Uh for programs losing IHSA postseason eligibility, the district is planning to lead a coalition of large school cooperatives to a postseason invitational. Uh the meeting concluded with a discussion on state funding initiatives HB 4334 and uh several mandates and the second reading of several policies. That's all.
Um, in addition to that, we are looking at some other considerations. So, I just wanted to review those and remind us of that work we're working in. First of all, we're focusing on our core instructional work, which for us means K through 12 for our public schools. So, we are reviewing our prek programming and we're reviewing our adult ed level programming. Part of those conversations we had this evening with changing that prek model due to the funding change. Um, we're also doing some uh strategic planning of scheduling, professional development, and how we use our subs. So, using subs during the day for PD is a costly thing that we could review and see if there's other models that we can look into as cost savings. We'll review our program and material fees. We're going to review all of our program options that we offer. Um for the operations budget area, we'll do an analysis and make sure that we're reviewing all those areas.
But we do need to look at Olive Street because we do have a parcel there that we have talked about putting housing on. >> Okay. So, we'll look at that one and and Flavia will reach out to Jasmine if we can't figure out exactly which one it is. >> Okay. >> All right. Very good. So, and yeah, just let me know if you have any other thoughts on this map, but the the the the the comments you gave me now are noted and we'll make those changes. Um this is just a blown up version basically. So, I probably should have just flipped to this when you were talking about town center, but um uh but yeah, these are both in the draft plan. So, if you have thoughts on them, let me know. And and like I said before, we don't need to have so many.
Uh G1 is a slew of new hires um to be approved. G2 is three resignations. G3 is to approve a mentor teacher for one of our new hires. On page eight, number four is to approve two clinical placements. Number five is to approve the stipen positions for spring sports and also a translation services as needed. Uh number six there is one leave of absence. That's it for me. >> Right. To start off, can I have a motion and a second to approve superintendent items XA to XG? >> Motion. >> Second.
Hayward is a valued educator and positive presence at CCMS, and truly deserving of this recognition. Is Mr. Hayward here this evening? >> [applause] >> Um Commissioner Okay, so Mr. Hayward is not here because he's prepping for his school play tomorrow. So, we have another round of applause for Mr. Hayward. >> [applause] >> Commissioner Brotz. Thank you. Employee of the Month for our high school, Lynn Swartzo. >> [applause] >> Congratulations to Miss Lynn Swartzo for being recognized as high school employee of the month. Lynn Swartzo is a vital member of Clifton High School and a tireless advocate for students with special needs. As transition coordinator, Swartzo closely with students, families, staff, and community partners to provide individualized planning that prepares students for life after high school, whether college, trade school, or employment. Lynn has built strong connections with local businesses and agencies, creating meaningful work experiences for students in the IMPACT program.
>> Any questions? >> Okay. Thank you. Right. Member Kelly with student support. >> Yes. Uh the meeting began with an update on the strategic framework highlighting the district's participation in a regional continuous improvement symposium where Mr. Avando and Dr. Hoffman shared the district's 15 key metrics and long-term goal setting approach. Successes in freshman on track performance and a significant reduction in chronic absenteeism were noted as primary points of pride. Mr. Oando shared insights gained from peer districts regarding ACT growth, PLC effectiveness, and multi-tered systems of report known as MTSS, NTSS. These connections provided affirmation of the district's current trajectory while offering new strategies to strengthen continuous improvement efforts moving forward. Dr. Carr provided a mid-year safety update outlining proactive measures such as the imple implementation of Halo bathroom monitors and the pilot of the smart plus digital hall pass system at Andrew High School. Dr.
We're going to be considering long-term transportation costs. We're coming up on a transportation contract renewal. So, that's just a timely thing that we do each time that contract comes up. And then finally on this one, I want to make sure I say very clearly so I don't create any confusion if someone's listening live stream later. Um, we will be reviewing and doing a study we'd like to recommend in the upcoming few meetings on redistricting and a school capacity study. I want to clearly say we are not looking at school closures for next school year for 2026. That is not the conversation point. um that I have to continue to bring the reality forward to us of two big pieces. If our student enrollment continues to decline um if we're losing a hundred students a year, which has been the average in the last 10 years, in two years, that is the size of an outline elementary school.
So if there are things you're like, I'm not sure, let's just take it out. That's fine. As long as we have, you know, basically the minimum is one of each category, one of public and one of private. That is the minimum we need to we need to um identify. But I I actually don't love just doing one because that that seems a little bit more like a oh, we're going to do it if there's just one. Um just a just the the perception of that. So, I'd rather have a few um just as a a a perspective kind of advice, but take that take it or leave it. >> Okay. And then the last category would be that community engagement and capacity building. And that's really just all around communication, coordination, leadership, helping residents stay informed, boards and boards collaborate with each other and um and uh and getting uh the basically the capacity to implement things.
>> Anybody have any questions? >> I just have one question. So would you have the service if with the grant would you have that service would provide educators that virtually are tutoring the students here? >> Correct. >> So where they go like the library or something to receive that? >> It would. So we have to we're working on the schedule for next year but they would be in the class all the students would be in the classroom at the same time during another period where those students would be getting assistance. So that the teacher would be in the classroom almost like think of it like a um like a win period. >> Um I don't know what you what you guys do >> as far as rotations for RTI. >> We don't. The teacher provides it >> right. >> They took that away. >> So So it would it would look something like that but not quite the same.
Her expertise, dedication, and mentorship benefit students, parents, and colleagues alike, ensuring students leave high school ready to succeed and thrive in their communities. She is truly deserving and truly deserving recipient of the high school employee of the month award. Congratulations, Lynn. >> [applause] [applause] >> Um Commissioner Suarez. This award goes out to the district January's Distinguished Employee of the Month, Rosemary Melly. >> [applause] >> Congratulations to Miss Rosemary Melly for being recognized as District Employee of the Month. Rosemary is an exceptional district employee who consistently goes above and beyond in her role. She approaches every interaction with kindness, respect, and genuine care, always willing to assist anyone who walked into the HR office. Rose manages critical responsibilities for the entire district, including FMLA paperwork, the mentoring program, new hires, and employment contracts, while expertly juggling multiple tasks with professionalism and a positive attitude. Dedicated and hardworking, she perseveres through challenges with a smile and unwavering concern for others.
Car also shared how the district has been gathering stakeholder feedback and collaborating with first responders to plan for next year's implementation of the standard response protocol and emergency response framework used by more than 50,000 schools and organizations nationwide. Its main features include a simplified common language of five clear actions that streamline emergency response and communication. Additionally, the annual renewal of the onbudsman contract was presented with a recommendation to reduce contracted seats to six to better align with current current util utilization trends and save money. The committee was also briefed on state bills being deliberated, including a potential bell-to-bell cell phone prohibition. Finally, Mr. Roando presented the second reading of board policies previously reviewed at the December joint committee meeting. The majority of which are revisions that reflect minor legal updates and terminology adjustments. Next meeting is on March 10th. >> Building and finance met this past one day and there were two public comments regarding responsible bidder ordinance and support for new scoreboards and fieldouses.
So it's just the reality is if we do continue to lose school students as a district and we continue to need to rightsize that is something that we need to be prepared and have had conversations ahead of time um and studied so that we have all the facts and information that we need. Um so simply will be recommending a study for us to gather data um just so that we are well prepared for any future eventualities. I'm going to repeat again that is not something that is planned for next school year or any type of school closure. That said, there is one more piece of that and that is the state currently has legislation out there about building capacity and that is if you have a building that had an original capacity size that you are no longer meeting 50 to 60% of, there are some rules for how schools have to inform the state of that and some other additional steps that need to be taken.
Okay. So, um our our next steps is, you know, if you want a few days, we we do want to get this submitted by the end of March. Um so, we were hoping that maybe by Monday if that's okay. I I think you all have the plan now even though you didn't all get it in advance. Um if you if you could just send Flavio comments on Monday that would be terrific. Um and then we can make those make any edits and then submit to you all for what I'd like to get some clarity on when you might take this up for a vote so that we can make sure to revise it to get in your packet for whatever that vote is. Um could you give me some clarity around when you might take that up this month? And I think you said that the boards can do it separately, right?
But those students would then be on their Chromebooks with um with their ear headphones on and >> and would they have I guess they each have their own teacher or you don't want to >> it's three to one. >> Okay. >> It's the three that's the recommendation. So that's the max that they do. >> Okay. >> Um and they stay with that same person each week for eight weeks and it's three times a week. >> Okay. >> So it's pretty and it's 30 minutes at a clip. So it's it's a lot it's going to be a lot if we >> Okay. Any other questions? >> Mrs. Allen, >> yes. >> Mr. Phillips, >> yes. >> Miss Ralph, >> yes. >> Miss Oriente, >> yes. >> Miss Helm, >> yes. >> All right, moving right along. All right, business and finance. Um, the financial report for the month of January 2026.
Her generosity, willingness to share knowledge, and steady support have made a lasting professional and personal impact on those around her, truly embodying the spirit of Employee of the Month. >> [applause] [applause] >> Commissioner Penna. All right, next we have for elementary, Marissa Amelio. >> [cheering] [applause] >> CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS MARISSA AMELIO FOR BEING recognized as an elementary employee of the month. Marissa, a CHS alumni, is a dedicated and highly respected fifth grade teacher who consistently goes above and beyond for her students in the School 9 community. She plays an active role in the fifth grade committee, contributing her time and leadership to the yearbook, fundraising efforts, and serving as a safety patrol advisor. Marissa builds a strong, meaningful relationships with her students and relates to them in a way that supports both engagement and success, while also maintaining excellent classroom management. She works works collectively with parents and is actively involved in summer curriculum work that has a positive impact across the district.
Building updates included ongoing roof um roof and HVAC re renovations at Carl Sandberg High School and pool deck floor replacement, dance floor replacement, and stadium lights at Stag. Districtwide bathroom renovations are planned at all three schools. The committee also discussed replacing aging scoreboards at Carl Samberg and Stag High School with um with video um for each stadium similar to Andrew High School. Board members would like to see how advertising revenue would look would look like before investing in new scoreboards. The committee also discussed preliminary fieldhouse facility assessment and space considerations. The committee reviewed a building capacity report indicating the district's area to student ratio. This the report is online on board docs. administration also discussed competitive bidding requirements under Illinois school code and re recommended not adopting additional responsible bidder ordinance language noting it could discourage potential biders. The fiscal year 2025 annual audit received a clean opinion.
So that also allows us to be forward thinking, making sure we're within ratios we need to be and if we are not to make some considerations. So we'd like to recommend going forward looking at um doing a study and having that information at our fingertips for the future. So we will bring more information back um in some upcoming meetings about that. >> I think that was an inform item. Not asking for any action um tonight. Um so that puts us down under other. >> Anything else? >> No other. >> Hearing nothing else to come before the board but entertain a motion to adjurnn. A motion by Travis. Do I have a second? Second by Mary Lynn. All those in favor? 6. So meeting ajourn.
>> Yes. Yeah, exactly. >> Yeah. I mean, well, we have two meetings in March. Um, so to get it submitted in March, I assume we'd want to start talking about it at our next meeting because there will be two more chances. Um, though the >> Does it get voted on at town meeting too? No. >> So, >> Claudia, when would those dates be then? >> So, 34 and 3 >> 12. >> No, we have a meeting on 34. >> That was a question I had. >> This is Makita. That's that's the question I had. So, if we're going to get comments back to them on the second, if we want to discuss this during our upcoming meeting, you know, I I think we'd want to provide comments maybe after our upcoming meeting. Yeah, that's fine. That's fine. I I didn't >> too soon. >> Yeah.
No line item has been overexpended. Um, there are sufficient funds available to meet the obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. The treasur's report and the secretary's month secretary. Oh my gosh. You got it. Are in agreement for the month of January. I've done a lot of talking today. >> Put the brakes on there for a second. >> Um no changes in anticipated revenue amounts or sources. Um E is just to um note a budget transfer. We talked about this in finance committee. So, um, since we've had some struggles finding instructional assistance, Source for Teachers has been providing those. So, the money is sitting in a salary line that I'm not paying. In turn, our subline is really um, going over a little bit. So, I just had to reallocate those funds from salaries over to purchase services to cover that. Um F is to approve payment of the bills which everyone on finance committee they reviewed them all and signed off on them.
Loved by her students and valued by her colleagues, Miss Amelio is truly an asset to School 9 and the Clifton School District. MISS AMELIO. >> [applause] >> MR. BROTZ, HERE. COMMISSIONER BROTZ, HERE. Congratulations to Miss Shang Li Ying Li for being recognized as elementary employee of the month. Shang Ying has been a cornerstone of the Clifton School District's elementary music program for many years, serving as a lead elementary strings teacher with unwavering dedication, talent, and professionalism. Working across multiple schools, Shang goes above and beyond to nurture young musicians with patience, kindness, and expert instruction, producing exceptional performances at winter, spring, and all-city concerts. She oversees the strings portion of the Music Angels program, ensuring instruments are properly cared for and accessible to students from financially underprivileged families, while also leading the extensive organization required for all-city strings rehearsals and performances. Widely respected for her reliability, passion, and musical excellence, Shang truly epitomizes a rockstar teacher and is a well-deserving, unsung hero of the Clifton Schools music department.