Across the Board in D303

Meeting memos, presentations and other documents in BoardDocs

Ed McNally, Vice President

Joe Lackner, Secretary

Kate Bell

Matthew Kuschert

Thomas Lentz

Becky McCabe

Individual items up for approval by the Board, generally introduced in prior committee meetings.

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Background

As part of the boundary process, demographer RSP has sought clarity from the Board and Administration as to whether the current elementary grade level configurations (K-2 and 3-5) at Davis and Richmond should continue or if both schools should return to two K-5 schools.

Meetings with Davis and Richmond staff and families were conducted in August and September. During a special Business Services Committee meeting on November 6, Administration presented the Board with eight scenarios. The Board requested the administration revisit Scenario F and provide more information about Scenario A and B.

Summaries of these grade level center discussions and actions can be found through the boundary updates website.

Discussion

Prior to taking action on Scenarios A, B and F, the Board received additional details and clarification from Administration and engaged in further discussion. Board members then communicated their reasons for why they are in favor or opposed to a particular scenario before formally voting on each scenario.

Motion Failed by a vote of 5 no, 2 yes

Scenario A would maintain the current grade level configuration at Davis (K-2) and Richmond (3-5) with dual language placement.

This scenario allows the schools to create the systems and structures necessary for teachers to collaborate around evidence of student learning in order to refine their teaching practices. This scenario maintains an additional transition for students. Systems and structures do already exist to support students through the transition.

Motion Passed by a vote of 4 yes, 3 no

Scenario B would transition Davis and Richmond each to K-5 buildings. Dual Language would be housed at Richmond with the use of 6 mobile classrooms and a plan to build a 6-classroom addition at Richmond to make it a 27-classroom school. The mobile classrooms would be temporary until the addition is constructed and operable.

This scenario allows the schools to create the systems and structures necessary for teachers to collaborate around evidence of student learning in order to refine their teaching practices. Having all Dual Language classrooms in one building enhances collaboration for all teachers. Educators would need professional learning in order to maximize the benefit of teacher collaboration between monolingual and bilingual classrooms. Use of mobiles is needed to meet the minimum space standards.

Motion Failed by a vote of 3 yes, 4 no

Scenario F would transition Davis and Richmond to all K-5 buildings. Both schools would house one section of Dual Language and two sections of mono-lingual.

This scenario enables available learning spaces for all students, and some students would be in closer proximity to their neighborhood school. It would not require additional funds to be allocated for mobiles or construction to add additional classrooms.

Motion Passed by a vote of 7-0

Background

Each year, the District sets a tax levy that is used by the county to establish the tax rate. Property tax revenue accounts for more than 80% of the District's total revenue. The setting of the annual tax levy is governed by The Truth in Taxation Law, School Code, Property Tax Code, and Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL).

Discussion

In accordance with the Truth in Taxation Act, the Board must estimate the tax levy increase, as well as publish a notice and hold a public hearing if the estimated tax levy increase is above a certain amount. The timeline is as follows:

• November 13: Resolution to estimate the levy.
• December 11: Adopt the 2023 tax levy.
• December 26: File the levy with the County Clerk.

Tax Levy Estimate

The proposed aggregate levy is scheduled to be officially estimated on November 13 and adopted on December 11. Exclusive of debt service, public building commission leases and election costs, the estimate necessary to be raised by taxation for the year 2023 upon the taxable property in the District is $188,700,000. This represents a 6.76% increase over the previous year; however, DuPage and Kane Counties will reduce this request to the allowable level, as defined in Illinois statute, prior to extending the property taxes to the community.

Tax Levy Frequently Asked Questions

• Will my taxes increase by 6.76%? No, there is not a one-to-one correlation between the requested tax levy increase and the increase to property tax bills.
• What is a tax levy? A tax levy is a request made by a taxing body
• Does the school district set the tax rate? No, the school district’s tax levy is submitted to and calculated by the county to determine the tax rate.
• Have more questions? Visit the tax levy FAQ web page

Action items 1-5 are in reference to recommendations from the Resolution Committee of the

Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). Actions by member school boards determine the

direction of the IASB's advocacy efforts and legislative agenda on behalf of IASB members.

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Recommendation: Do Not Adopt. (Yes Vote = Vote to Not Adopt)

Motion approved: 7-0 yes

The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) shall support and encourage legislation that prohibits the construction of industrial facilities near schools, which can negatively impact 1) The health and safety of all students, faculty, and staff; 2) The learning outcomes of students; and 3) The learning environment of students.

Recommendation: Do Adopt. (Yes Vote = Vote to Adopt)

Motion approved: 7-0 yes

The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) shall request that the Illinois legislature consider legislation providing educational funding to all school districts to offset the cost of a school resource officer.

Recommendation: Do Adopt. (Yes Vote = Vote to Adopt)

Motion approved: 7-0 yes

The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) shall support changes to the Federal and State school transportation regulations that return licensing requirements and driver trainer liability back to pre-February 2023 levels at minimum; allow LOCAL training and testing for bus driver candidates; and increase the transportation reimbursement rate from the State of Illinois to 100%.

Recommendation: Do Not Adopt. (Yes Vote = Vote to Not Adopt)

Motion approved: 7-0 yes

The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) shall request the Illinois legislature consider using the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (IL-DCFS ) Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) as a means to fulfill the Employment History Review (EHR) (105 ILCS 5/22-94) of Faith’s Law.

Recommendation: Do Not Adopt. (Yes Vote = Vote to Not Adopt)

Motion approved: 7-0 yes

The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) shall advocate for additional funding to be provided for regional alternative safe schools to allow for an elementary -appropriate program, additional funding and approved certification programs for board certified behavior analysts (BCBA) in school districts, and additional flexibility with student discipline to help local districts provide the safest learning environment possible. We also ask that the state legislature review SB100 and make any necessary changes to allow for more local control as it relates to student discipline post -Covid, especially at the elementary and middle school levels.

View the For Action section and details on BoardDocs

In accordance with state law, a Bond Issue Notification Act (BINA) public hearing was held for the intent of the Board to sell not to exceed $25,000,000 in working cash fund bonds for the purpose of increasing the district's working cash fund.

Background

On October 10, the Board approved a Resolution of Intent to sell these bonds. Since the issuance of long-term debt will not occur until next year, the Resolution establishes a higher than estimated value to allow flexibility should interest rates decrease. This would not change the impact to taxpayers.

In September the Board gave Administration authorization to begin the process of issuing long-

term debt through non-referendum bonds estimated to be $22.75 million, which will support summer 2024 construction projects as part of the reopening of Fox Ridge as an elementary school, relocating Learning and Teaching offices and staff and the Transition Program to Lincoln, and relocating early childhood to Haines. Funding will also support long-term capital improvement needs. For the homeowner of a $350,000 home, the estimated annual tax increase will be $23.

Dr. Paul Gordon shares updates on District initiatives as well as school, staff and student activities.

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Timeline for reviewing boundaries, Board action and community engagement. The boundaries will impact each of District 303 schools to varying degrees, which will be determined over the following timeline:

• Nov 28 & 29 | Community and Staff Information Meetings
  

• Nov. 28 - Dec. 10 | Community and Staff survey

• Feb. 12 | Board takes action on new boundaries for the 24-25 school year

The District has developed a comprehensive website with information on the boundary process, including a timeline, detailed summaries on discussions, actions and communications, and a frequently asked questions section. This page will be routinely updated throughout the boundary process. The web link can be found on the homepage of the District and each of our school websites.

The Data Dashboard provides a monthly summary on the health of District 303. This chart, which will be updated monthly on the District website, provides an overview of nine important measurements in the categories of Academics, Operations and Belonging.

November 15 is School Board Appreciation Day. Dr. Gordon shared that our seven Board members care very much about District 303, our students, staff, and the community.

"Our board puts in a significant amount of time reviewing documents, asking questions, and seeking to understand situations. The work before the Board can make for some challenging conversations, and won’t always lead to unanimous decisions, but it is thoroughly vetted in order to achieve the best outcomes. For most of the Board, they volunteer their time here while also working full time.

I am grateful for the D303 Board for the time, thinking and effort each of you put toward making D303 a great place for our students, staff, and community. Their goal is for District 303 to be a great school district," said Gordon.

The following updates were provided by Board chairs on the following committees, which took place in October. Additional information reports may be provided, as requested by the Board.

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The committee engaged in a tax levy workshop that described the tax levy process and upcoming dates with regard to determining a tax levy. Various updates were provided on construction projects slated for summer 2024, including plans for scheduled repurposed buildings, as well as work to install access control, roofs and air conditioning systems. The committee also received updates on potential remediation plans for Davis Primary's detached mobile building, as well as renewals for farm land it leases and software that supports the District's finance and human resources functions.

The next Business Services Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 27 at 5:00 PM.

The committee received reports on the Munhall Elementary Title I school-wide waiver, and how it would utilize Title I funding to support low-income students in its school. There were also presentations on programming for multilingual learners and a pending action plan that will address underperforming Hispanic and English-Language student cohorts across D303. In addition, the committee was presented with a Spanish Language Arts (SLA) vision and a recommendation of SLA curriculum. The committee also recommended the addition and reduction of select Advanced Placement (AP) courses based on student demand.

The next Learning and Teaching Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 27 at 5:30 p.m.

Grouped agenda items up for approval in one action.

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The consent agenda was approved by a vote of 7-0.

The consent agenda included items such as:

• Minutes from previous committee meetings
• Personnel reports
• List of bills, treasurer's report, and payroll
• Munhall Title I school-wide waiver
• School maintenance project grant
• Air conditioning improvements - Phase 1
• Lincoln renovations
• Gifts and donations
  

View the Consent Agenda section and details on BoardDocs

Informational reports are typically provided monthly to the Board. There is no action taken.

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• District 303 Financial Report

• Mid Valley Financial Report

• FOIA Requests

• District Enrollment

View the For Information section and details on BoardDocs