0016 o'clock and we are here for Tuesday, September 24th, 2024. So I can hear you guys. Oh, are you I think we're muted for Erica. Can you hear us at all? Otherwise, I'm just going to draw my own conclusions to see what everybody's saying. You can't hear us at all. Yeah, she's not here. How about now? Yeah, we're great. Thank you. All right. And Okay. Board of Education meeting. Um, can we have a roll call and declaration of quorum? Benny here. Bradley here. Silva here. Curran here and Kenogal. Kenogal. Kenogal. Okay. It sounds and Cochram here. We have a quorum. Okay. Okay. And if everybody would please rise for the pledge of allegiance followed by an invocation by Pastor Sam Hart with City Temple to the flag of the United States of America and to
002the stands one nation indivisible and justice for all. Let us pray. Our dear heavenly father, we thank you for the privilege that we have to serve and to serve our city and our school. I thank you for all those who are on the board and I pray that you will bless them that you will give them encouragement and boldness to make decisions that sometimes are not easy to make. I pray that you will give them wisdom that's beyond their own knowledge and discernment. We also today realize how frail life is. And so, Father, we ask that you will be with a staff member who has experienced loss in their family. We ask that you would put your arms around them. May they sense your presence, your peace, and your comfort. Lord, we ask that you
003would just minister to them. I pray blessings upon this meeting tonight. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Okay. And then uh I do not believe we have a public comment tonight. Uh but let's see here. Um, so the approval of minutes for the regular meeting of the board of education held on September 10th. Uh, do we have a motion? So move. Second. Okay. And roll call. Bradley. I. Silva. I. Currin. I. No. I. And Benny. Hi. Okay. Next, we have our consent agenda, which contains those items that are repetitive and routine in nature. Any member may make a motion to approve the consent agenda or request that any items be moved to section seven for individual discussion and consideration. Um, do we have a uh motion for those? So moved. And uh
004is there any discussion on that? Yes. Actually, if if we could, I'd like to just uh thank a few of the people that donated to our district. We have Midwest Players Pool League. They held a pool matchup cause and they gave us half their proceeds. Donated $350. So, we just want to say thank you for that. And then also Tanks Training Facility. They donated 20 the bands for rehabilitation and strengthening to the Granite City High School volleyball program. And then we had one more donation that I'd like uh Miss Watkins to go ahead and discuss. So earlier this summer, we were contacted by the um uh local store manager, Taylor Nichols, of the book a million store in Edwardsville, and she asked us to submit an application uh for to be the potentially selected to
005be a part of their book drive provides schools with muchneeded donations from customers and to raise awareness for the sponsored school. The local store promotes the book drive in which customers purchase purchase a book and then donate it to the sponsored school. Store employees create a display. They select books, make suggestions to customers um who may be interested in purchasing a book. We were recently contacted by the Books a Million general manager, Trisha Rodman, to let us know that their store for their book drive um is donating to our special education department $10,447 worth of new books. And yes, they're all in my office currently. Um but we will be contacting our teachers um to come by and select some books for their classes. So, we would like to very much thank Taylor Nichols and
006um the local store in Edwardsville for making this donation to our program. Thank you. Very good. Yes. Thank you for thinking of us. I would also like Mr. Hutchkins is here if he could talk a little bit about EF tour summer that they're going to be uh having in the up 2027 school year. Hello. So, uh, this past summer, uh, Miss Hutchings and myself, we took 27 other individuals to go over to, uh, Rome, Greece, and Turkey on an EF tour. It was a great experience for all of us to be able to go and actually see the Vatican, to see some of these things we've taught in our classes. And so, we are looking to do this again in the summer of 2027, so in a couple years. Um, this will give us a
007little bit more time to to plan and fund raise and try to um make it a little bit easier for the students and families to join us because last time it was a little quicker. Uh, but this time we're going to be heading to Ireland, Scotland, uh, London, England, and then to Paris and then coming back. So, we're excited to do it again, give these kids an experience, be able to go across the water and um see some uh historical sites. Anybody have any questions? Not a question, but if you ever want an expert, you know, travel guide to help. We'll definitely keep that in mind. Thank you, Mr. Sounds good. Thank you. Great. Um, I think we need to grab a second on that motion. Second. I second. Okay. And roll call, please. Silva.
008I. Currin. I. Kenogal. I. Benny. I. Bradley. I. Okay. Um, make sure I've got the right spot here. Number 8. 8A. Retirements and Resignations. It's recommended that the following retirements and resignations listed below and on the GCSD9 website be accepted. So move. Second. Roll call. Currin. I. Kenogal. I. Benny. Hi. Bradley. I. And Silva. I. Okay. 8B. Requests for leaves of absence. It's recommended that the filing request for leaves of absences listed below and on the GCSD9 website be approved. So move second. Roll call. Currin I. Kenogal I. Vinnie I. Bradley I. And Silva I. Okay. Uh 8 C requests for extensions to leaves of absence. It's recommending the filing request for extensions to leave absences listed below and on the district website be approved. So move second. Roll call. Kenogal. I Benny. I Bradley
009I Silva I and Curran I 8D extracurricular recommendations for the 2425 school year. You've received detailed information about this item. The administration is prepared to make recommendations or hold for discussion in executive session. The GCSD9 administration is recommending that filing extracurricular assignments for the 2425 school year listed below and on the district website be approved. So move Set. Roll call. Benny. I. Bradley. Abstain. Silva. I. Curran. I. And Kenova. I. Okay. 8. Recommendations for GCHS student workers co-ops for the 2425 school year. You've received detailed information about this item. administration is prepared to make recommendations or hold for discussion in executive session. The GCSD9 administration is recommending that filing student worker co-ops for the 2425 school year listed below and on the GCSD9 website be approved. So move. Second. Second. Roll call. Bradley I. Silva
010I. Currin I. Kenogal I. And Benny. Hi. Okay. 8F certified and classified substitutes. It's recommended the following applicants listed below and on the GCSD9 website be board approved as substitutes for the 2425 school year. So moved. Second. Okay. Roll call. Silva I. Currin I. Kenogal I. Benny I. And Bradley I. 8G1 employment of paraprofessional for the 2425 school year. You've received detailed information about this item. The administration prepared to make recommendations are hold for discussion in executive session. The GCSD9 administration and interview committee consisting of Dr. Dr. Adam Garrett, executive director of human resources, Mickey Watkins, executive director of special education. Lisa Cochram, human resource specialist, and Marcy Dods, early childhood department head, are recommending the employment of Jessica Travis as prayer professional for the 2425 school year. Approval is recommended pending the submission of
011the required paperwork. So moved. Second. Second. Discussion. Since um Marcy Dodge is on us, is this safe to say that Jessica Travis will be at the early childhood center? Yes. Okay. Roll call. Curran. I. Kenoval. I. Benny. Hi. Bradley. I. And Silva. I. 8G2. Employment of ESL bilingual pair of professionals for the 2425 school year. You've received detailed information about this item. The administration is prepared to make recommendations or hold for discussion in executive session. The GCSD9 administration and the interview committee consisting of Kristen Nvatches Caberna, executive director of K12 curriculum, Lisa Cochram, human resource specialist, and Stacy Swingler, English language learner department head, are recommending the employment of the following candidates as ESL bilingual prep professionals for the 2425 school year. Veronica Alana and Monica Tamayo. Approval is recommended. pending the submission of the
012required paperwork. Second. Second. Okay. Discussion. I get really excited about [Laughter] discussion and roll call. Curran I. Kenogal. I. Vinnie. I. Bradley. I. And Silva. I. Okay. Uh 10A. The Griggsby Intermediate School asphalt pad and drive bid. The GCS9 administration is requesting their approval to hire Chris Brothers Asphalt for the construction of an asphalt pad and drive at the rear of Griggsby building for the sum of $34,080. The new parking lot at the front of the building has improved traffic flow during pickup and drop off and we believe that adding the road around the back of the building will further alleviate traffic congestion. Additionally, an asphalt pad will be constructed at the rear of the building. Currently, Griggsby Intermediate students play in the front parking lot, which raises safety concerns due to the presence of
013visitors throughout the school day. Approval is recommended. So move. So move. Second. You got that? Okay. I I do have a question. Discussion. Yeah. Go ahead. Yeah, I do have question. The pad that because I think this is great that they're finally going to put a drive around the building. I mean, needed for years and years. But the pad they're going to have there, is this possibly going to have uh basketball? We're looking to put basketball courts on, putting basketball hoops up. We talked about, you know, for four square possibly getting some uh pickle ball lines on there, some different things for the students where they can do a lot of things. Yes, we saw a diagram, but I just it's kind of hard to picture the exact size of it to know how big
014it would be for that kind of thing. That's awesome. Great. Thank you, Eric. Eric, actually I was going to I kind of know, but I'll just have you explain a little more as to uh the the kind of not the complication of the bid, but something that was required that made, you know, kind of eliminated some Well, it it eliminates a lot of contractors. One thing we look for is a competent contractor. So, what we we look for is someone who's Illinois Department of Transportation qualified. So, they are usually a bigger contractor, more reputable contractor. That way, we ensure that we get a good mix of asphalt, we get testing of that, and we know that we're we're getting a good deal. Great. Cool. Thank you. Uh, roll call. Kenogo. I, Benny. Hi, Bradley. I,
015SOA, I. and current I 10B granite city CUSD9 metal detectors. The GCSD9 administration requests permission to order metal detectors through the interlocal purchasing systems tips cooperative program. TIPS is an approved cooperative for the state of Illinois. The total quote for the GCSD9 metal detectors and accessories is $378,59510. This will be paid through ESSER funding. Approval is recommended. So move second discussion. Yes. I understand that this is for a total of 21. Yes. And that they can be moved wherever needed. Correct. That's wonderful. That's great. Yes. Okay. Makes me feel safer already. Roll call. Benny. Hi. Bradley. Hi. Silva. I. Curran. I. And Kenogal. I. Okay. And now we have uh 10 C which is the adoption of the Granite City Community Unit School District number nine budget for the 2425 school year. So um if
016we could first have a motion to temporarily adjourn this meeting. So moved. So moved. Second. Second. Okay. And uh roll call. Bradley. Hi, Silva. Hi, Curran. Hi, Kenogal. Hi, and Benny. Hi. Okay. And with that, we can open a public hearing and uh ask for any public comment. And I believe you're up. Okay. So, you can see behind you or to the side here, the Granite City District 9 budget presentation. This is for 2425. hit next. Correct. So, the budget overview this year, we had a three $138,000 increase in EVF, which is evidence-based funding. We did have a $6 million decrease in CPPRT. Um, we kind of expected this. I have been moving some of this out of the budget. We didn't go too high. We haven't gone too low with it. We kind of
017figured we were going to face this at some point. Um we had hoped it wasn't going to be this much. We were hoping it was going to be a little bit better. It just wasn't. Um all signs kind of pointed to this starting in June and July with some of the budgetary stuff at the state. So we're not completely we're going off what their estimate is. Hopefully it's not worse. Hopefully it's a little better. Okay. Um, we did get uh $1.3 million of ARP money still available. That's did uh we're doing devices, some staff training, purchase software, we have HBAC upgrades, and we also did uh the metal detectors out of it. Um, this year we also had competitive wage adjustments for the minimum wage increase and the minimum salary increases. Um, we have a
018million $1.2 $.2 million of Wilson's roof in the budget. Uh we have 200,000 of Wilson's air conditioning upgrade, HVAC. That's paid through the CARES Act or American Rescue Plan. Uh we did the small gym at the high school HVAC that was 40,000. Uh we had a 5.7% increase to health insurance. We're hoping next year that that dips down a little bit. Um it's still well below most health increase standards, but uh we we were closer to four to five. We'd like it to get back to there. Um we are we'll do 1500 student devices through local funds. And then we will also we have the Griggsby parking solution for 400,000 in the budget. Uh revenue by fund. Much of this looks the same. The light blue you see there is a 2023 budget. The dark
019blue is the 2023 actual. Um and then the 20 uh the gold orangish is the 2425 budget. Um most of the revenue looks similar to last year. There is some reduction for CPPRT in there. Um but uh most of that looks about like last year's budget, very comparable. Uh you see one spike in fund 70 that is the uh bonds that we sold that will be used for future improvements as needed. Next slide expenditure by fund. Again, light blue is last year. Much of them are very similar, same budgetary levels. Um increase in salaries um as we're in have one more year of increases and then we have we have a two-year extens contract extension, but this is the last year of the original four. Um slight decrease in fund 20. Most of that is
020due to some of the CARES money falling off. We're not doing quite as few pro quite as many projects. um 40 50 they're all everything is budgeted uh and balanced. Next slide. Budget to revenue expenditure history. This is just as you can see back to 2014 and 2015. This is where uh the budget has been for revenue to expenditures. As you can tell, it had been tight for a long time and then it got really good. A lot of that was due to the CARES fun money and American Rescue Plan. And then uh you can see it's starting to get a little bit tighter. Again, we're getting a little closer. We kind again, everybody expected this with the CARES money ending and things changing and corporate personal property replacement tax going back to standard funding.
021Next slide please. Fund 10 revenue uh local property uh our tax levy went up again corporate personal property tax went down and everything else pretty much held the same a little bit less than federal. Um some of the revenue of federal is carryover from last year. Um we submit expenditure report 630. We don't get that money into this year. So we had quite a large expenditure of CARES money at the end of the year. So that that will fall off as well in the 2526 budget year. Next slide. Fund 20 again uh increase in corporate personal or or regular property taxes, decrease in CPPRT, and then there's just a little bit of lesser money remaining. 40 revenue. We did get to one good thing is we don't need quite as much uh CPPRT money in
022there this year with the increase in property taxes and the uh increase in regular uh state funding and special ed state funding. We just didn't quite need as much. So that helped balance that budget and let us move some of that money to other cells. Next slide. Fund 10 expenditures 100 salaries were slightly up as to be expected. Benefits held about steady that is from as the esser money ran out. We do not have as much uh federal TRS due. That's about a 10% lug on all salaries we put in there. So that comes off um 300 supplies, materials, uh purchase services, uh dues and fees. All of those are very similar to previous years. Go ahead, Mr. Smith. Fund 20, same thing. Um you'll see a you'll see a decrease um with the gold
023box and the expenditures for the 500s. That's capital outlay. That would be major projects. So as the care as some of the additional CARES money has gone away so some of the projects so that's just a little less budget and then next slide Mr. 40. Same thing. Small increase in transportation funds. Little increase in the 400s or in purchase services, which is the transportation provider. 400s is basically just gasoline. Uh so a little increase in there just for if gas goes up or down or anything cover that. But other than that, it's been pretty consistent and expected. Next slide. Surplus to deficit. You can see the last 3 years with the CARES money and the influx of corporate personal property replacement tax, we've had pretty good surpluses. Um, last year obviously 20 million of that
024was the bonds we sold for future improvements, things that are coming down the road. Um it'll be we will look much more similar to 1516 and 1617 and 1415 as we go through probably for the next two to three years. Um next slide M this uh this is a state requirement. We had to put in an annual average operating expenditures report to the board once a year. So I added this the ED fund is the light blue. The operations and maintenance fund is the dark blue and then the orang-ish color is transportation and these are the expenditures from each of those operating funds for 21 22 22 23 and 234. It has to to meet the state requirement. I have to put an average on there. So the average is those three years that they
025wanted and then over on the right hand side you'll see that the proposed budget that is for this year. Um if anybody has any questions I would it's a new slide. Um next. So things that as we roll through this budget year that we're going to be thinking about is long-term projections with EBF, which is evidence-based funding and CPPRT fluctuations. When that goes down, our evidence-based funding will kick up. We should see it's all based there's like a little formula that has local resources and then state resources and your percent funded. If we if we do come in at $12 million, we will go down to a much about 72 73% funded. We were at 94%. So, what that'll do is we'll go back. We were getting about $2 million a year of new EVF
026money every year. I think that as of next year, we'll start getting back. It might not be two million, but it'll be closer to 1.5 to two in between that range. Okay. So, we're kind of thinking that is where that'll work itself out a little bit. Um, we might have a little belt tightening to do, but definitely nothing to panic about, nothing to get concerned about yet. We want to see some data. We want to see how some stuff shakes out before we do anything. Um, scaling back after CARES, obviously. And then we just want to avoid a huge financial cliff. I think we have done that. We had a pretty good idea where we were and where we wanted to be. Um other maintaining competitive wages. Um we're we're always worried about that at
027this point. We were before all the CARES money and all that. We were very concerned about infrastructure. Um little less on that. We've done pretty good at getting roofs and HVAC upgrades. And then finally, any uh any additional costs with redistricting that there there will be some costs. So, we're hoping we can manage those and make everything happen that we want to. Um we do have a b we will be balanced at the end of the year though. I'm pretty confident of that. And then next slide questions. I always enjoy the budget presentation there. Thank you. Well, I was going to read all like thousand pages of the line item budget, but I figured everybody wanted dinner. I appreciate that. Especially I appreciate you did a really nice job of explaining it in like very
028basic terms where it's pretty simple to understand. I know it's very complicated. It is not an easy process. Yep. Thank you. I appreciate you being so careful with the money. Means a lot. So now we can close our public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. Uh so do we have a motion to reconvene? I'll move second. Okay. Second. And uh can I do an all those or do I need to roll call it? Okay. Roll call. Silva. I. Currin. Hi. Kenovo. I Benny. Hi. And Bradley. Hi. Okay, we are back and now we need a motion to adopt the resolution and the GCSD9 budget. So, do we have a motion to adopt the resolution in the 2425 budget? So, move second. Okay, now roll call. Currin, I. Kenoval, Vinnie, I. Bradley, hi. And Silva, hi.
029Okay, thank you everybody. And for those people up here, remember we need signatures after this, so don't run out too quick. Um 10D, section 125, flex benefit plans administrator. The GCSD9 administration requests the authorization to switch section 125 flex spending providers from TASCA to American Fidelity. American Fidelity will provide additional support for staff when choosing the plan that works best for them. staff will have the ability to schedule an appointment annually to discuss individualized benefits and the best option for them. In the future, American Fidelity will be able to provide voluntary benefits on an individual basis through payroll deductions to staff. The switch will help streamline our processes and ensure compliance with is IRS rules. The cost to employment employees will reduce from $24 to 000. The master employer service agreement is attached. Approval is
030recommended. move. Second. Any discussion? Roll call. Silva. I. Currin. I. Kenoval. I. Benny. Hi. And Bradley. Hi. Okay. Should have marked this. Which one are we? Where did I jump? There it is. Okay. Uh 10E, the GCHS chess club proposal. GCSD9 administration received the attached proposal from the Granite City High School regarding student interest to start a chess club. The chess club would meet every other Friday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and would be open to any and all students regardless of their knowledge of the game or chess playing abilities. There are currently two faculty sponsors are willing to oversee the club. Um again, the attached proposal is there for your review. Approval is recommended. So moved. Second. Okay. Discussion. Roll call. Currin. I. Kenogal. I. Vinnie. I. Bradley. Hi. And Silva. I. Okay. And
031uh this next one is 10. I think F is a CEO administrative placement request. Yes. You've received detailed information about this item. The administration prepared to make recommendations or hold for discussion in executive session. Okay. Do we have We are recommended that the student listed below be sent to the CEO program in Troy. So move second. Roll call. Curran. I. Kenob. I. Benny. Hi. Bradley. Hi. And Silva. I Okay. And then um we have 11A for Freedom of Information Act requests. Yes, we received two Freedom of Information requests. They are listed below and on the district website and the requests were handled by administration. Okay. And then um B, uh we have our student board member report from senior Lily Rose Cochram. Hello. Uh the first few weeks of school year has been very eventful.
032The welcome back rally took wake took place two weeks ago. Our school's photography club and yearbook club both took photos for the rally. The dance team, cheerleading team, bands, student council, student volunteers, and teachers all took part in the events. Each year we have a school spirit contest during the rally and this year the seniors won. Of course, the high school has many events scheduled leading up to homecoming. Each takes place the week of October 14th. Each day of the week, we dress up themes. The themes haven't been released. Always have fun. The homecoming king and queen coronation will take place October 15th and 17th at the performing arts center. This year's play is titled Almost Maine and it is a short story of love stories. Make sure to get your tickets and support the
033theater department. October 16th is a homecoming followed by the powder game at 700 p.m. On October 18th, Tribe Fest will take place in the afternoon on the football field. Okay. Okay. On October 18th, Tribe Fest will take place in the afternoon on the football field. That evening, the Warriors take will take on Altop at 700 p.m. at the Kevin Green Field. The last Tribe Fest was in 2017. Tribe Fest is a carnival type activity taking place at the high school. Student clubs and businesses will set up booths and crafts and games. There will be pie in the face, photo booth, arts and crafts station, football toss, ring toss, and many more. This week we'll end with a homecoming dance on October 19th. Go Warriors. Sounds great. Parade is October 16th at 6 p.m. All right.
034Thank you very much. Thank you. Great job. I'm sorry there for your first. Very good. Thank you. Okay. with the high school. And with that, it uh we do need to go into executive session uh which has exceptions noted under 5CS120 open meeting which Oh, nope. I'm sorry. I'm jumping. I'm too I'm early. Uh our IASB liaison report from Treasurer Linda Kenobi. Okay. Uh, I will be attending the southwestern division legislative event in Sparta at the high school tomorrow evening. The legislators present are Terry Bryant from Mer Murphy'sboro, Erica Harris from Edwardsville, Amy Ellic from Alton, and David Fese from uh Redbud. the school district's uh board members are going to prioritize uh important issues concerning their school district and for the for the benefit uh the listening benefit of our legislators. Um I spoke
035with Superintendent Harris and we discussed a few items. The legislative opportunity will give board members in the future an opportunity to challenge and to discuss challenges and successes regarding their own district with legislators if this event is accept is accept uh exciting and if it's accepted pretty well. Uh the other uh item I have is a school board election deadlines information. Each board member has a packet with these papers in it. tells about the uh the process when the uh petitions are to be circulated uh and when they're to be filed along with other information that all of us were pretty familiar with years ago. So uh this will be available to them and we can also have it on our website also if it's possible and that's it. All right. Well, thank you very
036much. Great. And uh now we will move into executive session with the exceptions noted under five ILCS120/2 open meetings. Uh tonight they will be uh the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body 2C1, student disciplinary matters 2C9, and student safety 2C8. Uh do we have a motion to go into executive session? So move. So move second. Roll call. Kenobu I. Benny. Hi. Bradley. Hi. Silva. Hi. And Curran. Hi. Okay.