Galesburg Reporter

Community Unit School District #205 Board of Education met Jan. 13.

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, January 13, 2020 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, Hunigan, Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters (6) Absent: Phelps (1) Roll Call #1

Closed Session

It was moved by Member Walters and seconded by Member Rodriguez 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: Hunigan, Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez (6) Motion carried. Roll Call #2

Following closed session, it was moved by Member Lyon and seconded by Member Scherpe to return to open session—6:59 PM. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan (6) 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. Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon (6) Absent: Phelps (1) Motion carried. Roll Call #4

Moment of Silence/Pledge of Allegiance

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

Recognition of Visitors

Mr. Jim Jacobs spoke to the Board regarding the District buildings, memorials and future ideas for the spaces.

Presentations to the Board

Student Council

Emma Hawkinson, student council representative, brought the Board up to speed on events at GHS which included a blood drive open to the public on January 24th and Sweetheart Swirl which will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020.

National Board Certified Teachers

Dr. Asplund stated that the District has two National Board Certified Teachers, Ms. Kristi Malek and Ms. Jennifer Young.

Illinois State Scholars

Mr. Jeff Houston, GHS Principal and Mrs. Mindi Ritchie, GHS Assistant Principal, presented certificates to the twenty GHS seniors who have earned Illinois State Scholar recognition for the 2019-2020 school year.

Approval of Consent Agenda

A. Consider Approval of Minutes:

Monday, December 9, 2019, Regular Meeting

Monday, December 9, 2019, Closed Session

Thursday, December 19, 2019, Closed Session

B. Consider Approval of Payroll and Claims

It was moved by Member Walters and seconded by Member Scherpe to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon (6) Motion carried. Roll Call #5

Focus Area #1: Relevant Skills that Lead to Employability

A. Administrative Report on Curriculum

Mrs. Tiffany Springer, Director for Curriculum and Instruction, updated the Board stating the team just finished up MTSS this evening and are working on flow charts and guiding documents for faculty to utilize moving forward. District improvement team meeting will be held on January 14th at 6pm. The Code of Conduct Committee is about to begin and a draft will be brought forward at the February meeting.

B. Special Education Report

Dr. Michaud stated that she is still looking to hire staff for next year. A survey went out to all the special education paraprofessionals on their desire for next year. Dr. Michaud responded to ISBE on all the restraints in the last two years and three restraints utilizing the new form this school year in 2019. Member Hunigan inquired what restraining a student entailed. Ms. Michaud explained.

C. Building Reports

President Cervantez stated she had questions regarding the discipline reports and demographic data but that she would take some time to review and bring questions forth later. Member Lyon requested definitions of infractions.

D. Truancy Discussion

Dr. Asplund stated the Board received information from the outreach workers time study that he requested Mr. Jason Spring coordinate. Reports for Term 1 and 2 showing students who are no longer attending the District and where they went to were presented to give further information. Discussion ensued. Member Lyon requested that the District also begin to log when students who have left and return to the District.

Focus Area #2: Facilities That Assist in Skill Acquisition

A. Enrollment Report

Dr. Asplund stated that the trend continues to be a decrease in students. Dr. Asplund stated the decrease was nothing drastic but still a decrease of 1%.

B. Building and Grounds Committee Report

Member Walters and Member Lyon presented on the tour of District buildings, pointing out the slides included in the agenda along with the solar fields. The Board also discussed options for the future auditorium at Galesburg High School, showing a rendering of a possible option for an eating space off of the cafeteria and a rendering of the entry area at Martin Luther King Elementary. Discussion and explanation ensued.

C. Consider Approval of Phase One GHS Kitchen Bid Document (Available for Viewing at Board Office Due to Large File)

It was moved by Member Scherpe and seconded by Member Walters to approve the bid as presented. Mrs. Hamm stated that phase one of the GHS project is presented for consideration. The GHS kitchen will be the production kitchen for the entire district. The work is intended to begin at the end of this school year with completion by August 15, 2020. Mrs. Hamm went on to say that there will be an addendum to the bid for a deduct of the bakery equipment to see what it comes in at. Mr. Matt Davis, Food Service Director, has done some cost projections on bakery items which is the reason for the deduct. Member Hunigan asked if we would be adding or reducing staff. Mrs. Hamm stated that no staff will be reduced but their locations would be changed and job descriptions need revised so a meeting with the union has been set to discuss.

On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Rodriguez (6) Motion carried. Roll Call #6

D. Consider Approval of Sanitary and Water Modular Classroom Bid Specifications

It was moved by Member Walters and seconded by Member Scherpe to approve the sanitary and water module classroom bid specs as presented. Mrs. Hamm stated that the water and sanitary lines are the first pieces that need to be installed. The electrical bid will be later. The lines need to be installed around March/April. This item approves going out to bid. Member Lyon asked if the location had been set. Mrs. Hamm stated that the units will be placed on the back strip of GHS. There will be four units each with ten classrooms. Discussion ensued. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe (6) Motion carried. Roll Call #7

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

A. Consider Approval of PRESS Policies (Second Reading)

It was moved by Member Scherpe and seconded by Member Rodriguez to approve the board policies as recommended. Dr. Asplund stated that this is the longest press packet submitted. The committee made recommendations to the Board. Mr. Luke Feeney, District Attorney, spoke in regards to policy 5:50 that speaks to the state legalizing marijuana. Mr. Feeney stated that the policy is in reference to the cannabis act and legalizing recreation marijuana. The proposed policy brings the District in line with the act and still prohibits any employee being under the influence or using while on duty or on school grounds. The policy defers to being under the influence which is a broad scope. He stated that the issue presented is there is not an equivalent to a breathalyzer for marijuana so you are allowed to use observable factors. Dr. Asplund answered questions on specific policies from board members. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters (6) Motion carried. Roll Call #8

B. Consider Approval of 2020-2021 School Calendar (First Reading)

Dr. Asplund stated that the calendar is a recommendation from the calendar committee. There is some discussion from the committee about moving one of the institute days and when the first semester ends for those students who attend Carl Sandburg College. The draft calendar has students starting in September and out of school before Memorial Day. The committee is still gathering suggestions from their buildings. The calendar will return for approval at the February meeting. On a voice vote roll call the following Members voted AYE: Hunigan, Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez (6) Roll Call #9

Personnel

A. Consider Approval of Personnel Report

It was moved by Member Walters and seconded by Member Scherpe to approve the personnel report as presented. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan (6) Motion carried. Roll Call #10

B. Grievance Update

Dr. Asplund stated that there are no grievances.

C. Report on FOIA Requests

Dr. Asplund stated that there were no FOIA requests this month.

Board of Education Comments

Comments were made by Members Walters, Hunigan, Lyon, and Cervantez.

Future Agenda Items—None

Adjournment

It was moved by Member Walters and seconded by Member Lyon that the regular meeting be adjourned—8:55PM. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan (6) Motion carried. Roll Call #11

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/585573/minutes_January_13__2020.pdf