April 23, 2018

PRESENT:  All Board Members were in attendance except for Alice Schaff
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS:  The Board allows for two periods of public comment.  There were no public comments at this meeting. 
 
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
 

School Finance Committee – finance committee met as part of the committee of the whole and topics included Operating Fund Tentative Budget, Expenditure Review (Board is reviewing all expenditures for cost savings).

Strategy Committee – instrumental music and kindergarten enrichment program were the two topics covered at the committee meeting. 

Committee of the Whole – Superintendent Search is the main topic – 3 firms to help the Board conduct the search for a superintendent were interviewed and the Committee unanimously voted to enter into contract negotiations with one firm; process is moving forward.

Community Review Committee (CRC) – topic currently being reviewed is Personalized Learning and close to bringing forth recommendations.

Education Foundation  - highlighted successful April 15th fundraiser and award of two Gripp Grants.

Legislative Report – nothing to report other than there are a lot of bills in committee with deadline to come out of committee by April 27th; highlights – address teacher shortage, mandates and school safety.  

Strategic Plan Updates 

• Grades 5-8 Related Arts Course Progression –shared a draft of a philosophy statement as well as recommended changes to better define the progression of related arts classes from Grade 5 through 8.  The Board asked several follow-up questions after the presentation
• Kindergarten Enrichment – D39 is studying the possibility of adding a half day of kindergarten enrichment;  presentation focused on two options – student fee cover program costs only versus student fee cover program costs and construction costs; also looked at construction versus building modulars.  Cost of building modular is cheaper than construction.  All options were looked at with respect to operating funds balance.  Next step is to resurvey parents prior to finalizing decisions.  The Board asked several follow-up questions after the presentation and a final recommendation will be presented at the May D39 meeting. 

 
Annual Business 

• Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Funds Tentative Budget – a first draft of the FY2019 Operating Funds budget was presented to the Board; adjustments will continue to be made until the budget is adopted in August.  The Board asked several follow-up questions after the presentation.
• 2018-2019 Student/Staff Planning – Staff presented early registration results but are very early in the process and will continue to monitor over the summer. 
• After School Programming HMS/WJHS – With the dissolution of Youth Connection, D39 has committed to continue similar programming for after school activities for 2018-2019 school year.  This will be a fee-based system with a  daily cost of $4 per day.  Staff are In discussions with PTOs regarding other programs previously conducted by Youth Connection.  The Board asked several follow-up questions after the presentation.  Questions were raised about changing the program from free to a fee-based program and assurances were made that all students would be welcomed.  The District Angel Fund will also be tapped to continue this programming.

Action Items – all items requiring approval were approved as part of the Consent Agenda. 
 
Adjourned at 8:40 PM
 
OBSERVER:  Rhona DiCamillo