McLean County Unified School District No. 5 Board of Education met Jan. 31.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education meeting was held Tuesday, January 31, 2023, beginning at - 5:30pm (Sign up for public comments will be open from 4:15pm - 5:15pm) at the Normal West High School, 501 N Parkside Rd, Normal, IL 61761.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 5:30pm
Members present: Kentrica Coleman, Jeremy DeHaai, Stan Gozur, Alan Kalitzky, Kelly Pyle, Amy Roser, Barry Hitchins. Members absent: None.
Also present: Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Lamboley, Chief Financial Officer Martin Hickman, Attorney for the District M. Curt Richardson, Executive Director of Operations Joe Adelman, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Kristal Shelvin, Director of Human Resources Roger Baldwin, Director of Communications/Community Relations Dayna Brown, Director of Secondary Education Dan Lamboley, Director of Elementary Education Maureen Backe, Director of Special Education Carrie Chapman, Director of Teaching and Learning Darrin Cooper, Early Childhood Coordinator Kris Pennington, Assistant Director of HR Megan Peterson, and Clerk of the Board Emily Sargent.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Alex Williams. Topic: Support of the Referendum.
Jennifer Burns. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Matt Chapman. Topic: Support of the Referendum.
Candace Summers. Topic: Support of the Referendum.
Erin Easter. Topic: Opposition to potential budget cuts effecting extra curricular activities.
Allison Schulz. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Bella Campos. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Hannah Johnson. Topic: Support of the Referendum.
Eric Larson. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Dr. Carla Campbell-Jackson. Topic: Opposition to potential budget cuts to DEI.
Andy Uhe. Topic: Support of the referendum and opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Emmett Harmon. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Kim Harmon. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Adler Hull. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Lauren LaReau. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Dr. Pauline Williams. Topic: Opposition to the proposed budget cuts.
Jack Abraham. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Morgan Taylor. Topic: Support of the referundum.
Paisley Walk. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Rhonda Baer. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Addison Mead. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Derek Mead. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Jillian Nelson. Topic: Support of the referendum and opposition of the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Scarlett Young. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Faith Russell. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Mary Carlisle. Topic: Suggestions for sources of revenue for the district
Zac Chambers. Topic: Opposition to the potential closing of Carlock Elementary
Abby Scott. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Cashton McGowen. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Krystal Able. Topic: Support of the referendum and opposition to potential budget cuts.
Mark Adams. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Angela DeJaynes. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Cory Beirne. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Jennifer O'Conner. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Jason Flammang. Topic: Support of the referendum and opposition of the potential closing of Carlock Elementary/extracurricular activities.
Jerritt Williams. Topic: Support of the referendum and opposition of the potential closing of Carlock Elementary.
Peter Borowkski. Topic: Budget concerns
Laurie Bergner. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Patrick Maineri. Topic: Support of the referendum.
Alexandra Wert. Topic: Opposition to the proposed budget cuts.
3. RECESS
The Board recessed at 7:19 p.m.
4. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
The Board returned from recess at 7:30 p.m.
5. REPORTS
A Proposed Reductions for 2023-2024 School Year
Weikle presented a powerpoint with the proposed reductions for 23-24 school year. She started with discussing how the district got where it is is today in regards to the current defecit including 2006 EAV projections, the 10 cent increase in 2008, the proration and decrease of state funding, increased state mandates, etc. She explained that there are 8 different funds that a school has access to and these funds cannot be transferred from one to another. She went on to recap Spring 2022 $2 million in reductions that were made as well as the $700K revenue that was brough in to the district. She finished with discussing the recommended reductions and revenue.
B Proposed Reductions for 2024-2025 School Year
Weikle presented the proposed reductions for 24-25 school year including items like reducing administration, closing Carlock Elementary, increasing class ranges, shortening the school day, reducing electives in grades 6-12, etc. She stated that is significant revenue is received some or all of these could be reinstated which would require a vote by the board. The 24-25 recommendations should be voted on by the board by May or June at the latest to give the district plenty of time to plan. She discussed ESSER funds, how the district received it, and how they use the funds. The increase of fees for activities would be brought to the board at a future meeting to be voted on before being instated.
6. ACTION
A Reductions for 2023-2024 School Year
Gozur moved and DeHaai seconded to approve the reductions for 2023-2024 school year.
Roll Call: Ayes: Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Kalitzky, Pyle, Roser, Hitchins. Nays: None. Motion carried.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 p.m.
https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1482?meeting=566908
Alerts Sign-up