Kane County Reporter

Aurora East Unified School District 131 School Board Finance/Personnel Committee met June 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Public Comments – None.

Donations – Accepted.

Bond Refinancing Presentation-

Mr. Bob Lewis presented an additional option as a follow-up to the last meeting’s presentation which has the District contributing $4 million with the debt restructuring. Mr. Lewis noted that this could reduce the district’s overall debt service for the future. He noted that late July would be the deadline for determining how much to contribute.

Mr. Lewis also presented a timeline if the District chose to issue Alternate Revenue Bonds. The Committee asked if it would bring the District’s overall bond rating down. Mr. Lewis said it would depend on the amount, but he didn’t believe a $10 million issuance would create a ratings decrease due to our increase in revenues from Evidence Based Funding, that Illinois passed a budget and that we’ve been paying down our debt. Mr. Lewis noted that we can begin the process for issuing these bonds and after we have the authority to issue them, the District will have three years to issue them.

GASB 54 Resolution to Commit Amount for Refinancing-

Ms. Shields noted that there is a process through the Government Accounting Standards Board to formally commit money on the financial statements for the refunding. The Committee was not ready to take action at this time.

Insurance Results/Presentation-

Mr. Stephen Morcos and a team from HUB International presented the insurance pricing they were able to secure for fiscal year 2019 and an option for worker’s compensation through fiscal year 2020. Mr. Morcos noted that our insurable value increased due to the work at the high school. Mr. Morcos also noted that the District needed some increased coverages in certain areas. Overall the rates increased due to these factors, but he anticipates they will remain consistent next year. Mr. Prombo asked if the fees were imbedded in the costs. Mr. Morcos stated that they were, but that he could break them out.

Mr. Schubert asked if HUB would provide trainings related to OSHA. Mr. Morcos stated they offer several trainings as well as a free assessment of the District with the goal being to reduce worker’s compensation claims.

After further discussion, the Committee moved the proposal to the full board.

Sustainability Partners Update-

Ms. Shields noted that Sustainability Partners has begun working with Cordogan Clark and Associates (CCA) on preparing bid documents for the lighting. The Committee asked about the deadlines for the LED lighting rebates. Dr. Schmitt noted that the regular rebates will likely continue through 2020, but nothing official has been released. Currently, the rebates are officially extended through December 31, 2018. Dr. Schmitt has been checking the lights CCA has been proposing and making corrections where needed so that they will qualify for the rebate.

Dr. Schmidt has also been preparing to have energy reports for potential Nicor rebates as well.

Stationary Bid Update-

Ms. Shields updated the committee on the stationary bid. The bid did not specify recycled products; however, the board policy states that when economically feasible, the District will use recycled products. One of the two winning vendors did use recycled paper in their bid and one did not. The Committee decided to move the bid to the full board.

Middle School Classroom Libraries Bid Results-

Ms. Shields presented the classroom library bid results. She noted that the three lowest vendors did not meet the criteria of the bid which was to have title variety that spans multiple grade levels. She also noted this is a Title I purchase. The Committee agreed to move the recommended vendor to the full board.

PE Uniform Recommendation-

Ms. Shields reviewed the memo prepared by Mr. Nestor Garcia, Assistant Director of Athletics and Student Activities. His recommendation is to extend the current bid for an additional year. The price increase cannot exceed the Consumer Price Index – Urban, which is 2.1%. The Committee agreed to move the extension to the full board.

Annual Resolutions-

Ms. Shields noted the next three resolutions were annual housekeeping items. The Committee moved to the full board.

Treasurer Discussion and Related Resolutions-

Mr. Megazzini noted that since Mr. Prombo’s last day at District 131 would be June 29, the Board would need to appoint a new treasurer as there was no recommendation for his replacement as yet. The Committee agreed to appoint Dr. Jennifer Norrell and move the related resolutions to the full board.

Presentation of Department Budgets-

Ms. Shields presented Mr. Tom Jackson’s Public Relations budget. Mr. Jackson eliminated many items that had not been spent in prior years now that he has more experience in the position. Ms. Paula Cardona presented the Central Registration Budget that showed the transition in moving from paper registration to online registration. The Committee moved to the full board.

Review of Revisions to the Following IASB PRESS Policies-

Mr. Megazzini noted that these revisions are primarily revisions to the footnotes and formatting. The Committee moved to the full board.

Review of Revisions to the Following Policies-

Mr. Megazzini noted that the revisions are for making FMLA a rolling 12 month period and updating for concussion protocols.

Request for Overload per Memos-

Mr. Megazzini noted that due to student interest, Cowherd requested an additional Spanish section. East Aurora High School requested overloads for Applied Technology, Science, World Language and Bilingual. Student Services requested the addition of a 1:1 Health Assistant for an incoming student. Pre-school requested an additional 3 Social Workers to stay in compliance with the Pre-school Grant. The Committee was fine with all requests.

Sale of Personal Property – Technology – Move to full board.

New Business-

Dr. Schmitt presented a memo requesting 3 additional case managers for the Supporting East Aurora Victims of Community Violence (SEAVCV) Grant. The Committee moved to the full board.

Closed Session – None.

The meeting adjourned at 7:32 pm.

https://www.d131.org/files/committee-meetings/June%20final%20minutes.pdf