Board Meeting Highlights

December 17, 2018

Complete meeting packet

LEVY HEARING

Fiscal Year 2018 Financial Audit – Mrs. Crispino and Scott Duenser
The annual audit is a key ingredient for making financial projections. District 39 continues to earn “Financial Recognition” for financial stability with a weighted score of 4.0 out of 4.0. Scott Duenser, partner for Klein Hall Associates, presented the District’s audit.

2018 Levy and 2018 Supplemental Debt Service Levy – Mrs. Cripsino
Dr. Lechner introduced the Levy noting the District’s overriding philosophy is to maintain and improve educational excellence for students, while living within its financial means. Based on the Audit Report, District 39 ended Fiscal 2018 with operating revenues exceeded operating expenditures by $501,000. This represents about seven tenths of one percent of annual operating expenditures.

The District’s long-standing past practice is for the Levy request to capture the full CPI increase and all available new property growth. The district continues to budget conservatively and aim to connect expenses to revenues. The District is requesting an increase of $1.1 million for CPI and $1.1 million for New Property Growth. Additional property taxes for new construction are paid only by property tax owners who have the new construction. The average taxpayer will see an increase for District 39 of 2.1% which is applied only to the District 39 portion of the tax bill. District 39 taxes are approximately 1/3 of each tax bill, therefore the projected increase is .7%.

Five-Year Financial Projections – Mrs. Crispino
Dr. Lechner introduced the five-year projections noting that the Board approved a new minimum target for fund balances last fall, increasing from 30% to 40%. This was designed as a better way to account for unpredictable adverse impacts from the State of Illinois (e.g. pension cost shift). Prior projections had included “placeholder dollars” for these unpredictable impacts. By removing those placeholders and increasing the minimum fund balance target, projections are more closely tied to budgets, and the District is still protected from unpredictable impacts. As a result, the District views these projections a new benchmark. The operating fund balances are projected to remain above the minimum 40% goal in the combined operating funds through Fiscal Year 2024.

REGULAR MEETING

BOARD ASSIGNMENT REPORTS

Committees
Facilities Development – Alice Schaff reported – two topics were discussed:1)Highcrest Phase 2 – it will begin next summer. There were updates on engineering including an underground water system for the outdoor classroom. The garden committee will meet with designers in January. 2) Kindergarten Enrichment –budget estimates were reviewed for phase 1 construction at Harper. Next meeting Monday, January 14th at 8:00 am

School Finance – Frank Panzica reported – Discussed 2018 audit, which was a month later than normal due to structural changes impacting all school districts in Illinois. The 2018 levy was discussed, as well as the five-year projections. With changes in targets, projections are reported differently. Student fees were discussed, which generate about $750,000 per year and will be revisited in January. Next meeting Monday, January 14th at 8:00 am

Liaison
• CRC – Tracy Kearney reported – The topic this year is mobile learning. Surveys of 4th grade and New Trier feeder districts are complete, along with some school visits. Next there will be a survey of D39 K-3 teachers and other districts. Plan to attend a Leap Innovations tour. The CRC Report being audited is Cultivating Growth Minded, Resilient Students from 2014-15.

Educational Foundation – Tracy Kearney reported – The Attire to Inspire Fashion show, an evening event this year, was a big success taking in 20% more than expected. The Fall Appeal was recently sent. The Ed Foundation participated in Giving Tuesday. Corporate matching is up and they are preparing for Trivia Night - Feb 2nd and Bingo Night March 1st. Science Olympiad is underway with 8 classes, 11 instructors, and 80 students participating. Next meeting Wednesday, January 16th at 7:00 pm

Superintendent Search update – Lisa Schneider-Fabes reported – First round interviews included eight candidates. Three were invited back, but one withdrew. Final interviews with two excellent candidates occurred with the Stakeholder Committee and the Board. The Board has made an offer and hopes to have contract to present at a special Board meeting Friday.


INFORMATION ITEMS

Written Communication

Announcements from the Superintendent

Kindergarten Registration – Planning has begun for the 2019-20 school year, and Kindergarten registration is an important first step. Registration for incoming kindergarten students is scheduled for Thursday, January 17th anytime between 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday, January 18th from 8:00 am to 3:15 pm at the four elementary schools. All required enrollment forms are available at the elementary schools and on the District website. Parents are encouraged to print and complete forms before going to their home school.

FOIA

Annual Business
2019-2020 Draft School Calendar – Dr. Lechner – A proposed draft calendar was presented. Each year, this calendar aligns with Township holiday schedules. There are no other significant departures from past practice. The first day of school is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28th and the last day, if there are no snow days, is planned to be on June 11th.

BOARD ACTION

The Consent Agenda was approved including the following:
•  Personnel Report dated December 17, 2018
•  Fiscal Year 2018 Audit
•  Resolution Authorizing the Supplemental Debt Service Levy
•  Third and Final Reading Board of Education Policies 4:10 and 4:15
  
Separately, the Board adopted the 2018 Levy

NEW BUSINESS
Board President Mark Steen noted Ellen Sternweiler will now be the District’s representative for the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). She attended the recent “Triple I” conference. Ellen will provide reports on IASB at future Board of Education meetings.


The next regular meeting of the District 39 Board of Education will be on Monday,
January 28, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the Mikaelian Education Center.