Summary of the Homer School District 33C
Finance & Operations Committee Meeting
October 12, 2016
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Barb Wilson, President Angela Adolf, Vice President Amy Blank, Secretary
Deb Martin, Member Ed Campins, Member Elizabeth Hitzeman, Member Russ Petrizzo, Member
At the October 12th Finance & Operations Committee meeting:
- Christi Tyler, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Business, reviewed the District’s student fees and compared them to surrounding school districts (New Lenox 122, Frankfort 157C, Mokena 159 and District 92). Homer 33C’s fees, which were adjusted two years ago, fall in the middle. Committee members indicated the fees are sufficient but questioned the fees Homer 33C charges for participation in school clubs. They suggested a committee be formed to study the matter.
- Tyler reviewed the 2016 Tax Levy and reminded committee members that a levy is what governing bodies ask for — not what they receive. Last year, Homer 33C sought a levy of 2.75 percent; it received 1.76 percent. This year, knowing construction is up, committee members plan to suggest that the District seek 2.87 percent. Member Petrizzo said it’s important to keep in mind that the District is not raising taxes 2.87 percent but simply trying to capture new construction.
- Tyler reviewed Public Act 99-0604 — a new State law requiring school districts to adopt a policy setting parameters for reimbursement for travel on behalf of the District. Committee members agreed, after studying rates suggested by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), to suggest the following rates to the full Board:
- Breakfast, $10
- Lunch, $12
- Dinner, $25
The Board will need to adopt a formal policy by January 1, 2017.
- Tyler reported questions have arisen about the District’s policy on staff fundraising. Several teachers and staff members have created DonorPerfect and GoFundMe sites, enabling them to raise money for specific classroom needs. While the District is appreciative of the donations, no one is tracking what requests are being posted, where the money is being funneled and whether the funds are being used for their intended purposes. There are even questions about who owns the items purchased with the donations — the District or staff members. She suggested the District establish procedures for the donations going forward.
The Next Regular School Board Meeting is October 25, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
