The information below summarizes highlights from the District 38 Board of Education (BOE) meetings. Agendas are posted 48 hours in advance of meetings to the website and Board packets before each meeting and Board minutes once approved. Regular meetings are recorded and posted to the school website within approximately 48 hours for viewing.
Kenilworth School District 38 Board Briefs

Highlights from the Regular Meeting on November 8, 2021
Classified Union Negotiations: Negotiations with the support staff union, which represents some of our 12-month staff and our instructional assistants, began in June, and we are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached. The Board will hold a special meeting on November 22, 2021, where the Board will vote to formally adopt the classified staff collective bargaining agreement. 

Certified Union Negotiations: Negotiations with the teachers’ union (the KEA) began in March and are ongoing. The Board previously announced that the district and the teachers’ union filed a joint request to involve a federal mediator in the negotiations in order to help facilitate our discussions. The mediator has been working with both parties, and the Board is currently waiting for a counterproposal from the KEA, which is expected next week. At that time, the Board will carefully review the proposal and determine the appropriate response. 

First and foremost, it is the Board’s obligation and duty to ensure that our administration can continue to perform its legal, operational, and educational oversight of district activities under a newly ratified contract.  

Additionally, the Board’s proposal to teachers offers a highly competitive economic package (one of the best in the state & commensurate with our township peers). At the board meeting, Board president Evan Lukasik also spotlighted several items that would improve the educational program for both students and teachers, including:
  1. How to provide teachers with regular ongoing professional development during the school day and school year to keep them at the top of their profession.
  2. How to ensure that teachers are available to help students and parents for a specified period of time before and after school.
  3. How to ensure adequate time during the school day for student instruction, planning, and other district priorities.

The Board remains hopeful that we can resolve the outstanding issues and that these discussions and negotiations will result in an agreed upon new collective bargaining agreement. Mr. Lukasik emphasized that board members value and respect the faculty and strive to have a positive work environment for everyone in the schoolhouse, including students, teachers, staff, and administrators. As this process continues, it is the Board’s priority to keep student needs at the forefront of every decision.

During public comment teachers and several parents expressed their disappointment in the failure to reach an agreement The Board shares their disappointment. We continue to honor the negotiations process and hope that the union’s next proposal brings us closer to a mutually beneficial outcome.
Tax Levy: The Board of Education held a Public Hearing for the 2021 Tax Levy. Dr. Bailey presented the 2021 Estimate of Levy. The District will request a 4.96% levy for FY21. The Board will vote to formally adopt the 2021 Tax Levy at the December 13, 2021, regular meeting.  
FY21 Financial Audit: Mr. Joe Troyer from George Roach & Associates, the District’s auditing firm, discussed the FY 21 Financial Audit. The District received a clean audit with no recommendation or findings for improvement. 
Assessment, Data, and MTSS: Dr. Helfand reviewed the Fall Data Assessment and the Multi-Tiered System of Support. The presentation reviewed the academic portion of our instructional program and the process of problem-solving for intervention and enrichment. Similar information will be presented on behavior (December 13) and student services (February 14) at future board meetings. You can watch the 30-minute presentation here (Start at 1:58:28).

The information was presented at a Second Cup of Coffee on the morning of November 9 and at the JSSPVA meeting on November 10. After viewing the presentation, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Helfand or Ms. Donegan with any questions.
Junior Kindergarten Program Fees: The Board unanimously approved the proposed fee per session to remain at $6,000 per student for the 2022-2023 school year. 
Master Facilities Plan (MFP) Update: Frederick Quinn Corporation (FQC) and DLA Architects presented construction documents including an award recommendation letter for pre-purchase mechanical equipment, a budget update, and the bid schedule. 

The Board approved the first bid package for Phase Two of the Master Facilities Project for the pre-purchase mechanical equipment.  
Board of Education Calendar Review:
  • November 22, 2021, Special meeting 
  • December 2, 2021, Building & Finance Committee meeting
  • December 9, 2021, Policy Committee
  • December 13, 2021, Regular Board meeting
Please direct your questions or comments to the Kenilworth School District No. 38 by emailing listen@kenilworth38.org. All messages are sent to the Board of Education members, Superintendent, and the Board of Education Secretary and are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Thank you!
Kenilworth School District No. 38 Board of Education
Responsibility, Kindness, Honesty, Respect