Illinois State Board of Education Finance and Audit Committee met March 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Meeting also held via webinar
I. Roll Call
Chairperson Chris Benson called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present with four members. She verified that each member could hear one another and follow the discussion, and that they were able to testify.
Members Present
Chairperson Chris Benson
Roger Eddy (virtual)
Dr. David Lett
Dr. Nike Vieille (virtual)
Other Board Members Present
Staff
Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, State Superintendent
Kirsten Parr, Board Services Coordinator
Kim Clarke, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent
Dr. Brenda Dixon, Research and Evaluation Officer
Amanda Elliott, Executive Director of Legislative Affairs
Dr. Jennifer Kirmes, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Dr. Ernesto Matias, Education Officer
Dr. Jason Helfer, Deputy Instructional Education Officer
Jennifer Saba, Executive Director of Regional Services
Krish Mohip, Deputy Operational Education Officer
Martin McGreal, Director of District/School Leadership
Maureen Font, Director of Data Strategies and Analytics
Melissa Oller, Operating Officer
Tassi Maton, Internal Audit Officer
Robert Wolfe, Financial Officer
Dr. Sean Clayton, Director of Assessment
Irma Snopek, Policy and Communications Officer
Oriana Wilson, Executive Director of Programs
Jeremy Duffy, Legal Officer
Derreck Langwith, Director of ROE/ISC
Marci Johnson, Director of CTE & Innovation
II. Public Participation
There was no public participation.
III. Approval of Minutes: February 1, 2022
Dr. Lett made the motion for the Finance and Audit Committee to approve the Feb. 1, 2022, meeting minutes. Mr. Eddy seconded the motion, and it passed by roll call vote.
IV. Closed Session (as needed)
Mr. Eddy moved that the Finance and Audit Committee go into closed session for the following exception items:
A. Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)
B. Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)
C. Meetings between internal or external auditors and governmental audit committees, finance committees, and their equivalents, when the discussion involves internal control weaknesses, identification of potential fraud risk areas, known or suspected frauds, and fraud interviews conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards of the United States of America. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(29)
They further moved that committee members may invite anyone they wish to be included in this closed session. Dr. Lett seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
The open meeting recessed at 9:35 a.m. to go into closed session at 9:37 a.m. The open meeting reconvened at 11:05.
V. Semiannual Review of Closed Session Minutes
Dr. Vieille moved that pursuant to Section 2.06(d) of the Open Meetings Act, the Finance and Audit Committee has reviewed the minutes of its closed session for Dec. 2, 2021.
Dr. Vieille moved that the Finance and Audit Committee certifies and approve the closed session minutes for Dec. 2, 2021 and that they become open to the public.
Dr. Vieille further moved that the Finance and Audit Committee approves the destruction of all closed session verbatim recordings from Dec. 2, 2021.
Dr. Lett seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
VI. Review of Contracts and Grants Over $1 Million – for March Approval
A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval to enter Intergovernmental Agreement with Illinois Student Assistance Commission
There were no questions for this item.
B. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Truants’ Alternative and Optional Education Program Grant Notice of Funding Opportunities/Request for Proposals
There were no questions for this item.
C. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval to enter into a new five-year Intergovernmental Agreement with the University of Wisconsin-Madison for Educational Research (WCER) for WiDA Consortium for the administration of ACCESS and alternate ACCESS for English Learners
There were no questions for this item.
D. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval to enter into a new one-year Intergovernmental Agreement with the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University Carbondale for the administration of the Illinois Science Assessment
There were no questions for this item.
E. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Sole Source Grant to Illinois Principals Association to Continue the Ed Leaders Network
There were no questions for this item.
F. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Sole Source Grant to Illinois Association of School Administrators for New Superintendent Mentoring and Transformational Leadership Academy
There were no questions for this item.
VII. Review of Contracts and Grants Over $1 Million – for April Approval
A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - IGA with West 40 Intermediate Service Center #2 for ARP EANS (EANS II) Vouchering and Services
Dr. Matias and Mr. Langwith presented on this item.
Chair Benson noted that under EANS II the eligibility criteria stipulated that nonpublic schools must have recorded a low-income enrollment of at least 40%. She asked if that 40% is referring to a different category of eligibility. Mr. Langwith shared that U.S. Department of Education noted that the team could suggest an alternative to the 40%. He said that the team originally suggested 10%; ultimately, 20% was approved.
Dr. Lett asked about distribution and allotment and asked if the funding is first come, first served. Mr. Langwith explained that the team told schools to ask for what they need, and ISBE is doing its best to honor their requests. Dr. Lett mentioned that the funding is not based on enrollment, and this was confirmed as correct. Chair Benson asked if this is a statewide initiative as long as schools meet the criteria, and the answer was yes.
Dr. Lett asked if there are any restrictions on nonpublic schools being a K-12 school rather than solely an elementary school, and it was confirmed that there are no restrictions. Mr. Eddy asked if the school has to be registered, and the answer was yes.
Dr. Lett asked where West 40 is located, and the answer was in North Riverside.
B. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval of the One-Year Intergovernmental Agreement with Northern Illinois University for the Illinois Report Card, My Data Dashboard (formerly Ed360), and 21st Century Learning Center (F&A | EPP)
Dr. Dixon and Ms. Font presented on this item.
Chair Benson asked what the team meant by the wording “reduce human resource support” in the memo. Ms. Font noted that instead of doing some processes manually, the team is going to work with NIU to automate them.
VIII. Internal Audit Updates
A. Current Audits
i. FY21 Financial Audit
Ms. Maton noted there are no new updates at this time. She shared that KEB hopes to have a more definitive status in the next few weeks so she should hear more by mid-March.
ii. FY21 Statewide Single Audit
Ms. Maton noted there are no new updates at this time. She shared that KPMG is waiting on some of the financial items at other state agencies.
iii. FY19/FY20 Compliance Examination Findings Progress Report
IX. Discussion Items
A. Legislative Update
Ms. Elliott provided a legislative update to the committee. She noted that there was an appropriation hearing last week during which there were a lot of questions asked about the budget development process. She added that there will be a hearing on March 1 regarding federal funds and a Senate budget hearing on March 17.
Ms. Elliott also provided the committee with updates on some bills, such as the school construction bill, the cleanup bill, House Bill 51-76, and HB 50-89 regarding North Chicago. Dr. Ayala added that ISBE is having internal conversations determining the criteria needed for North Chicago to transition to an elected school board.
Chair Benson confirmed that in terms of legislation the team is still looking at April 8 and she asked how practical that date is. Ms. Elliott noted it is practical. Chair Benson asked how many bills will have a chance to follow through to completion and enactment. Ms. Elliott noted that bills that have passed their respective chambers and are moving along by the deadlines have a chance.
Mr. Eddy asked for an update on the Right to Read Act. Ms. Elliott noted that it is still in its respective chambers. She added that there was a meeting yesterday and another meeting is scheduled for next week. She noted that ISBE has expressed concern with the bill’s curriculum, and that ISBE recommends choosing curriculum that meets the standards. She added that structured literacy might not be the best approach for all students. Mr. Eddy noted that he has heard a lot of concerns, and educators are worried about potentially more testing. Chair Benson echoed Mr. Eddy’s concerns and added that different reading programs have different values. Ms. Elliott encouraged concerned constituents to engage and work with ISBE to come to a solution.
Mr. Eddy expressed his appreciation for ISBE’s stance on mandates this year. Ms. Elliott added that this year the team looked more critically at ways to reduce the number of mandates.
X. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda
Chair Benson would like to be updated on the competitive grant schedule during the next committee meeting.
XI. Next Meeting: April 5, 2022
XII. Adjourn
Dr. Lett moved to adjourn. Dr. Vieille seconded, and it passed by roll call vote. Chair Benson adjourned the committee at 11:30 a.m.
https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/20220301-FA-Minutes.pdf
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