Dwight Common School District 232 Board met Dec. 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Board President Marc Ellis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Marc Ellis; Bo Partney; Nick Stipanovich; Joel Funk; Michael Cornale; Eugene Mortensen; Cathy Ferguson
ABSENT: None
Also in attendance: Dr. Richard Jancek, Superintendent; Deb Conroy, Secretary; Brandon Owens, Principal; Julie Schultz, Asst. Principal/AD
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
NOTICES, COMMUNICATIONS or RECOGNITIONS
Dr. Jancek informed the Board that an Enterprise Zone agreement is being proposed for a strip of land near Route 66, Pete’s Restaurant and the railroad tracks. This agreement would be similar to the agreement we have for the Cayuga Ridge wind turbines, where we abate a business’ property taxes in lieu of a percentage of what those taxes would be. That money could be used in any of our funds and would essentially protect our EAV for the calculation of State Aid. He may have visitors here in January asking for passage of a resolution for this Enterprise Zone.
Dr. Jancek reported that we received a check in the amount of $1,968.78 from Mike Vigna and Dan Bossert which is our half of the income from the corn crop on our acreage this year. That check was given to Mr. Owens to use in an Activity fund to benefit all students.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES OR REPRESENTATIVES
Mrs. Schultz reported that the Wrestling co-op with Pontiac is going well.
Mr. Owens reported that 1st Grade is now in 3 sections and all seems to be going well, including with discipline.
An issue with a crack in the wall in Mr. Eggenberger’s room will be addressed over Christmas break, according to Jack Connor.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Dr. Jancek reported that the state currently owes $101,626.63 in late mandated categorical payments for the 18-19 school year.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items for consideration on this month’s Consent Agenda are as follows:
1) Minutes 2) Bills
3) Approve Kara Krupinski, Substitute Teacher
4) Approve Charles Herman, Substitute Teacher
Moved by Ferguson, seconded by Partney, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was discussion by some Board members about maxing out the tax levy up to 4.99%, staying just under the 5% cap. Dr. Jancek stated that really the only fund we could increase would be the Tort fund. If we increased it from an extension of $225,000 to $265,00, we would end up with a 4.98% increase. The only other funds that are not maxed out are the restricted IMRF and Social Security funds. After much discussion, it was felt that the levy and extension proposed by Dr. Jancek originally was adequate for this year. His recommendation was for an increase of 3.91% with an extension of $3,881,001, or $146,140 less than the 2017 extension.
Moved by Stipanovich, seconded by Partney, to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for the 2018 Tax Levy and Extension, as presented. Roll call. Ferguson voted no. All others voted aye. Motion carried.
Dr. Jancek informed the Board that Rob Raycroft from Sendra Services Corp. was unable to attend the meeting tonight to discuss options on air conditioning. Dr. Jancek has received 3 estimates on different projects: the lowest cost of approximately $350,000 for window units and electrical upgrades; a cost of approximately $700,000 for rooftop units that would cover multiple classrooms on one unit, which would also include a solution for the gym, café and band room; and finally the $1.8--$2M for the remainder of the HVAC project that was looked into 2 years ago. Dr. Jancek and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Jack Connor feel that the $700,000 project would be the best solution. Dr. Jancek asked for approval to continue to work with Sendra Services Corp. to come back with specs to be approved in January to get to the next step in obtaining a cooling solution for the GS. The Board was in support of this request.
NEW BUSINESS
Dr. Jancek explained that ISBE has changed the definition of a school day by giving local control to the Board of Education to decide what is considered learning and instruction. Currently the calendar must have 176 instructional days plus 4 Teacher Institute days; however, with this change the administrators have the option of changing the length of any school day, which would help in making up emergency days or cutting the final day of the year down from a full day to a one-hour day as it was in the past. This will feed into a discussion on making up our emergency day from November 26th. Dr. Jancek has to amend the calendar within 30 days of the missed day, but currently only has to list May 28th as an attendance day—not the actual hours of that day. This will be discussed during a joint session of the Boards of Education so both calendars will match.
Dr. Jancek presented the first reading of Board policy updates from PRESS Plus. He will bring these back to the Board for the second reading and final approval at the January meeting.
Moved by Stipanovich, seconded by Funk, to go into Executive Session at 7:39 p.m. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Moved by Partney, seconded by Funk, to exit Executive Session at 7:51 p.m. Voice vote. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Moved by Partney, seconded by Mortensen, to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Voice vote. All voted aye. Motion carried.
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/287101/GS_Bd_Min_12.12.18.pdf
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