Galesburg Reporter

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

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

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 two members.

Members Present

Chairperson Jane Quinlan

Dr. Christine Benson

Staff

Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, State Superintendent

Kim Clarke, Interim Board Services Coordinator

Tassi Maton, Internal Audit Officer

Robert Wolfe, Financial Officer

Allison Klint, Director, Fiscal Support Services

Jeremy Mehochko, Director, Project Management

Melissa Oller, Operations Officer

Krish Mohip, Deputy Officer, Operational Education

Dr. Ernesto Matias, Education Officer

Dr. Annie Brooks, Director, Title Grant Administration

Dr. Jennifer Kirmes, Executive Director, Teaching and Learning

II. Public Participation

No public participation at this time.

II. Public Participation

No public participation at this time.

III. Approval of Minutes: January 7, 2020

Dr. Benson made the motion for the Finance and Audit Committee to approve the Jan. 7, 2020, meeting minutes. Chairperson Quinlan seconded the motion, and it passed by voice vote.

IV. Discussion Items

A. Fiscal and Administrative Reports

Mr. Wolfe reported that his teams reviewed the reports provided to the Board monthly and prepared a more streamlined compilation of the reports. Ms. Klint detailed the reports that had been previously provided to the Board and walked through the proposed changes to be provided to the Board in the future.

The committee will report to the Board on its discussion during the February Board meeting. Mr. Wolfe will provide an update to the Board describing the changes in the next Board weekly update. The new Fiscal and Administrative Reports will be provided starting in February.

V. Competitive Grant Schedule

Dr. Ayala gave context to the committee’s decision to evaluate the competitive grant schedule. Mr. Mehochko reviewed competitive grant scheduling for fiscal year 2021, as well as the timeline for Request for Proposals processes.

VI. Current Audits and Forthcoming Reports

A. FY 2018 Finding Follow-Up Status

Ms. Maton gave an update on the agency’s progress addressing the findings from the FY 2018 audit reports. B. FY 2019 Audit Report

Ms. Maton gave an update of the FY 2019 audit report and progress toward its completion. This report will be released to the public soon. She reported that the statewide single audit is also in process.

VII. New Business: Items for the next agenda

Chairperson Quinlan recommended that the committee discuss the fiscal 2021 budget at its next meeting. Dr. Ayala and Mr. Wolfe reported on meetings that had taken place with the Governor’s Office concerning the budget recommendation. Mr. Wolfe outlined the next steps to be taken after the Governor’s Budget Address on Feb. 19, 2020, and the release of the Governor’s Budget.

Mr. Wolfe highlighted that the Board will be asked to adopt changes to the Part 100 Rules regarding accounting changes for the Tort Fund, which was discussed at the October Board meeting. He outlined the process after Board approval at its February meeting.

Mr. Wolfe also highlighted that the Board would be reviewing the methods and calculations used to create school district financial profile scores in the February Board packet materials. The Board will focus on the results of the financial profile scores in March.

The committee discussed the role of the Strategic Plan in preparing for the budget presentation during the March Board meeting.

Mr. Wolfe reviewed context surrounding the E-rate State Matching Grant Program, which the Board will review during its March meeting.

Dr. Ayala stated that the committee will need to review agency operational policies in a future committee meeting because this conversation was stalled during its Jan. 7, 2020, meeting.

VIII. Next Meeting: February 25, 2020 IX. Adjournment

Dr. Benson made a motion to adjourn. Chairperson Quinlan seconded the motion, and it passed by roll call vote. Chairperson Quinlan adjourned the committee at 10:48 a.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/20200128-Finance-Audit-Minutes.pdf