August 2024 Board Meeting Recap
Fremont School District 79
Regular Board Meeting
Gabriela Whipple, Board President, remarked on the start of the school year and invited families to participate in the various events at the schools to meet staff and other families. The board remains committed to transparency and engagement, including via the publishing of meeting materials in advance of its meetings, live-streaming of regular board meetings, the posting of policies on the District's website, and publishing bi-annual community newsletters.
Dr. Trisha Kocanda, Superintendent of Schools, highlighted a number of events to open the school year, including Opening Day for the teachers and staff, the first day of school, and the annual Back-to-School Bash. The staff and administration were thanked for their efforts ensuring that almost all open positions were filled. Families and the transportation department were thanked for their patience and understanding with the new bus routing. The District was recently honored by the National School Public Relations Association with the Award of Excellence in the Website, Photo, and Newsletter categories in their annual Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards. Additionally, students are enjoying the new playground equipment that was installed at Fremont Intermediate School this summer.
Board of Education Recognition
This month's recognition was held for bus driver Wendy Obenauf and members of her Bus T route who collaborated late last school year on a pet supply drive to benefit local shelter Animal Education & Rescue in Libertyville.
Presentations
Ivy Fleming, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, provided the Tentative Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The revenues for FY25 are budgeted to be $37,802,892 and the expenditures are budgeted for $37,874,168. The FY25 budget is 1.04% higher than FY24 unaudited actuals. FY25 ending fund balance is projected to be at $37,033,665. A Fund Balance plan will address funding priority facility needs, future-forward planning for staffing due to enrollment growth, and maintaining necessary savings.
Nick Brilowski, Director of Public Relations, provided an overview of the District's Communications Plan for the 2024-2025 school year. The Plan has five primary areas of focus:
- Devise strategies to aid in staff recruitment and retention efforts;
- Implementation of communication systems to create efficiencies and automation for both staff and stakeholders;
- Bolster student leadership with a District podcast;
- Support community engagement as part of the District’s Educational Long-Range Facility Plan; and
- Promote District news to media outlets.
Informational Items
In concert with the District's four-year Strategic Plan, the annual goals represent the areas of focus that consist of Safe, Healthy & Connected Culture, Growth & Achievement for All, Talent Recruitment & Development, and Financial & Facility Stewardship. Plans are developed annually throughout the four-year Strategic Plan cycle with data, metrics, products, and deliverables being utilized to determine progress of the targeted objectives. The Board unanimously voted to approve the plan later in the meeting.
Summer Professional Learning and Collaboration Update
FSD79 staff engaged in approximately 2,137 total hours of learning and collaboration through a variety of optional district-coordinated opportunities. These engagements included approximately 581 participants in attendance (many staff members were involved in multiple sessions) and 424 total hours of sessions. These opportunities were funded through various sources, including grant funds and district funds.
2024-25 School Year Enrollment and Staffing Update
As the 2024-2025 school year gets underway, the District continues to evaluate the fluctuation of student enrollment per grade level and the impact enrollment has on class sizes and staffing. Enrollment as of August 19, 2024 is 1,941 for grades K-8. The District enjoyed a successful hiring season and is almost entirely staffed for the start of the school year, including all teaching positions. Staffing for 2024-2025 includes three new administrators, 22 new licensed personnel, and 8 new non-licensed personnel.
To maintain a focused and respectful atmosphere in our classrooms and throughout the
school, the District introduced the Away for the Day expectation to help implement our Portable Electronic Equipment policy. Students must keep cell phones off and in their Chromebook bag and/or sleeve throughout the school day. Smartwatches must be in "school mode" and used to tell time during school hours.
Educational Long-Range Facility Plan Update
The District, architectural firm DLR Group, the civil engineer, and the construction management team are in agreement to conduct surveys regarding traffic, water and sewer as part of the planning process. Those studies will commence this fall. The next Steering Committee meeting will be held on August 28. At that time, DLR Group will present the committee with a breakdown of anticipated phasing for the different facility projects. This fall, these concepts will be shared with the Board and the community for feedback.
First Reading of Proposed Board Policies
Board Vice President Pamela Shaw reported that the Policy Committee met on August 5, 2024, to review the updated Board Policies. She noted that there were no significant changes to the revised policies. The policies are included in the agenda as a first reading only.
The Consent Agenda and Following Action Items Were Approved:
- 2024-25 School Board Development Plan
- 2024-25 Annual Strategic Plan
- Disposal of School District Personal Property
- Award of Bid: Fuel
- School Bus Driver Sign-on & Referral Bonus
- School Bus Driver Summer School Attendance Bonus
To view the Board Packet materials from the August 19, 2024 Meeting, click here.
Fremont School District 79
Address: 28855 North Fremont Center Road, Mundelein, IL
Phone: (847) 566-0169
Website: fsd79.org
Twitter: @FSD79
Instagram: @FSD79
YouTube: youtube.com/FSD79