Here’s what’s going on at District 205…
By Chris Fox
For The Elmhurst Independent
The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board held a meeting on June 19 at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York St. All seven board members attended the meeting.
National Euro Challenge winners honored
The board recognized the seven York High School sophomores who took part in the Euro Challenge and qualified for the event’s national competition in New York City in April. The members of the York team are: Samantha Cruz, Emily Dow, Brian Kelley, Matthew Kentra, Emmet McGovern, Ally Splitstone and Matthew Splitstone. The Euro Challenge is a program of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States that encourages American students to learn more about the European Union and its single currency. In March, the York team earned first-place honors int he event’s Midwest Regional Challenge. The York students delivered a presentation on Italy’s high unemployment rate during the regional event. The York team qualified for the national event with its victory at the regional competition.
Board recognizes York team in Illinois Economics competition
The board also recognized the York team that took part in the Illinois Economics Challenge, an annual competition that tests high school students’ knowledge of economics. York’s team of Jason Kentra, Hannah Cronin, Courtney Jopes and Anshul Shah competed in the 2018 Illinois Economics Challenge State Finals in Chicago in April. The York team placed second at the state competition.
York Science Olympiad team takes 8th at state
The board also recognized York’s Science Olympiad team, which placed eighth at the Science Olympiad’s Illinois state championship, which took place at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in April. Grant Hartlage, Peter Hartlage, Eric Doberstein and Christian Glosner represented York at the state competition.
Board discusses community feedback; considers referendum
The meeting included a presentation from the consultants who are helping the board and district staff gain community feedback about the formation of the district’s master facility plan. (See full story on pg. 1 of this issue of the Elmhurst Independent.)
Funds of $1.2 million earmarked for summer maintenance projects
The board voted unanimously to approve a transfer of $1.2 million from the district’s operations and maintenance fund to its capital projects fund to pay for this summer’s maintenance projects. Those projects include tuckpointing at multiple schools and roof projects at both Sandburg Middle School and at York.
Contract with NovaCare extended for five years
The board also approved a five-year extension of its contract with NovaCare, which provides athletic training services to the students at York. The extension runs through June 30, 2023. NovaCare supplies two trainers to York’s athletic program. The same two athletic trainers have provided service to York for the last five years. Board member John McDonough voted present; the six other board members voted to approve the extension.
Board approves transportation services with 2.5 percent increase
Board members voted unanimously to extend its contract for regular transportation services with First Student, Inc. The deal calls for increases of 2.5 percent in the each of the next two school years—2018-19 and 2019-20.
The board also voted unanimously to approve a one-year extension of its contract with Cottage Hill Operating Company for special education transportation. The extension calls for a 2.5 increase for the 2018-19 school year.
Pay rate adjustment for communications director
The board also voted to approve up to 10 days of additional pay at a daily rate of $441.21 to Bev Redmond, the district’s incoming executive director of communications. Redmond’s official start date is July 1; she will replace Melea Smith, who is retiring.
Acceptance of donated funds approved
The board voted to approve the acceptance of several gifts of donated funds, one at Jackson School, at Lincoln School and at York. (See full story elsewhere in this issue.)
School Board approves proposal for admin reorganization
Board members voted 5-2 to approve an administrative reorganization proposal that includes the addition of a director of human resources position and the reorganization of six existing positions. The changes will take effect in the upcoming 2018-19 school year.
According to the proposal, one of the reorganizations to an existing position calls for changing Mary Henderson-Baum’s title from assistant superintendent for learning and leadership to associate superintendent for learning and leadership development. The position of director and human resources will reportedly include an annual salary of about $85,000.
Board member Karen Stuefen joined Ebner in voting against the proposal. Stuefen said she had not received financial data about the proposal. Ebner noted that she voted against the proposal because she did not have enough related information.
The board will hold its next regular meeting on July 17.
