Recap of September 14 Board Meeting
Posted on 09/15/2021
Special Presentations
Representatives from the Waukegan Historical Society gave a brief presentation updating the Board of the progress of placing a Historical Marker at Whittier Elementary School.
Action Items
-The Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of new athletic uniforms for John R. Lewis and Edith Smith Middle School students. The total cost is $53,503. Due to the renaming of Jefferson and Webster Middle Schools to John R. Lewis and Edith Smith Middle School, the athletic uniforms will have to be updated as well to reflect the change.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the agreement with the YWCA to provide bus transportation for the YWCA's before and after school activities and learning program.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the Ombudsman Plus Program three-year contract for school years 2022-2024 for a total of $1,754,790.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the settlement agreement in the case of Davis v. Board of Education of Waukegan CUSD 60 at a cost of $65,000.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the first finalized Statement of Work for mechanical improvements at multiple school locations as identified in the proposal attached to this agenda item. This first Statement of Work is 17% of the total gross maximum price, $10,757,815, which was approved at the June 22, 2021 Board meeting and includes mechanical work to be completed at Clearview Elementary, Andrew Cooke Magnet, Lyon Magnet, and Carman-Buckner Elementary.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the order of 1,642 custom spirit wear items for Waukegan Public Schools staff from Waukegan-based American Outfitters in the amount not to exceed $42,861. To kick off the 2021-2022 school year, all staff were given the opportunity to order one custom spirit wear item to help show off their Waukegan Public Schools pride. Staff had the choice of various WPS60-branded items, including t-shirts, baseball tees, hooded sweatshirts, vests, fleece jackets, 1/4 zip shirts, polos, hats and backpacks, all in a variety of colors. During a two-week period 1,642 staff members placed their orders through American Outfitters' website.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the Release of Indemnification in the case of Barnes v. Waukegan CUSD 60. There is no fiscal impact. This release of indemnification resolves litigation between the District and Safeway regarding a contractual obligation for indemnification arising out of a complaint alleging negligence associated with a bus issue. The defendants deny the allegations in the underlying case, and the District resolved its involvement in the underlying litigation. This agreement resolves the District's counterclaim for indemnification, covering the District's costs of settlement and defense.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the engagement of Hodges Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn, to defend the District in a special education due process case in the amount of $30,000.
Personnel Items
-The Board of Education voted to approve the appointments, resignations and retirements of 74 employees, including the appointment of Mr. Clarence Berry, as Area Superintendent for Area 1.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the attendance at the National Alliance of Black School Educators' 49th Annual Conferences in Los Angeles, CA on November 10-14, 2021 for the following individuals: Ms. Anita Hanna, Ms. Cretia Rasul and Ms. Tasia Fields. The estimated cost for each individual is $2,500, which includes; Registration, Travel, Hotel Accommodations, and Per Diem.
-The Board of Education voted to approve Ms.Tasia Fields, Director of Equity and Inclusion, to attend the Culturally Responsive Institute: Reimagining Leadership and Learning from the Ground Up. This 6-session professional development will be held virtually or in-person on September 21, October 12, November 9, December 7, January 25, and February 15. The estimated cost is $500, and includes registration.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the attendance of Theresa Plascencia at the 2022 American Association of School Administrators National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on February 17 to 19, 2022, at an estimated cost of $1,995, which includes Registration, Travel, Hotel Accommodations, and Per Diem.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the attendance of Theresa Plascencia and Brandon Ewing at the 2021 Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents National Summit in Washington D.C. on October 7 to 9, 2021, at an estimated cost of $1,528 per person, for a total cost of $3,056, which includes Registration, Travel, Hotel Accommodations, and Per Diem.
-The Board of Education voted to approve the attendance of Dr. Charmaine Hillary, to attend the AASA Leading for Student Centered Equity Focused Education in Nashville. The dates are February 16-19, 2022. The estimated cost is $3,000 and includes: Registration, Travel, Hotel Accommodations and Per Diem.
-The Board of Education voted to approve for Mr. LeBaron Moten and Ms. Gwen Polk to attend ASBO International Annual Conference to be held in Milwaukee, WI October 13-16, 2021. The estimated cost is $2,000 per person which includes: Registration fee, lodging, mileage reimbursement and travel.
Financial Items
-The Board of Education hosted a Hearing on its proposed budget. Following the hearing the Board voted to adopt the FY2021/2022 Original Budget in the amount of 340,336,003.