Reader
Browse passages, annotate evidence, and export with full provenance for citation.
And then you'll see a whole host of um new faculty members that we are recommending and then a lot of the changes um based on the actions from March. So that'll all be covered in consent. Uh we will not need an executive session following the meeting. Too bad. But that takes us to the only action item that Sean hands tonight and that is the approval of the extension for auditing services. So Sean, you want to give us a quick update? Yep. As we discussed um last month, our uh contract with Labbach and Amen expired um with the completion of the FY24 audit. Um after further discussion uh both with Amy, Steve and and others, um we do feel like uh this is a partnership that is going to benefit us um over the long haul. And so we are recommending a 5-year renewal term um at an average annual cost of $35,000.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
You know, when I got on the board, there was, you know, I was in schools and I was hearing a lot, especially from Vesa, just kind of feeling a little left out and just kind of pushed aside and upset about the five-year um not knowing that what was lying ahead with COVID and everything. But I'm really happy to hear that the work that's being done together by admin and byes to really like strengthen that relationship and that it seems like a lot of voices were heard. Um, so I really am excited for that and I love to hear that you really like that foundation is so important. So I'm I'm happy to hear about the hope that everyone's feeling right now. And I I guess I'll just echo that. So um you know contract negotiations can be very divisive and it can be damaging to the culture of any institution where it's occurring.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Um so that procedures in number two would be we don't get bus unless it's on our road or or if you go down. Yeah. Okay. Is it all depend I'll let you Well, that was just that was just my question is I know that some of the some of the students that have that are I I agree with if they're already getting transportation. I'm not I do not want transportation to be taken away from any child that does not live in the district now that is getting transportation. Um but in certain scenarios that I have seen where a bus is on a road picking up a student in our proximity not on our road but in our proximity already going out of district. Those students were given those current non-resident students were receiving transportation. So they were allowed to be they were allowed to be grandfathered in.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Whereas race-based decisionmakings, no matter the form, remains impermissible. Whereas on February 14th, 2025, the acting assistant secretary of thei United US Department of Education um office of civil rights issued a deal dear colleague letter clarifying and reaffirming the non-discrimination obligations of schools and other entities that receive federal financial assistance from the department. Whereas the district intends to fully comply with and abide by the laws by the law as outlined in the letter. Be it resolved that Higgley Unified School Dis School Governing Board has determined that it will take all reasonable measures to ensure that its policies and actions comply with existing civil rights laws. Prohibit any efforts to circumvent uh prohibitions on the use of race by relying on proxies or other indirect means to accomplish such ends. and prohibit use by district of by the district of third party contractors, clearing houses, or aggregators in an effort to circumvent prohibited uses of race.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
And while that represents a a 4.4% 4% increase. Um, this is well below what our market peers are paying for auditing services. I know Steve and I had some questions um about um the pricing, so I'll I'll probably bring back more of that information and put it in the meeting. Uh but tonight we are um recommending that the board of education approve a five-year extension with Labbak and Amen at a total cost not to exceed 176,000 for fiscal years 25 26 27 28 and 29. Could I please get a motion? Second. So okay. So the 176 is an that's a fiveyear it's a fiveyear total cost. That's correct. And that does include not only our audit but our single audit as well which required for um uh federal grants, right? And I think we covered this last month but Steve spent a lot of time speaking to them and really did a lot of homework on this.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
So to have both sides participate in good faith to work hard for a common goal of a fair contract for both sides is u outstanding and to have uh BESPA tell us that 100% of the members ratified is probably unprecedented and it is a very diverse group of constituents that you represent. So that's um just really exciting to hear and uh you know Mr. Ray in his comments talked about a culture of collaboration. I can just say in my four years that I don't think we've ever been in a better spot with all our partners as far as communicating and what I'm excited about now is that we all can put our eyes on serving students and uh so I'm really excited about the work ahead because we're all in this together now and uh we're ready to get to work. So congratulations to all parties involved in negotiation.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
We weren't given an option. Um, if that makes sense. I know that on 700, the bus doesn't go there. The bus goes to 700 for the specific student students just to pick them up and that's it. So, that just seems a little I hate using word up here's not here, but um it just seems a little odd that they could be grandfathered in, but we've been students. We've been enrolled since 23. So technically, if we would have been allowed to have that, then we would be grandfathered in. But because So you you live on 700? We do not live on 700. No, that's where that's where the bus is at now. The bus is going out of district currently. Y um which is the same distance out of district that we would be. I think we're just Like we understand there has to be a line somewhere, right?
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Be it further resolved that the district shall abide by all applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, and department guidance with respect to provisions of equal educational opportunities and shall not discriminate against any person based upon that person's race, color, religion, disability, pregnancy, and parenting, sex, national origin, veteran earn status and genetic code adopted by the governing board of Higgley Unified School District number 60 at a regular open um meeting of public held today. There you go, Miss Mlennon. Um, we already have policies in place that essentially are affirming that we are following the Civil Rights Act of 64 in terms of anti-discrimination policies in both hiring practice as well as what we expect from our staff. Is that correct, Madam President? Members of the board, that's correct. You have governing board policy AC, governing board policy ACA, uh, and some of the governing board policies in section G of your personnel practices that address those issues.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
So you feel good about it, Steve? Definitely. Okay. Any other questions? All right. Terry, could you please? Sure. Cho. Hi. Gerson. Hi wounds. I tire I cross no hi approved six to nothing and then Sean you have three four first readings. Yeah bunch of first readings. Yeah. However the even though um the the FY26 budget and FY25 amended budgets are first readings. There are a couple of action items associated with that. Um so as we talked about at the finance committee, we're looking at a 1.8% increase in expenditures um at this point and our revenues are going to increase by about 3%. Um we do we don't have to vote on the budget tonight um as we're still developing it, but we do um need a uh put the we need a recommend or we're recommending sorry tripping over my words. Uh but we are recommending that um the board of education put a tenative 2526 school year budget on display um for public viewing on Monday, May 12th um as part of the uh procedures in the state code for approving a budget.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Thank you. Any others? Okay, I will entertain a motion to approve a collecting bargaining agreement with Betavia Educational Support Association for the 2026 through 2028 fiscal years. So moved. So moved by Rob, second. Second by RJ. Cindy, please lead us in a roll call vote. Lock. Yes. Mats, yes. Kilberg, yes. Gonzalez Thomas, yes. Arandu, yes. Sliger, yes. Meadows, yes. Right. Thank you. Next is public hearing and authorization of the school calendar waiver. Brad, would you please explain this item and conduct? Certainly. Um, we are seeking a waiver from the state board of education uh to craft our calendar a little bit differently than is allowed by the different machinations of school calendaring. It's actually a pretty complex process to uh create a school calendar and get that approved by the state. Um, one of the ways that we are kind of banking time is that there's a minimum school day and if you go over the minimum school day of five hours, you can bank that time and use it but only in half day increments.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
It's here and it goes and then the next person we get it. Like I understand our biggest thing is like we just need an answer. So my son Garrett's in first grade. Um he's been to three different preschools. He's been to two different kindergartens. And now he's, you know, his trying to get some stability. So if it is a different school district for us, I would rather do it when he's in second grade than do it when he's in fifth grade, sixth, you know, like because right now they're building those friendships. If he goes to another school in second grade, it's not going to rock his world. You know, they just walks in. I get it. We don't like it. Uh but and I understand, you know, contract writing, you know, there's always exceptions that can be made. I guess for us it would be like we would really would like to know if that exception is going to be made and if it's not I mean it's not and that's fine.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Okay. Okay. So, we are already covered essentially that some of this would be redundant. Is that correct? It it would mirror your existing policies. Okay. Does anybody else have any questions or comments before I motion? Um, I motion that the governing board consider the adoption of a resolution as presented. Miss Van Hook seconded. All those in favor? Hi. All those opposed? No. Nay. So if it is 22, we just continue living our lives at the present. Is that correct? The matter didn't pass. Okay. Thank you. I President Wade, I'd like to read something. I just want to um let the record show that this board had the opportunity to affirm its commitment to treating every student equally under the law without exception and to stand firmly against form of racebased discrimination despite the board despite that board member Wade and Glover have chosen to vote no.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
And then following that, we also are recommending that the board of education set a public hearing for Monday, June 16th at our board meeting um for final approval of the budget. Could I get a motion to put the budget on display for public viewing on May 12th? So moved. Second. Any other questions about that? Okay. Could you please? Sure. Coron. Hi. Wounds. I Tyer. Hi. Ross. Hi. No. Hi. S. Hi. Carries. Okay. And then could I get a motion to set a public hearing for the budget on Monday, June 16, 2025? So moved. Second.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
So, if you look around at different school calendars, for instance, just uh to the north of us, they have a number of half days, typically about one per month, and they're using banked time in order to do that. Well, half days are very difficult on our families. So about 5 years ago, we went through this waiver process as did uh 204 who was um kind of a model of ours uh on this process and they we asked the state to approve us using that bank time in a full day increment and we do that because it's easier for our parents than half days are really difficult for child care or elementary. We have a lot of kids unattended at home and also it's better for our learning too. So we're invested in adult learning which we are. We want to make sure we're providing the best learning environment.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Um but we need to make where we're going to go sooner rather than later. Yes. And we said by the end of the school year. So make that decision and unfortunately we said that we probably should have said well if we go to August because there's so many there's so many questions between May to August too. um even having enough bus drivers for the regular routes that we have right now which we don't have. So th those are things that it's just tough to but we did say by the end of the year. So which is coming up. Yeah. And obviously it's just one of those things that just trying to you know we we want we want all kids you know to have access but it's like you said you got to draw a line. Yeah. Has to go and I get that has to and somehow you had to come to that determination and And obviously uh maybe we'll have a whole slew of bus drivers that walk in the door.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
That vote speaks for itself. As a board member, I will continue to stand for fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all our students. And I will ensure that any violations of these principles are reported because there is no place for discrimination practices in any of our schools against any of our students. Thank you. For the record, we just affirmed item 8.4 4 that we attest that we are following the civil rights act of 1964 as well as furpo laws and I just communicated with our legal that we already have policies in place to do so. I cannot speak for Mr. Glover and I will allow you the opportunity opportunity to do that. But as I stated previously, I too am committed to ensuring that our environment that is diverse maintains equitability for all of our students and that no person is discriminated against when seeking employment or by their employer or if you are a student by any of the teachers or staff that you interact with.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Any questions about that? No. Okay. Terry, could you please pull? Sure. Moons. I Tyer. Hi. Cross. Hi. No. Hi. Hi. Gorson. Hi. Carries. And similarly, we have the same set of procedural items that we need to do for the FY25 amended budget. Um, as recall, we do need to amend the budget because of the bond sale. And in addition to that, we are also going to take advantage of the budget um to avoid having to bring to the board budget transfers that happen typically in June. we can take care of all of this in one lump sum. But we will need um to we are asking for uh two approvals of motions again. One to put the uh amended FY25 amended budget on display uh Monday uh May 12th and then another one to set a public hearing for the purposes of reviewing the amended budget on Monday, June 16th.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
So when you teach for four hours and then you have to go into a a PD session, it's not the best environment. So this uh waiver allows us to do this in a full day increment. So if you were looking at the school calendar, last Friday was a SIP day, not an institute day. we call it in day because people don't know what school improvement days are. But um um on the inside behind the scenes, it's focused on school improvement and the work that we're doing to support and better our students. So that waiver is expiring. So we need to re-up it and renew it. So as a part of that process, we contact all of the legislators in Illinois uh and say that we're interested in doing this. We talk to our associations um to let them know that um they have ability to to weigh in on this and then we have to publish in the newspaper that we're holding this hearing.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Yeah, there we go. I know you went south of town. But I I do appreciate you guys, you know, coming in as you know, you gota you got to ask the question. You're not if you can't if you don't ask it, you're not going to get answered. And so we'll we'll do our best. And obviously Melissa's probably wants to make it happen, but we'll see what the ultimate answer is. And will the ultimate answer be at the next school board meeting? That's at the end of May. I said by the end of school year, which would be earlier than that though. So that's true. 24th is okay. So, so basically you want to have the answer so his your son can say goodbye can say but not so much I don't want to blindside him in August and say you thought that you're going to metro with your buddies and now you're not sorry um mom's having a baby and can't take you to school like I don't I don't want that to okay his his world is already but that should not factor into your decision yeah I mean it's a third kid financial well I do as a board member you know we're we're trying to reach out you know and yet we don't want to limit access in any way either so that's the conflict I find myself in you know and I don't think it's a conflict if we had the bus drivers and the financial means to do all that I I don't think that's that's really I mean there would be other people we could pick up But here again, we are a large large district.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Item 8.6, approval of overnight and outofstate staff travel. Any questions or comments from the board? Um, I can see. Uh, Madame President, um, I generally, this is where it's kind of sticky because, um, I like to keep as much in the M as I can. And so it's hard because some of these out of state, uh, expenses, they just start, to be frank, they just start adding up. And when you're kind of like facing, you know, kind of some cuts with the teachers, it's this is an opportunity to kind of, you know, maybe get some of the slack out, maybe cut some of the bulk out. So, if we can really um push forward as we move forward, if we can really maybe utilize these opportunities to do more in-house training or cheaper Zoom options, which are available since co um it just this is really adding up.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above