District 157-C March 15, 2017 Board of Education Meeting Recap

The regular Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education meeting of March 15, 2017 was called to order by Board President Gina Briese at 7:00 p.m. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

There was no correspondence.

The Board approved the Open and Closed Session minutes of the regular meeting of February 15, 2017.

No one signed up to speak during the Public Forum portion of the meeting.

Director of Special Services Jen Bajda reported that the parent/guardian satisfaction results were very positive. She reported that the survey is collected after every Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting to obtain opinions of parents or guardians regarding the quality of special education services. She stated, “Everyone is doing really good work with the children and almost all of the survey results were extremely positive.”

Director of Building & Grounds Rodney Davis reported that recent high winds got underneath the flashing and peeled back one third of the roof at Chelsea Intermediate School. Immediate action was taken to cover the roof before the snow came. The roofing company was there in two hours to make initial repairs. The architects and roofer will have a plan for full repair in order for a bid to be prepared to be presented for recommendation to the Board in May.

Director of Technology Jake Nelson reported that his team is planning for the spring break technology projects. He also reported that the first phase of the card access system upgrade will take place at Hickory Creek Middle School, with Grand Prairie Elementary and Chelsea Intermediate card access upgrades made over during the summer.

Grand Prairie Elementary School Principal Eileen Nelson reported that the Grand Prairie team continues to differentiate curriculum for all students to be well rounded, including in the fine arts. She highlighted the music program which is conducted under the direction of teacher Brooke Turnbough. Mrs. Nelson reported that each grade level has its own musical performance each year, adding instruments so that when they transition to Chelsea Intermediate they can take their interest in instrumental music to the next level.

Chelsea Intermediate School Principal Dr. Sharon Paver-Nepote reported that Chelsea is proud to work to enhance academic and social skills to develop each child while embracing and celebrating diversity. She highlighted an article written by Chelsea student Joao Carniero who came to the school from Brazil and was unable to speak English. He can now speak and write English and his essay was a thank you to Chelsea for its help in enabling him to do so. Dr. Paver-Nepote stated, “It is so wonderful to hear this tribute from our own student. Chelsea is truly a family.”

Hickory Creek Middle School Principal Will Seidelmann reported that Hickory Creek has been researching ways to enhance services to the students. He proposed a Summer Bridge Program to run for eight days in August for incoming seventh and eighth grade students. It is intended to increase the number of Hickory Creek graduates that are Algebra 1 proficient and to provide those students who have scored in the 90th percentile or above on Terra Nova Math or score a five on the PARCC State Assessment an opportunity to join the honors curriculum in seventh and eighth grade. A second proposal to the Board was an idea for some changes to the annual field trips so that they more closely align to the curriculum and create more meaningful experiences for the students. Currently the seventh grade field trip goes to the City of Chicago for the architectural tour. Mr. Seidelmann proposed changing that field trip to the sixth grade level and to develop a trip to Springfield for the seventh graders. The Springfield trip would be a day trip by bus with admission to museums, attractions and various historical sites and would more closely align to the seventh grade Constitution unit of study. For eighth grade Mr. Seidelmann proposed a trip to Washington, D.C. that would include round trip airfare, meals, admission to museums, attractions and sites, hotel room for four students, security team and chaperones. The Board requested further study be completed, including offering the eighth graders an alternate field trip if they did not go on the Washington, D.C. trip. Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni said that more details will be provided to the Board after further study is completed.

Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon provided a report to the Board about the recent functions of the Business Office. He also reported that the Regional Office of Education’s Annual Health Life Safety Walkthrough was completed and overall things went very well.

In a written report, Director of Curriculum & Instruction Janet McClarence reported that she is continuing to research the possibility of adding a Spanish foreign language course offering at Chelsea School for grades 3-5 Encore. She also reported that interviews have been held for the six Instructional Coaches and that excellent candidates have been identified. Instructional Coaches for the 2017-18 school year include Tricia Dotson and Barb Shanahan for English Language Arts/Social Studies, Jen Provis and Rebecca Kramer for Math/Science and Julie Cholly and Elizabeth Hlotke for Technology.

The Board heard a report by Tina Kohler, President of the FSP, and Deb Stoiber, Co-president of the Band and Orchestra Boosters, on the most recent meetings and activities of their organizations. The Board also heard from Education Foundation Board Co-Vice President Carrie Nagel regarding their highly successful Casino Night held recently. The event raised over $60,000 which will be used to provide grants to teachers in the schools.

The Board heard a report from Board Secretary Edie Adamski on the Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843 Advisory Committee meeting of February 13, 2017 and the Governing Board meeting of February 28, 2017.

In the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Maura Zinni reported that the Special Board of Education meeting to seat the new board members is scheduled for Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. In connection with the 21st Century Continuous Learning Plan, Dr. Zinni asked the Board for direction to investigate the 1:1 laptops for 5th and 6th graders for the 2017-18 school year. This is year zero of the plan with the intention of adding a 1:1 laptop program to fifth grade in year one and then roll the plan up to sixth grade in year two. Following a lengthy discussion, Board President Gina Briese stated, “With this being year zero of our plan and it is a year of learning and exploring. Let’s investigate further and come back to discuss this again next month.”

Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon provided the Board with the Treasurer's Report and Graphs. The total fund balance reserves decreased in February by about $1.85M (from $38,568,169 at the end of January to $36,717,730 the end of February.) Such a decrease is normal for this time of year as the district typically has very minimal revenues as it is in between property tax collection cycles and normal operating expenses persist. These balances are drawn down over the remainder of the year until the early/advanced tax receipts for next year arrive from Will County in late May and June. The District collected $167K in revenues for the month with most coming from General State Aid ($90K), Contract Rebates ($15K), Medicaid Reimbursements ($11K), Early Childhood Grant Reimbursements ($9K), Transportation Reimbursements ($8K), Registration Fees ($6K), Workers Compensation Reimbursements ($5.5K), Utility Rebates ($5.5K), and Interest Income ($7K.) This represents over 94 percent of all revenues collected with remaining revenues related to other miscellaneous items under $5,000. The district paid out about $2M in expenses during February and that is slightly below expected levels of about $2.25M-$2.50M per month. Board Bills for March were $2,411,037.29 and were presented at the March 15 Board Meeting.

In discussion, Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon provided the Board with a brief update on the initial expense projections for the 2017-2018 school year.

In discussion, Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon provided the Board with the tentative, amended budget reflecting updated revenues and expenditures.

In discussion, Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni provided the Board with the job description for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) teacher for review.

The Board took action to amend the action item for Chelsea lighting replacement to include that it be approved contingent upon grant approval.

The Board took action to approve the amended action item for entering into a performance contract with Twin Supply of Oak Brook, IL for the retrofit/replacement of lighting in the main gyms at Chelsea Intermediate School for net out of pocket costs totaling $16,540.40, contingent upon energy efficient grant funding being secured through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This work would be completed in April or May after approval of grant funding, with expected grant reimbursement to occur before fiscal year end. The projects as approved will be paid for with Operations and Maintenance Fund contingency reserves.

The Board took action to adopt the Resolution Authorizing Notice of Dismissal of Non-Tenure Teachers Other Than Final-Year Probationary Teachers at the close of the 2016-2017 school year.

The Board took action to approve the Intent to Retire of Susan Niendorf, Full-Time Teacher at Hickory Creek Middle School in 2019-2020.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Julie Tencza as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher at Chelsea Intermediate School with a tentative start date of February 27, 2017 and will continue until April 10, 2017 or until the assignment ends, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve a decrease from 1.00 to .67 Full-Time equivalent for Lindsay Kline as a Teacher at Hickory Creek Middle School for the 2017-2018 school year, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Benjamin Clark as a .25 Full-Time equivalent Instrumental Music Teacher at Hickory Creek Middle School for the 2017-2018 school year, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve an increase from .25 to .75 Full-Time equivalent for Shannon Shanahan as an Instrumental Music Teacher at Chelsea Intermediate School and Hickory Creek Middle School for the 2017-2018 school year, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Judith Rice as a Long-Term Substitute Speech Pathologist at Grand Prairie Elementary School with a tentative start date of April 3, 2017 and will continue until the last day of the 2016-2017 school year or until the assignment ends, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Sandra Reader as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher at Grand Prairie Elementary School with a tentative start date of March 6, 2017 and will continue until May 19, 2017 or until the assignment ends, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Chanel Allen as a Part-Time Lunch/Recess Supervisor at Grand Prairie Elementary School at an hourly rate of $11.50 with a start date of March 8, 2017 for the 2016-2017 school year, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve an increase from .25 to 1.00 Full-Time equivalent for Julie Cholly as an Instructional Coach - Technology for the 2017-2018 school year, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Elizabeth Hlotke as an Instructional Coach - Technology (MA+0) at an annual salary of $53,596 for the 2017-2018 school year, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Board took action to approve the payment of bills as presented.

In the Consent Agenda, the Board took action to approve the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan and request to bid out the Grand Prairie Elementary School Boiler Project and to continue investigating the other potential projects listed in the capital plan, as appropriate. As projects are planned, the Board would be asked to approve letting the bids or getting confidential price quotes and then approving a contract to an awarded bidder, as needed.

In the Consent Agenda, the Board took action to approve the E-Rate Services for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. The Board approved the Illinois Century Network for internet access services and Comcast for wide area network services under their new proposed provider agreements, and to stay with AT&T under the existing contract for land line phone services. The Board approved that the Administration file the appropriate E-Rate forms and execute the necessary service provider contracts and agreements, with assistance from the district’s independent E-Rate consultant, TeleSolutions, as needed.

In the Consent Agenda, the Board took action to approve the STEM Encore Courses for Grades 3-8. The Board approved the adoption of STEM resources and training at both Chelsea Intermediate School and Hickory Creek Middle School for one year at the cost of $23,360 for the 2017-18 school year. This will be a recurring cost every year the district runs these programs.

In the Consent Agenda, the Board took action to approve the K-5 Math Curriculum Adoption. The Board approved the adoption of Eureka math resources at both Grand Prairie Elementary School and Chelsea Intermediate School for one year at the cost of $131,908 with a recurring cost of $42,556 for year two of the adoption.

In the Consent Agenda, the Board took action to approve the Director of Business and Operational Services and Director of Technology job descriptions.

The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 8:49 p.m. to discuss appointment, employment compensation, discipline, performance and/or dismissal of specific employees; student discipline; student residency; student issue; reclassification of employees; and pending litigation. Closed Session was called to order at 8:52 p.m.

The Board adjourned the Closed Session meeting at 9:39 p.m. and returned to Open Session.

The Board adjourned the Regular meeting at 9:40 p.m.

The next regular District 157-C Board of Education meeting will be held on April 19, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Grand Prairie Elementary School, 10480 West Nebraska Street, in Frankfort, Illinois.