Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education met March 20

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

May 26, 2023

Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education met March 20.

Here are 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 (6:15 p.m.)

The meeting was called to order at 6:16 p.m. by President LaTonya Simelton

1.1 Roll Call:

Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:

Dominick Cirone, Eugene Gatewood, Jared Ploger, LaTonya Simelton

Members Absent (at roll call):

Lauri Doyle, Jennifer Johnson, Alison Swanson

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 certain 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)(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. Eugene Gatewood, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to enter Closed Session under statute(s); 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of certain 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)(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 4-0

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Mr. Jared Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton

The Board of Education entered closed session at 6:17 p.m.

2.2 Return to Open Session

A motion was made by Ms. Jennifer Johnson, second by Mr. Eugene Gatewood, to return to Open session

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 5-0

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson,

Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton

The Board of Education returned to open session at 7:07 p.m.

3. Call to Order – Public Session (7:15 pm)

The meeting was called to order at 7:20 p.m. by President LaTonya Simelton

3.1 Roll Call:

Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:

Dominick Cirone, Eugene Gatewood, Jennifer Johnson, Jared Ploger, LaTonya Simelton

Members Absent (at roll call):

Lauri Doyle, Alison Swanson

Administration Present:

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Sparlin

Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Faith Dahlquist

Assistant Superintendent for Student & Staff Services, Dr. Heather Kincaid

Assistant Superintendent for Operations, Dr. John Petzke

Director of Communications, Theresa Komitas

Others Present:

Attorney Maureen Lemon, Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg and Castaldo, as well as employees of the District and members of the community.

Recording Secretary:

Ursula Studer

3.2 Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President LaTonya Simelton

4. Recognitions

4.1 Winter Athletic Recognition and National Merit Finalists

Winter Athletic Recognition and National Merit Finalists

• National Merit Finalists - Oswego East High School

Arjun Ramesh, Nicholas Rondon, Aanya Roy

• Oswego Co-op Boys Swimming & Diving Team and placed 3rd at the IHSA State Boys Swim & Dive Championships in the 500 Freestyle

Chase Maier, Sophomore

• Student athletes from the Oswego High School Girls Bowling Team. This team has turned into one of the top contenders in Illinois after last year placing 3rd in the IHSA State Competition and this year placing 5th!

Dan Okoren, Coach

Brittany Breedlove, Coach

Mike Resner, Coach

Lani Breedlove, senior

Sunny Bowker, freshman

Hailey Jourdan, junior

Amber Lymenstull, junior

Rhiannon Reynolds, sophomore

Katlyn Watson,senior

Madison Watson, junior

Samantha Watson, freshman

• Student athletes from the Oswego High School Varsity Co-Ed Cheerleading Team. The OHS Cheer team captured the school’s first ever Sectional Championship! Congratulations Cheer for having finished 6th in State!

Maggie Hill, Coach

Emily Gaw, Coach

Arnetta Henry, Coach

Ava Brown, junior

Anayya Brunson, senior

Janiya Chatman, senior

Miranda Cook, junior

Sabrina Davis, sophomore

Bryli Elizondo, sophomore

Jaylene Garcia, junior

William Hawkins, sophomore

Tahja Jackson, junior

Connor Kehoe, senior

Madelyne Koehler, senior

Sarah Nolan, senior

Isabella Petasnick, sophomore

Samuel Petasnick, senior

Natalie Smiarowski, sophomore

Gia Smith, freshman

Ava Smith, junior

Autumn Strysik, sophomore

Breanna Thomas, freshman

Elle Tweedy, senior

Abby Vina, senior

Samantha Wade, senior

Rachel Zwemke, junior

• Student athletes from the Oswego East Wolves Boys Basketball team. This team finished the year with an impressive 29-6 record, a regional title, a sectional title, and a trip to the super sectional where they gave eventual Class 4A state champions Moline their biggest test of the tournament, losing by just 4 points. Sun-Times High School Sports Editor Michael O’Brien’s final Super 25 rankings for 2023, placed the Wolves in 5th place overall.

- Coach Velasquez

-Coach Mo

- Symone Lockett, junior, Team Manager

-Mason Blanco, Senior

-Austin Caracci, junior

-Micah Gatewood, senior

-Patrick Holt, senior

-Tyler Jasek, senior

-Giovonni Johnson, senior

-Ryan Johnson, senior

-Mekhi Lowery, senior

-Noh Mason, junior

-Braydon Murphy, junior

-Andrew Pohlman, sophomore

-Torrin Ross, sophomore

-Bryce Shoto, senior

-Aiden Sims, junior

-Jehvion Starwood, junior

-Andrew Wiggins, junior

4.2 PRIDE Recognition

March Employees of the Month

Jen Corbel - Employee - Grande Park

Zenia Cisneros - Employee - Wolf's Crossing

March Teachers of the Month

Jen Aughenbaugh - Teacher - Wolf's Crossing

Jill Snell - Teacher - Wolf's Crossing

Patrick Molinari - Teacher - Oswego East High School

Angela Klintworth - Teacher - Boulder Hill Elementary School

5. Public Comment

5.1 Opportunity for the Public to address the Board of Education

There was no public comment this evening.

6. Comments/Reports

6.1 Superintendent Report

A moment of silence was held in memory of two Oswego East High School students who passed away: Shaquell Givens and Jack Silva.

6.2 Student Ambassador Report

Aanya and Kaitlyn echoed the sentiments of sympathies on behalf of the student body. SSAC met several times to finalize the survey about mental health. Focus is on the many facets of mental health across the student body. The survey is in three parts (building accessibility, student to student interaction and student to teacher interaction). Focus on creating safe spaces where students can learn and discuss mental health. The questions will have multiple choice and free answer format. The survey will be administered after spring break, using the YPAR strategies to desegregate data and build recommendation plans providing information back to administration on what the group has found. Through the use of the survey they want to normalize the discussion of mental health in school. Incorporating mental health awareness within the classroom, and how students interact in the classroom. Mental health education and awareness should be integrated and not another tag on to things they’re learning.

6.3 Board Committee Reports

Mrs. Johnson gave a shout out to the policy committee, administrators, and board secretary who are reviewing the board policies line by line to review for accuracy and ease of use ahead of adding them to the new system Press Plus. An Administrative Procedures manual is also being prepared along the way to provide clear direction on implementation of the policies.

Finance & Operations, Policy & Legislative and Teaching & Learning report are available online.

6.4 Board Member Comments

Mr. Cirone - Students will be presenting to the equity committee on their opinion on equity at a public meeting on 3.21.23. Fast-a-thon Ramadan Dinner organized by the Muslim Student Association will be held on April 5 from 6-8pm at Oswego High School, cost is $5, please RSVP online. Mr. Ploger - Visited several schools across the district, engaging in staff and student conversations and observations, as he learned about what is going on and how things run in each of the schools he visited. One concern was staff shortage issues at East View Academy. Mr. Ploger provided input on his desire to move to the middle school model, which will take resources. He would like to invite conversation on this model.

Mrs. Johnson - Congratulations to student merit finalists. Community Chat is March 23. This virtual meeting is a way to corroborate with other parents. Upcoming Career and Trade Expo at OHS March 23. Mrs. Simelton - Update on the Superintendent search. Three avenues for feedback will take place- Focus Groups, Open Forums and an online Survey. Nine invited focus groups will be formed based upon representation of students, parents, staff and community groups. The Open Forums will be held on April 12 (one for staff, one for the community). All community members are invited to complete a survey which will be held in mid April . There will be designated time within classrooms to allow students and staff to participate in the survey. Seventeen applicants have applied for the position at this time, six are located out of state. The search firm has indicated that the candidates are strong and they feel the district is in a good position for finding qualified candidates.

7. Approval of Consent Agenda

7.1 Approval of Minutes from previous Meeting

Mr. Gatewood question a FOIA that was released and made a motion, second by Mr. Cirone, to remove the FOIA’s from the consent agenda and bring back to the next Board meeting.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 3-0

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. LaTonya Simelton Abstain: Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Mr. Jared Ploger

A motion was made by Ms. Jennifer Johnson, second by Mr. Eugene Gatewood, to approve all items under consent, including Minutes from the Board of Education meeting on February 27, 2023, open and closed session; Minutes from the Board of Education Public Forum on March 6, 2023; to approve the Interfund Transfers and to approve the Illinois High School Association Membership Renewal for 2023-24 for Oswego and Oswego East High School

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 5-0

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Mr. Jared Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton

8. Information

8.1 Financial Statements

Ms. Doyle arrived at 8:15 p.m.

8.2 Harvey and Wolf’s Crossing Intersection Contribution

Dr. Petzke presented a $161,932 request from the Village for a portion of the construction expense of a roundabout expected to be installed near Oswego East High School. This request stems from an agreement between the District and the Village to pay 25% of the cost of intersection traffic signals. There was discussion on the difference between signals and roundabouts and the district’s obligation in the agreement. An attorney for the district will be seeking additional information from the Village and the subject will be brought back to the Board.

8.3 Custodial Chemical Supply Bid

Operations Director Bill Queen and Dr. John Petzke presented the SD 308’s custodial bid for maintenance supplies is in a two-year cycle and we are currently due to go out to bid. Cooperative purchasing is conducted by, or on behalf of, one or more government units for use by other government units. Interest in exploring the use of a cooperative as an alternative to the competitive bidding process for smaller projects, as these contracts are already vetted and approved by the State of Illinois. We have an existing partnership with Sourcewell Cooperative for various supplies and services like Tyler Technologies, Kubota and Grainger to name a few.

8.4 OEHS and OHS Tennis Court Bids

On February 23, 2023, bids were publicly opened and read aloud for the Oswego High School & Oswego East High School Tennis Courts project. Two contractors chose to submit bids for this project. The low base bid was submitted by Abbey Paving from Aurora, Illinois in the amount of $1,641,775.00.

8.5 OEHS and OHS Track Bids

On February 23, 2023, bids were publicly opened and read aloud for Oswego & Oswego East High School Track projects. Two contractors chose to submit bids for this project. The low base bid was submitted by Schroeder Asphalt Services from Huntley, Illinois in the amount of $797,000.00. The second lowest bid was submitted by Abbey Paving from Aurora, Illinois in the amount of $808,335.00, including consideration of allowance. Abbey Paving submitted a bid for Alternate No. 1 OEHS Full Depth Track in the amount of $61,075.00. Their bid for Alternate No. 2 Concrete Ribbon Curb was submitted in the amount of $145,605.00. Their bid for Alternate No.3 OEHS Reduced Pavement and Track Surface was submitted as a deduction in the amount of $38,055.00. Schroeder Asphalt Services submitted a bid for Alternate No. 1 OEHS Full Depth Track in the amount of $75,000.00. Their bid for Alternate No. 2 Concrete Ribbon Curb was submitted in the amount of $120,000.00. Their bid for Alternate No.3 OEHS Reduced Pavement and Track Surface was submitted as deduction in the amount of $39,907.50

8.6 Oswego East High School Stadium Scoreboard

Presented by High School Executive Director Mr. Dan Arntzen and Communications Director Theresa Komitas. Discussion of potential engagement with a company to sell advertising on a scoreboard for OEHS’s stadium in return for the addition of a new sign and digital board.

8.7 Food Service Contract

Food service contracts are renewed annually with a maximum of four renewals before the contract needs to be rebid. The original contract start date was July 2019 with annual price increase requests typically subject to CPI limits. As you may recall, last year Aramark provided the Board and Administration with a notice of non-renewal to allow us to enter into a one-year emergency contract. In doing so, we had access to additional reimbursements made available through “supply chain” funds ($340,000). In addition to additional funding through the supply chain funding, last year's renewal also qualified the district for an increase in reimbursement rates due to The Keep Kids Fed Act. This allowed us to keep lunch prices at the same level they were for the 2021-22 school year.

Next school year, for the 2023-24 food service contract, we would also like to enter into a second one year emergency contract. In doing so, the district could avoid going to RFP in a known inflationary market (the last two years saw CPI at over 5%). If approved, our next RFP for food service would be issued Fall of 2023. With this next renewal, the Keep Kids Fed Act is no longer an option, so for the 2023-24 school year, lunch prices could be increased slightly to reflect our 2023-24 reimbursement rate. We utilize the Paid Lunch Equity Tool (PLE) to determine how much prices should be raised. The average weighted price used in the tool is based on monthly sales from all locations. According to the PLE tool, a paid student should be paying the difference between the current reimbursement rate that we receive for free students less the reimbursement amount you received for a paid student. This year’s reimbursement rates are $4.33 (free) - $0.77(paid) = $3.56. The reimbursement rates are adjusted annually so this number will change.

8.8 Web Content and Mass Communication Tool

The current website content management and mass communications provider, BlackBoard was acquired by FinalSite less than two months after the district signed a new five year contract. Since the company is incentivizing BlackBoard customers to move to the FinalSite platform (valid until June 30, 2023) a thorough search was conducted to compare product features and capabilities on many platforms. Presentation

9. Action Items

9.1 Approval of Bills for Payment

A motion was made by Ms. Jennifer Johnson, second by Mr. Jared Ploger, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of twenty-eight million, six hundred thirty-three thousand, one hundred forty dollars and seventeen cents ($28,633,140.17) as presented