McLean County Times

McLean County Unit School District 5 Board of Education met Nov. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education meeting was held Wednesday, November 15, 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 (5:45p.m.)

At 5:46 p.m. DeHaai moved and Gozur 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)(9) Student disciplinary cases and

•2(c)(10) The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.

Roll Call: Ayes: Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried. 

*Mark Adams entered at 5:52pm

*Curt Richardson exited at 6:19pm

3. RECESS

The board recessed at 6:27 p.m. to return to closed session.

4. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:32 p.m. DeHaai moved and Adams 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, 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 Communications/Community Relations Dayna Brown, Clerk of the Board Emily Sargent, Director of Special Education Carrie Chapman, Director of Teaching and Learning Darrin Cooper, Director of Secondary Education Dan Lamboley, Director of Elementary Education Maureen Backe, Director of Multilingual Services Leslie Webb.

5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6. FOCUS ON STUDENTS AND GOOD NEWS REPORTS

A Crossing Guard of the Year 2023, Crystal Greenwald

Matt Harr presented Crystal Greenwald who received the Crossing Guard of the Year award. She is both the crossing guard and Noon Hour Supervisor at Northpoint Elementary.

B EJHS Softball Team

Brett Pappocia present the EJHS softball team for their time in the State competition.

C Illinois School Board Members Day

Weikle thanked all of the school board members for their volunteer work and service.

7. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS

Dr. Weikle shared that she has visited schools this week and she has observed students celebrating Unstoppable Week which promotes activities to help students make good decisions and reach their full potential. Lessons focus on healthy choices, managing daily challenges, building positive relationships, reducing stress, and using medication appropriately. This event was developed with BN Parents and Unit 5 staff. November is also a time of year where we often focus on gratitude and this week happens to be American Education Week. She expressed my appreciation of all of the educators, education support professionals, administrators, board members, students, and families who work together for the betterment of students and our community. Today is also Education Support Professionals Day and is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the important work that they do to support students in and out of the classroom.

In September, Unit 5 asked students, staff, families and community members to complete a survey as we were in the beginning stages of updating our strategic plan. We had more than 6600 responses from that first survey. Since then the Strategic Planning Steering Committee has met to review the results and discuss additional information we still need. We are asking Unit 5 stakeholders to answer some additional questions to help us develop a plan for Unit 5's future. Earlier today we sent communication to Unit 5 families & staff regarding their follow up survey. Students in grades 6-12 will be sent their survey prior to fall break.

As the weather becomes colder we may begin to face some extremely cold temperatures, snow, and ice. In the event that one or more of these things occur, we may use an e-learning day. E-learning days do not need to be made up whereas traditional snow days do need to be made up. We may use an e-learning day when road conditions do not allow us to safely transport students to and from school. We may also use an e-learning day if temperatures and the wind chill are at levels that make it too dangerous for students to walk to/from school. A traditional snow day, where no work occurs, may be used if we've had multiple days of e-learning, if there is ice on power lines impacting electricity, if we've exceeded the number of e-learning days allowed by the state.

Finally, best of luck to the NCHS football team as they compete against Downers Grove North this Saturday at 2 pm in the 7A Football Semifinals

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jackie Byer. Topic: Preliminary Tax Levy.

9. REPORTS

A Enrollment, Growth, and Achievement Report

Michelle Lamboley introduced the individuals that worked on this report as well as herself. - Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Kristal Shelvin, Director of Special Education Carrie Chapman, Director of Teaching and Learning Darrin Cooper, Director of Secondary Education Dan Lamboley, Director of Elementary Education Maureen Backe, Director of Multilingual Services Leslie Webb.

Michelle began with discussing an increase or decrease in the demographics, the trend of the assement impact due to COVID. Darrin went on to discuss the district assements and interventions. Michelle presented slides on the PreK student demographic information and their assessment data. Maureen Backe and Dr. Shelvin talked through slides that that breakdown the fastbridge data in math, reading, etc. Darrin went on to discuss the Illinois Assessment of Readiness for math, and ELA including the meets and exceeds data in which Unit 5 has exceeeded the state average since 2019 (excluding 2020 due to COVID). He also discussed the SAT profiencey data in which the district outperformed the state average. Dr. Shelvin also discussed Freshman on Track. Darrin continued the presentation explaining that the graduation rate is the highest rate it has been in the past 5 years and exceeds the state average. Dan presented the advanced coursework that is available to students in High School. The district offers 18 dual credit courses and 20 advanced placement courses. The percent of students taking early college courses exceeds the state average. He explained there is some work that needs to be done to increase the student representation in AP and dual credit courses. Leslie discussed multilingual services in the district and the amount of students that are supported by the programs. Michelle wrapped up the presentation by highlighting efforts to support student growth and achievement.

B Preliminary Report on Tax Levy

Marty Hickman began with discussing the levy calendar and went on to explain why the levy is important. He showed a pie chart that broke down the FY 2024 proposed budget revenue mix. Over 65% of the revenue comes from local property taxes. The levy is calculated by the county and the school board. The final tax rate and extension is based on the actual EAV. The levy is set by the school board. He explained that the estimated total EAV increased by 14.84%. He reiterated that Unit 5 BOE is comitted to keep the Ed fund tax rate at 2.72 or lower this year. He broke down that there has been a historical change in EAV and then moved to the proposed 2023 Levy. He broke down the opportunities that are created by an increase such as improving our buildings to ensure the safety of students, keep positions that would otherwise be eliminated at the end of the ESSER funding year (23-24), exporsure to field trips, college prep classes, reducing structural defecit at a faster pace, and make technolofy updates to buildings. C 1st Reading of Board Policies, Administrative Procedures and Exhibits

1 Section 4: Operational Services

a. Policy 4.30 Revenue and Investments

b. Policy 4.50 Payment Procedures

c. Policy 4.55 Use of Credit and Procurement Cards

d. Policy 4.100 Insurance Management

2 Section 5: Personnel

a. Policy 5.35 Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act

b. Policy 5.130 Responsibilities Concerning Internal Information

c. Policy 5.170 Copyright

d. Policy 5.180 Temporary Illness or Temporary Incapacity

3 Section 6: Instruction

a. Policy 6.40 Curriculum Development

b. Policy 6.110 Programs for Students at Risk of Academic Failure

c. Policy 6.150 Home and Hospital Instruction

D 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 11.15.23

10. 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 10.18.23 Closed Minutes

2 10.18.23 Regular Minutes

B Personnel Matters

C Payment of Bills and Payrolls

D Approve Finance Department Reports

1 Financial Statements for Oct 2023

E Approve Board Policies, Administrative Procedures, and Exhibits

1 Section 2: Board of Education

a. Policy 2.160 District Legal Services

b. Policy 2.170 Procurement of Architectural Engineering and Land Surveying Services c. Policy 2.200 Types of Board Meetings

2 Section 4: Operational Services

a. Administrative Procedure 4.60-AP5 Federal Award Procurement Procedures

b. Exhibit 4.60-AP5,E1 Internal Procedures for Procurement Transactions

3 Section 5: Personnel

a. Administrative Procedure 5.90-AP1 Coordination with Childrens Advocacy Center

b. Administrative Procedure 5.90-AP2 Parent Guardian Notification of Sexual Misconduct

c. Exhibit 5.30-AP3, E1 EHR Letter to Applicants Current-Former Employer 

4 Section 7: Students

a. Policy 7.180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment b. Administrative Procedure 7.190-AP1 Student Handbook- Hazing Prohibited

c. Exhibit 7.185-E1 Memo to Parents-Guardians Regarding Teen Dating Violence 

F Approve Requests for Authorization to Use Fire Prevention and Safety Funds

1 Amendment #20 - Glenn Elementary

G Approve Fan Coil Control Upgrade at Northpoint Elementary School

H Approve Early Entrance to Kindergarten and Early Entrance to First Grade

I Approve 24-25 Course To Career Guide

J Student Activity Fund Establishments

K Student Activity Fund Dissolutions

L Approve Donation Requests

DeHaai moved and Roser seconded to Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.

11. BOARD REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS

Williams congratulated those recognized tonight in the good news reports. He also congratulated the NCHS football team as well as the Not in our Town and the Stem groups recognized this weekend.

Roser hopes the Thankgiving break provides a breather for students and families and allows them to reflect on what they are grateful for.

DeHaai congratulated Mrs. Greenwald and the EJHS softball team. He discussed some of the current facilities projects happening in the district. On February 2nd there will be a Building a Foundaton lunch at Sugar Creek. He thanked the district's teachers and staff who serve in the military for their service to our country.

Gozur made a point to recognize all of the sports and groups that have had great season so far and thanked those that have gone out to support the students. He shouted out the social media teams that have documented the success.

Coleman congratulated the EJHS softball team and thanked Mrs. Greenwald as well as all of the other crossing guards that keep students safe. She thanked those that provided feedback on resolutions and she plans on voting for the resolution recommendations this weekend. Adams praised those that took part in the Hauntcerts in October. He shouted out the NCWHS football team for a great season as well as the EJHS softball team that was recognized tonight. He congratulated the Normal Marching band for their invitation to London. He spotlit November as Homeless Awareness Month. He encouraged giving to organizations in the community that support that population. He encouraged the community to take a survey at Mcplan.org in regards to the current housing needs.

Pyle mentioned that the Strategic Planning Steering Committee will meet again this month. She thanked all of her fellow board members for their service to the district and community. She also acknowledged the education support personnel

12. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:30 p.m. the Board meeting adjourned.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1482?meeting=610062