Community Unit School District 308 Board met August 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Matt Bauman
1.1 Roll Call:
Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:
Brad Banks, Matt Bauman, Lauri Doyle, Brent Lightfoot, Toni Morgan, Heather Moyer, Jared Ploger
Members Absent (at roll call):
None
Administration Present:
Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Sparlin
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Mr. Asif Dada
Others Present:
Board Attorney Maureen Lemone, Ottosen Britz Kelly Cooper Gilbert and DiNolfo, Ltd; as well as employees of the District and members of the community.
Recording Secretary:
Ursula Coan
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President Matt Bauman.
2. Public Comment
2.1 Each Person will be provided five (5) minutes to speak before the Board of Education
There was no public comment
3. Comments/Reports
3.1 Board Member Comments
The board members had no updates or comments to share
3.2 Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Sparlin shared with the board that the Leadership Professional Development was held on August 3rd with the Midwest Plains and Equity Center, titled “Leadership Practices for Advancing Educational Equity”. This training for our leadership was part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts. On Friday of the same week, we held out Administrator retreat which was a great event. This week we have our four days of New Teacher Orientation. Dr. Sparlin stated that our annual Convocation will be held on August 14th at Oswego East High School to welcome back all staff as part of the first of two Institute Days.
4. Board of Education Reorganization
4.1 Appoint Superintendent as President Pro Tempore to preside over the Election of the Board of Education President
At this time, Vice President Brad Banks appointed Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sparlin to serve as President Pro Tempore to preside over the election of the Board of Education President.
All were in favor
4.2 The Board of Education will elect an officer for the position of President
Dr. Sparlin called for nominations for the office of President. Dr. Sparlin explained that any member of the Board may nominate any other member and nominations would not require a second.
A nomination was made by Matt Bauman to appoint Brad Banks for the position of President
Dr. Sparlin asked if there were any other nominations at this time. There were none. Dr. Sparlin called for a vote for the position of Board President.
Brad Banks was unanimously elected as Board President by the Board of Education.
4.3 The Board of Education will elect an officer for the position of Vice President, if needed
President Banks opened the floor for nominations for the position of Vice President.
A nomination was made by Toni Morgan to appoint Lauri Doyle for the position of Vice President.
A nomination was made by Brent Lightfoot to appoint Matt Bauman for the position of Vice President.
Mr. Banks asked if there were any other nominations at this time. There were none.
Mr. Banks asked for a vote for Lauri Doyle to take the position of Vice President.
Mr. Banks asked for a show of hands in favor and five members raised their hand.
Lauri Doyle was elected as the Vice President of the Board of Education.
4.4 The Board of Education will elect an officer for the position of Secretary, if needed
President Banks opened the floor for nominations for the position of Secretary.
A nomination was made by Heather Moyer to appoint Jared Ploger for the position of Secretary.
President Banks asked if there were any other nominations at this time. There were none. Mr. Banks called for a vote for the position of Secretary
Jared Ploger was unanimously elected as the Secretary of the Board of Education.
5. Information Only
5.1 Recommendations for new Advisory Committee Members
• Finance and Operations
Mrs. Moyer asked what process the other committees used to select their new Advisory Committee members. Mr. Lightfoot stated that the board co-chairs received the information from all the applicants for the Finance Committee. The co-chairs discussed how to proceed and had a conversation with Mr. Dada to add more staff members to the committee. The co-chairs also suggested to add one more member to the committee over all, since there is much to learn in regards to school funding. Should a member drop out during the school year, there would still be the minimum number of 12 members.
Mrs. Moyer stated that the co-chairs of the Teaching and Learning Committee received a list of 16 applicants and each one of them called a few and they talked to nearly everyone on that list. Their main goal is to have as wide a representation and diversity as possible for our student body. Mr. Morgan stated that the co-chairs of the Police Committee followed the same protocol and called as many people on the list as possible. Mrs. Morgan stressed that applicants that did not get selected, will stay on the list in case someone is needed in the future before new applications are collected again.
The board members expressed their appreciation for everyone that applied, wishing to serve our district in this way.
6. Action Items
6.1 Approval of Board Policy Section 4: Operational Services (4:110)
The board had no question on Board Policy 4:110
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Brent Lightfoot to approve Board Policy Section 4: Operational Services (4:110)
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
6.2 Approval of Membership for Policy Development and Teaching and Learning Advisory Committees
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to approve the Memberships for Policy Development and Teaching and Learning Advisory Committees
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
7. Closed Session
7.1 Closed Session under statutes 5 ILCS 120/2(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; 5 ILCS 120/2 (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.
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Ms. Toni Morgan to enter Closed Session under statutes 5 ILCS 120/2(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; 5 ILCS 120/2 (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.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
The Board of Education entered closed session at 7:25 p.m. following a short recess.
The Board of Education returned to open session at 9:00 p.m.
8. Action after Closed Session
8.1 Approval of Personnel Report
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to approve the Personnel report.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
8.2 Approval of DAC Administrator Contract
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mrs. Lauri Doyle, to approve the DAC administrator contract
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Ms. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
8.3 Approval of Building Administrator Contract
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mrs. Lauri Doyle, to approve the building administrator contracts
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
8.4 Discussion of Recommended Board Priorities and Initiatives for 2017-18
Dr. Sparlin stated that he hoped to be able to outline the 2017-18 Priorities and Initiatives for this coming school year, so they can be shared with the staff at Convocation. The following priorities and initiatives are suggested for 2017-18:
• Budget Balancing
• Website Accessibility Protocols for Old Information (as per OCR Resolution Agreement)
• District-wide Crisis/Safety Plan Rollout (i.e., evacuation, reunification planning, and elementary implementation of enhanced lockdown drills/procedures)
• Develop plan and incentives to increase best 3 months ADA (Average Daily Attendance) by 2-3% resulting in additional revenue of $2-3 million from GSA (General State Aid)
• Stage 1 of digitizing files (e.g., Personnel Files)
• New Site Implementation for Alternative Education Implementation (e.g., GOAL, Opportunity School, Transition Program)
• Curriculum Cycle Review, Implementation, and Resources, including instructional technology (Chromebooks)
• Alignment of accountability to new ESSA requirements, specifically related to new ISBE data monitoring requirements
• Initiate Rethinking Senior Year changes (Internships, mentoring, work experience) with Broadened Secondary Programs (JROTC, Fox Valley CC, Vocational ED, Habitat for Humanity Partnership)
• Grading & Promotion Determinations [Policy 6:280], to include K-5 standards-based grading and K-12 social promotion
• Social-Emotional Learning Improvement and Structure
•
Mrs. Moyer asked for clarification regarding the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan as a priority. Dr. Sparlin stated that the DEI Plan was approved by the board last year and the district is currently moving forward with that plan. Mrs. Moyer asked that even though the plan has been approved, that it will get added on as a priority for 2017-18 as well. This plan is in the beginning stages of a significant partnership and the board agreed that it needs to stay as a priority for this coming year as well.
Mrs. Doyle would like to see Discipline as a priority, There were changes how we identify discipline, particularly for our IEP and special needs students. Mr. Ploger commented that it maybe should be linked with the Social-Emotional Learning Improvement and Structure. If you can be proactive with some situations opposed to reactive, many issues would be solved. Mrs. Doyle stated that she feels there still need to be some other procedures in place next to the SEL piece. One can only be proactive to a certain point and it is important to decide where that line is for our district. Mrs. Patterson, Executive Director of Student Services, stated that the statements made were accurate and that legislation is designed to be proactive and how students can benefit from that position. If a student shows aggressive behavior, usually something is not right and we need to examine our climate and culture and what their feelings about the school environment are. We have seen some big changes in some of our schools already as far as discipline and less fighting. There is still much work to do and there will be students who’s needs will not be met without some extensive intervention. The board is looking for uniformity across the district in how situations are handled and the Discipline will be added to the SEL Priority for this coming year.
Mr. Lightfoot stated that he feels our priority list is missing tangible, measurable, positive student growth outcome factors. Priorities need to be focused on education opposed to priority # 5 (digitizing files). Dr. Smith suggested that we could add to priority # 8 to be more specific and to add the number for the SAT. With ESSA it won’t be just about a number, it will include your graduation rate, the improvement of your sub groups. It will ensure that Spec. Ed and EL learners move from A to B etc. Dr. Smith explained that the Department of Education did not accept the Illinois ESSA plan as of August 1st. Mr. Ploger commented that we need to see that growth piece toward college and career readiness for our students. We should know based on the growth piece and the data collected along the way, what range our SAT test results will fall.
Mrs. Morgan asked if there were any States that had their model approved. Dr. Smith believes that there are only two States approved. Mrs. Morgan looked at the goals of other districts that show all different levels, elementary, junior high and high school. She stated that everyone needs to know what their part is in raising student achievement.
Mr. Bauman asked what priorities from 2016-17 we are still working on and Dr. Smith mentioned the following priorities that are still ongoing:
• Online Learning
• Expansion of AVID
• Expansion of Gifted and Talented
• Expansion of Dual Language
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan
Mr. Bauman stated that he would like to see a few more options added to #9 (secondary programs).
Mr. Ploger stated that he was happy to see priority #7 that includes the instructional technology. Mr. Clasen, Director or Technology let the board know that he works closely with the Teaching and Learning Department and that there are many discussions on how technology works in an instructional and administrator environment. Mr. Clasen stated that he feels there is support across the board for Technology.
9. Adjournment
9.1 Adjourn
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Ms. Toni Morgan, to adjourn.
All were in favor unanimously to adjourn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Brad Banks, Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Ms. Toni Morgan, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mr. Jared Ploger
Meeting Adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
https://www.sd308.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=9932&dataid=40472&FileName=8.7.17%20Board%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf