District 157-C September 21, 2016 Board of Education Meeting Recap

The regular Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education meeting of September 21, 2016 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.

The Board approved the Open and Closed Session minutes of the regular meeting of August 17, 2016 and the special meeting of August 29, 2016.

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

Hickory Creek Middle School Principal Will Seidelmann reported that increased math time resulted in a lot of good feedback. He also reported that several teams and grade levels are trying out a science/social studies block. Mr. Seidelmann thanked Board of Education members for attending a recent Technology Observation where they could sit in on classes that are currently integrating technology into the day.

Chelsea Intermediate School Principal Dr. Sharon Paver-Nepote reported that the change to this year’s school start/end times was well received with lots of positive feedback. Dr. Nepote thanked the Board for supporting the change. She also reported that three new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Clubs will be starting for Chelsea students and thanked Board member Edith Lutz for providing information on the IMSA (Illinois Math and Science Academy) FUSION program.

Grand Prairie Elementary School Principal Eileen Nelson reported that Grand Prairie is off to a great start and that things are going very smoothly. She reported that the school has spent time aligning resources and developed varied topics for different grades this fall. Many new committees have been formed including one for the addition of science clubs with the students in the outdoor courtyard.

Director of Special Services Jen Bajda reported that the first pre-school screening was conducted for 11 students and that most of the children screened were three years old. She also reported that she went to observe and was so impressed with the new physical education adaptive program at Hickory Creek. She stated, “The special education students really connected with the general education students and it touched my heart.”

Director of Curriculum & Instruction Janet McClarence reported that feedback was phenomenal on the District’s first Institute Day September 2. IMSA consultants worked with K-5 teachers for the science curriculum. The consultants will be back again for the October 7 Institute Day. Mrs. McClarence also reported that the Title I grant of $62,862, the Title II grant of $19,110 and the ELL grant of $10,025 were approved this week.

Director of Technology Jake Nelson reported that he is researching new building security and camera systems for the district. He stated, “I’m excited to see what other districts have done and bring back best practices."

Interim Director of Building & Grounds Jeff Baughman reported that everyone has been very helpful, even the students, as he began his interim position.

Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon provided strategic goals and action plan reports for the Business Office and Building & Grounds. He reported that the audited financial statements and annual financial report are due by October 15.

The Board heard reports from Gretchen Dust of the Education Foundation and Tina Kohler of the Family School Partnership (FSP) organization.

The Board heard a report from Board Secretary Edie Adamski on the Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843 Advisory Committee meeting of August 8, 2016 and the Governing Board meeting of August 23, 2016.

The Board heard a report from Board member Mike Turner about a Pizza Playoff fundraiser being held to benefit District 843 Pioneer Grove Special Education. It will be held on October 1 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Frankfort Founders Center, 140 Oak Street. It includes an “all you can eat” pizza tasting contest, prizes, kids’ crafts, raffles, gift baskets, wine raffle, live music, balloon artistry and special guest author Amy Logan. Tickets may be purchased by calling 815-806-4685.

In the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Zinni provided the Board with the enrollment report, a review of teachers who have obtained tenure and the quarterly student recognition dates.

Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon provided the Board with the August Treasurer's Report and Graphs. The total fund balance reserves increased in August by about $426K (from $38,509,695 at the end of July to $38,935,476 at the end of August.) This slight increase occurred as the District received just over $1M in tax receipts in late August to help offset expected school year startup expenses of about $1.3M in August. The District only had one payroll in August so its expenses were about $750K below normal. The District will have three payrolls in September and make up for the shortfall in expenses at that time. Normal monthly expenses are expected to be about $2M -$2.25M during the year. Board Bills for August are $1,542,125.28 and presented at the September 21st Board meeting. Mr. Saindon also reviewed the Annual Investment Summary Report for 2015-2016.

There was one Freedom of Information request and it was responded to in a timely manner.

In discussion, Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon updated the Board of Education on the mid-year review with the Horton Group on the District Health Insurance Benefits. A recommendation to implement an employee wellness incentive program will be made at the October Board Meeting

In discussion and as required by the Illinois States Attorney, the Board of Education reviewed the closed session meeting minutes of April 20, 2015.

The Board took action to unanimously approved the 21st Century Continuous Learning Plan as presented at the August 17 Board meeting. Technology plays a major role in the plan and the District Leadership Team will now begin the critical professional development work that must take place in year zero to ensure success once the technology arrives in the District. Each component of the plan will be brought forward for Board approval as that component of the plan approaches. As is District 157-C’s practice, any component of the original plan will be discussed at the Board table and approved or disapproved, based on the Board’s authority.

The Board took action to approve the employment of Charles Riemma as a 3rd Grade Long-Term Substitute Teacher at Chelsea Intermediate School with a tentative start date of September 23, 2016 and will tentatively end January 9, 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 Ben Clark as a Stipend Assistant Orchestra Director at Chelsea Intermediate School at salary of $1,800.00 and a Stipend Assistant Jazz Band Director at Hickory Creek Middle School at a salary of $1,800.00 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 the employment of Bernadette Laponte as a Full-Time Paraprofessional at Hickory Creek Middle School with a start date of September 21, 2016 at an hourly rate of $12.00, 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 transfer from Full-Time Paraprofessional to Part-Time Paraprofessional of Mary Beth Kowatch at Grand Prairie Elementary School with a start date of August 23, 2016 at an hourly rate of $13.84, 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 LEGO STEM Club for Chelsea Intermediate School for all grade levels. The students would meet once a week beginning in October through December for one hour. The estimated cost needed to run the LEGO STEM Club is $240.00 with minimum participation of 12 students and a maximum of 20.

The Board took action to approve a second class of the LEGO STEM Club for Chelsea Intermediate School for all grade levels. The students would meet once a week beginning in October through December for one hour. The estimated cost needed to run the LEGO STEM Club is $240.00 with minimum participation of 12 students and a maximum of 20.

The Board took action to redact the approval of the IMSA Fusion STEM Club for fourth and fifth graders at Chelsea Intermediate School on August 17, 2016 and approve the IMSA Fusion Stem Club for fourth and fifth graders at Chelsea Intermediate School beginning September 13 through January 17, 2017 for two hours one day a week. The estimated cost to run the IMSA Fusion STEM Club is $1,920.00 plus $1,600.00 for training and materials with a minimum participation of 10 students and a maximum of 20.

The Board approved the August payment of bills as presented.

The Board approved the following six Consent Agenda items:

Recognition of Public Gifts. In compliance with policy 8.080 Community Relations - Public Gifts to District, the following represents gift(s)/contributions(s) presented to Frankfort School District 157-C within the period of September 2015 through June 2016: Athletic Boosters $ 34,779.21, Chorus Boosters $ 968.94, Frankfort District 157-C Education Foundation $ 63,692.16, Family School Partnership (FSP) $28,748.88, Abt Appliances $ 800.00, and Dana and Anita O’Connor $ 2,000.00. The Board expressed its appreciation for these generous donations totaling $130,989.19 and graciously acknowledged the acceptance of gifts as presented for the period of September 2015 through June of 2016.

Application for Recognition of Schools. The Board approved the 2016-2017 Illinois State Board of Education Application for Recognition for Frankfort School District 157-C.

The Board approved the Public Act 97-0609 IMRF Employee Compensation over $75,000 report as presented.

The Board approved the Public Act 97-0256 Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits report as presented.

The Board approved the FY 2015-2016 Audit Report.

The Board acknowledged that the Closed Session Meeting Minutes were reviewed and recommended that a portion of the Closed Session Meeting Minutes on April 20, 2015 be released for public record.

The Board went into Closed Session at 8:20 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.

The Board adjourned the Closed Session meeting at 9:00 p.m.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting at 9:01 p.m.

The next regular District 157-C Board of Education meeting will be held on October 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Grand Prairie Elementary School, 10480 West Nebraska Street, in Frankfort, Illinois.