By Andrea Arens
Peotone School Districct 207-U Maintenance Director Mike Singleton admitted the chiller for the high school hasn’t been kept up the way it should. The chiller is about 20 years old and at the end of the average lifespan, although proper maintenance could have extended it.
The cool price for the brand new chiller just for the high school: $435,864 from Midwest Mechanical.
Midwest Mechanical is a vendor through the district’s purchasing cooperative. The bid was not put out for sealed bids, a process board member Tim Stoub said he would’ve preferred.
Stoub asked for the history of expenses on repairs and $27K had already been spent on a rebuilt compressor. The chiller currently isn’t broken.
It’s a big expense, it’s a big piece of equipment, you’ve got other schools with other high priority items that we discussed over the years. This went from nowhere to the top of the list. I value your opinion, but how did we go to put this top of the list right now?”
Crawford said there’s electrical issues, and it’s almost impossible to get parts, and he bought a $40 part off eBay, and it just happened to work.
Stoub asked how big the risk was and Crawford said he’d rarely seen a chiller last more than 25 years, and it could go down at any time.
The discussion wasn’t enough to sway Stoub. While it was approved, he was the lone no vote.
If the $435K price tag didn’t make you flinch, the tax levy might.
The 2023 extension without debt service was $14,112,735, and the district will receive a 3.4 percent (CPI) increase over last year’s extension. The projected extension is $14,755,234, but the district is asking for that balloon levy of $14,976,566. Because it’s a 5.36 percent increase over last year’s levy, the district will have to have a hearing in December.
Business Manager Adrian Fulgencio said, “The reason being is the EAV and new construction numbers received from the county used to calculate the levy are estimates and don’t include exemptions. The district builds in the buffer (the balloon levy) to ensure the district captures the full amount.
The public hearing is scheduled for the December 16 board meeting.
A consultant proposal by Hygieneering will receive $78,939 to consult and manage the asbestos/lead abatement project that will be going out to bid. The projected cost of the project is $160K.
Stoub asked, “Does 50 percent (of the project) seem high for consulting and managing?”
Fulgencio replied, “When it comes to asbestos and lead, it’s a very high risk.” Fulgencio said it was budgeted for when the district took the bonds, and it may be conservative because it depends on how many hours they need to be on site.
Stoub voted no, but the rest of the board approved the expense.
An upgrade in the transportation Transfinder Software was approved, along with an additional junior high wrestling coach stipend.
A presentation on a district wide school improvement plan was presented by new Assistant Superintendent and former PES Principal, Carol Zurales. State performance data was released and all schools in 207-U received a commendable designation, meaning there were no underperforming subgroups, and the high school graduation rate was over 67 percent. The high school graduation rate in Peotone is 92 percent.
Nonetheless, the district has created goals for growth for each by adopting new curriculums, completing new interventions, and benchmarking students regularly to measure progress.
In public comments, Jim Bowden addressed the board regarding the building of the sports fields in a flood plain behind the high school. Bowden has requested the engineering studies be released to the public for at least two months, and the district said it will happen soon.
Also in public comments, John Maxedon addressed the board expressing his disgust for how the board responded to each other at the last meeting. Maxedon addressed Board President Robinson and Board Member Roger Bettenhausen and said their accusations to Board Member Tim Stoub that if he did not agree with their way of thinking, he should choose the cuts the district should have to make.
Maxedon said the district has “copious” amounts of funds to spend on anything the board, led by Robinson, desires. Maxedon stated teacher cuts always are threatened when frivolous spending continues, and that it’s scare tactics to push the board’s agendas. Maxedon suggested the board has mismanaged the funds, and the board is led by Robinson.
“Teachers and students aren’t actually your priority (to Robinson). It’s about time the teachers and residents of this town realize you’re playing a game of chess as if they are your pawns. This is not a game of chess, Mrs. Robinson. You’re here to serve the community, not your agenda,” posited Maxedon.
Maxedon suggested the funds for the sports fields could be repurposed to the park district land and an Intergovernmental Agreement established.
Maxedon also suggested the board dismissed heartfelt pleas from students at board meetings.
After Maxedon’s comments, Grace Maxedon also read a statement in favor of homeschooled students being allowed to participate in district sports.
Selah Turner also spoke in favor of allowing homeschool students to participate in district sports. Superintendent Brandon Owens said he did some research and many local district do allow participation, and that he could have a set of guidelines for participation at the next board meeting.
In good news, October students of the month were Mia Connolley, a junior at Peotone High School, sixth grader Crosby Kamba, seventh grader Allison Bauer, and eighth grader Ella Green. The junior high Cross Country team of Emma Peña and Allison Asbrand also were recognized