Grundy Reporter

Gardner-South Wilmington High School #73 Board of Education met May 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS:

Mrs. Pamela Brooks has served on the GSW High School Board since May 2011 for 12 years. She has served a combined total of 26 years at Gardner Grade School and GSW High School.

CANVASS OF ELECTIONS RESULTS:

After having canvassed the votes, the Grundy and Kankakee County Clerks have submitted an Abstract of Votes. The Abstract of Votes contains the number of votes each candidate has received in the election. The President read the Resolution certifying the election results:

Kori S. Speed received 474 votes for a 4-year term.

Catherine “Katy” Wepprecht received 520 votes for a 4-year term.

Timothy Gerber received 278 votes for a 4-year term.

David W. Simms, Jr. received 448 votes for a 4-year term.

The following three candidates were elected = Kori S. Speed, Catherine “Katy” Wepprecht, and David W. Simms, Jr.

CERTIFICATION OF APRIL 4, 2023 ELECTION RESULTS:

Ms. Wright motioned and seconded by Mrs. Schultz to approve the resolution certifying the election results as submitted by the Grundy County and Kankakee County Clerks.

AYES: Ashley, Brooks, Harvey, Schultz, Speed, Wepprecht, and Wright.

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0.

APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT PRO TEM:

Ms. Wright motioned and seconded by Mrs. Speed to appoint Katy Wepprecht as President Pro Tem. AYES: Ashley, Brooks, Harvey, Schultz, Speed, Wepprecht, and Wright.

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0.

ADJOURNMENT OF THE RETIRING BOARD SINE DIE:

Mr. Harvey motioned and seconded by Mrs. Ashley to adjourn the meeting Sine Die at 7:03 pm. AYES: Ashley, Brooks, Harvey, Schultz, Speed, Wepprecht, and Wright.

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Audience: GSW students, staff, and parents were present tonight to discuss the “senior prank,” senior picnic, student discipline, grades, teachers, etc., with the board. They were brought into the Closed Session.

ACTION: BOARD REORGANIZATION:

SWEARING IN AND SEATING OF NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS: Board Member, Allison Wright, swore in new members. Newly elected members read/recited the Official Oath.

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT:

Kori Speed motioned and was seconded by Kristen Ashely to nominate Katy Wepprecht as Board President.

ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT:

Tim Harvey motioned and was seconded by Terry Schultz to nominate Kori Speed as Vice-President.

APPOINTMENT OF BOARD SECRETARY:

Tim Harvey motioned and seconded by Kristen Ashley to appoint Carla Huston as Board Secretary.

APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES:

● GAVC: Kori Speed

● GCSEC (SPECIAL EDUCATION CO-OPERATIVE): Allison Wright

● IASB GOVERNING BOARD / IASB CONVENTION DELEGATE: Katy Wepprecht

● BOARD POLICY: Kristen Ashley & Kori Speed

● BUILDING AND GROUNDS: David Simms & Tim Harvey

● BRACEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IGA: Allison Wright

● COMMUNITY / SAFETY COUNCIL: Terry Schultz & Kori Speed

● DWIGHT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL IGA: David Simms & Kristen Ashley

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT: Principal, Mr. John Engelman, reported on the following:

● Attendance for April was 93.7%

● Discipline for April had three detentions

● Friday – May 5th Spanish / Art Event: Mother’s Day Program was held in the GSW HS gymnasium from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM—presentation by the Spanish Classes and some decorations from the Art Department. We had 36 moms attend – mothers of students participating in the program. Students spoke in Spanish, did skits, read, sang, danced, and did some activities. Spanish food was catered for all guests.

● National Honor Society welcomed 5 NEW Inductees into membership on March 8, 2023. Cree Croy, Chloe Sutton, Cole Hampson, Maya Cacello, and Jarrek Hirsch. The NHS group recently participated in two highway clean-ups. Students picked up garbage along Route 53 and Route 129 and collected several bags of garbage.

● Mr. Engelman thanked the Board of Education for employing him for the last 12 years. He stated that the GSW community is great for raising a family. The kids here have been awesome. The superintendent is fabulous, so you are in good hands with Mrs. Sue Avery.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Mr. Engelman, Athletic Director, discussed the following:

● Rolla, MO Summer Volleyball Camp Trip – Varsity Volleyball players only – June 22 – 24. The cost would be $109 per player. Cost includes an All-inclusive camp, rooms, food, and extra activities.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS REPORT: Mrs. Sue Avery presented the following:

● Summer Worker – hiring a student for part-time summer work. We will have two student workers and our regular custodial staff this summer.

● New Doors – our new exterior doors have been installed and look great. This was a safety issue/concern for several years. Doors by the gym area (under the V), front stairways, and back kitchen area have all been installed.

● The famous “V” is half-lit. One side is burned out. We need to look into getting new bulbs.

● Glass blocks by gym area – need to look into removing or fixing up the look of those areas on the building.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Mrs. Avery presented the following:

● The GSW Youth Philanthropy organization awarded five organizations money they feel makes a difference in their community. Grundy County Sheriff's Dept., the GSW student assistance fund, Beans and Bites, Catholic Charities, and CASA. A ceremony was held on Thursday, May 11th. GSW has 18 members this year. Mrs. Sue Avery, Mrs. Terese Kukman, and students – Colby Grieff, Taeryn Lardi, Eva Henderson, Mady Olsen, Addi Fair, and Avery Williams were present to represent GSW High School.

● PROM recap – GSW Prom was held on Friday, April 28th, at a beautiful venue this year, The Odyssey in Tinley Park. The Prom Lock-in was also a lot of fun. It was held at The Enchanted Castle immediately after Prom. Both events were well organized and well planned. Overall it was a great night, and the kids really enjoyed themselves.

● Graduation will be held Sunday, May 21, at noon inside the GSW HS gymnasium. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the Panther's YouTube.

● ESSER Funds – We are using up the last of our money from these funds. Summer school is planned for students that need credit recovery. We will have about eight students participating this summer. It will be held for eight days.

● Amending the Budget – Mrs. Avery will be amending the budget, so a Budget Hearing must be held. Information was sent to the Morris Daily Herald, as it needs to be in a printed paper 30 days before the meeting is held.

● Lift Update – The Fire Marshalls from Chicago visited GSW HS and informed us that we couldn’t use our current lift due to a ceiling variance. We will have (1) wheelchair student next year who must use this lift. We do not have the funds to install an elevator in the building. Mrs. Avery will be attending a board meeting to discuss options for GSW.

● April 26 – was Administrative Assistant Day – celebrated with donuts for faculty & staff.

● May 8 – 12 was Teacher Appreciation Week – A Friends Theme was incorporated all week, with help from several parents.

● Sub Pay – we are discussing raising the sub pay from $90 to $105. We will match what Gardner Grade School is paying their subs.

BOE MEMBERS REPORTS:

Board members discussed what faculty/staff is retiring this school year and next year.

ACTION ITEMS:

● Approve IHSA membership renewal for 2023-2024 with a membership fee of $875

● Approve Summer Secretary – Terri Balcom

● Change Purchase Order Cards – Change from BEMO to Old National Bank

● Update Intergovernmental Agreement with Dwight Township High School - Sports

● Update Intergovernmental Agreement with Reed Custer Soccer

● Approve Mack & Associate's agreement to do Audit Scope & Objectives

● Hire Junior Varsity Supplemental Basketball Coach – Dan Vashinko

● Hire Varsity Supplemental Basketball Coach – Dan Vashinko

● Raise Sub Pay Rate – from $90 to $105

● Approve Non-Certified Pay Raises

● Hire Part-Time Summer Custodial Worker – Sam Tramutolo

● Hire Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach – Dan Vashinko

Newly Seated Board:

https://www.gswhs73.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/53b4271773d6c/May%2017,%202023%20Board%20Briefs.docx%20(1).pdf