Grundy Reporter

Gardner Community Consolidated Grade School District 72-C Board of Education met June 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

BUDGET AMENDMENT HEARING:

Mrs. Sue Avery, Superintendent, presented the Amended FY 2023 District Budget to the board. She reviewed the overall funds, broken down by category. We received more funds than anticipated in the Education Fund – so we will transfer out funds to O&M for the door project, and transfer funds to Transportation.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Lorie Wilkins was present at the meeting to ask about the status of the lift at GSW. Lorie is the grandmother of a special ed student in a wheelchair that will be needing to use the lift on a daily basis at GSW HS for the 23-24 school year. She would like for her grandson to be able to attend GSW and not have to be bussed over to Morris if the lift is broken. Supt. Avery discussed the parts are on order (new platform and computer chip), and once the parts arrive, the existing lift will be repaired and ready for use.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT: Mrs. Sue Avery, Supt., reported the following:

● Mr. Engelman worked his 10-summer days remotely from home to finish off his school year.

● New Principal, Mr. Brian Davis, has moved into his new office and is ready for the new year.

● GSW Handbook – Principal Davis took over the GSW Handbook Committee and held approximately six meetings at the end of this school year to revise it for the 23-24 school year.

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS: None at this time.

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

● Lift Update = The new parts are on order (new platform and computer chip) and existing lift will be repaired. We have been advised by the ROE to fix the existing lift, with yearly inspections, and then look for / apply for grants to fund a future elevator installation.

● Summer Work – is going well. Custodial staff has been cleaning rooms. Our temporary summer high school student workers are doing great.

● Raptor System – Looking into purchasing this system for GSW. It would be a wireless kiosk that will be housed in the front entry vestibule. Visitors would need to be cleared through this system in order to enter the building. It would print out a name badge for them to wear. The cost would be approximately $2,000 start-up fee and a $900 yearly fee to run the system.

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

● Board Convention – November 17, 18 and 19 in Chicago. Needing to know how many plan to attend to book hotel rooms, register, etc.

● Next year’s Levy Numbers – estimated levy figures were reviewed

● Science Teacher – Mr. Thomas Choi – he will be approved to be hired tonight.

● Insurance Update – the rate has gone up by 4.30%

● Workman’s Comp Insurance Update – the rate has gone up by about 9% - we have had some claims over the past year.

● Faith’s Law – IL Governor Pritzker passed a new law mandating background calls / checking with former employers on job status regarding grooming and any sexual conduct in schools.

● Grundy County Sheriff, Mr. Ken Briley, offered an invite to any GSW Board Member that would like to attend their Monthly Committee Meetings. Terry Schultz, Tim Harvey and Kori Speed all stated they would like to attend.

BOE MEMBERS REPORTS:

Board Member Terry Schultz asked if GSW can get together some volunteers to work in the Bingo Tent at Party in the Park this summer. Any coaches and teams / groups that use the park or any school personnel that would like to help out can sign-up to work shifts.

ACTION ITEMS:

● Consolidated District Title 1 Plan for 2023-2023

● Property/Casualty Insurance Renewal

● Workman’s Compensation Insurance Renewal

● Approve the Board Resolution for Permanent Fund Transfer from Education Fund to O&M

● Approve the Board Resolution for Permanent Fund Transfer from Education Fund to Transportation

● Approve hiring of Science Teacher – Mr. Thomas Choi

● Approve the First Reading of Press Plus 111

● Destruction of Closed Session Audio Recordings 18-months and older

● Opening of Board of Education Closed Session Minutes from January 2023 – May 2023

● Authorize the payment of July 2023 bills

● Authorize employment of new staff for (2023-2024)

● Approve Administration Role Contract – Ms. Angel Dallio

● Approve the Handbook Changes for School Year 2023-2024

● Approve HR Company to do Faith’s Law Checks

OTHERS:

Board Member, David Simms, informed the board that his wife, Mrs. Anne Simms, was recently hired as the Head Cross-Country Coach at Dwight High School with a 1-year contract. He also asked where the Panther Bus had been. Mrs. Avery told him that it is currently at the repair shop due to axle and tie-rod issues and that the air-conditioning is also not working. It has been gone from GSW since the end of May.

https://www.gswhs73.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/53b4271773d6c/June%2021,%202023%20Board%20Briefs.docx.pdf