Freeport School District 145 Board of Education met April 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Procedural: A. Call to Order
The special (REMOTE) meeting of the Board of Education of Freeport School District No. 145, Stephenson County, Illinois, was called to order by President Crutchfield at 6:00 p.m.
The public was allowed the opportunity to access the meeting by dialing the number provided and entering a pin.
2. ROLL CALL
Procedural: A. Roll Call
The following members were present: Ms. Janice Crutchfield, Mr. George McCarty, Mr. Pete Norman, Mr. Jack Sosnowski, Ms. Shirley Bradley, Ms. Martha Furst, and Pastor Adron Simmons.
Members absent: None.
Also present: Dr. Anna Alvarado, Dr. Patrick McDermott, Mr. Chris Shockey, Dr. Duane Meighan, Ms. Nita White, Mr. Jack Code, Ms. Paulette Williams-Thomas, Ms. Kelly Everding, Ms. Kayleigh King, Ms. Dallas Pieper, and Ms. Greta Harrell
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT
Procedural: A. Pledge/District Mission
President Crutchfield read the District Mission Statement.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: A. Approval of the agenda
Dr. Alvarado stated that revisions will be made to Agenda Item 8B. Summer Learning Update. This item will be shared at a future meeting. Dr. McDermott requested that Consent Agenda Item 9C Locker Painting Bid be moved to a later time.
Member Sosnowski moved, second by Vice President Maxey to approve the agenda for the April 21, 2020, regular meeting, as amended. On voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
5. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Action, Minutes: A. Special (rescheduled) and closed meeting minutes of March 16, 2020
Action, Minutes: B. Special meeting minutes of April 7, 2020 (No Closed)
Member Bradley moved, second by Member Simmons to approve the special (rescheduled) and closed meeting minutes of March 16, 2020 and the special meeting minutes of April 7, 2020 (No Closed), as presented. On voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
6. COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Communications: A. Employee Associations
None.
Communications: B. Student Organizations
None.
Communications: C. Public Forum - Public Forum is the opportunity for members of the public to address the board on matters of policy. Anyone wishing to address the board, please stand and state your name for the record. (3 Minutes Please)
None.
Communications: D. Superintendent's Report
Dr. Alvarado reported on Taylor Park’s transition planning. Ms. Dallas Pieper stated that 15 transfers were received with only four wanting to attend a school outside of their boundary area. Mr. Chris Shockey explained that there enough vacancies to accommodate moving staff throughout the district. Some positions will still need to be posted. Member Bradley she appreciated Ms. Pieper for the work she has done and also appreciate the leadership.
Dr. Alvarado provided an update on commencement exercises for high school seniors. She stated that the district will do its best to celebrate the graduating seniors.
An update was provided on the number of meals served during the Grab and Go. Dr. Alvarado stated that Cedarville was recently added. The total April meals served was 17,556. The total meals year to date is 24,928.
Dr. Alvarado provided an outline for finishing the school year strong. She stated that a schedule will be created for students to collect their belongings while minimizing health and safety risks. Teachers and staff will also be allowed to clean classrooms and gather their things. Additionally, adjustments will be made for summer learning focusing on the essentials in order to regain momentum that was lost from the absence of in school instruction; teachers and staff will be supported by ensuring that there is clarity in grading for remote learning while recognizing that they did their best to provide students with activities and care during these times; parents and families who were thrown into an involuntary homeschooling and did their best to make the best out of the situation will be supported; and the technology infrastructure will be strengthened and a comprehensive plan will be built that will reflect our commitment to narrowing or eliminating the digital divide.
Dr. Alvarado thanked the Nutrition and Dining Staff for all of their hard work and willingness to respectfully serve our families.
The Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. Local Education Agencies that received an allocation under Title I are eligible for CARES Act funds. These funds will be used to support students' access to technology and the internet. Member Sosnowski thanked the Technology Department for making sure the district had the technology in place to support students. Member McCarty discussed inequalities in the homeschooling process and stated that it would be interested hearing from teachers. Discussion continued.
7. ADOPTION OF BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
Action: A. Adoption of April 2020-April 2021 Board Meeting Schedule
Member Furst moved, second by Member Sosnowski, to adopt the April 2020-April 2021 Board Meeting Schedule, as presented. On roll call, members voting aye: McCarty, Norman, Sosnowski, Bradley, Furst, Simmons, Crutchfield; members voting nay: None. The motion carried.
8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
Discussion: A. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Monthly Financial Report, Updates
Dr. Patrick McDermott shared the Monthly Financial Report for March. The Financial Calendar was highlighted. For March, the district received $2.2 million in revenues and had $4 million in expenses. Dr. McDermott highlighted the CARES Act. He stated that the district is slated to receive $1,680,156. The focus will be facilitating closing the digital divide. He also shared that the district received no categorical payments in April and that state and federal grant deadlines have been extended until June 30, 2021. Additionally, the federal 15 percent carryover limit on Title monies has been removed and allowing any amount of carryover.
Dr. McDermott stated that all employees will continue to be paid their regular pay. There will be no overtime.
Dr. McDermott shared that he has received an electronic version of the audit from the district auditor. Once the hard copy is received, additional copies will be made for the board.
Dr. McDermott highlighted summer projects. He shared a proposal for a possible project involving the practice baseball infield. Vice President McCarty suggested board approval and Member Norman asked for a visual of what the field will look like as well as who will maintain it. This item will be brought to a future meeting.
Information: B. Summer Learning Update
Moved to future meeting.
Information: C. Proposed Discipline Disparities Action Plan
Ms. Nita White stated that the Action Plan was created as a result of the Illinois State Board of Education's request for information on disproportionality.
Ms. Kayleigh King reviewed the Discipline Disparities action Plan. Suspension rates are disproportionately high for the district. She highlighted the root cause and the corrective actions to be taken.
Discussion was held on district liability and aligning school goals with district goals.
Information: D. FSD FEA Internal Per Period Substitute Pay MOU
Mr. Shockey explained that this item was brought to his attention last spring when academies were approved. The current FEA contract will be revised to reflect an increase in the per period internal substitute pay rate for high school teachers from $25 per hour to $45 per hour for a 90-minute period.
This item will be considered at the May board meeting.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
Action (Consent): A. Freeport School District and CareerTEC Bills
`345Item 9C. Locker Painting Bid will be moved to a future meeting.
Member Norman stated that he is excited to see the locker room being done and would like details on the project. He is hoping something special will be done. Mr. McDermott detailed the work to be done.
Member Norman moved, second by Member Furst, to approve the Consent Agenda items as follows: Freeport School District and CareerTEC Bills; April 21, 2020 Personnel Report; Blackhawk Gym Painting Bid; and Locker Room Renovation Bid. On roll call, members voting aye: Norman, Sosnowski, Bradley, Furst, Simmons, Crutchfield, McCarty; members voting nay: None. The motion carried.
10. ACTION
Action: A. PLC MOU (Freeport Education Association / Freeport School District)
Member Bradley moved, second by Vice President McCarty, to approve the PLC MOU (Freeport Education Association / Freeport School District), as presented. On roll call, members voting aye: Sosnowski, Bradley, Furst, Simmons, Crutchfield, McCarty, Norman; members voting nay: None. The motion carried
11. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Discussion: A. Board Update on Committees
Vice President McCarty reported on the Education Committee. At its last meeting, the group discussed the summer academy and exchanged information on what if's regarding COVID-19 and the impact on schools.
Member Sosnowski shared that the Finance Committee has had several ad hoc meetings regarding changing elements and budgeting for next year.
12. CLOSED SESSION
At 7:30 p.m., Member Sosnowski moved, second by Vice President McCarty, to enter into Closed Session for the purpose of the Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act. On roll call, members voting aye: Bradley, Furst, Simmons, Crutchfield, McCarty, Norman, Sosnowski; members voting nay: None. The motion carried
President Crutchfield stated that the Board would be returning to Open Session.
Members present: Bradley, Furst, Simmons, Crutchfield, McCarty, Norman, Sosnowski.
Also present were: Dr. Anna Alvarado Mr. Chris Shockey, Mr. John Fester, and Ms. Greta Harrell
AT 9:35 P.M., MR. SHOCKEY AND MR. FESTER LEFT THE MEETING.
Open Session
At 10:18 p.m., Vice President McCarty moved, second by Member Bradley, to return to Open Session. On roll call, members voting aye: Furst, Simmons, Crutchfield, McCarty, Norman, Sosnowski, Bradley; members voting nay: None. The motion carried.
Members present: Furst, Simmons, Crutchfield, McCarty, Norman, Sosnowski, Bradley.
Also present were: Dr. Anna Alvarado, and Ms. Greta Harrell.
13. POSSIBLE ACTION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Action, Procedural: A. To adjourn the meeting
There being no further business to be conducted at this regular meeting of the Board of Education, Member Furst moved, second by Member Simmons to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously, and at 10:20 p.m., President Crutchfield declared the meeting adjourned.
https://go.boarddocs.com/il/fsd145/Board.nsf/Public
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