School Board Capsules; Here’s what’s happening at District 205

The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board held a meeting on April 23 at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York St. The meeting featured the reorganization of the board, with three new members joining the seven-member board.

Caforio addresses statement to City

District 205 Board President read a statement about the District’s intergovernmental agreement with the City of Elmhurst. The text of the statement is reprinted elsewhere in this issue.

New Board members sworn in; farewell to others

Courtenae Trautmann, Beth Hosler, Christopher Kocinski and incumbent Karen Stuefen all won four-year seats on the board in the April 2 election. Board president Kara Caforio administered the oath of office to the new board members, who replaced Chris Blum, Shannon Ebner and John McDonough on the board. See story and photos elsewhere in this issue of the Elmhurst Independent

Agenda includes fees, gym floor replacement

The new board then voted unanimously to approve the superintendent’s consent agenda, which included student fees, lunch and breakfast fees and facility rental fees for the 2019-20 school year. The consent agenda also included the approval of the procurement and installation of replacement gym floors at both Hawthorne Elementary School and Jackson Elementary School.

Contract approved for special education bus

The board also voted unanimously to approve the superintendent’s agenda/action items, which included a special education bus contract with Cottage Hill Operating Company for the 2019-20 school year. Cottage Hill has provided busing for the district’s special education students for more than 20 years.

Technical equipment contract approved

The consent agenda/action items also included the approval of leasing technology equipment. The agreement is with U.S. Bancorp for a new four-year, tax-exempt lease and purchase of up to $1.785 million. The district will pay in four annual payments of up to about $464,000 each. The equipment included in the agreement includes 200 Dell laptops at about $1,070 each, 160 staff and lab Dell desktops at about $780 each, 100 Dell 24-inch monitors, 1,940 Chromebooks at $319 each and 26 Apple iMacs at nearly $2,500 each.

Foundation forwards donation from 100+ Women

The board also voted to approve the acceptance of a donation of up to $14,600 for the York Duke Depot from the District 205 Foundation as funded by the Elmhurst 100+ Women Who Care. The York Duke Depot provides a variety of personal items and school supplies to students in need of assistance.

Other donations accepted

The board also voted to approve a donation of an Emerson Elementary School parent who offered to donate an industrial refrigerator valued at $3,400. The refrigerator will help store items for PTA, Rec Station and school functions. Additionally, the board approved the Emerson School PTA’s donation of $2,200 toward new furniture for the teachers’ lounge. The board also approved about $5,100 in donations from the Bryan Middle School PTA for a Gaga pit, Gaga pit floor and Gaga balls. In addition, the board approved the Bryan PTA’s donation of about $1,400 for a bench to wrap around a tree in the outdoor classroom area.

The board will hold its next regular meeting on May 14.