CHICAGO RIDGE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 127 ½ -OCTOBER 9 TH, 2018 REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER PRESENT: T. Kucharski, G. Hillman, E. Davenport, T. Egan, M. Callan, N. Salzer ABSENT: R. Lee, L. Grachan ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Dr. Kevin B. Russell, K. Picciolini, M. Nothnagel, D. Georganas, F. Setaro, L. Kaczmarek, G. Youngberg, R. Qirjaqi, C. Hillegonds GUESTS: M. Thoma, P. Wimmer, A. Mallo, P. Barlett Mr. Kucharski called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. and asked for Roll Call. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mr. Kucharski, Board President, then welcomed all present to the meeting. Moving along the agenda order, Mr. Kucharski noted there were no Awards or Recognitions listed. He additionally noted there were no Presentations listed for the meeting as well. The next agenda item, Item #4.0, called for approval of the Consent Agenda, which contained the following: -Minutes of the September 11th, 2018 Meeting Open Session -Minutes of the September 11th, 2018 Meeting Closed Session -September 2018 Fund Balance Summary -September 2018 Imprest and Activity Account -September 2018 Statement of Financial Condition -Payroll and Bills for the Eisenhower Cooperative -Payroll and Bills for District #127 1/2 Mr. Kucharski asked if there were any questions or comments regarding the items listed above. There being none, he called for a motion and a second to approve. #1 MOTION TO THE CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Hillman moved and Mrs. Salzer seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as described above. Upon roll call: Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mrs. Egan-YES, Mrs. Callan- YES, Mr. Hillman-YES, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mr. Kucharski -YES. Motion carried. Mr. Kucharski then stated the Superintendent s Report was next, and turned the agenda order over to Dr. Russell. Dr. Russell thanked Mr. Kucharski and began his summation.
The first topic discussed with the Board was the School and Department Reports. Dr. Russell said those items were contained within each member s packet and he thanked the administrative team for getting them together. Enrollment was discussed next. Dr. Russell stated enrollment for the month of September was 1,510 students. He noted this was up by 14 students from last month, and up by 42 students for the same time last year. He added the monthly enrollment is something that must be monitored to see if there is an upward trend. He said nothing needed to be done now, but if the numbers continue to increase, a population projection can be done through Studio GC, the architect for the District. He explained they would hire an outside firm to do the study, but again stressed it is something to watch. Dr. Russell then provided the Board with a PTA update. He said they recently held a Bingo Night and had a great turnout. He also said the PTA was a participant in the recent chili contest hosted by the Village of Chicago Ridge. Next up is the Vendor Fair they will be hosting on October 20 th, 2018, and all are invited and encouraged to attend. Dr. Russell provided the Board with a current status of open positions within the District, stating any open vacancies are provided in their Board packet and online. Next was a review of the recent IASA Conference Dr. Russell attended in Springfield from September 25 th -September 28 th. He said it was quite refreshing to be down there to discuss topics other than state funding, which has been the case in years past. This year, the topic was focused around ESSA (Every Child Succeeds Act) and how it impacts the school districts. Dr. Russell went on to explain this year, two of the schools within this District received a preliminary designation from the State of Illinois as Underperforming based upon early data coming back from PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) test results. He said the preliminary designation comes before the final designation, which will be released at midnight on October 31 st, 2018. New this year, the State is also factoring growth into the final designation, instead of using only achievement as in years past. He said that may change the status from Underperforming to Commendable, but that won t be known until October 31 st. Dr. Russell further explained the ranking of Underperforming can be derived from a subgroup with as few as 20 students who may have tested poorly due to a language barrier or the method used to test. He stressed there are no underperforming schools in this District, and the ranking for a small subgroup in no way labels the entire school. Dr. Russell also informed the Board the State will no longer be administering the PARCC test, but does not know what they have in its place. Mrs. Salzer concurred it is unfair to judge the schools based on these tests, speaking from her years of experience as a teacher and an administrator. Dr. Russell closed this topic by stating he is a member of the Testing Advisory Committee down in Springfield and is a strong advocate to change the labeling used by the State in terms of defining academic achievement. Next on the agenda was a preview of the IASA (Illinois Association of School Administrators)/IASBO (Illinois Association of School Business Officials)/IASB (Illinois
Association of School Boards) Conference taking place on November 16 th November 18 th, 2018 in Chicago. He said a preview of panel discussions was provided to each member so they can decide what they would like to attend. Mrs. Bialczak, Recording Secretary, will provide the Board with additional information as it becomes available. Dr. Russell next updated the Board on the Illinois SMART School Improvement Process. As discussed earlier in the meeting, under ESSA, those schools that receive certain designations are required to revamp the School Improvement Process. Dr. Russell said this District has always embraced a continuous improvement cycle, but recognizes it is time to take it to the next level. Since Ridge Central and Finley Jr. High have those designations that require revamping, he explained it only makes sense to include Ridge Lawn as well so all three schools are on the same page. Therefore, the District has fully embraced the Illinois SMART School Improvement Process that meets the requirements of ESSA and is aligned to the Illinois Balanced Accountability Model s (IBAM) framework. He stated both the leadership and school teams have begun training and are in the initial phases of identifying the greatest area of need. One of the things the District and schools have identified early in this process is the knowledge of exactly what the standards require for each content area and grade level to increase. Dr. Russell then stated since this process is in the beginning stages, the Administration will not be able to present school improvement plans like what has been done in the past at the November meeting. The Illinois State Board of Education requires schools that have received designations to complete initial plans by January. Dr. Russell said the Administration can brief the Board at the November meeting about what the work looks like and then present the plans at a later date. Dr. Russell then addressed the next agenda item, which regarded the need for a Special Meeting on October 23 rd, 2018. He stated this is so the Board can approve a voucher for the BMO Mastercard payment. The timing of the statement release date, the Columbus Day holiday, and the date of the Board Meeting did not provide adequate time to get this voucher on tonight s agenda. Dr. Russell finished his summation by stating he had one Other item, which was to acknowledge Ms. Rozana Qirjaqi, the ESL Bilingual Coordinator, for making short videos touting what families like about Chicago Ridge School District #127.5. Dr. Russell said the first video, which will be posted on the District s website soon, features Ridge Lawn School. Videos for Finley Jr. High and Ridge Central will follow shortly. Dr. Russell then said he was finished with his summation, and turned the meeting order back over to Mr. Kucharski. Mr. Kucharski thanked Dr. Russell and invited Mrs. Picciolini, the Chief School Business Official to begin her report. Mrs. Picciolini thanked Mr. Kucharski and began her summation.
Her first agenda item to discuss with the Board was First Quarter Interest and Township Costs. She stated the District earned $27,212 in interest for the First Quarter and paid $14,262 in expenses. She said the interest earned is from the current fund balances which are managed by the Worth Township Treasurer s Office. The costs are those incurred by the Township Treasurer s Office for doing the same and are allocated to all of its members. The second item Mrs. Picciolini discussed with the Board were contracts over $25,000. She said per Illinois School Code, a school board must list all contracts over $25,000 on the District website for the prior year. She said this list was included in each member s packet and will be placed on the website for public display. Mrs. Picciolini then said the Resolution to Abate $325,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund was next. She explained these funds represent the proceeds from the bonds sold in August of 2018, and are reflected in the Working Cash Fund. Since money cannot be spent out of the Working Cash Fund per School Code, the funds must be abated to the Education Fund. She clarified to all present these funds were used to purchase and install the SMART Labs in all three schools. The next agenda item for discussion was the Honeywell Invoice in the amount of $10,151.70. Mrs. Picciolini explained any invoice over $10,000 is always brought to the Board for approval, however this invoice stems from a maintenance contract the Board approved back in 2016. Each year the contract amount increases by 2%, and this year was the first time the percentage increase raised the amount due over the $10,000 threshold. Because the maintenance contract was approved back in 2016, the Board is not being asked to take action on the payment, however she simply wanted to make the Board aware of the invoice total being over $10,000 threshold. The Integrated Control Technologies, LLC Preventative Maintenance contract was next. She explained this is the annual contract for the automation of the HVAC controls. Along with preventative maintenance services, this allows the Maintenance Engineer to monitor and control temperature settings remotely from a PC or phone app. The cost of the contract is $14,550 and Board action would be sought later in the meeting. Mrs. Picciolini next discussed the purchase of three Interactive Touch Screens from IT Savvy, one for each conference room at Ridge Lawn, Ridge Central and Finley Jr. High. She said the items being quoted mirror the one that is utilized in the Board Room. The rational in the request being made is need and cost. Dr. Russell interjected and stated in the past, a white board and projector would be the product of choice for display and presentation purposes, as each conference room is in need of this equipment. While these devices are still viable, the cost to purchase, repair and replace parts makes them undesirable. The Interactive Touch Screens allow for more functionality than the white board/projector combination, at a comparable cost when all factors are considered. She stated Board action on this purchase would be sought later in the meeting.
Mrs. Picciolini next apprised the Board with a status on the categorical payments. She said she was happy to say the State has been on time with payments, and to date the District has received almost all of the funds. A small balance of approximately $4,000 remains outstanding. Discussion on Board-paid single insurance (HMO Medical) and optional enrollment in Employee-paid vision and Employee-paid dental for six-hour per day lunch hostesses was next. Mrs. Picciolini said the District employs three lunch hostess that work a six hour day, and currently these aforementioned benefits are not offered to them. She added over the years, this position has evolved from a three hour job into a six hour job as the breakfast and lunch program has grown. As such, she said the District would be offering the same benefits to them as they do to any newly hired full-time non-certified staff member. Mrs. Picciolini added potential Board action on this item would be sought later in the meeting. The next agenda item provided the Board with an update on construction projects over the winter break. She said items to be addressed during that time would be completion of office space for the Director of Pupil Personnel Services and the ESL/Bilingual Coordinator, conversion of the Associate Principal s Office into two smaller offices at Finley Jr. High, and minor renovations to the secretary s office at Ridge Lawn. Also being considered is the purchase and/or lease of a storage container to be placed outside the lunchroom at Ridge Lawn school. Dr. Russell interjected and said Ridge Lawn is in desperate need of additional space, and this container would be used for items that are not used on a regular basis. Mr. Kucharski inquired the exact positioning of the device, as he was concerned about access for utility companies. Dr. Russell assured Mr. Kucharski there would be ample access for any utility company who may need to get back and service the building. Mrs. Picciolini closed this topic by stating Studio GC, architect for the District, felt the work can be accomplished during the break with minimal disruption to the District. The last item Mrs. Picciolini had for discussion was the formation of the Superintendent s Finance and Facility Committee, which was one of the goals from the Strategic Plan. The focus of this group will be to assess the issues of state funding along with implications from Illinois legislation, such as the potential pension cost shift to school districts. She further explained the committee would meet quarterly and discussions would be reported back to the Board. Mrs. Picciolini lastly added the invitation to join this committee will be extended to administrators, staff, community members, and School Board members. Mrs. Picciolini then said she was finished with her report and turned the agenda order back over to Mr. Kucharski. Mr. Kucharski thanked Mrs. Picciolini and resumed the agenda order. Mr. Kucharski noted there were no items listed under Old Business, so New Business would be next.
#2 MOTION TO RECOGNITION OF SCHOOLS #3 MOTION TO ABATEMENT OF $325,000 FROM WORKING CASH FUND TO EDUCATION FUND #4 MOTION TO INSURANCE ENROLLMENT FOR LUNCH HOSTESSES #5 MOTION TO STUDIO GC TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR CONSTRUCT- ION PROJECTS #6 MOTION TO PAYMENT TO ITC, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,550 #7 MOTION TO INTERACTIVE TOUCH SCREENS Agenda Item #8.1 called for potential Board action to approve the Recognition of Schools Applications. Dr. Russell interjected and said every year, the District must submit the Recognition of Schools Applications per ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) regulations. Mr. Hillman moved and Mrs. Egan seconded the motion to approve the applications. Upon Roll Call: Mr. Hillman-YES, Mrs. Egan-YES, Mrs. Callan-YES, Mrs. Salzer-YES, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. Agenda Item #8.2 called for potential Board action to approve the Abatement of $325,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund. Mrs. Picciolini interjected and said this was discussed under Agenda Item #6.3 of her report. Mrs. Egan moved and Mrs. Callan seconded the motion to approve the Abatement as described above. Upon Roll Call: Mrs. Callan-YES, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mr. Hillman-YES, Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mrs. Egan-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. Agenda Item #8.3 called for potential Board action to approve Board-Paid Single Insurance Coverage (HMO Medical) and optional enrollment in Employee-Paid Vision and Dental for Six-Hour Per Day Lunch Hostess Positions. Mrs. Picciolini stated this was also discussed under her report, under Agenda Item #6.8. Mrs. Callan moved and Ms. Davenport seconded the motion to approve the insurance offering as described above. Upon Roll Call: Mrs. Egan-YES, Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mrs. Callan-YES, Mr. Hillman-YES, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. Agenda Item #8.4 called for potential Board action to approve Studio GC to solicit bids for District Office renovations and various projects over winter break. Mrs. Picciolini stated this was discussed in her report under Agenda Item #6.9. Mr. Hillman moved and Mrs. Salzer seconded the motion to approve Studio GC to solicit the bids. Upon Roll Call: Ms. Davenport-YES Mrs. Egan-YES, Mr. Hillman-YES, Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mrs. Callan-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. Agenda Item #8.5 called for potential Board action to approve payment of the Annual Preventative Maintenance Program Proposal from Integrated Control Technologies, LLC in the amount of $14,550, as discussed earlier in the meeting. Mr. Hillman moved and Mrs. Salzer seconded the motion to approve the payment. Upon Roll Call: Mr. Hillman- YES, Mrs. Egan-YES, Mrs. Salzer-YES, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mrs. Callan-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. Agenda Item #8.6 called for potential Board action to approve the purchase of three Interactive Touch Screens in the amount of $12,736.65 from IT Savvy, as discussed earlier in the meeting. Ms. Davenport moved and Mrs. Egan seconded the motion to approve the purchase. Upon Roll Call: Mrs. Callan-YES, Mrs. Egan-ES, Mr. Hillman- YES, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. There being no other items under New Business, Mr. Kucharski moved along the agenda order.
He noted there were no items listed under Meeting Reports, so Public Participation would be next. He inquired to all present if any person present would like to address the Board three times. No person came forward. Mr. Kucharski then moved on to the President s Prerogative. Mr. Kucharski thanked everyone for doing a fantastic job and encouraged everyone to keep up the good work. Noting the next agenda item was adjournment to Closed Session, Mr. Kucharski asked for a motion and a second. #8 MOTION TO CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION Dr. Russell interjected and stated the Board was seeking the motion to adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of discussion of the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body to determine its validity as defined in the Open Meetings Act, Section 2 (c)(1), collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees as defined in Section 2 (c)(2), and the discussion of minutes of prior meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act as defined in Section 2(c)(21) for the purpose of review, approval or release of such minutes. Dr. Russell stated that security measures, student discipline and litigation would not be discussed as originally indicated on the agenda. Mrs. Egan moved and Mr. Hillman seconded the motion to adjourn to Closed Session for the reasons stated above at 7:02 P.M. Upon Roll Call: Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mrs. Egan- YES, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mrs. Callan-YES, Mr. Hillman-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. MEETING ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 7:02 P.M. #9 MOTION TO RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION Mr. Hillman moved and Mrs. Salzer seconded the motion to reconvene into Open Session at 7:22 P.M. Upon Roll Call: Mrs. Egan-YES, Mr. Hillman-YES, Ms. Davenport YES, Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mrs. Callan-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. Mr. Kucharski then stated potential Board action was being sought on the Personnel Consent Agenda, which contained the following items: -Substitute Teacher List: Jihad Ramadan - Maria Saldago, Lunch Room Hostess (Float) for the District, at $9.25/hour - Mary Kruger, Paraprofessional at Ridge Lawn, $13.00/hour - Arisa Grevan, Paraprofessional at Ridge Lawn, $13.00/hour
-Rocco Ayala, Paraprofessional at Finley Jr. High, $13.00/hour -Toriano Blair, Sub Custodian, District-wide, $11.23/hour -Katrina Trejo, Kindergarten Teacher at Ridge Lawn, BA+0, $32,882.32* *BA+0 salary of $38,900 prorated to reflect a start date of 9/28/2018 -Rachel Fiorenzi, Kindergarten Teacher at Ridge Central, BA+0, $32,237.57* *BA+0 salary of $38,900 prorated to reflect a start date of 10/3/2018 #10 MOTION TO PERSONNEL CONSENT AGENDA #11 MOTION TO UNPAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE CAMPIONE #12 MOTION TO UNPAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE KULIKOWSKI #13 MOTION TO RESOLUTION TO RELEASE MINUTES/DE- STORY RECORDINGS #14 MOTION TO ADJOURN Mr. Hillman moved and Mrs. Egan seconded the motion to approve the Personnel Consent Agenda as listed above. Upon Roll Call: Ms. Davenport-YES, Mrs. Callan- YES, Mrs. Egan-YES, Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mr. Hillman-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. Agenda Item #14.2 called for potential Board action to approve Unpaid Leave of Absence immediately following FMLA Leave for Marni Campione with anticipated return date of May 29 th, 2019. Mrs. Egan moved and Ms. Davenport seconded the motion to approve the leave. Upon Roll Call: Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mr. Hillman-NO, Mrs. Egan-YES, Mrs. Callan NO, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. Agenda Item #14.3 called for potential Board action to approve Unpaid Leave of Absence immediately following FMLA Leave for Barbara Kulikowski with anticipated return date of May 6 th, 2019. Mrs. Egan moved and Ms. Davenport seconded the motion to approve the leave. Upon Roll Call: Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mrs. Callan-NO, Mrs. Egan- YES, Mr. Hillman-NO, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. Agenda Item #14.4 called for potential Board action to approve a Resolution Releasing Closed Session Minutes and Destruction of Verbatim Recordings 18 months and Older (Minutes from August 14 th, 2018 for Release, Minutes from March 14 th, 2017 for Destruction). Mr. Hillman moved and Mrs. Callan seconded the motion to approve the Resolution as described above. Upon Roll Call: Mrs. Egan-YES, Ms. Davenport-YES, Mr. Hillman-YES, Mrs. Salzer-YES, Mrs. Callan-YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. There being no other agenda items to address, Mrs. Egan moved and Mrs. Salzer seconded the motion adjourn the meeting at 7:41 P.M.. Upon Roll Call: Ms. Davenport- YES, Mrs. Egan-YES, Mr. Hillman-YES, Mrs. Callan-YES, Mrs. Salzer YES, Mr. Kucharski-YES. Motion carried. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:41 P.M. Respectfully submitted, President Secretary