The Leland Community Unified School District 1 Board of Education met Sept. 21 to approve the 2017 budget.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:
LELAND COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.1 BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET AMENDMENT HEARING & REGULAR MEETING CONFERENCE ROOM – 370 NORTH MAIN STREET, LELAND, IL 60531 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 7:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
President Plote called the Budget Amendment Hearing to order at 7:30 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Plote, Anderson, Crissip, Todd, Kinney, and Riskedal. Absent: Wold
Also in attendance were Administrators Jodi Moore and Chris Bickel, District Bookkeeper Jason Zaleski, and Recording Secretary Andrea Niles.
President Plote welcomed Chris Bland, Michelle Scheller, Cathy Brown, Melissa Aviles, and Stu Bloom.
2. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC HEARING OF PROPOSED AMENDED FY 2016 BUDGET Mrs. Moore reported there were a few coding changes in the budgeting software this year. There are a few highlights from the proposed 2016-2017 budget. The beginning fund balance on 7/1/2016 was $2,908,054. The projected budget calls for a fund balance of $2,944,155. We will not be spending in the red this year. The most conservative approach to a budget is to underestimate the revenue and overestimate expenditures.
A summary of District revenues is as follows:
Federal Revenue is $34,000 or just less than 4% of total revenue. State Revenue is $319,000 which is approximately just under 12% of total revenue. Local Revenue is $1,879,075 from property taxes and $160,140 from other local fees which total more than 85% of total District revenue.
According to the State, the cost to educate one student is $9,000/student. What we actually receive is closer to $6,000/student. However, general state aid is only about $700-$800/student.
One other thing Mrs. Moore made note of is that we do not meet the Administrative Cost Cap.
She said the bottom line is we have a proposed balanced budget for FY 2016-2017. 4. ADJOURNMENT TO REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Anderson moved, and Riskedal seconded the motion to adjourn the Budget Amendment Hearing at 7:42p.m.
On a 6-0 voice vote, the motion carried.
5. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL OF REGULAR MEETING
President Plote called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:43pm.
Present: Plote, Anderson, Crissip, Todd, Kinney, and Riskedal. Absent: Wold
Also in attendance were Administrators Jodi Moore and Chris Bickel, District Bookkeeper Jason Zaleski, and Recording Secretary Andrea Niles.
Visitors included Chris Bland, Michelle Scheller, Cathy Brown, Melissa Aviles, and Stu Bloom.
6. BOARD SALUTES
Salutes include the following: Anderson salutes Mrs. Moore and Mr. Bickel for doing a nice job with BackPack Night and the School Open House; she also salutes Pioneer State Bank for sponsoring this year’s Grandparent’s Day luncheon, and Andy Wold and the LYAA team for the Golf Outing fundraiser. She said it was nice to see so many school employees showing support to our youth athletic program. Kinney mirrored the salute to Wold and LYAA, he thought it was a well-planned, fun evening. Riskedal salutes Mrs. Moore for all her diligence and work on the legislative side of things. She has been doing a great job following up and reporting to the Board what’s been going on. Bickel salutes Andrea Niles and Kirsten Sweeney for Homecoming Week. Moore salutes Jason Zaleski for doing good work through the recent audit and preparing the 2016-2017 budget.
7. OPEN FORUM
None at this time.
8. INTRODUCTION OF NEW TEACHERS
Mrs. Moore welcomed Cathy Brown to the meeting. This item needs to be put on next month’s agenda. The official invite to new teachers did not get sent.
9. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Riskedal moved, and Kinney seconded the motion to approve the consent agenda as follows:
9.1 Regular Meeting Minutes for Open and Closed sessions – August 17, 2016. 9.2 Monthly Bills for August and September as presented. 9.3 Investment Update Report. Mr. Zaleski reported August interest on investments was pretty minimal. He attached the report. Two CD’s will be maturing one in November 2016 and one in December 2016. Crissip inquired if it would be smarter to pay off debt with the investments since they are earning so little interest. Mrs. Moore said the auditors have not recommended that. She and Mr. Zaleski will look into the option.
Ayes: Todd, Kinney, Riskedal, Anderson, Crissip and Plote. Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
10. APPROVAL OF FY 2017 BUDGET
Riskedal moved, and Anderson seconded the motion to approve the FY 2017 Budget.
Mrs. Moore attached the budget as it will be submitted to ISBE, the Counties, and the auditor. She explained the state revenues have been reduced in the budget to reflect the likelihood of the state underfunding education following November’s election. She gave a brief description of each of the nine accounting funds to help erase any questions from the Board. The first quarter budget report will be presented in more detail at the October regular meeting. The levy for FY 2018 will be discussed at the November regular meeting.
Ayes: Kinney, Riskedal, Anderson, Crissip, Todd and Plote. Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
11. APPOVAL RESOLUTION TO REAUTHORIZE PARTICIPATION IN ILLINOIS SCHOOL DISTRICT LIQUID ASSET FUND PLUS
Anderson moved, and Riskedal seconded the motion to adopt an updated resolution authorizing the District’s participation in PMA.
PMA Financial Network handles the Illinois School District Liquid Asset Fund (ISDLAF) as well as offering other financial services. A representative met with Mrs. Moore & Mr. Zaleski to go over the District’s investments and how PMA’s services could be beneficial to Leland CUSD1. We currently have two 12-month CDs, one 6-month CD, a liquid balance in a money market account, and another small MAX fund that is accessible in 10 business days.
The PMA representative requested an update of the 2010 resolution.
Ayes: Riskedal, Anderson, Crissip, Todd, Kinney, and Plote. Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
12. APPROVE CLOSING OF INACTIVE ACTIVITY ACCOUNTS
Kinney moved, and Riskedal seconded the motion to approve closing the following inactive activity accounts: Book Fair, Jr. High Student Council, Soil & Water Grant, Bricks, Class of 2012, Class of 2013, High School Field Trips, Life Skills.
Mrs. Moore said there is a District policy that activity accounts that are dormant for more than one year are to be inactivated/closed and that remaining funds are to be transferred to an activity account with a like purpose. Her recommendations for reallocating the inactive activity funds are:
Inactive Account Balance Last Active Date Similar Account Book Fair $470.79 2013 Hamer-Book Club JH Student Council $1,016.37 6/2013 HS Student Council Soil & Water Grant $56.91 n/a Green Club Bricks $135 2011 Building Fund for Brick repair Class of 2012 $278.12 n/a Purchase classroom projectors Class of 2013 $497.89 n/a Purchase classroom projectors HS Field Trips $16 2010 Schmitt-Children in Need Fund Life Skills $100 2011 Building Contingency Fund (Box
Tops for Education/Playground /Recess equipment) HS Volleyball $2.45 2015 Keeping active – reminding AD
Ayes: Anderson, Crissip, Todd, Kinney, Riskedal and Plote. Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
13. APPROVAL OF ESTABLISHMENT OF IMPREST FUND STANDARD BALANCE
Riskedal moved, and Anderson seconded the motion to approve a standard balance amount of $5,500 to be maintained in the District Imprest Fund.
The Imprest Fund is used to write checks that are needed immediately without prior specific Board approval as a bill payable. The expenditures are reported to the Board each month, and when approved, the Imprest account is reimbursed from the proper fund.
Examples of Imprest checks would be athletic officials or impromptu vehicle repairs. Once these are approved the Imprest fund would be reimbursed from Education fund account 10-1500-319 and Transportation fund account 20-2550-323, respectively.
The auditor found no concerns with these procedures, but did recommend setting a standard balance specified as approved by the board. Mr. Zaleski reported a reasonable amount would be between $5,000 and $6,000.
Ayes: Crissip, Todd, Kinney, Riskedal, Wold, Anderson and Plote. Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
14. APPROVE THE 2ND READING OF POLICIES 2:70, 6:100, 7:270, 7:340, AND 8:110
Anderson moved, and Kinney seconded the motion approve the 2nd reading of the policies 2:70, 6:100, 7:270, 7:340, 8:110.
Mrs. Moore provided the properly formatted version of each policy. The online policies have been cleaned up to streamline the information to strictly policies. Administration has hard copy binders with all policies, including the Administrative Practices and Exhibits in each office.
Ayes: Todd, Kinney, Riskedal, Wold, Anderson, Crissip, and Plote. Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
15. APPROVE RENEWAL OF DISTRICT PROVIDED EMPLOYEE INSURANCE PLAN
Riskedal moved, and Anderson seconded the motion to approve Humana as the provider for the District provided medical insurance plan.
October 1st is the plan renewal date. Initial feedback was showing a 20%-40% increase on premium costs from Blue Cross, and a 13.15% increase from Humana. After negotiating, the increase is 10.89%. In addition, by offering an option to participate in a vision health plan through Humana the rate renewal increase for medical coverage would drop to 8.63%. A minimum of 10 staff members needed to participate in the vision plan. We had 14 staff members sign up for it. Employees do not need to be a member of the medical insurance plan in order to participate in the vision plan. There are no increased costs to the District for the vision plan.
The dental plan is locked in a 2-year premium rate, no renewal necessary at this time.
Ayes: Kinney, Riskedal, Wold, Anderson, Crissip and Plote. Nays: none MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
16. APPROVAL OF AFLAC AS A SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PROVIDER
Kinney moved, and Anderson seconded the motion to approve Aflac as the District offered supplemental insurance provider.
Aflac can be offered at a lower rate to employees of a participating collective entity such as a school district. All options and premium costs are at the discretion of each employee. Premiums are eligible for pre-tax deduction from paychecks. There is no additional responsibility or contractual agreement on the part of the District.
Ayes: Riskedal, Wold, Anderson, Crissip, Kinney and Plote. Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
17. APPROVAL OF TEN YEAR LIFE/SAFETY SURVEY OF CIRCUIT BREAKER SCHOOL
Riskedal moved, and Kinney seconded the motion to approve the 10-year Health Life/Safety inspection report for Circuit Breaker School.
LEASE provides the option to service students at Circuit Breaker School, which is housed in a facility separate from any other public school system buildings. As LEASE is governed by a cooperative joint agreement, it is necessary for each member district to obtain approval from their board for the survey. Mrs. Moore attached the information regarding the survey. All member District Boards must approve the survey.
Ayes: Anderson, Crissip, Todd, Kinney, Riskedal and Plote. Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
18. APPROVAL TO POST SNOW REMOVAL BIDS
Anderson moved, and Riskedal seconded the motion to approve the posting of snow removal bids.
Bid requests will be posted in September and the Board should be able to accept a bid at the October regular meeting.
Ayes: Anderson, Crissip, Kinney, Riskedal and Plote. Nays: Wold
On a 6-0 voice vote, motion carried.
19. APPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATION REPORT
Anderson moved, and Riskedal seconded the motion to approve the Administration Report as given by Mr. Bickel.
Mr. Bickel reported his new Renaissance Program is up and running. He indicated he would like this group to be 100% student driven. He is there to encourage students to think and plan for themselves. The group is open to any high school student that wants to help create and promote a positive school environment. The current group has identified two goals for the year: a) To create one additional club by the end of the first semester b) To increase the number of participants involved in extracurricular activities in school by 5% by the end of the school year. Currently 52% of our high school students participate in at least one school related extracurricular activity.
Mr. Bickel attached the schedule for Homecoming Week 2016. There was some discussion on moving the parade. Some felt it was too early in the day for working parents. It was explained about needing to get two parades in before the Homecoming soccer game on Friday night (one in Leland and one in Earlville).
Benchmark assessments are given three times throughout the school year, Mr. Bickel reported. He explained the scores from the tests are used along with teacher observation, and classroom assessments for each student to determine if students’ educational needs are being met or if intervention is required. Grades K-2 use an Aims Web assessment, while grades 1-10 use MAP testing. These are computer based assessments in math, reading, and language arts.
According to Mr. Bickel the new breakfast program is running with few problems. He attached daily breakdowns at each school level for the number of students participating in the program. He feels the program is doing exactly what it’s intended to do. K-5 is averaging 40-50 meals/day; 6-8 averaging less than 10 per day, and right around a dozen high school students take advantage of the program each day.
Mr. Bickel approached the local PTO group, Community in Action, about joining with the Leland Foundation for Excellence in Education. The two groups have similar goals and could benefit each other. Currently the Foundation has 501c3 status, whereas the PTO does not. The PTO will help with certain fundraising activities, such as selling SCRIP cards.
Mr. Bickel is currently pricing new marquee signs for the front of the school. One current bid on a digital sign is $11,500. He also inquired about the Board’s consensus on what they would like to see happen with the grounds behind the school, in regards to baseball/softball fields, the soccer field, scoreboards, maintenance, etc. Anderson thought a more formal relationship needs to exist with LYAA for maintaining the ball fields. Riskedal agreed, but feels the year-round maintenance is too much for LYAA to handle. Mrs. Moore feels there’s a ‘handshake agreement’ with FFA Alumni for grounds maintenance, and wondered if that needed to be explored more. Kinney offered his equipment for much of the maintenance. Currently the District does not put any funds into maintaining the grounds behind the school aside from basic mowing. Mr. Bickel would like more direction from the Board on where to head with developing some sort of maintenance plan.
On a 6-0 voice vote, motion carried.
20. DISCUSSION OF CLASS OF 2011 ACTIVITY ACCOUNT
Mrs. Moore reported in the spring of 2015 it was brought to the attention of the Administration and the Board that a CD had been opened at NB&T in 2011 with funds from the activity account of the Class of 2011. The check for deposit was signed by the Superintendent. There is no recorded Board action to address the situation which does not follow district policy. Class member Darren Riskedal was listed on the CD along with class sponsors Conni Anderson and Brenda Musich. Darren was contacted and said the funds were put in a CD to cover the costs of a 5-year class reunion. In March of 2015 when it was brought to the Board’s attention, they voted to temporarily reinstate the Class of 2011 activity account for this purpose. The District treasurer was to be listed as the custodian of the account, and Darren Riskedal as the authorized individual who may submit requisitions to the District to draw from the account for the purpose of paying for the reunion. The account is scheduled to be closed at this year per Board policy.
Morgan Musich, member of Class of 2011, recently requested an extension of the activity account since no plans for a reunion have been made. The value of the CD is about $1,500. Mrs. Moore feels since the Class does not have any plans for a reunion, the account should be deactivated, per Board policy. This will be an agenda item at next month’s regular meeting.
21. DISCUSSION OF BOARD EMAILS
Mrs. Moore shared an e-mail that was sent to the Board expressing concern for the welfare of the Kelly Miller Circus animals. She responded to Ms. Myers and thanked her for taking the time to communicate her concerns.
22. DISCUSSION OF TEN YEAR HEALTH LIFE/SAFETY SURVEY
The survey had not been sent at the time Board packet materials were prepared. It was received before the Board meeting, and Mrs. Moore went over a few key points from it. It will be listed as an action item on the October regular meeting agenda. The annual facility and grounds walk through will also be in October. In order to use funds for health life/safety, the items must be architect approved.
Two urgent items listed on the survey included the CO detectors (item # 23) and Media Center roof leaking (item #24). Item #25, replacing the walk-in freezer/cooler is recommended.
23. DISCUSSION OF WATER TESTING
The Board had previously expressed concern over the recent media attention on the safety of drinking fountains in aging structures, such as school buildings. Testing of our water was not part of the 10 year Health Life/Safety inspection. TEST Inc. from Peru was contacted to conduct testing of the fountains. TEST Inc. is accredited by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The lab tested copper and lead levels on July 25, 2016 from five samples collected throughout the building. No samples contained unacceptable levels of lead or copper. The Consumer Confidence Report states our water is safe.
24. DISCUSSION OF IASB REGIONAL DIVISION DINNER MEETING
Mrs. Moore and Mr. Riskedal attended the meeting on September 15th. Not all candidate that were listed to be there, showed up. An overall consensus from the meeting is that politicians are realizing that a freeze of property taxes would bring home owners much needed relief, but there still needs to be an identified revenue stream for the State to offset that loss to schools and municipalities. Mrs. Moore feels some candidates are more informed and had clear, specific responses on their positions of school funding, property taxes, and the pension shift.
25. DISCUSSION OF IVVC OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 22 is the Indian Valley Vocation Center open house from 5:30-7:30. Board members are all encouraged to attend.
26. DISCUSSION OF CONSOLIDATION FEASIBILITY STUDY
There have been no new conversations regarding this topic.
27. EXECUTIVE SESSION Riskedal moved, and Kinney seconded the motion to go into executive session to discuss matters related to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
Ayes: Crissip, Todd, Kinney, Riskedal, Wold, Anderson and Plote. Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
Prior to entering closed session, Mrs. Moore reminded Board members Todd, Crissip, and Plote seats are up for re-election for four year terms. This year packets must be picked up at the County Clerk’s office. The petitions are due December 19th. The meeting entered closed session at 8:52 p.m.
28. APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEM(S) RESULTING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Riskedal moved, and Todd seconded the motion to approve the paraprofessional position and Tanya Christiansen to fill the position.
Ayes: Crissip, Kinney, Riskedal, Todd, Anderson, and Plote Nays: none
MOTION CARRIED on 6-0 vote.
29. ADJOURNMENT
Riskedal moved, and Kinney seconded the motion to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 9:32pm.
___________________________ ___________________________
Janet Plote, President Claire Anderson, Secretary
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