Grundy Reporter

Morris Community High School Board met September 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Present: President Judie Roth Mr. Chris Danek

Vice President Tom Anderson Mrs. Kim Puckett

Secretary Scot Hastings Mr. Jim Ringer

Mrs. Lynn Vermillion

Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Patrick Halloran

Principal Kelly Hussey

Asst. Principal Jeremiah Farrell

Athletic Director Jeff Johnson

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

Approval of Consent Agenda:

President Roth inquired of the Board if there were any items on the consent agenda anyone would like removed. Hearing none, President Roth asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. On a motion made by Mrs. Pucket and Seconded by Mr. Anderson the following items were approved:

Minutes:

August 14, 2017 - Regular Meeting

August 14, 2017 - Executive Session

August 31, 2017 - Shared Services Meeting

September 14, 2015 - Destruction of Closed Session Audio Recording

Financials:

Financial Statements – Payment of Bills – Student Activity Account

Facility Use Requests:

1. 15U Baseball (ISU Youth)- use of the field house for dates November 2017 through March 2018 arranged through the Rec Center.

Personnel:

Employment: Wayne Zacha as full time housekeeper with a start date of 8/21/2017 at $10.50 per hour.

Robert Carlson as a part-time program assistant for the ESL program for FY18 with a maximum of 500 hours at $20 per hour.

Assignments: Overloads for math teachers: Brenda Edwards, Kim O’Malley, Sam Shannon; art teacher Ashley Vicich per the MHSEA contract.

Andrea Gustafson as teacher mentor adviser with a stipend amount of $810

Resignations: Alan Thorson as assistant track coach

Jennifer Lowery as head softball coach

Tyla Ledvina as musical choreographer

Jill Mahalas as media secretary

On roll call vote, those voting Aye: Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Grundy County Special Ed Cooperative – Financial Statements/Bills:

A motion was made by Mr. Hastings and Seconded by Mrs. Vermillion 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: Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Grundy County Special Ed Cooperative –Staff Recommendations:

A motion was made by Mr. Danek and Seconded by Mr. Hastings to ratify the employment, contract renewals and resignations of staff, certified staff and program assistants 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, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

District Report:

Dr. Halloran reported on the 3 year bid cycle for general liability insurance and and gave 2 insurance representatives-Mark Schneider and Linda Hays an opportunity to relay information on their respective products. The Board engaged in a discussion including the representatives, and a review of the 2 bid proposals.

The ESL program continues to see an increase in numbers. Bob Carlson will serve as a part-time program assistant for FY18.

ISBE has eliminated the requirement to approve the Application for Recognition of Schools by the Board.

Information on a new marquee was shared. The marquee has a 10’x4’ viewing area and is capable of increased applications.

The possibility of a shared Shabbona track renovation between districts 101, 54 and 60c was presented. The cost savings would be substantial. The “all in” cost estimates for each district would be $350,000 and would include lights, fencing, field improvements and additions. The A.D.’s have reviewed schedule information and have no concerns about scheduling issues. The MCHS soccer team would have the ability to utilize the field for games.

Working Cash Bonds will be utilized again for FY18 at the same amount as FY17 - $1.7 million with the payoff in 2 years. The amount is well below the district’s borrowing limit.

Building Report:

Mr. Hussey shared that Rising Star is working on current school year goals. An ACT scoring history was presented.

A.D. Jeff Johnson reported 7 of 11 schools notified the I-8 conference they were looking at other conferences. Plano and Sandwich have reached out to join the NIB12.

Pause For Applauses include:

• The 200 Medley Relay team of Jordan La Mont, Madi Kohlmeyer, Miranda Raddatz, and Lucy Londergon broke the school record in the 200 Medley Relay on Tuesday. Londergon went on to break the records in both the 200 IM and the 100 Breastroke later in the meet.

• Congrats to the Fresh Soph Boys Cross Country - champions of the 15-team Kankakee Irish Conditioner on Wednesday, August 30th. Chris Gonzalez, Tony Pethtel, Kevin Preuss, Aaron Day, James Ator, and Evan Olson were the scoring teams in the four-mile relay race.

• Pause for Applause to swimmer Kylie Kamradt, who teamed up with Madi Kohlmeyer, Jordan La Mont, and Lucy Londergon to break the school record in the 200 Freestyle Relay, which had stood since 1998. These ladies also lowered their current school record in the 200 Medley Relay earlier in the meet. Excellent job ladies!

• Congratulations to the Marching Maroon & White on a successful weekend! On Saturday, the Marching Maroon & White opened their fall competition season at the Lake Park Lancer Joust Competition in Roselle, IL. The marching band placed first in class 1A in preliminary competition and also took home caption awards for best general effect and best color guard! To cap off the evening, the Marching Maroon & White kicked off finals competition with a performance as the 1A class champion! Congratulations! We are so proud of you.

Public Participation:

Dr. Charles Birch distributed documents to Board members with a critical issue to address – the safety of the community on streets. Dr. Birch called on the Board to improve driving safety.

Discussion:

The following FOIA requests were presented: Nathan Mihelich – IRTA (Illinois Retired Teachers Assn) – Request for the email addresses for all teachers and administrators in the district.

FY17 Audit Review Accepted:

Matt Melvin, CPA with Mack and Associates presented the FY17 audit. The audit was clean of any findings. Mr. Ringer made a motion to accept the FY17audit, Seconded by Mr. Anderson. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Approval of Fy18 Budget:

Supt. Halloran recommended the FY18 Budget be approved. Mr. Anderson made a motion to adopt the FY18 Budget, Seconded by Mrs. Puckett. On roll call vote, those voting Aye: Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Approval of Administrative Salary Benefits Report for 2016-2017:

School code provision requires school districts to annually prepare an itemized salary compensation report on or before October 1 of each year, the base salary and benefits of the district superintendent and all administrators and teachers employed by the district. “Benefits” include without limitation vacation days, sick days, bonuses, annuities and retirement enhancements. Part of the provision requires that the report be presented to the district’s school board at a regularly scheduled meeting and then posted to the website. On a motion made by Mr. Hastings and Seconded by Mr. Ringer, the 2016-2017 Administrative Salary/Benefits Report was approved. On roll call vote, those voting Aye: Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

One Coal City Esl Student To Attend Mchs On A Tuition Basis:

On a motion made by Mrs. Puckett and Seconded by Mrs. Vermillion one Coal City High School student was accepted into the ESL program for the 2017-2018 school year on a tuition basis. On roll call vote, those voting Aye: Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Donations Accepted:

On a motion made by Mr. Danek and Seconded by Mrs. Vermillion the board accepted the following donations:

1.Morris Downtown Development Partnership made a donation to Student Council in the amount of $200. Student Council students volunteered to assist with the Liberty 5K Run/Walk on July 3rd.

2. Morris Hospital & Healthcare provided sports physicals to our student athletes for $15 each and then donated the $1260 back to the MCHS athletic department. On roll call vote, those voting Aye: Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Crisis Response And Management Plan:

The Crisis Response and Management was updated with personnel information and telephone numbers. On a motion made by Mr. Hastings and Seconded by Mr. Anderson the updated Crisis Response and Management Plan was approved. On voice vote, those voting Aye: All. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Press School Board Policy Additions And Revisions – First Reading:

On a motion made by Mrs. Vermillion and Seconded by Mr. Anderson, the first reading of the following selected Press board policy additions and/or revisions was approved: School Board: 2:210- Organizational School Board Meeting, 2:260- Uniform Grievance Procedure; Operational Services: 4:70- Resource Conservation; Instruction: 6:80 – Teaching About Controversial Issues, 6:180 – Extended Instructional Programs, 6:210 – Instructional Materials, 6:290 – Homework, 6:330 – Achievement and Awards; Students: 7:80 – Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observance, 7:160 – Student Appearance, 7:275 – Orders to Forgo Life-Sustaining Treatment; Community Relations: 8:70 – Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities.

On voice vote, those voting Aye: All. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

School Library Per Capita Grant:

On a motion made by Mr. Hastings and Seconded by Mr. Danek the School Library Per Capita Grant was approved. On roll call vote, those voting Aye: Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Marquee Approval:

The purchase of the 10’ x 4’ marquee as proposed by Midwest SignWorks at a cost of $36,500 was approved on a motion made by Mrs.Puckett and Seconded by Mr. Ringer. On a roll call vote, those voting Aye: Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Three Year Insurance Bid Cycle Approval:

The Board approved Ramza Insurance Group Inc. for a three year period beginning October 1, 2017 to October 1, 2020, including the Liberty Mutual Insurance bid in the amount of $55,255, on a motion made by Mrs. Vermillion and Seconded by Mrs. Puckett. On roll call vote, those voting Aye: Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Executive Session:

A motion was made by Mr. Hastings and Seconded by Mrs. Puckett to enter executive session for the purpose of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees. On roll call vote, those voting Aye: Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Executive session began at 8:29 p.m.

A motion was made by Mr. Anderon and Seconded by Mr. Ringer to return to regular session. On voice vote, those voting Aye: All. Nay: None. Motion Carried. Regular session resumed at 8:58 p.m.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Mrs. Puckett and Seconded by Mr. Ringer to adjourn the meeting. On voice vote, those voting Aye: All. Nay: None. Motion Carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

http://www.morrishs.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/48b594968e681/2.2.9.11.2017.pdf