Dist. 214 board authorizes emergency spending powers, e-learning

At one of the rare public meetings that wasn't canceled, Northwest Suburban High School District 214 board members - some wearing disposable gloves and all sitting six feet apart - met Thursday night to expedite an e-learning proposal and give their finance chief temporary powers to spend up to $5 million for emergency situations.

There were only four people in the audience for the meeting at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights, but they too were seated in chairs placed six feet apart, under social distancing guidelines that have become commonplace in the wake of the coronavirus.

The emergency spending powers would be given to Cathy Johnson, the district's associate superintendent for finance and operations, to approve and sign any contracts or documents related to the expenditures of funds in an emergency situation over the next 90 days.

For example, Superintendent David Schuler said, the district would have to spend emergency funds if health department officials or hospitals require District 214 to transform Forest View gym into a makeshift hospital.

"In the event these waves of cases come and the health care system is overwhelmed, in Washington state, they're turning to the schools to be the next layer of support," Schuler said. "If it does end up happening here, we're going to need (the funds) in an instant. We hope we won't have to use that authority."

Schuler told board members he would inform them before any emergency monies were to be spent. Board members would then formally vote on the expenditures at their next scheduled meeting.

But their unanimous approval Thursday to enable their finance chief to spend district funds means there likely wouldn't be a need to call a special board meeting in an emergency situation, like was the case when Prospect High School's roof was damaged.

"We wouldn't want to wait 10 days to meet the needs of our community," said board President Dan Petro.

Added board member Millie Palmer: "These are very extraordinary times."

The board Thursday also gave formal approval to an e-learning plan that went into effect Tuesday, when students began watching teachers' lectures and getting assignments to do at home. The district already had its plan in the works, but the coronavirus "sped up our timeline significantly," Schuler said.

Students are on spring break next week and due to be back in school March 30, but the district is awaiting further guidance from Gov. J.B. Pritzker if schools will be closed longer, Schuler said.

With uncertainties over graduation ceremonies and some colleges already canceling theirs, District 214's board on Thursday put on hold the $9,200 purchase of audio equipment for planned outdoor ceremonies.

"We're hopeful but realistic," Schuler said.