Board Update 3/4/2024
Board Recognition/Presentations
Agenda Item 3.0
Holmes and ELC – Student Buddies – 3.01
Staff and students from Holmes Junior High and staff from the Early Learning Center presented their experiences with Student Buddies from this school year. The program gives students from Holmes Junior High the opportunity to provide leadership and mentoring to the ELC students. Students and staff shared key details of the learning opportunity it creates as well as the benefits that both Holmes and ELC students receive from interacting with each other. You can view the slides here and watch the presentation here.
Action Items
Agenda Item 7.0
Approval of Resource Allocation Recommendations – 7.01
District leadership annually reviews its resource allocation plan with the goal of providing equitable staffing to meet students’ instructional programming needs. The allocation process review utilizes assessment data, instructional language needs, enrollment size, class/section size, schedules, facility capacity, staff licensure requirements, etc. Through an in-depth and collaborative process, leadership recommended an updated staff allocation for the 2024-25 school year. All staffing allocation adjustments are contingent on district programming structures, facility availability, and financial sustainability.
The board approved the resource allocation plan for the 2024-25 school year to increase the staffing allocation by 18.4 Full Time Equivalency for programming and enrollment needs.
Approval of Brentwood/Devonshire Boundary Realignment for 2024-2025 – 7.02
The board approved the Devonshire boundary realignment to include the Orion Prospect Residential Apartment Complex and surrounding area bordered by Elmhurst Road to the east and Oakton Street to the north. This realignment will be in effect for all new enrollments effective immediately. It was determined that Brentwood Elementary would be over functional capacity and program capacity if no boundary changes were made.
Approval of Refuse/Recycling Service 7.03
A call to bid was issued that requested vendors provide general refuse and recycling pickup service for a one-year term. Republic Services submitted the low bid for completing the work specified for an approximate monthly total of $6,800.90. Republic Services is the current vendor, and the District Administration continues to be satisfied with the level of performance and service provided.
The board approved the award for refuse/recycling service to Republic Services for the approximate monthly rate of $6,800.90 from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Approval of Memo of Understanding: ESP 12-Month Position Type & Benefit Alignment 7.04
The memorandum of understanding is an agreement between the District 59 Education Association and the CCSD59 Board of Education to rectify disparities and achieve a unified operational framework among the various 12-month job groups operating at the district level.
The board approved the Memorandum of Understanding: ESP 12-Month Position Type & Benefit Alignment.
Approval to Lift Suspension of Retirement Benefits for Administrative and Non-Negotiated Employees – 7.05
The board approved to lift the suspension of retirement benefits imposed by board resolution dated January 8, 2018. The board approval restores the retirement benefits affected by such suspension, and deletes the related Addendum to the Administrative Staff and Non-Negotiated Staff Handbook.
Appointment of new board member
Agenda Item 8.0
Oath of Office – 8.01
The CCSD59 Board of Education swore in a new member on Monday night: Mrs. Nicole Eddy. This concludes the application and interview process following the resignation of Mardell Schumacher. Mrs. Eddy will serve the remainder of the open term, which will expire April, 2025.
More information about Mrs. Eddy can be found here.
discussion items
Agenda Item 9.0
2024-2025 E-Rate Purchase Cycle – 9.01
The district is accepting proposals to upgrade the network firewall which is reaching its end of life on March 31, 2025. This network hardware qualifies for E-Rate reimbursement at the rate of 80%.
After fully evaluating quotes from all vendors the Administration is recommending a contract be awarded to Sentinel Technologies Inc., for $301,115.00. All hardware costs are subject to the E-Rate discount, which is currently 80% but is revised annually. Licensing and support is eligible at a lower E-Rate discount percentage. Therefore, the overall net cost to the District is estimated to be $166,065.21. You can view the discussion here.
2024-2025 School Year Pay Bus Fee – 9.02
Each year the board of education approves the pay bus fee for the coming year. This is the amount a family will pay to have their child transported if it is determined that the student is non-eligible for free transportation. The board is recommending that the fee remains at $525, the same as last year. You can view the discussion here.
Food Service Contract – 9.03
The Administration is seeking proposals from companies willing to operate the food service program at all facilities. They will provide onsite management and operational support. The district is prioritizing food quality, student participation, and service. You can view the discussion here.
Maintenance Vehicles Bid – 9.04
As part of the district’s long-term plan to minimize repair costs and maximize trade-in or resale value, the district called to bid to purchase a 2024 Ford E-350 van and F350 truck. Bidders were asked to include trade-in value for one District vehicle, a 2009 Chevy Silverado Truck with 49,763 miles. The trade-in allowances will be deducted from the bidder’s base price.
Sealed bids were opened on Friday, February 23, 2024, and were evaluated to verify compliance with the specifications set forth in the call to bid. Friendly Ford submitted a bid that met all specifications. Their base bid including fees is $156,523.88. Including the trade-in value of $5,000, resulted in a net bid of $151,523.88. You can view the discussion here.
Informational items
Agenda Item 11.0
CCSD59 Growth Reported on Academic Recovery Scorecard
The Education Recovery Scorecard, a collaboration between the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University and The Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University, issued a report on the academic recovery for school districts in 30 states following the COVID-19 pandemic. CCSD59 scored in the 99th percentile for growth in math and the 95th percentile for growth in reading from 2019-2023 as compared to all districts in the 30 states included in the data.
The data reflects the continued positive growth and steady increases in proficiency for students in CCSD59. You can view the slides here and the presentation here.
