001[Music] Good evening everyone. Good evening. Okay. County School District 132 school board meeting 601. John, yes. Brown, yes. Dixon, yes. Golar, absent. Kimbro, absent. Love, present. Absent Harris present. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Agenda approval of agenda. Suggested motion be hereby move that the board of education approve the agenda for March 25 2025 regular session as presented. May I have a motion? Motion by Miss Love. Second, second by Miss Brown. Okay. Brown absent. Kimbra absent. Love yes. Story absent. Harris yes. Motion carried. I'm sorry. Can you tell me the motion? Motion by second. Thank you. Superintendent report. Good afternoon uh board members. Ladies and gentlemen, tonight the only thing uh on the
002superintendent report is just an update on uh our 2023 24 um audit. We gave this I gave this update to the board. for what we share with the public. So we um have been working with our auditors from modern bach and admin and we are hopeful and they're telling us that we will receive our completed audit by the end of this month meaning it will be on the um April board agenda for approval. Uh in the years past we had delayed audits as a result of Thornton Township uh and them calculating cash that's pulled together. So, um, we are hopeful to have that completed. Um, since I've been here, this is the earliest that the audit has been completed. Last year, I think it came in June, so we're kind of ahead of schedule. Uh,
003Miss Brown, do you have anything you want to add to that from the treasures office? No, I'm ecstatic that they're caught up, too. Yeah. So, hopefully in the next fiscal year, um, processes will be, you know, better. um and we won't have to wait so long. So that's all I have. I wanted to share that with the community just so that they uh there's an update on where we are. Thank you. Consent agenda item. Suggested motion hereby move that the board of education approve consent agenda items A, B, C, and D as presented. question. So again, um we're going to skip D. So approval of A, B, and C. Um motion motion motion by love miss love and seconded by Miss Brown yes Brown yes Dixon no absent Kimbro absent love yes story absent Harris
004yes item A and C carry okay questions okay on the phone question on the fund balance. I noticed that um you know we got our beginning balance, our revenue, where we're getting our money from and our expenses. And I noticed we have a lot of expense. But the one that I'm really concerned about is the capital project because that's like $4 million and then we only then we end up with six uh $6,625 after that money is gone. and we transferred 930,000 out of it. And I know that you're gonna do I guess a presentation on the transfer of the money. I saw that part because you amended the you amended the budget and that part is there. But this capital uh project, what is it for? So cap so cap fund 60 capital project
005is a uh it's not a part of the normal operating funds. That's the only place where you pay for facility renovations and construction. So this capital project fund does not carry a balance. It's not designed to be a fund that carries a balance year after year. It's only for specific projects. This specific project was everything that was outlined by esser 2 actually one two and three grants namely the large portion was this new building here in Cal and then the other construction projects or renovations across the district. So fund60 is essentially where the money is moved into the construction and moved out of. It doesn't sit there. If you remember back in I want to say December, we did a transfer from working cash, which is a 70 fund to the 60 fund to cover
006the district's portion, so to speak, of what we had to pay for the gym. If you notice, there's only 600 $6,625 left in that account. That's by design. That's not an account that you carry money on um uh into perpetuity. When you do projects, you move the money into the account. Then when you do the project, you pay the money and you go back to your loan fund balance. Okay. Yeah. Because I see the next line, the money has been transferred to it and our amount went up. Okay. So, haven't we finished our capital projects yet? Yes, ma'am. We're done. Okay. So, we did have a surplus of about $11,000 after this building was finished, but I think that's what was reported when you, you know, when we finished the building and you did your
007report and said that we came under budget, correct? And I think it was like 11,000 something like that. Very close to it. Okay. So, this $930,000, what are we going to do with it? So, that money essentially cleared a negative. So, we took it from the um fund 70 working cash. That's the district savings account. If you go back to the fund balance report for December, the 60 fund will show as a negative number. And we did that intentionally. The the number ran negative because of how much money was moved in versus out. So, that's why we did the transfer from working cash to there to cover it. So, that's why it's only $6,000. We covered just enough money to cover the balance of it. So what did we pay for? Whatever that portion of
008the gym was. So remember funds. But we finished this gym when in August, September. So why are we still dealing with money to pay for the gym when it was stated that everything was paid for and we got and we had a surplus of $11,000. So no money should still be going into this building. This is an accounting measure. The building is paid for all. We have not paid Henry Brothers um Robinson Engineering DLA for the gym since like October. So the actual payment of cash is done. We're done with that. From an accounting perspective, when you move from one account to the other, that's what we were doing here. That's the $930,000 transfer. So that's just a book balance. That's not actual cash uh going from the district to a vendor. That's just money
009from the accounting side going from one fund to the other. Because this is a government agency, we had to pass a resolution uh to move the money. And then tonight, we will amend the budget. That's the second step, right? We have to amend the budget just to reflect the 930 being in the 60 fund and not the 70. So, it's just a multi-step process that we have to follow. But the part that you're talking about, it says because this amount is more than 10% of your fund. Oh, wait a minute. That's not what I wanted to read. Uh the $930,000 from fund 70 working cash to be transferred into fund 60 capital improvement to cover a portion of the cost of the new gym addition to Cal Middle School. Okay. to cover part of what
010are we covering? That's what I'm asking because you're saying that we're not spending any money. This is the part you're telling us to when you think of the total cost. So, we had money from SSR 2 grant. We had money from the SSR3 grant. We had money from evidence-based funding and then we had to spend uh a small portion of money from the district's fund balance. That's what this is. So, it's not particular to say that this $930,000 covered chairs and blinds. It just went contribute to the total cost of the gym. You know, still if if everything was paid for and we had a surplus of $11,000, then to me it doesn't make sense to be sitting up here talking about this is to cover something. And I'm still confused as to what it
011covers. So, Miss Love, I I guess the only thing I can say to you is that this is an accounting function. So, from an accounting function, you have, like I just said, I just gave you four different accounts of where money came from, right? So, all money's coming from different places, money's going out. And so we have to make sure that at the end of the project, if we said, if the district said we're going to spend $3 million of district money, that money has to come from somewhere and we have to reflect it. So we can't pay for anything out of fund 70. You have to take it from fund 70 and move it by board resolution to whatever county it needs to be in um in order to pay for everything. So we
012were able to pay for it. Like I said, if you go back to the fund balance report of December and fund 60, you should see a negative number. Okay? So once we move this money over, that negative was clear. So all the cash is good. Now we just had to make the books a line. Just like your checkbook, you have to make it a line. John Ro. Yes. Yes. Wait, did we? So, we have a motion to um to approve letter D, summary of fund balance reports. It was moved by Miss Brown. Second, second. Second by Miss Love. Brown, yes. Dixon, yes. Golar, absent. Himro, absent. Love, yes. Story absent. Harris, yes. Item D carried. Approval of 2025 2026 school calendar. Suggested motion be hereby move that the board of education approve the public school
013calendar for 2025 school year. You skipped one. You skipped number one. Oh, I sure did. I'm sorry. Number seven, approval to display the amended 2024 2025 district budget. Be suggestion motion be hereby move that the board of education approve the display of the amended 2024 2025 district budget as presented. So real quick, Madam President, just so we just discussed the uh why we have to amend the budget. So per this Illinois school code, if your expenditures or revenues are more than 10% of what's budgeted, then before the end of the year, you have to amend the budget. Um so with this transfer out of the working cash to capital improvements, that qualifies us to amend the budget. Usually, um we will put the budget on display in May and amend it in June just because
014it's the end of the fiscal year. However, I asked a request of the board president to put the budget on now so that we could approve it in April prior to the board leaving. Uh I remember when the new board members were seated, your first board member, you were at your first board meeting, you were asked to approve a brand budget that you had no knowledge of. Um and so this was done as a measure of let's avoid that. You all know what's in the budget. You know the transaction, you've already approved it. So, we'll put the budget on display now in March. In April, we'll call for approval and we'll be done with it. We would have met the compliance of the state law. Sean, may I have a motion? We need a I
015didn't read it. She read it. I read the motion. I don't think anyone Oh, no. A motion. Motion. Motion by Miss Love. Second. Second by Miss uh Dix. Okay. Brown, yes. Dixon, yes. Nolar, absent. Kimbro, absent. Love, yes. Story, absent. Harris, yes. Motion carried. Approval of 2025 2026 school calendar. Suggested motion. Be it hereby move that the board of education approve the public school calendar for 2025 2026 school year as presented. May I have a motion? have a question. Okay. So, didn't did he not uh approve this last month? No, we table it. Oh, we take it. Okay. So, we have a motion. Motion. Motion by Miss Dixon. Oh, second. Second by Miss John. Yes. Brown. Okay. Dixon. Yes. Golar absent. Kro absent love yes story absent Harris yes motion carried number three approval of
016performancebased compensation compensation for 20 year 2025 2026 non-union employees I would like to take that yes um you Yes. Okay. Thank you. Uh new business, uh foyer, any updates, John? Yes, we have just received three foyers and they're currently in process and we are still in our time frame, so we're still good. Thank you. Uh board members, do you have any two minutes report or anything? Oh, it was public comment. No, it's it's report. Oh, okay. That's right. You have anything? No. Happy St. St. Patty's Day and hopefully you better weekend. Um, I had a couple of things. For one, I want to um congratulate all the kids that performed at the Black History program. Um it was phenomenal. They I really enjoyed myself uh and looking at the babies perform. And I was hoping
017to get one of u one of our little performers to come and perform this board meeting, but I don't see them being present. Dr. Alexander, so I hope soon they will be coming here to perform before school is out. Um, and then another thing, uh, so I received a book from a young man, 10 years old that had written, um, and it's called Broken Crayons. And this letter, uh, was from, I believe, his mom. And, um, she sent me this and stated that, um, that she wanted to share something exciting and exhilarating with me. and she stated, um, "I am extremely pleased and excited to share with you that my 9-year-old grandson, Carter Reed, and I authored a book titled Broken Crayons. The title does not give an indication that this book is about bullying.
018The message that my grandson wanted to come across to his readers is that is that his broken crayons can still color as bullies are broken and they can still be useful. Be good. A good friend Carter Arthur this book because in first grade he was bullied about his bumpy speech which really made him feel bad. I remember him asking Nana why are kids so mean and say meant see mean things to each other. It was from the that point that Carter and I began drafting this book. The book covers the power that words have you get ch to choose if you want to be a friend. There are interactive sections in the book in the back of the book as well. I think you will really enjoy this book uh is taking place is also
019taking place in other in other schools. Bullying needs to be talked about. With October being National Bullying Month, there is no better time than now to have conversations, bring awareness, and at the same time put light on that subject. I would love for you to read it and let me know what you think. Can this be can this book be used in schools? Your feedback would mean a lot to me. I look forward to hearing from you. And uh it's mama's arm small read. Um so I didn't have a chance to read this book, but uh I wanted to share with the board um that this young man uh took the time out to talk about what he had encountered. And uh we're supposed to be a nonbullying district and and this is what we
020strive to do. You know, we've all encountered bullying at some point in our childhood and and hearing that some of the students here at one point in time uh used to get bullied. Um but so I know I talked with Miss Love and she stated that they wanted a copy. So if you guys want a copy, I can make sure that the young lady um can share some copies as if you guys Pardon? Oh, I showed it to Yeah. So, but um that was just something I wanted to share. Um but I really appreciate it. Um if we take the time to just read the book. Now, number nine, public comments. I want to first say this. If anyone intends to speak, please be respectful. Um, be mindful that you do have three minutes and
021that you will be acknowledged if and so you do want to speak. If you intend to speak, please fill out and completely questions or comments. Is there any any comments? I think we have form and present to the superintendent secretary at this time. The board will be prepared to address those comments related to the agenda within a reasonable time. But however, the comments may be forwarded to the superintendent for an individual response. No other discussion or action will take place. Please remain seated until you are recognized by the board president. Every person intending to speak must come to the podium to state their comments. Please state your name. Comments will be limited to three minutes. Again, we cannot answer any questions. So, but we are more than welcome to hear whatever concerns and questions that
022you may have. All right, we have two comments tonight. First is uh Miss Harrison. Good evening. Good evening. I wanted to bring something to the board. As everyone know, the federal money has been cut off by your president. And I I went up on an article on May the 22nd where a resident said that if you have been on the board for several years, you should not be going on trips. Every time we in the neighborhood here, somebody's on the trip. I have all the trips from 20 2018 to 2024 are one of your ordinance. Uh the trips come to almost $50,000. And these trips are over and over and over again. I'm gonna tell you right now, unless you get yourself in order, have a meeting and find out which way you're going to
023go, you're going to run into problem financially because the state is only giving you money. You have one district. There are people with 10 to 12 district that's going to get more money than you get. So, you may not get any. So, since you have all this money, this traveling need to stop. You have been on Travelers for 18 years. It's time to stop it. Atlanta four and five times. New Orleans twice. Las Vegas twice. This is ridiculous. You first have to learn what you're doing in Illinois. What the schools are doing in Illinois. I don't care what they doing in Las Vegas. What are the schools doing in Illinois? I I feel sorry for these children. Your first priority as board members are the children not the children. Their test scores are more important.
024And I'm going to tell you if the if the state have to come in here, they've been in here once. They are not nice and they don't come after anyone but the vote because you're the one that have vote. So you can just sit up here and you can just acknot. But I assure you they are on their way because of all these trips that people take. $50,000 a trip and the kids can use that money. That is unheard of. And you're going to you're going to pay for that. And I can do to help you pay for it. I will. Thank you. Thank you so much. We have one more com public comment, Miss Price. I hope that this will be a teachable moment. years ago, my mother always stressed to me the pitfalls
025of using words that you a could not pronounce and b did not know the definition of. I was also taught that when you are acting in the role of being a public speaker representing a group such as the board of education that it is imperative that you practice your speech many times if necessary in order to make the best impression. If someone has written the speech for you, this rule still applies. You can always ask your speech writer for simpler words or phrasing. For instance, the word tenure is not pronounced as tenure, although you did self-correct. That is just one example, although there were a few others. If you are in doubt about the pronunciation of a word, there are talking dictionaries on Google that address that issue. It is also important to note that
026if you do not excel at speaking off the cuff, please don't do it. Remember, it is not always about you. And by the way, with all the trips that Mrs. Harrison pointed out that the board has taken, some even to the same place two or three times, what benefits have been derived and implemented in this school district? And on a final note, I want you to know histrionic personality disorder, commonly known as HPD, is a mental health condition marked by unstable emotions, a distorted self-image, and an overwhelming desire to be noticed. We thank you so much, Miss Price. Thank you. So I just want to also let uh the staff know that uh Dr. Sverson and Dr. Alexander and um Dr. Harris was presented an award which we kind of um that appreciate the village
027uh giving you these awards and showing me appreciation and the time that you've given our district. Um thank you so much. Um now close session that is a motion to exit to close session. We hereby move that the board of education go into close session for the discussion pursuit to section 2C3 of the open meetings act to consider the reasoning reason establishing or filling a vacancy of public com public body information regarding appointment or dismissal of an employee or officer contracts grievances negotiations pending threatened or im im oh god imminent litigation, real estate, student discipline, student I mean I'm sorry, superintendent and or board evaluations performance. May I have a motion? Motion by Miss Dixon. Second by Miss Brown. Roll call. John, yes. Brown, yes. Dixon, yes. Golar, absent. Kimbro, absent. Love, yes. Story absent.
028Harris, yes. Motion carried at 629. Thank you. Have a good evening everyone. Welcome everyone. Um motion to reconvene back in open session. We have a motion. Motion. Motion by Miss Dixon. Second. Second by Miss Love. Roll call. John. Yes. Um Brown, yes. Dixon, yes. Nolar, absent. Kimbro, absent. Love, yes. Story, absent. Harris, yes. Motion carried at 7:37. Thank you. Motion to uh to adjurnn. Moved by Miss Brown. Second by Miss Roll call, John. Uh Brown, yes. Dixon, yes. Golar, absent. Kimro, absent. Glove, yes. Story absent. Harris, yes. Motion carried. 7:37.