Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education met Oct. 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
At 6:00 p.m., President Coyle called to order the regular meeting of the Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education.
Members present: Jessica Radogno, Kevin Marren, Angela Steketee, Carlos Hevia, Adina Hoover, Leah Conover, Laura Coyle
Members absent: None.
Also present: Superintendent Kevin Carey, Business Manager Kimberly Anderson, and the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant Shannon Cossairt.
Pledge of Allegiance
Laura Coyle led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Mr. Hevia, to enter closed session to discuss personnel issues, student discipline, and the superintendent’s evaluation.
Ayes: Hevia, Steketee, Radogno, Conover, Marren, Hoover, Coyle
Nays: None.
Motion Carried.
The Board entered closed session at 6:01 p.m.
The Board returned to open session at 6:58 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 12, 2021
Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Steketee, to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2021, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.
Ayes: Hevia, Steketee, Radogno, Conover, Marren, Hoover, Coyle
Nays: None.
Motion Carried.
October 12, 2021 Closed Session
Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the October 12, 2021, regular meeting of the Board of Education.
Ayes: Hevia, Steketee, Radogno, Conover, Marren, Hoover, Coyle
Nays: None.
Motion Carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment at this time.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
1. Personnel Recommendations
2. Approval of October 2021 Expenditure Report
3. Ratification of September 2021 Regular Payroll
4. Renewal of Life/AD&D and Long Term Disability Insurance
Ayes: Steketee, Radogno, Conover, Marren, Hoover, Coyle, Hevia
Nays: None
Motion Carried.
DISCUSSION/INFORMATION Westmont High School Update
Mr. Jack Baldermann, Principal Westmont High School, shared with the Board the success of the high school. He introduced Dr. Kevin Weck, Assistant Principal, and Ms. Megan VerVynck, Assistant Principal. Mr. Baldermann, shared information through a power point presentation and handouts.
WHS is one of the top perfoming schools in the country, most overachieving, and most improved high school in the nation. Our AP program is most improved in the nation and this is because they open the door for all students to take AP courses and tests. WHS has won the DuFour Award and has received a 10 out of 10 on the Great Schools Rating. This fall the high school received the National Blue Ribbon Award. This award is special because you cannot apply for it. WHS ranks well on the 5 Essentials Survey which is given to parents, students and staff.
Change in WHS Graduation Requirements
Westmont High School would like to eliminate a 0.5 Business requirement. This requirement is a local requirement not a state requirement. Megan VerVynck informed the Board they would not be eliminating classes or FTE, just opening up opportunities for students to take electives. The Board will vote on the change at the November 16, 2021, Board meeting.
WHS New Course Proposal
Westmont High School would like to offer two additional AP courses, AP Seminar and AP Research. The two courses are part of a certification under AP Capstone. The courses would not require more FTE and would be taught by Michelle Torrise. The Board will vote on the new courses at the November 16, 2021, Board meeting.
Presentation of Monthly Financial Statements - September
Ms. Kim Anderson, CSBO, shared an update on the September financials. In September the District received $167k from the state. Currently there are $40k of FY21 and $199k of FY22 payments vouchered but not received. The District has received two installments of the tax levy this month. The District has collected 97.44% in property taxes to date. The Ed. & Tort Fund received $47k of FY21 payments and $120k of FY22 Evidence Based Funding.
Expenditures in the Ed. Fund are lower due to salary increases not being paid for FY 22 and the retro for FY 21. We also have a large amount of ESSR grant funds. To date the O&M fund is 16.76% spent.
Update on the 2021-2022 School Year
Superintendent Carey gave an update to the Board regarding the 2021-2022 school year. He reviewed the following information:
∙ Guiding Principles
∙ DuPage County Levels of Transmission.
∙ Local Positivity Rates
∙ Staff Covid Data
∙ Student Attendance Data
∙ CDC Transmission Levels
∙ Updated CDC, IDPH, ISBE Guidance
∙ If a School District Defies Executive Order…
∙ Reminders
∙ If Governor Lifts Mask Mandate
∙ Testing
Superintendent Carey shared there is a new change in the protocols for students with symptoms. Previously, when a student demonstrated Covid symptoms they could get a doctor’s note for other symptoms. Now all students exhibiting symptoms will need to present a negative covid test to return to school. Superintendent Carey has been working with North Shore Labs regarding testing for students and staff. He also shared if the vaccine becomes available to students ages 5-11 the District will try host a clinic.
Transportation and Crossing Guards
Superintendent Carey gave the Board an update on the buses and crossing guards. Currently the buses have been doing a better job and are staffed to cover our routes. Crossing guards are run by Andy Frain Services and the employment of crossing guards is out of our control. Andy Frain Services does not keep track of how many students are crossed daily. Once a decision has been made regarding the elementary buildings, the District can work on a long term solution.
IASB Resolutions
Angela Steketee will be filling in as the Board’s Delegate at the Joint Annual Conference held in November. All Board members have received a packet with items which will be voted on. All members should review the packet and they can discuss items specifically at the November 16, 2021, Board meeting.
NSBA Letter and IASB Response
Carlos Hevia had asked for the letters from the National School Board Association (NSBA) and Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) be shared publicly. This has been a big topic in the news as of late and he wanted to make sure the public was aware of IASB’s response.
Medical Insurance Plan
Ms. Kim Anderson shared with the Board an update regarding the medical insurance for the District. There has been a 6.033% increase. The 2020-2021 calendar year’s reserves are being depleted. Ms. Anderson has met with the Insurance Committee, comprised of union reps., and a non-union person. Ms. Anderson is also currently working with the attorneys regarding the reserves and insurance plans. She would like to have all the information for the Board before they vote to renew the medical plan. The approval is an action item for tonight, but will be tabled at this time.
ACTION ITEMS
Approval of Authorization to Pay Taxi Bills for the 2022 Fiscal Year
Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Conover, to authorize and direct the Treasurer to pay taxi bills as they are received for the fiscal year 2021-22, as presented.
Ayes: Radogno, Conover, Marren, Hoover, Coyle, Hevia, Steketee
Nays: None
Motion Carried.
Resolution Approving Emergency Expenditure of Funds for Special Education Transportation with Aurora Naper Transportation, AM Regional Taxi, and American Taxi
Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the resolution for emergency expenditure of funds for Special Education Transportation with Aurora Naper Transportation, AM Regional Taxi, And American Taxi, as presented.
Ayes: Conover, Marren, Hoover, Coyle, Hevia, Steketee, Radogno
Nays: None
Motion Carried.
Renewal of Medical and Dental Insurance Plans
This item has been tabled.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Communications
Superintendent Carey shared information regarding the elementary school planning. The District has hosted several meetings and the information from the meetings is available on the website. Currently we are gathering information from all stake holders by using a survey. The survey will close on November 5, 2021.
If the Board would like to participate in the Holly Days parade, please let Mr. Carey know.
FOIA
None at this time.
Alliance Legislative Report
None at this time.
Update on Meeting
Minutes/Agendas/Curriculum Updates
None at this time.
BOARD REPORTS
Jessica Radogno has asked if the Board can see a rough copy of the agenda earlier in the week.
Angela Steketee would like to remind the Board of the Westmont 100th Anniversary event, and invite Board members to visit the table.
Kevin Marren, shared that the junior high is hosting a popcorn fundraiser.
Angela Steketee would like to give a shout out for the Monster Dash put on by the elementary schools. They did a great job.
Laura Coyle would like to acknowledge the beautification project done by parents, students and staff at Westmont Junior High over the weekend.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.
FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS
Elementary PTO Meeting
November 1, 2021, 6:00 p.m.
Manning Elementary School
WHS Fall Play
November 5, and 6, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
WHS
BPAC Meeting
November 10, 2021, 5:30 p.m.
WJHS PTO Meeting
7:00 p.m.
CUSD 201 Board Meeting
November 16, 2021, 6:00 p.m.
Westmont Village Hall
CLOSED SESSION
Not needed at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS
None at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ms. Hoover, second by Mr. Marren, to adjourn the October 26, 2021, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 9:13 p.m.
Motion unanimously passed.
https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/1559035/9336619c-b4c4-11ea-a777-12fb497ae681/2347950/c55faaaa-4caa-11ec-9840-025de2df2891/file/10.26.21%20Regular%20Minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up