Big Hollow School District #38 Board of Education met June 12.
Here is the minutes as provided by the board:
1. Call to Order:
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June
12, 2017 at the Big Hollow Middle School Library.
Roll Call:
The following members were in attendance: Cernuska, Enters, Lyons, Mazur, Pedersen, Plescia
The following members were absent: Kueter
The following administration were present: Gold, Arndt, Whipple, Meek
2. Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Motion to move to Closed Session:
A motion was made by Cernuska and seconded by Mazur to move to closed session. Motion
carried.
Aye: Cernuska, Mazur, Enters, Lyons, Pedersen, Plescia
Nay: None
4. Resume to Open Session:
Open Session began at 7:05 p.m.
5. Added Items/Approval of the Agenda:
A motion was made by Pedersen and seconded by Enters to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Aye: Pedersen, Enters, Cernuska, Lyons, Mazur, Plescia
Nay: None
6. Academic Spotlight:
Linda Merrill, Carrie Miller, and Chris Jackowiak provided the Board with highlights of the
Primary/Elementary Physical Education program. We are one of the top fundraisers in northern
IL for Jump Rope for Heart. They run several free community events that are well attended.
They updated the Board on Early Release Day work and technology that is being used. They are
using technology for assessment opportunities, self-tracking, behavior logs and parent
communication.
7. Approve Consent Agenda Items:
A motion was made by Cernuska and seconded by Mazur to approve the consent agenda items.
Motion carried.
Aye: Cernuska, Mazur, Enters, Lyons, Pedersen, Plescia
Nay: None
8. Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
9. Superintendent’s Report:
a. Monthly Board Policy review
Sections 6:145-6:180 were reviewed.
b. Recognition from the American Heart Association
Emilie Gill, from the American Heart Association, needed to leave for a family emergency,
so Mr. Gold recognized the work that our Physical Education staff has done this past year in
support of the Association and presented plaques to the Primary, Elementary and Middle
schools.
c. Board meeting dates for SY 2017-2018
A list of Board meeting dates for SY 2017-2018 was presented.
d. End of year MAP assessment summary
A summary of the 2016-2017 average spring RIT scores for each grade level in reading and
math as compared to the national norms at each grade level was presented. Growth levels
were discussed.
e. Adoption of the 2017-2018 Budget Calendar
It was announced that the tentative budget for SY17-18 will be presented during the
Monday, August 14, 2017 Board Meeting. According to the Illinois School Code, the
budget will need to be on display in our office for thirty (30) days prior to the board
adopting the final budget. All public school budgets must be approved by September 30th
of each year. The budget will be on display at the District office by August 10, 2017.
Mr. Gold recommended that the Board of Education adopt the budget calendar outlined
below:
Friday, August 4, 2017 – Local ad appears in the Daily Herald regarding thirty-day
notice of budget on display.
Monday, August 14, 2017 – Board approves Tentative Budget for SY17-18.
Thursday, August 10, 2017 through Monday, September 11, 2017 – Budget on public
display at the District office.
Monday, September 11, 2017 – Board adopts budget for 2017-2018 school year.
A motion was made by Enters and seconded by Cernuska to adopt the budget calendar for the
2017/2018 school year. Motion carried.
Aye: Enters, Cernuska, Lyons, Mazur, Pedersen, Plescia
Nay: None
f. Insurance Update
An update on the 2017-2018 health insurance premiums was presented. In summary, the
medical rates increased by 5% and the dental rates increased by 18%.
An update on the 2017-2018 property/casualty and workers’ compensation premiums was
presented. In summary, the total cost for these coverages has decreased from $126,142 to
$120,989.
g. IESA Sportsmanship Award
Big Hollow Middle School was selected by the Illinois Elementary School Association
(IESA) for the Division Sportsmanship Award. This award recognizes outstanding behavior
of a member school in each of the 15 IESA divisions. Schools are nominated by their peers
in each Division in May of each school year. Each winner receives a banner to hang in their
school gym.
h. Approve the adoption of the Eureka Math resource for grades K-5th grade on 1st reading
Mr. Gold explained how Eureka Math has improved scores at the Antioch school district. We
have sent our teachers into their classrooms to see firsthand how it works. It was questioned
whether there are parent resources in order to help parents understand and help their children
with homework. The process was explained and a proposal for adoption of Eureka Math was
presented.
A motion was made by Pedersen and seconded by Mazur to approve the adoption of the
Eureka Math resource. There will be a final July, 2017 vote. Motion carried.
Aye: Pedersen, Mazur, Lyons, Plescia, Cernuska, Enters
Nay: None
i. Update on Wilson Rd./Nippersink Rd. Construction Project
All of the property acquisition and permitting has been completed. They are planning to
award a contract to a contractor in late July. There will be some construction (tree clearing
mostly) starting around the beginning of October but no real roadway work. The majority of
the work is scheduled to start in early 2018. The possibility of sidewalks was also discussed
along with safety hazards.
j. Update on the State budget situation and the current impact on BHSD 38
As of Thursday, June 8, 2017, the State of Illinois has yet to pass a budget for school district
allocations for the 2017-2018 school year. Concerns were discussed on how long we can stay
open without receiving the funds that are owed to us. The State currently owes BHSD a total
of $1,114,766 broken down into the following areas:
SPED Private Facility Tuition $51,564
SPED Services $169,580
SPED Personnel $229,321
SPED Summer School $4,639
Transportation--Regular $303,456
Transportation--SPED $356,206
Total $1,114,766
k. Discussion on Board Committee Assignments for 2017-2018
Updated list is as follows:
Curriculum
Tiffany Enters, Julia Mazur, Vivian Kueter
Finance
Joe Cernuska, Kevin Lyons, Lauren Plescia
Building/Grounds/Transportation
Joe Cernuska, Doug Pedersen, Lauren Plescia
Health Insurance
Julia Mazur, Doug Pedersen, Lauren Plescia
Negotiations
Vivian Kueter, Kevin Lyons, Doug Pedersen
Policies
Vivian Kueter, Kevin Lyons, Julia Mazur
Technology
Joe Cernuska, Tiffany Enters, Julia Mazur
Extra-Curricular
Joe Cernuska, Tiffany Enters, Doug Pedersen
10. Other Action Items:
a. Approve the May employment report
A motion was made by Cernuska and seconded by Enters to approve the May employment
report. Motion carried.
Aye: Cernuska, Enters, Mazur, Pedersen, Plescia, Lyons
Nay: None
b. Approve Extra-Curricular Assignments for 2017-2018
A motion was made by Mazur and seconded by Enters to approve the Extra-Curricular
Assignments for 2017/2018. Motion carried.
Aye: Mazur, Enters, Pedersen, Plescia, Cernuska, Lyons
Nay: None
c. Approve the certification of hazardous bus conditions
The Illinois School Code requires that the Board of Education annually review areas within
1½ miles of school where free bus transportation is provided because conditions are such that
walking constitutes a serious hazard. Currently, five such areas have been approved by the
Illinois Department of Transportation:
• Heading east on W. Nippersink Rd. from the entrance of Big Hollow Middle School.
• Heading west on W. Nippersink Rd. from the entrance of Big Hollow Middle School.
• Heading north on Fish Lake Rd. from the entrance of Big Hollow
Primary/Elementary Schools.
• Heading south on Fish Lake Rd. from the entrance of Big Hollow
Primary/Elementary Schools.
• Heading west on Molidor Rd. from the entrance of Big Hollow Primary/Elementary
Schools.
A motion was made by Cernuska and seconded by Pedersen to certify that the hazardous
conditions remain unchanged and that walking continues to constitute a serious hazard to
students due to vehicular traffic. Motion carried.
Aye: Cernuska, Pedersen, Plescia, Enters, Lyons, Mazur
Nay: None
d. Approve the agreement for transportation services between the Board of Education of Big
Hollow School District and St. Bede Catholic School
A resolution outlining an agreement to transport students who attend St. Bede but live within
the Big Hollow School District boundaries was presented. Students from St. Bede will ride
our busses to the Middle School and will then be transported on one bus from the Middle
School to their campus. Students will then be picked up in the afternoon at their campus and
transported to the Middle School where they will then get on our busses for transportation
home. Discipline issues and age differences in students riding together were discussed.
A motion was made by Cernuska and seconded by Plescia to approve the agreement for
transportation services between the Big Hollow School District and St. Bede Catholic School.
Motion carried.
Aye: Cernuska, Plescia, Enters, Lyons, Mazur, Pedersen
Nay: None
e. Approve the purchase of 4 vans for the transportation department
A letter to the Board outlining the proposed purchase/lease of vehicles required to reduce our
current need for contractual transportation services for students served out-of-district was
presented. Driver training and fuel was discussed.
A motion was made by Mazur and seconded by Enters to accept the proposal for the
purchase/lease of vehicles for contractual transportation. Motion carried.
Aye: Mazur, Enters, Lyons, Pedersen, Plescia, Cernuska
Nay: None
f. Approve the installation of a walk-in freezer in the Big Hollow Primary/Elementary kitchen
An estimate was presented to show the approximate cost for the project. Janet Longo
discussed the need for space to store frozen goods because of our increase in students.
A motion was made by Mazur and seconded by Cernuska to move forward with the purchase
of a walk-in freezer for the Big Hollow Primary/Elementary kitchen.
Aye: Mazur, Cernuska, Lyons, Pedersen, Plescia, Enters
Nay: None
g. Approve Illinois Association of School Boards dues for 2017-2018
A summary of the IASB Membership dues for SY 2017-2018 was presented.
A motion was made by Enters and seconded by Pedersen to approve the IASB Membership
dues. Motion carried.
Aye: Enters, Pedersen, Lyons, Mazur, Plescia, Cernuska
Nay: None
h. Approve the appointment of a Treasurer for the 2017-2018 school year and the corresponding
School Treasurer’s Bond
A contract for Patricia Syens to serve as the Treasurer for BHSD 38 for the 2017-2018 school
year was presented. It is estimated that the work of the Treasurer will be less than 3 hours per
month. The School Treasurer’s Bond that will be secured through Liberty Mutual Insurance
Company is for a total of $4,500,000.
A motion was made by Cernuska and seconded by Plescia to approve Patricia Syens contract
as Treasurer for the 2017/2018 school year.
Aye: Cernuska, Plescia, Mazur, Pedersen, Enters, Lyons
Nay: None
11. Resignations Accepted:
The following resignations were accepted during the month of May:
• Dana Bailey, 2nd Grade Teacher, effective the end of the 2016-2017 school year
• Jennifer Truss, Elementary Paraprofessional, effective 6/5/2017
• Lauren Meredith, Middle School Physical Education Teacher, effective 6/6/2017
• Roberta Bock, Food Service Worker, effective 6/6/2017
12. Informational Items:
a. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests
There were no FOIA requests to report at this time.
b. Monthly Reports for the Board
Administrator, Food Service and Monthly Discipline Reports were presented.
c. Meeting Agendas
The Agenda for May, 2017 Administrator meeting was presented.
d. The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will take place on Monday, July 10, 2017 with
closed session beginning at 6:00 p.m.
13. Motion to move to closed session:
Closed session not needed.
14. Return to Open Session:
Not needed.
15. Take any necessary action following closed session regarding minutes, employment of personnel,
resignations, terminations or leaves of absence:
None
16. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Enters and seconded by Cernuska to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Aye: Enters, Cernuska, Pedersen, Plescia, Lyons, Mazur
Nay: None
http://www.bighollow.us/uploads/5/6/8/6/56865445/06-12-2017_open_meeting_minutes.pdf
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