Sangamon Sun

The Springfield Public School District #186 Board of Education met Oct. 3 to receive an update on the science curriculum.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

The Springfield Public School District No. 186 board of education includes seven members elected to serve either two- or four-year terms. The board is responsible for establishing educational policies and guidelines for the district. Members meet on the first and third Monday of each month at the administrative offices, 1900 W. Monroe St.

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BOARD OF EDUCATION, SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 186, SPRINGFIELD, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS Monday, October 3, 2016 (6:30 PM)

The Board of Education convened in Regular Session on October 3 A.D., 2016, at 5:32 p.m., there being present thereat:

Present: Adam Lopez, President

Julie Hammers, Board Secretary

Chuck Flamini Lisa Funderburg Blake Handley Judith Johnson Donna Moore Mike Zimmers

Jennifer Gill, Superintendent Dominique Lasalvia, Student Member

CALL TO ORDER 1.1 Roll Call President Lopez called the meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION Mrs. Funderburg moved to adjourn to Executive Session to consider the following matters:

2.1 The Appointment, Employment, or Dismissal of Employees 2.2 Contract Negotiations 2.3 Student Disciplinary Matters and Other Matters Concerning Individual Students

Motion seconded by Mr. Zimmers and carried by the following vote:

Those voting “aye”: Flamini, Funderburg, Handley, Johnson, Lopez, Moore, Zimmers Those voting “no”: None.

Adjournment to Executive Session The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m. and reconvened at 6:35 p.m. Upon reconvening, it was noted that seven Board members were present as Ms. Johnson joined the meeting at 5:44 p.m.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 3.1 President’s Comments President Lopez made the routine announcement that public comment on published agenda items would occur during the Public Comments portion of the meeting. He instructed those interested in addressing the Board to fill out the required Public Participation at Board Meetings

Form and submit it to Ms. Mitchell in the front row of the audience. Additionally, he reminded those interested in addressing the Board that comments are limited to three minutes.

Mr. Lopez reported visiting Southeast High School, Franklin Middle School and the Springfield Learning Academy since the September 19, 2016 Board Meeting to view the new technology in use at each of the schools.

3.2 Board Salutes Mr. Zimmers reported that he, Ms. Grove and Mrs. Morrison had greeted students from Springfield’s sister city, Ashikaga, Japan during a recent reception.

DISCUSSION ITEMS 4.1 Old Business Mrs. Funderburg asked for an update on the science curriculum. Mrs. Gill reported that administration is on track to make the needed additions to the curriculum. She and Mrs. Morrison have met with the science and math departments.

4.2 New Business Mrs. Moore reported that concerns were expressed during a recent town hall meeting in her ward about the lack of access to libraries that some students encounter as they live in some of the smaller municipalities within the Springfield city limits. Mrs. Gill reported that the Lincoln Library recently contacted her. The library would like to work with the District to ensure that all Springfield Public Schools’ students have electronic access to the libraries materials.

Ms. Johnson asked that the District purchase the technology necessary to allow parents to view their child’s behavior in recorded discipline infraction videos.

4.3 Student Business Miss LaSalvia reported that the Superintendent’s Roundtable met on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. The students discussed inviting the high school principals to the October meeting, middle school visits and Unity Day. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26.

PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD There were no presentations at this time.

BUSINESS REPORTS 6.1 Financial Report Board members were provided with electronic copies of the Monthly Financial Report for September 2016. Copies have been filed with the Official Minutes and are available for public viewing on the Electronic School Board.

Mr. Joseph Bascio, Business Manager, reported Education Fund revenues for the month of September 2016 approximately $27.38 million with expenditures of approximately $9 million. Operations and Maintenance Fund revenues totaled approximately $4.7 million with expenditures of approximately $1.17 million. Mr. Bascio further reported outstanding state payments total approximately $6.5 million.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT 7.1 Superintendent's Report Mrs. Gill provided the following Shout-Outs and updates:

• The District kicked off its annual two week long United Way Campaign

• Shout out to all of the families and students that attended the Every Student Succeeds Act forum at Southeast High School

• Franklin Falcons Lydia Lupton who was recognized by IMSA recently for earning a gold ribbon for her Science Fair project last spring.

• The Special Education Department is planning a Who’s Who of Special Education Town Meeting on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at Graham Elementary School from 4:30 until 6:00 p.m.

• The Springfield Public Schools Foundation will hold a book fair at Barnes and Noble on Saturday, October 8, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. as well as a Jersey Mike’s $2 Sub Card fundraiser from October 7 – 10.

7.2 Technology Update Mrs. Gill provided an update on the 5-Year Technology Plan, approved by the Board in April. She reported that 1,115 teacher and educator laptops were refreshed since April 2016, allowing teachers quicker access to the Internet and the work they need to accomplish without interruption of service. She further reported that over 700 employees purchased their old computers, generating approximately $90,000 in revenue to make other technology purchases. Sixteen teachers received one-to-one grants. Eleven Chromebook carts were purchased with funds left over in the FY2016 budget for the high schools. The District received a foreign language grant that allowed the purchase of technology for each of the high schools’ foreign language departments. Next, Mrs. Gill reported that the District has been able to purchase 931 Chromebooks, 1,486 iPads, and 345 MacBook Airs since April 2016. Additionally, the District now has 152 one-to-one iPads, 30 one-to-one Chromebook classrooms, and a handful of classrooms utilizing other one-to-one technology.

Mrs. Gill reported that the refresh cycle resulted in the refresh of 290 iPads over the summer. Additionally, Title I will refresh 550 iPads over the course of the next year. Mrs. Gill thanked Brent Qualls, Manager of Technology Services and Joseph Bascio, Business Manager, for their work surrounding needed infrastructure upgrades made with E-Rate funding. This work has resulted in new wiring for all classrooms throughout the District. A partnership with Comcast has allowed for supplemental Internet access throughout the District.

Mrs. Gill then discussed the importance of providing technology access to students to prepare them for a changing job market, which requires advanced aptitude in technology.

Mrs. Moore asked about computer coding class offerings at the high school level. Mrs. Gill indicated that the District provides a list of apps for each grade level that teachers can incorporate into their classes. Mrs. Funderburg asked for an update as to how the six new carts at Springfield High School are being used. Mrs. Moore asked if the computers that were refreshed included the programs teachers previously had on their computer. Mrs. Gill reported that the teachers were provided with everything they need. There was then some discussion regarding access points and how they affect the speed of internet coming into the classrooms.

CONSENT ACTION ITEMS 8.1 Approval of Consent Action Items Approval of consent action items as listed in the agenda. Resolution: The Superintendent recommends approval of the consent action items 8.2 through 8.5 as described in the corresponding resolutions.

ORIGINAL - Motion Member (Donna Moore) Moved, Member (Michael Zimmers) Seconded to approve the ORIGINAL motion 'The Superintendent recommends approval of the consent action items 8.2 through 8.5 as described in the corresponding resolutions'. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: Aye: 7 Nay: 0. The motion Carried. 7 - 0

Those voting “aye”: Flamini, Funderburg, Handley, Johnson, Lopez, Moore, Zimmers Those voting “no”: None. Those voting “present” on Item 8.2: Handley, Johnson, Moore

8.2 Approval of the Minutes of the Executive Session and the Regular Meeting of September 19, 2016 Resolution: WHEREAS, the Board of Education of Springfield School District 186 reviews the minutes of the regular session and the executive session of the previous Board Meetings; and WHEREAS, copies of these sets of minutes were distributed to the Board in the board packet prior to this meeting; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the aforementioned set of regular session and executive session minutes and directs the Secretary to include them in the official records of the Board of Education meetings.

8.3 Approval of Payroll and Bills Payable Resolution: That the Board of Education approves payroll and bills payable as shown in the attached report.

8.4 Approval of a Contract with the University of Illinois at Springfield -Sangamon Auditorium This contract with the Sangamon Auditorium is for the All City Music Festival that will be held on April 18, 2017. Resolution: WHEREAS, the All City Music Festival is held on April 18, 2017; and WHEREAS, the All City Music Festival is scheduled to commence at the Sangamon Auditorium; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the contract for rental of Sangamon Auditorium on April 18, 2017, at a cost of approximately $5,330.40 and directs the Fine Arts Coordinator to execute the necessary documents.

8.5 Approval of a Consultant Agreement with Mary Jo Bangert for St. Agnes School Description of presentation: Writing Matters is a professional development for teachers with an alignment of the Illinois Writing Standards and instructional practices to implement the Illinois Learning Standards for Writing. The Illinois Writing Matters website http://www.ilwritingmatters.org/ and the Standards and Gradual Release of Responsibility Instructional model will be used to facilitate the various writing tasks necessary to meet the standards. Strategies and resources will be shared. This PD will be provided over two afternoons at cost of $250 per day totaling $500 on October 19, 2016, and January 18, 2017. Quick Background: Mary Jo's 34-year educator career started as a classroom teacher in a small rural district teaching Grades 1 - 8 science and 7th /8th grade Social Studies. She then moved to St. Agnes Grade school teaching 5th and 6th grade literacy/language arts and social studies. The past 20 years of her career, she was with the Springfield Illinois Public School district as a reading specialist for grades 1st – 5th and a district Teacher Instructional Leader for Literacy, Grades 6- 12. Her last 7 years at the district, she served as the K-12 Literacy, Social Studies and Library Coordinator. Her responsibilities included district professional development for literacy and K-5 Literacy intervention. Since retiring 2 years ago, she has been a Focus on Results consultant and a Professional Development Provider for the Regional Office of Education 51 with a focus on ELA and Family Engagement. Resolution: WHEREAS, Mary Jo Bangert will conduct a workshop to instruct all teachers and administrators at St. Agnes School about aligning with the Illinois Writing Standards and

Instructional practices to implement the Illinois Learning Standards for Writing; and WHEREAS, the training obtained will align with Common Core State Standards and help all teachers improve student achievement in core content areas; and WHEREAS, Mary Jo Bangert is qualified to provide such training and has agreed to provide such training over two days at a cost of $250 per day for a total of $500; and WHEREAS, Mary Jo Bangert’s consultant services are completely reimbursable through the Title II grant; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the retention of consultant Mary Jo Bangert per the terms identified above and directs the Superintendent to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the Board.

ROLL CALL ACTION ITEMS 9.1 Approval of Personnel Recommendations Resolution: The Superintendent recommends adoption of the Personnel recommendations as presented.

ORIGINAL - Motion Member (Donna Moore) Moved, Member (Blake Handley) Seconded to approve the ORIGINAL motion 'The Superintendent recommends adoption of the Personnel recommendations as presented'. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: Aye: 7 Nay: 0. The motion Carried. 7 - 0

Those voting “aye”: Flamini, Funderburg, Handley, Johnson, Lopez, Moore, Zimmers Those voting “no”: None.

9.2 Student Discipline Resolution: That the Board approves the student discipline as discussed in Executive Session and summarized by the Superintendent.

ORIGINAL - Motion Member (Michael Zimmers) Moved, Member (Blake Handley) Seconded to approve the ORIGINAL motion 'That the Board approves the student discipline as discussed in Executive Session and summarized by the Superintendent'. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: Aye: 6 Nay: 0Abstain: 1. The motion carried. 6 - 0

Those voting “aye”: Flamini, Funderburg, Handley, Lopez, Moore, Zimmers Those voting “no”: None. Those voting “abstain”: Johnson

ANNOUNCEMENTS 10.1 Next Regular Meeting — Monday, October 17, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. — Board Room

10.2 Freedom of Information Report

PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment at this time.

ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Lopez declared the meeting adjourned until Monday, October 17, 2016. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

_______________________________________ Adam Lopez, President

______________________________________ Julie A. Hammers, Secretary

Dated: _________________________