West Central Reporter

Macomb Community Unit School District #185 Board met April 25.

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, Myers, Torrance, and La Prad.

No one addressed the Board during the Reception of Visitors.

The Board recognized Lauren McClure for being selected Senior of the Month for the month of April.

Member Gray advised he attended the FFA Awards Banquet. He emphasized how much we have to be proud of in connection with that program, noting Gracie Murphy, a former MHS FFA member, was the keynote speaker and is a state officer, and that Mr. McGrew, FFA advisor, was awarded the Golden Owl award for District 3. Member Myers complimented all who worked on The Wizard of Oz. Dr. Twomey advised putting up the production highlighted several shortcomings in the auditorium’s sound and light tech equipment. He advised the District would work with the Choir Boosters to assess needs and costs and try to remedy some of those issues. Member Kapale thanked Aramark and the FFA Alumni for the wonderful food provided at the Western Division Dinner meeting.

Dr. Twomey provided the following information:

• Construction Report – it’s been like a roller coaster the last few months. Move in date will be determined once the contractor knows when decorative panels will be delivered.

• District Update – the end of the year is approaching. Morale across the district is at a low point. We are trying hard at the administrative level to get grant funds to address some of the issues that are contributing to the low morale.

• 2022-2023 Amended Budget – we will review in May and hold the hearing in June. • Registration and Activity Fees – we will waive all registration and activity fees for all families for the 2022-2023 school year. Galesburg presented at the Western Division Dinner meeting about how it has worked for their district and it was inspiring. We would like to offer a truly free and appropriate education to all students and make it easier for more of our students to participate in activities. This especially makes sense in view of the poverty level in our community – between 50 and 60% - and worse now after COVID. This could be a great thing for the entire community.

• FOIA Request: from Kerensta Blacken for email communication that contains “shield testing” “lost specimen” “contract tracing” “TRO” for the time frame of 12/1/2021 to 12/15/2022. There were no records responsive to the request.

• The Macomb Educational Foundation awarded a grant in the amount of $95.97 to Stephanie Coupland, 1st Grade teacher at Lincoln.

• Spotlight: Pam Burnham and Dawn Torrance, and four other individuals – Laura Waldrop, Pam Stoneking, Shelley Raby, and Kristi Reusch, raised funds to install a Playground for All at Lincoln. With an initial goal of having $20,000 by March, the group has raised $90,000 to date, between grants and donations. Construction is expected to begin in August or September.

The strategic plan presentation was postponed to the May Board meeting.

Member Adams moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve as presented the Consent Calendar, which included the following items: Minutes from the March 21, 2022 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, Monthly Food Service Report, State Funding Update, and WCISEC Financials and Personnel. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Gray moved, and member La Prad seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes form the closed meeting held during the March 21, 2022 regular Board meeting. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Torrance moved, and member Kapale seconded, to approve the following recommendations regarding personnel:

Certificated Staff:

Request for Leave:

Tara Hixon, Request for extension of leave, leave to begin approximately May 9, 2022, and extend through November 23, 2022.

Resignation:

Dana Clark, Reading Intervention Teacher, Edison Elementary School, effective May 27, 2022. Kayleigh Gray, Grade 3 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective April 8, 2022. Marshal Jordan, English Teacher, Macomb Senior High School, effective ay 27, 2022. (supersedes retirement request approved January 24, 2022)

Diane Meline, Language Arts/Reading Teacher, Macomb Junior High School, effective May 27, 2022.

Jennifer Waller, English Teacher, Macomb Senior High School, effective May 27, 2022. Retirement:

Robin Russell, Grade 4 Teacher, Edison Elementary School, effective May 27, 2022. Mrs. Russell fails to meet the eligibility requirements for District retirement benefits, therefore, will be required to repay, either through personal check or payroll deduction, Macomb Community Unit School District 185, any TRS creditable earnings paid to the employee in excess of the amount the employee would otherwise have received under the salary schedule for such year(s) in which the creditable earnings were paid.

Change in Assignment:

Noelle Flynn, Reading Intervention Teacher, moving to Grade 6 ELA, Edison Elementary School, effective August 15, 2022 (replaces Jones).

Elizabeth Hardisty, Special Education Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, moving to Grade 6 Teacher, Edison Elementary School, effective August 15, 2022 (vacancy).

Jami Seggelke, Special Education Teacher, Edison Elementary School, moving to Special Education Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 15, 2022 (replaces Barclay).

Administrative Reemployment:

Kelly Carpenter, Principal/Special Services Coordinator, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, 12- month contract, effective July 1, 2022.

Kenny Crosby Assistant Principal, Lincoln Elementary School, 11-month contract, effective August 1, 2022.

Edward Fulkerson, Assistant Principal, Macomb Senior High School, 11-month contract, effective August 1, 2022.

Katie Hoge, District Technology Integration Coordinator, 12-month contract, effective July 1, 2022. Steve Horrell, Activities/Athletic Director, Macomb Senior High, 12-month contract, effective July 1, 2022.

Dana Isackson, Principal, Macomb Junior High School, 12-month contract, effective July 1, 2022.

Nicholas Stoneking, Assistant Principal, Edison Elementary School, 11-month contract, effective August 1, 2022.

Kellee Sullivan, Principal, Edison Elementary School, 12-month contract, effective July 1, 2022.

Scott Sullivan, Principal, Macomb Senior High School, 12-month contract, effective July 1, 2022.

Employment:

Caryn Royer, Special Education Teacher, Macomb Junior High School, under the WIU/MAT program, year 2, to be placed at Step 3, Bachelor’s degree, on the 2022-2023 salary schedule (new position).

Sandra Teel,Grade 1 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, to be placed at Step 28, Bachelor’s degree with 24 additional hours, on the 2022-2023 salary schedule (replaces Thompson/retirement). Kelly Zarello, Reading Intervention Teacher, Edison Elementary School, to be placed at Step 25, Master’s degree, on the 2022-2023 salary schedule (replaces Clark/resignation).

Educational Support Staff:

Resignation:

Parris Grace, Program Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective May 27, 2022.

Tabitha Kemp, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, effective April 1, 2022.

Michelle Wardlow, Program Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective May 27, 2022.

Shayla Weedman, Program Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective May 27, 2022.

Release from Duties:

Sally Mohamed, Program Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective February 7, 2022.

Change in Assignment:

Amanda Byers, Program Assistant, Edison Elementary School, moving to Substitute Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective April 11, 2022, to complete the 2021-2022 school year. (building needs/Gray)

Employment:

Samantha Pryor, Program Assistant, Edison Elementary School, up to 29 hours per week, student attendance days, effective March 28, 2022 (replacement Bower/bldg.). Co-Curricular:

Employment:

Korby Foxall, Assistant Baseball Coach (sophomore), Macomb Senior High School, Level 6, effective 2021-2022 season.

Ellen Meixner, Assistant Softball Coach (freshman), Macomb Senior High School, Level 6, effective 2021-2022 season.

Natalie Mitchell, Head Girls Track Coach, Macomb Junior High School, Level 6, effective 2021-2022 season.

Dakota Shepler, Assistant Boys Track Coach, Macomb Senior High School, Level 6, effective 2021-2022 season.

Michelle Wardlow, Assistant Girls Track Coach, Macomb Junior High School, Level 8, effective 2021-2022 season.

Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Members Torrance and Gray, representatives to the District Insurance Committee, reported on that committee’s April 19, 2022 meeting. The current loss ratio is at 91.7% with 7.8 months in reserve. Our consultants are gathering information for the annual reinsurance renewal and the committee will consider bids at the May 10 meeting. The committee also received an overview of the biometric screening program and open enrollment. We would like to increase participation in the biometric screenings.

Member La Prad and Myers, members of the Board Policy Committee, reported on the committee’s April 8, 2022 meeting. Both members expressed appreciation for the work done by the administrative team in reviewing the policies and making recommendations regarding acceptance or modification of proposed revisions.

The Board conducted first reading on proposed changes to the following Board policies, administrative procedures and exhibits:

2:20 2:220-E3 4:60 4:170-AP1 5:20-AP 5:100 5:210 2:105 2:220-E5 4:60-AP 4:170-AP2 5:30 5:100-AP 5:220 2:110 2:220-E8 4:40-AP4 4:170-AP2,E4 5:30-AP1 5:120-AP 5:220-AP 2:120 2:250-E2 4:110 4:170-AP2,E5 5:30-AP2 5:120-AP2, E 5:330 2:150 2:260 4:150 4:175 5:30-AP2,E1 5:125 2:150-AP 3:40 4:160 4:175-AP1 5:30-AP2,E2 5:185 2:220 3:50 4:165 5:10 5:50 5:185-AP 2:220-E1 3:60 4:170 5:20 5:905:90-AP 5:200

Second reading on the changes will be held at the May regular meeting.

The Board conducted first reading on proposed changes to Board Policy 8:120, Community Involvement in Decision-Making. The language defining areas that could be named appears in the first paragraph of the policy and it is suggested that verbiage be added to number 4 below the opening paragraph to clarify the intent of the policy. The Board will consider approval of the change at the May meeting. Member La Prad reminded the Board of his recommendation to convene the Awards and Recommendation Committee to consider renaming Edison Elementary.

Mr. Ed Fulkerson, Assistant Principal at Macomb Jr./Sr. High School, presented proposed changes to the MHS Student Handbook for the 2022-2023 school year. Dr. Twomey expressed reservations about the change in policy regarding wearing hats, hoodies, etc. in class and making it at the teacher’s discretion. He advised his past experience showed this can create problems between teachers and students when some teachers allow and other don’t. He requested that feedback be sought from all teachers. The Board will consider approval of the changes at its regular May meeting.

Member La Prad moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve a resolution authorizing the administration to place the amended 2021-2022 District budget on file for public inspection beginning May 19, 2022, and establishing June 20, 2022 as the date for the official public hearing on the 2021- 2022 amended budget. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Dr. Twomey reviewed a proposed change to Policy 5:201, Salary Schedule Advancements, Adjustments, and Supplemental Pay. He explained that some years ago, it was decided that new hires with a master’s degree would not be given credit for the master’s degree if it was their first year of teaching. Dr. Twomey proposes to change this in light of the WIU MAT program, and also because candidates with master’s degrees should be placed on the salary schedule reflecting that level of education. He also noted that those who came in with a master’s under this policy could be moved on the salary schedule. He requested the Board waive second reading so the revised policy could be applied to new hires for the 2022-2023 school year. Member Myers moved, and member La Prad seconded, to approve the proposed revision as presented. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Gray moved, and member Kapale seconded, to waive activity and registration fees for the 2022-2023 school year. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Myers moved, and member Adams seconded, to not approve a resolution temporarily transferring the powers of the Board to the Superintendent. There was no action on the motion.

Member La Prad moved, and member Kapale seconded, to approve IESA membership for he 2022- 2023 school year. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

At 8:29 p.m., member Kapale 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 selection of a person to fill public office, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3), 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, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Board President Myers announced the Board would take action following the closed meeting, prior to adjournment, and the next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Monday, May 16, 2022.

The Board returned to open session at 10:30 p.m.

The Board returned to the motion on the floor to deny approval of a resolution temporarily transferring the powers of the Board to the Superintendent. Vote was taken on the motion with the following members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Gray moved, and member Kapale seconded, to appoint Emily Sutton to fill the vacancy on the Board created by member Thompson’s resignation, with the term to run through April 2023. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member La Prad moved, and member Gray seconded, to deny the appeal and uphold the Superintendent’s determination regarding the Uniform Grievance Complaint. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: Adams. Motion carried.

Member La Prad moved, and member Gray seconded, to adjourn at 10:35 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote.

https://www.macomb185.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/795