REGULAR MEETING WINNEBAGO COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #323 DECEMBER 19, 2016

Transcription

1 REGULAR MEETING WINNEBAGO COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #323 DECEMBER 19, 2016 Christoper called the Regular Meeting of the Winnebago Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2016 in the Library at McNair Elementary School. Members answering roll call were Dennis Daly, Todd France, Elizabeth Johnson-Lovett, Duane Lovett, Michael Rossol, Christopher, and Nichole Smith. All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Daly made a motion to approve the meeting agenda; seconded by Mr. France. All voted aye, motion was approved. For the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Mr. explained that speakers are called on and allowed to speak for a maximum of two minutes. The Board of Education listens to input from the public and does not conduct open discussion on issues. Discussion on personnel matters is not allowed. No one had signed up to speak. Mr. Daly made a motion to approve the items on the consent agenda; seconded by Mrs. Johnson- Lovett. Items on consent agenda: 6.1. Approval of Minutes 1. Regular Board Meeting November 21, Approve Accounts Payable 3. Approve Personnel Report NEW HIRES: Carrie Vaught - Volunteer 6 th grade Girls Basketball Coach, Scott Peterson WMS - Custodian; RETIREMENT: Brenda Sojka WMS Science Teacher effective end of school year; RESIGNATIONS: Frank Mandera Simon Principal effective end of school year, Donna Hall Simon part-time Special Education Paraprofessional effective December 31, 2016, Heather Lipford WMS Custodian effective December 9, 2016, Scott Peterson WMS Custodian, Andrea Rezich McNair part-time Special Education Paraprofessional effective November 18, 2016, Cindel Walthers McNair part-time Cook effective December 9, Report on Monthly FOIA Requests Aye: Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Johnson-Lovett, Mr. Rossol, Mr. Lovett, Mr. France, Mr. Daly, Mr. Ron Gruber, WHS Principal, recognized and congratulated the students who have been named Illinois State Scholars Sarah Draves, Kaitlyn Freimuth, Madisyn Gearheart, Jessica Helwig, Abby Levandowski, Ethan McDougall, Lara Maschewski, Chad Morrow, Mason Sargent, and Jace Warkentein. The students were awarded certificates of accomplishment. Regular Meeting December 19, Page 1

2 MONTHLY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS WHS Teachers Sheila Erickson and Lisa Jimenez and four of their students gave a report on the Foods, Culinary Arts, and Arts trip they took to New York City in the Summer, They told about how knowledgeable their tour guide was and the loads of activities they were able to participate in. The students shared go-pro videos and shared their favorite parts of the trip. The teachers reported that they received comments on how polite and respectful the students were and how thrilled they were with the number of experiences they and the students were offered. Mr. Gruber gave a report on the beginning of the school year at Winnebago High School and spoke of how smoothly it has gone. He mentioned the Veteran s Day event, Election Day activities, band concerts, World Series activities, the Student Council field trip, football games, Homecoming activities, science experiments, the food drive competition, and more. Also, Mr. Gruber gave details on the implementation of Intervention Period, which made class periods at both the middle school and high school shorter. He shared information about the number of students attending, the number of students able to leave school early, the subject matter most needing attention, and how student grades have improved. Then, he explained about the Freshman Transition Program, which has helped 9 th grade students shift from middle school to high school. The staff to student ratio is at 2:20. This program is customized and is evolving thus allowing students needing assistance to get it. Another benefit is that athletes needing to leave school early for away sporting events are not missing instructional time. Will Hartje, District Activities Director, was asked if these programs are making a difference in athletic eligibility, and he reported that improvements from previous years have been recognized. SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT Mr. Bloomquist reported on changes made in school district special education services and noted that another need has arisen. Continued academic support is needed for students with emotional and/or behavioral issues. Efforts have been made to build a sustainable program while avoiding sending our students to other locations for services. Considering the fees and transportation costs to have students go elsewhere, it is financially wise to continue to build the special education program on site. It was noted that currently classroom space is available in the hallway connecting the middle and high schools. A search is being conducted for a teacher for this secondary program. Mr. Bloomquist told that the District Office has been preparing for the software change to Skyward for several months. The process has been laborious with the transition taking place as of January 1, A Skyward rep will be on-site for training during the week between Christmas and New Year s Day. First, finance and human resources software will be launched with consideration being given to adding student records software in the future. Mr. Bloomquist also spoke about staff training focused on student safety and how to verbally de-escalate situations. In conjunction with the Village Police, Winnebago School District will pilot a violence prevention program. Representatives will attend a multiday training on the Salem-Kaizer Threat Assessment Program with the costs being paid by the Winnebago County Special Education Cooperative and federal government funds. OLD BUSINESS SECOND READING BOARD POLICIES 2:120: Board Member Development 2:125: Board Member Compensation; Expenses 2:125-E1: Board Member Expense Reimbursement Form 2:200: Types of School Board Meetings Regular Meeting December 19, Page 2

3 Regular Meeting December 19, Page 3 2:220: School Board Meeting Procedure 2:220-E1: Board Treatment of Closed Meeting Verbatim Recordings and Minutes 2:220-E2: Motion to Adjourn to Closed Meeting 2:220-E4: Open Meeting Minutes 2:220-E5: Semi-Annual Review of closed Meeting Minutes 2:220-E6: Log of Closed Meeting Minutes 2:220-E7: Access to Closed Meeting Minutes and Verbatim Recordings 2:220-E8: School Board Records Maintenance Requirements FAQ s 4:60: Purchases and Contracts 4:110: Transportation 4:175: Convicted Child Sex Offender; Screening; Notifications 5:10: Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment 5:60: Expenses Rewritten 5:100: Staff Development Program 5:125: Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct 5:185: Family and Medical Leave 5:190: Teacher Qualifications 5:250: Leaves of Absence 5:260: Student Teachers 5:280: Duties and Qualifications 5:330: Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves 6:15: School Accountability 6:50: School Wellness 6:60: Curriculum Content 6:145: Migrant Students 6:160: English Learners 6:170: Title I Programs 6:310: High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students 6:340: Student Testing and Assessment Program 7:15: Student and Family Privacy Rights 7:50: School Admission and Student Transfers To and From Non- District Schools 7:60: Residence 7:70: Attendance and Truancy 7:250: Student Support Services 7:260: Exemption from Physical Education 7:305: Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries 7:310: Restrictions on Publications 7:315: Restrictions on Publications; High Schools 8:30: Visitors to and Conduct on School Property 8:70: Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities

4 Mr. Bloomquist explained that since these policies were first read, new language has been presented for Policy 7:50 and 7:250. He recommended approving Policy 7:50 with the new language, and in Policy 7:250, all principals and himself will be named as Foster Care Liaisons. Concern was raised about Policy 5:260. Discussion took place about the need to have student teachers and students participating in field experience and internships having to have background checks done. The State of Illinois has set these guidelines. There are costs involved especially for those having to have checks done while working for and/or observing in several school districts. Mr. Bloomquist stated that he could check with the attorney for clarification before this policy is approved. Mr. Daly made a motion to approve the policy updates as presented while pulling Policy 5:260; seconded by Mr. Rossol. Aye: Mrs. Johnson-Lovett, Mr. Rossol, Mr. Lovett, Mr. Daly Nay: Mr. France, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Approved: 4-3 NEW BUSINESS Mr. reported that the school board had met and discussed the Health Life Safety Amendments needing approval. Projects were identified as A, B, and C and will be submitted to the State of Illinois. Mr. France made a motion to approve the 10 Year Health Life Safety Amendments as presented; seconded by Mr. Daly. Aye: Mr. Daly, Mrs. Johnson-Lovett, Mr. France, Mr. Rossol, Mr. Lovett, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Will Hartje, District Activities Director, presented information about the need to have the high school gym floor sanded down and refinished. Preliminary information was shared at the recent Committee of the Whole Meeting. Generally, gym floors need to be redone every 15 years, and the current floor is 17 years old. The floor coloring has dulled, and the sealant does not adhere to some spots. German American Bank has been approached about donating towards this project. They are contribute $10,000 towards this effort. In the past, they have made generous donations towards the football pressbox and the basketball scorer s table. The bank logo has been approved by IHSA and can be painted on part of the floor. Discussion was held on if other sponsorships should be sought. It was commented that basketball coaches prefer the two tone stain design. Specialty Flooring would be used for the project and comes with good references. Even though the donation will be made now, the gym floor project would not be done until the summer, so the school district portion of the project costs would be built into the FY18 Budget. Mr. France made a motion to approve the Winnebago High School gym floor resurfacing project with a cost to not exceed $28,295 minus the $10,000 donation from German American Bank; seconded by Mr. Daly. Aye: Mr. France, Mr. Rossol, Mr. Lovett, Mr. Daly, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Johnson-Lovett, Mr. Regular Meeting December 19, Page 4

5 Discussion was held about if the school board would like to endorse having a resolution written taking a stand against the railroad desiring to build through the school district. The consensus of the board was to not take action on this issue. At 7:18 p.m., Mr. Daly made a motion to enter into Executive Session for the following reason: The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (1); seconded by Mr. France. All voted aye, and the meeting went to Executive Session. At 8:15 p.m., the school board returned to Open Session. At 8:15 p.m., Mr. Rossol made a motion for the meeting to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Daly. All voted aye, meeting adjourned. Approved: January 17, 2016 Respectfully submitted: _ Christopher, President Jennifer Lindgren, Secretary Regular Meeting December 19, Page 5