Warren Community Unit School District 205 Board met Nov. 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
I. OPENING OF MEETING
A. Call to Order
The regular session of the Warren Community Unit School District #205 Board of Education meeting was held in the boardroom. President Sabinson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Those present were: Nolan Mullen, Susan Bourquin, Jessica Storey, Steve Wulfekuhle, Abe Trone, Ben Wooden and Kip Sabinson. Also present were: Shawn Teske, Josh Knuth, Kelly Heller, Laura Martinez and Kyle DeMus.
II. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
Mr. Sabinson mentioned to change under Old Business: A to A1 and A2.
Mrs. Bourquin motioned to accept the agenda (with additions) as presented, seconded by Mr. Mullen. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
III. RECOGNITION OF GUESTS AND VISITORS / PUBLIC COMMENT
A. Laura Martinez, Director of Field Services for IASB
Laura Martinez reviewed benefits and presented professional development opportunities available for the board of education. They offer webinars, in district workshops and other programs to help board members do their job effectively.
B. Kyle DeMus, Benning Group
Kyle DeMus presented the audit to the board. We are rated in the highest possible standing that ISBE recognizes with a 4.0 out of 4.0. Mr. DeMus thanked Carol Jones for another job well done and for all her help!
IV. CORRESPONDENCE / COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Sabinson read a thank you note for the memorial from the Allison Headlee family.
V. WARREN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION COMMENTS - None
VI. BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Policy Committee
Mr. Teske shared that the policy committee met to discuss recommended policy updates from the state and the new transportation policy, which we plan to start in January 2020.
VII. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Regular Meeting minutes from 10/16/2019
B. Executive Session minutes from 10/16/2019
C. Payment of November bills
D. Treasurer’s Report
E. Destruction of closed meeting audio recording from 5/16/2018
Mrs. Storey motioned to accept the consent agenda (with additions) as presented, seconded by Mr. Wooden. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
A1. Audit Report
Mr. Wulfekuhle motioned to approve the audit for fiscal year 2019 as presented by the Benning Group, seconded by Mrs. Bourquin. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
A2. Building Update
Mr. Teske shared that the fire escape inspection is completed. There is work needed on some of the welds and the cement pad. Mr. Vick will get quotes to have this work done.
B. Tech Update
Mr. Teske shared that Alma is not meeting our needs at this time. If they do not fulfill their obligations, we may explore a breach of contract.
C. Athletic Update
Mr. Knuth reported the following:
•Congratulations to the football co-op and advancing to the WIAA D7 State Championship. Game is Thursday, November 21, beginning at 10:00 a.m. against Edgar.
oThank you to Roger Trame (Black Hawk AD) for all his help and cooperation this season.
•Junior High Boys Basketball is halfway through their season. Off to a strong start. 8th grade Tournament will be December 14 at Belmont. There are 18 players.
•High School Girls’ basketball begins their season tonight with our annual Warren Turkey Tournament. There are 14 players.
•High School boys’ basketball started practice last Monday with non-varsity football players.
•Looking to begin interviews for Assistant Softball and Assistant Track soon.
•Still looking for second Junior High Girls’ basketball coach.
•Junior High Football, would like to work on details of combining with Black Hawk at the Junior High level.
Board members discussed the option of Black Hawk combining with Warrens’ program. Black Hawks’ program is currently run through their youth sports so transportation would need to be figured out.
D. Academic Update
Mr. Teske shared the IAR/SAT scores spreadsheets with the board members. Both schools are commendable. He also shared the summative designation scores.
E. CD Bids
Mr. Sabinson opened CD bids from Community Bank at 2.25% and Apple River State Bank at 2.25%.
Mr. Mullen motioned to reject all CD bids as presented, seconded by Mrs. Storey. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
F. School Report Card
Mr. Wooden motioned to approve the school report card to place on the school’s website to make available to parents, seconded by Dr. Trone. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
G. Board Policy Update
Mrs. Bourquin motioned to approve the second reading of BOE Policy 7:270, seconded by Mr. Wulfekuhle. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
H. Dental Insurance
Mr. Mullen motioned to offer voluntary dental insurance to be paid for by the employee through Humana, seconded by Mr. Wooden. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. 2019-2020 Tax Levy
Mr. Wooden motioned to put the 2019 Tax Levy for the 2020-2021 school year on display, seconded by Mrs. Storey. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
B. Transportation Contract Extension
Mr. Teske shared that we are in the middle of a 1-year extension with Illinois Central School Bus. We have received a 2.5% extension. We can go forward with ICSB or place for bids.
Mr. Mullen motioned to approve a one-year extension with Illinois Central School Bus at 2.5%, seconded by Mr. Wulfekuhle. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
C. College NOW agreement 2020-2021
Dr. Trone motioned to approve the College NOW agreement with Highland Community College for 2020-2021, seconded by Mr. Wooden. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
D. Mobile Hotspot for student athletes
Mr. Teske shared that we are finishing year one of a two year contract and that it hasn’t been utilized much so we do not plan on renewing this at the end of the next year.
E. BOE Policy Update
Mrs. Storey motioned to approve the first reading of policy changes recommended by the policy committee, seconded by Mrs. Bourquin. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
F. Audit Contract
Mr. Wooden motioned to approve a three year extension with the Benning Group to conduct the annual audit at $9,300 in 2020, $9,450 in 2021, and $9.600 in 2022, seconded by Mrs. Bourquin. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
X. ADMINISTRATORS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Teske’s Superintendent/Principal Report
• The Joint Committee will meet next week to review RIF Protocol.
• Our students visited Dittmar Farm and Orchard by reaching their first quarter incentive goal.
• Parent/Teacher Conferences were successful. We strive for 100% parental involvement. This year, the elementary school is currently at roughly 99%.
• Our Veterans Day Ceremony was a success once again this year despite the weather.
• We split our Grandparents’ Day up once again this year. The teachers have been working hard to make these special for our students.
• The PTO hosted their annual craft fair in the gymnasium with its largest turnout. They also worked in conjunction with the local library to host Family Reading Night.
• The District Continuous Improvement Team met this morning. We are focusing on using the results of last year’s 5Essentials survey to create action plans to improve as a district. Meanwhile, parents are already taking our 5Essentials Survey to give us feedback that we will use later this spring/summer and into next year.
• My dissertation proposal was approved last month.
Mr. Knuth’s Principal Report
•Parent Teacher conferences were completed, we had a contact rate of 95% and 86% of our JR/SR parents attended conferences. This is a participation rate increase when compared to last year.
•Veteran’s Day Program was very well attended and was another successful event
•We will have our Thanksgiving service on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in the high school gym.
•Servant Leadership blood drive will be December 3rd.
•Elementary Concert is December 4 at 7:00 p.m.
•High School Concert will be December 10 at 7:00 p.m.
•We had a SIP day on Friday, November 1st. The JR/SR high staff worked collaboratively and rigorously on writing our Content Area Competencies. We will continue that work at our SIP day on December 6th.
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Closed session for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity pursuant to section 2(c)1 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Mrs. Storey motioned to adjourn to executive session at 7:52 p.m., seconded by Mr. Wulfekuhle. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
XII. BUSINESS CONTINUED
Mrs. Storey motioned to return from executive session at 8:28 p.m., seconded by Mrs. Bourquin. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
A. Discussion/Adoption of Resignation Agreement with Sarah Alongi
Mrs. Storey motioned to adopt the resignation agreement with Sarah Alongi, seconded by Mr. Mullen. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
B. Resignation/Dismissal of Personnel – None
C. Employment of Personnel
1. 1:1 Paraprofessional
Mr. Wulfekuhle motioned to hire Loni Cooper as a paraprofessional for remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, seconded by Mr. Mullen. Roll call vote taken, all in favor except Mrs. Storey who voted Nay. Motion carried.
2. School Nurse
Mrs. Bourquin motioned to promote Karla Noller from half-time nurse to full-time nurse for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, seconded by Dr. Trone. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
D. Student Discipline – None
E. Maternity Leave
Mr. Wooden motioned to approve the maternity leave for Stephanie Freese, seconded by Mrs. Storey. Roll call vote taken, all in favor. Motion carried.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Wooden motioned to adjourn at 8:31 p.m., seconded by Dr. Trone. All in favor. Motion carried.
https://www.205warren.net/district/board-of-education/
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