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Friday, May 16, 2025

Plano Community Unit School District 88 Board of Education met December 16

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Plano Community Unit School District 88 Board of Education met Dec. 16.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Plano Community Unit School District No. 88 met in regular session on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Plano Middle School.

I CALL TO ORDER

President Campbell called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present for roll call were Campbell, Jernigan, Klatt, Martinez, V elazquez, W aldrop and W ard. Others present were administrators Heller, Alvarez, Thurwanger, Lee and Superintendent Baker and Board Secretary Benoit. Office staff present: Appel and Seeman.

II PLEDGE TO THE FLAG

III APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Jernigan moved, and Klatt seconded the motion, to approve the agenda as printed. Voting aye: Jernigan, Klatt, Campbell, Martinez, Velazquez, Waldrop and Ward. Motion carried: 7 ayes 0 nays.

IV RECOGNITIONS & CELEBRATIONS

Middle School Principal Mark Heller took time to recognize the entire staff at Plano Middle School for their dedication, accomplishments and achievements. He introduced staff members that were present: Ericka Chernick, Steve Hild, Jen Scarborough, Amy Winter and Rania Zeithar. He reviewed the five top priorities at the Middle School for the 2019-20 school year:

1. Grow Kids - Developmentally, Academically, Personally

2. Motivate and Engage Students: Learning, Extra-curriculars, and Service Learning

3. Build relationships that promote academic achievement, support personal growth, ensure students feel safe and respected.

4. Support each other as teams and colleagues to grow and improve professionally.

5. Take care of yourself and each other. Find time for yourself.

He then reviewed attendance and discipline rates, all of which had improved, and other achievements at the school, including staff appreciation events, Enchanted Backpack donations, student centered events, new social media, community partnerships and more.

V OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO SPEAK

Jay Cunneen and Gina Hubbard were present at the meeting. There were no media representatives present. No one wished to address the Board during this agenda item.

VI CONSENT AGENDA

Jernigan moved, and Martinez seconded the motion, to approve the consent agenda as follows:

A. Minutes

§ Regular Meeting – November 18, 2019

B. Plano School District No. 88 Financial Statements, Bills & Payroll

Motion to approve the November 2019 Bills, Payroll and Financial Statements for Plano Community Unit School District No. 88.

C. Plano Area Special Education Cooperative (PASEC) Financial Statements

Motion to approve the November 2019 Bills, Payroll and Financial Statements for the Plano Area Special Education Cooperative.

D. PMA Reports

PMA monthly Report #592 (11/1/19-10/30/19).

E. Second Reading of Math, Handwriting & Social Studies Adoption

Motion to approve, for a second reading and adoption, K-12 Pearson Math curriculum; K-1 Handwriting Without Tears; and the Bedford, Freeman and Worth AP Government books for 2020-21 implementation.

F. Administrator Board Reports

G. Executive Session Tape Destruction

Approve the destruction of audiotapes of executive session minutes during March 2018. Voting aye: Jernigan, Martinez, Campbell, Klatt, Velazquez, Waldrop and Ward. Motion carried: 7 ayes, 0 nays.

VII SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

For Action

Report No. 20-40 Resolution Regarding Certificate of Tax Levy & Certificate of Tax Levy

Superintendent Baker said it is one of the goals of the Board of Education to take steps to relieve the tax burden from the taxpayers. He introduced financial consultant, Jay Cunneen, who complimented the Board on its fiscal responsibility. He said the total levy is less than the district requested last year and the Board should be congratulated for abating taxes when it is not required to do so.

Martinez moved, and Klatt seconded the motion, to adopt the Resolution Making Tax Levy and Certificate of Tax Levy for 2019.

V oting aye: Martinez, Klatt, Campbell, Jernigan, V elazquez, Waldrop and Ward.

Motion carried: 7 ayes, 0 nays.

Report No. 20-41 Property Tax Relief Application Grant

Mr. Cunneen said it is probable that the district will receive the State of Illinois property tax relief applicant grant this year. Superintendent Baker commended Jay for closely working with the Finance Committee and PMA representatives to determine if it is in the district’s best interests to apply for the grant. Vice President Ward reminded those present that the property tax relief grant money is already allocated in the State of Illinois budget, so it will not increase State taxpayers’ taxes if districts take advantage of this grant. President Campbell added that this would be a good program to subsidize the district budget.

Report No. 20-41 Property Tax Relief Application Grant (cont.)

Ward moved, and Velazquez seconded the motion, to authorize the Superintendent to submit the Illinois State Board of Education Application for Property Tax Relief Grant for Fiscal Year 2020.

Voting aye: Ward, Velazquez, Campbell, Jernigan, Klatt, Martinez and Waldrop.

Motion carried: 7 ayes, 0 nays.

Report No. 20-42 First Reading of Policy Review

Waldrop moved, and Martinez seconded the motion, to approve the following policies for a first reading:

2.20, 2.40, 2.50, 2.60, 2.170-AP, 2.250, 2.250-E1, 2.250-E2, 4.60-E, 4.100, 4.110, 4.110-AP1, 4.110-AP3, 4.150, 4.160, 4.160-AP, 4.170-AP2,E1, 4.170-AP2-E2, 4.170-AP2-E3, 4.170-AP6, 4.170-AP6-E2, 4.170-AP8, 4.175-AP1,E1, 4.190, 4.190-AP1, 4.190-AP1,E1, 4.190-AP2, 4.190- AP2,E1, 4.190-AP2,E2, 4.190-AP2,E3, 4.190-AP2,E4, 4.190-AP2,E5, 4.190-AP2,E6, 5.10, 5.250, 6.15, 6.65, 7.185, 4.17-AP3, 8.95 and 2.20, 2.20-E, 2.70, 2.70-E, 2.100, 2.105, 2.110, 2.150-AP, 2.200, 2.220, 2.220-E2, 2.220-E6, 2.250, 2.250-AP1, 2.250-AP2, 2.250-E2, 2.260, 3.40-E, 3.50, 4.15, 4.15-AP1, 4.15-AP2, 4.40, 4.60, 4.60-AP1, 4.60-AP3, 4.60-AP4, 4.80, 4.80-AP3, 4.110, 4.140, 4.150, 4.170, 4.170-AP1, 4.175, 4.170-AP1, 4.190, 4.190-AP2, 5.10, 5.20, 5.20-AP, 5.30, 5.30-AP1, 5.30-AP2, 5.50, 5.90, 5.100, 5.120, 5.120-AP1, 5.120-AP2, 5.125, 5.150, 5.150-AP, 5.190, 5.220, 5.220-AP, 5.250, 5.250-AP, 5.260, 5.285, 5.285-AP, 5.290, 6.15, 6.20, 6.60, 6.60-AP , 6.60-AP ,E1, 6.65, 6.150, 6.170-AP2,E1, 6.210, 6.270, 6.300, 6.300-E1, 6.300-E2, 6.300-E3, 6.310, 6.320, 7.20, 7.50-AP, 7.150, 7.180, 7.190, 7.170-AP6, 7.190-AP7, 7.190-AP8, 7.190-E3, 7.200, 7.240-AP1, 7.270, 7.270-AP1, 7.270-AP2, 7.270-E1, 7.270-E2, 7.290, 7.290-AP, 7.340, 7.340-AP1, 7.340-AP1,E1, 7.340-AP2, 7.340-AP2,E1, 8.30, 8.95-AP, 8.95- E1 and 6.50-AP.

V oting aye: W aldrop, Martinez, Campbell, Jernigan, Klatt, Velazquez and Ward.

Motion carried: 7 ayes, 0 nays.

Report No. 20-43 Approve Personnel Report

Ward moved, and Waldrop seconded the motion to approve the revised personnel report as follows:

1. Resignations:

§ Lauren Genna – Preschool Teacher, P.H. Miller School, effective 12/11/19

§ Katrina Howell – Recess Aide, P.H. Miller School, effective 11/13/19 2. Employment:

§ Melissa Cole – Long-Term Substitute Teacher, Middle School, $175/day, effective 12/16/19-3/27/20 (Kuntzman)

§ Amy Hoover – Instructional Aide, Centennial School, $12.79/hour, effective 1/6/20

§ Tasha Obrycki – Bus Driver/Aide, $19.64/hour/$14.67/hour, effective 12/4/19

§ Tasha Obrycki – Part-Time Custodian, Transportation Department, $12.94/hour, effective 12/4/19

§ Amy Park – Recess Aide, Emily G. Johns School, $11.53/hour, effective 12/2/19 Report No. 20-43 Approve Personnel Report (cont.) 2. Employment (cont.):

§ Tina Podschweit – Preschool for All Recess Aide, P.H. Miller School, $11.53/hour, effective 12/9/19

§ Christina Wagner – Long-Term Substitute Counselor, Plano High School, $175/day, effective 12/9/19-2/10/20 (Elgersma)

3. Transfers:

§ Holly Keenon – from Instructional Aide to Long-Term Substitute Preschool Teacher at P.H. Miller School, $175/day, effective 12/12/19 (Genna)

§ Virginia Mezo – from Internal Building Substitute Teacher to Long-Term Substitute Science Teacher at Plano High School, $175/day, effective 1/6/20 (Johnson)

4. Leave Requests:

§ Silvia Azcona, ESL Teacher, Plano Middle School, effective dates TBD

5. V olunteers:

Centennial School Volunteers: § Mark Olivares

§ Benjamin Pierre

§ Celeste Pierre

Plano Middle School Volunteers: § Alexian Saavedra

6. FY 20 Plano High School Extra-Curricular Assignments:

7. P ASEC Personnel Report:

§ Resignation – Non-Certified

o Amy Hoover - Paraprofessional, Emily G. Johns

§ Contract – Special Olympics

o Andrew DeBolt - Special Olympics Unified Basketball Head Coach, $1,000.00

o Greg Fenton - Special Olympics Unified Basketball Assistant Coach, $500.00

Voting aye: Ward, Waldrop, Campbell, Jernigan, Klatt, Martinez and Velazquez.

Motion carried: 7 ayes, 0 nays.

For Information

Report No. 20-44 Teacher Institute Days Recap

Superintendent Baker publicly thanked Dr. Tracy Thurwanger for all her work on the 2019 Teacher Institute Days. He said she has promoted work from within, by using staff members as presenters. Dr. Thurwanger said that, this year, 17 teachers presented. She said the Superheroes theme was perfect with so many people making this year a great institute. She thanked Denise Secor and many others for their help, including the District Leadership Team. President Campbell said he has heard great feedback and thanked Tracy for “knocking it out of the park again this year.”

Report No. 20-45 Focus Group Report: Partnerships

Partnerships Focus Group members Abby Alvarez and Amy Lee discussed the goals of the committee:

• Streamline and highlight important community partnerships and continually build new relationships to improve connection between the community of Plano and Plano CUSD #88, as well as surrounding areas.

• Support our families and create strong bonds and avenues for communication and involvement.

• Communicate our success stories.

• Identify and strengthen programs to create positive opportunities for our students and families. (internship opportunities, continuing education.)

• Create and connect resources that will result in positive school environment for students, families, teachers. (Staff recruitment, volunteers, staff appreciation, PD)

Amy Lee discussed the success of the recent Community Services Fair for families of special needs students. Abby Alvarez recommended that Board members follow Mark Heller on Twitter as he is doing a great job sharing the good news about the Middle School.

VIII BOARD COMMENTS/FOIA

Board Secretary Benoit reported on two FOIA requests:

§ SmartProcure – Fiscal year dates

§ Deltek – Contracts/RFP’ s which have been bid in the past three years

Vice President Ward said “hats off” to Mark Heller for beginning the meeting in such a positive fashion. He said the entire meeting was very positive and he recommended a round of applause for everyone.

President Campbell said that negotiations meetings had started with the certified staff and they have been very positive. He said he will information back to the board after the next meeting on January 13th. He said there have been very good discussions.

President Campbell said he cannot believe that another semester is winding up. He said it is a privilege to serve on a board that has the best interest of the kids at heart and work with administrators who want to do everything to improve their schools.

Vice President Ward said the Sports Boosters have been using the Innovation Center for their meetings and have been very impressed. Superintendent Baker said he hosted a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting there and a meeting with area superintendents and other school leaders. Member Jernigan said that he heard Coal City staff members recently visited the Innovation Center. Amy Lee added that the Wake Up Café has increased in popularity and general education students are working with special education students to run the café.

Member Klatt, board representative to the Indian Valley Vocation Center, said that IVVC recently received a semi-truckload donation from Chicago Public Schools. He said CPS donated lathes, air compressors and other equipment.

IX FUTURE BOARD OF EDUCATION AGENDA

• Farm Lease Update/Distribution of Funds

• Capital Projects Bids/Update

• Resolution Abating a Portion of the Taxes Levied for Year 2019

• 1:1 Technology Pilot at Plano Middle School

X EXECUTIVE SESSION

Waldrop moved, and Ward seconded the motion, to go into executive session at 7:13 p.m. to discuss collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)) and student disciplinary cases (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9)). Voting aye: Waldrop, Ward, Campbell, Jernigan, Klatt, Martinez and Velazquez.

Motion carried: 7 ayes, 0 nays.

Waldrop moved, and Ward seconded the motion, to come out of executive session at 7:31 p.m.

Voting aye: Waldrop, Ward, Campbell, Jernigan, Klatt, Martinez and Velazquez.

Motion carried: 7 ayes, 0 nays.

XI ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was no action from executive session.

XII ADJOURNMENT

Waldrop moved, and Ward seconded the motion, to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Voting aye: Waldrop, Ward, Campbell, Jernigan, Klatt, Martinez and Velazquez. Motion carried: 7 ayes, 0 nays.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/573834/12-16-19_Minutes_to_Post.pdf

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