Board Update 11/8/21
Presentations
Agenda Item 4.0
Devonshire – Making “Specials” Special – 4.01
Students from Devonshire Elementary presented examples of lessons they have experienced in specials classes this year. At the elementary level, these include Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Learning Resource Centers. The students provided examples of their work and demonstrated activities with the board.
You can view the presentation here.
FY 2021 Annual Audit – Baker Tilly – 4.02
Baker Tilly auditing firm presented the district’s year end balances for Fiscal Year 2021. Operating funds saw a surplus of $4,136,826, and an additional $4,921,414 added into the Capital Projects fund to adhere to the board directive of improving and retaining the district’s properties.
Public Hearing
Agenda Item 5.0
Public Hearing on 2021 Tax Levy – 5.01
At the September 27, 2021, board meeting, the board had discussed and directed administration to move forward with preparing the proposed 2021 tax levy and to set a public hearing date for November 8, 2021.
Illinois’ Truth in Taxation Law requires that if the estimated levy exceeds 105% of the prior year’s extension, the district must give public notice of and hold a public hearing on its intent to adopt an aggregate levy. While CCSD59’s proposed levy does not meet this 5% level, the administration believes that meeting the spirit of the law is in the district’s and community’s best interest.
Therefore, a public hearing was held during the November 8, 2021, board meeting for public comment and/or requests for consideration to be made by CCSD59 community members. Now, a resolution will be discussed at the December 13, 2021, board meeting on approval of adopting the levy.
District Presentations
Agenda Item 7.0
COVID-19 Dashboard – 7.01
The board received an update on COVID-19 case and quarantine numbers among students and staff. Dr. Katie Ahsell, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Assessment, also recapped the recent vaccine clinic held at the administration center, where over 400 doses were administered, including 328 for children ages 5-11.
Follow-Up Presentation: Fall Benchmarking Data – 7.02
The board received a follow-up report to address questions from the Fall Benchmarking presentation at the October 12, 2021, board meeting. Tom Luedloff, Associate Superintendent, reviewed assessment data for the district, how students currently compare to past years, and how the district is tracking progress in math, reading, and social emotional learning as part of fall benchmarking.
Data was shared and discussed from the assessments through iReady and Panorama systems, with additional information shared on how the district and schools utilize that data.
You can view the presentation here.
Board Appreciation – 7.03
Dr. Terri Bresnahan, Superintendent of Schools, recognized the board for their service to the district and communities and thanked them for their partnership.
Discussion Items
Agenda Item 8.0
Program Fee for Typically Developing Preschool Students for the 2022-2023 School Year – 8.01
Currently, CCSD59’s Preschool Program has space to host approximately 70 typically developing students. The 2021-22 school year rate charged to families with typically developing children for the program is $238 per month ($1,190 per semester, $2,380 per year).
The board discussed a 0% increase to the fee for 2022-23 after comparing the fee to other school districts in the area that blend the student population and where instruction is offered by certified teachers.
The schedule would remain the same for typically developing students, with students attending a four-day (M, T, Th, & F) school week from 12:00 – 2:30 p.m.
The board will vote on leaving the tuition at the same rate as the 2022-23 school year at the December 13, 2021, board meeting.
K-8 Instructional Materials Fees: 2022-2023 School Year – 8.02
For the 2021-22 school year, instructional materials fees, which in some prior years were collected to offset a portion of the cost of instructional materials and supplies, were eliminated. There was no instructional fee for all students, including kindergarten through eighth grade, for the 2021-22 school year.
The board discussed eliminating the instructional materials fees again for the 2022-23 school year. The board will vote on the fees at the board meeting on December 13, 2021.
Junior High School Extra-Curricular Participation Fees: 2022-2023 School Year – 8.03
Currently, the junior high school extracurricular participation fees for the 2021-22 school term, which offset a portion of the cost of materials and supplies for extracurricular activities, are as follows:
- Basketball: $30
- Cheerleading: $30
- Cross Country: $15
- Spirit Squad/Pom Poms: $30
- Soccer: $30
- Volleyball: $30
- Wrestling: $30
The board discussed keeping the fees unchanged for the 2022-23 school year and will vote on these extracurricular fees at the December 13, 2021, board meeting.
Action Items
Agenda Item 10.0
Approval of Award of Bid for Paper Bid Summary – 10.01
Strategic Goal (SG) 4: Stewardship of Resources
CCSD59 issues a paper bid once each year for a quantity projected to meet one year’s needs. The district is not required to purchase a specific quantity.
This year, the bid is for xerographic and vellum paper. Due to a national paper shortage, the district is looking at a 27% increase in cost compared to last year. Two bids were received: the Staples Contract & Commercial LLC bid for $75,123.00 for xerographic paper and $12,650.50 for vellum, for a grand total of $87,773.50 was the lowest conforming bid.
The board awarded the bid as outlined above to Staples Contract & Commercial LLC.
Report and Authorization to File Annual Financial Report for FY 2021 with ISBE – 10.02
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The Annual Financial Report (AFR) is a standardized document that meets independent auditing and reporting requirements for Illinois public schools.
The board accepted the audit report prepared by Baker Tilly as the official audit of CCSD59’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, and authorized the administration to submit the AFR to the Illinois State Board of Education in accordance with 105 ILCS 5/3.