Ashton Franklin Center Community Unit School District 275 Board met March 21.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
I. The AFC Board of Education met in regular session. The meeting was brought to order by President, Mark Delhotal at 7:00pm in the JHHS Library.
II. Members present were: Amy, Mark, Jackie, Tim, Chad, Cullen, and Tiffany. Admin present: Mr. Lindy, Mrs. Torman, and Ms. Burkitt.
III. Motion was made by Tim, seconded by Chad to accept Consent Agenda items A-H as presented. Motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote.
IV. Liaison Reports
A. Ogle County Ed Co-op: Meeting on 4/4.
B. AFC Ed Foundation: None.
C. IASB: Division meeting on 4/6 in Dakota; Let Mr. Lindy know if you’ll be attending.
D. Technology: Devices all ready for standardized testing.
E. AFC FFA Alumni: Scholarship requirements revised.
F. FFA Report: Zane Murphy presented review of past and upcoming activities and contests; Banquet was very well attended.
G. Insurance: Going over options for health reimbursement plan; Seeking bids for property & casualty insurance.
H. PTC: Book fair fundraiser went very well; Continuing preparations for Breakfast with a Buddy & MS Dance; Auctioning off ES Principal for a Day with proceeds going towards playground updates.
I. Music Boosters: Nothing to report.
J. Athletic Boosters: Nothing to report.
K. Acknowledgements: None.
V. Recognition of Registered Visitors: None.
VI. Superintendent’s Report
A. COVID Leave Bill (HB 1176): The bill has passed both houses & is awaiting the governor’s signature. It will grant leave days for anyone that was absent due to COVID.
B. PA 102-0543: ISBE has notified schools that information collection on student sexual orientation & sex has been postponed until 2023-24 school year. It will be optional to parents & students.
C. HB 3637: A proposal has passed house that would allow new grants to be approved if the GA appropriates funding.
VII. Principal’s Reports
A. ES: Ms. Burkitt reviewed the report as submitted.
VIII. Discussion Items
A. SY 22 District Food Service Review: Board reviewed student food service survey results; Arbor would like to meet with an advisory group of students to address their concerns & food preferences. Mr. Lindy presented a financial performance spread sheet & believes we will end school year with a surplus in comparison to previous years. Board members asked when the free hot lunches for all students program may end; Mr. Lindy does not foresee the government extending the program to next school year. Mr. Lindy believes the Arbor contracted price of $2.90 per meal is feasible when students have to start purchasing hot lunches again.
B. AFC Curriculum Adoption Plan Proposal: Board reviewed the endorsed proposal by the curriculum committee created with help from the ROE. If the plan is adopted & followed, a district wide curriculum in all content areas will be adopted over the next 4 years.
C. ES Counselor Proposal: Ms. Burkitt would like to add a certified counselor, or social worker at the ES to address the increased social/emotional needs of our students. Sinnissippi has not been able to provide consistent & reliable services. The Jr/Sr HS counselor has a full load at her school & is very busy.
D. EdOptions Academy Proposal: Mrs. Torman presented the Board with an overview of the services that EdOptions provides & believes it is a good option to provide our HS students with more curriculum options, including Spanish.
E. AFC FFA Animal Science Lab: The FFA Alumni, along with Mrs. Viall, presented their building plans for a livestock building that would be built on District property. It is now recommended that the District take over the building process which would require input from the District architect. The Board would enter into an agreement with the Alumni for further funding beyond the $100,000 they have raised. Still waiting on confirmation as to whether or not the building site is within city limits, & if so, whether or not livestock is allowed. Mr. Lindy believes the livestock lab would be a unique asset to our District & would allow our FFA to host contests.
F. Informational- FY 2023 Staffing: We are continuing to seek a band/choir teacher, Spanish teacher, & PE teacher for next school year.
G. Informational- Board Policy Manual Project Update: The committee met to review the draft policy. The updated policy should be available by next week for full board review.
H. Informational- Good News: We had approximately 200 in attendance at the FFA Banquet! Our Library was chosen as a recipient for a State Grant to purchase new materials!
I. Strategic Planning: The Board has selected Core values set 3. The second survey is ready to deploy.
IX. Executive Session
A. Motion made by Chad, seconded by Tim to go into Executive Session at 8:24pm. Motion carried by unanimous roll call-vote.
B. Board returned to Regular Session at 9:09pm.
X. Action Items
A. Motion made by Amy, seconded by Cullen to Approve AFC Curriculum Adoption Plan Proposal as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote.
B. Motion made by Tim, seconded by Jackie to Approve the Elementary School Counselor Proposal. Motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote.
C. Motion made by Tim, seconded by Chad to Approve the EdOptions Academy Proposal. Motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote.
D. Motion made by Amy, seconded by Tiffany to Approve the Employment Recommendations as presented:
1. Julie Reinhart- Accept Retirement Notice effective end of 2024-25 SY. Motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote.
E. Motion made by Chad, seconded by Jackie to Approve the Authorization for Mr. Lindy to Contact the District Architect to Discuss Building Plans for the FFA Livestock Building. Motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote.
XI. Adjourn – Motion made by Cullen, seconded by Chad to adjourn the meeting at 9:12pm. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1827/AFC/2054414/SB_MARCH_2022_REG_BOARD_MTG_MIN__Autosaved_.pdf
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