Berkeley School District 87 Board of Education met April 27

By Michael Abella

May 28, 2020

Berkeley School District 87 Board of Education met \April 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President O’Connell at 8:07 pm in the Boardroom of the Administration Office, 1200 N. Wolf Road, Berkeley, IL.

ROLL CALL

On roll call by the secretary, the following were present: Members: Chavez, Hightower, Jackson, Mason, O’Connell, Rosas and Sosa. Absent: None. Also present was Dr. Bresnahan.

Dr. Sickele, Mrs. Vince, Dr. Sullivan and Mrs. Travis attended via Zoom.

PUBLIC HEARING – BOND ISSUE NOTIFICATION ACT

The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments on the proposal to sell bonds in the amount of $105,000,000 for the purpose of building and equipping a school building to replace the Sunnyside Intermediate and MacArthur Middle School Buildings, building and equipping additions to and altering, repairing and equipping the Riley Intermediate and Northlake Middle School Buildings, altering, repairing and equipping the Whittier Primary and Jefferson Primary School Buildings, improving sites, renovating instructional spaces, providing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) labs and constructing life safety, security and infrastructure improvements.

The Bonds are estimated to be outstanding for 22 years. The total debt service to be paid on the Bonds, including principal, interest and costs of issuing the Bonds, is estimated to be $152,789,842. The average annual property tax needed to pay the principal of and interest on the Bonds extendable against property containing a single-family residence and having a fair market value of $100,000 (without regard to any homestead exemptions) is estimated to be $337.

The actual number of years during which the Bonds will be outstanding, the actual total debt service to be paid on the Bonds and the actual average annual property tax to pay the principal of and interest on the Bonds extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value of $100,000 (without regard to any homestead exemptions) are subject to change based on many factors, including market conditions at the time the Bonds are sold. Any differences between the information set forth herein and the actual results at the time the Bonds are sold shall not invalidate the hearing or the results of the referendum for the Bonds.

There were no comments from the public.

CLOSE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Member Sosa moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE INTENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO SELL $105,000,000 BUILDING BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE COSTS OF THOSE CAPITAL PROJECTS APPROVED BY REFERENDUM AT THE MARCH 17, 2020, GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION BE CLOSED

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

AUDIT PLANNING

Joe Lightcap, the District’s auditor from Baker Tilly Virchow Krause presented the Board with an overview of the upcoming audit process for the Fiscal Year 2020. Dates and goals will be established with the Business Office.

FOOD SUPPLIES BID:

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Rosas THAT THE BOARD AWARD THE FOOD SUPPLIES BID FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR TO COMMERCIAL FOOD SYSTEMS AND REJECT ALL OTHER BIDS FOR NON-COMPLIANCE, AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

FOOD SERVICE PAPER SUPPLIES BID:

Member Rosas moved, seconded by Member Mason THAT THE BOARD AWARD THE FOOD SERVICE PAPER SUPPLIES BID FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR TO COMMERCIAL FOOD SYSTEMS AND REJECT ALL OTHER BIDS FOR NON-COMPLIANCE, AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

INTERCOM AND CLOCK BID:

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Sosa THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THE INTERCOM AND CLOCK REPLACEMENT BID 2020 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FROM RENAISSANCE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS. IN THE AMOUNT OF THEIR COMBINED BASE BID PROPOSAL OF $199,900.00 PLUS THE UNIT PRICES, UNIT PRICE #1 $640.00 EACH, UNIT PRICE #2 $370.00 EACH AND UNIT PRICE #3 $370.00 EACH, AS THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

WRITTEN

Member Sosa moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT ALL CORRESPONDENCE BE PUT ON FILE AS PRESENTED EXCEPT THAT WHICH REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

PUBLIC COMMENT

Parents inquired if the District is going to celebrate graduation since the schools are closed due to Covid 19 and how to return band instruments.

Dr. Bresnahan said they had conversations on a possible virtual graduation since we cannot meet in person. The principals and band directors are coordinating the return of instruments. Parents will be contacted.

CONSIDERATION OF OLD BUSINESS:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Sosa moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING HELD MARCH 16, 2020, AND THE MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION HELD DURING THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 24, 2020, BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED TO BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

REPORTS

SUPERINTENDENT

None

CURRICULUM AND

None

INSTRUCTION

BUSINESS SERVICES

Mrs. Vince reviewed the Accounts and Claims payable figures and Member Sosa moved, seconded by

Member Jackson, THAT THE EXPENDITURES BE APPROVED IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,885,399.51,

AS FOLLOWS:

PAYROLL 03/31/20……………………………………… $ 794,030.16

PAYROLL 04/15/20……………………………………… 800,140.25

REGULAR BOARD ACCOUNTS PAYABLE LISTING 1,234,617.02

P-CARD …………………………………………………… 11,323.84

REGULAR BOARD ACCOUNTS PAYABLE LISTING 42,297.19

IMPREST FUND LISTING………………………………. 2,991.05

TOTAL $ 2,885,399.51

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

MONTHLY BUILDING REPORT

Mrs. Vince explained the Monthly Building Rental Report is submitted for information purposes only.

SPECIAL SERVICES

None

HUMAN RESOURCES

None

OTHER OLD BUSINESS

None

CLOSED SESSION

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE BOARD RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER A STUDENT DISCIPLINE/ RESIDENCY MATTER; TO CONSIDER THE PURCHASE/LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC BODY; TO CONSIDER INFORMATION REGARDING APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, OR DISMISSAL OF AN EMPLOYEE OR OFFICER; OR TO CONSIDER PENDING LITIGATION.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

The Board recessed to closed session at 8:21 pm.

The Board reconvened to open session at 8:32 pm with all members present.

REPORTS OF THE BOARD:

PAEC Member O’Connell reported on the meetings of March 19 and April 16, 2020. March 19-minutes, payroll and bills were approved. Action was taken on the following items: accepted fundraiser monies; approved FMLA requests; approved request for out-of-state conference; conducted 1st reading on policies; awarded vendor meal contract to Preferred Meals; approved salary schedule for administrators and support staff of 2.65%; adopted Resolution to Honorably Dismiss Educational Support Personnel; adopted the Resolution to Honorably Dismiss Probationary Certificated/Licensed Personnel; and approved Business Manager’s contract for 2020-21 school year.

April 16-payroll and bills were approved. Action was taken on the following items: conducted 2nd reading for policies; approved Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $1,280,000 Special Education Bonds Series 2020, of the District, for the purpose of replacing the roof at PAEC Center providing the terms of and security for the repayment of said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof; and approved request for out-of-state conference; Next meeting will be May 21, 2020 at 6:00 pm.

IASB No Report

EDUCATION & FINANCE

No Report

POLICY & LEGISLATION

No Report

FACILITIES

Minutes from the March 16, 2020 meeting are included for your review.

HEALTH/SAFETY & TRANSPORTATION

No Report

PUBLIC RELATIONS

No Report

PARENT-TEACHER ADVISORY

No Report

BILINGUAL ADVISORY

No Report

FOOD SERVICE ADVISORY

No Report

SUPERINTENDENT:

LICENSED PERSONNEL - RESIGNATION

Member Sosa moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL:

MANPREET KAUR SIKKA RILEY INSTRUCTIONAL COACH EFFECTIVE MAY 29, 2020

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

LICENSED PERSONNEL – LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Rosas, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE FMLA MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL:

BLANCA OJEDA

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

ADMINISTRATOR - EMPLOYMENT

Member Chavez moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE JAMES FERGUSON FOR THE POSITION OF PRINCIPAL AT SUNNYSIDE, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 3, 2020.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

CHANGE STARTING TIME FOR SUMMER BOARD MEETINGS

Member Sosa moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE CHANGING THE STARTING TIME FOR THE SUMMER BOARD MEETINGS HELD IN 2020 (06/22, 07/27, AND 08/31) TO 6:30 PM.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BERKELEY EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF ASSOCIATION

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION RATIFY THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE BERKELEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION SUPPORT STAFF (BEASS), AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING OFFICIAL INTENT REGARDING CERTAIN CAPITAL EXPENDITURES TO BE REIMBURSED FROM PROCEEDS OF AN OBLIGATION TO BE ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPT THE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING OFFICIAL INTENT REGARDING CERTAIN CAPITAL EXPENDITURES TO

BE REIMBURSED FROM PROCEEDS OF AN OBLIGATION TO BE ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT, AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Chavez, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE MARCH 2020 REFERENDUM IMPLEMENTATION, AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

ARCHITECT SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE WOLD ARCHITECT’S SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT PROPOSAL FOR SERVICES FOR THE MARCH 2020 REFERENDUM IMPLEMENTATION, AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

MONTHLY REPORT

Dr. Bresnahan shared the On-Site Essential Workers list with the Board. Video communications have been sent to staff and parents with information in alignment with the governor’s orders.

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION:

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPANISH 1 FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS

Member Sosa moved, seconded by Member Rosas, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL SPANISH 1 FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS, AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

MONTHLY REPORT

Dr. Sickele updated the Board on Grading Guidance.

K & 1st Grade

Mr. Byrne provided an update from the Technology Department. The District has provided the families with the following support through school closure due to COVID 19:

Families of Kindergarten and 1st grade students who are in need of technology have completed a Technology Request form. As of April 15 approximately 190 Chromebooks have been distributed to our K & 1 families.

2nd - 8th Grade

All 2nd - 8th grade students took their Chromebooks home prior to our school closures.

Staff

The vast majority of our staff members are provided a district issued laptop. Any staff member who requested a laptop has been provided a laptop.

Hotspots

As of April 13, 122 hotspots have been distributed. 92 have been distributed to Berkeley 87 families. 15 have been distributed to families of Lindop School District. 15 have been distributed to families of Hillside School District. Monthly high-speed internet has increased from 2Gb to 10gb on all hotspots. We received all hotspots through the T-Mobile EmPower Ed program.

Digital Applications

Berkeley School District uses many online tools to support teaching and learning. A few examples of these tools include Google Classroom, Lexia, iReady, BrainPOP, Discovery Education, Britannica Encyclopedia, Soundtrap, and WeVideo.

In addition to these tools, Zoom accounts have been provisioned for staff. Zoom accounts were provisioned in a way to facilitate safe and secure meetings. Staff were provided best practices for setting up and conducting Zoom meetings to keep students and their meetings safe. A coding application was also provisioned for all students. This was provisioned as a supplemental educational activity to be used by students.

BUSINESS SERVICES

MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT

Mrs. Vince reviewed the Summary of Budget, Statement of Position, and Student Activity Reports for the period ending 03/31/20.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE TRANSFER OF INTEREST BETWEEN FUNDS

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Chavez, THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE TRANSFER OF INTEREST BETWEEN FUNDS, AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

NATURAL GAS SUPPLIER CONTRACT

Member Jackson moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION RATIFY THE EXTENSION OF THEIR RATE LOCK WITH VANGUARD ENERGY SERVICES, FOR NATURAL GAS SUPPLIES, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2023, AS PRESENTED.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

PROPERTY TAX APPEAL SETTLEMENT

Member Sosa moved, seconded by Member Chavez, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION RATIFY THE PROPOSE SETTLEMENT FOR THE DAISY ENTERPRISES, LP PROPERTY TAX APPEAL, AS PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas

Sosa

Motion carried 7-0

MONTHLY REPORT

Mrs. Vince updated the Board on potential FEMA funds related to COVID 19. The District is monitoring the potential impact the mandated closure may have on Evidence Based Funding and other State funding. The Nutrition Services Department has expanded their menu through a partnership with Panera Bread. PAEC will be issuing bonds for their roof project. All member districts will be paying their pro rata share in Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021. Current legislation allows us to transfer funds from Life Safety to O&M which may be used for capital projects. Some of the life safety projects that we have levied for will be completed as part of the construction projects.

SPECIAL SERVICES MONTHLY REPORT

Dr. Sullivan reported that the internal Special Education Program is being reviewed. The grants are being reviewed to amend the use of monies due to the closure of schools. Summer school could possibly be held during August. The SEL team has created a Community Resource section on the district website for the community.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Mrs. Travis updated the Board on current vacancies. Interviews for the next school year are taking place virtually. The Board should be receiving their Statements of Economic Interests. Open Enrollment for employee benefits will take place the first couple of weeks in May.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

None

ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

ADJOURNMENT

Member Hightower moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT 9:16 PM.

Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chavez Nays: None

Hightower

Jackson Absent: None

Mason

O’Connell

Rosas