Grundy Reporter

Morris Community High School District 101 Board met Jan. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Present:

President Scot Hastings

Vice President Lynn Vermillion (entered at 6:37 p.m.)

Secretary Chris Danek

Tom Anderson

Suzy Brown

Kim Puckett

Jim Ringer

Also Present:

Superintendent Dr. Craig Ortiz

Athletic Director Jeff Johnson

Director of Special Populations Lori Dite

The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

President Hastings inquired of the Board if there were any items on the consent agenda they would like removed. Hearing none, President Hastings asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda. On a motion made by Mrs. Brown and SECONDED by Mrs. Puckett, the following items were approved. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mr. Anderson, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

MINUTES

December 16, 2019 - Truth in Taxation Hearing

December 16, 2019 - Regular Meeting

December 16, 2019 - Executive Session

January 09, 2017 - Closed Session Audio Recording Destruction

FINANCIALS

Financial Statements – Payment of Bills – Student Activity Account

FACILITY USE REQUESTS

None.

PERSONNEL

Resignation of Taylor Lafond as head volleyball coach.

Resignation of Hunter Barry as asst. football coach.

DONATION

Terri J. Gillette, DC donation of a High Boy Whirlpool Tub to the MCHS Swimming and Diving Teams with a value of $6500.

GRUNDY COUNTY SPECIAL ED COOPERATIVE – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/BILLS 

A motion was made by Mr. Ringer and SECONDED by Mr. Danek to ratify the financial statements and bills of the Grundy County Special Education Cooperative as submitted and approved by the Grundy County Special Education Board at its meeting. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

GRUNDY COUNTY SPECIAL ED COOPERATIVE – STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS

A motion was made by Mrs. Puckett and SECONDED by Mrs. Brown to ratify the employment and resignations of staff, certified staff, program assistants and program coordinators of the Grundy County Special Education staff, as submitted and approved by the Grundy County Special Education Board at its meeting. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Ringer. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

DISTRICT REPORT

Dr. Ortiz indicated the Moody bond rating remained the same at A2.

A new lockdown and emergency response system – Rival5 RLock is being installed at a cost of $6500. The system allows for teachers to lockdown classrooms by phone and utilizes strobe lights and audio warnings through speakers that will adjust volume according to the environment.

PMA has indicated a tentative date of 2/10 to have the parameters resolution for the debt certificates ready for adoption with the sale to occur in March or April.

Building & Grounds Director Mark Walker presented two seating selections for the auditorium and the final choice that was decided upon.

BUILDING REPORT

Dr. Ortiz speaking for Mr. Gourley reported Nettle Creek will have two 8th grade students participating in an Algebra I class next year. Parents will handle the transportation of these students.

Pause for Applauses included the following:

 Congratulations to the Freshman Boys Basketball team on winning the Morris Christmas Tournament over Christmas break. They defeated Ottawa Marquette, Dwight, and Coal City in the championship to claim the title.

 MCHS Interact Club delivered over 25 wrapped gifts for the Regency Care Residents on December 17. Thanks to all the wonderful teachers and Interact members who make this happen!

 Congratulations to the Speech Team on a 3rd place team finish at the Coal City Winter Break Invitational. Novice champions were Joy Dudley, Hannah McGhee and Alyssa Terrell. The Varsity Original Comedy champion was Alexander Duffy. Congrats to all.

 Congratulations to your Morris Varsity Poms, who took 1st and 3rd place at the Huntley Dance Invitational this weekend! The team also received the 'Best Crowd Pleaser' award. Great job, girls! Keep up the hard work and momentum for Conference this Wednesday!

 Congratulations to the MCHS Speech Team on being the Interstate 8 Conference Champions. Special recognition goes to individual event champions: Molly Gustafson and Angel Loza in Dramatic Duet Acting; Justin Man in Extemporaneous Speaking; Alexander Duffy and Nicholas Russell in Humorous Duet Acting; Keaton Auwerda and Nicholas Russell in Humorous Interpretation; Lauren Bounds in Oratorical Declamation; Alexander Duffy in Original Comedy; Sofia Best in Original Oratory; Andrea Barron in Poetry Reading; Hannah McGhee in Prose Reading; Emma Knudson in Special Occasion Speaking

DISCUSSION/NEW BUSINESS

1. FOIA – Bethany Simpson – SmartProcure – any and all purchasing records from 06/18/2019 to current FY20 COMMENCEMENT DATE OF FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020 APPROVED

On a motion made by Mrs. Brown and SECONDED by Mr. Danek, Friday, May 15, 2020 was approved as commencement date for the Class of 2020 at 7:00 p.m. On voice vote, those voting AYE: All. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL TO EMPLOY TURF AND SCOREBOARD CONTRACTORS THROUGH PURCHASING COOPERATIVES

Through the use of state approved cooperative purchasing alliances the following quotes were approved for purchase and installation on a motion made by Mrs. Vermillion and SECONDED by Mr. Danek:

1. Byrne & Jones Construction (B&J) and Midwest Sports & Turf Systems (MWSTS) for work associated with the installation of the stadium field turf at a cost of $834,000.

2. Correct Digital Display for the purchase and installation of varsity field and gym scoreboards and scoring tables at a cost of $198,400.

On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL TO SEEK BIDS FOR STADIUM BLEACHERS

Approval to seek bids for the varsity field outdoor bleachers and press box as part of the stadium project was approved on a motion made by Mr. Anderson and SECONDED by Mrs. Brown. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL TO SEEK BIDS FOR AUDITORIUM SEATING

The BOE approved seeking of bids for auditorium seating as part of the auditorium renovation project on a motion made by Mrs. Brown and SECONDED by Mr. Danek. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

SEAL OF BILITERACY

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation (i.e. Spanish and English). The Seal of Biliteracy language for inclusion in the MCHS student handbook was approved on a motion made by Mrs. Vermillion and SECONDED by Mrs. Puckett. On voice vote, those voting AYE: All. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

SUBMITTAL OF THE SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT APPROVED

The School Maintenance Project Grant is a dollar for dollar state matching grant program providing up to $50,000 for the maintenance or upkeep of buildings or structures for educational purposes. On a motion made by Mrs. Vermillion and SECONDED by Mr. Danek the submittal of the School Maintenance Grant was approved. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion made by Mrs. Puckett and SECONDED by Mr. Anderson, the board moved to enter executive session for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees; collective bargaining at 6:55 p.m. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

The Board resumed open session at 7:38 p.m. on a motion made by Mr. Ringer and SECONDED by Mr. Anderson. On voice vote, those voting AYE: All. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

EMPLOYMENT OF ANNA ASSAF AS SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER APPROVED

On a motion made by Mrs. Puckett and SECONDED by Mrs. Brown, Anna Assaf was employed as special education teacher to begin on January 6, 2020. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Ringer and SECONDED by Mr. Danek to adjourn the meeting. On voice vote, those voting AYE: All. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.

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