Sangamon Sun

Lincoln Community High School District 404 Board met March 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

I. Regular Board Items

A. Call to Order - President Gleason called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance in the Instructional Materials Center at Lincoln Community High School. 

B. Roll Call

Members Present: Gleason, Gordon, Keith, Mammen, O’Donoghue 

Members Absent: Ryan, Schmidt 

Administrators Present: Stricklin, Poelker, Koning, Puckett 

Administrators Absent: Helm Activity 

Director  Absent: Alexander 

Guests: Chris Hammer, Math Liaison & L.C.H.S.E.A. Representative

*Mr. Hammer exited the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Mike Camp, Maintenance/Custodial Supervisor Paul Lunsford, Architect *Mr. Lunsford exited the meeting at 7:38 p.m. 

C. Introduction/acknowledgment of Guests and Communications

1. Mr. Hammer gave an overview of his department, expanding on the topics of college entrance exams and SAT and ACT testing preparations. He further went on to inform members of how this preparation looks even during the e-learning and/or Act of God days that the district is currently experiencing. Mr. Hammer closed with mentioning that the math department would be purchasing new textbooks to update from the textbooks currently being used. He emphasized the necessity for the textbooks while also stating that there was a lot of online support for math lessons as well.

II. Consent Agenda Items

A. Approval of Minutes

1. February 18, 2020 (Open and Closed Sessions) 

B. Acceptance of Financial Reports

1. Treasurer’s Report 

2. Activity Fund Report 

3. Imprest Fund Report 

4. Earned Interest Summary 

5. Budget Summary Report 

6. Balance Sheet 

C. Approval of Bills including additional bills presented at the meeting

1. Accounts Payable 2. Payroll 

D. Disposal September 2018 Closed Session Tape 

E. Accepted the Resignation of Brande Montgomery as the Dance Coach 

F. Approved Blake Jones as a Volunteer Assistant Track Coach

A motion was made by Member O’Donoghue, seconded by Member Mammen to approve items A. through F. on the consent agenda and additional bills presented. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: Gordon, Keith, Mammen, O’Donoghue, and Gleason. Motion carried 5-0.

At 6:12 p.m. Member Gordon moved to enter into closed session. Member O’Donoghue seconded the motion. A voice vote was recorded. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0.

III. Action Items

A. 2020-2021 School Calendar (second reading)(Attachment I) – Member Gordon made a motion, seconded by Member O’Donoghue to approve the 2020-2021 school calendar as presented. A voice vote was recorded. All ayes. Motion carried 5-0. 

B. IHSA Membership – Member O’Donoghue made a motion to approve the annual IHSA membership. Member Gordon seconded the motion. A voice vote was recorded. All ayes. Motion carried 5-0. 

C. Reemploy All Principals – Member Keith made a motion, seconded by Member Mammen to reemploy all principals as recommended by Superintendent Stricklin. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: Keith, Mammen, O’Donoghue, Gleason, and Gordon. Motion carried 5-0. 

D. Approve Bid for HVAC System - After architect Paul Lunsford covered all details of the installation of a new HVAC System for both gyms and the wrestling mat room, Member O’Donoghue moved, seconded by Member Keith to approve the installation of the new HVAC System including all units, new electrical work, and new ductwork for a total cost of $419,350.00. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: Mammen, O’Donoghue, Gleason, Gordon, and Keith. Motion carried 5-0. 

E. Approve Bid for Windows – Following architect Lunsford’s explanation of the window bid, Member Gordon made a motion, seconded by Member Mammen to approve the replacement of windows in the original and 1970s addition of the school building for a cost of $766,750.00. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: O’Donoghue, Gleason, Gordon, Keith, and Mammen. Motion carried 5-0. 

F. Approve Bid for Outdoor Bleachers – Mr. Lunsford gave a detailed overview of the work that needs to be done to place new outdoor bleachers and make sure they meet code before Member O’Donoghue made a motion to approve the bid to install new outdoor bleachers for both the home and away sides for a cost of no more than $665,000.00. Member Gordon seconded the motion. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: Gleason, Gordon, Keith, Mammen, and O’Donoghue. Motion carried 5-0. 

G. Approve Bid for Building Wrap – Architect Lunsford gave a brief overview of the EIFS building wrap project before Member Gordon moved, seconded by Member Mammen to approve the EIFS building wrap installation for a cost of $1,322,000.00. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: Gordon, Keith, Mammen, O’Donoghue, and Gleason. Motion carried 5-0. 

H. Adopt Behavioral Threat Assessment – Supt. Stricklin stated that the Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) is state mandate for all school districts to have one in place. He further explained that while it will be a fluid document with changes and adaptations made along the way, the BTA provided for board approval tonight is the most current. Member Gordon made a motion, seconded by Member O’Donoghue to approve the presented Behavioral Threat Assessment. A voice vote was recorded. All ayes. Motion carried 5-0. 

1. Member Keith Board Secretary – Member Mammen moved to approve Member Jennifer Keith as the acting board secretary for the March 16, 2020 board of education meeting. Member O’Donoghue seconded the motion. A voice vote was recorded. All ayes. Motion carried 5-0. 

I. Adopt Resolution Reference the Dismissal of a Professional Educator License (PEL) Employee – Member O’Donoghue made a motion, seconded by Member Mammen to adopt the resolution to dismiss the professional educator license employee, Lisa Campbell. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: Keith, Mammen, O’Donoghue, Gleason, and Gordon. Motion carried 5-0. 

J. Re-Employ All Teachers Reference the Attached List – Member Keith made a motion seconded by Member O’Donoghue to re-employ all teachers referenced on the attached list with the addition of Chloe Cox. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: Mammen, O’Donoghue, Gleason, Gordon, and Keith. Motion carried 5-0. 

K. Grant Tenure – Member Mammen made a motion to grant tenure to the following four teachers: August Casson, Julie Jackson, Anna Maxwell, and Matthew Silkowski. Member Keith seconded the motion. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: O’Donoghue, Gleason, Gordon, Keith, and Mammen. Motion carried 5-0. 

L. Approve Out of State Trip for National Scholastic Bowl Tournament – Member Keith moved, seconded by Member O’Donoghue to approve the out of state trip for the scholastic bowl team to attend the National Scholastic Bowl Tournament in Atlanta, GA in May 2020. A roll call vote was recorded. Ayes: Gleason, Gordon, Keith, Mammen, and O’Donoghue. Motion carried 5-0.

IV. New Business

A. Corona Virus – Due to the Corona Virus shut downs, Supt. Stricklin gave several updates on what to expect moving forward including: expectations of students and teachers during these Act of God days, the lunch programs and preparing sack lunches during the school closure, IHSA and spring sports, change in semester exam policy, employee support personnel salaries, and the district’s lease for transportation with First Student. 

B. County Sales Tax – Supt. Stricklin spoke to the Board about, putting on the next election ballot an item regarding, the recoding of how sales tax money may be used within a school district. He explained that currently, any improvements to the school building are allowable using sales tax money. However, if by tax payor vote, we request a recoding on how sales tax money is spent, it would allow for districts to also use sales tax money for funding school resource officers and mental health personnel such as guidance counselors, etc. This is not something that directly affects LCHS, but would allow us to help another area school district who could greatly benefit from this change. He further explained that this change would free up for the educational fund.

V. Informational Items

A. Administrative Reports

1. Building Principal’s Report by Mr. Poelker – Mr. Poelker’s report included the announcement of the March Senior Student of the Month, Ben Graber, and information on the Illinois Science Assessment testing that took place and went well. 

2. Assistant Principal’s Report by Mr. Helm– Mr. Helm provided a student discipline report, an attendance report, and a chart for comparison. 

3. Assistant Principal’s Report by Missy Koning – Ms. Koning’s report was included in the board packet for the board’s review. She elaborated on deadlines and meetings she has scheduled and the changes happening due to school closure. 

4. LTEC/LRDS Reports by Mr. Puckett – Mr. Puckett’s report included the announcement of the advanced metals student of the month for February, Justin Horchem, and the automotive technology student of the month for March, Charles Thomas Morris. He gave updates on advanced metals and building trades classes. He also spoke regarding enrollment for second semester, as well as enrollment for the FY2021, and ending with a brief financial update for LRDS. 

5. Activities’ Director’s Report by Mr. Alexander – Mr. Alexander provided information on extra-curricular activities, eligibility reports, financial reports, and tournament schedules to wrap up the winter season and begin the spring season. 

6. Superintendent’s Report by Mr. Stricklin – Mr. Stricklin’s report included the progress regarding the possible change of conferences, updates on state funding, information regarding an amendment to the solar project contract, and lastly, Mr. Stricklin provided information regarding a program that Verizon offers for a cell phone for school use only, along with the availability of purchasing hot spots. 

7. Liaison Reports – These reports were included in the Board and are available on the school website.

VI. Closed Session for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of employees; litigation; and student disciplinary matters. Closed session was moved up and held following the approval of the consent agenda; see above.

VII. Open Session for Board Action – None

VIII. Next meeting date – Monday, April 20, 2020 in the IMC at 6:00 PM

IX. Adjournment – Member Gordon moved, Member O’Donoghue seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. A voice vote was recorded. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13EO_KlPlnLKVgTSt5QsFK0GK6gD-zkQh/view