Grundy Reporter

Gardner – So. Wilmington High School District #73 Board of Education met Feb. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

PUBLIC COMMENT:

No public comment. Mr. DeLong read a Thank You Note from Mrs. Terese Kukman, GSW Drivers Education teacher. GSW had made a donation in her father’s name to Hospice of Joliet.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT: Mr. Engelman discussed the following:

• GSW is looking into hiring a trainer for all GSW athletic events next school year and going forward. This person would be an employee from the Morris Hospital. We would like the trainer to be a ALL home athletic events.

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS:

• Ms. Angel Dallio, Student Services Coordinator, submitted her report electronically to the board members. Ms. Dallio discussed MAP testing, scores, tracking data and growth. Her report showed Fall vs. Winter scores. Some highlights were: our Sophomores tested strong in reading skills, but our Freshmen class had low test scores in both reading and math. This could be due to the pandemic and remote learning.

• Mr. John Williamsen, Technology Director, submitted his report electronically to the board members, stating what he has been working on lately.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS REPORT: Mr. Josh DeLong discussed the following:

• Parking lot update = This project is slated to start this summer. An engineer was here and surveyed the area. The cost will be approximately $400,000. We will pay for this with working cash bond funds.

• Possible phone system upgrade = Our current phone system is very old, out-dated, lines are static, dates and times are off, and it is very hard to hear. The project would take place this summer. It will be a big job to run new lines throughout the entire building.

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

• COVID mandates/mitigation plans/discussion = GSW HS will vote to remain mask optional for the remainder of the school year.

• GAVC Director’s Awards for the month of January 2022:

o Ryan Cacello, Junior, Building Trades I

o Blake Huston, Senior, Engineering II

• Maternity Leave = Mrs. Boaz, English teacher, for early May. We have already found a sub to cover her leave.

• Working Cash Bonds = Next month David Pistorius from First Midstate Inc., will be here at our March board meeting to discuss options. We have until December to finalize.

• Scoreboard Donation = Our new scoreboard has been installed and is ready to use for the Spring 2022 baseball season. The total cost was approximately $8,500 – which was split 50/50 by GSW and the Athletic Boosters. The Todd Sandeno family generously donated the money to pay for the entire cost.

• Online registration = We will open up online registration in early March and it will run thru May. There will be a $10 discount fee. Information will be going out soon.

• FY 21 financial recognition = 4.0 (highest rating possible). Listed as 51% adequate as a Tier 1 school under the EBF formula.

• Donation from Knights of Columbus #1574 = Once again this year, Mr. William Pohl from the Braidwood Knights of Columbus dropped off a check / donation to the GSW HS - Special Ed Department. The check was for $776.72 - he said the largest donation they have given to date. GSW special education teachers, Jen Arrambide and Erin Duffy split the donation and decide what to purchase for their classrooms / kids / departments.

• Fishing Team discussion = The board discussed a letter that Coach Jerry Olsen had sent regarding tournaments they will be attending and looking at what the team will be doing this year. The school will pay for IHSA State and Sectional entry fees, vehicle & boat gas & mileage. The coach is paid a $500 stipend and can use the Bass Fishing Team activity account as he sees fit. This specific account received a good amount of money from the family of Rodney Ford memorial donations.

• GSW HS Staff Christmas Party – will be held at 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 26 at Everybuddies in Gardner. All faculty & staff are welcome to attend, including board members.

ACTION ITEMS (Special Joint Board Meeting):

• Approved the 3-year Superintendent Contract for Susan Avery, July 1, 20222 thru June 30, 2025

• Approved the 3-year Intergovernmental Agreement with Braceville Elementary School #75 for a shared Superintendent, July 1, 2022 thru June 30, 2025

ACTION ITEMS (Regular Meeting):

• Approval of Milk Contract renewal with Clover Farms

• Appointed Superintendent to begin tentative budget for fiscal year 2023

• Approval of 2022-2023 District Calendar, as presented

• Approval of School fees for 2022-2023 school year

• Approval of COVID mitigation plan for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year

https://www.gswhs73.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/53b4271773d6c/February%2016,%202022%20Board%20Briefs.pdf