Prairie State Wire

North Chicago Community Unit School District #187 Independent Authority and the Financial Oversight Panel met Jan. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the panel:

1. Call to Order / Roll Call

(Time: 5:01pm) Mrs. King called the meeting to order, members present: King, Gaytan Morales, Johnson Jones, (Riley arrived at 5:05pm, Gonzalez arrived at 6:40pm)

2. Executive Session – I move that we enter into a closed session under the exceptions set forth in Illinois

Open Meetings Act as follows:

(Time: 5:02 pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Johnson Jones. Passed 3-0

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

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

3. Reconvene Open Session

(Time: 7:05pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Gonzalez. Passed 5-0

4. Moment of Silence/Pledge of Allegiance

5. Motion to Approve Meeting Agenda as Presented

(Time: 7:07pm) Motion to approve the agenda made by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

6. Special Presentations

A. Post Secondary - Ms. Kim Forystek - Post Secondary Coordinator

(Time: 7:08pm) Kim Forystek presented to the board the plans moving forward with the Post Secondary Program and thanked the District for their continuous support. It is important that all students know their options and that they can come back after graduation for additional support. This program provides opportunities and experiences through partnerships and activities such as college visits, college preps that visit NCCHS. Upcoming events include a week of professionalism students will have the opportunity to work on their resume, and engage in a career fair, headshots will be taken of students, they will have access to a business wardrobe. There is also a Military career fair coming up. This program is currently being used at NMSA and NCCHS and will start to make its way to the Elementary buildings as well.

7. Audience Participation:

(Time: 7:29pm) Mereda Castro - Parent of student at NCCHS - This parent had a concern about the bathrooms at NCCHS being locked and students not being able to use the restroom freely. She understands that there are reasons that the school is keeping the doors locked, however she would like there to be another way around this so that students that actually need to use the bathroom have an opportunity to.

8. Superintendent’s Report

(Time: 7:31pm) Dr. Price asked the board members to read over the Superintendent report and instead used this time to address the immigration situation that our families and community is facing. The district has put together protocols for our families and our principals and teachers remain focused on our students. The district is working with our partners (Mano a Mano and NCCP)to help address the needs of our families.

9. Motion to Approve IA Minutes

(Time: 7:38pm) Motion to approve December and January minutes made by Gaytan Morales, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

Open Session Closed Session

December 17, 2024 Board Meeting (IA/FOP) December 17, 2024 Board Meeting (IA/FOP) January 7, 2025 Special Board Meeting (IA/FOP) January 7, 2025 Special Board Meeting (IA/FOP)

10. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda

(Time: 7:39pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

A. Treasurer’s Report for December 2024

B. Accounts Payable for December 20, 2024 – January 30, 2025 in the amount of $8,666,284.09

C. Payroll for December 2024 in the gross amount of $3,035,245.32

D. 2025-2026 District Calendar

E. Visiting International Teachers MOU with ISBE $3,500 per teacher

F. Resolution Designating the Director of Finance and Operations to Prepare the FY 2026 Tentative Budget

G. Forrestal Construction Potential Change Orders 15 and 18 $131,368

11. Old Business – Discussion/Action

A. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of CapEx Plan for Needed Improvements $12.8 million

(Time: 7:42pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gonzalez. Passed 5-0

B. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Diligent Platform for Board Meetings $9,600

(Time: 7:44pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gonzalez. Passed 5-0

C. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of PreK -12 Summer School $387,230 $385,908.44 corrected amount

(Time: 7:49pm) Motioned by Riley, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

D. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Frontline: Evaluation Tool $10,814

(Time: 7:50pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

12. New Business – Discussion/Action

A. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Extended School Year (ESY) $34,318

(Time: 7:53pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

B. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of 2026 SEDOL Contract - SY26 $265,429

(Time: 7:56pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

C. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Vivi Classroom Display Technology (3yr) $102,500

(Time: 8:01pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Gonzalez. Passed 5-0

D. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Site Surveys for South and Novak Schools $27,600

(Time: 8:04pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Gonzalez. Passed 5-0

E. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Chapter One - After School Program $19,890

(Time: 8:06pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Gonzalez. Passed 5-0

F. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of AUSL Partnership $48,000

(Time: 8:14pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Gonzalez. Passed 5-0

G. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Updated Board Protocols

(Time: 8:17pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Gonzalez. Passed 5-0

H. Action – (IA/FOP) Approval of Purchase of Used Activity Bus $80,560

(Time: 8:23pm) (TABLE TILL 02/25/2025 BOARD MEETING)

I. Discussion – (IA/FOP) Black Excellence Initiative $70,000

(Time: 8:31pm) Presented to the boards by Mr. Oscar Hawthorne this initiative will give students of color the opportunity to write their own narratives. Giving them a chance to tell their stories in a way that is meaningful to them. Community, Legacy, and a Voice. This program is also used in California and Madison, WI. We will use student surveys, interviews, data and reporting. This work will start at the High School level.

J. Discussion – (IA/FOP) NMSA Behavioral Paraprofessional $20,000

(Time: 8:56pm) Dr. Price presented to the board - this paraprofessional will work directly with students that are in need of extra support and more individual attention.

K. Discussion – (IA/FOP) Tentative Budget Policy Amendment - Policy 4:10

(Time: 8:58pm) Mr. Greg Volan presented to the board - this policy states that the budget will be brought to the board in January, the district would like to change this to August.

L. Discussion – (IA/FOP) Summary of FY 2024 Audit and Financial Statement

(Time: 9:00pm) Mr. Nick Cavaliere with Bakery Tilly presented the Audit process and breakdown to the board. The district achieved a financial profile score of 3.6 out of a possible 4.0, maintaining the highest-level ranking of “Recognition.”

M. Discussion – (IA/FOP) NCCP Contract for Summer School $25,000

(Time: 9:13pm) Dr. Price presented to the board this is a week-long enrichment program that will take place after the 5th week of Summer School.

N. Discussion – (IA/FOP) Board of Education Policy Review Changes/Updates for Compliance (First Reading)

(Time: 9:14pm) Dr. Price presented to the board this is a review of the listed policies there are no major changes.

Policy 2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban

Policy 2:120 Board Member Development

Policy 4:30 Revenue and Investments

Policy 4:60 Purchases and Contracts

Policy 4:170 Safety

Policy 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority recruitment

Policy 5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited

Policy 5:120 Employees Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest

Policy 5:125 Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct

Policy 5:230 Maintaining Student Discipline

Policy 6:60 Curriculum Content

Policy 6:135 Accelerated Placement Program

Policy 6:270 Guidance and Counseling Program

Policy 7:10 Equal Educational Opportunities

Policy 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students Policy

7:160 Student Appearance

Policy 7:165 School Uniforms

Policy 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment

Policy 7:200 Suspension Procedures

Policy 8:10 Connection with the Community

O. Information – (IA/FOP) 3:70 Succession Plan

(Time: 9:16pm) Dr. Price presented to the board who is in charge at the Board of education in his absence and who is in charge at the School buildings if the Principal is out.

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

(We did not enter into Executive Session a second time)

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

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

Reconvene Open Session

15. New Business – Discussion/Action Continued

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

(Time: 9:17pm) Motioned by Johnson Jones, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

B. Action – (IA/FOP) Administrative Contracts - Gregory Volan - Director of Finance & Operations, Dr. Monique Auxila - Director of Special Education, Dr. Lilith Werner - Director of Multilingual Programs

(Time: 9:18pm) Motioned by Gaytan Morales, second by Riley. Passed 5-0

16. Adjourn

(Time: 9:19pm) Motioned by Riley, second by Gaytan Morales. Passed 5-0

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Finance_NCIA/012825-IA-MINUTES.pdf