Sangamon Sun

Ball Chatham Community Unit School District 5 Board met Dec. 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Community Unit District Number Five was held December 20, 2018 at the Ball-Chatham District Office which place is within the boundaries of said district.

Board President Steve Copp called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m. The Board clerk noted that Board Members Copp, Brewer, Durairaj, Maddox, Sieren, Worley and Yurevich were present.

Administrators present: Dusty Burk, Mike Dobbs, Jennifer Farnsworth, Elizabeth Gregurich, Cindy Knight, Christine Lehnen, Jim Lovelace, Chad Martel, Charlotte Montgomery, Josh Mulvaney, Ashley Romadka, Betsy Schroeder, Kim Sepich, Doug Szcinski and Supt. Dr. Douglas Wood.

Media present: Joe Pritchett, Chatham Clarion

Approval of Agenda Board President Copp called for a vote to approve the evening’s agenda.

Maddox moved to approve the agenda for the Board of Education’s regular meeting of December 20, 2018. Upon said motion being seconded by Yurevich, the Board president called for a vote. All Board members voted “yes.”

Action Items from Closed Session Board President Copp read aloud the following recommendations:

To approve the closed session minutes of November 20, 2018 and November 29, 2018 as amended or approved in closed session.

Maddox moved to approve the closed session minutes of November 20, 2018 and November 29, 2018 as approved in closed session. Upon said motion being seconded by Durairaj, the Board president called for a vote. All Board members voted “yes.”

To approve the recommendation from the expulsion hearing to expel Student A for 1.5 years (remainder of the 2018/19 school year and 2019/20 school year).

Yurevich moved to approve the recommendation from expulsion hearing. Upon said motion being seconded by Maddox, the Board President called for a vote. All Board Members voted “yes.”

Truth and Taxation Hearing President Copp announced the opening of the Levy Hearing Process. Charlotte Montgomery, CSBO, shared and informed the board that there were no updates to the Tentative Tax Levy Presentation that she presented at the November 29, 2018 regular board meeting. Ms. Montgomery opened for questions, none were noted.

Worley moved to approve the resolution to adopt the 2018 Tax Levy. Upon said motion being seconded by Durairaj, the Board President called for a vote. All Board Members voted “yes.”

Sieren moved to close the levy hearing. Upon said motion being seconded by Maddox, the Board President called for a vote. All Board Members voted “yes”.

Communication Technology Annual Report Josh Mulvaney, Director of Technology, gave an update to the board outlining the projects that the department completed that aligned with the district continuous improvement plan.

● The first Goal was to increase equitable access to technology across all buildings and grades. This was done by replacing desktops at GHS and GMS and rotating desktops in other areas and removing end of life machines. All thin clients were also removed and replaced with desktops. Additional Chromebooks were distributed to all elementaries.

● Goal 2 was to decrease the student to device ratio. This was accomplished by the district leasing 3000 Chromebooks and distributing to all students grades 5-12 making them 1:1. It also freed up Chromebooks to make grades 2-4 1:1 as well. This was a huge endeavor that Mulvaney noted would not have been accomplished without the help of several individuals throughout the district.

● Goal 3 was to maintain, support and expand the network. Mulvaney explained how the old server environment was replaced with a new hyperconverged solution. The network between GHS athletic facility and GHS was also fixed.

● Goal 4 revolved around professional development. Meeting this goal included Taste of Technology and a technology carousel being held at GHS for those teachers and GMS teachers. Mulvaney then talked about the district’s FUSE studios at GIS and GMS. He also highlighted the steps his department was taking to help with student safety. He discussed the tools to help identify self harm, violence, bullying etc. that were in place to scan student activity while using the Chromebooks. Mulvaney finished with discussing future plans for technology in the district. This included fiber builds between buildings, STEAM opportunities, disaster recovery, eSports, and continued technology support.

Logo Update: Dusty Burk, Director of Athletics, gave an update on where the school logo initiative stands at this point. The Logo Committee met recently and the goal is to explore the opportunity to create or adopt a unifying logo. The committee consists of 20 diverse members, which includes administrators, teachers, students, coaches, and community members. Information has been disbursed to the community for logo designs to be submitted for review. Submission dates for the logo is between January 8, 2019 and January 22, 2019 via email, Google form or at the schools.

Citizens: Opportunity to address the Board of Education concerning any agenda item. None were noted.

Consent Agenda Items Board President Copp asked if anyone would like to pull items out of Consent for further discussion. Hearing none, Mr. Copp then called for a vote on items listed under “Consent Agenda Items.”

Maddox moved to approve the Consent items as presented. Upon said motion being seconded by Sieren, the Board president called for a vote. All members voted “yes.” Consent Agenda items included:

● Adoption of Consent Agenda Items

● Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, November 29, 2018

● Minutes of Facilities and Grounds Committee Meeting, December 5, 2018

● School District Accounts Payable

● School Activity Account Reports

● FOIA Requests

Personnel Consent Board President Copp asked if anyone would like to pull any items out of Personnel Consent for further discussion. Hearing none, Mr. Copp called for a vote on other items listed under “Personnel Consent.”

Maddox moved to approve the Personnel Consent items as presented. Upon said motion being seconded by Yurevich, the Board president called for a vote. All members voted “yes.” Personnel Consent Agenda items included:

● Resignation of GHS Paraprofessional – Melody Johnson (12/22/2018)

● Resignation of BES Paraprofessional – Kemberly Bakunas (12/14/2018)

● Resignation of BES Cafeteria Supervisor – Sue Traina (12/1/2018)

● Resignation of BES Cafeteria Supervisor – Mona Simpson (12/21/2018)

● Resignation of GES Playground Supervisor – Caitlin Sadler (12/12/2018)

● Retirement of CES Custodian – Thomas Wolske (3/22/2019)

● Employment of Full-Time GES Nurse – Catherine Leslie

● Employment of Full-Time BES Paraprofessional – Danielle Fox

● Employment of Full-Time BES Cook – Mona Simpson

● Employment of Full-Time BES Cafeteria Manager – Mona Simpson

● Employment of Part-Time (3 Hour) BES Cook – Sharmain Smith

● Employment of Part-Time (3.5 Hour) BES Playground Supervisor – Elisabeth Walton

● Employment of Part-Time (2.5 Hour) BES Cafeteria Supervisor – Kristin Welsh

● Employment of Part-Time (3.5 Hour) GES Cafeteria/Playground Supervisor – Joyce Hubbard

● Leaves of Absence - The following are upcoming leaves of absence approved under FMLA, the BCEA/BCESPA Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or BCSD Policy and Procedure:

○ Jacqueline Creighton - FMLA - November 26, 2018 through December 6, 2018

○ Monica Lee - FMLA - February 25, 2019 through May 17, 2019

○ Brittany Lott - FMLA - February 9, 2019 through May 6, 2019

○ John Hopkins - FMLA - March 11, 2019 through April 1, 2019

○ Laura Liska - FMLA - December 17, 2018 through January 4, 2019

○ Victoria Huffstutler - FMLA - Intermittent - November 18, 2018 through November 17, 2019

New Business GIS Course Description Change - Elizabeth Gregurich, GIS Principal, provided information on the one change that she is recommending. With the Innovations and FUSE Labs ever growing, the following is what is to be added under 6th Grade 2019/20 Required Specials.

● STEAM: An Exploration of Resources (one quarter): In this quarter long encore class, STEAM promotes leadership, peer mentorship, collaboration, problem-solving, and perseverance using the principles of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Students in STEAM have access to a diverse set of challenges designed around student interests. Because this class offers student-driven learning opportunities in which students choose who they work with and what they work on, the teacher acts as a facilitator, helping to guide the process of exploration and discovery by encouraging the students to problem solve, take risks, try and try again, be creative, and learn with and from their peers. Students have the flexibility to work on challenges in a different order and at different paces, making this unique learning experience perfect for our diverse student population.

Worley made the motion to approve the 2019-20 GIS Course Description Change. Upon said motion being seconded by Maddox, the Board President called for a vote. All members voted “yes.”

GMS Course Handbook Changes - Christine Lehnen, GMS Principal, presented the recommended changes for the 2019/20 Course Handbook. The department coordinators and members started to review the course book. These changes are being recommended due to changing and evolving standards. Following Changes are being recommended:

● Language Arts description to add every student to think critically.

● Physical Education/Health information changed to include all students

● Removal of specific language regarding making a leaf collection and updated the course description to include laboratory investigations and cooperative learning opportunities

● Added that honors packets were to be completed over the summer for Science

● Name change for 8th grade History from US History to World History

● Updated STEM to STEAM

● Removed French and German as an available elective and all language regarding these classes

● Name change from Mixed Chorus to Chorus

● Removal of Titan Timber

● Added GIS-GMS-HS math Course Sequence

Sieren made the motion to approve the 2019-20 GMS Course Handbook Changes. Upon said motion being seconded by Maddox, the Board President called for a vote. All members voted “yes.”

GHS Course Handbook Changes Doug Szcinski, GHS Principal, presented the recommended changes for the GHS Course Handbook. Along with himself, teachers, department coordinators, and guidance staff reviewed the Handbook for the changes that were discussed. Following Changes are being recommended:

● Course Book Changes to Match Policy Changes

○ Introduction to Computer Science - Remove fee as determined by the Board of Dual Credit and will offer as high school credit only

○ Consumer and Drivers Education (State Requirement) - Added a statement to align with the School Code of Illinois is which it requires student to pay the drivers ed fee prior to starting the course

○ Speech - Added a statement regarding attendance to match LLCC policy.

○ German - the German dual credit books are consumables, students will be required to purchase their own for the course.

○ Physical Education - Uniforms have added a PE jersey requirement and Language added to match state requirements for the Physical Education Waiver

● Course Description Changes

○ Introduction to Computer Science: Add Java Script, HTML/CSS, and Cisco as well as hardware aspects – Remove the emphasis on Java and the Dual Credit LLCC added prerequisites so we cannot offer it as dual credit but will maintain it as a high school course

○ Marketing: Add Prerequisite - Successful completion of Entrepreneurship

○ Honors English III: Added Prerequisite of a “B” or better in English II or “C” or better in Honors English II to ensure appropriate English course placement.

○ Standard English IV: Added Prerequisite of successful completion of English III or standard English III and has a teacher recommendation. This was added to ensure appropriate English course placement.

○ Honors Novels and Rhetoric IV, World Literature Human Rights, Creative Writing, Honors British Literature and Rhetoric IV: split into A and B in order to offer A and B both semesters. The split in senior English classes assist early graduates as well as students who want to take as many English courses as possible.

○ Advanced Placement Literature and Composition V: Added a prerequisite of a “C” of better in AP Language and Composition or have achieved an “A” or “B” in Honors English III or has achieved an “A” in English III with teacher recommendation. This was added to to ensure appropriate English course placement.

○ Algebra II / Trigonometry: Change prerequisite to grade 12 only - Matches the course description as a fourth year course

○ Advanced Placement Calculus (AB): Remove the prerequisite of a grade of “B” or greater in both semesters of Honors Pre-Calculus to match the course handbook vocabulary of “successful completion”.

○ Strength & Conditioning II-IV (Co-Ed): Add a minimum of “B” or better in previous courses or teacher recommendation since these are high level physical education courses.

○ Strength and Conditioning II-IV: Terminology change from BFS to PLT4M. There was a change in the program used from Bigger Faster Stronger to Platform which is the name of the online strength training program.

○ Early Bird Athletic Physical Conditioning II-IV: Added that an overflow class will meet 1st hour and eliminated the BFS statement.

○ Athletic Physical Conditioning II-IV: Eliminated the BFS statement

○ Honors Biology I: Dropped Botany and added ecology to the course description due to a change in the NGSS.

○ Biology II: Eliminated completion of Biology I or Honors Biology I and kept successful completion of Chemistry. This change Eliminates the confusion of students not realizing they have to take Chemistry instead of taking all biology. State requirements include 1 credit of bio and 1 credit of a physical science.

○ Physics: Removed the name Conceptual from the title - The name conceptual gave the perception that it was a lower level course – Eliminated the term qualitative and “some” math computations from the course description.

○ Advanced Placement Biology: Eliminated a sentence to match the College Board description.

○ Advanced Placement Physics I: Changed the minimum prerequisite to a “C” instead of a “B”. This change allows more students to take AP Physics.

● New Courses

○ Dual Credit German 201/ Honors German IV: Added in the sequence with Dual Credit German III

○ Dual Credit Spanish 201: Added in the sequence with Dual Credit Spanish 101/102

○ Spanish Flow Chart: Changed the flow chart to reflect new courses and course names

○ TEP 207 and TEP 227: UIS Dual Credit teacher education courses offered to seniors only and held at UIS once a week in the evening. Students have the potential to earn up to 9 college credit hours and.5 elective high school credits per course.

● Course Name Changes

○ Senior English Courses: Added a statement for senior English A and B to match eligibility for graduation: Senior English courses split in to an A and B in order to offer both each semester.

○ Honors French III and IV: Added the term online to the title.

○ Dual Credit German III: Changed for consistency to Dual Credit German 101 and 102 / Honors German III and to align with LLCC.

○ Dual Credit Spanish III: Changed for consistency to Dual Credit Spanish 101/102 and to align with LLCC.

○ Standard Fitness/Physical Education: Add the term Fitness to the title for consistency between I/II and III/IV. Eliminate the weightlifting requirement in the course description because of a curriculum change.

● Dropped Courses

○ Visual Basics: The prerequisite is Intro to Computer Science which is no longer dual credit which does not allow us to offer Visual Basics 317 for dual credit.

○ French I and II: Online for two years due to the inability to find a teacher. We did not run French I this year.

○ Honors German IV: Replaced the course with Dual Credit 201.

○ Honors Science Research Project I-IV: Not able to get state or hospital lab space as in the past due to stricter laws as well as no sponsor for science fair.

○ Flow Chart: Remove the standard track from the flowchart as the courses were removed from the course handbook in 18-19.

Maddox made the motion to approve the 2019-20 GHS Course Handbook Changes. Upon said motion being seconded by Yurevich, the Board President called for a vote. All members voted “yes.”

Snow Removal Contract 2018-2019 - Director of Facilities and Grounds, Mike Dobbs, presented the bids he had received for the snow removal contract. When requesting bids this year, he asked for a flat rate rather than per hour. He received two bids, Drift Busters and Mr. Frosty. He is asking for approval to award the bid to Mr. Frosty for $60,000 until April 30, 2019.

Maddox made the motion to approve the award of snow removal contract to Mr. Frosty. Upon said motion being seconded by Durairaj, the Board President called for a vote. All members voted “yes.”

Permission to Publish RFP for HR Software - Ashley Romadka, Director of Human Resources, provided information as to why she is requesting to publish a RFP for a new HR Software System. Currently the systems being used by Human Resources do not “talk” to one another that in turn creates more work.

Maddox made the motion to approve the recommendation to publish a RFP for HR Software System. Upon said motion being seconded by Yurevich, the Board President called for a vote. All members voted “yes.”

Resolution to Dispose of Surplus and non Salvageable Equipment - Dusty Burk stated that due to the purchase of new wrestling mats, they have a couple that need to be disposed. The Administration would like to dispose of said equipment either through waste disposition, public sale, or private sale.

Yurevich made the motion to approve a resolution to dispose of wrestling mats. Upon said motion being seconded by Maddox, the Board President called for a vote. All members voted “yes.”

Communications Future Board Meeting Dates/Dates for 2018/19 SY - Upcoming Board of Education Meeting dates for 2018/19 School year: ● January 24, 2019 - Regular Board Meeting

● February 28, 2019 - Regular Board Meeting

● March 7, 2019 - Special Meeting - Personnel

Citizens: Opportunity to address the Board of Education concerning any item not on the agenda.

● Clark Blade, retired Glenwood High School teacher, spoke regarding the BCEA negotiations and the resemblance to the negotiations that took place in 1989. He also, spoke about his long-term substitute pay with other districts and what our district would pay for a long-term substitute position.

● Dennis Marcotte, GIS and GMS Band teacher, addressed the Board about his feelings on the district not asking the reason why staff are resigning.

● Karen Weichold, a substitute teacher with the Ball-Chatham School District, spoke about the long-term substitute rate.

● Melisa Schable, recently got her teaching degree and thanked the Ball-Chatham teachers that inspired her. Adjournment With there being no further business, Board President Copp called for a motion to adjourn.

Maddox moved to adjourn the regular session at 8:05 p.m. Upon said motion being seconded by Sieren, the president called for a vote. All Board members voted “yes.”

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