McLean County Times

McLean County Unit School District 5 Board of Education met Jan. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education meeting was held Wednesday, December 20, 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, Jeremy DeHaai, Stan Gozur, Amy Roser, Alex Williams, Kelly Pyle. Members absent: Kentrica Coleman.

2. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION(5:30p.m.)

At 5:33 p.m. DeHaai moved and Roser seconded to move 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)(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, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.

3. RECESS

The board recessed at 6:23 p.m. to return to public session.

4. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:31 p.m. DeHaai moved and Williams seconded to return to public session. Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, 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, Director of Financial Services Thomas Hoerr, and Clerk of the Board Emily Sargent.

5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6. PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Truth in Taxation Hearing on Proposed Tax Levy

Hickman discussed multiple topics regarding the levy such as the proposed tax levy, how the levy is calculated, etc.

1 Comments Regarding Public Hearing

There were no public comments at the meeting. There was one written public comment submited to the board by Kathy Niepegen for their review.

7. FOCUS ON STUDENTS AND GOOD NEWS REPORTS

A Good News Tiffany Borne Grove Chess Club

Sarah Edwards spoke about Tiffany Borne and all of her contributions over the past 10 years to the success of the Grove Chess Club.

8. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS

Dr. Weikle shared that that the State of Illinois requires levies to be filed on or before the last Tuesday in December. Unit 5 works with the County Supervisor of Assessments throughout the year and more frequently when preparing the levy. We do this to get guidance about the expected

EAV. Unit 5 then sets the tax rate. Last year during our informational referendum sessions Unit 5 stated that we would not increase the tax rate which Unit 5 is holding true to tonight. In fact, the overall 2023 Unit 5 tax rate will be lower than the 2022 tax rate. Any increases that homeowners see in the taxes are likely due to an increase in their property value.

She went on to say that it's hard to believe that the 2023-24 school year is almost halfway through. Over the past several weeks, she has observed students engaged in learning and being a part of performances to showcase their talent. Students have also been taking mid-year assessments so that we can monitor their progress.

Although students are halfway through the school year, Unit 5 is still looking to fill some key positions. We are holding a job fair on January 12, 2024 from 9 am -12 pm in the District Office. This is an opportunity for individuals to walk in, get assistance in completing the online application, and ask questions. We will accept applications for all positions and are particularly looking for paraprofessionals, or teaching assistants, substitute teachers, substitute paraprofessionals, custodial and food service positions. Each of these positions is critical to the success of students in Unit 5 so please consider.

Finally, she wished our students, families, staff, and community a happy and safe holiday season and said thank you to our families and community members who support Unit 5 students. She expressed how appreciative she is of our staff who pour their passion, expertise, and love into our students each and every day and that she hopes that everyone is able to take time during winter break to spend time with family and friends, rest and rejuvenate prior to returning to school in January,

9. PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments.

10. REPORTS

A 2022-2023 Audit Report

Hope Wheeler presented the results of the 2023 audit. She began with an overview of the audit process, performing a risk assessment, and the audit deliverables. She went over audit report highlights and discussed the governance communication letter.

B Strategic Planning Update

Dr. Weikle gave a strategic planning update. She discussed the timeline set for the steering committee, meeting several times with the committee including reviewing surveys that have been given to students, staff, families and community members. She went on to discuss some of the results of the survey and how that will help to guide them through the next steps of the process.

C 1st Reading of Board Policies, Administrative Procedures and Exhibits

1 Section 2 - Board of Education

a. Policy 2.20 Powers and Duties of the Board Indemnification

b. Policy 2.120 Board Member Development

c. Policy 2.200 Types of Board Meetings

d. Policy 2.220 Board Meeting Procedure

2 Section 4: Operational Services

a. Policy 4.10 Fiscal and Business Management

b. Policy 4.60 Purchases and Contracts

c. Policy 4.130 Free and Reduced-Price Food Services

d. Policy 4.160 Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds

3 Section 5: Personnel

a. Policy 5.30 Hiring Process and Criteria

b. Policy 5.50 Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Tobacco Prohibition

c. Policy 5.190 Teacher Qualifications

d. Policy 5.210 Resignations

e. Policy 5.220 Substitute Teachers

f. Policy 5.250 Leaves of Absence

g. Policy 5.330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves

4 Section 6: Instruction

a. Policy 6.15 School Accountability

b. Policy 6.20 School Year Calendar and Day

c. Policy 6.60 Curriculum Content

5 Section 7 - Students

a. Policy 7.60 Residence

b. Policy 7.70 Attendance and Truancy

c. Policy 7.160 Student Appearance

d. Policy 7.190 Student Behavior

e. Policy 7.270 Administering Medicines to Students

f. Policy 7.290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention

6 Section 8 - School/Community Relations

a. Policy 8.30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property

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 12.20.23

11. ACTION

A Adopt Levy Resolution

DeHaai moved and Gozur seconded to Adopt Levy Resolution. Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, 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 11.15.23 Closed Minutes

2 11.15.23 Regular Minutes

B Personnel Matters

C Payment of Bills and Payrolls

D Approve Finance Department Reports

1 November 2023 Financial Statements

E Approve 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

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

1 Health Life Safety Amendments

G Approve 2022-2023 Audit Report

H Approve the District 2024 Insurance Renewals

I Approve Five Year Agreement With Perry Weather for Software And Outdoor Warning Systems

J Approve 60 Month Lease Agreement with Clayton Holdings, LLC For 2 Isuzu Model NPR-HD Trucks.

K Approve Settlement Agreement and Release with former employee Faelan Grimm

L Approve Property Assessment Settlement Agreements with Property Owners 

M Approve Overnight Trip Requests

N Approve Student Activity Fund Establishment

DeHaai moved and Roser seconded to approve the consent agenda as presented.

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

13. BOARD REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS

Adams discussed his take away from the Triple I Conference in regards to mental

health and trauma. He encouraged the public to volunteer with the Habitat for Humanity

and with Salvation Army on Friday, December 22nd. McLean County Planning Commission will be hosting a poublic forum on housing needs and encourages everyone to attend on Tuesday, January 9th at the McLean County Health Dept. Gozur thanked Mrs. Borne for her dedication to the Grove Chess Team. He encouraged parents that are interested to reach out to schools to see how you can volunteer. He also thanked the individuals that organized and participated in the event Better to Give than Receive.

DeHaai discussed his take away from the Triple I conference specifically regarding policies, laws, and regulations. He also thanked those that coordinated the Better to Give than Receive. He wished everyone a happy holidays and winter break. Roser thanked those involved in the Better to Give than Receive event. She discussed her take away from the Triple I conference regarding policies. She thanked Curt Richardson for all his hard work and praised him for his presentation at the Triple I Conference.

Williams discussed his take away from the Triple | Conference regarding FOIA requests and transparency. He thanked his fellow board members for working together to execute and govern in the district. He also acknowledged Dr. Weikle as well as teachers administrators, and staff for their hard work for students and making the district great. Pyle thanked Dr. Weikle for her intentionality and how well run the steering committees are. She expressed excitement for what will come from the strategic planning. She thanked everyone involved with the Better to Give than Receive. She discussed her take away from the Triple I conference regarding self evaluation tools for boards to use continue to hold themselves to a high standard. She closed with wishing students, families and staff a happy and healthy holiday.

14. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:06 p.m. the Board meeting adjourned.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1482?meeting=617491