Quincy Reporter

Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education met Sept. 16.

Here is the agenda 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 William Cotter at 6:00 pm on September 16, 2024, at Hinsdale Middle School, 100 S. Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL.

Roll Call

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

Pledge of Allegiance 

William Cotter led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Executive Session

William Cotter made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:01 p.m. to discuss personnel and litigation. Margaret Cooper seconded the motion. On roll call, the following members voted “Aye”: Margaret Kleber, Grace Shin, Asim Aleem, Margaret Cooper, and William Cotter. ”Nay”: None. Absent: Michael Martin and Sinead Duffy. The motion carried.

Call to Order

Jean Duggan, Recording Secretary, took roll call at 7:13 p.m. Board members present were William Cotter, Margaret Kleber, Grace Shin, Margaret Cooper, and Asim Aleem. “Nay:” None. Absent: Sinead Duffy, Michael Martin. Also present, Dr. Hector Garcia, Superintendent.

Board of Education Celebrations 

The Board of Education thanked the District for their outstanding efforts in creating a remarkable start to the 2024-25 school year.

Public Comment

Audrey Less, a Clarendon Hills resident, addressed the Board regarding secure firearms.

Informational Items 

Full-Day Kindergarten Update 

Mr. Mike Duggan, Director of Facilities, and Mrs. Mindy Bradford, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, co-presented an update on Full-Day Kindergarten. Mr. Duggan provided an update on the progress of the construction projects. He noted that there have been significant advancements made in the Full-Day Kindergarten initiative. Mrs. Bradford shared information on the project to date spending on each of the six projects.

● Construction progress:

○ Construction is underway at six schools to accommodate full-day kindergarten and other improvements. Phase II work at Oak & Walker and additions at Elm, Madison, The Lane, and Monroe are still under construction with expected completion dates in 2025.

● Project timeline:

○ Weekly OAC (Owner, Contractor, and Architect) meetings are held to monitor progress, address issues, and ensure projects remain on schedule.

● School-specific updates:

○ Mr. Duggan provided detailed information on the construction status of each school, including timelines, completed phases, and anticipated final completion dates.

● Funding:

○ The full-day kindergarten projects are funded through debt certificates issued in July 2024. Year-to-date expenditures as of August 31, 2024, are $5,054,570 vs. a total budgeted spend of $19,171,616.

Summer Capital Projects Summary 

Director of Facilities Mike Duggan presented a comprehensive update on the 2024 summer capital facilities projects. He provided detailed information on the status of each project, including completion dates, costs, and anticipated benefits to the district. Mrs. Bradford shared information on the financial impact of the projects.

● Project Completion:

○ All summer projects have been completed successfully, including Madison School MRC remodel, Prospect parking lot replacement, playground replacements at Walker and Prospect Schools, Monroe School flooring replacement, The Lane School LED retrofit, and poured-in place surfacing at various playground locations.

● Cost Management:

○ Budgeted vs. actual projected spend amounts were shared for each school. On a combined basis, all of the projects were completed within the overall amount budgeted for 2024 Summer Capital Projects, with some cost savings achieved through cooperative purchasing and in house project management.

● Project Lifespan:

○ The projects have an expected lifespan ranging from 15-20 years for playgrounds and the MRC to 25-30 years for parking lots and 30+ years for flooring.

● Financial Impact:

○ All funds used for summer projects were budgeted and paid for with operating revenues, ensuring there was no additional financial burden on the district’s taxpayers.

District Office Building Update:

Mr. Duggan presented an update on the progress of the new district office remodeling project at 133 Ogden, Hinsdale, IL. He provided details on the design elements, construction timeline, and anticipated occupancy date.

● Site Plan Improvements:

○ The project includes improvements to the site plan, such as additional parking spaces, revised traffic flow, and a new trash enclosure.

● Interior Design:

○ The interior design incorporates collaborative workspaces, flexible furniture arrangements, and designated display areas to showcase the district's history, awards, and student achievements.

● Construction Timeline:

○ The project is on schedule, with construction documents being finalized and bids expected to go out by September 13, 2024. Construction is anticipated to start in October.

● Anticipated Occupancy:

○ The new district office is expected to be ready for occupancy in late May/early June of 2025.

Enrollment Report 

Dr. Gina Herrmann, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, presented the annual student enrollment report, She provided an overview of the total student enrollment and class sizes for the 2024-25 school year.

● Enrollment Increase:

○ The total student enrollment on August 27, 2024, was 3,564, reflecting a slight increase of 5 students from the previous year.

● Class Size Analysis:

○ The average class sizes for each grade level are within the recommended ranges, with the highest average being in third grade at 20.7 students per class.

● Instructional Assistant Support:

○ Instructional assistant support is provided to classes with 24 or more students, ensuring adequate resources for teachers and students.

● Strategic Plan Alignment:

○ The student enrollment data aligns with the district's strategic plan goal of offering a continuum of services that support student development and learning readiness.

Dr. Garcia shared that the District continues to look at the demographer report and the enrollment. He said the District would also provide an enrollment update to the Board in the spring.

Summer Programs Review 2024 

Dr. Kathleen Robinson, Mrs. Kristin Reingruber, and Ms. Jessica Schultz from the Department of Learning shared a review of the summer programs offered to students in District 181: Summer Learning Program, Bridge Math Program, Time to Shine, Extended School Year, and Math Camp.

● Program Enrollment

○ The summer programs had a total enrollment of 1,001 students, with 92 courses taught by 121 staff members.

● Program Improvements

○ Based on feedback, several changes were made to the programs, including adjusted start times, additional days for Bridge, staggered program starts, and teacher email updates.

● Summer Learning Program (SLP)

○ SLP offered a variety of enrichment and remedial courses for K-7th grade students.

● Bridge Math Program (MB)

○ MB was a fee-based program for qualifying students entering grades 3-8, designed to prepare them for advanced or accelerated math placement.

● Extended School Year (ESY)

○ ESY provided reading and/or math support to eligible special education students.

● Time to Shine (TtS)

○ TtS focused on maintaining and improving reading skills for elementary-age students.

● Math Camp

○ Math Camp provided remedial math support for eligible students prior to the start of the school year.

Curriculum & Professional Learning Highlights 24-25

Dr. Kathleen Robinson, Assistant Superintendent of Learning, presented an overview of the curricular highlights and professional learning opportunities for the 2024-25 school year.

● Curriculum Resource Implementation

○ The district implemented new curriculum resources in science and is piloting social studies for both elementary and middle school grades.

● Social-Emotional Learning Focus

○ The district integrated social-emotional learning lessons and implemented a screening tool to support student well-being.

● Illinois State Literacy Plan

○ The district is reviewing and evaluating its teaching practices in relation to the state’s literacy plan.

● Rising Stars Program

○ The Rising Stars program, a transitional kindergarten program, will be offered for the last time in the 2024-25 school year. The plan is to implement full-day kindergarten in the fall of 2025.

● Professional Learning Opportunities

○ The district provided various professional learning opportunities for staff, including summer workshops, conferences, and courses, as well as district-wide professional development days. FOIA Update

Dr. Garcia shared that the District received eight requests and completed eight since the last FOIA update at the September 16, 2024 Board meeting.

Consent Agenda

Personnel

Certified Licensed Educators

Lane Advancement, effective for the 2024-2025 school year
Name	Position	Current	Advanced	Salary
Emma Doyle	Math Teacher HMS	BA	BA+15, 3	$61,319.05

Leave of Absence - Unpaid Parental Leave for the 2024-2025 school year
Name	Position	Location	FTE	Effective Date
Katherine Kurschat	Grade 1 Teacher	Madison	1	March 17 - June 3, 2025

Classified Staff

Employment - Pending successful completion of the onboarding process and background check
Name	Position	Location	FTE	Hourly rate	Effective Date
Claire Travers	School Nurse	HMS	1.0	$33.42	August 26, 2024
Susan Stepaniak	IA Special Program Foundations	HMS	1.0	$22.03	August 28, 2024
Monica Cordova	IA Specialized	Walker	1.0	$20.90	September 9, 2024
Paige Serritella	Instructional Assistant SPED	Monroe	1.0	$18.00	August 26, 2024
Lori McGreal	Instructional Assistant SPED	The Lane	1.0	$18.00	August 28, 2024
Allicia Smrha	RTI Tutor	Elm	hourly	$20.95	September 10, 2024
Jennifer Robinson	IA Special Program RISE	Walker	1.0	$22.03	September 9, 2024
Mary Black	IA Special Program Foundations	HMS	1.0	$22.03	September 23, 2024
Sara Geishecker	RTI Tutor	Walker	hourly	$20.95	September 16, 2024

Resignation
Name	Position	Location	Effective Date
Laura Castellanos	Admin. Asst. to the Principal	HMS	September 18, 2024

Employment, Safety Officer - Pending successful completion of onboarding process and background check
Name	Position	Location	FTE	Hourly Rate	Effective Date
Kyle Michalek	Safety Officer	District-wide	Hourly	$50.00	October 1, 2024

Approval of Minutes 

The Board was asked to approve the following minutes:

● Regular Business Meeting - August 12, 2024

Monthly Financial Report

The Board was asked to approve the monthly financial reports from June and July of 2024.

Release of Closed Session Minutes

The Board of Education reviewed closed session minutes on August 12, 2024. They reviewed minutes from January 22, 2024, to June 17, 2024, and recommended the following minutes be released to the public:

● January 22, 2024

Destruction of Verbatim Record of Closed Session Minutes

The verbatim record of a closed session must be kept by the public body for a minimum of 18 months after the meeting and may be destroyed after the expiration of that period of time, but only if: 1. the public body approves the destruction;

2. the public body approves the written minutes of the closed session concerned, and 3. There is no legal action pending concerning the meeting. 5 ILCS 120/2.06(c)

Administrator/Teacher Salary and Benefit Report 

The Board was asked to approve the EIS Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report for the 2024 School Year.

Policy Adoption 

The Board was asked to adopt the following policy as presented:

● Policy 8:20 - Community Use of School Facilities 

Policy Adoption 

The Board was asked to approve the adoption of the following policies:

● Policy 2:70 - Vacancies on the School Board - Filling Vacancies 

● Policy 4:14 - Identity Protection 

● Policy 4:70 - Resource Conservation 

● Policy 4:80 - Accounting and Audits 

● Policy 2:125 - Board member Compensation; Expenses 

● Policy 2:160 - Board Attorney 

● Policy 5:130 - Responsibilities Concerning Internal Information 

● Policy 5:180 - Temporary Illness or Temporary Incapacity 

● Policy 5:200 - Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal 

● Policy 5:290 - Employment Termination and Suspensions 

● Policy 5:310 - Compensatory Time-Off 

● Policy 6:110 - Programs for Students At Risk of Academic Failure and/or Dropping Out of School and Graduation Incentives Program 

● Policy 6:140 - Education of Homeless Children 

● Policy 6:150 - Home and Hospital Instruction 

● Policy 7:170 - Vandalism 

Policy Review - First Read - Approval for Public Display

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

● Policy 7:20 - Harassment of Students Prohibited 

● Policy 2:260 - Uniform Grievance Procedure 

● Policy 2:265 - Title IX Grievance Procedure 

● Policy 5:100 - Staff Development Program 

● Policy 7:185 - Teen Dating Violence Prohibited 

Approval of the Waste & Recycling Contract 

The administration issued an RFP for District Wide Waste and Recycling services for a three-year term, with a sealed bid opening date of June 28, 2024. At that time the lowest responsible bidder was SBC Waste Solutions, Inc. (SBC). This company qualifies as a women-owned business, which is important as we seek to diversify our supplier base. The terms of SBC’s proposal were $44,160/year for three years or $132,480 a savings of almost $5,000 over the previous waste and recycling provider’s agreement over the 3-year contract and almost $13,000 less than the amount proposed by Waste Management, the district’s current provider and only other bidder.

Approval of the Andy Frain Contract Extension 

On August 9, 2021, the Board of Education approved the Service Agreement between District 181 and Andy Frain Services, Inc. for providing crossing guard services throughout the school district. The agreement is amended annually adopting Andy Frain Services’ new rate of pay for the coming school year. The terms of this Amendment shall be in effect through July 31, 2025, and include an hourly increase per guard of $0.70 (an approximate 3% rate increase, which is in line with general inflation) for a new hourly rate of $24.37. For reference, the annual expenditure for crossing guard services last year was approximately $300,000.

Committee Reports

Finance / Facilities Committee

● The Finance and Facilities Committee met on September 9, 2024 The topics for discussion were as follows:

○ Monthly Financials

○ Summer Capital Projects Summary

○ District Office Building Update

○ Full-Day Kindergarten Update

○ Amendment to the Crossing Guard Service Agreement

○ New Waste and Recycling Contract

Academic Success Committee

● The Academic Success Committee met on September 5, 2024. The topics for discussion were as follows:

○ Summer Programs Review 2024

○ Summer Math Bridge Review 2024

○ Curriculum & Professional Learning Highlights 2024

○ Artificial Intelligence Standards & Ethics for Staff

Payment of Bills and Reimbursements

Bills and reimbursements were presented in the amount of $5,777,651.07.

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

Adjournment

William Cotter made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Asim Aleem seconded the motion. All in favor. The motion carried.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/hccsdil/Board.nsf/files/D9HJN94DF50E/$file/2024_09_16_Reg.%20Bus.%20Mtg.%20Min..pdf