Grundy Reporter

Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met July 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Board Study Session of the Whole Meeting Minutes

Call to Order

President Miller called the study session meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. with the board members answering roll call present: Dan Engelhardt, Quint Harmon, Cindy Klein, Matt Melvin, Mindy Rampa, Ryan VanDuyne, and Ken Miller. Also, in attendance were Superintendent Christopher Spencer, CSBO Jason Smith, Middle School Principal Cameron Stone, and Secretary to the Board of Education LaWanda Gagliardo. Director of Student Services Luke Krippel, Director of Curriculum & Instruction Jennifer Kenney, and Community Relations Specialist Ann Gill were absent.

Pledge of Allegiance

President Miller led the Board, and others present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the Special Board Meeting held earlier in the evening.

Discussion on School Improvement Plan for the Middle School

Middle School Principal Cameron Stone was in attendance and presented an Improvement Plan for the Middle School. Mr. Stone explained the process started with needing/wanting to improve math scores at the middle school. He worked with Dr. Halloran and sent out a survey to staff to get feedback on needed improvements. Mr. Stone provided the Board a summary of the Middle School’s State report card grade and the stats of their math scores per grade. A summary of the work that was done to assemble the plan was described, and he also described how this plan aligns with Pearson’s guidelines and ACT’s language. Mr. Stone will meet with the School Improvement Committee in August to discuss the creation of professional development sessions around teaching 76-minute math classes. A representative from the ROE will come and assist teachers with creating strategies around teaching a 76-minute class.

A Board member asked in Mr. Stone’s opinion, what do they think is affecting the middle school’s math scores? Is it critical thinking? Migration from old to new teaching methods? The Board member mentioned that with the new teaching methods, parents cannot assist students as much. Mr. Stone stated students are changing, and this is an opportunity to pivot and train district teachers in navigating this variation in time. Part of that change is learning to teach a 76-minute class from a 42- minute class. Also, the multi-step math equations are another area that students are struggling in. The Board thanked Mr. Stone and wants to be kept in the loop on the progress of this Improvement Plan and if it can be rolled out district wide based on the building’s grade levels.

Discussion on 8th Grade Promotion Survey Results

Superintendent Christopher Spencer presented and discussed the survey results regarding 8th grade promotion. Mr. Stone called other districts with middle schools and asked questions regarding 8th grade promotion in their district. It was determined that schools are still holding 8th grade promotion, it varied if gowns were utilized and the time of year. The Board thanked him for gathering the information.

Discussion on Residency Investigator Job Description

Superintendent Christopher Spencer discussed the Residency Investigator job description. Mr. Spencer conducted online research, worked with district attorneys, and administration to compile the job description. This position will be on a as needed basis at a rate of $35 per hour. Out of district tuition for the 25 – 26 school year is $16,862.99. The administration believes having someone in this position will save the district money. A Board member wanted the administration to consider certifications needed if a retired police officer is hired for this position and benefits. If the Board agrees, the Residency Investigator job description will be presented at the August Board meeting for approval.

Discussion on the Dissolution of the Athletic Boosters

Superintendent Christopher Spencer discussed the dissolution of the Athletic Boosters. Mr. Spencer will meet with the current Boosters President to get some ideas and discuss the finances. The remaining funds from the Boosters will pay the salary of this employee. The district hired a staff member who will take over ordering supplies for the MS/HS concession stands. The Board would like to be kept abreast of how this transition goes.

Second Reading of Revised District Policies

The following District Policies have been revised and submitted for review. The first reading took place at the July 9th Board meeting; this was the second reading. The Board Policy Committee will convene soon to discuss in detail. These revised policies will be presented at the next Board meeting for approval.

1:10	School District Legal Status
1:20	District Organization, Operations, and Cooperative Agreements
1:20-AP	Checklist for Handling Intergovernmental Agreement Requests
1:30	School District Philosophy
2:10	School District Governance
2:80	Board Member Oath and Conduct
2:120-E1	Guidelines for Serving as a Mentor to a New School Board Member
2:120-E2	Website Listing of Development and Training Completed by Board Members
2:125-E3	Resolution to Regulate Expense Reimbursements
2:130	Board Superintendent Relationship
2:200-AP	Types of School Board Meetings
2:220-E4	Open Meeting Minutes
2:220-E7	Access to Closed Meeting Minutes and Verbatim Recordings
2:220-E9	Requirements for No Physical Presence of Quorum and Participation by Audio or Video During Disaster Declaration
2:240	Board Policy Development
2:240-E1	PRESS Issue Updates
2:240-E2	Developing Local Policy
2:250-E3	Recurrent Requestor Notification

3:30	Chain of Command
3:30-E	Organizational Chart for Administration
3:70-AP	Succession Plan
4:15-E1	Letter to Employees Regarding Protecting the Privacy of Social Security Numbers
4:15-E2	Statement for Purpose of Collecting Social Security Numbers
4:15-E3	Statement for Employee Manual of District Website Describing the District’s Purpose for Collecting Social Security Numbers
4:50	Payment Procedures
4:55	Use of Credit and Procurement Cards
4:120-AP	Food Services: Competitive Foods; Exemptions
4:170-AP5	Unsafe School Choice Option
4:175-AP1	Criminal Offender Notification Law; Screening
4:180	Pandemic Preparedness; Management; and Recovery
4:180-AP2	Pandemic Influenza Surveillance and Screening
4:180-AP3	Grant Flexibility; Payment of Employee Salaries During a Pandemic
5:125-E	Employee Receipt of Board Policy on Personal Technology and Social Media
5:170-AP1	Copyright Compliance
5:170-AP2	Seeking Permission to Copy or Use Copyrighted Works
5:170-AP3	Instructional Materials and Computer Programs Developed Within the Scope of Employment
5:170-E1	Request to Reprint or Adapt Material
5:190-E2	Notice to Parents When Their Child is Assigned To or Has Been Taught for at Least Four Straight Weeks By a Teacher that Does Not Meet Applicable State Certification/Licensure Requirements
5:190-E3	Letter to Teacher Who Does Not Meet Applicable State Certification/Licensure Requirements for the Grade Level and Subject Area of Assignment
5:240-AP	Suspensions
6:120-AP4	Care of Students with Diabetes
6:190-AP	Eligibility for Participation in Extracurricular Activities
6:235-E5	Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
6:250-AP	Resource Persons and/or School Volunteers; Screening
7:40	Nonpublic School Students, Including Parochial and Home-Schooled Students
7:90	Release During School Hours
7:130	Student Rights and Responsibilities
7:140	Search and Seizure
7:140-E	Letter to Parents/Guardians regarding the Right to Privacy in the School Setting Act
7:240-AP, E1	Consent to Participate in Extracurricular Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
7:280-E2	Reporting and Exclusion Requirements for Common Communicable Diseases

7:300	Extracurricular Athletics
7:325	Student Fundraising Activities
8:30-AP	Definition of Child Sex Offender
8:80	Gifts to the District
8:95-E2	Verification of School Visitation

Finance Reports

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

Open

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

b) Sharing Ideas / Information - none.

Closed Session

At 6:41 p.m. a motion made by Mr. Harmon and seconded by Mrs. Klein to go into closed session for the purpose of considering information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of specific employees, and student discipline.

Roll Call.

Ayes: Quint Harmon, Cindy Klein, Dan Engelhardt, Matt Melvin, Mindy Rampa, Ryan VanDuyne, Ken Miller Nays:

Motion: Carried.

Mr. Engelhardt moved, and Mr. VanDuyne seconded to return to open session at 6:45 p.m.

Roll Call.

Ayes: Dan Engelhardt, Ryan VanDuyne, Quint Harmon, Cindy Klein, Matt Melvin, Mindy Rampa, Ken Miller Nays:

Motion: Carried.

Adjournment

Mr. Harmon moved, and Mrs. Rampa seconded to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. the Board Study Session of the Whole meeting.

https://4.files.edl.io/8f50/08/13/25/173211-1e37e09b-48cc-4aa8-bee2-d8adfd74c40a.pdf