Grundy Reporter

Coal City Community Unit School District 1 Board met March 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

President Miller called the special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Coal City Community Unit School District #1 District Office Board Room. In attendance was Board member Ken Miller, and via teleconference, due to social distancing for the COVID 19 virus, were Board members answering roll call present: Robert Bianchetta, Mary Gill, Shawn Hamilton, Quint Harmon, and Chuck Lander. Board member Jeff Emerson was absent. Also, in attendance was Superintendent Kent Bugg, CSBO Jason Smith, and Board Secretary LaWanda Gagliardo. Board President Miller asked Board members to identify themselves when speaking, and making a motion.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

President Miller led the Board of Education and others present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Introduction/acknowledgement of guests. – none.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR

1. In regard to agenda items – none.

2. In general (Limited to 5 minutes per person.) – none.

OLD BUSINESS

A. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON AWARDING BIDS FOR SUMMER WORK 2020

Jason Smith presented the recommendation from Cordogan Clark and Associates for the Summer Work 2020 projects recently bid by the District. These projects included the Masonry & Precast Repair Project and Mechanical Improvement Projects.

Mr. Lander moved and Mr. Harmon seconded to accept the lowest responsible bid from Seyller Inc. in the amount of $469,500 for the 2020 Masonry & Precast Maintenance Summer Project.

Roll Call. Ayes: Chuck Lander, Quint Harmon, Robert Bianchetta, Mary Gill, Shawn Hamilton, Ken Miller Nays: Absent: Jeff Emerson

Mr. Harmon moved and Mrs. Gill seconded to accept the lowest responsible bid from Glade Plumbing & Piping in the amount of $1,107,770 for the 2020 Mechanical Improvements Summer Project.

Roll Call. Ayes: Quint Harmon, Mary Gill, Robert Bianchetta, Shawn Hamilton, Chuck Lander, Ken Miller Nays: Absent: Jeff Emerson

B. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON COAL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BROADWAY RIGHT OF WAY DONATION AGREEMENT

The Village of Coal City is planning for a future renovation of North Broadway Street. They have requested a Right of Way donation to complete this renovation work. Dr. Bugg, Jason Smith and Jennifer Kenney met with the Village Administrator, Matt Fritz, to be sure future parking needs would be accommodated in this renovation. Dr. Bugg provided the Board with an update on his conversation with Mr. Fritz regarding their parking and curve side concerns.

Mr. Hamilton moved and Mr. Lander seconded to approve the Elementary School Broadway Right of Way donation agreement as presented.

Roll Call. Ayes: Shawn Hamilton, Chuck Lander, Robert Bianchetta, Mary Gill, Quint Harmon, Ken Miller Nays: Absent: Jeff Emerson

C. DISCUSSION ON THE SECOND READING OF BOARD POLICY 7:50-SCHOOL ADMISSIONS AND STUDENTS TRANSFERS AND FROM NON-DISTRICT SCHOOLS

The Board conducted the second reading of Board Policy 7:50- School Admission and Student Transfers and from Non-District Schools. With the state mandated school closing, the Policy Committee cancelled their meeting, and will reschedule for a later date.

NEW BUSINESS

A. DISCUSSION ON THE FIRST READING OF BOARD POLICY 7:40-NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, INCLUDING PAROCHIAL AND HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS

The Board conducted its first reading of Board Policy 7:40-Non-Public School Students, including Parochial and Home-Schooled Students. With the state mandated school closing, the Policy Committee will have to discuss at a future policy meeting. Board members wanted to mention that the policies that are under review are posted on the District’s website.

B. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON APPROVAL OF THE COAL CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 E-LEARNING PLAN

According to Section 10-20.56 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/10-20.56), our school district adopted "e-learning days" in lieu of emergency days. The district's e-learning program must be verified by the regional office of education for the school district prior to implementation. Due to the Governor's declaration of a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19, the ISBE has waived the requirements for a public hearing prior to Board approval of the e-learning plan. Dr. Bugg looked through staff member's e-learning webpages, and was impressed with the quality of activities and experiences that are being provided to students. The Board echoed these comments and thanked those teachers who continue to go above and beyond to meet their student’s needs.

Mr. Harmon moved and Mr. Bianchetta seconded to approve the school district's e-learning plan as presented.

Roll Call. Ayes: Quint Harmon, Robert Bianchetta, Mary Gill, Shawn Hamilton, Chuck Lander, Ken Miller Nays: Absent: Jeff Emerson

C. DISCUSSION ON STATE MANDATED SCHOOL CLOSURE

Dr. Bugg discussed issues surrounding state mandated school closing from March 17, 2020 through March 30, 2020. Since the state mandated closure, Dr. Bugg has shared information with staff and parents as quickly as it was received. Dr. Bugg has recommended following the guidance from ISBE and IDPH for social distancing. March 16th is considered an emergency day for our district, and will be made up at the end of the school year. March 17th – 20th and March 30th are considered Act of God days and these days cannot be made up. All school events are cancelled, and no students are allowed in the buildings. All district employees are to be paid their regular pay during this time; we’ll be conducting payroll as usual. We are waiting for guidance from the state on IAR/SAT testing, as well as from College Board for AP exams. State guidance on special education students came out during tonight's Board meeting, Dr. Bugg will review this information with the Director of Special Populations and provide an update at that time. The Board thanked the teachers for the tremendous job they are doing with connecting with their students from saying the Pledge of Allegiance daily, holding PE classes, video conferencing etc. Dr. Bugg echoed those sentiments and thanked the entire district for their hard work and dedication to the students.

OPEN FOR ITEMS NOT KNOWN AT AGENDA PREPARATION TIME 

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR

1. In regard to agenda items – none.

2. In general (Limited to 5 minutes per person.) – none.

BOARD STUDY SESSION OF THE WHOLE DATE: MARCH 25, 2020 @ 6 P.M.

In Coal City CUSD #1 Administrative Center Board Room - CANCELED

NEXT REGULAR MEETING DATE: APRIL 1, 2020 @ 6 P.M.

 In Coal City CUSD #1 Administrative Center Board Room

ADJOURNMENT 

Mr. Lander moved and Mr. Harmon seconded to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. President Miller asked if there was any opposition to the motion, hearing none considers the motion approved.

https://4.files.edl.io/fa05/04/08/20/170158-dcaea11f-22e8-4f9e-a377-5b91b84fab63.pdf