Board Update 11/9/20
Public Hearing
Agenda Item 5.0
Tax Levy Public Hearing – 5.01
At the September 28, 2020, board meeting, the board had discussed and directed the administration to move forward with preparing the proposed 2020 tax levy and to set a public hearing date for November 9, 2020.
Illinois’ Truth in Taxation Law requires that if the estimated levy exceeds 105% of the prior year’s extension, the district must give public notice of and hold a public hearing on its intent to adopt an aggregate levy. While CCSD59’s proposed levy does not meet this 5% level, the administration believes that meeting the spirit of the law is in the district’s and community’s best interest.
Therefore, a public hearing was held during the November 9, 2020, board meeting for public comment and/or requests for consideration to be made by members of the CCSD59 community.
Once the public hearing was completed, a resolution will be discussed at the December 14, 2020, board meeting on approval of adopting the levy.
To view the presentation, click here.
Presentations
Agenda Item 6.0
Superintendent Search School ExecConnect: Superintendent Profile – 6.01
School ExecConnect, a national search and consulting firm partnering with the district in the search for the next CCSD59 Superintendent of Schools, presented the New Superintendent Profile to the board. The profile will be used by the board and the consulting firm as they screen and conduct interviews with potential candidates.
The profile was developed based on parent, staff, and community input and feedback gathered via a combination of focus groups, open forums, and online surveys. Topics included the district’s strengths and challenges, first-year focus areas, and characteristics and skills that are desirable in the next superintendent. To see more information on the timeline and process, click here.
The board also heard next steps in the process, with the new superintendent beginning duties on July 1, 2021.
To view the presentation, click here.
Return to In-Person Learning Update – 6.02
The board reviewed and discussed the status of remote learning and a potential return to in-person learning on November 16. The Return to School Plan Team presented considerations for the upcoming timeline, local health metrics and data, planning considerations, and other next steps. The board determined that all students would remain in remote learning past the scheduled winter break. Further discussions will be held at the December 14, 2020, board meeting to determine whether metrics and other factors would allow for a possible return to in-person instruction in January 2021.
To view the presentation, please click here.
The district would communicate additional information to families later in the week on the status of remote learning.
Discussion Items
Agenda Item 7.0
Discussion of Program Fee for Typically Developing Preschool Students for the 2021-22 School Year – 7.01
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
Currently, CCSD59’s Preschool Program has space to host 60 typically developing students. The 2020-21 school year rate charged to families with typically developing children for the program is $238 per month ($1,190 per semester, $2,380 per year).
The board discussed a 0% increase to the fee for 2021-22 after comparing the fee to other school districts in the area that blend the student population and where instruction is offered by certified teachers.
The schedule would remain the same for typically developing students, with students attending a four-day (M, T, Th, & F) school week from either 8:15 – 10:45 a.m. or 12:00 – 2:30 p.m.
The board will vote on leaving the tuition at the same rate as the 2020-21 school year at the December 14, 2020, board meeting.
Discussion of K-8 Instructional Materials Fees for the 2021-22 School Year – 7.02
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The board discussed continuing the instructional materials fees for the 2021-22 school term to offset a portion of the cost of instructional materials and supplies. The fees would remain unchanged from the prior three school years, and would be as follows:
- Half Day Kindergarten: $35
- Full Day Kindergarten – Grade 5: $55
- Grades 6-8: $65
Students who have qualified for a waiver of school fees are not required to pay these fees.
The board will vote on the instructional materials fees at the December 14, 2020, board meeting.
Discussion of Junior High School Extra-Curricular Participation Fees for the 2021- 22 School Year – 7.03
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
Currently, the junior high school extracurricular participation fees for the 2020-21 school term, which offset a portion of the cost of materials and supplies for extracurricular activities, are as follows:
- Basketball: $30.00
- Cheerleading: $30.00
- Cross Country: $15.00
- Spirit Squad/Pom Poms: $30.00
- Soccer: $30.00
- Volleyball: $30.00
- Wrestling: $30.00
The board discussed keeping the fees unchanged for the 2021-22 school year and will vote on these extracurricular fees at the December 14, 2020, board meeting.
Action Items
Agenda Item 9.0
Approval of Award of Bid for Paper Bid Summary – 9.01
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
CCSD59 issues a paper bid once each year for a quantity projected to meet one year’s needs. The district is not required to purchase a specific quantity.
This year, the bid is for xerographic and vellum paper. Six bids were received with the lowest conforming bids submitted by Murnane Paper Company for xerographic and Midland Paper for vellum. Murnane submitted a bid of $59,423.50 for xerographic paper and Midland submitted a bid of $9,671.00 for vellum for a grand total of $69,094.50. Due to the lack of demand in the market, this cost will reflect a 14% decrease in price to the district as compared to last year.
The board approved the award of the bid as outlined above to Murnane Paper Company for xerographic paper and Midland Paper for vellum paper.
Approval of First Student Contract Amendment – 9.02
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
Due to schools participating in remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting reduction in transportation needs, the district has discussed reducing contractual fees with First Student, one of the companies the district utilizes for bussing students. The contract with First Student currently costs $2,980,619.22 for the school year.
First Student discussed the approximate fixed costs needed to continue providing services to CCSD59. Through an amendment to the contract, the district has tentatively agreed to pay 40% of the contracted cost for services, permitting the company to operate when CCSD59 begins its return to in-person learning while providing the district substantial financial savings.
The board approved the amendment to the agreement between First Student and CCSD59.