001Good evening. I'd like to call to order the regular board meeting for October 16th. Can I get a roll call, please? >> Oh, sorry. Prior to roll call. Sorry, I have to say read this. Tonight, board member McFersonen may be participating via audio video conferencing. She is absent for a qualifying reason under board policy 2-220 schoolboard meeting procedure. If there are no objections, we can continue the meeting. Okay. Um, now roll call, please. >> Okay. Uh, Dr. Salami, wait. Is that Do I go here? >> Oh, I have to appoint her promp. >> Uh, yeah, maybe do that right away first. >> Okay. And I'd also like to um appoint Gina Sanchez as secretary promp as our secretary Rose Ortiz is absent as well. >> That's the agenda. Oh, sorry. Just uh President Wowski here,
002Vice President Boyd, uh Ortiz absent, McFersonson, >> Neil >> here and also present are Dr. Selemi, Mr. Bambour, Miss Delako, Mr. Gres, Mr. Mr. Kayas Kayas, Mr. Leeben, Mrs. Moran, and Mrs. >> Awesome. Thank you. Um, so by the skin of our team, we have porum. So, we will go ahead with the meeting. If you'd like to join me in saying the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. Um, I need a motion for the board of education to approve the agenda as presented. Second move by Jared. >> Any questions or concerns? >> Roll call vote, please. Uh, Boyd Pearson Neil. >> Hi. >> Ortiz. Hi. What's the
003last? We have four eyes, zero nays, three absent. Motion carries. All right. So, for um board recognition, district achievements, just a couple shout outs. Um, first uh to the um maintenance staff and the WPS um folks in particular Dennis and Todd and Frank um for uh getting us through the power outage at the primary school. I understand Frank was there for many hours at a time just um doing everything we can to have the the building ready for our kiddos to come um for the outage that lasted 20 over. >> Yeah, 24 hours. So, um that was huge. So, we appreciate everyone working on a Sunday uh to to get everything ready for um for school on Monday. So, kudos to that team. And then an early shout out to all of our fantastic principles
004and assistant principal. Um principal appreciation day is October 24th. So we are so lucky to have you all um in our district and in our buildings. Um it is a thankless job some days I am sure and um more and more is asked of all of you um every single day. So we appreciate everything that you give um to our district and to our students and families. All right. Um Oh yeah. Yeah. Thank you. And I've totally forgotten the Hispanic Heritage Night the um which was last Wednesday. >> Thursday. Yeah. >> Um it was amazing. Um it was a great crowd and I um understand that it was really a team effort this year with some uh parents. >> Y parents. >> Um and I think that really came across and was uh wellreceived. So
005um it was a great a great night and uh the intermediate school was filled >> which was wonderful. Um and while I'm at on the topic and speaking of the intermediate school being filled we were able to be a part of the uh strategic planning meeting which coincided with institute day that happened at the intermediate school and that was another day that was filled. Um, so congratulations to the staff for organizing a collaborative institute day with Lati. I think that was a great partnership and it sounds like it was a really well-received >> um national speaker that we were able to have our staff um uh get the training on, >> right? >> Yes. Jessica, >> thank you. I was >> You're stealing You're stealing all my points. >> All your kudos. Okay, I'll leave
006the rest for you. >> Double things are in order. >> Double things. Yeah. >> Um, audience comments? None. All right. Um, now to move on to uh action on consent agenda. I need a motion for the board to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Move by Cynthia. >> Second. >> So, sorry. Did you say moved and then second? >> Perfect. that I missed a few. Um, as a reminder, um, any item can be moved from the consent agenda to action items with discussion and all items on the consent agenda are approved with a single motion unless removed before the roll call vote. Um, and tonight we have the open and close session um, minutes for the board meeting on September 18th. uh the personnel report including a hiring of a library aid and custodian
007as well as a uh resignations and um the second reading and adoption of policy 7-200 7-210 7-270 7-310 and 7-340. Any questions or concerns? Roll call, please. Person Neil. >> Hi. Hi. >> Hi. >> Four eyes. Zero. Uh, three. >> Awesome. You're doing good. >> You're doing great. >> This is my third time. >> I know. just get it'll become a habit. So, we'll get you can swing it in. All right. So, that moves us to action items with discussion. Um, I need a motion to open discussion for the approval of the fiscal year 25 audit results. >> Moved by Jared, second by Cynthia. Switching it up on us. Yeah, a little tag team. >> All right. Um, so we will introduce um our auditors. Thanks for being with us and you know presentation's already
008loaded. >> Perfect. Well, thanks for having me here. >> Uh this evening should have copies of the audited financial statements. I'm going to just go over a couple of pages, write a brief overview, then happy to take any questions that might have. But of this booklet, if if you want to turn to page 16 and 17, just going to give you a brief overview of the financial results for fiscal year five. this particular schedule on on page 16 and 17 is is really your income statement all of your individual funds. Uh before I go into that, it's important for me to let you know what type of audit opinion we provided on your financial statements. So we rendered an unmodified audit opinion which is the highest level of assurance that you can receive that your
009financial statements are prepared in accordance with the modified cash basis of reporting. So, uh, revenues are recognized when cash is received and expenditures are recognized when you cut the check. So, money that's owed to the school district at the end of the year or money that the school district owes other vendors is not necessarily recognized in these financial statements. U, this is a consistent basis of reporting that you've done for many years. It's accepted by the Illinois State Board of Ed. It's just important to know that that's the basis that you're reporting on. Um ultimately your your school district on on page 16 if you look at it you have a general fund which consists of your educational accounts your tor immunity accounts and your working cash ash accounts. Um those three funds are consolidated
010together for external reporting purposes and you can see that the collective revenues for that fund were about 19.8 million and the total expenditures were about 20.5 20.6 six um before you get into the transfers which are subsequently down in the next section that was a decrease in in fund reserves collectively of about $700,000. So there were some transfers out u predominantly I think it was $400,000 from u the ed fund and I believe it was 250,000 from the working cash fund that ended up going over to the capital projects fund. So, if you see on page 17, you look over to the right, you'll see money coming in the capital projects fund that was used for facility improvements. Ultimately, that that particular fund decreased about $1.3 million from the prior year. So, a step down
011in the fund reserves, not so so low that it's I think to to bring concern because you still have healthier reserves. It's important to note that you deficit spent that particular fund during the year. Um, consequently, if you look over to the right, same thing actually happened in the operations and maintenance fund and the transportation fund. Um, for fiscal year 25, transportation costs everywhere we go seem to be uh kind of a challenge to some extent. One of the things that kind of distorts the transportation fund is that there's some lease accounting that needs to take place. So in that line that says excess deficiency of revenues over expenditures, you see there's a half a million dollar decrease, but that's because when you entered into these leases for some buses or the accounting standards, you
012have to recognize an expenditure. And then subsequently below the line, the lease proceeds, you'll see that 418,000 kind of shown that you can't receive these proceeds. So the net change in that fund is only about $93,000. Um, everywhere I go, transportation costs are just out of this world right now. It seems to me that a lot of schools are really having some significant challenges. So, the fact that your your fund fared as well as it did, I think, is a testament to how you manage those operations, you know, all the work that you do considering your lease versus buy on your buses and the cost that you maintain. So, I think you've done a pretty nice job on that collectively from things that I've seen other school districts experience. So, you know, ultimately when you
013look at your general fund, your operations maintenance fund, and the transportation fund, you can see that those funds all decreased during the year. Uh, not excessively so, but still did. So, it's just something to keep the back of your mind. Um, these fund reserves are more important than you can imagine in the current environment where we haven't received the second installment of the compounding tax bill and really there is no end in sight. There's lots of speculation. Um, school districts right now are kind of revisiting their cash flow um with bond payments due in December. Some are taking out tax anticipation warrants. I know the treasury systems are talking with all the members about like cash flow and if they can sustain it if the taxes come in say December they come in even later
014than that then I think it's a whole another conversation but just have a general awareness of that is important to have. Um, we conduct a single audit as well for the district which is like a federal compliance audit. So we look at your major programs like which major federal awards that you receive then we test those for compliance and controls. We've done all of that work but because the federal government hasn't finalized what they call the compliance supplement. It's the rules that we have to use to perform all the work. They've issued a draft but they haven't finalized it. The AICPA's told all of us hey listen because those rules aren't finalized you can't submit those audits and conclude on them. So we're in a holding pattern on completing the single audit side of the
015work. But it's important for you to understand that based on all the work that we've done so far, we did not have any issues come to light based on the compliance work or the control. So um once that gets lifted, I would say we'll we'll have a very large backlog of schools that will have to clear and go back and work through our issuance pro, you know, processes. Um and then we'll issue those documents and they work with Dennis along the way. So ultimately your audit's completed. We filed with the state board. I believe there's some acceptance processes that they're still waiting to finalize. A little little late on kind of accepting some things, but for the most part you're not done on my end. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Are there any questions? So
016>> uh anyone have any questions? >> Okay. Well, thank you so much for having me here. Thank you. All right. Have a good evening. Any um additional questions before we vote? Okay, we'll call vote, please. >> Sure. >> We have McFersonson Neil. >> I Wowki. >> Hi. >> Four eyes, zero nays, three absent. >> Motion carried. >> Thank you. Um, Dennis for all the work you do with Baker and Tilly on getting us that nice clean audit. I am going through one at work myself, so I know how much it takes to get everything ready. So, I appreciate it. All right. Uh, bills, claims, and payrolls. I need a motion uh for the board to open discussion for the bills and claims. the amount of $590,849.75 in payroll in the amount of $1,18,990.7 into authorizing
017moved by Gina. >> I'll second it up a little bit. >> Anything you want to walk us through, Dennis? Nothing as it relates to the bills of payroll that's relationship to finances mentioned so holding a breath in relationship to revenues hopeful that by December we'll start receing the reven school district one district area. So those reserve the detention. Secondly, I did get noticed today that the state board of education is going to be awarding state. We're very excited for that opportunity. That's a $50,000 grant matching dollar to dollar. So we're going to be looking over the course of the next weeks or so just kind of seeing what kind of projects are out there to you know accomplish and utilize and fund for and then bringing it back. >> Very exciting. >> And is that
018the one the grant that we you typically try to do it that one building or one project? >> Yeah. So if if we pick a building and do all the projects there, I can have separate projects and all it. But if I start splitting the project between the buildings, >> yeah, >> they don't like that. >> Okay. Okay. >> So I have to figure out which building has the biggest need and then focus on a few projects that that building that utilize $100,000 50,000. >> Thank you. Any questions for Dennis for Wilson and claims? Um Stephanie, are you okay with if you want to ask any questions before we >> vote? Thank you, please. >> Okay, there Neil. Hi. I >> chas. >> Four eyes. I'm sorry. Three eyes, zero names up. >> Four eyes.
019>> Oh, yeah. Four eyes, >> zero names, one. >> Yeah. Or so four eyes, zero, two absent, one abstain. Okay. And motion carries. All right. Thank you. Next to Lauri, you already flipped this over. You're so good. I need a motion to open the discussion for uh the board of education to approve a one-year contract with Ford Book as presented. Moved by Cynthia. >> Second by Jared. All right. So there is um some information in there. This is something we had talked about several months ago. Um and it's just time to um you know go ahead and make a decision. um that uh it just you know as we talked about the staying with board docs even though we like their product um it's just uh it's getting they're not maintaining it and they're making
020us forcing us to the diligent and it would be an increase of about 10,000 just shy of $10,000 um to stay with that. Um, so the recommendation is to go ahead and try book as we've talked about. Um, lots of other school districts do use it. Um, I know I've played around with it a little bit. The the the high school district my kids go to uses board book and I I know Laura, you've had some experience with your district. it isn't maybe as user friendly and it might just be that we're not used to it as well. Um, but it from our two experience this feels like the way to go. Anything else you want to share on that? >> I think it's especially seeing the price difference. I just I I don't think
021that we can justify doing with board dot, you know, unless know we try board book and really really hate it. We want to go back. That's one thing. But I think it's worth a shot at trying board book for a little bit. It is it's a one-year contract, but it's prorated. So, um they do it by the fiscal year. So, we would have what, seven, nine months of it. by that and then if we again we really hate it if we go back to board docks but um I don't see that happen. >> I I was going to ask and you did answer my question. So when does their fiscal year end? >> What? >> So June 30th so July 1 would be the >> and so it'll be so I think the contract's on
022there. Um so it'll be $4,000. It's prorated now. So like 2,000 this summer or whatever and then >> July 1st 2026 it'll be 4,000 >> got full year. >> Gotcha. And that's still even if we paid the 4,000 right out that still would be cheaper than going to >> uh or do it. So it's a no-brainer. >> Take that risk and do three times. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. So even if you paid 4,000 and we like we hated it, it's still >> so much less than DOS. It's worth it to make that effort to try to try it. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Um, and so I understand, can you walk us through I think you added in there a little bit of the roll out for that? >> Yeah. So, um, we would
023sign the contract and then we would have access starting November 1. So, November and December is when I'd work with someone on board book to get everything transferred over. I'm probably gonna say board docs. >> I know I need board book. Yeah. But board um transfer everything over um we'll be done with board doc once 31st and um so we'll have access to both for a couple months basically to give us the chance to transition everything over but like the November meeting will probably not be on. >> Yeah that's probably that would be a lot. >> Yeah. And I'll let you guys know like about training and things like that. Um, it's hard. Like the girl was telling me, it's kind of hard to show things until you have it. So once we have access
024to it, it'll make a little more sense. So the way it's formatted. >> Any questions about that? Board docs, board book. >> What were we paying before? >> I think you mentioned >> like 9,000. Okay. Something like that. So it' be up about two or three,000. Yes, it's hard. >> And that was that was when um that is like the elevated board docks because it gave us a lot more than we had previously had, but it's still >> but even like the lower amount was still not significantly it's still I think twice as much. >> I just don't understand like what is their justification that is Mikey versus something else, you know, >> right? Like how do you justify the triple the amount of another you know? >> Yeah. >> Wow. >> Well, I think
025I think board docs is works like board book I think is very um structured to uh schools school district whereas board docs is like any any >> uh business or village or whatever that has. So, so they I would assume they have a larger >> eye. Okay, thank you. >> Um, can we get a roll call? >> Sure. >> Hi. >> Neil, >> hi >> her. >> I have five eyes, zero nays, zero absent. >> And I just >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so I got too much I have to say. >> One little follow up with >> piggy. >> You all would want to notify them. Do you have to notify? It doesn't automatically renew. >> I already told her like a while ago, but I wasn't happy with the price like this is
026probably not. >> Okay. So, >> so she's known for a while, but I will after tonight I will email our customer rep and let them know that we won't be reoing. >> Okay. >> So, >> right. Right. All right. Um, I need a motion to open discussion for the approval of the second reading and adoption of policy 8-30, visitors to in conduct on school property. Move by Gina. Second by Dana. All right. So, this is the one that we had previously talked about um last time and so it wasn't on the consent agenda because we wanted to get some feedback from um HLARK and they um essentially let us know that the um press policy is the comes straight from the the the legal the law requirement. Um and they definitely understood where we were
027coming from. Um but it was it was more um that they would we could have that as our practice to have um someone who is a registered um sex offender would do the the parent teacher conferences virtually. We could have that as our practice but not necessarily have that um codified if you will into policy. Um so they definitely were leerary of making changes uh because of the of the recommendation. The language that is used is coming straight from the law. They did have if you see in there if we really felt strongly that we wanted um something in there there is an option A that includes um sort of additional language we could use if we if we really felt compelled to. Um Laura, correct me if I'm wrong, that would not be their
028first recommendation. >> Yeah, they based um the lawyer I talked to said they do not routinely recommend that we change this policy from press. That's a word issue. >> Yeah. I mean it feels like the impress becomes the the suggested one but and again she emphasized that in practice we could make what those those um stipulations yeah you know we could um you know do that that as our first you know u approach um but that putting it in the policy would open us up to potential lawsuits. Does that seem fair? >> Yes, that's correct. So there's any questions on that one then? >> Okay. So we would be going with option B the press policy with no changes. >> Can you just make a new motion for that? >> So you make your motion
029to approve the second reading adoption of policy 830. >> Um option B. >> Option B. Yep. So, I'd like to make a motion uh for the board of education to approve the second reading and adoption of policy 8-30, visitors 2 in conduct on school property with option B, press policy with no changes. >> Moved by Jared, >> second by Stephanie. >> Who was the first again? >> Jared. >> Thank you. I was like, what did you say? Sorry, I was updating the motion. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Any questions on that? >> All right. Roll call, please. >> All right. I got Boyd. >> Hi. >> Neil. >> Hi. We have five A's, I zero Naz, and two Fs. >> Motion carries. All right, that's going to be the hardest one. >> All right, so next
030um for odometer, is that what you say? Audio audio meter. Audio meter. Uh, I need a motion for the board of education to approve the disposal of an audio meter of Westchester Intermediate School as presented. By Stephanie, second by Cynthia. There's a memo attached there, but it this is just um it is no longer in working condition and um it has expired its useful life. so that they will use the um working machines um at the other two schools to cover that. questions or concerns about >> do they plan on replacing it? It needs some time. >> Okay. >> It's used every day. It's for the screenings. Not just the screen readings we have shared the machines have gone over to other buildings but that was needed when the staff is trained trained. >> My
031understanding is correct. I think like the the health aids kind of help each other that in the RN you know so they're kind of not only is the machine moving but I think the personnel might be moving to building to building to help each other. >> Everyone's not certified. That's certification to do. So machine's calibrated, so it's not best that it moves buildings, but we're doing what we have to about. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. Roll call vote, please. >> Hi. >> Neil, >> Hi. for eyes, zero nays, two absent. Motion carries. Now on to some fun ones. Um, so the first one, I need a motion to open discussion uh for the board of education to grant delegate Sanchez the authority to vote on the IASB resolutions at the 2025
032delegate assembly solely in accordance with the consensus of the Westchester Public Schools District 92 and a half board of education um on October 16, 2025. Cynthia, I will second it. All right. So, as usual, um we have the um Gina is our delegate to the assembly and so we will looking over the um resolution committee and there is a you can follow along on the computer or hard copy. Um we did when we were at the IASB West Cook meeting um they did share with us that purposefully there are less resolutions this year um because the next motion we'll have is about uh IASB constitutional amendments which I guess the constitution had not been updated. Oh, did you get one of us? >> I have it online. >> There's a PDF in board. >> Yeah,
033I'm looking at it in I just >> I think it's okay. Um, so they um so they purposely kept the resolutions uh smaller this year knowing that they'll be doing a lot of voting on the amendments. I can't remember how long did it They had said it was a long time since it had been amended, right? >> Like over 10 years, right? Yeah. Yeah. Um so that that was something that they um purposely had decided usually page 20. >> Oh, thank you. All right. So page 20. >> Yes. Um >> recommendation. >> It's the Well, yeah. We basically vote tonight or the motion to tell Gina how to vote at the um ISB conference which is before our next board meeting or cutting it close before our next board meeting isn't it? >> It's after
034the week before our >> Yeah. Yeah. So yes, usually we do this in October and it's going to be so November one. >> Um that's not. So the resolution is the first one. Um it is on the school bus funding. Yep. and the um the recommendation committee um has a do adopt that is not necessary that you know we go with the there's been many of times that we have not gone with the recommendations of the resolutions committee um did anyone have any thoughts or feelings about this one in particular sorry is it on here >> it's 18 on ours page 18 is the first one report in the >> 205 resolutions committee report. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. It's page 18. >> Okay. >> Well, those are the amendments. So, it's eight. The resolution
035is on Yeah, because Stephanie said it's page 17 in the book and page 18 on the PDF. Um so it kind of gives you the breakdown there. Um you know as always like these are recommitting district um and they usually give you their sort of rationale and then you have the resolution committee rationale as well. So, the resolution committee rationale um says that uh uh school bill 191, which requires all newly purchased school buses to be equipped with a 3point seat safety belt beginning on July 1st, 2031, is an unfunded mandate and could have significant fiscal impact on districts. This resolution provides districts with various funding options to comply with this unfunded state mandate, extends a timeline for some school districts that may be dis disproportionately impacted and would allow alternatives to the mandate. This
036flexibility is beneficial for districts and would help districts balance this new safety requirement with local needs. So again, these resolutions give the IASB direction and how we want them to lobby the state on our behalf. Um Dennis is voting on this one. Is this the only one we're voting >> for the resolution? >> Okay. >> And then we'll have another motion that we'll vote on the >> Yeah. >> Usually there's like eight. >> I know. Time for fun. I'm like, wait a minute. We don't vote for them. It automatically just pushes the resolutions like it's been. >> Did you do like a cent agenda? >> Yeah. It hasn't even been coming to capacity. >> Yeah. >> Dennis, is this one that you would feel >> because we're they're not I is this if I'm understanding
037correctly, they're saying they're going to push this out, but they don't want to get funding and and they're uh pushing to try to get funding. >> Yes. >> Which makes sense. I mean, that could be $18,000 is pretty expensive. >> Yeah. Yeah. um bus. Yeah. >> Yeah. This is lobbying for you know to go to state >> the lobby on that. >> So yes. >> Yes. >> All right. And usually in the in the past we have just sort of done this without motions but it's recommended that we do them with motions now. So, we're going to go ahead and uh Do you need me to say how? >> No, because the motion is that you're that she's going to vote based on the consensus. >> Okay. So, our >> You don't have to do
038one for each one. It's just you're saying whatever you guys agree to, she's going to do. >> Okay. So, our consensus is that we would like you to vote yes on school bus safety fun. >> Okay. >> All right. Um so roll call on >> is that now for each mill back just for um >> boy. >> Hi >> Neil. >> hi. We have eyes zero nazs and two absent. I'm ready. >> Okay. Yeah. Five eyes zero n absent motion carries. All right. So, next this one has a little bit more. Um, so the next motion, I need a motion to open discussion uh to grant delegate Sanchez the authority to vote at the 2025 delegate assembly solely in accordance with the consensus of the Wester public school district 92 and a half board of
039education on October 16th, 2025 on the constitutional amendments. >> Motion moved by Stephanie. >> Second. Oh, there is nowhere. It's like cutting it off >> on the bottom. >> Yeah, then >> I'm sorry. So, who was Stephanie? Was motion dear? Did you second? Just scribbling it in here. All right. So, then on this one, um there are 10 items. Um and then obviously the the recommendation from the uh IASB board of directors that we is that we adopt >> all of them. >> Yeah. >> Um >> is that the first part of this where Yeah. Now we're back to five. >> Yeah. So it looks like >> have a p you know they have that summary page on 22. So she could write >> she can write her stuff on me. You see that? >>
040It's on 20 through my book. Yeah. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure you saw it. >> But I also write it in my book because this is my Bible. >> Laurel asked me in three years if I have notes of it and I'll say yes. >> Yes, I do. >> I have a Google doc now too. >> The past couple of years we have gotten a a foyer requesting and so it's it's good to have this now a little bit more formalized. Okay. So the um article two the first one number one is on article two membership and it looks like they um it is rewritten so it's not a new um section uh they don't tell us the changes right or is it all is the stuff in red all the new
041stuff >> I don't know because some of the red is actually uh scratched scratched out. >> So, it's some stuff they should have changed colors, don't you think? Like maybe for the new and >> some of it is not. That first section is not scratched out, but everything else is after that. I think what most of it >> So, I wonder if all of the red stuff is actually new language, >> but they're crossing out. >> They're crossing it out. So, it's stuff that they're getting rid of. >> Oh, on the section two and three >> all the way down to maybe they're adding in red and subtracting. should say two different >> signifies change. >> Sure. >> So they do and they do give you a rationale which is nice. So the rewrite removes
042redundant language from sections two through six and consolidates that language into section one without substantially changing the meaning. By doing so, it clarifies what language applies uniformly to each class of membership and highlights the differences between the classes of membership specified in section 2 through six. I don't even know that I didn't even know that there was different uh classes on membership for ISP. Um and then for section two, the rewrites uh specifies that only active members should be allowed to participate in a delegate assembly, which is what's been p the current practice. Uh number three is any change that's proposed to section three to clarify that the career and technical education CTE programs they can be affiliate members. Um and that uh section four is an addition change was proposed to section six to
043clarify that the board of directors shall approve service associate members which is in line with the current record. I mean, those look pretty standard to me. Does anyone have any concerns with those? Just the first one, item one. >> It's cleaned up. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, would the consensus be to vote yes on item one? >> Okay. All right. Moving on to item two, delegate assembly. Um, that looks like they made the multiple change. >> No, there's a really long rationale for it, >> but they almost >> it says I think the main thing is that it's um recommending to provide clarity to members about the process. >> Yeah. Yeah. Uh, voting shall be done in person by the respective delegate by any means recommended by the resolutions committee and approved by the
044board of directors. >> I think then we only took out it and then added in. >> But this is this to me doesn't seem like a board of education like topic. This is the topic of of the process. like we're not involved in that. >> Yeah. Right. The important power of ISD membership gathering once a year in person to discuss educational issues and the negative impact email voting to have. >> So I wonder in person versus not in person. I'm wondering if there was maybe a proposal to go to email voting and they were saying that we didn't want to do that because we really view inerson voting as important y >> and they probably don't want to see a decrease in attendance at the conference. >> I wonder how much >> right exactly I
045don't have any problem with that car. Um, so we are a yes consensus on item two. >> All right. So item three, nomination. Wait, is that right? >> Yep. >> The nominations under the election section. Um, this proposed change reflects current practice and aligns with the parliamentarian's recommendation in legal council's interpretation of the current language. They're all kind of like Yeah. So, are we okay with um item three being a yes as well? Then item four, terms of office. Um that's again the parliamentary recommendation council's interpretation of current language. Looks like they change it to two years instead of one now. >> Yep. >> Yeah, >> that would save time. That takes like 15 minutes >> to do all of that. >> Yeah, that's true. >> Two years. Everyone got that? Okay, so that is
046um item four. Yes. Moving right along. So item five is on article five board of directors section two composition. Um so this is just saying that I IASB left the national schoolboard association in 2021 and joined uh the COSSBA. Uh so this clause was not aligned with that practice. Um which what was happening for the last two decades. So no seat kind of removing that seat from the National School Board Association. >> We're good. >> Okay. So we are yes on that one. Item six is um article seven committee nominating committee. Um let's see. So this is just naming who the chair of the nominating committee is. Um the current practice has been for the immediate past president to serve as the chair of the nominating committee which is the reflective of the governance policy.
047Um and then it also says that um for additional persons who are member who are active members and serve on the on the board of directors. I guess this has been the current practice is for four board members just to to be on the committee um that they also be IASB board of directors have a problem with that is what they've been doing I guess is a member practice but they would have it make sure that it's there you know >> okay so that's a yes um item seven is on article eight divisions section 4 officers Um this is just uh division governing committee or governing board training is an effective way to ensure that those who fill these roles clearly understand. So this is just adding in that these governing committees uh shall be
048required to take training within 60 days of being elected. >> Yep. All right. Yes. Um item eight is uh article nine resolutions and this one says uh sections 2 through 7 were rewritten. Um so at the 2022 delegate assembly members adopted several changes to the IASB constitution. The changes streamline the resolution process to ensure a thoughtful and comprehensive process to adopt the IASB position statements that address um issues are affecting concerning local boards of education. These position statements within direct and guide the associations. Um this is a lot. I'm not going to read all of this to you guys. Yeah. So this is kind of looks like it's looking about how the actual resolution committee that this work at and at the delegate assembly. I think this is just um solidifying what the delegate assembly
049in 2022 was looking at and what they've been doing but not in documentation. >> Yeah. Does anyone have any concerns about that? We have never since I've been on the word, we've never submitted a resolution to the committee. Um, so I don't really have experience on the process, but writing it down is probably good. >> Yes. On that one. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Item nine, uh, declared emergencies. Uh this this was a brand new uh section. Oh, so subject to a vote by the majority of the board of directors, the board of directors may suspend or modify a provision or provisions of this constitution during an emergency declared by the governor of the state of Illinois or the president. So as the the rationale explains it was uh basically like the COVID pandemic um
050and we did not have a a del assembly and it had to be held uh could not be held in person. It was held virtually the governor to do that for the press. >> Well I think this is allowing them to modify their constitution if there is a state of emergency. >> Makes sense. >> Yeah. I know Rose I think was our delegate that year that it was virtual. It was pretty crazy. >> Yes, she was. >> And then um item 10 is on proposals. Uh so this change says upon a majority vote of the active members of the school board um that the vote must be submitted for um these are for uh any new proposals. that gives the the mechanism for for approving any new amendment. >> Okay. >> All right. So then
051um bring back the motion. Our uh motion on the floor is to um give delegate Sanchez the authority to vote as we just discussed. Call please. Right. Neil, >> hi heritch. >> Hi. We got five eyes, zero nays and two absent. Motion carry. All right. Well, that wasn't so painful. I guess I think the resolutions take us more time. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. So, next we have discussion items with no action. Um, the first one is the fund balance discussion. Um, is there anything you want to highlight there for us, Dennis? I think this is part of the new requirements that we discuss our uh fun balances. >> It is. Okay. So Illinois law says that we can't have more than two and a half times three year average expenditures of fund balance. And
052what I do is uh we just go through and show you that we don't have time balance. Very nice. On average, we're looking at like 71 roughly about seven months of that which is well below the state requirement. Just want to show public track this annual basis update this every >> and the law is two and a half times, right? So we're Yeah. But as the mentioned today, we still have healthy as state board of education recommends district keep roughly about 60 6 months or 50% or something. >> Any questions on that one? >> All right. Thank you, Dennis. >> And then next we have um the discussion item for estimated tax levy discussion. Let's we have a presentation here. >> Just more of the theory. >> Sorry, the memo. Sorry. >> Tax levies before
053we get into it. So I typically bring the tax levy to the board of education in November and we approve it in December. In October, we talked about the general concepts of inputs that are used in the calculation of the tax levy just noting that 2.9% CPI and we are limited by the property tax exemption limitation law which does state that we have to take the lesser of the 5% CPI ended up being the lesser there. So we have that plus new property growth throughout the year. I do track new property growth here right around4 2.9 plus 3.04 before and I'd like to push the lobby all the way up to the 5% threshold which says it go above 5% or above taxation hearing but I like to push it right I think just to
054make sure that we're capturing everything that we can knowing that the county will reduce our max taxation just because we like transparency to our community and we're going to push it all the way out to it because we won't actually break the threshold required to do it and we'll still go through that process. >> Awesome. >> That's all. And then I've outlined the dates as far as being publish. >> Perfect. Any questions on that for Dennis or the process? All right. Um, so information items for correspondence. Um, oh, you said right in here, President Walowski and member Sanchez received copies of the IASB resolutions committee report. Um, and that uh I received a memorandum from the ISB regarding um membership. Oh, there it is. Thank you. Oh, this certifies that uh Westchester School District 92
055and a half is an active member of ISB. So, I guess that tells us our category of membership. >> Thank you. And then Foya, uh we had two FOYA requests in September. Thank you for handling those. Um Laura, those look like a little bit a more standard one. Sometimes I know you get some interesting ones. Um and then uh for board president's report um there's a note uh if you need or if you would like your board photo updated. The photographers will be at WMS on October 30th. So you can come and have your photo um taken. And is there any particular times that are good or bad or worse? >> Majority of the day that I would suggest earlier just in case they get >> done by the time I got there to go
056to an intermediate whatever that was kind of depends how quick they are. >> They're quick. Well, if it's the same company, they were quick. >> They were quick. >> What day is this? >> Okay. 7 to 11 is about what? >> Okay. 7 a.m. 11 a.m. Uh, it is >> come to the front door. We can let you park here, get you in and out real quick. We're trying We were just talking about it today. We're getting coordinated to make sure if something changes at the start time, we'll let you know. >> Okay. October 30th. Yes. >> What day is that? >> Um, Thursday. Thursday. >> Yeah. Friday is Halloween. Yeah. So, um I will not be there. That used to be the day that they they had school pictures at middle school, but because
057it's a half day, do we not do it? >> Um, so if you like your board picture on the website, then you can just leave it. But if you'd like a new one, um, that has been a great resource for us to do that. And then um I also wanted to let you guys know that um I'm sort of thinking about and I've talked to um Stephanie and Phil and Laura about um sort of the board recognition. Um we'd love to get the shout outs. Um but uh few years ago we used to have it where um people would come and actually get a certificate and be presented and we love to do that but it makes it difficult um particularly for staff members. I mean families it's hard to get here too but staff
058members to either stay after a long day or if they live far away they have to come back for the board meetings. So, we're not quite sure what process we're going to do, but I have um proposed to them maybe that we would still, you know, give our shout outs here at the board meeting and then either the next day on Friday or Monday um myself, Stephanie or or a board member if we need to take turns um would go to the go to the school that day on Friday and Monday and present the certificate. Yeah. At school. So that way they're, you know, getting recognized. Um, and, you know, not that I'm sure lots of people watch the wonderful recording that Kumar makes for us, but um, just in case they don't, that we
059can give them that recognition um, and not require them to have to come to the board meeting. So, if you have any thoughts or any suggestions, you know, fire on them my way, but just in kind of noodling on, you know, an idea to give them the recognition but not sort of make it be um difficult lift for them. >> That's all I got. Legislative report. >> All right. Yes. So, well, we know that uh we're in a government shutdown. So, how is that going to impact us in the short term? It may not impact us, right? because most of our funding comes from Illinois. But in the long term, it can impact us because we do get federal funding in one idea, which leads me to the next part of my report that they
060have uh essentially fired most of the staff from the office or from special ed services. So, uh, we'll have to see how that's going to impact us because immediately, you know, the layoffs happened and it was immediately challenged and so we'll have to see. >> I thought the judges blocked it. >> It will play out, right? Um, and I included some um, sources there just because I thought the reads were very good. Um, so we did have some call to action for our board members to reach out and I actually put who who our uh Congress people would be and for us it would be Danny Davis, uh, Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durban because on June 30th um, the Department of Ed said that they would not be issuing issuing the grant awards for title
0611 C, title 2 A, title 3A, title 4 A, title 5 B and I put an explanation down of what those title grants are. Okay, which means a total of $243 [Music] for illuminated. Um, so that would just mean like you us board members click on that link and just send an email to those three people on that funding. Um I have you know two um the legislation that did pass the House and the Senate are there but two that apply to us today is um that they are tasking the state uh board of ed with creating guidance for AI um in schools for elementary and secondary. Um and also very relevant now is that you cannot deny education to a stat a child based on their immigration status or the status of their parents.
062So that passed in both the house and senate. Um two bills that did not pass the house and senate was um the state board trying to put limits on these suspensions. So that stalls not pass. Okay. Um and also trying to have districts develop and implement a cell phone policy that did not pass. >> Wow. >> So there is more there. I those are just two that I'm highlighting that impact us. >> Um and then I just put the um budget highlights um for Illinois in there. Um then there are strategic planning AI uh article and read and all that that was messing with AI. have a link here if you want to listen there. Thank you. This is so helpful. This is really >> first amendment refresher just a refresher of all the >>
063we'll get you. >> Yeah, it's all the way at the top at the top. Y >> just just curious about that. So for the um when they were talking about the cell phone policy, so that's still that's would be at the the state state level, right? Is that what that that was? >> That's for the house and the congress. So this did not pass both houses, >> but it was saying for the state level, but then it's ironic because schools still have their own policies regardless. >> But what they're saying is that the state would say that there has to be >> for every school can still make their own policy. >> The state is >> living up to the district. Yeah. So, this is saying that Yeah. It would require districts to make one.
064>> Yeah. >> If you click on there, >> it'll take that. That's a page out of >> There you go. I don't know what this calling is, but you missed it. This is >> Thank you. >> You need a policy job next, >> right? >> You're pretty good. >> All right. So, next is the IASB West Cook and um Rose is sorry she could not be here, but um where did I put it? Oh, here it is. Um we she wanted us to report on the um West Cook division meeting that we went to. So, um myself, Stephanie, and Rose were able to go. It was um one of the be better ones I've ever >> I've never been to one, but it was very nice. you. Yeah, they did. Um they did a really
065nice job in the um speaker was um the 2025 Illinois teacher of the year, Victor Gomez. >> Um and you could see like why he is teacher of the year. I was >> he was impressive. um and just the way that he told his story and uh weaved it into his calling is um he is a bilingual science educator. Um so uh it I don't remember which light in it the last light in east or west. >> Oh one of the light in school. Um >> so it was pretty impressive. >> also an author. >> Yeah. Um so he what I thought was interesting to share too is we do have his information. Um he kind of did a call out. Um, I don't know that we necessarily have any bilingual STEM educators in our
066district, but they are they do have um they're kind of putting together uh um like a yeah, like a sort of a a group, you know, a group of them um to sort of build. >> We actually work with our two of our bilingual students have been to the STEM summer program that they have that they all >> Oh, nice. Nice. Is that the one with at Elmherst? >> Um I don't remember where it was at. >> Okay. He spoke about that. Yeah. Yeah. Molly was the one that actually told a couple years ago. Okay. So, we've been >> do and go regularly every um it was, you know, it was a really um a really nice one and that was one thing that we wanted to share um back out. And then just a
067plug um that these uh teacher of the year and those who excel are uh is a program that anyone can nominate anyone. So um just a shout out that we can nominate um our teachers for people who excel a teacher of the year. We can encourage um you know parents to to do the same. Um, so it really is a it's a pretty u inspirational and impactful awards program that they have and that is what we wanted to share. Um, we have a space for board representative reports. Is there anything that you guys want to share for community development? I just had a question for unity gate. Are we are we doing the video? >> No, not this every other year. It's a lot. >> Every other year it's a lot. >> Yeah. >> And
068that was He volunteered his time too, right? >> Yes, he did. I need it. Yeah. Yeah. >> Nice. Okay. Then on to superintendent's report. >> Good evening. >> Okay. So, where do I begin? Um, as you mentioned, last Friday was our strategic task force number one. Uh, so we had two board members. Thank you, Anna and Cynthia. We had all of our administrators. We had several teachers from each building, staff members, not just teachers, staff members. And then we had um on a day off, >> six students from six, right, from five students from WMS. Um so we had really good discussions. We were looking at the feedback that came from the three buildings from the administrators and and kind of making sense looking at trends. Uh um we also look and what Cynthia said
069is looking at future trends and AI being a big piece. So, how is that going to influence the way we're setting goals for the next five years as it relates to our student population, understanding what is in store for them as they move forward. So, that will influence the decisions we make. Um, the one group I didn't say we got feedback was from the parents, but that is because on next Tuesday the 21st from 5:30 to 6:30 at WIS Cafe, we will have stakeholder feedback. I put out a that's for anyone and uh parents board members. >> Board members. Yes. So, I put out um Paris Square two weeks ago and I'm putting one out tomorrow and so people will get it and then I'll remind them again on Tuesday. So, I'm hoping, you know,
070we had to provide one, we had about 20 parents, so I'm hoping people come out. Um but then our second task force meeting is October 23rd next that is Thursday and it's actually going to be here now. Greg uh graciously is going to move some things around and because it really helps because we got the kids. >> So getting the kids over to our different buildings at that time is it's tricky with our buses going. So we're going to do it here 8:30 in this building. >> So you guys can park by me and we'll walk through that door. Uh so that is where we're headed on. Feeling good about that. Um also as we said uh through the help of Meen and Stephanie they secured Jessica Minahan. Minahan Minahan. She is a BCBA behavior
071specialist kind of nationally known uh doctor out of Boston. So they work with Lazy. Kind of the deal was to get her here. Um, we had to then have all of Lance here. So, it was really great. Like they, you know, so on Thursday night of the Hispanic Heritage Night, they were like, we were cleaning up the gym because their people were coming in the sit audio because it was like a pretty, you know, it's got to be because you have such a big room and you got both uh screens were up. Um, so I heard two things consistently. It was awesome and the chairs were really uncomfortable. People had to sit for a while but they made the most of it, right? They were sitting and they were doing whatever happened but she was
072so engaging. People really liked it and I, you know, used in PDS but people were really into it. So, um, a lot of people, you know, so much information like tons of, you know, strategies. So, now we just working with the staff because it was so important. I think they took a lot like we we've talked about challenging behaviors. we're seeing more and more and a need and this seems to be what is continuing to happen and so we want to make sure we're supportive while keeping teaching and learning at the forefront. So, you know, we're working with the staffs each building is kind of, you know, whether you're trying out a strategy or grade levels are deciding like this is what we're going to do. we are um working through this and then you
073know as we do our learning walks I mean some schools have talked about like making our learning work focused on this kind of some of these strategies so we're getting feedback um so you know we don't want this to be an end I know uh Moren is even in talks with Jessica to potentially do future work she did write a book Stephanie did a a book >> a book study with our administrator what's the name of it's >> this morning uh behavior your behavior code. >> Yes, >> behavior code. Yeah, behavior code. Um, so that's just important stuff. >> That's actually what started that conversation was hope as we started looking into >> in the Trump in. Yeah. >> Yep. So, um, Unity Day is the 22nd. We will be wearing our >> orange peach
074whatever. Orange with the rainbow. That's beautiful. I I almost thought it was going orange. >> Okay. >> No, I know. It looks >> great color orange, right? >> It's a great color orange. You got to see it. >> It looks like Laura's shirt. >> Like >> that is so >> Listen, I don't know. >> Like it looks closer. >> Anyway, I almost thought it was today and I would have been the guy wearing the you know with my suit with the orange shirt, but no, it's next. >> Proud of you. >> I would So it's next. Every day is your day. No. So, next Thursday is community day. Um, and then as you mentioned, principal appreciation day, it's 24th, so we'll do something for our wonderful administrators. >> Big week next week. >> Big week.
075Um, school designation is coming out at the end of the month. >> Oh, it didn't come out. >> It did not. I have like unofficial >> Unofficially, but they will announce, you know, I'm getting like raw. So, I will have something at November meeting. Um, and everyone's favorite person of the year. >> No, >> it went out. I will send another reminder Monday. It's going to be due >> tomorrow. There's still time. >> Okay. Yeah. >> I love it, but it's so hard. >> Very hard. Other than >> Yeah. Other than that, um oh, and um couple uh one of the favorites of this district holiday party. You know, I got >> I can't I won't give away, but you know, I'm not going to say that, but you know, we have our our little
076elf over there is >> district holiday. >> Yes, you know, she's got a lot of big plans this year. So, we are >> they're very excited. So, >> what is the date of that? >> The 3rd of December. >> 3rd of December. I think the bigger thing to to say is that it it's the end of October almost. So like we're we're moving people like we're thinking about November goes and if November is a quick month before you know it'll be in December. >> Can I respond now that I'm going >> I don't need your eyes. You can just come. >> So that's my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh any questions um for Phil on the report or any of the attachments for Phil? >> I guess just
077let us know if you have some of these wonderful people coming in. I I would have liked to attend attend like let us know if you have like >> I sent the instate schedule, right? >> Okay. So I will check the instate schedule. >> But you're right. I didn't say but it is on. >> But you're right, Stephanie. I could also look to see if it's something I'm interested in. I'm always welcome. Is that your answer? >> You are always welcome. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> And I will vouch uh for the day of work. >> Yes. You know that you know my boss. >> Was this BCBA in their presentation was that meant to help staff come up with like ideas on classroom management for certain behaviors? Yeah. And then out of that
078are we putting into place any protocols or of you know right now I mean that's something that we're talking through with buildings like I think ultimately that's where we want to go um because I I I think we need to take advantage of that the learning and to make sure that it is because there was so many really good things. I think it was so much it's just about figuring out like what makes sense for each building. I think it was a lot of classroom because we were doing the you know some of us were in the task force meeting. >> Yeah. >> Um and so I think it was more in Moren if you know was it more it was more classroom strategies versus overall school >> increasing work her title was increasing work
079engagement and reducing oppositional behavior. So, it was about dealing with anxiety and she talked a lot about how I was able to duck in there a couple of times during the breaks that was about how some of the behaviors that teachers see as defiance are are really helping teachers identify behavior and some tools to work on that. Um, our intermediate school social worker actually created a slide presentation based on footnotes. Oh, that one's >> that's like a reference for >> Yeah, the reference for staff and you know I meetings in the three buildings all week and I think every every building this meeting every building talk general ed teachers which was exciting to hear reference to a presentation >> and it is I think um what Bill is very good at is continuing so you
080know not forgetting what we learned. >> Yeah, be intentional. You know, >> I would say that I I peaked in on my way out. I wished I would have been able to stay, but I had to go to work. Um but I just I mean I less than five minutes did I listen in and and the section she was talking about was about um avoidance um you know avoidance of work and and again that same thing where it might look like someone is being disrespectful or student is being disrespectful with the avoidance but like trying to get at um I mean she was talking about the brain functionalities and everything. So yeah, I um it sounded like it was really engaging. Probably a heavy I I would imagine it was it was pretty heavy for
081so many hours that they were doing it. So I'm sure the slideshow um really useful to kind of refresh and keep going back to it. >> No working memory when you're highly anxious. >> That's right. It was really brain great research. Yeah, >> we sent a Google form to see for them to tell us what strategy did you like, what what do you need follow be followed up with. >> So 22 people filled out. >> Well, it sounds like I'm going to speak on behalf of the board. Um that we would love to if you're willing to share the slideshow and then >> Okay. And then um any any feedback? 83. We're going to dedicate some more time on the 31st. >> Okay. >> To talk, you know, talking about this. >> This is kind
082of a followup like let people talk there, you know, just kind of bring everybody like talk about that because our sixth grade team was talking the other day about just like try this, why don't try this? And it's like, all right, let's give some time to to plan for that. And I think that we know too from past like we if we're educators and we go to PD and you get so excited, you come back and you want to do it, but then it's like you try it and then whatever the next thing comes along and then you kind of go away. But like I I'm trying to stress is that I really want to see us implement it for a while and then like let's have conversation about what's working, what's not. So if
083you get 20 strategies, pick just pick one and and just try to go deep and see and you know I think for us to understand like what Rain is saying, you know, sometimes we think of like one thing I've been noticing as I've been in the buildings and I want people all to understand like you know sometimes if kids are being like they take it it's hard not to take it personal if if someone is acting a certain way but sometimes it's nothing to do with you. Like I said I'm >> I'm 67. I'm I'm a big guy and and like they'll look at you know like so like they're so they're not they're not um intimidate you know say like I don't take it personal so don't take it personal let's get to the
084root of the problem which is what she was really you know >> stressing and I think if we understand that and we understand better the group that's in front of us we'll be able to help them more and and give them the right type of support. So, I I think that that's why it's so important and just seeing when we're at that the strategic plan meeting, looking at what is expected of our kids in the future, seeing where our kids are at now, like, yes, we got to get, you know, they're going to be faced with a lot of different things that they have to be ready for. And so if they can't even get the focus now, it is going to be it's a challenge for us that we're you know where we're at
085and people struggle. >> So it's this is the work. >> Awesome. Thank you guys. And then with the um administrative reports um again there's so much to dive into there with links and everything. Um, so I appreciate everyone who um puts those together. Um, there really is a lot of great information and um I think it's beneficial especially if you I mean if you have a child in one of the buildings, you kind of know what's happening in that building, but it really is great to um be able to see what's happening in every every building and every department. So um does anyone have any questions for the administrators that are here this evening on their reports? All right. Then I post. >> So we do not have post session tonight. Um >> I was
086wondering what you said. >> She was really looking forward to >> if there's a topic you would like to stay for. Stephanie >> day. I just want you. Uh I think we are >> we are skipping close session unless anyone has something. >> All right. So then >> Yeah. No. Yeah. So um next just advanced planning. Um dates and meetings of interest are on there. There's some really fun stuff um coming up with the fall family dance choir uh uh band performances. So, you know, obviously attend while you um anything you're able to um then we will be together again on November uh 13th and then December 11th are the next board meetings. Um then if there's nothing else I need a um the last page of the second motion to adjurnn >> moved by
087Cynthia >> second by Gina roll call vote please >> I Neil >> I moowski >> I >> five eyes zero nay days to absent motion carries and we are adjourned at 7:30 >> the new record. >> You probably just stay here and sign. That's fine. You have things for us to sign. >> Yes. Okay. Have a good rest of your week.