[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6285927,"mediaKeyId","2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3","parentId",2566314,"title","SAP 3 committee to recommend site for middle-school dual language; decision due March 20","audioSeconds",185,"startMs",5995000,"endMs",6180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3&start=5995&end=6180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3/thumbnail_5995000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285927/Illinois/SAP-3-committee-to-recommend-site-for-middle-school-dual-language-decision-due-March-20","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285927-f1dd0ee414490e0af4bf90055e443b4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178559&Signature=RvgSYYw8MXR03lTxy4aFv4CouPG1cgETuog1ULErBZq-LFxleSegODz3ELDtjTU2~l0rcwA4pr6C5HQEcxmkl5AKOvI6aIfzFn-S1uUR1NPv4jbQK7o7eA3SDH6MmmgT9X2jk1RfKmFFudZJ-FrEZtzZ1prAO8~He16BpR7njRXDZOVuGoPJqZ--a22K7B2TNUmXLwh9RpmjDO5z4shdG2ngSh91FpXcSY0Bdkjp7OsAlUe9SC7i288sjkvgctLDGVWU2JCKnlsMGPOY8Y5O2I05~x73VerVCjjbynvBo24XDkXm~IT6fmiFmKtWC8kIC0TjB19Gaui-ZyWAoLY8eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Evanston CCSD 65","date","2025-03-12T12:54:22.72Z","article","The board received an update on the district’s SAP 3 dual-language process at the March 10 Committee of the Whole meeting. Committee members and staff said they held two of three scheduled meetings and will deliver a recommendation to Superintendent Dr. Turner after the committee’s March 20 meeting.

The committee was formed with outreach to K–5 families, sixth-grade dual-language families and educators; district communications promoted participation and the committee includes parents, caregivers, teachers and staff from all three schools under consideration. Presenters emphasized the committee’s commitment to using data and stated that no individual student data was included in the materials shared with the group.

\"We are not picking one school over another school,\" the presenter said. \"What we are picking in this committee is which one will start first.\" The immediate question for the committee is whether the dual-language middle school for fall 2026–27 should be located at Chute or Nichols; the plan anticipates the other site would begin the following year.

Meeting two used a scoring rubric informed by enrollment patterns and projections, the results of a K–5 parent/caregiver survey, the state 5Essentials school climate data, and a dual-language guiding-principles crosswalk. Committee members held table discussions and reflective exercises to interpret the data through an equity lens.

Board members asked about staffing availability and whether family interest at elementary grades would translate into middle-school enrollment. Presenters said the survey asked detailed questions about family intent and noted that enrollment follow-through remains an open variable; communications and a clear program continuum (including the seal of biliteracy as a longer-term outcome) were discussed as tools to support sustained enrollment.

What’s next: the SAP 3 committee will use a scoring rubric and vote at the March 20 meeting and provide its recommendation to Dr. Turner. The board will receive the committee report after that date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","[3/10/25] D65 - Committee of the Whole Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A district SAP 3 committee of parents, educators and staff will recommend whether the district’s new dual-language middle school should begin at Chute or Nichols; the committee plans to deliver its recommendation to Superintendent Dr. Turner after a March 20 meeting.","taxTitle","Evanston CCSD 65, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",50856,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285932,"District proposes clearer facility rental rules, sets after-hours charges and standard rental agreement",586,4569000,5155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3&start=4569&end=5155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3/thumbnail_4569000.jpg","/articles/6285932/Illinois/District-proposes-clearer-facility-rental-rules-sets-after-hours-charges-and-standard-rental-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285932-91200bead3d87099b7bdfb116a72df45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178559&Signature=GRk8K1H5JzjP6XsUZ3GVgmn8IXkWpL6v1cKm6zTByE5zUDWNhJ5SndkecjMeggtnt-S4gABKgQgwiD6qvwaq41ptL8wOWeN7FqyjK7XJnxW5~Qqr7ljY7InBjyubektAHL9aMx6z0tTj1TbEE3xHfsnkEVck47ZJDfgw~PtB-XR0vgB0XHDawNOWpGQtyKoDUnvaGvZQa2ik9iR04w7gsqHWnFV4iHp5d1Jb5rPHVBYA8z9HhmK1v4fDtDM9PJ6ZzkzvrHD1RAwzuTS1v9-0vkBa7yPUA1IzyAXPAal5VI5eWhBtu4qITcuB5K0rMiUvnggpbCAYXMBPupSTfY2KJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board reviewed proposed changes to District 65’s facility rental agreements and fee structure at the March 10 Committee of the Whole meeting. The changes are intended to make pricing clearer, tighten invoicing and collection, and add a standardized rental contract.

Dr. Bairdsley (presenter) summarized the updates: the district is shifting away from a square-footage-only pricing model, grouping common user types (school-sponsored events, PTAs, park district partners) and clarifying which groups pay and which are exempt during normal working hours. She said the district’s goal is clarity for community users and consistent invoicing for the district.

Under the proposed process, permit requests still route to the principal or Buildings & Grounds. Buildings & Grounds will assess the fee and notify applicants; the signed rental agreement must be returned to place the event on the calendar. For summer rentals the administration is piloting passing invoices to Financial Services for collection. The district is also evaluating using the SchoolDude facilities module (the district already uses SchoolDude for work tickets) or MySchoolBucks for payments.

Dr. Bairdsley said facilities will charge for uses that fall outside standard working hours to cover custodial or concierge overtime. In board discussion the district clarified that \"work hours\" are defined as 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on school days; summer and weekend hours are handled differently and may incur additional charges.

The proposed rental agreement also includes damage-recovery language: Buildings & Grounds will add damages to invoices and may restrict future access until invoices are paid. The draft contains compliance and permissible-activity language; administration said it will follow up with the board on specific phrasing that ties permitted use to district values and safety expectations.

Why it matters: Clearer fees, a standard rental agreement and stricter invoice deadlines reduce the risk that the district subsidizes community events and improve the district’s ability to track and recover costs. Board members noted reputational risks from offsite events and asked for stronger contract language on prohibited activities and recourse if an event causes reputational harm.","Evanston CCSD 65 presented revisions to its facility rental agreement to simplify pricing, clarify fee responsibility, require signed rental agreements and charge for after-hours use (work hours defined as 7 a.m.–9 p.m. on school days). Buildings & Grounds will assess fees and financial services will collect payments.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285937,"Monthly finance reports show year-to-date improvement; district leaders warn fund balances remain low",554,2801000,3355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3&start=2801&end=3355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3/thumbnail_2801000.jpg","/articles/6285937/Illinois/Monthly-finance-reports-show-year-to-date-improvement-district-leaders-warn-fund-balances-remain-low","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285937-2bdfa4cd7d03251108139cfc31233cec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129632&Signature=LbF26AqyK1DDSwtO5h~s~ziF~M5E6GztxrupVOPs6VcDFuwawDNA4EEw-UkPe~1J-8wkrP5JkjPAyG-QdeyDiaFbN-VDpHAuYz8YwpwdLfT1JDCQkalNooHEiku5FI~FAf7j60EeiCa5KZEo9tWhEKwnYUw0lCPOu5KUQizj8KIpNb4zfVOKj0sXULESkAzTninscBbEfINJA38W4NbFQ5McpZlxrhSvPREyP03nJqvsyv0kNruQPWaBgAJjFkAgff5qnPc~ByaFW7vk~YRM~cy7tzi0VgUGFAqjLkxNRFFveq3V07Z9U2Vh~O9yBmgohC262FuMTvXop9I~KxAKwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 10 Committee of the Whole meeting, consultant Dr. Grossi presented a revised monthly financial report that shows year-to-date revenues outpacing expenditures through February and early signs that the district may outperform its approved budget.

Dr. Grossi said the district received \"a little over $25,000,000\" in revenues for February and spent \"a little over $16,000,000\" that month, as shown in the monthly snapshot. He told the board that year-to-date revenues were about $114 million and year-to-date expenditures about $111 million through February, producing an approximate $3.6 million year-to-date surplus relative to the same point last year.

The presentation compared current-year performance to the approved budget and to the prior year. The presenter highlighted several line items that are trending below budget, including purchased services, transportation and special education purchased services, and supplies. He credited tighter review of invoices, more timely bill payment, and closer building-level budget oversight for the improved trend.

District finance leadership said they have started confirming vendor statements to verify the district’s accounts-payable position and have instructed schools and vendors to meet invoice deadlines to avoid rolling prior-year bills into the new fiscal year. The board praised the new monthly report format and said it provides earlier feedback than previous practice.

But the presenter and board members cautioned that fund balance reserves remain low compared with past years and that major capital needs will require additional resources. \"The district still likely is gonna be in the lower two categories\" on the state financial profile until reserves recover, Dr. Grossi said, citing low fund balances even if structural deficits have been reduced.

Why it matters: The monthly reports give the board earlier, more actionable financial information. Improved invoice processing and timelier payments are reducing year-end catch-up adjustments, but low reserve levels and upcoming capital needs keep the district financially vulnerable.","A monthly financial report presented to the board showed year-to-date revenues exceeding expenditures by roughly $3.6 million through February and other early signs of improved spending controls; leaders cautioned fund balances remain below ideal reserves and capital needs persist.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285942,"Evanston CCSD 65 audit issues unmodified opinion, flags two material weaknesses including TRS shortfall and unreconciled cash",667,1444000,2111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3&start=1444&end=2111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3/thumbnail_1444000.jpg","/articles/6285942/Illinois/Evanston-CCSD-65-audit-issues-unmodified-opinion-flags-two-material-weaknesses-including-TRS-shortfall-and-unreconciled-cash","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285942-77e0fb65ed5d4f55209e67cab6604eca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178559&Signature=Hy30gcHw8dAeQZABWQZsuusc4CJ9nTCVMLQKBZjy5D2pjiIlT8whN7Aj2YpRPP6zEs1jnNxWiBluohBY9EmHPMrubnqayw-r5BlM0YPz0WL7wsbpop88LEO-8NUi5fLgqyOr4bvSQL-mECgUQadn9NnpQyo3OPApDt6-hvDUv9b-TzRliyRzNNQQaiqAumTd8O0OQPUdMjEbLz9ixg5l~huFYe58f4Gf552B~k7w1-dREFp8EYx77S41SawVpxhdwz4lbeuLSJLlH5lxChLFm-RinHoXWjwMyCwHI6HwnAwhsyaubBQhQsjwvdHx6e7lG-zX-zpG6oNIOoMV7iEdRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nick Cavalieri, the principal on the district’s fiscal year 2024 audit, told the Evanston CCSD 65 Board of Education on March 10 that auditors issued an unmodified opinion on the district’s financial statements and related reports.

Cavalieri said the auditors also reported two material weaknesses. \"The first material weakness relates to the bank reconciliation process,\" he said, noting the value presented in the district's books exceeded bank balances by about $575,000. The second issue, he said, was an amount payable to the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) of $718,000 that had not been remitted in fiscal 2024 and was paid in fiscal 2025.

The audit covered the district's annual financial report filed with the Illinois State Board of Education, the consolidated year-end financial report, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Cavalieri said the auditors rendered unmodified opinions on those filings as well and completed a single-audit review of major federal programs. He said the district expended roughly $13.1 million in federal awards and the auditors audited three major programs (Head Start, Title I, and ESSER/pandemic funds); the auditors reported no compliance findings from that work.

Board members asked how the auditors assess internal controls when board members are not interviewed. Cavalieri described the firm's standard approach—walkthroughs, testing and re-performance, and sampling—and said auditors also perform procedures to identify adjustments or misstatements that administration might not detect.

Tamara (district finance leadership) responded to questions about corrective work on the TRS matter, saying the district had made the TRS payment in December and had taken steps to tighten procedures, consult with staff, and prevent recurrence. She said staff who prepare the TRS filing had received oversight and the district was reviewing the report on a more frequent basis.

Cavalieri and district staff also made recommendations to strengthen internal control documentation and to add independent review of year-end journal entries (for example, entries that true up amounts between Park School and the district). The auditors recommended reconciling bank and investment differences until they were resolved and reviewing TRS reporting monthly.

Why it matters: An unmodified opinion indicates the financial statements fairly present the district's finances under the reported basis of accounting, but material weaknesses identify control gaps that could allow material errors. The board and administration said they are taking steps to remediate the findings and to tighten documentation, reconciliations and secondary review procedures.

What’s next: District staff said they have engaged the district’s software provider for reconciliation training and will document control steps; administration said it will report back to the board on remediation steps.","External auditors gave Evanston CCSD 65 an unmodified opinion on its fiscal year 2024 financial statements but reported two material weaknesses: an unreconciled bank difference of about $575,000 and a $718,000 payable to the Teachers’ Retirement System that was remitted in fiscal 2025.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285923,"Votes at a glance: Committee of the Whole approved construction, contract and change-order items",841,5135000,5976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3&start=5135&end=5976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566314-145f38b63d534628b13f3811e40236e3/thumbnail_5135000.jpg","/articles/6285923/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-Committee-of-the-Whole-approved-construction-contract-and-change-order-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285923-6402e74d58ae35782d0871d5ca677778/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178559&Signature=EdgRc3-2IjYNytrLr93TAdJKWi~jJMi7U-D2pisLCg2ltvDLuRE8B7wrVCHLGILzP8mZzYNVLpW4lsB6WvsGC0YAhKExOZckovWOmXWGZSEc3Ipd8DQRUxhglQkhB9fcEPTP5OSsqaBsGXqkidehKAqfXBV1bBTwrTktPBwqR~kZwVmmFkE87I9SwsUiyf5t136P6EIIgoKx0U3WZ8cpdiBrQrrjudvMIsUtC~HCY0kSJybWzM~CAfVZVdM0UhyemMcJcBuqMUPn0w-3whgUDdsvXFCAKoI5GW5Y5CFWnVAgwQMAC6jK8IRxutxPm5PNj~Lh460Df4tLYKwQvgqMxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Votes at the March 10 Committee of the Whole meeting (motions and roll-call votes as recorded in the meeting transcript):

1) Acceptance of construction bid — emergency exit door at JEH
Motion: \"I move that the board accept the superb steel and construction bid in the amount of $68,900 for completion for the scoped project of the construction of an emergency exit door in the family center at JEH.\" (motion seconded)
Vote (recorded): Lindsay Ryan — Yes; Wilkins — Yes; Hilburn — Yes; Kim — Yes; Salem — Yes; Sue — Yes; Hernandez — Yes.
Outcome: approved.

2) Five-year phone contract renewal
Motion: \"Move that the board approve the 5 year contract renewal with bridal 5 to secure reduced pricing while maintaining the district's current phone system.\" (motion seconded)
Board remarks said the renewal yields roughly $43,000 in annual savings.
Vote (recorded): Lindsey Ryan — Yes; Mel Elkharn — Yes; Elkharn/Elkhar?n (as recorded) — Yes; Ken — Yes; Salem — Yes; Sue — Yes; Hernandez — Yes.
Outcome: approved.

3) Foster School contract change orders (MG Mechanical)
Motion: \"I move that the board of education approve change order number 1 for the bid alternate from MG Mechanical in the amount of $80,000 for carbon dioxide sensors required to achieve the lead certification level and change order number 2 to use controls by the train company for a lower cost of $24,681, thus increasing the MG mechanical contract by $104,681 to a new value of $3,896,721.\" (motion seconded)
Vote (recorded): Lindsay Ryan — Yes; Wilkins — Yes; Halpern — Yes; Kim — Yes; Salem — Yes; Sue — Yes; Hernandez — Yes.
Outcome: approved.

4) Motion to move into closed session (appointments, employment, compensation, performance of specific employees and negotiations)
Motion: board member moved to enter closed session to discuss appointments, employment, compensation, performance specific employees and negotiations (seconded).
Vote (recorded): Salem — Yes; Sue — Yes; Halpern — Yes; Lindsay Ryan — Yes; Kim — Yes; Wilkins — Yes; Hernandez — Yes.
Outcome: approved; board moved to closed session as recorded.

Notes: All recorded votes above were unanimous based on the roll-call exchanges in the transcript. The transcript does not record the full printed motion text for every item (some motion text was read aloud and some details were summarized by staff); where the transcript did not capture a named mover or seconder, the motions are listed without a mover/second attribution.","At the March 10 Committee of the Whole meeting the board approved a construction bid for an emergency exit door, a five-year phone-contract renewal with cost savings, and two change orders increasing an MG Mechanical contract by $104,681. The board also approved a motion to move into closed session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SAP 3 committee to recommend site for middle-school dual language; decision due March 20

District proposes clearer facility rental rules, sets after-hours charges and standard rental agreement

Monthly finance reports show year-to-date improvement; district leaders warn fund balances remain low

Evanston CCSD 65 audit issues unmodified opinion, flags two material weaknesses including TRS shortfall and unreconciled cash

Votes at a glance: Committee of the Whole approved construction, contract and change-order items