Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education Met Dec. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District 308, Kendall, Kane and Will Counties, Illinois, met in a 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 6:51 p.m. by Mrs. 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
Mr. Bauman participated by phone during closed session.
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 and individuals; 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)(6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Alison Swanson, to enter Closed Session under statute(s): 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and individuals; 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)(6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.
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 6:52 p.m.
2.2 Return to Open Session
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Ms. Toni Morgan, 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 7:26 p.m.
3. Call to Order – Public Session (7:30 pm)
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mrs. 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
Mr. Bauman participated virtually via zoom.
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
Others Present:
Board Attorney Maureen Lemon, Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg and Castaldo, as well as employees of the District
Recording Secretary:
Ursula Coan
3.2 Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President Lauri Doyle
4. Public Comment
4.1 Opportunity for the Public to address the Board of Education
There was no public comment this evening.
5. Comments/Reports
5.1 Board Member Comments
Toni Morgan – shared that she received some comments from community members asking for more communication in general, nothing specific.
Alison Swanson – commented to remind the students that there are 10 days of school left and grades count. Many students are struggling during this time and if extra help is needed, make sure that parents and/or students reach out.
Brent Lightfoot – added that when he hears student’s expressing frustration, his first response always is the question, have you contacted your teacher. Mr. Lightfoot also shared, that the Board receives many emails, demanding that students return to school right away. We all have that goal, there is a plan in place and we will get there as soon as we can.
Ruth Kroner – added that she truly believes, that every person in this room, every administrator and every teacher, wants our students and teachers to be back in the classroom. We have to abide by the restrictions that are in place at this time.
Lauri Doyle – shared that she was invited last week to a meeting with the Oswego Village Administration. They shared that there is development occurring in the Village in spite of COVID. Mrs. Doyle also encouraged students and parents to reach out if they needed help with anything.
5.2 Board Committee Reports
Equity Committee – Mrs. Kroner commented that the Budget Reduction presentation was shared with the committee at the last meeting. The committee was asked to look at it specifically on how the reductions would affect equity within our district. It was stated that there were no options that did not significantly impact students and staff, along with concerns about morale and stress. There are no easy decisions.
Finance Committee – Mr. Lightfoot reported that the Finance committee reviewed all the financial documents that were presented at the Board meeting. Mr. Lightfoot shared that the consensus was along the lines of; we don’t like it but we understand it has to happen. The committee also agreed that it would be best if the reductions were shared between all the possibilities instead of just taking it from one place.
Teaching and Learning Committee – Mrs. Moyer shared that the members of this committee also appreciated seeing the presentation and the opportunity to ask questions. Much of the time was spent answering questions and exploring possibilities, including the ones in the presentation. Everyone agreed that cutting the budget is hard, teaching and leading during a pandemic is hard and we are in stressful times. There was much discussion on how to minimize impact on our most vulnerable students. Ms. Morgan added that the Board does not micro manage, the Board does not decide who gets let go, the Board gives direction to the administration on how much needs to be cut with either a percentage or a dollar amount.
5.3 Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Sparlin shared that we had the Food Pantry for the second time and it took place at the old Traughber facility. We provided food to over 200 people that night and all of it was extremely well organized with many volunteers on site. Since the last Board meeting, administration has been doing more work on mitigating the budget deficit and our plan will be presented to the Board in January. Dr. Sparlin shared that his team has also been working on the Return to In Person Learning plan and how that can be implemented in the second semester. The goal is to have all students in the hybrid model by early February. The detailed plan will be communicated to staff and parents before winter break.
6. Approve Consent Agenda
6.1 Approval of Minutes from previous Meeting
6.2 Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information (FOIA) Requests
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Ms. Toni Morgan, to approve all items under consent, including 6.1 Minutes from the November 16, 2020 Board of Education Meeting, open and closed session and 6.2 to acknowledge the FOIA requests received by the District
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
7. Information Only
7.1 Financial Statements
There were no questions on the Financial Statements
7.2 Update on Return to In Person Learning
Dr. Sparlin stated that his team has been working on the Return to In Person Learning plan and how that can be best implemented in the second semester. We want our students back in the building, but at the same time we need to be cognizant of the metrics and continue to follow the science. The goal is to have all students in the hybrid model by early February, with the emphasis being on our youngest and neediest students first. The detailed re-entry plan will be communicated to staff and parents before winter break. Mrs. Doyle stated that she appreciates that any changes to the plan will be given with at least one week notice, so families can make necessary adjustments.
7.3 Update on 5-Year Projections
Christi Tyler, CFO, provided the Board with the updated 5-year projections. At the time the projections were provided in November, the FY20 fund balances were not available yet, therefore that model pointed to a previous year’s fund balance. Since then, a draft audit has been received with FY20 ending balances that are much more favorable. This model assumes flat funding for EBF until FY23. It shows that the deficit will carry into FY24. The board members suggested to also show a scenario where Evidence Based Funding does not increase during the 5 years.
Another scenario included a 4M budget reduction in FY22 with all other assumptions being the same. Those projections show a positive fund balance by FY23. If there was no increase to EBF in FY23, then we would still show a deficit budget for FY23 and FY24 even with a 4M reduction in the budget. The Board discussed the total amount of budget reductions to be considered, with the assumption of no increase in EBF over the next 5 years. The general consensus was at 5M, potentially going higher if needed.
Mrs. Tyler stated that the difference in meal reimbursements due to the pandemic is shown in the projections, since that impact is in the same fiscal year. Transportation will be reduced drastically, but that impact in revenue will be next year.
In January, Mrs. Tyler will follow up with a presentation that will provide a better picture of what our deficit really looks like.
8. Action Items
8.1 Approval of Bills for Payment
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Alison Swanson, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of two million, one hundred sixty-four thousand, twelve dollars and seventy-four cents ($2,164,012.74) as presented
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
8.2 Reject Drivers’ Education Bid Results
On November 23, 2020 a drivers’ education vehicle lease/purchase bid was released. Valley Honda was the only dealership that elected to submit a bid. After reviewing, a price to lease only option was included on their submission, not a price to purchase vehicles without a lease. Therefore, another bid will be released on December 18, 2020, with the information being presented on January 11, 2021. Mr. Lightfoot commented that dealership currently have about 25% less inventory than they did a year ago, which means they have little or no incentive to be giving out deals. He asked for more information as to why the district is looking at purchasing vehicles opposed to leasing them as in the past. Mrs. Tyler stated that the bid will be released in that manner in order to compare the cost of a lease to a purchase. Currently we have a deal to rent cars with a daily fee. We are looking at a lease because it is more economical to lease a car for three years. The reason the bid needs to be rejected is because they neglected to provide a purchase price. We were told that dealers have incentives month by month and they were concerned that they would give us a bid with a deal they have in December that would no longer stand in January. It would be best to have the information and approval in the same month so that we could get the incentives, as well as hopefully receiving bids from more dealers. Any one item over $25,000 should be put out to bid and approved by the Board before being purchased. There are some exceptions to the bidding process and some items are purchased through State bids, in order to take advantage of those prices instead of going out for a separate bid.
There will be more discussion on the general bidding process at a later time.
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to reject the Drivers’ Education bid results as presented
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
8.3 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
9. Closed Session
9.1 Enter Closed Session under statute(s): 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and individuals; 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)(6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to
enter Closed Session under statute(s): 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and
individuals; 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)(6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.
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 the second closed session at 8:49 p.m.
Mr. Bauman participated by phone during closed session.
9.2 Return to Open Session
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Ms. Toni Morgan, 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 9:45 p.m.
10. Adjournment
10.1 Adjourn
A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Ms. Toni Morgan, 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 9:46 p.m.
https://www.sd308.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=9932&dataid=65585&FileName=12.07.20%20Board%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
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