Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 Board of Education met Sept. 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Zion-Benton Township High School District 126, Lake County, Illinois, met in Regular Session in the ZBTHS South Commons, One Z-B Way, 3901 W. 21st Street, Zion, Illinois, commencing at 7:15 p.m.
Board President Nordstrom presided.
ROLL CALL
Members present: President Nordstrom, Vice President Nieto, Secretary Roberts, Member Stephen (Zoom), and Member White (Zoom).
Members excused: Member Leech and Member Richards.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
President Nordstrom asked Dr. Rodriguez if there were any amendments to the agenda. Dr. Rodriguez indicated the following personnel approval items had come in since the agenda packet went out and needed to be added under Personnel Approvals Item 15:
Appointment: Katie Ahlgrim (Assistant Boys Swimming Coach), Construction Resignation: Tim Baines (Paraprofessional).
COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF, GUESTS, AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS
Kathy Champine asked the Board to confirm that all open meetings are now being recorded and asked if this was required by state law. President Nordstrom stated that the modification to the Open Meetings Act requires that all open meetings are to be audio recorded. Ms. Champine then asked if the Board reads the textbooks that they approve for the District. President Nordstrom stated that approvals are based on the recommendations of administration.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. Included in the Consent Agenda are the following:
• Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 25, 2020;
• Activity Report – August 2020, EXHIBIT “A”;
• Bills Paid Report – August & September 2020, EXHIBIT “B”;
• Bills Payable Report – September 2020, EXHIBIT “C”;
• School Treasurer’s Report – August 2020, EXHIBIT “D”;
• Revenue & Expenditure Report – August 2020, EXHIBIT “E”;
• Course Change, EXHIBIT “F”;
• 2020-21 Revised School Calendar, EXHIBIT “G”,
• Contractor Payout Request, EXHIBIT “H”;
• Approval of Non-Capitalized Equipment (ELMO), EXHIBIT “I”,
• Destruction of closed session recordings – September 27, 2020.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. DiGangi, Mr. Kubic, and Dr. Pawelczyk presented the Board with an update on District operations and the current Interactive Remote Learning Plan. Highlights include:
• Administration has been working hard to develop guiding principles, goals, and core beliefs to align with the District’s mission in order to best serve its students and the community.
• Overall, ZBTHS attendance is high. 93% of students missed none, one, or two classes. Students are attending and engaging daily and this is up from 88% on the first day of school. Daily, the percentage of students present each period is in the low 90s.
• Parent Teacher Conferences will be held via Zoom. A letter will go to out to parents to choose teachers to meet with in 10-minute blocks of time.
• NT@ZB attendance is slightly below what it normally is when instruction is in- person. As a response to this administration is clarifying absence reporting procedures, providing additional communication to families about the schedule, and providing professional development on “escalating contacts” with families to encourage two-way communication.
• Surveys were sent to students and parents to gather information on their understanding of and feelings on the Interactive Remote Learning model.
• Student data shows that overall students can easily attend class and navigate course expectations and requirements. Data also shows that about 85% of students find the workload manageable in the new learning model.
• Parent data shows that overall parents said that their student can easily attend class and navigate course expectations and requirements.
• Next steps for the District include evaluating instructional options in conjunction with public health data, continuing to monitor and analyze remote learning engagement data, and working with staff and students on ideas to expand in- person services.
• A Special Board meeting will be held before October 15th to review and discuss the administration’s recommendation for second quarter.
SEDOL Report
Member Stephen reported that at a recent SEDOL meeting the current remote learning schedule was discussed. The remote learning plan will continue through winter break. There was a presentation on the final budget for FY21. Two staff employees were also recognized at the meeting for their outstanding service to students.
RECESS
No recess was taken.
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT
Business/Bid/Finance
President Nordstrom reported that the Business, Bid, Finance Committee recently met and discussed the proposed budget, the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax, and status of the natatorium project. The items discussed will be further explained by Dr. Wilkinson under New Business as action items.
Personnel
Vice President Nieto reported that the Personnel Committee recently met and discussed staffing adjustments. The items discussed will be further explained by Dr. Wilkinson and Dr. Rodriguez as action items.
NEW BUSINESS
2020-21 Budget Hearing
A motion was made by Member Stephen, seconded by Secretary Roberts, to go into a public hearing regarding the proposed 2020-21 Budget. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0.
Dr. Wilkinson reported he was encouraged that the administration, as reflected on the state budget form, was once again able to propose a balanced budget in the District’s operating funds for FY21. The proposed budget includes a $3 million transfer from the Education Fund to the Operations & Maintenance Fun to support capital projects. The proposed budget also includes contingencies where appropriate to cover any unplanned expenditures. District will be receiving another digital equity grant from the state of Illinois for $175,000 as part of the CARES Grant Act. This will require an amendment to the budget.
The total projected June 20, 2021 operating funds balance is $35,261,469. The total projected June 20, 2021 balance for all funds is $39,704,063. New this year, ISBE is having school districts include their student activity budget in the overall operating budget. Accumulated fund balances are being used for facility projects as strategically planned. Total expenditures, including fund transfers, comes to $66,975,666, with $10,781,663 being form the Site and Construction Fund for facility projects. Based on the information on the School district Financial Profile, District 126 will retain the highest rating of financial recognition from ISBE for FY2021. The budget anticipates receiving 100% of the Evidence Based funding (EBF) dollars and the deferred Property Tax Relief Grant funds of $1.2 million. Dr. Wilkinson stated the proposed FY21 budget leaves the district in a strong financial position, with good fund balances and meets the needs of the students and objectives of the Board of Education.
Ms. Champine asked if there was a reason for the decrease in the Operations & Maintenance fund and for the increase in the Transportation Fund.
Dr. Wilkinson explained that the reason for the decrease in the Operations & Maintenance fund is because the District will need to take $1,000,000 from the Operations & Maintenance fund in order to help fund the Site & Construction project. The transportation fund has an increase because administration had anticipated expenditures to be around $4,000,000 but due to the COVID shutdown, those expenditures came in at $3,500,000 so the district save $500,000 in terms of expenditures.
Upon no further public comment, a motion was made by Member Stephen, seconded by Secretary Roberts to close the public hearing. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0.
Approval of the 2020-21 Budget
Following the public hearing, Dr. Wilkinson presented the recommended 2020-21 budget for adoption. A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Vice President Nieto to adopt the 2020-21 Budget as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “J”, 2020-21 Budget, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of Resolution – Distribution of Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax
Dr. Wilkinson presented a resolution to distribute $150,000 of anticipated Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax into the IMRF/Social Security Fund for the 2020-21 school year. The Corporate Personal Property Replacement Taxes that exceed $150,000 will be deposited in the Education Fund ($234,738), Operations & Maintenance Fund ($379,294), and Transportation Fund ($410,621), with any excess monies from the stated allocations placed in the Site & Construction Fund. A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to adopt the resolution as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “K”, A Resolution for the Distribution of the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of Certification – Board Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
A motion was made by Member Stephen, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the 2020-21 budget’s Certification of the Board Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, including the projected estimate of revenues for 2020-21, and to file the budget and certifications with the Lake County Clerk’s Office. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “L”, Certificate and Estimate of Revenues, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
OLD BUSINESS
Capital Improvements Update
Dr. Wilkinson reported that the natatorium project is moving along nicely and is currently on track to be completed ahead of schedule. The foundation footings were poured, the walls were delivered and begun to be set, and the steel girders are starting to be put in for the mezzanine. There will be a construction meeting with the architecture team and administrative team to make sure that programmatically everything is in the right place to meet the needs of the District.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dr. Rodriguez congratulated administration and the Board of Education for their fiscal responsibility and stability over the years.
PERSONNEL APPROVALS
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to approve the personnel approvals as amended. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. Included in the personnel approvals were:
- Appointments:
Ahlgrim, Katie (Asst. Boys Swimming Coach),
Torola, Kari (Asst. Principal’s Secretary).
- Leaves of Absence:
Lastacy, Courtney (Academic Coach - Literacy).
Resignations:
Haight, Christopher (Instructional Aide),
Fetterman, Christoph (Paraprofessional),
Misquez, Fernando (Instructional Aide).
- Constructive Resignation:
Baines, Tim (Paraprofessional).
EXHIBIT “M”, Monthly Personnel Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.
APPROVAL OF 2020-21 STAFFING ADJUSTMENTS
Dr. Rodriguez reminded the Board that administration presented a staffing initiative at the August Board of Education meeting. This initiative included the creation of a Director of Communications and Talent Management position as well as a District Translator position. Both positions have been included in the FY21 budget. A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation for position authority as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. EXHIBIT “N”, 2020-21 District Staffing Adjustments, is included and made a part of these minutes.
PRESENTATION OF REQUIRED ANNUAL STATE PERSONNEL REPORTS
Dr. Wilkinson presented to the Board the following reports that will be posted on the District’s website in compliance with School Code requirements:
Public Act 96-0226 Report – Certified
Public Act 97-0609 Report – Classified
Public Act 96-0434 Report – Administration
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m. by President Nordstrom.
https://www.zbths.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=1159&dataid=6818&FileName=MNSept2220R.pdf
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