001[Music] Uh it's 7 o'clock. Um we are back in open session. I guess there is we have one public comment. Uh Johan Bayer. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> You want to come up? We don't respond. Generally don't respond but and we limit to uh generally three minutes. >> Three minutes. Yes. >> Try to keep it short then. Hi, I'm uh Johan Bear from Odale Road. Uh my wife Tiffany Jasper's wished to be here and some childcare stuff, so I drew the short straw. Um so I'm here today because our family had a negative experience with the district's implementation of uh the schoolboard's policy section 6 park 135 the replacement program. Um we have two daughters, Margaret in starting third grade this year and Kate we are hoping to start kindergarten this year. She's born
002September 2nd. um we asked for an exception to the cutoff date. Uh and that's what uh began the uh section 6 part 135 process. So um I think there's three main points I want to get through. I'll try to do a minute a piece. One, it's not clear that the school board policy was actually being followed. I'll talk about that as we get through with that. Two, I'd like to urge the school board to ask the district or require the district to follow and implement them policy in a more transparent and professional manner. I'll get into my reasonings for that in a minute. Number three, if this outcome is in fact the policy desired by the board, we would urge the board to reconsider the policy. And I'll summarize by saying that brief summary, uh
003Kate is one day passed. Uh we asked for an exception. We filed for this in February. Didn't receive a response until April 23rd. Um right away we had that's two months, three months that we had no response. Um multiple follow-ups, multiple emails uh following up uh till we finally got a response on this. Um, we were told essentially it's a it's a no-go. The rules are hard, but if she tests uh at the 75% of people who have already completed kindergarten, um, then she could be admitted, which to to me, and I'll get into this in number three, the the bureaucratic part of this, it's it's very high test, uh, like an impassible test for early admittance on a margin edge case like this. Um, Kate tested 71% uh, in one of the tests. She
004tested uh, 130 on the Wesler scale. I could take that test administered by our district, bring it into Mensa, get her registered as a genius today. I can't get her into kindergarten with that, but with the same test administered by the school district. Um, she tested 71% of all kindergarteners who finished blight kindergarten. She's four years old. She hasn't started kindergarten yet. Um, so she uh she's it's clearly a marginal case. Um, all right. It's not clear the schoolboard policy is being followed. I'm going to quickly read section one. Decision-making processes are fair, equitable, and involve multiple individuals. For example, district administrators, teachers, school support personnel, student parents, and guardians. Um so this policy was I mean the um I'll say the principal of ble doc uh principal Gorman advocated for Kate's early admittance. Um
005people that uh administered a test advocated for early admittance. Um her current uh teachers in prek advocated for early admittance and we strongly advocated as her parents. We wrote multiple letters documented why we thought that this was the appropriate response. These were not even considered. There was no consideration whatsoever given to this. So section one, the decision-m process. Decision-m is right there at the beginning. We were not involved in the decision-making process. We said our piece. They said, "Thank you. Let's look at the test scores." She performed very well on the test scores, but she did not perform in the 75th and 90th percentile of students who graduated kindergarten already. Um, so it's not clear to me that the policy is actually being followed. That's step one. Um, step two is uh we urge the
006school uh we urge the school board to um require the district to follow and implement the policy in a more transparent and professional manner. Again, we I mentioned briefly we didn't receive responses for a long time. We got no um nothing in writing. Nothing. So, Dr. Dozal rejected the application in a meeting, a face toface meeting. No uh no formal uh reason why. Just uh didn't pass the test. the process stops here, not eligible. Um, in addition to lack of communication, lack of uh, you know, seriously taking the parents interests um, upfront. Uh, it just sort of was you going to take this test, you're not going to pass the test because you're not going to be in the 90th percentile of students who have already graduated kindergarten and then we're going to say no
007and move on. All right. So, we would urge the school district to uh to um uh require more transparency in a more professional manner and and actually following this process. If this outcome is in fact the policy that you desire as a school board, I would urge you to reconsider it. Okay? This makes perfect sense potentially, I'm not an expert on this stuff, uh for getting say my daughter Margaret is in third grade to getting her to go into fourth skip fourth grade entirely and go into fifth grade. That's asking a lot. Um, and there should be rigorous testing on that. A lot of psychological intervention to see if the student's ready for that. This is asking a student to skip by a date. Now, Dr. Dazol mentioned in the meeting, what am I supposed
008to say to a parent who b you know the child is born on the 3rd or the 5th or the 12th of September like where where does it stop? It has to stop somewhere. I agree. I believe in rules. Rules are important. The rules are one bucket in this decision. The school district's position is they're they want to defend their dec uh their position of maintaining the rules and sticking with number uh with uh the cuto off date strictly, but we should take into account as the schoolboard policy says all of the other buckets of interest. The people closest to Kate who are educating her, we say she's ready to start kindergarten. As it stands now, we're going to um enroll her in a private school. She'll be in BL as a first grader next
009year. It's bad for Kate's education. She's going to miss out being with her cohort. Um, she's going to um miss BL's curriculum. My daughter started, my older daughter Margaret started crying when she found out because she wanted to be her third grade reading buddy. She's going to miss a whole year of time with her sister at Blight. I think it's a case of bureaucracies are inclined to say no. We understand that. Leadership requires them to say yes. Difficult decisions sometimes have to be made. Multiple factors need to be considered. I think you say that in your policy and I think that that's what should be followed. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I have a handout. Anyone want this one? >> All right. So the next thing on the agenda is um the super uh
010I guess is there any changes to the agenda? Any proposed changes? >> All right. And then it's the uh superintendent report. >> All right. Um I actually have the first item um kind of move things around a little bit so that Romesh uh could go first and maybe maybe chooses not to stay for the entire meeting. I don't know. But uh an update on all of our construction. It says June 2025 construction monthly report. Um but you'll also kind of tell us where we've gotten here in the first two weeks of July. >> So we have uh three major projects that we undertook this summer. The first one being the houser exterior tuck pointing. The second one was the AI school boiler project and the last one was the replacement of the roof above the
011library at Hollywood. So I'm happy to all the projects are on schedule. The houseer project was complicated. If you recall, we had asked for a change order to replace over 83 additional lintils and the contractor had to procure additional brick for that uh work, but he's managed to make up that time. And I'm also happy to report that we managed another major milestone that project was to reduce the height of the chimney which was not there in the base contract. But we felt that rather than tuck pointing that chimney and dealing with it cracks in it in the future, we decide to drop the chimney height to the legally required uh minimum. It makes a whole lot of sense because by doing that we can uh make sure that we don't have chimney masonry repair
012projects in the future. So those three projects um so that project's on schedule. Uh we actually have finished grinding out all the joints as of today. So no more dust creation activities which I'm sure Bill and his crew will be happy about because they can start cleaning the insides of the school. the uh fury about 50% of the pointing work has been completed as well and the first wash has also been done. The project is on schedule to finish by August 8th. That's uh over at H sorry at Hower. With regards to the boiler project out here at this school, uh the boiler is in place. We have to do a major fresh air intake for the boilers to meet current code. the intake um the masonry will be removed in the next couple of
013days. The project's on schedule. We've already contacted the state fire marshall and they've asked us to reach out to them closer to the inspection date. The inspection date is going to be closer towards August 20th, but that's only in the boil room itself. It won't disrupt any school activities. The major school disruption would be from this air intake which will be complete in the next couple of days. The Hollywood project, I'm happy to report, is actually is almost complete. It's about 99% complete. We will actually be doing a a walk through on that job tomorrow and following which we should be able to move towards close out. So, that contractor finished his work almost three weeks ahead of schedule. So, those are the three construction projects that we have. We've also undertaken a couple of
014minor projects uh or above over and about those summer projects. We just walked the Ames grassy area. We're going to replace that with um engineered fill uh which will last us about a year while we can decide what to how we can come up with a permanent solution for the project and that one's being taken up. And then we're also looking towards the completion of our central houseser project that we started last year which is opening the the grass pit shop area uh to the children. So that project is about 95% complete. There are two parts of it. If you recall, uh the basketball court was started to crumble. Um and we under the warranty section, we're having that replaced. The contractor is going to start demolition on that on Monday and the work on
015that will be complete by August 10th. Uh the second part of it is opening up the plate the the pitch itself. The fence on that will come down in the first week of August. The grass is growing well. We had to make some adjustments to some of the intakes out there on the manholes and that uh work was completed actually two months ago, but the inspection on it was done only last week. So, we're on schedule for all our projects for the summer. >> That's great. >> Any questions or comments? Or Matt, as facilities chair, you've been on a couple facilities meetings now. Anything else you'd want to add? No, it's good that they're they're wrapping up. That's that's good. >> Yeah. Thank you, Romesh. All right. Um I also have just a very brief
016summer school update. So, summer school started this week, right? That was our first week of summer school. Uh Erin Dwire, who is our new principal for Hollywood School, who started with us on July 2nd, is also our summer school principal as that's a position that goes handinhand with the Hollywood principal. Um already doing a great job. jumped right in and uh a lot of the organization had obviously been done in advance and now Aaron is overseeing the program. We did because of what Romesh had shared about the houser um tuckpointing. We had originally thought that we could bring children into sort of a designated part of houser um and really the tuckpointing project as it became more significant uh just was dusty. We weren't able to get the air conditioning on because of the the
017dust that was there etc. So, we did move all summer school classes over uh to Ames to here to this building. We had planned for summer school to be here, but we had really hoped that the transition to Hower class and the drama class that's um taught for the middle school students could have could have been over, but it just didn't seem that it was a decision that had student safety as first and foremost. And so, uh I know we had a number of families that then declined the summer school program given that transition to Hower that there's some value obviously in being at Hower. Um, I also just want to comment on that that uh uh Chris Harvales and Katie Kaisto over at Hower have also uh planned to extend the incoming sixth grade
018orientation event so that kids have a have more time actually at the school on the I think that's an evening event. Um so that should um help with some of this. I know some people feel that the transition to houser is a mandatory class. It's a it's a really nice opportunity, but we've certainly over the years been really building on our transition activities for kids to make that transition as smooth and as successful as possible. Uh, but the other summer school classes are listed here and uh a little bit of feedback in terms of the enrollments and if there's any questions, I'm happy to take those if I can answer them or if Angela and I can answer them. And if not, we would potentially plan a whole summer school presentation, which we've done some
019years, and some years it kind of moves on as planned and all the documentation you have is sufficient. >> Has there been any feedback on transition to houser not being like people who kids who actually taken it or families? >> I mean, I'm sure there's some disappointment and then just by the number of families that may that have dropped dropped the class. I think that's indicative of not feeling that it had the same meaning, same opportunity. students. >> I mean, I know from experience, well, personal experience, my kids both appreciated that and I can I can totally understand why some parents are dropping out. I mean, I appreciate that they're doing extra activities for sixth grade to help them with that transition because it is really my kids found it very beneficial. >> So, >>
020but we did we looked long and hard. But I know Aaron Dwire and Angela went and toured the building again just like just before the the start of summer school and we just thought we just we just can't. I mean it wasn't it's just it's been a more extensive talkpointing project as Romesh talked about all the additional lentils that needed to be ground down etc. So >> are you going to say something? >> Oh sorry >> sorry just as you mentioned like a future presentation I think >> would be of interest. Is this typical? I know sometimes there's challenges with staffing. Obviously, the skill building courses being the priority for the enrichment ones, but the 18 teachers and even just the enrollment not accounting for those that dropped the transition to houser. Is that kind
021of on par with where we are? Do we have less interest in teachers this summer taking on summer school? >> I've not heard that. I don't know, Angela, if you would have a sense that is there any less interest in teaching summer school or any less interest in students attending. You know, we had a little bit of like a post-pandemic dip that I think there was a sense from some teachers if not also maybe families that, you know, getting back into structures were hard and um teachers felt a need to sort of have that break. But I think there's been some real enthusiasm for summer school. So I I don't feel that. And we even had two teachers that because of class size numbers um jumped in to teach at the last minute also. >>
022Great. Thanks. >> Um so yeah, it's it's an interesting program and I just think in general um you know summer school programs, parks and recreation programs, other unique opportunities, enrichment programs for children offered by a number of different agencies. I think there's always competition and um a bit of a struggle also to match those things up with the appropriate child care. Families need that too. But I think our program and and again I don't have the direct comparison numbers but I think we've been sort of at a fairly stable level with with that programming. Um the other thing I have on here in superintendent report is just our our planning for our teacher institute days or I should say our all staff institute days on August 18th and 19th. on August 18th, we will be
023back over at the Brookfield Zoo Discovery Center where we've been now I think the past two years, three years. Um, and that's really been a great um large group gathering space for our staff to do professional development. So, we are very appreciative of the zoo for allowing us to use that space. Uh we will be back there again and uh the agenda shared there for all of you are in addition to introducing our new staff and um talking about our key priorities for the school year, there will also be a essentially a keynote activity with a woman named Rachel Maymood who was this past year the Illinois uh teacher of the year and I had an opportunity to hear her speak and she's done a lot of speaking engagements in the West uh Cook area.
024um her her focus is really on bringing teacher voice and a sense of teacher connectedness around um that really important voice and making our school district an even better place for kids. So I'm looking forward to that and please consider an invitation to join us for any or all parts of the day. If you want to join us for lunch, just let us know. We'll add you to the lunch account. Uh but uh I know sometimes if board members if your schedules allow certainly joining us for the sort of welcome and kickoff and Wesley's not here but Wesley is um not only invited but I think required to be there to give a a welcome from the board of education. So So yeah, summer's I can't believe it's middle of July. It is flying by.
025So that's the superintendent. >> All right. Thank you. So uh next is on the agenda is the con consent agenda. Uh, can I ask the board secretary to read tonight's consent agenda? >> Sure. Uh, tonight's consent agenda consists of minutes of the following meetings. The June 18th regular business meeting, the personnel report as presented, the payables pre-list as of June 30th along with the payables pre-list as of July 16th, and the West 40 regional safe schools contracts for 2025 2026. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve uh I guess is there does anyone want to take any uh think off the consent agenda for further discussion? >> Right. Is there a motion to approve tonight's consent agenda as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Kathy, can you please call the role?
026>> Okay. >> Mr. Hunt. >> I. >> Miss Gun. Hi. >> Miss Kick. >> Hi. >> Mr. Olic. I >> Mr. Barcadi >> I >> Okay, motion passes. >> So, next on the agenda is uh Riverside Education Council. I do not see them given us something. >> oh, I'm sorry. My apologies. Yeah. So, there's uh there's a next item on the agenda is the approval of an interimm contract for Jim Finton. Um can I have uh is there any dis discussion on this? I mean is as we know Jim Fitin has resigned I mean has uh resigned we are look he is offered to those stay with us uh through um August and though this could be extended if necessary but he's going to help with the transition for interim uh director of finance. So,
027um, >> and we need this because his previous contract expired at the end of what, June or at the end of July? >> His his previous contract expired at the end of June. >> Okay. >> And we have an a plan for an interim uh CSBO who can work with us for the full school year. Uh, Jim Jim needs this and wants this to be time limited. Um, but that person isn't able to start with us yet. So, there's kind of a gap right here, right now. Right. So, is there is there a motion to approve uh the interim uh part-time contract for Jim Finton as presented? >> So, moved. >> Second. >> Is there any further discussion on this? >> Kathy, can you call the RO, please? >> Miss Gun, >> I. Miss Kick
028>> I, >> Mr. Olic. >> Hi, >> Mr. Hunt. >> Hi, >> and Mr. Barcadi. >> Hi. >> Motion passes. >> All right. Now, we're on to Riverside Educational Council. Thank you for keeping me, Dan. >> Um, I do not see anyone here. >> Um, so then, uh, next on the agenda is, uh, board member comments. I know there's a lot going on in the school, but not academically right now. So, >> hasn't been any plays or musicals lately to comment on. >> All right. Uh if there's nothing else in uh under old business, um there's the approval of the security bid uh which we discussed. Um is there any discussion uh around this specifically regarding the dollar amount uh for the security contract? >> Okay. Uh so is there a motion? Is there a
029motion to approve uh the security contract um for to accept Vera's recommendation to award the contract of 1,275,445.98 to Imperial Surveillance for the security infrastructure upgrade project. So second >> is there any further discussion on this? Kathy, can you call the role, please? >> Okay. Miss Kick, >> I. >> Mr. Olick, >> I. >> Mr. Hunt, >> I. >> Miss Gun, >> I. >> And Mr. Barcetti, >> I. >> Okay. Motion passes. >> I think just for uh the 10 folks watching at home, I think it should be noted we did have discussion prior. >> Yeah. Now we >> Oh, yeah. That didn't come out of nowhere, >> right? No. long time coming. >> Yes. So, uh, under new business, uh, there is one thing that we put on there, uh, Riverside, uh, Junior Women's
030Charity, uh, made a donation, um, to the school to pay, uh, on the outstanding balances on the school lunches that, um, we had at the end of the year, Martha, correct? >> Yes. And I just I wanted to just put it here because I thought that was an extremely generous uh donation. Uh it was in the amount of >> it is over $3,000,264. >> Yeah. And so I I basically I I just personally wanted to extend uh my deepest gratitude uh to the to them for their like this incredibly generous gift because um they like helped so many people. I mean so many kids, so many families in our in our district. Um and they did this with basically without even being asked. It was just something they did themselves. And so um they definitely
031uh will benefit so many lives and so many students and and definitely help the many families lighten their financial burden. So I just want to pro publicly thank them for that. >> Agreed. >> All right. Molly Caster noticed it too and she will feature that on our social media also extended additional things. Just a great community connection and yeah it was just something that they came and kind of quietly did and >> you know it's just very very very nice as you point out. >> So >> uh so that is all under uh that is it for um new business. There was no action item obviously on that one. Um but I guess is there any additional public comment? Uh then I guess for future meeting dates it will be August 2nd I mean excuse
032me August 6 uh committee of the whole will be meeting in the library at Ble Park School. Uh August 20th the regular business meeting 7 p.m. at the housing learning resource center assuming the uh tug pudding is gone. So, um, yeah. >> September 3rd, uh, 2025, the board self assessment. Uh, that is going to be at 6 p.m. That's going to be a closed, uh, session, uh, allowable closed session. Uh, September 17th, regular business meeting, 7 p.m., the housing uh, houser learning resource center. October 1st, 2025. Uh, 700 p.m. at the multi-purpose room at Hollywood School. October 15, 2025, uh the regular business meeting at 7 PM in the Hower Learning Resource Center. And with that, uh the meeting is adjourned. [Music]