001So call to order of the RBHS 208 board meeting on August 12th, 2025. Can we please do the pledge of allegiance? >> Pledge allegiance 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. >> Roll call, please. Mr. Cido >> present. >> Mr. Derkin >> here. >> Mask >> here. >> Mr. Novak >> here. >> Mr. Williams >> here. >> Is the board comfortable right now or do you need me? I'm checking uh the AC temperature. >> It's warm, but I'm still so wet from the rain that kind of like a cooling towel. >> Uh Dr. Freightes. >> Good evening, honorable Boris. This evening, I would like to introduce our two new student advisers to the board
002of educa board of education, Hannah Bugenos and Arian Hernandez joining us today for the first meeting. >> Welcome. >> Congratulations. >> Do you want to say anything to start or would you prefer to keep quiet on your first meeting? Let me put you on the spot. >> It's been a great first day, I'll say that. >> Okay. First day of school was okay. >> Yeah. Great to see friends again that I wasn't able to see all summer and great to have um even more time with friends that I was able to be with this summer. >> Wonderful. Wonderful. Um we will uh talk amongst ourselves and find one of the the board members to mentor you and kind of give you some background. I know Dr. Freighas is obviously a resource and the rest of
003the administration just so you can understand kind of how the agenda flows and the things we talk about. Um, and I'm certainly always available if you have any questions. And I think I speak for everyone that we're all here to support you and we want to hear your your input. That's why you're part of our our board of education. And if I don't recognize you at some point, just give me a wave. Sometimes I get laser focused on what's in front of me and I need need that little kick. So, thank you. >> And the student board members meet with Dr. Freigher prior to every meeting and generate a student board member report. >> Correct. for the cow meeting unless there's only uh one business meeting that month and then they'll have the report like
004when you whenever we were present our reports so you'll work with Dr. Freighos >> if you have any questions you could always question send them to me or Dr. for us as well. >> Thank you. >> On the packet. Okay. And you got your access to your packets. Everything is working. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, in the future, you bring your Chromebook so that you could open up >> or we can fill uh can we have Chromebooks also for the student board members? >> You can definitely get them set up for next time. >> Okay. Perfect. >> Thank you. Well, welcome. >> We're looking forward to the year ahead. >> Uh reports. I don't have a Do you have any anything else, Dr. Freas, for recognitions? >> Nothing at the moment. >> Okay. Apologize. No
005president's report. Dr. Skin kiss. >> Uh 2526 school year is underway. Uh teachers reported on Monday and the students reported today. Harley, the RB comfort dog, is officially a member of the staff. His presence has been greatly appreciated all summer. Uh students, staff, and families have all enjoyed meeting and engaging with Harley throughout the summer. I think the building team is working through now like uh who will give who breaks so that Mr. man is not always walking around with Harley in his leash when he's doing some things, you know, so I think they'll figure out a more of a set schedule, but uh the reaction of the students and staff u was really positive. Would you agree, Dr. >> Correct? Yeah. And I would say that, you know, the community, the parents visiting has
006have also enjoyed Harley. It's our school dog, our community dog. Everyone's welcome. >> Was was he here for a new student or employee since you all approved in July? >> Was that the last two or three restaurants? form allowance the residencies and all the events. >> Wonderful. Okay, >> great. >> Maintenance updates. I want to recognize Burm Gevik, our facility manager, and his airmark staff for preparing the school for another school year this summer. A lot of work occurred to address teacher work orders, capital repairs, and a deep cleaning of each room in the building. We have also had to address two HVAC units having uh parts fail over the last two weeks. So, Burm's worked on that. We actually got the HVAC in special ed English wing to start up this morning at 9:00.
007We got the new part uh in and installed. So, um thank you Burm for dealing all that. Thank you to the Aramark staff. Uh the building looks great, the floors look great. Everything's waxed and cleaned and uh it's been a great first uh day back and I want to thank Aramark for all their work. Um, we did have, while the board is, just so you're aware, we did have to order a new freezer. I think we had a freezer that was 10 plus years old, uh, that shorted out over the weekend, and so we had to order a new freezer for the cafeteria. Uh, so that will be about a $10,000 invoice. Um, Senate Bill 637, the team has been in regular contact. When I say the team, that's the the high school, the zoo
008architect. uh not excuse me we're not there's not an architect for this engineer construction manager um have been engaging in weekly conversations general sketch for the group to work on uh as we move forward has been provided by the engineer um I'm scheduled to meet with the zoo at the end of August first week of September to begin lease language discussions um I have been in contact with Elizabeth Hennessy I've had her lay out three or four different options uh of what that could look like if we need to do tax exempt capital improvement bonds uh for site improvements and safety enhancements. Um I would anticipate the board seeing those in maybe the second meeting of September. I would do a finance advisory beforehand uh so the advisory council can see them. But from the
009preliminary review of what she sent me, uh us taking out any types of bonds will will not impact the taxpayers. the taxpayers will still experience a tax savings on their property values because of the uh referendum bonds coming off the books. So it it it does sync up rather nicely so that we're not asking the taxpayers any addition putting any additional uh taxes on the taxpayers. Fiscal year 26 budget the tenative budget has been updated with the June 30th actual and is included in tonight's packet for discussion. This will also be updated after tonight's meeting on the website uh until our hearing in September where the board will take action on the final budget. The state's EBF amounts have been released and updated um as well as the federal title grants. So, we're all good
010there. I know there was some concern with the Department of Education, but all that has been addressed. And um we have received an additional million from the state in our evidence-based funding. So, our projected deficit has gone down and you'll see that I'll go through that um later in tonight's meeting. Um I know this sentence says we are waiting for CP uh the corporate property placement replacement tax. Um we got our numbers today and we actually experienced about a 2% increase. So we'll be right around 568. I think last year we were at 557. Um so that's good. Uh no reduction there. Um and then the policy advisory council press packet 119 has been released. It's included in your packet. I will schedule a policy advisory council meeting um before the September cow and they
011uh we'll provide our recommend final recommendations for the board's consideration in September. And that concludes uh the superintendent report. >> Thank you. And you're also giving Dr. Smatanis standard report, right? >> Yes. The attached report will provide the board of education with the financial information from June 25, 2025 representing 100% of the fiscal year and then the July 25 representing the 8% of our new fiscal year. If we start with June, the monthly summary report, the total operating revenue for the month was 797,000 with 38% coming from evidence-based funding, 34 34% from federal and state reimbursement, and 16% from the property tax CPPRT. >> Dr. Skinkis, can you indicate if we stayed at the same level for evidence-based funding or did that change this year? I know there we had transitioned a couple of years
012ago. >> We are still tier one and we had that's why we received a large increase. Thank you. >> For FY26, total operating expenditures for the month were 3,154186. 60% of that was towards salaries and benefits, 14% towards operations, um, and 9% towards special education, tuition, and transportation. Uh, monthly financial statements. The fund balance sheet shows the district finished the fiscal year 2025 with a surplus of 194,000. This surplus was due to receiving the budgeted revenue and not expending the money for the solar panel project. Remember we had the 1.4 million budgeted at that as that project was pushed to FY26. The projected deficit for FY25 was uh 1.2 million. So the fact that we were projecting 1.2 million and we finished with a small surplus is good news. Uh the change in the timeline
013for the solar panel project accounts for the discrepancy. the operating fund balance as a percentage of operating fund expenditures. And that's without the 2.9 million set aside for the working cash that was approved in 2017 for the original zoo project. Um is at 56.5%. Which is about roughly 6 and 12 months worth of bills and uh revenue. If if the district did not receive any additional revenue, we could uh afford all of our bills for about six and a half months. Summary of revenue shows the district has received 100% 100.5% of our budgeted revenue for the fiscal year. This amount is lower. The previous fiscal year we were at 102.5. Uh the summary of expenditure shows the district has spent 96.75% of the budgeted expenditures. This is also a little lower. We were at 99.8
0148 in the previous year due to the solar panel project being pushed to FY26. As regards to July, uh the operating revenue for the month was 700,000 with 40% coming from interest on investment, 18 from registration fees, and 17% coming from local revenue. Notice there's not many mention of property tax uh for July. Total operating expenditures for the month were 3.8 8 million with 48% towards salary and benefits, 42 towards operations and maintenance. Now, uh there you'll see in parenthesis there 1.5 million payment to Aramark. Aramark provides an option that if you do one lump sum payment, they have they provide like um a one and a half or 2% reduction in cost. Uh so there's there's a cost savings in us doing the upfront payment at the beginning of the fiscal year. Monthly financial
015statements summary of revenue shows district has received 2.2% roughly of our budgeted revenue for the year. This amount is lower than fiscal year the previous fiscal year where we were already at 14%. The summary of expenditure shows the district has spent almost 11% of the budget expenditures for the year. This amount is also similar to last fiscal year. statement of revenues and expenditures for July 20 uh July 1st, 2025 through July 31st um 2025 lists all revenues and expenditures for a month. It also compares budget to actual for each account. The student activity count summary, remember the negative account balances represent positive fund balances for those accounts, has been included uh for the board's review. Not much to report there. So, I do think it's important to note, I know we've talked about this at
016prior months, with the delay in Cook County property tax bills, that 6.8 months of fund balance is incredibly important. Uh, the last I heard is a September October release. Um, and we are uh financially in a good place to absorb that. Um, but if it goes any later, it starts becoming more challenging. >> Correct. >> And that concludes the assistant superintendent report. Are there any questions on the year end finances? Looking around, >> Dr. Freightas. >> Greetings again, honorable honorable board members. Uh, you know, the 252 school year started this past Monday for our institute day and I am grateful to the to the staff that we have and the professionalism they demonstrated, you know, over the session. They received updates and engage in topics of safety, student services and student with accommodations to make
017sure we're serving all of our students. Um the first day of school was today. You know, I saw the students enjoying Harley, you know, our comfort dog. Um you know, all the teachers and staff members help students get to classes. I saw great attitudes, good attendance. You know, I saw Pepper in their step. They wanted to see their friends and begin learning. So, I'm grateful to the great student body we have. They're big reason why we've been an outstanding school for so long. Um, new to RB and new to the community is the parents square and student square. Uh, we introduced this at residency at family welcome back night. Uh, the community uh, parents received an activation email. However, activation is not required for parents to receive the information. They still get, you know, up-to-date
018information via social media, via emails about everything that's happening at RB. But it's great to have a parent score as well. We recommend it. I have it for my kids school. I know many parents already download it as well, but there has been no breaking communication if people don't have it. But get parent square into the student student square because we're going to use it. Um we introduced this year the 10 period bell schedule. It's been great. No more letters, no more confusion at least according to many students. So it's been very straightforward. 10 periods till seven classes. Students get their lunches. But it uh it's worked out. Uh open house is on the 20th of August as from 6:00 to 7:30. Parents and students will get to meet many teachers, walk the schedule and
019engage our parent organizations. Can you believe it? the 1st of September, we have Labor Day. It is a non-attendance day. Fall sports began as well this past Monday. And I know think I walked into triyouts of volleyball. I have nothing to do with triyouts. I love all my Bulldogs. I cheered them on, but a lot of triyouts are happening now. A lot of practices. So, good luck to all of our athletes and the coaches and thank you for supporting extracurricular activities. Homecoming is on the 19th against Elgen at East Division Conference Rivals at 7:00 p.m. at the stadium. And the homecoming dance is on the 20th of September from 7 to 10 at the Canelia threat complex our stadium. So great school year. Thank you to the support of the board and of course a
020superintendent. So I'm excited. You know, I can't wait to see all the great things that we do together as a school in a community. >> And that concludes my principal report. >> Looking forward to the year ahead. Any questions for Dr. Freightas? >> Okay, wonderful. Uh back to you, Dr. Skinkis. We had a couple of foyer requests. >> Yes, two foyer requests. uh Lane Nichols looking for um names names of employees, years of service district, salary, position, email, etc. that is provided to the board and we also received one from NBC Universal requesting some personnel records on a Mr. Adam Gibbons who formerly was employed by the district and that response is also included in the foyer request. >> Moving on to consent calendar. >> No visitors, right? >> Oh, thank you. There were no
021visitors this evening. Double checking. Good reminder. Consent calendar. We didn't have any questions or reason to pull anything. >> No questions were submitted on the >> So, Miss Gaska, if you'd be so kind. The board of education, Sasha High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, takes the following action on the listed consent agenda items. approves minutes from the meetings held on July 8, 2025 open and close sessions as presented in the August 12th, 2025 board agenda packet. >> So moved. Do we need a second? >> Second from Mr. Williams. And we do need a uh that's all in favor. All in favor? >> I. Any objections? That carries. Moving on to old business. Um life safety items, capital improvement, sustainability. Is there an update on the solar panels or anything to stay here at this
022point? >> Uh, nothing to state at this time. The we're working through engineer reviews and things like that. >> Okay, wonderful. Um, tenative budget for FY26. This is the big item of the evening. >> Okay, your tenative budget has been updated and this will closely reflect what the budget will look like in September. We still have 30 days to make any more final adjustments. We'll adjust the CPPRT. Um, and this after today's meeting, I always want the board to see it first, then we will post it for the public. Um, the approved tenative budget for FY26 has been updated with the June 30th actual. So, you'll actually see how we finished FY25, and you'll see the different accounts where they finish, whether plus or minus to what we originally budgeted. Uh, current special education revenue
023expenditure needs and evidence-based funding have been updated. The current projected deficit for this year is 535. This is due to the solar panel project expenditures for the fiscal year which was budgeted at 825. So this deficit decreased from the previous tenative draft budget due to the release of the evidence-based funding funding which will provide the district with an additional 1,56 um state funding. Tenative budget continues to be available for public review on the district's website. The board will hold a hearing on September 9th. The public notice of the hearing has been published in the Lambark last week July 30th and in the suburban life July 31st. Are there any questions to the board from the board? If you look on page uh well that's page two of the budget but uh I'm trying to think
024is that board book page I use 90 mine says 92. I don't know if that's the same on your PDF. >> I think you're looking for the >> significant revenue assumptions. So, the one I was talking to you about is second from the bottom, corporate personal property replacement tax. Last year, we budgeted 606. We only received 557. This year, Kristen's tenative budget at 500,41 um which is like a $65,000 reduction. We're actually going to be getting about 568. So, that adjustment will be made. And then the evidence-based funding, um, she already updated that, but you can see last year, uh, we had 3.4 million and next year we're projected to get 4.4 million. So, it's a million dollar increase. >> Could you remind me on this, Dr. Skanks? I know we talked about it before
025and and if you need to get back to me on the food service, we moved away from the satellite programs being built directly. Why did that re re >> we still have a pass through, I believe, for one or two accounts. I thought so. So I want to just >> We still have a pass through for one or two accounts, >> but we kind of took it off of here as a revenue. >> District 95 shifted to where they no longer they had to do some billing on their own, but we still have it here. >> Is that why it's blank for fiscal year 26 because it won't be happening then? >> Correct. >> So I think I would just say to my my colleagues, I think these two summary sheets are incredibly important to
026the new board members. They really give you the high level. It shouldn't stop you from looking at the rest of the budget because we are approving the full document. But this I think the team does a very good job in summarizing significant assumptions. Um and you can see where things like you know the the rate of of insurance has gone up by 8%. Right? These are some real expenses that occur to a large organization. And there were no questions submitted on the budget. So, unless anybody has something from tonight you want me to look into. >> I think we'll have the hearing at the the meeting on the 9th. Correct. >> Correct. >> And then we'll move forward from there. But as a reminder, anyone should submit their questions in advance and get the answer
027as needed. >> Um, moving on to payment of bills. I don't think there were any questions submitted for any of the bills on tonight's agenda. >> There were no questions submitted. >> Okay. The board of education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, approves the payment of bills as presented and discussed in the August 12th, 2025 board agenda packet. >> So moved. We have a second. >> Second from Mr. Durkin. Do need a roll call, please. >> Mr. Derkin, >> yes. >> Miss, >> yes. >> Mr. Novak, >> yes. >> Mr. Williams, >> yes. Miss, >> yes. >> Mr. Kaputo, >> yes. And then uh we have the press plus policy issue which just came out which we're not taking action on this evening but you want to speak to that Dr. Skankis. >>
028Yeah I just I just put it in the board packet now. You have time to read this from now through September. I will engage my advis policy advisory council to uh conduct the zoom and review it and provide any recommendations or changes that we identify. I will most likely have that on the September cow so it doesn't conflict with the budget hearing and and some of those things. Um and we could either take action at the September cow andor the first meeting of October. >> There was nothing with a retroactive date. They're all going to be one one I think any of the legislation is my recollection. >> So that that I think I think we've got plenty of time is was my point. We're not in a there's no urgency coming to look at
029this today. Okay. >> Great. Thank you. Seeing no visitor statements, uh we can move on to does anyone on the board of ed have an item for additional discussion? Seeing none, any items for future discussion? If not this evening, then we will move on to matters for close session which can include appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, student discipline, individual student matters, purchase, sale or lease of real property, 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 August 12th, 2025 board agenda packet. >> So moved. We have a second. >> Second from Mr. Williams. Uh we do need
030a roll call to move closed. >> Mr. Novak, >> yes. >> Mr. Williams, >> yes. >> Miss, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. N. >> Yes. >> Mask. >> Yes. Okay, that was record time. 7:23.