Public Participation at Board Meetings

Statement:

Ms. Barbara Cachey made a statement to the Board of Education on April 9, 2024 in regard to pay rates for District 118 paraprofessionals.

Answer:

The Palos 118 Board of Education wants to thank you for attending the April 9, 2024 meeting to express your concerns regarding the current pay rate for paraprofessionals.

We also want to recognize the dedication and hard work of all of our parapros. Your contributions are valued, and we understand that fair compensation is an important aspect of your overall satisfaction as an employee of District 118.

The district is committed to offering competitive compensation packages that align with prevailing wages for similar positions in the field of education and in the surrounding South Cook suburbs. Our aim is to attract and retain talented individuals like yourself while also ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

The Board will take your public comments into consideration this spring when discussing compensation for next year. Thank you once again for bringing this matter to our attention. Your feedback is important to us, and we remain committed to supporting you in your role within our district.

Statement:

Ms. Barbara Cachey made a statement to the Board of Education on March 12, 2024 in regard to pay rates for District 118 paraprofessionals.

Answer:

The Palos 118 Board of Education wants to thank you for attending the March 12, 2024 meeting to express your concerns regarding the current pay rate for paraprofessionals.

We also want to recognize the dedication and hard work of all of our parapros. Your contributions are valued, and we understand that fair compensation is an important aspect of your overall satisfaction as an employee of District 118.

The district is committed to offering competitive compensation packages that align with prevailing wages for similar positions in the field of education and in the surrounding South Cook suburbs. Our aim is to attract and retain talented individuals like yourself while also ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

The Board will take your public comments into consideration this spring when discussing compensation for next year. Thank you once again for bringing this matter to our attention. Your feedback is important to us, and we remain committed to supporting you in your role within our district.

Christine Pillado addressed the board regarding the March 19, 2024 referendum.

Question:

I am concerned about moving money to cover expenses incurred by funding programs instituted by the state but as yet not funded. How are we, the taxpayers going to cover this shortfall year after year without an increase in our property taxes?

Answer:

The passage of this referendum coupled with continued low spending, the elimination of future borrowing costs to maintain school buildings and advocating for mandate reform will keep the school district on sound financial footing for the next generation of Palos 118 students.

To learn more about each of these areas, please visit our referendum website at palos118.org/referendum.

On the topic of mandate reform, school administrators and school boards work through professional associations and lobbying organizations to fight against unfunded mandates.

Dr. Scarsella is president-elect of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), where he takes an active role in stemming the tide of K-12 mandates. He has also been appointed to Vision 2030, a statewide group of education stakeholders committed to improving education in Illinois. He serves on the subcommittee charged with advocating for mandate reform in the state.

Mr. Veihman, Chief School Business Official, is president of the South Cook Region of the Illinois Association of School Business Managers (IASBO), which also is active in pushing back against school mandates.

The Palos 118 Board of Education is a member of the Illinois Association of School Boards. This organization advocates heavily for local control and against additional mandates.

Question:

Why is the school district going to offer free full-day kindergarten if it isn’t mandated by the state.

Answer:

Last year, the General Assembly passed legislation mandating all school districts in Illinois provide free full-day kindergarten for all students by school year 2027-2028. The General Assembly has not appropriated any funding to local school districts to implement this new mandate.

If the referendum is successful, the school district will provide free full-day kindergarten for all starting in school year 2024-2025.

Abdulrahman Rashid Abukhdeir addressed the board on the topic of the use of CNN-10 in the classroom, and Linda Matariyeh addressed the board on issues regarding her son at Palos South.

 

Response to Public Comment from Aug. 1, 2023 Finance Committee Meeting

Public Comment:

A family provided public comment to share with the Board of Education their concerns regarding the accessibility/inclusivity of the Palos East playground.

Board Response:

Thank you for providing public comment and sharing with the Board your concerns regarding the accessibility/inclusivity of the Palos East playground.  The Board will take your concerns into consideration when discussing future improvements to the playground.  At this time, there are no scheduled improvements to the playgrounds.  Administration will reach out to you to discuss any changes to the school district’s capital improvement plan that may include future improvements.

Public Comment:

A resident of Suffield Woods shared with the Board concerns regarding parents blocking streets around Palos West during dismissal and inquired as to why more students don’t ride the bus.

Palos 118 Response:

The school district and Board of Education share the same concerns regarding the traffic volume at Palos West during dismissal.  The school district has requested the assistance of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide support managing traffic in the afternoon.  We are grateful for the support the Sheriff’s Office has provided this school year.

Additionally, the school has and will continue to communicate with parents the option of having their children ride the bus home and the importance of following traffic laws while on public roadways around the school.  Unfortunately, the school district only has jurisdiction on school property.

Palos 118 strives to be a good neighbor and will continue to look for ways to reduce congestion around the school during afternoon dismissal.

Public Comment:

A resident from Suffield Woods share with the Board concerns regarding property owners using land around the slough behind Palos West to store boats, furniture, and other undesirable items.  The resident indicated the school district controlled the conservatorship the property was governed by.

Palos 118 Response:

Palos 118 does not control the conservation easement around the slough behind Palos West.  The school district will notify Palos West neighbors of any infringement on actual school property.

Response to Public Comment from Oct. 17, 2023 Regular Board Meeting

Public Comment:

Parent Suzan Atallah addressed the Board regarding student safety and well-being regarding recent news and events in the community.

Board Response:

Dr. Scarsella addressed the issue in his October monthly report to the Board of Education that can be found here.