Quantcast

Sangamon Sun

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Williamsville Community Unit School District 15 Board met July 17.

Meeting 11

Williamsville Community Unit School District 15 Board met July 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Call to Order/ Roll Call/ Pledge of Allegiance/ Approval of Agenda:

The meeting was called to order by President, Matt Seman. Roll Call was taken by the recording Secretary. Those in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made by Pam Kovacevich and seconded by Kurt Ratliff that the agenda be approved as read.

Discussion: None

Motion Carried

Recognition of Employees and Public:

Byron Painter - South County Publications

Informational Items and Dates:

Mr. Reedy presented a list of upcoming important dates to the Board.

August 7 Next Regular WCUSD #15 Board Meeting 6:00

August 9 WCUSD #15 New Teacher Workshop Day

August 9 WHS Band Chorus Trip to STL Cardinal Game 6:00

August 16 WCUSD is 5 Teacher In-Service

August 17 First 4 Day of School and Teacher's Institute

August 18 Second /2 Day of School and Teacher's Institute

August 22 First Full Day of School

August 21 Regular WCUSD #15 Board Meeting 6:00

Approval of the Consent Agenda:

A motion was made orey Conklin and seconde om Ray to approve the consent agenda Containing items a, b, c, and d: namely Approval of the following minutes as written and distributed: Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2017, Approval of the Bills in the amount of $902,731.89, including reimbursement of the revolving fund in the amount of $142.50, Approval of the Treasurer's Report, and Approval of Superintendent's Acceptance of Resignation:

- Eric Hendrickson - WHS Spring Musical Director

- On roll call the following members answered aye!

Matt Seman Charles Waugh

Kurt Ratliff Pam Kovacewich

Tom Ray Corey Conklin

- On roll call the following members were absent:

Teresa Benner

Motion carrier

Information Items:

A. Superintendent's Report

1. Financial Update and Tentative 2017-18 District Budget

Mr. Reedy discussed the current financial situation in the district. He noted the following:

> While the State did make 3 of the 4 mandated categorical payments, one was actually for the 2015-16 fiscal year, meaning we only received 2 payments for this fiscal year.

- Mandated categorical payments provide funding for the Special Education and Transportation funds.

> The State still owes us two categorical payments totaling $460,592 for the 201617 fiscal year.

- $266,410 for the Special Education fund, and $194,182 for the Transportation fund.

> Budgeted expenses, coupled with a lack of State revenue, resulted in deficit spending of $592,457 in all funds.

> We received early tax money in May and June, which we used to operate in May and June, thus dipping into funds for the 2017-18 school year to finish the 201617 school year.

- Our 'true' end of year balance, without early tax money, was $597,988. This positive balance was due to an abatement of $600,000 from the Working Cash fund.

- The early tax money we received leaves the district with an end balance of $4,877,719 in all funds and $3,941,841 in operating funds

> If the district were to receive no additional funding from the State, we could operate for about 3-4 months.

Mr. Reedy stated that potential deficits for the 2017-18 school year, based on flat revenues and expenses, would be $206,000 in all funds and $217,000 in operating funds. He informed the Board that we will Continue to reduce our deficit spending over time. We are getting closer to a balanced budget, but are not there yet. Mr. Reedy noted that he will present the 2017-18 tentative budget at the August 7, 2017 board meeting.

Mr. Reedy presented a 2005-2017 cash flow analysis and reiterated where we are at the end of June with a balance in all funds of $4,877,719 and a balance in the Operating Funds of $3,941,841. By comparison, at the end of June 2016, our balance in all funds was $5,469,638 and in the Operating Funds was $4,550,420.

2. Facilities Update

Mr. Reedy thanked the summer custodial staff for all their hard work in getting the buildings cleaned and ready for the return of staff and students. He noted that they take great pride in their buildings and have worked hard with a smaller summer crew due to financial constraints.

He also noted that Rich Bond and the village township have completed the oil and chip work in the high School and district office parking lots. He stated we will consider having oil and chip Work done next year at the junior high and bus garage parking lots should funds be able to be allocated as such.

Finally, Mr. Reedy informed the Board he had spoken with representatives from Tremco about the districts roofs, as they continue to be an item needing addressed. He asked them to update their service records and provide information on what still needs to be completed. Mr. Reedy will continue to keep the Board apprised of roofing needs.

3. Legislative Update

Mr. Reedy explained to the Board the current status of bills in the General Assembly. As was announced, the General Assembly did override the Governor's veto in order to pass the budget; however, bills that appropriate funds have yet to be passed.

Senate Bill 6, SB6, is the budget bill that allocates revenues for school funding. SB 9 is the bill to support the revenue needed to pay for the budget, and SB1 is the evidence based funding system. These three bills all work in conjunction with one another, but are not all passed.

Under the SB1, our district would receive an additional $94,193 in revenue. He noted that the budget only Works if there is a model in place to fund it, and until that is the case, schools cannot count on receiving funding, as has been the case for the last few years.

Mr. Reedy stated that it is in the best interest of schools for SB1 to become law. At this time, it's likely the Governor will veto to eliminate funding for Chicago schools. It is to be determined what will take place from there. Mr. Reedy warned of the property tax freeze which could still be on the table, and has been previously communicated, would be devastating for school districts and municipalities as it only freezes what can be collected by these entities.

4. Staffing SES

Mr. Reedy took some time to discuss staffing at SES with the Board. Due to the district's financial situation, it is important to evaluate all positions when retirements or resignations come into play. As such, it is Mr. Reedy's recommendation to reduce the 4" grade by one section, going from 6 sections to 5 sections, and transfer someone to 1 grade. Mr. Reedy stipulated that should additional registration show that it would no longer be in the best interest of our students or staff to do this, we would look into hiring another teacher, or perhaps an aide.

Reducing 4th grade by one section would take the class levels from 21 and 22 to 25. Mr. Reedy will open this position up to the entire SES staff seeking a volunteer first. He noted that class sizes are very important, especially at the elementary levels, but the higher elementary grades do have a history of having more kids in their classes.

The current staff and student ratio is as follows:

> K - 22 (5) teachers

> 1st - 22 (5) teachers

> 2nd - 22 (4) teachers

> 3rd - 23 (5) teachers

> 4th - 25(5) teachers reduced from 6, 6 sections = 21

5. New Staff Dinner Date

The dinner for new staff for the 2017-18 school year will take place on August 15" at 6:00pm, with the location to be determined.

B. Principal's Report - none

Action Items:

A motion was made by Tom Ray and seconded by Pam Kovacevich to remove Mr. Don Beard as a financial signer on all WCUSD#15 district bank accounts.

Discussion: None

- On roll call the following members answered aye!

Matt Seman Charles Waugh

Kurt Ratliff Pam Kovacevich

Tom Ray Corey Conklin

- On roll call the following members were absent:

Teresa Benner

Motion carried

A motion was made by Kurt Ratliff and seconded by Corey Conklin to approve Mr. Tip Reedy as a financial signer on all WCUSD#15 district bank accounts.

Discussion: None

- On roll call the following members answered aye!

Matt Seman Charles Waugh

Kurt Ratliff Pann Kovacevich

Tom Ray Corey Conklin

- On roll call the following members were absent:

Teresa Benner

Motion Carried

A motion was made by Matt Seman and seconded by Kurt Ratliff to keep executive session minutes sealed

Discussion: None

Motion Carried

A motion was made by Pam Kovacevich and seconded by Kurt Ratliff to employ Adrianna Bennett for one school year, (2017-18), as the SES Music Teacher

Discussion: She is replacing Lisa Bosworth for her one year LOA

- On roll call the following members answered aye:

Matt Seman Charles Waugh

Kurt Ratliff Pann Kovacevich

Tom Ray Corey Conklin

- On roll call the following members were absent:

Teresa Benner

Motion carried

Executive Session:

A motion was made by Tom Ray and seconded by Kurt Ratliff to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of Under 5 ILCS 120/2c of the Open Meetings Act: collective bargaining, the appointment, employment, Compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employee or legal counsel for the public body

Discussion: None

- On roll call the following members answered aye!

Matt Seman Charles Waugh

Kurt Ratliff Pam Kovacevich

Tom Ray Corey Conklin

- On roll call the following members were absent:

Teresa Benner

Motion Carried

The Board entered executive session at 6:29pm and returned to open session at 8:04pm.

A motion was made by Charlie Waugh and seconded by Kurt Ratliff to return to open session.

Discussion: None

Motion carried.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Pam Kovacevich and seconded by Matt Seman to adjourn the meeting.

Discussion: None

Motion Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm

http://www.wcusd15.org/index.php/board/board-meeting-agenda/953-20170717-board-meeting-minutes/file