Cicero School District 99 Board of Education met March 9

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

May 10, 2022

Cicero School District 99 Board of Education met March 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Member Alice Couch was appointed as Secretary Pro-Tem prior to the Public Hearing that was just held before the regular board meeting.

I. The meeting was called to order by President Tomschin at 6:34 p.m.

II. Roll call was conducted and the following members were recorded present: President Tomschin, Vice-President Dominick, Members Couch and Manouzi. Absent: Secretary Terracino, Members Moreno and Segura.

III. A quorum was established.

IV. The pledge to the flag was not recited as it was done previously during the public hearing.

Dr. Calderin thanked Ms. Gretchen Gorgal for hosting the meeting at the beautiful Lincoln School

Dr. Calderin noted that the following reports were placed in each Board Member’s packet. He asked them if they had any questions. They indicated none.

V. Superintendent’s Report

A. Informational Items

1. Monthly Board Report

2. Freedom of Information Act requests

3. Enrollment Report

4. Suspension Report

5. Monthly Expenditures Report

6. Security Report

Dr. Calderin introduced Ms. Kalyvas, who presented this month’s recipients of District 99’s Very Own Award.

7. Ms. Kalyvas presented this month’s recipients:

∙ James Feulner, Instructional Coach at Roosevelt School

The recipient received a pin and a certificate acknowledging him as one of District 99’s very own. There was a PowerPoint presentation highlighting Mr. Feulner.

Dr. Calderin also recognized Antonio Carrillo, Custodian at Wilson School, who was not present this evening. He thanked Mr. Feulner for everything he does and noted this presentation shows the most amount of staff who are showcased, making an enormous impact like everyone else and thanked him for everything he does.

On behalf of the Board of Education, President Tomschin congratulated him for a job well done and thanked him for the services he provides to the students.

8. Treasurer’s Report - Ms. Ewa Klis, Manager of Business Affairs, presented the Treasurer’s Report. She briefed on the revenues received, expenditures and monthly expenses. She indicated that as of March 4, 2022, the state owed the district $ 536,855.16. She asked them if they had any questions. They indicated none.

9. Departmental Updates

Dr. Calderin, Superintendent, reported the following updates:

∙ Re-enrollment process was concluded for all students for the 2022-23 school year. Strategic Planning forums will begin second week of April with staff, then followed by the community and students. Following the CDC guidance, the district wen mask optional on March 2, 2022. Thanked the Cicero Council for working diligently on this process with the district to ensure its success. Parent/Teacher conference will be on March 22, 2022 with the morning session being held virtually for families and the evening session being a done both virtually and in-person for families. Special Olympics basketball team earned 2nd place at regionals and would be competing for state tournament during the weekend of March 11-12, 2022 for the state title. He wished the team the best of luck. The partnership with the Town of Cicero has been renewed, with many of the first grade classrooms to visit Safety Town, beginning in April 2022.

Dr. Mary Mycyk, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, reported the following updates:

∙ Re-enrollment for returning students completed – 6,105

∙ Re-enrollment started, offices working to complete – 1,098

∙ Re-enrollment not completed – 620

∙ Students not returning – 250

She asked if they had any questions, they indicated none.

Ms. Elisabeth Nealon, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, reported the following update:

COVID-19 RELATED SCREENING AND CASE DATA

Last 7 days of BinaxNOW testing:

∙ 1 negative

∙ 0 positives

SHIELD Weekly Update: Week of 3/2/822 – 3/9/22

∙ Total 794

∙ 2 Positives, 0.3% positivity rate

∙ 779 Negative, 13 rejected, 0 inconclusive

∙ Schools with outbreaks: 0

McKinney Vento Grant Award

∙ The district was awarded a grant in the amount of $28,000.00 to provide support of McKinney-Vento students. This includes tutoring, mental health and social work support, transportation costs, uniform and clothing allowance, vision and dental care costs and training for staff working with homeless students.

DHH (Deaf and hard of Hearing Program Recognition)

∙ District received Level 3 recognition from the Illinois Resource Center, which consists of excellence in program evaluation (scoring 40 or higher on program criteria).

She asked the Board if they had any questions. They indicated none. Mr. Bryan Snyder, Chief Executive Officer, the following updates:

∙ Proven IT Zone Printing Update - 21 more machines across sites and 16 remaining to bring the project to a close. The multi-function machines will be installed at Roosevelt upon completion of construction.

∙ Chromebook Fleet Refresh Update – Devices are being prepared for deployment and notification to the community and staff with specifics around the deployment details will be shared this month.

∙ Broadband Circuit Renewal – 10g Broadband Circuit renewal recommendation process is underway and anticipated for approval at the next meeting in April.

∙ Finalization of Audit Action Items – requests of items for approval at the April meeting will bring completion to approximately 90% of all major improvement projects that have been scheduled for the 2021-22 school year.

Ms. Rita Tarullo, Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs/CFO/CSBO, reported the following updates:

∙ Business Office – In the process of finalizing bods and meeting with each department to update budgets and projections.

∙ Transportation Department – In view of bus driver shortages, all students are being transported daily through he hard work of the department.

∙ Security Department – In the process of working with technology to get the police camera on the Avigilon systems.

∙ Buildings & Grounds – Lincoln Project has been completed. The Roosevelt project is moving along and still on schedule for completion.

∙ Food Services – Upon board approval, the bidding process for food services will start. The bidding for milk services for the 2022-23 school year was in process.

Ms. Tarullo asked if they had any questions. They indicated none.

VI. Other Reports

A. Architect’s Report – FGMA – Lynne Sorkin presented the following updates: Projects in Closeout

∙ Cicero West Boiler Upgrade Project - FGMA has been reviewing open punch-list items and was coordinating with the mechanical contractor.

∙ Cicero West Mechanical Rooftop Replacement Project - FGMA has been following up with the construction manager regarding provision of project closeout materials and completion of punch-list work, including open commissioning issues.

∙ Lincoln Gym Masonry Renovation Project – FGMA has issued a punch-list to the construction manager.

Projects in Construction

∙ Roosevelt School Renovations – FGMA is performing ongoing construction administration services including submittal and RFI reviews.

Projects in Bidding, FGMA has issued drawings for bid for the following projects

∙ Unity Junior High Turf Project – FGMA provided bid documents in January 2022 and the project is currently out to bid, with bids being due on March 15, 2022.

∙ Multiple School Mechanical Projects – FGMA attended the bid opening on February 15, 2022 and reviewed the bid with the district during the construction meeting on February 18, 2022.

∙ Roofing Upgrades Project – FGMA issued drawings in January 2022 for the Administration Building, Goodwin, Columbus West and Liberty Schools. The project is currently out to bid with bids being due on March 3, 2022.

∙ Roosevelt School Toilet Rooms Renovation – FGMA provided issue for bid documents in January. The documents were released for bid on February 4, 2022. FGMA issued addenda including responses to contractor questions. Bids were received on February 17, 2022 and discussed during the construction meeting on February 18, 2022.

Projects in Design/Rebid:

∙ Unity Junior High School Mechanical Upgrades – FGMA assisted with post-bid discussions including the next steps for rebidding.

Dr. Calderin noted that there many projects being worked on with the district’s Owner’s Representative from CCS, Inc. which are not necessarily visible to the public eye. He noted they were in the process of updating HVAC units to provide for cleaner air. He showed a design of the proposed Turf Project at Unity Junior High School. He said that this field would facilitate soccer, football and other games and it would be available to be used by the community.

Ms. Sorkin asked the Board if they had any questions. They indicated none.

B. Construction Manager’s Report – Vision Construction & Consulting, Inc. Pete Griffin reported the following updates:

∙ Vision reported that they continued to provide services for projects still under warranty.

Lincoln School

∙ Vision reported that the substantial completion was achieved in February 2022 with the project being in the punch-list/close-out phase.

Roosevelt

∙ Vision reported that the Mechanical Improvements at Roosevelt School continued to be in progress and on schedule. The Crawlspace Abatement Project achieved substantial completion in February 2022.

∙ Vision conducted the public bidding process on behalf of the district for the Toilet Room Improvements and additional Plumbing Scope Project at Roosevelt School. They have also conducted scope reviews with the lowest bidders for the bid packages as recommended.

Vision, Inc. noted in their report that they have reviewed the qualifications and conducted scope reviews with the companies listed above and recommended awarding them as the lowest responsible bidders.

HVAC Priority 1 Work and Repairs at Unity

∙ Vision reported the previous bids were not awarded. Project modifications and bidding discussions are in progress.

HVAC Priority 1 Work and Repairs at Various District Facilities

∙ Vision conducted the public bidding process on behalf of the district for the HVAC Priority 1 Work and Repairs at Various District Facilities. They have also conducted scope reviews with the lowest bidders for the bid packages as recommended.

Future Projects

∙ Unity Synthetic Turf Project - Vision reported that the documents were out to bid, with the bid opening scheduled for March 15, 2022.

∙ 2022 Roofing Renovations- Documents were out to bid, with the bid opening held on March 3, 2022. The bid recommendations and contracts will be presented at the upcoming board meetings.

VII. Correspondence

Member Couch read a note from the family of Larry Banks thanking the Board for their sympathy and support extended to them during a difficult time. Also, another note was received from the family of Rosemary Sidor thanking the Board for the beautiful flower arrangement and the sympathy and support extended to them.

It was moved by Vice-President Dominick and seconded by Member Couch to accept and place on file the correspondence as presented. Roll call: Yeas: President Tomschin, Vice-President Dominick, Members Couch and Manouzi. Nays: None. Absent: Secretary Terracino, Members Moreno and Segura. Motion carried.

VIII. Comments from the audience via conference call or in person.

Marisa Mills, President of Cicero Council and 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher at Unity, said she was very happy with the productive discussions during negotiations. She hoped it continued and the Board and Administration felt the same way.

IX. Board Moved To Executive Session

It was moved by Vice-President Dominick and seconded by Member Couch to adjourn into Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Yeas: President Tomschin, Vice-President Dominick, Members Couch and Manouzi. Nays: None. Absent: Secretary Terracino, Members Moreno and Segura. Motion carried.

PURPOSE

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act.

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).

B. 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).

C. The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5).

D. Security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8).

E. Student Disciplinary cases. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9)

F. Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).

X. Adjourned From Executive Session

It was moved by Vice-President Dominick and seconded by Member Couch to adjourn from Executive Session at 7:33 p.m. Roll call: Yeas: President Tomschin, Vice President Dominick, Members Couch and Manouzi. Nays: None. Absent: Secretary Terracino, Members Moreno and Segura. Motion carried.

President Tomschin requested a motion to reconvene in Open Session. He noted that Vice-President Dominick joined the meeting via conference call.

XI. Reconvened To Open Session

It was moved by Vice-President Dominick and seconded by Member Manouzi to reconvene to Open Session at 7:47p.m. Roll call: Yeas: President Tomschin, Vice President Dominick, Members Couch and Manouzi. Nays: None. Absent: Secretary Terracino, Members Moreno and Segura. Motion carried.

XII. Action as a result of Executive Session if necessary

There was none presented.

XIII. Consent Agenda

President Tomschin asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda as discussed and noted below.

A. Approval of Minutes

1. Public Hearing on the Intent to Sell Bonds February 9, 2022

2. Regular Meeting Open Session February 9, 2022

3. Regular Meeting Closed Session February 9, 2022

4. Special Meeting Open Session February 16, 2022

B. Approval of Payrolls:

Education Fund $ 6,898,566.32

Operations, Building & Maintenance Fund $ 419,304.08

Transportation Fund $ 201,117.18

GRAND TOTAL SALARIES $ 7,519,087.58

C. Approval of Bills:

Education Fund $ 2,492,638.09

Building & Maintenance Fund $ 330,864.40

Transportation Fund $ 44,836.67

Capital Projects Fund $ 2,542,029.51

TORT $ 15,191.25

TOTAL EXPENSES FOR FEBRUARY $ 5,425,559.82

D. Miscellaneous Monies

TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR MONTH OF MARCH $ 220,409.11

E. Approval of Resolution for Disposal of Personal Property

F. Approval of Purchase Orders over $ 25,000.00

1. Children’s Plus Dual Language Materials $ 28,799.09

2. Lexia Learning Professional Development $ 104,040.00

3. Frontline Employee Absence Program $ 30,846.36

4. School Specialty Sensory Equipment $ 36,235.64

5. TCI Science Journals $ 141,676.50

6. Frank Cooney Furniture for Roosevelt School $ 838,642.91

G. Approval of bid recommendation for the Chromebook Cases

H. Approval of 3-year Agreement with Techcycle Solutions for Chromebook Cases

I. Approval of Settlement Authority Request Relative to Workers’ Compensation Claim of Christine Podlasek (21 WC 3156)

J. Approval of the 2022-2023 School Calendar

K. Approval of Extended School Year and Summer School for 2022

L. Approval to rescind the utilization of the noncompetitive procurement (2 CFR 200.320(c) for emergency extension of current Food Services Contract with Preferred Meals for the 2022-2023 school year

M. Approval to go out to bid for Food Services effective for the 2022-2023 school year

N. Approval of Bid Recommendations for the HVAC Priority 1 Work and Repairs at District Facilities – Administration Building, Cicero West and Wilson Schools (Base Bid 1)