Quincy Reporter

Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education met Aug. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order

The Regular Business meeting of the Board of Education of Community Consolidated School District 181, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, was called to order by Board President Michael Martin, at 5:30 pm on August 14, 2023, at Hinsdale Middle School, 100 S. Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL.

Roll Call

Jean Duggan, Recording Secretary, took roll call. Board members present were: William Cotter, Grace Shin, Michael Martin, Asim Aleem, Sinead Duffy, and Meg Cooper. Absent: Margaret Kleber. Also present, Dr. Hector Garcia, Superintendent.

Pledge of Allegiance

Michael Martin led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Executive Session

Michael Martin made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session at 5:31 p.m. to discuss safety and negotiations. Sinead Duffy seconded the motion. On roll call, the following members voted “Aye”: Grace Shin, Michael Martin, Meg Cooper, William Cotter, Asim Aleem, and Sinead Duffy. Absent: Margret Kleber. “Nay:” None. The motion carried.

Call to Order

Jean Duggan, Recording Secretary took roll call at 7:08 p.m. Board members present were: Michael Martin, Grace Shin, Sinead Duffy, Meg Cooper, William Cotter, Margaret Kleber, and Asim Aleem. Also present, Dr. Hector Garcia, Superintendent.

Board of Education Celebrations

The Board congratulated The Lane School, Principal Brandon Todd, and the staff for earning the District’s first Model PLC at Work award. Schools earn the Model PLC at Work School distinction for embracing high levels of learning for all students as the reason the organization exists and the fundamental responsibility of those who work within it.

Public Comment,

No public comment.

Moment of Silence

Dr. Garcia started the meeting by speaking about the passing of Sean Patrick Richards. He expressed his sympathy to the family. He also thanked everyone attending the meeting to join him in a moment of silence for those impacted by the accident.

Informational Items

Kindergarten Update

Dr. Hector Garcia shared a Kindergarten update. He noted that on August 2, 2023, HB2396 was assigned by Governor Pritzker, mandating that all schools offer full-day kindergarten. Governor Pritzker said, “...we’re investing heavily in our state’s youngest residents because we know that every investment we make now is paid back multiple times over by engaged and educated citizens.” He also said that the State has not allocated funds for this initiative, and D181 does not expect to receive any funds. Lastly, he noted that due to the past fiscal efforts, the District is in a solid financial position to ensure they can meet this unfunded mandate.

He also gave an update on the report from John Kasarda, Ph.D., consulting demographer. He shared the following:

● Trends and enrollment projections

● Estimates on future Kindergarten enrollment if full-day

● Districtwide and five-year individual school enrollment projections

● Next steps - key variables for new construction

● Draft construction timeline

Start of the Year Information

Dr. Garcia and the District Administrative Team shared the following information related to the start of the 2023-24 school year:

The presentation covered the following topics:

● Summer Learning Opportunities and Program Overview (Some examples)

○ Summer Learning: 380 Students; 33 Teachers; 15 Days / 4 Hours

■ Math Bridge: 493 Students; 25 Teachers; 15 Days / 2 Hours

■ ESY: 77 Students; 37 Teachers; 37 days; 15 Days / 2-4 Hours

■ Math Camp: 92 Students;11 Teachers; 15 Days / 1 Hour

■ Time to Shine: 131 Students; 16 Teachers; 15 Days / 1 Hour

● Start of the 2023-2024 School Year Professional Development (Some examples) 

■ Substitute Training

■ Administrator Professional Development

■ Administrative Assistant Training

■ New Educator Learning

■ Teacher Staff Development Days

■ Instructional Assistant Training

■ Teacher Institute and Opening Day

● Student Enrollment and New Staff Members

■ District 181 enrollment - 3,584

■ Certified - 18 Non-certified - 12

■ Administrators - 3

■ 544.7 Full-Time Equivalent Staff Members

● Facilities Update

■ Operations Highlights - Over $2.8 million worth of projects (Examples) 

● Roof rehabilitation at Oak School

● New playgrounds in partnership with the PTOS at The Lane and Madison Schools;

● Flooring replacement and painting at The Lane School;

● Door and hardware security upgrades at The Lane and Monroe Schools;

● Safety - Current Efforts and Updates

■ Our Goal: We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment at all schools for all our students and staff.

■ Focus: Facilities, Standard Operating Procedures, Professional Development

● Past Efforts:

○ Facilities - The District has upgraded security with staff card and guest entry equipment, visitor ID management, impact film on all first-floor windows and doors, radio upgrades, and no climb fencing.

○ Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) - The District has developed a Comprehensive Safety and Crisis Plan, Emergency Guidelines, Building Safety Procedures for staff, and safety checks three times a week by police departments. Police built awareness of facilities and relationships with staff and students and visited all the schools throughout the district.

○ PD - All staff received training for safer and more strategic evacuations. There has been collaboration with local police departments on developing and delivering PD sessions. Yearly drills are completed and reviewed by building safety teams.

● 23-24 Enhancements:

○ Facilities - District-wide installation of safety and security cameras, upgraded security with 3rd entry system, emergency backpacks in every classroom and common area, and playground surface upgrade.

○ Develop a comprehensive reunification plan, update Safety and crisis and Food and allergy plans, safety checks five times a week by police departments, and implement a districtwide communication system in an emergency (System - CrisisGO). 

○ PD - Trained all staff to implement safer and more strategic evacuations and drills. We will continue to partner with the Hinsdale Police Department to deliver PD throughout the district.

FOIA Update

The District received five FOIA requests and completed all of the requests since the last FOIA update on June 26, 2023, Board of Education meeting.

Consent Agenda

Personnel

Certified Licensed Educators:

Employment pending successful completion of onboarding process and background check
Name	Position	Location	FTE	Salary	Effective Date
Natalie O’Callahan	5th Grade Teacher	Walker	1.0	$53,785.08	August 18, 2023
Grace Hafner	Kindergarten Teacher	Madison	.5	$25,435.35	August 18, 2023
Laura Ghera	Music Teacher	Monroe.	.75	$54,799.90	August 18, 2023

*Based on FY23 HCHTA Salary Schedule. Salary will be adjusted according to the FY24 Salary Schedule per HCHTA negotiated agreement upon settlement.

Lane Advancement, effective for the 2023-24 school year, effective August 18, 2023
Name	Position	Current	Advanced	Salary
Bridget Babel	P.E. Teacher	BA+15	MA, 7	$76,110.96*
Sarah Pierpoint	Teacher Gr. 2	MA	MA+30, 10	$88,288.72*
Lindsay Solski	Kindergarten Teacher	BA+15	MA, 13	$91,333.16*
Margaret Stanford	Teacher Gr. 5	BA+15	MA, 6	$70,022.09*
Nicole Tate	Teacher Gr. 3	BA+15	MA, 6	$70,022.09*

*Based on FY23 HCHTA Salary Schedule. Salary will be adjusted according to the FY24 Salary Schedule per HCHTA negotiated agreement upon settlement.

Resignation
Name	Position	Location	FTE	Effective Date
Kathryn Murray	Music	Monroe	.75	June 6, 2023

Classified Staff:

Employment pending successful completion of onboarding process and background check
Name	Position	Location	FTE	Hourly Rate	Effective Date
Kristi Haan	School Nurse	HMS	1.0	$32.76	August 18,2023
Jillian D’Aprile	Instructional Asst. Program RISE	Walker	1.0	$21.59	August 18, 2023
Heather Duffy	MS Building Secretary	CHMS	1.0	$21.65	August 8, 2023
Susan Bulicek	Instructional Asst. Spec. Ed.	Oak	1.0		$17.64 August 18, 2023

Change in FTE/Position
Name	Current Position	Location	New Position	Hourly Rate/FTE	Effective Date
Mayra Anguino	IA	HMS	Help Desk Tech.	$21.38	August 15 ,2023
Sonali Saraf	.8 FTE IA ECE	Oak	.5 FTE IA ECE	$20.69	August 18, 2023

Resignation
Name	Position	Location	FTE	Effective Date
Monica Cordova	IA-Program RISE	Walker	1.0	6/2/2023
Holly Duffy	IA-ECE	Oak	1.0	8/1/2023
Theresa Ochoa	RTI Tutor	The Lane	hourly	6/2/2023

Approval of Minutes 

The Board was asked to approve the minutes from the following meeting:

● Regular Business Meeting - June 26, 2023

● Special Board Meeting - July 5, 2023

Succession of Authority Plan

Per Board Policy 3:70 Succession of Authority, a succession plan must be developed when the superintendent is unavailable.

When the superintendent is temporarily absent, matters requiring action and decisions will be directed to the appropriate cabinet member. When the superintendent’s absence is planned, a member of the cabinet will be designated as having the authority to cover District matters. In the event of an unplanned absence or when the superintendent is temporarily unavailable, the succession of authority sequence will be:

● Kathleen Robinson, Assistant Superintendent of Learning

● Gina Herrmann, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

● Dana Bergthold, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

Policy Review - First Read - Approval for Public Display

The Board was asked to approve the following policies for public display:

● 2:80 - Board Member Oath and Conduct

● 4:45 - Insufficient Fund Checks and Debt Recovery

● 8:25 - Advertising and Distributing Materials in Schools Provided by Non-School Related Entities

● 8:95 - Parental Involvement

● 2:170 - Procurement of Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Services ● 4:100 - Insurance Management

● 5:230 - Maintaining Student Discipline

● 6:190 - Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities

● 6:240 - Field Trips and Recreational Class Trips

● 7:275 - Orders to Forgo Life-Sustaining Treatment

● 7:305 - Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries

Committee Reports

Finance and Facilities Committee

● The Finance and Facilities Committee will meet on September 12, 2023.

Academic Success Committee

● The Academic Success Committee will meet on September 7, 2023.

Payment of Bills and Reimbursements

Bills and Reimbursements were presented in the amount of $5,320,243.32.

Michael Martin made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Sinead Duffy seconded the motion. On roll call, the following members voted “Aye:” Grace Shin, Michael Martin, Asim Aleem, William Cotter, Sinead Duffy, Margaret Kleber, and Margaret Cooper. ”Nay:” None. The motion carried.

Adjournment

Michael Martin made a motion to adjourn at 7:43 p.m. Asim Aleem seconded the motion. All in favor. The motion carried.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/hccsdil/Board.nsf/files/CVDQKT69B147/$file/2023_08_14_Reg.%20Bus.%20Mtg.%20Min..pdf