Grundy Reporter

Morris Community High School District 101 Board of Education met Dec. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Present:

President Scot Hastings

Vice President Lynn Vermillion

Secretary Chris Danek

Mr. Tom Anderson

Mrs. Suzy Brown (audio call-in)

Mrs. Kim Puckett

Mr. Jim Ringer

Also Present:

Superintendent Dr. Craig Ortiz

Principal Michael Gourley

Assistant Principal Jeremiah Farrell

Athletic Director Jeff Johnson

Director of Special Populations Lori Dite

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

STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE

Student Council representative Bryce Mahnke reported a family with 4 children from Coal City was adopted and provided with $100 and a gift card. Work with the American Heart Assn. continues to move forward. Planning for the winter formal is underway. Student Council teaming with NHS is participating in a program for young philanthropists led by Devan Gagliardo.

APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA

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

MINUTES

November 18, 2019 – BOE Regular Meeting

November 18, 2019 – BINA Hearing

November 18, 2019 – Executive Session

December 9, 2019 – Parent Teacher Advisory Committee Meeting

January 8, 2018 – Destruction of Closed Session Audio Recording

FINANCIALS

Financial Statements – Payment of Bills – Student Activity Account

FACILITY USE REQUEST(S)

I.C.S. annual request to use the auditorium for its talent show – April 28 and 29/2020.

PERSONNEL ITEMS

Employment/Assignments

a. Jason Moore as assistant boy’s baseball coach.

b. Eric Davy move from assistant boy’s tennis coach to head boy’s tennis coach.

Resignations

a. Cathy Knapp as special education teacher (final day 12/13/2019.)

b. David Marconnet as science teacher (final day 12/20/2019.)

DONATIONS

Lions Club donated $800 to Delta Phi for assisting at the Lions Club annual car show in October, art display boards will be purchased.

On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr.Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, 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. Danek 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, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

GRUNDY COUNTY SPECIAL ED COOPERATIVE – STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS

A motion was made by Mrs, Vermillion and SECONDED by Mr. Anderson to ratify the personnel recommendations including employment, resignations, resignation agreements, retirements, employee transfers, leave requests and terminations 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: Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

DISTRICT REPORT

Dr. Ortiz presented a draft of the FY21 school calendar including: a start date of 8/17 with 2 teacher institute days beginning the year, the utilization of a waiver to hold classes on Veteran’s Day and holding Spring Break a week later to coincide with Easter. Saratoga‘s start date will be late August or after Labor Day, due to a major renovation/building project, bussing issues will be taken into consideration and addressed.

The strategic planning process was discussed. Gary Zabilka, Field Service Director at IASA will be leading 3 - three hour meetings to be held on 2/5, 2/24 and 3/16 consisting of BOE members, staff, administration, parents, students and community members. The three focus areas consist of: 1. Mission/Vision, 2. Values, and 3. Fine Tuning Goals.

The maintenance report indicated an IPRF grant in the amount of $5480 will be available in January and will be used for security camera upgrades.

Two sample seats have been ordered for the auditorium renovation. A final decision will be made based on these selections.

Discussion on the possible stadium project occurred. Cost comparisons on turf, scoreboards, and bleachers and press box were presented. Athletic Director Jeff Johnson and coaches Alan Thorson (football), David Valdivia (soccer) and Laura Zomboracz (marching band, guards,flags) addressed the board specifying positive consequences that would occur as a result of the project.

The practicality and benefits of turf including use after rain, use after sunset, continued sustained use with no concerns about grass and ground being compromised and the ability of various groups i.e., soccer, marching band, physical education classes, etc. to utilize the field at all times was discussed.

Scoreboards from Correct Digital Displays – football, basketball and scoring tables were assessed. Estimated revenue generation is $20k - $40k per year in ads. Several types of marketing packages could be utilized.

New bleachers and a press box will also be purchased.

The consensus of the board was to move forward with the stadium project.

BUILDING REPORT

Mr. Gourley reviewed upcoming dates and activities. January 6th will be a city wide teacher institute day here, a great turn out is anticipated.

Pause For Applauses include:

 Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Basketball team for finishing 3rd at the Reed Custer Thanksgiving tournament. The girls finished with a 3-1 record. Congratulations ladies!!!

 Also, congratulations to Alexis Johnson for making the all tournament team at the Reed Custer Thanksgiving Tournament. Congratulations AJ!!

 The Mathletes finished 2nd at the I-8 Conference Math Competition (12/4). The Radical Equations team of Xander Pascual, Priya Patel, Zach Berman, and Abby Henson finished in 1st place. 2nd place event include; Freshman/Sophomore 8-person, Junior/Senior 8-person, Calculator, and Probability. 3rd place events include; Factoring, Linear Inequalities, Areas, Quadratic Equations, and Conics.

 The Varsity Scholastic Bowl Team are the 2019-2020 Interstate 8 Conference Champions! They finished the season 15 and 2 overall and went undefeated in the conference tournament, including very tough fights against rivals Sycamore and Lasalle-Peru. Seniors Jared Schneider and Taite Burns were named to the Varsity All Conference Team, and Xander Pascual and Aidan Howe were named to the JV All Conference Team! Great work team!

 Congratulations to the Redskin Speech Team on a successful home tournament and a first place team victory. Special congrats go to individual event champs:

 Justin Mann in Extemporaneous Speaking, Alexander Duffy and Nicholas Russell in Humorous Duet Acting, Keaton Auwerda in Humorous Interpretation, Alexander Duffy in Original Comedy, Tessa Brummel in Original Oratory, Hannah McGhee in Prose Reading, and Emma Knudson in Special Occasions Speaking. Great job Morris Speech!

 Congratulations to your Morris Varsity Cheerleaders for taking 1st place over the weekend at Reed Custer (12/7). Also, congrats to your Morris JV Cheerleaders for taking 2nd!

 The MCHS Interact Club collected over 50 items (hats, gloves, socks, and small toiletries) for the Grundy County PADS shelter.

 Congratulations to your Morris Varsity Poms who took 1st place in the 1A category yesterday (12/15) at Stevenson High School. Great job girls! What a great start to your competition season! Keep up the good work.

 Morris Speech Team had a great showing at two different invitationals this weekend. The team took 5th place at the Seneca Irish Invitational. And Morris Speech took 1st place out of 24 teams at the Rochelle Invitational. Special congrats to our individual event champs,

Emma Knudson and Kenzie Puckett in Dramatic Duet Acting, Nicholas Russell in Humorous Interpretation, Alexander Duffy in Original Comedy and Emma Knudson in Special Occasion Speaking. Congrats to all.

APPROVAL OF 2019 TAX LEVY

President Hastings read the 2019 Tax Levy Resolution. A motion was made by Mr. Ringer and SECONDED by Mrs. Brown to approve the 2019 tax levy. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

SCHOOL BOARD POLICY REVISIONS – SECOND READING – FINAL APPROVAL

The second reading of the following new and revised school board policies was approved for inclusion in the policy manual on a motion made by Mrs. Vermillion and SECONDED by Mr. Danek. On roll call vote those voting AYE: Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED. School Board: 2:20-Powers and Duties of the School Board-Indemnification, 2:70-Vacancies on the School Board-Filling Vacancies, 2:100-Board Member Conflict of Interest, 2:105- Ethics and Gift Ban, 2:110- Qualifications, Term, and Duties of the Board Officers, 2:200- Types of School Board Meetings, 2:220- School Board Meeting Procedure, 2:250- Access to District Public Records, 2:260- Uniform Grievance Procedure; General School Administration: 3:50- Administrative Personnel Other Than the Superintendent; Operational Services: 4:15- Identity Protection, 4:30- Revenue and Investments, 4:40- Incurring Debt, 4:60- Purchases and Contracts, 4:80- Accounting and Audits, 4:110- Transportation, 4:140- Waiver of Student Fees, 4:150- Facility Management and Building Programs, 4:170- Safety, 4:190- Targeted School Violence Prevention Program; Personnel: 5:10- Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment, 5:20- Workplace Harassment Prohibited, 5:30- Hiring Process and Criteria, 5:50- Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition, 5:90- Abused and Neglected Child Reporting, 5:100- Staff Development Program, 5:120- Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest, 5:125- Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct, 5:50- Personnel Records, 5:190- Teacher Qualifications, 5:200- Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal, 5:220- Substitute Teachers, 5:250- Leaves of Absence, 5:260- Student Teachers, 5:285- Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus and Commercial Vehicle Drivers, 5:290- Employment Termination and Suspensions, 5:330- Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves; Instruction: 6:15- School Accountability, 6:20- School Year Calendar and Day, 6:60- Curriculum Content, 6:65- Student Social and Emotional Development, 6:150- Home and Hospital Instruction, 6:180- Extended Instructional Programs, 6:210- Instructional Materials, 6:270- Guidance and Counseling Program, 6:300- Graduation Requirements, 6:310- High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students, 6:320- High School Credit for Proficiency; Students: 7:20- Harassment of Students Prohibited, 7:150- Agency and Police Interviews, 7:180- Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment, 7:190- Student Behavior, 7:200- Suspension Procedures, 7:270- Administering Medicines to Students, 7:290- Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention, 7:340- Student Records; Community Relations: 8:30- Visitors to and Conduct on School Property

ADOPTION OF THE PARAMETERS RESOLUTION (WC BONDS)

On a motion made by Mr. Ringer and SECONDED by Mr. Anderson the following resolution read by President Roth for the issuance of $2,000,000 in bonds was approved:

Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $2,000,000 Taxable General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2020, of the District, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the School District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof.

On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

THREAT ASSESSMENT PLAN – SECOND AND FINAL READING

School districts must implement an initial threat assessment procedure by December 21, 2019, and must establish the required threat assessment team no later than February 19, 2020 due to new legislation signed by Governor Pritzker. The second and final reading of the Threat Assessment Plan was approved on a motion made by Mrs. Brown and SECONDED by Mr. Ringer. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek. NAY: MOTION CARRIED.

EMPLOYMENT OF RYAN CINOTTE AS TEMPORARY FULL-TIME TEACHER

The employment of Ryan Cinotte as a temporary full-time social studies teacher with pro-rated benefits for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year approved on a motion made by Mrs. Puckett and SECONDED by Mrs. Vermillion. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Vermillion. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

A motion was made by Mr. Danek and SECONDED by Mr. Anderson at 7:52 p.m. to enter executive session for the purpose of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees; collective bargaining. On roll call vote, those voting AYE: Mrs. Vermillion, Mr. Ringer, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Puckett, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Danek, Mr. Anderosn. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Mr. Ringer and SECONDED by Mr. Anderson to return to regular session. On voice vote, those voting AYE: All. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Regular session resumed at 8:24 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Ringer and SECONDED by Mr. Danek to adjourn the meeting. On voice vote, those voting AYE: All. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

https://4.files.edl.io/fd06/01/16/20/134249-e9afcd76-230b-47d4-bb8c-0fcbeb2020ee.pdf