Galesburg Reporter

Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education met Sept. 24

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order: President Arvanitis called the meeting to order at 5:32 pm.

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; and Dr. Kelly Henry

Absent – none

President Arvanitis stated there are 7 board members present, 0 board members absent, a quorum is present.

Administration

Present - Dr. Keisha Campbell, Superintendent; Mrs. Tonya Daniels, Chief of Staff & Communications; Mr. Rudy Gomez, Exec. Dir. Technology; Ms. Kerry Leuschel, Asst. Superintendent of School Leadership; Mrs. Katie Lyons, Asst. Superintendent of Teaching & Learning; Dr. Kevin Rubenstein, Asst. Superintendent of Student Services; Dr. Joe Schumacher, Asst. Superintendent of Human Resources; Mr. Chris Whelton, Asst. Superintendent of Finance & Operations

Absent – none

Closed Session

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to adjourn to closed session at 5:34 pm 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 The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(10)

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

Reconvene to Open Session

The Board adjourned from closed session at 7:00 pm and reconvened to open session.

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

Spotlight/Recognition

Jefferson Elementary School Spotlight

Principal Sweeney began by announcing that Jefferson Elementary School has been recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School, a prestigious honor from the US Department of Education. She then went on to share her presentation highlighting Jefferson’s inclusive learning environment and the Professional Learning Community curriculum, which fosters collaboration among teachers. The presentation concluded with Principal Sweeney expressing gratitude to the Jefferson community for their continued support.

The board questioned or commented on the following:

• The Board expressed congratulations to the principal, staff, families, and everyone involved in creating a successful experience for the children.

 Public Comments:

A community member voiced her concerns about a situation that occurred in September at Sandburg Middle School, stating the she felt parents had not been provided with clear and sufficient information. She believed that the communication received should have included additional details in order to reassure parents about their students’ safety and inquired whether the district has a committee that focuses on studying school security.

Public Hearing Annual Budget 2024-25

President Arvanitis declared the public hearing open at 7:19 p.m.

Overview of FY 25 Budget

Mr. Chris Whelton presented the FY 25 budget for District 205, emphasizing careful financial planning. The district originally planned to use $10.7 million in reserves for 2022-23 but only needed $4.8 million because finances were better than expected. For 2023-24, they used $5.4 million out of $7.9 million budgeted reserves. Mr. Whelton mentioned that District 205 gets 91.2% of its revenue from local sources, which is much higher than the state average of 63.5%. Most of these funds come from property taxes, making up 84% of local revenue. D205 is limited with state funding, due to fact that we are a Tier 1 district. The budget was adjusted to account for a projected 32.6% decrease in Personal Property Replacement taxes, reducing the budget by $200,000. However, the district also received an unexpected $293,900 in Medicaid reimbursement from a prior year. They expect some declines in corporate and federal funding. Typically, salaries and benefits make up about 80% of the budget, but this year it’s around 70% due to transfers for capital projects. From the tentative and final budget there were also cuts of $150,000 in salaries and $1.3 million in benefit costs. Staffing changes were made based on student needs, with a total of 1,202 full-time equivalent. The district is investing in better materials and training for teachers to help improve student performance. Mr. Whelton outlined future investments in curriculum, facilities, staffing, and technology. The budget timeline included important dates for tracking finances and enrollment. Overall, the district aims to stay financially stable while supporting student success.

Please refer to the Overview of FY 25 Budget tab in BoardDocs if you would like to view the presentation in its entirety.

Public Hearing Public Comments: There were no public comments at this meeting.

President Arvanitis declared the public hearing closed at 7:34 pm

Approval of Board Meeting Minutes  

Approval of Regular Board Meeting Minutes- August 20, 2024

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

Learning Environment: Cultivating Positive Culture & Relationships

Dr. Kevin Rubenstein and Dr. Jake Wertz presented on the importance of cultivating positive cultures and relationships within District 205’s learning environment, emphasizing its critical role in promoting student success. They shared data from the 2023-24 school year, highlighting significant improvements, including a 15.1% reduction in chronic absenteeism at York High School, an increase in high school co-curricular involvement to 83%, strong scores in three of five measures on the 5Essentials Survey, and growth in social-emotional competencies among students. The District is focusing on further enhancements in student attendance, leadership practices, and standardizing behavior data to continue improving the learning environment.

The board questioned or commented on the following:

• They asked how follow-up is conducted with students at each level who are chronically absent.

• They noted that middle school participation in extracurricular activities is at 64%, which seems low, and inquired if students are being surveyed about involvement in activities outside of school, as well as strategies to increase interest.

•They questioned how many 4th and 5th graders continue with band and orchestra once they enter middle school.

• They emphasized the importance of understanding student engagement both in schools and the community.

• They highlighted the significance of social connectedness and having trusted adults within the school.

• They commented that changes, even with positive intent, can cause stress, making student voice essential and the presence of a trusted adult crucial to facilitate those informal conversations with students.

Student Success: State High School Assessment Updates

Mrs. Katie Lyons provided us with an update on changes being made with state high school assessments. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is transitioning from the SAT to the ACT, with a six-year contract awarded to ACT in May 2023. This change will take effect for the 2024-25 school year, following the expiration of ISBE’s contract with the College Board on June 30, 2024. The decision to switch was bases on factors such as pricing, technical specifications, and commitment to diversity. The ACT’s inclusion of a science component will also eliminate the need for a separate Illinois Science Assessments for 11th graders.

For assessments, the 11th and 12th graders will participate in the ACT with Writing, covering English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing. 9th graders will take the PreACT9 Secure, while 10th graders will take the PreACT Secure, both focusing on English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. These assessments will be administered online by York High School staff, with ACT-approved accommodations and English learner supports as necessary. ACT scores can be utilized for college admissions, scholarships, and NCAA eligibility.

Please refer to the Student Success: State High School Assessment Updates presentation in BoardDocs for an overview of the assessments to be administered at York High School during the 2024-25 school year. This presentation will emphasize the components of the ACT assessment and the learning experiences available for students, teachers, and families throughout the year.

The board questioned or commented on the following:

• They inquired about how many years our students have taken the SATs.

• They asked how long the ACT contract will be in effect.

• They questioned who the vendor is providing the prep courses and whether they offer courses commercially or only to districts.

• They wondered if prep courses are being offered due to the transition or if this will be a continued offering that we provide.

• They sought clarification on what criteria will determine which students qualify for a fee waiver.

 Medical/Dental Benefit Contract

Two representatives from Alliant spoke to the board about the insurance committee’s findings, which included two main changes to the benefit plan: renewing with BCBS and changing both PPO plans to a 3-tier network structure, along with five new pharmacy cost containment strategies. For the upcoming benefit year, the committee recommended replacing the current PPO and HSA plans with BlueChoice Options PPO and HSA, while keeping the HMO plan the same. They also proposed a 7.2% increase in premium rates for the PPO1 and PPO-HSA plans, no increase for the HMO Blue Advantage Plan, and a 12.5% increase for the Dental plan.

The board questioned or commented on the following:

• They asked the representatives about the work of the insurance committee and requested they discuss the other recommendations related to pharmacy changes that could serve as cost-saving strategies not currently included in the plan.

• A board member shared her perspective from her time on the insurance committee, expressing concerns about the implications of the current plan for the district.

• It was noted that to remain a competitive employer, the district must offer high-quality healthcare, but with a $12.2 million deficit, it is essential not to leave money on the table if there is minimal impact on employees. They inquired about the percentage of other school district that Alliant serves that offer GLP-1 medications.

• A board member pointed out that this is the third consecutive year of double-digit increases, which is unsustainable without making changes. They emphasized the need to scrutinize every dollar and suggested that not discussing boundaries around the GLP-1s seems irresponsible, citing that if 100 employees were on GLP-1s it could potentially cost approximately $1.68 million. They believed the committee should return to work to identify additional cost-saving measures.

Consent Agenda Items

A. Personnel Report

B. Financial Reports

C. FOIA- Freedom of Information Act Report

D. Hausermann Donation to D205 Fine Arts Program

E. CTE Grant Purchase for York High School

F. Approval of Student Residency Agreement

G. First Read Section 2: Board of Education- Policy Review 2:70; 2:125; 2:160; 2:260; 2:265

H. First Read Section 4: Operational Services- Policy Review 4:15; 4:40; 4:70; 4:80; 4:140

A. First Read Section 5: Personnel- Policy Review 5:130; 5:180; 5:200; 5:285; 5:310

J. First Read Section 6: Instruction- Policy Review 6:110; 6:140; 6:150; 6:230

K. First Read Section 7: Students- Policy Review 7:20; 7:170; 7:185

AX. Supplemental Staffing Contracts

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to approve the following consent agenda items : A. Personnel Report; B. Financial Reports; C. FOIA- Freedom of Information Act Requests; D. Hausermann Donation to D205 Fine Arts Program; E. CTE Grant Purchase for York HS F. Approval of Student Residency Agreement; G. First Read Section 2: Board of Education- Policy 2:70; 2:125; 2:160; 2:260; 2:265 H. First Read Section 4: Operational Services- Policy 4:15; 4:40; 4:70; 4:80; 4:140 I. First Read Section 5: Personnel- Policy 5:130; 5:180; 5:200; 5:285; 5:310 J. First Read Section 6: Instruction- Policy 6:110; 6:140; 6:150; 6:230 K. First Read Section 7: Students- Policy 7:20; 7:170; 7:185; L. Supplemental Staffing Contracts

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

Agenda Action Items

Approve Resolution Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025

Mr. Chris Whelton presented an overview highlighting Elmhurst School District 205’s commitment to educational excellence and fiscal responsibility. The district effectively managed reserves during the 2022-2023 school year, utilizing only $4.8 million of the budgeted $10.7 million, and for the 2023-2024, only $5.4 million of the $7.9 million budgeted reserves. Elmhurst School District 205 stands out with 91.4% of its revenue coming from local sources, primarily property taxes, reflecting community investment in education.

The timing of tax collections has improved financial projections, leading to stable revenue streams. Adapting to economic fluctuations, the district has prudently adjusting budgets in response to changes in personal property replacement taxes and federal revenues. For the 2024-2025 budget, salary and benefits now account for approximately 70% due to significant transfers to capital and technology.

Staffing adjustments for the 2024-2025 include increases in certified staff to support a new middle school schedule and address diverse student needs. The total number of full-time equivalent is now 1,202, emphasizing the district’s dedication to high-quality instruction.

The budget reflects strategic investments in curriculum materials, technology, and facilities, including a $4 million investment in summer capital projects. Additionally, non-operating funds will support ongoing capital projects funded by recent bond issues.

The board questioned or commented on the following:

• A board member expressed their reasons for voting against the approval of the budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.

• A board member emphasized the need to consider staff increases, acknowledging that while there have been additions for all-day kindergarten, special education, and ELL to name a few, this year the focus should be on remaining staffing neutral.

• The board noted that the finance committee will review projections in November, which will provide a bit more detail. They stressed the importance of being prepared for the future while maintaining the high quality of education offered to students.

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to move that the Board of Education adopt the budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 as recommended; and that the President and Secretary be authorized to enact the Resolution and Certificate of Authorization.

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

Approve Resolution of the Board of Education Transferring Money from the Education Fund to the Debt Service Fund

In accordance with the Illinois Accounting Manual, Section 100.50, the board discussed the transfer of funds from the Education Fund to the Debt Service Fund. A resolution was approved authorizing the transfer of $1,459,295.66 from the Education Fund to cover FY25 technology leases.

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to move that the Board of Education approve the “Resolution to Transfer Money from the Education Fund to the Debt Service Fund” for the purpose of payment of technology leases.

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

Resolution directing the transfer of $7,000,000 from the Operations and Maintenance Fund to the Capital Projects Fund

Elmhurst School District 205 has approved a referendum for $168.5 million to rebuild and renovate aging school building, including Lincoln and Field Elementary Schools. During construction, additional needs were identified, resulting in costs beyond the original referendum budget established before the November 2018 election. The district is set to complete the third of three planned $7 million transfers to the Capital Projects Fund, as scheduled in the 2024-25 budget and five-year financial plan. Elmhurst School District 205 remains committed to investing in the community through ongoing improvements to school facilities. 

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to move that the Board of Education approve the Resolution directing the transfer of $7,000,000 from the Operations and Maintenance Fund to the Capital Projects Fund of Community Unit School District Number 205, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois

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

Approve Medical and Dental Benefit Contracts

Mr. Chris Whelton presented an overview of Elmhurst School District 205’s health insurance situation, noting a 12.7% increase in claims utilization. For the fiscal year, health insurance costs have exceeded premiums by $2.1 million, with a mid-year premium increase that provided some improvement post-January. Blue Cross Blue Shield underwriters and Alliant determined a necessary 10.1% increase in premiums due to the rise in claims utilization alongside medical and pharmacy trends.

Following several months of due diligence, the Insurance Committee approved two key changes to benefit plan design: first, the renewal with BCBS while transitioning both PPO plans (PPO1 and HSA) to a 3-tier network structure; and second, the implementation of five pharmacy cost containment strategies, which include adding Flex Access to the HAS plan, introducing multi-category split fill, excluding non-sedating antihistamines, requiring prior authorization for compounds over $300, and establishing a member pay the difference program.

For the upcoming benefit year (January 1, 2024-December 31, 2024), the current PPO plan will be replaced with BlueChoice Options PPO, and the current HSA plan will be replaced with BlueChoice Options HSA, while no changes will be made to the HMO plan. The pharmacy programs mentioned earlier will be included.

The Insurance Committee recommends a 7.2% increase in premium equivalent rates for the PPO1 and PPO-HSA plans, with no increase for the HMO Blue Advantage Plan. The Dental plan will see a premium equivalent rate increase of 12.5%.

The board questioned or commented on the following:

• Considering this is a time-sensitive issue the board is willing to hold a special meeting to accommodate necessary discussions. However, they also noted that more time and information are needed, so the matter is being sent back to the insurance committee for further review.

President Arvanitis asked for a motion to move that the Board of Education table the renewal of Blue Cross/Blue Shield health and dental insurance plans for the January 1-December 31, 2025 year as presented.

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

Superintendent's Communication

State of the District

The Annual State of the District will be held on October 30, 2024 at York High School at 7PM.  We invite the community to join us as we reflect on the last school year and share updates on student achievement in District 205.

Student Services- Facilitated IEP

On Wednesday September 11, 2024, our student services team partnered with SERG to present an event for parents/guardians and caregivers focused on improving our special education meetings.  Close to 50 people were in attendance and heard from a facilitator from Key2Ed about how to actively prepare for and participate in meetings. Additionally, all parents were walked through a sample IEP meeting using the Facilitated IEP Process.  Feedback from the evening was remarkably positive and we will plan to do a similar training in the future for more families.

CARES Grant/ ReferralGPS

As you will recall, last year, the District participated in a competitive grant process through the Illinois Department of Public Health. Ultimately, they awarded the District with a grant in the amount of $249,000 to provide free mental health services with community providers.  We officially kicked off in February with print materials being distributed to every school and marketing for families who might be interested in utilizing these supports.

At this point, we have had over 100 students begin accessing mental health services within our community. These students have visited mental health providers more than 500 times - the most out of any school district using this model. This is an indicator of the high level of need for this type of service that removes every barrier to seeking mental health support.

Given the high interest, the amount of money left to provide services is running dry - likely in October.  While we are seeking new funding opportunities, the company that manages the partnership and matches students to community providers, ReferralGPS, will begin working with families to transfer them to their insurance plans or to Medicaid where available.  Additionally, families within the school district can still seek out assistance using the CARES Portal. While funding might not be available, mental health providers are always available and we want to make sure that we are continuing to connect families with the support they need.

Jefferson Elementary School Blue Ribbon Award

We are so excited to share that, after a decade-long break, Elmhurst District 205 again has a Blue Ribbon School!! Jefferson Elementary School has been named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School (NBRS) by the U.S. Department of Education. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is one of the longest-running recognition programs of the U.S. Department of Education and recognizes outstanding schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students. The announcement came Monday, honoring Jefferson for its student-centered approach, commitment to inclusivity, and collaborative culture.

Jefferson’s success stems from a focus on building meaningful relationships with students and fostering a positive, engaging environment. Teachers prioritize individual student needs, crafting classroom communities where all students feel valued and supported. The school also encourages family and community involvement, creating a strong, inclusive culture that has been instrumental in its national recognition.

We are incredibly proud of the Jefferson Elementary community for this prestigious honor. Their dedication to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where students are educated, engaged, and empowered reflects the core values throughout our district. This award is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our students, staff, and families.

Communications Highlights

Mrs. Daniels introduced the communications highlight video, which can be viewed on BoardDocs. 

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

Upcoming Meetings

- October 15, 2024 Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m.–District 205 Center, Rooms 215, 216, & 217

- October 29, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting, 5:30 p.m.-District 205 Center, Rooms 215, 216, & 217

- November 6, 2024 Finance and Operation Committee Meeting at 5:30 p.m. -District 205 Center, Rooms 215 & 216

Adjournment - End of Meeting: The meeting was adjourned at 9:32

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