Board Update 11/13/2023
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Board Recognition/Presentations
Agenda Item 3.0
Salt Creek & Rupley – Physical Education – 3.01
Students and staff representing Salt Creek and Rupley Elementary gave an update on lessons and activities in physical education classes this year. Topics included why P.E. is important and how students apply lessons outside of class. You can watch the presentation here.
FY 2023 Annual Audit – Baker Tilly – Auditor’s Executive Summary – 3.02
The Baker Tilly firm presented the district’s year end balances for Fiscal Year 2023, which will help create the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. You can view the presentation of this audit here.
Wold Presentation: Brentwood Facility – 3.03
The board held further discussions with Wold Architects on possible actions to address physical conditions, capacity, and enrollment concerns at Brentwood Elementary. After viewing multiple options at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on October 23, 2023, the board directed Wold to modify specific options. After receiving feedback from Brentwood staff members, the discussion centered around the remaining options while factoring in how available space, disruption to instruction, and boundary or program shifts could play a factor.
You can view the presentation slides here and watch the discussion here. The board will continue to hold discussion on possible solutions at future meetings.
Superintendent Reports
Agenda Item 5.0
Jr. High Social Science Curriculum Adoption – 5.02
As part of the ongoing Curriculum Review Process, the social science program has been under evaluation. Junior high teachers piloted and are recommending HMH Social Studies as the curricular resource for adoption. This adoption would include a soft implementation beginning January 2024 through the end of the school year, with full implementation coming at the start of next school year.
The total cost of digital and print materials access for six years is $357,549.70. The contract creates an annual savings of $30,941.85 by agreeing to the six year term instead of the yearly contract agreement. The six year agreement timeframe also aligns with the district’s curriculum review cycle for each content area. The cost of this curricular resource adoption was factored into the approval of the 2023-24 Budget in August.
You can view the presentation from members of the Instruction Department here.
IL School Report Card Presentation – 2022.23 Report – 5.03
The board reviewed and discussed a presentation overviewing the 2022-23 Illinois School Report Card. The full details of the Illinois Report Card can be viewed here.
Highlights of the data from the presentation include:
- 13 schools earned a Commendable designation, Forest View Elementary earned an Exemplary designation, and Rupley Elementary was able to exit early from its Targeted status
- Students showed improvement in both proficiency and growth in most Math and ELA areas
- Math Student Growth Percentiles surpass state levels in 13 of 14 categories, while Reading Student Growth Percentiles are below state levels in most areas
- Chronic absenteeism rates decreased across the district, but still remains high versus pre-pandemic levels,
The full slides from the presentation can be viewed here.
Board Appreciation/Recognition – 5.04
To celebrate National School Board Member Day occurring on Wednesday, November 15, members of the District Education Association as well as CCSD59 leadership and staff recognized the Board of Education for their dedication and service to our schools.
Public Hearing
Agenda Item 7.0
2023 Tax Levy – 7.01
At the October 9, 2023, board meeting, the board discussed and directed the administration to move forward with preparing the levy and to set the public hearing date for November 13, 2023. While the district’s proposed levy does not surpass the 5.0% threshold that requires a public hearing via the state’s Truth in Taxation Law, the administration believes meeting the spirit of the law for transparency is in the best interest of the district and community.
A public hearing was held during this meeting for public comment and/or requests for consideration to be made by CCSD59 community members. The presentation slides on the 2023 tax levy are available here.
A resolution will be presented at the December 11, 2023, board meeting regarding the approval of adopting the levy.
Action Items
Agenda Item 8.0
Approval of Violin and Flute Donation from Mike Lake to Community Consolidated School District 59 – 8.01
The board approved a donation of violins and flutes totaling an estimated $1,250 to be used for loaner instruments. The donation comes from Mike Lake in honor of his wife, Celeste Lake, who served as an orchestra teacher in CCSD59 for 33 years.
Discussion Items
Agenda Item 9.0
Program Fee For Typically Developing Preschool Students For The 24-25 School Year – 9.01
Currently, CCSD59 offers a five-day afternoon program to typically developing preschool children at a cost of $297.50 per month ($2,975 per year). The administration recommends no increase to the rate for the 2024-25 school year. Families are required to pay the first month fee at the time of confirmation of placement in the program, with a family eligible for a refund of the first month payment through July 31, 2024. Tuition may be subsidized depending on family income.
The board will vote on the program fee at a future meeting.
K-8 Instructional Materials Fees: 24-25 School Year – 9.02
The board discussed the continued elimination of instructional material fees for the 2023-24 school year. Since 2021, these fees have been eliminated for students at all grade levels.
The board will vote on continuing to eliminate the instructional materials fees for all students at a future meeting
Jr. High School Extra-Curricular Participation Fees: 24-25 School Year – 9.03
The board discussed continuing to collect junior high school extracurricular participation fees for 2024-25 to offset a portion of the cost of materials and supplies. If approved, the fees would remain unchanged from this school year to next. The current and proposed fees are;
- Basketball: $30.00
- Cheerleading: $30.00
- Cross Country: $15.00
- Spirit Squad/Pom Poms: $30.00
- Soccer: $30.00
- Volleyball: $30.00
- Wrestling: $30.00
The board will vote on the fees for junior high school extracurricular participation for the 2024-25 school year at a future meeting.
Paper Bid Summary – 9.04
CCSD59 issues one paper bid each year for a quantity projected to meet one year’s needs. The district is not required to purchase a specific quantity.
The price of paper has dropped more than 26% from last year due to oversupply issues and less demand. Therefore, the administration recommends bids be awarded to Murnane Paper and Paper 101 for a total cost of $95,781.50.
The board will vote on the award of the paper bid at a future meeting.
Communications Audit – 9.05
As the Communications committee explores ways to identify strengths and areas for improvement in district communications, a third-party audit is being recommended. After researching potential audit partners the committee recommends the National School Public Relations Association to conduct the audit.
This audit would collect feedback from all patrons to create a data report that will help guide communications in the future. The proposed cost for the audit is $23,175, plus expenses for in-person focus groups.
The board will vote on approval of the audit at a future meeting.
Jr. High Social Science Curriculum Adoption – 9.06
The board held discussions on the Social Science Curriculum adoption presentation during the presentations portion of the meeting, including pricing and materials provided to the district. The board will vote on approval of the resource at a future meeting.
informational Items
Agenda Item 11.0
IASB Resolutions – 11.01
Each year, the Illinois Association of School Boards drafts resolutions to adopt and advocates for districts to adopt as well. The board discussed five recommendations, which can be viewed here, and the board representative will vote on behalf of CCSD59 at an upcoming conference.
