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Grundy Reporter

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Morris Elementary School District No.54 Board of Education met July 18.

Meeting41

Morris Elementary School District No.54 Board of Education met July 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Members Present:

Mrs. Cap

Mrs. Dzuryak

Mr. Hitchcock

Mrs. Marsmaker

Mr. Stevens Mr. White

Members Absent:

Ms. Johnston

I. Determination of Quorum – Call to Order

President, Jerry White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll call was answered as indicated, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Others present were: Shannon Dudek, Dave Raffel, and Tammy Dransfeldt.

II. Approval of the Agenda – No changes

III. Public Recognition

A. Board Participation Program – None

B. Reception of Visitors – None

C. Presentation from Audience on Agenda Items – None

IV. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of Minutes (June 26th and 29th 2017)

b. Approval of List of Bills (July 2017)

c. Approval of Treasurer’s Report (June 2017)

d. Approval of Financial Report (June 2017)

e. Approval of Payroll Report (June 2017)

f. Approval of Minutes and Financials of the BBC (May 2017)

g. Approval of Minutes and Financials of PTO (June 2017)

h. Approval of Financials of the Student Activity Fund Accounts (May 2017)

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mrs. Dzuryak to approve the consent agenda items.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Ms. Johnston, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: Ms. Johnston

Motion Carried

V. Committee Reports

A. Finance - None

B. Policy – None

C. Curriculum - None

D. Parent - Teacher Advisory - None

E. Shared Services – None

VI. Action Items

A. National School Lunch and Breakfast Program

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Hitchcock to approve the National School Lunch Program. Morris #54 has participated in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program for many years, and this continued participation must be approved by the school board. This program feeds all of our student’s lunch daily.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: Ms. Johnston

Motion Carried

B. Softball Cooperative Agreement with Immaculate Conception School and Shabbona Middle School

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mrs. Dzuryak to approve the Softball Cooperative Agreement with Immaculate Conception School and Shabbona Middle School. ICS has requested partnering with Morris #54 for girl’s softball. Currently, they have one girl that would like to participate, and we already have intergovernmental agreements in place for other junior high sports.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: Ms. Johnston

Motion Carried

C. Morris #54 2017-18 Student Handbook

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, Mr. Hitchcock to approve the Morris #54 2017-2018 student handbook. Mr. Raffel went over the handbook changes. Some items to notice that were changed are the student times for 5th grade, lunch balance information, ZAP during the school day, chromebook insurance fee removed, bullying policy and changes to Pre-K.

Aye: Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Naye: Mrs. Cap

Absent: Ms. Johnston

Motion Carried

D. Building and Grounds Intergovernmental Agreement

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Hitchcock to approve the employment of Don Tondini as director of building and grounds for the 2018 fiscal year to be shared 50% with District #54. District 60c will employ and invoice District #54 in June 2018.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: Ms. Johnston

Motion Carried

E. Maintenance / Custodial Intergovernmental Agreement

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Hitchcock to approve the employment of Adam Tondini as maintennce/custodial position for the 2018 fiscal year to be shared 50% with District #54. District 60c will employ and invoice District #54 in June 2018.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: Ms. Johnston

Motion Carried

F. Technology Lease Resolution

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Hitchcock to approve a resolution approving a municipal lease in option agreement with Grundt County National Bank in the amount of $250,396.22. The tech lease was approved at a past meeting, but a lease resolution wasn’t approved at that time. Dr. Dudek was made aware of this necessary action, so he reccommends that the lease technology resolution to be approved at this time.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: Ms. Johnston

Motion Carried

VII. Communication

A. Superintendent/Principal’s Report – Dr. Dudek reported the following:

1. Morris District #54 Wellness Plan

a. I have completed the Morris #54 Wellness Plan as required by the Illinois State Board of Education. The assessment tool, WellSAT 2.0, was used for the assessment, and the assessment is a wellness plan requirement from ISBE.

2. State Budget Update

a. The Illinois General Assembly approved bills over the past few weeks that led to an approved State Budget. Senate Bills 6, 9, and 42 were passed with overriding veto votes in order to be passed. SB 6 appropriates $350 million for a new, evidence-based funding formula for K-12 education, includes $65 million for regular transportation reimbursements to school districts which will set the proration level to over 80%, and increases Early Childhood Education funding by $50 million and Bilingual Education funding by $29 million. The other mandated categorical grant line items will be funded at least at Fiscal Year 2017 levels. SB 9 will increase the individual income tax rate from 3.75% to 4.95% and the corporate rate from 5.25% to 7%. It is expected to generate more than $5 billion in revenue to the State. SB 42 contains the substantive language necessary to implement the budget items. The BIMP bill also includes pension language that would affect school districts. It authorizes state retirement systems, including the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), to offer a Tier III defined contribution plan. In such a plan, the employee would contribute 6.2% of his/her creditable earnings while the employer would contribute 2%. SB 42 also would shift the normal pension costs from the State to the local school district for the amount of salary for any employee whose creditable earnings is higher than the salary of the Governor ($180,000).

3. Updated FY17 Financial Report

a. Dr. Dudek provided a finalized FY17 financial report to the school board.

B. Principal’s Report- Mr. Raffel reported the following:

-Building and Grounds

● Thank you to Don Tondini and his crew for all their work as they prepare the school for the upcoming year. Everything is coming along and will be ready to go in August. The summer crew is really doing a nice job getting things done as well so Don can focus on things like the new tile.

● Greg Mann and his summer crew are also working very hard to have all of our technology up and running for our staff when they return. -Curriculum/Staff/Students

● 2017-2018 Handbook is ready for Board Approval. The changes are:

○ Beginning and End Times- 6th-8th is 8:05 AM-3:05 PM and K-5th is 8:45 AM-3:35 PM ○ ZAP will now take place during the school day (Elective, Enrichment, etc.)

○ If a family’s lunch balance is greater than -$10, then the student will receive an alternative lunch until the account is paid up.

○ After School-Study (under consequences) will now be referred to as an Improvement Period. ○ We no longer need the Chromebook Insurance Policy since the Chromebooks will be staying here at school.

○ There will be two new options for Bullying Reporting: An online Google Form that will be available on the school website and a mailbox in the office. This gives the students options for anonymous reporting.

○ The Pre-K wording has taken out all the references to the CO-OP Program. -Other

● We are in the process of hiring a Social Worker and 7th Grade Science Teacher.

● I am tentatively planning on having the New Teacher Orientation on Thursday, August 3rd from 9 am-3 pm. Miscellaneous

● Registration for the 2017-2018 school year will take place on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 from 9 am-1 pm and 3 pm-6 pm. Registration will take place in the Cafetorium.

● I have worked with the public library to set up a back to school event on Wednesday, August 9th from 3-6 pm. I will be reading to the kids and doing other activities. This will be a great opportunity for me to begin meeting some of the students and parents in our community.

C. Special Education Report – Mrs. Stover reported the following:

Special Education-

FY18 IDEA Flow-Thru Grant has been submitted to ISBE. We will have about 4-6 Paraprofessional positions available for the upcoming school year due to resignations and not rehiring individuals. I would like to recommend increasing the number of workdays for Paraprofessionals to 177, so that they can participate in Professional Development activities throughout the school year.

English Language Learners-

FY18 ELL Consolidated/TBI-TPE Grant has been submitted to ISBE. In August, our ELL instructors will meet to discuss curriculum and Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee for the upcoming school year.

Response to Intervention-

We will have about 3-5 Interventionist positions available for the upcoming school year due to resignations and retirements.

Preschool-

FY18 Preschool for All Grant has been submitted to ISBE. Registration Packets have been sent out to all Preschoolers. There are still a few spots available for the upcoming school year. Potential students still need to attend Preschool Screenings through Grundy County Special Education Cooperative. The next screening date is August 10th and parents can go online and register at

http://www.grundyspecialed.org/

D. Assistant Principal’s Report – None

E. Dean of Students Report - None

F. Activities Director Report – None

G. Board Communication – Dr. Dudek read resignation letter for Mrs. Martin.

H. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Hitchcock to go into closed session at 6:23 p.m.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: Ms. Johnston

Motion Carried

Ms. Johnston entered closed session at 6;27 pm.

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Ms. Johnston to come out of closed session at 7:49 p.m.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Ms. Johnston, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: None

Motion Carried

I. Action as a Result of Closed Session

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Hitchcock to return to open session. Open board meeting began again at 7:55 p.m.

A. Morris #54 Activities Director/Dean of Students Position

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Hitchcock to approve Kevin Mikuce as Morris #54 Activities Director/Dean of Students for the 2017-2018 school year.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Ms. Johnston, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: None

Motion Carried

B. Morris #54 7th Grade Science Teacher

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mrs. Dzuryak to approve Ben Lawrence as Morris #54 7th Grade Science Teacher.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Ms. Johnston, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: None

Motion Carried

C. Morris #54 School District Bookkeeper Salary Increase

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Ms. Johnston to approve the daily rate change of $269.00 for a yearly salary of $69,940.00 for the Morris #54 school district bookkeeper.

Aye: Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Ms. Johnston, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Abstain: Mrs. Cap

Absent: None

Motion Carried

D. Morris Hospital Shabbona Lease Agreement

Motioned by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Hitchcock to approve the resolution approving the lease of the District’s property at 725 School Street to Morris Hospital. The resolution contains certain findings as required by the School Code, namely that (1) the property is not necessary for school purpose during the term of the lease, and (2) that Morris Hospital is a suitabe lessee and that the best interests of the residents of the school district will be enhanced and the purposes of the community will be served by entering into the lease.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Ms. Johnston, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: None

Motion Carried

E. Adjourn

Moved by Mr. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Hitchcock to adjourn the board meeting at 7:58 p.m.

Aye: Mrs. Cap, Mrs. Dzuryak, Mr. Hitchcock, Ms. Johnston, Mrs. Marsmaker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. White

Absent: None

Motion Carried

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?mk=50248740&fn=minutes.pdf

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