East St. Louis School District 189 Financial Oversight Panel met July 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the panel:
Chair Jackie Settles called the meeting to order at 12:00 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, Interim Chief HR Officer Valencia Hawkins, 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 participated via Zoom.
ISBE Division Administrator Michael Gum, ISBE Division Supervisor Eileen Turanchik participated via Zoom.
Prayer
Member Collier led the prayer.
Adoption of Agenda
Member Collier moved, with a second by Member Granger, 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
No Recognitions:
Report of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC)
No Report.
Report of the Superintendent
Chief of Schools Keisa Garrett provided a brief update about the first day of school and enrollment processes.
• High School Orientation is Tuesday August 1, 2023.
• First day of school Monday August 14, 2023.
• Students are currently enrolling early there is another enrollment drive happening this week and flyers are on social media and the District Website.
• The District is doing full screening an immunizations on site.
District Buildings & Grounds (B&G) Report
Director Joseph Haskell provided an update on the Buildings & Grounds ongoing tasks.
• For the month of July, the main focus is making sure schools are ready for the first day.
• Working on capital projects and speaking with contractors about the sinkholes at the high school.
Panel member asked where the sinkholes are located.
• The sinkholes are located in the back of the high school between the back of the school and the stadium.
Panel member asked who would pay for the repairs
• Contractors have met with the city consultants and the city would bare the cost as it is the city’s main line and responsibility.
The Superintendent met with the City Manager and Mayor, the City of East St. Louis wanted to know if the District would agree to not accept TIF #1 and 3A. The City has not signed the agreement to share the TIF with the District. The District asked why does the City need the TIF and was informed that the City has outstanding bonds and wants to use the TIF money to take care of those obligations. The District will not support the agreement to not share the TIF.
District Finance Report
CSBO Delfaye Jason provided a brief update on the Comparative Analysis Finance Report.
• Revenue was about $135 million vs $118 million last year.
• Expenditures was about $145 million this year compared to $120 million last year.
• Audit will be complete by October.
ISBE Report
No Report.
Executive Session
No Executive Session.
14. A. Regular Meeting of June 28, 2023
Superintendent Culver asked for a motion to approve the FOP Regular Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2023.
Member Collier moved, with a second by Granger, to approve the FOP Regular Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2023. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
14. B. Executive Session Minutes of June 28, 2023
Superintendent Culver asked for a motion to approve the Executive Session Minutes of June 28, 2023.
Member Collier moved, with a second by Granger, to approve the Executive Session Minutes of June 28, 2023. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
15. Approval of Consent Agenda Items (July 2023 Board of Education Meeting) Superintendent Culver asked for a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 15.A. through 15.F.
Member Collier moved, with a second by Member Moore, to approve Consent Agenda Items 15.A. through 15.F. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
15. A. Part B - H - Part B - Board Bills $7,108,738.79, Payroll $17,936,809.31, Credit Card $88,745.33, Payroll Wire Transfers $1,250,880.88, A/P EFT's $759.92, W/C Claims $25,305.61, Part C Miscellaneous Cash Receipts $153,418.33, Part D Athletics $538.00, Part E Monies Returned and Miscellaneous Payments $0, Part F Open A/P $0, and Part H Overtime $21,162.03, for Month of June
15. B. Payment of Invoices for Legal Services from Becker, Hoerner & Ysursa, P.C. for the Month of December 2023. Amount: $6,636
15. C. Use of Premise Requests.
15. D. Approval of the Data for the Hazardous Transportation Claim from the East St. Louis area and the Washington Park Police Department, and any subsequent data that may be found from Centreville, IL.
15. E. Professional Development Requests and Addendums. Approximate Cost $157,471.20 15. F. Field Trip Requests and Addendums. Approximate Cost $8,500
16. APPROVAL OF ACTION AGENDA ITEMS (July 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,
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
Superintendent Culver asked for a motion to approve the following:
16. A. Approval of Personnel Report/Addendums & Contracts.
16. B. Approval of Curriculum Action Items 7.A List and Addendums. Approximate Cost: $110,533.65
16. C. Approval to Read all Resolutions by Heading Only.
16. D. Approval of Resolution Authorizing Notice and Statement of Honorable Dismissal
Panel member asked can you apply to the District with a criminal record.
• It depends on the nature of the conviction. Certain criminal convictions will prohibit certain employment. For example, Class X or sex related will bar you from working in the District. Forgery after 7 years the person may apply. When an individual is hired the District performs a background check. Once the background check comes back it is reviewed on a case by case basis with the District lawyer when needed.
16. E. Approval of accepting a qualified bid for lease of copier machines, maintenance and supplies from GFI Digital. Cost $102,552
16. F. Approval of Acceptance of Restitution Payment in U.S. v. Cohn (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois Case No. 3:04-CR-30051-001-MJR)
Panel member asked about the case.
• In 2001 Cohn plead guilty to submitting false invoices for work at Clark Middle school and was ordered to pay $347,200 in restitution to the District.
16. G. Approval of Worker's Compensation Settlement Agreement(s).
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.
FOP Meeting – July 24, 2023
19. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Financial Oversight Panel Meeting: August 21, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.
20. A. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Member Granger moved, with a second by Member Collier, to adjourn the meeting at 12:39 p.m. The motion carried on a roll call. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Finance_ESL/072423-Minutes.pdf
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