Lake County Gazette

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 Board of Education met Nov. 17.

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 7:00 p.m.

President Nordstrom presided.

ROLL CALL

Members present: President Nordstrom, Vice President Nieto (Zoom), Secretary Roberts, Member Leech, Member Richards, Member Stephen, and Member White (Zoom - arrived at 8:05 p.m.)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF, GUESTS, AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS 

There were none.

CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Richards to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-0. Included in the Consent Agenda are the following items: • Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 27, 2020.

• Activity Report – October 2020, EXHIBIT “A”.

• Bills Paid Report – October & November 2020, EXHIBIT “B”.

• Bills Payable Report – November 2020, EXHIBIT “C”.

• School Treasurer’s Report – October 2020, EXHIBIT “D”.

• Revenue & Expenditure Report – October 2020, EXHIBIT “E”. 

• 2020 School Report Cards, EXHIBIT “F”.

• Contractor Payout Requests, EXHIBIT “G”.

• Destruction of Closed Session Recordings—November 14, 2018. 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Kristin Forsberg (Zoom), a representative from Diligent Corporation, presented the Board with information on BoardDocs PRO, a board meeting software system that the District is considering implementing.

Dr. Rodriguez congratulated Secretary Roberts on her successful campaign for the Lake County Board. He notified the Board that Secretary Roberts has formally submitted her resignation to the Board as of December 5, 2020. Dr. Rodriguez thanked Secretary Roberts for her years of outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the District. President Nordstrom presented Secretary Roberts with a plaque in appreciation of her distinguished and unselfish service to District 126.

In acknowledgement of Board of Education Appreciation Day on November 15th, Dr. Rodriguez thanked the Board for their dedication to the demands of being public servants on behalf of District 126 and presented each of them with a Board of Education appreciation award.

REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Principals’ Reports

New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East

Principal Kubic reported on the following:

• Teachers and the Student Support Team identified students that are not doing well in the remote environment and created individual plans for helping those students.

• Eight New Tech students were honored with Grit Awards, recognizing their resilience and perseverance through obstacles.

• The Climate and Culture Committee is coordinating staff wellness actives throughout the month of November including weekly challenges and optional yoga/meditation sessions.

• The Equity Task Force is leading professional development sessions exploring grade data through a racial lens, which the purpose of identifying and eliminating racial achievement gaps.

• Recruitment for the Class of 2025 is underway. The Recruitment Team is making plans for virtual tours and demonstrations for the public recruitment nights.

(EXHIBIT “H”, New Tech High School @ Zion-Benton East Board of Education Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.)

Zion-Benton Township High School

Dr. Pawelczyk reported on the following:

• Efforts have continued to encourage students that are struggling to engage to invest more effort and/or use the building as a distraction-free location.

• Several ZBTHS students were selected for the Illinois Music Education Association District VII Honor ensembles.

• Spring 2020 Behind the Wheel Drives have been completed. 130 students needed to finish approximately half of their drives following the March shut down.

• Global Compliance Trainings have been completed by staff.

• The District had its annual Veteran’s Day Celebration on November 11th. In lieu of the traditional in-person celebration, different videos put together which were shown at the beginning of each class.

(EXHIBIT “I”, Zion-Benton Township High School Board of Education Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.)

RECESS

No recess was taken.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

Curriculum Committee

Approval of Recommendations of 2021-22 Curriculum Changes

Member Richards reported the Curriculum Committee reviewed the administration’s curriculum recommendations at the Curriculum Committee meeting on November 11, 2020. She highlighted the following proposed changes to the 2021-22 curriculum:

• AP Physics C is a new course that will replace AP Physics 1.

• AP Spanish Literature and Culture will be added to the World Language Department.

• Business Incubator is a new course in the Business Education Department that will allow students to partner with the community and local businesses, resulting in real-life application and experience.

• Course name changes from Oral and Written Communication to English 1 and Honors Orals and Written Communication to Honors English 1.

• Course name change from Interactive Language Skills to English 1 Extension.

• Course name changes from Integrated PE 1 to Integrated PE E and Integrated PE 2 to Integrated PE S.

• Modification to the course pathway system in English, Social Science, and Science departments at ZBTHS.

• Modifications to Math 1 Extension and Interactive Language Skills (to become English 1 Extension).

• Additional industry-ready certifications.

A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to approve the 2021-22 curriculum recommendations as presented. Motion was approved by roll call vote of members voting 6-0.

(EXHIBIT “J”, 2021-22 Curriculum Recommendations, is included and made a part of these minutes.)

Business/Bid/Finance Committee

President Nordstrom reported that the Business, Bid, Finance Committee recently met and discussed interfund transfers, the property tax relief grant update, tax levy information, and status of the natatorium project. Many of the items discussed will be further explained by Dr. Wilkinson under New Business as action items.

NEW BUSINESS

Public Hearing for Interfund Transfer

Dr. Wilkinson stated the Board approved a Resolution during the

October 27, 2020, Regular Meeting setting a hearing to discuss interfund transfers during the November Regular Meeting that will transfer funds from the Education Fund to the Operations and Maintenance Fund and then transfer funds into the Capitol Projects Fund. Two separate transfer approvals are requested: The first interfund transfer is from the Education Fund into the Operations and Maintenance Fund in the amount of $3,000,000; the second procedure is an accounting transfer in the amount of $4,000,000 from the Operations and Maintenance Fund into the Site and Construction Fund.

A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Secretary Roberts to go into a public hearing regarding interfund transfers. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-0.

Upon no public comment, a motion was made by Kathy Richards, seconded by Member Stephen to close the hearing regarding interfund transfers. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-1. (Member Richards voted no.)

Approval of Resolution Authorizing Section 17-2A Interfund Transfer

A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member Leech to approve the Resolution Authorizing an Interfund Transfer of $3,000,000 from the Educational Fund to the Operations and Maintenance Fund in accordance with Section 17-2A of the School Code. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-1. (Member Richards voted no.) (EXHIBIT “K”, Resolution Authorizing an Interfund Transfer, is included and made part of these minutes.)

Approval of Accounting Transfer to Capital Projects Fund

A motion was made by Member Stephen, seconded by Secretary Roberts to approve the Resolution Authorizing Accounting Transfer(s) to Capital Projects

Fund in the amount of $4,000,000 from the Operations and Maintenance Fund to the Capital Projects Fund pledged for capital projects. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-1. (Member Richard voted no.) (EXHIBIT “L”, Resolution Authorizing Accounting Transfer(s) to Capital Projects Fund, is included and made part of these minutes.)

2020 Levy Information

Dr. Wilkinson presented a recommended 2020 levy for District 126. Highlights include the following:

• The levy is in the amount of $30,636,682 and is factored based on a “best estimate” of what the District’s EAV will be.

• The dollars generated via the 2020 property tax levy will be the major revenue source for the 2021-22 budget.

• The levy is what is requested based on the needs of the District, but the tax extension is what is actually received in the spring.

• The amount the District will receive is limited to what is legally allowable based on CPI, actual EAV, and new construction; therefore, the District estimates a higher amount in the levy knowing ultimately it will receive less and only what it is allowed to receive.

• The results of the 2020 EAV levy will be known in the spring when the tax extension is received, and the funds will be allocated for the 2021-22 school year.

• Since the District is not requesting a 5% increase, a Truth in Taxation Hearing is not required; however, in keeping with prior years, the Board will conduct a hearing for transparency purposes and to provide the community opportunity to give input.

• It is anticipated with the second property tax relief grant that the District’s tax rate will fall as much as.07 cents per household.

(EXHIBIT “M”, 2020 Tax Levy Information, is included and made a part of these minutes.)

2020 Tax Levy Public Hearing

A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Member Leech to go into a public hearing regarding the 2020 Tax Levy. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-0.

Upon no public comment, a motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Member Leech to close the public hearing. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 7-0.

Approval of 2020 Levy Resolutions

A motion was made by Member White, seconded by Member Leech to approve the 2020 Levy Resolutions that includes the following:

• $30,636,682 total levy across all funds, including $20,443,444 for the Education Fund, $4,111,966 for the Operations & Maintenance Fund, and $1,270,971 for the Transportation Fund.

• $459,850 for both the Municipal Retirement and Social Security Fund. • $2,879,020 to be levied as a special tax for Special Education Program purposes.

• $373,815 to be levied as a special tax for Working Cash Fund purposes. • $99,867 to be levied as a special tax for Fire Prevention, Safety and Environmental and Energy Conversation Fund purposes.

• $399,870 for Tort Immunity.

• $40,837 to be levied as a special tax for Special Education District of Lake County for its employees for Illinois Municipal Retirement purposes. • $97,192 to be levied for the purpose of funding Technology Lease Purchase.

Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-1. (Members Richards voted no.) (EXHIBIT “N”, 2020 Tax Levy Resolutions, are included and made a part of these minutes.)

OLD BUSINESS

Capital Improvements Update

Dr. Wilkinson updated the Board on the District’s natatorium project. Highlights included the following:

• Plumbing has begun in the locker rooms.

• Started putting the joist for the roof

• The girders have all been installed across the top and the steel plates for the roof have been put in.

• An entryway has been created so the construction vehicles can go in and out through the winter.

• The District is still waiting on the permit from the Illinois Department of Public Health in order to begin plumbing on the pool but at this time the construction manager is not anticipating any delays.

• Administration will be meeting with the Zion Park District to lay the groundwork for a partnership as it relates to the natatorium. The first collaboration meeting will be held on November 19th.

OTHER BUSINESS

CLOSED SESSION

A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Leech to go into closed session at 8:17 p.m. for consideration of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees. (5ILCS 120/2(c)(1,)). Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 7-0.

RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Richards to return to open session at 8:41 p.m. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 7-0.

PERSONNEL APPROVALS

A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Richards to approve the personnel approvals as amended. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 7-0. Included in the personnel approvals were:

- Appointment:

Magana, Lisa (Instructional Aide),

Niemi, Jack (Athletic Director).

- Employments:

Moreno, Cynthia (Director of Communications & Talent Management), Panchi, Elizabeth (Bilingual Spanish Translator).

- Leaves of Absence:

DeCaprio, Scott (NT Driver’s Education Teacher),

- Resignations:

Garcia, Belinda (Instructional Aide),

Grieco, Tina (Girl’s Head Basketball Coach),

Whitehead, Christopher (Assistant Wrestling Coach).

EXHIBIT “O”, Monthly Personnel Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.

APPROVAL OF CERTIFIED STAFF RESIGNATION AGREEMENT

A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Leech to approve a certified staff resignation agreement as discussed in closed session. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 7-0.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned by President Nordstrom at 8:45 p.m.

https://www.zbths.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=1159&dataid=6940&FileName=MNNov1720R.pdf