001Ah, it's better. Okay. [clears throat] Since 5:30 uh p.m. the board of education has been in close session to discuss the employment the employment compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the district or legal counsel for the district collective negotiating matters between uh the public body and its employees or their representatives. I will entertain a motion to come out of close session. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion and second have been heard. Please call the role. Miss Pat. >> Kush. >> I. >> Kelly Black. >> I. >> Was >> I. >> Cuzinsky. >> I. >> McMillan. >> I. >> Gerky. >> I. >> Uh. Motion passes. We are in open session. Good evening and welcome to the Monday, June 1st. Wow. June 1st, 2026 board of education meeting. Um, our mission is
002to empower students to develop a learner's mindset, demonstrate adaptability, communicate effectively, think critically, and become global citizens. Please call the role. Mrs. Patton, >> board members present this evening, Charles Kush, Christine Gerky, Melissa Kelly Black, Amanda McMillan, Joe Cosminsky, and Mark Winsky. >> All right. Uh, please join the board in the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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. >> All right. Item [snorts] four, recognition. Item 4.01. [clears throat] Good news. >> Great. Uh 13 students were awarded scholarships at the Rotary Club of Neighborville's 2026 Youth Scholarship Awards, including six District 203 students. The students who received these scholarship awards exemplify the Rotary Club's commitment to service above self. A
003huge congratulations to Ashria Kunath at Nilal Central, Alexander Amaro, uh, William Elo, Avery Kinley, Aninsley Leiac, and Juliet Pero at Neighborville North. A group of automotive students from Neapville North earned their industry recognized ASSE entry level certifications. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence entry- levelvel certification indicates that these students have a satisfactory level of practical knowledge-based readiness for the workforce if they seek careers in the automotive service industry. The certification is the first step in building career credentials for an automotive service professional. Congratulations. A few months ago, we shared a story about advocacy work being done by Neighborville Central student Ashlin Goldstein. She has been championing for a change in CPR training procedures to feature female mannequins due to the disparity in cardiac arrest survival rates because women are less likely to receive bystander
004CPR than men. Ashlin's work was noticed by Representative Mara Hershower and a bill was introduced that would require female mannequins to be used in high school CPR education and training. bill passed through both the Illinois House and Senate and is now on the way to the desk of the governor. Neighborville North recently hosted the H Healthy Husky Takeover, an innovative event that brought over 80 experts into the classroom to lead interactive sessions on mental health and life skills. As part of the broader healthy husky week, students chose personalized workshop focus on stress management, resilience, and building confidence. By prioritizing proactive wellness over reactive support, the school has set a new standard for fostering a culture of belonging and empowering students with real world tools they need to thrive. Neighborville 203 would like to extend a
005huge congratulations to the class of 2026. Our seniors walked the stage of graduation ceremonies held on May 17th at both Neighborville Central and Neighborville North. We're so proud of all of you and can't wait to see what you'll achieve in the future. And finally, the last day of school was on May 22nd and we've got another successful school year in the books. Thank you so much to everyone for their effort this year and every year and for fostering a welcoming and productive environment for learning. That's our good news. All right, we have reached a point in our agenda for public comment. Board of Education welcomes comments from the public at its meetings. Citizens who wish to address the board of education should identify themselves by name. Comments by individual shall be limited to three minutes.
006If the individual is representing multiple individuals or a group, they shall be allowed to speak for five minutes. The board respectfully requests that speakers refrain from commenting about specific individuals. Um, do we have any I have no slips of paper up here. Is there anyone in the audience who wishes to address the board? Okay, seeing none, this will conclude our public comment period. Um, so thank you for that. Let's see. Oh, sorry. As a reminder, anything that would have been asked in public comment, um, uh, we don't I'm sorry. The board is sorry the superintendent is a spokesperson for the district and as our designate will respond to public comment and reprise the board of education accordingly. All right, that concludes our public comment period. All right, next is action by consent. I have a
007couple of items I need to pull. So I will accept or I will entertain a motion for the consent agenda for item 6.02. 02 05 06 and 07. >> So moved >> second. >> Motion and second have been heard. Any discussion? >> Please call the role. Mrs. Patton. >> Kush. >> I. >> McMillan. >> I. >> Kazminsky. >> I. >> Kelly Black. >> I. >> Winsky. >> I. >> Gerky. >> I. >> The motion passes. Okay. Um, item 6.01, adoption of the personnel report. I'll entertain a motion. >> I move to approve item 6.01 as presented. >> Second. >> Motion and a second have been heard. Any discussion? Melissa. Oh, I wanted before we do the timing, somebody kindly reminded me that any procedures that are to be adopted, such as a three-minute rule, would
008have to be voted on in an open meeting. >> We did that. >> Oh, we did? Maybe I was absent for that. Okay. >> Okay. Is that was that your question on 6.01? You have a >> That was before. >> Okay. No, sure. Um, speaking of which, thank you for reminding me of that. Um Christine, who is our designated time keeper? Mark, thank you. So um Mark is our designated timekeeper for today. So thank you Mark for assuming that role. >> Melissa, you had a question or a comment. >> Questions um on the report, but we're seeing um many resignations, retirements, and reassignments. Will those be refilled, left vacant, consolidated, reassigned, or permanently eliminated? And I did send my questions ahead of time. >> I think you want to go ahead. I think all of
009it depends. I mean, depending on the the need for the vacancy, um, and then the need for the position to be refilled, every vacancy that becomes open is evaluated for its need. Um, and we are working still within the staffing framework that was approved by the board of education on March 16th. Um so going back I asked the last meet the last meeting about knowing about the categories. There's been a lot of concern expressed by stakeholders about um what those final numbers when will we know is there a administrative plan as to targeted staff levels studenttoteer okay I'll go one by one staff levels >> staff levels the board of education approved the staffing projections at the March 16th meeting will work within that projection >> okay so there will be no more changes >>
010what do you mean changes Well, if people are not if say there's these resignations, first of all, another question I had, we had a lot of classified resignations. Were those people >> res were they resigning because their positions were no longer there and they were given an option or did they resign on their own accord? >> Dr. resigned on their own uh on their own accord. There are no reductions. You're talking about a lot of special education pair professionals. There are no reductions there. >> Okay, >> that is typically at the end of a school year, you will see PE there will be more um resignations because they have closed out the school year. They've closed out their employment with us and potentially they're looking for new opportunities for the next year or not coming
011back. >> Okay. So I think asked I asked last me week and again I'm getting a lot of comments or last meeting about um people are concerned about the student toteer ratios administrator to student ratios and class sizes. Um when will parents know how the shuffling of our staff has panned out? When will the board and community know where we stand as like how many counselors we have, how many math interventionists, how many classroom teachers? >> So, in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, um final decision regarding any sort of transfers, reassignments is I believe June 11th is the June 10th is the date. So, by June 11th that will be known. Um and in terms of then working on all of the assignments, we are again working within the board approved staffing um projection
012from March 16th. Um and our class sizes will remain within board policy 632 uh of a range of 20 to 30. >> I I know Mr. Bridges a lot of times when I ask these questions you'll ask with we have this policy. I think that yes, we have those policies but they don't tell us exactly how this is going to pan out. So, I'm I'm asking not for what policies are. I do appreciate that you told me. Is it possible in June 15th to get a better assessment? You said that they're going to be f finalized. >> Just to clarify, the staffing level that was approved at the March board meeting, right? We originally came in and the the positions we were at uh 1567 like that our staffing for the next year would be
013up to that level, right? At that board meeting, there were 38 individuals that were on a reduction in force list. the board did not go through with that with that and gave the direction that we would be looking at natural attrition. So, retirements, resignations um to try and uh close the deficit. Right. So, that we are still operating within those lines. >> Okay. So, my understanding I can just finish up on the answer. >> Can I just ask clarification please? >> I just was wanted to give answer to your question first. Um, and I cite policy because policy is the roadmap by which the board sets direction for the administration and for the board in terms of its operations. And so that's what governs us. That's what governs the district. Uh, and so we have
014to work within that. And then so that that's really why policy is always cited is because that's the why we're doing the work that we're doing. >> Okay. Now I'm answering two things. I Mr. Bridges, the part of the board is to ask questions. It doesn't mean I'm changing policy, but the community and the and I assume other board members, at least myself, would like to know where these end numbers are ending up. >> So, I don't want you to interrupt any more of my time. I'm going to go back to there were some people there um there were some people on that day that we that were not renewed and some of those people we automatically apparently don't renew. Going back to the date you said that some of the riffs did not go
015through but there were people that were let go but that we traditionally hire back. Correct. >> Are you talking about non-renewals for performance? >> No, there were also non-renewals not for performance that day. I believe >> part-time employees >> correct. >> Are you talk? >> Yeah. If if there is a need for that position, we will rehire those part-time employees back. So the reshuffleling that we're hearing a lot about, why is that happening? Why do we have teachers all moving around so much then? >> Well, in part it happens every year. >> Yeah. >> Um based on enrollment, based on section needs, based on programmatic needs. So it is an occurrence that does happen every year. >> My understanding from staff members are themselves is that it is much more pronounced in our communications. I
016believe as a board with you, Mr. Bridges, was also that there were going to be more changes. So, I understand it happens every year. That's not the question I'm asking. I'm asking why have there been so many more changes this year? >> I'm sorry, time. >> Other questions from the board? >> Okay. U motion and second had been heard. So I please call the role Mr. Patton. >> Gerky >> I. >> Ksminsky >> I. >> Kush >> I. >> Winsky. >> I. >> McMillan. >> Hi. >> Kelly Black. >> Hi. >> The motion passes. Uh the next item is item 6 03. I will entertain a motion. I move approval of 6.03. 03 uh resolution designating interest earnings. >> Second. >> Motion and a second have been heard. Any discussion? >> Melissa. >> Um again,
017it was a little hard. I didn't find that there was a lot of information there. It seems to be a broad resolution to give authority to the administration to transfer interest from funds. We did not know what funds. There was no historical information as to when this was done, how it was done. Um, I did send board questions ahead of time, >> but I guess my question is this. There's a lot of concerns right now. According to the law, the school board is at the discretion to make any transfers of interest that they want except when it comes to Illinois municipal retirement toward immunity, fire, school security, um, energy conservation, and capital improvements. with all that's going on, why would we want to There's been a lot of concern about the transparency with why are
018we giving if the board can already make these changes, why would we want this? Go >> ahead, Mike. >> There are what you're citing are transfers that are allowed within school code between funds. This is not that. This is a I'll read from the board result the the board uh answer that we gave. Uh this resolution is a routine annual housekeeping measure required by the Illinois school code. It does not authorize, execute or approve the transfer of any funds. Rather, it simply designates interest earnings within their originating funds so that the board retains the legal flexibility to act if a transfer becomes necessary later in the year. If the resolution is or at actually at a future date, if this resolution is approved, no money moves. Any actual transfers of funds would require a separate
019explicit board discussion and a formal vote in a future public meeting. So, this is This is something we bring to the board every year as a routine thing because the school code changed in 0809 that said that any interest that's earned in a fund becomes principal to that fund if it does not have a uh a resolution like this passed our board and probably every one of our neighbors passes a resolution like this. What this ultimately does is give the board flex, not the administration. It gives the board the flexibility to transfer interest between funds at a future date. >> Okay. So, this is my concern. We've seen the transfers. First of all, I'm not sure because I didn't get any background information although I requested it as far as which transfers this has been
020used for. But we have issues of people are concerned that money is coming out of funds that are directly tied to educational services and education and going into capital improvements if we so I don't like the concept of making this much broader. I think there needs to be the transparency as to, you know, making this bigger. I My concern is this. We're amending our budgets. We're making all these transfers. I'm concerned that we're using amended budgets and transfers to sh up decisions or funds that should be used as they've been allocated and that our budgeting is off. Why? We shouldn't have to be amending. We should have more true budgets. So, we're not amending them or making transfers. So, I'm not for increasing that behavior. I think if anything, we need to reduce the transfers
021of funds. >> Other questions from the board? >> Joe. So, just to uh make sure that we're clear, nothing is being transferred at this time as a result of passing this. It just provides flexibility in the future should we need to do uh a transfer. >> That's correct. And um if I understand correctly, when there are surpluses and and they go into the fund balance, they're they're tied to some, you know, line, right? Education um uh facilities, what whatever uh line it is in in the budget. Um and in order to and they just kind of go into that savings account, right? Um, and then to pull them out and use them under 420, we need to do these transfers. So, this allows us to use any surplus funds later on. Correct. >> It's actually
022just the interest that was earned in those funds because there could be surplus from other reasons that could be used >> any but the interest part of the of a surplus interest [clears throat] part of that is covered by this resolution. >> Thank you. Christine, >> and I just want to also, I don't know if I'm asking or just stating, but correct me if I'm wrong. Anytime a transfer like that occurs, the board approves or either uh okays it or doesn't. >> That's correct. And if you recall when we presented the amended budget on May 4th, there are transfers that will be brought for vote and a public hearing on those transfers at the June 15th schoolboard meeting as part of the amended budget. >> Right. So the board is the ultimate decider on any
023of those transfers at any >> but this resolution in this consent agenda item has nothing to do with that. >> Correct. I just want to make sure that it's clear that anytime money is transferred, it is the board that makes that decision. It's not um we have not abdicated that responsibility in any way, shape, or form. Melissa. >> Uh I just to go back to what Joe's saying about the 420 policy that was we had a lot of money that was transferred out of our education and our um operations and maintenance into capital um projects. The problem is you can transfer out of some of these other funds like the education fund but you can't transfer out of once it goes into the capital projects. So we could have a situation where we have now
024that decisions were made before we knew we were going to have this big deficit. Those monies were transferred into the capital projects and now they can't be taken out and now we're laying off teachers. So >> sorry time. >> Oh Joe. Yeah. Just curious how many teachers were laid off. >> Thank you. >> Melissa, your time your time has expired. No, your your time your time has expired. Your time has expired on this. Your time has expired on this agenda. >> So we're not following Robert. >> Your time your time has expired on this agenda. >> I'm not asking a question. I'm >> Your time has expire. Your time your speaking time has expired. >> Right. >> Yes. I am asking for clarif Yes. I'm clarifying a point. Yes, I can. >> No, no, no,
025no, no, no. >> So, you're saying that doesn't >> No. You know what I'm about to say? >> What >> I said, do you know what I'm about to say? Is it what? >> You know what? >> Okay. Motion and a second have been heard. Please call the ro. Mr. Pton. >> McMillan. >> I. Gerie. >> I. >> Winsky. >> I. >> Kelly Black. Nay >> Kush >> I. >> Cosminsky >> I. >> The motion passes. >> Okay. Item 6.04. ASA wavery approval. I'll entertain a motion. >> I move to approve item 6.04 as presented. >> Second. >> Motion and a second have been heard. Any discussion? >> Melissa. When I previously voted in favor of this action, since then I have become increasingly concerned about the district's public communications regarding its financial condition, have
026not consistently represented the complete picture in a manner that is clear, transparent, and easy to be understood by taxpayers and stakeholders. The annual statement of affairs is intended to serve as public transparency document. It includes financial information regarding district funds, expenditures, vendor payments, compensation, disclosures, contracts above statutory thresholds, and all other financial reporting intended to provide accountability and public viability into the district's operations and spending. For example, last week this has been sent out and it shows the deficit at 12.4 and 3.9 million. That is not what is in the budget books. Actually um we are looking at a new um deficit for this year of 31 million and next year of 40 million. So I think this is unclear. So I think it is important that we provide we publish these in newspapers so
027this information is available to everyone and not just left to the discretion of the district to transmit that information. Thank you. >> Other questions from the board? >> Motion and second have been heard. Please call the role. Mr. Patton >> Kush. I >> McMillan >> I Winski >> I >> Kelly Black >> nay >> Kuzinsky >> I >> Gerky >> I >> the motion passes all right we have uh reached item seven communications board of education reports uh does anyone on the board wish to give a report on uh things that they've done as part of their board responsibilities Mark >> I'll keep this under three minutes. Um but um as we ended the Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month yesterday, I was able to attend um the 4th annual Asian Talent Art Exhibition at
028the 95th Street uh uh library. Uh this was put on 203 was a sponsor as well as the Chinese American Women's Association uh and the Association of Indian American in Neapville area. Uh also I was able to see Dr. colleagues there and her her daughter. So it was that was great. Uh but the artistic work of the children uh were just incredible. Uh everything from drawings, sketches, paintings, photography, origami uh just uh just really amazing that they were able to use this opportunity to showcase the experiences they've had in their lives and capturing it in these different mediums. Uh but it was a great event and I I certainly uh look forward to next year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mark. Joe. [clears throat] >> Yeah. Last um last week we had the Citizens Finance
029Committee meeting um and it was a really good meeting. uh a lot of engagement from the committee members, a lot of uh good questions um and really uh kind of digging into things um in uh the budgets and um uh you know everything that we're kind of doing financially um and uh you know a lot of good discussion. We actually ran uh about 15 minutes over and and everybody you know kind of uh wanted to stick around and and um continue uh discussing. So, uh, good meeting and and the, uh, committee, um, kind of looked at everything, asked their [snorts] questions, and, um, that they're, uh, you satisfied with, uh, the direction that we're going and, uh, the recommendations that are being made on the budget, on the, uh, transfer funds, uh, on the amended
030budget, and, um, the the things that, uh, we're going to be uh, looking at in the next meeting to pass. Thank you, Joe. Anyone else? Okay. All right. Seeing none, uh item 7.02, president's report. Um I had the uh privilege of attending uh Neapville Central graduation. And uh I know we already talked about it in good news, but I um it is my favorite I sometimes refer to that as that is my Super Bowl every year when we get to see um at each at each of our individual schools about 600 students in each class um walk by and the the amount of future potential that you can just see walking across the stage. It's uh one of the best moments of the year. So to me, it's almost a tie between first day of
031school and graduation day. is kind of bookends around those things. So, um, uh, kudos to the, uh, administrative administration for the wonderful job that they do of, you know, getting everything organized. Everything's lined up. Everybody knows where to go. Um, we had a lot of wind that day and I don't have hair to hold my hat on, but uh, um, but it was uh, but but folks muscle through it. um one of the speakers in fact um her speech flew away in the middle of her speech and she didn't miss a beat. She just boom kept going, knew what she was going to say, said what she said, delivered her message confidently and uh that's just a microcosm of how um the wonderful work that we do as a district and to to see that
032kind of poise on display was tremendous. So, um again, congratulations to all our graduates and we wish you well in your future endeavors and come back and see us sometime. All right. Item 7.03, superintendent staff school report. Mr. Bridges, no report. Okay. Item 7.04, board member assignments to committees and school liaison assignments. Christine, >> uh, I'm going to start working on next year's assignments. So, you will receive an email from me just asking to, uh, let me know any conflicts you have. if you can't do middle of the day meetings or um whichever buildings your kids are at if that's applicable. So, I won't uh assign you where you you just can't serve right now. So, I'll send that out to you and if you can get any information back to me by Friday, then
033I will start working on those assignments. >> Okay. Thank you. Item eight, discussion without action. Item 8.01, 2026 2027 budget workshop. >> Okay. The board of education uh received and reviewed the tenative budget uh at the May 4th, 2026 board of education meeting. Uh the board has also had opportunity to review that at the May 18th as well as this evening. And we are scheduled for also workshop on June 15th. Also scheduled for June 15th are two public hearings. One for the amended budget and one for the uh budget presentation for fiscal year 27. call your attention to board docs. You'll find it in board docs. Uh this is accessible uh by the community the fiscal year 27 budget book uh with t tenative with the FY26 amendments. You'll find infographics regarding um some of
034the capital projects and then you will also see a running list of board of education individual member questions regarding the FY27 budget. This is our practice just again taking the board taking the time to digest and dive into the budget and to ask and raise questions as they come up. Uh so those are in there. We received some additional questions today. Uh those will be added and posted for the June 15th meeting. I believe we're up to date on all the the questions that are posted in the FY27. Um so with that um be happy to answer any new questions. questions from the board. >> Melissa, >> um first off, I wanted to state that um all the questions I did send them ahead of time and none of them are responded to which makes
035this conversation budget questions which makes it very difficult. I did receive the only response I received is that they would be posted for the June 15th meeting. And the problem with that is at June 15th meeting if I get the answers then it's hard to answer follow-up questions. I guess um it would be nice if our board questions for the budget could be answered prior to the last minute the day of the vote. Um, so, uh, okay. And then as far as the board questions that are listed, um, I don't, do you include all board member questions about the budget in the list that's available to the public? >> Yes. Unless it uh speaks to a sensitive or reason to be protected as something would be protected under the open meetings act, but I don't
036believe there were any. >> Okay. >> At least I get it. Am I Did we miss one or? >> Yeah, but they're added in terms of dates. So, because this is the third opportunity to submit questions, the the ones that are publicly posted were ones that were submitted two questions ago. And then when you scroll down, there's the next date. Then those ones that were submitted, so any ones that were submitted for this evening's meeting, not posted yet. Those will be posted June 15th. >> Well, that's my question. Can we have them posted before June 15th so the public and the board members know the answers to those questions? That's a lot of time if we have a threeminut limit to discuss all budget questions. >> I mean typically they're posted before the meeting the
037week before when board docks are. >> Yeah, they go out the week before. Can we get them posted? >> Well, there's an extensive list of so if the if the entire board wants to direct staff to get those done prior to our typical timeline of when board docs is released, uh then that would be have to be a board directive. Staff receives those question. It takes staff time to research and work on some of those questions. So if the board wants to change his practice, then then that would have to be a board directive. >> The reason is if board members have three minutes, you cannot cover all these questions. So it really restricts our ability and the budget is [clears throat] one of the most important issues. So I would think we would want
038to make sure we've thoroughly vetted this and got our questions answered. So I guess it goes to the other board members. Other questions from the board? >> No, no, I meant as far as that issue, but I do have some questions. I want to clarify. There's been a lot of confusion lately that just so I get verification for the public that the original deficit for the 2023 budget for this year's budget was $12 million. that the amended budget now has a $31 million defic deficit and next year's has a $40 million deficit. Is that if anyone objects, say it now and let's discuss it. [clears throat] >> Okay. So, >> Amanda, >> um, board member Kelly Brock, I just want to say you are the most confident, determined board member I've ever met, that no
039matter what other people say, whether it's Mike or Dan or an auditor or whatever, it's not going to sway kind of the viewpoint that you have. because I know that it's been brought up every single meeting that the there's a difference between operational budget and then the capital budget, right? And we've talked about how those are um two different types of components of where we get the the revenue uh to pay uh operational costs is you know from the local taxpayers for the capital is from the 420 which we've described in many ways but you only see it one way. So, I don't understand why we have to keep going back and forth about this because it doesn't seem like anything anybody else says can convince you otherwise because you're going to combine both the
040capital um deficit and the operational budget together and create your own um uh what's the word? Kind of your own messaging around that that makes it sound like we're saying something completely different. But we're just seeing something very it's just like you can't convince me that we have a $40 million deficit because I know based I trust what Mike says that we have an operational budget and we have a capital budget and those are two separate things and we have different ways of paying for them. So therefore I don't agree with you and I know you're not going to agree with me but that means we get our vote and we get to move forward. So that's my two cents about that. Can >> I respond? Amanda, we had this conversation. The reason I'm so
041confident is the amount of time I take to know all this. I do the research. >> You don't even know. You were so bold. You're talking about an operational budget and a capital budget. Those aren't even That's not even what we're discussing. >> You were the one when we first brought up the budget book that didn't know what the funds were. You've been at this job how long and you don't know what the different funds are. So yes, >> you're questioning my intelligence. You're interrupting me. You're you're definitely insulting me. And I say point of order. Thank you. >> Don't don't don't no don't don't don't disparrage your fellow members. You have a point. >> I am going to point out Amanda >> that the budget presentation by this administration >> clearly shows the 39784
042whatever $40 million deficit. So, yes, Amanda, I get frustrated. No, I'm not changing my mind to what the facts say. And the fact that I have to come in here and argue the facts that are in front of you and were presented to you, it is disturbing. Quite honestly, it >> is disturbing. Oh, Joe, >> I have the same PowerPoint slide up. Um, and uh the $3.9 million uh deficit is the operating funds deficit. This is the day-to-day operational deficit for the school year. The $39.7 million uh deficit includes the capital. So there is a $36 million capital deficit including the capital those aren't two separate >> but the capital the the capital funds are paid out of the fund balance >> which is the 420 amendment that we've been doing. Um, so the the
043operating funds, the $4 million that we talk about, 3.975 million, uh, is the dayto-day operational deficit. >> It's not the entire deficit, >> but that that's the one that carries over the the $36 million the $36 million capital deficit is a one-year. I'm sorry. >> One time deficit. Your t your Melissa, >> it is a one year onetime deficit from fund balance. >> Hang on a second. Melissa, if I'm cor if Mark, if I'm correct, your time your time on this has expired. Okay. Another board member is speaking. Please yield him the courtesy of speaking in his allotted time. In his allotted time. Your time. You Yeah. >> And and and Joe and Amanda. Amanda stayed within her three minutes. Joe is, I'm presuming, going to stay within his three minutes. So that's why we
044do that. And it's three minutes of you speaking, not when the question's being asked. So somebody answers your question, that doesn't count as your time. >> It's only we all agreed that the timing all agreed. We all agreed. >> I did not. >> Look, look, look, look, look, look at the look at the look at the No, hold on. Look at the vid. Look at the videotape. We We did. >> We did that. Okay. So the the the threeminut rule was instituted quite a while ago and you were here for that vote and if I do remember correctly you did agree because it was something that came out of um our board self-evaluation. We talked about that. I've talked about that many times. >> So understand Melissa your time has expired on this topic. >>
045Okay. Any other questions from the board? Joe still has time. That's right. Joel was not finished. >> I I I uh Go ahead. >> I finished my point. I uh just wanted to to differentiate the definition of operating funds and and all funds uh once again. And uh I've done that. I yield my time. >> Mark, >> thank you, Charles. And Joe, you did have a minute 40 seconds left, but u yeah, just to go back to what Joe said. So in 2026 we transferred money from one fund to another fund as per uh the 4.20 policy. So at the end of 2026 we have this bucket of money. [laughter] In 2027 when we do the budget it's bas basically two components. One is the operating fund, the the operating deficit that we have. And
046that means daytoday we are taking in less revenue than we are spending. And that's the $4 million. And that tells us that, you know, if we were operating a business, we're losing $4 million. Cash is going out the $4 million and cash is go $4 million going out. >> Your time has expired on this topic. Please let Mark finish his point. >> Now what we're seeing is in 2027 is now that the funds that we moved in 2026 are being expended to construct the four projects that we have approved as a board. So to me it's you know those are two different things that we're looking at. I think the thing that is most important for a business is that we are operating at a deficit. Not that we shifted money that we had in
047surplus between different accounts and then we're spending it because we have that money. The problem is on a go forward basis. We are operating at a loss and that is the key thing that we have been talking about that needs to be addressed uh and can has been addressed by the administration and those actions have been approved by the board and now we're looking at the budget that reflects that and we'll have a vote on that in a couple of weeks time and hopefully we'll we'll continue to see improvements in our operating numbers. But I I do want to be very clear for the community that, you know, we are talking about an operating deficit and then we're talking about monies that are being expended that have been approved and have been reserved by the
048the board. So I I just want to make that very clear for everyone. Thank you, Charles. >> Okay. Other questions? No. Okay. All right. Um and so this come this will come back for action as Superintendent Bridges pointed out at the June 15th meeting. Uh and there will also be a public hearing two public hearings >> on that date. Um where the public can ask questions um the public can review the documents that um are and the questions that uh will be posted and the ones that have already been posted as well. Okay. Item nine discussion with action. Item 9.01 1 policy 792 use of ride share services. >> Okay. Uh oh. >> I'll entertain a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion and second have been heard. Any discussion? >> Okay. Uh so
049you'll recall at the uh previous board of education meeting administration brought forward uh a unique policy uh and our recommendation that would prohibit practice of uh private ride share services during school hours for all students under the age of 18 except for in certain situations um where a single-use waiver and release liability is executed. We've seen an increase in this and and saw vulnerability to u the district uh and so made a recommendation of this policy had it reviewed by legal counsel uh and are recommending uh that the board adopt it. Um so you'll see a draft of the policy as well as a draft of the service waiver and release of liability. Dr. Cohen, any additional um information to share? questions from the board. >> Melissa, >> um I did send ahead of time
050my fellow board members another school district's ride share policy so we can understand what somebody else has enacted and try to learn from it. Um there were a couple of provisions I don't I feel that ours is it does not allow a lot of in some ways doesn't allow a flexibility and in other ways it's not concrete enough. So, for example, general provisions, this other school district broke up elementary school students versus high school students, which is, I think, a fair way to break it up. And those in these this other district, it's emergency situations and by parent consent. Um, and they go on to define what emergency situations are. So, we don't have inconsistency. uh it doesn't put it on staff to be making decisions at the moment on the spur of the moment
051and not having consistent rules around what the parameters would be so that all the were consistent across the board to all students. Um the other thing was approved ride. They had two tiers. So that the they separated off the hop, skip, and drive and similar because they do backtown ground checks and those were the only ones that were eligible to be used for the younger students because they actually had background checks. the high school students were able to do general ride share services and they were able to do this but they did have to have um on on file a liability from the parents an authorization. Um it was interesting they put in safety requirements right now as this is constructed it's kind of on the parent um once they sign the waiver where this
052put that all drivers must meet or exceed the rice shared company's background check and requirements for tier one services enhanced pediatric background checks and child safety training are required. It also has something about vehicle standards. Um, communication protocols. It also has that they have to do real time ride check tracking is required by the parent or guardian. That way once their child gets in the car, we can track where they're the parent is tracking where they're going. Um so so they have specific guidelines by activity type high school guidelines prohibitive practices financial responsibility then the liability and risk. I think that we talked about how this is a new forefront. I think this could be workshopped a little better instead of one kind of solution for all that we have a clearer so that we
053are being cognizant of parents who do not maybe have the time or the money. They are in different parental situations to be able to >> sorry time >> might have to use child share services. >> I can I can speak to that. Um this policy was was written by your council by board counsel from Robin Schwarz. This was not drafted by the administration. This is their recommendation. Um I would not recommend in any way, shape or form the district vouching for any private company's background check process. that is completely outside of our control and subject to their corporation's whims. If they chose to, you know, on Monday implement a new process for vetting their drivers, it would take us time weeks, months to then amend our policy in that regard. Um, this does this does
054not have us following those ride share at all. In fact, we we would discourage the use of ride shares completely. um in having conversations with our own director of transportation, Cindy Leourne. She has concerns about ride share because students who transport students to I'm sorry, services that transport students to and from school as far as ones that are endorsed by the school district are very tightly regulated. Those drivers must have a passenger permit, must have a school bus permit in order to transport students back and forth. And we are not recommending endorsing any service that does not have that as a minimum requirement. And none of those services whether it's a hop skip uh drive or a teen Uber etc. none of those services have that standard. So we are not endorsing any of them
055for that reason. We are recommending that parents do not use these services but providing in the event that a parent insists that they they cannot be there. A child has to go home. U we are leaving that up to the discretion of the administrator. We're not defining what an emergency is at this point. Um but we have very few know gratefully we only have a few situations where we have experienced draw on when it comes to this uh mostly at the middle school level. Um this is again not something we encourage. Uh you mentioned elementary. I don't know that a service would provide any they're not none of these uh apps are supposed to be used with students under the age of 13 years old. example I was not endorse this as much as there's
056a lot more room >> and I I haven't seen I haven't seen that but this did come from from your board attorney >> just out of uh for research for future u what's the district in the policy number so we can >> I can send it right to you and then um >> okay >> I can send it and Charles can even Charles you have it >> you can send it to him I send it to you >> oh okay >> and then um yeah because ours is an insurance background. >> Got it. Understood. Yes. Okay. Other questions from other board members. Amanda, >> um I think you kind of answered this Mark about like ride share shouldn't be using this for elementary, but I'd feel a little bit more comfortable adding provision of like
057this, you know, absolutely cannot be used for anyone under the age of 13 type of thing. I I don't know because like I mean then we're just relying on the law but like at the same time if if a what happens if a parent uh you know picked has one sent for their fifth grader right you know I I just don't want that to be left on the administration this kind of leaves it broad so I'm wondering if maybe we should have a restriction around like the minimum age if if we were to allow this that's just something I want to u want to put to the board to consider Other questions from board members? [clears throat] >> Christine, >> Amanda, Amanda, are you saying you would want to see that like written into this
058pilot? Like so potentially um send this back to council to add that? I just I want to understand what you're asking. Um yes. So just a consideration. I mean I as a first draft this is okay but I want to like in the under general provisions. Okay the first sentence it says the use of private ride share or the private vehicle transportations services for student transportation during regular school hours is prohibited for all students under the age of 18 accepted in documented emergency situations with a single use waiver liability form. Um, so I'm just wondering if we want to add um like uh there's absolutely no exception for anyone under the age of 13 or something like you know what I mean? So that um because that's not legally allowed but also we should kind
059of like specify that and clarify that for parents. That's just a suggestion that just came to me. So, >> okay. No, I just I wasn't quite sure um what you what you were Thank you. >> So, um Mark, you start. Did you have Oh, okay. You just start timing me because I'm about to say something. Um so, couple of questions for me and and maybe it's just that I just don't understand the the way the wave is written. Um, how far in advance does this waiver need to be provided? Is it a day of situation? Is it a because as I see the form, it's got all the language on it that Amanda read through. Parent signs off on it and they put a date on it. Did they send that to school with the
060student? Does this have to have been delivered in advance? How does that logistically work? >> This is um designed to be delivered right before a child would go home. So, this would be a child is ill. Let's say it's a single parent. That parent is working up in Lincolnshshire, but the child's at home and and grandma's at home, but grandma can't get to school to pick up the child. So, this would be something that we could email the parent could then, you know, send it back endorse that's saying yes, I give permission for this to, you know, for this service. Um, so it can be done the day of. um it would not constitute an emergency to plan something out any length of time in the future. >> So kids are pretty enterprising and pretty
061creative. So my question is what are the parameters to make sure that a kid or a kid's friend does not email themsself out of a out of school for the day or for whenever. I would say those enterprising students have been around since the beginning of time. Uh and uh our our offices are constantly uh on the on the lookout for any um any reasons to leave school that would not pass u you know the muster of an of an investigation. Um but I I hear exactly what you're saying that that this you know um whether you know there would be commu other communication with the parent. The waiver would be the last step in the process. there would be other communication as to why that child will be using a ride chair before we
062got to this. >> And let's again just envision an emergency situation. If part of the emergency the need is for a ride, it's likely that the parent isn't on premise anyways. So there would have to be other conversation to verify the electronic submission of this. >> Okay. Um I like where Amanda just I'm more concerned about the younger kids. Um you know there's more permissions and more things that are allowed to our uh older students, our high schoolers even well the high schoolers for the most part. Um so I I too would have uh some concerns around younger younger kids. Um yeah, so that's kind of where I'm sitting on this one. So I'm hearing I >> we've heard from two. So maybe we should just see if uh you know the members of the
063board feel like you want to look at a little bit. I mean last week our last board meeting it felt like we heard a lot about being concerned about hardship and ensuring that in a unique situation students who need that ride get that ride. Uh so a little bit actually more open and this one the concern and I'm not saying they're not valid. I'm just I just want to make sure we're you know administration is getting the right direction. So, I've heard from a couple about looking at a an exclusion specifically to 13, >> right? >> And and that makes sense in terms of thinking about the the right share use. >> Mark, how much time do I have left? >> Okay, I'm going to use some more of it now. Um, how often does
064this happen? Like how how frequently has the need for this arisen? >> Has it stand so far? I mean, the fact we're putting a policy around it means that it's come up. So how frequently has that happened? >> I would say enough to have raised the concern that we have to have something in place. I don't have a number. U has dealt with it. I >> 10 20 50 >> 10 or less less than or less >> half dozen to 10. Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Um, one of the other things if I could put out there that I would would would want to see is and this is, you know, if we were to implement this, I would want I know we look at our our policies on at least on a once a
065year basis. I would want to for the inaugural year of this one to get a little bit more of a pulse and an update because one of the um unintended consequences that I have concerns around as well on this one is that right it's at 10 suddenly we put this in place and that number jumps to 50 or 100 or suddenly it's like oh great idea we'll do you know I just don't want to encourage overuse of this type of thing um and I don't know how we safeguard against that um But uh I I would want to have at least a at least for the first year of this uh a more frequent review where we can kind of look at how much this is being utilized and what we've learned from you know
066once this is in place if if it is in place >> Christine. >> So I I wouldn't mind um if council could explore that age 13 like can we put that kind of restriction? I guess that that's my first question. Is it something we can have like this very definitive cut off? Um the only other concern I have or um wish I I suppose it's more of a wish is that we do finalize this before August so that when school starts this can be in place and all that you know beginning of school year communication and whatnot the it's all there. It's not like a midyear kind of by the way, we have a new thing. So that that's just me. >> Joe Ben Amanda. >> Yeah, I I agree with uh Christine. I think
067uh it's important to have this in place, you know, next meeting or, you know, July at the very latest. Um so that we're going into the school year. We can educate families about this. um the um under 13 I agree with. I I think um you know it makes sense to have that clause, but I I also just did a quick uh Google search and it looks like the ride share companies are not even supposed to allow uh individual riders uh under 13. So >> but I still think >> so it's you know um I feel like there there are some other legal boundaries around that. Um I I wouldn't be opposed to consulting the attorney to see, you know, if we can put a a statement like that in. Um but I I I
068like the Yeah, it's a fairly clean uh policy. It's um you know the the having the waiver every time I I think is um is beneficial. It hopefully will prevent overuse. Um I I guess one question would be can that waiver be attached to kind of the the uh parent uh account where they would sign out a kid? Um and they can just do it electronically um you know through their uh login. through infinite campus. >> Yeah. >> Um >> it is something we could that is something we can explore. Yes. >> Um >> the uh access sometimes it can be an issue in the event of an emergency. So, but we can we can >> I mean having other alternatives certainly, but I if they can just kind of log into that from their
069phone and you know click the button um then you know it's coming from the parent account and um you know it maybe uh you know one less hurdle. So Dan, I was one of those that was like hey you know I I want to I really care. I want these kids to have access, but at the same time, um, you know, just really thinking about the logistics of, uh, the components. I mean, I I actually back in the day used to be a ride share driver. And it's not like we're going to ask these kids to come out and give us ID, right? You know, and a sixth grader could look like, you know, 20 years old or they could look like they're two. I mean, it like the the developmental range of sixth to
070eighth grade is very different. And so on our end as a school, we can control and enforce that law, not put that on the ride share person, right? And then the apps do track and you know, stuff like that. So that's why I think that that's something from our perspective as a school district, we can ensure that protection. Um, and so that's why I think it'd be smart to add that um restriction if if it's possible. So [clears throat] how much time do I have left? Wow. Okay. Um, okay. So, I'm g use some more of that. Uh, just to to piggy back on Amanda and and Joe, I'm I I think your point around the there's legal protections there, but when you said that, it it just brought up a thought. If the ride
071share companies decide to change their policy, I like the idea that we're saying it's search ALS. So, they can change their policy. So, it's allowing ride for 10, but if we don't think that you can be under 13, it'll stay under 13 as long as we say it's going to be under 13 for us. So, I I hear you on that and I like the fact that that's in existence, but it just occurred to me that what if they change their mind, we'd have to go back and update it, which we could, but we'd have to stay on the pulse of it. So, I like the idea of it's no more restrictive than it's than than theoretically it already is by us putting a clause in ours that says 13 and under. it should be
072consistent with where they are and it shouldn't really come up. But to Amanda's point, nobody's going to ask for ID. Um, and then the idea of making sure that it's um that it stays consistent in where we want it to be for our kids. Anyway, that's just my thoughts. >> No, I think we've heard from uh definitely from uh majority of the board. So, we'll make a recommendation to table it and bring it back. So I entertain a motion to table modify modify, right? >> Oh, we have Oh, we since it's going back, we can just say table. Um so I'll move to table uh this um so that um the the concerns addressed it can be addressed by legal >> second. >> Motion and second have been heard. So um please call a role
073for the motion to table this discussion. Kelly Black >> I. >> Kush. >> Hi. >> McMillan. >> Hi. >> Kazminski. >> Hi. >> Winsky. >> Hi. >> Gerky. >> I. >> The motion passes. Uh, the the agenda item is tabled. All right. Um, item 10, old business. We have no old business. Item 11, new business. We have no new business. >> Oh, Melissa. >> Yes. I would like to um request an agenda item for um discussing the superintendent evaluation process not results process so that it's transparent in the community knows and there's set standards. My understanding by talking to the state's attorney's l officer um that actually the district's not allowed to talk about the process in closed door. you could talk about personal information. So, I would like to have a conversation so the
074public knows how this process works and it's on record for everyone to know so it's transparent and accountability. Okay. Um so please summarize what you just said in an email, send it to me and then we will um move forward with that request. But please do as per our board agreements just drop that into an email which I think that's perfectly fine. >> Okay. So it's been almost three years and every time I do this I've never had a board agenda item put on the agenda. So, are you saying that if I put this on the agenda, it will come? And do we have a time frame? Because I've been waiting for some of these. I've actually brought this up >> the first year. >> So, I've actually asked for this and I have the
075records to show that I've been asking for this conversation over and over again for three years. So, what is determined to be too long to wait for an item to be discussed? So, as I just said a moment ago, just send me an email with what you just said summarizing your >> what's a reasonable time frame because I've been through this so [snorts] many times and it gets nowhere. >> Send me an email. I'm I'm not Okay. >> You can't even give a ballpark three months. >> Send me an email. So, you're asking me to commit to something that you have not even officially requested yet. You just asked >> I requested it for three years. That's the frustration. >> So, then send me an email. >> All right. And then you'll have your And
076then you'll have Well, then you can you just resend the one that you said you've already sent. So then you should have an email ready to send. >> Yes. >> So send me an email and um um your request will be taken care of. >> Okay. >> But no idea time frame. >> Send me an email. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Item 12.01, schedule events. >> Okay. Uh so you'll see that all of a sudden we have a lot of events again uh with the board's action at the [clears throat] last uh meeting or previous meeting to approve the board calendar. Those have been loaded into board docs for next year uh for the remainder of this year though. Our next board meeting is uh Monday, June 15th. >> All right. Thank you. Item
07713, adjournment. Item 13.01, 1 motion to adjurnn. >> Move to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion and a second have been heard. Any discussion? >> Please call the role. Mrs. Patton. >> Winski. >> I. >> Kelly Black. >> I. >> Cuzinsky. >> Hi. >> McMillan. >> Hi. >> Gerky. >> I. >> Kush. >> I. Motion passes. We are adjourned. Thank you everybody. Um, drive home safely.