McLean County Unified School District No. 5 Board of Education met June 21.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education meeting was held Wednesday, June 21, 2023, beginning at - 6:30pm (Sign up for public comments will be open from 5:15pm - 6:15pm) at the Normal West High School, 501 N Parkside Rd, Normal, IL 61761.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Members present: Mark Adams, Kentrica Coleman, Jeremy DeHaai, Stan Gozur, Amy Roser, Alex Williams, Kelly Pyle. Members absent: None.
2. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION(5:00p.m.)
At 5:04pm, DeHaai moved, Roser seconded to adjourn to closed session to discuss the following matter according to the exceptions provided in the Open Meetings Act and specified as follows:
•2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity and
•2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees
and
•2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
*Adams entered the room at 5:03pm.
3. RECESS
At 6:25 p.m. the Board recessed to return to public session.
4. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
At 6:31 p.m. DeHaai moved and Gozur seconded to return to public session.
Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Also present: Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle, Chief Financial Officer Martin Hickman, Attorney for the District M. Curt Richardson, Executive Director of Operations Joe Adelman, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Lamboley, Director of Communications and Community Relations Dayna Brown, Director of Safety and Security Shane Hill, Director of Elementary Education Maureen Backe, Director of Special Education Carrie Chapman, Assistant Director Megan Peterson, Human Resources Manager Monica Wilks, Associate Principal Sylvester Davis, Principal of Colene Hoose Gina Tenuta, Principal of Parkside Elementary Chris Ellis, Manager of Special Maintenance Tom Rockwell, and Clerk to the Board Emily Sargent.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6. PUBLIC HEARING
A Public Hearing on the Amended Budget for 2022-2023
Hickman reiterated that there was not any changes from when the budget was presented at the may 17th board meeting.
1 Comments Regarding Public Hearing
There were no comments.
DeHaai moved and Roser seconded to close the Public Hearing on the Amended Budget for 2022-2023.
Roll Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
7. FOCUS ON STUDENTS AND GOOD NEWS REPORTS
A Good News - Energy Star - Parkside Elementary
Tom Rockwell presented Chris Ellis the Energy Star Award. He went on to discuss Parkside Elementary being the second building to be given an Energy Star rating and the savings this gives the district.
B Staff Introductions
Dr. Weikle introduced new staff for the 23-24 school year.
Amy Oxarart is a new employee and will be the new Principal at PJHS. Kelly Fitzgerald is a current employee and will be the new principal at Carlock Elementary. Monica Wilks is a current employee and will be the new Director of Human Resources for the district.
8. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS
Dr. Weikle discussed the summer school programs including the Freedom School programfor more than 950 students across the district. Students in grades PreK-8 are focusing on literacy, math, and social emotional learning. Students in grades 9-12 are doing credit recovery and our special education extended school year is focusing on students' individual goals. Each of these programs run through the end of June. This year Unit 5 is pleased to be a recipient of the Freedom Schools grant from the Illinois State Board of Education. This grant is a multicultural enrichment program focused on literacy, civic engagement, and STEAM activities for middle school aged students. Unit 5 is also providing free meals for anyone 18 years of age or younger this summer. Breakfast is available at Cedar Ridge Elementary from 8:15 am to 9:00 am and lunch is available from 11-12 through June 30, Monday-Friday. Chiddix Junior High is also serving breakfast and lunch, Monday- Thursday, through July 20. Lunch is available at Unity Community Center from 11:30-12:30 through mid-July. Adults wishing to purchase a breakfast or lunch may do so and must pay in cash. The custodial/maintenance staff are busy this summer doing updates and cleaning in schools. There 115 projects to complete in the department this summer. She thanked the staff in that department for all of their hardwork over the summer.
She mentioned there are still positions that are needing to be filled. Positions such as teaching assistants, administrative assistants, substitutes, etc are still open. There will be onsite job fairs held this summer. More information on this can be found on the website.
Unit 5 is recognizing and celebrating Pride month this June to support our LGBTQ students, families, and staff and to encourage others to honor our diverse community. This is a part of our strong commitment to equity and inclusion, to ensure all students, families, and staff feel welcome, respected, supported, and valued.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Andrea Gutierrez. Topic: Safety and communication concerns at their student's school.
Erik Beckner. Topic: Safety and communication concerns at their student's school.
Will Gudeman. Topic: Safety and communication concerns at their student's school.
Megan Toon. Topic: Safety and communication concerns in the district.
Danielle Gudeman. Topic: Safety and communication concerns in the district.
10. REPORTS
A Unit 5 Foundation Annual Report
Dayna Brown introduced President of the Unit 5 Education Foundation, Jeff Mavros. He went on to discuss the history and goals of the foundation. They are currenly working to identify needs. Some of the new iniatives are the 5k Walk/Run, Outdoor movie night at NCHS on 10/8/23, 365 breakfast, an electronic newsletter, and student scholarships to continue to grow.
He concluded with the introduction of two of the scholarship winners - Tyler Chapman from NCHS and Megan Gabor from NCWHS.
B Equity Action Plan Quarter 4 Update
Dr. Shelvin started with reading the BOE statement which was created a year on 6/15/22. She discussed the Teaching for Equity Framework which helps determine how they move with the equity action plan. More information about the equity action plan is listed on the website. She introduced staff that lead the strands that make up the plan which are Systems, Teaching and Learning, Student Voice Climate and Culture, Family & Community as Agency. She went on to discuss the 23-24 planning.
C Requests for Information Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act The District has received and processed the following requests for information:
1 FOIA List 06.21.23
11. ACTION
A Adopt the Amended Budget Resolution for McLean County Unit District No. 5, McLean and Woodford Counties for 2022-2023
DeHaai moved and Gozur seconded to Adopt the Amended Budget Resolution for McLean County Unit District No. 5, McLean and Woodford Counties for 2022-2023.
Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
B Authorize Superintendent to negotiate and enter into Solar Power Purchase Agreements for Northpoint Elementary School, Transportation, and the Warehouse DeHaai moved and Adams seconded to Authorize Superintendent to negotiate and enter into Solar Power Purchase Agreements for Northpoint Elementary School, Transportation, and the Warehouse.
Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
12. CONSENT AGENDA
Weikle reviewed and recommended the following consent agenda items for approval.
A Approval of Minutes
Minutes are not released for public viewing until approved by the Board of Education
1 05.17.23 Regular Session
2 05.17.23 Closed Session
B Personnel Matters
C Payment of Bills and Payrolls
D Approve Finance Department Reports
1 April 2023 Financial Statements
2 May 2023 Financial Statements
E Approve Board Policies, Administrative Procedures, and Exhibits
1 Section 2: Board of Education
a. Policy 2.40 Board Member Qualifications
b. Policy 2.60 Board Member Removal From Office
c. Policy 2.140 Communications To and From the Board
d. Policy 2.240 Board Policy Development
2 Section 4: Operational Services
a. Administrative Procedure 4.190-AP1 Targeted School Violence Prevention Program
b. Administrative Procedure 4.190-AP2 Threat Assessment Teams
3 Section 6: Instruction
a. Policy 6.20 School Year Calendar and Day
b. Policy 6.280 Grading and Promotion
c. Policy 6.300 Graduation Requirements
d. Policy 6.310 High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitution; Re-Entering Students
e. Policy 6.340 Student Testing and Assessment Program
f. Administrative Procedure 6.20-AP1 Remote and or Blended Remote Learning Day Plan(s)
g. Administrative Procedure 6.60-AP1 Comprehensive Health Education Program
h. Exhibit 6.300-E2 State Law Graduation Requirements
4 Section 7: Students
a. Administrative Procedure 7.285-AP1 Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program
b. Administrative Procedure 7.290-AP1 Resource Guide for Implementation of Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention Program
c. Administrative Procedure 7.340-AP2 Storage and Destruction of School Student Records
d. Exhibit 7.190-E2 Student Handbook Checklist
e. Exhibit 7.340-AP2, E1 Letter Containing Schedule for Destruction of School Student Records
5 Section 8: School/Community Relations
a. Administrative Procedure 8.90-AP1 Inflatables
F Approve Requests for Authorization to Use Fire Prevention and Safety Funds
1 KJHS Amendment #44
G Approve Overnight Trip Requests
H Approve 23-24 School Improvement Plans - Cedar and Oakale Elementary
| Approve Resolution of Interest Earned for 2022-2023 School Year
J Approve 2023-2024 District Insurance Renewals
K Approve Employee Group Medical and Dental Renewal 2023-2024
L Approve Bread Bid
M Approve Three Year Agreement With ArbiterSports for ArbiterPay 7-1-23 to 6-30-26
N Appoint Martin Hickman as Treasurer for the District for the Period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024
O Appoint Emily Sargent as Clerk for the Board for the District for the Period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024
DeHaai moved and Coleman seconded to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
13. BOARD REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS
Adams also mentioned that June is the celebration of Pride Month and commended the district for the DEI work.
Coleman congratulated the new hires, Amy, Kelly, and Monica. She thanked everyone involved in the negotiation process for the union contracts.
Gozur mentioned the the McLean Country Regional Planning Commission meeting in July will be cancelled. He praised the operations department for all of their hard work. He said he is looking forward to seeing the work being done with the Equity Action Plan and SEAAT.
DeHaai mentioned the Oakdale building updates that are being worked on this summer. He also thanked Joe Adelman and Tom Rockwell for all of their hard work with Energy Star ratings. He congratulated the students that were awarded the foundation scholarships as well as the new hires Monica, Amy, and Kelly. He thanked those that come out to speak during the public comment section of the meeting.
Roser mentioned the Beyond the Books foundation named new members to the board and welcomed them.
Williams commended the work that is being done at Eugene Field. He also congratulated Kelly, Amy, and Monica on their new positions. He acknowledged Dr. Weikle for her support of MAPS. Pyle echoed the welcome and appreciation of the DELT team. She mentioned that there will be a board evaulation meeting on July 20th.
14. RETURN TO CLOSED SESSION
DeHaai moved and Roser seconded to return to closed session.
Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
15. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:13 pm the Board adjourned.
https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1482?meeting=588026
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