District 208 Board of Education Regular Meeting 11-11-25

001Okay, good evening. We're going to call to order the Tuesday, November 11th meeting of the board of education. I alian 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. [snorts] Can >> we have a roll call, please? >> Sure. >> Present. >> Here. >> Miss >> here. Muska >> here. >> Mr. Novak >> here. >> Mr. William >> here. >> Taylor >> here. Um we're going to move into this. Do you want to move into the assistant superintendent report first? >> Uh you know what? Mine Mine will be really >> Okay. >> Should be really quick. >> There's no president's [snorts] report. This is for Dr. Skate this time. >> Uh superintendent report. There's only three

002items to report on. Uh Senate Bill 637. We are in the we believe the draft sub lease agreement with the zoo. Uh the board will review that tonight in close session under the following contempt of purchase lease of real property for the use of the public body including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired updated immigration information. Following up on the our last board meeting I met with the students who spoke at the meeting on October 28th. Uh they provided feedback and assistance and updating the letter and resources that were sent out to the RB families on October 30th. Dr. afraid that's what had in his report that he also did a follow-up meeting with those students and is working with them on uh a flyer that's going

003out uh in the school building. Uh November 15th is school board members uh the official school board members day. So on behalf of the staff, students, and the communities of district 208, I want to extend our gratitude to the district 208 board of education for their dedicated service to our students staff. Your commitment to supporting student success, empowering educators, and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment is truly appreciated. Uh, superintendent advisory councils, finance advisory council meeting took place on November 3rd to review the bond presentation the board will receive tonight. Uh we also discussed the first read of the levy enrollment projections and the purchase service contract tool. Personnel advisory council also met on November 6th to review current class sizes, enrollment projections and FY27 staffing projections. And that concludes the superintendent's report for

004this evening. >> Thank you, Dr. Spis. Um >> quick question. [snorts] Um I you said Dr. Fetas would um provide an update on the immigration information >> in his principal's report. >> So any questions I could just ask. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Dr. Spatana. >> Good evening. Uh I'd like to begin my reports tonight by asking uh Elizabeth, Tennessee from Raymond James to come up for her presentation. So as Dr. Skink has said the district's in negotiations uh with Brookfield Zoo to renovate the property north of the high school. These campus improvements will address accessibility, parking, safety, and extracurricular facilities. Uh so uh Miss Hennessy is here tonight to outline funding options for issuing a tax exempt working cash bonds for capital projects only um so that we can um fund this

005project while continuing to provide a property tax decrease in our debt service uh for community members over the next several years. So at this point I'll turn it over to uh Miss Hennessy and the presentation [snorts] begins on board book page uh 35. >> Thank you. Um, can you hear me? Mhm. Okay. So, um, the district is entering into a sub lease with Brookfield Zoo to renovate the property north of the high school, and those campus improvements address accessibility, parking, safety, and extracurricular facilities. The cost of the renovation requires debt financing uh, between three and a half and four and a.5 million. and the district's outstanding debt service is dropping in future years due to the expiration of the referendum bonds in levby year 27. So, the additional bonding will maintain that downward stairstep structure

006um continuing those annual reductions in property taxes uh for D208 residents. So, um, as you might recall, the bond levy is separate from your operating levy, and the, uh, bond levy is, uh, dropping really dramatically in the year 2027, um, down to zero currently. So, as we look at issuing bonds, we're going to kind of [clears throat] extend the debt service, but there's still going to be drops in the payments every single year. So, let's first look at the $4 million option. Let me just familiarize you with the spreadsheet. So, we start with a levy year on the left side. Uh we're currently in tax year 24 and you all heard the good news or read it in the paper that property taxes uh the tax bills are supposed to go out November 15th and

007then collected in December uh 15th. So, that's a 24 levy highlighted in light blue. So that levy is already on the books and that levy for debt if you follow that blue line across under the column fourth from the right total proposed debt service is 5.4 million. That's a tax rate of about 49. [snorts] That is 4.5 cents less than you paid in 23. So taxpayers getting that bill will receive a drop for this bill here in 24 that's going to come out and be due December 15th of around $51. So if we add in this 4 million we start with some payments in 25 levy year 24 levy year is over and that means you still have a drop of almost uh 3.6 cents in 25 levy year on the debt. So, it continues

008to go down. That's $40 for the owner of a $400,000 home. The next year, we've got another [snorts] 3.6 drop and and that's $40 again. And then in the following year, there's a bigger drop. That's uh 20 cents, which is equivalent to $232 for the $400,000 home. Next year it drops nine cents and then 12 cents uh and then that's it. [snorts] Bonds are gone. So this four million can be easily added to your debt structure for non-referendum bonds and paid off over four years continuing with the reduction in tax rate on the debt piece of your levy. Um any questions on this first option? We're looking at 4 million of tax exempt bonds to at today's interest rates. That'd be about 3.33% the interest rate. And just to clarify, you've got a 3.5, a

009four, and a 4.5 in this deck. >> You know, for some reason, I printed out and it's probably my bad print. You guys have the 3.5. >> No, no, she was able to tab to the four. I just want to make sure that anyone watching from home knows that we're talking about the four. There also is a 3.5. Okay. >> Four is in the middle. Yeah, >> I think wait maybe it was my bad printing. >> Okay, I'm going to be [snorts] so together and have this printed out. So, I apologize. I apologize. >> But we could reference off the four. So, the reason the um we use the minimum I think we're going to need will be four and because I know there was a question a few weeks ago like what where are

010we kind of coming off with these numbers. So we were able to find the 2019 proposal when we first started working through this project and at that time the engineer had given uh a projection of about 4.1 breakdown um 4.1 million. Now that was a little bit larger parking but also that's 2019 prices. >> Um so I do think the minimum would be four. Um, I asked Kristen and I asked um Elizabeth to print up the 4.5 because I believe 4.5 stairst step also gets us to the same place um in regards to the the property tax decreases on the debt payments for taxpayers. So there's no increases [snorts] actually it still decreases and it comes out to be about the same amount that the you know the Kristen what I'm trying to get to

011is the the reductions in the debt structure one happens sooner than the other but at the end the end of the day it still becomes the same taxpayers save the same amount of money whether we do 3.5 4 million or 4.5 >> so in both cases they go through 28 >> right correct >> correct >> I think that that's a helpful slide I don't know if were you going to speak to that one that shows the step [snorts] down. >> Yes. Um I want to go to the graph. I think the graph shows very well. Um so this is the $4 million step down and you can see the blue bars are the referendum bonds and those cannot be extended uh unless you go back to the voters for referendum. They're going to go get

012repaid. So that is really causing the the biggest drop. And then the bars under the blue line, that's your debt service extension base. That's part of the tax cap. It allows [clears throat] you to issue debt as long as the payments don't exceed that blue line, which is about $2.2 million. So you can see the um the red [snorts] bars are the uh 4 million payback at this time and they just make the total bars go down a little less fast than they otherwise would really extending out another two years from the referendum debt in all of these three options. So it's just a matter of how you take how big you want each step to be. But you get to the same place and I think we totaled it up Kristen and what was

013it? $452 or something like that. Um you're you're going to have that savings. It's just a matter of how quickly you step down. So if we look at the $4.5 million is um there we go. You see we still have the same steps. They're just in a little different cadence. So, um, again, I think maybe it's helpful to look at the graph. You can see the last red bar doesn't go down quite as far in 2028 as the as it does in the 4 million, but then in 29 you're at zero as as [snorts] and the total decrease is the same as in all the options. So, um, I think all these options are affordable. It's just a matter of what you really need for the project. So, can you or Dr. Skinkis speak to

014what year would we be um potentially required to issue life safety bonds again? >> We'll probably be looking to do life safety bonds right around the time these bonds or shortly after. I think there's a one of the board goals that you're looking at approving tonight uh for the district is the fac creating a facility assessment plan for the next 5 to 10 years. And so a lot of our life safety work, which would be the roofs that were done in the 2009 referendum, uh some air handling units that were done in the 2009 referendum. Um right around 2029, the roof come off a warranty and we're already starting to experience, as the board's aware of all the different repairs we've done, some of issues with the HVAC. So, what the ideal with that would

015be, well, we're going to meet with Nicholas and our architect Chris and I were discussing this today is to set up like a 10-year plan. Um, and so 29 to 30 would be when we start to do some life safety work when those roofs come off a warranty and to repair some of those HVAC units if we can make it out that far. The idea [snorts] would be you wouldn't want to try to do a new roof and then replace the HVAC unit. We'd rather try to say, "Hey, we'll do this section of roof [clears throat] and the 20-year-old HVAC unit that's on that roof at the same time." Um, >> well, and we also have solar panels, too, right? That we want >> that's going to that's on our new section. So, that's already

016done and has nothing that's done, paid for. Those are going in this upcoming summer. >> Okay. Um the other idea, the other issue would be um you have to eventually the track and the turf went in in 2015. The goal was to get 15 years. They only had a 10-year warranty. So the goal would be maybe in between when these bonds would come off the books at 28. you returf the track uh reurface the track and returf the field and you could have a small be a smaller amount it probably around a million million and a half but then you would pay off those bonds and then that would bring you into the next uh the life safety bonds around 29 or 30 which would be for the roof and the HVAC so you would

017continuously create a step down so there's no large drop off and then a spike for taxpayer >> so my only comment on that is that if you do the four and a half, you have less capacity in 28. But it sounds like what you're saying is that that capacity isn't needed till 29, but obviously things can arise. So that's it's a bit of a >> right >> there there's a remaining capacity be a million 24 under 4.5 >> or under 4 million is is million24 and under 4.5 the remaining capacity is 457. >> Right. So, I just wanted to point that out if that's the it it does have some limiting issues in our outy years. Um, but I also understand that we need to get a better dollar amount. We don't want to be

018without funds for the for the capital improvement project. The other thing to keep in mind as the board is making a decision is that um if the board chose the $4.5 million option and the [music] project came in under budget, that money could be used towards other capital projects. Um as long as it's a capital project and >> and we have money put aside for some of the capital projects, right? So this would be kind of like an addition. >> No, what what money do we have put aside? So I thought we had that 3.5 million that we were holding >> the three million. >> Yeah. >> The 3 million is part of the lease agreement and payment structure that you got close for close session if you read that. >> Yeah. >> The 3

019million the initial 3 million that was been bonded >> back in 2017 >> 2017 >> has already been paid off in collecting interest that's going to be used to do the payments for the actual property. >> Okay. What we're discussing tonight is now what can be >> used to to do the work and upgrades >> the upgrades to the property. Okay. >> And so we've um benefited from interest. So would we also have that benefit again? because [snorts] I'm assuming we wouldn't spend it all right away, but we've benefited over the last few years getting some interest from the money that we've held for this lease. >> Yeah. Um I was able to kind of put together an estimate after we paid off those $3 million um bonds. Certainly, we were gaining interest while we

020also had that money, you know, when we issued them, but we were also making payments at the same time. So if you just look at from when those bonds were completely paid off, we earned about $450,000 in interest alone just on it sitting >> on just the three cash. Correct. >> Now the million whether we do four or 4.5 million um the board has you know in December we'll have to make a decision. We'll have to do a hearing in December. Um the goal would be to use this within the next again this is all contingent on the forest reserve appro approving the final agreement. Uh I want to just correct what Miss Hennessy said. You know we're in the process we've have a TA to terms in the lease agreement that the board's going

021to review tonight. But the ultimate will be if the forest reserve board approves that. If the forest reserve approves that then I think the goal would be to try to spend this money rather quickly to get those projects moving because there are some time requirements in the legislation and and our agreement. >> When would the forest preserve board meet to deter >> uh I believe the zoo was taking the um draft agreement like I'm reviewing with you in close session. I think they were reviewing it in committee in either end of this month or December with hopeful approval for January. >> And the 2019 numbers haven't been updated. They have not because we don't have a final plan till we know. >> No. Right. So, so when will they be um updated before we have

022to choose between four and four and a half? >> They probably will not. >> So, that's a good lead question. Curious. >> Can we Liz, can you talk us through the chronology? >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. >> Talk us through and I mean the bond market is tell us what it's doing. Is it wise to hurry up? Is it wise to hurry up and wait? Give us your thoughts on that. So the one thing that I think we want to capture is the 2025 tax levy. And if the [clears throat] bonds are issued after February 27th of 25, then the the bond the first bond payment goes on the 26th levy. So that requires make sure to February of 25 or 26. >> 26. >> Of 26. Okay. And then it would

023be on the 26th levy. Okay. >> No. Yes. If we go beyond February 27th of 26. >> Okay. >> So, and the advantage of getting on the 25 [clears throat] levy is if we don't and have to wait till 26, bonds can't be paid till 27. And if that's the case, we have to capitalize interest because when PE investors buy bonds, they want to start getting their interest payments. That's more expensive to the district. So, that's one deadline that I think you should be cognizant of. The other thing is, you know, the Fed lowered interest rates a quarter point um a few weeks ago. They're going to meet again in December, and we're hopeful that they're going to do it again, although we're waiting for the data uh which may be a little longer to

024wait um to for the Fed to really make that decision. But short-term interest rates have been coming down and so that's benefiting you on this issue because it's paid off quickly over the next four years. So, you know, one approach you could do is uh you know, you have to authorize these bonds. And if we look at the the financing schedule for a minute, um we need to uh have a public hearing and we're suggesting that would occur at your December 9th meeting and then a notice of intent to issue the bonds needs to be published in the local newspaper starting a petition period for 30 days after that. What I suggest is we is authorize up to 4.5 million and then make the final decision on how much you need to issue um after

025your January 20th meeting when you actually approve the issuance of the bonds. Um so if you don't know January 20th um I think we can we could go to that February meeting but we'd be really pushing it. I think I would have preferred that if the board could come to a consensus on the final amount to issue uh in January at the Jan 20 meeting that would be great. >> Can we anticipate the 2019 numbers will be updated before then? >> I cannot guarantee that. >> So let me ask this question and this may um the February 11th would be the latest date based on the schedule you have in the packet. And you said that could be qu pushing it. >> We could push it um towards I mean if we had to meet

026on the 24th which is your regular meeting we could push it that far and then immediately file the paperwork after that. So you know that would be the very outside date is a February 24th meeting. >> So a couple things the 2019 numbers this is a different design. >> Okay. [snorts] >> All right. Let's say like back in 2019 it was like seven or 800 parking spaces. Now it's 400 parking spaces. Um ash the the synthetic turf probably the same but I don't know where the prices of those numbers >> have changed with asphalt everything right gravel. And the biggest thing is we don't know is what type of water reclamation you know detention water retention we'll have to do for the flood control and those types of things. So two questions. I mean the

027board can do a four if we're worried about having debt limit of 28 and I just tell the architect or the engineer and the construction manager we need to design the design needs to be within this number. Um the other question I have for you is this [clears throat] is contingent with you know the forest reserve ultimately approving the final agreement right and so like let's say it gets held up at the forest reserve level till February what is the board's recourse if they bond out this money and somewhere down the line the force reserve says no this isn't this doesn't work you're back to the drawing board >> and you may use it for any capital project. It's not directly tied uh as a working capital specific project. So they can use it for

028any capital project, >> any capital project >> or they can pay can they pay it back faster >> because these are short bonds paid off in four years. They're typically not callable to be prepaid. Okay. >> Um and investors require at least 8 to 10 years of call protection. So purchasers of municipal bonds um don't want those bonds called away from them uh before that eight years. So it's really not practical to refund them or pay them pay them back. >> I don't anticipate that happening. But let's say the forer says you know the terms of this agreement don't work >> all right it's too long too short to this to that and we have to go back to drug board. We can have this money in our fund balance, our capital projects fund balance

029acrewing interest and be used for that project and whatever is not used can then be used for the future projects that we just talked about. So there's no penalty to holding it to using that money because it there specifically has to go for capital projects. It cannot be used it cannot be used for operating fun. >> We could do what we did with the money we're using for the lease. We >> correct >> we could just hold on to it and keep working towards it. Correct. >> So I just I mean like >> the construction manager is asking the same questions of like that Lena and Patrick had offered like >> when can I start putting together numbers in a budget for the project but we don't even know if we have an approved plan

030yet, right? Like so this is working and with the drop off in February and then the legislation that was passed with the short window like we have a we're kind of working in a little bit of a reverse schedule. >> So we've mentioned that it could be used for any projects. Do we have a list of projects? >> That's what I just said the goal that the board's approving hopefully next. That's what we're putting together >> together. Okay. Because I would feel more comfortable. >> Oh, we're going to have plenty of words. >> Black and white. Okay. >> Yes. >> Wait. And can we get numbers on those? Probably not. >> Okay. >> I mean, we can get a general from our construction manager to say, "Hey, new turf is, >> you know, this amount."

031They're probably s simpler estimates than >> Yes. Because they've done a 100 fields and tracks, right? >> Yeah. It's just the number will change depending on when you decide [clears throat] to actually do the work. >> Right. Right. >> And we have historical I mean, we've done roofs continually for decades, so we have an idea what those projects cost. Yeah, that is true, too. >> You know, so we know and then we've all Well, this is the second turf on our football field and we have an idea what that costs >> cuz it's not the first turf that we laid in 2008 or 20. >> 2015 is the turf and this will be a cheaper project at 50 because you should not have to do the the under stuff, the stone, the drainage. All you're

032replacing is the turf. >> So, I could probably get some cost to those projects quicker >> them. Yeah. So, >> and we saw we saw some air handlers this summer. >> Oh, the board just did the air handler over the cafeteria that was $2 million, right? >> So, I think there's some probably some back of the envelope numbers that make sense. Patrick, did you get your question answered? I I >> No, no, I did. Thank you. >> Okay. Any any other questions for Miss Hennessy? Well, and I think that project, you know, managers, they could probably give us a band, you know, a bandwidth of an estimate of what we think it would cost. >> Here, here's what will happen. That's exactly what Nicholas will do as our construction manager. Um, they can't do that

033though until we have an actual design and then they can go to their subcontractors and get rough numbers and then they come back to us and say, "Okay, based on this initial design, you're looking at a budget of this." And if we know we only have 4 million, then we go back to the drawing board and say, "Okay, we're taking out this net or we're taking out this type of turf or we're doing, you know, an alternate for drainage." Like, so that's it's a it's a process that will take a couple months. >> Okay. >> Right. But but we so I mean I think we know the maximum we can do is 4.5. We know we in 2019 it was at 4 million. So we know the minimum we should probably do is four. >>

034So we should have the hearing at the four five and then the board would take action following the hearing. Correct. >> And but hopefully a January time frame assuming the zoo and the other partners cooperate. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I want to make sure I was recapturing the chronology in my head. Does that work for everybody? >> Yeah. Any other questions for Miss Hennessy? >> Student board members, you good? >> Yep. [snorts] >> It's your first bond. [laughter] >> Good. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much, Liz. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Dr. Smatan, you still have some other items, correct? >> Yes, I have several uh tonight, so bear with me. Uh first I will begin by providing the board with uh financial reports through the month of October which represents

03533% of our fiscal year. I'll begin with the monthly summary report. You'll see the total operating revenue for the month was $583,291 with 40% coming from evidence-based funding which is state funding. 16% coming from our interest on investments and 9% coming from uh CPPRT corporal corporate personal property replacement tax. The total operating expenditures for the month were 2,543,429 with 78% towards salary and benefits, 10% towards special education tuition, and 6% for operations and maintenance. Next, I provided the monthly uh financial statements. You'll see the summary of fund balances shows that the district has been deficit spending this fiscal year. Due to the delay in property tax revenue, which we typically would receive in August, um, as you'll see later tonight, we talked about at the last meeting, the district will need to approve a working

036cash inner fund loan to use some of our money from working cash uh to pay for bills in the education fund for tonight's bills that you're seeing as well as possibly uh December bills. Um, at the last meeting there was a question about the amount or percent that we have um in property tax from escrow. There's really no way to know exactly what that number is. Um, you know, you can kind of look at based off of the timing of when property tax comes in. Um, and so based off of the first collection this year, [snorts] um, we had about 25% of our funds come in early and then 65% came in like the week they were due and then 10% trickled in after that. So, you know, our best guess is anywhere from 27

037or sorry, 25% to um, you know, I wouldn't say it's as high as 65%. So, um, definitely probably 25% plus a little bit. So, we should see some money um hopefully trickle in uh right around December 15th. Um the summary of revenue shows that the district has received 8.3% of our budgeted revenue for the year. Um obviously, this amount is going to be lower than last fiscal year of roughly 37% due to the timing of property tax. The summary of expenditures shows that the district has spent 33.5% of our budgeted expenditures for the year and this amount's a little higher than last fiscal year at this time which was uh roughly almost 31%. And then as always I included for the board our statement of expenditure and revenues for board accounts as well as a

038summary of activity for our activity accounts. Um and then uh tonight I have several additional uh reports for the board as well. Um the first is taking a look at enrollment uh and staffing projections uh for the 2627 school year. Uh so tonight really begins the process of staffing um which really starts when students begin selecting classes uh for next year which happens in November all the way through January. Um then um tonight I talk about um enrollment projections for next year as well as staffing from a global perspective. Then in February uh the building administration will begin staffing based upon those students requests that we've collected over the last uh several months. Then in February and March we'll non-renew any part-time temporary staff riff if needed. Um and in March you'll have a presentation

039from the building administration about actual classes and you know um where bad breaks happen and and classes under 20 that we need board approval and then in April we begin hiring. So that's kind of the the cycle um in which we do staffing and this like I said kind of kicks it all off. So, I'll start tonight by presenting a final staffing summary uh for this school year along with current class averages really department averages. So, um it's on board book page 26 um I believe. Yes. Uh you can see uh current class averages. So, this year we're staffed at 110.4 FTE. Um, and most departments have a class average uh below 25. There was a question submitted as to why social science is almost 26 when all the other core departments are at 23

040or 24. Um, and that's for a few reasons. Um, one, social studies is primary and elective department. Um, we consider certain classes within that as exceptions, US history, uh, world history, uh, and gov. Um but outside of that all of the other classes within that department are electives. Um all of our electives are scheduled at 30 to one. And then other departments um have a lower class average because they have intervention classes or they have classes running under 20 that have board approval. like world language for example um has uh our heritage speaker classes which are intervention and then um I believe we uh asked for I believe almost all of our French classes to be running um low as well so that we could continue that sequence. So that's going to significantly pull down

041the world language average um as a whole um and social studies doesn't have those intervention classes. Um and then also I will see um as you'll see later in the presentation we use 27 as the class average for the model um because really 23 or 24 across the board is not sustainable from a financial perspective. Um and so that's why um you know when we use when we do this staffing model to see where our FTE should be for the entire building uh we're using 27. Um, the next page is the RBHS enrollment projection for the 26th 27th school. >> Can I ask you a quick question about that? Because I submitted that question. Do do we know if that's similar at at neighboring schools, neighboring districts that the social science classes have the larger

042class size on average? >> Um, I do not know. It varies from >> I just I was just wondering if an outlier as far as that goes. Um, and I would say that I this year, I wouldn't say that's a consistent every year trend either. I think that's just where the numbers fell this year. Um, for the department, um, some years world language is higher. Um, some years there are other departments that are higher based off of where the numbers fall. Um, looking at enrollment projections this year, uh, at this time last year, I projected we would be at 1672 in terms of our enrollment. Um, and as of October 22nd, we're at 1649. Um, and so that includes both of our uh, special education students that attend at another school. We call those our

043outplaced students as well as transition students. Um and so if you look at the chart below that on the same page um you know we when we start to look for next year we will we will take um those numbers out. So, if you look at um the chart in gray, sorry, the second chart on the page, but the gray bar going across, you'll see that 1649, but then we pull out the students who were outplaced at another school, and that has us at 1627. And then if you pull out um the transition students, we're really at uh 1599. And that number um we'll refer to on the next page. That's on the bottom chart. Correct. >> Correct. Yeah. Because we're really looking at the whole purpose of enrollment projections is we're really looking at

044how many students are going to be at our B and needing uh FTE. Um and so that's why we pull uh those student populations out uh when we're looking at this. >> Where am I seeing the 1599? What am I missing? >> The 1599 will be on the next page. >> Okay. >> The 1627 includes the transition students, but then if you look at the top, the transition students this year were 28. transitions do not take a five period schedule. They're already outside of that five period schedule. >> Okay. Well, correct. And one of our um and not all the staff uh uses FTE for that, right? >> Um as well. >> So, looking at next year, we're projecting a a rather large freshman class. Um and so the projection for next year is 1673.

045If you jump back down um to the second chart in blue, you'll see when you take [snorts] out the students who are outplaced, you would be at 1650. And if you take out the students uh that would be in transition, you would be at 1618. Um and then I've included the next four years as projections as well. Um I wouldn't put much stock into fiscal year 30 and fiscal year 31 because things change at the feeder schools. Kids move in, kids move out. Um, we've had fluctuations before projected and really our enrollment has been rather consistent um, as you can see over the past several years. >> Well, I would say your [clears throat] projections have been remarkably consistent, too. So, thank you. I think it's a helpful I don't know exactly what steps you

046take to get us there, but they're awfully aligned. >> Thank you. We we we try to refine it just a little bit each year to get closer and closer. So if there are no questions on that page, um the next page there's a lot of information. So I will try to walk you through it. So if at any point in time you have questions, please uh stop me. So I'll start on the left uh in the yellow box. The that box is what we call required FTE. Um, so really this is just FTE that uh we have to run the high school that doesn't necessarily eat up FTE in terms of class averages. So counselors, social workers, division heads, librarians, those sorts of things. Um those all go into the required FTE bucket. So that's

04729.2 this year. Then if you move into the center, um the chart on the very top kind of walks through um where this model says our FTE should be for this year. So the projection was um 1672. We're currently at 1649. If you take out the uh students who are outplaced as well as our students in the transition program, you would be at $15.99. And then we have two students that are uh dual degree program at Triton. So that's how you get to the 1597. Um and then uh we look at how many students are taking seven classes, how many students are taking six classes, and how many students are taking uh three to five classes. Um and then we look at trying to maintain a class average of around 27. Um and we use

04827 because um you know we have some classes that are at 40, some classes that are scheduled at uh 30 and then 30 to one and then some uh of our core uh classes at 25 to one. >> So Chris the 3 to five um [clears throat] bracket [snorts] who are they like what is that bracket? >> A majority of them are five. I would say it's very it's very rare you have um a three or a four, but it could be a student who's here just and only needs credit recovery. >> Okay. >> Um or it could be um a student who's homeschooled then comes part-time. Um but those are pretty rare. You have to have five classes to be a full-time student at RB. And so most of those students are taking five

049classes. Um and so that determines the FTE. um by looking at how many students are currently taking five classes versus six versus seven and then you add that into the required FTE and the model is saying that we should be at 106.5 FTE this year. Now this is a model so it doesn't account for bad breaks. So bad breaks is if right you have 42 kids sign up uh for a class you can't run one section of it you can't run um and so you run two sections of it but then those class sizes are a little smaller. Um so that's what we um refer to when we talk about bad breaks. It also doesn't account for all the classes that the board approved that were under 20. Um so again this is just uh

050a model. So that puts us at 106.5 FTE. Our current FTE for this year is 110.4. So according to the model, we're overstaffed uh by 3.9 FTE. Again, I think the model will always show that there's a little bit um of overstaffed due to the bad breaks in the classes that we ask the board to approve, but you try to have that gap be um you know, as small as possible. Um so then using that same model for projecting where we need to be for next year. You can see we have um the yellow chart all the way to the left. Uh we're we're expecting the required FTB FTE to be around 29.6. Um but we won't know what exactly those needs are until we go through um student requests. And then looking at option

051A again we project 1673 but looking at students that um are taking 76 or 3 to five classes that's around 1618. And then historically about 60% of our students take seven classes, 35% take six classes and roughly 5% take uh five classes. Um and so that's how we come up with the the student column. And then looking at what FTE we need um in addition to the required FTE, that would put us at 108.1 um FTE. And so um moving all the way over to the right, the recommendation for next year would be uh to try to stay around 110 FTE. That gives 109.5 FTE for staffing and then another 0.5 FTE for transfers, staffing complex, other things that may arise. So the goal would be to try to stay around 110 is my recommendation

052for next year. So that was a lot of information. Um questions before I move on to the next report. >> The A the B and the C. The reason behind this was based on like in November when you're doing the levy and your enrollment projections and in the spring you'll do the staffing and if you based on when we were developing our budget if we ever had to do budget reductions the reason we put this we developed this chart I developed this chart 14 15 years ago was so that the board can see okay if you want to have class sizes if we needed to reduce the budget in order to reduce deficit spending you can go up to 27.25 and that would bring your staffing to 107.4. If you wanted to raise class size

053to 27.5, you could reduce 3.7, right? Like we haven't had to do that in several years because we, you know, we've got all of our fiscal operations in order. Um, but that's the reason why we give you three options because you're 80% of your budget is salary and benefits. And so this was kind of trying to show you like, you know, the number of students taking six classes, seven classes, average class sizes. So that's why you get kind of like this snapshot now. Um, and as you can see, we're using 27. Even with the social study elective being at 26, they're all still below uh the, you know, the average class sizes are all still below with the exception of PE, which runs at 40 to 1 and that's even at an average of 35.

054So that's kind of like the summary um for you. Again, all this does is it just gives you an idea like the takeaway for the board tonight. We should be staffed next year around 110. So right would be at a reduction of about a point4 to a.5. And so if we have good new teachers that we've hired and we want to keep them in the system, then the way you look at this is as we start to get retirees a resignation, you're not as quick to full to fill a full-time resignation or a full-time retiree. >> Make sense? >> What's the TBD [clears throat] under the 26 27 table? the TBDs. The reason those boxes are in maroon is because we won't know how much of our special ed population comes in until we do

055our annual IEP reviews with >> No, no, no. I'm on the bottom left 26 27 table, >> right? So those sections are in maroon. You see how they're in maroon and then to the right of them they say TVD. Like the TVDs are probably a little off. They should be by the maroon. >> Okay, that's fine. Some are in yellow and some are in Sorry, the top two. >> I'm going to call it lilac, but that's fine. The top two are off >> because we won't know how much academic support we need till we see how >> No, and that makes more sense. I just couldn't figure out why they were TBD when they were different. My apologies. No, no, that's okay. I just It's a little thing. It's a very small font. Um >>

056the required FTE, just so the board's aware, is that's more or less like these are the things the school needs like you're going to always have your division eds, you're going to have your counselors, you're going to have uh your intervention teachers, you're have your library, right? So those are like those aren't student dependent necessarily, only the few that have the TBD by them. >> Moving on. >> Okay, >> any more questions on this? Okay, it's a the next page in the board book is the operational fund balance reduction report. So, the school code was amended by public act 103394 that require districts that uh do not receive federal impact aid are required to complete uh this report on an annual basis. This is I believe the second year we've had to do this. Um

057so districts are required to complete this report which looks at the annual average expenditures of its operating funds for the previous uh three fiscal years. So that's looking at um our ED fund, our operations and maintenance fund and our transportation fund. Um so it looks at the average expenditures of those three uh funds. And then it looks at the combined cash reserve balance of the operating funds. And if the balance uh the cash reserve exceeds 2.5 times your average expenditures um then we're required to adopt and file a written um operation fund reserve reduction plan. So the goal is to not be sitting on a bunch of money is the is the whole purpose behind this report >> and that's fairly a new law right kind of >> correct. I believe this is our second

058year that we have uh are required to complete the report. We are nowhere near having to complete the report. Um, as you can see, uh, you know, that number looking at the ratio must be less than 2.5 and our current ratio is 0.445. >> Are these posted? Does the state board of ed post all of these or do they aggregate it somehow? >> Um, I don't know uh the answer to that. I can dig around ISB's website to find out. It is not something that goes on our school report card, >> right? It's not a school report card item. It just seems like a standalone um I you can find this from our budget. >> Correct. >> I guess you can't the rat the ratio is not laid out the same way. >> Yes, you

059could could compute your own ratio, but yes. >> Okay. >> The information is there. It just hasn't been in this format until now. >> I'm just be curious what they're doing with it. I I mentioned it might be there because there's been some boards that have been found to be sitting on a lot of money and so this is a way the state can say we're doing something about it. >> Yes. And then they have to file a reduction plan and follow it. But whether or not the state aggregates all that information and puts it on their website, I'm not sure. So I can >> dig around ISBY's website. No worries. Thank you. Um the next uh piece of information in my report tonight is contract tool. Um, this is a tool that I use

060in the business office to keep track of the expiring contracts. So, there are four contracts that are expiring this year. Canteen, which is our vending contract. You'll hear about that later tonight. Constellation, our natural gas contract. Evans Marshall MPs, our auditor. Um, and then, uh, first student, uh, which is our buses. So, um, again, you'll hear about canteen later tonight. Constellation [clears throat] I'll talk about in a bit. Evans Marshall MPs, our auditor, will go out to the market um for that and and receive three quotes uh later this spring. You'll also hear from our auditor in December. Um I did receive the audit um Monday morning, yesterday morning. Um so I will provide that to uh Dr. Skinka so you could pass it along to the board so you can all have some time

061to look at it and um ask any questions in advance of the December meeting. Um and then for student uh our buses. Um there's not a lot of bus competition, but we will be going out uh for bid uh this spring for buses as well. >> So the general question >> on your contract tool >> because in our board policy, we have a policy that um how often we need to like go out for bid or how often we can um just kind of keep the same contract. Do we have that information on your tool here? >> Um, well, I don't believe that there's a a board policy and as to how often we need to go. We have procedures, but I don't think there's a a board policy um as to how often we

062go out. So the general process is we typically will do if we're satisfied and uh with the vendor we'll typically do one to two renewals um which will come to the board depending on the way [clears throat] the contract is written um before going back out to either receive bids or quotes depending on the product and the requirements. So on the contract tool it says whether or not um it's required to go out to bid or if it's just required to receive quotes. >> That's on the column furthest to the right quote. Do we have in here the last time we went out for bid on each of these or no? >> Um, no. You have the expiration date and you have the length of the contract. So, you'd have to you would have to

063the information's there, but you would have to do the math. >> So, how would I know if we we renewed something five times? And that's ridiculous, I know, but would it >> um >> come up here? It depends on it depends on the contract and how it was written. So I can't answer that globally. Um but like for example with canteen uh tonight I was put in the action sheet when we last went out to bid or when we last got quotes. So anytime I bring a contract to the board for renewal I provide that information in the background. So, this is just the global tool um of how I keep track of contracts that are expiring for the district because technically this is our active contract. It doesn't matter that it was a prior

064solicitation necessarily. This is the active one, the canteen for instance, >> right? So, so the board authorized it based on >> the judgment at that time. So, that becomes the active contract. >> Yeah. I think this is a very nice tool to keep track of, you know, because I think it's a practice. It's wise when it makes sense to be, you know, going out for bid to see if there's something new and not get in the habit of just accepting the past. So, this seems to be a very nice tool where you can keep that information upfront and handy. >> Well, I think I think to Miss Matana's point, Dr. Tennis's point when we get the write up it does say that if you're looking for the full history and I think um I I

065I I hear what you're saying. I think with the pandemic obviously there's been some supply chain issues and a lot of procurement challenges that I think we're seeing reflected in some of these contracts that might be renewals or extensions. But um I I hear your point >> Chris. I just I think you know the [clears throat] practice though has always been after one or two extensions we make sure we go out to bed. It's not something we want to continue to to roll over. >> Correct. And and it depends on current conditions. It depends on what the contract is. There's no hard and fast rule as to whether or not you do it every time or if you wait for one renewal. Like for example buses, >> right? like we're going out to bid this

066spring because the bus market has calmed down a little bit, but also uh you know we're due to go out to the market. We didn't go out earlier because postco we would have been paying you know double if we went out to bid because there's a bus driver shortage, right? And it was it was awful. I mean already our prices have gone up for busing but um it was not a good time to go out to market and and try to get um additional uh additional quotes because they would have come in higher than what we were what we were already paying. Um so you really have to be able to um to evaluate on a case by case basis. So, and just to clarify, we do [snorts] not have a board policy that requires

067the solicitation, but you are bound to the state some some aspect of the school code that dictates what needs to be or how you would procure something. >> Correct. Well, and there there is a a board policy in regards to um bidding and and procurement, but not in terms of the >> frequency. Okay, that's that's what I thought I just want to confirm. Thanks. >> Yeah, we do have something that you know so that we just don't keep rolling something over. >> Okay. So, um, in addition to, uh, canteen, which I'll talk about later tonight as a separate agenda item, um, I did want to highlight, uh, Constellation Natural Gas is up in, uh, believe the spring. And, uh, I would like to use, uh, the advisory services of Becky Thompson at Energy, uh, Nania

068Energy for natural gas to proactively go to, uh, the market before the winter season. Um, so that hopefully we can save some money for the district. There is no contract with uh using NIA. Um it's just um it's really just um an agreement that I would sign that it would allow them to go out to market for us within the year. Then they would go out to the market, they would bring pricing uh back to me. I would present it to the board and then ultimately the board could decide to go with one of those companies or none of them at all. Um, and so I have been very satisfied uh with uh Becky at NAMIA. They've done a great job of uh you know forecasting for us and watching the market, telling us when

069to go out to the market. Um and they also did a great job with um billing concerns when we had um issues with Nyore and the gas meter. They were the ones that were able to help us get Nyore to finally come on campus and to evaluate the gas meter. Um and so um there's a lot of added benefit with uh partnering with them. Um the way the structure works um and the [clears throat] board has seen this before but um it's it's been a few years. So um they have the standard the industry average is that they tack on 3 cents per therm to the rate and the natural gas company assumes this fee. So we don't pay Nania and um anything um you know they get that directly to the company that uh

070receives the contract. Um so they uh would are wanting to continue to partner with us and have offered to reduce their service fee by 50% to um one and a half cents per therm. Um, so I wanted to bring this to the board um before I w move forward with Nania and then hopefully I can bring back some information at the December board meeting um specific to uh our situation in terms of pricing um and different contracts with gas suppliers. H >> how did we start working with them? You know, because when you said they've done a lot of good work for us, I just don't recall how it was that we got involved with them. Um Scott Bannic, the person prior to me, um had uh started that relationship. Um so I don't know

071how exactly it got started. Um I just know that I assumed it when I took this role um in 2019. >> The reason you're probably it's it's in your memory as a frequent is they've they've helped us with our gas in the past. It's um they were also referred to us to serve as a consultant on possibly doing their solar project and they were the initial group that was helping with the solar project and then um we didn't like the way they were conducting their their their bids and their quote process and so we went to a different vendor and so I think that's why the um they've reduced their service fee because they want to continue to do our business on the gas side which they've done a very good jobs for us for

072so that's probably why you're remembering the name >> right and >> there was a lot of talk from them and they did a presentation a couple years ago >> right because we we didn't go with them with the solar panel correct >> correct >> but so that means we've had a long so we've had a relationship with them prior to the solar panel project then >> yeah I believe it started in 2018 >> okay >> so is solar panel and solar energy something new that They kind of started adding to their portfolio. >> Yes. And it was a it was a different division than >> than what Becky does. So was a different person. >> Um and yes, uh I mean [clears throat] solar is relatively new to a lot of people in terms of

073school districts um taking on solar. >> Um and then the last thing that I have in my report tonight is liability insurance. uh for the district is set to expire in December, December 1st. The cost for the district's liability insurance will increase about 6%. Um and this is a budgeted expense and the board will see this bill, I believe, at the December meeting. Um so I just wanted to call it to your attention. And that concludes my report tonight. Any more questions or comments? That was a lot of content. Okay. Anything from our student adviserss? You got it all. You're good. Uh, principal report, Dr. Fre. >> Good evening, honorable board members. I know the information has already been shared, you know, regarding our Leno report card, but first and foremost, I'm proud of our

074growth. We have positive momentum moving forward. We improve from 91.98 to 92.04. We're moving in the right direction. Unfortunately, you know, every year the report card gets calibrated and the target kind of gets moved, you know, and it's still, you know, developing as we speak. But again, I'm proud of all the teacher all the administrators that came together to continue our positive our positive growth and we earned the commendable rating. Uh, within the report, I did receive a question regarding what areas of imp what areas of improvement have been identified and action steps. So, you know, we did very well when it came to freshman on track, you know, but we didn't get all of our points, you know, but uh we improved from 96.8 to 97.2. But some things that we're going to continue

075doing because again, we've been growing year after year, you know, our counselors will continue, you know, working with small teams, you know, group of professional that monitors, you know, discipline, attendance, and grade and create action steps to make sure students are able [clears throat] to come to school and pass their classes. You know, our student services department will continue to work with dean's office to closely monitor student attendance and concerns and possibly consider candidates for a tapestry program. And then our school counselors again will continue to review freshman failures at the end of the quarter and we add interventions. Again, FOT is on track. We we are growing every year, but those are some steps that we have been doing and will continue doing. The next area of improvement is chronic absenteeism. One thing that

076we started this year that is new is using parent square for communicating attendance. Students have it, parents have it, you know, and from my uh student um affairs office, it's been very successful. Now, now parents instantly know where the kid is not here and then of course if they're struggling in in any classes and areas, you know, the deans will continue working with our MTSS coordinator to create attendance incentives. you know, we'll continue meeting monthly and then additional support for students and and definitely check our unverified, you know, absences. You know, you got to track attendance correctly. You know, that's where deans, you know, meet with students during lunch, you know, not only to acknowledge them, but hey, where were you? You know, follow up with your parents. Let's get confirmation. So, all those details

077matter. Taking accurate attendance, following up with the students that aren't here, um communicating. So those are some of the things that we're doing, you know, new that will continue to lessen chronic absenteeism. And then the last goal identified is EL proficiency as measured at the Axis test. Every year EL students, you know, take the AXI examination around February. It's it's an exam that involves reading, writing, speaking, and listening. So I'm currently working with the ER coordinator, our spec director, my assistant prince of curriculum and instruction to maximize curricular opportunities, which is one of the board goals and some of the things that we're exploring continue staff PD, you know, and we're doing exploring and doing, you know, embedded practices and then FTE considerations, how can we support, you know, students throughout the day, but those

078are the three areas identified for growth according to report card. And I believe that I answered a question for the board member. Um, feel free to, you know, continue asking me questions. I always welcome them. >> Uh, December 16th through the 19th, our question. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Freshman on track. >> Gotcha. >> You know, I was going to ask, of course, >> because every time you guys give us an update on Freshman on Track, it's always a really good report. Gotcha. >> I'm curious, >> how did that land as a goal if we always get really good updates on freshman on track? Like, what else? What what was missing? >> You know what it's I mean what's missing is get another kid or two back on track. I mean it's it

079it's it's tough cuz like I as we maximize almost our points out of the eight and a half percented we got like 76 77. So again getting more kids you know back on track you know recovering credits of some sort. But and then a struggle is, you know, there's some students that, for example, are in an extended algebra that if if they fail a semester, they're pretty much off track cuz, you know, cuz they get, you know, the additional credits. So, >> I mean, again, we're we're moving forward. So, we're we're growing. >> Yeah. We're growing. We just need to, right? I mean, get get another kid or two and continue adding another kid or two back on track, you know, and again, the momentum is positive. if I can only see us getting more

080points, you know, if we're always growing.3 or point4. >> I'm just surprised freshman on track would, >> you know, and and it is great. Our freshman on track is fantastic. It's just when you look at the points, I'm like, man, you know, we still got to improve. I mean, >> right, like how [laughter] much more could we improve? >> Of course, you know, but I mean, >> thank you. >> Um, second quarter ends on December 19th for school cultures and operations for the month of November. We've updated immigration information, you know, on our website, front and center under news and announcements, we have updated immigration information that takes you to the letter from our superintendent which includes resources available from the state, you know, um and especially the Illinois Immigration Coalition that kind of houses

081everything from uh from Zoom meetings, from know your rights seminars, from information, from printing out whatever rights cards you have. I mean that that hub has everything you will need when it comes to immigration that is front and center. Um and then the board question that was submitted, you know, were staff members involved in addressing student concerns? You know, I reminded teacher first and foremost that they could use any resource that we have on our website and they could print out research for the kids if needed. Um I have worked and I'm proud of all those staff members. You know, we have emailed parents the resources. I have met with students to address their concerns. We're actually finalizing a flyer which a QR code which will take you to the letter from our superintendent that

082has all of the resources. That was one of the students. So again, I think we're listening to all of our stakeholders. We're we're communicating the resources and we're taking uh steps forward. Um the fine arts calendar, I believe I shared the fine arts calendar with everyone. We distributed that at the beginning of the year. Big shout out to Miss Kylie Fletcher, our community engagement coordinator for making that happen. And again, that calendar speaks to our two-way communication goal. You know, I know many parents who have students in the fine arts, you know, ask for a calendar, right? So, you listen, you work together, and you produce to me. That is an example of two-way communication. I couldn't be more proud of Miss Fletcher, you know, and parents have received it. I've distributed the calendar at

083several concerts already, and I think I saw Mr. Williams one, and I gave you one myself. But, you know, it's been a hit. There's been family members that have been inputting all the all the performances, you know, today on their calendar. So, you know, as you can see, you know, I think it's a well done product, you know, that highlights all of the key uh events coming in the fine arts world. >> Did we get some of these at the local libraries by any chance? >> Yes. Correct. Yeah. Yeah. We're we're working on that. You know, again, we wanted to give it to all the parents that were here. You know, we kind of ran out, but we will be engaging, you know, the libraries and the townships to make sure that any community members

084has those. I think especially around the holidays, I know there's a lot of seniors who like to attend holiday events. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Correct. Madam President, >> um today we hosted our annual Veterans Day ceremony. I mean, again, a wonderful, wonderful event. We had approximately, you know, 80 veterans. 80 veterans attend. You know, I want to thank first and foremost all of the veterans. They're always welcome at RB. Miss Kylie Fletcher, Miss Chica, Mr. Hogus, Mr. Mr. Gre, Mr. Fields, Coach Styler, Mr. Ball, Mr. globe, Miss uh Miss Montana, uh Mr. Mannon, the quest staff, security, essay, coffee and tea club, building admin. I mean, guys, this was a team effort always has. And of course, I'd like to thank our superintendent for his great vision. Under college planning tips for freshmen, we had

085another college planning tips seminar today led by Mr. Franco. You know, I was there. Um, you know, you have maybe about 40 or 50 students and families attending getting ahead of the college journey. We have our fall break coming up. the 26th through the 28th of November. For activities and athletics is November, winter sports have begun. You know, I want to I believe, you know, all the teams have been decided already. The triyouts have wrapped up. So, good luck to all of the winter sport athletes and there's some teams that are already competing. I know bowling is already competing, you know. And then for in December when it comes to activity athletics, you know, I highlighted our athletic activities um website. I I uh hyperl it to my report because we have events I want

086to say every day pretty much in December for everything we do. That's what I'm proud of RB that we have a plethora of opportunities both in the athletics and extracurricular activities. And that concludes my principal report. Honorable board members >> question. >> Yes. >> As far as the updated immigration information, the flyer with the QR code, is that a student driven initiative or is that something? So the students the students came when I met with the student the students came we looked at the QR code make sure it works make sure it's linked to our resources so students came so it's a partnership between admin educators and students but it was I mean a big shout out to our uh to our association for student for tolerance for initially bringing that yes >> and is

087the flyer ready >> is we are almost there >> cuz it two week two weeks this is now two weeks >> correct >> and things have only gotten worse >> correct >> I would I would appreciate appreciated if we can help the students get that flyer out. >> Gotcha. It should be ready in the next day or two, Madam Vice President. >> Any more questions? >> Um, in addition to the flyer, any other initiatives that came out? >> Any other initiatives? You know what? I think linking the resources front and center, you know, the QR code and being always open and available to support families and students. you know, I mean, >> I just want to make sure the students feel comfortable with the outcomes of the the meeting. I mean, they came two weeks

088ago and they were very >> forthcoming and they shared um >> all of the things that they're dealing with. So, I just wanted to make sure that >> two weeks they don't come back and say, [laughter] >> "No, we're waiting." >> No, no, they're being here. And again, the flyer will be up very soon. Madam vice president, >> thank you. >> You know, I met with those students uh a day or two after the board meeting. We had a very good meeting. um we discussed what we can and can't do to and uh they actually helped uh me with the letter and went back out to families and went through the different resources on that letter. So um remember Dr. Freredis was out of town so they were waiting for Dr. Fred to back it

089down to do the be with him to [snorts] do the flyer and do some of the other activities. >> No, I know it's just this is very time sensitive and very time dependent >> so >> yeah I gota I understand >> things move quickly in that realm. So that flyer needs to be out. >> Yeah. >> Like now, please. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Student advisers. Huh? How are you? >> Okay. December 11th, um NHS is hosting a final study table from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the student cafe for any students who need guidance while they study for finals. And as an NHS member, I'm going to be tutoring there as well on that date. Um and then for school's culture and operations in November on November 9th, we

090have the RBHS Best Buddies helping pause um joint food drive. This will be from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Um the [clears throat] drop off location is the main entrance at door. This initiative will help increase food stock at the Share Food Share Love Food Pantry. Um they've been experiencing a little bit of difficulty with everything going on um in the political world. Um so this will help them increase what they can give out to our community members. Um, RBE works very closely with the pantry to provide volunteer opportunities to students. Um, specifically through helping pause and help give back to others in our community. From the 11th through 14th, we have holiday cards for veterans in the cafeteria during lunches. These cards will be distributed to veterans at the Fiser House at Hines VA Hospital

091to provide them with comfort and joy during the holiday season. Make sure they're feeling the support that they um deserve. And then from the 13th through the 16th, we have the fall play, the great gas fee. This is from 7:00 p.m. from the 13th to the 15th and 2:00 p.m. on the 16th in the auditorium. Um, ticket prices have changed a little bit. We It is $15 for adults, $10 for students and for sorry, seniors and nonRB students and $5 for RB students with their ID. Um, we've been working tirelessly on this play to make sure it is um, as polished as it can be, especially since it's a very well-known story and we want to make sure it lives up to people's expectations. So, we hope you all can come see it before we

092leave the Roaring 20s and head to Harvard Law for Legally Blonde in the spring. >> I saw it on Monday. It was great. You were great in it. >> Thank you. >> On November um, 14th through 15th, the IHSA state competition for girls swimming and diving will be happening. um 9:00 a.m. for diving and 3:30 p.m. for swimming. This is located at the FMC auditorium in Westmont. And then additionally, I want to give a shout out to Maria Ellis, a senior here. She qualified for state last weekend with a school record and breathtroke with timing just over a minute. >> Nice. >> Um November 20th, Dory Donuts is returning to RB um with a variety of donuts. They'll be here in the morning at 7:30 a.m. It'll be available for all students in all lunches

093lunches till 1:45 p.m. >> And then on November 21st, the YC2 applications are due. YC2 stands for Young Community Change Makers. Um this program is offered by the Community Memorial Foundation located at Plymouth Place on the Graange to students at Hinsdale Centro, LT, NAS, and RB. Um, it is a leadership development program designed to educate and empower local youth to become our community's next generation of philanthropic leaders. I participated in this program last year and it was really amazing. I met a lot of new people and was able to learn about the um nonprofit sector and in the end we um we were in two cohorts $15,000 each and we um awarded $15,000 to two um local nonprofits. So, it was a really great opportunity. Um, no. December 1st, there's a college night for juniors

094and parents. This is from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and in it's in the little theater. This provides juniors an opportunity to further grasp the college application process. And I'm really thankful for this because my sister is a junior this year. And although I know the college application process more senior, I'm going to push her to go to this. Um, under activities and athletics on November 26th, um, 28th and 29th, boys basketball team will be attending the Vander Market basketball tournament located at Hollywood [clears throat] Main Gym. Um, on the 26th tournament will begin at 600 p.m. against Hinsdale South. And on the 28th, it will start at 400 p.m. against Benwick. >> And then in December, from December 11th through 12th, we have the Student Association notes of acknowledgement. um they'll have a table to

095allow students to acknowledge staff members throughout the school and um give thanks to anyone who's been a positive influence on them. And then lastly, we have senior yearbook ads due on December 31st. Um the class of 2026 will be able to buy ads for our yearbook this year. >> Great. >> Guys, I'm sorry. One quick correction. The culinary for junior is December 9th. Okay, one quick correction part of that. Okay, December 9th. >> Tell your sister the right thing. Here we go. Thank you both very much. Uh, moving on to information items. We did have a handful of foyer requests. Dr. Stinkis, >> two were submitted. Uh, one from Steve Johnson and one from Steve Watts. Uh, a summary of those are included in your packet as well as the official response. >> Thank you.

096And then we have the Varsity Palms overnight field trip. It's is simply a date change. This was previously approved. >> Yes. Uh,formational item for the board. So, it's part of the public record. The board officially approved this at the previous meeting. Um, but the travel arrangements needed to extend the trip by one day. So, we wanted to make sure the board was aware of that. >> And and that's not a school sponsored, >> right? >> Well, it's a school trip, but it's a uh the nationals, >> right? >> So, it's um it's a the students are paying for it's not like a field trip where it's every student has to go, >> right? similar to like when a choir goes to New York or uh one of their trips. >> So without them missing the

097two days of school, is there any kind of expectation that they have to be in good standing before they leave? >> Oh, I mean that's always you have to be in good standing to be part of any activity or any sport. You know, the coaches communicate the academic responsibilities. their teachers let them know that we support you on your trip, but you have to make sure you know you do all of the required assignment that that is part of the culture of activities in athletics. >> I think it's in the the student manual. >> Correct. [laughter] >> I remember seeing that [snorts] one clearly. I think any more questions or comments on >> We're good. >> Uh visitor opportunities. We have some visitors to speak this evening. Okay, come on up. I'm going to read

098a small paragraph and ask you to state your name. The board of education welcomes and encourages the participations of citizens in the business of the school district. There are two points in the meeting where visitor comments are scheduled. Citizens are welcome to raise questions or make comments at either one. Comments will be limited to three minutes per individual and cannot be combined. Please note the board of education will not answer questions or engage in dialogue during visitor comments. If a person would like additional time to address the board, such a request should be submitted in writing 48 hours before the meeting to the superintendent. >> Okay. Uh Chelsea Talik, I live in Riverside. Um, I would like to ask the board and then you'll have to let me know how you respond to this if

099you can't respond now or where the answer would come from via email or um, has the board discussed modifying changing the current sexual misconduct policy and or um adding an advisory board. And I know you can't answer that, right? You're smiling. That's a no. >> Um so yeah, if you >> I apologize. I know it's it's awkward. >> You can email me. Do you have my email? I can give it to you. >> If you want to send it send that question to the school board email. >> Okay. >> And then the board president can send you. [snorts] >> Okay. Also, I'd like to add um a project for your $4.5 million. The front sidewalk, that's a whole trip hazard for years. Huge cracks and Riverside likes exposed aggregate. So, that's going to cost extra

100money, too. Just FYI. That's what you have now. >> The front sidewalk specific the main entrance. >> Okay. You got cracks that are >> G or A? >> G, I think. Will the whole shoot? >> Okay, that's on our list. >> That's on our Yeah. >> Okay. >> And exposed aggregate, too. >> Thank you. Is anyone else here for comment? >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Um, moving on to the consent agenda. Miss Gaska. [snorts] The Board of Education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, takes the following action on the listed consent agenda items. Approves minutes from the meetings held on October 14th, 2025. Open and close sessions. Minutes from the meetings held on October 28th, 2025 open and close sessions as presented in the November 11th, 2025 board agenda packet. >> Can we

101have a second, please? >> Second for Mr. Durkin. All in favor? >> I. Any objections? That carries. Under old business, we move on to uh under life safety, the Noatne engineering agreement. Is Dr. Skinkis, are you going to speak to this? >> Yes. >> So, with Noatne agreement, uh we've had a draft now on the agenda now for I believe the previous two meetings. Uh this has finally been through attorney review and negotiated with Noatne. Um, as a background, remember Noatne Engineering previously partnered with the district in the local municipality as a zoo and the forest reserve to design the First Avenue bike path. Uh, given their familiarity with these projects, [music] the district Oh, I still had the timer running. I'm sorry for the 3 minutes. Uh given the familiarity with the district and

102the entities that involved the forest reserve and the zoo, uh we started to work with Noatne back in 2017 18 to design concepts and they were creating the proposals and tree studies for um some of the projects that had failed to get approval from the forest preserve and the zoo. Um so with the recent passage of the SB 637, that's why we're bringing them back in. So I'm answering a question. And there was some concern of why we chose Noatney, but that's the history. So, they've been actually working on this for us since probably 2017. Um, >> do they also do work with the zoo? >> Uh, they they do work with a lot of the local municipalities that we are in our but they did work with the zoo us to forces them to

103do the bike path. >> Okay. >> So, the zoo is friendly with them or like correct. They the zoo kind of trusts them I would say or >> what year was the bike path? uh 16 17 that was a three-year project too that we did with all the local municipalities and did cost sharing. >> Yeah, I remember >> and Cook County, right? >> They started asking for it though in 1962. >> I use it all the time. So >> the uh not to exceed it's is 175. Um the terms of the agreement are listed out. uh the hourly rates I think this answers a lot of the questions that had come up in the past uh with the board. Um so I am recommending approval uh tonight. Again let's just say worst case scenario something

104falls through with the project. Um they have been preparing all the different exhibits and doing some of the topography uh tree impact studies that have gone to put together the examples that are going now in the tenative lease agreement. So there would be some fees that we'd have to pay in the event the project didn't roll forward, but we're not on the hook for uh any set amount. It would just be based on the hourly wage schedule that they provided in the contract. >> And you indicated council had reviewed, correct? Yes, they finished their review. >> So any questions? I don't think there were any additional one question, [clears throat] but I think is everyone okay moving forward? >> Yes. Okay. Thank you. The board of education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois,

105approves the agreement for engineering services with Frank Noatne and Associates as presented in the November 11th, 2025 board agenda packet. We have a second >> second for Mr. Durkin. And we do need a roll call. >> Okay. Mr. Durkin, >> yes. >> Miss Gaska, >> yes. >> Miss Ruska, >> yes. >> Mr. Novak, >> yes. >> Mr. Williams, [clears throat] >> yes. >> Miss Sis, >> yes. >> Mr. Kudo, >> yes. Thank you. And then uh Dr. Smatan, I believe the inter fund loan. >> Yes. Uh so the district, as you've heard before tonight, the district expects to receive the second installment of the 2024 uh real estate taxes uh December 15th. However, in order to pay the bills tonight, we need to approve um the interfund loan from working cash to the ED fund

106um not to exceed 5 million. the township treasurer will only transfer what they need um to uh pay the bills and then as soon as we receive the property tax it immediately gets paid back. Um so I'd ask for approval uh tonight for the inner fund loan. >> I didn't see any questions submitted on this. I think it's it's pretty um it needs to happen for [laughter] it needs to happen. >> What we talked about last week too. >> Okay. >> All right. The board of education township high school district 208 Cook County Illinois approves the resolution in substantially the form presented to the board to loan monies from the working cash fund to the education fund as presented in the November 11, 2025 board agenda packet. >> Second. >> A second from Mr. Novak.

107And we need a roll call. >> Miss Gasco? >> Yes. >> Miss Rasca? >> Yes. >> Mr. Novak? >> Yes. >> Mr. Williams? >> Yes. >> Miss Salis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Muno. >> Yes. >> Mr. Derk. >> Yes. >> U moving on to new business payment of bills. Any questions on this? I didn't see any submitted on this one. >> Go ahead. >> The board of education Township High School District 208 Cook County, Illinois approves the payment of bills as presented and discussed in the November 11, 2025 board agenda packet. >> Can we get a second? >> Second from Mr. Durkin and a roll call. >> Miss Rusco. >> Yes. Mr. Novak. >> Yes. >> Mr. Williams, >> I'm going to abstain because uh my wife accompanied the choir and so she was part

108of one of those bills. So I won't vote on that one. >> Miss Alis, >> yes. >> Mr. Kafudo, >> yes. >> Mr. Durkin, >> yes. >> Miss Gas, >> yes. >> 2026 27 school calendar first read. I think this is just for information purposes. >> Information purposes only. I still need to meet. I have breakfast meeting scheduled with the feeders here [clears throat] at the uh I believe early December. Uh so before we uh actually approve the calendar, but uh we've already brought it to the union as well as um the operations committee and so they have had a chance to review it. We're still tweaking one or two things. Um, but this is uh I usually let the board say this at least once or twice before we do the final approval. It's

109good to try to get it out by no later than January so families have enough time to plan their next school year, >> mostly their travel arrangements on winter break or spring break. >> So any questions should be submitted, but we'll assume we're going to move forward as soon as you've talked to the your colleagues. >> Esports activity account, >> formality, new club. Mhm. >> Needs a needs an activity council that can do fundraising. And >> if we could get approval on that tonight, that would be helpful. >> Miss Gas, >> the board of education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois hereby approves the activity account for esports as presented in the November 11, 2025 board agenda packet. >> So move a second. >> Second from Mr. Williams. And uh this is a

110roll call, >> Mr. Novak. Yes, >> Mr. Williams. >> Yes, >> Miss Alis. >> Yes, >> Mr. Caputo. >> Yes, >> Mr. Durkin. >> Yes, >> Miss Gasa. >> Yes, >> Miss Ruska. >> Yes. >> School maintenance project grant. >> It's an annual grant that's available. Dr. Smatana usually submits these on an annual basis. It matches up to $50,000. Um, we were thinking that we could use this towards We've done this in the past with the you'll see all the projects that are listed there on the background sheet. We were thinking that we could use this to um as part of a matching grant for some of the work that we're going to be doing with the field. >> And this is a first read this evening. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Any questions for

111this evening? >> Can you change it or do you have to when you submit it, do you have to >> That's a good question. Once I submit it, you cannot amend uh this grant. It works different than the other grants. [clears throat and snorts] So, um if for some reason we chose not to move forward with that, um project, we um would either forfeit the money or if they one year they gave us the money before we submitted any expenditures and we'd have to give the money back. >> So, uh do you have a backup? I mean, we know that there's things that are broken like the sidewalk, you know, I mean, >> we can add more projects onto it if you think. Well, this is a pretty broad description of work though, >> right?

112>> I mean, I think it does. It's only 50,000 and it addresses >> from the parking lot to the school, enhancing security from parking lots. I mean, there's a lot that >> I would assume could fall under this. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> It's a good point though. Yeah. It's it's limited to whatever whatever is written here. >> Yeah. >> So, that's a first read. Um, canteen vending machine contract renewal first read. >> Uh, correct. Um, >> did we skip proposed tax levy? >> Yeah, I believe proposed tax levy. >> My apologies. I just I just crossed it off like we did it. I apologize. That's okay. Um, so tonight is a first read of our proposed estimated tax levy that we must file uh in December. uh it was reviewed with finance advisory council

113on November 3rd. Um the district always does what is called a balloon levy. So um tonight uh you'll see that we're asking for an increase of 4.95% in order to capture the maximum amount of any taxes on new property. Um the district is tax capped by the consumer price index uh for levy year 2025 which is 2.9%. So, what happens is um we propose and submit to Cook County 4.95% but they automatically will bring it back down to 2.9%. The reason we do the extra 4.95% is so that we can capture that full amount, the 4.9% only on new property tax. Um and so I can briefly go over um the spreadsheet. Um if you look at um column C, you'll see that that was our tax. >> What page is there? Please >> sorry,

114187. >> What is that? The next page >> 187. Okay. >> Um so first of all, I'll take a step back. There are two main terms that are used on this spreadsheet. The first is levy, what we ask for, and the second is an extension, what we're entitled to receive. um in any given year, we don't receive the full amount. There's always property tax that trickles in um from previous years, but that's the amount of money that we're entitled to receive from that levy year. So, if you look at um column A and B, those are the funds in which we levy for or uh ask for money. And then column C uh is the money that we received or entitled to receive in from the 2023 tax levy. And then the next set of

115columns are for tax levy year 2024. So remember, you levy in December of 2024, but then we receive that money in calendar year 2025. The tricky part for school districts and Cook counties, it spans two different fiscal years. Um, so we receive um some money in the spring and then some money in the fall. Um the other piece of uh vocabulary on this uh worksheet is what's called the loss factor and Cook County um adds that loss factor on for you. It's 3% in all of the funds and 5% for debt service. Um and so you can see column F is our final extension from last year's tax levy, what we were entitled to receive. Obviously, we're still receiving some of that um in December of this year, but that's the amount of money that

116we were entitled to receive from last year's tax levy. Um new uh that I've added to the spreadsheet is also what's a line called, it's right above the total uh row going across. It's called levy recapture. Um, we don't ask for any money, but what they do is Cook County, um, uh, you recapture some of the money that you haven't collected in previous, uh, tax years. And so they determine that amount for us. And so they will determine that amount for us in the upcoming levy. Um, and we find out about it after the fact. But I wanted to include it so you could see uh, what we've gotten the past uh, two levy years. Do you have to ask for it or do they >> No, it's automatic and you don't find out until

117after the fact. They calculate it for you. You don't you don't know what it is in advance because it's it's based off of how much you need to reclaim from previous tax uh extensions that you haven't received as a district. So, we don't So, I don't know what that number is going to be for this year, for this upcoming year. I just we just find out after the fact. Um and so looking at um this proposed tax levy. So what we do is we take last year's extension and we increase that by 4.95%. That's column J. Um but what we really um so that's what we'll submit to Cook County. Um but looking at okay, how much money are we actually going to receive? We'll take um what we were entitled to receive last year,

118column F. We m uh increase that by 2.9%. That's the tax cap. That's what you see in column I. And then you add on that loss factor that I was referencing. That's column K. So, and then looking at um okay, well, that's the amount of money we're entitled to [clears throat] receive. How much new money is that? That's column L. looking at the difference between what we are entitled to receive last year and what we will likely receive um this year um doesn't include you know our estimate for new property um and so that's uh column L and then lastly on this spreadsheet um there's a public act that you requires you to also um disclose fund balances for all of the uh funds we do this at every board meeting but um you've seen

119it earlier in my report, but I wanted to make sure it was on the actual levy sheet um so that uh we can be in compliance with that public act as well. >> I did not receive any questions on the levy. Kristen, >> if there are any additional questions, you'll the board will see this again at the next meeting where we'll have a hearing. Uh we do publish it in the paper although um we're not required to have a hearing because we're not asking to go over 5%. That's why we um ask for 4.95% but we do a hearing every year for transparency and publish it in the paper as well. Practice >> and we could we would do a hearing for the tax levy at the same meeting where we would do a hearing

120for the bond. >> Correct. All right. So that would be a hearing intensive meeting. Okay. >> Plus the auditor will be there. >> Interesting [snorts] agenda that Miss Moho will have to set up. Will you miss Dr. Smatana for those two hearings? So we go into one hearing, come out, go to another hearing, come out. I mean they're short, >> but >> correct. >> Okay. Moving on. Uh canteen vending machine contract. >> Uh yes. So the contract for the district's vending machine canteen is set to expire in December. The district has been with canteen since uh 2018. It was previously uh another company I believe at that time and then canteen bought that company out. Um you know when I tried to secure multiple quotes in 2020 um only one other company responded and uh

121that company had significantly lower commission um and higher prices. the industry standard commission is 10%. Um, and Canteen when they bought out that previous company honored um our standing commission with that company which was 30%. Um, and so you can see in this contract uh they're going to continue to honor that 30% as well. Um, we have been satisfied with canteen. They've been very responsive. Um, anytime we want to change any of the products in the vending machines, um, we had a student group look at that. uh believe two years ago the wellness uh committee looked at that. Um and so they've been uh very responsive and good to work with. Um and so this is a revenue generator for the district. Uh it depends on the year. Um ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 a

122year. Um our vending machines are closed during the school day. So this is all revenue that we um receive outside of the the school day. primarily a a large portion it is from after school and from rentals. Um the district's legal council is currently reviewing the contract um because this is a new contract with the company. >> So how many times will this be our second renewal with them? >> Correct. >> Okay. I mean I can imagine in 2020 nobody I mean the world shut down so I don't >> it's a revenue generator. So I mean >> well I know but I just don't think 2020 is a good comparison year for anything. I believe we did that before COVID hit. I could be wrong, but >> the first year we did with that. >>

123So, I mean it's a good revenue generator, but I think probably the third time might be a good opportunity to look around. >> Yeah, I agree. There are also not I I will say um I certainly will do that the next time this comes up, but I will say there are not a lot of vending machine companies. Um I've reached out to other high schools uh as well and the only one that I've been able to um find that schools have been working with is Canteen. Um but there are a few others and I will reach out to them the next time around the contract comes up. I mean it's not a bad thing to have something for a period of time because they continually are the best. But that way you have evidence that

124they're continually the best. >> So that's a first read. responsible. >> How many vending machines are there? >> There are five. Um and then uh we also have one additional one that the union oversees and they generate um scholarships, but that's independent of this >> um not ours. >> That's is that one also with >> just the ones by the pool. That's all we have. And they have a gate over them during the school day, but we're not allowed to use them. >> Gotcha. >> Cafeteria. Correct. So it's a minimal. >> Right. Any more questions? >> And you're looking for this to get approved at the next meeting, >> correct? This is just a first read. >> Okay. >> So, possibly put that on the consent agenda or maybe because it's financial, we'd have to

125vote >> um >> next meeting. >> Yeah. Uh taxexempt working cash bond for capital projects. >> So, I [snorts] put this on there as a placeholder. the pres presentation again, but this way it's at least under new business and then it if the when the board does the hearing um we'll move it to old business and it will stay on their old business for January when the board makes their decision. >> I figure it's best to just get it on there as a placeholder for now. >> Yeah, that makes sense. >> Uh visitor statements. Uh we don't have anyone remaining here. Board of Education discussion items. Does anyone have an additional discussion item for this evening? Not seeing any. Oh, I guess I guess we do have the district goals. I was looking at the

126package. I need contacts [clears throat and snorts] or something. Obviously, um the revised district goals are in here. >> I did not receive So, now these have been on for at least two, if not three meetings. I did not receive any questions or changes. So my recommendation to the board is if they're ready to adopt these, we should adopt these in December so that the administrative team can start working on putting together some action steps and writing some smart goals for next school year >> because right our goal was to have um action items under each of these at separate board meetings next year. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. And there was no no feedback on these goals on the new first draft. >> I mean, I replied I thought they were done well. >>

127No changes, no concerns, changes, comments. >> Okay. So, we'll leave them here and we can formally adopt them at the next >> Yes. Tammy to uh new business for next week. >> Works for me. >> Uh the IASB 2025 resolutions committee report. This has been on the agenda now for a couple of meetings. Um, I think you Laura, you discussed it previously. Does anyone have any objections to to going ahead with the IASB recommendations or do we want to discuss them and and deviate? >> Objection because Laura would miss Ruska will be our representative and so we get to raise the it's really only the um the byrule change in the one resolution. So >> it's just the one resolution, right? It's to help smaller districts. the one resolution, they're not opposed to having the

128threepoint seat belts and so they're just asking that the state create some kind of fund so that they can um get a grant to get the money to put the seat belts in. So I think it's a it's a thoughtful resolution. So I don't see any objections from anyone. I think some years they've had multiple. This is just the one and the and the other changes. So thank you in advance for doing that at the conference next week. Um, we don't do a formal vote on that. And then any items for future meetings from any of the board of education suggestions, recommendations? Not at this time. Uh, matters for closed session. We have appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, student discipline, individual student ma matters, excuse me,

129purchase, sale, release of real property, including the draft subleasase agreement, probable imminent or pending litigation, collective negotiations, and school safety. The Board of Education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, enters close session for the purpose of considering the close session matters as presented in the November 11, 2025 board agenda packet. >> So moved. Do we need a second? >> Second from Mr. Durkin. And a roll call to take us to close, please. >> Mr. Williams? >> Yes. >> Mis? >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Deran? >> Yes. Mr. Novak. >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh 8:44. Do we want to