Grundy Reporter

Gardner-South Wilmington High School #73 Board of Education met Nov. 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Public Hearing:

PRESENTATION: ISSUANCE OF WORKING CASH FUND BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING THE WORKING CASH FUND OF THE DISTRICT:

Board President, Pam Brooks, discussed that the purpose of the public hearing is to receive any public comments on the proposal to sell bonds in the amount of $750,000 for the purpose of increasing the working cash fund of the District.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

No public comment.

Regular Meeting:

PUBLIC COMMENT:

No public comment. Written comments:

● We received a Thank You note from Supt. Cindy Christensen at South Wilmington Grade School thanking GSW for inviting the grade school employees to attend the Stop the Bleed Training with us on Friday, October 11t h.

● We received a Flyer on the 5t h Annual Festival of Trees that will be held downtown Gardner on Sunday, December 1s t.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT: Mr. Engelman reported on:

● Day of the Dead – The Spanish Classes and their teacher celebrated this Mexican Holiday that remembers their deceased family and friends. They worked very hard at setting up their displays and decorating in the cafeteria. Students enjoyed visiting throughout the first 4 periods of the day.

● Natural Helpers Overnight Trip – Principal Engelman, along with the GSW Social Worker and two teachers took approximately 25 students on an overnight trip to Cedar Lake, IN on November 1 & 2. The sessions concentrated on teaching students how to help other students and how to determine when to hand it off to an adult if the problem is too big. This trip was very successful.

EXTRA CURRICULAR REPOT:

Mr. Engelman talked about Orange & Black Night, which was held on Saturday, November 16 at GSW High School. This is a fundraising event which kicks off the Winter Sports Programs – Boys and Girls Basketball, Color Guard, Spiritline and the GSWB Pep Band. There was a great turn-out, one of the largest crowns in years. The money raised goes to Sports Boosters.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS REPORT : Mr. Josh DeLong presented on the following:

● The boiler is on and working well throughout for the most part. Wally Debelak, Head of Maintenance, has been busy working on removing & replacing old pipes.

● Discussion on the potential purchase of a scissor lift for the district.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Mr. DeLong presented on the following:

● Intergovernmental Co-op Agreement with Dwight Township High School – a meeting was held on Tuesday, October 22 at 6:30 PM at Cherry Red Roasters. Supt. DeLong, 2 GSW Board members, 2 Dwight Board members and Supt. Jancek reviewed and discussed the Co-op Agreement and other opportunities between the 2 schools. Board members reported that this meeting went well and was overall a great idea to meet face-to-face. The group plans to meet again in either January or February.

● Delayed start procedures have been communicated. An Alert Now message and an e-mail message containing details about 10:00 AM school starts was sent out to parents, employees, GAVC and the Grundy County Special Ed Co-op.

● State Report Card – GSW received notice that we were “commendable”

● Triple I Conference – The board members discussed their plans for the upcoming Board Convention in Chicago on November 22 & 23.

● Negotiations discussion – Contract negotiations are being held this year. Supt. DeLong and two board members (Pam Brooks & Katy Wepprecht) will form the district negotiation team.

● Joe Corneglio took 2n d place at the Local 597 Welding Competition. On Saturday, October 26, 2019, 10 of the Grundy Area Vocational Center welding students competed in the Local 597 Welding Competition. They offered 2 categories to compete in: Advanced and Intermediate. GAVC had 5 students in each category. Joey Corneglio, from Gardner-South Wilmington High School, competed in the Intermediate Division, placing 2n d !

● Potential Solar Farm meeting – The district recently heard a presentation on a proposed 2,700 acre solar farm located along the route 66 corridor between Gardner and Dwight. The farm would impact 15 taxing bodies. GSW will receive roughly 7 percent of the EAV.

● Dibble’s Trucking donated three cafeteria tables to GSW

● Aggregate of Tax Levy Presentation – This is our best educated “guess” – as we have not received any figures from the Grundy County Assessor yet. We are estimating for a balloon levy which means we are requesting a higher number than we anticipate getting. We must do this to ensure we capture all the levy money allowable by law. One a levy is filed it cannot be increased, therefore is a district request a lower levy than what the final figures from the county end up being, then the district loses out on those additional dollars. Because the county numbers are currently a guess, we need to do a truth in taxation hearing next month, since we are asking for a 7.14 percent increase over last year’s extension. It does not mean we will get that, but that we are requesting that at this time to ensure we do not miss out. A truth in taxation hearing is necessary if you are asking for an increase of more than 5 percent over last year’s final extension. GSW’s final extension last year was $1,221,765.61 and this year’s proposed aggregate levy is $1,309,000.

BOE MEMBERS REPORT:

Board members Kristen Ashley and Katy Wepprecht addressed some concerns from parents:

● Squad Room – This room is currently under construction due to being completely gutted over the summer when the heating / air-conditioning units were installed. The new unit is sitting right above this particular room, so many repairs and updates had to be done to this room over the summer. This room is used during the basketball season (before games and during half-time).

● Weight Room – There was a broken pipe, which is located in a corner, but the weight room was still usable and the pipe has been fixed.

Board member, Pam Brooks reported on:

● Concession Stand – Art classes added some artwork above the ticket and concession stand areas. The Art Club has painted above the ticket booth and concession stand areas. We have found a parent who has volunteered to repair the floor inside the concession stand. Just waiting for the boiler work in the gym hallway to be finished before the flooring can be fixed.

ACTION ITEMS:

● Hire Kirk Houchin as Guidance Counselor Sub

● Hire Chris Halpin as Supplemental Boys Basketball Coach

● Consideration of disciplinary suspension or expulsion of Student 2019-1 for one calendar year

● Approve Wage increases for specific Non-Certified employees

● Appoint Mr. DeLong and Mr. Engelman as District Representatives for SB 7 Committee

● Approve the Estimate of Aggregate Tax Levy

● Approve the Truth in Taxation Resolution since the proposed Tax levy exceeds 105% of last year’s Tax Levy Extension.

● Approve the Grundy County Reciprocal Reporting Agreement

● Approve the Resolution declaring the intention to issue Working Cash Fund Bonds for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District.

● Accept Fatlan’s bid for plowing snow and spreading salt.

● Approve Donna Vertin to attend the Career and Technical Education Conference in Anaheim, CA on December 4-7, 2019.

http://www.gswhs73.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/53b4271773d6c/November%2020,%202019%20Board%20Briefs.pdf