Good News
Principal Walsh introduced student liaison Heather Raslan from Hinsdale Central, who provided the board with the following information and updates from her report.
- Students showed their gratitude for their teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.
- The Devils’ Advocate released its fall newsmagazine.
- The Model United Nations held a virtual mock conference on Oct. 24.
- The CARE club sponsored a cat food drive.
- The girls tennis and swimming and diving teams won Sectionals.
- The boys cross country team placed fifth at Sectionals and sophomore Dan Watcke took second overall.
- Several clubs have been holding fundraisers to raise money for their organizations.
Principal Pokorny Lyp introduced student liaison Carson Kotecki from Hinsdale South, who provided the board with the following information and updates from his report.
- The theatre department presented a radio play of “The Wizard of OZ” on Oct. 30.
- Students are enjoying the free grab-and-go lunches that are available at the end of the school day.
- Nine seniors were named to the “Wall of Fame” for their exceptional academic achievements.
- Cross country runners Yuliya Drabchuck, Adam Fournier, Elena Garcia, Charlotte Old and Julian Watson were named All-Conference.
- Bryn Larson and Lexi Smith from the girls swimming and diving team were named All-Conference.
- The Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) named 14 Hinsdale South students All-District.
- Senior Dylan Davis was selected for the College Board's National African American Recognition Program.
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Andy Mace from Wipfli (formally Klein Hall CPAs) provided the board with the district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year-end 2020. You can access the district’s annual financial reports by visiting
https://bit.ly/35NzFyl.
Bond Premium Discussion
Per the Finance Committee’s recommendation, the board discussed the allocation of bond premium funds now that the third and final referendum bond sale is complete. The board recommended that the funds be used on projects that will benefit students the most (e.g., classroom upgrades). The board will consider approving the allocation of bond premium funds at its meeting in December.
Award a Bid for Asbestos Abatement Removal
The board awarded Bid 21-002 (Asbestos Abatement Removal Services) to EHC Industries for a total cost not to exceed $58,600. On Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, the district placed a legal ad in the Pioneer Doings and received nine submissions. EHC Industries was the lowest responsive bidder.
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-1, HS-2, HS-4, HS-5 and HS-6 at Hinsdale South, and HC-1, HC-2, HC-3, HC-4, HC-5, HC-6, HC-8, HC-9 and HC-10 at Hinsdale Central. These bid alternates are included in the bid packages that are recommended for approval.
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Bid Package 34 (Cast-in-Place Concrete at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to TOR Construction for $1,581,000.
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Bid Package 35 (Masonry Concrete at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to A-One Group at Hinsdale Central for $1,519,700 and Midwest Masonry at Hinsdale South for $1,834,600.
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Bid Package 36 (Structural Steel/Miscellaneous Metal at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to K&K Ironworks at Hinsdale Central for $897,500 and TA Bowman Constructors, LLC at Hinsdale South for $1,077,000.
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Bid Package 37 (General Trades at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Hargrave Builders for $2,869,020.
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Bid Package 39 (Roofing and Sheet Metal at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to G.E. Riddiford Roofing Company at Hinsdale Central for $1,684,655 and DCG Roofing Solutions at Hinsdale South for $3,795,700.
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Bid Package 41 (Glass and Glazing at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Northern Glass, Inc. at Hinsdale Central for $898,000 and 3F Corporation at Hinsdale South for $462,300.
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Bid Package 42 (Drywall and Rough Carpentry at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to OPC Construction at Hinsdale Central for $1,029,030 and L.J. Morse Construction Company at Hinsdale South for $745,699.
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Bid Package 47 (Food Service Equipment at Hinsdale South) to TriMark Marlinn for $566,211.
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Bid Package 48 (Manufactured and Music Casework at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Hargrave Builders for $346,320.
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Bid Package 50 (Pool Equipment and Structure at Hinsdale South) to Stuckey Construction Company, Inc. for $1,597,000.
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Bid Package 53 (Plumbing at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Commercial Mechanical, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $1,327,000.
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Bid Package 54 (HVAC and Temperature Controls at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Sherman Mechanical, Inc. at Hinsdale Central for $2,827,250 and Air Design Systems, Inc. at Hinsdale South for $2,876,250.
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Bid Package 55 (Electrical at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Fitzgeralds Electrical Contracting, Inc. at Hinsdale Central for $2,748,220 and Vader National Electric at Hinsdale South for $2,672,850.
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Bid Package 56 (Excavation at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Alessio & Sons Company at Hinsdale Central for $1,014,950 and Berger Excavating at Hinsdale South for $764,700.
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Bid Package 57 (Asphalt and Concrete Paving at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Schroeder Asphalt Services at Hinsdale Central for $879,031 and Abbey Paving Company at Hinsdale South for $432,245.
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Bid Package 60 (Site Utilities at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South) to Berger Excavating at Hinsdale Central for $496,000 and Alessio & Sons Company at Hinsdale South for $330,200.
There are additional bid packages from Phase 2, Bid Period 3 that require a scope review. After this review is performed, the board will consider awarding these packages during its meeting on Dec. 17.
You can access additional information about the bid packages for Phase 2, Bid Period 3 by visiting
https://bit.ly/36RlHL3.
Return to School Update
The administration presented the board with an update on the district’s return to school plan. During this update, the administration:
- Provided the board with information about changes to the student cohorts, and specifically noted an increase in students requesting remote learning.
- Gave an overview of the district’s COVID-19 metrics, which included:
- The seven-day and 14-day rolling average positivity rates for the communities that we serve.
- The total number of students and staff that have tested positive, are in isolation and are in quarantine due to COVID-19.
- Teacher and paraprofessional attendance information from Oct. 1 to Nov. 17.
- The number of line of sight personnel needed due to approved accommodations.
- The number of line of sight personnel needed for COVID-related reasons.
- Provided an overview of the recommended bell schedule for second semester, which was developed, in large part, based on input we received from the Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee, the Recovery-Revitalization-Restore Committee and the feedback survey we administered to students the week of Nov. 9. Below is the information that was shared in conjunction with the recommendation:
- The focus on the priorities of instructional time, health and safety, collaboration and interventions.
- Feedback from students about schedule format (i.e., a traditional bell schedule versus a block schedule), the Wednesday remote learning day and eating lunch on campus during in-person instruction..
- Potential bell schedule for second semester that features an increase in the instructional time for each class from 65 minutes to 75 minutes, keeps the current Wednesday remote learning schedule, allows students to eat lunch on campus twice a week and has built-in intervention times. The administration also shared a version of the schedule we would use if we have to be fully remote or could not offer in-person lunch service. The amount of instructional time offered would remain the same. However, if we are operating in a hybrid model with this schedule, period 10 would always be remote on Tuesday and Friday. In addition, students would receive a grab-and-go lunch four days a week (Wednesday would be a remote learning day for everyone).
During the board meeting, the administration proposed a two-week pause on in-person instruction that was based on concerns about the recent increase in staff absences, the availability of substitute teachers and our ability to maintain a continuity of instruction. The board had a lengthy discussion about the proposal, and ultimately voted 4-3 to remain in our current hybrid model because of the academic, social and emotional benefits that students derive from being in our buildings.
You can access the presentation that was given during the meeting by visiting
https://bit.ly/3kRUeOp and the update from Superintend Prentiss that was emailed to students, staff, families and community members today (Nov. 20), by visiting
https://conta.cc/3fjnlsD.
Committee Reports
Members of the joint Facilities and special committee provided the board with a report from their meeting on Nov. 13. During this meeting, the committee discussed:
- The bid packages for Phase 2, Bid Period 3.
- The overall referendum project financials, which are currently .53% (more than $770,00) under budget.
- The status of the remaining Phase 1 projects (e.g., pool construction, the building and grounds addition, etc.)
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The consent agenda includes personnel, stipends, board bills and meeting minutes. Please visit
https://bit.ly/2IQJnY3 to access the consent agenda items beginning under number nine.
Adopt a Resolution for the Treatment of Closed Session Meeting Minutes
The board adopted a resolution for the treatment of closed session minutes. This resolution was reviewed and discussed by the board during its meeting on Oct. 29.
Adopt a Resolution Estimating the Aggregate Levy for 2020
The board adopted a resolution estimating the aggregate levy for 2020. Pursuant to policy 4:10 (Fiscal and Business Management), the administration presented the board with the estimated tax levy on Oct. 29. Since the estimated aggregate levy shows a year-over-year change of less than 105%, no Truth in Taxation hearing was required.
Approve the Program of Studies for the 2021-22 School Year
The board approved the Program of Studies for the 2021-22 school year, which includes changes to course fees. The board reviewed and discussed the proposed changes during its meeting on Oct. 29.
Approve Director of Operations Contract
The board approved a one-year contract for Jason Oskorep at an annual base salary of $125,000.
Approve Superintendent Contract
The board unanimously approved a three-year contract extension for Superintendent Tammy Prentiss. You can access additional information about the extension by visiting
https://bit.ly/2IRr1pS.
Board President’s Report
There was no Board President’s Report for this meeting.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Tammy Prentiss started her report by thanking everyone that she works with for their continued support.
Superintendent Prentiss noted that, due to the current pandemic, the Illinois State Board of Education extended the deadline for schools to submit their enrollment data. She highlighted that the multiple pathways and opportunities the district provides for learning (e.g., the Transition Center, Technology Center of DuPage, English Language Learners program, HAVEN program, etc.), impacts certain metrics calculated by the state (e.g., graduation rates, post-secondary enrollment, etc.).
Superintendent Prentiss also shared that:
- The district will be surveying all our parents/guardians on our return to school plan for second semester.
- It is American Education Week and thanked all our teachers and staff for their continued support of our schools and the students we serve.
- The Culture and Equity Leadership Team (CELT) continues to meet regularly and is currently drafting a district equity statement.
- The Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee (PTAC) met on Nov. 19 to talk about the district’s return to school plan for second semester. Prentiss thanked the students, parents/guardians, teachers, staff and community members for their participation on this important committee.
Financial and Treasury Reports
Per its regular cadence of reporting, the administration provided the board with the treasury and financial reports for October 2020.
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.
