Prairie State Wire

North Chicago Community Unit School District #187 Independent Authority and the Financial Oversight Panel met Jan. 23.

Here is the agenda provided by the panel:

1. Call to Order / Roll Call

(Time: 6:05pm) Mr. Kneeland called the meeting to order, members present: Kneeland, Adamczyk, Coleman, Berganza, Bueso.

2. Moment of Silence/Pledge of Allegiance

3. Motion to Approve Meeting Agenda as Presented

(Time: 6:06pm) Motion to approve the agenda made by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 5-0

4. Audience Participation:

(Time: 6:08pm) Randy Ramirez - Former D187 employee. Mr. Ramirez spoke on behalf of himself and his release of employment from D187. Mr. Ramirez is asking for the district and board to reconsider his release from the district and allow him to return to his position as a teacher in D187.

(Time: 6:13pm) Elodia Torres - Community member and parent. Ms.Torres attended the December board meeting, she came to this board meeting to thank Dr. Price and the District for hiring a new teacher at AJK. The parent asked Dr. Price to also look into other schools in our district as there may be other concerns that need to be addressed.

5. Superintendent’s Report

(Time: 6:17pm) Dr. Price presented the monthly superintendent’s report that included the following information: Student Achievement, Communication, Human Resources, FACE, Operations and Construction Update.

6. Motion to Approve FOP Minutes

(Time: 6:37pm) Motion to approve December minutes made by Adamczyk, second by Berganza. Passed 5-0 Open Session Closed Session December 19, 2023 (IA/FOP) December 19, 2023 (IA/FOP)

7. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda

(Time: 6:39pm) Motioned by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 5-0

A. Treasurer’s Report for December 2023

B. Accounts Payable for December 23, 2023 – January 25, 2024 in the amount of $5,498,132.74

C. Payroll for December 2023 in the gross amount of $2,639,444.39

D. Renewal of SchoolMint Online Registration Software

E. Resolution Directing Gregory Volan to Prepare the FY2025 Tentative Budget

F. FOIA Requests

8. Old Business – Discussion/Action

A. Action – (IA/FOP) Summer School 2024 Plan $459,907.01

(Time: 6:46pm) Motioned by Coleman, second by Berganza. Passed 5-0

9. New Business – Discussion/Action

A. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Motorola Radio Solution $208,594

(Time: 6:46pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

B. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Security Operations Center $44,000

(Time: 6:53pm) Motioned by Coleman, second by Bueso. Passed 5-0

C. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of bids for Summer 2024 Construction Projects $4,844,448

(Time: 7:02pm) Motioned by Adamczyk, second by Berganza. Passed 5-0

D. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Bid Awards for Asbestos Abatement at Lindbergh $144,950 

(Time: 7:05pm) Motioned by Berganza, second by Coleman. Passed 5-0

E. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Purchase of Steam Table for NCCHS Kitchen $30,521

(Time: 7:07pm) Motioned by Adamczyk, second by Bueso. Passed 5-0

F. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Job Descriptions: Department of Multilingual Programs Office Manager; Department of Special Education Office Manager $0

(Time: 7:11pm) Motioned by Coleman, second by Berganza. Passed 5-0

G. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Job Description; Assistant Director of Finance and Operations $0

(Time: 7:14pm) Motioned by Adamczyk, second by Coleman. Passed 5-0

H. Action – (IA/FOP) Approve Additional Paraprofessionals for Alexander and Green Bay $120,000

(Time: 7:17pm) Motioned by Coleman, second by Berganza. Passed 5-0

I. Action – (IA/FOP) Approve Third Party Cost Estimation for Forrestal Redevelopment Project $37,500

(Time: 7:22pm) Motioned by Berganza, second by Bueso. Passed 5-0

J. Action – (IA/FOP) Approve Renewal of LEARN 10 Charter School for One Year $0

(Time: 7:31pm) Motioned by Coleman, second by Berganza, Bueso - Nay. Passed 4-1

K. Information – (IA/FOP) - Update on Newcomer Families - Recent Migrant Family Arrival

(Time: 7:31pm) Dr. Price so far this school year we have enrolled 110 Migrant students. These families are coming from all over the country but the majority are Spanish speaking. Keren Parra - Multilingual Family Liaison is currently working with all of these families welcoming them and helping to provide any additional support. Many of these families' needs vary from food, clothing, schooling, social and physical needs. D187 has a place for ALL students! The district is working to make sure that we are providing resources for all of these families' needs. We are utilizing our social workers, resources, and additional resources that are available.

L. Information – (IA/FOP) - March 19th Local Board Election Education Campaign

(Time: 7:56pm) Mrs. King informed the board members of the upcoming new board elected campaign launch that will take place on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Mrs. King presented the information that will go out to the community and what our current board's involvement will look like throughout the campaign.

11. Executive Session – I move that we enter into closed session under the exceptions set forth in the Illinois Open Meetings Act as follows:

(Time: 8:07pm) Motioned by Adamzcyk, second by Berganza. Passed 5-0

● 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) to discuss personnel matters

● 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) to discuss collective negotiating matters

● 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3) to discuss litigation matters

Reconvene Open Session

(Time: 9:21pm) Motioned by Adamzcyk, second by Coleman. (Berganza left during Executive Session). Passed 4-0

12. New Business – Discussion/Action Continued

A. Action – (IA/FOP) Approve Human Resources Report – Appointments, Absences, Adjustments, Retirements, Resignations and/or Separations

(Time: 9:22pm) Motioned by Bueso, second by Coleman. Passed 4-0

B. Action – (IA/FOP) Approve Contract Amendments:

Nicole Johnson

Ana Fuhrer

(Time: 9:23pm) Motioned by Adamczyk, second by Coleman. Passed 4-0

13. Adjourn

(Time: 9:24pm) Motioned by Bueso, second by Coleman. Applied Roll Call Vote.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Finance_NCIA/20240123-Minutes.pdf