Dupage Policy Journal

Community Consolidated School District No. 181 Board met Monday, March 13.

Here are the minutes as provided by Community Consolidated School District No. 181:

Community Consolidated School District 181 Board Summary 

Reporting on the Business Meeting Held Monday, March 13, 2017 

In This Issue

• Board Approves Recommendation to Change Middle School Times Beginning in 2017-18

• HMS Project Update Highlights Bid Package Results, Next Steps

• Personnel Considerations Discussed During Staffing Report

• Summer Capital Projects Outlined; Board Comments on HMS Environmental Testing

• Superintendent's Report: Recognitions, Certificate of Excellence for CAFR, Candidate Night, Spring Survey Discussion Scheduled for April, Upcoming Events

• Other: School Fees Approved; Consumer Price Index Report Provided; Disposition of Surplus Property Resolution Approved; Board Takes Action to Dismiss and Non-Renew Probationary Teachers; Personnel Approved; Committee Reports Provided; No Public Comments

• Upcoming Board Meetings

Board Approves Recommendation to Change Middle School Times Beginning in 2017-18

Podcast Recording: Approximately 00:48:05

During the Board of Education Business meeting on Monday, March 13, 2017, Board members discussed the administrative recommendation that the middle school start and end times be changed from 7:55am - 2:45pm to 8:25am - 3:15pm beginning in the 2017-18 school year, with no change to the elementary school times (8:40am - 3:05pm). Superintendent Dr. Don White provided a written report highlighting the parent and staff survey data that was gathered and the discussion he led with a small team to consider the implications of suggestions and concerns shared by survey respondents. It was noted that the team included a representative from the teacher association, a representative from the support staff association, a middle school assistant principal, an elementary school principal, the Director of Communications, and a Board member. Dr. White explained that more conversation would be needed to further explore solutions to the issues that were raised, but felt confident that the change could be implemented successfully. Individual Board members commented on research that shows the benefit of a later start time for middle school aged students. A Board member expressed concern about the number of initiatives happening in the District and suggested delaying changes to the times until a decision was made related to work being done to potentially expand time for select middle school courses such as math. Following discussion, the Board supported the administrative recommendation to change the middle school times as presented (Vote 6-1; Nay: Garg). A Board member highlighted that the plan for the change in times includes efforts to later measure whether or not there was a positive outcome for students and suggested that the District consider partnering with a research group on that concept (i.e. Northwestern University Sleep Institute).

HMS Project Update Highlights Bid Package Results, Next Steps

Podcast Recording: Approximately 00:01:43

Hinsdale Middle School Project Owner's Representative Kerry Leonard provided a verbal report to the Board on the latest news with the construction effort. He commented on recent meetings he led to discuss classroom technology in the new building, as well as safety-related components of the school and safety planning for the construction process. He then shared initial news on Bid Group #1, which was opened earlier that day. Mr. Leonard explained that Bid Group #1 included 11 base bids and several alternates, representing approximately $10.5 million of the total project cost ($53.3 million). Early indications show that in total, bids for Bid Group #1are under budget. He said the team with Bulley & Andrews and Cordogan Clark & Associates is very pleased with the bid results, which he noted would be reviewed with the Superintendent's HMS Project Advisory Task Force. Both the Task Force and the Board Facilities Committee will be asked to provide input on the alternate bids. One trade (waterproofing) received no bids, but Mr. Leonard said it was a minor project and not a concern and the bid time for this trade will be extended. It was clarified that the $250,000 in soft costs within Bid Group #1 is included in the $3.1 million estimate of funds needed to continue the project through Bid Group #2 (mid-May), for which the Board had previously authorized two loans from District reserves. It was lastly clarified that the Board would be asked to approve every contract, and a Special Board meeting may be needed. It was requested that Mr. Leonard provide the Board and community with a timeline showing just the key dates of the project. Board members briefly discussed the parking deck being built in partnership with the Village of Hinsdale. The administration shared that the Village recently made a commitment for a larger lower level of the deck. As currently designed, the deck will have approximately 133 spaces on the upper level and 195 spaces on the lower level. It was noted that discussions are continuing regarding which spaces would be for Village use and which for school use.

Personnel Considerations Discussed During Staffing Report

Podcast Recording: Approximately 00:25:16

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources John Munch provided the Board with a preliminary report on staffing for the 2017-18 school year. His report showed that total FTE for the District is projected to decrease by 2.1 FTE (from 535 to 532.9). He also provided a chart showing anticipated K-5 class sizes and highlighted anticipated staffing changes for Grades 6-8. Per a Board member's question, Mr. Munch explained that it may take time for an overall decrease in middle school enrollment to result in a corresponding decrease in FTE. He also discussed the process of meeting with school and District administration to conduct an in-depth staffing assessment. It was requested that Mr. Munch provide the Board with additional detail on middle school staffing levels. Mr. Munch additionally addressed Board questions related to "certified specialists" and the processes for determining those staffing levels. It was requested that he provide the Board with more detail on staffing for those positions. Individual Board members shared their desire to ensure that principals and school staff are supported in the 2017-18 school year with regard to personnel, particularly due to the number of changes that will be coming forth. A Board member noted that larger schools may need additional staffing, but that support should not come at the expense of smaller schools. Per a Board member's question, it was clarified that there is only one staffing need anticipated after spring break that could reduce the balance of the remaining 2016-17 staffing contingency. Mr. Munch lastly noted that over the course of the next three years, 31 certified staff members are scheduled to retire, therefore there may be additional opportunities to reduce staffing cost through attrition.

Summer Capital Projects Outlined; Board Comments on HMS Environmental Testing

Podcast Recording: Approximately 00:16:16

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Ken Surma and Director of Facilities Mike Duggan provided a report on capital facility projects to be completed at eight of the District's nine schools during the summer, at a total cost of approximately $506,400. (No capital projects are planned for Hinsdale Middle School.) It was noted that the administration is in the process of completing the bidding process and will present items for Board action. It was also noted that Life Safety funds would be used whenever possible.

In related news, the Board and administration briefly discussed the current state of Hinsdale Middle School as a followup to discussion during the February 27, 2017 Board meeting. The administration commented that reports from air quality tests conducted at HMS between 2014 and 2016 are available on the District website; the most recent report is from August 2016. It was noted that there is no testing schedule, and a schedule is not required. The tests that have been done were conducted because of facility work being completed at the building (i.e. roof repairs) and if a test was requested and warranted. Dr. White said the building is "safe" for students and that reports from Integrity Environmental Services have generally come back clean. A Board member remarked that the Facilities Master Plan currently in development includes environmental conditions as a possible Key Performance Indicator for building evaluations.

Superintendent's Report

Podcast Recording: Approximately 00:01:08

In his written report, Superintendent Dr. Don White recognized students, staff, and community members and listed upcoming events. He also shared news on that the District earned a Certificate of Excellence for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and said a "Candidate Night" is being hosted by The Hinsdalean. The report lastly shared that a discussion on a possible District Spring Survey is scheduled for the April Business meeting.

In Other News, the Board:

• Approved school fees for 2017-18 as presented (Vote 7-0). Individual Board members commented that fees generate approximately $1 million in revenue for the District and expressed a concern that fees would increase when a new tech fee is implemented in 2018-19 and that fees are in addition to the tax levy.

• Was provided with a report on the Consumer Price Index for 2016 (2.1%).

• Approved a Resolution for the Disposition of Surplus Property as presented (Vote 7-0).

• Took action to Dismiss and Non-Renew Probationary Teachers, following a new mandated procedure (Vote 7-0).

• Approved the Personnel agenda as presented (Vote 7-0). (See attached.)

• Shared reports and updates from Board Committees, the PTO Presidents, and the D181 Foundation.

• Heard no Public Comments.

Upcoming Board Meetings

• Board Facilities Committee Meeting: Wednesday, March 15 at the Administration Center (4pm)

• Academic Success Committee Meeting: Thursday, April 6 at the Administration Center (9am)

• Board Finance Committee Meeting: Thursday, April 6 at the Administration Center (4pm)

• Board Business Meeting: Monday, April 17 at the Administration Center (7pm)

• Board Business Meeting: Tuesday, May 2 at Hinsdale Middle School (7pm)

  The May 2, 2017 Business meeting will include a farewell to outgoing Board members, the seating of incoming Board members, and the Board's organizational meeting.