Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Jan. 25

By Philip Gonzales

Feb 18, 2023

Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Jan. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education Study Session of the Whole Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Roll Call.

President Miller called the Board Study Session meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Boardroom. In attendance were Board members Robert Bianchetta, Shawn Hamilton, Quint Harmon, Steve Rogers, and Ken Miller. Also, in attendance were Superintendent Christopher Spencer, CSBO Jason Smith, Director of Special Populations Luke Krippel, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Tammy Elledge, and Board Secretary LaWanda Gagliardo. Board member Mary Gill was absent, and Board member Chuck Lander arrived at 6:07 p.m. President Miller led the Board and others present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion on Possibly Amending the Board Book Format

Superintendent Christopher Spencer informed the Board that at the Joint Annual Conference this past November, that Board Secretary LaWanda Gagliardo attended a session on the Open Meetings Act. In that session she learned that the Board book does not have to include the Notices and Communications on the Board book twice, once is all that is legally required. Having the Notices and Communications on the Board book twice allowed visitors to make a comment before and after action was taken on an agenda item.

Discussion on GE Hitachi Property Tax Assessment

Superintendent Christopher Spencer provided the Board an update on the outcome of the GE-Hitachi Morris Operation Board of Review Hearing. Board President Ken Miller, and Superintendent Christopher Spencer attended the Board of Review meeting in December, and last year around this time there was a decision made. At this time that Board of Review has not made a decision, once received, Mr. Spencer will provide the Board of Education with an update.

Discussion on the FY24 School Calendar

Superintendent Christopher Spencer updated the Board of Education on the progress on the FY24 School Calendar. Mr. Spencer feels very comfortable that the start and end date of the school year has been set, but the calendar committee had a few concerns left to work out. The area of concern is the fall Parent Teacher Conference date, but Mr. Spencer believes they have come to a common ground and the calendar should be presented to the Board at the March Board meeting for action.

Discussion on Possible Middle School Soccer Team

At the December 7 Board Meeting Mr. Spencer discussed the request to add a co-ed soccer team to the middle school sports program. Mr. Spencer asked Athletic Director Dan Hutchings to present his recommendation to the Board. Mr. Hutchings discussed the schedule to ensure soccer would align with the other sport programs that are offered, this soccer program would also have to follow the IESA code of conduct with grades etc…, the athletic director and coaches at the middle school would run the program, and it will be totally funded by Coal City Soccer Club for the first three (3) years.

Mr. Hutchings informed the Board of his concerns; some of the concerns were it’s not IESA sanctioned, younger students going up against older students, parking, where to play etc…Some of the positives is the interest level in this program is high, and it will feed into an existing high school soccer program.

The Board will take all this information into consideration, and will discuss it further at the February 1 Board meeting.

Discussion on Possible Middle School Mascot

Superintendent Christopher Spencer asked Assistant Athletic Director/Dean Brad Boresi to attend the Board meeting to present the Board with an update on possibly changing of the middle school mascot. Mr. Boresi presented the Board with the pros and cons of having a unified mascot for the district. Mr. Boresi contact other schools in the conference to determine what schools have a unified mascot throughout their district from those who don’t. Having one mascot for the district makes it easier for branding, it allows the younger students

Discussion on the Third Reading on Revised District Policies

The first reading took place at the December 7 Board meeting, and the second reading at the January 4 Board meeting. This is the third and final reading. The Board will take action on the policy revisions at the February Board meeting.

2:20

Powers and Duties of the School Board; Indemnification

2:30

School District Elections

2:50

Board Member Term of Office

2:100

Board Member Conflict of Interest

2:105

Ethics and Gift Ban

2:210

Organizational School Board Meeting

2:250

Access to District Public Records

2:250-AP1

Access to and Copying of District Public Records

2:250-E2

Immediately Available District Public Records and Web-Posted Reports and Records

2:265

Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure

2:265-E

Title IX Sexual Harassment Glossary of Terms

3:10

Goals and Objectives

3:50

Administrative Personnel Other Than the Superintendent

3:60

Administrative Responsibility of the Building Principal

3:60-E

Event Reporting and Notice Requirements for Building Principals Concerning School Safety and Security

4:10

Fiscal and Business Management

4:60-AP1

Purchases

4:120

Food Services

4:140

Waiver of Student Fees

4:140-AP

Fines, Fees, and Charges – Waiver of Student Fees

4:140-E1

Application for Fee Waiver

4:140-E2

Application for Fee Waiver Based on Federal Free Meals Program

4:140-E3

Response to Application for Fee Waiver, Appeal, and Response to Appeal

4:140-E4

Resolution to Increase Driver Education Fees

4:165

Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors

4:170-AP1

Comprehensive Safety and Security Plan

4:190

Targeted School Violence Prevention Program

4:190-AP1

Targeted School Violence Prevention Program

4:190-AP2

Threat Assessment Team

5:10

Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment

5:20

Workplace Harassment Prohibited

5:120

Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest

5:120-AP1

Statement of Economic Interests for Employees

5:120-AP2

Employee Conduct Standards

5:120-AP2, E

Expectations and Guidelines for Employee-Student Boundaries

5:190

Teacher Qualifications

5:200

Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal

5:220

Substitute Teachers

5:250

Leaves of Absence

5:270

Employment At-Will, Compensation, and Assignment

5:280

Duties and Qualifications

5:290

Employment Termination and Suspensions

5:320

Evaluation

5:330

Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves

6:15

School Accountability

6:20

School Year Calendar and Day

6:20-AP

Remote and/or Blended Remote Learning Day Plan(s)

6:50

School Wellness

6:60

Curriculum Content

6:60-AP1

Comprehensive Health Education Program

6:65

Student Social and Emotional Development

6:160

English Learners

6:220

Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Program; Responsible Use and Conduct

6:250

Community Resource Persons and Volunteers

6:255

Assemblies and Ceremonies

6:260

Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs

6:260-AP

Responding to Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs

6:260-AP, E

Curriculum Objection Form

6:270

Guidance and Counseling Program

6:280

Grading and Promotion

6:300

Graduation Requirements

6:300-E2

State Law Graduation Requirements

6:300-E3

Form for Exemption from Financial Aid Application Completion

6:130

High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re Entering Students

6:340

Student Testing and Assessment Program

7:10

Equal Educational Opportunities

7:20

Harassment of Student Prohibited

7:50

School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools

7:70

Attendance and Truancy

7:100

Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students

7:180

Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment

7:190

Student Behavior

7:190-AP3

Guidelines for Reciprocal Reporting of Criminal Offenses Committed by Students

7:190-AP4

Use of Isolated Time Out, Time Out, and Physical Restraint

7:190-E2

Student Handbook Checklist

7:190-E3

Memorandum of Understanding

7:250

Student Support Services

7:250-AP2

Protocol for Responding to Students with Social, Emotional, or Mental Health Needs

7:285

Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program

7:285-AP

Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program

7:285AP, E

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan

7:290

Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention

7:290-AP

Resource Guide for Implementation for Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention Program

7:340

Student Records

7:340-AP1

School Student Records

7:340-AP1, E4

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Military Recruiter Access to Students and Student Information

7:340-AP2

Storage and Destruction of School Student Records

7:340-AP2, E1

Letter Containing Schedule for Destruction of School Student Records

8:30-AP

Definition of Child Sex Offender

8:95-AP

Parental Involvement

Discussion on the 2023 Facilities Improvement Plan

Superintendent Christopher Spencer and CSBO Jason Smith will update the Board on the Facilities Improvement Plan feedback from the focus group meeting that was held on January 13. During the discussions there were items identified that could happen this summer to have an immediate impact on the district and they were the asphalt project for all campuses, and the weight room and fitness

room at the high school. Other items were discussed but those items are larger projects and would cause a huge disruption when they take place. Those items will be discussed at future Board meetings.

Finance Reports

The bank statements, monthly revenue, expenditure summary reports, check reconciliation report, cash report, and cleared check report for December were enclosed for review. Detailed reports were available in the Business Office for review prior to the meeting. The Treasurer’s report, investment report, and lunch report for December were also enclosed for review.

Open

a) Items not known at agenda preparation time – none.

b) Sharing Ideas / Information – none.

Closed Session

At 7:38 p.m. a motion made by Mr. Harmon and seconded by Mr. Lander to go into closed session for the purpose of considering information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline of specific employees, administrative contracts, and collective bargaining matters.

Roll Call.

Ayes: Quint Harmon, Chuck Lander, Robert Bianchetta, Shawn Hamilton, Steve Rogers, Ken Miller

Absent: Mary Gill

Nays:

Motion: Carried.

Mr. Harmon moved and Mr. Lander seconded to return to open session at 8:33 p.m.

Roll Call.

Ayes: Quint Harmon, Chuck Lander, Robert Bianchetta, Shawn Hamilton, Steve Rogers, Ken Miller

Nays:

Absent: Mary Gill

Motion: Carried.

Adjournment