Your monthly Board of Education update
Read highlights from the Board of Education meeting held on October 16, 2024. Want more information? Click here to see the full agenda and supporting materials.
Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD #429
Royal Shout Out
Carissa Zill is our new K-8 art teacher and has been an awesome addition to the Royal family. For the first time in over a decade, our K-5 students are receiving formal art instruction as a weekly "special". With 30-minute class sessions, Ms. Zill reviews the daily plan, provides direct support and modeling, and has the students clean up their tables while also setting up for the next class. The student's work is on display and you can see how proud they are of their art!
We are so lucky to have Ms. Zill and the art program at the Elementary School! Check out this quick view of our kiddos in art class!
Click here to see our students and Ms. Zill hard at work and learn more about the skills students learn in art class.
Student Update
Student representatives Badal, McMurtrie and Casanas presented information on World Mental Health Day, Fire Safety, FFA National Convention, Sports Highlights, Fundraisers and the Student Advisory Committee.
Homecoming: The Taste of Hoco event raised nearly $4,000, and attendance at the soccer game was the highest ever for HBR. The naming of the field went well, and the dance was a success, thanks to the student council.
Student Advisory Committee: First meeting on October 24 to discuss improving the school atmosphere, with returning members including Savannah, Alex, and Matthew.
Junior Class Fundraiser: The 5-B’s porkchop dinner raised $1,100, the best in recent years. Thanks to supporters and sponsors.
Fire Safety: The Hinckley and Big-Rock Fire Department visited HBR Elementary to teach fire safety, with alumni participating.
PTO Presentation
Michelle Hansen updates the board about Fall Fun Fest. It was a success at the high school with face painting, raffles, costume contest, carnival games, a haunted house and so much more.
They raised around $2,000.
This month is Socktober and the PTO is collecting socks to donate to Hope Haven in DeKalb. The PTO is also selling HBR spirit socks. Click here for the order form. For every pair of socks they sell, the PTO will donate a pair to Hope Haven.
Teacher Tuesdays at Dairy Joy have been a hit, next week is the last week before Dairy Joy closes for the season.
WIPFLI Audit
The WIPFLI Audit was conducted and went smoothly with no difficulties. They have concluded that we had a clean audit and maintained our financial score of 4 (highest possible) with no new findings. A secondary, single audit, is required due to the ESSER funding allocation. This audit will be completed and returned to us in December or January.
For the full Financial Report click here
Committee Updates
Buildings, Grounds & Transportation Committee (BG&T) met on October 2nd. They discussed driver turnover has occurred, but communication about route changes has been good. A full-time driver and two substitutes have been hired. They will be able to start driving once training is complete. We are looking forward to receiving our 2nd Activity Bus which will help with transportation for after-school activities.
The Annual ROE Health/Life Safety Inspection took place earlier this month. There were no major issues identified. The middle school's deteriorating shed was removed this summer, and plans for new storage are in progress. Our facility improvements are substantially complete with just a few punch list items remaining. The elementary school chiller was replaced on October 11. Replacement air handler units for the middle school will be ordered this month for summer 2025 installation.
Dr. Sonntag updated the board about IVCC’s most recent Board meeting. The IVVC audit report was approved and IVVC staff are working with Hazard Young and Associates to come up with a strategic plan on how to handle increasing enrollment.
The Interest-Based Communication Committee (IBCC) did not meet this month. The next meeting is scheduled for November 13th.
Discussion
The Board discussed the proposed 2024 Tax Levy. HBR is a "tax capped" district, which means that we are limited by CPI in the tax amount we can levy each year. The CPI value used in determining our 2024 tax levy is 3.4%. In addition to CPI, the District is able to capture funding from any new growth that occurs. This new growth is included as a best guess projection and won't be realized until July 2025.
The district intends to levy (request) the full amount allowable in the 2024 tax cycle (Spring & fall 2025 payments). For the 2023 tax year, the district received a total extension of $10,908,731 which included the operational levy as well as debt service. The intended aggregate levy for 2024 is $10,768,276 which is a 1.3% decrease overall. You can find a copy of the Executive Memo submitted by Dr. Sonntag here.
Action Items
The Board approved the the FY24 Audit as submitted, the Press Plus Issue 116 as presented by IASB and they authorized District Administration to utilize State of Illinois-approved purchasing cooperatives and consortiums as an option for procuring goods and services when advantageous.
Watch the Video
Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD429 Board of Education Meeting held on October 16, 2024.
Board of Education
Tim Badal (President) | Greg Pritchard (Vice-President) | Jack Haines (Secretary) | Abbie Barrett | Deb Winkle | Darrin Gengler | Debi White
Learn more about the Board here.
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