Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education met September 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 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, 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
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President Brad Banks.
2. Recognitions
2.1 All around PRIDE Winners 2016-17
President Brad Banks and members of the Board of Education recognized the All Around PRIDE Award Recipients for the 2016-2017 school year:
• Marilyn Ewalt – Teacher of the Year
• Susan Tiedt – Employee of the Year
• Natalie Winkfield – Volunteer of the Year
• Robyn Vickers – Volunteer of the Year
We thank our Business Partners for sponsoring the SD308 PRIDE Winners.
3. Public Comment
3.1 Each Person will be provided five (5) minutes to speak before the Board of Education
There were no public comments
4. Comments/Reports
4.1 Board Member Updates
Mrs. Doyle mentioned the 50th Birthday Celebration of Long Beach Elementary School taking place on Friday, October 6th. So far there are over 300 RSVP’s. Mr. Bauman commented that we had a great start to the school year. Mr. Bauman also stated that with the boundary changes, parking has become an issue at some schools. Hunt Club for example has 140 more students than last year.
Ms. Morgan attended a couple of curriculum nights and it was obvious how much work the classroom teachers put into planning the evenings. She also thanked the OEA for the meet and greet that the board was invited to. Ms. Morgan attended the homecoming parade for OHS and it was a great event and very well attended.
Mrs. Moyer attended the meeting that was held with the PEGS parent group and district administrators. It was a positive meeting, including a presentation on the AVID Program. Mr. Ploger attended an IASB Focus Group together with other board members from surrounding districts. Most of the conversation revolved around funding issues and there not being enough representation, especially for the large districts. Hiring and retaining diverse staff is an issue for many school districts. Most of the districts do not have their attorney present at all board or committee meetings. One district close to us stated how their student population decreased while their number of special education students has increased by over 10%. Mr. Ploger also attended the kick-off event for our Robotics Team.
4.2 Board Committee Reports
• Finance and Operations
The Finance Committee discussed the final budget as well as the tax levy. The district will need to be looking at some cuts and it would be helpful to have a menu as far as all options and the cost savings associated with it. Impact fees were also discussed and how the recent decrease will affect the district. Mr. Lightfoot mentioned that during the October meeting they would have a Finance 101 presentation for the new committee members. In November the committee will look at a list with possible cuts in order to balance the budget for FY19 so a recommendation can be made to the board. Mr. Ploger added that he would like to have a percentage or a number of students attached to each possible program cut.
• Policy Development
Ms. Morgan stated that they welcomed their new committee members and discussed several policies and the suggested changes. The policies will come to the board for a first reading and approval next month.
4.3 Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Sparlin shared that the State finally has a funding model. Our Finance Department has been working on our 3-5 year projections and it was shared with the Finance Committee and the rest of the board members will receive it next week. Dr. Sparlin also mentioned that the first Board of Education Public Forum for this year will be held at Thompson Junior High School on Monday, September 25, 2017, starting at 7:00 pm.
5. Approve Consent Agenda
5.1 Approval of Minutes from August 21, 2017 Board of Education Meeting Open and Closed Session
5.2 Acknowledgement of FOIA Requests
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to approve all items under consent, including 5.1 Minutes from August 21, 2017 Regular Board of Education Meeting Open and Closed Session and 5.2 to acknowledge the FOIA requests as presented
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
6. Information Only
6.1 Financial Statements
The Board had no questions on the Financial Statements
6.2 Decennial Survey
Dr. Sparlin introduced Clayton Haldeman with Kluber Architects. Mr. Haldeman will present to the board on the Decennial Survey recently conducted. By law, the Board of Education is required to have a licensed architect perform a life safety survey of school facilities every ten years. This life safety survey is typically referred to as the Decennial Survey. This survey reports any life safety deficiencies in the District’s school buildings, recommends necessary repairs to bring its facilities into compliance, and estimates the cost of the repairs. After this survey is reviewed and accepted by the Board of Education, it will be forwarded to the Regional Office of Education and then the State Board of Education. These agencies will review the Decennial Survey and have ultimate say on its approval and which repairs will need to be made. SD308 currently has 22 school buildings with over 3 million square feet of building space. There are 6 additional buildings since the last survey in 2007 and there were major additions/remodeling to 9 buildings since then as well.
Mr. Haldeman stated that overall our buildings are in excellent shape and much of this work can be completed by our maintenance department. Overall we are in better shape than the repairs that were needed 10 years ago.
Mr. Dada assured the board that the district had some money budgeted for the needed repairs. The anticipated date for completion of the repairs is December 31, 2018.
The complete presentation for the Decennial survey, including the audio recording can be found at the following link: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/Public
6.3 Resolution and Request for Release of Kendall County Land Cash Funds
Kendall County is holding our balance of Land Cash in the amount of $36,119.87. In order for us to receive these funds, we must submit a request to the Regional Superintendent of Schools along with a Resolution stating the purpose for the use of the funds. These funds can be used for construction or purchase of land.
6.4 Resolution directing Administration to engage the services of a licensed Real Estate Broker to sell 13 Brock Court
On July 31, 2017, the Board of Education adopted a resolution declaring the former Transition Program property located at 13 Brock Court unnecessary for the uses of the District, therefore directing its sale. The Board set the minimum selling price at $205,000 and the notice was published for three consecutive weeks. No bids were received by August 28, 2017. Therefore, the Board is now authorized to adopt a resolution directing administration to obtain the services of a licensed Real Estate Broker in order to sell the property. Mr. Dada recommends the Club Group LLC, since they were involved with the purchase of the property originally as well as the purchase of the new property on 1008 Douglas Road. We have negotiated a 5% commission with that firm and the suggested listing price is $215,000.
6.5 Discussion of Closed Session Placement on Agenda
Dr. Sparlin asked for the board to discuss whether or not closed session should be place at the beginning of the board meeting opposed to at the end. The meeting could start in open session at 6:00 pm and the board could then immediately enter closed session in another room, returning to the community room at 6:45 pm in order to start the public meeting at 7:00 pm as in the past. If business did not get finished, the board would have the option to enter closed session again at the end of the meeting. Some board members had issues with the earlier start time due to work commitments. Perhaps closed session could start at 6:30 pm and open session at 7:30 pm.
Mr. Ploger was concerned about the student presentations being even later in the evening.
The board reached the compromise of starting Closed Session at 6:30pm and the Public Session at 7:15 pm. The Board Advisory Committee meetings will no longer be held before the board meetings and will all be at East View. The next board meeting on October 10th will therefore start at 7:15 pm for the public. Mr. Lightfoot stressed the importance of keeping presentations to about 10 minutes and for board members to be well prepared for each meeting.
7. Action Items
7.1 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 two million, six hundred ninety thousand, one hundred forty-six dollars and sixty-two cents (2,690,146.62)
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
7.2 East View Facility Remodeling Bid
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to award the contract for East View Facility Remodeling to LJ Dodd Construction in the amount of $355,000
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
8. Closed Session
8.1 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.
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 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 entered closed session at 8:41 p.m. following a short recess.
8.2 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 9:50 p.m.
9. Action after Closed Session
9.1 Approval of Personnel Report
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Ms. Toni Morgan, 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
9.2 Approval of DAC Administrator Contracts
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to approve the DAC administrator contracts
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. 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 9:52 p.m.
https://www.sd308.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=9932&dataid=42896&FileName=9.18.17%20Board%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
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