Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Community Unified School District 5 Board met Dec. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Community Unit School District #5 met in regular session on Monday, December 16, 2019, at 6:15 p.m. in the GCMS Board Room located at 307 N Sangamon Avenue, Gibson City. The board was called to order by Board President Josh Johnson. Roll was called with board members Whitehouse, Elder, Tucker-Davis and Leonard in attendance. Also present were: High School Principal Chris Garard, Middle School Principal Kyle Bielfeldt, Elementary School Principal Justin Kean, Curriculum Director Erin Nuss, GCMS Education Association President Susan Riley, Ross Brown with the Ford County Record, Secretary to the Board Lori Kristensen and District Superintendent Jeremy Darnell.
Absent: Board members Friday and Young, FCSEC Director Jesse McFarling, The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance being recited by all present.
Recognition of Visitors :
A motion to go into executive session was made by board member Elder and seconded by board member Tucker-Davis at 6:16 p.m. Motion carried by roll call with all board members present voting yes for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the district including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Motion was carried by roll call, with all members present voting yes.
Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular District has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the District finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the closed meeting minutes. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).
Student disciplinary cases. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9).
Discussion of lawfully closed meeting minutes, whether for the purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06. 5ILCS 120/2(c)(21).
A motion to return to open session was made by board member Whitehouse and seconded by board member Elder at 6:22 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote, with all board members present voting yes.
Action Items to Consider From Executive Session Accept Requests for:
Motion to approve the following volunteer coaches for the 2020 Track Season: Chase McCall, Taylor Leake, and Ally Sizemore. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Tucker-Davis. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to approve the attached volunteer list for Falcon Academy Youth Basketball as presented. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Tucker-Davis. Motion carried by voice vote with all members present voting yes.
Returning Volunteers: Mark Ward, Tim Leonard, Adam Elder, Matt Lindelof, Rick Kerchenfaut, Ryan Iverson, Jamie Sexton, Kalelb Kraft, Nick Elder, Dustin White
New Volunteers: Chad Augspurger, Jeff Grider, Brandon Roderick, Nick Craig, Austin Eichelberger, Nick Roesch, Kenny Hawthorne, Jeremy Jester, Matt Brown, Kyle Berry
Motion to accept the resignation of Barb Burton as a paraprofessional at GCMS Elementary School effective at the end of the day December 20. Motion was made by board member Leonard seconded by board member Elder. Motion carried by voice vote with all members present voting yes.
Additional Agenda Items : None
Consent Agenda
GCMS Accounts Payable bills approved were $568,623.29
Education fund $384,865.32
Building fund $46,477.62
Debt Service fund $0.00
Transportation fund $66,825.40
IMRF/FICA fund $16,501.41
Capital Projects fund $0.00
W/C $0.00
TORT $53,953.54
F/HLS $0.00
GCMS Payrolls approved were $428,743.23
Education fund $372,512.61
Building fund $17,481.89
Transportation fund $1,318.32
TORT $37,430.41
FCSEC Accounts Payable bills approved were $35,961.13
Education fund $33,835.99
Building fund $139.92
IMRF/FICA Fund $1,985.22
FCSEC Payrolls approved were $42,222.41 all in the Education fund
Financial/treasurer's report on behalf of the GCMS District and the FCSEC, Lunch Report, the summary of investment report on behalf of the GCMS District and approve the destruction of executive session tapes through the end of June 2018.
Approve Field Trips for:
| 6th Grade | Field trip to Monticello, 4-H Camp | May 7, 2020 |
| Amount | From | Designation |
pending proof of insurance and all other district requirements for:
● Falcon Academy Basketball, use of the High School Gym as available.
● Community Basketball, use of the Middle School Gym as available.
Approve the minutes of the GCMS Regular and Executive Session Minutes of November 18, 2019 meeting as presented.
Motion to accept the consent agenda as presented in the board packet. Motion was made by board member Elder seconded by board member Whitehouse. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Advisory Reports:
Policy: Members - Janna Friday and Miranda Leonard
A policy review meeting will be held in January to go over the 268 pages of adjusted policy.
Building, Grounds, and Transportation: Members - Adam Elder & Tyler Young
A special meeting will be held in January for a facilities improvement review.
Personnel and Finance: Members - Josh Johnson and Phil Whitehouse
No Report
Strategy and Enrichment: Members – Josh Johnson & Emily Tucker-Davis
No Report
Building Administration Reports:
Principal's Reports:
High School Principal, Chris Garard
Enrollment - 301
Freshman: 83
Sophomore: 71
Junior: 73
Senior: 74
Student of the Month - Hannah Hathaway
Distinguished Alumni
Ron Warfield (Class of 1961) and Gene Gregory (Class of 1959) will be recognized for the 2020 class of distinguished alumni at halftime of the February 14 boys varsity basketball game.
Winter Activities
Girls Basketball: 22 participants
Boys Basketball: 31 participants
Dance Team: 9 participants
Wrestling: 20 participants (GCMS 13, Fisher, 7)
Cheerleading: 15, including Fergie
Upcoming activities
Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament at Monticello - December 26, 27, 28
Wrestling Invite at Argenta-Oreana - January 4
Middle School Principal, Kyle Bielfeldt
Enrollment: 227
6th Grade: 75
7th Grade: 72
8th Grade: 80
All School Assembly
On Tuesday, November 26, Terrance Talley spoke with the message of “Never Give Up” in an all school assembly. It was an emotional and heartwarming assembly that was well received by both students and staff. The assembly culminated with students going to the teachers and staff to receive a “Mom Hug” or a “Dad Hug.”
Student Assembly
The student assembly was also on Tuesday, November 26. The assembly was led by the 8th grade team and a committee of students. The theme for this assembly was Gratitude and fit in well with the message in the early assembly.
Middle School and High School Staffs Adopt a Family
The middle staff as well as the high school staff went together to adopt an entire house hold for the holiday season. The house dynamic includes 4 adults and 4 children. Tags were picked up by staff members to provide gifts for everyone.
Erin’s Law
RACES (Rape Advocacy, Counseling and Education Services) presents to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes on Erin’s Law curriculum. Erin’s Law requires that all public school implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse which teaches: age appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult, school personnel all about child sexual abuse, and to parents and guardians about the warning signs of child sexual abuse.
Superintendent Meeting
On December 12, GCMS middle school hosted 25 area superintendents and GCMS graduate Sara Boucek presenting on school law updates.
Athletics
The 7th grade girls’ basketball team lost in the regional championship on Tuesday, November 26 to Hoopeston. The girls rallied from 22 down but in the end did not have enough to complete the comeback.
8th grade girls’ basketball regionals began on Tuesday, December 3 in Hoopeston. They lost in the regional championship to Prairie Central.
Middle School Wrestling began on Monday, December 2. There are currently 19 wrestlers from
Gibson City and 4 from Fisher. The first match will be at Wilmington on Monday, December 16.
Girls volleyball will begin on December 13 with the first match at Iroquois West on Monday, January 13.
Upcoming Events
December 10 - 5 Essentials Survey Opens
December 13 - End of 2nd Intervention Cycle
December 13/14 - Principal attending Teacher Evaluation Training
December 18 - Grade level team meetings
December 20 - End of 2nd Quarter
January 6 - Teacher Institute
January 7 - Students return
January 13 - PE/Health curriculum meeting
January 14 - K-6 ELAR curriculum meeting
January 15 - 5-12 ELAR curriculum meeting
January 16 - Math curriculum meeting
January 20 - No School
January 21 - Science curriculum meeting
January 22 - Fine Arts curriculum meeting
Elementary Principal, Justin Kean
Enrollment: 483
ECE: 16
PreK: 39
K: 83
1st: 60
2nd: 62
3rd: 87
4th: 66
5th: 70
BUG Program
The month of December focuses on Caring.
MAP Testing
The second benchmark assessment has been completed. The staff uses these results to look
at student growth, RtI grouping and IEP process.
Fireside Chats
Principal Kean and Assistant Principal Lindelof meet with staff after school to discuss any concerns in the building. Conversations have been about schedules, safety, egree windows, and recess. These meetings occur every quarter.
5th Grade Breakout
PACT sponsored 40 5th grade students in an after school break-out activity on December 12. Mr. Kean thanked Cathy Walker-Steidinger, Mrs. Kirby, Mrs Seneca and Mrs. Lindelof for helping with the activity.
Christmas Concert Preview
The elementary school students presented their Christmas Concert preview during an all school assembly with a special presentation of the 12 Days of Christmas performed by staff.
Santa Shop
Ms. Riley and the High School Interact Club hosted the annual Santa Shop after school on December 13 for elementary school students to Christmas shop for family and friends if they wanted.
Upcoming activities
December 15 - Band & Choral Concert December 18 - ES Christmas Program December 18 - ES Social Event (sign making) December 18 - Faculty Christmas breakfast December 20 - 2:20 dismissal
Special Education Director, Jesse McFarling
Staff and administration have been notified of ISBE Emergency Action on Physical Restraint and Isolated time Out procedures. Staff is aware of the changes and the new documentation needed. District date for the previous three years has been uploaded to ISBE as required.
Thank you to the GCMS Middle School staff for their efforts with two new high need students who moved in to the district with IEPs.
November Fund Balance: $467,095
Start of the year Fund Balance: $650,552
Curriculum Director, Erin Nuss
Mrs. Nuss reported on the district's plan for the January 6 Institute Day which will be focused on trauma-centered best practices for caring for both students and staff. She thanked Board President Johnson for speaking with all new teachers and mentors at the GCMS U Monthly Meeting on the topic of gratitude. The findings from a state audit of our Title I and II grants from fiscal year 2019 were also shared with the board. There were no major finding from the audit other than a need to update a few board policy documents on the website.
Superintendent’s Report
FY2020 GCMS Tax Levy
The school district’s 2020 fiscal year tax levy will result in a lower property tax rate for the fourth year in a row. $7.9 million will be levied on equalized assessed valuation of $140.8 million. It includes $7.4 million in property taxes to be directed to regular funds in the district, plus $515,000 for bond and interest repayment.
Motion to approve the FY2020 GCMS Tax Levy as presented. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Leonard. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
GCMS EA Memorandum of Understanding for Insurance Contribution
Superintendent Darnell reported the district is moving to an exclusive High Deductible Health Insurance Plan for all employees who enroll in the district’s health insurance. Due to this insurance change, the board of education and the GCMS Education Association agreed to a memorandum of understanding to increase the board’s monthly contribution to employee premiums by $30. This additional contribution amount will continue through the next two years.
Motion to approve the memorandum of understanding with the GCMSEA as presented.
Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Tucker-Davis. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Behavioral Threat Assessment Procedure
Part of press policy and a requirement by ISBE and the State of Illinois; all school districts are to have a plan and team in place which addresses violent threats made against district employees and facilities.
Motion to approve the Behavioral Threat Assessment Process as presented. Motion was made by board member Leonard seconded by board member Tucker-Davis. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Boil Order
Superintendent Darnell thanked staff members, parents and students for their patience and understanding during the week of the boil order in which the elementary school and high school did not have available drinking water for a week and restrooms for two days. Due to a water main break, the City established a boil order. Staff and students handled the situation great amid the chaos, along with the help of the bus garage shuttling students to the middle school to use bathroom facilities. Mr. Darnell also thanked Johnny on the Spot for delivering porta-potties on a minutes notice.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by board member Friday and seconded by board member Elder at 6:43 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote, with all members present voting yes.
https://www.gcmsk12.org/Downloads/12_16_2019%20BOE%20meeting%20minutes.pdf
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