Minutes of The s6

MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT 200 June 11, 2008

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

Date Approved Open to Public Closed to Public ______

An Executive Session of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District 200 was called to order at 9:01 PM by Board President Andy Johnson, on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at the School Service Center, 130 W. Park Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois.

The following were present: Board Members: Andy Johnson Rosemary Swanson John Bomher Ken Knicker Joann Coghill Marie Slater

Absent: Barbara Intihar

Also Present: Dr. Richard W. Drury, Superintendent Dr. Lori Belha, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Bill Farley, Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Dr. Margo Sorrick, Assistant Superintendent for Ed Services

Personnel 5ILCS 120/2(c) Loss of Funding and Effect on Personnel Dr. Drury reported that the district Title I and reading grant funds have been cut by approximately $450,000 for the 2008-09 school year. The district received the notification of the reduction in funds after the cutoff date to eliminate staff. Dr. Sorrick distributed documents that outline how the funds have been spent in prior years. In previous years, District 200 has supplemented the funds if there were shortfalls. Given the current financial status of the district, staff does not feel this is a good option. Mr. Farley distributed documents outlining the financial projections. Mr. Farley stated that the district financial situation is reaching a critical point. The budget cannot afford to keep subsidizing programs that the federal government no longer funds and the monies can no longer come from the general fund. Dr. Drury reported that staff met with the principals on Monday to involve them in brainstorming possible solutions to the situation. Principals were told that they had to live within the means, protect the integrity, look for trade-offs and only consider things that affected their building as they studied the possibilities. One option to be considered was to move the money to the greatest area of need and the second option is find the difference within their own building budget. All thirteen buildings need to look alike in the delivery of the

Closed Session Meeting Minutes – June 11, 2008 Page 21 programs. Dr. Belha stated that there are 80 aides that were released and have not been recalled. Principals do not want to lose their aides. Dr. Belha stated that the district might have to pay attention to hiring practices and not always hire teachers with advanced degrees. However, the district has to pay attention to the highly qualified requirements at the same time. Any cuts or changes in hiring practice could negatively impact AYP. There was a discussion about the benefit of hiring aides versus teachers and the past practice. A Board member suggested that priorities should be examined and, for instance, maybe some of the vending money could be used to fund the shortfall of important initiatives. Dr. Drury reported that the elementary principals met and developed some ideas for funding these remedial programs. On June 16, the Cabinet will be meeting with the elementary principals to hear and discuss their suggestions.

The finance committee will have to look at long range money issues. This is really the tip of the iceberg. District 200 is facing declining enrollment, which will decrease revenue. At the same time, the district is dealing with increases in the ELL and special education population that increase expenditures. There was a discussion about the Ed Fund, and a discussion about when the district might have to seek an Ed Fund referendum.

Administrative, Exempt and BASP Salaries Dr. Belha stated that three meetings ago the Board was presented with a 5% package increase for each of these categories. This would give these employee groups a 4% increase and there would be 1% left to use for salary adjustments. Dr. Belha gave the Board members spreadsheets showing each employee in these categories, their current salary, their proposed salary, and employees being awarded adjustments. No BASP Directors are receiving adjustments this year and the Board was reminded that these salaries come from the profits. There was discussion about the potential for consolidation of some administrative functions in the future to help save money. The Board was in agreement with the salary raises and adjustments as presented and will vote on these changes as part of the Personnel Report at the July 9 meeting. Staff was directed to go ahead and prepare the July 10 payroll with the increases that will be approved on July 9.

Dr. Drury’s salary for next year will receive the same 4% increase as all administrators.

There was discussion about the timeline for announcing two elementary principals retirement for the end of the 2008-09 school year and the timeline for finding their replacements.

Amendment to Dr. Drury’s Contract Dr. Belha presented information relative to the vacation benefits in Dr. Drury’s contract that reflects a discrepancy from what all other Cabinet level employees in the district receive. Dr. Belha reported that she worked with John Relias to correct the situation. The suggested revised wording was distributed to the Board for their review. The Board was in agreement with this revision and will take action on it as part of the Personnel Report at the July 9 Board meeting.

There was a question raised about whether Dr. Drury’s contract is a rolling three year contract or if it is a three year contract that ends in June of 2010. Dr. Belha reported that according to John Relias, the contract is a three year contract that expires June 30, 2010 and requires Board action to extend.

Closed Session Meeting Minutes – June 11, 2008 Page 21 FOIA Request The Board was given a copy of the court document and a summary from John Relias on the recent ruling in the Mark Stern FOIA Request lawsuit for Gary Catalani’s contract. The Board discussed the document and the possible ways the Board could handle this ruling. The Board would like John Relias to provide a timeline and potential cost to pursue the case. President Johnson will contact other groups (i.e. AASA, IASB) that could potentially be affected by the outcome of the case to see if they would be willing to help with the cost. Dr. Drury will talk with the Cabinet members to see what they think the effect would be to the district if the contracts were to be released to the public.

Auditor Issue Board members recently receive correspondence from the auditors due to changes in the law. The changes require the auditor to communicate with the Board regarding financial issues. Part of the law requires an audit committee of two Board members. Members Johnson and Knicker will serve in this capacity. They will be officially appointed at the July 9 meeting.

MOTION There being no further business to come before the Board of Education in Closed Session, Member Johnson moved, Member Bomher seconded to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: AYE 6, NAY 0. The motion carried 6-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 PM

______Barbara Intihar, Secretary Andrew Johnson, President

Closed Session Meeting Minutes – June 11, 2008 Page 21