West Cook News

Berkeley School District 87 Board of Education met Jan. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER 

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Hightower at 6:40 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 Hightower, Espinoza, Mason,Walker, Mora, Jackson, Cosette, and Chavez, Also present was Dr. Sullivan, Mrs. Travis, and Mrs. Vince 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

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

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

ORAL: Mrs. Chaparro expressed her concerns regarding the need for after school clubs for students with IEPs. 

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: 

APPROVAL OF OLD MINUTES 

Member Espinoza moved, seconded by member Walker. THAT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 22, 2024 BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED TO BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

REPORTS 

SUPERINTENDENT None 

CURRICULUM AND None 

INSTRUCTION 

BUSINESS SERVICES 

Mrs. Vince reviewed the Accounts & Claims payable figures and Member Jackson moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE EXPENDITURES BE APPROVED IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,494,462.34 AS FOLLOWS: 

PAYROLL 12/29/23………………………………………………868,844.65 

PAYROLL 01/12/24………………………………………………847,115.40 

REGULAR BOARD ACCOUNTS PAYABLE LISTINGS…...1,038,896.62 

REFERENDUM PROJECTS………………………….……… 613,922.28 

REGULAR BOARD ACCOUNTS PAYABLE-P CARD…….….. 8,480.39 

TOTAL $3,564,804.31 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

MONTHLY BUILDING REPORT 

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

SPECIAL SERVICES None 

HUMAN RESOURCES None 

OTHER OLD BUSINESS None 

CLOSED SESSION None 

IASB No Report 

EDUCATION & FINANCE No Report 

POLICY & LEGISLATION No Report

FACILITIES Committee meeting held prior to Regular Board meeting. Minutes from November meeting in Board Packet. 

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 - LEAVE OF ABSENCE 

Member Mora moved, seconded by Member Chavez, THAT THE BOARD THE LICENCED PERSONNEL LEAVE REQUEST AS PRESENTED FOR: 

STANLEY SOWA 

VESNA TANCEVA 

BETTY TAPIA 

MICHELLE CASEY 

SAMANTHA DEROSIA 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting 

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF- LEAVE OF ABSENCES 

Member Mora moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUESTS AS PRESENTED FOR: 

AURELIA BARTUCCI 

BARBARA ALESSI 

EVELIA CARRERA ALVARADO 

KEITH WILLIAMSON 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

SUPPORT STAFF REASSIGNMENT 

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Mora, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE REASSIGNMENT OF NORMA VILLALBA FROM FLOATER COOK TO ASSISTANT COOK AT NORTHLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL EFFECTIVE JANUARY 8, 2024 

NORMA VILLALBA ASSISTANT COOK 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

APPROVE SUPPORT STAFF RESIGNATION 

Member Espinoza moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. 

PATRICIA HAWKINS-NEWTON LUNCH MONITOR @ NORTHLAKE ALEJANDRA LARA VEGA LUNCH MONITOR @ WHITTIER 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF - EMPLOYMENT 

Member Espinoza moved, seconded by Member Walker, THAT THE BOARD EMPLOY THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL 

THEODORA HARRIS 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

ACCEPT DONATION 

Member Espinoza moved, seconded by Member Mora, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING DONATION AS PRESENTED: 

JEFFERSON, SUNNYSIDE & MACARTHUR PTO - Is having a Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

RILEY - NED ASSEMBLY 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting 

Held 1-22-24 Page 6 

SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ANNUAL RESOLUTION 

Member Chavez moved, seconded by Member Jackson THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ANNUAL RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

DECLASSIFY SERIES OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES 

Member Chavez moved, seconded by Member Jackson THAT THE BOARD DECLASSIFY THE FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION MINUTES AS PRESENTED. 

December 19, 2022 

January 23, 2023 

February 27, 2023 

March 20, 2023 

April 24, 2023 

May 22, 2023 

June 26, 2023 

August 28, 2023 

September 25, 2023 

November 13, 2023 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

ADOPT 2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR 

Member Jackson moved, seconded by Member Chavez THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR AS PROPOSED AND ATTACHED TO THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING SHOWING THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL AS AUGUST 19, 2024, THE ENDING OF THE SCHOOL AS JUNE 10, 2025 WITH 180 ATTENDANCE DAYS, 3 INSTITUTE DAYS, (8-19-24, 10-18-24, 2-7-25) AND TWO ALL DAY PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES (10-3-2024 AND 3-6-2025) FOR A TOTAL OF 185 DAYS. 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

MONTHLY REPORT 

Dr. Sullivan reported to the board that he is working on class sectioning for the 2024-2025 school year. He is also working on our SIP and SLT process. 

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION 

MONTHLY REPORT 

Mrs. Zimmerman presented information regarding the Student Services Report.She gave information on the upcoming Institute Day and E-Learning Family Survey. Dr. Mieszanek updated the board with photos from the scholars in different buildings. 

BUSINESS SERVICES 

MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT 

Mrs. Vince reviewed the Summary of Budget, Statement of Position, and Student Activity Reports for the period ending 12-31-23. 

Mrs. Vince updated the board on the following. The Village Of Berkeley Joint Review Board Meeting will take place on December 19. Mrs. Vince updated the board on the Bid Storage Shed. The IASBO Leadership meeting will take place January 26. The EBC Pre-Renewal meeting will be held January 31. was held early this month.The District received a mid year participation payment from NRG in the amount of $2,385.23

DESIGNATE SUPERINTENDENT AND ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR FINANCE AND OPERATION TO PREPARE 2024-2025 BUDGET IN TENTATIVE FORM 

Member Jackson moved, seconded by Member Chavez, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DESIGNATE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR FINANCE OPERATIONS TO PREPARE THE 2024-2025 BUDGET IN TENTATIVE FORM. 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 

The Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ending in June 30, 2023 is provided for your information and review. I will briefly discuss the report at the December Board of Education meeting. The report was delivered electronically on December 15th. Paper copies were delivered December 15th to the members that requested paper copies, Please bring your copy to the meeting December 18, 2023. 

ADOPT PROPERTY TAX YEAR 2023 RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING INTERVENTION IN PROCEEDING BEFORE THE STATE PROPERTY TAX APPEAL BOARD 

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Walker, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPT THE PROPERTY TAX YEAR 2023 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INTERVENTION IN PROCEEDING BEFORE THE STATE PROPERTY TAX APPEAL BOARD AS PRESENTED 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

CHANGE ORDER NO. 213-214 2020 REFERENDUM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 

Member Chavez moved, seconded by Member Espinoza, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS NO. 213 THROUGH 214, AS PRESENTED. 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

BUSINESS OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT 

Mrs. Vince updated the board on the following. The Village Of Berkeley Joint Review Board Meeting will take place on December 19. Mrs. Vince updated the board on the Bid Storage Shed. The IASBO Leadership meeting will take place January 26. The EBC Pre-Renewal meeting will be held January 31. was held early this month. The District received a mid year participation payment from NRG in the amount of $2,385.23 

MONTHLY REPORT 

Mrs. Travis updated the Board on the remaining licensed and support staff current vacancies. She updated the Board on the teacher and substitute shortage. 

OTHER NEW BUSINESS 

Joe Byrne, Director of Educational Technology reported that the department has been busy supporting staff and students. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Monday 2/26 - Regular Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Walker, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT 8:30 PM. 

Roll Call Vote 

Ayes: Hightower     Nays: None 

          Mason 

          Walker          Absent: None 

          Espinoza 

          Mora 

          Jackson 

Motion carried 7-0 

https://cdnsm5-ss16.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_389410/File/04.a.%20BOARD%20MINUTES%201-22-24%20(1).pdf