February 20, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Description:  Minutes of regular meeting held January 16, 2020
Minutes of closed meeting held January 16, 2020
February Bills Payable
January Treasurer's Report
Destruction of closed meeting audio recording from August 16, 2018

Description:  Genevieve Fritz will be in attendance so that we may recognize her accomplishments in being selected as the February Student of the Month.

Description:  The National Strength and Conditioning Association provides coursework that leads to Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification.  The training includes sport-specific testing sessions, designing and implementing safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs, and provides guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention.  We are seeking to provide this training opportunity to a select number of physical education teachers.  The collective bargaining agreement includes language that addresses the district’s need for a teacher(s) to take coursework and acquire a certificate and pay for such coursework/licensure.  The cost to the district is $862 per teacher.  Recommend approval of CSCS for a select number of physical education teachers as presented.

Description:  We are approximately 18 months into our work with DMGroup to define the district’s MTSS framework.  The goal of the MTSS framework is to identify struggling students early on and intervene quickly.  While our primary focus has been on developing academic supports, we are also working to support behavior and social and emotional needs, which is equally important to the learning process.  The MTSS Framework includes several key elements:

·         Universal screening for all students.
·         Increasing levels of targeted support for struggling students.
·         Use of evidence-based strategies.
·         School-wide approach to student supports.  Arguably the most important component, which includes teachers, interventionists, and specialists working as a team to teach, assess, and intervene.
·         Staff professional development at all levels of intervention (Tier 1 – Tier 3).
·         Family understanding of MTSS framework and providing of support at home.
·         Frequent monitoring of student progress so appropriate level of intervention is provided.

In order to implement our MTSS framework effectively and provided needed supports for students, we would like to recommend three positions for the 2020/21 school year.  Two of the three are new positions.  The math interventionist exists and was a pilot, but we are recommending a change to the structure of that position and the new English interventionist to better align to a specialist.  Recommend approval of an MTSS Coordinator, English Language Arts Interventionist and Math Interventionist for the 2020/21 school year.

Description:  February 3rd was our first Portrait of a Graduate meeting.  Fifty internal and external stakeholders, including students, parents, administrators, faculty, staff, business owners, and local community members, attended meeting number one of four.  The Design Team learned more about the Portrait process and how they will help to develop our Portrait of a Graduate.  Our facilitator from Battelle for Kids, Steve Fujii, then spent much of the evening discussing the landscape shifts that are impacting and will continue to impact our students.  The group received homework, including the sharing of hopes, aspirations and dreams they have for Grant students that we will delve into at the next meeting.  With the goal to deepen understanding of the educational experience that students have and enrich the Portrait process, several Team members will shadow students for a day before our March 2nd meeting.  We are very excited for our next meeting!

Description:  The collective bargaining agreement calls for an administrative/union standing committee to regularly discuss how many coaches and sponsors are assigned to each sport/activity.  The committee met several times this year to review student participation numbers and staffing levels.    There are administrative recommendations at this time based on student participation and number of coaches and sponsors: 

·         Addition of one (1) Math Team Assistant Sponsor
·         Addition of one (1) Boys’ Lacrosse Assistant Coach
·         Addition of one (1) Track Assistant Coach (Shared Girls/Boys)
·         Reduction of one (1) Cross Country Assistant Coach 

Supporting information has been provided to explain the administrative position.

Description:  Winterguard is requesting to attend the Midwest Colorguard Championship Tournament in LaPorte, Indiana, March 28-29.  There will be 25 students participating and 2 chaperones with proposed costs to the District of approximately $2,350.  

The Debate Team is requesting to attend the IHSA State Debate Tournament in Bloomington March 20 to 21.  There will be 5 students participating and 2 chaperones with proposed costs to the District of approximately $2,300.        

Our Newspaper adviser is requesting to take advantage of a new competitive opportunity for students and is proposing a travel request in advance of potentially qualifying.  Up to 10 students would compete in a local IHSA Journalism competition on April 2.  Students who qualify to advance would then travel to the state level competition in Bloomington, from April 23 to April 24.  The estimated costs to the district, if students qualify to advance, are $989.41.   

Recommend the overnight travel requests as presented.

Description:  Recommend the employment of the following individuals:
·         Marissa Myers, Paraprofessional, $14.29/hr., starting 2/21/2020 
·         Michael Kouvelis, Asst. Boys’ Volleyball Coach
·         John Gizowski, Asst. Boys’ Volleyball Coach

Recommend accepting the resignation letters from the following:
·         Chelsea Wolfe, Instructional Coach, effective immediately
·         Kalla Gold, Paraprofessional and Girls’ Basketball Coach, effective 2/14/2020
·         Carrie Joray, Head Cheerleading Coach, effective end of 2019/20 season
·         Marissa Myers, Food Services, effective 2/21/2020.

Description:  In December, the Board approved the application for the Property Tax Relief Grant that is a part of the Evidenced Based Funding Model.  We submitted that application.  On January 27, 2020, we received notification that we were not one of the thirty-nine districts who received the grant.  We remain dedicated to exploring all options available to continue to assist our taxpayers.

Description:  I’m happy to report that the Illinois State Board of Education completed an audit of our National School Lunch Program last week.  They found us compliant in all major areas.

Description:  The 2019/20 Amended Budget is almost complete.  The budget was approved prior to the contract with the Grant Council being finalized, so there have been some adjustments to the salary budget lines.  I anticipate bringing it to you next month to be placed on display, with hearing and approval to occur in May.

Description:  We are beginning the budgeting process, meeting with departments and assessing needs.  Staffing will be finalized mid-March.  I hope to have a draft for you to review at the April meeting.