Grundy Reporter

Saratoga Community Consolidated School District 60C met Oct. 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Mrs. McDonnell led the pledge to the flag

The President called the meeting to order and directed the Secretary to call the roll.

Upon roll call being called, the following Board members were physically present at the said location:

Brittany Brandt, Brett Geiger, Ginger Jones, Scott Thorson, Anne McDonnell

Absent: Kurt Barth, Mike Wright

Also present were Superintendent Kathy Perry, Assistant Principal Ashley Ringler, Board Secretary Marsha Henne, Pat Callahan and Cory Boaz, Studio GC, Saratoga Teachers and staff

Mike Wright arrived at 6:31 p.m.

Motion by Jones, seconded by Thorson to amend the consent agenda to include the employment of Patrick Callahan, Reach Transitions Student, Assistant Bus Dispatcher, 3 hrs week, minimum wage

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Jones Geiger Thorson Wright Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

President McDonnell conducted the Public Hearing concerning the intent of the Board of Education to sell Working Cash Fund Bonds for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District.

There were no public comments.

There were no teacher presentations, audience participation or correspondence.

Motion by Geiger, seconded by Thorson to approve the consent agenda which includes the following items:

A. Minutes of the following meetings:

1. September 16, 2019 Regular Board Meeting

B. Bills, payroll and financial reports for the month of September 2019

C. Following personnel items:

1. Per employment documentations, employ the following for the 2019-20 school year:

a) Part-time District Office Secretary, Sheila Deck effective October 15, 2019

b) Assistant Bus Dispatcher, Patrick Callahan, Reach Transitions Student, 3 hrs. week, minimum wage, effective October 28, 2019

2. Accept the following resignations:

a) Bus Monitor, Amy Buza effective September 25, 2019

b) Paraprofessional, Sub Bus Driver and Summer Custodian, Maria Coronado-Marchionne effective November 1, 2019

3. Accept the following leaves:

a) Paraprofessional, Elyse Southcombe for maternity leave from April 9, 2020 through the end of the school year

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Geiger Jones Thorson Wright Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

Board Committee Reports

Supt. Perry shared details from the October 17th Finance Committee Meeting. Supt Perry also added she would still like to get a SAC meeting scheduled.

Superintendent Reports:

Building

• Supt. Perry shared that there will be a meeting in her office on October 22nd at 8:30 with Pat and Cory from Studio GC and Ryan, Tim, and Mike Perry from Chamlin to discuss long term solutions for drainage. The main topics will be the drainage to the southeast and the Prologis pond.

• Principal Zweeres and Supt. Perry met with Erik Swanson about the possibility of hosting the Morris branch of the Minooka Bible Church.

• Supt Perry shared with the board that she talked with the Mayor of Morris to discuss property of Saratoga that wasn’t currently within city limits. She shared that it would cost $8001 per acre to annex this property into city limits as it is currently county property. The Board decided not to pursue this so annexation would be on hold.

Finance

• Supt. Perry has followed up with Jamie Rachlin to share the bid results and recommendation of Studio GC. Along with district funds, Jamie was very comfortable with the amount that would need to be financed.

• The bond issue will be on the November agenda to approve.

• October 29th is the bond rating call with Standard and Poor’s.

Transportation

• We are still short drivers. Don and Tracy are driving almost every morning and evening.

Building Administration

Technology

• Cogat Testing has been administered to 2nd grade.

• 3rd Grade Classrooms were able to attend a Live Youtube Webinar with their Scientist Andres Ruzo, from the new science curriculum, Exploring Science.

• Tyler has installed the new UPS devices from E-RATE

• Tyler is working on the implementation of digital signage within the school Curriculum/Professional Development/Projects

• Building leadership team is working on creating the school improvement plan. The template has been established and teachers brainstormed goals and tasks. SIP is expected to be completed and shared with board and staff in Nov.

• Teacher evaluations are underway.

• To add to our new teacher support, Jen and Sandy meet monthly with new teachers (years 1- 3) for PBIS support. There is a set agenda for each meeting that incorporates time to learn, brainstorm, and share with each other.

• For the next early dismissal on Oct. 31st we will be offering professional learning.

Exploring Science for K-5 teachers with Amy and Sandy

Online version of PSAT training with Amy

Autism training for aides and special education teachers

Providing Supportive and Affirming Learning Environments for Jr. High and Specials PowerSchool support for 1st-5th and special teachers

• Jayme Johnson proposed starting an after school book club for students in 5th-8th grades starting in Oct. and running until May.

• Trisha Peterson is starting up the 2nd grade game club again this year.

• Shelia Welch is working with a group of twelve 8th graders on a fluid power action challenge in conjunction with Joliet Junior College. Students attended a workshop on Sept. 20th and the competition will be on Nov. 15th.

• Data meetings are taking place this week at all grade levels. The topic focus for the meetings will be around “asking the right questions” when looking at data. December. will be the second round of meetings with the topic of “understanding the role data plays in teacher and administrator evaluations.” Finally, the third round of meetings will take place in February to “celebrate the improvement and growth within our students and ourselves.”

• All Morris schools will be gathering together on the January institute for a full day of learning together. Monica Genta who is an author, speaker, and teacher from Effingham will be the keynote speaker. Her keynote will center around the impact behind building relationships and her breakout sessions will be focused on engaging science labs and lessons. The remainder of the sessions will be put on by Morris educators. Teachers are being asked to submit their presentation proposals by Nov. 15th. They will then be notified by Dec. 1st if their proposal has been chosen.

Special Services

• The Tier 2 problem solving team met with teachers to review academic benchmarking. New students started academic interventions today.

• The transition to Aimsweb Plus was successful and saved teachers a lot of time. The new assessments (except for writing) no longer require teachers to print the tests, score them, or enter scores.

• Miscellaneous/Date

• Oct. 23rd - 8th Grade Career Fair at MCHS 8:30-10

• Oct. 23rd - Fall athletic/activity pictures

• Oct. 25th - Jr. high band and color guard at MCHS Band Night

• Oct. 28th - Jewel Osco offering flu shots to staff. Jr. High Fall Concert at 7:00PM.

• Oct. 31st - 11:30 Dismissal, Halloween Parade at 8:45, Parties for grades k-4 9-10:15, Preschool Party 9-11.

• Nov. 1st - Jr. High Dance from 5:30-7:30

• Nov. 7th - Family Reading Night 6-7:30.

• Nov. 8th - Veteran’s Day Assembly 1:15 in Farmer Gym

• Nov. 11th - No School, Jr. High Band @ Veteran’s Parade

• Nov. 12th - 11:30 Dismissal - Parent/Teacher Conferences 1:00-6:00

• Nov. 14th - 11:30 Dismissal - Parent/Teacher Conferences 1:00-6:00

• Nov. 17th - 8th Grade Pork Chop Dinner 4-6pm - Pickup Only

Shared Services - none

Other

Contracts over $25,000 that are posted on the website:

American Capital (technology lease)

McGrath Office Equipment (copy machine lease)

SEA (exclusive bargaining representative)

Santander Bank (bus lease)

J & R 1st in Asphalt Inc.

USBANCORP (bus lease)

Midwest Transit (school buses)

Greenway Motors (special education van)

Old Business

Motion by Wright, seconded by Geiger to approve Studio GC recommendation for award of building addition and renovations t o General Contractor, R.L. Sohol including all alternative bids except alternate 8, with a total cost of $12,956,000

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Wright Jones Geiger Thorson Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

New Business

Supt Perry discussed the bus driver shortage and the board decided to discuss it further in closed session.

Motion by Wright, seconded by Thorson to approve Grundy Economic Development Council Membership

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Wright Geiger Thorson Jones Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

Motion by Jones, seconded by Thorson to approve land purchase of.5 acres of property along the south property line for cost of $80,000 per acre. Supt Perry shared that this was needed to improve the drainage and recommended in the design process for construction.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Jones Geiger Thorson Wright Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

Motion by Jones, seconded by Wright to approve Food Safety Plan

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Jones Geiger Wright Thorson Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

Informational Items:

• Pork Chop Dinner - Carry Out-Event Only on Sunday, November 17, 2019 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. This year there is only 1 meal of 2 chops offered for $12.00.

• Joint Annual Conference November 22-24, 2019

Motion by Thorson, seconded by Wright to adjourn to closed session at 7:10 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, student disciplinary cases, matters relating to individual students, and probable litigation. - 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1), (9), (10), (11).

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Thorson Geiger Wright Jones Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

Motion by Thorson, seconded by Wright to return to regular session at 7:44 p.m.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Thorson Geiger Wright Jones Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

Action taken as a result of Closed Session

Motion by Jones, seconded by Wright to approve a $250 bonus to current bus drivers who recruit a bus driver; payable upon hiring and completed training of new driver

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Jones Geiger Wright Thorson Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

Motion by Jones, seconded by Thorson to approve a $250 sign on bonus for new bus driver; payable upon 60 days of employment

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Jones Geiger Thorson Wright Brandt McDonnell

Nayes: None

Motion Carried: 6-0 Absent: Barth

Motion by Thorson, seconded by Wright to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Voice Vote: All aye votes, motion carried.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QPayqR4Ov1ORdIqX9NC_qYhkDETrMg24/view