Olympia Community Unit School District 16 Board of Education met Aug. 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Call to Order, Roll Call, & Pledge of Allegiance
The Board of Education of the Olympia CUSD #16 was called to order by President Kevin Frazier at 7:02 p.m. on Monday, August 12, 2019 in the Conference Room of the Olympia Administration Office for a regular scheduled Board of Education meeting with the following Board members and Administrators present: Kevin Frazier, Carolyn Hansen, Trena Glenn, Steve Matter, Shawn Hohulin, and Lynn Cross; Superintendent Dr. Andrew S. Wise, Assistant Superintendent Laura O’Donnell, Olympia High School Principal Dr. Ed Jodlowski, Olympia High School Dean of Students Mike Jones, Olympia Middle School Principal Ben Lee, Olympia South Elementary Principal Stacey Rogers, and Olympia West Elementary Principal Lisa Castleman.
Board member Doug Maris was absent, but participated by phone.
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 Teachers Becky Meissner and Courtney Hoffman (also the OHS Girls Softball Coach); Dewberry Architects representative Tracy Coker; Board member spouse David Glenn; Board member candidate Mary Springer; Olympia 4-H Pacesetters leaders Kathy Weinzierl, Deb Wheeler, and Hannah Weinzierl; Olympia 4-H Pacesetters Hunger Ambassadors Heather Dawson, Rachel Dawson, Reace Erbe, Destiny Glover, Anthony Miller, Kaitlynn Whitecotton, and Zachary Wood; OHS Girls Softball Assistant Coaches Ali Haesele and Kent Seeman; OHS Girls Softball Team members and their family members.
Approval of Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Lynn Cross, to approve the Consent Agenda which included:
A.Approval of Agenda
B.Approval of Minutes, including Executive Session Minutes, from the July 16, 2019 Facilities Planning Meeting
C.Approval of Bills and Financial Reports
D.Approval of the following resignations:
1.Karen Lacefield – Bus Driver effective August 1, 2019
2.Phillip Crassi – Bus Driver effective July 31, 2019
E.Approval of the employment of Matthew McElheny as OMS Physical Education Teacher effective for the 2019-2020 school year
F.Approval of Eric Lyons as a New Teacher Mentor for Matthew McElheny, OMS Physical Education Teacher, effective for the 2019-2020 school year
G.Approval of the employment of the following Education Support Personnel effective for the 2019-2020 school year:
1.Logan Suntken – Bus Aide
2.David Scott – Bus Driver
3.Mark Fishburn – Bus Driver
4.Erica Mattingly – Special Education Aide at Olympia High School
5.Rosemarie White – Special Education Aide at Olympia High School
6.Erin Barnard – K-2 Program Aide at Olympia North Elementary
7.Annette Kath – RISE Aide at Olympia North Elementary
8.Malynda Osborne – RISE Aide at Olympia North Elementary
9.Lisa Adams – Classroom Aide at Olympia West Elementary
10.Hillary McDannald – Special Education Aide at Olympia West Elementary
11.Sarah Warman – Special Education Aide at Olympia West Elementary
H.Approval of the employment of the following Extra-Curricular Personnel effective for the 2019-2020 school year:
1.Matthew McElheny – OHS Assistant Football Coach and OHS Freshman Girls Basketball Coach
2.Cade Fulling – Fall Strength & Conditioning Sponsor and OMS Assistant Boys Track Coach
3.Brendan Hoskins – OMS Head Boys Track Coach
4.Matt Modrusic – OHS Boys Swim Coach (split stipend)
5.Justin Danyus – OHS Asst. Football Coach (split stipend)
I.Approval of the following increase in hours effective for the 2019-2020 school year:
1.Robin Talley – Bus Driver/Aide, from 5.5 hours per day to 7.0 hours per day
2.Sasha Sutton – Bus Aide, from 3.5 hours per day to 4.0 hours per day
3.Wayne Boatman – Bus Driver, from 6.0 hours per day to 7.5 hours per day
J.Approval of the intent to retire of Beth Ann Deal, OHS Mathematics Teacher, effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year pending all qualifications are met
K.Approval of student transfer requests as listed effective for the 2019-2020 school year
L.Approval of the following job descriptions:
1.Grade Level Department Chair
2.Head Coach/Sponsor
3.Assistant Coach/Sponsor
M.Approval of the revised Coach/Sponsor Evaluation Tool
N.Approval of the updated Risk Management Plan to include information regarding employee ID badges and OHMS camera system
Discussion. Vote: Hansen (aye), Cross (aye), Glenn (aye), Matter (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
Communications
A Communications Folder circulated around the table.
Representatives of the Olympia Pacesetters 4-H Club were present to share information regarding their Food Pantry project. The Pacesetters have been successfully operating a Food Pantry & Clothing Exchange for quite some time. The project includes managing a Community Garden in Stanford, as well as providing “kid friendly” snack packs for Olympia students. It was noted that the Pacesetters Club is the only 4-H club in the State of Illinois that is actively addressing the hunger issue. As a result of their dedication, the Pacesetters have been awarded a grant to assist with Emergency Food Banks. Board members graciously accepted their offer to set up an Emergency Food Bank for the Olympia students. The Olympia Pacesetters 4-H Club, led by Kathy Weinzierl, Deb Wheeler, and Hannah Weinzierl, include the following Hunger Ambassadors: Heather Dawson, Rachel Dawson, Reace Erbe, Destiny Glover, Anthony Miller, Kaitlynn Whitecotton, and Zachary Wood. Dr. Wise commended the 4-H group for modeling the Spartan Skills and being leaders in the community.
The Board recognized the OHS Girls Softball Team who qualified for State competition and placed 4th in State. Team members, coached by Courtney Hoffman, assisted by Darrel Dubree, Ali Haesele, and Kent Seeman, all agreed that dedication and team work made them stronger, pushing them toward their State goal. Team members include Colby Burt, Elizabeth Davis, Alexis Finchum, Katelyn Finchum, Lindsey Gibson, Katarina Hoback, Kaelyn Leverson, Mariah Maris, Brianna Morrow, Chloe Scroggins, Kennedy Smith, Sydnee Usherwood, Julia Winterland, and Casey Wissmiller. Team managers are Maddie Carter and Grace Castleman. Dr. Wise thanked the team for their hard work and for bringing so much joy and excitement to the Olympia community last May. He wished them luck on making it back to State.
OHS Principal Dr. Ed Jodlowski, OHS Dean of Students Mike Jones, and OMS Principal Ben Lee shared with the Board the new OHMS Behavioral Expectations & Communications Plan. Based on PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports), the Plan outlines all types of behaviors including bullying, what to watch for, how to respond, etc. Advisory time will now include social & interpersonal skill development, and Crisis Intervention Teams will be available in all Olympia buildings. An anonymous Tip Line can also be found on the District’s website. It was noted that “positive” behavior will be celebrated, while negative behaviors will not be tolerated.
As a result of the recent Facilities Study, Dewberry Architect Tracy Coker provided the Board & Administration with next steps in exploring possible options for construction or renovations at Olympia South Elementary. Research will need to be conducted. Once more information is available, it will be shared with the Board.
Committee Reports
There were no Committee Reports.
Administrative Reports
Assistant Superintendent Laura O’Donnell announced that the New Teacher Workshop focused on how to foster a Growth Mindset among students, as well as learning some Olympia history and the values & goals of the District. She also shared that a Coaches Clinic had been held focusing on culture, communication, goal attainment, and positive behaviors.
Mrs. O’Donnell noted that in addition to the PBIS information shared by the OHMS Administration, every building’s PBIS team will be starting the new school year with explicit teaching & modeling of expected skills/behaviors. The PBIS teams have also designed events for the new school year which will help reinforce positive behaviors & choices.
Mrs. O’Donnell announced that Olympia has finalized a Computer Science Associate Degree program with Heartland Community College. This program would require students to take Heartland courses online, through dual credit & AP offerings on Olympia’s campus, as well as taking courses on Heartland’s campus. The majority of a participating student’s Senior year would be spent on Heartland’s campus. Parents would be responsible for the Heartland courses taught on campus, as well as the virtual courses. All dual credit courses offered at Olympia are at no cost to students. All dual credit courses taught on Heartland’s campus by Heartland’s instructors will be paid for by the family based on current Heartland tuition rates.
Superintendent Wise commented on the many back-to-school preparations that have occurred during the summer among all staff. He, too, stressed the importance of PBIS and noted that the District continues to focus on ways to improve the learning environment. He shared his appreciation for all the hard work employees put in to having the environments ready for students this week.
Superintendent Wise shared updated Job Descriptions for Coaches/Sponsors & Assistant Coaches/Sponsors. The new job descriptions will provide more focus on developing skills, reaching goals, building positive culture, and enhancing relationships. Dr. Wise also shared an updated Evaluation Tool for Coaches/Sponsors which will highlight their responsibility in teaching & developing the skills necessary to be part of a successful team.
Superintendent Wise provided the FY20 Tentative Budget which will be on public display for 30 days. He also provided a final look at the latest IASB Board Policy revisions.
Dr. Wise announced that the annual meeting for Village Mayors & Representatives will be August 27, 2019. These meetings help determine what the Village leaders expect from their local school district, and how they & the school district can work together to build stronger communication. Dr. Wise also announced the 14th annual Tailgate Party for all Olympia staff & their families will be held September 13, 2019, prior to the Spartans Football game against Rantoul.
Action Items
A motion was made by Lynn Cross, seconded by Steve Matter, to approve the Village of Danvers request to add an entrance at Olympia North Elementary off of Yuton blacktop to the Ball Field.
Discussion. Vote: Cross (aye), Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye), Matter (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Kevin Frazier, to approve the following IASB Board Policy revisions as presented by Dr. Andrew Wise: 2:20, 2:60, 2:140, 2:230, 4:20, 4:30, 4:90, 4:110, 4:150, 4:190, 5:35, 5:180, 5:250, 5:310, 6:15, 6:185, 6:340, and 7:185.
Discussion. Vote: Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye), Matter (aye), Maris (aye),
Hohulin (aye), Cross (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Lynn Cross, seconded by Shawn Hohulin, to approve placing the FY20 Tentative Budget on Public Display from August 9, 2019 through September 9, 2019.
Discussion. Vote: Cross (aye), Hohulin (aye), Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye),
Matter (aye), Maris (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
Other Business – Retirement Letter from Board Member Trena Glenn
In other business, the Board recognized Board Member/Board Secretary Trena Glenn for her 14 years of serving on the Board, and accepted her resignation/retirement from the Board.
Board Retirement Action Item
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Steve Matter, to accept the resignation/retirement of Trena Glenn as Board Member/Board Secretary effective August 12, 2019.
Discussion. Vote: Hansen (aye), Matter (aye), Glenn (aye), Maris (aye),
Hohulin (aye), Cross (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
Nomination of School Board Member
A motion was made by Shawn Hohulin, seconded by Carolyn Hansen, to accept the nomination/appointment of Mary Springer as Board of Education Member effective through August 12, 2019 through April, 2021.
Discussion. Vote. An unanimous vote was taken – motion carried 6-0.
Election of Board of Education Secretary
President Frazier called for nominations for Secretary of the Board of Education for a term of two (2) years. Nominations were as follows:
Kevin Frazier nominated Steve Matter.
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Shawn Hohulin, to cease the nominations.
Discussion. Vote. An unanimous vote was taken – motion carried 6-0.
Other Business
In other business, Superintendent Wise requested Mary Springer fill Trena Glenn’s position of the Administrative Education/Technology Sub-Committee. He will also be seeking a Board member to replace Mrs. Glenn’s position on the Administrative Finance Sub-Committee, as well as serve on the Negotiations Committee.
Opportunity for Public Input
There was no public input.
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Shawn Hohulin, seconded by Kevin Frazier, to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
http://olympiail.apptegy.us/o/district/browse/45609
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