Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education met July 15

By Michael Abella

Sep 3, 2019

Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education met July 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Community Unit School District 308, Kendall, Kane and Will Counties, Illinois, met in regular session in the Community Room at Oswego East High School.

Note for file: All roll call votes are shown in alphabetical order in these minutes; however, during the Board Meeting votes are called out in accordance with Board Policy 2:220

1. Call to Order – Executive Session (6:45 pm)

The meeting was called to order at 6:48 p.m. by Mrs. Lauri Doyle 1.1 Roll Call:

Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:

Matt Bauman, Lauri Doyle, Ruth Kroner, Heather Moyer, Alison Swanson

Members Absent (at roll call):

Brent Lightfoot, Toni Morgan

2. Closed Session

2.1 Enter Closed Session under statute(s): 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

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to enter closed session under statute(s): 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

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 5-0

Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson

The Board of Education entered closed session at 6:49 p.m.

2.2 Return to Open Session

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to return to Open Session.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 5-0

Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson

The Board of Education returned to Open Session at 7:23 p.m.

3. Call to Order – Public Session (7:30 pm)

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mrs. Lauri Doyle 3.1 Roll Call:

Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:

Matt Bauman, Lauri Doyle, Ruth Kroner, Heather Moyer, Alison Swanson

Members Absent (at roll call):

Brent Lightfoot, Toni Morgan

Administration Present:

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Sparlin

Associate Superintendent of Educational Services Faith Dahlquist

Chief Financial Officer Mrs. Christi Tyler

Director of Communications Mrs. Theresa Komitas

Others Present:

Employees of the District and members of the community.

Recording Secretary:

Ursula Coan

3.2 Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President Lauri Doyle

4. Presentations

4.1 Hamilton – Thompson Junior High School Therapy Dog

Bridget Bois, Special Education Teacher at Thompson Jr. High, together with Hamilton the Therapy Dog, showed a presentation regarding the benefits of Therapy Dogs in the educational environment. The complete presentation for Hamilton the Therapy Dog, including the audio, can be found at the following link: https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/vpublic?open 4.2 Restorative Justice Program

Matt Epperley, Title1 Community Resource Coordinator, presented to the Board the benefits of the principles of Restorative Jusice, a pilot program implemented at Thompson Jr. High during the past school year. The complete presentation on Restorative Justice, including the audio, can be found at the following link: https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/vpublic?open

5. Public Comment

5.1 Opportunity for the Public to address the Board of Education

Lauri Phillips – commented on the Restorative Justice Program, which was presented earlier this evening. Mrs. Phillips stated that her student experienced numerous bullying incidents in 2015 and 2016. By the end of 2017, the district added a restorative justice piece in his IEP. Mrs. Phillips commented how pleased she was to see the Restorative Justice Program added as a pilot last year at Thompson Junior High School and that it will be replicated at all junior high schools.. She thanked Mr. DeFeo and Mr. Epperley for making this program work.

David Edelman – thanked the Board for their continued effort, especially with our financial situation still being an issue for our community. Mr. Edelman also thanked the teachers for their help in bringing back the junior high sports for one more year. Mr. Edelman shared that he was part of the S.O.S campaign and asked that if the district is thinking about bringing the tax referendum back for the next election, to get started soon since it is a General Election in the spring. He believes that the interest is high in the community to bring that to a vote for a second time.

Mr. Edelman also shared his disappointment regarding comments that were made on the recent administrator salary raises, stating that many did not have all the facts. He also commented on Dr. Sparlin’s contract for approval later on tonight. Mr. Edelman urged the community to stand behind our Board of Education, our Superintendent, our administrators and staff.

6. Comments/Reports

6.1 Board Member Comments

Ruth Kroner – reported that she set up one on one meetings with our directors to get to know them better and gain some insight of what their jobs entail.

Matt Bauman – stated that looking at the comments on social media and the newspaper regarding administrator raises, it is important to note that there was also a reduction in benefits, which means that for some, it is less pay than the year before even with the 1% pay raise. Facts are more important than headlines.

Lauri Doyle – thanked Mr. Bauman for his comment and stated that there would be some enhancements made as far as how the district communicates with the community.

Mrs. Doyle commented how administrators were spending some time at this summer’s adventure camp and that she visited their open house at the end of the program. Adventure camp is a Title1 funded summer camp for selected students. The students get to go on special outings like the museum and the zoo. It’s a great opportunity for our students.

6.2 Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Sparlin stated that summer is a very busy time for the district office, getting ready for the new school year to start. Dr. Sparlin commented that he expects to be fully staffed by the time the students come back on August 14th. Dr. Sparlin also reported that all summer projects in our buildings will be completed on time.

At this time, Brent Lightfoot joined the meeting by phone

7. Approve Consent Agenda

7.1 Approval of Minutes from previous Meetings

7.2 Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information (FOIA) Requests

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to approve all items under consent, including 7.1 Minutes from the June 17, 2019 Board of Education Meeting, Open and Closed Session and the June 22, 2019 Board of Education Workshop; and 7.2 the Acknowledgement of FOIA Requests

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-0

Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson

8. Information Only

8.1 Financial Statements

There Board had no questions on the Financial Statements

8.2 Service Club Activity Fees

Dr. Sparlin explained that this item is in regards to the activity fees that are currently being charged for students to participate in service oriented clubs, to be waived.

In Phase I of the budget reductions, the board made the decision to increase the fees for clubs and sports. This was one of the items that would have been rolled back if the referendum would have passed.

Mrs. Tyler added that the revenue lost by waving the discussed fees would be about $105,000. Based on the feedback of a committee comprised of building administrators and teachers, it is recommended that these particular student activities and clubs not be assessed a fee for participation. The exception relates to the volunteer and service nature of the activity and club. Mrs. Tyler also noted that club/activity participation has decreased by about 23% compared to the 2017-18 school year.

Dr. Sparlin stated that the reduction in numbers for athletics was far less.

Mr. Bauman asked to make sure that the various clubs are the same across the district, not a paid activity in one school and not the other. Dr. Sparlin explained that the joint stipend committee is working on this and will have a recommendation soon. Dr. Sparlin confirmed that this would be a revenue reduction if the fees were to be waived.

Mr. Bauman asked if it could be considered to increase the yearbook price to absorb the stipend so there would be no cost for that club.

8.3 Intergovernmental Agreement with Yorkville

Mrs. Tyler informed the Board that the current agreement with Yorkville expired in June. This agreement provided a reduced cost to allow their students to access our Deaf and Hard of Hearing, East View Academy, STARS, and Extended School Year programs.

Administration met with Yorkville School District and agreed to the terms in the attached draft agreement. The calculation method for tuition will be billed by using individual student cost sheets. In addition, it includes a 3% administrative fee, which was not part of the current agreement. These changes ensure that SD308 receives full reimbursement for services offered to Yorkville students. This is a three-year agreement and is being reviewed by both District’s legal counsel. We served 23 students from Yorkville this past year. Mrs. Tyler stated that previously, we were 23% short of being cost neutral.

9. Action Items

9.1 Bills for Payment

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of three million, three hundred thirty-four thousand, one hundred seventy-one dollars and eighty-one cents ($3,334,171.81) as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-0

Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson

9.2 Board Policies Second Read: Section 2: School Board (2:20, 2:250); Section 4: Operational Services (4:30, 4:45, 4:100, 4:110, 4:150); Section 5: General Personnel (5:156, 5:250); Section 6: Instruction (6:15); Section 7: Students (7:305)

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to approve Board Policies Section 2: School Board (2:20, 2:250); Section 4: Operational Services (4:30, 4:45, 4:100, 4:110, 4:150); Section 5: General Personnel (5:156, 5:250); Section 6: Instruction (6:15); Section 7: Students (7:305)

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-0

Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson

9.3 Approval of Secondary World Language Resource Recommendation

Mrs. Kroner asked for clarification regarding the difference between a curriculum and a resource recommendation.

Mrs. Dahlquist explained that the curriculum is the umbrella and can include the resources, but in this instance, we are talking about the resources and the text to help teach the Spanish curriculum. This is like a textbook that needs to be followed.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to approve the World Language Resource Recommendation for Grades 7-12 for the 2019-20 school year

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-0

Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson

9.4 Approval of District Administrator Contracts

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to approve the District Administrator contracts as presented

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-0

Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson

9.5 Approval of Building Administrator Contracts

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to approve the Building Administrator contracts as presented

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-0

Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson

9.6 Approval of Superintendent Contract

Mr. Lightfoot stated that he is very much pleased with Dr. Sparlin’s job performance, especially considering the extra work upon him with going through the budget cuts. Mr. Lightfoot continued on with saying that considering the nearly $9.7 M in budget reductions, increasing fees and cutting costs over the last two years, he is not able to vote yes for this contract.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to approve the Superintendent contract as presented

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 5-1

Aye: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mrs. Heather Moyer, Mrs. Alison Swanson

Nay: Mr. Brent Lightfoot

9.7 Approval of Personnel Report

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mrs. Heather Moyer, to approve the Personnel Report as presented

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 4-2

Aye: Mrs. Lauri Doyle, Mrs. Ruth Kroner, Mr. Brent Lightfoot, Mrs. Heather Moyer Nay: Mr. Matt Bauman, Mrs. Alison Swanson

10. Adjournment

10.1 Adjourn

A motion was made by Mrs. Ruth Kroner, second by Mr. Matt Bauman, to adjourn.

All were in favor unanimously to adjourn.