Final

Elgin Math & Science Academy

Environmental Work Group Meeting

Date and Time

Friday October 7, 2022 at 11:30 AM CDT

Location

Dining Hall

1600 Dundee Ave; Elgin, IL 60120

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 11:30 AM
  A. Record Attendance   1 m
  B. Call the Meeting to Order  
  C. Approve September 2, 2022 Meeting Minutes Approve Minutes 1 m
     
II. Environmental Work Group--Subcommittee to Master Plan and Facilities 11:32 AM
  A. Ecosystem Education Discuss Team 10 m
   

 

  1. Teacher support on ecosystem education 
  2. Partnership with Friends of the Fox
  3. Friday Field Studies
  4. Partnership with Forest Preserve of Kane County. 
  5. Enviro Club or Hiking Club plans
  6. Casual trail/walking for staff/students now
  
  B. Educational Spaces, Playgrounds & Natural Play Areas Discuss Team 10 m
   
  • Kindergarten outdoor learning space
  • 4th grade sound impact from playground
  • Rain Barrel from Karl Harris - connection to downspout and watering of planted areas.
  • Gym-area playground--next steps
  • Pollinator garden, Oak plantings, oak understory--maintenance plans 

 

  
  C. Arbor Day Campus Discuss Christopher Flaherty 5 m
   

Perfect weather and super motivated students! 

Report and next steps.

  
  D. Water Runoff--Updates Discuss Team 5 m
   

What are proposals for Admin; what other areas of concerns might we monitor

  
  E. Campus Map--Feedback and Next Steps Discuss Gary Swick 3 m
  F. Map of Forest Preserve Discuss Kerry Kelly 2 m
   

Staff have expressed interest in learning what is out there....do we want to take this on?

  
  G. Tick Talk Discuss 5 m
   

Approach to take to minimize tick bites--

  • Adopt official approach--provide rationale
  • Message to parents and staff
  • Permethrin-treated clothing as part of uniform?
  • Reconsider current school policy on bug spray
  • Abide by best practices for mowing to reduce ticks in specific play areas
  
  H. Trails and Walkways Discuss Richard Wilson 5 m
  I. IDOT - Traffic on I-25 Dan Alexander 2 m
  J. Tree signs Discuss Dan Alexander 2 m
   

Small signs for trees - FastSigns company suggested a sustainable material sign at lower cost than wood.

See attached for suggested materials.

 

10 of the "max metal" signs with vinyl overlay are now $266, or $26 apiece in that quantity.  The vendor gave us a discount and threw in the cost of holes in the signs, but material costs have increased (was $206.92 this spring).

 

There is no change in the cost of 10 cedar carven signs.  Still $713.75 as it was this spring

 

What will the signs say exactly?

 

 

  
  K. Sound Wall (Illinois Tollway) Discuss Dan Alexander 5 m
   

Update from D Alexander.

 

Bryan Wagner says we will have access to the study being prepared in 2-3 weeks. so by Sept. 20th roughly, at the latest. 

  
  L. EMSA Mission-Vision-Goal Setting Enviro Recommendations Discuss Sue Bennett 5 m
   

Next steps

  
  M. Ongoing Tree Care & Planned Landscaping Richard Wilson & Dan Alexander 2 m
  N. Land acknowledgement 2 m
   

Do we want to take the lead on this?

  
III. Other Business 12:35 PM
  A. What else do we need to be thinking about? 2 m
   
  • Dedication to Mr Richard--Silo Door Painting, other ideas
  
IV. Closing Items 12:37 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote
  B. Discussion of additional capital spending items - landscaping Discuss
   

Is there any wish to consider spending additional funds on landscaping?