McLean County Times

McLean County Unit School District 5 Board of Education met Feb. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education meeting was held Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 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 5:46pm Dehaai moved and 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. 3. RECESS

At 6:15 p.m. the Board recessed to public session

4. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:30 p.m. DeHaai moved and Roser 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, 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 and, Director of Elementary Education Maureen Backe, Director of Secondary Education Dan Lamboley, Assistant Director of Financial Services Tommy Hoerr, and Clerk of the Board Emily Sargent.

5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6. FOCUS ON STUDENTS AND GOOD NEWS REPORTS

A Good News - PJHS Athletic Achievements at State Track Meet

Dr. Cody Pullium Associate Principal at PJHS recognized the 2023 8th grade boy's track team, the 7th grade girl's track team.

7. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS

Dr. Weikle shared that Unit 5 has had a lot going on since our last board meeting. Elementary students have celebrated the 100th day of school. The Unit 5 Educational Foundation held their first "Building a Foundation Luncheon" highlighting STEM in our schools. We've recognized our school counselors during National School Counseling Week and the tremendous impact they have on our students. We also celebrated our School Resource Officers (SROS) who help keep our schools safe while fostering positive relationships within our school community.

Additionally, she highlighted Black History Month, a federally recognized celebration of the contributions African Americans have made to this country and a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice. Unit 5 students learn about and honor African American history and history- makers throughout the year.

Over the past few weeks families, students, and staff have been asked to participate in the Illinois 5 Essentials Survey. This anonymous survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes: Effective Leaders, Collaborative Teachers, Involved Families, Supportive Environments, and Ambitious Instruction. If you have not yet completed the survey please consider taking a few minutes to complete it. Additional information is available from your child's school as well on the Unit 5 website.

Kindergarten registration is now open for children who will be five on or before September 1, 2024. Students and families will have the opportunity for a Kindergarten Preview on Wednesday, March 6 at your child's school.

To continue our planning for next year, this evening the Board will be asked to vote on the 2024-25 school calendar. The calendar being presented tonight was created by a committee of staff and administrators and later voted on by Unit 5 staff, with a majority choosing the version we presented to the board for approval.

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments

9. REPORTS

A Mid-year Budget Update

Tommy Hoerr presented the 6 month budget update with different year end projections for each fund. He started with discussing the different funds that make up the operating fund. In the Education Fund, there is an increase in revenue with the 2023 tax levy, personal property replacement ta, interest, and registration, technology, and activity fees playing a part in that. In the Ed. Fund, there is a projected decrease with salaries and benefits, and supplies, services, and equipment playing a part in that decrease. In the Operations and Maintenance fund, there is an increase in both the revenue and expenditures. In the transportation fund, there in an increase in both the revenue and expenditures. Some of the factors in the increase in revenue is 2023 tax levy and interest, transportation claims, and lease proceeds. Some of the factors in the increase in expenditures is transportation services and capital equipment. In the tort fund, the projection for the revenue and expenditures is breaking even.

B Draft Strategic Plan

Dr. Weikle began with presenting the draft of the strategic plan. There will be an opportunity for stakeholders to add input in the draft strategic plan.

There will be no change in the mission statement. Dr. Adam Zbrozek, principal at NCHS presented the draft vision statement - To inspire curiosity, empower and grow individuals, elevate community, and prepare for the future. Angie Codron, Principal at NCWHS presented the commitments - grouping them into 5 categories - integrity, belonging, engagement, teamwork, and excellence. Director of Elementary Education Maureen Backe and Director of Secondary Education Dan Lamboley presented on Goal One, Two, and Three of the first focus area - Inspiring a Culture of Learning. Dr. Weikle shared information and the three goals about the second focus area - Creating Foundations for the Future. Dr. Kristal Shelvin presented the last focus area - Building and Strengthening Our Community. She also presented the goals of this focus area.

Dr. Weikle thanked all those that have participated in the strategic planning committee. She mentioned that there will be updates to the board at least twice a year as it is a 5 year plan. There will be a google form for various stakeholders to submit their feedback. This form can be found on the district website.

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

1 Section 2 - Board of Education

a. Administrative Procedure 2.150-AP1 Superintendent Committees

b. Exhibit 2.220-E6 Log of Closed Meeting Minutes

2 Section 4: Operational Services

a. Administrative Procedure 4.60-AP1 Purchases

b. Administrative Procedure 4.80-AP2 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Awareness Program

c. Administrative Procedure 4.160-AP1 Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds

d. Administrative Procedure 4.170-AP1 Comprehensive Safety and Security Program

e. Exhibit 4.130-E1 Free and Reduced-Price Food Services_ Meal Charge Notifications 

3 Section 5: Personnel

a. Administrative Procedure 5.90-AP1 Coordination with Children's Advocacy Center

b. Administrative Procedure 5.120-AP2 Employee Conduct Standards

c. Administrative Procedure 5.150-AP1 Personnel Records

d. Administrative Procedure 5.220-AP1 Substitute Teachers

4 Section 6: Instruction

a. Administrative Procedure 6.60-AP1 Comprehensive Health Education Program 

5 Section 7 - Students

a. Administrative Procedure 7.190-AP9 Administrative Transfer to Regional Safe School Program

b. Administrative Procedure 7.270-AP2 Checklist for District Supply of Undesignated Medications

c. Administrative Procedure 7.285-AP1 Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program

d. Administrative Procedure 7.345-AP1 Use of Educational Technologies Student Data Privacy and Security

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 02.21.24

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 01.17.24 Closed Minutes

2 01.17.24 Regular Minutes

B Personnel Matters

C Payment of Bills and Payrolls

1 Bills & Payroll Reports

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

1 Glenn Amendment #21

2 Colene Hoose Amendment #24

3 PJHS Amendment #27

E Approve 2024-2025 Calendar

F Approve Purchase of Campus Optimizer under the Omnia Partners Cooperative Purchasing Agreement at Evans Junior High School

G Approve AHU Controls Replacement at Prairieland Elementary School

H Approve Temperature Controls Modernization at Towanda Elementary

I Approve Overnight Trip Requests

J Activity Fund Establishments

Adams moved and Gozur seconded to remove 2024-2025 Calendar from the consent agenda. Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.

DeHaai moved and Williams seconded to approve the consent agenda as amended. Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: None. Motion carried.

DeHaai moved and Gozur seconded to approve the 2024-2025 Calendar. Roll Call: Ayes: Coleman, DeHaai, Gozur, Roser, Williams, Pyle. Nays: Adams. Motion carried.

11. BOARD REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS

Williams shared that IASB will host a meeting on March 14th at Bloomington High School and encouraged his fellow board members to attend.

Roser thanked the maintenance team that put new lighting in the NCHS gym. DeHaai thanked Tommy Hoerr for presenting on the budget tonight as well as those that participated in the strategic plannin committee. He mentioned some of the maintenance projects that will be worked on this summer. There will be a Facilities Committee meeting this Friday at the Unit Office. He praised the turnout for the Unit 5 Foundation Luncheon on February 2nd. On the 5th of May, there will be a 5K run. There will be more info to come on that. Gozur praised the student athletes from PJHS that we recognized during the good news report. He encouraged the community to participate in a survey at mcplan.org that will address service gaps in transportation in the county. He finished by applauding all of our student's parents for their efforts in fund raising for students.

Coleman phrased all who worked to put together a successful Unit 5 foundation luncheon. She congratulated the students that were recognized tonight as well as the transparency shown during the budget presentation. She also praised the draft strategic plan.

Adams praised the KJHS volleyball team. He also congratulated PJHS students recognized tonight. He encouraged the community to read a book by a Black author.

Pyle encouraged students, staff, and community members to complete the 5 essentials survey.

She also thanks the students for attending the entire meeting from NCHS and NCWHS. 

12. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:18 p.m. the Board meeting adjourned.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1482?meeting=623031