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Frankfort D157-C presents State of the District at Board meeting

Board discusses capital improvement projects, continues discussions on Chelsea Master Plan

Members of the Hickory Creek Middle School PozSquad gave Board members an overview of their club at the January 15 regular Board of Education meeting. In this picture, PozSquad members greet Hickory Creek students into the school on a Friday morning.
Members of the Hickory Creek Middle School PozSquad gave Board members an overview of their club at the January 15 regular Board of Education meeting. In this picture, PozSquad members greet Hickory Creek students into the school on a Friday morning.

FRANKFORT, IL — The regular Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education meeting of January 15, 2020, was called to order by Board President Edith Lutz at 7:00 p.m. The roll call was taken, and a quorum was present. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Board approved the Open Session minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting of December 18, 2019.

The Board recognized the Hickory Creek Middle School student members of the PozSquad and sponsor Michelle Matz for the positive work they are doing in the District. Students introduced the Board to the concept of the club, which aims to spread kindness through small interactions that create a ripple effect throughout the school, District, community and world. The club meets twice a month to discuss challenges they face in middle school and how to spread positivity. The club creates competitions for the school, like giving high-quality high-fives, not complaining about anything for three consecutive hours, and giving up technology for two hours each day. The week of February 9, the Frankfort Kindness Project is happening around the village, and the PozSquad is involved, creating positive stickers for businesses to hand out to customers and more. Board Member Gina Briese said she is very impressed with the program.

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During Public Forum, Kris McGuire and her children Max and Sammie formally invited the Board to the Family School Partnership’s Around the World event, set for March 12 at Hickory Creek. This is the seventh year for the event, and there will be at least 25 countries represented this year. This is the first year Around the World Day will take place all day on March 12, as well, encouraging all students to learn about different countries and cultures. Spiritwear is available for sale. McGuire said she looks forward to seeing everyone there.

The District’s administrative team presented the 2020 State of the District. Director of Business and Operations Kate Ambrosini said the District is holding steady with its enrollment numbers, with a cumulative total of 75 more students over the last five years. She said the District currently has roughly 850 students in each of its schools, with the capacity for each school to hold roughly 1,200 students. This means the District can comfortably keep the buildings it has without needing to build another building for the foreseeable future.

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Director of Technology Jacob Nelson said that in 2019, the District purchased and installed 713 devices, and over the last 10 years, the District has increased its devices by 250 percent. The District achieved its goal to have one-to-one technology available for fifth- through eighth-graders two years ahead of schedule. It transitioned to Office 365 with the help of instructional coaches. The District supports more than 22,250 applications, and instructional coaches help teachers learn how to incorporate technology into their lessons. Grand Prairie is getting SMARTBoards in every second-grade classroom, and one cart of laptops for every first- and second-grade room. Additionally, the District has focused on having up-to-date technology to ensure a safe, secure learning environment for its students. It has ensured every Frankfort police officer has 24/7 badge access to its buildings in case of emergencies, replaced cameras and upgraded its buildings’ badge access system.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Janet McClarence said the District is focused on enhancements that impact student outcomes, including a new reporting tool for standards, structured word inquiry in grades K-8, Carnegie math in grades 6-8, and new applications. She said the District strives to make curriculum more rigorous every year, refining units, adding new texts and resources, and gauging whether students are effectively learning material through use of assessments. The District ranks ninth in the State in terms of student readiness in English and math. All three schools have received Exemplary rankings from the State.

Director of Special Services Jen Bajda said the District has between 310 and 350 students receiving special education services at any point throughout the year. The District offers an at-risk preschool program called Project BEGIN and an early childhood special education program. It offers walk-in services like speech therapy and occupational therapy for young students, as well. Students who receive specialized services rank higher on state assessments than the majority of other students in the state, she said, which is a testament to the work of staff. The District tripled the amount of co-teaching it offers, and staff spend time modifying curriculum for students with disabilities to ensure their success with the proper level of support. Additionally, the District launched a Social Emotional Learning Committee last year and has school-level committees that work to ensure every student in the District is building social and emotional skills, and every staff member is building cultural competencies.

McClarence said the District also focuses on professional learning for its staff members through instructional coaches, in-district credit courses and various professional development opportunities throughout the year.

Director of Human Resources Shayna Cole said the District implemented electronic forms for expedited interviewing and hiring procedures as well as recordkeeping. When hiring teachers, the District requires each teacher to provide a mock lesson before making a decision about offering employment. The District expanded its new teacher induction program and trainings for certified staff members, and also worked to ensure substitute teachers are receiving the same safety training that full-time staff members receive. The District works to ensure all staff members are educated about the benefits that are available to them and trained all employees on the use of Skyward for accessing their pay information.

Ambrosini said the District is in a strong financial position and has abated more than $10 million in property taxes over the last five years. The District maintains a Triple A bond rating and continually works to maintain or lower the tax rate for taxpayers. The District meets its adequacy target for state funding and spends less per pupil than the State average. In 2021, the District will no longer have any long-term debt. “We’re living within our means and maximizing the results we’re getting,” Ambrosini said.

Zinni said the District continues its outreach to the community through its strong parent volunteer groups — the Family School Partnership, the Education Foundation, and its music and athletic booster groups; Tiger University sessions; the quarterly District newsletter; a new District website; press releases; social media; and service to the community through projects at all three schools.

“I couldn’t be more proud to share our results and how we’re doing,” Zinni said. “The State of the District is doing quite well. We’re in a great place because of the Board of Education, our staff, our families and the community.”

“Thank you for the work you put into the District and for creating top-tier schools for us,” Lutz said to the administrative team.

During Administrative Reports, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Rodney Davis said that over Winter Break, his team completed updates to boilers at Chelsea and caught up on other work that cannot be done with students in the building, including preventative and regular maintenance. He said his department’s work order program helps keep the department accountable and has increased efficiency. Two years ago, the department completed roughly 2,600 work orders, and last year, it completed 3,200.

Grand Prairie Elementary School Principal Kirsten Frankovich congratulated her school’s Social Emotional Learning Committee for creating engaging activities for staff during an Institute Day on January 6. She added that the school’s Kindness Club and Chess Club kicked off this week, and students are excited.

Chelsea Intermediate School Principal Doug Wernet said students are excited about the new Ozobots Club and Engineering Club, with more than 100 students involved. He added that his school’s SEL Committee leads monthly professional development sessions for staff members, showing their passion for social emotional learning.

Hickory Creek Middle School Principal Jason Crockett said students are excited about the PozSquad, and he is proud of students and staff for their involvement in clubs, music and athletic activities at the school. The school’s SEL Committee asked 12 students to participate in a video project discussing what it means to be a Tiger and what makes Hickory Creek special, and he hopes to share the video soon. Coming up, the school’s eighth-graders will be asked to take the Illinois Youth Survey, regarding social behavior indicators and school climate, and parents can opt their children out of taking the survey.

Board Secretary Edie Adamski provided the Board with minutes of the November 26 Governing Board and December 10 Advisory Board meetings of Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843. The Governing Board met December 17, and minutes have yet to be approved from that meeting.

During the superintendent’s report, Zinni provided updates on upcoming school, District and community events. The next Parent Tiger University, “Got Your Cape – The Kindness Project” is set for January 28 at 12:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office and 6 p.m. at Hickory Creek. A State of the District presentation for parents and community members is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. February 5 at Hickory Creek Middle School. The Village of Frankfort Kindness Project is set for the week of February 9. The Education Foundation’s Casino Night will be held March 6, and tickets are on sale.

Ambrosini provided the Board with the December 2019 Treasurer's Report and Graphs. The total fund balance decreased by $5,177,967. Monthly revenue receipts totaled $10,239,130, primarily due to the Will County tax levy, evidence-based funding and inter-fund transfers. Monthly expense disbursements totaled $15,417,097, primarily due to payroll, accounts payable, inter-fund transfers and bond payments.

There was one Freedom of Information Act request from Jay Cantwell regarding a District insurance policy.

In discussion, the Board reviewed possible bids for the Capital Improvement Plan. At Hickory Creek, the District plans to replace back sections of the parking lot and sealcoat sections that were already replaced. Also at Hickory Creek, the District plans to replace insulation around rooftop HVAC units. The project is expected to cost roughly $100,000, but the District plans to attempt to obtain a School Maintenance Project Grant from the State for roughly half of the cost. These are the only CIP projects the District plans to release for bid at this time.

In discussion, the Board reviewed updates regarding the Chelsea Master Plan. Ambrosini said the District met with FGM Architects to discuss adding an addition to Chelsea at the south end of the building, and the District was seeking approval to enter into a conceptual design phase for the addition. FGM would meet with Wernet and his team to determine potential uses and layout for the new space as well as upgrades to the current space. It would cost roughly $16,500 for the plan from FGM and take six to eight weeks to complete. Ambrosini said FGM’s initial estimates of pursuing full construction and renovation with this option would fit into the District’s current financial outlook without accruing additional long-term debt. Zinni said this option would provide the additional square footage the District seeks, allow Chelsea to keep learning communities together, eliminate internal classrooms and improve flow. Board Member Dr. Larry Kociolek said it looked like the plan would allow the District to achieve its goals without a referendum and without disrupting the learning environment. Other Board members agreed to move forward with the conceptual design phase.

In discussion, Ambrosini presented information about a School Maintenance Project Grant. She said the grant would match up to $50,000 for projects to be completed within two years. She said the District’s replacement of insulation on rooftop HVAC units at Hickory Creek would fall into the grant application requirements. Lutz asked about $7.5 million the District was promised from the State previously prior to building Hickory Creek. Zinni said the District is attempting to get this money from the State and has waited since 2013 after being informed the State ran out of money for the grant. Lutz said she plans to follow up with legislators to encourage them to release funds for this grant and encouraged other Board members to do the same.

In discussion, the Board reviewed recommended changes for the 2020-2021 Personnel Manual. Cole said the manual includes language regarding a Department of Labor ruling allowing employees to take intermittent FMLA leaves for meetings at their children’s schools. It also updated language relating to tuition reimbursement, expanding it to all staff members.

In discussion, Zinni and Lutz recommended the minutes of the June 19, 2019 Collective Bargaining Committee closed meeting be released for public record, and the minutes of the June 19, 2019; August 21, 2019; September 18, 2019; October 16, 2019; and November 20, 2019 Board of Education closed meetings not be released for public record.

In discussion, Zinni and Lutz recommended the audio recordings of closed session meetings from February 2018 through July 2018 be destroyed.

The Board took action to approve a resolution transferring funds from the Education Fund to the Bond and Interest Fund and abating the taxes levied for 2019 to pay debt service on the General Obligation Refunding School Bonds, Series 2013, of the District.

The Board took action to approve the School Maintenance Project Grant, as presented, and directed the Administration to file said documents, along with any other necessary forms, as needed, with the Illinois State Board of Education and any other related entities or organizations requesting said documents.

The Board took action to approve educational support staff salary increases, effective February 1, 2020, as follows: an increase of $2 per hour for staff hired between January 1, 2015 and February 20, 2019; an increase of $2.25 per hour for staff hired between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014; an increase of $2.50 per hour for staff hired between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009; and an increase of $2.75 per hour for staff hired on or before December 31, 2004. Minimum wage rate increases for employees hired after February 20, 2019 are as follows: $13.50 per hour for lunch/recess supervisors, $15 per hour for special education paraprofessionals, $16 per hour for fine arts/library clerks, and $16 per hour for instructional paraprofessionals. Additionally, a new educational support staff category range was established for interpreters, at between $35 and $45 per hour.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Christine Brooks as a full-time District Office Secretary at the District Office with a start date of January 2, 2020, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Lisa Hindel as a full-time Special Education Paraprofessional at Chelsea Intermediate School with a start date of January 21, 2020, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the long-term substitute assignment of Eric Pistek a one-year, full-time School Social Worker at Chelsea Intermediate School with a start date of August 24, 2020, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the payment of bills for December 2019, as presented.

In the consent agenda, the Board took action to approve 2020-2021 student fees; the 2020-2021 Parent/Student Handbook; the semi-annual review of closed session meeting minutes from June 2019 through November 2019, including the release of June 19, 2019 minutes of the Collective Bargaining Committee closed meeting for public record; the semi-annual review and destruction of verbatim recordings of closed session meetings from February 2018 through July 2018; a resolution to authorize the preparation of the fiscal year 2021 tentative budget; and a second reading of Board policy updates.

The Board pulled the 2020-2021 school calendar from the consent agenda. It discussed starting a week after Lincoln-Way High School District 210, on August 19 rather than August 26. Zinni said it was the recommendation of the Calendar Committee to start later, as District 210’s start date felt too early. Lutz said she was concerned about families who rely on high school students for childcare being at a disadvantage that week. Briese, Kociolek and Board Vice President Brett Cosich said they would side with the recommendations of the Calendar Committee. Board Member Michael Bouck said he prefers a later start date, but he can understand childcare concerns. Zinni said this is a contract negotiation year, so she recommended tabling the vote on the calendar to the next meeting so the Board could review recommendations to professional development days.

The Board took action to table a vote on the 2020-2021 school calendar until the February meeting.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting at 9:07 p.m. and entered into Closed Session at 9:12 p.m. for the purposes of personnel matters, student matters, pending litigation and collective bargaining.

The Board adjourned Closed Session at 10:20 p.m. and adjourned the regular meeting at 10:21 p.m.

The next regular District 157-C Board of Education meeting will be held on February 19, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office, 10482 W. Nebraska St. in Frankfort, Illinois.

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