Board Update 11/14/22
Presentations
Agenda Item 5.0
2021-2022 Illinois School Report Card – 5.01
The board reviewed and discussed a presentation overviewing the 2021-22 Illinois School Report Card. The full details of the Illinois Report Card can be viewed here.
Highlights of the data from the presentation include:
- Math Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) analysis shows positive increases in achievement in most grade levels and in many cases outperforming pre-COVID proficiency levels.
- Reading IAR analysis shows positive increases in most grade levels and proficiency growth in demographics outpacing the state in 11 of 14 categories.
- CCSD59 Student Growth Percentiles were higher than Illinois in math in 9 of 12 categories.
- English Learners ACCESS exit rate increased while elementary students met their English Language Progress to Proficiency targets at a high percentage.
The full slides from the presentation can be viewed here.
Presentation of Equity Journey: Final Recommendation – 5.02
The board reviewed and discussed the Equity Journey: Final Recommendation to address the district’s eight areas of focus for improvement. The presentation slides can be viewed here: English l Spanish l Polish.
Highlights of what the plan would accomplish include:
- Improved school utilization
- Avoids multiple school closures
- Better balance of enrollment and diversity across schools
- Greater availability of programs and resources
- Dual Language – Spanish available at all schools
- Dual Language – Polish available at Clearmont (K-2) and Byrd (3-5)
- Balanced class sizes
- More grade-level peers for students to meet and learn from
- Stronger focus on age-specific needs
- Improved transportation times
The board will take action on the proposed final recommended plan at the December 12, 2022, board of education meeting.
Public Hearing
Agenda Item 7.0
2022 Tax Levy Public Hearing – 7.01
Strategic Goal (SG) 4: Stewardship of Resources
At the September 27, 2022, 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 14, 2022. 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 is in the best interest of the district and community.
A public hearing was held during the November 14, 2022, board meeting for public comment and/or requests for consideration to be made by CCSD59 community members.
A resolution will be discussed at the December 12, 2022, board meeting regarding the approval of adopting the levy.
Discussion Items
Agenda Item 8.0
Equity Journey Recommendation – 8.01
Strategic Goals: All
The final recommendation of the equity journey has been fully presented and is anticipated to be acted on by the board at the board meeting on December 12, 2022.
The proposed final recommendation includes the following changes for CCSD59 effective no sooner than the 2023-24 school year:
- Reconfigures ten elementary schools to become five primary schools (grades K-2) and five intermediate schools (grades 3-5)
- Adjusts school boundaries for student attendance for the newly configured primary and intermediate schools, as well as adjustments to address enrollment imbalances at the junior high schools
- Moves all students to the traditional school year calendar
- Repurposes Ridge Family Center for Learning to expand services for early learning
Program Fee for Typically Developing Preschool Students for the 2023-2024 School Year – 8.02
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
Currently, CCSD59 offers a four-day afternoon program to typically developing preschool children. The 2022-23 school year rate charged to families with typically developing children attending the district preschool programs is $238 per month ($1,190 per semester, $2,380 per year).
The district may offer a five day program at a cost of $297.50 per month ($1,487.50 per semester, $2,975.00 per year) beginning in the 2023-24 school year.
The administration recommends a 0% increase to the four-day program fee for 2023-24. Tuition may be subsidized depending on family income, and the district will continue to investigate additional changes in order to maximize the preschool program for families.
The board will vote on the program fee for typically developing preschool students for the 2023-24 school year at the board meeting on December 12, 2022.
Instructional Materials Fees: 2023-2024 School Year – 8.03
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The board discussed the continued elimination of instructional material fees for the 2023-24 school year. For both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, these fees were eliminated, and there were no instructional materials fees for students at all grade levels.
At the board meeting on December 12, 2022, the board will vote on continuing to eliminate the instructional materials fees for all students.
Junior High School Extracurricular Participation Fees: 2023-2024 School Year – 8.04
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The board discussed continuing to collect junior high school extracurricular participation fees for 2023-24 to offset a portion of the cost of materials and supplies. If approved, the fees would remain unchanged from the current school year for the 2023-24 school year. The current and proposed fees are listed below:
Extracurricular Program Fee Current 2022/23 Proposed 2023/24
Basketball $30.00 $30.00
Cheerleading $30.00 $30.00
Cross Country $15.00 $15.00
Spirit Squad/Pom Poms $30.00 $30.00
Soccer $30.00 $30.00
Volleyball $30.00 $30.00
Wrestling $30.00 $30.00
The board will vote on the fees for junior high school extracurricular participation for the 2023-24 school year at the board meeting on December 12, 2022.
Commercial Ovens for the Junior Highs – 8.05
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
Due to the lack of available equipment and space in the district’s schools, meals provided to CCSD9 students have historically been brought in by outside vendors.
After reviewing the design of its junior high buildings, it was determined the district could set up commercial ovens to allow for fresh temporary meals, to ensure that there are no meal shortages, and to potentially give students additional breakfast and lunch options. It would be an approximate total cost of $37,000 to acquire commercial ovens for all three junior high schools.
At the board meeting on December 12, 2022, the board will vote on providing commercial ovens to the district’s three junior high schools.
Fitness Room Flooring – 8.06
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
At each of the district’s junior high schools, the current flooring in the fitness room areas are in need of repair or updates to provide a safe environment for students. The board discussed replacing the fitness room flooring with Ecore through Direct Fitness at a total cost of $44,232 for all three schools.
The board will vote on approval of the replacement flooring for the district’s junior high fitness rooms at a future board meeting.
Addendum to Contract Regarding Roofing and Windows – 8.07
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
As outlined in the Ten Year Facilities Plan, Robert Frost and Salt Creek elementary schools are in need of roofing repairs. The district is planning to work with Allied Facility Partners, as this vendor has familiarity with the district’s buildings and a portion of the planning was already completed as part of the previous work.
Additionally, some of the current windows at Grove, Clearmont, Admiral Byrd, and John Jay are in need of replacement. The district is working on creating an addendum for the current contract with a guaranteed maximum price not to exceed $8.6 million for all work performed.
The board will vote on the approval of the addendum at the meeting on December 12, 2022.
Food Service Contract Extension – 8.08
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The state of Illinois has elected to allow school districts to renew their food service contracts at a one-year extension interval.
The board discussed extending the district’s contract for an additional year with the current vendor, Organic Life, for the 2023-24 school year and will vote on the approval of the contract extension at the board meeting on December 12, 2022.
Action Items
Agenda Item 9.0
Award of Bid for Paper – 9.01
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
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.
This year, the bid is for xerographic and vellum paper. Due to market changes and supply chain issues, the price of paper increased by 49% compared to last year, and vendors who submitted bids could not provide pricing for both types of paper.
At the board meeting on October 10, 2022, It was discussed that purchasing paper through the state contract would best meet the needs of the district due to pricing and availability this year. The state contract is awarded to Midland Paper, a vendor the district has worked with previously, for $112,298.05 for xerographic paper and $18,138.75 for vellum for a grand total of $130,436.80.
The board awarded the bid to Midland Paper through the state contract as outlined above.
Request to Bid Regarding Brentwood Playground – 9.02
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
At the board meeting on October 10, 2022, the board discussed replacing the playground equipment at Brentwood Elementary due to its age. A call to bid will be issued for both the new playground materials and labor for installation under the district’s Ten Year Facilities Plan.
The board approved to go out to bid for the update of the playground equipment at Brentwood.
