Read highlights from the Board of Education meeting held on September 21, 2020. Want more detail? Click the BoardBook button to see the full agenda and packet. |
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In response to the Governor's executive order and social distancing guidelines to help limit the spread of COVID-19, the September 21, 2020 Board of Education meeting was held in person with limited seating and also streamed live online, remaining open to the public. |
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FINANCIAL AUDIT PRESENTED |
Tim Gavin, CPA, from Lauterbach & Amen, LLP, presented the findings of the district's annual financial audit. Mr. Gavin's presentation included the Annual Financial Report, Annual Financial Statements, Single Audit, and Management Letter. The District continues to enjoy a position of financial strength with no outstanding debt. There were no major audit findings or issues of non-compliance with either bookkeeping or the preparation of financial statements, or for the Single Audit of Federal Funds, as required by Circular A-110 of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
The district ended the 2019-20 fiscal year with very positive results from operations, primarily due to reduced spending during the fourth quarter directly related to remote learning and the unexpected shutdown of our schools. Woodridge 68 will, however, be using much of those surplus monies this year as we hired additional staff and will incur additional expenses to safely provide a multi-tiered learning program comprised of remote, hybrid and in-person learning.
The District continues to monitor and adjust its fund balance reserves from year to year, to ensure that it maintains appropriate, but not excessive fund balance reserves in each of its funds.
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SIXTH DAY ENROLLMENT REPORT |
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. William Schmidt presented the Sixth Day Enrollment Report. Enrollment history and projections remain generally steady throughout the district, and all class sizes are lower than last year. Total enrollment for 2020-21 was projected at 2,914 with an actual enrollment of 2,726 (6.45% difference). Lower enrollment is due primarily to the current educational landscape. The schools are fully staffed, including additional staff hired over the summer to help keep class sizes lower during this time. All buildings in the district are adequately utilized, and classroom space has been allocated as needed should the district return to some form of in-person learning. |
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Section 10-20.47 of the School Code requires school districts to report administrator and teacher salary and benefits to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) by October 1. Prior to this annual reporting to ISBE, the information must be presented at a regular school board meeting and then posted on the school district website. Also, under an amendment to the Open Meetings Act, within 6 business days after an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves a budget, that employer must post on its website the total compensation package for each employee having a total compensation package that exceeds $75,000 per year. |
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HYBRID LEARNING PLAN PROPOSED |
Woodridge 68 Administration presented a revised plan for returning students to limited in-person learning through a hybrid model in October. After lengthy discussion, the School Board voted down approval of the plan as presented and requested additional information be presented at a special meeting. Specifically, the Board asked for more regarding the learning opportunities under a remote-only option, special education, lunchtime safety, staff feedback and transportation. The Board of Education declared a special meeting to discuss these topics related to the hybrid learning model for Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 7:30pm. |
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Public comments were available both in person and submitted in writing prior to the meeting since in-person seating was limited. Twenty-six public comments were submitted in writing in advance, and four Woodridge 68 parents commented in person, expressing their thoughts and concerns about hybrid learning and/or meeting the needs of special education students. All public comments were shared with Board members and will be included in the public record. |
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A public hearing regarding the annual budget was held at the Board of Education meeting with no comments from the public. The Board of Education approved the Resolution Ratifying and Confirming Publication of Legal Notice and Setting of Budget Hearing and voted unanimously to adopt the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 (FY21) as presented. The budget is available for review on the district website and in paper form at the district office. |
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DESTRUCTION OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES CORRECTED |
The Board of Education approved the destruction of closed session recordings previously approved and misdated February 4, 2018 and February 25, 2018; corrected dates are February 4, 2019 and February 25, 2019. |
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PARTIAL ABATEMENT OF FUNDS |
The Board of Education approved a Resolution authorizing and directing the transfer of $2.5M in Working Cash Fund reserves to the Capital Projects Fund to complete payout on the final projects related to the Board-approved Facilities Investment Plan. As allowed by 105 ILCS 5/20-10, any school district may partially abate its Working Cash Fund, upon the adoption of a resolution, and direct the transfer of moneys to any fund most in need, provided the school district maintains a balance in the Working Cash Fund of at least .05% of the then current Equalized Assessed Value of the school district. |
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BUSINESS CONTINUATION AGREEMENTS - TRANSPORTATION |
The Board of Education approved an amendment to each of the existing transportation service agreements with First Student, Inc. and Sunrise Transportation to approve business continuation payments to these vendors at 40% of their regular and recurring daily route costs for all routes not being run and 100% reimbursement for all routes being run, respectively, not counting any additional field trip, charter trips or athletic activity trips that would have normally been provided. Additionally, reimbursements for COVID-related cleaning and sanitizing costs will also be paid, up to 3% of the normal monthly invoice amount. These payments will help cover costs for essential personnel and non-discretionary fixed costs that are needed to continue the operations of the business during the unprecedented school shutdown we are currently experiencing. |
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The following topic was discussed by the Board of Education. Any action has not yet been taken.
- RFP for Electrical Services
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The School Board has declared a special meeting for Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 7:30pm, which will be held at Thomas Jefferson Junior High. The next Woodridge School District 68 Board of Education regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2020 at 7:30pm at Thomas Jefferson Junior High. If meeting in person is not an option under Governor's order, the meeting will be held online. Watch the district web calendar for details and updates. A schedule of upcoming meetings, notices and agendas are posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/) on the district website through BoardBook.
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BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS |
Steven Gustis, President
Michael Toohey, Vice President
Scott Coley | Joanne Duffek | Cricel Molina de Mesa | Thomas Ruggio | Stuart Vanorny
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Inspiring Education and Innovation
7925 Janes Avenue | Woodridge, IL 60517
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