Here’s what’s happening at District 205
By Chris Fox
For The Elmhurst Independent
The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board held a regular meeting on Jan. 28 at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York St. Two board members-Christopher Kocinski and Courtenae Trautmann-were absent from the meeting.
New synthetic turf at York approved
Board members voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda, which included award the procurement, removal and installation of the new synthetic turf field at York High School’s stadium to FieldTurf for nearly $550,000. The project to install new turf at the stadium is part of the district’s 2020 summer capital plan. The district solicited pricing for the project through Sourcewell, a government agency that provides cooperative-contract purchasing solutions.
New roof at Bryan to cost nearly $90K
The consent agenda also included awarding the Winston Salem roof replacement project at the district’s maintenance building at Bryan Middle School to a local contractor, in the amount of nearly $90,000. The Roofing Company was one of eight roofing contractors to submit a bid for the project. The company submitted the lowest bid. The district has worked with Sterling Commercial Roofing on several previous projects. The commercial roofing project would be a part of the district’s 2020 summer capital plan.
Donations approved
Additionally, the consent agenda included the approval of donations, including a $25,000 donation from the Bryan Middle School PTA for furniture and bookcases at the school’s library, and a donation of about $37,300 from the Jefferson Elementary School PTA to purchase literacy, creative technology and professional learning materials. The donation from the Jefferson PTA will provide 10 iPads (a total cost of $10,000), 10 other tablets (a total cost of $8,000) and a 3D printer costing $2,800.
Financial issues covered
The board voted unanimously during the Jan. 28 meeting to approve a resolution to transfer money from the district’s operations and maintenance fund to its debt service fund for the purpose of payment of debt certificates for the 2020 fiscal year. District 205 Superintendent David Moyer described the transfer as a regular occurrence.
Board members voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with an insurance broker/employee benefits consultant-Group Alternatives-from March 1, 2020, through Feb. 28, 2023, at $68,160 annually with an option to renew at the same rate for two additional years. The district’s contract with its current broker is about to expire. The upcoming contract is for the same annual amount-$68,160-that the district paid to its current broker.
New asst. superintendent hired
The board voted unanimously to approve the hiring of Dr. Kevin Rubenstein as the assistant superintendent of student services, with a start date of July 1, 2020, and an annual base salary of about $161,000. Rubenstein is currently the director of student services, technology and assessment at Lake Bluff District 65. He will replace Dr. Michael Volpe, who has been serving as District 205’s interim assistant superintendent of student services. Volpe will continue in that position through the end of the current school year.
Celebrating the 100th day
Bev Redmond, the district’s executive director of communications and public relations, noted near the end of the meeting that Monday, Jan. 27, marked the 100th day of the district’s 2019-20 school year.
The board will hold its next regular meeting on Feb. 11.
