Plano Community Unit School District 88 Board of Education met Nov. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Plano Community Unit School District No. 88 met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. in the Emily G. Johns School Gymnasium.
I CALL TO ORDER
President Campbell called the regular meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Present for roll call were Jernigan, Klatt, Waldrop and Ward. Member Velazquez arrived at 6:11 p.m., Member Martin at 6:21 p.m. and Member Campbell was absent. Others present were administrators Mateyka, Zeman, Baughman, Schmidt, Alvarez, Thurwanger and Superintendent Baker and Board Secretary Benoit. Office staff present: Appel and Moody.
II PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
III APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Jernigan moved, and Waldrop seconded the motion, to approve the agenda, as printed.
Voting aye: Jernigan, Waldrop, Klatt and Ward.
Motion carried: 4 ayes 0 nays, 3 absent.
IV RECOGNITIONS & CELEBRATIONS
Superintendent Baker presented girls golf and volleyball coaches with IHSA All-Academic Achievement plaques and congratulated coaches Kara Parks and Brittany Schutter and their student-athletes for their achievements. Awards are presented to qualifying teams which achieve 3.0 GPA for the entire season. Other high school teams receiving the awards were cheer and cross country.
Mr. Baker presented certificates to all board members for Board Members Day on November 15th. He thanked them for their dedication to the students in the Plano School District. The week of November 15th is also American Education Week and he read portions of the proclamation.
Faith Skinner congratulated the Board members on their special day and said D88 staff members appreciate their constant support. She then discussed the two-year commitment that a group of staff members have made to the book, Experience Inquiry. The book provides strategic and deliberate approaches which have been shown to be extremely helpful to educators who seek to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their students. Zack Skinner discussed one of the first experiences he performed, which was to be a “Student for a Day.” He said he was able to experience everything a student goes through, in regard to classes, meals, free time and their emotions, to name a few. Mr. Skinner learned that students really have very few choices they get to make on their own during a given day, so he would like to provide students with the opportunity make good choices more often. Emily Holmstom is also participating in the program and she described two experiences she has completed (there are 50 in the book.) She recorded a 30-minute lesson of herself and closely looked at ways she was interacting with the students and presenting the material. Mrs. Holmstrom said she felt it was a great way to perfect her teaching skills and is glad she is part of the book team. Superintendent Baker and Board members thanked them for their dedication and efforts to improve their skills on behalf of the students.
V OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO SPEAK
Attending the meeting were Mitch Carter, Kara Parks, Brittany Schutter, Zack and Faith Skinner, Emily Holmstrom, Jay and Pat Cunneen, Amy Martin and Angel Vivanco. Present via Zoom were Pam Reilly and Scott Smith. There were no media representatives present. No one wished to address the Board.
VI CONSENT AGENDA
Jernigan moved, and Klatt seconded the motion, to approve the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
▪ Regular Meeting & Executive Session – October 18, 2021
B. Plano School District No. 88 Financial Statements, Bills & Payroll
Motion to approve the October 2021 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 October 2021 Bills, Payroll and Financial Statements for the Plano Area Special Education Cooperative.
D. PMA Reports
PMA monthly Report #592 (10/1/21-10/31/21).
E. Approve Second Reading of 2022-23 PHS College & Career Guide
Motion to approve the second reading and adoption of the 2022-23 Plano High School College & Career Guide.
F. Approve Resolutions
Motion to approve the resolutions for School Board Members Day and American Education Week.
G. Administrator Board Reports
H. Executive Session Tape Destruction
Approve the destruction of audiotapes of executive session minutes during February 2020.
Voting aye: Jernigan, Klatt, Martin, Velazquez, Waldrop and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
VII SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
For Action
Report No. 22-32 Approve District 88 FY21 Audit
Financial consultant Jay Cunneen was present and said that a representative from Lauterbach and Amen was present at a recent Finance Committee and reviewed the district audits. Mr. Cunneen said District 88 should present at the Tri-Conference next year to share the good news about D88 finances. For the past 10 years, the district has not had any tax increases, finally solved the bond interest problem that had been hanging over the committee, and now has a bond capacity of $6 million. The district has abated $15 million for taxpayers, proving how conscientious they are about saving money for community members. He said that the district help start-up the Plano Area Special Education Cooperative in order to save taxpayers money and this has been very successful. Jay complimented Hannah Moody on her hard work and concluded by saying that the auditors were very impressed with the audit process.
Report No. 22-32 Accept District 88 FY21 Audit (cont.)
Vice President Ward thanked Jay Cunneel for his leadership and expertise and said much of this would not have been possible without his guidance.
Jernigan moved, and Waldrop seconded the motion, to accept the Plano Community Unit School District No. 88 FY21 audit.
Voting aye: Jernigan, Waldrop, Klatt, Martin, Velazquez and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
Report No. 22-33 Accept FY21 PASEC Audit
Klatt moved, and Velazquez seconded the motion, to accept the Plano Area Special Education Cooperative FY21 audit.
Voting aye: Klatt, Velazquez, Jernigan, Martin, Waldrop and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
Report No. 22-34 Approve Resolution Regarding Estimated Tax Levy Jay Cunneen reviewed the estimated tax levy figures. He reminded those present that the district received the Property Tax Relief Grant the past two years, but this ended in June 2021. He said the district will still be able to abate $1.9 million this year. Jay said it was a goal of the Finance Committee to not increase taxes this year for the community members. He said the Finance Committee would like to host a finance in-service for all Board members in January or February, since there are too many intricacies to review in one regular meeting.
Superintendent Baker added that new development in town has not affecting student enrollment too much yet. New development will also help keep the taxes down for taxpayers.
Velazquez moved, and Waldrop seconded the motion, to approve the Resolution Regarding Estimated Levy and the Certificate of Compliance in the Truth in Taxation Law.
Voting aye: Velazquez, Waldrop, Jernigan, Klatt, Martin and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
Report No. 22-35 Increase Substitute Pay Rates
Superintendent Baker reviewed area substitute teacher pay rates. He said an increase in pay rates is a way to reward those who are committed to substitute teaching in Plano. Mr. Baker said an increase in sub pay rates would not affect the certified staff contract, because internal subbing is not affected by sub pay rates.
Report No. 22-35 Increase Substitute Pay Rates (cont.)
Member Waldrop recommended that the district revisit sub pay rates each year, prior to the start of the school year, so the district does not wait five years to catch up. He said substitute teachers are very valuable to the district and should be fairly compensated.
Waldrop moved, and Velazquez seconded the motion, to increase the substitute teacher pay for Plano Community Unit School District No. 88, effective January 1, 2022, to $120/day for regular substitute teachers; $140/day for permanent substitute teachers; and $185/day for long-term substitute teachers.
Voting aye: Waldrop, Velazquez, Jernigan, Klatt, Martin and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
Report No. 22-36 Construction Update & Prepare Bid Documents for Future Capital Projects
Superintendent Baker reminded those present that it is a goal of the Board to improve facilities. The Finance Committee and the district architectural firm have been developing plans for the summer of 2022 construction projects.
District Operations Director Bryan Appel said the P.H. Miller project is largely complete; there is just a minor punch list remaining. The metal is done for the canopy, but it still needs work. Bryan reviewed the future capital projects as follows:
1. Plano High School - Replace the theatrical lighting in the PHS
Auditorium including an alternate for the ceiling house lights.
2. Plano High School - Reconfigure the two existing foods rooms (C107 & C108) into a combined Apparel Lab and Sewing Classroom.
3. Plano High School - Reconfigure two disused restrooms (C113 & C122), two offices (CC119 & C121), a custodial closet (C120), a disused corridor (C103), and two classrooms (C114 & C123) into two Culinary Arts Labs with integral classroom areas.
4. P.H. Miller, Centennial & Plano High School - Replace the fluorescent lighting remaining in PHS, CEN, and PHM (three separate bids).
5. Plano High School - Remove asbestos materials at PHS in the areas disturbed by the construction activities for the Apparel and Foods Labs.
After discussing some of the projects, Board members agreed on the list of projects and asked Mr. Appel to prepare bid documents and bring the bid numbers back to the Board at a future meeting.
Klatt moved, and Waldrop seconded the motion, to direct District Staff to complete the design work, construction and bid documents, let public bids for the projects listed, and report the results to the Board of Education for possible bid awards.
Report No. 22-36 Construction Update & Prepare Bid Documents for Future Capital Projects (cont.)
Voting aye: Klatt, Waldrop, Jernigan, Martin, Velazquez and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
Report No. 22-37 Approve Personnel Report
Martin moved, and Velazquez seconded the motion, to approve the revised personnel report as follows:
1. Termination:
▪ Nestor Nowak – Long-Term Substitute Teacher, Plano High School, effective 10/26/21
2. Resignations:
▪ Arturo Arreola – Track Coach, effective 2021-22 season
▪ Berenicia Bartosz – Bilingual Instructional Aide, Plano High School, effective 11/12/21
▪ Kristin Chandler – Assistant Cook, Plano High School, effective 11/19/21
▪ Debra Fry – Preschool Instructional Aide, P.H. Miller School, effective 10/22/21
▪ Ellen Hicks – Special Education Teacher, Plano High School, effective 10/29/21
▪ LaToya Smith – Assistant Cook, Plano High School, effective 10/22/21
3. Employment:
▪ Julie David – Instructional Aide, Emily G. Johns School, $13.50/hour, effective 11/1/21
▪ Misty Golden – Bus Aide, $14.70/hour, effective 11/29/21
▪ Samantha Grzanich – Permanent Substitute Teacher, Emily G. Johns School, $120/day, effective 12/13/21-5/27/22
▪ Karla Lara – Assistant Cook, Plano High School, $12.57/hour, effective 10/1/21
▪ Melissa Lopez-Troupe – Permanent Substitute Teacher, P.H. Miller School, $120/day, effective 1/4/22-5/27/22
▪ Michelle McGuane – Recess Aide, Centennial School, $12.57/hour, effective 10/25/21
▪ Michelle McGuane – Substitute Custodian, $13.18/hour, effective 11/8/21
▪ Isabel Munoz – Permanent Substitute Teacher, Plano High School, $120/day, effective 10/22/21- 5/27/22
▪ Barbara Oros – Substitute Custodian, $13.18/hour, effective 10/18/21
▪ Paola Ramos – Building Secretary, Plano High School, $13.50/hour, effective 10/18/21
▪ Daisy Renteria – Preschool Lunch Aide, P.H. Miller School, $12.57/hour, effective 11/8/21
▪ Jill Sobieszczyk-Reid – Test to Stay Staff Member, $15.00/hour, effective 11/8/21-5/27/22
4. Transfers:
▪ Melissa Johnson – from Preschool Recess Aide to Preschool Instructional Aide, $12.98/hour, effective 11/8/21
▪ Andrew Kowalsky – from Permanent Substitute Teacher to Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher at Centennial School, $175/day, effective 10/25/21-12/17/21 (Lee)
5. Leave Requests:
▪ Krista Bennett – Art Teacher, Centennial School, approx. 11/4/21-11/17/21
▪ Pam Ohme – Bus Driver, approx. 11/2/21-12/12/21
▪ Kara Parks – Physical Education/Health Teacher, Plano High School, intermittent approx. 10/21/21- 10/21/22
6. Volunteers:
▪ Amanda Kolarik – P.H. Miller School
▪ Gloria Navarro – P.H. Miller School
7. PASEC Personnel Report:
▪ Retirement – Certified
o Kristin Still, Psychologist, effective end of the 2021-22 school year
▪ Resignation – Non-Certified
o Andrea Guerrero – Paraprofessional, effective 12/17/21
▪ Contracts - Non-Certified
o Maria Morales, Paraprofessional, $16.50/hour
o Mariah Watson, Paraprofessional, $12.75/hour
▪ Leave Request
o Leann Rogers-Teckenbrock, approx. 11/5/21-11/12/21
Board of Education Meeting
Held 11/15/21 – page 6 of 7
Report No. 22-37 Approve Personnel Report (cont.)
Voting aye: Martin, Velazquez, Jernigan, Klatt, Waldrop and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
For Information
Report No. 22-38 ISBE School Report Card Updates
Director of ELA and Assessment Abby Alvarez reviewed the planned release dates for school report cards and explained how the report card will look different than in years prior. She said the 2020-21 school report card will not include summative designations, early learning data and science assessment proficiency.
Report No. 22-39 Literacy Update
Elementary Principals Laurel Mateyka and Mike Zeman shared highlighted for improvement of instructional practice in literacy.
They shared a presentation demonstrating a shift from teaching letter names to letter sounds in kindergarten and discussed new 1st 3rd grade instructional strategies. Mr. Baker thanked them for the monthly literacy update.
Report No. 22-40 Athletic Director’s Report
High School Athletic Director Jim Schmidt reviewed the fall sports program, including records, achievements, participation numbers and grade point averages. He also provided information about upcoming holiday tournaments.
VIII BOARD COMMENTS/FOIA
▪ There were two FOIA requests:
o SmartProcure (Purchase orders from 7/26/21-Present)
o LocalLabs (Information pertaining to Panorama Education; district does not use this curriculum)
The district and transportation department will have entries in the Rockin’ Christmas Parade on December 3rd.
IX FUTURE BOARD OF EDUCATION AGENDA
• Fall Housing Report
• Update on France Trip
• Resolution Making Tax Levy & Certificate of Tax Levy
X EXECUTIVE SESSION
Velazquez moved, and Jernigan seconded the motion, to go into executive session at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors, or specific volunteers of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor, or a volunteer of the District or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), amended by P.A. 101-459.
Board of Education Meeting
Held 11/15/21 – page 7 of 7
X EXECUTIVE SESSION (cont.)
Voting aye: Velazquez, Jernigan, Klatt, Martin, Waldrop and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
Velazquez moved, and Jernigan seconded the motion, to come out of executive session at 7:54 p.m.
Voting aye: Velazquez, Jernigan, Klatt, Martin, Waldrop and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
XI ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Velazquez moved, and Waldrop seconded the motion, to dismiss Eric Needham as a Plano School District No. 88 employee effective immediately.
Voting aye: Velazquez, Waldrop and Ward.
Voting nay: Jernigan, Klatt and Martin.
Motion failed: 3 ayes, 3 nays, 1 absent.
XII ADJOURNMENT
Prior to adjournment, Board members discussed plans to set a special meeting after Thanksgiving and those who were planning to attend the Tri-Conference discussed breakout sessions and travel arrangements.
Waldrop moved, and Jernigan seconded the motion, to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Voting aye: Waldrop, Jernigan, Klatt, Martin, Velazquez and Ward.
Motion carried: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1743957/11-15-21_Minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up