Grundy Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education Finance and Audit Committee met May 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Roll Call

Chairperson Chris Benson brought the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present with four members. She verified that each member could hear one another and follow the discussion, and that they were able to testify.

Members Present

Chairperson Chris Benson

Roger Eddy

Dr. David Lett

Dr. Nike Vieille (virtual)

Other Board Members Present

None

Staff

Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, State Superintendent

Kirsten Parr, Board Services Coordinator

Kim Clarke, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent

Dr. Brenda Dixon, Research and Evaluation Officer

Dr. Dana Kinley, Executive Director of Systems of Support

Emily Fox, Director of Educator Effectiveness

Dr. Ernesto Matias, Education Officer

Melissa Oller, Operating Officer

Tassi Maton, Internal Audit Officer

Robert Wolfe, Financial Officer

Irma Snopek, Policy and Communications Officer

Oriana Wilson, Executive Director of Programs

Jeremy Duffy, Legal Officer

Dr. Erica Thieman, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Joanne Clyde, Director of Multilingual

Christine Paxson, Director of ESSA/IL-EMPOWER

Dean Held, Supervisor of Nutrition

Sergio Hernandez, Director of Family and Community Engagement

II. Public Participation

There was no public participation.

III. Approval of Minutes: April 5, 2022

Dr. Lett made the motion for the Finance and Audit Committee to approve the April 5, 2022, meeting minutes. Mr. Eddy seconded the motion, and it passed by roll call vote.

IV. Closed Session

Dr. Vieille moved that the State Board of Education go into closed session for the following exception item:

A. Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)

Dr. Vieille further moved that Board members may invite anyone they wish to be included in this closed session.

Dr. Lett seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The open meeting recessed at 9:33 a.m. The open meeting reconvened at 10:17 a.m.

V. Review of Contracts and Grants Over $1 Million – for May Approval

A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of IGA with ROE #9 to Administer Learning Technology Center

There were no questions for this item.

B. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Request for Proposals for Summer Migrant Education Programs

There were no questions for this item.

C. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Preschool Development Grant Birth – 5, Year 3 – National Louis University

There were no questions for this item.

D. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval to Release FY 2023 IL-EMPOWER Continuation Grant Allocations Exceeding $1 Million

There were no questions for this item.

VI. Review of Contracts and Grants Over $1 Million – for June Approval

A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Request Approval to Release a Request for Sealed Proposals (RFSP) and Award Subsequent Contract(s) to Conduct Initial School-level Needs Assessments for IL-EMPOWER Schools

Dr. Matias and Ms. Paxson presented on this item.

Ms. Paxson confirmed that schools can only use an approved partner.

Dr. Lett asked how the 2018 cohort was determined. Ms. Paxson noted that the schools were designated as targeted and comprehensive and are a part of the School Improvement Grant.

Dr. Lett asked if smaller districts are eligible. Ms. Paxson noted that those that are newly designated as comprehensive would be eligible to receive the initial needs assessment through the vendor in fiscal year 2023.

It was confirmed that the designation list is available on Nov. 1, and the list is created annually. Dr. Lett asked if there is little movement because of COVID-19, and the answer was yes.

B. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Significant Revenue Loss Grants

Mr. Wolfe presented on this item.

Dr. Lett asked if another district could qualify, and the answer was no.

Mr. Eddy asked how the team is defining significant, and Mr. Wolfe shared language from public act.

Mr. Wolfe confirmed he can share the percentage loss of Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) when it is available. Mr. Wolfe also discussed the payment schedule and the formula. He also mentioned it is a payment for one fiscal year.

Mr. Eddy asked what the EAV loss was. Mr. Wolfe shared it was a power plant in one district and a coal mine in the other district.

Dr. Lett asked if ISBE takes a position on the request as it relates to legislation; it was noted it came up during the end of the legislative session.

Dr. Lett is interested in next steps after the one-year fix.

C. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – FY 2023 Virtual Coaching/Mentoring for New Teachers Dr. Matias and Ms. Fox presented on this item.

Dr. Lett asked if the team could share the names of the 44 districts, and Ms. Fox confirmed she can share that information.

Mr. Eddy asked if the program was in effect before the Emergency and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding was received, and the answer was no. Dr. Lett asked if the program could continue once ESSER funding is gone. Dr. Matias noted the team is looking at sustainability practices through the braiding-and-blending initiative.

Mr. Eddy asked if ISBE can continue to provide the content once the agreement is over. Ms. Fox said she will look back at the contract language to confirm.

Dr. Lett asked what the target number is. Ms. Fox shared that the new target number is 2,000, which was determined in collaboration with the Illinois Education Association.

D. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Award of Invitation for Bid for USDA Foods Warehousing and Distribution

Dr. Matias and Mr. Held presented on this item.

Dr. Vieille asked if the current contractor may bid, and the answer was yes.

Dr. Lett asked why there was an increase from FY 2019 to FY20. Mr. Held noted that ISBE began paying some of the storage and delivery costs, and it is the agency’s intention to continue doing that.

E. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Request Approval to Release FY 2023 Parent Mentor Program Grant Exceeding $1 Million to Southwest Organizing Project (State General Revenue Funds)

Dr. Matias and Mr. Hernandez presented on this item.

Mr. Eddy asked for the list of community organizations and the funding they receive. Mr. Hernandez noted he can share that information.

VII. Internal Audit Updates

A. Current Audits

i. FY 2021 Financial Audit

Ms. Maton noted that there are no new updates at this time as external auditors are still working on the FY 2021 financial audit and the FY 2021 statewide single audit.

ii. FY 2021 Statewide Single Audit

VIII. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda

Dr. Matias noted that there could be an ESSER dashboard update and a grant list update.

Dr. Dixon noted the potential of upcoming assessment items being discussed in the future.

IX. Next Meeting: June 2, 2022

X. Adjourn

Dr. Lett moved to adjourn. Dr. Vieille seconded, and it passed by roll call vote. Chair Benson adjourned the meeting at 10:55 a.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/20220503-FA-Minutes.pdf