Galesburg Reporter

Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 Board of Education met Sept. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 met in regular session in the auditorium at Sycamore High School, 427 Spartan Trail, Sycamore, Illinois. This meeting was also live-streamed through Spartan TV.

Members present

James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek

Others Present

Steve Wilder, Superintendent; Nicole Stuckert, Asst. Supt. for Business Services; Nick Reineck, Asst. Supt. for HR and Educational Programs; Kathy Sloniker, Admin. Assist. to Supt./Board of Education

Administrators Present

J. Cleven, K. Crawford, J. Drennen, S. Frankiewicz, T. Franks, R. Janisch, M. Rice (arrived at 8:25 p.m.); R. Schrader, K. Webster

Audience Members Present

P. Balentyne, K. Boltz, B. Burke, A. Carter, J. Cleven, J. Dwyer, C. Fioretto, J. Flaherty, B. Foose, M. Grimes, J. Hames, A. Harris, R. Helm, A. Hofer, A. Jordan, J. Kamm, A. Keca, L. Kerlin, J. McCormick, D. Olson, J. Parsons, K. Poynter, K. Ricker, M. Spicer, J. Tekiela, K. Templin, H. Thomas, H. Tucker, S. Ward, B. White, B. Wright, N. Ziegler

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM

1. Opening Items

1.01 Call To Order

President Dombek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

1.02 Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

1.03 Roll Call/Adoption of Agenda

Motion by Jeff A Jacobson, second by Kristen R Wrenn, to approve the agenda as printed.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek

2. Consent Agenda

2.01 Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting August 25, 2020*

2.02 Approval of Minutes of Executive Session August 25, 2020*

2.03 Approval of High School Culinary Leadership Instructional Resource Adoption*

2.04 Approval of High School Agricultural Mechanics Instructional Materials*

2.05 School Library Grant Application*

Motion by Eric N Jones, second by Kristen R Wrenn, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek

3. Audience to Visitors

3.01 Audience Participation

Chris Fioretto spoke about his family's experiences over the past week. He felt that a lot of parental guidance was needed to get through the remote learning day. He stated that there were some technology issues, including the writing on the whiteboard showing up in reverse. He voiced frustration in seeing his children struggling to maintain focus and engagement in their learning. He felt the school district as a whole needs to be in-person learning, but especially the elementary students.

Angie Carter stated that her children are lonely, and she is concerned about the mental health of all the children, teachers, and parents in the District. She suggested that parents be asked to help in an effort to work together to boost moral. She stated that parents need to be validated and suggested a follow-up email or answers to questions at the next meeting.

Julia Dwyer feels that special needs children are being failed by the school district. She stated that her son is supposed to have a full-time paraprofessional. She explained that her special needs child cannot sit in front of a computer to get his education.

Brian Burke stated that his significant other is able to work from home, but he is not. He commented that they are concerned on a daily basis that she may lose her job due to the time it takes her to facilitate schooling at home. He was especially concerned about special needs students.

Allison Harris stated that she came to speak on behalf of elementary students. She stated that remote learning for elementary students is not sustainable. She asked the Board to find a way to get K-5 students back in the classrooms after the nine (9) week timeframe. She stated that her children begin the day engaged, by mid-morning they are struggling to focus and by the end of the day they have shut down. She listed several surrounding schools that have in-person learning and encouraged the Board to put our elementary students back in school!

4. Communications/Correspondence/Informational Items

4.01 Various Letters/Newsletters

President Dombek stated that these items have been placed in the Board packet for the Board's information.

4.02 FOIA Requests

No FOIA requests have been received.

4.03 Committee Reports

None.

5. Superintendent's Report

5.01 Return to Learning Update

Mr. Wilder reviewed the Mission, Vision, Core Values, and PLC questions with the Board.

Mr. Reineck and the Board of Education recognized staff members that provided Professional Development for: Social Emotional Learning group; K-8 Anytime Anywhere; IASA Build A Unit - Elementary; IASA Build A Unit - Middle School; Build A Unit - High School; 9-12 Anytime Anywhere; and Building Administrators.

Mr. Wilder stated that the first week of school exceeded his expectations, but it was not without its challenges. He noted that this is a new way of teaching for teachers, but they were prepared and organized due to professional development opportunities. Mr. Wilder stated that technology was a challenge. He reported that mobile hotspots have been ordered, but they have not arrived. He explained that this is a new experience for students and parents/guardians as well. Mr. Wilder stated that the focus for the first week was reconnecting with students and building relationships with them. He reported that he received positive feedback from staff across the district regarding student engagement. Mr. Wilder thanked the staff, parents, and childcare providers for helping students log on and navigate the internet, etc. He stated that ABLE and Life School programs returned to in-person learning today. He stated that these are the students that require the most support, and he received very positive feedback.

Mr. Wilder indicated that the District is finalizing some protocols on the Instructional Model Metric, and he felt the metric would be ready for approval at the September 22nd meeting.

Mrs. Stuckert stated that the USDA extended their waiver for the summer seamless lunch program. She explained that this means that all students (up to age 18) that live within the Sycamore School District qualify for free meals at least through the end of this year. She stated that Parents/Guardians need to sign up for the meal program, and they will be able to pick up the meals using a drive through model.

Mrs. Stuckert reported that Transportation is busy delivering meals twice a week, and transporting ABLE and Life School students as needed.

The Board asked for information on what other schools are doing and how they are handling COVID-19 cases at the September 22, 2020, meeting.

The Board asked questions about the District's IEP students and Mr. Wilder stated that Ms. Reilley, the District's Director of Student Services, will be at the meeting on September 22, 2020, to answer questions from the Board.

The Board asked if they could get a demonstration of Canvass. Mr. Reineck responded that a Canvass demonstration for the Board has been scheduled for the Board/Administrator Retreat in October.

5.02 Southeast School Presentation

Ms. Kristi Crawford, Principal at Southeast Elementary School, gave the Board an update on the happenings at all the elementary schools on their first week of school. She was proud to say that the first week of school was a success with a 98.3% attendance rate for all five (5) elementary buildings. She stated that each building had a meet the teacher/material pick up day which was well-received by staff and students. She noted that the focus of the week was creating relationships and helping the students learn to use their electronic device. She reported that small group learning pods were also used to get to know students, to assist more specifically with learning to use their device and to begin assessments. The teachers are also doing mood check-ins to determine how students are feeling and if they need some extra assistance managing their feelings. Mrs. Crawford stated that she also created a checklist for staff to find out how they were doing and if they needed anything. She explained that there were also some challenges throughout the week, mainly related to technology, but also getting devices to families that needed one, setting up a work space for videoing, etc. Mrs. Crawford thanked EVERYONE that helped us to get through this week: students, families, and caregivers; teacher; the Reentry Committee, the Professional Development Committee, the SEL Committee, the Technology Crew, the office staff, the elementary administrators and Steve Wilder and the District office staff.

President Dombek thanked Mrs. Crawford for her amazing presentation. He noted that Ms. Crawford had a long list of thank you's and the Board of Education expresses those same thank you's. He voiced appreciation for how everyone came together to make this first week of remote learning a success.

5.03 Appointments to Finance Subcommittee

President Dombek appointed Eric Jones and Kris Wrenn to serve on the Finance Subcommittee.

5.04 Citizen's Advisory Committee

Mr. Wilder stated that he would like to resurrect the Citizen's Advisory Committee, which would allow two-way communication for the current circumstances as well as into the future. He noted that Mrs. Davey and Mr. Chyllo were already serving on this committee, and they have agreed to continue to do so. He stated that the Committee would also include administrators, staff members, parents and community stakeholders. Mr. Wilder felt twelve (12) members would be an ideal size the for Committee.

5.05 Sycamore Education Foundation (SEF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - 2nd Reading*

Mr. Wilder stated that there are still some unresolved questions regarding the Memorandum of Understanding and suggested that it be tabled tonight.

Motion by Eric N Jones, second by Jeff A Jacobson, to table the Sycamore Education Foundation (SEF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) until the September 22, 2020, Board meeting.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek

5.06 Approval of Graduation Date*

Motion by Steve M Nelson, second by Kristen R Wrenn, to approve the 2021 graduation date as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek

5.07 Policy Revisions - 1st Reading*

Mr. Wilder stated that the Board Policy Committee met to consider the next round of policy revisions. He stated that these policies are being presented to the Board for a first reading tonight and will be placed on the September 22nd agenda for final approval.

6. Asst. Supt. for HR/Educational Programs' Report

6.01 Anytime, Anywhere Professional Development

Mr. Reineck stated that the professional development the staff put together was something that the District has talked about for a while. He also voiced a desire to develop a bank of professional development that was flexible, personalized and that staff and/or students could access at anytime. He stated that there were three topics that they focused on for this professional development; Technology, Instruction, and Social Emotional Learning.

Dr. Webster addressed the Board regarding the K-8 anytime, anywhere learning for teachers by teachers. She stated that the focus this summer was using technology as a way to transform learning in any environment. She reported that the Professional Development Committee created 24 one hour asynchronous modules that are available for teachers anytime. She also stated that a few District Team Leaders and Department Chairs attended a three-day Professional Development Conference through the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). She explained that those teachers then worked with the building administrators to provide meaning professional development for that week in August. She commented that the feedback from teachers was that this professional development was the catalyst that provided the support and confidence they needed. Dr. Webster stated that on October 1st, the SEA leadership and administration will meet to discuss the next steps to provide support for our students and teachers.

Mr. Rice presented the 9-12 Professional Development in Canvas. He stated that the professional development was designed and maintained by District staff. He noted that the High School has 14 hours of remote professional development currently available and archived that can be accessed on demand as needed. He reported that 94% of staff responded they would like to see more professional development in this format. Mr. Rice reported that a Canvas Course was also developed for students to help them know how to submit documents, pictures, videos, etc.

Mr. Reineck reviewed staff participation data with the Board. He explained that seven (7) hours of professional development was required during the month of August and 60 out of 69 teachers completed 14+ hours. He was excited that the District was finally able to execute a vision that it has been talking about for some time. He reviewed staff feedback with the Board and commented that it was very positive. He stated that they will continue to update and add to the professional development bank.

7. Open Discussion and Future Agenda Items

7.01 Open Discussion, Issues, Observations, Questions

Chyllo thanked all the parents that commented and participated in the meetings.

Wrenn stated that she is looking forward to the implementation of the Citizen's Advisory Committee, which would allow for some dialogue with parents.

7.02 Future Agenda Items

Sample IEP/IEP Process

Metrics Update

Seesaw

Canvass

8. Executive Session

8.01 Executive Session for the Consideration of Matters Related to the Appointment, Employment, or Dismissal of Personnel and Imminent Litigation*

Motion by Jeff A Jacobson, second by Julenne Davey, that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session for the consideration of matters related to the appointment, employment, or dismissal of personnel and imminent litigation.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek

In at 9:32 p.m. and Out at 9:46 p.m.

9. Action Items from Executive Session

9.01 Approval of the Personnel Report; Employment, Resignations, Retirements, Leaves*

Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Jeff A Jacobson, to approve the personnel report as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek

10. Adjournment

10.01 Adjournment

Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Jeff A Jacobson, to adjourn the meeting 9:48 p.m.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/syc427/Board.nsf/Public