Sangamon Sun

Brookwood School District 167 Board of Education met Nov. 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ROLL CALL

President Doreen Davis called the Board of Education Committee Meeting of Brookwood School District 167 was called to order at 7:00 pm

Roll call was answered by: Vice President Sandra Washington, Secretary Mary Taylor, Member John Dixon, Member Tiffany Graham, Member Roslon Seals and President Doreen Davis.

6-Present

0-Absent

II. CITIZEN’S COMMENTS: (Limited to Agenda Items) NONE

III. FILLING BOARD VACANCY – RECOMMENDED ACTION

A. Approval of Mrs. Toleda Hart to Fill the Board of Education Vacancy

Approved: 5

Abstained: 1

B. Oath of Office: Ray Hauser, Attorney

IV. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent Bethany Lindsay:

Superintendent Lindsay I would like to share with the Board our Attendance for the month of October. Hickory Bend had a 94% attendance rate, Longwood Elementary had 94%, Brookwood Middle School is 95% and Brookwood Junior High is 96%. Our attendance rates are strong for the month of October. This will be a regular portion of our board meeting.

An update on a double order from Pearson, when the original purchase was made and the products were delivered to the schools. Authorization was made by Mrs. Hatczel, then Kathy received another copy of the quote and the same order was processed again in December 2018; fortunately found by Mrs. Hutson. When she processed the order she did not know it was a duplicate. Pearson worked with us and gave us the refund payment for the double order.

In March of 2013, there is a Board Policy 2:120 that was passed to keep a log of the development and trainings of the board members on the website. There was an oversight because as of 2013 this has not been posted on our website, but going forward our web developer will posted the log that IASB worked with us on today, to ensure we are in compliance. I appreciate looking into this and find it to show not only are we enforcing policy but it is posted on our website. As the policy stated that it should. I want to thank Member Washington for pointing this out so that we can be in compliance as the policy states it should. So going forward our web developer will be posting the trainings and professional development by our Board members. A sample is with your packet information, not completed yet because the Joint Conference hasn’t taken place yet. We need to record for all members the date you did your OMA and PERA trainings that is required for all Board Members. So that will be posted on our website.

Also, a correction on the Enrollment Report that you receive in every Board packet. Longwood’s 4th class has been corrected. It was a typo and it was human error; so that was corrected today.

A. Recognition of new hire staff at Brookwood Middle School and Brookwood Junior High School and District Office

At the Last Board Meeting we recognized the new hires for Hickory Bend and Longwood Elementary Schools. Tonight I would like Mrs. Pierce and Ms. Larson to come forward to present the new staff to the Board of Education.

Mrs. Pierce states, tonight we are acknowledging the following staff members: Rachele Alessandrini, Benjamin Chinn, Melanie Boehl as well as Michelle Miller Cooper and Baptiste Dixon who are absent this evening.

Principal Larson tonight we have Susan Bennett and Malik Temple were not able to make it, but not here tonight we have Ms. Hughes, Ms. Moirano, Mr. Suarez, Ms. Jones and Ms. Trester.

Superintendent Lindsay says thanks to all of our new hires for coming out so we could formally introduce you.

B. Tax Levy Presentation: Rob Grossi, Township Treasurer and Debra Sudd, CSBO Superintendent Lindsay welcomes our Township Treasurer Dr. Grossi. He will be doing a presentation for the Board regarding our Tax Lexy along with Debra Sudd our Chief Business Manager.

Every year in December schools have a proposed Tax Levy. We have put together a recommended Tax Levy that we want to present tonight.

At the December 9th Regular Board Meeting the Board will vote to adopt the 2019 Tax Levy and prior to December 30th the district must file with the Cook County Clerk.

I will recommend the following the Breakdown of the Levy Request.

C. Brookwood School District 167 Report Card: Kathy Hatczel, Director of Curriculum

Superintendent Lindsay introduces Kathy Hatczel who will present on the District Report Card. We are able to share our District Report Card with the public our district results for the year; that Kathy will speak to tonight. Cyberbullying presentation is in front of you as well; we did have 18 families participate. As well as the professional development activities that took place last Friday.

Good Evening Board, I would like to first walk you through a brief tour of the School Report Card; so what I have given you is the website – www.illinoisreportcard.com. Then you find your school, you can type in the school name, district name or city/county. Then you will see the district snapshot. We are looking at a five year trend.

D. FOIA: Jonathan Fagg

Superintendent Lindsay states, next I would like to present the board with a FOIA request. Debra Sudd received a FOIA request from Jonathan Fagg regarding the number of vaping related issues. This information was sent to him.

IV. BOARD REPORTS

President Davis reviewed Board of Education Policy Reviews on the following policies: 2:120, 5:60, 6:240, 6:250, 6:340, 7:10, 7:15, 7:50, 7:340. These policies are up for review to be approved at the December 9th meeting.

V. BOARD COMMENTS:

Member Seals says Attorney Hauser, Thank You For Being At Our Meeting.

I Would Like To Welcome Village Trustee Edward Hadnott For Being At Our Board Meeting.

Board Member Mr. Mark Myers, Father, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Deacon, Gentleman, Kind, Loving, Polite, Caring, Former Co-Worker, What A Man, What A Man, What A Mighty Good Man And Servant Of God. I Was Blessed To Speak With Board Member Mark Myers Two Days Before He Left Us. Farewell My Friend.

What An Honor It Would Have Been If Board Member Mark Myers Wife, Mrs. Deborah Birmingham Was Interested In Serving Again On This Board. Mrs. Birmingham Was A Former President And Vice President And Proudly Served On This Board For 10 Years. Mrs. Birmingham Is Currently A Chicago Public School Teacher For 30 Years. She Is A Curriculum Expert And Her Experience And Knowledge Is Needed On This Board. Mrs. Deborah Birmingham Is Responsible For The Male Parent Advisory Committee.

At Our Board Meeting On September 16, 2019, I Voted Yes And Made A Mistake. I Should Have Voted No For An Annual Membership With The Council Of Urban Board Of Education Known As CUBE. After Reading The American School Board Journal (ASBJ), The October, 2019 Volume 206, No. 5, Mrs. Juanita Jordan Is The Resolution Chairperson Of The Resolution Committee And Mrs. Jordan Is From Prairie Hills ESD 144. There Will Be A Cube 2020 Annual

Conference In Houston, Texas September 24-26, 2020.

The Board Travels Out Of State And to the Triple I Conference Once A Year, All Expenses Paid. The Board Does Not Need More Out Of State Travel. I Mean No Disrespect, I Want To

Know What Has This Board Implemented Within The Last Two Years?

Our Young Male Students Need Mentoring Service. At The Board Meeting In June Of 2018, When Superintendent Lindsay Was Approved, GEA President Joe Herald Offered His Services

To Mentor Our Male Students. I Worked With Staff Members Mr. Herald, Principal Dr. Patterson, Mr. Brandt, Mr. Coffee And Mr. Henry For Two Years On the Male Advisory Committee. Mrs. Deborah Birmingham Appointed Me As Chairperson. With Other Committee Members, The Students Made Our Committee The Best. Our Students Are The Priority.

I Posted On Citizens Organize Glenwood, A Facebook Page and Everyone Is Welcomed to Join That Chicago Heights Has 60 Registered Sex Offenders. Glenwood Has 7 And 47 Within 3 Miles Of Glenwood. Superintendent Lindsay, Thank You For The Information.

Sadly, I Attended The Wake/Funeral Church Services for Our Former Students, Cleonte Henderson. Superintendent Lindsay, Principal Larson And I Have Known The Family For Years. Superintendent Lindsay, Thank You For The Flower Arrangement From Our District.

A Couple Of Months Ago Homewood Had A Community Pot Luck Luncheon. I Wanted Glenwood To Do The Same. The Village Of Glenwood Along With Brookwood School District 167 Wasn't Interested. Former Village Trustee Miriam Slaughter Was Interested. This Past Saturday, November 9, 2019 Miriam Slaugher And I Teamed Together For Glenwood To Have A Community Pot Luncheon. It Was Wonderful. I Met Neighbors I Hadn't Met Before. A

Family With Three Children Moved To Glenwood From Another Suburb Is Very Happy In Glenwood Because Their Son Was Being Bullied And That The School District Did Nothing To Stop The Bullying.

Superintendent Lindsay, Thank You for The Weekly Update.

I Would Like for The District To Bring Back Movie Night. Mrs. Hatczel Did A Great Job.

Happy Veteran's Day To All. My Mom, Sister, Brother, Husband, Nephew And Uncle Served. Thank You For Your Service.

I Attended The CPR Certification At Brookwood Junior High School. Superintendent Lindsay And Principal Larson, It Brought Back Many Memories.

Thanks.

Enjoy Your Weekend.

Member Hart said a special ‘thanks’ to President Davis for reaching out to me to inquire, if I would consider filling the Board vacancy. I was both humbled and honored to consider her request to fill the vacant seat. I’m thankful to the entire BOE and staff for their vote of confidence and warm welcome. I look forward to working with each of you, while focusing on the school academic performance improvement, governance and preservation of the community resources that promotes the School District mission.

Thanks to all of the Veterans and their families for their sacrifices, care and service.

Welcome all new staff to the BSD 167 family.

Happy Birthday Secretary Taylor.

President Davis congratulations to the Glenwood Cougars; they will be going to the Turkey Bowl in Georgia Thanksgiving weekend.

President Davis reads a letter to the Board of Education and the Community. Dear Board of Education,

We have a board member, who has developed a pattern of violating Board policies, the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and our Board Decorum. I need to be clear that the actions of Member Seals as a Board Member does not reflect the whole Board nor is her behavior condoned by me as the Board President. Board members have a specific role, which we have all taken an oath for. As I have in the past tried to be respectful in addressing behavior from Member Seals, it only seems to have spiraled out of control.

Although Member Seals has been reminded multiple times of the Oath of Office, Board Policy, Chain of Command, Open Meetings Act, the Board Decorum etc., she continues to violate all of these things with no regard. She continues to function outside of the boundaries of a Board member and she berates and harasses staff members, the superintendent, and myself.

Here are just a few violations within the last 120 days:

 Member Seals directed a substitute whose term was ending in the district to blind copy her on an email from the employee that was sent to the principal and staff members, and Ms. Seals actually responded on the chain email to the employee, stating to the superintendent to find her a position in our district.

 Member Seals made an inappropriate request to the Superintendent to give her the security camera locations in our schools. This is a direct compromise to the safety and security of the students and staff.

 Member Seals directed the superintendent to reprimand an employee based on hearsay.

 Member Seals directed a staff member to be insubordinate to the superintendent by directing the employee to not share information with the superintendent.

 Member Seals posted her phone number on Facebook telling staff to call her with any district/school concerns which clearly violates the Chain of Command.

 Demanding the Board to have closed sessions which would violate the Open Meetings

Act (there is specific criteria for closed sessions yet she has requested closed sessions for reasons that do not comply with the State mandated explicit reasons for having a closed session)

 Forwarding my email conversations to the entire Board which clearly violates the Open Meetings Act

 Including a school principal on an email sent to the Superintendent and the whole Board

 Posting incorrect information on Facebook regarding district/Board information

 During walk through visits at schools, Member Seals directed staff to contact her with issues or concerns and to let her know if they needed anything. This is a violation of the

Chain of Command.

 Member Seals has had conversations with employees on Facebook and has violated Chain of Command. Member Seals even took it upon herself to call the district to seek information (related to a work physical) for an employee instead of informing the employee of the proper protocol and Chain of Command.

 Member Seals has posted racist remarks on Facebook that even offended the site administrator which resulted in taking the post down off the site altogether.

 Member Seals makes inappropriate demands for food and even states that it is a form of payment for being on the Board (which clearly violates School Code which states that Board members serve with no form of payment). She takes home multiple food items from the district office meant for meetings.

 Member Seals makes requests for information to the Superintendent for which she can retrieve herself (newspaper article info., sex offenders, etc.)

 Member Seals has gone behind the Board questioning why an employee was being let go.

 Member Seals has made multiple demands that the Superintendent is the only person to respond to her question on the Board email which violates the Board Decorum and Chain of Command.

Member Seals has clearly demonstrated violations in regards to her role as a School Board Member.

The Board of Education and our school district should not have to take time out of this meeting or any other to address the reckless, inappropriate behavior of a Board Member. However, it must be noted for the record that she has not acted within acceptable boundaries and has violated Board Policy, Chain of Command, Open Meetings Act, Board Decorum and as the Board President I feel responsible to ensure that this behavior of Member Seals is not condoned nor is permitted by our Board. Our focus truly needs to be on our students and Member Seals continues to disrespect this board by creating distractions, violating key functions of her role, and making demands that takes time that should be spent planning for the success of our students.

With that being said, I am requesting the Board of Education to consider on December 9th to censure Member Seals in open session, and I will repeat the request repeatedly if the behavior does not change. As Member Seals has not yet complied to the directives from a prior grievance, I am requesting the Board to vote to have Member Seals fulfill the grievance directive issued to her to complete classes to become a better Board Member for our district.

President

Mrs. Doreen M. Davis

President Davis states to Member Hart on a side note, since you have taken the oath you have full voting privileges today.

VI. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

A. Approval of IASB Press Policies: 2:140-E, 5:20-E, 5:90, 5:100, 5:220, 5:240, 6:60, 6:150, 6:210, 7:20, 7:70, 7:100, 7:250, 7:270, 7:275, 7:290, 7:305, 8:70

Approved: 6-1Ab Taylor/Washington

B. Approval to hire Sheena Wilson as a ELA/Read 180 Teacher at Brookwood Middle School according to the GEA salary schedule

Approved: 6-1 Ab Taylor/Graham

C. Approval of a Resolution Referring a Mid-year Teacher Resignation to the Illinois State Superintendent of Education for Investigation according to 24-14 of the Illinois School code (105 ILCS 5/24-14)

Approved: 5-1

Abstain -1

Taylor/Washington

D. Approval of the discipline and recommendation to terminate the employment of

Employee #111119

Approved: 5-1

Abstain -1

Taylor/Washington

E. Approval to pay Accounts Payable Pre-List in the amount of $478,799.60, Imprest Account in the amount of $3,154.54 and Total Payroll in the Amount of $662,411.34, for a Grand Total Amount of $1,144,365.48

Approved: 5-1Ab

Abstain -1

Taylor/Washington

F. Approval of the November 11, 2019 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Approved: 5-2Ab

Abstain -2

Taylor/Washington

VI. CITIZENS COMMENTS:

Setara Sous from Champions thanked the Board for the opportunity to run Champions in Brookwood School District. The site managers spoke briefly about the program at Hickory Bend and Longwood. The focus of the program has been to assist the students with their reading and math. We are very pleased to be working with Brookwood School District. The parents truly appreciate the curriculum that we have been working on. The parents seem very excited that the students are assisted with their homework and don’t have to go home and tackle homework. We will also be open for Winter Break at Hickory Bend for parents who need us. Also, we will provide lunch for the students which most programs do not supply.

Member Graham stated from a parent’s perspective I can honestly say that we really appreciate the homework assistance. Her son insists that his teacher from Champions has already checked his homework and his mother doesn’t need to. Member Graham informs her son that your teacher is not the parent.

Setara Sous states that we are hoping we can run our Champions program through the district for the whole summer. We want to advertise it early enough that parents have enough time to make arrangements and have a choice.

Edward Hanott, Good Evening Board Members, I would like you all to approach the village to avoid taxing our taxpayers any more than what is absolutely necessary. The village has not declared an increase in over 5 years. Please make sure you give us time because we move slow. Is your gifted program back? Superintendent Lindsay says yes; we have gifted teachers at Hickory Bend and Longwood to assist with student acceleration.

Jennifer Cece, the question that has come to me from parents, is are our kids getting enough homework? The homework that is actually graded and reviewed. It would be nice for the teachers to go over the homework and not just check it in to see if it’s done, to make sure the students are understanding what they learned moving forward. Homework is not just busy work but it should be to reinforce what they learn everyday so they can be prepared for the endless amounts of assessments taken.

Through my own experience and the parents I have spoken with there doesn’t seem to be enough consistency within the grades or between grade levels. It’s something I feel we are getting away from too much. We need to let our teachers have time to teach and actually go over work so they can make sure the students understand.

And as far as our 4th graders moving to the Middle School. The plan is nice to have them come together with team building and all that but it seems like our students go from 4th Grade to high school. They are completely departmental, not with the same kids and they are expected to know so much. The teachers say we give them planners, but do we implement how to use the planners? We need to make sure our 4th graders are being prepared for the next step before they get to the Middle School and Junior High. We have to find a way to prepare them for the next level and what is expected of them.

Member Roslon Seals asks Attorney Hauser, is it possible to get a copy of the letter that was read concerning myself.

Attorney Hauser responded that he would talk to the Superintendent Lindsay and get back to you.

Member Seals says Thank You. 

Motion to adjourn the meeting. 

Adjournment at 8:45 p.m.

ALL AYE

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?mk=50353835&fn=minutes.pdf