South West Illinois News

Aledo Community Unit School District 201 Board met April 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER 

On April 9, 2024, at 6:03 p.m. President Hoover called to order the regular meeting of the Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education.

Roll Call 

Members Present: Adina Hoover, Whitney Rogers, Jessica Radogno, Carlos Hevia, Kevin Marren Leah Conover arrived at 6:12 p.m.

Anglea Steketee arrived at 7:05 p.m.

Also present: Superintendent Jack Baldermann, Business Manager, Anthony Ruelli, the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant, Shannon Cossairt.

Pledge of Allegiance 

Adina Hoover led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

CLOSED SESSION 

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Mr. Marren, to enter closed session to discuss personnel issues and student discipline.

Ayes: Marren, Radogno, Hevia, Rogers, Hoover

Nays: None.

Motion Carries.

The Board entered closed session at 6:04 p.m.

The Board returned to open session at 7:05 p.m.

Angela Steketee entered the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

March 19, 2024 

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Rogers, to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Marren, Radogno, Hevia, Conover, Rogers, Steketee, Hoover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

March 19, 2024 - Closed 

Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the March 19, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Marren, Radogno, Hevia, Conover, Rogers, Steketee, Hoover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

April 2, 2024 - Special Meeting 

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2024, special meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Marren, Radogno, Hevia, Conover, Rogers, Steketee, Hoover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Patty Dieball-Ponce gave public comment.

CONSENT AGENDA 

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the consent agenda as presented:

1. Personnel Recommendations:

a. Brian Dunne, Athletic Director, Westmont High School

b. Dave Knecht, Track Volunteer, Westmont High School

c. Resignations

d. Retirement

2. Approval of DAOES Representative

3. Student Tour Requests

Ayes: Radogno, Hevia, Conover, Rogers, Steketee, Hoover, Marren

Nays: None.

Motion carried.

INFORMATION and DISCUSSION

RFQ for Architect Presentations 

Two architect firms spoke to the Board about their companies in regards to the RFQ for Architect. 

Rob Wroble, Kelsey Jordan and Robin Randall presented to the Board on behalf of Leget. Leget is a local firm and the representatives discussed how they could best serve CUSD 201.

They gave background on the company and how they would be able to serve CUSD 201 if they are picked as the architects.

Alyson Sternquist and Mike Benz presented to the Board on behalf of FGM Architects. FGM is a local firm and the representatives discussed how they could best serve CUSD 201. They gave background on the company and how they would be able to serve CUSD 201 if they are picked as the architects.

The Board will vote on the architects at the April 23, 2024 meeting.

Summer School 2024 

Dr. Carla Braun gave the Board a description of the summer school programs the District will be offering this summer. The Board will approve Summer School at the April 23, 2024 Board meeting.

WJHS Electives 

During the 2024-2025 school year Westmont Junior High will begin to order Spanish courses at the 6th grade level. This course, if elected, will be in addition to the social studies course. The electives are intended to strengthen the acquisition process.

CLEAR 

At the March meeting, Business Manager Anthony Ruelli, presented to the Board information on the CLEAR product. At the meeting later this evening the Board will be presented with the approval to vote on. CLEAR is a residency verification software which will help the District determine families who may not live within the District boundaries.

Student Fees 

Anthony Ruelli, Business Manager, gave the Board an update on student fees for this past year and for next year. At this time the District is still collecting fees from students and currently has $138k in uncollected fees. The District did try using payment plans last year, but many families have defaulted. Currently the District is sending notices to families monthly regarding unpaid fees. In regards to the fees for the 2024-2025 school year, Mr. Ruelli recommends no increase in fees and that the District not charge for transportation.

The 2024-2025 school fees will be presented at the April 23, 2024, meeting for approval.

Sunrise Contract 

Mr. Ruelli, gives a brief recap of the Sunrise contract that will be presented for approval later in the meeting. The one year extension will have an increase of 5%.

Westway Contract Mr. Ruelli, gave a brief recap of the Westway contract which will be presented for approval later in the meeting. The contract will be a 2 year extension. Per school code after the next two years, the District will have to go out to bid.

Crown Castle Contract 

Mr. Ruelli explained to the Board the agreement the District has with Crown Castle and its usage of a cell tower on District property.

Currently we receive payment for the usage. The new contract will extend to 2061 and allow for a 3% annual increase and 15% revenue share with any new tenants Crown Castle takes on.

Currently, T-Mobile is their client using the tower. There is also a $10 signing bonus. The Board will be presented with the contract at the April 23, 2024 meeting.

Verifent 

All Districts in the state of Illinois, must follow and adhere to school code regarding Faith’s Law for all new hires. Currently, most districts are using Verifent as a way of tracking the required documents to adhere to the law. The District would like to go ahead and subscribe to the product. The Board will be presented with the contract for approval at the April 23, 2024, Board meeting.

ACTION ITEMS

Approval of Contract for CLEAR

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr. Heiva, to approve the  contract for the CLEAR product through Thomson Reuters, as presented.

Ayes: Hevia, Conover, Rogers, Steketee, Hoover, Marren, Radogno

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

Approval of Westway Contract 

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the contract with Westway for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school year, as presented.

Ayes: Conover, Rogers, Steketee, Hoover, Marren, Radogno, Hevia

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

Approval of Sunrise Contract 

Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the Amendment of Special Education Student Transportation SErvices and Transportation Contract with Sunrise to extend the contract to be in effect from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, as presented.

Ayes: Rogers, Steketee, Hoover, Marren, Radogno, Hevia, Conover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Communication 

Superintendent Baldermann would like to thank everyone who participated in International Night. Westmont Junior High is hosting their musical this weekend, everyone is invited to attend.

Superintendent Baldermann would like to remind everyone that we are in the homestretch of the school year. We need students in school to finish strong. He would also like to remind everyone there will be a student presentation at the April 16, 2024 PR/Strategic Plan Committee meeting.

FOIA Request 

FOIA Requests are attached in BoardDocs.

Update Board Meeting Time 

The meeting on April 23, 2024 will start at 6:30 p.m. There will be a Facility Planning Committee starting at 5:30 p.m.

BOARD REPORTS 

Board is working on a Superintendent Evaluation tool. At the next Board meeting the Board will be electing officers. The Board would also like to thank everyone for International Night.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

No public comment at this time.

FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS 

Family Literacy Night

April 10, 6:00 p.m.

Manning

WJHS 5th Grade Step Up Night

April 10, 6:30 p.m.

WJHS

WJHS Musical

April 12, 7:00 p.m.

April 13, 2:00 p.m.

WJHS

PR Committee Meeting

April 16, 6:00 p.m.

South School

Institute Day - No Student Attendance

April 17, 2024

Facility Planning Committee

April 23, 5:30 p.m.

Village Hall

CUSD 201 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

April 23, 6:30 p.m.

Village Hall

CLOSED SESSION 

Not needed at this time.

COMMUNICATIONS 

None at this time.

ADJOURNMENT 

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr. Marren, to adjourn the April 9, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 8:36 p.m.

Motion unanimously passed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd201/Board.nsf/files/D4GMKV5BAC38/$file/4.9.24%20Regular%20Minutes.pdf