Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Board of Education met March 16

By Michael Abella

May 20, 2020

Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Board of Education met March 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Meeting Opening

Donna Wandke made a motion, seconded by Janet Yang Rohr to return to Open Session at 7:02 pm. A voice vote was taken. Those voting yes: all No: None. The motion carried

Welcome and Mission

Kristin Fitzgerald welcomed all and read Naperville Community Unit School District 203’s Mission Statement.

Roll Call

Board members present: Kristin Fitzgerald, Donna Wandke, Charles Cush, Paul Leong, Joe Kozminski, Kristine Gericke and Janet Yang Rohr.

Student Ambassadors present: Absent: Anna Snyder, NNHS Claire Yu, NCHS.

Administrators present: Dan Bridges, Superintendent, Roger Brunelle, Chief Information Officer Michael Frances, Chief Financial Officer/CSBO, Chuck Freundt, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, Christine Igoe, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Rakeda Leaks, Executive Director of Inclusion and Diversity, Sinikka Mondini, Executive Director for Communications, Patrick Nolten, Assistant Superintendent for Assessment and Accountability, Bob Ross, Chief Human Resources Officer, Nancy Voise, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, and Jayne Willard, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Pledge of Allegiance

Led by the Board of Education

Good News

March 17 begins our eLearning for students. This eLearning provides structure during these uncertain times. The commitment of our staff over the weekend has been really appreciated.

Public Comment

None

Monthly Reports

 Treasury Report- The Board received the January 2020Treasurer’s Statement

 Investments- The Board received the January 2020 Investment Report

 Insurance-The Board received the January 2020 Insurance Report

 Budget-The Board Received the January 2020 Budget Report

Action by Consent:

1. Bills and Claims from Warrant #1023574 thru Warrant #1024297 totaling $19,864,282.72 for the period of February 19, 2020 to March 16, 2020.

2. Adoption of Personnel Report

3. Board Meeting Minutes: 02/18/2020, 03/02/2020

4. Certified Employees recommended for reemployment and dismissal, full time, part time, temporary, and permanent substitutes.

5. Educational Support Personnel recommended for dismissal, time sheet, instructional assistants, and temporary positions.

6. Bid: Transportation

7. Student Discipline

8. IHSA Membership Renewal 2020-2021

Kristin Fitzgerald made a motion to approve the Bill and Claims Warrant #1023574 thru Warrant #1024297 totaling $19,864,282.72 for the period of February 19, 2020 to March 16, 2020 as presented, seconded by Charles Cush. Those voting yes: Kozminski, Leong, Wandke, Gericke, Yang Rohr, Fitzgerald and Cush. No: None.

Charles Cush made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Donna Wandke. Those voting yes: Kozminski, Leong, Wandke, Gericke, Yang Rohr, Fitzgerald and Cush. No: None.

Written Communications

Freedom of Information Requests: Morgan Stanley-Retirement information Yami Vending-Business Office Information Hurley FOIA- Business Office Information Espinoza FOIA-Academic Information Baker FOIA-Speaker Information

Superintendent/Staff/School Report

The agenda has been reduced per the direction of ISBE to only focus on issues that are time bound or require immediate action. The environment is rapidly changing and we are making every effort to respond appropriately to all the changes. Superintendent Bridges noted that he is proud of the work being done by many in this district to adapt to all the changes. Please pay attention to the district website as well as your school website for updates especially as it pertains to food service. We thank our partners, NEF and Edward Foundation who want to make sure we are able to provide food to all who need it. We are tentatively scheduled to return to school on April 6, 2020.

President’s Report

President Fitzgerald reported that the Board held a Self-evaluation on March 10, 2020. We will discuss any next steps at a future Board of Education meeting.

Board of Education Report

No report

Discussion without Action

None

Discussion with Action

Debt Service Levy

Superintendent Bridges noted that the Board has proactively discussed the past several years. Recommendation to abate the 2019 debt service levy.

Board comments/questions:

None

Charles Cush made a motion to approve the abatement of the Debt Service Levy as presented, seconded by Joe Kozminski. Those voting yes: Leong, Kozminski, Fitzgerald, Cush, Gericke, Yang Rohr and Wandke. No: None.

Resolution: Transfer of Funds for Debt Abatement

Superintendent Bridges noted that with the passage of the abatement of the Debt Service Levy, the Board needed to act upon the Resolution to transfer the funds from the Education Fund to the Debt Service Fund.

Board comments/questions:

Board members wanted remind the community of the amount we are saving the community.

Michael Frances, Chief Finance Officer/CSBO stated that $2.7 million dollars would be removed from the tax bills.

Janet Yang Rohr made a motion to approve the Resolution for the Transfer of funds for Debt Abatement as presented, seconded by Kristine Gericke. Those voting yes: Yang Rohr, Cush, Fitzgerald, Wandke, Kozminski, Leong, and Gericke. No: None.

Authorization to Reduce 2019 Aggregate Extension

Superintendent Bridges reported that the Board asked for several scenarios. Administration is asking that no action be taken on this due to current global situation.

Board comments/questions:

The Board members thanked Administration for the different scenarios. Most of the Board of Education supported taking no action in light of the current global situation. The Board has been diligent in finding the balance in doing what is right for the district while saving taxpayers money. Board members asked for continued consideration as to how the district can extend savings to the taxpayers. The community was reminded that based on last year’s abatement of $2 million dollars, they would continue to see that amount annually. The Board will continue to consider this abatement every year and will continue to be efficient and pare down expenses.

Paul Leong made a motion to approve the Authorization to reduce the 2019 aggregate extension to the amount $1 million dollars, no second was made therefore no vote was taken.

New Course Proposals

Superintendent Bridges noted that at a previous Board of Education meeting, Jayne Willard, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Jenny Donatelli, Director of Curriculum presented New Course Proposals and Instructional Resources.

Board comments/questions:

None

Donna Wandke made a motion to approve the New Course Proposals as presented seconded by Joe Kozminski. Those voting yes: Cush, Leong, Yang Rohr, Kozminski, Fitzgerald, Wandke and Gericke. No: None.

Instructional Resources

Superintendent Bridges also stated that at the March 2 Board of Education meeting Mrs. Willard and Mrs. Donatelli presented Instructional Resources for the Board’s approval. The recommendation is for approval as presented.

Board comments/questions:

Resources put into today to get teachers ready for eLearning have been appreciated. Thank you to you and your team. Thank you for your leadership.

We want to pass our thanks to all who are working together to get us ready for eLearning.

Janet Yang Rohr made a motion to approve the Instructional Resources as presented seconded by Kristine Gericke. Those voting yes: Leong, Yang Rohr, Fitzgerald, Gericke, Wandke, Cush, and Kozminski. No: None.

EC-12 Certified Staffing & District SPED Projection

Superintendent Bridges reminded the community that at the March 2 Board of Education meeting, Mr. Freundt, Mrs. Voise and Dr. Igoe presented 2020-2021 projected certified staffing and Special Ed staffing of 23FTE.

Board comments/questions:

None.

Kristine Gericke made a motion to approve the EC-12 Certified Staffing & District SPED Projection as presented, Donna Wandke seconded. Those voting yes: Cush, Leong, Yang Rohr, Fitzgerald, Wandke, Kozminski, and Gericke. Those voting no: None. Motion carried.

Restatement of 403(b) and 457 Plan Documents

Superintendent Bridges noted that the 403(b) plan document must be updated tonight. We can wait on the 457 plan if that is the wish of the board.

Board comments/questions:

These are required changes based on an audit and must be approved tonight. Board members understand the changes that we have gone thru with legal and audit are just for compliance and nothing is really changing.

Michael Frances stated that the recommendation from the IRS was to create a new document as all vendors have a preapproved document. They recommended that we adopt a preapproved plan. Our plan has been incorporated into a preapproved document that will be retroactively stated thru 2010. The Board wanted to confirm that there is no financial impact.

Mr. Frances that it did cost $700 to draw up the plan but no additional fees.

Board wanted to know if it the same for the 457?

Mr. Frances stated that the current document names only one 457 provider. Staff requested additional providers so this allows the district to have more than one provider.

Charles Cush made a motion to approve the restatement of 403(b) and 457 plan documents as presented Joe Kozminski seconded. Those voting yes: Leong, Kozminski, Wandke, Cush, Gericke, Yang Rohr and Fitzgerald. Those voting no: None.

Old Business

None

New Business

None

Upcoming Events

Superintendent Bridges noted the following upcoming events:

 Mandated closure thru March 30 with a tentative plan to return April 6

 BOE meeting on April 6, will make decisions on how we conduct that meeting

 Will likely be changes to some of the dates that are currently on the calendar.

Please follow all guidelines on our websites and the CDC site.

Adjournment

Donna Wandke moved seconded by Kristine Gericke to adjourn the meeting at 7:34p.m. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.