Cahokia Community Unit School District 187 Finance Committee met July 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Finance Committee Meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. by Committee Chair Wynn.
PRESENT: Clark-King, Wynn
ABSENT: Jackson
Also Present: Board Member Stringfellow; Arnett Harvey, Superintendent;
Tanya Mitchell, Deputy Superintendent;
Gegi Ra-El, Director of Curricululm; Vicki Breckel, Director of Spec. Ed;
Stephanie Scurlark-Belt, Director of Non-Certified Personnel;
Jen Barr, Director of Technology; Cheri Pombert, Asst. to the CFO;
Ciara Corley and Tiffany Pearce, Accounts Payable;
Michael Wagner w/ Clayborne, Sabo & Wagner;
Thomas R. Ysursa, legal counsel
Also Present: Ray Coyne, Executive Director at Oppenheimer & Co.
REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES
Motion made by CLARK-KING, seconded by WYNN, to approve the minutes from the committee meeting held on June 10, 2019. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Clark-King, Wynn
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Jackson
MONTHLY BILLS
There were no questions pertaining to the monthly bills.
-Terry Milt, Energy Mgmt. Coord. with AGE entered the meeting at 5:06 p.m.
PRESENTATION BY AFFORDABLE GAS & ELECTRIC
Mr. Milt reviewed electricity bid results from five different companies. The lowest pricing varied depending on time frame chosen (12 to 48 months). Mr. Harvey recommended Homefield Energy with a 45 month term.
Motion made by CLARK-KING, seconded by WYNN, and unanimously passed to recommend entering into an electric agreement with Homefield Energy as recommended by the Superintendent.
-Mr. Milt left the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
DISCUSS CELL PHONE TRANSITION TO AT&T
Ms. Barr reported receiving numerous complaints regarding the district's current cell phone service. After researching several providers, she recommended switching to FirstNet by AT&T. This service has offered lower monthly rates and updated cell phones for 99¢. FirstNet also uses Band 14 for First Responders, giving our SROs and security officers primary access to phone lines during an emergency situation. She also informed the committee that we would not be required to sign a contract and there would be no switching penalties from our current provider.
Motion made by CLARK-KING, seconded by WYNN, and unanimously passed to recommend switching cell phone service to FirstNet by AT&T.
DISCUSS WATTS PROPOSAL FOR COPIER EQUIPMENT
Ms. Barr explained that she was approached by Watts Copy Systems Inc., our current provider, to extend their contract early. The district is currently in the fourth year of a five year contract. Under the new contract, Watts has proposed replacing every copier in the district with updated equipment, as well as adding a few more, and lowering the monthly cost by approximately $450.00, a savings of $23,000 over the life of the contract. Ms. Barr reported that she is happy with the service received by Watts and recommends the new contract. Mr. Ysursa verified that technology is exempt from bidding requirements.
Motion made by CLARK-KING, seconded by WYNN, and unanimously passed to recommend entering
into a new contract with Watts Copy Systems Inc.
ADJUSTMENT TO PRESCHOOL STAFFING NEEDS
Mrs. Mitchell explained the current preschool program includes one full day class and two half day classes. This has caused a hardship for parents in the district, and she would like to provide three full day classes for the 2019-2020 school year. However, an additional paraprofessional position will be necessary. Mr. Harvey recommended hiring the additional paraprofessional to enhance the preschool program.
Motion made by CLARK-KING, seconded by WYNN, and unanimously passed to recommend hiring a paraprofessional for the preschool program as recommended by the Superintendent and Deputy Supt.
-Board Member Powell entered the meeting at 5:28 p.m.
BOND DISCUSSION
Mr. Harvey reviewed the various repairs needed throughout the district following the 10 Year Health/Life Safety Survey. He recommended purchasing bonds to cover the cost of the repairs, as well as providing additional funding for the possibility of a new high school in the future.
Mr. Coyne gave an overview of the procedures and notifications necessary for the transaction. He explained the resolutions to be approved at the Board meeting that night. Mr. Harvey mentioned that the roof project would begin in October of 2019, and the remaining work would begin during the Spring of 2020. He explained the bond sale would extend the debt service from 2022 to 2026, but would not increase the tax levy. The committee was in agreement.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Harvey gave an overview on the revenue and expense accounts. Stating that adjustments would be made after the audit's completion. The tentative budget shows a deficit in the education fund due to placement in Tier 2 funding as a result of the district's good financial standing. The tax levy may need to be adjusted in the future due to a deficit in the IMRF fund, but overall, the budget is in great shape.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by WYNN, seconded by CLARK-KING, to adjourn the meeting at 5:43 p.m. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Clark-King, Wynn
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Jackson
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?mk=50337791&fn=minutes.pdf
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