Olympia Community Unit School District 16 Board met Oct. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance
The Olympia Board of Education of the Olympia CUSD #16 was called to order by President Kevin Frazier for a regular scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m., in the Learning Center of Olympia High School with the following Board members and Administrators present: Kevin Frazier, Carolyn Hansen, Steve Matter, Doug Maris, Shawn Hohulin, Lynn Cross, and Mary Springer; Superintendent Dr. Laura O’Donnell, Assistant Superintendent Andy Walsh, Olympia High School Principal Dr. Ed Jodlowski, Olympia Middle School Principal Ben Lee, Olympia North Elementary Principal Matt Hurley, Olympia South Elementary Principal Stacey Rogers, and Olympia West Elementary Principal Lisa Castleman.
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 teachers Kate Berry, Stacy Goeke, Bekka Schwartz, Lisa Steve, Joel Brigham, Amity Westphalen, Angie Swartzendruber, and Laura Baner.
Opportunity for Public Input
There was no public input.
Approval of Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Steve Matter, to approve the Consent Agenda which included:
• Approval of Agenda
• Approval of Minutes from the September 14, 2020 Public Waiver Hearing
• Approval of Minutes from the September 14, 2020 Public Budget Hearing
• Approval of Minutes, including Executive Session Minutes, from the September 14, 2020 regular scheduled Board of Education Meeting
• Approval of Bills & Financial Reports
• Approval of the resignation of Sharon Parker, Classroom Aide at Olympia North Elementary, effective October 2, 2020
• Approval of the retirement of Joyce Grigg, Bus Aide, effective October 2, 2020
• Approval of the employment of Andrea Cartright, Special Olympics Sponsor (split stipend), effective for the 2020-2021 school year
• Approval of the employment of Nancy Scott, Bus Aide, effective October 26, 2020
• Approval of out-of-district students Feifer Smith (3rd grade) & Christina Smith (4th grade), daughters of Olympia staff member Jason Smith, to attend Olympia West Elementary for the 2020-2021 school year
• Approval of out-of-district students Claire Bauman (K) & Ava Bauman (4th grade), daughters of Olympia staff member Katie Bauman, to attend Olympia North Elementary for the 2020-2021 school year
• Approval of out-of-district students Morgan Brigham (1st grade) & Paige Brigham (5th grade), daughters of Olympia staff member Joel Brigham, to attend Olympia North Elementary for the 2020-2021 school year
• Approval of the revised 2020-2021 Board of Education Meeting Dates Schedule
Discussion. Vote: Hansen (aye), Matter (aye), Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Cross (aye), Springer (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
Communications
Olympia Education Association Co-Presidents Kate Berry and Stacy Goeke shared both challenges & successes of teaching during the pandemic. Mrs. Berry and Mrs. Goeke surveyed district grade level chairs and department chairs and shared their opinions on the challenges and celebrations thus far. They both noted that teaching during a pandemic requires extra time for planning – making sure classrooms are meeting guidelines, having lesson plans ready in the event that the District would need to go to complete online learning, etc. Mrs. Goeke (Olympia South Kindergarten teacher) stated that she can no longer have learning centers or group tables, but the students are doing quite well in their separate desks. She also noted that the students are working successfully with the extra technology that she has implemented. Due to the pandemic and supply chain issues, Mrs. Berry (OHS Social Studies teacher) shared the frustration of not receiving some textbooks until classes had already begun. This led to making lots of paper copies & uploading lots of files, but she noted that the students have been very flexible and are coping quite well with all of the circumstances.
Board Vice-President Carolyn Hansen commended Mrs. Berry & Mrs. Goeke for their outstanding leadership, as well as commending the entire staff for their dedication to making this year a success during adverse times. To show her appreciation, Mrs. Hansen shared a quote, “When we needed you the most, you gave us your best.”
Building Principals shared their Continuous Improvement Plans. Highlights of those plans include:
• Olympia North teachers implementing & embedding high level Depth of Knowledge questions/activities into their daily lessons
• Olympia South teachers conducting classroom observations/instructional rounds in which teachers are looking for clarity of understanding & student ownership of their learning
• Olympia West teachers are monitoring phonics instruction through instructional rounds & introducing a number sense area of focus
• Olympia Middle School is creating a “community of inquiry” in which students’ curiosity drives the learning process and working on challenging and engaging tasks
• Olympia High School is focusing on classroom activities that align with summative work – making sure students know what is expected of them
Administrative Committee Reports
Members of the Education/Technology Administrative Committee, Carolyn Hansen & Mary Springer, along with Dr. O’Donnell, shared that they had recently met and reviewed the 2020-2021 curriculum. They noted that they are pleased with the course offerings. They also shared that the Block system is working very well at OMS.
Administrative Reports
Assistant Superintendent Andy Walsh announced the name of the new School Resource Office, McLean County Deputy Sheriff Dillon Hodges. Deputy Hodges is familiar with the Olympia School District as he has worked part-time as a police officer for the village of Stanford. He also knows how to gain respect and have a good rapport with students as he is currently the head baseball coach for Delavan High School.
Mr. Walsh shared the need for substitutes in all areas of the District – teachers, classroom aides, bus drivers, bus aides, cafeteria workers, and custodial/maintenance workers. He stated that vacancies have been posted throughout the Olympia communities, as well as on the Olympia website. Mr. Walsh noted that the State is now offering a short-term Substitute Teaching License to people who have 60 college credit hours. He encouraged those in attendance to spread the word that Olympia needs substitutes.
Mr. Walsh announced that each building was able to host the annual flu shot clinic with over 100 employees taking advantage of this benefit that is sponsored by Olympia’s Health Insurance Committee. (Olympia South Elementary’s clinic is scheduled for October 19.) He also announced that during the month of October, insurance-eligible employees and their family members (if eligible) have the opportunity for a free health & wellness screening blood draw.
Mr. Walsh shared highlights from the recent Health Insurance Committee meeting. There is a significant gap between what is being collected in premium costs and what the total claims costs are each month. Mr. Walsh noted that individual premium costs remain adequately funded. At the next Committee meeting, health insurance representative Randy Butts will provide Committee members with options to review which will determine what changes will provide the fund with an opportunity to get back to a healthier financial status.
Lastly, Mr. Walsh announced that a portion of the Olympia website will now be dedicated to the many improvements taking place around the District. Olympia Facility Upgrades Webpage will continuously be updated to show the most recent projects throughout the District, including the upcoming construction at Olympia South Elementary, scheduled to begin in March, 2021. Mr. Walsh thanked the Olympia Technology staff for making this offering possible.
In order to minimize the potential transmission of COVID, Dr. O’Donnell announced that the Administration is considering having an “adaptive pause” (a week of remote learning) for the week of November 30. This is being considered due to the likelihood of families gathering together for the Thanksgiving holiday. Dr. O’Donnell explained that going remote during this time would allow students enough time to show any symptoms of the virus before returning to the classrooms. This time of remote learning would also provide an opportunity to ensure teachers are ready should remote learning ever become long-term again, and for a thorough cleaning of the buildings as well.
Dr. O’Donnell reminded Board members that ISBE waived the standardized assessment requirements last year for Summative Designations of schools, therefore Olympia’s Summative Designations, which can be found on the School Report Card, remain the same as follows:
• Olympia High School - Commendable
• Olympia Middle School - Targeted Support/Underperforming
• Olympia North Elementary - Exemplary
• Olympia South Elementary - Commendable
• Olympia West Elementary - Commendable
Dr. O’Donnell shared that each of Olympia’s out-of-district serving schools (Hammit, High Road, & Regional Alternative School) has the discretion to run their programming in the manner they see fit during COVID restrictions. As a result of this, many of our students who attend these schools are involved in either “hybrid learning” – a combination of in-class and online learning, or complete remote learning. Dr. O’Donnell noted that the Tri-County superintendents will be meeting with these serving schools to discuss plans to ensure needs of all students are being met as they move forward.
Dr. O’Donnell announced that a Logan County superintendent has requested Olympia vote to expand the language regarding the facilities sales tax usage to include paying for a school resource officer or mental health professionals with these funds. The original intent of this tax was to offset costs related to building maintenance & construction. It was noted that this would affect only Olympia’s voters who reside in Logan County. This action would require Olympia to add the Logan County Facilities Sales Tax question on the April, 2021 ballot. After discussion, it was decided that Olympia will not be adding this question to the ballot.
Dr. O’Donnell informed Board members that both K-8 academic screenings, including a new K-5 reading assessment, and K-12 social, emotional, & behavioral screenings, have been completed. The reading assessment required each student to read to their teacher. The teacher then scores the student on fluency, accuracy, & comprehension. The social, emotional, & behavioral data is used by the MTSS/problem solving teams to make sure needs of the students are being met. Olympia has supports in place to address students’ needs.
Dr. O’Donnell announced that due to the curriculum work done in the past couple of years, there will be no significant changes in courses for the 2021-2022 school year. Elementary classes will implement new English/Language Arts & Math curriculum, Middle School will have no changes, and the High School will have only minor changes within their main courses, including a couple of additional options and a new Science sequence.
Dr. O’Donnell shared that the OHS virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences will be October 13 & 14, and the OMS & elementary virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences will be October 20 & 21. Parents can either call in for a conference or participate in a virtual (Google Meet or Zoom) conference. She also shared that principals will be conferencing with virtual learning students who are not progressing at an appropriate rate or have not been engaged in the learning process. Virtual teachers have been providing support for the virtual learners during the first quarter and will be sharing progress updates with the principals. Principals will also be working with virtual learning families on a plan for re-engagement, providing supports that may be needed, and discussing second semester plans. Administration will be soliciting information from virtual families regarding their intent to return to in-person instruction or maintaining their remote learning status for second semester. Dr. O’Donnell reminded everyone that Wednesday, November 25 is the PT Conference waiver (trade) day.
Lastly, Dr. O’Donnell recommended approval of the latest IASB Board Policy revisions.
Other Business
There was no other business.
Action Items
A motion was made by Doug Maris, seconded by Lynn Cross, to approve the following IASB Board Policy Revisions as presented by Superintendent Dr. Laura O’Donnell: 2:260, 2:265, 5:10, 5:20, 5:100, 7:10, 7:20, 7:180, and 7:185.
Discussion. Vote: Maris (aye), Cross (aye), Hansen (aye), Matter (aye), Hohulin (aye), Springer (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Shawn Hohulin, seconded by Mary Springer, to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
http://olympiail.apptegy.us/o/district/browse/102512
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