District 157-C December 20, 2017 Board of Education Meeting Recap

The regular Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education meeting of December 20, 2017 was called to order by Board President Gina Briese at 7:00 p.m. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

There was no correspondence.

The Board approved the Open and Closed Session minutes of the regular meeting of November 15, 2017.

No one signed up to speak during the Public Forum portion of the meeting.

Director of Business and Operational Services, Kate Ambrosini presented information and provided a brief update on the proposed/finalized 2017 Tax Levy.

At 7:07 p.m. the Board held the Public Hearing on the Tax Levy.

Following the Public Hearing, the Board approved and ratified the Levy Resolution and Certificate of Levy. The Board also directed the Administration to file said documents, along with any other necessary certifications, forms, documents, resolutions or other such information, as needed, with the County Clerks for Will County and Cook County, the Will County Regional Office of Education, the Illinois State Board of Education and any other related entities or organizations requesting said documentation, as required by law and existing bond covenants.

The total levy for all tax capped funds is estimated to be approximately $28.7M in addition to obligated debt services fund needs of about $4.1M. The Board is considering tax abatement options to assure that it has sufficient funds to successfully run the district while also providing relief to the taxpayers. The Board will finalize the amount of the tax abatement and vote for its approval at the January 17 Board meeting.

The Board recognized Ryan Talaga, Hickory Creek Middle School teacher, who was nominated by a parent of a former student for the Symetra “Heroes in the Classroom” award. This award is a community program that recognized 16 Chicago-area teachers for outstanding leadership and instructional skills. Mr. Talaga was selected from hundreds of nominations to receive this award. The award was presented by Arthur J. Gallagher, business partner of Symetra and the Chicago Bears. Mr. Talaga addressed the Board, stating, “I appreciate your taking the time to recognize me.”

Grand Prairie Elementary School Principal Eileen Nelson, Chelsea Intermediate School Principal Dr. Sharon Paver-Nepote and Hickory Creek Middle School Principal Will Seidelmann provided reports on the value of the instructional coaches working with the teachers at their buildings. The coaches continue to offer a variety of opportunities to engage staff in desired instructional support. They support teachers as they seek out best practices for lesson planning and design, effective classroom management techniques, analysis of student data, modeling of the most effective aspects of instructional delivery, and how to implement and facilitate differentiated small group instruction. Each building uses the coaches in a number of ways. Mr. Seidelmann stated, “Our instructional coaches are the ambassadors of our professional development and really serve as a department chair for our content teams.”

Director of Curriculum & Instruction Janet McClarence reported on year one implementation of 1:1 technology at the fifth grade level. She reported that the fifth grade teachers continue to work hard to understand and become comfortable using Microsoft Office 365 and new tech tools that the technology coaches are exposing them to. The technology coaches are also showing them how to enhance their current curriculum and teachers are implementing exciting things in their classrooms. When the Board members asked if the district has enough instructional coaches, Mrs. McClarence stated, “I think every single year we must reflect on the number of coaches needed.” She said that she would keep the Board informed as to the district’s needs going forward but that currently it is in a good spot.

Director of Technology Jake Nelson reported on the technology coaches from his technology perspective. He stated, “The coaches are just as important a link in the chain as anything. They make connections in the classrooms. He explained how the coaches have taken Microsoft Teams, a chat-based workspace product, and run with it. He continued, “These coaches are valuable to us, almost like another member of the technology team.”

Director of Special Services Jen Bajda reported that she has gotten great feedback from the Special Education teachers regarding the use of instructional coaches. The coaches are helping to support individual students who have been struggling, using video presentations to engage the students and the coaches also help interpret diagnostic results.

Director of Building & Grounds Rodney Davis reported that preventative maintenance is being conducted in a more proactive way to address problems sooner rather than later. He also reported that the district is conducting a study of the three building parking lots to determine the best way to keep them in good shape.

Director of Human Resources Craig Schoppe reported that open enrollment for insurance elections concluded last month. Forty-six employees made changes to insurance elections such as changing medical plans, dropping coverage or dropping/adding dependents. Due to the number of employees who have switched plans, it is Mr. Schoppe’s assumption that the insurance educational meetings and the 1:1 insurance meetings with the Horton representatives were beneficial. The district staff spent time reviewing insurance needs along with the three plans offered and made educated consumer choices.

The Board heard a report from Board Secretary Edie Adamski on the Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843 Advisory Committee meeting of November 13, 2017 and the Governing Board meeting of November 28, 2017.

Chorus Booster President Jennifer Bumba and Lacey Carl, Chorus Booster Treasurer, presented an update about their organization to the Board. Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni stated, “Thanks for all the work you do. Our choir program is quite phenomenal.”

In the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Zinni provided information on the Frankfort Police Department “Run-Hide-Fight” Training. She also provided the Board with an enrollment update.

Director of Business and Operational Services Kate Ambrosini provided the Board with the December 2017 Treasurer's Report and Graphs. The total fund balance decreased by $1,456,121 (from $52,710,205 to $51,254,084) primarily due to anticipated reduction in property tax receipts. Monthly revenue receipts totaled $1,060,818 primarily due to property taxes, impact fees and state aid. Monthly expense disbursements totaled $2,516,939 primarily due to payroll of $1,547,330 and accounts payable of $969,609.

There were two Freedom of Information requests and they were responded to in a timely manner.

In discussion, Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni provided the Board with the recommended edits to the Parent and Student Handbook for 2018-2019.

In discussion, Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni and Director of Human Resources Craig Schoppe provided information on the revised Personnel Manual 2018.

In discussion, Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni provided the Board with a draft of the 2018-2019 school calendar. Dr. Zinni met with the Calendar Committee, which included teacher representatives from each school and the district leadership team, to determine the recommendations regarding the 2018-2019 school calendar.

In discussion, Director of Business and Operational Services, Kate Ambrosini discussed the student fee schedule for the 2018-2019 school year. No changes are recommended at this time.

In discussion, Director of Business and Operational Services Kate Ambrosini discussed possible bids for the Capital Improvement Plan.

In discussion, Director of Business and Operational Services Kate Ambrosini discussed future bids for lawn maintenance, snow plowing, independent auditors, benefit consultants and workers compensation provider.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Lori Mensik as a full-time Kindergarten Teacher at Grand Prairie Elementary School (BA) at an annual salary of $47,430 prorated for the remainder of the 2017-2018 school year with a start date of January 26, 2018, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Melissa Kingsbury as a full-time Long-Term Substitute 4th Grade 1:1 Paraprofessional at Chelsea Intermediate School at the daily rate of $100 with a start date of December 11, 2017 and will tentatively end March 9, 2018 or until the assignment ends, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Victoria Keller as a full-time Long-Term Substitute 4th Grade Classroom Paraprofessional at Chelsea Intermediate School at the daily rate of $100 with a start date of January 9, 2018 and will tentatively end April 9, 2018 or until the assignment ends, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Kaye LeMahieu as a full-time Custodian at Hickory Creek Middle School at an hourly rate of $19.00, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Patrick Farhat as a full-time Long-Term Substitute 6th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher at Hickory Creek Middle School at the daily long-term substitute rate of $100 for the first 10 consecutive days and $262.04 for the remaining days with a start date of January 22, 2018 and will tentatively end April 27, 2018 or until the assignment ends, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the termination of one Education Support Personnel employee.

The Board took action to approve the purchase of PMA's financial reporting software package at a prorated rate of $8,225 for the remaining of this fiscal year (January to June) as a pilot program for financial, human resource and student achievement virtual reporting.

The Board took action to approve the renewal of the Comprehensive Insurance Program (CIP) as provided through the Suburban Schools Cooperative Insurance Pool (SSCIP), and administered by Arthur J. Gallagher, Gallagher Bassett and associated entities, for 1/1/2018 through 12/31/2018 at an annual premium of $75,454. This represents a 5% increase in premiums over the previous year and with Board approval the annual premiums will be paid accordingly.

The Board took action to approve the Resolution Authorizing a Temporary Inter-Fund loan allowing for up to $50,000 of existing Working Cash Fund Reserve to be loaned to the Debt Service Fund, as needed. If this loan is needed, it is to be repaid as soon as funds are available in the Debt Service Fund, but no later than three years after the loan originates, unless additional Board approval is received to extend or make permanent this transfer of funds. Additionally, the Board approved the Resolutions Authorizing Permanent Inter-Fund Transfers as follows: $600,000 from Education Fund to Debt Service Fund; $400,000 from Operations and Maintenance Fund to Debt Service Fund; $600,000 from Education Fund to Operations and Maintenance Fund, to be used for payments related to operations and maintenance as well as outstanding debt service obligations.

The Board took action to approve the payment of bills for November 2017 as presented.

The Board went into Closed Session at 9:12 p.m. to discuss appointment, employment compensation, discipline, performance and/or dismissal of specific employees; student discipline; student residency; student issue; reclassification of employees; and pending litigation.

The Board returned to Open Session at 9:43 p.m.

The Board adjourned the Regular meeting at 9:45 p.m.

The next regular District 157-C Board of Education meeting will be held on January 17, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at Chelsea Intermediate School, 22265 S. 80^th Avenue, in Frankfort, Illinois.