June 11, 2018

Present:  Board President Greg Robitaille, Vice President Cathleen Albrecht; Board Members: Carol Ducommun, Marc Glucksman, Lori Goldstein, Patrick O’Donoghue.
Absent: Keith Dronen
 
Administrators:  Superintendent Paul Sally; Assistant Supt for Finance & Ops Christopher Johnson; Secretary Supt Lou Anne Kelly; Assistant Supt for Curriculum &Instruction Peter Tragos; Assistant Supt for Student Services Timothy Hayes; Principal (Winnetka) Denise Dubravec; Principal (Northfield) Paul Waechtler.  Absent: None
 
CITIZENS’ COMMENTS:  
A community member from HEROS (Healing Everyday Racism in Our Schools) provided update to the Board. Submitted a letter signed by community members with recommendations for “addressing racism at its roots and fostering a just, healthy school culture.” Committee wants to continue the dialogue. Board President commented he had read the letter and that it provided “a lot to think about.” Asked for time to reflect and wants to continue to engage. Tim Hayes will spearhead this for the Administration.
 
PRINCIPALS’ REPORT
Winnetka Principal Dubravec acknowledged Sears Center for hosting graduation and confirmed that graduation in 2019 will return to Northwestern. Acknowledged appreciation of parents involved with graduation party, and commented that there were no issues, all students had a safe & fun graduation evening.
 
Information Items
Strategic Planning Update (Dr. Mona Hansen): New Trier 2030 kicked off in May, with 30 people on core team, representing student, community, teachers and parents. Broader team will be involved as the work expands later in the fall. Core team has examined the prior plan, agreed that current mission is robust and will maintain it. Small committee will review vision and make suggestions. Structure for plan was shared. Process will include community outreach via surveys as well as community engagement evenings. Greg Robitaille and Carol Ducommun represent the BOE on the committee
 
Security Plan Update (Athena Arvanitis): Shared update since last report. Hired outside consultants: Telgian Engineering & Consulting and Facility Engineering Assoc. Conducted enhanced lockdown drill, with particular focus on new wing at Winnetka campus identifying areas for further improvement; hosted student forums to review practices and encouraged sharing with advisories. Future training planned for new security system to be installed this summer. Summer ’18 work, in the budget, will include: shade installation, shatterproof film installation, visitor management upgrade, secure vestibules (including double buzz system in Winnetka) and exterior signage. Phase II work which requires more planning and will take place after school begins will include technological system design and larger projects that may impact the appearance/function of campus. Board requested an overall roadmap and recommendation in a cohesive plan based on expert opinion, over defined timeframe. Administration confirmed that is their intent, are currently in research phase and plan to present plan, along with associated budget, end of summer
  
Facilities Update (Chris Johnson): Update on summer work, proceeding fine. Separate discussion focused on Village Storm Water Planning & Duke Child Field Improvements to address needs of Village of Winnetka, The District and the Park District. There are many variables to address and the District is pleased with the collaborative process to date and likelihood of win-win-win. Expect to address water issues as well as field safety issues. After 3-4 years of discussion expect construction to begin next year. Will bring back a more formal plan in a few months. Greg Robitaille and Patrick O’Donoghue are on the committee
 
Treasurers and Budget Reports: (Johnson):  Expect to end year on budget with small surplus
 
Board Policy Review (First Read): Addressing public participation at BOE meeting. Review prompted by concern that Board cannot compel speaker to give address information. Resulted in Board discussion regarding public comment, timing allowed for individuals and for topics. Administration will review and bring back second read in July.
 
Action Items
FY 2018 Amended Budget (Spiwak)
District amending budget to reflect unanticipated changes: Capital projects reflect the remaining expenses for the Winnetka campus project due to timing of expenses. Additionally, District reclassified expenses associated with community services and adult education to those budget areas from ‘instruction’ or ‘support’. Historically, there have been ‘limited expenses’ that have been allocated to instruction or support but are not used for that purpose, and they are seeking to align the budget. These expenses represent the costs associated with the community and adult education uses of pools, gyms, fields, theaters and other spaces as well as how some staff people apportion their time. The amendment has no net effect on the budget as it is simply a reclassification of expenses. In FY ‘18 this represents $280,481, which is <10% of budget so an amendment is not required; however, District is doing so in service of transparency. The Administration expect to do this annually and expect no issues related to audit.
Amended budget unanimously approved by all members present.
  
Consent Agenda (unanimously approved, nothing pulled)
Bill List for May 1-31 2018; Personnel Report (Appointments, Changes of Status, Resignations, Retirements, and Stipends), Construction Change Order #33, Naming Recommendation, North Cook Intergovernmental Agreement, Mac Hardware Replacement Lease, Desktop Computer Replacement Lease, Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding the Placement of Individual Student
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Meeting Length:  1 hr 30 minutes. (Note started @7:15, 10-minute break to celebrate retirement of Secretary Lou Anne Kelly, Adjourned @8:55)           
Observer:  Cindy Levine
Next Meeting:  July 16, 2018