Grundy Reporter

Gardner-South Wilmington High School #73 Board of Education met Sept. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

PRESENTATION OF FY25-28 E-LEARNING PLAN:

Mrs. Avery informed the board that we made minor revisions to the existing plan from previous years. It is a 3-year plan, and we will renew it for FY25-27.

PRESENTATION OF FY25 DISTRICT PLAN:

Mrs. Avery presented the FY25 Budget. We are no longer receiving ESSR III funds—this was COVID money, and it is no longer being distributed. We had about $20,000 left in unused COVID funds, and we will be receiving them. Our budget still looks good. The projected EAVs for the next three years were discussed, and they go up slightly each year.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Walter Debelak, Head of Maintenance at GSWHS, was present to attend Executive Closed Session.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT: Mr. Brian Davis, Principal, was absent at tonight’s meeting, so Mrs. Sue Avery, Supt., reported the following:

● Drills have been conducted – Fire, Severe Weather and Intruder drills.

● Informal Evaluations have been started

● Chess Club – New this year is the Chess Club, and Mr. Alan Wills is our sponsor. ● Supplemental Volleyball Coach – JV Coach and Varsity Assistant – Mrs. Heather Muzzarelli.

● Band Day at U of I – Sat., Sept. 7th – Gardner Area Band and Spirit Line performed during halftime

● MAP Testing – 9th, 10th and 11th graders - FALL testing has been completed

● SIP DAY – Wed., Sept. 11 with an 11:30 AM early dismissal for students. Teachers spend the afternoon in McKinney Vento training and then in PLC groups for vertical alignment work.

● PLC Day – Wed., Sept 18 with a 2:00 PM early dismissal for students.

● GSW HS Autumn Ball – Saturday – October 5 from 7 to 9 PM

● Natural Helpers Trip – Oct. 10 & 11 – Mrs. Wills will be taking a group of students on an overnight trip.

● Fall Break – October 11 – 14, 2024

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS:

Chris Ruddy, Director of Student Services, submitted her report electronically to the board members to review. MAP testing for FALL has been completed for our Fresh, Soph, and Junior students. English teacher, Mrs. Miller will be using the Read 180 program for interventions in reading. Math teacher, Mrs. Leigh will be using the ALEKS program for interventions in math. Mrs. Ruddy is conducting senior meetings with seniors at GSW to discuss graduation requirements, ensuring they are on track, answering any college questions and helping students prepare for life after graduation. Congratulations to our College Board National Recognition Program awardees: Abigail Leveille, Samantha Martin, and Tyler Wilkey! Abigail, Samantha and Tyler have been awarded the National Rural and Small-Town Program Award. Samantha has also been awarded the National First Generation and Hispanic Recognition Program Awards! These awards can help our students get recruited by colleges and universities and recognize them for their academic achievements.

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

● Weight Room Update = We are currently working on getting this room ready. Flooring, painting, lighting, and a new heating and cooling system for this area are being completed at this time.

● ROE Maintenance Grant: This is a matching maintenance grant. The money will be used to develop our new Lifetime Fitness Weight Room / Classroom, locks throughout the building, and LED lighting fixtures inside and outside the building.

● Shed Area – We will be working on cleaning up around the outside shed area and back alleyway area.

● Batting Cages – They need to be taken down when not in use, especially during the winter months and determine if the netting needs to be replaced.

● HVAC—Install a new heating and cooling system in our gym—in stages.

● Weekly Building and Grounds Projects Meeting with Supt and Director of Maintenance have been ongoing and effective.

● Triple I Conference – November in Chicago. Board members and Supt. discussed finalizing plans.

● GAVC—Minooka High School is renovating its CTE (Career and Tech Ed) programs in-house. When the renovations are completed, the school distict will remain in partnership with GAVC for the following programs: Cosmotology, Health Occ / CNA, and Early Childhood / Teaching.

● GAVC had its FY24 Audit presentation.

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

● Transportation – Our bus company, Illinois Central School Bus, settled their contract.

● Accounting—On Sept. 5th, Mrs. Avery met with our accountant and auditors to discuss and prepare for the upcoming audit. The Englert Group and our auditors both suggested using a new software program at GSW HS. Audit work will begin soon.

● Imprest Account—This account has been inactive for several years. It will be closed, and funds will be transferred to our Main Account.

BOE MEMBERS REPORTS:

Board member, Terry Schultz, asked if the board could receive a list of who is in charge of what clubs, groups, school activities, etc. Mrs. Avery said she would send board members a list of paid stipends.

Board member, Allison Wright, informed the board that a few GSW students had asked the Village of Braceville if they could help out in any way to receive community service hours. The Village can’t offer and doesn’t have any jobs for high school students due to liability issues.

Board member, Mr. David Simms, asked about NHS students, community service hours and the Lions Club Breakfast that was held on Sunday, September 15. He was informed that students signed up to help at the event and some did not show up. Due to the low student numbers helping, the Lions Club did not give NHS any monetary donations.

ACTION ITEMS:

● Approve the fiscal year 2025 District Budget

● Approve the fiscal year 2024 Teacher / Administration Compensation Report

● Approve Hire for Volleyball Assistant for JV / Varsity – Mrs. Heather Muzzarelli

● Approve the Second Reading of Board Policy 116

● Approve the Resolution to close the Imprest Account

● Approve the Resolution for the GSW E-Learning Plan

● Affirm the hire of ELL Paraprofessional – Mrs. Cassie Boudreau

OTHERS:

None at this time.

https://www.gswhs73.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/53b4271773d6c/September%2018,%202024%20Board%20Briefs.docx.pdf