At its regular meeting of January 13, the Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education took action to provide tax relief for the community’s taxpayers. Board President Christopher McFadden stated, “For the third straight year, the Board is returning approximately $300,000 in property taxes to the community. This is a testament to the leadership of our administration, particularly our Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations, Curt Saindon, during this time.” As it has done for the past three years, the Board held the line on the school district’s tax levy again this year. Using a combination of debt re-financing, debt service fund abatements from existing reserves, and ongoing cost containment strategies, the school district was able to ask taxpayers for about the same amount as the levy in 2010, 2011 and 2012, at around $29.5M. Mr. McFadden continued, “Because of the Board’s diligent efforts, we have recently refinanced millions of dollars of debt at lower interest rates and, thereby, saved the taxpayers approximately $1 million over the life of the bonds.”
Also during the meeting, the Board approved the open and closed session minutes of the regular meeting of December 16.
Assistant Superintendent, Curt Saindon, and Director of Building & Grounds, Dan Spacek, presented the Board with the Facilities Improvement Plan update. They highlighted several capital improvement projects throughout the district and the savings of $172,937 generated by completing them in-house with existing District staff and equipment. Mr. Saindon and Mr. Spacek went over some potential anticipated facility improvements and capital purchases that may be needed in the future. They requested approval by the Board to complete a full and detailed update of the plan with the help of the district’s architects and construction managers, encompassing the anticipated capital projects and facility improvement needs for the next five to seven years.
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Assistant Superintendent, Curt Saindon, presented the Board with the treasurer’s report. He reported that Board bills for January totaled $2,068,008.02. He also reported that the district is now in its normal “school year mode” related to staffing and purchasing and that normal operating expenses should come in around $2.0 to $2.25 million per month.
Grand Prairie Elementary School Principal, Eileen Nelson, reported that the school was successful in filling its holiday mitten tree and donated the mittens to Guardian Angel Home in Joliet. She also reported that in response to parent feedback, Grand Prairie staff has formed a Parent Communication Task Force. This volunteer team’s focus is to provide parents with insight into their child’s daily experience, while monitoring and responding to parent feedback. This is an effort to continually adjust to the needs of the 21st Century learner and meshes with the district’s Strategic Plan goals for good student outcomes.
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Chelsea Intermediate School Principal, Kristin Simpkins, reported that the physical education teachers are initiating plans for the school’s annual “Jump Rope for Heart” fundraiser during February. Chelsea has received a large amount of equipment for its PE program as a result of this fundraiser in years past. Mrs. Simpkins commended the efforts of the PE teachers to make this a meaningful citizenship activity to benefit the students, the school and the community. The program also supports the District’s Strategic Plan goals for fiscal stability.
Hickory Creek Middle School Principal, Dr. Kevin Suchinski, thanked the Board for recognizing the speech contest students. He reported that the Family School Partnership organization has offered to host a school spelling bee and that several students have taken the qualifying test. He also reported that upon the completion of the second quarter, administration is again reviewing all students’ grades and work with the counselors to identify students who are academically at risk. Counselors will then work with the teams to create an action plan for each student in an effort to assist students both within and outside of the classroom. This will include an after-school homework club in addition to the regular Advisory organizational classes. These efforts support the District’s Strategic Plan for good student outcomes.
Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Janet Goggins, reported that she has attended webinars and trainings on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) field test that will be delivered to a select group of District 157-C students in grades 4-8 in both March and April. She complimented Assistant Principals Dan Prorok, April Mahy and Sean Rhoades for doing a phenomenal job of making sure that things are in place in preparation for this test. This meshes with the District’s Strategic Plan goals for good student outcomes.
Director of Technology, Jake Nelson, reported that a number of technology upgrades and projects were recently completed. These included setup of the new Xerox machines, upgrading the PowerSchool student information system to version 7.10.0, installing the new Barracuda web filter and running control updates on a large percentage of the machines in the district. These efforts support the district’s Strategic Plan goals for technology.
In a written report, Interim Director of Special Services, Dr. Susan Ireland, reported that all Individualized Education Programs (IEP’s) in the district have been reviewed and any necessary changes have been made and communicated to others as needed. Dr. Ireland also reported that the children are receiving the services that are identified on their IEP’s. This supports the district’s Strategic Plan goals for good student outcomes.
In the Superintendent’s Report, Interim Superintendent Dr. Patricia Wernet reported that very few problems were experienced over the recent extreme weather. She stated, “Thank you to the custodial and maintenance staff for all of their hard work. It made such a difference. Our walkways and parking lots were clear, our buildings were basically warm and our children were safe.” Dr. Wernet reported that to be in compliance with Public Act 98-63, Firearms Concealed Carry Act, the District is in the process of obtaining the necessary signage and will post the signs in conspicuous places at all of the school buildings. There will also be a notice placed on the District’s website regarding the posting of the signs. Dr. Wernet reported that the Director of Special Services position has been posted on the Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Alliance Association of Special Education Administrators websites and a brochure will be circulated at the Northern Illinois Special Education Directors Roundtable and other Special Education Directors groups. She also reported that the superintendent search firm, BWP and Associates, will present the slate of candidates for the Superintendent of Schools position to the Board at a special meeting on February 17.
The Board heard a report from Board Vice President, Patrick Usher, on the Lincoln-Way Special Education District 843 meeting of December 10. Board member, Cari Mills, reported on the most recent meetings of the Family School Partnership organization and the Frankfort Education Foundation.
There was one Freedom of Information item.
In discussion, Assistant Superintendent, Curt Saindon, reported the tentative/preliminary school fees schedule for 2014-2015 will remain the same as in 2013-2014. The school fees do not cover the District’s costs, but rather help to offset or cover a small part of the total overall costs. The finalized fee schedule will be presented to the Board for approval in February.
The Board took action to approve the payment of bills as presented.
The Board adopted the abatement resolution transferring funds from the Operations and Maintenance Fund to the School Bond and Interest Fund for the payment of principal and interest on the Capital Appreciation General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2004C, and abating $300,000 of taxes heretofore levied for the year 2013 to pay debt service on said bonds. Additionally, the Board directed the administration to file said resolution and associated certifications with the Will County Clerk and Cook County Clerk by the end of February as required by law.
The Board acknowledged that prior closed session minutes were reviewed and that the August 19, 2013 and September 16, 2013 closed session minutes be released for public record.
The Board approved the destruction of audio recording of closed session meetings from February 2012 until July 2012 due to the fact that 18 months have passes since being made and the written minutes of the closed sessions have been approved by the Board of Education.
The Board authorized the Superintendent and his/her designee to begin preparing a tentative budget for fiscal year 2015.
The Board authorized the distribution of the seniority lists per the requirements of the Illinois School Code.
The Board approved the Technology Department to complete a review of three-year email storage, archival and retrieval systems in order to bring a purchasing recommendation to the Board in spring 2014, with plans to implement system in summer or fall 2014. The final pricing will be determined once a vendor is selected.
The Board approved that the Business Office obtain price quotes and lease financing terms to rollover the computer technology at Grand Prairie Elementary School and the new addition to Chelsea Intermediate School. It is anticipated that a technology provider and leasing services provider would be brought to the Board for review and approval in April or May of 2014 and the technology would then be ordered in spring of 2014 replaced during summer of 2014.
The Board approved the hiring of the School District architect, FGM Architects & Engineers, and Construction Manager, International Contractors, as needed, to complete an update of the five to seven year facilities improvement plan. Once completed, the plan would be presented to the Board in summer or fall of 2014 for its review and approval.
The Board approved the review of various electronic board packet preparation and presentation software programs, with final consideration and potential approval by the Board anticipated in spring of 2014 and implementation of a program, if approved, most likely in summer of 2014.
The Board approved the employment of Katie Pechtold as a full-time paraprofessional/nurse at Grand Prairie Elementary School for the 2013-2014 school year.
The Board approved the resignation agreement between JoAnne TenBroeck and District 157-C as presented, effective January 14, 2014.
The Board went into closed session to discuss appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance and/or dismissal of specific employees, student discipline, student residency, reclassification of employees and pending litigation (open and closed). There was no action following closed session. The meeting adjourned at 9:59 pm.
The next Regular Board Meeting is scheduled for February 10 at 7:00 PM in the Grand Prairie Board Room.
