Board Update 12/11/17
Student Celebrations
Agenda Item 4.0
Holmes Cluster Presentation – 4.01
First grade students Kyle, Jordan, Sophie, and Taylor from Juliette Low School along with teacher Nicole Chatel and instructional coach Amanda Hager shared celebrations from their experience as writers this school year. The students shared personal writing works along with reflections of their writing experience. Click on the link below to see more information about the students’ presentation.
Discussion Items
Agenda Item 5.0
Typically Developing Preschool Students Program Fees: 2018/2019 School Year Comparisons – 5.01
The board discussed the proposed 2018-19 school year fee for typically developing preschool students, and the resolution the board will consider for approval at the next meeting sets the program fees at $226 per month ($1,130 per semester or $2,260 for the year). The proposed fee rate reflects a 2.73% increase from the current year’s fee.
K-8 Instructional Materials Fees: 2018/2019 School Year Comparisons – 5.02
At the January 8, 2018 board meeting, members of the board of education will be asked to authorize the Instructional Materials Fees for the 2018/19 school term to offset a portion of the cost of instructional materials and supplies. The district eliminated instructional fees in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and the proposed fees for 2018-19 return the fee rate to the same levels as 2015-16. The proposed fee rates are $35.00 for half-day kindergarten, $55.00 for full-day kindergarten through fifth grade, and $65.00 for sixth through eighth grades.
Junior High School Extra-Curricular Participation Fees: 2018/2019 School Year – 5.03
At the January 8, 2018 board meeting, members of the board of education will be asked to authorize the Junior High School Extracurricular Participation Fee for the 2018/19 school term. The proposed fees remain at the same level as the 2017-18 fees. The proposed rate is $15.00 for cross country and $30.00 for basketball, cheerleading, spirit squad/pom pons, soccer, volleyball, and wrestling.
Suspending Administrative & Non-Negotiated Employee Access to and Participation in Retirement Program and Benefits – 5.04
As part of the ongoing review of district finances, which includes compensation and benefits of employees, the board discussed the suspension of access to and participation in the retirement program and benefits outlined in the Administrative Staff and Non-Negotiated Staff Handbook for administrative and non-negotiated employees. Access to this benefit will remain in effect until June 18, 2018 before which any eligible employee may access the benefit as outlined in the Administrative Staff and Non-Negotiated Staff Handbook.
Clarifications and Answers from the Board
Agenda Item 6.0
To read a collection of clarifications and answers from the public comment portion of board of education meetings, please click here.
Action Items
Agenda Item 8.0
Approval of the Amendment for the Extension of the Termination for Convenience Date for Regular Education Transportation Contract with First Student, Inc. – 8.01
The board approved the resolution to extend the deadline for the Termination for Convenience Date for Regular Education Transportation Contract with First Student. This action allows the district and First Student additional time to hold discussions about potentially renegotiating the contract in order to reduce costs. For more information about the discussions to reduce transportation costs, please see the recently released district newsletter here.
Adoption of 2017 Tax Levy – 8.02
The board approved the total 2017 levy of $80,500,000, which is 3.83% above the 2016 extended levy of $77,531,030. For more information about the tax levy, including why the district relies on the tax levy for funding, please click here.
Authorizing Reduction Of Certain Fund Levies – 8.03
The board approved the resolution to authorize the reduction of certain fund levies. This resolution provides direction to the County Clerk on how the individual fund extensions should be assigned based upon final determination of our allowable
extension. As the County Clerk will automatically add on a 3% lost cost factor to the District’s levy, this resolution directs the County Clerk to first reduce the individual extension to no less than the original levy, and then to apply any further reduction to the Operations and Maintenance (Building) Fund.
Approval of Education First Donation – 8.04
The board approved the resolution to accept the donation from Education First in the amount of $10,000. Education First is giving a one-time honorarium designated for use toward any advancement of social emotional learning in District 59.