Previous versions can be found on the Board Audio/ Highlights/Minutes page for 2011 and 2010

...from the May 14, 2013 Board of Education Meeting

HONORED BY PROCLAMATION OF THE BOARD

Illinois Drafting Educators Association (IDEA) Medalists

The Illinois Drafting Educators Association (IDEA) is a non-profit professional education organization with the mission of advancing the drafting occupation through better education.

On April 20, at the 2013 State finals, held at Illinois State University, two York Community High School students received medals: Alec Hein placed third in Machine Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and Alexander Tase placed third in Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting (CAD).

SkillsUSA State Medalists

SkillsUSA is a national student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and cited as a successful model of employer-driven youth development training by the U.S. Department of Labor. The SkillsUSA State Competition is acknowledged as a prestigious student recognition program in Industrial Arts Education, which provides quality educational experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development, in addition to promoting community service.

The following York Community High School students earned medals at the State contest held in Springfield on April 11-13: Alec Hein, first in Technical Drafting CAD; Chase Peterson, first in Collision Repair Technology; Hannah Kopach, third in Adobe Photoshop; and Chris Taylor, third in Automotive Service Technology. Also honored was Trevor Gulley, York Class of 2012 alum, who participated in the post-secondary division and took third place in Graphic Communications.

Teachers from the Industrial Technology Department include Ken Ross (Chair), Dan Calenberg, Rob Robak and Joe Stolz.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Medalists

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is the career and technical student organization which supports the development of life skills through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communications, practical knowledge and career preparation.

The FCCLA State Leadership Conference took place in Springfield on April 20, 2013. Family and Consumer Science Department Chair Wendy Albert recounted the herculean effort it took for students to compete this year, due to the flooding that took place in the Chicago area around that same time. She thanked the FCCLA organization, York Principal Diana Smith, the students and their parents for helping to “rescue” the State competition from disaster.

Thirty-two York students went on to earn medals in the following categories -

Apparel Construction: Gold Most Outstanding – Gabriella DiGregorio; Silver – Anna Benzin, Colette Obermaier, Caitlyn Wickersham and Dylan Williams-Rutz; and Bronze – Angela Gomez and Kallie Starr;

Cake Decorating: Silver – Carlie Ralston, Connor Walter and Crystal Wallick;

Children’s Literature Presentation: Gold Most Outstanding – Sydney Deuter/Lizzie Larson, Arianna Kekatos/Elizabeth Shockey, Caitlyn McNally/Kelsey Mills; Gold – Alejandra Hernandez/Jessica Sieja;

Cookie Decorating: Gold - Samantha Heiberger;

Culinary Arts: Bronze – Eric Hoff, Matthew Arnieri and Matthew Reher;  

Fashion Design: Silver – Tanish Tate;

Interior Design: Gold Most Outstanding – Daryl Barnes/Kacia Cortopassi and Deisy Cano/Caily Schwartz;

Job Interview: Silver – Renjitha James;

Preschool Lesson Plan: Silver – Jenitha Jomi/Heena Mohammed;

Professional Career Image: Silver – Krystina Agliata; and

Relish Tray: Gold – Garrett Stevenson

In addition to Ms. Albert, teachers in the Family and Consumer Science Department include Sabrina Benjamin, Ashley Egley, Lindsey Goldsmith, Sarah Marik, Rachael Marten and Joelle Soefker.

Photos of all three groups (IDEA, SkillsUSA and FCCLA) are posted on the District’s Spotlight on 205 page, as well as York’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/YorkCommunityHighSchool. While there, be sure to check out the LaBrigade Student Restaurant video and “like” the page to keep up-to-date with York High School news and information.

NOTE: Video footage of all Board of Education regular meetings are posted on 205TV within 48 hours.

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMUNICATION

Corporate Benefit Consultants, Inc. Insurance Renewal Presentation

Rhonda Sanders, Senior Consultant, and Ted Reese, President, of Corporate Benefit Consultants, Inc. made an insurance renewal presentation to the Board which included the impact of the Affordable Care Act on the District from 2014 to 2019, gave a review of the 2013-14 insurance plan performance and outlined changes for the 2013-14 plan year.

In a recent vote of employees, 77.4% of respondents approved the termination of the current PPO2 plan, to be replaced with an HSA Plan (Health Savings Account PPO Plan) which will include the PPO network. On a separate, but related topic, 68.2% of respondents voted to make changes to the existing HMO plans as indicated and accept an 11% increase in premiums.

Ms. Sanders reported that the District saved money this past year by being self-insured and also benefitted from less than trend premium increases, due to the overall good health of employees.

Legislative Presentation

School finance is an on-going challenge for Illinois school districts as funding from the State continues to diminish. Members of the Board of Education have been reaching out to legislators to discuss the impact that decisions made in Springfield have on Elmhurst District 205. Topics include underfunded and unfunded State mandates; effects of the tax cap; cuts to transportation, early education and General State Aid; the increasing cost of special education and changing demographics that include steadily climbing numbers of English Language Learners and families living in poverty.

Chris Blum and Karen Stuefen presented a District 205 Briefing that includes an overview of the District, including demographics, budget drivers, funding sources, cuts made to date, and the limited options available to address increasing costs.

“Our objective is to create two-way dialog with legislators around key legislative issues related to education,” said Mrs. Stuefen, who serves as the Board’s legislative representative. She noted that this presentation was vetted through two Board committees (Board Improvement and Finance & Operations) and is a work in progress.

“We’re trying to meet with and inform our legislators, with the goal of making them our partners in creating quality education,” said Chris Blum. “This presentation is representative, not only of Elmhurst, but of many suburban districts. We want them to know that our staff, students and families have made sacrifices; we have been managing our shop tightly and have done our part to keep costs in check.”

This presentation is only one piece of the message. The Board is working on a parallel presentation that it eventually plans to take to parents, staff and the community to serve as a catalyst for further discussion and greater understanding.

Mrs. Stuefen reported that she represented the Board in Springfield on May 8 at the LEND Lobby Day.  Five LEND districts were present and, along with LEND federal liaison John Moss of Glenbard District 87,  met with Tom Cullerton (D-23rd), Kirk Dillard (R-24th) and Deb Conroy (D-46th), as well as other State Senators and Representatives, such as Pam Roth (R-75th), who serves on the General Assembly’s Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.  They also met with Michael Connelly (R-96th) and Dan Kotowski (D-28th).

FY14 Budget Discussions

Chris Whelton, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations, gave a presentation to the Board on the Final 2012 Tax Extension, EAV and Rates. Included in the presentation were: a tax levy timeline, an explanation of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) – otherwise known as the Tax Cap – which is designed to limit the increase in property tax extensions, a review of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and how that comes into play in relation to changes in Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) and tax rates, as well as a review of 2012 tax extensions and rates and a quick overview of District 205’s financial condition.

Mr. Whelton noted that District 205’s student population continues to rise, which precipitates the hiring of more staff. He also discussed the fact that three years of budget reductions have helped to mitigate escalating expenditures. At the present time, as the end of the fiscal year approaches on June 30, fund balances are adequate to avoid short-term borrowing (issuance of tax anticipation warrants).

More detailed budget information may be found in the Budget at a Glance document, which may be found on the Finance & Operations Department website: http://www.elmhurst205.org/finance.

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA – CONSENT ITEMS

The Board voted unanimously to approve the following consent agenda items:

• Approval of an additional law firm
• Approval of health and dental insurance renewal
• Approval of a donation of automotive parts worth $15,563 to York High School from Arlington Heights Ford
• Approval of two $1,500 donation to York High School for the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Program, one from Elmhurst Eagles Youth Football and one from Elmhurst resident James Ruprecht

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA – ACTION ITEMS

The Board voted unanimously to approve the following agenda action items:

• Approval of a resolution to transfer money from the Education and Operations & Maintenance funds to the Debt Service fund
• Approval to appoint Board member John McDonough representative to the School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED) for the 2013-14 school year

CLOSED SESSION BOARD ACTION

The Board voted on two closed session items:

• Student Discipline
• Dismissal of an Employee

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Thursday, May 16 – Finance and Operations Committee Meeting – 6:30 PM – District 205 Center
Thursday, May 16 – York Symphony Orchestra Concert and GRAMMY Gold Signature School
                                 Presentation – 7:30 PM – Baker Auditorium
Sunday, May 19 – York High School Commencement Exercises – 1 PM – Joe Newton Field House
Tuesday, May 21 – Special Board of Education Meeting (Closed Session) – 6:00 PM – District 205 Center
Thursday, May 23 – Board Improvement Committee Meeting – 7 PM – District 205 Center
Wednesday, May 29 – Board of Education Meeting – 7:30 PM – District 205 Center
Tuesday, June 4 – Performance Management Committee Meeting – 7 PM – District 205 Center
Wednesday, June 5 – Curriculum & Instruction Committee Meeting – 7 PM – District 205 Center
Tuesday, June 11 – Board of Education Meeting – 7:30 PM – District 205 Center