Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board met January 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 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
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; members of the press and 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. Public Hearing
2.1 Public Hearing on the State Waiver Application to increase the Drivers Education Fee
Mr. Banks read the Public Hearing Statement to inform all of the purpose of the Hearing and to offer a chance for the public to comment or present written testimony.
President Banks asked that each member of the Board of Education, the District’s Attorney and the District Administrators who will speak to identify themselves for the record. The following members and staff were present:
Board Attorney Maureen Lemon, Ottosen Britz Kelly Cooper Gilbert and DiNolfo, Ltd; Dr. John Sparlin, Dr. Lisa Smith, Asif Dada and Jamie Max; Brad Banks, Matt Bauman, Lauri Doyle, Brent Lightfoot, Toni Morgan and Jared Ploger.
At this time, Mrs. Lemon presented an overview of the district’s Waiver Application and the submission and approval process going forward.
Mrs. Lemon stated that the Illinois Driver Education Act requires all Illinois High Schools to offer the Driver Education course. The law allows the school district to charge a reasonable fee for the course. Per the statute, the reasonable fee is set at $50 but allows a School Board to increase that fee to no more than $250 if they hold a public hearing and adopt a Resolution. A prior School Board held that hearing to increase the fee and at this time, SD308 charges $250. The only way to go above that dollar amount is to submit a waiver to the General Assembly to increase the fee to a set amount. The State Waiver for the new fee can be approved for up to 5 years. The waiver before the Board this evening asks for the fee to be increased from $250 to $400. The cost to the district for the course is approximately $650 per student. If approved, the waiver would allow the district to continue to offer the Driver Education program, which is a one semester course taught by appropriately certified instructors. It includes the required minimum 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of behind the wheel instruction and 6 hours of behind the wheel observation. Local private vendors range from $400 to over $600 for their courses. The district would continue to provide the course at no charge to the students that qualify for a fee waiver.
In preparation for this Hearing, notices have been posted on the district website and have been published in the Ledger-Sentinel at least 14 days prior to this meeting. In addition, written advanced notice has been mailed to each of our State Legislators as well as to the leadership of each Collective Bargaining Unit.
Assuming the State Board of Education approves the waiver, they will forward it to the General Assembly for approval in March. The waiver would then be in place for 5 years, beginning with the 2018-19 school year.
Mr. Lightfoot stated that even with the increase, this would not be a cost neutral program. Per Dr. Smith, the deficit would be approximately $89,000, depending on how many fee waivers would be received. Mr. Max commented that traditionally about 25% of students taking the course, qualified for a fee waiver. Mr. Banks asked how many other districts in Illinois have applied for the waiver and Mr. Max did not have the exact number, but it was stated that it is the number one waiver application of school districts in this State.
Dr. Smith stated that the State reimbursement per students stays the same, regardless of the fee charged for the program.
Mrs. Doyle asked if the district explored other options for expense reduction for this program in addition to revenue increase. Mr. Max explained that due to SB1947, discussion has been going on across the State for district’s to have outside sources providing the Drivers Education courses. The Secretary of State does not believe that one needs a teaching certificate to teach a student in school Drivers Education. ISBE states that a teacher needs that endorsement. At this time, we do not have a concrete answer on this. Mr. Bauman asked if the district has looked at reducing the expenses for cars, gas and insurance.
Dr. Smith stated that we currently lease our vehicles and she will make some comparisons with other district to see if purchasing the cars would be cheaper.
Ms. Morgan voiced concern regarding drivers from outside agencies being alone in a car with students. Even though background checks are conducted, we need to make sure they are capable of taking good care of our students.
Mr. Lightfoot asked how the district came up with $400 as a fee and Mr. Max explained that we wanted to stay below what outside agencies charge in our area ($450 and $550).
Mrs. Lemon explained that even though the maximum amount for the waiver is $450, that is not something that can be changed this evening, because all notices went out with the amount being $400. Mr. Lightfoot expressed disappointment that we did not ask for the maximum amount of $450. The deadline to submit the waiver to the State is January 12, 2018, therefore there is not enough time to post the Public Hearing for the required 2 weeks. It would be possible to submit another waiver for the 2019-20 school year with the higher amount.
The board directed the administration to look into additional cost savings with the Drivers Education program. The board also asked to get more information on how the State funding is calculated.
At this time, President Banks invited members of the public to comment regarding the proposed waiver.
Mike Cook stated that while he understands the financial position the district is in and that some cuts need to be made, he does not agree with parents having to pay 100% of the Driver’s Education program. There are no other cost neutral programs. This is a mandatory program, a graduation requirement. We can look at other programs that cost the district much more, for example the Dual Language program that costs much more per student and only benefits a few. Parents do not want to send their kids to a private company and trust someone that makes minimum wage as opposed to a certified teacher.
Angie McCauley, stated that it sounds like the board does not want students to take Drivers Education in the district, even though it is a required class. It is not right to make it part of the graduation requirement and at the same time ask parents to fund the program 100%. Ms. McCauley commented that she used to work in the school cafeteria and in her opinion the free and reduced lunch program is taken advantage of by many. There should be a better checking system in place instead of just accepting the applications. She had to pay for an after school club as well as for sports for her daughter, but marching band is free. It should be the same for everyone.
President Banks asked the Administration if there was any additional information, documentation or recommendations to share with the Board.
Administration had no more comments
Mr. Banks asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing at this time
2.2 Close Public Hearing
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Brad Banks, to close the Public Hearing
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
3. Action Items
3.1 Approval of State Waiver Application
Before the motion was read, Mrs. Doyle clarified that approval of this waiver doesn’t mean that the fee will be increased, it would just give the district the ability to do so if that decision is made during the budget reduction talks. The fee could be increased to any amount, up to $400. The next opportunity to submit a waiver, should the district seek the maximum amount of $450, would be in the fall of 2018.
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Brad Banks, to approve the application for the Driver's Education Waiver pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/2-3.25(g) of the Illinois School Code, allowing SD308 to increase the amount the district may charge a student to participate in a driver's education course under Section 27-24.2 of the Illinois School Code from $250.00 to $400.00 for the course.
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
4. Public Comment
4.1 Each Person will be provided five (5) minutes to speak before the Board of Education
The following individuals addressed the Board at this time:
Loretta Burke, Library Media Specialist at Traughber Junior High, shared some information about the school Library Media program. There is one certified LMS in each Junior High that serves both the staff and the students. The mission is ”To collaborate with other members of the school and global communities, empowering students with the essential skills for using ideas and information effectively and enable them to become lifelong learners”. The guidelines of an exemplary school Library program can be divided into three key roles; teaching for learning, a learning environment and leadership. On any given day, the LMS is involved in technology, training, developing new training programs for staff and students within the building. Ms. Burke stated that each LMS follows the national standard which is integral to curriculum. We plan with teachers for lessons and assessments, adhering to the current learning standards. It is shown, that School Libraries and the committed staff that runs them, helps students to achieve higher reading and writing scores. This School Library Media program is an important contributor to the newly adopted common core standards. There were over 6,000 visits to the LRC in the first semester.
Sara Meyer, Library Media Specialist at Plank Junior High, also shared with the Board the importance of the Library Media program. Ms. Meyer reiterated her colleague’s comments in regards to this program, since the Board is looking at a possible reduction. Ms. Meyer stated that in addition to being a librarian, they serve in the role of instructional technologist as well. We are very passionate about our jobs and we are here tonight to support that program. Please take the importance of this position into consideration as you look at possible budget reductions.
5. Adjournment
5.1 Adjourn
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to adjourn.
All were in favor unanimously to adjourn.
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
Meeting Adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
https://www.sd308.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=9932&dataid=45396&FileName=1.8.18%20Board%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
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