Board News
AUGUST 11, 2022
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Heinz reviewed the extensive list of work that the District 15 staff accomplished this summer. The list included four-day Administrative Advance collaborative planning, ongoing Moving 15 Forward outreach, safety and security planning, strategic plan preparation, summer school, professional development session, and so much more! An update on summer construction was shared through a brief video.
Summer School
Historically, there have been two summer school programs offered to students: Extended School Year (ESY) for students with IEPs and Title 1 Summer Blast for students at-risk of academic difficulty. Recently, the District added four additional programs to expand support for students’ needs: Community Schools’ Extension Program for students participating in our afterschool Community School, Literacy, Math, & Science Summer Fiesta for K-2 Spanish bilingual students, English as a Second Language Newcomer Camp, and the Dual Language Culture Camp. Keeping students engaged throughout the summer helps reduce summer learning loss.
COVID Update
New guidance was released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on Thursday, August 11, 2022. Their updated recommendations can be found here. The District provided an update pertaining to the 2022-2023 school year, which included:
Masks will continue to be recommended, but not required. Mask choices will be supported by students and staff.
Students and staff members who test positive for COVID are asked to report positive cases to their building nurse. D15 is still required to report positive COVID cases to the Cook County Department of Public Health.
Positive persons will continue to isolate for five days following the onset of CDC-listed COVID symptoms or from their positive test date (if symptom-free).
Staff and students are able to return to school on day 6, fully and consistently masking for an additional 5 days or they will isolate at home for a full ten days.
Nurses will follow up regarding the date of return and any masking requirements.
Schools will not offer SHIELD Testing.
Symptomatic staff members and families can obtain a COVID test at their Doctor’s Office, order free at-home tests through USPS, or order through this link or by phone at (800) 232-0233.
The COVID dashboard will remain on hiatus.
Nurses will continue to instruct grades 1-3 on proper hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
Rooms will be cleaned daily and disinfected if a positive COVID case is reported.
Letters will be sent to staff and parents to inform them of a positive case(s) in the building.
Safety and Security Update
The District has continued to place a strong focus on mental health and has many resources in place for students to report concerns or seek help should they need additional support. The District continues to provide professional development to clinicians, teachers, and administrators.
Moving 15 Forward
The District 15 Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution to place a bond referendum on the November 8, 2022, ballot.
At the Board meeting, Dr. Heinz, Superintendent, and Diana McCluskey, Chief School Business Official, along with the team of architects, financial consultants, and our construction partners presented the updated Moving 15 Forward plan. The District has been working on this community-driven plan for years. The timeline shows key points of the work over the last 9 years.
High School Zones
District 15 feeds into three high schools within two school districts. The District used the set high school boundaries to adjust our own boundaries. No changes were made to the existing high school boundaries.
Facility-Related Challenges
The District has an expansive footprint of 1.7 M square feet of interior space as well as 80 acres of land to maintain and update. The average age of the District 15 buildings is 54 years old. The District has challenges such as aging roofing, plumbing, and HVAC systems, worn flooring, ceilings, and masonry, and aged parking, sidewalks, asphalt, and concrete that have fallen into disrepair due to deferred maintenance and as mentioned, the overall age of numerous systems.
Proposed Improvements
Moving 15 Forward allows the District to address three major areas of improvement: Repair and Restore Facilities, Update Learning Spaces, and Improve Student Transitions. Proposed improvements include:
Updating safety and security;
Replacing outdated roofing, plumbing, and mechanical systems;
Updating HVAC to improve air quality, air flow, and efficiency;
Improving outdated classrooms, science labs/STEM spaces, and libraries;
Addressing ADA and accessibility issues;
Adding and reconfiguring instructional space to establish middle schools and provide full-day kindergarten; and
Enhancing energy efficiency.
Updated Funding Plan
Elizabeth Hennessy, Managing Director of Raymond James Public Finance, and Diana McCluskey, Chief Business Official, presented the updated funding plan for the Moving 15 Forward Proposal.
$93 million in funding comes from the District: $5 million yearly out of the operations and maintenance fund (over the next 5 years for a total of $25 million). The remaining revenue stream will be made up by $32 million in DSEB bonds issued, and $36 million in debt certificates.
An additional $93M will be sought through referendum with estimated tax impact, based on the fair market value for a $300,000 home (the average home price for houses in our boundaries), of $12.16/month or $146 annually.
Community Outreach and Information Sharing
The District worked tirelessly to ensure that not only the families within our District are informed of the plan, but residents within our boundaries spanning seven municipalities as well. A Moving 15 Forward website was created which houses information about the plan and a FAQ page. School meetings were held to share updated proposals for each of the District’s 20 schools. Community meetings were held over the spring and throughout the summer to engage and inform as many residents as possible.
After much discussion, the Board unanimously approved the plan and directed Dr. Heinz to place a measure on the November 8 ballot. Should the community vote yes, the Moving 15 Forward plan goes into effect for the 2024-2025 school year.
Committee Reports
one-five Foundation
Board Member James Taylor shared the Foundation will be hosting a run/walk on October 15. This event is open to all. Watch for registration information soon. Proceeds will support the teacher mini-grant campaign. Additionally, the Foundation is looking for 5 new trustees.
Equity Committee
Board Members Samantha Ader and Zubair Khan shared there was nothing to currently report, but they are planning to participate in the Strategic Planning committee.
ED-RED Committee
Board Member Frank Annerino shared that the Illinois legislature is not currently in session and therefore, there was nothing new to report.
Finance Committee
Board Members Wenda Hunt and Anthony Wang shared there was nothing new to report.
Action Items
10.1 Approval of Attendance Incentive for Bus Drivers - approved
10.2 Approval of Personnel Report: Administration, Certified and Non-Certified Staff Members - approved
10.3 Approval of Proposed Substitute Rates for the 2022-23 School Year - approved
10.4 Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement between Community Consolidated School District 15 and the City of Rolling Meadows for School Resource Office Services - approved
10.5 Approval of Letter of Agreement between the Classroom Teachers' Council (CTC) and District 15 - approved
- 10.6 Adoption of Resolution providing for and requiring the submission of the proposition of issuing $93,000,000 School Building Bonds to the voters of Community Consolidated School District Number 15, Cook County, Illinois, at the general election to be held on the 8th day of November, 2022. - approved
We look forward to welcoming students in grades 1 - 8 back to school on Wednesday, August 17. The first day will be morning attendance only for students. We look forward to welcoming students in early childhood and kindergarten back to school on Thursday, August 18. Their first day will be a full-day.