Arlington Heights School District 25 Board of Education met July 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Brian Cerniglia, President of the Arlington Heights School District 25 Board of Education, called the meeting to order to accept a motion to adjourn into closed session at 6:07 p.m. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
The meeting was noticed for closed session to discuss: Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employees/Independent Contractors/Volunteers of the District, 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1); Review closed session minutes, 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(21); Litigation when an action has been filed, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).
Regular Meeting
Brian Cerniglia, President of the Arlington Heights School District 25 Board of Education, called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. on July 16, 2020. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Roll call was noted and the Pledge of Allegiance said.
Board members present: Brian Cerniglia, Chad Conley, Scott Filipek, Erin Johannesen, Rich Olejniczak, David Page, and Anisha Ismail Patel
Board members excused: None
Others Present: Dr. Lori Bein, Superintendent; Stacey Mallek, Assistant Superintendent for Business/CSBO; Dr. Brian Kaye, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Planning; Dr. Becky FitzPatrick, Assistant Superintendent for the Department of Student Learning; Dr. Peg Lasiewicki, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Chris Fahnoe, Director of Technology and Assessment; Ryan Schulz, Director of Facilities Management; Adam Harris, Head of Communications and Story Telling; Lana O’Brien, Recording Secretary; staff; and community.
Mr. Cerniglia noted that the Public Hearing on the eLearning Plan was cancelled. Dr. Bein stated that there will be additional information coming from the state of Illinois regarding opening plans for the start of the school year. The Public Hearing about the eLearning Plan, the board approving the eLearning plan, and the update on planning for the 2020-2021 school year agenda items were removed from the agenda. New information will be presented at an upcoming meeting related to these topics.
Recognitions and Presentations - None
Community Input
Due to the large number of comments submitted and the length of each comment, they are being summarized by topic at this time. Each comment will be submitted to the Board of Education members in writing and posted to our website with the recording of tonight’s meeting. It is attached at the end of the minutes.
Topics:
• 4 - Please allow sports and clubs to occur at the middle school and elementary school
• 18 - Reopening of School for the 2020-2021 School Year - General Questions
• 1 - Reopening of School for the 2020-2021 School Year - Special Education Programming
• 2 - Concern about Teacher’s Contract having a 2-tier system
• 10 - Reopening of School for the 2020-2021 School Year - Should be a Remote Environment for All
• 4 - Reopening of School for the 2020-2021 School Year - Support for Full Opening On-site Learning
• 5 - Reopening of School for the 2020-2021 School Year - Need to Add a Hybrid Model for 1⁄2 of student population attending at a time to support social distancing
• 4 - Reopening of School for the 2020-2021 School Year - Need a New Option
• 2 - Reopening of School for the 2020-2021 School Year - Increase Teacher Input - As a parent, I trust the teachers to design how to do the school year
• 1 - CAP - Unhappy that if I choose Remote Learning, my child’s spot isn’t held for the 2021-2022 school year
• 5 - Racial Injustice - Thank You for Including on the Agenda; providing requests and ideas, and looking forward to learning more about the District’s action steps
• 1 - American Heart Association - Thank you to staff and families for supporting this program
• 1 - Reopening of School for the 2020-2021 School Year - Please be consistent in how teachers communicate with students - some use Schoology more than others.
• 1 - Reopening of School for the 2020-2021 School Year - Allow students to use their lockers
• 2 - Thankful for teachers who were able to pivot on a moment’s notice last year to provide excellent support to our children. Please keep these amazing, talented teachers in mind when planning for the new year as well as the physical and mental health of all those involved.
Mr. Cerniglia thanked Dr. Bein and the administration, and stated that the Board welcomes and takes all of the input under serious advisement.
Consent Agenda
Motion: D. Page moved and S. Filipek seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve those items on the Consent Agenda as follows: (A) Personnel Report and Addendum to Personnel Report; (B) Treasurer's Report; (C) Invoices; (D)
Fixed Asset Disposal Report; (E) Regular and Closed Session Meeting minutes of June 18, 2020 Roll Call: B. Cerniglia, yes; C. Conley, yes; S. Filipek, yes; E. Johannesen, yes; R. Olejniczak, yes; D. Page, yes; and A. Patel, yes. Motion carried 7/0.
Communications:
The following reports were given:
● NSSEO – Ms. Johannesen reported that there was no July meeting. NSSEO is going through the same planning as District 25. They had to cancel their fundraising event for the new playground. If anyone is inclined to do so, they could donate to the playground. Ms. Johannesen will send information to Mr. Harris to include on social media.
● IASB – MS. Patel said IASB has been very supportive by providing connection for school board members. She virtually attended the second book club meeting on governance.
● ED-RED – Ms. Patel reported that there is an Equity Ad hoc committee, and they would like to include more school board members.
The following reports were received:
● PTA – Ms. Liz Nierman, Council President of the PTA, noted that the PTA has starting training sessions for the new officers. The PTA is looking forward to support to the schools.
● ATA – Ms. Drevline thanked Dr. Bein for sending the informational video to the staff. Teachers are excited to get back, but also concerned about returning. The ATA look forward to work together with Dr. Bein and the administration.
There were no reports from the following.
● ABC25
Committee of the Whole Reports Student Learning – No Report
Student Services – No Report
Business and Finance
2020-21 Consolidated District Plan
Ms. Mallek explained that this is a new requirement that the Illinois State Board of Education began last year which will consolidate and streamline the federal grant management process. She explained that Phase I of this plan is the Consolidated District Plan, which allows grantees to answer one set of planning questions to meet the requirements of the federal grants. One of the assurances that District has to provide under the plan is a date the plan was presented to and approved by the Board. There are no significant changes from last year.
Motion: S. Filipek moved and E. Johannesen seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Consolidated District Plan for Fiscal Year 2020-21 as presented. Roll Call: B. Cerniglia, yes; C. Conley, yes; S. Filipek, yes; E. Johannesen, yes; R. Olejniczak, yes; D. Page, yes; and A. Patel, yes. Motion carried 7/0.
Resolution Authorizing Intervention in Proceedings before the State of Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board
Ms. Mallek explained that the district receives notices when claims are filed with the Property Tax Appeals Board (PTAB). For each triennial that we receive PTAB notices, the Board passes a Resolution that allows Franczek Radelet to intervene in PTAB cases upon direction from the Assistant Superintendent for Business. As we are beginning to receive appeals for more recent tax years, we need to update our resolution with PTAB to allow Franczek Radelet to intervene in appeals for the 2018- 2021 triennials. The resolution allows Ms. Mallek to direct legal counsel to intervene on behalf of the district. As with past PTAB’s, District 25 will share the cost of intervening with District 214 and any other taxing bodies that choose to participate.
Motion: D. Page moved and E. Johannesen seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the “Resolution Authorizing Intervention in Proceedings before the State of Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board”.
Roll Call: B. Cerniglia, yes; C. Conley, yes; S. Filipek, yes; E. Johannesen, yes; R. Olejniczak, yes; D. Page, yes; and A. Patel, yes. Motion carried 7/0.
Presentation of 2020-2021 Tentative Budget
Ms. Mallek presented information on the tentative budget for the 2020-2021 school year. Ms. Mallek reviewed the budget assumptions, noting that revenue from property taxes is based on a 99% collection rate, and that the CPI was 1.9% in 2019 and is 2.3% in 2020. Interest income is 0.5%, and the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax (CPPRT) decrease is $650,000. There was a reduction in the state transportation reimbursement as a result of lower 2019-20 expenditures due to COVID-19. There were no significant changes in federal funds and the ESSE Emergency Relief Grant was $200,439, which will be used for technology. The district is no longer providing food service for two other districts, so they have been removed. Building rentals have been removed because there have been no outside activities except for Miner and Rand. The total revenue budget decrease is $376,944.
The expenditures were reviewed and Ms. Mallek explained that personnel costs are 81% of the budget, excluding debt and construction. Salaries are based on the current collective bargaining agreements and tied to CPI, and health insurance costs increased six percent. The district will provide many instructional tools for students, and focus on differentiation, literacy, personalized learning, special education and Response to Intervention. The budget includes $ 1.3 million to support the Technology Plan, as the district is moving to 1:1 device ratio because of the pandemic. There will be a decrease in Special Education tuition, a decrease in community food service supplies, and a decrease in phone and fiber costs. There is an anticipated increase in the insurance premium. The majority of the capital project budget is the galvanized piping replacement at Patton Elementary School. The budget could still include costs related to items we are not planning, such as buses for field trips, but could be added back.
We will continue to finalize and make changes to the budget, and the Board will vote on the budget in September. We may need to add some expenditures to provide a high level of health and safety for staff and students next year, such as portable sinks for hand washing. The tentative budget will be posted on the District 25 website on August 14, 2020, and the notice for the public will be posted in mid-August. Ms. Mallek shared the budget timeline in accordance with legal requirements.
November 2019 Adopt tax levy
Jan. – March 2020 Build budget assumptions
Feb. – June 2020 Build budget (building allocations, departments, staffing, enrollment)
April 2020 Personnel Plan approved by Board
July 16, 2020 Presentation of 2020-21 tentative budget
August 14, 2020 Publish notice for public hearing
September 17, 2020 Public Hearing
September 17, 2020 Adoption of final budget
Board members asked several questions and there was discussion regarding grants, the current district debt, the increase in salary percentage, and property tax revenue timing. We know that 45% of people in Arlington Heights (not all District 25) build their tax payments into their mortgage, so we don’t anticipate those being late. 55% of people pay direct, so we could see some risk. Board members thanked Ms. Mallek for her diligence and extensive work on the budget.
Facilities Management - No Report
Personnel and Planning - No Report
Superintendent Report
Resolution affirming the Arlington Heights School District 25 Board of Education's Commitment to Eliminate Racial Injustice
Dr. Bein stated that it is important for the Board of Education to lead District 25 into a future more purposefully focused on eliminating any racial injustice that exists through our curriculum, our actions, or our inactions. While we are doing important work already to advance racial equity and justice, we can, with intentionality, do more.
This resolution was adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education, and the district adapted it to District 25. Dr. Bein read the resolution.
Ms. Patel is grateful to Dr. Bein for presenting the resolution to affirm our commitment to the students, teachers and community. Inclusiveness is important, and as a Board, we must learn and grow in our understanding of racial injustice. Mr. Olejniczak thanked
Ms. Patel for the strong words, and stated that he fully supports the resolution. Mr. Page thanked Ms. Patel for the powerful words, and thanked Dr. Bein for moving forward to have real change in the district.
Motion: D. Page moved and S. Filipek seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the "Resolution affirming the Arlington Heights School District 25 Board of Education's Commitment to Eliminate Racial Injustice".
Roll Call: B. Cerniglia, yes; C. Conley, yes; S. Filipek, yes; E. Johannesen, yes; R. Olejniczak, yes; D. Page, yes; and A. Patel, yes. Motion carried 7/0.
First Reading of Policy
Dr. Bein stated that the resolution is the first step of leading District 25 in the area of eliminating any racial injustice that exists through our curriculum, our actions, or our inactions. The second step is the new policy that is included for a first reading, which was recommended by our local League of Women Voters. Our attorney reviewed the policy and stated that it is very appropriate. This policy will help us move forward with action items once it is approved. It will be brought back at the next meeting for a second reading and adoption.
New:
1:35 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy
The Board did not return to the closed session.
Motion: D. Page moved and S. Filipek seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Roll Call: B. Cerniglia, yes; C. Conley, yes; S. Filipek, yes; E. Johannesen, yes; R. Olejniczak, yes; D. Page, yes; and A. Patel, yes. Motion carried 7/0.
The regular meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
https://www.sd25.org/cms/lib/IL01904427/Centricity/Domain/218/200716%20Board%20Minutes%20with%20Public%20Comments.pdf
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