Galesburg Reporter

Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education met Oct. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order/Roll Call

The Community Unit School District #205 Board of Education met in closed session prior to the regular meeting on Monday, October 14, 2019 at 6:00 PM at 932 Harrison St., Galesburg, IL. The meeting was called to order by President Cervantez. The roll was read and the following Members responded: Cervantez, Lyon, Phelps, Scherpe (4) Absent: Rodriguez, Walters (2) Roll Call #1

Closed Session

It was moved by Member Scherpe and seconded by Member Phelps to move to closed session for the purpose of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of an employee(s) and pending litigation—6:00 PM. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Lyon, Scherpe, Cervantez, Phelps (4) Motion carried. Roll Call #2

Following closed session, it was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Scherpe to return to open session—6:56 PM. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Lyon, Phelps, Scherpe, Cervantez (4) Motion carried. Roll Call #3

Call to Order/Roll Call

President Cervantez stated that the Board was already in open session. On roll call the following Members were present. Cervantez, Lyon, Phelps, Scherpe (4) Motion carried. Roll Call #4

Official Oath of Office for Newly Appointed Board Member

Mr. Wendel Hunigan was appointed to the Board to fill the vacancy of Vickie Banks and given the official oath of office.

Moment of Silence/Pledge of Allegiance

A moment of silence was observed followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Recognition of Visitors

Rhonda Brady spoke to the board regarding Steele Elementary prairie plot. Kara Downin spoke to the board regarding the Steele Elementary prairie plot, Galesburg High School Construction and boundaries. Roxanne Green spoke to the board regarding the Steele Elementary prairie plot. Chastity Smith spoke to the board regarding the need for mental health and suicide prevention training.

Presentations to the Board

Student Council

Jacara Kelley gave an update on events at Galesburg High School which included student council will be holding Haunted High School on Wednesday, October 30th 5:30-7:30PM.

Mr. Jeff Houston, GHS Principal, introduced and recognized the National Merit Scholarship Commended Students, Christopher Pamatmat, Nora Leahy and Emma Koval.

District Auditor, Ron Hilton, presented the 2019 audit to the Board.

Approval of Consent Agenda

A. Consider Approval of Minutes:

Monday, September 16, 2019, Regular Meeting Monday, September 16, 2019, Closed Session Thursday, October 3, 2019, Special Meeting Thursday, October 3, 2019, Closed Session Friday, October 4, 2019, Special Meeting Friday, October 4, 2019, Closed Session Tuesday, October 8, 2019, Special Meeting Tuesday, October 8, 2019, Closed Session

B. Consider Approval of Payroll and Claims

It was moved by Member Scherpe and seconded by Member Phelps to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and amended. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Scherpe, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #5

Focus Area #1: Relevant Skills that Lead to Employability

A. Administrative Report on Curriculum

No verbal report was given as Mrs. Tiffany Springer, Director for Curriculum and Instruction, was out ill.

B. Special Education Report

Dr. Michaud stated that she continues to look for employees but does have some mid-year graduate candidates.

C. Building Reports—No questions asked

Focus Area #2: Facilities That Assist in Skill Acquisition A. Enrollment Report—No questions

B. Consider Approval of Lombard Change Order for Current Transformer Compartment

It was moved by Member Member Scherpe and seconded by Member Phelps to approve as presented. Mr. Lee Marbach, Russell Construction, explained that this item is not being grandfathered in by Ameren. Ameren wants the transformer moved and placed outside like Silas Willard. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Scherpe, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #6

C. Consider Approval of Lombard Change Order for Generator

It was moved by Member Scherpe and seconded by Member Phelps to approve as presented.

Mr. Marbach stated that the emergency generator connection point would need moved outside of the courtyard to be useful in an emergency. This would be moving the connection point next to the transformer. Discussion ensued. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps, Scherpe (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #7

D. Consider Approval of Lombard Bid Package 2

It was moved by Member Scherpe and seconded by Member Lyon to approve as presented.

Lee Marbach stated that this is for a rebid on flooring for Lombard. This time two bids were received and the recommendation is for the lower bid and alternate 1 of LVT, which is the luxury vinyl flooring. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps (4) NAY: Scherpe (1)Motion carried. Roll Call #8

E. Consider Approval of King Elementary Bid Package 1

It was moved by Member Lyon and seconded by Member Scherpe to approve as presented.

Lee Marbach stated these are the first items for King Elementary, which is for concrete and steel. There were five concrete bidders, four steel fabricators and six steel erector bids. Member Phelps asked about the different bids that came in for steel. Mr. Marbach explained the process and the current market. Mr. Marbach stated that the bids were about $200,000 lower than the estimates but there are still items in flux. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps, Scherpe, Cervantez (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #9

F. Consider Approval of Prairie Plot Removal at Steele Elementary

It was moved by Member Scherpe and seconded by Member Lyon to approve as recommended. Discussion ensued and Dr. Asplund reiterated that this arose from items found in the prairie plot that are not safe for students or adults and there is a safety issue regarding the blocked view. Mrs. Hamm stated that Iron Hustlers is currently on the lot and if they have to come back the quote will be higher to bring back the machinery. Mrs. Graves, Steele Elementary Principal, explained what was found in the prairie plot and that there is not a view of the entire property because of the plot. Discussion ensued and the Board decided to approve the removal of the prairie plot and remove the trees but to modify the motion to allow for seed collection for up to 45 days. Member Scherpe modified his motion to include holding off on removal of the trees and prairie plot until seed collection is done and Member Lyon seconded the change. President Cervantez reiterated for those in attendance that the motion has been amended to make sure that there is a seed collection prior to the prairie plot removal. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Lyon, Scherpe, Cervantez (3) NAY: Phelps (1) Abstained: Hunigan (1) Motion carried. Roll Call #10

The Board took a break at 8:54PM and returned at 9:04PM.

G. Discussion Regarding GHS Construction

Dr. Asplund stated that the District needs to make a decision on the construction at GHS and if the Board would like to move forward with a one year construction plan or a two year construction plan. A one year plan would vacate all students and staff from GHS, moving them into modular units and using Gale and Rose Hoben, Wicall Gym and Thiel still being used. A two year plan would utilize less modular units and moving staff and students during the year to different wings of the building as the phases are complete. A two year plan will cost more but a one year plan displaces all of GHS for a year. Discussion ensued. (Insert) The Board agreed that moving forward with a one year construction schedule was the best decision.

Focus Area #3: Responding to the Changing Needs of our Community

A. Consider Approval of Audit

It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Scherpe to approve the audit as presented and discussed by Mr. Ron Hilton. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Phelps, Scherpe, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #11

B. Appoint Delegate and Alternate to Joint Annual Conference

President Cervantez stated that yearly the Board attends a conference in Chicago and a piece of that conference is for a Board member to represent the District and vote on items that are being recommended for statue, policy and law. Member Phelps was appointed Delegate and Member Lyon the alternate.

C. Differential Committee Report

Mr. Eric Matthews, District Athletic Director, presented the differential committee report. In 2018 the GEA and Board decided to take a look at the pay for stipends and differentials. A committee of seven members was organized(Russ Ullrich, Alicia Condreay, Brett Wolfe, Ray VanHootegem, Maury Lyon, Rod Scherpe, Jennifer Hamm and Eric Matthews) and met approximately eight times over the last year. The committee looked at schools in the conference, IHSA and IESA rules and regulations, student surveys at junior high and high school level and staff surveys. Concerns regarding the current differentials were amount of time spent not equating to differential, no formula regarding how the amount for each differential was decided upon, some differentials didn’t have a stipend pay associated. The goal of the committee was to compensate fairly. Mrs. Hamm came up with a formula that would pay a stipend for post season play and an annual longevity increase. Approximately five individuals under the new formula would have a decrease in pay so the committee opted to hold them harmless and not deduct pay. Mr. Matthews explained in more detail the formula. The goal is that the committee will have the differential formula/activities and clubs will be set by March so that this piece is worked through with the GEA for moving forward.

D. Bridgeway Transition Discussion

Dr. Asplund stated that while the information is in the Board packet, he would like to table this conversation until the November meeting.

E. Consider Approval of Risk Management Plan

It was moved by Member Lyon and seconded by Member Scherpe to approve the plan as presented. Mrs. Hamm explained the Risk Management Plan. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Scherpe, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #12

F. Boundary Discussion

Dr. Asplund stated that at the October meeting, administration was tasked with looking at the boundaries as they relate to four blocks, eight blocks and twelve block walking distances from the elementary schools that will be remaining, Steele, Nielson and Silas. Mrs. Hamm stated that upon reviewing the student placement it was immediately determined that twelve and eight blocks would not work, so a six block radius was added in to see what it would look like as well. It was determined that a six block option wasn’t viable either as it caused one school to fall below 50% free and reduced which would be problematic for the CEP (Community Eligibility Program) status of the District. The four block radius became the most equalized which would leave Steele with 545 students, Silas at 432 students and King at 561 students which would give free and reduced populations of 70% at Steele, 69% at Silas and 82% at King. Another question the Board wanted answered was how many students would be moved to a different school due to changes not because of their building closing. Steele 63, Silas 89 and none from King. Ms. Paulette Earp, District Transportation, presented the student placement with new boundary lines. Discussion ensued. Dr. Asplund asked if there was anything the Board wanted to see after viewing the recommended lines. The Board did not yet approve the boundary line changes but opted to move forward with the bus routes based on the boundary lines as presented.

G. Consider Approval of Contract with Knox-Warren Special Education for Services

It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Scherpe to approve as presented. Member Lyon asked why there weren’t rates fixed to the services and Dr. Asplund stated this is just for services at an hourly rate. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps, Scherpe (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #13

H. Consider Approval of Trip Requests

It was moved by Member Lyon and seconded by Member Scherpe to approve as presented. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps, Scherpe (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #14

Personnel

A. Consider Approval of Personnel Report

It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Scherpe to approve as presented. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps, Scherpe, Cervanez (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #15

B. Grievance Update

Dr. Asplund stated that the District is still waiting on arbitration on two grievances. Mr. Feeney stated that there is a date for a hearing in December on one grievance and still waiting on the other.

C. Report on FOIA Requests

Dr. Asplund stated that there were no requests since the last meeting.

D. Consider Approval of Suspension for Employee #16295

It was moved by Member Scherpe and seconded by Member Phelps to approve as presented. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Lyon, Phelps, Scherpe, Cervantez, Hunigan (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #16

Board of Education Comments

Comments were made by Member Hunigan and Cervantez.

Future Agenda Items

Member Lyon requested that at some point the Board hears a report on Instructional Coaches and how they are working in the District.

Adjournment

It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Hunigan that the regular meeting be adjourned—10:50PM. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Phelps, Scherpe, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon (5) Motion carried. Roll Call #17

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