Southern Illinois News

Illinois State Board of Education, North Chicago Independent Authority and Financial Oversight Panel met May 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the panel

1. Call to Order / Roll Call

(Time: 6:31pm) Mrs. King called the meeting to order, members present: King, Gaytan Morales, Johnson Jones (CMC Corey arrived at 6:31pm after Roll Call and Riley arrived at 6:38pm)

2. Moment of Silence/Pledge of Allegiance

3. Motion to Approve Meeting Agenda as Presented

(Time: 6:32pm) Motion to approve the agenda made by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales

4. Swearing in of Amalia Gonzalez, newly appointed IA member

(Time: 6:33pm) Mrs. King conducted the swearing in of Ms. Amalia Gonzalez

5. Executive Session – I move that we enter into closed session under the exceptions set forth in the Illinois Open Meetings Act as follows: (Time: 6:37pm)

● 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) to discuss personnel matters

● 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3) to discuss litigation matters

6. Reconvene Open Session (Time: 7:08pm)

7. Special Presentations:

a. Teen Reach at NCCHS - Tara Cook

(Time: 7:10pm) Mrs. Cook explained the Teen Reach Program in North Chicago and how it promotes responsibility, education, achievement, caring, and hope in our high school students. Mrs. Cook explainedthe six service areas that the program covers and different activities that our students in the program have been a part of.

8. Audience Participation

(Time: 7:30pm) Linda Rightweiser - Teacher at AJK and part of the Curriculum Review Committee for the new ELA Curriculum with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Gave her feedback on why she liked the choice of the new ELA curriculum. (Time: 7:33pm) Katherine Paredes - Teacher at AJK and part of the Curriculum Review Committee for the new ELA Curriculum with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Gave her feedback on why she liked the choice of the new ELA curriculum. (Time: 7:34pm) Lenora Delgado - Multilingual Instructional Coach and part of the Curriculum Review Committee for the new ELA Curriculum with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Gave her feedback on why she liked the choice of the new ELA curriculum.

(Time: 7:36pm) Elizabeth Ablan - Multilingual Instructional Coach and part of the Curriculum Review Committee for the new ELA Curriculum with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Gave her feedback on why she liked the choice of the new ELA curriculum. Elizabeth also gave feedback for Julir Thorn Teacher at Forrestal who was also part of the Committee. (Time: 7:40pm) Cara Kranz - Principal at Forrestal and part of the Curriculum Review Committee for the new ELA Curriculum with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Gave her feedback on why she liked the choice of the new ELA curriculum. Mrs. Cranz also thanked everyone that was on the Committee for their dedication and commitment to this project. (Time: 7:41pm) Clyde Mclemore - Community Member spoke in regards to 2025 and there will be three elected board members and he suggested that is when those board members should sign the new contract for Dr. Price. (Time: 7:44pm) Ray Edwards - Community Member spoke in regards to nepotism in the district. He commented on Gerald Coleman resigning, Dr. Price’s five year contract. He also talked about Mrs. King having family members that work for the district or have contracts with the district. He said that he reached out to Dr. Price about becoming a board member and asked when the board was going to start listening to the people in the community.

(Time: 7:47pm) Anthony McIntyre - Community Member has an organization that was founded in 2016. He stated that he sent an email requesting names of teachers to be recognized at a Gala that his organization put together but never received the information requested. He spoke on behalf of Coach Coleman and his positive impact in the community. (Time: 7:52pm) Thomas Coleman - Resident who spoke on behalf of Gerald Coleman and that he gave him his first opportunity to coach kids. He suggested that Coach Coleman receive a farewell tour and that he should not be pushed out if this is his last year with the district, he should be celebrated and honored for all that he has done for the kids and families in the community.

9. Superintendent’s Report

(Time: 7:55pm) Dr. Price presented the monthly superintendent’s report that included the following information: Student Achievement, Human Resources, FACE, Operations and Construction Update.

10. Motion to Approve IA Minutes

(Time: 8:07pm) Motion to approve April minutes made by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

Open Session Closed Session

April 25, 2023 (Joint Meeting) April 25, 2023 (Joint Meeting)

11. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda

(Time: 8:09pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

A. Treasurer’s Report for April 2023

B. Accounts Payable April 20, 2023 – May 17, 2023 in the amount of $2,650,867.45

C. Payroll for April 2023 in the gross amount of $2,530,320.44

D. Approve resolution to appoint Gregory Volan as School Treasurer for FY 2024

E. Approve Surety for School Treasurer

F. List of Authorized Depositories, Investment Managers, Dealers and Brokers

G. PowerSchool Software Suite Renewal $78,950.30

H. GoGuardian Renewal $28,340

I. Special Education Outplacement Coordinators’ Renewal $132,000

J. Renew Midwest PBIS Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) proposal for the FY 2024 school year $80,500 K. Beable Software Package for Summer School Renewal $10,800

L. Xello Renewal $7,079.32

M. SpEd Department Contract Renewals - STARS and Easter Seals $70,829.79; $50,940

N. Golden Apple Scholars Tuition Loan Agreements $16,000

O. Approve Three-Year High Reliability Schools Partnership Contract $324,049.06

12. Old Business– Discussion/Action

A. Discussion - Items formerly before the boards requiring additional discussion

N/A

13. New Business – Discussion/Action

A. Action - Approve K-5 Reading Curriculum Adoption (IA/FOP) $466,524

(Time: 8:14pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

B. Action - Approve Community Soccer League, Summer 2023 (IA/FOP) $45,000

(Time: 8:17pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

C. Action - Approve Agreement with Blend Consultancy (IA/FOP) $37,200

(Time: 8:20pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

D. Action - Approve Additional Special Education Para, Forrestal (IA/FOP) $40,000

(Time: 8:22pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

E. Action - Approve Contract with PerMar Security Services (IA/FOP) $1,980,278

(Time: 8:25pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

F. Action - Approve Chromebook Accidental Device Protection Service (IA/FOP) $43,800 (Time: 8:28pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gonzales. Passed 5-0

G. Action - Approve Tentative Amended Budget (IA/FOP) $2,720,000

(Time: 8:34pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

H. Discussion - Grade Level Alignment Update (IA/FOP)

(Time: 8:34pm) Dr. Price explained that a district-led task force that also included two parents and a team of others met four times to consider different possibilities of grade level realignment. The team looked at demographics and surveyed various district families both military and non military asking what they would like to see. The team now has three recommendations.

I. Information - FY23 End of Year Forecast

(Time: 8:34pm) Mr. Volan explained the FY23 end of year surplus and that there is still Federal Revenue available for the district to collect.

14. Executive Session – I move that we enter into closed session under the exceptions set forth in the Illinois Open Meetings Act as follows: (Time: 8:59pm)

● 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) to discuss personnel matters

Reconvene Open Session (Time: 9:30pm)

15. New Business – Discussion/Action Continued

A. Action - Approve Human Resources Report – Appointments, Absences, Adjustments, Retirements, Resignations and/or Separations (IA/FOP)

(Time: 9:31pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

B. Action - Resolution Approving a July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028 Superintendent's Employment Contract to replace the Superintendent's current July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2024 Employment Contract (IA/FOP) $265,000

(Time: 9:36pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gonzales. Passed 5-0

C. Action - Approve Four-Year Contract Renewal for Executive Director of Human Resources, Kim Andes, (IA/FOP) $171,000

(Time: 9:37pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

16. Adjourn

(Time: 9:38pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Applied Roll Call Vote.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Finance_NCIA/20230523-Minutes.pdf