Good News
Principal Walsh led the board and administration in a moment of silence for Kendall Pickering and her father Robert. Following the moment of silence, Walsh introduced student liaison Heather Raslan from Hinsdale Central, who shared her thoughts about Pickering and her impact on the school community. Raslan then invited board members to ask questions about her written report, which included the following information and updates.
- Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South worked together to collect toys for Joey’s Toy Drive.
- Strong Minds Bring Change, a club whose mission is to spread positivity through the school, created a Google form for students to send kind messages to each other.
- The computer science club encouraged students to participate in the International Hour of Code.
- Peer Leadership held a virtual Bingo night on Dec. 10.
- The forensics, chess, Scholastic Bowl and debate clubs participated in virtual competitions and meets.
- The drama club held a virtual performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Dec. 11.
Principal Pokorny Lyp announced this year’s inductees for the Hinsdale South High School Foundation’s Hall of Fame. They included Janai Elysia Brugger ’05, Darius C. Karalis ’70 and Ted G. Jelen ’70. You can access additional information about the inductees by visiting
http://bit.ly/3gUSa82.
After her announcement, Principal Pokorny Lyp introduced student liaison Carson Kotecki from Hinsdale South, who provided the board with the following information and updates from his report.
- Hinsdale South hosted a “Swag Night” for the class of 2025. This gave future Hinsdale South students and their families the opportunity to pick up spirit wear and receive information about the different opportunities and activities offered at the school.
- The speech team placed in several competitions and had numerous individual championships.
- The Breakfast Club, also known as the Student of the Quarter award, honored 17 students this quarter.
- Sophia Schiappa and Rebekah Salvato had their submissions selected for inclusion in the Illinois State Museum's "Share your Story: Illinois in the COVID-19 Pandemic" digital archive, which will be used to help inform future generations about what life was like in Illinois during the current health crisis.
- The Hornet Leadership Board held their annual toy drive where students, teachers, staff and parents donated new toys to Joey’s Toy Drive.
Transition Center Capacity Update
The administration provided the board with an update on the capacity limitations at the Transition Center, which provides life and vocational instruction to young adults with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 22. During this update, the administration:
- Informed the board that, based on the increased interest in our Transition Center services and expected growth in the enrollment for their programs, we need approximately 20,000 square feet to operate efficiently and effectively.
- Reminded the board that our Transition programs are split between two different locations (e.g., the Transition Center and Bank Center), and shared that it would be more ideal for them to be housed in a single location.
- Discussed five potential options that would solve the need for increased space at the Transition Center:
- Renovate the current Transition Center building to meet capacity and space requirements.
- Construct a new building that will serve as a standalone location for all our Transition Center programs.
- Construct a second Transition Center building that will be used in conjunction with the current building.
- Lease and renovate a space that will serve as a second Transition Center building and be used in conjunction with the current building.
- Lease and renovate a space that will serve as a standalone location for all our Transition programs.
Award Bid Packages for Phase 2, Bid Period 3
The board awarded the following bid packages for Phase 2, Bid Period 3.
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Bid alternates HS-2 and HS-5 at Hinsdale South, and HC-3, HC-4, HC-5, HC-6, HC-8 and HC-9 at Hinsdale Central. These bid alternates are included in the bid packages that are recommended for approval.
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Bid Package 33 (Selective Demolition at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Break Thru enterprise for $1,069,800.
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Bid Package 38 (Metal Wall Panels at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Bennett & Brosseau Roofing at Hinsdale Central for $144,613 and Alloy Architectural Solutions at Hinsdale South for $112,800.
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Bid Package 43 (Hard Tile at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Douglas Flooring at Hinsdale Central for $96,000 and Lowery Tile at Hinsdale South for $425,000.
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Bid Package 44 (Acoustical Ceiling/Wall Panels at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Integrated Specialty Contractors at Hinsdale Central for $361,130 and E&K of Chicago at Hinsdale South for $315,200.
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Bid Package 45 (Resilient and Carpet Flooring at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Consolidated Flooring of Chicago at Hinsdale Central for $508,667 and Douglas Flooring at Hinsdale South for $417,000.
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Bid Package 46 (Paint/Coatings at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Ascher Brothers at Hinsdale Central for $168,300 and Oosterbaan Painting at Hinsdale South for $268,400.
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Bid Package 49 (Laboratory Casework at Hinsdale Central) to Harry K. Kloeppel and Associates, Inc. for $38,500.
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Bid Package 51 (Elevators at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Otis Elevators for $304,500.
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Bid Package 58 (Fencing at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Action Fence Contractors, Inc. for $352,960.
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Bid Package 59 (Landscaping at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Breezy Hill Nursery for $357,470.
You can access additional information about the bid packages for Phase 2, Bid Period 3 by visiting
http://bit.ly/3gZ6ZGC.
Approve Contract with Southern Bleacher Company
The board approved a contract with Southern Bleacher Company, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $1,202,380 to complete work on grandstand bleachers at Hinsdale Central and various Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements at Hinsdale South for an amount not to exceed $1,202,380. This work will be completed in conjunction with our Future Ready Facilities plan.
Approve the Allocation of Bond Premium Funds
The board approved the allocation of bond premium funds. The bond premium funds will be used on projects that will most benefit students (e.g., classroom upgrades and unit ventilators). The board discussed the utilization of the bond premium during its meeting on Nov. 19.
Return to School Update
The administration provided the board with an update on the district’s return to school plan. During this update, the administration:
- Reported on the district’s COVID-19 data and let the board and community know that, due to winter break, the district’s COVID-19 dashboard will not be updated until Jan. 8. The zip code metrics will continue to be updated on a daily basis.
- Presented details about how we created the bell schedule for second semester.
- Provided an overview of the lunch schedule and process for second semester. Students who are on campus for in-person instruction will eat lunch on campus once a week.
- Mentioned the need for volunteer lunch duty supervisors. Individuals interested in this opportunity can apply by visiting http://bit.ly/37vPk6n.
- Discussed the shift from six cohorts (groups A, B, C, D, E and R) to four cohorts (groups A, B, E and R). Students and parents/guardians will receive their cohort assignment for second semester on Jan. 5.
- Provided an update on the district’s Zoom protocols for second semester. When students are learning from home, they will be expected to to have their camera turned on and their face visible at all times. We believe this will help increase student engagement and accountability.
- Provided an overview of the calendar revisions for second semester. The calendar revisions were also presented as a separate agenda item later in the meeting.
- Discussed the process and cost of implementing a saliva-based COVID-19 diagnostic test for students and staff, as well as the formation of a task force to assist with this initiative.
You can access the presentation that was given during the meeting by visiting
http://bit.ly/3p5vULC and the update from Superintend Prentiss that was emailed to students, staff, families and community members today (Dec. 18), by visiting
https://conta.cc/3apIocE.
Committee Reports
Members of the Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee provided the board with a report from their meeting on Nov. 19. During this meeting, the committee discussed:
- The benefits and challenges of an 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. bell schedule.
- Zoom protocols and student engagement.
- Opportunities for students who are struggling academically.
- Fairness and equity in grading practices.
Members of the Human Resources Committee provided the board with a report from their meeting on Dec. 1. During the meeting, the committee discussed:
- Staffing for second semester.
- The process for hiring a chief human resources officer.
Members of the Policy Committee provided the board with a report from the meeting on Dec. 7. During the meeting, the committee discussed:
- Recommendations for policies pertaining to public comment.
- The process for maintaining alignment between the student handbooks and policy manual.
- The administrative procedures that support policy 2:240 (Board Policy Development).
- Policy revisions presented by PRESS.
Members of the Finance Committee provided the board with a report from their meeting on Dec. 9. During the meeting, the committee discussed:
- Contract renewals for Quest, the district’s food service provider, GSF, the district’s cleaning service, and Wipfli, the district’s auditors.
- The financial forecast for Illinois that was released in November.
- The capacity concerns and space solves for the Transition Center.
- Saliva-based COVID-19 diagnostic testing for students and staff.
Policies for First Read
The board conducted a first reading of policies 2:240 (Administrative Procedures), 6:300 (Graduation Requirements), 6:310 (High School Credit for non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students) and 4:90 (Student Activity and Fiduciary Funds). Let’s provide a link to the agenda item if there are documents available for people to read.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The consent agenda includes personnel, stipends, board bills and meeting minutes. Please visit
http://bit.ly/3ajwS2r to access the consent agenda items beginning under number nine.
Adopt the 2020 Levy
The board voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the final aggregate tax levy for 2020 in the amount of $87,789,541. This does not include debt service levies on existing district bonds, which total $12,149,694. Per policy 4:10 (Fiscal and Business Management), the administration presented the estimated tax levy during its meeting on Nov. 19.
Approve Resignation Agreement
The board approved a resignation agreement with a tenured teacher.
Board President’s Report
Board President Camden mentioned that the board approved multi-year contracts for administrators in an effort to maintain stability and continue educational excellence. President Camden also thanked the staff, administration and students for their hard work and effort this semester.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Prentiss shared her gratitude for the opportunity and ability to participate in several student leadership meetings. She also thanked the District 86 staff and administration for their continued work to ensure the educational needs of our students are being met.
2020-21 School Calendar Updates
The administration presented the board with the following changes to the 2020-21 school calendar.
- Jan. 4 will be converted from an institute day to a remote learning planning day.
- Jan. 5, which was supposed to be the start of second semester, will become a remote learning planning day.
- Jan. 6 will be converted from a COVID-19 remote learning day to an institute day.
- Jan. 7 will be the first day of second semester (i.e., students will return from winter break and attend their classes remotely).
- Jan. 20, Feb. 17 and Feb. 24 will be converted from remote learning days to in-person instruction days.
Summer School Program Update
The administration provided the board with an update on the district’s summer school program. This update included information about:
- The logistics and rational for a virtual summer school program.
- The additions and revisions to the summer school program of studies that will be presented to the board for approval at its meeting in January.
- The overall budget for the summer school program.
Financial and Treasury Reports
Per its regular cadence of reporting, the administration provided the board with the treasury and financial reports for November 2020. Let’s provide the links to the reports.
FOIA Requests
The board received information about the FOIA requests that have been processed since its last regular action meeting. This information included the names or titles of the individuals and departments who helped respond to the requests, a summary of the records that were requested and who asked for them, and trend data about the number of requests that have been processed and the legal fees the district has incurred in responding to them.
Operational Calendar and Future Agenda Items
The board reviewed and discussed its operational calendar for the year and possible agenda items for future meetings. You can access additional information about this agenda item by visiting
https://bit.ly/2H0UI71.
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. You can access the video of the meeting by visiting
http://bit.ly/2Wq558s.
