Macomb Community Unit School District 185 Board met Nov. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Board President Jill Myers called the meeting to order in the C.T. Vivian Library at Macomb Jr./Sr. High School. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll was taken with the following members present: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad.
No one addressed the Board during the Reception of Visitors.
The Board recognized Avery Rexroat, daughter of Brianna and Matthew Rexroat, for being Senior of the Month for the month of October.
Members of the Board who attended the Western Division Dinner meeting shared their experiences. The topic of the evening was “What is Educational Equity?”.
President Myers noted the next regular meeting of the Board would be held Monday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Member Myers advised she had attended the WIU Legislative Round Table.
Member La Prad advised he and other Board members attended the annual Legislative Luncheon. The main topic of discussion was legislative redistricting, which will result in part of Macomb having a new representative and goes into effect in January. He also attended the National Rural Education Association meeting.
Dr. Twomey reported to the Board on the following subjects:
• Construction Report – the decorative panels for the middle school will arrive any time. Currently, work is focused on getting the roof in place over the part of the building that is already in place. There have been some complaints about construction noise at odd hours. He advised there is a time lapse camera in place at the site and member Adams noted the structure is well-lit inside and police patrol the property frequently.
• District Update – Macomb is named in the Tom DeVore suit on the mask mandate policy. Attorneys for the districts named in the suit have requested the case be moved from Macoupin County to either Cook or Sangamon as the governor is a named defendant. The request awaits a decision by the Illinois Supreme Court.
• COVID – Shield Illinois testing is up and running. Some positive cases have been identified and were able to be quarantined earlier than they might otherwise have been. Although we try to create parity, it makes a difference in procedure if an individual is vaccinated or not vaccinated.
• FOIA Requests:
o Locallabs requested contract and other information related to Panorama Education.
o Jane Carlson – Register Mail requested information regarding ESSER I, II, and III grant funds.
• Spotlight – Dr. Twomey recognized Kate Hall, Macomb Jr. High School RtI Specialist. Ms. Hall explained the strategies she uses to help 7th and 8th grade students improve their reading skills. 70% of the students she has worked with jumped one reading level in the first few months of the program.
CloseGap, an online resource for students to check in and let school officials know how they are doing emotionally was the focus of the strategic plan presentation. Mr. Nick Stoneking, Edison Assistant Principal, and Ms. Chandler Adkisson, Edison Social Worker, walked Board members through the online check-in process and explained how the program has impacted students. Edison was the pilot program for the District, the high school got in next, and now K-3 are participating. Depending on how many students signal the need to talk with someone in a day, it can be challenging for staff to meet all needs. The program is strictly voluntary and available to all students.
Member Gray moved, and member Kapale seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar, which included the following items: Minutes form the October 18, 2021 regular Board of Education meeting, Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Board Report, Bills and Payroll, Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (.05 levy), Monthly Activity Account Reports, State Funding Update, WCISEC Financials. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member La Prad moved, and member Torrance seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meeting held during the October 18, 2021 regular meeting. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member La Prad moved, and member Adams seconded to approve the following personnel recommendations:
Certificated Staff
Request for Leave:
Kristen Barclay, Special Education Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, request for leave to begin December 3, 2021, with a return date ofJanuary 3, 2022.
Jennifer Butterfield, Title I Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, request for leave to begin March 10, 2022, and extend through the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year.
Tara Hixon, Grade 3 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, request for leave to begin May 9, 2022, and extend through the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year.
Elizabeth Williams, Special Education Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, request for leave to begin April 19, 2021, and extend 12 work weeks.
Retirement:
Amy Morris, Grade 2 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, requesting retirement under the 2020- 2024 contract, Article IX, Section A, three year plan, Payment Upon Retirement Notification, effective end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Educational Support Staff:
Dismiss from Duties:
Jerry Peters, Custodian, Lincoln Elementary School, dismiss from duties as per Policy 5:180, effective November 30, 2021.
Retirement:
Sonya Doering, Program Assistant, Edison Elementary School, effective January 3, 2022.
Request for Leave:
Pamela Hensley, Data Manager, Macomb School District, request for intermittent FMLA leave to begin October 25, 2021, and extend up to 12 weeks.
Change in Assignment:
Brett Brown, was full time Custodian, Macomb Junior Senior High School, now part time Custodian, Macomb Junior Senior High School, effective October 25, 2021 (requested reduced hours).
Employment:
Pape Diallo, Custodian, Macomb Junior Senior High School, 40 hours per week, 12-month contract, effective October 25, 2021 (replaces B. Brown).
Amy Willett, Program Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, up to 29 hours per week, student attendance days, effective October 18, 2021 (replaces Piper). Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Members Gray and Torrance, representatives to the District Insurance Committee, reported on that committee’s October 19 meeting. The committee reviewed reports re: loss ratio, funds in reserve, and stop loss. The plan finished last year (June 30) with a loss ratio of 80% and six months in reserve. Currently, the plan is showing a 108% loss ratio and six months in reserve. This is due to several large claims where deductibles were met right away. Flu shot clinics are currently being held in the buildings, open enrollment is coming up, and biometric screenings are planned for January.
The Board discussed resolutions that will come before the delegation at the Joint Annual Conference. Dr. Twomey explained that even if there are proposals to go against state standards, ultimately there will be repercussions. Districts can pick and choose what will be taught, but cannot teach in opposition to what is outlined in state approved curriculum.
President Myers read aloud a statement submitted by member La Prad proposing to re-name Edison Elementary School, C.T. Vivian Elementary School. Member La Prad offered several reasons why the building should be renamed after C.T. Vivian, noting Dr. Vivian always referred to Macomb as “home” and that he was a civil rights hero. He noted that although there are several things in Macomb – and the MJSHS library – named after C.T. Vivian, none of them are at the level of honor of a building named after him. Dr. Twomey advised he would review the policy on naming of District facilities and bring it back next month for discussion and possible action to form a committee.
Member Adams moved, and member Myers seconded, to approve the summer 2023 trip to Italy for students grades 9-12. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Adams moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve Fire & Life Safety amendment #15 in the amount of $168,064.45 for replacement of the boiler at Washington Street Gym. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Torrance moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the proposal for Board legal, liability, workmen’s compensation, cyberliability, drone, and package insurance in the amount of $205,784. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Gray moved, and member Torrance seconded, to approve the resolution abating the taxes heretofore levied for the year 2021 to pay debt service on the General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2020, and General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) Series 2021, of the District. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Dr. Twomey gave an overview of the proposed 2021 levy. The District is seeking $16,112,898, a 4.99% increase over last year’s levy, so no public hearing is required. The Board will be asked to approve the final levy at its December regular meeting. Member Adams moved, and member Gray seconded, to authorize the administration to put the levy on display in preparation for adoption at the December 13, 2021 regular Board meeting. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member La Prad moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve a resolution temporarily transferring the powers of the Board to the Superintendent. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
At 8:32 p.m., member Thompson moved, and member Kapale seconded, to hold a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), collective negotiating matters, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2), the purchase or lease of real property, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5), student discipline, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9), and pending or imminent litigation, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The Board returned to open session at 9:40 p.m. Member La Prad moved, and member Adams seconded, to adjourn at 9:41 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote.
https://www.macomb185.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/782
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