Illinois State Board of Education East St. Louis Financial Oversight Panel met Feb. 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the panel:
Chair Jackie Settles called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m.
Members Present
Jeff Collier, Jessie Granger, Dr. Debra Moore, Jackie Settles, Sister Julia Huiskamp
ISBE / District Staff Members / Others Present
Superintendent Arthur Culver, Chief HR Officer Tina Frye, Chief of Schools Keisa Garrett, Chief Academic Officer Jennifer Brumback, Chief School Business Official (CSBO) Delfaye Jason, Executive Director of Communications & Strategic Partnerships Sydney Stigge Kaufman, Director of Maintenance, Operations & Risk Management Joseph Haskell; Attorney Garrett Hoerner and Nick Cavalier, Baker Tilly participated via Zoom.
ISBE Division Administrator Michael Gum, ISBE Division Supervisor Eileen Turanchik participated via Zoom.
Adoption of Agenda
Member Granger moved, with a second by Member Collier, for the adoption of the Agenda giving the Oversight Panel Chair discretion to take agenda items out of order. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
Public Comments
No Public Comments.
Recognitions
Administration publicly congratulated the following recipients:
Student Selected for State Council
East St. Louis Senior High School senior Ranyia Cox has been selected to serve on the Girls Committee of the Illinois Council on Women and Girls. She not only serves as a student leader on this council, but continues in her third year of service on the Illinois Student Advisory Council for the Illinois State Board of Education. Additionally, Ranyia Cox is earning her associate’s degree from SWIC through the Running Start program.
Football All-State Teams
The following players were named to the 2022 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA) All-State Teams: Antown Hayden, and Miles McVay. Additionally, the following athletes were named honorable mention: Keshawn Hayden, Brandon Henderson, and Paris Patterson.
Flyers Football Team Earn 10th Championship Title
Under the guidance of Head Coach Darren Sunkett, the East St. Louis Flyers Football Team won the IHSA Class 6A Championship Game against Prairie Ridge on Saturday, November 26, 2022. This is the 10th Championship win for the East St. Louis Flyers Football Team in program history. The Champions Celebratory Pep Rally and Parade were held on December 2, 2022 at the Clyde C. Jordan Stadium and down State Street. The students also visited the State Capitol by invitation from Representative Greenwood on January 10, 2023 to receive a resolution certifying this milestone.
Report of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC)
Executive Director of Communications & Strategic Partnerships Sydney Stigge-Kaufman provided a brief update about the Student Advisory Council meetings.
∙ Two SSAC meetings were held in January: High School meeting - students focused was on post-secondary preparation, feedback, and course selections. Mason Clark Middle School: students discussed the progress of E-Learning, and reflected on uniforms, discipline, climate/culture, lunch seating and safety on campus.
Panel member asked what the safety concerns were.
∙ Students indicated there had been recent fights, and the students felt staff members could intervene quicker.
Report of the Superintendent
No Report.
District Buildings & Grounds (B&G) Report
Director Joseph Haskell provided an update on the Buildings & Grounds ongoing tasks.
∙ For the month of January, the main focus was on the weather, making sure the buildings were heated for colder temperatures.
∙ There have been freezing sprinkler lines; flooding at Lincoln Middle School had little impact on students; an insurance claim was submitted and an advance check was issued.
Panel member asked for the amount of the deductible.
∙ $100,000 deductible and the advance check is for $300,000.
District Finance Report
CSBO Delfaye Jason provided a brief update on the Comparative Analysis Finance Report.
∙ Revenue was about $66 million vs $65 million last year.
∙ Expenditures was about $47 million this year compared to $49 million last year.
Presentation
Report- East St. Louis School District 189 Fiscal Year 2022 Audit Results
Nick Cavaliere, CPA, CFE
∙ Fiscal Year 2022 Audit Procedures are complete and reports were issued on December 7, 2022.
Reviewed the scope of the 2022 audit related to:
∙ Financial Statements.
∙ Illinois State Board of Education Annual Financial Report.
∙ Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA)
∙ Consolidated Year End Financial Report. (CYEFR)
∙ Single Audit of the District’s Major Federal Programs.
∙ Report on Internal Control over financial reporting and other matters based on audit conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.
∙ District received an unmodified audit opinion-Clean opinion.
∙ Reviewed statement of revenues, expenditures, and change in fund balance
∙ Three major programs were audited
Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER)-$13,302,128
Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers-$1,110,828
Emergency Connectivity Fund -$2,225,520
Superintendent Culver provided a brief update about the Emergency Connectivity Fund in regards to the Internal control over compliance and unmet need provision.
The Grant is a technology grant. Many Districts had trouble with the grant as the terms of the grant came out after the grant was awarded. No devices are missing, the District has the 876 devices. The technology department looked at what was needed, and what devices were outdated. The concerning factors were out of date devices, and the15% mobility rate for the District. The technology department distributes the devices, but the devices are not always returned and when they are returned, they may be damaged. Since the audit, the technology department has about 150 additional devices.
Panel member asked if the cost of hotspots was included in this Grant.
∙ ESSER funds have been used for District hotspots.
Panel member asked if teachers participate in IMRF.
∙ No, Teachers participate in TRS, and non-certified employees participate in IMRF.
Presentation
Report - Debt Financing: Stifel
Anne Noble, Managing Director, gave a presentation on the bond restructure for the District.
∙ Proposing refinancing 2007-2008 alternative revenue bonds with funding bonds. Ann announced to the panel that the bond levy final payment was made in January. The goal is to hold the payment on the bonds flat.
∙ Applied for bond insurance. There are only two insurance companies in the market place - was turned down by one. Build America Mutual (BAM) approved the bonds and the bonds will carry an AA rating. The interest rate will not be known until the bonds have a buyer
∙ Parameters Resolution-8 years set max
∙ February-Bond Closing.
Panel member asked for the percentage on the bond.
∙ Current range (5%-5.3%)
Panel member asked if the District received a better credit rating.
∙ Yes, the District was provided an upgrade from BA2 to BA1 and are very close to BAA3. This is the best rating the district has seen in decades. It is not the District’s finances that penalized the credit rating; it is because of the lack of community wealth in the city of East Saint Louis.
ISBE Report
No Report.
Executive Session
No Executive Session.
13. A. Regular Meeting of December 16, 2022
Superintendent Culver asked for a motion to approve the FOP Regular Meeting Minutes of December 16, 2022.
Member Collier moved, with a second by Member Moore, to approve the FOP Regular Meeting Minutes of December 16, 2022. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
14. Approval of Items on the Consent Agenda
FOP Meeting – February 03, 2022
15. Approval of Consent Agenda Items (January 2023 Board of Education Meeting) Superintendent Culver asked for a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 15.A. through 15.I.
Member Moore moved, with a second by Member Collier, to approve Consent Agenda Items 15.A. through 15.I. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
15A. Finance Items: Part B - H - Treasurer's Report, Part B - Board Bills $1,637,929.37, Payroll $6,692,563.17, Credit Card $49,823.41, Payroll Wire Transfers $1,138,623.72, A/P EFT's $7,162.51, W/C Claims $61,530.83, Part C Miscellaneous Cash Receipts $791,729.62, Part D Athletics $3,318, Part E Monies Returned and Miscellaneous Payments $0.00, Part F Open A/P $0.00, and Part H Overtime $61,530.83, for Month of December
15. B. Payment of Invoices for Legal Services from Becker, Hoerner & Ysursa, P.C. for the Month of December 2023. Amount: $9,219.00
15. C. Acceptance of a donation of office furniture at The Board of Education from Gateway Neuropsychology. Estimated Value: $500
15. D. Acceptance of a donation for cookies to benefit Belleville Cookie Stroll from Toots Cake & Candy Supplies. Estimated Value: $500
15. E. Acceptance of a donation of more than 85 coats for elementary and middle school students from the Emma King Foundation. Estimated Value: $6,375
15. F. Acceptance of a donation of food purchases, equipment, gear or other material deemed necessary for the East St. Louis District 189 softball team from Menasha. Estimated Value: $250
15. G. Use of Premise Requests.
15. H. Professional Development Requests and Addendums. Approximate Cost $163,097.56
15. I. Field Trip Requests and Addendums. Approximate Cost $18,855
16. APPROVAL OF ACTION AGENDA ITEMS (January 2023 Board of Education Meeting)
Superintendent Culver asked for a motion to approve by omnibus vote Action Items 16.A, 16.B, 16.C, 16.D, 16.E, 16.F, 16.G, 16.H, 16.I, 16.J.
Member Granger moved, with a second by Member Collier, to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
16. A. Approval of Personnel Report/Addendums & Contracts.
16. B. Approval of Curriculum Action Items 7.A List and Addendums. Approximate Cost: $286,647
16. C. Approval to Read all Resolutions by Heading only.
16. D. Approval of Resolution #012423-A Authorizing the Issue and Sale of not to exceed $10,000,000 of General Obligation Bonds of the District to pay claims against the District and providing for the Levy of Taxes to pay the Bonds.
16. E. Approval of Resolution #012423-B Authorizing the Abatement of FY22 Property Tax Levy for Property Tax Relief Grant Pursuant to Section 2-3.170 of the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/2-3.170) .
16. F. Approval of Resolution #020323 approving the issuance of not to exceed $10,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2023, of the School District Number 189, St. Clair County, Illinois, for the purposes of paying claims against said School District.
16. G. Approval of Change Order #4 (PO #230427) expedite metal door & frame fabrication and address modifications and utilities to Laundry #110, in Women's Athletic locker rooms. Cost: $42,045.99
16. H. Approval of Change Order #5 (PO #230427) eliminate abandoned piping, modify fire sprinklers and provide a new accessible ceiling in the locker rooms. Cost: $407,381.87
16. I. Approval of Change Order # 6(PO 230427). Replacement and relocation of two remaining outdated electrical panels in conflict with new construction to code compliant panels and installation of non-dedicated electrical receptacles.
16. J. Approval of the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA) Proposal #5047168 / Scope of Work from WTI to Provide General Contracting Services for Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence Stonhard Flooring Restoration. Cost: $153,883.86
Member Collier moved, with a second by Member Granger, to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
17. OLD BUSINESS
No old business.
18. NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
19. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Financial Oversight Panel Meeting: February 27, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.
20. A. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Member Collier moved, with a second by Member Huiskamp, to adjourn the meeting at 12:58 p.m. The motion carried on a roll call. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Finance_ESL/20230203-minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up