Across the Board in D303

Recommendations during Committee meetings go to the full Board for consideration, with final action taken during future Regular or Special meetings. This issue of Across the Board provides summaries from the following meetings:

• October 28 Business Services Committee
• October 21 Learning and Teaching Committee

Meeting memos, presentations and other documents in BoardDocs

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Agenda items for Board discussion. There is no action taken at this time.

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This summary combines both agenda items for the Mid Valley financial and District 303 financial agenda items.

Administration continually monitors the actual revenues and expenditures for Mid Valley and District 303 throughout the fiscal year, and reports them to the Board on a monthly basis.

• Mid Valley: Revenue received to date is higher than at this time last year, and expenditures are similar. There are no areas of concern at this time.
• District 303: At this early point in the fiscal year revenue and expenditure trends cannot be identified, with the exception of salary and benefit expenditures, which follow a similar pattern every year.
  

Recommendations: Administration recommends that the Board accepts the Mid Valley and CUSD 303 Financial Reports as presented.

Background

District 303 administration partnered with a demographer, RSP & Associates, to conduct a thorough analysis of current and future student enrollment projections, building space capacities and utilization, demographics breakdown, and to create minimum space standards for our buildings. In February 2024, the Board approved new attendance area boundaries for our elementary and middle schools in an effort to balance enrollment so each building is utilized efficiently and works within its functional capacity.

Discussion

Administration provided an update on current District 303 enrollment, including:

• Current enrollment by school compared with the 2023-2024 school year
• A comparison between current enrollment and RSP projections
• A comparison of each building’s current space utilization to the 2023-2024 functional capacities

Overall, enrollment at the elementary level is slightly higher than RSP's projections, while overall enrollment at the middle and high school levels is slightly lower than RSP's projections.

Recommendation: This agenda item is for discussion only. There are no recommendations at this time.

Background

Annually the District sets a tax levy, which provides the District with more than 80% of its total revenue. The setting of the annual tax levy is governed by The Truth in Taxation Law, School Code, Property Tax Code, and Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL). Each of these laws has specific requirements that must be followed, or a District’s tax levy could be subject to legal challenge.

Discussion

Similar to previous years, the Board engaged in a workshop at the Business Services meeting to review the process and details associated with the annual tax levy. This included discussions on the following:

• The Tax levy calendar began in March with the introduction of five-year budget projections.
• A 3.4% tax levy increase was included as part of the 2025 approved budget.
• Adoption of the District's budget (September 2024) is the approval of expenses.
• Adoption of the levy (December 2024) is the approval of the revenue to pay for those expense.
• 50% of tax levy contributes to FY25 budget, and 50% to FY26 budget.
• Over 80% of the District's revenue comes from residential property tax, with the remaining revenue from commercial, industrial and farm tax.
• School district adopts a levy request in whole dollars, and Kane County calculates the tax rate.
• The District will update its online FAQ document on the tax levy process, located on the Business Services webpage.

Background

The Truth in Taxation Act requires that at least 20 days prior to the adoption of the levy, the School Board must estimate the aggregate levy for the year through a Board motion or resolution. School code and property tax code require that the final levy be adopted and filed with the County Clerks on or before the last Tuesday in December.

Discussion

The tax levy approval timeline is as follows:

• November 11, 2024 - Resolution to estimate the levy.
• December 9, 2024 - Adopt the 2024 tax levy. This meeting include an abridged presentation, public hearing and then the action item to adopt the levy.
• December 31, 2024 File the levy with the County Clerk.

Recommendation: District 303 Administration recommends that the School Board accept the tentative tax levy for 2024, as outlined in the attached resolution.

Background

The Illinois School Code provides that school districts may charge a fee, not to exceed $50, for participation in the driver education behind-the-wheel course. Since 2011, District 303 has received approval from the Illinois General Assembly for a waiver to charge a fee up to an amount $400.

Discussion

Operation costs continue to increase due to personnel, auto insurance and vehicle maintenance. In 2023-2024 the direct per-student cost was $723.67. A waiver to the state will set the driver's education fee through 2030, and Administration is recommending a fee of $600, less than the per-student costs. This fee amount is also similar to the fees assessed by private driver’s education companies for similar services. The fee would be implemented during the 2025-26 school year.

Recommendation: Administration recommends that the Board approve the waiver for a driver’s education fee of $600, with a public hearing to precede the vote scheduled for the November 11 Board meeting.

Background

The District has adopted a Bond Record Keeping Policy (the “Policy”) to monitor tax compliance requirements related to the tax-exempt status of the Bonds. The Policy establishes due diligence practices and sets personal responsibility so the District can find what is needed should the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) contact the District. The Policy requires the Compliance Officer (as designated in the Policy) to annually review the applicable records and report his or her findings to the Board of Education of the District.

Discussion

To comply with the policy, Administration has completed the Post Issuance Compliance Checklist and the Post Issuance Compliance Report which will be included in the November 11, 2024 Board packet as an Information item.

Recommendation: Administration recommends that the Board accepts the Post Issuance Compliance Report as presented.

Background

The District has worked with Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn LLP as its primary legal counsel for several years. The firm currently represents public school districts, special education cooperatives, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and other educational entities, as well as private corporations and associations throughout Illinois.

Discussion

At a recent Board meeting, a member of the Board suggested reviewing the District’s primary legal counsel and publishing an RFP for legal services. Prior to issuing an RFP, consensus about the Board’s desire for administration to engage in this process is necessary.

Background

Annually, administration evaluates the need to replace buses and other transportation vehicles based on mileage and years of service. The District receives reimbursement from the state for the first five years the vehicles are in service.

Discussion

Central States Bus Sales has provided a proposal for nine (9) school buses that meet all of the District’s specifications. Due to the ongoing need for buses, Administration is recommending the purchase of the nine buses to update our current fleet. This purchase has been accounted for and would be paid from the fiscal year 2026 budget. The total cost of four 35-passenger buses and five 27-passenger buses is $1,156,050.

Recommendation: Administration recommends the Board approves the purchase of buses as shown from Central States Bus Sales and authorizes Administration to execute all necessary documents.

Background

Approximately $23 million in projects has been occurring this summer. Major projects include reopening Fox Ridge as an elementary school, relocating the Transition Program to Lincoln School, and relocating the Early Childhood Program to the Haines Center. Other large, priority capital projects include, but are not limited to, door access control upgrades, district-wide air conditioning enhancements, parking lot and roof improvements and playground development.

Discussion

• Exterior: East parking lot has been completed. The back entrance, hand rails and landscaping is being finalized.
• Interior: Crews are finishing beam wraps, putting flooring down, projector screen installs, and will soon be putting down carpet throughout.
• Timeline: The District intends to open the Professional Learning Center for use, including the first Board meeting there, in December.

Recommendation: This agenda item is for discussion only. There are no recommendations at this time.

Background

The State of Illinois has authorized the 2024 School Maintenance Project Grant, a dollar-for-dollar state matching grant program awarding up to $50,000. The District is required to match the amount of the grant award so the District needs to designate a project with a cost of at least $100,000 to receive the full amount.

Discussion

In June 2022, the Board of Education approved moving forward with the districtwide improvements to provide air conditioning in all school gyms, cafeterias, and other ancillary spaces. Due to procurement lead times and other variables, these projects were deferred. As referenced in the Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan presented to the Business Services Committee in August 2023, this project has moved forward in a phased approach over three summers. Administration recommends submitting an application for the grant that includes the Munhall Elementary School Gymnasium and Cafeteria HVAC upgrades. This project will exceed the $100,000 threshold and will be completed within the timeframe of the grant.

Recommendation: Administration recommends that the Board authorizes Administration to complete the School Maintenance Project Grant application and reserve O&M funds to cover the project cost.

Background

For the past several years, the Board has leased the vacant land located at Silver Glen Road and Crane Road to Jeff Laczynski. Mr. Laczynski farms and maintains that land as part of the lease agreement, and he has expressed interest in potentially renewing the lease for 2025.

Discussion

Administration has prepared the new lease documents with the most recent annual CPI increase of 3.3% for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin area. The new lease agreement has the rent set at $9,598.50 for the term January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

Recommendation: Administration recommends that the Board approves the farm lease extension as presented.

Background

Administration is seeking renewal of two software services to maintain access and support for the 2024-2025 school year.

Discussion

• The Infinite Visions service supports the Finance and Human Resource Departments. This software was implemented in fiscal year 2008/2009.
• The WeVideo service enables students and staff to easily create and edit video projects from a web based system and has been in use at D303 for 7 years.

Recommendation: Administration recommends that the Board approve the items as described above at a total cost of $134,625.

Background

The IASB Delegate Assembly meets on Saturday, November 23, 2024 during Triple I in Chicago. The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. and will be held at the Hyatt Regency - Chicago. Every member district is entitled to one voting delegate. This year delegates will vote on the election of IASB officers, a Constitutional amendment, and adoption of IASB Position Statements on issues that reflect the interests of boards of education across the state.

Discussion

The purpose of the discussion is to determine if District 303 will have a Board member serve as a Delegate at this year’s meeting.

Recommendation: A discussion and delegate will be appointed at the next Board meeting.

The next Business Services Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, November 21 at 5:30 p.m.

• Presentation of tax levy and public hearing
• Dual Language program discussion

Meeting memos, presentations and other documents in BoardDocs

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Agenda items for Board discussion. There is no action taken at this time.

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Background

To keep Board members abreast of key initiatives within District 303 departments, Administration will begin providing periodic updates, similar to the monthly Superintendent's Report.

Discussion

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Christine Igoe provide the Board with updates on two key initiatives, Multilingual Services and High School Math.

Multilingual Services: Board members received summaries on who is served by ML, its purpose, service delivery model, and current initiatives to enhance ML services with high-quality programming. Administration, in collaboration with a Multilingual Committee, is using evidence-based practices to guide programming decisions while ensuring alignment with the Strategic Plan.

This fall, separate challenges emerged forcing the pause of constructing an addition at Richmond Elementary School to support the Dual Language Program beginning in 2025-2026. Now, the ML Committee is working to working toward the following goals:

• Step 1: Recommend evidence-based service-delivery model in 25-26
• Step 2: Identify a service-delivery model for 26-27 and beyond

The ML Committee is continuing to meet and anticipates bringing a recommendation to the Board in December.

High School Math: As part of its Strategic Plan, District 303 is working to ensure there is a guaranteed and viable curriculum in place to support educators and students throughout their academic journey. Dr. Igoe discussed these efforts with relation to Algebra 1.

The Curriculum Assessment and Instruction (CAI) process provides educators with a framework to evaluate the current practices and determine where adjustments are needed. This includes understanding our current state, reviewing relevant research, gauging the work amongst benchmark and aspirational school districts, evaluating high-quality instructional materials, and field testing options to evaluate. Currently, the CAI Committee is:

• Evaluating potential high-quality instructional materials to determine which resources will be field-tested.

In January, they expect to begin field testing, and anticipate bringing a recommendation to the Board in the spring of 2025.

Recommendation: This item is for informational purposes only. There is no recommendation at this time.

Agenda items for Board discussion. There is no action taken at this time.

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Background

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming provides authentic opportunities for students to engage in career-focused learning. To offer more diverse courses, the Northern Kane County region of four partner school districts offers regional pathways open to all students within that region.

Discussion

Central High School in Burlington offers a unique regional pathway: Veterinary Assistant. Students engage in coursework, internships, and externships in the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources College and Career Pathway. After completing the program, students graduate as NAVTA-certified Veterinary Assistants. Students are also guaranteed acceptance at Fox College Veterinary Technician Program or can pursue other veterinary school pathways. Additionally, the Local Needs Assessment conducted in the 2023-2024 school year indicated interest among parents and students in gaining access to this program.

Board Discussion

The Board has requested more information on this program. This topic will be added as a discussion and action item at a future Board meeting.

Recommendation: Starting in 2025-2026, add the Veterinary Assistant Program pathway to the course offering book in D303. Students can enroll in Introduction to Agriculture (25-26), Veterinary Science 1 (26-27), and Veterinary Science 2 (27-28).

Background

In the Summer of 2024, District 303 implemented a reimagined summer school experience for students. The administration established entrance criteria for inviting students, which included students who were making above-typical growth as measured on the Fall and Winter iReady Diagnostic Assessments yet were still not meeting grade-level standards, as well as students served in the Dual Language Program. The intent of the Summer School Program was to reduce academic regression during the summer months.

Discussion

By the numbers:

• 548 students were invited to attend
• 283 students attended at least one day
• 58% (165 students) attended 80% or more of the 14 attendance days.
• School hours were 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. June 10 - 28 (except the June 19 holiday)
• 14 school days / 56 contact hours.
• Students received 120 minutes of ELA instruction daily
• Students received 60 minutes of math instruction daily
• Students received daily enrichment, SEL, and movement opportunities
• Financial impact: Total cost of $209,608.36, with a per-pupil cost of $740.67.

A data review indicates that students who attended Summer School 80% or more of the days experienced less regression in both Reading and Math compared to their 2022 and 2023 summers. However, the level of regression, or lack thereof, was not statistically significant when compared with students invited to summer school but who didn’t attend, as well as students not invited to Summer School.

Recommendation: D303 Administration does not recommend moving forward with a 2025 Summer School Program.