Sangamon Sun

Ball-Chatham Community Unified School District 5 Board of Education met Sept. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

2. OPEN SESSION

Procedural: 2.1 Call Meeting to Order

Board President Tiffani Saunders called the regular meeting to order.

Procedural: 2.2 Pledge of Allegiance

All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Action: 2.3 Roll Call

Board Clerk Ashley Pennell called roll. Bryant, Murphy, Phipps, Rediger, Strahle, and Saunders were present. Superintendent, Dr. Becca Lamon, was also present. Board Vice President Calderon was absent the entire meeting.

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Action: 3.1 Approval of Agenda

Board President Saunders called for a motion to approve the agenda for the meeting of September 27, 2023.

Bryant moved to approve the agenda for the meeting of September 27, 2023. Upon said motion being seconded by Strahle, the Board President called for a vote. All present board members voted "yes."

Action: 3.2 Action Items from Closed Session

Board President Saunders called for a motion to approve the closed session minutes of August 23, 2023 and August 29, 2023.

Reidger moved to approve the closed session minutes of August 23, 2023 and August 29, 2023. Upon said motion being seconded by Murphy, the Board President called for a vote. All present board members voted "yes."

4. BUDGET HEARING

Action, Information: 4.1 Budget Hearing on FY24 Budget

Board President Saunders opened the Budget Hearing. She asked if the Board of Education or community had any questions. None were noted. Ms. Charlotte Montgomery shared that nothing has changed since she presented the budget at the August 23, 2023 regular board meeting. Board President Saunders then closed the budget hearing.

Action: 4.2 Approval of FY24 Budget

Hearing no objections to the FY24 Budget, the Board President called for a motion to approve the resolution and FY24 Budget as presented.

Rediger moved to approve the resolution and FY24 Budget as presented. Upon said motion being seconded by Murphy, the Board President called for a vote. All present board members voted "yes."

5. FINANCE

Action: 5.1 FY23 Audit Presentation

6. COMMUNICATIONS

Presentation: 6.1 4th Grade Specialization - BES

Ms. Tricia Burke, BES Principal, started off by introducing her 4th Grade Staff. Ms. Brandee Toliver presented on the everyday benefits of 4th Grade Specialization. She shared that it provides the students a safe and familiar environment, helps them manage organization of materials and belongings, helps manage the expectations of two core teachers and provides families with what to expect in 5th grade. Ms. Michelle Cunningham presented on the academic benefits of their specialization. She noted that both the students and teachers benefit from this. She shared that the teachers become more proficient in a specific subject and able to differentiate lessons to meet the needs of all students. Ms. Morgan Gabelmann provided the emotional benefits that the students are receiving. She shared that it feels like a large class family. Ms Gabelmann noted that the specialization provides the students with less stress about transitioning to GIS. Ms. Sarah Flott provided the board with student and parent feedback and quotes in favor of the program. Board Member Ann Strahle like the presentation and questioned if there was any feedback from the students who were a part of the specialization last year. Ms. Burke shared that she has not heard anything from GIS yet.

BES 4th Grade Specialization Presentation

Presentation, Information: 6.2 BCSD Student Ambassador Presentation

Dr. Becca Lamon provided information about the new BCSD Student Ambassador Program. She shared the goals of the program which includes: improving communication between the Superintendent/Board Members and the student body, learn about opinions, issues, and concerns related to student experiences in the BCSD, and include student in the improvement of educational experiences at BCSD. Dr. Lamon shared that there will be responsibilities of the Student Ambassadors that include: attend all regular meetings, meet with and seek the opinions of a variety of students and student groups, attempt to represent all students, communicate student viewpoints on issues to the Superintendent and Board Members, and answer the Superintendent and Board questions and concerns from a student perspective. She noted that applications are due October 6, 2023, and all students who apply will be notified if they are chosen or not. Dr. Lamon expressed that she is excited to begin this new journey with GHS students.

Student Ambassador Program

Presentation, Information: 6.3 School Start Times

Dr. Becca Lamon provided information regarding the District's considered utilized for school start times across all six schools.

BCSD Start Time Infographic

Information: 6.4 Citizens- Opportunity for Visitors to Address the School Board Concerning any Agenda Topic

- Jo Barnard, GES Parent, shared quotes from other district parents from a petition she provided the board earlier in the week. She also voiced her dislike for the early start times.

- Georgie Euler, GES Parent, asked the board to review the school times. She also shared her concern for the impact that the early start times that is having on families.

- Kelly Trutter, CES and GMS Parent, shared her concern with the emotional toll that the early start times are having on kids.

- Kimberly Burkwald, GIS Parent, shared that she loved the specialized program at BES. She also requested that if start times were to be changed to later for younger students, that the district look into a SCOPE program like District 186.

- Sarah Clayton, CES Parent, asked what was the driving force between the change from 7:50 am to 7:30 am?

- Mallory Fairless, BES Parent, shared her concern about the early start time. She also made the comment that the two options are not the only options.

7. CONSENT ITEMS

Action: 7.1 Adoption of Consent Agenda Items

Board President Saunders asked if any board members would like to pull any consent agenda items for further discussion. None were noted. She then called for a motion to approve the consent agenda items as presented.

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

Action (Consent), Minutes: 7.2 Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, August 23, 2023

Action (Consent), Minutes: 7.3 Minutes of Special Board Meeting, August 29, 2023

Minutes, Information: 7.4 Minutes of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Meeting, September 5, 2023

Minutes, Information: 7.5 Minutes of Policy Committee Meeting, September 18, 2023

Minutes, Information: 7.6 Minutes of Finance Committee Meeting, September 19, 2023

Action (Consent): 7.7 Treasurer/Financial Report

Action (Consent): 7.8 School District Accounts Payable

Action (Consent): 7.9 School Activity Account Reports

Information: 7.10 FOIA Requests

Information: 7.11 Administrator and Teacher Salary Report

8. PERSONNEL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

Action: 8.1 Adoption of Consent Personnel Agenda Items

Board President Saunders asked if anyone would like to pull any items out of Personnel Consent for further discussion. None were noted. She then called for a motion to approve the personnel consent agenda items as presented.

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

Action (Consent): 8.2 Resignations

Action (Consent): 8.3 New Hires

Action (Consent): 8.4 Retirements

Action (Consent): 8.5 Transfers

Action (Consent): 8.6 Leaves of Absence

9. NEW BUSINESS

Action: 9.1 Strategic Plan

Dr. Becca Lamon presented the final Strategic Plan, Portrait of an Educator, and Portrait of a Graduate to the Board of Education for their final approval. Board President Saunders asked if there were any questions by the board. None were noted. Board President Saunders then called for a motion to approve the Strategic Plan, Portrait of an Educator, and Portrait of a Graduate as presented.

BCSD Strategic Plan

Portrait of an Educator

Portrait of a Graduate

Rediger moved to approve the Strategic Plan, Portrait of an Educator, and Portrait of a Graduate as presented. Upon said motion being seconded by Strahle, the Board President called for a vote. All present board members voted "yes."

Action: 9.2 2023-24 Insurance Plans

Dr. Becca Lamon shared the proposed 2023/24 insurance plans. She shared that the district would be moving from United Healthcare to Health Alliance. Board President Saunders made an amendment of the recommended action to say 2023/24 insurance plans. She then called for a motion on the edited recommended action.

2023/24 Insurance Plan

Bryant moved to approve the 2023/24 insurance plans as presented. Upon said motion being seconded by Murphy, the Board President called for a vote. All present board members voted "yes."

Information: 9.3 First Reading of Reviewed District Policies

Members of the Policy Committee and the Superintendent brought these policies forward for first reading after starting the process of a five year review. These are the Policies that have changes:

1:10 - Policy will have minor language updates to match PRESS policy and the Legal Reference and Cross References will be updated.

1:21 - Policy will be revised to match PRESS policy 1:20.

1:20 - This policy will be eliminated. It was a district added policy. Building and grade configurations do not need to be policy.

1:30 - Updates will be made to the vision, mission, and belief statements from the new Strategic plan.

1:31 - The policy will be eliminated. It was a district added policy and the information was already part of 6:040, 6:60, 6:260.

1:11 - This policy will be eliminated. It was a district added policy. It conflicted with other Governance policies and does not match the legal reference to the Illinois Constitution Article X.

2:020 - Cross reference will be updated

2:021 - This policy will be eliminated. It was a district added policy and the information was already part of 2:140 and 2:080.

2:030 - Legal Reference will be updated

2:040 - Language will be changed to match PRESS policy

2:070 - Legal Reference will be updated

2:080 - Language will be added and removed to match the PRESS Policy, Cross Reference will be removed to match PRESS Policy

2:105 - Legal Reference will be updated

2:110 - Language will be added to match Press Policy and Legal References will be corrected

2:111 - Will be combined with 2:110. This was a district generated policy and not a PRESS policy

2:120 - Language will be added to match Press Policy and Legal References will be added

2:125 - Board Member Compensation, Expenses - Language added regarding checked bag fees, ride sharing and additional requirements for travel expenses. Legal references were added. Sentence removed related to costs exceeding coach airfare.

2:130 - Board/Superintendent Relationship - Paragraph 3 and 4 removed since they are not part of the PRess template. One cross reference removed to match PRESS.

2:140 - Communication To and From the Board - The word “guardians” added when parents are referenced. Extra wording that does not match PRESS removed. Legal References updated.

2:141 - Board Members and Media Communication - Language added related to any statement made based on the general consensus of the Board and one person is speaking on behalf of the Board.

2:142 - Minor language change from “shall” to “may”

2:150 - Committees - Current listing of BCSD Committees will be removed. “Shall will be replaced with “may”. Legal References will be added.

2:151 - Ad Hoc Committees - This policy will be removed. It is already part of 2:150.

2:152 - Advisory Committees To the Board - This policy will be removed. It is already part of 2:150.

2:153 - Advisory Committee/Student Discipline - This policy will be removed. It is already part of 2:150.

2:154 - Advisory Committee/Student Medication - This policy will be removed. It is already part of 2:150.

2:160 - Board Attorney - Minor language changes

2:170 - Consultants To the Board - This will now become 2:171 and PRESS Policy 2:170 will be added

2:210 - Organizational School Board - Remove last sentence in the first paragraph. Fix one Cross Reference

2:220 - School Board Meeting Procedure - Remove the word “School” in all school board references. Change Board Clerk to Recording Secretary. A few other minor language changes. Missing legal references.

2:240- Board Policy Development - Add Legal References

2:245 - Review of Administrative Procedures - This policy will be removed. Administrative Procedures are the work of the Superintendent.

2:252 - Board Member Protection - This policy will be removed. It is already in Policies 2:20 and 4:100.

This item is for information only.

Information: 9.4 Enrollment

Dr. Becca Lamon presented the 6th day enrollment information from the last 13 year. This item is for information only.

Enrollment Growth Chart

10. COMMUNICATIONS

Information: 10.1 Future Board Meeting Dates / Dates for 2023/2024 SY

Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 4:00 PM - Facilities and Grounds Meeting - District Office Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 4:00 PM - Finances Committee - District Office

Monday, October 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Policy Committee - District Office

Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 6:30 PM (Open Session) - Regular Board of Education Meeting - District Office

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

- Autumn Bowers, Parent, shared her concerns of transgender individuals using certain restrooms. She also voiced her concern regarding female students transportation of their feminine products.

11. ADJOURNMENT

Action: 11.1 Adjournment of Regular Meeting

Board President called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Bryant moved to adjourn the regular meeting. All board members voted "yes."

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