Oswego Community Unit School District 308 met Oct. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the District:
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District 308, Kendall, Kane and Will Counties, Illinois, met in regular session in the Community Room at Oswego East High School.
Note for file: All roll call votes are shown in alphabetical order in these minutes; however, during the Board Meeting votes are called out in accordance with Board Policy 2:220
1. Call to Order – Executive Session (6:45 pm)
The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Board President Lauri Doyle
1.1 Roll Call:
Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:
Matt Bauman, Lauri Doyle, Ruth Kroner, Brent Lightfoot, Toni Morgan, Heather Moyer, Alison Swanson
Members Absent (at roll call):
None
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.
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Ms. Roni Morgan, to 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.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson
The Board of Education entered closed session at 6:47 p.m.
2.2 Return to Open Session
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to return to Open Session.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson
The Board of Education returned to Open Session at 7:32 p.m.
3. Call to Order – Public Session (7:30 pm)
The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m. by Board President Lauri Doyle
3.1 Roll Call:
Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:
Matt Bauman, Lauri Doyle, Ruth Kroner, Brent Lightfoot, Toni Morgan, Heather Moyer, Alison Swanson
Members Absent (at roll call):
None
Administration Present:
Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Sparlin
Associate Superintendent of Educational Services Faith Dahlquist
Chief Financial Officer Mrs. Christi Tyler
Director of Communications Mrs. Theresa Komitas
Others Present:
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 Lauri Doyle
4. Recognitions
4.1 PRIDE October Award Recipients
President Lauri Doyle and members of the Board of Education recognized the October PRIDE award recipients.
- Boulder Hill Elementary School – Carrie Latzke (Teacher), Ali Wooden (Teacher), Cindy Wells (Teacher Assistant)
- Old Post Elementary School – Carrie Jones (Teacher), Candace Popp (Teacher), Joanne Trakszelis (Principal Sectretary)
- Transportation – Romney Kirby (Bus Monitor), Jean Vanwelzen (Bus Monitor)
5. Public Comment
5.1 Opportunity for the Public to address the Board of Education
Tina Daskocil – commented regarding the junior high school sports, thanking the OEA for their help in ensuring the program could continue for the current school year. Mrs. Daskocil shared that her daughter is very sad about the possibility of not being able to continue playing next year. This is a time for them to try different sports to see what they like and what they don’t. Mrs. Dascocil asked for the Board to consider putting the referendum back on the ballot or find other ways to keep the junior high sports.
Debbie Zahorak – stated that while there are many reasons she would like to see the referendum back on the ballot, the most important on is junior high sports. Her 6th grade son had such a positive experience on the Cross Country team and it is important that for him to have that option again next year. Mrs. Zahorak stated that people were not informed enough to know the consequences of a failed referendum. We are now prepared to do our part for the future of the district. Our group will make sure that everyone is well informed of the ramifications of another failure and to encourage the community to go out and vote yes.
6 Comments/Reports
6.1 Board Member Comments
Toni Morgan – commented that the referendum is one possibility to raise funds for the district, but we can also make sure to let the state know that more funding is needed.
Heather Moyer – stated that she attended another meeting of the School Community Resource Collaborative. She shared the groups new mission statement:
The School Community Resource Collaborative brings together community members to promote the sharing of resources and information with the goal of combating stigma, fostering wellbeing, and supporting resilience for all children and families in SD308
Their value statement reads:
The SCRC membership believes in utilizing a holistic strength based and culturally sensitive approach to the integration of education and resources to best promote family resiliency. The SCRC recognizes the importance of building respectful, supportive and nurturing relationships throughout the community
Mrs. Moyer stated that the purpose of this group is to make our community a better place for the children as well as their families. The University of Aurora has been a great partner, doing much of the work behind the scenes. SCRC meetings take place every other month.
Lauri Doyle - stated that everyone is pulling together, recognizing the importance of educating our students in all different areas of their needs. Our own State Representatives are getting more involved in understanding how our school district functions. It is really good to see all these different groups that help take care of everyone.
Ruth Kroner – stated that Oswego High School hosts a Marching Band Review every year. It is not a judged competition, but feedback is provided. Mrs. Kroner shared that both high school marching bands are terrific.
Brent Lightfoot – shared about the OFEE fundraising event that was held at Northfork Farm, with the help of the Pasteris family that owns the beautiful venue. It was a fun event in spite of pouring rain. Mr. Lightfoot stressed the importance of supporting OFEE’s cause.
6.2 Board Advisory Committee Updates
Teaching and Learning – Mrs. Moyer reported that the committee reviewed and discussed MTSS (Multi-Tiered Support Systems). Mrs. Dahlquist gave a presentation about next steps of building our strategic plan. Mrs. Moyer stated that the discussion revolved around professional development and the concern for teacher workloads. The committee also briefly reviewed the curriculum review cycle with the understanding that it is a working document. Mrs. Moyer shared that there was good conversation regarding the role of the committee and future agenda items.
6.3 Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Sparlin reminded everyone of the 6th annual Food Drive taking place. The goal is to stock the shelves of the Kendall County Food Pantry before the Holidays Season begins. In each of the last 6 years, the school district has been able to make the single largest donation for the pantry. This year we are teaming up with the Village of Oswego, Oswego Police, Oswego Fire, Oswego Library and the Oswego Park District in order to extend our impact and make it even more of a community wide event. This year, monetary donations are also accepted with $1 counting as 8 food items donated.
This Friday night, Kyle Schultz, the Deaf Ninja Warrior will give a presentation at Prairie Point Elementary school at 6:00 pm.
Dr. Sparlin acknowledged Amy Trumper, a teacher at Bednarcik Junior High, who was recently nominated for the National Civic Engagement Champion Award. Only five teachers were nominated for this award in the State of Illinois.
Dr. Sparlin congratulated Randy Craig, Art Teacher at Thompson Junior High, for being named by the IAEA as their 2019 middle level Art Educator of the Year in the State of Illinois.
7. Presentations
7.1 Special Education Program Review
Jennifer Volpe, Executive Director of Special Education, shared a review of the Special Education Programs and Services conducted between 2017 and 2019.
Mrs. Volpe started out with a Department Review and the critical components included in that.
Step 1 – Identify the problem
Step 2 – Why is it occurring
Step 3 – What are we going to do about it
Step 4 – Is it working
Mrs. Volpe next shared the data sources that were used in order to complete the evaluation process. It is important to look at the strengths of each program and it is amazing how dedicated the staff is to serve students and to prepare them for life after school.
Assessments
- Large scale pilot of 2 progress monitoring assessments
- Implementation of FastBridge universal screening and progress monitoring tool
- Adopted two new assessments for students on Autism Spectrum
- Established annual review of student growth data
This portion was discussed at length during our last presentation to the Board.
Technology
- Developed and implemented comprehensive training plan for certified staff
- Developed and began implementation of 3 year comprehensive training plan for program and building administration
- Established District Support Team (DST)
- AT department targeted support
- Technology courses
Child Find and Eligibility
- Developed compliant procedures & revised documentation for screening and evaluation
- Developed new procedures and manual for 504 Plans and trained administrators
- Established new procedures for IEP paperwork
- Developed new IEP procedures and case manager manual
- District MTSS committee work
Facilities
- Completed facility and move to new Pathway Facility
- Managed completion and move to new EVA facilities
- Analyzed Transition Program, enrollment projections and presented to the Board
- Managed design and completion of new OE High School LSP program facilities
Service Delivery Model
- Developed 3 High School Mathematics courses
- Developed High School Resource Course
- Early Childhood Program Service Deliver
- Training on Goals, IEP minutes and placement considerations
Staffing Allocation
- Analyzed administration, support staff and teaching assistant staffing patterns
- Developed a plan and implemented alternative staffing structures
- Developed new Teacher Assistant Matrix
- Developed new job descriptions and trained on new responsibilities
- Reallocated IDEA grant and local funds to accomplish alternative staffing plan
State and Federal Compliance is very important. Much training was done with certified staff and program administrators on compliance and procedures. The department is really working towards reallocating funds to have ongoing professional development and support within the district.
Mrs. Volpe expanded on the new related services legislation, which asks that all parents with a student that has an IEP be notified, that the related services will be kept in a log format and provided to parents every year at the annual review as well as any time they are requested. This year staff is asked to log hours in service tracker for all students, not just the Medicaid students. We are also required to send home all paperwork prior to IEP meetings. Mrs. Swanson asked if developing new job descriptions and training on new responsibilities meant that new staff needed to be hired.
Mrs. Volpe stated that the goal over time is to reduce the special education administrators and have the assistant principal’s take on more of the responsibility over time, which would be a reduction in staff. Therefore, this year we are rolling out the ongoing training for our AP’s in selected buildings K-8. WE did hire new staff for the District Support Team by evaluating how our professional development funds were being used. Instead of sending staff out of district for PD, we reallocated some of those funds and hired our District Support Team. Mrs. Volpe stated that currently our special ed population is at 14 percent, almost 2500 students. Mr. Bauman asked for the Board to be provided with some historical data on the special ed enrollment numbers. Our enrollment as a district is coming down slightly every year and the special ed enrollment is increasing.
Next, Mrs. Volpe shared some work planned for the current school year.
- Onboard two new Directors and five program Administrators
- Budget Efficiencies & Revenue Resources
- Curriculum/Intervention Pilots
- Administrative Restructuring Plan Implementation
- Embrace IEP Management System
- FastBridge Screening Progress Monitoring
- Professional Learning Plan and District Support Team Rollout
- Service Delivery Models Junior High
- Program Enrollment Projections and Space Considerations EC-21
- Compliance and Procedures
Mrs. Doyle asked a question regarding the 504 and IEP student management systems that were implemented. How do we keep track if the special accommodations for a 504 student are being followed?
Mrs. Volpe stated that when the new system was implemented, staff in each building was identified to facilitate this process. Currently 504 students are not included in the 70/30 mandate for a classroom, only IEP students. Mrs. Swanson stated that they should be included, even if the law does not require it, since they do take extra time from a teacher.
The complete presentation on the Special Education Department Review of Programs and Services, including the audio recording, can be found at the following link: https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/Public
7.2 Strategic Planning Update
Faith Dahlquist, Associate Superintendent for Educational Services, provided the Board with an update on the Strategic Planning process, what has been completed, what work is ahead, and where we are in regards to our timeline.
Mrs. Dahlquist explained that nothing is final at this time. There are a total of six steps, with step one and two completed and now we are working on the third step, building the plan.
Visioning group sessions with administrators as well as initial work in Board subcommittees has been completed. I have met with principals to determine best ways and timeline to incorporate student voice.
Mrs. Dahlquist presented and update on the timeline with the goal of presenting the finalized one page strategic plan to the Board for review and final feedback in April. In May, we will build a dashboard and monitoring report calendar and share the draft with the Board.
In June we will work with Principals and cabinet to create a five year implementation, finalize the dashboard with the Board and the annual report calendar; and finally publish the Vision for 2025.
The four different areas of the plan are:
- Student Learning
- Systems of Support for Student Learning
- Finance and Facilities
- Community Partnerships
Mrs. Swanson asked why under Student Learning, the Dual Language program is listed and no others. Mrs. Dahlquist explained that this statement is one committees choice and not reflective of what will end up on the final strategic plan.
The complete presentation on the Strategic Plan Update, including the audio recording, can be found at the following link: https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/Public
7.3 5-Year Financial Projections
Dr. Sparlin, together with Christi Tyler, provided two different 5-year financial scenarios for the board. The purpose of this presentation is to give both, information and get direction from the Board in regards to accomplishing our financial goals.
The 2019-20 Board Priority #3 states to prioritize the district budgets to meet the needs of students while maintaining fiscal solvency. Dr. Sparlin stated that in 2016, the administration presented a “do nothing” scenario, where the district changed no financial practices. In that scenario, the district would have been out of reserves by fall of this year and at the end of the 2020 fiscal year, the district would have had a projected $15 million deficit. At our last Board meeting, we presented a balanced budget with a $15 million reserve and much work went into making that happen.
Dr. Sparlin shared that since 2016, the Board of Education has approved more than $14 million in budget cuts and revenue enhancements, affecting all levels of the district, from students to administrators.
Two goals were accomplished since 2016; to create a balanced budget and to increase our financial reserves.
Dr. Sparlin also emphasized the importance of Evidence Based Funding, stating that the district has received more funding with the new model compared to General State Aid (previous funding model).
The Board was presented with two options for how to proceed, one would maintain current practices which would include steps like continuing to issue Tax Anticipation Warrants (TAWs) and continuing with the current reductions and fee schedules. It does not include junior high sports for the 2020-21 school year. This option projects a slight increase in the surplus over the next five years, creating a $3.4 million surplus and projected year-end balance of $31.4 million in 2025.
The second option would bring back the operating fund referendum, a $.30 cent property tax rate increase beginning in the 2021 tax collection year. Those revenues would allow the district to gradually reduce the amount of TAWs it would issue and roll back several previous budget cuts and fee increases.
Passing the referendum would increase the district's surplus as well, but at a greater rate, leaving a $5.6 million surplus and projected year-end balance of $37.9 million in 2025. In addition, it includes the Board approved rollbacks from February 2019:
- Reducing participation fee for all activity and clubs K-12
- Reducing high school sports fees
- Reinstate Junior High athletics
- Resuming summer school transportation
- Reducing class sizes K-5
- Reinstating the gifted education model for third grade students
Mrs. Swanson commented that if class size numbers are changed the district might need to discuss attendance areas again.
Ms. Morgan commented that the Board voting on the referendum would merely bring it back on the ballot and would give the community the option to decide.
Mrs. Kroner shared that one of the items identified in the Finance & Facilities Committee for the strategic plan was, was to have a 20 percent reserve. Scenario two shows that a fund balance of nearly $38 million is approximately 15.5 percent.
Mr. Lightfoot stated that as another option, the district could sell bonds strictly to build up working cash. This might be a cheaper solution to the taxpayer opposed to an increase through a referendum.
Mrs. Swanson added that she would want to wait with approving this until the contract with the OEA has been settled.
Mrs. Tyler agreed that the numbers change frequently and the projections get adjusted accordingly. Mrs. Tyler stated that if the Board wanted to approve the referendum to go on the ballot, action would need to be taken by December 27, 2019.
The Board discussed that the budget is balanced by a small margin only for next year and that it would not take much to throw the numbers off the other way. Mrs. Kroner compared it to a household budget, where the mortgage gets paid and there is food, but if something out of the ordinary comes up, the funds are not available and credit would need to be taken out.
Mrs. Moyer stated that it’s important to clearly articulate to the community what the plan is as a consequence of a referendum passing or not.
Mrs. Doyle reminded everyone that there is a Public Forum scheduled on November 4th, which provides an opportunity for the community to ask questions and give their input on the direction of the district.
The complete presentation on the 5-year Financial Projections, including the audio recording, can be found at the following link: https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/Public
8. Approve Consent Agenda
8.1 Approval of Minutes from previous Meetings
8.2 Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information (FOIA) Requests
8.3 Approval of Membership for the Finance & Facilities Advisory Committee
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to approve all items under consent, including 8.1 Minutes from the September 23, 2019 Board of Education Meeting,
Open and Closed Session; 8.2 to acknowledge the FOIA Requests; and 8.3 to approve the membership of an individual for the Finance and Facilities Advisory Committee
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson
9. Action Items
9.1 Approval of District Administrator Contract A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to approve the District Administrator Contract as presented
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-1
Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer
Nay: Mrs. Alison Swanson
9.2 Approval of Personnel Report
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to approve the Personnel report as presented
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 5-2
Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer,
Nay: Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Mrs. Alison Swanson
10. Adjournment
10.1 Adjourn
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to adjourn.
All were in favor unanimously to adjourn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson
Meeting Adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
https://www.sd308.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=9932&dataid=57310&FileName=10.7.19%20Board%20Meeting%20Minutes.doc.pdf
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