Galesburg Reporter

Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 Board Met Dec. 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 a regular meeting via Zoom on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 7:00 PM. The meeting was called to order by President Cervantez. The roll was read and the following Members responded: Hunigan, Lyon, Cervantez, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Phelps, Walters (7) Roll Call #1

Recognition of Public Comments

President Cervantez read an email statement from a community member in regards to students returning to school.

Approval of Consent Agenda

A. Consider Approval of Minutes:

Monday, November 9, 2020, Regular Meeting

Monday, November 9, 2020, Closed Session

Monday, November 30, 2020, Special Meeting

B. Consider Approval of Payroll and Claims

It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Walters to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Lyon, Hunigan, Phelps (7) Motion carried. Roll Call #2

Focus Area #1: Relevant Skills that Lead to Employability

A. Administrative Report on Curriculum

Mrs. Tiffany Springer, Director for Curriculum and Instruction, highlighted some items that included instructional coaches providing live webinars for parents based on feedback that included some Google Classroom, social emotional, Seesaw and Skyward sessions. Winter benchmarks will begin following winter break on January 4, 2021 and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) training will begin in each building. ACCESS testing begins on January 19, 2021 for grades 3-12. There have been five meetings with Galesburg High School committee staff focusing on incompletes and Term 1 failures. Action plans have been created with 141 parent, student and teacher meetings to address those issues. Board Member discussion ensued regarding social and emotional issues, failing grades and attendance.

B. Special Education Report

Dr. Dawn Michaud, Special Education Director, stated that before moving back into remote learning, special education had added just under an additional thirty children in person. Special education is currently getting ready for the Dynamic Learning Maps, which is the alternative assessment to the Illinois Readiness Assessment that the state gives regular education students. The state require that all staff had to require a behavior training series by December 31, 2020. The behavior team put together the eight-hour training course into three modules and all staff working with students in a teaching setting must complete it before the end of the year.

C. Building Reports—No questions were asked

D. Enrollment Report—No questions were asked

Focus Area #2: Facilities That Assist in Skill Acquisition

A. Building and Grounds Committee Report

Member Walters stated that the committee met via Zoom in regards to the auditorium as well as adding on a second band/choir room and offices for faculty. Member Lyon stated that the space that will be built will be smaller but the acoustic design will be greatly improved.

B. Discussion Regarding Legat FFE Project

Mrs. Jennifer Hamm, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, stated that this item is in regards to a proposal from Legat. FFE is furnishing for the 7-12 Campus. Legat has given the District a proposal to use their design services and bid out the project. In the past the District has used the government contract for purchasing furniture items at King, Steele and Lombard. The government contracts guarantee a price but aren’t always the lowest price. Mrs. Hamm stated that due to the large number of items needed, extensive bid documents are necessary in order to put them out to bid. The proposal from Legat is for getting together the bid documents, alternate items and knowing what will need to be ordered but there is up to a $58,000 fee involved. Board discussion ensued on what direction the District should take. Discussion ensued. The Board majority was to move forward with the option to use Legat for bids.

C. Consider Approval of Asbestos Contractor Award

It was moved by Member Walters and seconded by Member Phelps to approve as recommended. Mrs. Hamm stated that the low bid out of four vendors was Abel Plus Services at $560,000. Containment areas will begin to be constructed on December 21, 2020 if approved. The work would take place over winter break and be done in approximately two weeks while the building is not occupied. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Lyon, Phelps, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan (7) Motion carried. Roll Call #3

D. Consider Approval of Jr-Sr High School Commissioning Contract

It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Rodriguez to approve as presented. Mr. Lee Marbach with Russell Construction stated that this is a service required by code to verify that the mechanical equipment and control systems are installed to code. Four bids were received and the low bid is being recommended. Discussion ensued. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Phelps, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon (7) Motion carried. Roll Call #4

E. Consider Approval of GAVC Contract Awards

It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Walters to approve as presented. Mr. Marbach stated that bids were received and came in under budget. Russell Construction is recommending accepting two alternate bids as well. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps (7) Motion carried. Roll Call #5

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

A. Consider Approval of Resolution to Abate Series 2014B and Series 2020B Alternate Revenue Bonds

It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Hunigan to approve as presented. Mrs. Hamm stated that each year as part of the levy certificate the Board is required to Abate the Series B bonds. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps, Rodriguez (7) Motion carried. Roll Call #6

B. Consider Approval of Levy for Tax Year 2020

It was moved by Member Walters and seconded by Member Lyon to approve as presented. Mrs. Hamm reviewed the Levy presentation from last month. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Phelps, Rodriguez, Scherpe (7) Motion carried. Roll Call #7

C. Consider Approval of PRESS Policies (First Reading)

It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Hunigan to approve as presented. The following Members voted AYE: Cervantez, Hunigan, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Lyon, Walters, Phelps (7) Motion carried. Roll Call #8

D. Update on Status of E-Learning and In-Person Learning

The District received about half of the parent surveys back answering whether students will attend in person or stay remote for 3rd Quarter. Dr. Asplund stated that of those received 30% of parents stated that they plan to keep their children home and 70% stating they would send their children back. Dr. Asplund stated that the plan at this point is to have half of the students in person two days per week on Monday and Tuesday and have Wednesdays for cleaning. The other half of the students in person on Thursday and Friday. Dr. Asplund stated that the goal is to begin on January 19, 2021 in person but responding to the numbers will be what directs that goal. Dr. Asplund answered questions from the Board regarding logistics of the school day.

E. Report on Negotiations

Member Scherpe stated that both teams continue to meet and will meet again on Wednesday.

Personnel

A. Consider Approval of Personnel Report

It was moved by Member Hunigan and seconded by Member Phelps to approve the personnel report. On roll call the following Members Voted AYE: Cervantez, Hunigan, Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Phelps, Walters (7) Motion carried. Roll Call #9

B. Grievance Update

Dr. Asplund stated that there are currently none.

C. Report on FOIA Requests

Dr. Asplund stated that there are no FOIA requests.

Board of Education Comments

Comments were made by Members Phelps, Scherpe, Lyon, Cervantez, and Walters

Future Agenda Items

Member Phelps stated he would like a discussion regarding Mustain Pool on January’s agenda.

Adjournment It was moved by Member Phelps and seconded by Member Walters that the regular meeting be adjourned—9:37PM. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Lyon, Rodriguez, Scherpe, Walters, Cervantez, Hunigan, Phelps (7) Motion carried. Roll Call #10

https://www.galesburg205.org/o/galesburg-cusd-205/browse/96788