Grundy Reporter

Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Oct. 30.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Study Session of the Whole Meeting Minutes

Roll Call.

President Miller called the study session meeting to order at 7:23 p.m. with the board members answering roll call present: Dan Engelhardt, Shawn Hamilton, Quint Harmon Cindy Klein, Steve Rogers, and Ken Miller. Also in attendance were Superintendent Christopher Spencer, CSBO Jason Smith, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Kenney, Director of Special Populations Luke Krippel, Administrative Assistant in Finance Leah Hajdu, and Community Relations Specialist Ann Gill.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited during the opening of the Special Board meeting and was not recited again.

Discussion on GE Hitachi Property Tax Assessment

Superintendent Christopher Spencer provided the Board with an update on the 2024 property tax assessment of the GE-Hitachi Morris Operation. In 2021, 2022 and 2023 the Board has filed an assessment complaint with Board of Review to appeal the assessed value of the GE Hitachi facility. The district attorneys believe the GE-Hitachi is undervalued. The attorneys believe the assessed value of GE Hitachi to be around $219,000,000, and currently it’s assessed just over $6,000,000. Superintendent Christopher Spencer will update the Board at future Board meetings.

Discussion on the FY26 School Calendar

Superintendent Christopher Spencer provided the Board with an update on the FY26 School Calendar. The calendar has been sent to the Teacher’s Union for their feedback, and as of right now it appears the first day of the 25 – 26 school year will be either August 11 or August 12, with 88 days before break and 88 days after. Once the calendar is finalized, Mr. Spencer will present it to the Board for approval.

Discussion on Facilities Improvement Plan

Superintendent Christopher Spencer provided the Board with an update on the Facilities Improvement Plan. The storage facilities are pretty much completed; the roof for the middle school concession stands is moving along and is almost completed; the baseball and softball fields are almost completed, the home plates were a little too high and those are being adjusted, and the shed at the high school is almost complete. Mr. Spencer will continue to update the Board at future Board meetings.

Discussion on 2024 Tentative Levy

CSBO Jason Smith reviewed the 2024 tentative levy. Mr. Smith provided the Board with a summary of the tentative EAV numbers, and the amount of taxes to be received from Constellation, GE-Hitachi and other tax sources. The final levy will be presented at the November 6 Board meeting for Board approval.

Finance Reports

The bank statements, monthly revenue, expenditure summary reports, check reconciliation report, cash report, and cleared check report for September were enclosed for review. Detailed reports were

available in the Business Office for review prior to the meeting. The Treasurer’s report, investment report, and lunch report for September were also enclosed for review.

Open

a) Items not known at agenda preparation time – Board members were reminded to respond to rsvp’s for receptions taking place during the Joint Annual Conference.

b) Sharing Ideas / Information – none.

Adjournment

Mr. Harmon moved and Mr. Engelhardt seconded to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. the Board Study Session of the Whole meeting.

https://4.files.edl.io/14e1/11/07/24/134643-5c43bea6-8bfa-442c-bc6b-9474e869b5a9.pdf