Grundy Reporter

Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Aug. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Roll Call.

President Miller called the study session meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the board members answering roll call present: Dan Engelhardt, Shawn Hamilton, Quint Harmon, Cindy Klein, Steve Rogers, and Ken Miller. Also in attendance were Superintendent Christopher Spencer, CSBO Jason Smith, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Kenney, Director of Student Services Luke Krippel, and Community Relations Specialist Ann Gill. Board Secretary Mary Gill and secretary to the Board LaWanda Gagliardo were absent. CSBO Jason Smith took the roll call for the meeting. President Miller led the Board, and others present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

First Reading on Revised District Policies

The following policies were submitted for review; this was the first reading. The Board Policy Committee will convene soon to review the policies more in depth.

2:260	Uniform Grievance Procedure
2:265	Title IX Grievance Procedure
2:265-AP1	Title IX Response
2:265-AP2	Formal Title IX Complaint Grievance Process
2:265-AP3	Title IX Coordinator
2:265-E	Title IX Glossary of Terms
5:100	Staff Development Program
7:10-AP1	Accommodating Transgender, Nonbinary, or Gender Nonconforming Students
7:12-AP2	Accommodating Breastfeeding Students
7:20	Harassment of Students Prohibited
7:20-AP	Harassment of Students Prohibited
7:185	Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

Discussion on Facilities Improvement Plan

Superintendent Christopher Spencer provided the Board with an update on the facilities improvement plan. Last Friday was meet the Coalers night JV and varsity soccer team were able to have a scrimmage on the field and recognized all the fall sport athletes. As each student was announced their picture was up on the screen of the new scoreboard. Senior band students were also recognized. It was a very good night. The stadium is pretty much finished, and the track was completed last week on Tuesday. The tennis courts are done, and students were able to practice yesterday morning. First match for tennis will be this evening. The restrooms and concessions stand are waiting on the roof to come in and the concrete is being poured this week. Bleachers will be installed next week on September 3, just a slight delay in delivery, but everything is ready to go for that installation. The old unit has been demolished and the dirt will be filled in on Thursday. Mr. Spencer had a meeting with the Facilities Improvement Committee to discuss where to go from here with improving additional facilities within the district. Updating the exhaust system in and near the CTE classrooms and modernizing those rooms, along with the freshmen hallway, as that is the original hallway when the building was built. Also discussed was the addition to the gym at the ECC, and adding shade sails for students during recess, phase two for the Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Study Session of the Whole Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 28, 2024

library at the high school. The baseball and softball fields are getting one of the layers of rock installed before the turf is added. They are installing the post for the fencing as well.

Discussion on Student Transportation

Superintendent Christopher Spencer provided the Board with an update on Illinois Central Bus Company’s contract negotiations with Teamsters Local 179. As of now there is not an agreement in place with IL Central and their bus drivers. Mr. Spencer provided the Board with a summary of their process as to how they got to this point. The contract was extended until September 15th, and they can strike as of the 16th of September. The drivers and their union rep are meeting this evening. Mr. Spencer received an updated from IL Central stating that the union will not meet with them until September 13th. The district must now put a plan in place to ensure our students are able to get to school and may have to cancel that plan hours before. Board Vice President, Shawn Hamilton asked Mr. Spencer to compose and send a formal letter on behalf of the Board of Education to IL Central Bus Co. and the Teamsters Union Representative verbalizing the district’s disappointment in their lengthy lapse between meetings and that this is unacceptable. Also, Mr. Spencer may want to work with Gardner, Braceville and South Wilmington when constructing this letter, as this process is affecting their districts as well. Mr. Spencer met with Ms. Ringler, the Superintendent of Saratoga school district to determine if they would be able to assist with transporting several of our students who attend High Roads if needed. There will be a cost added to this request, but the assistance is appreciated. There are other accommodations the district will have to make, but those are some of the bigger ones. Mr. Spencer will provide the Board with an update at the next Board meeting.

Discussion on the Allocation of Funds from Competitive Power Ventures

Superintendent Christopher Spencer discussed the allocation of funds from Competitive Power Ventures. CSBO Jason Smith provided the Board with a summary of the district’s process when it comes to tax levies. The district has a tax agreement with Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) and the district will receive 1.2 million in tax dollars from CPV. Those funds are considered a P.I.L.O.T. (payment in lieu of taxes) and can be deposited in any fund that the board deems is most in need. The recommendation would be to place a percentage in the bond and interest fund and a percentage in the capital projects fund. There will be capital projects identified under the facilities improvement plan and for life safety in the future. This recommendation allows the Board more flexibility if for some reason the funds need to be reallocated into another fund due to unforeseen situations.The Board will have further discussions to determine the best course of action on how to best allocate the funds.

Finance Reports

The bank statements, monthly revenue, expenditure summary reports, check reconciliation report, cash report, and cleared check report for July 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 July were also enclosed for review.

Open

Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Study Session of the Whole Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 28, 2024

a) Items not known at agenda preparation time – Mr. Spencer reminded the Board about the Three Rivers meeting.

b) Sharing Ideas / Information – none.

Adjournment

Mr. Harmon moved and Mr. Engelhardt seconded to adjourn at 6:38 p.m. the Board Study Session of the Whole meeting.

https://4.files.edl.io/6a02/09/05/24/153614-a66eb0e3-00cd-4787-993c-c68d8f23acf1.pdf