. They have always done a thorough and professional job and have provided the required reports in a timely manner. In addition, the auditors have always been willing to meet with the finance committee and/or the board to review the annual financial report.

For the 2022 audit, we were charged $11,387.  The following costs have been established for each of the three years:

2023 $11,956 (5% increase)

2024     $12,554 (5% increase)

2025 $13,282 (5% increase)

It is my recommendation that the Board of Education approves the three-year contract with Gassensmith and Michalesko, LTD. for auditing services through 2025.

Description: 

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended the Board of Education approves the date change for the Finance Committee, Buildings & Grounds Committee, and Regular Board Meeting from January 10, 2023, to January 17, 2023.  

BACKGROUND

Given the January Board meeting date is so close to the return of staff and students from winter break, we would like to recommend pushing the board meeting back one week to January 17, 2023.  This would also include the change of the Finance and Buildings & Grounds committees from January 10th to January 17th.

Description:  The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity. [1] However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance the [the Open Meetings Act].  5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), as amended by P.A. 99-646