The District 150 school board spent the majority of its meeting Monday night discussing issues that didn't appear on the prepared agenda.
The contentious topic of the proposed Rivertrail Apartment development made its way to the District 150 school meeting. Elaine Hopkins, a vocal opponent of the project, raised her concerns to the board that the tax district surrounding the complex doesn’t include tax-increment financing, or TIF, money for District 150.
School Board member Ernestine Jackson says she wants the district to take advantage of any possible sources of income related to the project.
“I’m hoping that we can get out front on that with the city, so that we can make sure we’re not left out,” Jackson said.
Board Vice President Rick Cloyd says District 150 is regularly meeting with city council members to discuss getting a portion of the TIF funds. Cloyd says details, like how much revenue the school district could receive, would become clearer as the project is finalized.
Cloyd raised his frustrations about computer glitches interrupting District 150 schools' annual standardized NWEA testing. Cloyd says the Northwest Evaluation Association has been subject to multiple denial-of-service cyber-attacks this past year.
"And our people are trying to administer tests in the school buildings, and they can’t sign onto the websites, or they’re blocked," Cloyd said. "So when that happens you have to stop the testing.”
Cloyd says the repeated interruptions are costing the district money and classroom time. A similar problem reportedly arose in Minnesota in March. The Minnesota Department of Education suspended their Pearson-run standardized test a month later. A Pearson spokesperson was not available for comment.
On the agenda:
The board unanimously approved the salaries of the Superintendent’s cabinet members. Newly-appointed instructional officers Jerry Bell and Angela Stockman will receive annual salaries of $115,000. Chief curriculum and instructional officer Susan Grzanich's salary is $121,000.
The board also unanimously approved an amendment on the agreement with the City of Peoria for the sale of the Adult Education (Old Washington) building at 839 W. Moss. The amendment extends the term of the agreement to December 31.
The board unanimously approved an agreement with Illinois Central College to provide interested and qualified District 150 students the opportunity to take dual-credit courses. The program would allow students to take classes not offered by the district to receive both high school and college credit. Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat says this agreement becomes effective for the second semester as a pilot program, and will be "full blown" for the 2015-2016 school year. Under the agreement, classes would be free or discounted, depending on financial need. Board member Debbie Wolfmeyer was concerned that it would be cost-prohibitive to students who don't qualify for free or subsidized courses.
The board is expected to vote on the final 2015 budget at its next meeting on Sept. 28.