May 21, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Description:  Minutes of Regular Meeting held April 16, 2020
May Bills Payable
April Treasurer's Report

Description:  Vivian Hernandez is the May Student of the Month.  We celebrate Vivian’s accomplishments and recognition!  

Description:  The 4th quarter Excellence in Education Award was modified to recognize the efforts of all staff for their efforts during remote learning.  Everyone has worked together to reimagine how to do just about everything.  We would like all staff to know just how much we appreciate the dedication they have displayed throughout the 4th quarter!  

Description:  Grant Community High School graduation requirements have historically been more stringent than what was required by the Illinois State Board of Education.  In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the directive of ISBE to “do no harm” to students, combined with our desire to see students be successful, we are recommending adoption of the following ISBE Graduation Requirement Changes Per Executive Order 2020-31 and Emergency Rules for the Class of 2020: 
 
Requirement                      Credits
English                               3.5 Credits
Math                                   2.5 Credits (Algebra I and geometry content required) 
Science                              1.5 Credits
Social Studies                    1.5 Credits
Elective                               .5 Credit
Physical Education             Waived
Health Education                Waived
Consumer Education          Waived
Civics/Government             Waived 

Recommend approval of the ISBE Graduation Requirement Changes for the Class of 2020 as presented. 

Description:  School Board Policy 3:70 requires the Board of Education be informed of the district succession plan.  Provided is a succession plan for the 2020/21 school year. 

Description:  A virtual Honors Night took place on May 6th where we recognized the achievements of 73 dedicated students.  Through the generous donations of our Grant community we were able to distribute $45,750 in scholarships that evening. While we wish we had been able to acknowledge these accomplishments in person, this venue provided a unique opportunity for the school, parents, and the community to still recognize the efforts these dedicated students have put forth the past 4 years.  We included a copy of the Honors Night program for you.

Description:  I am pleased to report our fall play and spring musical have been selected for next year.  A Christmas Carol will be performed in the fall.  Seussical has been selected for the spring.  Highlights for both have been provided.  We look forward to next year’s shows!

Description:  The administration is planning for a variety of teaching and learning options for the 2020/21 school year as requested by local, state, and federal officials.  I’d like to share a brief update with you on our planning efforts. 

Description:  The stay-at-home order prevented a number of eligible employees from utilizing all of their vacation days.  Current contractual and handbook language requires certain categories of employees to utilize their vacation days in the fiscal year in which they were provided.  In order to fairly allow employees to utilize these days, I am recommending the Board of Education permit the carryover of 2019/20 unused vacation days through June 30, 2021.  Recognizing that this may represent a significant number of days of leave, staff will be encouraged to be flexible and coordinate these dates with the administration to ensure we have adequate staffing in the building at all times.   

Recommend the carryover of 2019/20 unused vacation days through June 30, 2021 for eligible employees.

Description:  Recommend the employment of the following individuals:
-        Ryan Reynolds, Full-time Special Education Teacher, MA Step 0 

Recommend accepting the resignation letters from the following individuals: 
- Maryann Greaves, Food Service, effective - end of 2019/20 school year

Description:  Mr. Schmidt will give his monthly Principal’s Report.

Description:  Attached is the 2019/20 tentative amended budget for your review.  Changes have been made to accommodate increases in grants, changes in transfers between funds, increase in costs on special education tuition, an increase in state funding revenue tied to the evidence-based funding, and a decrease in property taxes.  Per statute, the amended budget has been on display for the statutory 30 days.  It will be on the June agenda for hearing and approval. Recommend approval of the amended 2019/20 budget. 

Description:  Attached is the tentative 2020/20201 budget.  We’re adjusting to changes in the property taxes and the possibility that state funding is decreased or held at this year’s level.  There are still some unknowns tied to collection rates and student fees.  We will update the tentative budget as soon as they are known.  Per statute, the tentative budget must be on display for the statutory 30 days.  It will be on the July agenda for hearing and approval. Recommend placing the tentative 2020/21 budget on display for the statutory 30 days.  

Description:  In 2016/17, we raised the insurance rates 15% for PPO B and 13% for PPO C, and in 2017/18 we raised both plans’ rates 2.61%.  Last year, we held rates steady.  This year, we have seen a rise in claims, but our reserves have held steady due to increased lives on the plan. Lakes Region Benefit Cooperative met with us, and we have over 90 days of reserves, so we can hold steady for this year. We discussed with the Insurance Committee and we are recommending no rate increase this year.  

I am recommending the monthly rates for 2020-21 as shown below:

Plan B                              Current 19/20                        Proposed 20/21
Employee                         $   749.44                              $   749.44   
Employee+Child               $1,992.88                              $1,992.88 
Employee+Spouse           $2,157.04                              $2,157.04 
Family                               $2,534.02                              $2,534.02

Plan C                              Current 19/20                        Proposed 20/21
Employee                         $   675.84                              $   675.84
Employee+Child               $1,801.69                              $1,801.69
Employee+Spouse           $1,948.20                              $1,948.20
Family                               $2,093.24                              $2,093.24

Description:  The state multiplier from the Illinois Department of Revenue is 1.00 for tax year 2019.  This equalizer is then applied to our equalized assessed value (EAV) resulting in a total EAV of $927,557,050.  This is an increase of $56,218,272 from 2018.  The EAV increased 6.45% from last year.  As a result of the increase in property, our tax rate decreases to a rate of 2.350940 in 2019 from 2.431534 in 2018.  The consumer price index for this tax cycle was 1.9%.  Approximately, $420,795.13 had to be cut to comply with the tax cap limitation.  A copy of the detailed cap adjustments is attached. 

Description:  We have received the report from CDW with items prioritized per their rankings of critical, high, moderate, and low.  I’ve included the Executive Summary and the Summary of Findings and Recommendations.  I’m pleased to say we had no items identified as critical risk, and only 16 items were listed as high.  Our technology staff has begun working on these items.  

Description:  Edgenuity is a software platform that the District is using for BDIPS, Credit Recovery, course supplements, and math interventions.  The programs in Edgenuity are online programs where student progress can be tracked by multiple stakeholders:  teachers, case managers, counselors, therapists, administration, etc.  Courses are directly aligned to the core subject curricula – making transitions into/out of coursework smooth.  Courses are 100% customizable, which has been valuable this spring with the remote learning.  The quote we have received includes a 10% discount over three years, which is a savings to the district of $8,600.  Recommend approval of the Edgenuity 3-Year Renewal at a one-time payment of $87,971, which will be paid out of grant funds. 

Description:  On April 23, we opened bids for Bid Release 1, Trade Packages 9a:  Refinishing of Wood Floor and Trade Package 12a:  Telescoping Bleachers.  For Trade Package 9a, we only received one bid which was significantly over our estimated budget for the project.  We recommend rejection of Trade Package 9a in entirety.   

For Trade Package 12a, six contractors were solicited; three contractors submitted bids.  The lowest responsible bidder was Larson Equipment and Furniture Company.  Recommend awarding the bid with alternate 12a-1:  Adding power to the bleachers to Larson Equipment and Furniture Company in the amount of $39,000.  

On May 5, we opened bids for Bid Release 2: Trade Package 31a: Parking Lot Improvements.  This is the North Parking Lot project.  Twenty-seven contractors were solicited, and five submitted bids.  The lowest responsible bid was from Superior Paving, Inc. of Fox Lake, IL.  Recommend awarding the bid for Bid Release 2: Trade Package 31a:  Parking Lot Improvements to Superior Paving, Inc. in the amount of $274,000. 

Description:  One of our transportation contractors, Durham School Services, has requested an amendment to the contract we have with them.  Durham provides transportation for two of our students who have medical needs.  With the school shutdown, Durham is concerned they will lose the drivers and the aides that are assigned to these students.  The attached amendment is where we have settled.  They are asking for an amount that will pay the drivers and aides, but does not include gas, maintenance, or any profit.  Recommend approval of the Amendment to Contract for Transportation Services.