Grundy Reporter

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

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Present: President Judie Roth Chris Danek

Vice President Tom Anderson Kim Puckett

Secretary Scot Hastings Jim Ringer

Lynn Vermillion

Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Patrick Halloran

Principal Kelly Hussey

Asst. Principal Jeremiah Farrell

Athletic Director Jeff Johnson (6:40)

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

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Kam Dransfeldt reported the 10/31 blood drive brought in 30 pints. Student Council members attended a Prairie 8 Leadership Conference. S.C. is collaborating with Troop Dreams a nonprofit organization similar to “Make a Wish” for veterans. Students donate $1 to sign a panel that will be combined with other panels to make an American flag. The proceeds will then be distributed to veterans. A 4 child family has been adopted for the Christmas season.

BINA HEARING

President Roth opened the Bond Issue Notification Act Hearing. The hearing was to receive public comment regarding the District’s plan to sell $1,700,000 working cash bonds for the purpose of increasing the District’s working cash fund. There were no comments, nor was public written or oral testimony given. The hearing was adjourned on a motion made by Mr. Hastings and SECONDED by Mr. Ringer. 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.

CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

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 Mr. Anderson and SECONDED by Mr. Danek the following items were approved:

MINUTES

October 16, 2017 – Special Meeting

October 16, 2017 – Executive Session

October 16, 2017 – Regular Meeting

October 16, 2017 – Executive Session

October 17, 2017 - Technology Committee

October 23, 2017 - Special Meeting

October 23, 2017 – Executive Session

October 24, 2017 – Special Meeting

October 24, 2017 – Executive Session

October 27, 2017 - Special Meeting

October 27, 2017 - Executive Session

November 6, 2017 – Building & Grounds Committee

November 7, 2017 - Special Meeting

November 7, 2017 - Executive Session

October 19, 2015 - Destruction of Closed Session Audio Recording

FINANCIALS

Financial Statements – Payment of Bills – Student Activity Account

FACILITY USE REQUESTS

1. Morris Woman’s Club request to use room 152 for a freezer meal workshop - 11/9 and 11/14m 6:00 – 9:30 p.m.

PERSONNEL

Assignments – Amy Waldron as volunteer bowling coach.

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 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/BILLS

A motion was made by Mrs. Puckett and SECONDED by Mr. Hastings 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, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

GRUNDY COUNTY SPECIAL ED COOPERATIVE –STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS

A motion was made by Mr. Anderson and SECONDED by Mr. Hastings to ratify the employment and resignations of staff, certified staff and program assistants 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: Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

DISTRICT REPORT

Dr. Halloran updated the Board on the STEM lab plans. The district architect is putting together a cost scenario. The curriculum and facility strategies are progressing very well.

Discussion on the shared district track topic continued. 60c decided not to participate in the original Shabbona track project proposal. The cost for 101 and 54 to improve the Shabbona track with no lights or bleachers would be $400,000 for each district. Several interchangeable project cost scenarios for possible modifications to the MCHS track were presented and discussed. To offset costs – grants, naming rights, and reaching out to the MCHS Legacy Foundation and Districts 60c and 54 to see if they would have an interest in a MCHS track project were discussed.

Dr. Halloran reviewed the tentative tax levy. The estimated EAV for 2017 is $458,610,821. The proposed tax rate this year is 1.93 compared to 1.96 last year.

The 2017 School Report Card indicated on outstanding job on SAT scores. A review of several sites including US News & World and SchoolDigger.com showed MCHS rankings at high levels.

Financial projections were presented and are similar to last years. Variables include a 3% EAV growth and the state funding level.

BUILDING REPORT

Mr. Hussey submitted statistics from the parent-teacher conferences, the Rising Star goals and updated the BOE on the MCHS – Business Ed Council collaboration regarding the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) program for students. At the end of the Certificate of Employability program an interview is conducted with each student in order to familiarize them with the process.

Mr. Hussey shared a review of legacy projects including: the Honorary Hallway Dedication- a one year dedication to an organization or individual by faculty vote- for 2017-2018 graduates Megan Davy and Dylan Obrachta; and the Hall of Distinction- MCHS Education Foundation has announced this year’s induction class will be honored on 1/27/2018 in between the sophomore and varsity games.

Pause for Applause recipients include:

 A round of applause for the cast and crew of the 2017 fall play, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 90 students were involved in bringing Oz to Morris. All their hard work resulted in a sold out weekend of performances and a show that was loved by our community. Great job to all involved.

 Congrats to the cross country teams for advancing to this Saturday’s IHSA 2A Sectional. This is the 11th consecutive Sectional-qualifying team for the girls and 7th straight for the boys. The gals were led by Bridget Landers, Abby Cunningham, Madi Mayberry, Mya Shannon, Katie Hemmersbach, Teagan Sandvick, and Meg Gile. Tony Pethtel, Chris Gonzalez, Nolan Robbins, Alex Serna, Aaron Day, James Ator, and Wes Diaz raced for the guys.

 Congratulations to the Boys Soccer team who won the IHSA 2A regional title this past weekend in Morris. It is the sixth regional title in seven seasons for the Soccer Program.

 Congratulations to TROUPE for putting on a very successful assembly for the 5th-8th graders at ICS for Red Ribbon Week. Stations on drugs, alcohol, tobacco and finding common ground were all well prepared and run. Kudos to Ariana Aguilera for chairing the event with the theme of, "Staying drug and alcohol free is the KEY to my future!"

 Congratulations to Meghan Carr for being a third place Medalist at the Independent Swimming and Diving Conference Meet on Friday night!

 Congratulations to Makenna Wills for being one of only eight Illinois Association of Teachers of English Poetry Contest winners. She won for her poem "Free Fall. "Congratulations are also in order to Simone Robinson-Stevens who won runner-up in the same contest for her poem "Endings," and Isabelle Hess for receiving honorable mention for her poem "State." Congratulations ladies on such a high distinction.

 Congratulations to swimmers Kylie Kamradt and Grace Alford for being medalists at the Boiler Tune-Up in Bradley on Friday! Best of luck at Sectionals this weekend, ladies!

 Congrats to the Lady Redskins swimmers for placing 5th at the Homewood-Flossmmor Sectional on Saturday. Special congrats to Kylie Kamradt for placing 4th in the 100 Free and sixth in the 100 Back, as well as placing 5th in the 200 Medley and 3rd in the 400 Free Relay with Jordan La Mont, Lucy Londergon, and Madison Kohlmeyer, both events breaking school records. Excellent job, ladies!

TENTATIVE TAX LEVY APPROVED

On a motion made by Mr. Hastings and SECONDED by Mr. Anderson the board approved the tentative tax levy as presented by Dr. Halloran. 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.

2016-2017 SCHOOL REPORT CARD

The 2016-2017 School Report Card was accepted on a motion made by Mrs. Puckett and SECONDED by Mr. Danek. On voice vote, those voting AYE: All. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

RISING STAR GOALS

The approval of the Rising Star leadership team’s school improvement plan goals was made on a motion by Mrs. Vermillion SECONDED by Mr. Ringer. 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.

DONATION – BAND BOOSTERS

The Board accepted the Band Boosters contribution of $2784 toward the purchase of a new trailer with the district making up the remainder on a motion made by Mr. Danek and SECONDED by Mr. Ringer. 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.

WORKERS COMPENSATION

BID On a motion made by Mr. Anderson and SECONDED by Mr. Hastings, the Board approved the Ramza Insurance Group Inc. submittal of a workers compensation proposal utilizing Illinois Public Risk Fund (IPRF) for $46,308 with a grant/dividend amount of $5753 for use toward the purchase of safety equipment and products. 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.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

A motion was made by Mrs. Puckett and SECONDED by Mr. Hastings at 8:00 p.m. 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: Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Puckett, Mr. Danek, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Anderson. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED. A motion was made by Mr. Ringer and SECONDED by Mr. Danek to return to regular session. On voice vote, those voting AYE: All. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED. Regular session resumed at 8:22 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Hastings and SECONDED by Mrs. Puckett to adjourn the meeting. On voice vote, those voting AYE: All. NAY: None. Motion CARRIED. Meeting

ADJOURNED at 8:22 p.m.

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