School Board Bits: D122 Busing Update; Contracts Approved

The New Lenox District 122 school board met Dec. 14 and covered a number of issues. Get a recap below or check out the PDF attached to this article.

Tax Levy Approved: The board passed a tax levy increase with a 4-2 vote. For more information, read "."

Joel Benton Update: Principal Joel Benton asked to be reassigned last week, and for the rest of the year as he works out of the district office. In a letter to parents, Supt. Mike Sass said a new principal would be appointed by today, Dec. 15.

The board met for an hour and a half in executive session before the meeting and even more following it, in part to discuss personnel, but district spokeswoman Jenny Zimmerman said she didn't know whether it was to talk about a candidate to replace Benton. She also said she wasn't sure if a new principal would be appointed today or not.

Contracts Approved: Architect and contractor agreements were unanimously approved by the board. The new contract with Legat Architects updates contract the district and Legat shared since 1992. It states that Legat's fee for renovations over $350,000 is 7.5 percent, and anything less than that amount is negotiated. Business manager Harold Huang stressed that, as an example, the fess spent building the Spencer campus were less than that compared to other districts that built new schools.

Another contract was approved with International Contractors Inc., which the district liked because it uses a model in which the construction manager acts as a constructor, not just an adviser, which is a problem the district has faced before. The contractor will get 6 percent in fees for projects up to $1 million, with a sliding scale for larger amounts.

Bentley Projects for Life Safety: The district approved a Life Safety Amendment for two priority projects at , including replacing the windows and a portion of the water piping, which have both exceeded their life expectancy. There's currently $475,000 in D122's life safety fund. The window replacement is estimated to cost $440,000, but not all of it qualifies for life safety funds.

Previously, the district has reviewed a list of renovations needed at the schools and prioritized them according to severity and cost. The board will talk more about these options at its Jan. 19 strategic planning meeting. For more information, read .

Bus Schedule Update: This year, one of the biggest concerns for parents , which saved the district an estimated $372,000. President Nick DiSandro asked Sass to review various options and their financial implications, and the board will discuss them at the Jan. 19 meeting. At that time, the board will also determine the best way to get parent input.

A survey was administered at parent-teacher conferences last month, and one question specifically asked parents for their opinion on the matter. The results are being compiled and will be reviewed by the board Jan. 19.

$340,000 Hole: As the board debates that busing issue, a failed attempt at overriding Gov. Pat Quinn's veto to transportation funding will leave District 122 with an additional $340,000 to make up. The district planned to have that money in it its .

Previously, Rep. Renee Kosel (R-New Lenox) was confident the legislators would override the veto and restore additional transportation funding, but it didn't happen and leaves the district searching for other places to cut.

Social Studies Curriculum: Associate Supt. Peggy Manville said the district is exploring the purchase of a new social studies program but hasn't committed to anything yet. "We want to see what’s out there and determine if we want to do a full-blown adoption no adoption or just some grade levels," she said.

In June, the district for $600,000, and then set it sights on a new social studies curriculum. Manville said a curriculum map is being created for Storytown and should be ready for parents shortly after the holiday break.

Public Comments: Resident Phil Adair spoke to the board, saying he wishes more information was available to residents so they could come to meetings with a more informed opinion. Among his concerns were that little background information is provided on the meeting agenda, and the meeting minutes aren't posted on the website until at least a month later, after they're approved.