Galesburg Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education Finance and Audit Committee met Oct. 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Roll Call

Board member Ms. Quinlan brought the meeting to order at 9:33 a.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present with three members.

Members Present

Jane Quinlan

Dr. David Lett excused himself from the meeting at 10:25 a.m.

Dr. Christine Benson

Staff

Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, State Superintendent

Robert Wolfe, Financial Officer

II. Public Participation

No public participation at this time.

III. Approval of the October 1, 2019, Meeting Minutes

Dr. Benson made the motion for the Audit and Finance Committee to approve the Oct. 1, 2019, meeting minutes.

Ms. Quinlan seconded the motion and it passed by roll call vote.

IV. Discussion Items

A. Review of November Board Agenda Items

1.Removal of Financial Oversight Panel for Proviso Township High School District 209

Mr. Wolfe presented information to the committee concerning the removal of the Financial Oversight Panel (FOP) for Proviso Township High School District 209. The district has fulfilled its expectations under the FOP. The chairperson will be showing a presentation and distributing information at the November Board meeting, with approval planned in December. There will also be a Board memo with information from ISBE staff and the FOP regarding the district’s financial plan. Dr. Ayala would also like to make sure that the finance information shows sustainability.

B. Review of Tentative December 

Agenda 1. Presentations

a. Fiscal year 2021 Revenue Projections

Economic forecasters Clayton Klenke and Jim Muschinske of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability will do a presentation on the expected revenues for the state. They will give a projection of new dollars. The information is aggregate at the state level, not historical.

b. Development of the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation

Mr. Wolfe will give a summary of four budget hearings, with tentative recommendations for the Superintendent. This is Board members’ opportunity to give staff the direction of what they want to see in a budget recommendation at the January Board meeting. The budget should be the representation of the values, goals, and strategic plan of the Illinois State Board of Education.

V. Overview of Financial Oversight of Districts

A. Background Information about FOPs

Mr. Wolfe provided information concerning the financial oversight of districts, including a document titled “Criteria for Certification in Financial Distress.” He also discussed the system that is currently in place and how it works.

VI. RFP/RFSP Update

A. Overview of Grants and Contracts

Mr. Wolfe presented further information on procurement. Dr. Benson would like to see workshops held throughout the state to make sure that the districts are receiving the most accurate information. Mr. Wolfe reviewed the goals, the process, and different types of the procurements. He also reviewed the different types of grants and explained the distribution of them amongst the districts.

VII. Agency Operational Policies

A. Review Policies

There are no updates at this time.

VIII. Current Audits and Forthcoming Reports

A. FY 2018 Audits

Audit Officer Tassi Maton, although not present, provided an Audit Findings status report for the committee to review.

IX. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda

Mr. Wolfe is going to check into GoToMeeting as an option for holding the committee meetings.

X. Next Meeting: Nov. 26, 2019

XI. Adjournment

Dr. Benson made a motion to adjourn.

Ms. Quinlan seconded the motion and it passed by roll call vote. Chairperson Quinlan adjourned the committee at 11:26 a.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/Finance-Audit-Committee-Minutes-10-22.pdf