October 15, 2024 FSD 157-C Board of Education Recap

The regular Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education meeting of October 15, 2024 was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Edith Lutz. The roll call was taken, and a quorum was present. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kimberly Szudy, Principal of Grand Prairie, recognized the Preschool For All program and staff for earning the Gold Circle of Quality rating from the Illinois State Board of Education. A video was shared that highlighted Grand Prairie’s preschool program. Szudy thanked the preschool staff for building a wonderful foundation for the District’s youngest learners so that all of the other grade levels can build upon it.

“Congratulations on earning the Gold Circle of Quality from the Illinois State Board of Education! We are incredibly proud of you,” said Dr. Wernet.

The Board did not receive any correspondence.

The Board approved the open and closed session minutes of the regular Board of Education meeting of September 17, 2024.

No one signed up to speak during Public Forum.

District administrators provided updates to the Board.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Janet McClarence said the Lincoln-Way Curriculum Council meets regularly and the Lincoln-Way East Math Department Chair and math teacher observed in eighth grade math classes, in both the core and algebra one math classes. They had vertical articulation with the Hickory Creek math team and examined the scope and sequence and math summative assessments for algebra one. The Lincoln-Way East team shared that the students are very strong in math when they come to Lincoln-Way East for freshman year.

Rodney Davis, Director of Buildings and Grounds, said that annual fire inspection took place Thursday, October 10 and the District did not have any violations. He shared there are a lot of indoor rentals this time of year, especially at Grand Prairie and Chelsea and his team is spending the next few weeks getting the snowplows and other equipment ready for the winter weather.

Jake Nelson, Director of Technology and Security, said his team has made great progress on the replacement of the networks at Grand Prairie and Hickory Creek.

Kim Szudy, Principal of Grand Prairie, informed the Board that Red Ribbon Week will take place October 28-November 1. October is also Bullying Prevention Month. All three schools will participate in activities and spirit days.

Tricia Dotson, Principal of Hickory Creek, spoke about the upcoming Veteran’s Day celebrations. Friday, October 18 is the first popsicle sale. Proceeds from sales at Grand Prairie and Chelsea will go towards postage for care packages for active military men and women. Proceeds from popsicle sales at Hickory Creek will go to Honor Flight Chicago.

A jeans week for staff will be held Monday, November 4 to Friday, November 8. Hickory Creek students are currently participating in “Money Wars” with their advisory classes to raise money for Honor Flight Chicago. There will also be a hot lunch in November at Hickory Creek to raise money for Honor Flight Chicago.

Assemblies will take place on Monday, November 11 at the following times: 8:00 a.m. at Hickory Creek, 9:15 a.m. at Grand Prairie, and 10:30 a.m. at Chelsea. Dotson clarified that there will not be a nighttime Veteran’s Day concert at Hickory Creek this year. The band, choir, jazz band, and orchestra will all perform at the morning assembly at Hickory Creek.

During Superintendent Dr. Doug Wernet’s report, he formally recognized Hickory Creek Middle School for their 2024 National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education. Hickory Creek was one of 356 schools across the country to receive the award, and one of only 18 in the state of Illinois. “The Blue Ribbon status affirms the work of the whole school community,” Wernet added.

The administrative team and a few teachers from Hickory Creek will attend the Blue Ribbon ceremony on Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 7 in Washington, D.C. Dotson will present the award to the Board at the November meeting.

Wernet spoke about school safety plans. The plans are a four-part process: prevention, physical building safety and security features, threat response, and reunification. The District partners with the Village of Frankfort Police Department and the Consortium of Will County Emergency Management Law Enforcement Personnel. Student safety lessons will begin the week of October 15 with School Resource Officer Tom Mineo.

He reminded families that the first quarter ends Friday, October 25 and report cards will be released on Friday, November 1. Report cards will be sent home with K-5 students and report cards for 6-8 students will be available via PowerSchool. Fall parties will take place Thursday, October 31.

He reminded the community about the potential for E-Learning during inclement weather. In the event of an E-Learning day, the District will do their best communicate in advance to allow teachers and families time to plan.

He spoke about wellness initiatives across the District for staff and students, as per Board Policy 6:50.

Wernet also recognized each of the building principals for Friday, October 25 Principal’s Month: Hickory Creek Middle School Principal Tricia Dotson, Chelsea Intermediate School Principal Rachel Newcomb, Grand Prairie Elementary School Principal Kim Szudy. Chelsea Dean of Students Ricki Innocenti, Chelsea Assistant Principal Paula Paymaster, Grand Prairie Assistant Principal Nichole Reiser, and Hickory Creek Assistant Principals Jason Crockett and Tyler Sinclair.

He reminded the community that election day Tuesday, November 5 and it is a non-attendance day for students. April 1, 2025 is the next election day and it falls during spring break.

Board Member Ann Zaremba provided the Board with minutes from the August 27, 2024 Governing Board meeting and August 12, 2024 Advisory Board of the Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843. The Governing Board also met September 24, 2024 and the Advisory Committee met on October 15, 2024. Minutes have yet to be approved from these meetings.

Nicole Queen, President of the Education Foundation, and Gabby Dabaco, a Co-Vice President from the Education Foundation, provided an update. Queen gave an overview of the history of the Education Foundation. The Education Foundation was formed in 1995 as a way to involve parents and fulfill grants for teachers and staff members. The Education Foundation raises funds in many ways: monthly hot lunches, private donors, and the annual Casino Night fundraiser. This year’s Casino Night will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 and will be held at Tuscany Falls in Mokena.

Examples of grants fulfilled in the last few years include STEM supplies, and Caudill, Monarch, and Bluestem award books at all three schools, Cricut machines, and backpacks filled with supplies for students in need. Last year’s fundraising efforts raised over $120,000 to fulfill teacher grants.

Queen encouraged interested community members to attend one of their meetings, held on the second Thursday of the month at 9:30 am in the District Office Board Room.

Director of Business and Operations, Dr. LeeAnn Taylor, provided the Board with the September 2024 treasurer's reports and graphs. In September, monthly revenue receipts totaled 15,781,393.24 and monthly expense disbursements totaled $4,007,755.23. Currently, the District is 18% to budget. Last year at this time, the District was 24% to budget.

There was one Freedom of Information Act request that was responded to in a timely manner. Jennifer Smith submitted one request regarding the student fee schedule.

In discussion, Taylor spoke about the School Maintenance Project Grant, a dollar-for-dollar state matching grant program providing awards to grantees exclusively for the maintenance or upkeep of buildings or structures for educational purposes. A project may involve different types of work on a single building or structure or may involve a single type of work on several buildings or structures. Taylor anticipates using the funds toward LED lighting, if awarded.

Additionally, Davis and Taylor will present a draft five-year capital plan at the November meeting.

In discussion, Taylor gave a brief presentation on the levy process. The District is 93% funded from property taxes, making the tax levy the single most important financial action the Board acts upon. When calculating the tax levy, there are several factors taken into consideration including current market conditions and budgetary projections. Taylor prepared two tax levy scenarios for the Board to review. The Board instructed Taylor to prepare the 2024 total tax levy based on scenario two: $39,973,000. Taylor will prepare a tentative tax levy for the Board’s review at the next meeting. A public hearing will be held during the December meeting.

In discussion, Nelson provided a plan to replace specific technological infrastructure components and the financial approach for 2024-2025. Student laptops for 1st, 3rd and 5th grades will be refreshed, as well as devices for Chelsea staff. The technology team will shift the new iPad purchases from this coming school year to the 2026- 2027 school year, due to the current devices still remaining in good condition and are still set to receive updates. With that in mind, we would like to push back the purchase another year if they continue to receive updates during the 2025-2026 school year. Using last year's pricing, the equipment for the 2025-2026 school year would be approximately $443,750. A formal recommendation will be brought forth at the November meeting.

The Board took action to approve the registration, rooms, and pre-conference workshops at the joint annual conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), and Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) held November 12 - 24, 2024 in Chicago.

The Board of Education took action to approve the School Maintenance Project Grant, as presented. Also, that the Board direct the Administration to file said documents, along with any other necessary forms, as needed, with the Illinois State Board of Education and any other related entities or organizations requesting said documents.

The Board of Education took action to approve the memo of understanding (MOU) between the Frankfort Board of Education and the Frankfort School District 157-C Teachers' Association regarding clarification of the Retirement Incentives Program.

The Board of Education approved the intent to retire submitted by Jeannette Bortmess, paraprofessional at Chelsea, effective at the end of 2025-2026 school year with the incentive option per the 2024-2025 Personnel Manual.

The Board of Education approved the following items in the consent agenda: Board policy updates - second reading, the employee salary report, payment of bills, and the September treasurer's report.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting at 8:06 p.m.

The next regular District 157-C Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office, 10482 W. Nebraska St. in Frankfort, Illinois.