Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 Board of Education met Oct. 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Zion-Benton Township High School District 126, Lake County, Illinois, met in Regular Session in the South Cafeteria, One Z-B Way, 3901 W. 21st Street, Zion, Illinois, commencing at 7:00 p.m.
President Nordstrom presided.
ROLL CALL
Members present: President Nordstrom, Vice President Nieto, Secretary Roberts, Member Leech, Member Richards, Member Stephen, and Member White.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
DISTRICT 126 RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS AND STAFF
Twelve students and staff members Kaitlin Macanowicz, Grindelia Fajardo, and
Chief Vincent Nelson were recognized for their accomplishments for District 126 and the community. Principal Kubic also recognized Zakiyah Robinson for coordinating elected officials presenting information to New Tech students about how to advocate for legislation related to climate change.
COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF, GUESTS, AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS
Robbie Randall addressed the Board on behalf of Waukegan Township to provide information about the Artis Yancey Historically Black Colleges and Universities Tour. Ms. Randall explained that this tour is open to all high school students, scholarships are available, and requested an opportunity to visit the District campuses to present and explain this opportunity to District 126 students.
Tracey Johnson stated that since he last addressed the Board at the September Regular Board meeting he has presented to other taxing bodies an idea of a four-year property tax break incentive for new teachers. Mr. Johnson asked that the Board consider offering this to new teachers who are willing to relocate.
Gaylis Shakir addressed the Board on behalf of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to discuss the Sorority’s mentoring program for high school students and requested the opportunity to share the information with District 126 students.
AGENDA AMENDMENT
President Nordstrom asked Dr. Clark if there were any amendments to the agenda. Dr. Clark indicated that there were no amendments to the agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member White to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-1 (Member Richards noted no). Included in the Consent Agenda are the following:
• Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 24, 2019.
• Activity Report – September 2019, EXHIBIT “A”.
• Bills Paid Reports – September & October 2019, EXHIBIT “B”.
• Bills Payable Report – October 2019, EXHIBIT “C”.
• School Treasurer’s Report – September 2019, EXHIBIT “D”.
• Revenue and Expenditure Report – September 2019, EXHIBIT “E”.
• FOIA Requests, EXHIBIT “F”.
• Disposal Request, EXHIBIT “G”.
• Contractor Payout Requests, EXHIBIT “H”.
• Destruction of Closed Session Recordings – October 26, 2017.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Clark reported on the following:
• Calendar of Activities (EXHIBIT “I”, Calendar of Activities, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
• All Board members are encouraged to attend the fall drama Twelve Angry Jurors, which will be held in the New Tech Cafetorium on October 24th – 26th.
• The IASB Lake Division Dinner Meeting is on October 29th. The featured presenter for the evening is Ralph Martire with a program entitled, Moving Illinois Toward Fiscal Sustainability.
• There will be a Special Meeting on November 12th with School Exec Connect at 6:00 p.m.
• Board of Education Appreciation Day is November 15, 2019. Dr. Clark thanked the Board for their dedication to the demands of being public servants on behalf of District 126.
• Next Regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at Zion-Benton Township High School.
• The IASB fall conference is November 22-24, 2019. Badges and an itinerary will be provided at the November 19, 2019, Regular Board Meeting.
• Dr. Clark reminded Board Members to review the IASB resolution packet they received at the September 24, 2019 Regular Board Meeting. Board members should come to the November 19, 2019 Regular Board Meeting prepared to discuss and cast advisory votes on their positions so that Secretary Roberts knows how to vote on behalf of the District at the Delegate Assembly.
• Administration is working on 2020-21 curriculum proposals that will be discussed at a to be scheduled Curriculum Committee meeting. The Curriculum Committee will present recommendations at the November 19, 2019 Regular Board Meeting.
• The Title IX Achievement Recognition Ceremony on October 11th was very well received. Female athletes and their coaches who pioneered women’s sports at District 126 were recognized and celebrated.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS
New Superintendent Profile Presentation
Dr. Gary Zabilka of School Exec Connect reported the findings of the focus groups and online surveys that were conducted to gather information from community, staff, and parents regarding the search for a new superintendent. Dr. Zabilka then presented to the Board the New Superintendent Profile that was created based on the information gathered. The next step is to utilize this information to select candidates that match the profile for the Board to interview. (EXHIBIT “J”, New Superintendent Profile, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Principals’ Reports
New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East Mr. Kubic reported on the following:
• Principals Kubic and Pawelczyk attended a “reverse job fair” at NIU during which they spoke with members of diversity-oriented organizations about partnerships with District 126.
• Parent-teacher conferences were well attended, with over 100 families represented.
• New Tech held its Driver Education unit on traffic stops, which included local police officers providing instruction on law enforcement procedures.
• Officials from various civic offices visited the junior class to engage in discussion about how the various levels of government work together and how students can be civically engaged.
• The Health class hosted a Taste of Zion event in which students set up mini-restaurants where they sampled food from a diet they researched and provided information about the various diets.
• District 126 Assessment Day was well attended with an attendance ranging from 95.7% to 97.6%
• Teacher professional development meetings continue on the essential elements of Project Based Learning.
(EXHIBIT “K”, New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East Board of Education Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Zion-Benton Township High School
Dr. Pawelczyk reported on the following:
• Parent-teacher conferences went great although attendance was down from last fall when it was at its highest.
• Certified and classified staff have begun completing the 11 State of Illinois Department of Labor mandatory online trainings.
• IMC coordinator, Deb Will was invited by the American Library Association to attend the American Association of School Librarians Conference to present the District’s work with the Great Stories Club and how this positively impacted the school and community.
• Assessment Day went very well with over 90% of 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students in attendance.
• The first Grit Breakfast of the year will be on Friday, October 25th. (EXHIBIT “L”, Zion-Benton Township High School Board of Education
Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
SEDOL Report
Member Stephen indicated there was no report.
RECESS
No recess was taken.
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT Business/Bid/Finance Committee
• President Nordstrom reported that the Business, Bid, Finance Committee recently met and discussed the status of capital improvement projects, the progress of the 21st Street exit, and the bid results for the natatorium renovation. The project bids came in much higher than anticipated due to a high demand for construction. Administration and the BBF Committee recommend taking additional time to look at potential value engineering options and to determine whether or not it is sensible to renovate or consider new. Additional time is needed to research all options so additional information can be shared with the Board. As a result, the BBF Committee recommends that action items 10A and 10B be tabled.
Approval of Marketing Agreement – Digital Scoring Table(s) Sponsorship Advertising
Dr. Wilkinson presented the Board with a five-year marketing agreement that will give the District the ability to generate revenue via its digital scoreboard that was previously purchased for athletic contests.
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member White to approve the Marketing Agreement for Digital Scoring Table(s) Sponsorship Advertising as presented and authorize CSBO Wilkinson to execute the agreement. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members voting 7-0.). (EXHIBIT “M”, Marketing Agreement – Digital Scoring Table(s) Sponsorship Advertising, is included and made a part of these minutes).
NEW BUSINESS
Approval and Awarding of Natatorium Project Bids and Approval and Assignment of Natatorium Bids to Camosy Construction
President Nordstrom noted that these items would be tabled for reasons previously stated.
Approval of Agreement with Winthrop Harbor for the Provision of Security
Dr. Clark reported that legal counsel for the Village of Winthrop Harbor has updated their intergovernmental agreement for the provision of security services and requested that a revised contractual service agreement be executed with District 126.
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the Contractual Services Agreement with the Village of Winthrop Harbor for the Provision of Security Services as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members voting 7-0.). (EXHIBIT “N”, Contractual Services Agreement with the Village of Winthrop Harbor for the Provision of Security Services, is included and made a part of these minutes).
OTHER BUSINESS
Capital Improvements Update
Dr. Wilkinson updated the Board on the District’s capital improvements. Highlights include the following:
• The 21st Street exit is expected to be completed in two weeks, weather permitting.
• The Performing Arts Center is fully enclosed and construction continues on the interior. This project is still on schedule to be completed by mid-December.
• Prep work has started for the hot water heater replacement but the majority of the work will be done over winter break when the building is closed and the water can be shut off.
CLOSED SESSION
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Leech to go into closed session at 8:35 p.m. for consideration of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and collective bargaining. (5ILCS 120/2(c)(1,2)). Motion was approved by a roll vote of members present voting 7-0.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to return to open session at 8:53 p.m. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 7-0.
PERSONNEL APPROVALS
A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member White to approve the personnel approvals as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 7-0. Included in the personnel approvals were:
- Change of Status:
Baines, Tim (Full-Time Parapro).
- Appointments:
Bailey, Andrea (Technology Dept. Technician).
- Employments:
Carrasquilla, Michelle (Asst. Boys Swim Coach),
Grieco, Tina (Freshman B Girls Basketball Coach),
Lindstrom, Joshua (Freshman B Boys Basketball Coach),
Riportella, Kayla (Asst. Boys Volleyball Coach),
Dias, Moises (Bus Driver),
Hill, Victoria (Bus Driver).
- Leaves of Absence:
Rossmann, Kim (Payroll Specialist).
- Resignations:
Cardenas, Dora (Instructional Aide),
Nelson, Savannah (Program Attendant),
Stenson, William (Bus Driver).
- Retirement:
Harmon, Julie (District Data Specialist).
EXHIBIT “O”, Monthly Personnel Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member White to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Motion was approved by a voice vote of members present voting 7-0.
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