Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education met July 31.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District 308, Kendall, Kane and Will Counties, Illinois, met in a 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 (6:00 p.m.)
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by President LaTonya Simelton
1.1 Roll Call:
Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:
Dominick Cirone, Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Jared Ploger, LaTonya Simelton, Mary Jo Wenmouth
Members Absent (at roll call):
None
2. Closed Session
2.1 Enter Closed Session under statute(s): 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(10) The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Eugene Gatewood, to enter Closed Session under statute(s); 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(10) The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Jared Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
The Board of Education entered closed session 6:04 p.m.
2.2 Return to Open Session
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Eugene Gatewood, to return to Open session
The Board of Education returned to open session at 7:14 p.m.
3. Call to Order – Public Session (7:30 pm)
The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by President LaTonya Simelton
3.1 Roll Call:
Upon Roll Call the following members answered present:
Dominick Cirone, Eugene Gatewood, Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Jared Ploger, LaTonya Simelton, Mary Jo Wenmouth
Members Absent (at roll call):
None
Administration Present:
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Andalib Khelghati
Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Faith Dahlquist
Assistant Superintendent for Student & Staff Services, Dr. Heather Kincaid
Executive Director of Human Resources, Dr. Bryan Zwemke
Assistant Superintendent for Operations, Dr. John Petzke
Executive Director of Communications, Theresa Komitas
Others Present:
Attorney Maureen Lemon, Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg and Castaldo, as well as employees of the District and members of the community.
Recording Secretary:
Ursula Studer
3.2 Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President LaTonya Simelton
4. Public Comment
4.1 Opportunity for the Public to address the Board of Education
There was no public comment this evening.
5. Comments/Reports
5.1 Superintendent Report
• A moment of silence was held in honor of OEHS student Elijah McDuffie, he attended school in SD 308 from Early Childhood at Brokaw through Oswego East where he would have been a junior this year.
• Dr. Khelghati spoke in reflection of his first 30 days in the district. He has spent time meeting with staff, leaders, community members and parents. The echo of community, the desire to strengthen that unity has been heard.
• Both high schools kicked off their 101 orientations for freshmen at each high school. There is shared excitement for their future as high school students.
• Well wishes to all teachers and staff as they enjoy these final days of summer break, making memories with family and friends.
• Discussion will be had later in the meeting regarding board priorities and next steps.
5.2 Board Member Comments
• Mr. Cirone attended one of the meet and greet sessions with Dr. Khelghati. He heard positive feedback from the attendees, more opportunities are coming soon and can be found online.
• Mrs. Wenmouth talked about Start Strong, a community event put on by the Kiwanis Club and Community Cares, which works to fundraise and distribute school supplies to area students. The distribution is this coming Saturday at Old Traughber.
• Mrs. Johnson added that supplies can be dropped off at the Start Strong distribution this weekend. She shared that as a parent, you may feel anxious, but please exercise patience as the systems and processes are put in place for the start of the school year. There is communication coming soon about the news systems and they will be helpful to parents once established. She also described a feeling of hope across the community, as Dr. Khelghati starts off this school year, and people are feeling positive.
• Mr. Ploger participated in 71 Reasons fundraiser at Parkside Lanes last week. This event and the organization brings awareness to youth suicide in this community. The event was well attended, including first responders and village officials and many current and former students.
• President Simelton shared that she, Mr. Gatewood and Dr. Khelghati joined members of the Village of Oswego administration to share a meal and open dialogue between the two taxing bodies. There is a desire to strengthen this relationship.
President Simelton expressed gratitude for the outreach of condolences at the sudden loss of her brother last week. The many ways that people across the SD 308 family showed support are appreciated.
6. Information
6.1 Discussion of Board Priorities
The Board held a retreat on July 1st. The day was a deep dive into Envision 308, the district’s strategic plan. The Equity Statements represent where this board wishes to land as they shape the direction for the future. Dr. Khelghati described the spirit of Envision 308, what the priorities are within that plan. He recapped an activity that the Board took part in, where members were asked to share their opinions through an informal vote regarding what portions of the strategic plan they felt should be the top level priorities. The exercise was intended to give a starting point for this year, and from it came to four priorities.
• There was strong consensus around student achievement growth in math and science.
• There was a desire to prepare students for postsecondary life through a curriculum in financial and digital literacy.
• A formation of a districtwide plan for supporting behavior/ social-emotional health of students is needed.
• A desire to attract high quality and diverse staff through recruitment and retention efforts across the district.
The Board engaged in additional discussion regarding systems, past events that influenced the current state of the district and what their desires are. There’s a need to strengthen several things, to establish a strong foundation which will result in a positive snowball effect. There’s a need to reexamine the existing systems, evaluate what works and what doesn’t. Before new systems are built, analysis of those in place is necessary.
Dr. Khelghati explained the difference between intention and influence, what we want to happen versus what is happening. He discussed the meet and greets, where many of the attendees are staff members, tax payers, parents of the community, there is great enthusiasm amongst the people within our community. There were a number of areas during the retreat that were identified as topics for further learning and inquiry which will be explored.
Alongside the Board’s priorities is Dr. Khelghati’s Entry Plan for his first 90 days. The highlights of his plan include integration and alignment across schools and the district- promoting social emotional learning, equity and cohesion. The development of an organizational learning system to identify, engage, and implement high quality curriculum instruction and assessment. And a priority around finances in order to get maximum resources for students. He shared a diagram that shows the intersection between the Board’s goals and the entry plan components. These areas surface as those recommended to the Board as their annual goals for this year. In an analysis of the strategic plan it was found that opportunity existed to nest some of the goals and strategies within each other, some that build a foundation and carry towards the next.
Dr. Khelghati shared a graphic of a long term vision of where the district would move towards- from the Board priorities, downward informing district goals/plans- leading to school improvement goals and principal plans, moving to teacher teams and the result of an increase in social emotional health and academic achievement for all students. Guiding down all levels is the Envision 308 plan. A new strategy works to look at the graphic upside down, building from the teacher plans and up, a purposeful workforce collaboration, which will take several years to fully grow and build.
Accountability is an important component in the plan in order to determine who is responsible, accountable, consulted and informed.
A motion was made by Mr. Ploger, second by Mr. Eugene Gatewood, to move closed session to after action item 8.5
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Jared Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
7. Action Items
7.1 Approval of New Oswego High School Marquee
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to award the contract for the new Oswego High School Marquee to Aurora Sign Company in the amount of $53,577.58
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
7.2 Approval of Athletic Training Contract
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Eugene Gatewood, to approve the Athletic Training contract with Athletico pending attorney review
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
7.3 Approval of Agreement with Community Cares
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to approve the Agreement with Community Cares
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
7.4 Approval of Transportation Tracking Technology
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth, to approve the upgraded Transportation Technology with Synovia Solutions
• A question was asked by Mr. Cirone, replied by Director of Transportation Michael De Armond. He asked about a RFID student ID card and the associated costs. This proximity card would basically account for the student’s presence while on the bus. Additional questions about reimbursement, the use of the cards as student IDs were asked. Mr. De Armond indicated that some of these things are still under research.
• Mr. Gatewood asked the question about timing and rollout. Installation of the equipment would begin around Labor Day. A soft rollout would begin with use of the parent app at the start of October with a full rollout by November. Additional components for ridership and turn by turn would come later in the school year.
• Mrs. Johnson made a comment regarding routing and the challenges with the current routing contract, which remains in place for this school year. Mr. De Armond indicated that while there are challenges in working with the contracted staffing for routing, this can be overcome by building up the internal resources within the Transportation staff. Mrs. Johnson indicated the need for a comprehensive presentation from Transportation regarding the entire preparation, resources, workflow, needs, and operations of the department. Dr. Khelghati indicated that Dr. Petzke and Mr. De Armond will be prepared to share this information in September.
• Mr. De Armond shared a reflection of the challenges noted from last year.
o Staffing challenges in finding bus drivers. Mr. De Armond shared that just today he read an article about the many Chicago Public School students who will not have buses for school due to a shortage of roughly 1,300 drivers in their system. There was work done on the part of SD308 to establish higher rates of pay and bonuses to help combat the staff shortage.
o Additionally, the contracted service last year was unable to meet the driver needs of the district. This year a new service provider and minimum provided routes were implemented.
• There were concerns regarding communications last year regarding delays, greater efficiency with communication was worked out.
• Parents had indicated that last year they were concerned with their student not being directly notified when delays occurred, to help with this a GPS mobile app is being researched for use.
• The challenges and pressures drivers felt were known last year. The add on of a turn-by-turn navigation would help.
• In order to better optimize the load of students on each bus, having student ridership information will be helpful.
• The addition of bus tracking, student ridership information, turn by turn navigation for drivers, time and attendance of staff and the timeline for implementation were all considered when bringing forth the recommendation of a system to the Board.
• The recommended service is Synovia Solutions which could begin implementation now and continue for 10-12 weeks.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
7.5 Approval of Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $7,000,000 General Obligation Refunding School Bonds of the School District for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of said School District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchasers thereof, and authorizing the execution of certain escrow agreements in connection therewith.
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by , to approve the Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $7,000,000 General Obligation Refunding School Bonds of the School District for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of said School District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchasers thereof, and authorizing the execution of certain escrow agreements in connection therewith as presented.
• Mr. Cirone asked a question regarding assumptions and if any changes had been seen. A representative from PMI spoke on the current market conditions and interest rates. He indicated that the present value basis had increased. The estimated interest rate is 3.44%, down slightly from the previous rate estimate of roughly 3.7%.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
8. Closed Session
8.1 Enter Closed Session under statute(s): 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of certain employees and individuals; 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 Mr. Dominick Cirone , to enter Closed Session under statute(s); 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of certain employees and individuals; 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. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo Mr. Jared Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
The Board of Education entered closed session at 8:53 p.m.
8.2 Return to Open Session
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Eugene Gatewood, to return to Open session
The Board of Education returned to open session at 10:14 p.m.
9. Action Items
9.1 Approval of District Administrator Contract
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Eugene Gatewood, to approve the Building Administrator contracts as presented
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
9.2 Approval of Building Administrator Contracts
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to approve the Building Administrator contracts as presented
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
9.3 Approval of Personnel Report
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to approve the Personnel report as presented
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
10. Adjournment
10.1 Adjourn
A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth, to adjourn.
All were in favor unanimously to adjourn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0
Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Jared Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth
Meeting Adjourned at 10:16 p.m.
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