Board Update 11/12/19
Presentations
Agenda Item 4.0
Juliette Low Student Celebration – 4.01
Along with Juliette Low Elementary Assistant Principal Melissa Dominguez, students from Juliette Low presented to the board about the various extracurricular clubs they each participate in at their school. The students and their club leaders explained some of the club options to the board, what they learned from each club’s activities, and celebrated the increase in participation of many students in the clubs.
The presentation can be viewed here.
FY 2019 Annual Audit – Miller Cooper – 4.02
Betsy Allen, Principal with Miller Cooper & Co., Ltd, shared the results of the independent annual audit they completed for CCSD59 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. She described to the board the audit process, including the review of internal controls, and shared changes recommended by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) that impact the financial reports. Allen stated that the auditors did not have any findings at the completion of the annual audit.
First Trimester SLT Focus Area Update (per Board Governance Cycle) – 4.03
The board was presented with a first trimester update for the 2019-20 focus areas, including:
- Math instructional practice and curriculum enhancements
- Language acquisition/dual language instructional practice and curriculum enhancements
- Intervention system and structure enhancements
- Assessment system and structure enhancements
The next steps and action planning for the above outlined focus areas were also presented to the board.
The presentation can be viewed here.
Student Growth Data Benchmark Report (per Board Governance Cycle) – 4.04
The board viewed a presentation on student growth and achievement results from Spring 2018-19 and was presented benchmark data from Fall 2019-20.
The presentation provided a summary as follows:
- Reviewed the role and purposes of key assessments
- Reported the Spring 2019 (2018-19 school year) achievement and growth data
- Reported the Fall 2019 (2019-20 school year) benchmarking data
- Provided an overview of Panorama and post CCSD59 high school information and data
- Provided a review and overall results of the 2018-19 Board of Education growth targets
The presentation can be viewed here.
Discussion Items
Agenda Item 5.0
Student Transportation Services Contract Extension for Grand Prairie Transit and Rates for 2020-21 through 2021-22 – 5.01
Strategic Direction (SD) 4: Long-Term Financial Stability and Fiscal Integrity
The board discussed transportation provided to pre-school and special education students by Grand Prairie Transit. Since the current contract terms agreed to in March 2017 do not have a provision for pricing in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years, the board discussed if the Grand Prairie Transit contract should be extended for the period from August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2022 at a 5.0% per year increased rate over the 2019-20 rates.
The board will vote on the increase at a future meeting.
Student Transportation Services Contract Extension for First Student and Rates for 2020-21 through 2021-22 – 5.02
SD 4: Long-Term Financial Stability and Fiscal Integrity
The board discussed transportation provided to regular education students by First Student. Since the current contract terms agreed to in March 2017 do not have a provision for pricing in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years, the board discussed if the First Student contract should be extended for the period from August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2022 at a 5.0% per year increased rate over the 2019-20 rates.
The board will vote on the increase at a future meeting.
Program Fee for Typically Developing Preschool Students for the 2020-21 School Year Comparisons – 5.03
SD 4: Long-Term Financial Stability and Fiscal Integrity
Currently, CCSD59’s Preschool Program has space to host 60 typically developing students. The 2019-20 school year rate charged to families with typically developing children for the program is $233 per month ($1,165 per semester, $2,330 per year).
The board discussed a 2.1% increase to the fee for 2020-21 after comparing the fee to other school districts in the area that blend the student population and where instruction is offered by certified teachers. The new proposed fees are $238 per month ($1,190 per semester, $2,380 per year).
The schedule would remain the same for typically developing students, with students attending a four-day (M, T, Th, & F) school week from either 8:15 – 10:45 a.m. or 12:00 – 2:30 p.m..
The board will vote on the increase at the December 9, 2019, board meeting.
K-8 Instructional Materials Fees: 2020-21 School Year – 5.04
SD 4: Long-Term Financial Stability and Fiscal Integrity
The board discussed continuing the instructional materials fees for the 2020-21 school term to offset a portion of the cost of instructional materials and supplies. The fees would remain unchanged from the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years, and would be as follows:
- Half Day Kindergarten: $35
- Full Day Kindergarten – Grade 5: $55
- Grades 6- 8: $65
Students who have qualified for a waiver of school fees are not required to pay these fees.
The board will vote on the instructional materials fees at the December 9, 2019, board meeting.
Junior High School Extra-Curricular Participation Fees: 2020-21 School Year – 5.05
SD 4: Long-Term Financial Stability and Fiscal Integrity
Currently, the junior high school extracurricular participation fees for the 2019-20 school term, which offset a portion of the cost of materials and supplies for extracurricular activities, are as follows:
- Basketball $30.00
- Cheerleading $30.00
- Cross Country $15.00
- Spirit Squad/Pom Poms $30.00
- Soccer $30.00
- Volleyball $30.00
- Wrestling $30.00
The board discussed keeping these fees unchanged for the 2020-21 school year and will vote on the junior high school extracurricular participation fees for the 2020-21 school year at the December 9, 2019, board meeting.
Updated Capital Projects and Improvements Plan – 5.06
SD 4: Long-Term Financial Stability and Fiscal Integrity
The board viewed an updated version of the Capital Projects and Improvement Plan, after the Facilities Committee made proposed updates. The plan identified capital projects and improvements by fiscal year with estimated costs, and two versions were shared with the board. The first version outlined the capital projects and improvements to be completed within three years, and the second within six years.
An additional communication with further background and details about the Capital Projects and Improvement Plan and possible funding options will be shared in the near future.
The board will vote on the plan at a future meeting.
Funding Options for Updated Capital Projects and Improvements Plan – 5.07
SD 4: Long-Term Financial Stability and Fiscal Integrity
The board discussed funding options for the completion of the previously discussed Updated Capital Projects and Improvements Plan.
Elizabeth Hennessy, Managing Director of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., joined staff for the discussion. The options that were discussed can be viewed here.
An additional communication with further background and details about the Capital Projects and Improvement Plan and possible funding options will be shared in the near future.
The board will discuss funding options at a future meeting.
Action Items
Agenda Item 8.0
Approval of Report and Authorization to File Annual Financial Report for FY 2019 with ISBE – 8.01
SD 4: Long-Term Financial Stability and Fiscal Integrity
The Annual Financial Report (AFR) is a standardized document that meets independent auditing and reporting requirements for Illinois public schools.
The board accepted the audit report prepared by Miller Cooper & Co., Ltd as the official audit of CCSD59’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, and authorized the administration to submit the AFR to the Illinois State Board of Education in accordance with 105 ILCS 5/3-7.
Award of Bid for Paper Bid Summary – 8.02
SD 4: Long-Term Financial Stability and Fiscal Integrity
CCSD59 issues a paper bid once each year for a quantity projected to meet one year’s needs, and the district is not required to purchase a specific quantity.
Four bids were received with the lowest conforming bids submitted by Midland Paper Company for xerographic paper and vellum. Midland Paper Company submitted a bid of $70,310.50 for xerographic paper and $9,857.00 for vellum, for a grand total of $80,167.50.
The board approved awarding the paper bid to Midland Paper Company.
Approval of the Safety Survey Report to Be Submitted to the Executive Director of North Cook ISC -8.03
SD 1: Student Growth – Educating the Whole Child Academically, Physically, and Emotionally
Per 105 ILCS 5/2-3.12 School Code, school buildings must be surveyed by an architect or engineer licensed in Illinois, who upon completion of the survey issues a Safety Survey Report to the school board.
Arcon Associates, Inc. prepared the Safety Survey Report on behalf of CCSD59, and the board approved the Safety Survey Report and authorized filing it with the Executive Director of North Cook ISC.