Galesburg Reporter

Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting held on December 19, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in Board Rooms 215, 216, & 217 at 162 S. York Street, Elmhurst, IL, DuPage County

Call to Order: President Arvanitis called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

Board of Education Members

Present – Mrs. Athena Arvanitis, President; Mrs. Elizabeth Hosler, Vice-President; Mrs. Courtenae Trautmann, Secretary; Mrs. Kelly Asseff; Mrs. Kara Caforio; Mr. Jim Collins Dr. Kelly Henry

Absent –

President Arvanitis stated there are all 7 board members are present, a quorum is present.

Administration

Present - Dr. Keisha Campbell, Superintendent; Mrs. Tonya Daniels, Exec. Dir. Communications; Dr. Scott Grens, Associate Superintendent; Mr. Rudy Gomez, Exec. Dir. Technology; Ms. Kerry Leuschel, Exec. Dir. Secondary Ed; Mrs. Katie Lyons, Exec. Dir. Elementary Ed; Dr. Kevin Rubenstein, Asst. Supt. Student Services; Dr. Joe Schumacher, Asst. Supt. Human Resources; Mr. Chris Whelton, Asst. Supt. Finance & Operations

Absent -  

Closed Session

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to adjourn to closed session at 5:31 p.m. to discuss matters relating to The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity;

AND Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)

AND Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.

Mrs. Trautmann moved and Mrs. Hosler seconded the motion. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: Mrs. Trautmann, Mrs. Hosler, Mrs. Asseff, Dr. Henry, Mrs. Caforio, Mr. Collins, and Mrs. Arvanitis, voted aye. Motion carried.

Reconvene to Open Session

The Board adjourned from closed session at 7:03 p.m. and reconvened to open session.

Pledge of Allegiance: Board members led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Spotlight/Recognition

Lauren DeAngelis ICCCA "Coach of the Year" for 3A Girls' Cross Country

Mr. Collins read the proclamation that included, Lauren DeAngelis, Head Girls’ Cross Country Coach at York Community High School, has been named the “Coach of the Year” for 3A Girls’ Cross Country, a prestigious and well deserved honor awarded by the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (ITCCCA) and has dedicated an impressive fourteen years to coaching Cross Country. The Board congratulated Lauren and all the athletes.

Girls’ Cross Country 3A State Champions

Dr. Henry read the proclamation that included York Girls’ Cross Country team demonstrated unparalleled excellence by placing FIRST at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State meet, earning them the title of Class 3A State Champions. This remarkable achievement marks the second Class 3A State title in three years for the York Girls’ Cross Country team. The Board congratulated all the athletes.

Fall Sports Recognition

Mrs. Trautmann recognized the D205 fall sport team accomplishments by highlighting what an amazing season that took place for each of the teams. The boys’ teams included, soccer, cross country, golf, and football. The girls’ teams included, golf, tennis, swim & dive, volleyball, cheer & pom squad, and Special Olympics volleyball for the first time. The accomplishment of the teams were many through IHSA regional and sectional events to many advancing to state competitions. The Board gave a round of applause to congratulate all the fall sport team athletes.

Sandburg Middle School Spotlight

Sandburg’s Principal Louis presented highlights of student engagement and student celebrations that included the following: Student Engagement featured, PLTW students participating in the 2nd annual boat regatta, students engagement in Family & Consumer Science, students utilizing CAD in Industrial Tech, students participating in a Socratic seminar, and students utilizing the media center to collaboratively solve problems; Student Celebrations featured, bi-weekly student spotlight, first meeting of the Sandburg student leadership team, respect activity from kindness in the classroom, and the weekly SEL student check-ins. Principal Louis concluded by recognizing the strong partnership that exists between Sandburg and the greater school community, parents are an integral part of Sandburg’s success.

Public Hearing – Adoption 2023 Levy Certificate

President Arvanitis declared the public hearing open at 7:31p.m.

Overview 2023 Levy

Mr. Whelton began the presentation by showing the 2023 tax levy timeline, which included the filing of the tax levy by the end of December. He covered what is known and unknown in determining the tax levy and added the tax levy is only a request by the Board to the county, then there is an extension which is what the county determines to place on the tax bill. He reviewed the operating revenues and expenditures, along with comparing tax rates to other unit districts. He highlighted that D205 consistently delivers a high return on investment while maintaining the lowest tax rate and providing all students with robust high-quality programming and enhanced learning experiences. Mr. Whelton provided many examples such as: Aligning student data & needs to appropriate academic & SEL interventions; Strong school based instructional leadership teams; and Evidence-based curriculum aligned with robust professional development.

Public Hearing Public Comments: There were no public comments.

President Arvanitis opened it up for questions from the Board. The Board’s wonderings and questions revolved around the following: Past tax levy rates and the effect of compounding; The responsibility is not taken lightly, sited the increase in inflation, and it’s a complex balance; Need to balance the needs of the students, along with balancing the needs of the community and their tax dollars; Need to have financial flexibility; and wondered if February is when the Board has the abatement conversation.

President Arvanitis declared the public hearing closed at 7:54 p.m.

Public Comments: The public comment revolved around chronic student absenteeism and how that affects student performance.   

Approval of Board Meeting Minutes  

Approval of Regular & Committee of the Whole Board Minutes: November 14, 2023

Approval of Closed Session Minutes: November 14, 2023

President Arvanitis asked if there were any changes to minutes and hearing no changes, the minutes were declared to stand as presented.  

Reports and Presentations

Middle School Schedule SY 24-25

Dr. Grens provided an overview of the objectives that include a reflection on the mission, values, and vision of the D205 Journey of Excellence with a focus on the rationale for improving the middle school schedule, an update on the process utilized by the D205 Middle School Schedule Collaborative, a preview of the 2024-2025 middle school schedule and the next steps to support a successful transition. He provided information on the rationale for improving the schedule, along with detail on the middle school schedule collaborative process to then highlight the proposed 2024-2025 middle schedule with next steps. Formal action to be proposed at the January 16, 2024 board meeting.

The Board’s wonderings and questions revolved around the following: Need to be sensitive to middle school changes; What type of professional development or support will there be for staff in making the adjustments; Who was on the collaborative team and what groups were surveyed; What is the plan for FLL (flexible learning lab) time; Can we have additional information on what FLL will look like for students; Like the increase in science and social studies but wondered about the amount of time for math and English language arts (ELA); In the past, when did class minutes increase for math and ELA; and Clarified that it seems we are choosing between two different structural models to deliver instruction.

D205 Website Redesign

Mrs. Daniels provided background information indicating a one-year contract had been approved by the Board with Finalsite, current web provider, a current review of the website inventory, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) launch. The RFP process created a website evaluation committee with many stakeholders from across the district and RFP’s shared with website providers. The RFPs submitted were reviewed, presentations were given by the various web providers, and references were checked. The committee will continue discussions with Apptegy to potentially move forward as a new website provider. The next steps will include a review of pricing, follow-up meetings, and “test” site exploration. The final contract will be presented at an upcoming board meeting. The Board’s wonderings and questions revolved around the following: The difference between Apptegy and the other 2 providers not chosen and will the website be mobile friendly.   

Consent Agenda Items

    Personnel Report

    Financial Reports

    Bid 24-05 Madison Renovation

    Approve Laser Engraver

    Donation for Churchville Middle School

    Donation for Jefferson Elementary School

    Approve Music Instrument Donation

    Semi-Annual Review of Closed Minutes

President Avanitis asked for a motion to approve the following consent agenda items: A. Personnel Report; B. Financial Reports; C. Bid 24-05 Madison Renovations; D. Approve Laser Engraver; E. Donation for Churchville Middle School; F. Donation for Jefferson Elementary School; G. Approve Music Instrument Donation; and H. Semi-Annual Review of Closed Minutes.

Mrs. Trautmann moved and Mrs. Caforio seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE: Mrs. Trautmann, Mrs. Caforio, Dr. Henry, Mr. Collins, Mrs. Hosler, Mrs. Asseff, and Mrs. Arvanitis voted aye. Motion carried.  

Agenda Action Items

Approve 2023 Resolution Certificate of Levy

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to approve the "Resolution for the 2023 Certificate of Levy”. Dr. Henry moved and Mrs. Hosler seconded the motion. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: Dr. Henry, Mrs. Hosler, Mrs. Trautmann, Mrs. Asseff, Mrs. Caforio, and Mrs. Arvanitis voted aye. Motion carried. Mr. Collins voted nay.

Approve Mental Health Grant

Dr. Rubenstein stated that on October 22, 2023, the District was notified by IDPH that it had been awarded $249,000 in grant funds. The District is one of ten districts across DuPage County awarded the funds and is collaborating with other district leaders to ensure the successful implementation of these grant funded programs. The funds will primarily be used to create an online referral service to community mental health providers. In an effort to ensure the successful and timely launch of these important services, we are seeking approval of the written agreement with IDPH contingent upon a successful review by our law firm.

The Board’s wonderings and questions revolved around the following: Thank you for the work in writing the grant to provide support for our students; Does IDPH determine how the funds are implemented; and will this help other families.

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to approve the written agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health for grant funds in the amount of $249,000 contingent upon a successful legal review. Mrs. Asseff moved and Mrs. Trautmann seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE: Mrs. Asseff, Mrs. Trautmann, Mrs. Hosler, Mrs. Caforio, Mr. Collins, Dr. Henry, and Mrs. Arvanitis voted aye. Motion carried.

PTA Fundraising Plans 2023-2024

Dr. Campbell presented that annually, the Parent Teacher Associations present fundraising priorities for approval by the school principal, district administration, and Board of Education for any items of $500.00 or more in value. The PTA items are in accordance with Policy 8:80-Gifts to the District. The administration has reviewed the fundraising items in table 1 for recommendation to the Board for approval. The administrations will further review the fundraising items in table 2. Dr. Campbell stated how appreciative we are to our Parent Teacher Associations for their tireless efforts, investment, and generosity to our District.  

The Board wondered about the Hawthorne basketball hoops being on both table 1 & 2, which was clarified by Dr. Campbell they should only be only on table 2; Clarified that items on table 2 will have further discussion; and Thank you to the PTA for the hard work in providing many opportunities for kids in our District.

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to approve the Parent Teacher Association annual fundraising priorities, as presented in Table 1 for the 2023-2024 school year. Mrs. Hosler moved and Mrs. Arvanitis seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE: Mrs. Hosler, Mrs. Arvanitis, Mr. Collins, Dr. Henry, Mrs. Trautmann, Mrs. Caforio, and Mrs. Asseff, voted aye. Motion carried.

Superintendent's Communication

FOIA – Freedom of Information Act Requests

Dr. Campbell reviewed the following FOIA requests since the last board meeting.

1 FOIA request for TIF payments, not in possession.

2 FOIA requests for referendum renovation documents since November of 2018, unduly burdensome.

2 FOIA requests for bid records, granted. 

1 FOIA request for specific maintenance equipment purchase, not in possession.

1 FOIA request for GoGuardian records, granted.

1 FOIA request for any grievance, unduly burdensome.

1 FOIA request for Securly records, granted. 

1 FOIA request for environmental testing records, granted.

Communications Highlights

Mrs. Daniels introduced the communications highlight video.  

Board Communications: If applicable, Board members present reports and/or share information to the full Board.

Upcoming Meetings

- January 16, 2023 Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 p.m. - District 205 Center, Rooms 215, 216, and 217

- February 7, 2023 Committee of the Whole Board of Education Mtg. at 5:30 p.m. - District 205 Center, Rooms 215 & 216

Adjournment - End of Meeting: The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/elmhurst/Board.nsf/Public