Bureau Valley Community Unified School District 340 Board of Education met Nov. 25

Duane Price, High School Principal | Show Local News Network Website

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Dec 20, 2024

Bureau Valley Community Unified School District 340 Board of Education met Nov. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Determining that a quorum was present, President Yepsen then called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 pm and directed the Secretary to call the roll.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Blackert, Johnson, Olds, VanLanduit, Yepsen

ABSENT: Trujillo, Wiggim

Mr. Stabler shared the District's School Report Card results, highlighting the exceptional performance of our schools. Bureau Valley High School, Bureau Valley Walnut, and Bureau Valley Wyanet earned a Commendable rating, while Bureau Valley Elementary/Junior High achieved an Exemplary rating for the second consecutive year. These achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of our students and the unwavering commitment of our staff to continuous improvement. Bureau Valley takes great pride in the accomplishments of our school community.

Six talented students from the BVHS Drama Department—Jax Glenn, Justin Moon, Esther Kalaap, Reese Faber, Autumn Hamilton, and Lexi Butler—performed a beautiful rendition of “In My Life” by The Beatles. These students recently wrapped up their fall performance of “Gathering Blue,” which included a remarkable cast and crew of 36 students. In addition to their artistic achievements, Mr. Daniel Trone, BVHS Drama Sponsor, led an effort to collect $578, which was generously donated to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The Drama Department continues to thrive under Mr. Trone’s dedicated leadership and the hard work of his exceptional students.

There was no public comment.

It was moved by Olds and seconded by Blackert to enter into executive session at 6:10 p.m. for 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; Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; Student disciplinary cases and other matters related to individual students; and Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Blackert, Johnson, Olds, VanLanduit, Yepsen

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED 5-0-2 Absent

It was moved by VanLanduit and seconded by Olds to close the executive session at 6:30 p.m. and return to open session.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Blackert, Johnson, Olds, VanLanduit, Yepsen

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED 5-0-2 Absent

ROLL CALL IN OPEN SESSION

PRESENT: Blackert, Johnson, Olds, VanLanduit, Yepsen

ABSENT: Trujillo, Wiggim

After executive session, the Board reviewed the Principal and Director reports. Mr. Duane Price shared that he and Mrs. Aimee Stoller are actively working on the new state-mandated CTE Pathways. A nursing pathway plan has already been submitted to the state, and Mr. Price will provide additional details on this initiative at the December board meeting.

Mr. Philip Przybyla reported that the winter sports season is underway. Bureau Valley recently hosted a girls' basketball tournament, and the boys' basketball team is currently competing in the Wally Keller Tournament at Wethersfield High School.

It was moved by Olds and seconded by VanLanduit to approve the consent agenda items:

1. Regular Meeting Minutes of October 23, 2024

2. School Activity Account Reports

3. Monthly Financial and Treasurer’s Reports

4. Bureau Valley #340 Bills (Total Bills = $1,283,726.14 ; Total Payroll = $938,969.48)

5. Approve Operations & Maintenance/Transportation Repair/Upgrade Proposals (none)

6. Seniority Lists

7. Treasurer’s Bond

8. Treasurer’s Bond for Working Cash Bonds

ROLL CALL

AYES: Blackert, Johnson, Olds, VanLanduit, Yepsen

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED 5-0-2 Absent

Mr. Stabler reviewed the timeline for the annual tax levy process, noting that the final levy must be filed with each county by December 31st. Key factors to consider when preparing the levy include the growth in the equalized assessed valuation (EAV), district budget projections, the impact on taxpayers, and the current fund balances. The Board reviewed and discussed the fund balances as of June 30, 2024: Education Fund - $7,461,644, Operations & Maintenance Fund - $4,313,467, Debt Services - $174,886, Transportation - $1,141,242, IMRF/Social Security - $731,776, Capital Projects - $0, Working Cash - $2,480,612, Tort - $589,775, Safety - $468,807.

The Transportation Fund balance includes a transfer from Working Cash. The district continues to experience a decline in transportation funding, even as equipment costs steadily increase.

Despite the decrease in enrollment, our buses still operate on similar routes as they have for years, now serving fewer students while incurring comparable expenses. While enrollment has declined, the district continues to face increasing student needs, requiring additional supports and resources to meet these demands.

The proposed tax rate is projected to decrease for the sixth consecutive year, despite an anticipated assessed valuation increase of approximately 7.6% for 2025. This increase in assessed valuation will result in an estimated 8.5% rise in the tax levy compared to the previous year; however, the actual tax rate will still decrease.

Mr. Stabler provided an example of a home valued at $100,000; the amount of taxes owed would decrease unless the home’s equalized assessed valuation (EAV) increased. While Bureau Valley’s tax rate continues to decline, the school district does not have control over changes to individual property values. Some residents have experienced significant increases in their EAV,

which can affect their property tax bills.

The District will hold a Truth in Taxation hearing during the December board meeting to provide

further details and transparency regarding the levy. It was moved by Blackert and seconded by

Olds to approve the tentative 2024 levy as presented.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Blackert, Johnson, Olds, VanLanduit, Yepsen

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED 5-0-2 Absent

During a recent Health Life Safety review, it was suggested that the district repair the Fire Lane at the Wyanet Elementary. The School Maintenance Grant money will be used to offset the cost of the repairs. It was moved by VanLanduit and seconded by Blackert to approve the school maintenance grant as presented.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Blackert, Johnson, Olds, VanLanduit, Yepsen

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED 5-0-2 Absent

It was moved by VanLanduit and seconded by Olds to approve and retain the executive session meeting minutes of October 23, 2024.