South West Illinois News

Addison School District 4 Board of Education met Feb. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of February 28, 2024 held at the Indian Trail Junior High School Board Room.

President Williams called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Roll call showed the following individuals:

PRESENT: Bollig, Castillo, Frangidakis, Lange, Ruffolo, Triantafillos, Williams

ABSENT: None

A quorum was declared present.

Dr. Lohse led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion #1: Approval of Minutes

Motion by Mr. Ruffolo, second by Mr. Lange to approve the Minutes of the Regular Session meetings of January 31, 2024, and the Closed Session Meeting on February 22, 2024, as presented.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Bollig, Castillo, Frangidakis, Lange, Ruffolo, Triantafillos, Williams

ABSENT: None

NAY: None…Motion #1 Carried.

Motion #2: Approval of Accounts Payable for the Month of February 2024 & Amended Treasurer’s Reports for September-November 2023

Motion by Mr. Ruffolo, second by Mr. Lange to approve the Accounts Payable for February 2024 and Amended Treasurer’s Reports for September-November 2023, as follows: Educational Fund $ 1,023,121.66

Operations & Maintenance Fund $ 102,887.73

Debt Fund $ 0.00

Transportation Fund $ 123,227.29

Capital Projects Fund $ 16,861.26

Working Cash Fund $ 0.00

Student Activity $ 10,396.89

Total $ 1,276,494.83

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Castillo, Frangidakis, Lange, Ruffolo, Triantafillos, Williams, Bollig

ABSENT: None

NAY: None…Motion #2 Carried.

Motion #3: Approval of Payroll for the Month of January 2024

Motion by Ms. Bollig, second by Mr. Frangidakis to approve the Payroll for January 2024, as follows:

Education Fund $ 3,705,887.54

Building Fund $ 54,919.33

Transportation Fund $ 8,194.43

IMRF/SS Fund $ 90,393.10

Total $ 3,859,394.40

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Frangidakis, Lange, Ruffolo, Triantafillos, Williams, Bollig, Castillo

ABSENT: None

NAY: None…Motion #3 Carried.

Communications/Public Participation on Agenda Items: None

Committee Reports:

• Dr. Sutton reported on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting of February 5, 2024, where the following was discussed:

o We discussed and examined the data from previous meetings. The overwhelming majority identified communication as an area for growth. As such, we will be using this feedback to identify targets and direction as we move forward.

• Mr. Castillo gave the Board information on the recent Intergovernmental meeting of February 8, 2024:

o The Addison Fire Department will be hosting Sound the Alarm and will be installing free smoke alarms.

o The Addison Public Library is preparing for the solar eclipse in April.

o District 88 is hosting a pickleball tournament.

o The Park District is working on a walking path and their parks.

• Mr. Ruffolo reported on the Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting of February 21, 2024, where the following was discussed:

o Mrs. Morgese discussed that Summer 2024 construction will begin at Fullerton during Spring Break on the innovation center. They have the boxes to pack up the books and offices. Stone will be getting the boxes in April to pack up their Innovation Center and Offices in the area.

o The construction team discussed with the Buildings and Grounds Committee the Schematic Design estimate for the summer 2025 work. We discussed doing the Innovation Center, Gym Flooring, and Entrance at Wesley and HVAC at Lincoln. We will be bringing this to the March board meeting for approval.

o The committee also discussed crosswalks, crossing guards, our badging system, and storage for our snow removal equipment.

• Mr. Frangidakisreported on the Technology Audit Committee meeting of February 22, 2024, where the following was discussed:

o The committee completed final round interviews for the Director of Technology position and provided their feedback to administration.

• Mr. Williams reported on the Legislative Education Network of DuPage (LEND) meeting of February 23, 2024, where the following was discussed:

o The majority of the bills discussed were focused on high schools.

o There is a proposed bill that would have new bills address the financial and operational impact that they are proposing.

o The Governer’s budget was also discussed as well as new arrivals and allocating resources.

Administrative Reports

Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Sutton reported on the following:

• Addison School District #4 has partnered with the DuPage IASA branch to offer upcoming “Coaching for Leaders” training to be held here at our District. This is a popular, statewide professional development opportunity aimed at improving leadership and communication skills.

• The Illinois Assessment of Readiness testing is upcoming soon in April. We have done a lot of purposeful and focused work on curriculum and instructional practices, and we are excited to see some of this impact with the results on this assessment.

• I have discovered it has been a long time since there was a thorough analysis of our procedures and fees relative to outside entities utilizing our facilities in some capacity through a rental agreement. I want to ensure we are responsive and serving to our community, while being mindful of fees and school campus safety.

• Now that the Board has recently acted to modify the elementary school boundaries for the upcoming school year, I want to be responsive and forward thinking on how that effects crosswalks and use of crossing guards. I am going to task individuals in the business and Facilities Department to work with the company we utilize for this service to look at what modifications need consideration for the safety of our students.

• We have received one Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request and Dr. Lohse has responded.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Report – Mrs. Morgese reported on the following: 

• Summer 2024 and 2025 projects were discussed during the Buildings & Grounds Committee report.

• We are still in negotiations with First Student. It looks like our renewal will be coming in anywhere from 9.5-9.9%. It is less than what other surrounding school districts are seeing in renewal rates.

• The food service RFP will go out to Vendors on February 28th. The RFPs will be due April 15th.

Mr. Castillo asked if First Student is aware of the new boundary changes, and they are. Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Report – Dr. Purse reported on the following:

• This Friday is the DuPage Countywide Institute Day. Staff members were allowed to choose which session they would attend. All of our staff have successfully registered for sessions aligned with their job roles and responsibilities.

• We are nearing the end of the ACCESS testing window. I wanted to acknowledge our English Language Resource teachers and administrators for organizing the administration of this important assessment. The ACCESS test consists of 4 sessions (Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing). At Indian Trail, more than 500 students sat for the ACCESS test. Thank you to all the staff who supported these efforts.

• Each year we collect important information from stakeholders on 5 indicators that lead to improved outcomes for all students. The 5Essentials Survey is open for students, teachers, and families to complete until March 29th. School Improvement Leadership Teams will use this information in June when setting goals and targeting areas for improvement. 

• Registration for incoming kindergartners, as well as returning students, opens on Monday, March 4th. Families need to register their children online in Skyward. We encourage families to register as soon as they are able so we can plan for the upcoming school year. Having accurate enrollment data impacts staffing, curriculum ordering, transportation, and other support services. As a reminder, our Skyward system will shut down on May 16th so we can roll over to the new platform called Qmlativ. Once we roll over the interface will look different.

• Trimester 2 Student Learning Profiles (SLP) were issued on Tuesday. Teachers will hold conferences tomorrow for select students where additional communication is needed to support their educational programming. Parents or guardians are encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher by email should they have any questions about their child’s progress.

• ISBE recently published the final version of the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan (ICLP). This new plan will act as a roadmap to enhance and unify core literacy instruction efforts statewide. Here in D4, we will look at the components to help us identify our strengths and areas for growth regarding literacy instruction. The next step will be to work with administration and teacher leaders to review the plan. We will continue to keep the board updated on our progress.

Motion #4: Approval of Personnel Report

Motion by Mr. Ruffolo, second by Mr. Triantafillos to approve the Personnel Report for the following:

LICENSED STAFF - RESIGNATION

Yamilette Sosa Effective Date: 06/28/2024 

Position: Director of Biliteracy School: District Office

Iris Velazquez Effective Date: 03/15/2024 

Position: Dual Language Teacher School: Indian Trail

ESP STAFF – REHIRE

Arlene Barraza Effective Date: 02/06/2024

Position: Intervention Paraeducator School: Lincoln

ESP STAFF – EMPLOYMENT

Andrea Barbosa Cuenca Effective Date: 02/13/2024 

Position: Special Ed Paraeducator School: Army Trail

Jeffrey Cowart Effective Date: 03/11/2024 

Position: Director of Technology School: District Office

Samantha Hernadez Effective Date: 02/12/2024 

Position: District Records and Human Resources Secretary School: District Office

Umida Juraeva Effective Date: 02/14/2024 

Position: Special Ed Paraeducator School: Indian Trail

Daniela Macias Effective Date: 02/20/2024 

Position: Special Ed Paraeducator School: Lake Park

Jennifer Perez Effective Date: 02/05/2024 

Position: Special Ed Paraeducator School: Wesley

Marie Towns Effective Date: 02/12/2024 

Position: Director of Communications and Community Engagement School: District Office

Mari Varela Effective Date: 02/05/2024 

Position: Nurse School: Lake Park

ESP STAFF – RESIGNATION

Jacqueline Cantoral Effective Date: 02/16/2024 

Position: District Records and HR Secretary School: District Office

Yanila Martinez Effective Date: 02/23/2024

 Position: School Nurse School: Stone

Betzaida Reyes-Vera Effective Date: 02/16/2024 

Position: Special Ed Paraeducator School: Army Trail

Lina Wert Effective Date: 02/09/2024 

Position: Greeter School: Indian Trail

LEAVE OF ABSENCE-LICENSED STAFF

Luz Chavez Dates: 01/03/2024-03/22/2024 

Position: Dual Language Kindergarten School: Lake Park

Joseph Dovidio Dates: 02/23/2024-03/08/2024 

Position: ED/BD School: Indian Trail

Stephanie McGarry Dates: 01/29/2024-04/29/2024 

Position: LD Resource School: Lincoln

AJ Steed Dates: 01/22/2024-03/01/2024 

Position: Social Worker School: Lake Park

LEAVE OF ABSENCE-ESP STAFF

Michelle Barry Dates: 02/15/2024-05/09/2024 

Position: Paraeducator School: Fullerton

Yaret Benitez Dates: 01/08/2024-04/09/2024 

Position: Paraeducator School: ELC

Melisa Lee Dates: 01/29/2024-04/19/2024 

Position: School Nurse School: Indian Trail

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Lange, Ruffolo, Triantafillos, Williams, Bollig, Castillo, Frangidakis

ABSENT: None

NAY: None…Motion #4 Carried.

Motion #5: Approval of the Formation of the Concussion Oversight Team Motion by Mr. Lange, second by Mr. Frangidakis to approve the Formation of the Concussion of the Oversight Team, as presented.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Ruffolo, Triantafillos, Williams, Bollig, Castillo, Frangidakis, Lange

ABSENT: None

NAY: None…Motion #5 Carried.

Motion #6: Authorization to Begin Tentative Budget Process

Motion by Mr. Ruffolo, second by Mr. Lange to authorize the Assistant Superintendent of Business to begin the tentative budget process for FY2025, as presented.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Triantafillos, Williams, Bollig, Castillo, Frangidakis, Lange, Ruffolo

ABSENT: None

NAY: None…Motion #6 Carried.

Motion #7: Approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Addison for School Resource Officer Services

Motion by Ms. Bollig, second by Mr. Ruffolo to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Addison for School Resource Officer Services, as presented.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Williams, Bollig, Castillo, Frangidakis, Lange, Ruffolo, Triantafillos

ABSENT: None

NAY: None…Motion #7 Carried.

Motion #8: Approval of Board Committee Assignments

Motion by Mr. Ruffolo, second by Mr. Frangidakis to approve the Board Committee Assignments, as presented.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Bollig, Castillo, Frangidakis, Lange, Ruffolo, Triantafillos, Williams

ABSENT: None

NAY: None…Motion #8 Carried.

Discussion Items:

• The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting will be Wednesday, March 20, 2024, and will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of Indian Trail Junior High School.

• The ACPTA Science Night will be on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 6:00-8:30pm at Indian Trail Jr. High School.

• Dr. Lohse shared on update on Kindergarten and Returning Student Registration for 2024- 2025.

• The Board of Education is reviewing the proposed Board Meeting dates for 2024-2025 and will take action on this item during the March 20, 2024, meeting.

• There were no communications to and from the Board according to board policy 2:140. 

Communication/Public Participation of Non-Agenda Items: None

Miscellaneous/Unfinished Business: None

Motion #9: Motion to Adjourn

Motion by Ms. Bollig, second by Mr. Frangidakis to adjourn the Wednesday, February 28, 2024 Board of Education meeting.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Castillo, Frangidakis, Lange, Ruffolo, Triantafillos, Williams, Bollig

ABSENT: None

NAY: None…Motion #9 Carried.

The regular Board of Education meeting adjourned at 6:32p.m.