Macomb Community Unit School District 185 Board of Education met Nov. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Board Vice President Scott Torrance called the meeting to order in the C.T. Vivian Library at Macomb Jr./Sr. High School 7:02 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll was taken with the following members present: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers (telephonically), Thompson, and La Prad.
The Board recognized Kerem Tasdan, son of Feridun and Muruvvet Tasdan, for being selected Senior of the Month for the month of November.
Member Adams commented on an article in the Community News Brief about FFA. Member Thompson reported the Bomber Booster Club donated $10,000 to the Dan Rouse project. Member Myers complimented all who were involved with the MHS Trunk or Treat event. Member La Prad advised he had been contacted by two community members about the trees on the north side of the football field/track being cut down. They expressed concern about the loss of shade during track and football. Dr. Twomey stated the plan is to replace those with a fast growing variety that will provide shade. Member Torrance announced the annual fund raiser for FFA would be held Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. at the Louderman Auction Center.
Dr. Twomey shared the following information:
Construction report
o Edison – there is currently a roof over the new structure, although it is still in the process of being sealed. Some plumbing and pipework is done and the project is ahead of schedule.
School Report Cards: Dr. Twomey commented on how well the District is doing, noting that a year ago two schools were designated “underperforming”. The junior high has moved into the commendable category this year. Lincoln is making progress, but faces some challenges that will be addressed in the near future. The Education Based Funding model addresses how much it costs a community to provide an appropriate education. Dr. Twomey noted the new school report card site gives quick facts about students in specific buildings and how they are performing. The format gives the District the opportunity to look at data and make decisions about how to keep improving.
Mandated Reporter: Dr. Twomey advised the Board they are mandated reporters under the law. If a member is concerned a child may be being abused or neglected, he or she is responsible for reporting to DCFS.
Classroom Spotlight: Dr. Twomey recognized the District’s principals and assistant principals. He emphasized the scope of the administrators’ jobs, noting they not only work with assessments and data, but also deal with students, families, parents, personal issues, and staff. They work well beyond the normal workday and are dedicated to their students, schools, and the District.
MEF Grant Awards: The Macomb Education Foundation awarded grants in the amount of $5099.48 to six District teachers for enhancement of the educational experience in their classrooms.
China Exchange Program: proposed by two WIU professors. The proposal needs more detail regarding cost, etc. and the earliest it could be offered would be next school year. Dr. Twomey asked the Board to read over the proposal and plan on discussing early next year.
Facilities and Finance: Dr. Twomey updated the Board on the plan for financing the middle school project. The District will apply for half the cost of the project, approximately $9.5 million, and bond for the other half. Grant funds are not guaranteed, but the opportunity is too good to ignore. The grant application will be available sometime in March, April or May and determination in July. The State is looking for projects that will be ready to go in the fall. Bid specs should be complete in May and ready to go out. Due to the possibility of grant funding, the original plans are being used. Dr. Twomey reviewed the plans with the Board, explaining drop off and pick up paths, areas to be used for storm shelter, and science room appointments.
FOIA Request: Request from Access Systems in Burlington for copy contracts and six months of billing.
Mrs. Kim Gillam, Lincoln Elementary School Principal, discussed the use of data to enhance reading instruction at Lincoln. Teachers are able to track students’ reading levels, see when individuals are not making progress, and work on interventions to help keep them on track. Following the presentation, discussion ensued regarding the importance of the librarian position in helping establish a love of reading in young students.
Member La Prad requested the minutes from the October 31, 2019 special Board meeting be considered separately from the other items on the Consent Calendar. Member Adams moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve items 9.1-9.2 and 9.4 -9.13 of the Consent Calendar, which included the following items: Minutes from the October 21, 2019 public hearing on the School Improvement Waiver, Minutes from the October 21, 2019 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, Monthly Food Service Report, Monthly Activity Account Reports, State Funding Update, and WCISEC Financial and Personnel Reports. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Gray moved, and member Kapale seconded, to approve item 9.3 of the Consent Calendar, minutes from the October 31, 2019 special Board of Education meeting. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, and Myers. Members voting “no”: none. Members Torrance, Thompson, and La Prad abstained.
Member Thompson moved, and member La Prad seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meetings held during the October 21, 2019 regular meeting and the October 31, 2019 special Board meeting. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Myers, Thompson and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Member Torrance abstained. Motion carried.
Member Adams moved, and member Thompson seconded, to approve recommendations regarding personnel as follows:
Educational Support Personnel Change in Assignment:
Tania Coker, Health Services Worker, Macomb Junior Senior High School, 7 hours per day, now Health Services Worker, Macomb Junior Senior High School, 6 1⁄2 hours per day, effective November 12, 2019.
Employment:
Deidre Carson, Program Assistant, Macomb Senior High School, up to 29 hours per week, student attendance days only, effective November 4, 2019 (replacement/student need). Erica Cheatham, Program Assistant, Edison Elementary School, up to 29 hours per week, student attendance days only, effective October 28, 2019 (replacement Barnett).
Sadie Magee, Administrative Secretary/Receptionist, Administrative Service Center, 7 hours per day, 12 month contract, effective November 13, 2019.
Madison Myers, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, up to 29 hours per week, student attendance days only, effective October 28, 2019 (replacement Wilcoxen).
Resignation:
Andrea Dixon, Administrative Secretary/Receptionist, Administrative Service Center, effective November 21, 2019.
Kiley Lee, Program Assistant, Macomb Junior High School, effective December 19, 2019.
Co-Curricular: Employment:
Mark Benson, Assistant Girls Track Coach, Macomb Senior High School, Level 6, effective November 11, 2019.
Curtis Cross Jr., Assistant Girls Basketball Coach (So.) Macomb Senior High School, Level 3, effective November 11, 2019.
Laura Waldrop, PreK Parent Coordinator, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective
2019-2020 school year. Resignation:
Wendy Royer, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective
October 27, 2019.
Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Second reading was conducted on proposed changes to the Board policies, administrative procedures and exhibits:
Member La Prad moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve the changes as presented. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Mr. Jesse Risley, Social Science teacher at MHS, presented his proposal for a summer 2021 trip to Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest for MHS students. He noted the trip would allow students to experience firsthand some of the history and culture they learn about in their classrooms. The Board will consider approval of the trip at its regular meeting in December.
Dr. Twomey presented the 2019 levy. The District will ask for $15,529,671. This is an increase over last year’s levy, but not enough to require a hearing. He advised this is the first time ever there has been a negative multiplier. This is due to homes in town selling for less than their valuation. The Board will consider approve of the levy at its December regular meeting.
The Board reviewed the proposal from Unland Company for legal, liability, workmen’s comp, cyberliability, and package insurance. Dr. Twomey noted the quote for Workmen’s Compensation coverage has begun to decrease after some years of higher premiums. The quote for all coverages is from the company currently covering the District. Member Thompson moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve the quote from ICRMT in the amount of $185,666 for package, workmen’s compensation coverage, and cyberliability. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Adams moved, and member La Prad seconded, to approve the proposed three year agreement with McDonough District Hospital to continue the wellness program and associated services. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
At 8:31 p.m., member La Prad moved, and member Thompson 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.
Mr. Torrance noted the next regular meeting of the Board would take place Monday, December 16, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Macomb Jr./Sr. High School Library and that there would be no action other than adjournment following the closed meeting.
The Board returned to open session at 9:25p.m.
Member Adams moved, and member Gray seconded, to adjourn at 9:26 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote.
https://www.macomb185.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/710
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