West Central Reporter

Macomb Community Unit School District 185 Board met March 19.

Here is 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: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Bierman, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad.

Ms. Myers welcomed all in attendance. There was no one who wished to address the Board.

Member Thompson extended condolences to the Westen family on the passing of Jane Westen. Member Adams reminded all to vote in the Tuesday, March 20 primary election. Member Duncan commended the 8th grade volleyball team for making it to state level competition.

Dr. Twomey shared the following with the Board:

• Lincoln construction is progressing slowly due to the weather conditions, but the contractors are on site and working as the weather allows.

• It will likely be June before stakeholders in the Community First project make a final decision about participation. We’ll have updated numbers for the middle school option in a couple of weeks.

• FOIA Request: WIUM. Some items dealing w/student records were exempt, but the District provided Title IX complaints, correspondence re: the lawsuit, and discipline incident data.

• Classroom Spotlight: Kim Gillam, Lincoln Elementary School Principal, is employing a meditative discipline routine for mindfulness.

• Macomb Education Foundation Grants: Fall and spring grants totaling $12,410.12 were awarded to over 14 teachers for purchase of materials to enhance classroom environment and learning.

• The Annual Inspection Report from ISBE/ROE indicates we are making adequate progress toward bringing all District facilities into full compliance.

Mr. Randall Q. Smith, Director of Operations and Maintenance, reported to the Board on his department’s contribution toward Strategy 4-1 of the District Strategic Plan – Maintain buildings to Illinois Health/Life Safety Standards. He noted the condition of the District’s facilities is very good and attributed that to the practice of directing the District architect to include everything possible in the 10-year Fire & Life Safety surveys, instead of just the minimum. Mr. Smith also emphasized the importance of the Board’s decision to compensate custodians and O&M staff well so the District can employ well-qualified individuals, there is little turnover and standards for maintenance and repair remain high.

Member Torrance moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented, which included: Minutes from the February 26, 2018 regular Board of Education meeting, Treasurer’s Report, Investment Report, Monthly Board Report, Bills and Payroll, Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (.05 levy), Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (combined), Monthly Activity Account Reports, Monthly Food Service Report, State Funding Update, and WCISEC Financials and Personnel. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Bierman, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Thompson moved, and member Duncan seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meeting held during the February 26, 2018 regular meeting. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Bierman, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

President Myers advised agenda item 11, Action Upon Personnel Recommendations, would be moved to the end of the agenda and the Board would take action on it following the closed meeting, prior to adjournment.

Member Thompson moved, and member La Prad seconded, to approve membership in the IHSA for the 2018-19 school year. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Bierman, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Adams moved, and member Bierman seconded, to approve a resolution providing for the issue of General Obligation Limited School Bonds, Series 2018, of the District, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of said School District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof. Dr. Twomey presented new information regarding the bond issue. Since, due to the rise in construction costs (the result of the rise in interest rates), the District moved the bond sale from May to April, bond counsel recommends the District make an interest payment in June 2019 instead of waiting until December 2019 to begin loan payments. This would save the District $13,000. This payment will be made before tax money comes in so will require an interfund loan, which will be paid back with the tax disbursement. Member Bierman advised the bonds would come in at an all-in interest cost of 3.5%. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Bierman, Myers, and Thompson. Members voting “no”: none. Member La Prad abstained. Motion carried.

Member Torrance moved, and member Bierman seconded, to accept the lowest responsible bid for Health Life Safety implementation work to be done at Macomb Jr./Sr. High School and Edison Elementary School. The lowest responsible bid in the amount of $359,900 was submitted by Trotter Construction, and the District architect’s recommended acceptance of that bid. Dr. Twomey advised the work includes replacement of the auditorium seats at Edison Elementary and replacement of the wiring system on the roof at MJSHS. In response to a question about the note from one bidder on the alternate, Mr. Smith advised it was to specify aluminum conduit rather than steel. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Bierman, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

At 7:35 p.m., member Bierman moved, and member La Prad 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”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Bierman, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

The Board returned to open session at 9:45.

Member Bierman moved, and member Duncan seconded, to approve personnel recommendations as presented:

Certificated Staff:

Retirement:

Joyln Baker, Math Teacher, Macomb Junior High School, requesting retirement under the 2016-2020 contract, Section A., Payment Upon Retirement Notification, effective end of the first semester 2020-2021 school year.

Kimberly Gillam, School Principal, Lincoln Elementary School, requesting retirement under the 2016-2020 contract, Section A., Payment Upon Retirement Notification, effective June 30, 2022.

John Rumley, School Principal, Macomb Senior High School, effective July 1, 2018.

Employment:

Emily Henderson, Science Teacher, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2018-2019 school year (replaces Montalvo).

Reduction in Force of Full Time Non-Tenure Certificated Staff Due to Economic Necessity – created by low enrollment which will result in the eventual elimination of French as a course offering:

Jessica Longshore, French Teacher, Macomb Senior High School, effective end of the 2017- 2018 school year.

Release from Service, Full Time Non-Tenure Certificated Staff (effective end of the 2017-2018 school year):

Amanda Stewart, English Teacher, Macomb Senior High School, effective end of the 2017-2018 school year.

Educational Support Staff:

Retirement:

Nancy Caldwell, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, effective May 25, 2018.

Seasonal Summer Grounds Employment:

Gene Gaddis, Seasonal Summer Grounds, Macomb School District, up to 29 hours per week, effective March 14, 2018.

Co-Curricular:

Employment:

Terrance Bruce, Assistant Boys Track Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2017- 2018 season.

Joshua Wroblewski, Musical Technical Lighting Director, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2017-2018 season.

Resignation:

Jenna Urish, Girls Basketball Coach (8), Macomb Junior High School, effective February 23, 2018.

Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Bierman, Myers, Thompson. Members voting “no”: none. Member La Prad abstained. Motion carried.

At 9:46 p.m., member La Prad moved, and member Bierman seconded, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote.

http://www.macomb185.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/632