Galesburg Reporter

Minooka Community High School District 111 Board of Education met Dec. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

The committee meeting and special meeting were held in Room 263 at central campus and called to order by President Mike Brozovich at 5:30 p.m. The following board members were in attendance:

Dustin Heap - Yes

Laura Hrechko - Yes

Dee Crye - Yes, excused at 7:43 p.m.

Wendi Arlis - Yes

Patti Ruettiger - Yes

Cherie Barnes - Yes, arrived at 5:44 p.m.

Mike Brozovich - Yes, excused at 7:52 p.m.

Additionally present were the following:

Kenny Lee - Yes

John Troy - Yes

Bryan Zwemke - Yes, excused briefly to attend NHS Induction (6:56 p.m. to 8:02 p.m.)

Matt Wikoff - Yes, excused from 7:13 p.m. to 7:52 p.m.

Joe Pacetti - Yes, excused at 7:13 p.m.

Colleen Ward - Yes

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no comments from the audience.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

MOTION: by Heap, seconded by Hrechko, to adjourn the meeting executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel, pending litigation, real property, collective bargaining, and individual student discipline. Hearing no objections, the motion was approved. Time: 5:31 p.m.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

MOTION: by Crye, seconded by Hrechko, to return the meeting to open session. Hearing no objections, the motion was approved. Time: 7:29 p.m.

POLICY COMMITTEE

PRESS Packet 102:

It was noted that a policy committee meeting was held on December 4 where PRESS Packet 102 was reviewed. The packet is anticipated to be presented at the board meeting for first reading.

Policy 6:20:

Policy 6:20 regards the school year calendar and day. Dr. Lee handed out information regarding the status of the plan to implement e-learning days for the second semester of the current school year. Discussion took place as to the 1:1 rollout plan and timeline. It was noted that the technology department has scenarios and price points for this.

At this time, 7:43 p.m. Dee Crye was excused due to another commitment.

Consensus was reached for the topic to be discussed further at the board meeting, and to see if the proposal would be able to be implemented this year or next.

Policy 6:60:

Policy 6:60 regards the curriculum content. Dr. Lee handed out information regarding addressing HB0246 which requires “In public schools only, the teaching of history shall include a study of the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and of this State.” It was noted that the District is in compliance and there is no need to change curriculum due to this policy.

Policy 7:190:

Policy 7:190 regards student behavior and Assistant Principal, Matt Wikoff, was in attendance to discuss the policy. Two proposals were presented for handling consequences for possession of THC in light of the new laws and in comparison to possession of alcohol.

At this time, 7:52 p.m., Mike Brozovich was excused from the meeting.

Discussion took place as to whether or not the consequences for THC and alcohol should be the same.

At this time, 8:02 p.m., Bryan Zwemke returned to the meeting.

Consensus was reached for the topic to be discussed further at the board meeting.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Financial Reports:

Financial reports were reviewed and Mr. Troy noted that the district is on par with where it should be.

ESG Change Orders:

Two changes orders were presented. One for the Track & Field and one for the HVAC. Consensus was reached for them to be placed on the agenda for approval at the board meeting.

Utility Bill:

Information was provided regarding a water bill received from the Village of Minooka of a billing usage correction in the amount of $26,280.72. Consensus was reached that there is no dispute and that the bill should be paid.

FY20 Tentative Levy:

Mr. Troy reported that there is no new information on the tentative levy noting that the tax rate should be reduced slightly while the overall levy should increase about 6.7%

Cultural Assessment Proposal:

Information was provided in the board packets regarding a proposal for a cultural assessment. Dr. Lee noted that the cost was significantly lower than the prior proposal at $20,500. It was noted that the proposal and credentials of the team were very impressive. Consensus was reached to proceed with presenting for approval at the board meeting.

SIPC IGA:

Consensus was reached to proceed with placing the agreement on the agenda for approval at the board meeting. The agreement is to become a member of the Schools of Illinois Public Cooperative (SIPC). There is no cost involved.

School Calendar:

A preliminary draft copy of the school calendar for the 2020/2021 school year was handed out. The draft mirrors the past several years except to possibly move the parent/teacher conferences from October to November to better line up with the sender districts. It was also noted that, although not a change, the recommendation for spring break would be to encompass Easter and go into the first part of April, instead of being the last full week of March. Easter 2021 is Sunday, April 4. This has happened in the past, when Easter has fallen within the first week of April.

OTHER

Dr. Lee reported that he received a request from a neighboring school district to communicate information. Consensus was reached that although the information was not considered referendum propaganda, it might cause confusion coming from another school district and so it was not in the best interest to do so.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

There were no announcements or other communication.

ACTIONS FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

Student Discipline

MOTION: by Arlis, seconded by Heap, to approve the administrative recommendation as presented to expel Student A as identified in closed session for the remainder of the 2019-2020 and the entire 2020-2021 school year for gross disobedience or misconduct. Voting Aye: Arlis, Heap, Hrechko, Barnes, and Ruettiger. Motion carried. Time: 8:31 p.m.

MOTION: by Hrechko, seconded by Arlis, to approve the administrative recommendation as presented to expel Student B as identified in closed session for the remainder of the 2019-2020 and the entire 2020-2021 school year for gross disobedience or misconduct. Voting Aye: Arlis, Heap, Hrechko, Barnes, and Ruettiger. Motion carried. Time: 8:32 p.m.

MOTION: by Heap, seconded by Arlis, to approve the administrative recommendation as presented to expel Student C as identified in closed session for the remainder of the 2019-2020 and the entire 2020-2021 school year for gross disobedience or misconduct. Voting Aye: Arlis, Heap, Hrechko, Barnes, and Ruettiger. Motion carried. Time: 8:32 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: by Heap, seconded by Arlis, to adjourn the meeting. Hearing no objections, the motion was approved at 8:32 p.m.

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?mk=50357288&fn=minutes.pdf