Olympia Community Unit School District 16 Board met Oct. 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance
The Board of Education of the Olympia CUSD #16 was called to order by President Kevin Frazier at 7:07 p.m. on Monday, October 15, 2018 in the Learning Center of Olympia North Elementary with the following Board members and Administrators present: Kevin Frazier, Carolyn Hansen, Trena Glenn, Steve Matter, and Lynn Cross (arrived at 7:15 p.m.); Superintendent Dr. Andrew S. Wise, Assistant Superintendent Laura O’Donnell, Olympia High School Principal Dr. Ed Jodlowski, Olympia Middle School Principal Ben Lee, and Olympia North Elementary Principal Matt Hurley.
Board members Doug Maris and Shawn Hohulin were absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Frazier.
Recognition of Visitors
President Frazier welcomed all visitors and asked them to introduce themselves. Visitors included Olympia Director of Student Services Andy Walsh; Olympia North Elementary teachers Tara Loyer, Jessica Ballard, and Rita Park; Olympia North Elementary Library/Media Specialist Stacey Boots; Tom Peffer of Gorenz & Associates; Tracy Coker of Dewberry Architects; Olympia North Elementary Student Council members Chloe Oliviero, Camryn Hilt, J.T. Piper, Cole Douglas, Noah Walsh, Tessa Haycraft, Amiya Fleming, and Haiden Janis; and Olympia parents Matt & Molly Hilt and Tammy Oliviero.
Approval of Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Steve Matter, to approve the Consent Agenda which included:
A.Approval of Agenda
B.Approval of Minutes from the September 10, 2018 special-called Public Budget Hearing
C.Approval of Minutes, including Executive Session Minutes, from the September 10, 2018 regular scheduled Board of Education Meeting
D.Approval of Bills and Financial Reports
E.Approval of the resignation of Jason Grant, OHS Assistant Wrestling Coach, effective October 3, 2018
F.Approval of the resignation of Melody Genusa, OHS Teacher’s Aide, effective October 15, 2018
G.Approval of the employment of Jody Martin as Bus Aide, effective October 15, 2018
H.Approval of an increase in daily hours for the following Bus Aides:
1.Rosann Bartelmay – from 5.25 hours per day to 5.50
2.Dawn Jones – from 6.50 hours per day to 7.50
I.Approval of Lane Litwiller as a Volunteer for the OHS Wrestling program
J.Approval of Tony Wirth as a Volunteer for the OHS Wrestling program
K.Approval of the bid from DH Wireless Solutions for $10,594.00 to install wi-fi in one-third of the Bus Fleet
L.Approval of the donation of a park bench to be located on the OHS grounds
M.Approval of the following overnight trips for the OHS Wrestling Team: December 28, 2018 to Springfield, IL for the Abes Rumble Tournament, and January 4, 2019 to Princeton, IL for the Princeton Tournament
N.Approval to finalize the Copier Contract at the November 12, 2018 Board of Education meeting
O.Approval of an agreement between Olympia CUSD #16, Olympia Education Association, & the Regional Office of Education #17 for short-term Substitute Training
Discussion. Vote: Hansen (aye), Matter (aye), Glenn (aye), Maris (absent),
Hohulin (absent), Cross (absent), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 4-0.
Communications
A Communication folder circulated around the table.
Tom Peffer of Gorenz & Associates presented the results of the FY18 annual Audit. In terms of finances, although the District had a solid year financially, due to the difference in timing between revenues and expense, and how the State calculates their Financial Rating, the District dropped from the highest financial rating to the second highest financial rating. He shared that the District is still on very solid financial ground, as they have an average of six months’ reserves on hand in case State or federal funding slows or stops. Mr. Peffer also pointed out that the average of state school districts spent 15%-20% more on their students than Olympia. Dr. Wise shared that he was proud of the District’s progress despite spending more than the District average. Dr. Wise shared that he would share with the Board information regarding area per pupil expenditures from last year. Mr. Peffer also shared that although enrollment is on a slow but steady decline over the last two decades, EAV has been on a slow and steady incline, which has helped the District recoup some of the lost revenue from a declining enrollment.
Furthermore, Mr. Peffer reported that the District had a clean audit. He shared that the Board does an excellent job of passing realistic budgets, has hired quality people who produce accurate data, have systems in place to ensure high quality and ethical accounting practices, and are good stewards of the District’s dollars. He commended the District Office staff, in particular Pam Brownell and Christy Kelson who work in Payroll and Bookkeeping. Dr. Wise echoed his comments regarding the District Office staff, and also shared that it takes everyone being mindful of expenses, procedures, and timelines to ensure positive audit results.
Committee Reports
Olympia North Elementary Principal Matt Hurley and members of the Student Council Chloe Oliviero, Camryn Hilt, J.T. Piper, Cole Douglas, Noah Walsh, Tessa Haycraft, Amiya Fleming, and Haiden Janis led a brief tour of the Building. It was evident by the enthusiasm of the students that Olympia North is making a positive impact on the students and is a place where learning is fun. Dr. Wise and the Board were pleased that so many teachers and students attended, as well as a handful of parents. The Board and Dr. Wise were extremely impressed with their ability to articulate the function and needs of their school building.
Board members Carolyn Hansen and Trena Glenn, along with Dr. Wise and Assistant Superintendent Laura O’Donnell shared highlights from their recent Education/Technology Committee meeting. It was noted that Olympia has the highest graduation requirements of any school district in Central Illinois, requiring 28 credits, including 4 years of science credit. Although the intent of having 4 years of Science was to add rigor, we have uncovered that the 4th Science Credit is actually prohibiting those students not in a Science Pathway from taking a rigorous course which is in their pathway. Board Members Glenn and Hansen both shared how
that over a quarter of Olympia courses are college credit bearing (Dual Credit or Advanced Placement), and the offering of Dual Credit and Advanced Placement is varied. It makes sense to return the Science requirement to 3 credits, which still allows students advancing into Science fields (post-secondary) to take 4 credits, but for the rest of the student body, a rigorous course in their identified pathway would be allowed.
Administrative Reports
Mrs. O’Donnell presented the recommended Course/Curriculum changes for the next school year, 2019-2020. She noted that changes in coursework occur due to student interests, voids or gaps in particular content areas, and/or requirements to complete particular pathways. High School changes include additional Dual Credit courses in Agriculture and Education, as well as additional pathway courses in Economics, Digital Media Production, Transition Math, and Fashion & Interior Design. She thanked the High School teaching staff for their willingness and desire to teach new courses and revamp existing course. Elementary teachers continue to work on creating a Social Studies curriculum which produces the desired student skills for success in the Social Sciences. Elementary teachers will slowly incorporate these changes into this year’s curriculum, with the full change being in place for the 2019-2020 school year.
Mrs. O’Donnell announced that Illinois’s contract with PARCC has ended and that a new contract has been awarded to DRC. The new assessment will be called Illinois Assessments of Readiness, with all areas being similar to that of PARCC. This assessment will only be given to elementary and middle schools. The high school assessment suite will be the SAT. She also shared that the Illinois School Report Card will now include results from the 5 Essentials Survey. Students in grades 4-12, as well as staff and parents will be encouraged to participate in this survey.
Lastly, Mrs. O’Donnell shared that the recent K-12 Curriculum Council met off-campus in order to tour the campuses of both ISU and Illinois Wesleyan. They saw that the most innovative activity and academic spaces incorporated flexibility, forward planning, multi-purpose design, and enhanced technology options. The committee also made note that the best spaces had exemplary lighting, including the utilization of natural light. Several academic topics were covered, most notably a concerted effort to bolster systems which identify and support student social, emotional, and/or behavioral needs.
Building Principals shared their Board Reports, as well as their individual School Improvement Plans.
Dr. Wise shared that as a result of informing residents in Tazewell County of the One Cent School Facilities Tax which is on the ballot, residents have been receptive to the need for improvements of school buildings. Over half the counties in the State have the One Cent Facility Tax, and Olympia’s two biggest counties, McLean and Tazewell respectively, do not. The one cent on goods for the residents of the Olympia District who do shopping in Tazewell County would net Olympia close to $400,000 annually. This $400,000 could be used on Olympia West Elementary, Olympia Middle School, and Olympia High School. From a recent Facility Study meeting at Olympia West and Olympia High School, parents, students, and community members shared that Olympia West is in need of HVAC enhancements on the West Side of the Facility, and Olympia High School which is near 50 years old, is in need of major renovations to electrical, science classrooms, STEM areas, activity space, interior/exterior concrete work, and security to name a few.
Dr. Wise shared the new format for the District Dashboard. The format will be on-line and it will be released later this month. He shared that the District’s comprehensive Dashboard has over 50 relevant data points. Links will be sent to parents and community members can easily access the new Dashboard at www.olympia.org.
Currently, the Illinois School Code states that school districts’ fees for Driver’s Education is not to exceed $50. Olympia has previously maintained a waiver, allowing the District to state that the Driver’s Education fee is not to exceed $300 in order to fulfill the intent of the Driver’s Education mandate in a more fiscally responsible manner. With this waiver expiring at the end of the current school year, Dr. Wise recommended that this waiver be renewed for another 5 years.
Dr. Wise thanked Director Walsh and Director Powers for their work on equipping 10 busses with Wi-Fi for students. The Wi-Fi for Student Chromebooks will have all the same controls and protection as the existing Olympia Network. The 10 busses being equipped run activity routes on evenings and weekends. As a result, students will be able to do their assignments on the bus, or near the bus, while away from home on school time. Students will be pleased as they have requested the Wi-Fi upgrade on busses.
Dr. Wise reminded Board members of the upcoming School Board Election on April 2, 2019. He also reviewed information for the Annual School Board Conference, held November 16-19, 2018, and the National School Board Association Conference, held March 30-April 1, 2019.
Dr. Wise shared events being planned in each building for Veterans Day.
Other Business
Carolyn Hansen discussed an idea of having a “Spartan Stipend” (signing bonus) available for new teachers coming into the District as a more productive way of attracting quality candidates. It is her thought that the funds for these stipends could possibly come from the Olympia Foundation For Education (OFFE), and that OFFE could perhaps organize a fundraiser to cover these additional expenses. There will be more thought and discussion regarding this topic in the future.
Action Items
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Trena Glenn, to approve the 2018-2019 School Improvement Plans as presented by Building Principals.
Discussion. Vote: Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye), Matter (aye), Maris (absent),
Hohulin (absent), Cross (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Steve Matter, seconded by Lynn Cross, to approve the FY18 Audit and Financial Statements as presented by Tom Peffer of Gorenz & Associates.
Discussion. Vote: Matter (aye), Cross (aye), Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye),
Maris (absent), Hohulin (absent), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Trena Glenn, seconded by Steve Matter, to approve November 12, 2018 at 6:55 p.m. as the date/time for a Public Hearing to review the current Drivers Education Fee Waiver.
Discussion. Vote: Glenn (aye), Matter (aye), Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye),
Maris (absent), Hohulin (absent), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 5-0.
Opportunity for Public Input
There was no Public input.
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Kevin Frazier, to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 p.m.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
http://olympiail.apptegy.us/o/district/browse/23017
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