McLean County Times

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

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education meeting was held Wednesday, May 15, 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, Stan Gozur, Amy Roser, Alex Williams, Jeremy DeHaai. Members absent: Kelly Pyle. 

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

At 6:31 p.m Roser moved and Coleman 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. 

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

3. RECESS 

At 6:20 p.m the Board recessed to public session 

4. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION 

At 6:31 p.m. Coleman moved and Gozur seconded to return to public session. Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Roser, Williams, DeHaai. Nays: None. Motion carried. 

*Pyle entered the room for public session at 6:35 pm. 

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. 

5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

6. FOCUS ON STUDENTS AND GOOD NEWS REPORTS 

A Good News - Beyond the Books Grant Winners 

Michelle Lamboley presented on behalf of the beyond the books and beyond the box winners. These awards are determined through a blind review. This year, the foundation awarded over $80K and over $58K in grants for Unit 5. The Beyond the Box winners were from NCWHS. B Staff Introductions 

Weikle introduced a number of administrators with some beginning starting as early as 7/1/24. She first introduced Heather Rogers as Director of Human Resources. Then introducing Dr. Brandon Caffey as Director of Student Services. She introduced Deirdre Ripka as Director of Secondary Education. She went on to introduce Dan Gibler as the Principal at Glenn Elementary, Andrea Lenz as the Principal at Towanda Elementary, and Christina Mables as the Principal at Cedar Ridge Elementary. She went on to briefly introduce Assistant Principals starting with Eric Hadden as the Associate Principal at PJHS, Terry Gliege as the Associate Principal at EJHS, Ferah Bakirdan as the Assistant Principal at Northpoint Elementary, Kirsten Freeze as the Assistant Principal at Parkside and Glenn Elementary, Yesica Jones as the Assistant Principal at Cedar Ridge, Alison Kohler as the Assistant Principal at Prairieland and Hoose Elementary, Sarah Toephner as Assistant Principal at Grove and Fariview Elementary, Jessica Woodall as the Assistant Principal at Benjamin Elemenrary, Joe Rosel as the Assistant Principal at PJHS, Dr. Mike Burt as the Assistant Principal at EJHS, and Robyn Taylor as the Assistant Principal at Fox Creek. 

7. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS 

Weikle shared that the end of the school year is coming quickly/ Just a reminder, Wednesday, May 22 is the last day of attendance for our early learning students and Thursday, May 23 is the last day for students in K-12 and many staff. She thanked our families, staff, and community for their role in supporting Unit 5 students this year. We will celebrate the class of 2024 on Saturday, May 25 as they graduate. Best of luck to all Unit 5 graduates as they transition to the next phase in their journey. She also thanked Unit 5 retirees for their dedication and commitment to the students in our community. Collectively our retirees have contributed more than 600 years to the success of Unit 5, which is incredible. She hopes they enjoy their well-deserved retirement and encourages them to be a sub in Unit 5. Later this month you will see a new Unit 5 website. The new site will allow users to easily access documents, events, and news updates on their computers and mobile devices. The site has a tool to translate items and provide increased accessibility. Please be patient as we update content over the next few months. 

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS 

There were no public comments. 

9. REPORTS 

A Amended Budget FY24 

Thomas Hoerr and Marty Hickman discussed the amende budget. Hoerr began with briefly going over the budget process which spanned from November 2023 to May/June 2024. In March, the district received confirmation of the actual tax extension and will begin receiving half of the levy tazes in May/June. He went on the compare the original budget to the amended budget. B 1st Reading of Board Policies, Administrative Procedures and Exhibits 

1 Section 2: Board of Education 

a. Policy 2.40 Board Member Qualifications 

b. Policy 2.260 Uniform Grievance Procedure 

c. Policy 2.265 Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure 

d. Policy 2.270 Discrimination and Harassment on the Basis of Race, Color, and National Origin 

2 Section 4: Operational Services 

a. Policy 4.165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors 

b. Policy 4.190 Targeted School Violence Prevention Program 

3 Section 5: Personnel 

a. Policy 5.10 Equal Employment Opportunity 

b. Policy 5.20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited 

c. Policy 5.120 Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest 

4 Section 7: Students 

a. Policy 7.10 Equal Educational Opportunities 

b. Policy 7.20 Harassment of Students Prohibited 

c. Policy 7.180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment 

d. Administrative Procedure 7.180-AP1 Prevention, Identification, Investigation, and Response to Bullying 

e. Exhibit 7.180-AP1,E1 Resource Guide for Bullying Prevention 

f. Exhibit 7.180-AP1,E2 Be a Hero by Reporting Bullying 

g. Exhibit 7.180-AP1,E3 Memo to Staff Regarding Bullying 

h. Exhibit 7.180-AP1,E4 Memo to Parents Guardians Regarding Bullying 

i. Exhibit 7.180-AP1,E5 Report Form for Bullying 

j. Exhibit 7.180-AP1,E6 Interview Form for Bullying Investigation 

k. Exhibit 7.180-AP1,E7 Response to Bullying 

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 05.15.24 

10. ACTION 

A Approve Employee Group Medical, Vision and Dental Renewal 2024-2025 

Coleman moved and Pyle seconded to approve Employee Group Medical, Vision and Dental Renewal 2024-2025 

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

11. 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 04.17.24 Closed Minutes 

2 04.17.24 Regular Minutes 

3 04.22.24 Special Session Minutes 

B Personnel Matters 

C Payment of Bills and Payrolls 

1 Bills & Payroll Reports 

D Approve Board Policies, Administrative Procedures, and Exhibits 

1 Section 2: Board of Education 

2 2.155 Risk Management Program 

3 Policy 2.165 Protection from Suit and Liability Insurance 

4 Section 4: Operational Services 

5 Administrative Procedure 4.60-AP1 Purchases 

6 Section 7: Students 

7 Policy 7.160 Student Appearance 

8 Policy 7.300 Co-Curricular Athletics 

9 Exhibit 7.300-E1 Agreement to Participate 

10 Exhibit 7.300-E2 IHSA IESA Preparticipation Physical Evaluation 

11 Exhibit 7.300-E3 Authorization for Medical Treatment 

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

1 NCWHS Amendment #58 

F Approve bid for Chiddix Junior High secure entry project, Kingsley Junior High secure entry project, Parkside Junior High secure entry project, Fox Creek Elementary IMC breakout room and Fairview Elementary office efficiency renovation. 

G Approve bid for Towanda Elementary and Parkside Elementary portable classroom infrastructure. 

H Approve bid for Cedar Ridge Elementary portable classroom infrastructure. 

I Approve Northpoint Building Controls Project 

J Approve KJHS Bleacher Replacement 

K Approve 18 Month Electricity Supply Agreement with Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. 

L Approve Consolidated District Plan 

M Approve Bids for Custodial Supplies 

N Approve Student and Facility Fees 24-25 

O Approve BOE Committees and Representatives 

P Activity Fund Establishments 

Q Approve Overnight Trip Request 

Coleman moved and Williams seconded to approve the agenda as presented. 

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

12. BOARD REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS 

Adams mentioned there will be a PTAC meeting on 5/21/24. He contratulated NCHS baseball team for the finish of their season. He also contratulated the 2024 graduates. 

Roser congratulated all of the graduates and teaching staff. She also recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month and gave kudos to Bridge Academy and their support to students in Unit 5. 

Williams thanked all of the teachers and congratulated all of the retirees for their years of service while also welcoming all of the new administrators to the district. 

Coleman welcomed and congratulated all of the new administrators and expressed excitement for the next school year. She mentioned how proud she was of the graduates of the class of 

2024 reflecting that they began high school in 2020 and all they have overcome. 

Pyle encouraged all of the students and staff as they finish out the school year. She thanked all of the staff for all they do to support our students. She also welcomed all of the new administrators that will begin next year and congratulated all of the retirees while also encouraging them to sign up to be substitutes. 

Gozur encouraged the public to complete surveys at mcplan.org. He welcomed all new administrators and congratulated the beyond the books and beyond the box grant winners. He thanked all that participated and sponsored the foundation 5K. He reminded the public there is a food distribution this weekend at NCWHS café. 

DeHaai congratulated all of the staff on their milestones and retirees. He wished everyone a great summer. He also congratulated all of the graduates of the class of 2024. 

13. ADJOURNMENT 

At 7:42 p.m. the Board adjourned. 

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1482?meeting=633717