Board RECAP

The District 211 Board of Education met Thursday, December 14, 2023, in the Board Room of the G.A. McElroy Administration Center. The following is a recap of key items acted upon and reviewed.

Schaumburg High School – Twelve-Month Assistant Principal

Kendra Letzel has been appointed a 12-month assistant principal at Schaumburg High School. She currently serves as a 10-month assistant principal at Schaumburg, a position she has held for the past two years. Kendra began her career as a math teacher in District 214 in 1997. In 2002, she took a position as a math teacher at Schaumburg High School. During the 2021-2022 school year, she served as dean of students at Schaumburg High School. A Schaumburg graduate, Kendra received her bachelor’s in the teaching of mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She earned her master’s degree in math education from DePaul University and is working toward a doctorate in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Fremd High School – Building and Grounds Manager

James Herron has been appointed Buildings and Grounds Manager at Fremd High School. James began his career working in construction, including owning his own business. From 1993-2003, he served in multiple positions in District 15 in Palatine, including central distribution, maintenance and grounds technician, head custodian, purchasing officer and transportation and inventory facilitator. From 2003 to 2014, James ran his own trucking business before returning to Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 as facilities manager. In 2016, he was promoted to head of maintenance in District 200. In 2020, he took a position in District 214 as central operations supervisor until moving to District 102 in Buffalo Grove.

Students who earned honors in statewide competition received Board of Education recognition.

Palatine High School
IHSA State Swimming Competition
Presenter Katie Mroz
Yugene Shin: 7th place, 100 Backstroke

William Fremd High School

IHSA 3A State Cross Country Competition
Presenter Matt Zaluckyj
Rory Gaan 9th place

IHSA State Swimming Competition
Presenter Andrew Kittrell

Anna Hinshaw 15th Place, 200 Medley Relay; 11th Place, 400 Free Relay
Ellie Patla 11th Place, 200 Freestyle; 11th Place, 400 Free Relay
Kate Berls 15th Place, 200 Medley Relay; 11th Place, 400 Free Relay
Noora Nahlawi 15th Place, 200 Medley Relay; 10th Place, 100 Breaststroke
Que Genet 3rd Place, Diving
Katie Kuehn 1st Place, 50 Freestyle; 2nd Place, 100 Freestyle; 11th Place, 400 Free Relay;
15th Place, 200 Medley

Schaumburg High School

IHSA State Swimming Competition
Presenter Timothy O’Grady

Zuzanna Krasnicki 6th Place, 50 Freestyle; 10th Place, 100 Freestyle

The Board also honored William Fremd High School student Aditya Gupta for achieving a perfect score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Only about 300 of the nearly 2 million test-takers nationally earn a perfect score. He is the 16th in District 211 since 1998.

Pursuant to the Truth in Taxation Law, the Board published notice and held a public hearing on the 2023 levy. The proposed levy, excluding the Debt Service Fund, is $264,640,400. This represents a total increase of 5.3 percent over the 2022 aggregate levy extension.

The Board later approved the levy as presented, and additionally approved a resolution reinstating the loss and cost factor following its waiver the prior two levy years. This ensures the District receives the intended levy amount, and adds 3 percent to levies to offset unpaid taxes due to delinquencies and foreclosures. Finally, the Board approved a resolution abating 100 percent of the 2023 recapture real estate tax levy amount, as it has the previous two levy years.

Full information is available here.

District 211 is committed to preparing students for their future. The District strives to build academic growth, college and career readiness, student involvement, global competitive skills and wellness in all future graduates. These form the foundation of our District 211 Strategic Plan, which outlines the priorities, goals, strategies and targets to drive innovative progress over the next five years. A benchmark of the Plan is to continue to recruit, develop and maintain excellent staff. Mr. Kurt Tenopir, assistant superintendent for administrative services, and Dr. Jim Britton, Director of Human Resources, presented on the District’s progress.

View the presentation here.

The Board approved the minutes of its November 9, 2023 meeting.

The Board formally accepted the donations of a 2003 Nissan Altima for use by the automotive classes at Schaumburg High School; $1,000 from Emerson & Elder, P.C. in support of the Cougars in Need program at James B. Conant High School; $2,751.15 from William L. Gill for press box flooring at William Fremd High School; $1,000 from Prospect Electric for the Blessings in a Backpack and Magic Closet programs at Schaumburg High School; and 95 jackets and pairs of gloves from the Residential Home Builders Alliance, Residential Construction Employers Council and MidAmerica Carpenters Regional Council for the Building Construction program.

The Illinois School Code and District 211’s adopted policy require an annual audit by independent certified public accountants. The firm of Baker Tilly U.S., LLP conducted the audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board encourages every governmental entity, including school districts, to prepare and publish an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The ACFR serves as the District's official annual financial report and contains introductory information, schedules necessary to demonstrate compliance with finance-related legal and contractual provisions, and statistical data. The ACFR is posted annually on the District website. The ACFR was prepared by professionals in the District’s Business Department and reviewed by Baker Tilly US, LLP.

VIew the ACFR here.

In 2008, District 211 adopted an operating fund balance policy to ensure the District would maintain adequate fund balance levels for operational and financial planning purposes.

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) provides guidance to differentiate the planned or obligated use of reserve funds through the following categories: 1. Non-spendable Funds: Funds may be “non-spendable” in nature, such as our building construction assets, and are therefore removed from fund balance calculations. 2. Restricted Funds: Funds may be protected for a specific purpose according to the Fund in which they are held. 3. Committed Funds: Funds may be “committed” by the Board for a specific purpose through formal action. 4. Assigned Funds: Funds may be “assigned” by the Chief Business Official or Treasurer for a specific purpose. 5. Unassigned Funds: Funds that have not been committed, assigned or designated as nonspendable are designated as “unassigned.” These are discretionary.

The District maintains a fund balance for several defined purposes, providing financial flexibility and stability for future financial needs. As of June 30, 2023, the District’s total operating fund balance was approximately $165.7 million. After categorizing funds designated as committed and non-spendable, approximately 19% of the District’s following year’s operating expenditures remain available for future discretionary, unspecified use.

The Board reviewed additional information regarding the fund balance as part of an ongoing effort to regularly communicate information regarding the District’s financial position.

View full details here.

The District has a longstanding practice of prioritizing clear and transparent communication about finances in partnership with the community. The District regularly publishes extensive financial information, and in an attempt to help make this information accessible to our general community, the Board established a commitment to produce a Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) beginning with the 2016-2017 fiscal year financial reports. The PAFR is an unaudited financial publication presenting financial information that has recently been audited by the District’s accounting firm of Baker Tilly US, LLP Certified Public Accountants.

The Board reviewed the PAFR, which can be seen here.

Each year, the Board establishes student fees for textbooks and instructional supplies, driver education behind-the wheel course, student parking, transportation, school breakfast and lunch, and summer school. The Board received an overview of fees for the current year. Recommended student fees for next school year will be presented at the January 25 meeting.

Full details are available here.

At its May 12, 2022 meeting, the Board approved administration to engage its architects and engineers to prepare design and specifications for auditorium improvements in five schools and to bid and present the project improvements to the Board for consideration in future meetings.

Bids for auditorium improvements for Hoffman Estates High School were presented for consideration, with construction scheduled for completion in Summer 2024. The scope of improvements includes improved ADA access for performers and spectators, new theater and stage lighting systems, replacement of existing curtains and stage flooring, new carpeting, dressing rooms, miscellaneous design and life-cycle replacements and associated HVAC equipment replacement.

View the document here.

At its May 12, 2022 meeting, the Board approved administration to engage its architects and engineers to prepare design and specifications for the addition of air conditioning in the applied technology classrooms in the remaining four schools and to bid and present the project improvements to the Board in future meetings over the next several years.

The cooling of applied technology classrooms at Palatine High School and Conant High School have been completed, and all applied technology classrooms at Hoffman Estates High School are currently cooled. Replacement of the necessary HVAC equipment and improvement to our existing infrastructure to allow cooling to be routed to these instructional spaces at Schaumburg High School and William Fremd High School is recommended for completion in summer 2024.

Additionally, art department renovations at William Fremd High School are being recommended for completion in summer 2024. The art department modifications align with recent curriculum changes and include a rework of classroom space to provide additional digital lab spaces, multi-use classroom spaces, a dedicated location for video and audio recording, and relocation of office spaces to provide a more cohesive workflow between classroom spaces. The new design also enhances safety and security features through modified door locations.

View the document here.

Dish Wireless is a public utility whose facilities and operations are licensed and regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Dish has submitted a proposal to enter into a sublease agreement with District 211 to utilize the existing monopole located at Hoffman Estates High School under the lease agreement held with Crown Castle adopted on March 16, 2001. Dish agrees to pay District 211 a total of $412,309 for the remainder of the current lease agreement. Lease payments of $2,200 will be paid on a monthly basis and increased by 3% annually for the duration of the agreement. As part of the agreements, Dish will construct an equipment shelter encompassing near the base of the southeast monopole designed to match existing structures and complement surroundings.

The Board approved the Superintendent or designee to enter into the site lease amendment agreement with Dish Wireless, L.L.C. to add an additional antennae to the existing tower and a shelter at Hoffman Estates High School. The Board also approved the lease payment of $2,200 per month with an annual escalation of 3% through the agreement, expiring March 15, 2036.

Full details are here.

Professional learning is a link between design and implementation of educational trends and effective practices that ultimately lead to extraordinary opportunities, innovative teaching and exceptional learning. District 211 develops and implements a variety of opportunities to support and sustain teacher learning in a culture of continual improvement. Educators who participate in professional learning opportunities can put their newly acquired knowledge, skills and practices to work in order to impact the students’ learning experiences. District 211 staff have the opportunity to participate in professional learning opportunities offered by outside institutions or organizations and by the District through opportunities such as in-district courses. In-district courses are taught by District 211 faculty to District 211 faculty. In-district courses are offered in one of three formats: traditional, blended or online.

The Board reviewed and approved in-district courses to be offered beginning spring semester.

A full list with descriptions is available here.

The establishment of a regular time and place must be done annually at the beginning of each calendar or fiscal year. After a time and place have been properly established, additional public notice is not necessary, unless the meeting time, place or date is changed. The Board approved the proposed meeting schedule, which calls for meetings Thursday, July 18, 2024; Thursday, August 15, 2024; Thursday, September 19, 2024; Thursday, October 17, 2024; Thursday, November 14, 2024; Thursday, December 12, 2024; Thursday, January 23, 2025; Thursday, February 20, 2025; Thursday, March 20, 2025; Thursday, April 24, 2025; Thursday, May 15, 2025; and Thursday, June 12, 2025.

The meetings will be held in the G.A. McElroy Administration Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. for closed session and 7:30 p.m. for open session.

The Board reviewed two new policies and the proposed revisions for seven others.

No action was taken.

In all cases, the policies were first reviewed by the Administrative Board Policy Group comprising Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Joshua Schumacher, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services Kurt Tenopir, Director of Administrative Services Matt Hildebrand and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion LaShaunda Sandifer.

More information on each is below.

Proposed New Policy: BCBB Board Member Development

Proposed Policy Revision: JHCD: Medication Administration in Schools

Proposed Policy Revision: JHCB Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management

Proposed Policy Revision: IGAA Student Social and Emotional Development

Proposed Policy Revision: EFB Free and Reduced-Price Meal Service

Proposed Policy Revision: ICA School Calendar

Proposed Policy Revision: GBL Personnel Records

Proposed Policy Revision: DIF/IGDG Student Activities, Trust and Agency, and Convenience Funds Management

Proposed New Policy: FC Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds

The Board approved the Pre-Approval Form for Future Expense Reimbursement for Steven Rosenblum to attend the ED-RED Legislative Dinner Meeting on January 29, 2024; and for Anna Klimkowicz to attend the Consortium of State School Boards Association (COSSBA) Conference, February 22-25, 2024 as submitted.

The next scheduled regular Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, with closed session beginning at 6:30 p.m. and recognitions beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Anne Koller Board Meeting Room at the G.A. McElroy Administration Center.