Galesburg Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education Finance and Audit Committee met Nov. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

I. Roll Call

Chairperson Jane 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

Chairperson Jane Quinlan

Dr. David Lett (via phone)

Dr. Christine Benson (via phone)

Staff

Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, State Superintendent

Scott Harry, Director, Budget and Financial Management Tassi Maton, Internal Audit Officer

Robert Wolfe, Financial Officer

II. Public Participation

No public participation at this time.

III. Approval of the October 22, 2019, Meeting Minutes

Dr. Benson made the motion for the Audit and Finance Committee to approve the Oct. 22, 2019, meeting minutes. Dr. Lett seconded the motion, and it passed by voice vote.

IV. Discussion Items

A. Review of December Board Agenda Items

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

Mr. Wolfe reviewed information concerning the removal of the Financial Oversight Panel (FOP) for Proviso Township High School District 209. The Board is set to approve the removal of the FOP in the December Board meeting.

2.Fiscal Year 2021 Revenue Projections: Clayton Klenke and Jim Muchinske, Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA)

Mr. Wolfe reviewed that Mr. Klenke and Mr. Muchinske from COGFA will give a presentation to the Board at the December Board meeting showing projections of new dollars. These are not final numbers but will give the Board a forecast of what can be expected. Final numbers will be available in January. It is not expected that a preview of this information will be available prior to the December Board meeting.

3.Development of the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation, Robert Wolfe, Financial Officer

Mr. Wolfe reviewed that he will summarize the four budget hearings. The Board will provide agency staff with input in crafting the budget recommendation. The budget will reflect the values, goals, and strategic plan of the Illinois State Board of Education.

4.Preliminary Summary of Budget Hearing Requests

Mr. Wolfe summarized the content and total dollars requested during the four budget hearings by line item.

The Board will be supplied with written summaries of the budget hearing requests and how the requests fit into the strategic plan goals. The Finance and Audit Committee will check in via conference call prior to the December Board meeting to receive updates and strategize. The conference call will take place at 3 p.m. on Dec. 12.

V. Fiscal and Administrative Reports

Mr. Wolfe reviewed the contents of the fiscal and administrative reports, which are given to the Board monthly in the information items section of the agenda. These documents are primarily compiled for the Board. Board members will assess the contents and determine whether the Board would like to continue to receive them. Dr. Ayala noted that providing these documents publicly lends to transparency from the agency.

VI. Competitive Grant Schedule

Dr. Ayala reported that agency staff are analyzing ways to be more efficient in approving competitive grants in a timely manner given the schedule. In addition, the agency seeks to align the applications with the timeline that grant monies are to be used. Mr. Wolfe detailed the process of award approval and budget review. Dr. Ayala will provide more updates in the future.

VII. Agency Operational Policies

A. Review Policies

Dr. Ayala reported that the current policy being reviewed is the policy on public participation during Board meetings. Chairperson Darren Reisberg has received updates on internal agency staff conversations pertaining to the public participation guidelines and the need to strongly enforce them. Dr. Ayala discussed some of the potential options with the committee and gathered feedback.

VIII.Current Audits and Forthcoming Reports

A. FY 2018 Audits

Tassi Maton reported that her staff are still working with management toward corrective action. Several reports are anticipated to be completed and released in January as a result of resolving findings in the FY 2018 audit.

Ms. Maton also stated that the financial audit for the FY 2019 cycle is nearing completion. It may be available in December and ready for the January Board meeting. The single audit is still in progress.

IX. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda

The Dec. 12 meeting will focus primarily on the budget discussion for the December Board meeting. It will also be discussed at the Jan. 7 meeting of the committee.

The FY 2019 financial audit will be discussed during the Jan. 7 meeting.

X. Next Meeting: December 12, 2019

XI. Adjournment

Dr. Lett made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Benson seconded the motion, and it passed by voice vote. Chairperson Quinlan adjourned the committee at 11:25 a.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/Finance-Audit-Committee-Minutes-20191126.pdf