Grundy Reporter

Grundy County Executive Board met Dec. 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

PRESENT

Dudek DeLong

Dite for

Ortiz Lee

Mehochko

The meeting was called to order at 8:58 a.m. Roll call was answered as indicated. Others present were: K. Ross, C. Senica, E. Schramm, R. Gravatt, J. Siron, K. Monn, J. Easter, S. Senffner, M. Merritt, T. Staab, C. Christensen, and M. Darlington.

Approval of Minutes Moved by Lee, seconded by DeLong to approve the minutes of the regular session of the November 20, 2019 Executive Board Meeting. AYE: Lee, DeLong, Mehochko, Dite, Dudek Motion Carried.

Approvals/Reports - Financial Moved by Mehochko, seconded by Dite to approve the payment of bills for the month of December, 2019. AYE: Mehochko, Dite, DeLong, Lee, Dudek Motion Carried.

Moved by Lee, seconded by Mehochko to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November, 2019. AYE: Lee, Mehochko, DeLong, Dite, Dudek Motion Carried.

Moved by Dite, seconded by DeLong to approve the Savin Copier Proposal from McGrath Office Equipment Inc. AYE: Dite, DeLong, Lee, Mehochko, Dudek Motion Carried.

Moved by Lee, seconded by Mehochko to approve the consent agenda including:

Resignation (s)

• Ryan Bennett – Paraprofessional in the ID Program at Saratoga is resigning effective immediately

New Hire (s)

• Teesha Benson – Paraprofessional in the Autism Program at Minooka Primary Center, at an hourly rate of $15.55 for the 2019-2020 school year. Beginning January 6, 2020.

• LeAnn Brown – Occupational Therapist, at $32,113.22 for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, beginning January 6, 2020.

• Bridget House – Paraprofessional in the Autism Program at Minooka Primary Center, at an hourly rate of $14.93 for the 2019-2020 school year. Beginning December 19, 2019.

• Allison Jordan - Classroom Teacher in the ED/BD Program at Coal City Elementary School, salary of $22,224.42 for 94 days. Beginning January 6, 2020.

• Jennifer Lewandowski – Paraprofessional in the Autism Program at Walnut Trails, at an hourly rate of $16.07 for the 2019-2020 school year. Beginning December 19, 2019.

• Keelin Polhemus – One on one Paraprofessional in the Autism Program at Minooka Primary Center, at an hourly rate of $16.07 for the 2019-2020 school year. Beginning December 19,2019.

Leave of Absence (s)

• Shannon Capwell – ID REACH Teacher at Minooka High School. Requesting a Leave of Absence for the birth of her first child. Beginning approximately March 25, 2020 ending the last day of 2019-2020 School Year.

AYE: Lee, Mehochko, DeLong, Dite, Dudek Motion Carried.

Executive Director's Report

IDEA Excess Cost Worksheet – Mr. Sanburg announced that the annual IDEA Excess Cost Worksheet is due to the ISBE Special Education Services Division no later than January 31, 2020. The completion of this worksheet will establish an FY20 Excess Cost Threshold, which defines the level of local funds expended for special education services. Districts that do not submit the FY20 IDEA excess cost worksheet by the deadline are subject to the freezing of IDEA funds.

Update on ISBE Restraint and Seclusion Rules – Mr. Sanburg informed the Board that ISBE filed its proposed final rules regarding the use of time out and physical restraint on Monday, December 9th. These rules are currently subject to public comment until February 3, 2020 and must go through the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) process before they are enacted. In the meantime, the emergency rules (with the emergency amendment temporarily allowing prone and supine restraints in crisis situations) will be in effect. It is not anticipated that the final rules will be approved by JCAR until this Spring at the earliest. Stakeholders are encouraged to share their thoughts on the proposed rules with ISBE on or before February 3, 2020.

GCSEC Threat Assessment Team – Mr. Sanburg reviewed the proposed student threat assessment team guidelines for GCSEC. It is anticipated that a team comprised of GCSEC and district personnel will be available in the near future to assist member districts in processing student threats of self-harm or harm towards others.

River’s Edge Academy SRO Proposal – Mr. Sanburg reported that the Student Threat Assessment Team requirement, in addition to the significant and challenging needs of the River’s Edge Academy (REA) students, has spurred the need for additional law enforcement resources. Mr. Sanburg has initiated a conversation with Morris Police Chief John Severson, regarding School Resource Officer support at REA. He is currently exploring potential options for a part-time SRO at REA. Mr. Mehochko suggested perhaps sharing an officer with Premier, Morris HS, Dist. 54 and REA. More information will be presented as it becomes available.

Assistant Director Report

Ms. Senica informed the Board that she and Phoebe Weitzel are preparing the December 1st child count approval via I-Star. Districts are asked to submit all new student information to the cooperative by Friday, December 20th.

Program Coordinator Reports

Janna Siron – Ms. Siron reported that she is currently looking for a baseball date. She has been enjoying the holiday festivities with the students and their parents.

Kate Ross – Ms. Ross reported that Guardianship nights are coming up in February 2020. She will send out information. Ms. Ross was pleased to share that the REACH students baked, packaged and delivered 137 dozen cookies to the Grundy County Housing Authority residents. She also invited everyone to enjoy their evening tonight at Dock Rotz in Minooka from 3pm until 10pm. 10% of proceeds will go to the REACH Program.

Rick Gravatt – Mr. Gravatt announced that one REA student graduated early December. There are six more potential graduates. He noted that 99% of his time is spent dealing with crisis situations. Mr. Gravatt is pleased with the progress made the first half of the year. He will continue to work on the culture of REA.

Erica Schramm – Ms. Schramm is a participant in the EC RoundTable, and they will be sending out a survey to the families of Gardner, Braceville, and South Wilmington Families to gather information to see if there is an interest in an area Pre-School For All Program. Ms. Schramm shared that registration is now open for our upcoming Pre-School Screenings to be held on February 22 and March 14, 2020.

Mr. Mehochko - reported that the RSAC, Raising Student Achievement Conference, was last week. He welcomes any feedback. He thanked Tiffany and Shelly for setting up the workshop on January 17th. He may open another one for Kendall/Grundy. Mr. Mehochko also announced that Premier is full. Ideally another location possibly in Yorkville or Plano would alieve this situation. He reported that we would need funding from the state. Mr. Mehochko shared with the Board that at the last Kendall County Board meeting, the Board recognized their students who had perfect ACT scores. Mr. Mehochko would like to implement this special recognition of our students at Grundy County Board meetings. Recognize them for academics, band, football, etc.

Dr. Dudek expressed he would like more engagement with what is going on in Springfield. Mr. Mehochko offered to contact State Representative, David Welter to invite him to attend the GCSEC Board Meetings.

Lastly, Mr. Neil Sanburg announced that GCSEC finally received their van. Mr. Sanburg thanked the staff for supporting our organization.

Adjournment Moved by DeLong, seconded by Lee to adjourn the regular meeting. All AYES Motion Carried at 10:18 a.m.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZyCqe26_4OBx4mFSindnjkn39ipD04qy