Macomb Community Unified School District 185 Board met Nov. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Following the public hearing on the sale of bonds, Board President Jill Myers called the regular meeting to order at 7:13 p.m. in the library at Lincoln Elementary School. Members present were Duncan, Adams, Gray, Myers, and La Prad (attended telephonically). Members Thompson and Torrance were absent.
Ms. Myers read a letter submitted by Ms. Sue Tisdale, Community Educator – Human Service Center of Peoria, IL, regarding opioid abuse training that could be helpful for medical providers, law enforcement, educators, and EMS. There is also a program available for students. The Board briefly discussed the prevalence of opioid abuse in the area.
The Board recognized Gibson Blankenship for being selected Senior of the Month for the month of October.
Member Myers advised she had spoken to the West Prairie 5th and 6th graders about cyber bullying and sexting and complimented the students on being an attentive, involved audience.
Members who attended the Joint Annual Conference in Chicago gave a brief overview of sessions they attended and expressed thanks for the opportunity.
Dr. Twomey shared the following information with the Board:
- Construction Report – the Lincoln addition is the first step in addressing the issue of
overcrowding in our buildings. The renovation of Edison will be the next step, and the problem should be solved with the building of a new middle school, which is possible in large part because of the success of the 1-cent sales tax effort. The District is currently working on purchasing land from the Maple Avenue Christian Church. That land purchase, in addition to the YFC land purchase, will provide one campus area for the middle school and the high school with access from Maple Avenue and Johnson Street. Dr. Twomey shared the first architect drawings of the building. The tentative timeline for all projects is Edison in the spring and summer, with work on the turf field beginning in May and carrying through the summer, then breaking ground for the middle school in the fall. After the middle school is done, work will begin on the high school to improve space for science and open up collaborative learning spaces. The District will partner with BuyBoard for the turf project. They vet companies and manage the bid process, which will speed up the process tremendously.
- School Report Card – Dr. Twomey reviewed the new categories reflected on the report card: exemplary, commendable, underperforming, and lowest performing. Lincoln and Macomb Junior High School were rated underperforming in the IEP category. The purpose of the ratings and associated data is not to judge, but to adjust performance. The State will give additional funds to help those schools improve. Board will be asked to approve the Title I School Improvement Plan so the District can receive those funds.
- ANCRA Mandate Reporter: Board members are mandated reporters and have a legal responsibility to report suspected abuse to DCFS. The information cannot be passed on to someone else to make the call.
- Student Athletes – the following student athletes competed at state level competition this fall: Ericka Dawson – tennis; Maya Stovall – cross country; Emma Thorman – Golf; Laine Torrance golf. These student athletes will be officially recognized at next month’s meeting.
- Macomb Educational Foundation Grants: the Foundation awarded a total of $6,683 to Districtteachers for enhancement of their classrooms and their students’ learning experience.
Mr. Chuck Milem, Macomb Senior High School Principal, addressed the Board regarding Goal 1, Strategy 1-2 of the District Strategic Plan. The focus of PLC’s across the District is finding ways to provide innovative learning opportunities for all students. The high school uses four teams – Teaching and Learning, Data Review, Arts & Athletics, and Freshman Transition to study pedagogy, analyze data, strategize preparation for standardized tests, and plan RtI structure to assist with the transition of Freshmen into the high school culture. The Marzano partnership ties in with and supports the work each of those groups is doing. Mr. Milem thanked the Macomb Education Foundation for their contribution of grant monies to provide enhanced educational experiences to Macomb students, and noted the FFA/Ag program and kinesthetic learning in Zach Keene’s class as additional examples. The expansion of opportunities for students is evident in the increase in dual enrollment options for next year. Other examples of increased opportunities include allowing the BSAA class to count for the 3rdyear elective in Science and the possible addition of veterinary science to the ag program; the WACS CAN program; and the CEO program.
Member Gray moved, and member Duncan seconded, to remove item 8.4, Approval of minutes from the October 15, 2018 regular Board of Education meeting, from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration. Motion carried by voice vote.
Member Adams moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve the following Consent Calendar items: Minutes from the October 15, 2018 Public Hearing re: Lincoln Sidewalk Repair, minutes from the October 15, 2018 Public Hearing re: MJSHS Storm Drain Repair, minutes from the October 15, 2018 Public Hearing re: MJSHS Tennis Courts, 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, Monthly Activity Account Reports, Monthly Food Service Report, State Funding Update, and WCISEC Financials and Personnel. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Gray, Adams, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Gray moved, and member Adams seconded, to amend the minutes from the October 15, 2018 regular Board of Education meeting to reflect the members who moved and seconded the adjournment of the meeting and the correct ending time of 10:25 p.m., and approve as amended. Members voting“yes”: Duncan, Gray, Adams, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Duncan moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve the minutes of the closed meeting held during the October 15, 2018 regular meeting. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Gray, Adams, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none.
Member Duncan moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the following personnel recommendations:
Educational Support Staff: Retirement:
Jean Sawczyn, Office Secretary/Receptionist, Macomb Junior Senior High School, effective December 20, 2018.
- Resignation:
Undra Hall, Program Assistant, Macomb Senior High School, effective December 20, 2018.
Request for Leave:
Alexandria Forman, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, request for time off to begin December 5, 2018, and extend through January 31, 2019.
Co-Curricular: Employment:
Ronel Engnell, Read 100! Coordinator, Lincoln Elementary School, Grant funded stipend, effective 2018-2019 school year.
Wendy Royer, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach (Fr.), Macomb Senior High School, Level 3, effective 2018-2019 season.
Tara Stockham, Read 100! Supervisor and Summer Program Coordinator, Lincoln Elementary School, Grant funded stipends, effective 2018-2019 school year.
Callie VanHootegem, Play Director, Macomb Junior High School, Level 8, effective 2018- 2019 school year.
Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Gray, Adams, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Dr. Twomey presented the proposed 2018 levy for the Board’s review. The estimated change in EAV from 2017 is 2.8%, while the new construction amount for 2018 dropped considerably. The total increase in the levy from last year is 4.99%, just under the 5% that requires a Truth in Taxation hearing. Dr. Twomey emphasized the levy is not about raising property taxes, it’s about capturing all the dollars available. The total levy, including Bond & Interest, comes to $16,433,180.
Ms. Tonya Hamer, MHS Spanish Teacher, presented her proposal to take Spanish students to Spain in the summer of 2020. The trip will take 10 days and cover three regions of Spain, to include historical sightseeing, guided tours, and the opportunity to experience Spanish food, culture and language first hand. The trip is fully insured through EFI and Ms. Hamer hopes to have a full tour of about 30 students. The Board will consider approval of the trip at their December regular meeting.
Member Duncan moved, and member Gray seconded, to adopt a resolution declaring the intention to issue General School Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) for the purpose of constructing a new middle school building and improving the site thereof. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Gray, Adams, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Dr. Twomey reviewed the package insurance proposals from Unland, District insurance consultant. Liberty Mutual, Hanover, and ICMRT submitted proposals. ICMRT’s proposal is non-blanket, so there is no umbrella coverage through them. The District has been with Hanover in the past and they are meeting their obligation with respect to the lawsuit. The cost of the proposal is not yet set; it rose from the original amount of $120,000 to $125,000 and the company has still not arrived at a final amount. Dr. Twomey recommended the Board approve Hanover, not to exceed $125,000. Members voting“yes”: Duncan, Gray, Adams, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The Board reviewed the proposed tentative calendar for the 2019-2020 school year. Dr. Twomey explained the early drafting of the calendar is so dates for Marzano training can bet set well in advance. This calendar is based on the current calendar and has been reviewed by the Administrative Team and the Leadership Team. The calendar will remain tentative due to new laws passed in conjunction with the Equity Based Funding Model. The definition of a school day has changed from 300 minutes minimum classroom instruction time to local districts determining what constitutes a school day. Additionally, the law now requires 176 days of attendance be reflected on the final calendar, resulting in two additional teacher work days. This necessitates more discussion with leadership and possibly revision of the proposed tentative calendar. Member Gray moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the proposed tentative 2019-2020 calendar. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Gray, Adams, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Duncan moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the Title I – 1003(a) Grant as presented. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Gray, Adams, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
President Myers announced the next regular meeting of the Board would be held December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Macomb Jr./Sr. High School Library.
At 9:19 p.m., member Adams moved, and member Gray 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, Gray, Adams, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The Board returned to open session at 10:45 p.m. Member Adams moved, and member Gray seconded, to adjourn at 10:46 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote.
- https://macomb185.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/667
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