Sangamon Sun

Ball-Chatham Community Unified School District 5 Board of Education met March 29

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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

Action: 1.1 Roll Call

Board Members Barry, Bryant, Calderon, Phipps, Rediger, Strahle, and Saunders were present

2. CLOSED SESSION

Action: 2.1 Adjournment from Regular Session to Closed Session

Board Secretary Rediger called for a motion to move into closed session.

Calderon moved to go into closed session. Upon said motion being seconded by Barry, the Board Secretary called for a vote. All board members voted "yes.

Discussion: 2.2 Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)]

Discussion: 2.3 Contract Negotiations [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)]

Discussion: 2.4 Purchase or Lease of Real Property [5 ILCS 120/2(C)(5)]

Discussion: 2.6 Litigation [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)]

Discussion: 2.7 Closed Session Minutes [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)]

Action: 2.8 Adjournment from Closed Session to Regular Session

Board President Saunders called for a motion to move in regular session. 

Bryant moved to go into regular session at 6:28 p.m. Upon said motion being seconded by Strahle, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

3. PUBLIC HEARING

GHS Concrete Repairs

Board President Saunders opened the public hearing process. The purpose of the hearing is for the Board of Education to determine the need to undertake in below grade and concrete repairs to an area on the the north end of Glenwood High School at 1501 E. Plummer Blvd., Chatham, Il  62629. No comments or questions were noted.

Action: 3.2 Adjournment of Public Hearing

Board President Saunders called for a motion to adjourn the public hearing.

Bryant moved to adjourn the public hearing on the determination of need to undertake in below grade and concrete repairs to an area on the north end of Glenwood High School. Upon said motion being seconded by Barry, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Action: 4.1 Approval of Agenda

Board President Saunders called for a motion to approve the evening's agenda.

Calderon moved to approve the agenda for the Board of Education's regular meeting of March 29, 2023. Upon said motion being seconded by Strahle, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

Action: 4.2 Action Items from Closed Session

Board President Saunders called for a motion to approve the closed session minutes from January 25, 2023.

Rediger moved to approve the closed session minutes of January 25, 2023. Upon said motion being seconded by Bryant, the Board President Called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

5. COMMUNICATIONS

Recognition: 5.1 National Honor Society Scholarship Semifinalist

The Board of Education and Dr. Becca Lamon recognized Miss Grace Kang, senior at Glenwood High School and member of National Honor Society. Miss Kang has been selected as an NHS Scholarship semifinalist.  Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated work to support the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. She was one out of 600 students nationally to receive this scholarship.

Recognition: 5.2 Good News: 2023 Wrestling State Champion/State Qualifiers

The Board of Education and Dr. Lamon recognized the 2023 Wrestling State Champion and Qualifiers. Mr. Jerod Bruner introduced State Champion Drew Davis, State 3rd Placers Brandon Bray and Alex Hamrick, and State 5th Place Aden Byal. He shared their accomplishments with the board. 

Recognition: 5.3 Scholastic Writing Awards

Dr. Lamon shared that two Glenwood High School students received Scholastic Writing Awards this year in The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards contest. She noted that Miss Ariana Comstock won a Gold Key for her original short historical fiction story titled "Nozomu’s Journal." She also received a National Silver Medal for her piece. Dr. Lamon also recognized Jodi Jin, who was not present, for her honorable mention for her poetry entry titled "My Darling Departed." 

Presentation, Information: 5.4 CES Presentation

Mr. Steve Rembusch, CES Principal, and his staff presented "Whole Brain Teaching". Ms. Lorie Allison, Ms. Jodi Acree, Ms. Karen Martin, Ms. Karen Green, and Ms. Katie McAdamis shared all the wonderful things that "Whole Brain Teaching" has done for the students. The presentation can be viewed here: Whole Brain Teaching

Presentation, Information: 5.5 Director of Technology Annual Report

Josh Mulvaney, Director of Technology, gave his annual presentation. The presentation can be viewed here: Annual Technology Report

Information: 5.6 Citizens- Opportunity for Visitors to Address the School Board Concerning any Agenda Topic

6. CONSENT ITEMS

Action: 6.1 Adoption of Consent Agenda Items

Board President Saunders asked if anyone would like to pull any items out of Consent for further discussion. None were noted. Board President Saunders called for a motion on "Consent Agenda Items" as presented.

Bryant moved to approve the consent items as presented. Upon said motion being seconded by Calderon, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

Action (Consent), Minutes: 6.2 Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, February 22, 2023

Action (Consent): 6.3 Treasurer/Financial Report

Action (Consent): 6.4 School District Accounts Payable

Action (Consent): 6.5 School Activity Account Reports

Information: 6.6 FOIA Requests

7. PERSONNEL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

Action: 7.1 Adoption of Personnel Consent Agenda Items

Board President Saunders asked if anyone would like to pull any items out of Personnel Consent for further discussion. None were noted. Board President Saunders then called for a motion on "Personnel Consent Agenda Items" as presented.

Strahle moved to approve the personnel consent items as presented. Upon said motion being seconded by Rediger, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

Action (Consent): 7.2 Resignation of GHS Physical Education/Health Teacher - Josh Meisner

Action (Consent): 7.3 Resignation of GHS Head Girls Basketball Coach - Marne Fauser

Action (Consent): 7.4 Resignation of GHS Assistant Football Coach - Josh Meisner

Action (Consent): 7.5 Resignation of GMS Encore Teacher and GHS PE Teacher/Asst. Football Coach - Robert Howard

Action (Consent): 7.6 Resignation of GMS Physical Education/Health Teacher - Justine Pater

Action (Consent): 7.7 Resignation of GMS Study Hall Monitor - Nichole Aiwaz

Action (Consent): 7.8 Resignation of GMS Head Football Coach - Josh Talley

Action (Consent): 7.9 Resignation of GIS Student Supervisor - Marcus Triplett

Action (Consent): 7.10 Resignation of GIS Student Supervisor - Patience "Emily" Boerner

Action (Consent): 7.11 Resignation of BES Pre-K Teacher - Kaitlin Clouser

Action (Consent): 7.12 Resignation of CES Custodian - Kevin Campbell

Action (Consent): 7.13 Resignation of GES Custodian - Curtis Claycomb

Action (Consent): 7.14 Resignation of GES Special Education Teacher - Virginia Colletti

Action (Consent): 7.15 Resignation of Director of Transportation - Stanley Young

Action (Consent): 7.16 Retirement of GMS Special Education Teacher - Jill Turley

Action (Consent): 7.17 Employment of Part-Time GHS Cook 1 (3.5 Hours) - Christina Taborn

Action (Consent): 7.18 Employment of GHS Assistant Football Coach - Josh Talley

Action (Consent): 7.19 Employment of GHS Assistant Football Coach - Damian Adams

Action (Consent): 7.20 Employment of Full-Time GMS Special Education Teacher - Devan Bohrer

Action (Consent): 7.21 Employment of Full-Time GIS 9-Month Custodian - Dustin Regan

Action (Consent): 7.22 Employment of Part-Time GIS Cook 1 (3.5 Hour) - Patience "Emily" Boerner

Action (Consent): 7.23 Employment of Full-Time GES Special Education Teacher - Tiffany Rang

Action (Consent): 7.24 Employment of Full-Time CES Paraprofessional - Erika McMillen

Action (Consent): 7.25 Employment of Full-Time CES Custodian - Christopher Grant

Action (Consent): 7.26 Employment of State Approved Director of Special Education - Kristy Wheeler

Action (Consent): 7.27 Renewal of Non-Tenured Certified Staff and Tenure 

Action (Consent): 7.28 Voluntary Transfer of Certified Staff

- Madelyn Gibson - GES Physical Education Teacher to GMS Physical Education/Health Teacher

Action (Consent): 7.29 Voluntary Transfer of Non-Certified Staff

- Henry Porter - GES Day Custodian to GES Evening Custodian

- Linda Kennedy - GIS Part-Time 3.5 Hour Cook 2 to GIS Part-Time 5 Hour Cook 2

Action (Consent): 7.30 Leaves of Absence

8. PERSONNEL ACTION ITEMS

Action: 8.1 Honorable Dismissal of PreK-6 Team Leaders and 7-12 Department Coordinators

Board President Saunders read the resolution for Honorable Dismissal of Certified/Temporary Personnel. She then called for a motion to approve the resolution. 

Rediger moved to approve the Resolution to Honorably Release the PreK-8 Team Leaders and grades 7-12 Department Coordinators as presented. Upon said motion being seconded by Strahle, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

9. NEW BUSINESS

Action: 9.1 K-8 Math Resource Adoption

Ms. Jennifer Farnsworth, Assistant Superintendent, presented administration's recommendation to approve the K-8 Math Curriculum Resources. The recommendation is to purchase I-Ready Classroom Mathematics for K-6 from Curriculum Associates and 6-8 Big Ideas Math from Cengage for a total price of 618,275.60. Ms. Farnsworth noted that the board will be approving to use $353,438.60 of district funds and the remaining balance of $264,837 will be paid for with ESSER III Grant Funds. With no further discussion, the Board President called for a motion.

Curriculum Associates

Cengage Learning  

Barry moved to approve the K-8 Math Curriculum Resources for the purchase price of $353,438.60. Upon said motion being seconded by Phipps, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

Action: 9.2 Approval of Schoolwide Waivers

Ms. Farnsworth requested approval for the Schoolwide Waivers for all three elementary schools. Due to a result of guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education Office of State Support, modifications are being made to schoolwide flexibility in Title I. Schools that have at least 20% poverty level at the time of waiver submission, now have the option, with board approval, to apply for a waiver of the 40% poverty threshold requirement for Title I Part A schoolwide eligibility. Schoolwide flexibility increases the flexibility in use of these funds to support comprehensive reform work as described in the Title I, Part A schoolwide program plan.  In addition, schoolwide flexibility allows schools to upgrade the entire education program of a school that serves a high number of children from low-income families. 

Ball Elementary has 625 students in grades PREK-4 with a free and reduced population percentage of 26.40%. When looking at our Universal Screening data, the percentage of students in Tier 1 at BES is below 80%. Chatham Elementary has 477 students in grades K-4 with a free and reduced population percentage of 29.14%. When looking at our Universal Screening data, the percentage of students in Tier 1 at CES is below 80%. Glenwood Elementary has 596 students in grades K-4 with a free and reduced population percentage of 25.50%. When looking at our Universal Screening data, the percentage of students in Tier 1 at GES is below 80%.  Following no discussion, the Board President called for a motion.

Strahle moved to approve the schoolwide waivers for Ball Elementary School, Chatham Elementary School, and Glenwood Elementary school as presented. Upon said motion being seconded by Calderon, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

Action: 9.3 BES HVAC Renovation Project

Mike Dobbs, Director of Facilities and Grounds, requested that the board approve the district moving forward with awarding the Ball Elementary HVAC Renovation Project to the Henson Robinson Company. The project includes replacing 14 rooftop heating/cooling units on the south wing which houses the Pre K students. In addition, new LED lighting will be added to the classrooms and to the common learning areas of the wing. Ceiling tiles will be replaced in the common areas. Ceiling tiles will be replaced in the classrooms as well if the alternate bid is approved. The overall cost of the project is $982,500 which includes a 10% contingency and all architectural fees. The project is scheduled to begin following the last classroom instruction day with a substantial completion date of August 4, 2023. Board President Saunders called for a motion.

BES HVAC Renovation Bids

Reidger made a motion to approve the district moving forward of awarding the Ball Elementary HVAC Renovation Project to Henson Robinson Company for an overall cost of $982,500. Upon said motion being seconded by Calderon, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

Action: 9.4 GHS Storm Sewer Repair Project

Mike Dobbs requested that the board approve the district moving forward with awarding the Glenwood High School Storm Sewer Repair Project to the Petersburg Plumbing. The project includes digging up the existing sidewalk on the northwest corner of the building, installing the proper drain system and pouring new concrete where needed. The overall cost of the project is $66,500 which includes a 10% contingency and all architectural fees. The project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2023 with a substantial completion date of July 7, 2023.

Storm Sewer Repair Bid

Rediger moved to approve the district moving forward with awarding the Storm Sewer Repair Project to the Petersburg Plumbing for an overall cost of $66,500. Upon said motion being seconded by Phipps, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

10. COMMUNICATIONS

Information: 10.1 Future Board Meeting Dates / Dates for 2022/23SY

April 5, 2023 - Facilities and Grounds Committee Meeting (4:00)

April 18, 2023 - Finance Committee Meeting (4:00)

April 26, 2023 - Regular Board Meeting (6:30)

Information: 10.2 Citizens - Opportunity for Visitors to Address the School Board Concerning Any Topic

The Board President welcomed the newly hired Special Education Director, Kristy Wheeler. 

11. ADJOURNMENT

Action: 11.1 Adjournment of Regular Meeting

With there being no further business, the Board President called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Calderon moved to adjourn the regular session at 7:43 p.m. Upon said motion being seconded by Rediger, the Board President called for a vote. All board members voted "yes."

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd5/Board.nsf/Public#