District 157C Discusses School Report Cards, Recognizes Students

FRANKFORT, IL — The regular Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education meeting of November 20, 2019, was called to order by Board President Edith Lutz at 7:00 p.m. The roll call was taken, and a quorum was present. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Board approved the Open and Closed Session minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting of October 16, 2019.

The Board and Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni recognized Hickory Creek Middle School students and coaches for receiving Illinois State Judges’ Choice Awards in the state speech and drama competition. Students received awards for the following performances: Rachel Bacon, Cruz Genet, Paige Jahovic, Elise Rachoy, Abby Shanesy and Kylie Steinhauser for improvisation; Cruz Genet and Michael Leese for “Do You Believe in Magic?”; Aimee Markman and Elise Rachoy for “This Speedch Contest Has Been Cancelled”; Molly Reidy and Elizabeth Sambo for “Take the Plunge”; Jayden Alexander and Liam Shannon for “What A Contest!”; Mackenzie Bacha, Laney Feil and Giovanna Quilico for “The Making of a Star”; Katie Dendrinos, Annabelle Munoz and Samantha Nelson for “The Royal Shuffle”; Michelle Nagy, Emily Oliver, Delaney Richard and Holly Scaletta for “A Very Mellow Drama”; Mia Phillips, Natalie Sambo and Emma Switatski for “Le Café Internationale”; Faaith Hummitsch, Elaina Nie and Lily Rudnick for “Completely Malled”; and Emily Clark, Brett Gentry and Emily Skopek for “The Making of a Star”. Students performed summarized versions of their competitive acts during the board meeting. The program is led by Sue Niendorf, who has roughly 30 years of experience coaching students in speech and who has been recognized by the Illinois Elementary School Association for her outstanding coaching and dedication to students. The other coaches include Renee Grady, Pam Swierczewski, Megan Drozd and Rebecca Schumacher.

During Public Forum, Emily Biegel, Kathy Mathews, and Julie Kreyenbuehl discussed the Illinois Association of School Boards’ proposed student safety resolution and concerns regarding potentially arming teachers. Stephanie Pearson-Davis discussed concerns regarding Board and District policy, assessments, transparency and teacher salaries. Kellie Aranowski, on behalf of the Frankfort Teachers Association, thanked the School Board and administration for their support of teachers.

During Administrative Reports, the administrative team presented District and school performance results from Illinois School Report Cards. All three schools received Exemplary Designations for the second year in a row, meaning all three schools are performing in the top 10 percent in the state. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Janet McClarence said the district is ranking at the top in Will County and the state for performance on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness tests in English language arts (11th in the state) and math (fifth in the state). Both subjects combined, the district ranks ninth in the state. McClarence congratulated administration and teachers, who write curriculum and assessments themselves, for their collaborative effort to help students succeed. Director of Special Services Jen Bajda said the School Report Cards reveal that the district has no underperforming student groups in terms of growth. Principals from all three schools summarized their individual school’s academic and climate results from test and 5Essentials Survey data. At Grand Prairie, curriculum development and trust between teachers and parents were strengths. At Chelsea, ambitious instruction and the ability to meet the needs of all students were strengths. At Hickory Creek, ambitious instruction, a supportive environment and teacher collaboration were strengths. Director of Business and Operations Kate Ambrosini said the District spends less per pupil than many other high-performing school districts in the state, and most of the District’s revenue goes toward instruction. “I could not be more proud to lead this district,” Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni said. “This work could not happen without a collective effort from parents, teachers, Board members, administration and the community. This is a phenomenal place to come to school, and the achievement results show that. In addition to top academic performance, the climate results demonstrate that everyone who walks through these halls is focused on kids’ success.”

Director of Human Resources Shayna Cole said the District is close to meeting its 90 percent goal for employees participating in remote wellness screening. She added that the District is looking for more substitute teachers as cold and flu season progresses.

Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Rodney Davis said his team responded well to snowfall on Veterans Day, and boilers are working well. Over Thanksgiving break, his team will do some preventative maintenance at buildings.

Director of Technology Jacob Nelson said his team is preparing student information for this year’s IAR tests, and over Thanksgiving break, they will finish updates on machines.

Board Secretary Edie Adamski provided the Board with minutes of the October 7 Advisory Board and October 22 Governing Board meetings of Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843.

Zinni provided an update on the District 157-C Education Foundation. The Foundation is preparing for Casino Night 2020 and is asking families in the District to help bring in donations and sponsors. Ticket sales are open and available on RevTrak. Specially priced early bird tickets are available through January 21 for $100 per person or $900 per table of 10. The Foundation allocated $42,662.06 to the District this fall for the fulfillment of teacher-written grants. The Foundation’s next hot lunches are scheduled for December 3, 4, and 5, and its next meeting is Tuesday, December 10. For more information, email ef157c@gmail.com.

During the superintendent’s report, Zinni recognized Board members for their volunteerism and dedication to students.

Zinni said the Education Foundation granted pedal bikes, math support software, flexible seating, audiobooks, technology tools and more this fall, and she thanked the Foundation for their generosity.

Zinni said the next Tiger University is set for 12:30 p.m. at the District Office Board Room and 6 p.m. December 3 at Hickory Creek, and the topic is Internet Safety.

Ambrosini provided the Board with the October 2019 Treasurer's Report and Graphs. The total fund balance decreased by $2,077,773. Monthly revenue receipts totaled $816,329, primarily due to Will County property tax receipts and evidence-based funding. Monthly expense disbursements totaled $2,894,102, primarily due to payroll and accounts payable.

The District received seven Freedom of Information requests that were responded to in a timely manner. Stephanie Pearson-Davis submitted one FOIA request regarding the District’s grievance procedures and another FOIA request regarding District correspondence. Nancy Holstein, on behalf of Canon Solutions America, Inc., submitted a commercial FOIA request for copier information. Joe Hart, on behalf of Illinois Education Association-NEA, submitted a FOIA request regarding support staff. Bethany Simpson, on behalf of SmartProcure, submitted a commercial FOIA request regarding purchasing. B. Lane Hasler submitted a FOIA request for prior FOIA requests. Steven Wahlert submitted a FOIA request on enrollment.

In discussion, the Board reviewed a draft job description for a communications and community engagement coordinator. Adamski said she strongly believed the District should not create a new administrative position, and administrators and teachers were already doing a great job communicating news. Board member Gina Briese said she would support a part-time position. Board member Dr. Larry Kociolek said community members seem to want more community engagement, and he would want the candidate in this role to specialize in that area. Board member Brian Skibinski said he would support a full-time position for more consistent communication and transparency. Board President Edith Lutz said she would support beginning with a part-time position to increase engagement. The Board directed Zinni to post the part-time job, seeking someone with daytime and evening flexibility.

In discussion, Ambrosini said a District student capacity study from FGM Architects has begun, and it was determined that roughly 1,200 students can fit at maximum capacity for each building. Zinni said the District is not recommending to maximize space, but it wants an idea of how much room it has to grow. Ambrosini said the final geo-demographic study should be available at next month’s board meeting, and this can help inform school improvement planning for Chelsea.

In discussion, Ambrosini provided an overview of the District’s student transportation contract options. She said that traditionally, the District has received great service from Lincoln-Way High School District 210, but she could provide the Board with other options, if requested. She said the District’s next contract with District 210 is anticipated to be higher than past contracts, as District 210 is making improvements to its bus barn. Kociolek, Briese and Board Member Michael Bouck agreed it would be best to keep transportation services with District 210. Zinni said she would ask District 210 for contract figures sooner than the typical January or February timeline.

In discussion, Ambrosini provided an update on tax appeals. She said about $1.9 million in equalized assessed valuation was disputed in 2018, and the District is at risk of losing about $73,000. About $1.4 million in EAV is being disputed in 2019, and the District is at risk of losing an estimated $55,000.

In discussion, Ambrosini presented a tentative property tax levy for 2019 and discussed potential abatement scenarios. She said the District is able to abate an additional $1 million this year out of its Debt Service Fund, and its attorney is recommending it abate all of its Debt Service Fund for a total of $4.1 million. Ambrosini said this would allow the District to stay in budget and avoid increasing its fund balances more than it needs to. She also provided the Board with options to abate $3.5 million, $3 million, $2.5 million and no abatement. Over the years, the District’s tax rate has gone down for taxpayers. “We are making every stride possible to minimize the rate, showing fiscal responsibility to taxpayers,” Ambrosini said.

The Board voted 6-1 against the Illinois Association of School Boards’ Student Safety resolution, which would allow the IASB to support and advocate for legislation which provides local school boards the option of developing Student Safety and Protection Plans which allow voluntary district employees, in any capacity, the ability to carry a concealed firearm on district property. Bouck voted “yes”.

The Board took action to approve two new extracurricular activities, a Kindness Squad at Grand Prairie for first- and second-graders, and a Geography Club at Hickory Creek for sixth- through eighth-graders.

The Board took action to approve the Truth in Taxation Resolution, set the tax levy hearing for 7:05 p.m. December 18 in the Administrative Office Board Room, and direct the administration to post a notice for the public hearing.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Frances Marinier as a full-time Special Education Paraprofessional at Grand Prairie Elementary School with a start date of December 2, 2019, 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 payment of bills for October 2019, as presented.

There were no consent agenda items.

The Board entered into Closed Session at 9:30 p.m. and began Closed Session at 9:37 p.m. for the purposes of discussion of personnel matters, student issues, pending litigation and collective bargaining.

The Board adjourned Closed Session and re-entered Open Session at 10:53 p.m.

The Board considered the reports and recommendations from the Administration regarding the conduct of one of the District’s teachers. The teacher was also given the opportunity to respond to those reports and recommendations. Based on all of that information, the Board took action to approve a Resolution Directing the Issuance of a Notice to Remedy to Daniel Finan.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting at 10:58 p.m.

The next regular District 157-C Board of Education meeting will be held on December 18, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office, 10482 W. Nebraska St. in Frankfort, Illinois.