Grundy Reporter

Gardner Community Consolidated Grade School District 72-C Board of Education met Oct. 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Roll call

Members Present:

Denny Christensen, Brad Male, Lauren Vitko, Jamie Wilkey Absent: Olsen, Hamilton

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Motion to approve the appointment of Terri Balcom to the vacant seat on the Gardner CCSD 72C Board of Education

1st: Wilkey, 2nd: Christensen

Ayes: Wilkey, Christensen, Male, Vitko

Absent: Olsen, Hamilton

Motion carries

*Jerry Olsen entered the meeting at 7:01 pm after the motion passed

● Denny Christensen facilitated the swearing-in of Terri Balcom as a member of the Board of Education in accordance with Board Policy 2:80 Board Member Oath and Conduct

Superintendent Recognition

● Congratulations to Austin McDowell on achieving tenure on his service with Gardner CCSD 72C

● Congratulations to Denny Christensen in recognition of IASB Master Board Member

Audience/Visitor Participation

● Cassie Carlson

● Laura Lenzie

● Sara Countryman

● John Michalesko with Gassensmith & Michalesko, Ltd joined the meeting virtually to share and discuss in detail the GGS annual audit report

● Matt Finn and Tim Stieber from Illinois Central joined to discuss fuel surcharges and GGS bussing contract. Dr. Merritt commended Matt Finn for always going above and beyond in serving Gardner Grade School

Motion to approve Board of Education minutes from September 2020

● Correction on the date of September minutes. Kathy Van Duyne made the correction

1st: Wilkey, 2nd: Male

Ayes: Wilkey, Male, Christensen, Olsen, Vitko, Balcom Absent: Hamilton

Motion carries

Financial Business

Motion to approve payment of bills for the month of October 2020. 1st: Male, 2nd: Vitko

Ayes: Male, Vitko, Olsen, Wilkey, Balcom

Abstain: Christensen

Absent: Hamilton Motion carries

Motion to approve payroll in the amount of $93,522.67(gross) $71,737.63 (net).

1st: Male, 2nd: Wilkey

Ayes: Male, Wilkey, Christensen, Olsen, Vitko, Balcom

Absent: Hamilton Motion carries

Motion to approve the treasurer’s report for the month of September 2020.

1st: Christensen, 2nd: Wilkey

Ayes: Christensen, Wilkey, Male, Olsen, Vitko, Balcom Absent: Hamilton

Motion carries

Motion to approve the Risk Management (Tort) Spending Plan

1st: Olsen 2nd: Christensen

Ayes: Olsen, Christensen, Male, Olsen, Vitko, Wilkey, Balcom Absent: Balcom

Motion carries

Superintendent Report/New Business

a. School Reopening Task Force Update

● Dr. Merritt updated the board on the last Task Force meeting as well as the number of students returning in-person versus remotely

● Dr. Merritt commended Kathy Van Duyne for working hard on following up and reaching out to approximately 30 families that had not completed the Hybrid Learning Model survey

b. ISBE Summative Designation

c. ISBE Local Education Agency (LEA) Determination

● All requirements have been met

d. USDA Summer Meal Waiver Extension

● Extended to end of June 2021

e. School Board Member Elections

f. Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences

● Positive feedback from BOE and parents

g. Halloween Activities

h. Possible Preschool Program Update

● Erica Schramm from Grundy County Co-op will attend the November board meeting to discuss tuition-based program

i. Targeted School Violence Webinar Summary

● Dr. Merritt and Mrs. Carlson attended this seminar. Mrs. Carlson provided feedback to the boar on the seminar

j. Gardner FD Fire Prevention Presentations

● The week of October 5th

● Update on Fire Evacuation Drill that took place on October 15th

k. IASB Virtual Summit - Friday, Nov. 20 (in place of Triple I Joint Conference)

l. Motion to approve School Wellness Policy (annual)

1st: Wilkey, 2nd: Male

Ayes: Wilkey, Male, Christensen, Olsen, Vitko, Wilkey, Balcom Absent: Hamilton

Motion carries

m. IASB Goal Setting Workshop - Nakia Hall - December 10,2020

n. Staff Cookout

Old Business

● Discussion on Home School Participation in Extracurricular Activities

Board Committee Reports

a. Building and Grounds Committee (Hamilton/Male)

b. Curriculum (Male/Vitko)

c. Finance Committee (TBD/Olsen) - Terri Balcom to serve

on this committee

d. Handbook (Hamilton/Vitko)

e. Personnel (Christensen/Wilkey)

f. Sports (Christensen/Olsen)

g. Technology (TBD/Wilkey) - Terri Balcom to serve on this committee.

● Purchase of 12 additional Chromebooks for students

Motion to adjourn into closed session to consider information regarding the appointment, employment, or any permissible matter under the Open Meetings Act 5ILCS 120 (2) (1) Time: 8:22 pm

1st: Olsen, 2nd: Wilkey

Ayes: Olsen, Wilkey, Christensen, Male, Vitko, Wilkey, Balcom Absent: Hamilton

Motion carries

Motion to adjourn closed session and return to regular session. Time: 8:52 pm

1st: Olsen, 2nd: Christensen

Ayes: Olsen, Christensen, Male, Vitko, Wilkey, Balcom Absent: Hamilton

Motion carries

Motion for adjournment: Time: 8:55 pm

1st: Male, 2nd: Wilkey

Ayes: Male, Wilkey, Christensen, Olsen, Vitko, Balcom Absent: Hamilton

Motion carries

https://www.ggs72.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/5a3a909855a73/October%202020%20BOE%20Meeting%20Minutes.docx.pdf