Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education met April 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER
At 6:00 p.m. president Coyle called to order the regular meeting of the Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education.
Roll Call
Members present: Laura Coyle, Angela Steketee, Kevin Marren, Carlos Hevia, Adina Hoover, Leah Conover Jessica Radogno entered the meeting at 6:05 p.m.
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 Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Conover, to enter closed session to discuss personnel issues, student discipline, and sale or lease of public property owned by the public body.
Ayes: Hevia, Hoover, Marren, Steketee, Radogno, Conover, Coyle
Nays: None.
Motion Carried.
The Board entered closed session at 6:02 p.m.
The Board returned to open session at 6:38 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 15, 2022
Motion by Ms. Hoover, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2022, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.
Ayes: Hevia, Hoover, Marren, Steketee, Radogno, Conover, Coyle
Nays: None.
Motion Carried.
March 15, 2022 Closed Session
Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the March 15, 2022, regular meeting of the Board of Education.
Ayes: Hevia, Hoover, Marren, Steketee, Radogno, Conover, Coyle
Nays: None.
Motion Carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment was made by Bill Rogalla.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
1. Personnel Recommendations
2. Approval of DAOES Representative
3. Approval of Additional March 2022 Expenditure Report
Ayes: Hoover, Marren, Steketee, Radogno, Conover, Coyle, Hevia
Nays: None
Motion Carried.
DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION Capital Project Review
Joe Smith, Director of Facilities, reviewed significant projects the District needs to complete with the Board. He gave a presentation on the CUSD 201 Major Priorities, which included the following information:
• Presentation Rationale
• Prioritized Needs
• Jr. High HVAC Replacement
• High School Roofing
• District-Wide Parking Lot Replacement
• High School Pool
• Manning Infrastructure
• Miller and South Considerations
• Final Thoughts
The Board asked questions about the use and maintenance of the WHS pool. The Board also inquired about the projects presented and the financing.
HVAC Replacement Project at Westmont Junior High
Steve Cashman and Natalie Critchley of Cashman Stahler Group, and Dan McCurdy of Amsco Engineering attended the meeting to discuss the HVAC Project at the junior high. Mr. Cashman presented Westmont Junior High Mechanical Renovation to the Board and discussed the following:
• Existing Rooftop Units
• Overall Scope of Work
• Vertical Unit Ventilators
• Scope of Renovation
• Typical Classroom System
• Cost Estimating Approach
• Approaches Investigated
• Option A Estimated Costs
• Option B Estimated Costs
• Proposed Project Schedule
• Questions? Comments?
This project would not be done until the summer of 2023. The District has looked into solutions for the junior high to get them through the warmer months. Mr. McCurdy answered questions about the new system and how it would be better to maintain. The Board did ask about geothermal heating and cooling units. Mr. Cashman recommends the Board go with option A.
Working Cash Bond Issuance
Elizabeth Hennessy, Managing Director, Raymond James Public Finance, gave a Financing Update to the Board. Her presentation included the following:
• Section 1 Market Update
o AAA-MMD Index and Treasury Rates
• Section 2 Outstanding Debt Profile
o Debt Limit o Working Cash Limit
o Outstanding Debt Service
o Current Situation
o Outstanding Debt Service Payments
o Financing Needs
o 1: $3.8M Working Cash Bond Proceeds 9 Year Payback June 2022
o 2: $5.6M Working Cash Bond Proceeds 11 Year Payback June 2022
o Proposed Calendar
Ms. Hennessy answered questions from the Board about the effect on taxpayers and the cost of the increase. The Board last issued working cash bonds in 2016. The money from 2016 was used to improve the safety of all of our buildings. The sooner we lock in on the cash bonds, the better the interest rate will be for the District.
Ms. Anderson included in BoardDocs examples of resolutions the Board would need to have, and let them know the process, so the District complies with the laws.
Discussion of Resolution declaring the intention to issue not to exceed $6,000,000 Working Cash Bonds for the Purpose of increasing the District's Working Cash Fund and directing that notice of such intention be published in the manner provided by law.
WHS Science Textbook Adoption Proposals
Superintendent Carey shared with the Board information regarding the new textbooks the high school would like to adopt in the science department. The books would not be purchased all at once but rather based on course priority. The Board inquired about electronic textbooks, but the yearly renewal cost is just as expensive. The Board will vote on the adoption later in the meeting.
Update on the 2021-2022 School Year
Superintendent Carey gave an update on the 2021-2022 school year. His presentation included the following:
• Guiding Principles . Using the Data, the Covid-19 Community Levels Classified
• DuPage County
• Local Positivity Rates
• New Cases per 100,000
• Staff Covid-19 Data
• Student Attendance Data August 16 - April 8
• Student Vaccination Status
• Testing
• Current Mitigations in Place
• Effective February 28
• Reminders
Superintendent Carey asked the Board if they would like future updates on the school year. The Board agrees we can stop these updates as long as Superintendent Carey includes it in their weekly update.
End of Year Events and Closing the School Year
Superintendent Carey let the Board know the last day of school is now June 1, 2022, due to the usage of two emergency days. Westmont High School's graduation will be on May 4, 2022, and Westmont Junior High will have its graduation on May 26, 2022.
ACTION ITEM: Approval of WHS Science Textbook Adoptions
Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the adoption of the proposed science textbooks at Westmont High School, as presented.
Ayes: Steketee, Conover, Marren, Coyle, Hevia, Radogno, Hoover
Nays: None
Motion Carried.
Approval of the Sunrise Transportation Contract
Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the one year contract extension for special education transportation with Sunrise Southwest, LLC., for July 2022-June 2023, as presented.
Ayes: Marren, Steketee, Radogno, Conover, Coyle, Hevia, Hoover
Nays: None.
Motion Carried.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Communications
Superintendent Carey would like to acknowledge Paraprofessional Day, and thank all of the support staff.
FOIA requests have been attached to BoardDocs for the Board to review.
Alliance Legislative Update
None at this time.
Update on Meeting Minutes Agendas/Curriculum
None at this time.
BOARD REPORTS
Ms. Radogno would like to revisit the conversation regarding geothermal heating and renewable energy. She would like to know if the option was researched for the proposals. Ms. Anderson will reach out to Steve Cashman for more information.
Mr. Hevia complimented International Night.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the community gave public comment.
FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS
WJHS 5th Grade Step Up Night
April 13, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
Westmont Junior High Night
Blue Ribbon CUSD 201 Celebration
April 14, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
Westmont High School
Non Attendance Day
April 15, 2022 and April 18, 2022
Manning Spring Concert
April 21, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
Westmont High School
CUSD 201 Board Meeting
April 26, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
COMMUNICATION
None at this time
CLOSED SESSION
Not needed at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Conover, to adjourn the
April 12, 2022, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 8:40 p.m.
Motion unanimously passed.
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