Sangamon Sun

Williamsville Community Unit School District 15 Board met August 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Call to Order/ Roll Call/ Pledge of Allegiance/ Approval of Agenda:

The meeting was called to order by Secretary. Those in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made by Tom Ray and seconded by Pam Kovacevich that the agenda be approved amended.

Discussion:

•Informational tem 7b - Financial Update

•Action item 8 a - Add John Sivak - Fall Play Director for the HS

•Consent agenda - Add executive session minutes of July 24, 2017

Motion carried

Recognition of Employees and Public:

Byron Painter - South County Publications

Informational Items and Dates:

oMr. Reedy presented a list of upcoming important dates to the Board.

oAugust 21 First Full Day of School O August 31 WEA Negotiations

oSeptember 4 No School Labor Day Weekend

oSeptember 8 WCUSD 15 Alumni Reunion

oSeptember 18 BOE Budget Hearing 5:45 Unit Office

oSeptember 18 Regular BOE Meeting Unit Office

Approval of the Consent Agenda:

A motion was made by Ieresa Benner and seconded by e ConSent agenda containing items a, b, c, d, e and f: Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of August 7, 2017, Approval of the Executive Session Meeting Minutes of August 7, 2017, Approval of the Negotiation Meeting Minutes of August 8, 14 and 17, Approval of the Bills in the amount of $452,943.82, including reimbursement of the revolving fund of $817.84, Approval of the Treasurer's Report, and Approval of Superintendent's Acceptance of

•Colin Brennan - JV Baseball

•Stephanie Sanderbeck – Special Ed Aide, WHS

On roll call the following members answered aye!

Teresa Benner Charles Waugh

Kurt Ratliff Pam Kovacevich

Tom Ray Corey Conklin

Matt Seman

On roll call the following members were absent:

Motion carrier

Informational Items:

A.Administrative Reports

Clay Shoufler - full report Submitted to the Board

•19 new students have enrolled and 10 have moved out.

•Mrs. Thomas Coordinated Some events for students today regarding the eclipse and her connections to NASA. She is passionate about this and has done a fabulous job getting the kids excited too.

Enrollment; 2015-2016; 2016-2017; 2017-2018:

5th grade- 125; 95; 127

6th grade- 118; 130; 98

7th grade- 116; 116; 132

8th grade- 99; 120; 117

Students

•New Student Orientation was organized and directed by Mrs. Ashley Damery, Guidance Counselor. Current students helped guide them around the building during their activities.

• Meet the Teacher Night was held Wednesday Aug 16. Students were able to meet teachers and gain insight into the upcoming School year.

• Softball, Baseball, and Cross Country seasons are underway.

• Building and Grounds

•New Gym floor was repainted over the summer and looks fantastic.

Adam Ibbotson - full report Submitted to the board

SAT-

The College Board released Preliminary SAT data from the April 5th statewide administration. WHS posted a composite average of 1085 compared to the state average of 1018. The 1085 composite translates to an ACT average score of 21.74% of students met the benchmark for English and writing and 60% met the benchmark in math. These numbers have not been finalized yet but the final scores will be posted as a part of district report card. This fall we will administer the PSAT 8/9 to all freshmen to provide them a baseline predicted SAT score. This will also help us determine students who may need intervention and to track growth until their junior year when they take the SAT

AP Scores-

The college board also released AP scores from the spring as well. 84 different exams were given with 61% of those exams scoring a 3 or higher. 3 is the minimum score to be considered qualified. "Qualified" means that you have proven yourself capable of doing the work of an introductory-level Course in a particular Subject at College. Many Colleges and universities grant Credit and placement for scores of 3, 4 or 5; however, each college decides which scores it will accept. 7 students in AP Calculus earned a 5, which is a perfect score.

Curriculum Updates-

WCUSD #15 Conducted several trainings over the month of August covering the new ELA series that was adopted last year and will be in use beginning this year. Trainings were held for grades K-5 at SES, grades 6-8 at WJHS and were conducted by myself and HMH trainers. This is year two of the new math series K-12. We began the process of alignment vertically K-12 last year and will be looking at assessments this year and their alignment to the Illinois Learning Standards

Adam Eucker- full report Submitted to the Board

New Athletic Trainer

Kurt Turner began as our new athletic trainer through Springfield Clinic on Monday, August 7. Kurt is familiar with WHS as he previously had been the full time athletic trainer at Riverton through Memorial SportsCare. During the fall season Kurt will be at home varsity and JV football games, home volleyball games, and home boys' Soccer games. Since the contract with Springfield Clinic states that home freshman football games will not be staffed with an athletic trainer, we have hired Medics First to be on site for ambulance service in case there is an injury.

Kurt's plan is to be at WHS four days a week with his game coverage and then practices as well throughout the fall.

Fall participation numbers per event were reported. Almost half the student body in the HS is enrolled in a fall Sport. Many of our students are involved in band and music programs as well.

Professional Development for Coaches

I have been looking for ways to provide our Coaches with in-house professional development opportunities over the last several years. This year we kicked the school year off working on a vision and mission statement for the athletic department that aligns with the district mission statement. We conducted our first brainstorming session on Wednesday, August 16; during which, the Coaches were placed in Small groups across both sports and mixed between junior high and high School. The groups worked on answering the following four questions:

- What does it mean to you when you say or hear the phrase, "It's Better to be a Bullet?"

- Where are we going as the WCUSD15. Athletic Department?

- Why do we do what we do within the WCUSD15 Athletic Department?

- What do you believe are the core values of the WCUSD15 Athletic Department?

oTry to put this into an acronym (Ex: WCUSD, Bullet, BTBAB)

We will meet again as a coaching staff during the October in-service and look for common themes across the answers and begin to construct both statements.

This exercise will be done with the Captains Counsel as well. This year the 1 semester will be juniors and seniors and the 2" semester will be freshmen and sophomores.

We are also starting a book study that I have invited coaches to be a part of throughout the School year as well. My plan is to do one each quarter and meet every other week to discuss the book and how it relates to coaching Student-athletes and the overall athletic experience at WCUSD15. The first book that we will be reading is Chop Wood, Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf. We Currently have seven Coaches Committed to participating during the first quarter. Our plan is to read and discuss four books over the course of the School year.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, August 21:

- Sports Boosters Clothing Sale at United Community Bank

- High School Boys' Soccer Home and Season Opener vs. Lincoln

Tuesday, August 22:

- High School Volleyball Home and Season Opener vs. Bloomington Central Catholic

Thursday, August 23:

- High School Girls' Golf Season Opener vs. Rushville

Friday, August 25:

- High School Football Home and Season Opener vs. Riverton

Wednesday, September 6

- Booster Club Meeting at Sherman Village Hall

- Chick-Fil-A Night for Athletic Department

Friday, September 8:

- Varsity Football vs. Maroa-Forsyth live on Friday Night Rivals on CW 23

Doug Furlow - full report Submitted to the Board:

Initial Enrollment Numbers as of August 21, 2017

127 - Freshmen

98 – Sophomores

118 – Juniors

134 – Seniors

477 - Ota

•New student orientation was held and assisted by some NHS students who worked as student ambassadors

•Abe's Amble was recently held and Mr. Furlow received a note about the most encouraging group being our HS Cross Country student athletes

Congratulations to the WHS Band and Choir students on an outstanding performance at Busch Stadium on August 9, 2017.

Mr. Furlow,

I just wanted to send you a quick note to tell you how impressed was with the performances given by both your School's band and choir at the Cardinals-Royals game on August 9, 2017. Musically, they were outstanding.especially the arrangement of "God Bless America" sung by the choir. I have attended many MLB games around the Country and have heard none better by a choir or band.

Also in watching the performances on the screen, noticed that each of the students paid attention to the director and seemed to be trying to do their very best. As a retired high school teacher and assistant principal, I know how hard that is to instill into large groups.

Janis Lindsey - full report submitted to the Board

1. Enrollment

2. Elementary Activities

•August 21. First day for Preschool for All students

•September 5 PTO meeting at 6:30

•September 20 School picture day

The year is off to a great start. The building looks great. The Armours did some landscaping for the building that looks great and this was a service they provided.

B. Superintendent's Report

1. Financial Update and Tentative 2017-18 District Budget

Mr. Reedy discussed the current financial situation in the district. He noted the following:

•2 MCAT payments were paid, but we are still $350,000 short due to not receiving our GSA payment

•State owes our district $279,000 from last fiscal year

•We abated $600,000 from the Working Cash to pay the bills in May. Mr. Reedy is concerned about being able to cover the bills in April and May of 2018

•Tentative budget is posted on the website

oDeficit in all funds $333,981, and in operating funds - a deficit of $329,775

•We will have a budget hearing prior to the September meeting

•The district has $460,000 less than this time last year due to a lack of revenue from the State

Mr. Reedy included a 2005-2017 cash flow analysis and reiterated where we are at the end of July with a balance in all funds of $4,037,568 and a balance in the Operating Funds of $3,046,726. By comparison, at the end of July 2016, our balance in all funds was $4,497,802 and in the Operating Funds was $3,570,966.

2. Facilities Update

Mr. Reedy continues to keep the Board apprised on issues related to district facilities. He noted the following:

•Tremco was in recently and completed some patching in the 6" grade wing of the junior high. They provided an estimate for restoring and/or replacement and repairing of roofs totaling $515,845. Mr. Reedy recommends a separate committee of the whole meeting to discuss district roofing needs. He noted that we need to create a bid plan and prioritize the district needs.

•Priority for the district as a whole:

•JH 6" grade wing is #1, SES front entrance, MS Gym, and the JH Old Gym are the top district priority items.

Mr. Reedy showed photos of each building and discussed the priority needs by building.

A question was asked if damage can be seen, and at this time, visible damage is limited to ceiling tiles.

Mr. Reedy stated he would like to create a long term facilities plan. While there is $130,000 budgeted for roofing issues, this is not enough money for all the needed repairs.

A question was asked about the 1% sales tax and where it stands. Mr. Reedy stated he will follow up, but there has been little movement on this. If it were to happen, that money would go to the building fund and provide an estimated $1.1 to $1.2M in revenue to our district.

3. Legislative Update

SB1 is currently with the House. Mr. Reedy showed a flow chart that details what takes place now in regards to the bill. No action was taken Wednesday, but negotiations are ongoing. Private school vouchers are a part of this. If it's not approved by the 28", the bill dies. $94,000 would come our way if the bill passes.

TIF and PTELL items appear to be dead, which is good for our district.

Mr. Reedy will keep the board informed of any legislative movement.

4. Health and Dental Insurance Plans

Mr. Reedy reminded the board of the procedure regarding the bidding of the health insurance and the process that was followed. He noted that after the RFP was sent out, we received 8 bids. All were presented to the insurance committee and to the Board for evaluation. When the district was asked by the WEA for more time, or to present more options, the district complied.

In order to present a plan that allows for some savings to the district, as well as maintain a similar

plan design - keeping the co pays and prescription coverage in tact - the recommendation is to

keep the current plan, but eliminate the HRA, which shifts the full deductible to the employees.

5. First Week of School

Mr. Reedy has visited the buildings and the students and staff are excited to be back and are already doing a great job.

6. District Social Media

Mr. Reedy encourages our building principals to tell our story on Social media. Mr. Reedy will carry the flag for the district, Principals for their buildings, and teachers for their kids. Twitter and Facebook are great venues to use for this.

A motion was made by Teresa Benner and seconded by Pam Kovacevich to hire certified and non-certified staff for the 2017-18 school year:

Emily Schreiber — Teacher Aide at SESandWJHS

Amanda Wilson-Meyer —Teacher Aide at WMS and WJHS

Tyler Sisti-WJHS Custodian and Maintenance

Kristy Cole - WHS Spring Musical Director

Jill Manley — Teacher Aide at WHS

John Sivak - Fall Play Director - WHS

Discussion: None

On roll call the following members answered aye:

Teresa Benner Charles Waugh

Kurt Ratliff Pam Kowacevich

Tom Ray Corey Conklin

Matt Seman

On roll call the following members were absent:

Motion carried

A motion was made by Pam Kovacevich and seconded by Tom Ray to approve the 2017-18 WCUSD #15 health and dental insurance plans

Discussion: None

On roll call the following members answered aye!

Teresa Benner Charles Waugh

Kurt Ratliff Pam KOWaCevich

Tom Ray Corey Conklin

Matt Seman

On roll call the following members were absent:

Motion Carried

A board photo was taken.

Executive Session:

A motion was made by Tom Ray and seconded by Corey Conklin to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of Under 5 ILCS 120/2c of the Open Meetings Act. Collective bargaining, the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employee or legal counsel for the public body

Discussion:

On roll call the following members answered aye!

Teresa Benner Charles Waugh

Kurt Ratliff Pam Kowacevich

Tom Ray Corey Conklin

Matt Seman

On roll call the following members were absent:

Motion Carried

The Board entered executive session at 6:58pm and returned to open session at 8:41 pm.

A motion was made by Teresa Benner and seconded by Corey Conklin to return to open session.

Discussion: None

Motion Carried.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Kurt Ratliff and seconded by Corey Conklin to adjourn the meeting.

Discussion: None

Motion Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:42 pm

http://www.wcusd15.org/index.php/board/board-meeting-minutes/964-20170821-board-meeting-minutes/file