Wilmette Public Schools District 39 Mikaelian Education Center 615 Locust Road Wilmette, IL 60091 847-256-2450 www.wilmette39.org

November 28, 2011

Below are highlights* from the District 39 Board of Education meeting on November 28, 2011.

The materials from this meeting can be found here. On-line video of the meeting can be found here (Microsoft Silverlight plug-in required).

Announcements

• Dr. Lechner responded to comments from last month’s Board meeting regarding the District’s communication of the CPI increase during the months leading up to the referendum. He provided numerous instances where the District communicated this information to the public including press releases, Board reports, email communication to parents, and through newspaper articles.
• Dr. Lechner applauded WJHS’ cross country teams that had success at recent races. He congratulated students who placed individually and recognized the coaches, teachers Aaron Dubnow, Angie Sparks, and Jim Grimes.
• Dr. Lechner noted that November 15th was School Board Members Day. He recognized the commitment of these community volunteers, thanking D39’s Board of Education members for their service.
• Melanie Horowitz summarized Veteran’s Day activities in D39 schools. This year, Veteran’s Day was a non-attendance day due to parent-teacher conferences. Each school scheduled meaningful activities that took place before or after Veteran’s Day.
• Dr. Welter told of McKenzie’s Paralympic project. An Olympic and a Paralympic Athlete visited the school and spoke to students about the importance of perseverance. McKenzie students will be helping to build awareness for the Paralympics.
• Dr. Lechner presented two Community Review Committee Members-at-Large for Board approval.
• Dr. Lechner reviewed the Resolution Reauthorizing Participation in the Illinois School District Liquid Asset Fund that the Board would vote on later. This resolution ensures that appropriate District personnel have correct investment authority.
• Dr. Lechner noted the Student Transportation Outsourcing Hearing scheduled for December 12th. It will include a presentation of the pros and cons of outsourcing and provide opportunity for public comment.
• Dr. Palzet provided an update on WJHS’ Math of Economics class. This unique class was introduced a few years ago to help students understand the global and U.S. economies. Two groups of WJHS students presented their projects; each developed a business, complete with business plan, marketing strategy, website, and commercials.

Information items

• Dr. Palzet presented the School Improvement Plans (SIP) for Highcrest Middle School and Wilmette Junior High. New this year is a Grade 5-8 SIP plan, which includes some separate goals for HMS and WJHS.
• Dr. Lechner introduced the report on FY 13 Facility Projects and Financing. Annually, D39 levies approximately $800,000 for the purpose of making payments on debt incurred for financing facility projects. As existing debt is paid down, there is room to continue financing projects without increasing taxes or going to referendum. Historically, this is how D39 has financed facility projects. In Spring 2012, there will be about $7 million available for the purpose of financing future facility projects. Dr. LeRoy reviewed the projects approved or being considered by the Facilities and Development Committee (FDC).
  • Life Safety projects that have already been approved by the FDC include roofing work at Harper and Highcrest.
  • If approved, the abatement in the Romona auditorium will be scheduled for summer 2013 and complete the outstanding life safety work identified in the 2007 Ten Year Life Safety Plan.
  • Air Conditioning work at all schools will be considered to meet temperature and air quality standards.
  • Improvements to the WJHS Science Facilities will be considered based on the issues identified in the 2007-08 CRC Facilities Report. The working plan calls for renovating three current labs and adding three new labs to the back of the school. It also provides for repurposing some existing classrooms for performing arts and for a simulated apartment to provide practical application of life skills for students with comprehensive needs.

Dr. Leroy reviewed the potential schedule. If approved by the FDC, the bidding process could be scheduled to begin in January 2012. Bids would be received, reviewed, and presented to the Board for official approval by March 2012. The Life Safety roofing work will be completed during the summer of 2012 and if approved, the air conditioning project could also be completed in the summer of 2012. The Science Facilities and Repurposing construction could begin in May 2012, with an estimated completion date of January 2013.

• Dr. Thrasher presented a recommendation for Connecting Kids Tuition for 2012-13.

Board Action

• The Board adopted the Resolution Reauthorizing Participation in the Illinois School District Liquid Asset Fund.
• The Board approved the Connecting Kids Tuition for 2012-13.
• The Board approved the Community Review Committee Members-at-Large.
• The Board approved as Second and Final Reading of Policies 4:15 (renumbered) Budget Planning, 4:164 Forecasting Enrollments, and 4:175 Facility Planning. Deletion of 4:20, 4:25, 4:30, 4:155, 4:165, 4:166, and 4:180.
• The Board approved as First Reading of Policy 4:05 (Renumbered) System of Accounts and Adoption of Proposed Policy 4:07 Fund Balances.

Board Information

The Board received the October cash flow report and November financials.

* These highlights provide a summary of the board meeting and are not formal minutes from the meeting. Once approved, minutes from the meeting will be posted in the Minutes section.