Call to Order
Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
Discussion Item – Lincoln Prairie Design Plan
District 54 administration presented the School Board with two designs for the expansion and renovation of Lincoln Prairie School. Both plans include the addition of four classrooms to accommodate new enrollment, a full-size gym with bleachers, a dedicated music room and additional space for the learning center. The second plan includes additional elements including reconfigured office spaces and additional rooms for small group lessons, offices or storage. All seven board members expressed that they preferred the second option.
Freedom of Information Act
Seven Freedom of Information requests were replied to since the last report to the School Board, related to the energy savings contract, correspondence and contracts with Adelante Educational Specialists, employee emails, staff contract information, the literacy curriculum, purchasing records and air quality testing reports.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda.
- The minutes of the regular Board of Education meeting on November 2, 2023
- Resignations, leaves, termination, retirements and employment of personnel
- Checks dated Nov. 3 and 17, 2023
- The treasurer’s report on cash and investments for October 2023
- The monthly update of revenues and expenditures for October 2023
- A contract for roofing replacements at John Muir Elementary School, Frost Junior High School and Buzz Aldrin Elementary School to J.L. Adler Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc.
- A contract for window replacements at John Muir Elementary School to Krull Window Company
- Destruction of the verbatim records of the closed-session school board meetings held on May 19 and June 2, 2022 for which approved minutes already exist
Report of the Board President
Board President Jim Pye proposed moving the February Board Meeting to Wednesday, Feb. 21, to accommodate board members attending a national Consortium of State School Boards Association (COSSBA) conference.
Foundation Report
The Foundation elected two new officers. The new secretary is Sri Rajaram and the new treasurer is Dan Flores. The Foundation is planning a Mardi Gras event in the evening on March 1 and will also be taking over the Run to Read, with the goal of using both events to raise more money to support District 54 families.
New Business
- The Board approved the following calendars:
- The Board approved a proposal from Gallagher Bassett Technical Services to provide radon testing at all District 54 buildings.
- The Board approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement for shared improvement costs with the Hanover Park Park District.
- The Board awarded a guaranteed energy savings contract to Performance Services as a qualified provider for the solar panel projects at Addams Junior High and Hoover Math and Science Academy.
- The Board approved revisions to the following policies:
- 4:110(b) – Transportation of Students or Non-District Personnel in Private Vehicles by District Personnel,
- 7:300 – Physical Examinations and Insurance Requirements for Students Participating in Interscholastic and Intramural Sports,
- 7:360 – Entrance Age and
- 7:370 – Student Absences and Homework.
Announcements
The Board thanked all District 54 schools for the charitable work they are doing during the holiday season and the PTA’s for the services they provide to schools and families.
The Board also congratulated Addams and Lakeview who received the Special Olympics National Banner Award, the Grizzlies for their Pack the Gym basketball game, and the Grizzlies Sensations squad for winning the gold at their state cheerleading competition.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
