HBR 429
Board Briefs
Your monthly Board of Education update
Read highlights from the Board of Education meeting held on September 20, 2023. Want more information? Click here to see the full agenda and supporting materials.
Stefanie Rich: Educator Rising Program
Stefanie Rich, our Educators Rising sponsor, has created an experience for students to explore the field of education. Three students will be working to assist a teacher and classroom within the district. Two will be placed at the elementary school and one at the middle school. This opportunity to teach with and learn from an experienced professional provides hands on experience while motivating learners and assisting them with the skills they need for their future career paths. We are very excited for this opportunity and want to extend appreciation to Mrs. Rich for creating this experience for our students!
Consent Agenda
Several items were approved as part of the consent agenda. The consent agenda includes routine items not requiring discussion and items discussed at the previous month’s meeting. As part of the consent agenda this month, the Board approved items related to meeting minutes, bills, the Treasurer's report, and the September 2023 Personnel Report.
PTO Update
FY24 Final Budget
The final budget was approved at the September 20th Board meeting after a budget hearing was held. The prepared final budget, as of September 20, 2023, includes a bond sale of $4M and shows an overall surplus of $2,165,135.00. From this surplus, $1,624,550 would be remaining bond proceeds to be expended in FY25 for the remainder of the facilities improvement payments. The remaining Operating Budget surplus, removing the Working Cash and Capital Projects funds, is $540, 585 and primarily lies within Fund 20, our O&M fund. Individual balances by fund are noted in the chart below:
Buildings & Grounds Update
Facilities Improvement Update
Dr. Sonntag and the Buildings and Grounds Committee updated the Board on the committee’s September 6 meeting with Engie representatives. The BOE voted to approve the Notice to Proceed Agreement with Engie to complete the identified scope of work. Improvements will include
- safety & security of the interior space, which will include installing secure entrances at the high school main entrance and district office entrance (door 10)
- improvements and replacements for HVAC units at end of life
- noise control in all of the buildings
- moisture control in all of our buildings
Reminder: As we have paid our debt service down, the best means to finance future projects while maintaining the current tax levy for taxpayers is through a bond sale. The sale of a bond in the amount of $4M with a 5-year term is being explored as our best option to receive cash in hand for improvements while holding taxpayers debt service levy flat. Learn more by watching a recorded community forum session here.
Governance
The Board approved 2 revised policies: Policy 7:40, which now allows for homeschooled students who attend HBR part-time to participate in clubs and activities as well as athletics (following IHSA guidelines), and Policy 7:60, which allows full-time employees, who have worked in HBR for at least one full year, to send their nonresident students to attend K-12 in HBR schools tuition free.
Other Action Taken
The Board approved the overnight leadership field trip for the HBHRS student leaders.
Watch the Video
Board of Education
Tim Badal (President) | Greg Pritchard (Vice-President) | Jack Haines (Secretary) | Abbie Barrett | Deb Winkle | Darrin Gengler | Debi White
Learn more about the Board here.