Odell Community Consolidated School District 435 Board met Dec. 6.
Here are 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 7:02 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2021 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 (arrived at 7:06 p.m.), and Mary Springer; Superintendent Dr. Laura O’Donnell, Assistant Superintendent Andy Walsh, Olympia High School Principal Dr. Ed Jodlowski, Olympia Middle School Principal Dr. Ben Lee, Olympia North Elementary Principal Mr. Matt Hurley, Olympia South Elementary Principal Mrs. Stacey Rogers, and Olympia West Elementary Principal Mrs. Lisa Castleman.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Kevin Frazier.
Recognition of Visitors
President Frazier welcomed the only visitor, Olympia Education Association representative Cody Hendricks.
Opportunity for Public Input
There was no public input.
Approval of Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Mary Springer, to approve the Consent Agenda which included:
A. Approval of Agenda
B. Approval of Minutes from the January 11, 2021 regular scheduled Board of Education meeting
C. Approval of Bills & Financial Reports
D. Approval of the following resignations:
1. Joe Gaither – Transportation Director, effective June 30, 2021
2. Dr. Ben Lee – Olympia Middle School Principal, effective June 30, 2021
3. Mick Alvis – OMS Head Wrestling Coach, effective January 25, 2021
4. Lane Litwiller – OHS Assistant Wrestling Coach, effective January 26, 2021
5. Christine Stewart – RISE Special Education Teacher at Olympia North Elementary, effective May 27, 2021
6. Robin Spaid – Special Education Aide at Olympia Middle School, effective February 12, 2021
7. Jackie Holmes – OMS Chess Coach, effective at the end of the 2020-2021 school year
E. Approval of the following certified Teachers, effective for the 2021-2022 school year:
1. Alex Nordstrom – Physical Education Teacher at Olympia North Elementary
2. Justin Slager – 4th grade Teacher at Olympia North Elementary
3. Olivia Rosen – Physical Education Teacher at Olympia Middle School
4. Bethany Trummel – 2nd grade Teacher at Olympia South Elementary
5. James Welton – Physical Education/Health Teacher at Olympia High School
6. Laura Fleri-Somers – Science Teacher at Olympia Middle School
F. Approval of Courtney Hoffman as OHS Physical Education Department Chair, effective for the 2021-2022 school year
G. Approval of the following Extra-Curricular Coaches/Sponsors:
1. Jennifer Collins – OMS Basketball Cheer Coach, effective for the 2020-2021 season
2. Derek Johnson – OHS Boys’ Assistant Soccer Coach, effective for the 2020-2021 season
3. Walker Spaulding – OHS Contest Play Assistant Director, effective for the 2020-2021 school year
4. Corban Williams – OHS Assistant Football Coach (split stipend), effective for the 2020-2021 season
5. Lane Litwiller – OMS Head Wrestling Coach, effective for the 2020-2021 season
6. Pete Cleary – OHS Assistant Wrestling Coach, effective for the 2020-2021 season
H. Approval of the 2020-2021 Education Support Personnel Seniority List
I. Approval of the 2020-2021 Certified Teachers Seniority Lists
J. Approval of Monday, May 24, 2021 as the date for the Olympia Middle School Promotion
K. Approval of a SOPPA (Student Online Personal Protection Act) contract which is aligned with Board Policy 7:345
Discussion. Vote: Hansen (aye), Springer (aye), Matter (aye), Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Cross (absent), Frazier (aye).
Motion carried 6-0.
Communications
There were no communications.
Administrative Committee Reports
Carolyn Hansen, Mary Springer, and Superintendent Dr. Laura O’Donnell shared highlights from the recent Education/Technology Administrative Committee meeting. During their meeting, they reviewed and discussed the MTSS Manual, a manual of operational procedures which cover students not performing up to standards. Mrs. Hansen noted that she was glad to see Olympia “holding their own” academically and gave credit for this to the teachers.
Steve Matter, Shawn Hohulin, and Assistant Superintendent Andy Walsh shared highlights from the recent Building & Grounds Administrative Committee meeting. During that meeting, Maintenance Director Scott Thornton discussed the upcoming summer projects including upgrading the OHS Science Core, improving OMS Science classrooms, adding air conditioning to the Olympia North gymnasium, improving the cafeteria and the bus lane at Olympia West, and replacing the heat pumps at Olympia South. There was also discussion about creating two parking lots near the athletic fields – one each for the baseball and softball fields. Finally, the District is looking into paving the parking lot for the buses at the Transportation office.
Administrative Reports
Building Principals’ reports were shared with a look at first semester grades and data. Principals and staff members continue to participate in professional development, and continue to make communication with students/parents a priority.
Assistant Superintendent Andy Walsh shared that the McLean County Emergency Management Agency had contacted him to see if Olympia would be willing to host the COVID vaccine clinics in our schools located in McLean County. These clinics would be held on nights and weekends when students and staff are not in the buildings. The Agency feels this would help those people who might have difficulty driving to Bloomington for the vaccine. Mr. Walsh also announced that with the help of McLean County Health Department, Olympia has entered into a partnership with Genoa Healthcare in Bloomington to provide a vaccine clinic for all Olympia staff, including substitute staff. These clinics will be held in Bloomington with the 1st vaccine being offered on February 22, and the 2nd dose on March 22.
Mr. Walsh expressed thanks for all of the counties within the District who are working to provide Olympia staff with the vaccine.
Mr. Walsh presented the Annual Disclosure Report. This report includes the District’s bond obligations, the Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) of taxable property, the breakdown of the District’s EAV by property type, the amount of taxes extended and collected, a 5-year review of the tax rate, a 5-year review of the fund balances, and a 5-year review of revenue sources.
Mr. Walsh provided an update from a recent Health Insurance Committee meeting. Members of the committee had previously asked the insurance representative, Randy Butts, to evaluate all aspects of Olympia’s Insurance Plan and come back to the committee with areas in which Olympia’s plan was significantly different than the market average. Mr. Butts worked with representatives from his office and Blue Cross/Blue Shield to recommend the following changes to the Olympia Plan which would align more closely with other group plans and would result in cost savings to the District. These changes would take place starting September 1, 2021 and would include raising the ER co-pay, increasing the deductible & out-of-pocket maximums, increasing co-pay for specialty doctor visits, adding a tobacco surcharge, adding a deductible for basic and major dental services, and bundling the dental, vision, disability, & accident insurance under Blue Cross/Blue Shield in order to take advantage of a reduction in costs associated with the major medical plan. Committee members did decide to keep the co-pay for primary doctor visits stable and to continue to cover preventative services at 100% coverage.
Superintendent Dr. Laura O’Donnell recommended the re-employment of District Administrators and Directors. She commended them for going above & beyond in their communication with families, their student support for both virtual and in-person instruction, and the support and guidance of their staff.
Dr. O’Donnell also shared that interviews and recommendations have begun for new 2021-2022 certified staff members.
Dr. O’Donnell announced that author/speaker Greg Wolcott will be returning to Olympia for the March 5 Institute. Mr. Wolcott spent time in the District at the beginning of the school year to talk about relationships with kids and setting aside time for these relationships, coupled with academic press or rigor. During the March 5 Institute, he will be meeting with staff in smaller groups to discuss the academic press piece of his study.
Dr. O’Donnell also announced that the spring Parent/Teacher Conferences will again be virtual and will be held as follows: OHS – March 9 & 10 and OMS/Elementary – March 10 & 11.
Dr. O’Donnell explained that conditions have changed for our Coaches/Sponsors since approval of the negotiated MOU in August, 2020, so the MOU was amended. It was noted that she anticipates all coaches and sponsors will earn their full stipend, based upon their plans and their contact with student athletes.
Dr. O’Donnell provided a Strategic Plan update. The Strategic Plan includes both current and future priorities, goals, and objectives, all of which are determined by using the input of K12 members, OAC members, and results of a survey that is distributed to District stakeholders. Dr. O’Donnell noted that they will be creating a Strategy Map which will show three to five district themes or priorities with annual objectives aligned to each theme.
Dr. O’Donnell, along with Building Principals shared a presentation regarding MAP and PSAT/SAT data, the data that drives interventions and additional supports for the students. Dr. O’Donnell stated that MAP is the new K-8 assessment and has been found to be much more user-friendly & family-friendly, as well as being more rigorous, than the previous STAR assessment. Principals use this data to identify areas of strength and opportunities for students. Principals noted that having access to an Interventionist has been extremely helpful, and the result is seen in the data. Based on MAP performance and teacher recommendations, some students will be invited to attend Spartan Summer School. Dr. O’Donnell noted that Spartan Summer School is in the early planning stages, but it is anticipated that it will be held June 7 – July 1, Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Other Business
There was no other business.
Action Items
A motion was made by Doug Maris, seconded by Lynn Cross, to approve the re-employment of the following Administrators/Directors effective for the 2021-2022 school year: Dr. Ed Jodlowski, OHS Principal; Mr. Matt Hurley, Olympia North Principal; Mrs. Stacey Rogers, Olympia South Principal; Mrs. Lisa Castleman, Olympia West Principal; Mr. Mike Jones, OHS Dean of Students; Mr. Mike Castleman, OHMS Activities Director; Mrs. Jackie Litwiller, OMHS Assistant Activities Director; Mr. Andy Walsh, Assistant Superintendent; Mr. Scott Thornton, Maintenance Director; Mr. Joe Salzer, Network Technology Director; Mr. Sean Mullins, Instructional Technology Director; and Mrs. Donna Waters, Food Service Manager.
Discussion. Vote: Maris (aye), Cross (aye), Hansen (aye), Matter (aye), Hohulin (aye), Springer (aye), Frazier (aye).
Motion carried 7-0.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Lynn Cross, seconded by Carolyn Hansen, to meet in Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. to discuss the Superintendent’s evaluation.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Lynn Cross, to reconvene Open Session at 9:20 p.m.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Action as a Result of Executive Session
There was no Executive Session action taken.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Steve Matter, to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 p.m.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
https://www.olympia.org/browse/191220
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