Sangamon Sun

Fox River Grove Consolidated School District 3 Board met Jan. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Board President Devin Bright called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

II. ROLL CALL

Members present were Laura Byrd, Steve Pickering, Tom Mollet, Sara Brubacher, Kristine Hester, Gerry Blohm and Devin Bright. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Tim Mahaffy and Principals Dr. Sandy Ozimek and Mrs. Jessica McKenzie and Director of Special Education, Mrs. Heather Trom.

III. WELCOME TO VISITORS, GUESTS, COMMENTS & QUESTIONS

Audience members, including Mrs. Theresa Meshes, Mrs. Jen Arendt, Mrs. Sara Erdmann, Mrs. Alexis Duffy, Mrs. Michelle Kennedy, Mrs. Alicia Maes, Mrs. Katrina Loundy, Ms. Karli Kurschardt, and Mr. Fred Schuster (Wold Ruck-Pate) were welcomed to the meeting.

Mrs. Loundy, ARS Music Teacher, signed in to address the Board regarding the current third grade as well as the Art Education Program. She has known this class since they were five and they have blown her and her team away this year. The amazing teaching and structure along with the class being divided into three classes has made a huge impact on them. She would categorize them as a social/emotional group. This particular group from the very beginning has craved structure, organization, space to breathe, people paying attention to them, physical space to move, time and space to be themselves and have adults to listen to them. They need people to attend to all their amazing skills that they have. She further stated that it is not that the excellent teachers they had in the past haven’t tried to bring this out in them but having these students in three sections made this happen more. Mrs. Loundy has seen these students blossom both academically and more importantly, for her, problem solving, being good citizens of the school, the ability to handle various situations, teamwork and bringing out the best in each other. She feels that their class structure of being in three classes has given them the skills to handle any chaotic situations. This was a very successful year for these students.

Mrs. Loundy also wanted to speak to the Board on behalf of her colleagues on the Art Curriculum. Now that education has changed to include STEAM and that technology will not be taught as part of art in the classroom by Mrs. Arnold, Mrs. Loundy was asking the Board to consider the drastic cut in art instruction in the last couple of years. It makes it difficult to implement any type of skill development especially and advancement in applied arts. It hugely impacts the ability of specialists like us to implement compliance with the new Core Art Standards that were adopted in Illinois. The students are not getting as much instruction time as they used to (lower grades from 45 minutes down to 25 minutes). Mrs. Loundy is requesting that the Administration keep the length of time for art in their discussions as it relates to scheduling in the future. She thanked the Board for their time.

Dr. Mahaffy stated that heading into next year in the current draft schedule art is not part of STEM and will be its own entity having as much time as music and STEM. PE will no longer be part of the specials rotation.

Mrs. Alexis Duffy introduced herself. She has a current third grader and Kindergarten students at ARS. She also is concerned about the current third grade. She agreed with what Mrs. Loundy said but also stated that her own daughter struggled at the beginning of the school year. She felt that if her daughter was in a classroom of just two sections of 30 students each, her daughter would have been lost a bit. They were able to meet with the teacher regarding any issues she was having and move forward and have her needs addressed in the smaller class size. There was some chaos with this 3rd grade class and the ratio of boys to girls is either three to one or four to one. This is a very social, emotional group of students. The curriculum is also getting harder so a smaller section was very helpful. They came to Fox River Grove for the smaller class sizes. She would like the Board to consider leaving this class in three sections for next year. Mrs. Duffy thanked the Board for their consideration.

Dr. Mahaffy stated that even though there has been no discussion to take this class down to two sections, there would currently be 24 students per class, not 30.

Mrs. Michelle Kennedy also signed in to address the Board regarding the current 3rd grade class. She has a son in third grade. She also would like to see the class remain in three sections.

Board President Bright thanked everyone for attending the meeting and for their comments. He stated it was nice to see parents advocating on behalf of their students.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Steve Pickering to approve the consent agenda, approve and open to the public the regular minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of December 10, 2018 and approve the closed minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of December 10, 2018, approve the December, 2018 Treasurer’s Report, approve the January 2019 bills and payroll from December 8, 2018 through January 25, 2019 and approve the December Activity Accounts Report. Tom Mollet seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye – Steve Pickering, Tom Mollet, Sara Brubacher, Kristine Hester, Gerry Blohm, Devin Bright, and Laura Byrd. Voting nay – None. Motion approved.

V. REQUEST FOR RECORDS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

The District received two FOIA requests this month. The first request was from ConstructConnect.Com for the name of awarded contractor for our upcoming facility project. The request was received on 1/12/19 and was complied with on 1/12/19.

The second request was from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association for the names and contact information of any teachers that will be retiring at the end of this year. The request was received on 1/15/19 and was complied with on 1/15/19.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

Class Size Update – Dr. Mahaffy reviewed the current class size and estimated class size sheet with the Board. There are currently 205 students at ARS and 185 students at the FRGMS. Next year we are looking at 210 students at ARS and 175 students at the FRGMS for a current estimated  enrollment of down five students for a total of 390 students for FY19 and 385 students for FY20. There are currently 7 students in ECE, 1 Preschool for All, and an additional 9 students placed outside of the district in special programs. More discussions on class size and sections will be held at the February Board meeting.

Board President Bright commented that last year when the District was down 22 students we added an additional staff member. Mr. Bright stated that the Board already added another position this year to cover STEM for FY20. We are down another 5 students this year and the question is whether to stay staff neutral or do we reduce staff. Mr. Bright feels it would be hard to justify to the community the addition of two FTE staff in the context of the number of students in the District.

Dr. Mahaffy stated that he agrees with Mr. Bright and has a hard time justifying an additional FTE considering enrollment is still dropping. However, on the other hand, in looking at the numbers and listening to the parent comments – if we were to keep the sections as they were this year for next year, the 4th grade that is in discussion would have 24 students in a section and that seems high.

Dr. Mahaffy stated that another point he pulled from 5Cast was that from 2013 to 2017 the enrollment went down 11.45%. In a small district every time you reduce one teacher, it is a big spike one way or the other. Over that time even though we added one FTE last year and with the attrition of several retirements, our FTE percentage is down 22%.

Mrs. Hester feels that staffing and FTE needs to be looked at both through population and programming changes for the District. If there is a need, this needs to be addressed. The additional FTE approved last month was the result of the STEM program.

Mr. Mollet would like to hear the recommendations of the Administration and their respective reasons (pros and cons) for recommending two or three sections for 4th grade next year at the February Board meeting. He would like to know that if we maintain that one grade level of three sections, what grade would it be and why. The Administration will present data at the February Board meeting including how many of these students are receiving accommodations (i.e., IEP, behavior intervention, etc.).

Update on Facility Projects – will be covered under New Business, Item A.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Review Progress on Facility Safety, STEM and Classroom Refresh Project – Mr. Schuster of Wold Ruck-Pate presented an update to the Board on the current project progress on our facility refresh projects. We are currently in the design, development phase making sure all drawings are in order. He stated that the next step would be to ensure that the architectural firm’s budget is in line with their firm’s estimates. Due to ADA compliance and sidewalk issues, we may need to submit for a storm water permit. Mr. Schuster and Dr. Mahaffy will be meeting with the Village to review the project and to see if there are any zoning issues. Furniture selections will also need to be finalized. Mr. Schuster will be back in February with further updates. They are targeting the week of March 4th with going out to bid.

Review 5-year Financial Forecast for District 3 including ISBE Financial Recognition – Dr. Mahaffy presented a financial forecast for District 3 through 2024. The purpose of the forecast is to establish a picture of the financial stability of our school district over the next 5 years. The baseline data includes audited data from FY18 (last known year-end actual) and the projected data includes budgeted information from FY19 and projections for FY20-24. A sheet showing revenue and expenditure assumptions was included in the Board packets. The District ended FY18 just shy of $7.1M. The District will be at approximately $4M once all construction projects are completed and hopefully back to an ending fund balance of $7.9M by FY24.

Dr. Mahaffy stated that this is not an exact science. We review, plan and react annually to new information affecting the financial outlook of District 3. He hopes this 5-year forecast is as close as the previous forecast which was within $100,000 of the FY14 5-year forecast. We review and update assumptions on an annual basis.

The forecast is built on assumptions, not recommendations. The forecast is a future look at the District’s financial position given a set of assumptions. No assumption is to be considered a recommendation from the Administration or the Board of Education and any assumption can be modified to see the impact on District finances. You begin by determining what you know (i.e., contracted salaries may be known to the dollar). Future salaries, building projects, local, state and federal resources are assumptions. You also determine what makes the largest impact on the forecast (revenue – property taxes and expenditures – salary and benefits) and expenditures (salary and benefits, facility projects and abatements).

Dr. Mahaffy reviewed a pie chart showing the budgeted revenue allocation by source. Property taxes at the local level make up 76%. Revenue projections go from $7.35M for FY19 to $8.28M for FY24. A large percentage (over half) of this revenue will be the TIF coming off.

A pie chart showing budgeted expenditure allocation by object was also reviewed. We are a service organization and the largest expenditures are salaries (59%) and benefits (15%). Both revenue sources and expenditures do not include TRS on-behalf, abatements, transfers and bond sales. The expenditures for FY19 are at $6.52M up to $7.31M for FY24.

Forecast assumptions include the budgeted EAV at 7.22% with projections of 2.50% in the next four years. The CPI-U for FY19 is 1.90% and for the remaining years it is 2%. New property is listed at $200K for FY19, FY20, and FY22 through FY24. For FY21, when the TIF comes off at Stone Hill, new property is estimated at $7.5M (TIF increment value). The last bond payment comes off in FY22. This forecast includes a $150,000 abatement for taxes. Evidence Based Funding (GSA) is forecasted at $1.1M through FY24. There is a loss of $89,671 due to loss of mandated categoricals. Enrollment is listed as 390 for FY19 and at 400 for FY20-FY24. Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax (CPPRT) is forecasted at $40,000 for FY19-FY24.

Forecast assumptions include salary/wages at 3% and include .5% stipend in FY19 for licensed staff. This is the last year of the contract. Health insurance is estimated at a 6% annual increase. Capital projects of $255,825 for FY19 include the ARS playground, health/life safety and the Raptor System. In FY20 there is the $3.5M and $500K in FY21 to complete facility safety, STEM and the classroom refresh projects. These two amounts could be all rolled into FY20. Replacement of the uni-ventilators are also included the forecast. O&M includes the normal annual expenses to take care of general maintenance and facility improvements. Buses remain on a lease plan throughout the forecast. Purchased services is at 1.5% annually with transportation purchase services at 2% annually. Supplies are at a 1.5% annual increase over-all plus curriculum adoption (STEM, etc.) at $20,000 each year through FY24. This assumption does include the purchase of 1:1 devices for 3rd and 4th grades.

There is no overall change in IMRF and the bond and interest fund (levy will mirror the expenses) and the last bond payment under the current bond schedule will be in 2021.

In respect to Evidence Based Funding (formerly GSA) the District’s new base funding minimum is at $1.1M. The District will not receive less than the year before but this amount does now include 4 former mandated categoricals.

Dr. Mahaffy stated that this forecast shows a tax abatement assumption of $150,000 for FY19 only and this does require a Board Resolution. This is used to pay Bond & Interest at this time.

Areas that need to be monitored through legislation that would have an impact on the District’s financial stability include: State funding reform – Evidence Based Funding, tax freeze legislation and pension cost shift.

Dr. Mahaffy also reviewed various charts showing: Equalized Assessed Value (EAV - analysis, % change, growth) Consumer Price Index (CPI), and total tax rate.

Dr. Mahaffy stated that even with all the projects the District will continue to maintain healthy fund balances through FY24.

Board President Bright instructed Dr. Mahaffy to prepare abatement paperwork in the amount of $150,000 for presentation at the February Board meeting.

Approve the addition of the year 2 part of the facility project during the summer of 2019 – Dr. Mahaffy shared with the Board information regarding a possible savings of $200,000-$300,000 by completing all facility projects this first year (MS Library, STEM lab and bridge work). A final decision regarding completion of all projects this summer will be made at the February Board meeting after final project estimates are shared.

Approve FY20 STEM Curriculum Adoption – Dr. Ozimek and Mrs. McKenzie presented an overview of the recommended STEM curriculum. The committee reviewed 3 plans for K-8 STEM curriculum adoption and is recommending Project Lead the Way for adoption. Cary Grove High School currently uses Project Lead the Way.

A motion to approve the FY20 STEM Curriculum Adoption – Project Lead the Way – was made by Kristine Hester and seconded by Steve Pickering. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye – Tom Mollet, Sara Brubacher, Kristine Hester, Gerry Blohm, Devin Bright, Laura Byrd and Steve Pickering. Voting nay – none. Motion approved.

Approve the ability to issue a Response for Proposal to replace Intercom and Bell System District Wide – Dr. Mahaffy reminded the Board that this was one of the items which was not included in the overall project refresh. He is requesting the ability to issue a Response for Proposal to replace the outdated intercom, strobes and bell system for an estimated cost of $140K district wide. The Raptor system has nothing to do with door controls.

A motion to approve the ability to issue a Response for Proposal to replace the Intercom and Bell System District Wide was made by Laura Byrd and seconded by Steve Pickering. A voice vote was taken. Voting aye – Sara Brubacher, Kristine Hester, Gerry Blohm, Devin Bright, Laura Byrd, Steve Pickering and Tom Mollet. Voting nay – none. Motion approved.

Approve Seniority Lists – 2018-2019 Certified and Non-Certified Seniority Listings were included in the Board packets. Staff had time to review their information and let the District Office know of any discrepancies.

A motion to approve the Fox River Grove School District 3 2018-2019 certified staff seniority list as presented was made by Steve Pickering and seconded by Tom Mollet. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye – Kristine Hester, Gerry Blohm, Devin Bright, Laura Byrd, Steve Pickering, Tom Mollet and Sara Brubacher. Voting nay – none. Motion approved.

A motion to approve the Fox River Grove School District 3 2018-2019 non-certified seniority list as presented was made by Steve Pickering and seconded by Laura Byrd. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye – Gerry Blohm, Devin Bright, Laura Byrd, Steve Pickering, Tom Mollet, Sara Brubacher and Kristine Hester. Voting nay – none. Motion approved.

Approve Registration Fees for the 19-20 school year – Dr. Mahaffy reviewed the history of the registration fees for District 3. Kindergarten registration is coming up on February 4th so fees need to be determined. Dr. Mahaffy is recommending the fees remain the same as for FY18 – Kindergarten through 8th grade at $135.00, 8th grade fee at $35.00 and 5th-8th grade tech fee at $50.00. The only change would be is if the Board approves students in 3rd and 4th grade having a 1:1 device in FY20, a $50 tech fee would be added for those two grade levels.

A motion to maintain the Registration Fees for the 2019-2020 school year as presented was made by Sara Brubacher and seconded by Kristine Hester. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye – Devin Bright, Laura Byrd, Steve Pickering, Tom Mollet, Sara Brubacher, Kristine Hester and Gerry Blohm. Voting nay – none.

Approve Updated Coaches/Sponsor List for FY19 – No update this month.

VIII. POLICY

A motion to approve the first reading of the following new or revised policies: 1:21 – School District 3 Organizational Chart, 2:80 – Board Member Oath and Conduct, 3:70 – Succession of Authority, 4:45 Insufficient Fund Checks and Debt Recovery, 4:170 – Safety, 5:30 – Hiring Process and Criteria, 5:60 – Expenses, 5:220 – Substitute Teachers, 6:60 – Curriculum Content, 7:70 – Attendance and Truancy, 7:100 – Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students, 7:190 – Student Behavior, 7:250 – Student Support Services, 7:270 – Administering Medicines to Students, 7:290 – Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention and 7:305 – Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries – was made by Kristine Hester and seconded by Tom Mollet. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye – Laura Byrd, Steve Pickering, Tom Mollet, Sara Brubacher, Kristine Hester, Gerry Blohm and Devin Bright. Voting nay – none. Motion approved.

IX. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Board of Education Dashboard – Dr. Mahaffy stated that coming up at the February Board meeting will be a facility project update, discussion/approval of 1:1 devices for 3rd and 4th grades, approve Tech and Social Studies Curriculum and 2nd reading and adoption of policy. The CPI-U finalized at 1.9 as was indicated in the forecast.

MS Principal – Mrs. McKenzie stated that the end of the 2nd quarter was on January 16th. The girls’ basketball, the musical and scholastic bowl are all in season. The MS raised $1,400 in four days to support a former MS student with a health condition. Next month the FRGMS will be hosting the 7th grade girls’ basketball consolation tournament.

ARS Principal -- Dr. Ozimek stated Good Shepherd Hospital will be giving a presentation on strokes and medical emergencies to the 3rd and 4th graders on Thursday. Kindergarten registration for the FY20 school year will be held on Monday, February 4th from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Valentines parties will be held on Thursday, the 14th at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Ozimek shared the quarter page ad for School District 3 which will appear in the Cary Grove Chamber of Commerce Community Guide.

Director of Special Education -- Mrs. Trom reminded the Board that due to our withdrawal from SEDOM, there will be an ISBE audit here on February 7th & 8th. We are the second district to be audited following District 155.

X. COMMITTEE REPORTS -- None.

XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS, NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS – None.

XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

A motion to adjourn from the regular session of the January 28, 2019 Board Meeting and go to executive session at 9:20 p.m. to consider information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the District, collective negotiations with employees or their representatives of the district and the bi-annual mandated review of executive session minutes was made by Gerry Blohm and seconded by Kristine Hester. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye –Steve Pickering, Tom Mollet, Sara Brubacher, Kristine Hester, Gerry Blohm, Devin Bright and Laura Byrd. Voting nay – none. Motion approved.

XIII. ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

A motion to return from executive session to open session of the January 28, 2019 Board Meeting at 10:26 p.m. was made by Steve Pickering and seconded by Sara Brubacher. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye – Sara Brubacher, Kristine Hester, Gerry Blohm, Devin Bright, Laura Byrd, Steve Pickering and Tom Mollet. Voting nay – none. Motion approved.

A motion to keep the Executive Session Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meetings of June 18, 2018, July 16, 2018, August 20, 2018, September 24, 2018, October 15, 2018 and November 12, 2018 closed due to the personnel nature of the contents was made by Tom Mollet and seconded by Steve Pickering. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye – Kristine Hester, Gerry Blohm, Devin Bright, Laura Byrd, Steve Pickering, Tom Mollet and Sara Brubacher. Voting nay – none. Motion approved.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn the meeting of January 28, 2019 at 10:27 p.m. was made by Tom Mollet and seconded by Gerry Blohm. A voice vote was taken. Voting aye – All ayes. Voting nay – None. Motion approved.

https://www.dist3.org/our-district/board-of-education/board-meetings-agendas/approved-board-of-education-meeting-minutes/january-2019-approved-minutes