Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education met October 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
1. Call to Order – Executive Session
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Brad Banks
1.1 Roll Call:
Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:
Brad Banks, Matt Bauman, Lauri Doyle, Brent Lightfoot, Toni Morgan, Jared Ploger
Members Absent (at roll call):
Heather Moyer
2. Closed Session
2.1 Enter Closed Session under statute(s): 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Brad Banks, to enter Closed Session under statutes 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1): The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mr. Jared Ploger
The Board of Education entered closed session at 6:32 p.m.
Mrs. Heather Moyer entered Closed Session at 6:32 p.m.
2.2 Return to Open Session
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Brad Banks, to return to Open Session.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
The Board of Education returned to Open Session at 7:16 p.m.
3. Call to Order – Open Session
The meeting was called to order at 7:18 p.m. by President Brad Banks
3.1 Roll Call:
Upon Roll Call the following members answered present: Brad Banks, Matt Bauman, Lauri Doyle, Brent Lightfoot, Toni Morgan, Heather Moyer, Jared Ploger
Members Absent (at roll call): None
Administration Present:
Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Sparlin
Associate Superintendent for Educational Services Dr. Lisa Smith
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Mr. Asif Dada
Others Present:
Board Attorney Maureen Lemon, Ottosen Britz Kelly Cooper Gilbert and DiNolfo, Ltd; as well as employees of the District and members of the community.
Recording Secretary:
Ursula Coan
3.2 Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President Brad Banks.
4. Recognitions
4.1 PRIDE September Award Recipients
President Banks and members of the Board of Education recognized the September PRIDE winners. A complete audio recording for the PRIDE Recognition can be found at the following link: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/Public
Jennifer Malone - Teacher of the Month - Lakewood Creek
Megan Mann - Teacher of the Month - The Wheatlands
Barbara Garrison - Employee of the Month - Lakewood Creek
Eric Watt - Employee of the Month – DAC
Amy and Tyler Mabrey - Volunteers of the Month - OHS
Brandon Bigus - Student Volunteer of the Month – OEHS
5. Public Comment
5.1 Each person will be provided five (5) minutes to speak before the Board of Education
There was no public comment
6. Comments/Reports
6.1 Board Member Updates
Mrs. Doyle visited various schools and programs in the district, including the STARS program. Mrs. Doyle stated that she rode along on some bus routes as well and expressed astonishment at the amount of work and detail that goes into transporting 12,000 students to where they need to be every day. It was a unique experience that provided much insight into the Transportation Department. Mrs. Doyle also toured the Maintenance Department. Finally, last Friday we celebrated the 50th Birthday of Long Beach Elementary School. It was a great community event.
Mr. Ploger attended the IASB Kishwaukee meeting. The message was that we need to keep advocating and that the State is looking at a $170 million deficit. Most of the evening centered around SB100. Some highlights included:
• Character Education
• Reviewing Discipline Policy every year
• Bullying Policy every two years
• As of January 1, 2018 – Pre-school programs receiving State grant funds can no longer exclude any preschooler’s (can be transferred to a different setting, but not excluded)
• As of January 1, 2018 - Support services for students with chronic absences
• Any expulsions must provide specific reasons why it is in the best interest of the school
• Conversations with students and student services should always be documented
• The school board should receive reports on out of school suspensions when they occur
Mrs. Ploger paid his own fee to attend this event.
Mr. Banks attended the Junior High School sectional meet. We have three State qualifiers for Cross Country that will be heading to Bloomington this weekend.
6.2 Board Committee Reports
Finance and Operations-
Mr. Lightfoot commented that the Finance Committee held a mandatory orientation for the new committee members with a Finance 101 presentation. The next regular meeting will take place the first week in December. At that point, the committee will be discussing the various program costs.
Teaching and Learning-
Mrs. Moyer stated that the Teaching and Learning committee welcomed new members at their last meeting in September. A good amount of time was spent discussing social promotion and retention, what that might look like for our students regarding policy and practice. The committee discussed interventions that might work since they are critical to our student’s success. The conversation centered on this being a very critical issue especially for junior high students. It was a very interesting conversation and the committee will need to discuss at more lengths at future meetings. The committee also received an update on where we are at with the Curriculum Review Cycle.
Mr. Ploger stated that we have requirements on what needs to be done with our curriculum and pushing that off will be difficult. The conversation at the board level revolves around budget and cuts, whereas at the committee level, it centers on student needs. When we talk about the emotional welfare of a student, it is not considered a want, it is a need. What we need to do first and foremost is to keep students safe.
Mrs. Moyer stated that the loss of the behavioral interventions specialists was keenly felt in the schools.
6.3 Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Sparlin talked about the recent, very successful food drive that our district conducted. It was another record setting year with almost 127,000 items collected. Southbury won at the elementary level, Murphy at the junior high level and Oswego East at the high school level. Dr. Sparlin expressed his gratitude for how the district came together for a wonderful cause. We observed Custodian Recognition day on October 2nd and Dr. Sparlin thanked all the OCMA members for all they do for our district. Next week we are celebrating Principal appreciation week and Dr. Sparlin thanked them for all they do for our students.
7. Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Ploger requested for item 7.2 Board Member Travel Request to be moved to information and then action instead of being approved as part of the consent agenda (see items 8.1 and 9.2).
7.1 Approval of Minutes from September 18, 2017 Board of Education meeting Open and Closed Session and from September 25, 2017 Board of Education Public Forum
7.2 Approval of Field Trip outside of the Continental United States
7.3 Acknowledgement of FOIA Requests
Mr. Lightfoot requested the discipline power point related to FOIA 17-19
7.4 Acknowledgement of Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Brad Banks, to approve all items under consent, including 7.1 Minutes from September 18, 2017 Regular Board of Education Meeting Open and Closed Session and from September 25, 2017 Board of Education Public Forum; 7.2 Oswego High School’s outside of the Continental United States trip to France on March 23 through March 31, 2018; 7.3 Acknowledgement of FOIA requests; 7.4 Acknowledgement of Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits report.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
8. Information Only
8.1 Board Member Travel Request
Mr. Ploger stated that Mrs. Moyer and himself do not wish to be reimbursed for travel and meals to attend the Triple I conference. Mr. Lightfoot stated that he feels no board members should attend at all this year. Mr. Ploger stated that there are eight items on the agenda requiring a vote and it is important for our district to be represented. Mr. Ploger stated that he would be willing to just vote if there is a way of doing that without paying the conference fee. Mr. Bauman commented that the conference has an educational purpose also. In the past, all board members attended and it has been scaled back in the last couple of years and the decision was made to allow two board members to represent the district. There is some valuable information presented that our members can bring back to the district. Mr. Banks asked to check if it is possible to view the content after the conference is over. Mr. Ploger stated that this year IASB sent the information on the items to be voted on to all board members before the conference. Mr. Ploger would like there to be a discussion at the board level so he has some direction on how to vote.
Mrs. Moyer was wondering if there are some grants available for School Board Development. Mrs. Moyer stated that there is value in attending this conference, especially as a first time board member and that she appreciates the opportunity.
8.2 Financial Statements
There were no questions on the Financial Statements
8.3 County School Facilities Sales Tax Presentation
Dr. Sparlin introduced Anne Noble from Stifel to present the Board with information on the County School Facilities Sales Tax. This will be an informational presentation on how we could bring more revenue to our district. Bob Lewis from PMA is here as well to answer any questions if needed.
The sales tax is the first shift away from property taxes to provide more local dollars for school funding. The law was first implemented in October of 2007 and amended in August of 2011 so that the County Board no longer has to approve the tax. Almost 50% of the counties in Illinois currently use the tax successfully. The sales tax, when proposed by a district, allows voters to approve up to a 1% sales tax in quarter-percent increments to be used specifically and only for the funding of school construction or maintenance projects. The funds cannot be used for matters including textbooks, salaries or operating/instructional costs. Mrs. Noble referred to the tax as a “Walmart Tax”, meaning that items purchased at Walmart, with the exception of medication and unprepared foods, would be included in the tax. If it is not currently taxed, it will not be taxed. The funds can be used to support the district through making payments or abate current building bonds in order to replace the use of property tax revenue. Each district in the county decides how the funds are to be used. Revenue would be distributed evenly to every student that lives is the county, based on actual enrollment in the fall. In order to pass the sales tax in the county, the Board of Education would first have to pass a resolution. Mrs. Noble is estimating the revenue for our district to be approximately $6 million. This is based on a 1% tax. Since SD308 has at least 50% of students in the county, SD308 could decide independently to add this to the ballot. Mrs. Noble stressed that since the tax is countywide, it is very important for all districts to communicate with voters and constituents about what the tax is and why it is on the ballot. Mr. Lightfoot asked how much this tax would cost the average family. Mrs. Noble explained that it is very hard to put a number on that since it solely depends on each family’s spending habits. Mr. Lightfoot suggested that a poll is taken to see if residents would support this sales tax with the understanding that it would lower their property taxes.
It is important for voters to know exactly what this money will be used for and that these funds do not flow through the General Assembly or are in any way part of the State’s budget process. It flows to the Department of Revenue and they will distribute it to the ROE. The ROE will then distribute the money to the local school district according to our fall enrollment.
If this would be added to the ballot for the March 2018 Election, the district would need to pass the Resolution on January 2, 2018 and funds would be received in October of 2018. If it is placed on the November 6, 2018 ballot, the Resolution is passed on August 20, 2017 and funds would be received in October of 2019.
Mr. Ploger stated that this board is looking for revenues to reduce existing burdens. Dr. Sparlin commented that is would be a big undertaking since it is a county wide effort. The voter turnout for the November 2018 election is most likely larger than for the March 2018 election. It would also give us more time to educate the community members on what they are voting on. There is no expense to this process other than the educational materials you will be using. The board was in agreement that the decision could not be made at the next board meeting, that this topic would need to be discussed at a couple of future board meetings before taking a vote on the Resolution.
The complete presentation for the County School Facilities Sales Tax including audio can be found at the following link: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/Public
8.4 Board Policy First Reading Section 6: Instruction (6:180, 6:210)
Section 7: Students (7:60, 7:275) Section 8: Community Relations (8:75)
Mr. Lightfoot asked to clarify policy 7:60, so that it would state that transportation will not be provided to someone living outside the district, whether or not they pay tuition. The tuition payment for one school year would be $9,300.
9. Action Items
9.1 Approval of Bills for Payment
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Brad Banks, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of eighteen million, one hundred seventeen thousand, two hundred twenty-two dollars and sixteen cents ($18,117,222.16)
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
9.2 Approval of Board Member Travel Request
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Brad Banks, to approve the board member travel request for the Triple I conference
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 5-2
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer Nay: Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Mr. Jared Ploger
9.3 Decennial Survey
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to approve the necessary repairs for SD 308 facilities to be in compliance as recommended by Kluber Architects and Engineers
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
9.4 Approval of Real Estate Contract for Sale of Property located at 13 Brock Court
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to adopt the Resolution approving a Real Estate Contract for the sale of Property located at 13 Brock Court, Oswego, Illinois for the purchase price of $210,000
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
9.5 Resolution and Request for Release of Kendall County Land Cash Funds
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to approve the Resolution and Request for the release of Kendall County Land Cash Funds to Community Unit School District 308 in the amount of $36,119.87
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
9.6 Approval of Personnel Report
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to approve the Personnel report
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
9.7 Approval of Building Administrator Contract
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Ms. Toni Morgan, to approve the Building Administrator contract
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
10. Closed Session
10.1 Enter Closed Session under statute:5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to enter Closed Session under statute:5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-1
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger Nay: Mr. Brent Lightfoot
The Board of Education entered closed session at 9:10 p.m.
10.2 Return to Open Session
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Ms. Toni Morgan, to return to Open Session.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
The Board of Education returned to Open Session at 9:32 p.m.
11. Adjournment
10.1 Adjourn
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Ms. Toni Morgan, to adjourn.
All were in favor unanimously to adjourn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
Meeting Adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
https://www.sd308.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=9932&dataid=43368&FileName=10.10.17%20Board%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
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