Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 Board of Education met April 28.
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 ZBTHS South Cafeteria, One Z-B Way, 3901 W. 21st Street, Zion, Illinois, commencing at 7:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: President Nordstrom, Vice President Nieto (Zoom), Secretary Roberts, Member Richards (Zoom), and Member Stephen (Zoom).
Member excused: Member Leech and Member White.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF, GUESTS, AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS
Citizen Kathy Champine inquired about a reported roof leak and whether the Board President in his role as a Lake County Health Department official had a position on whether churches should be holding services on their properties given the stay at home order. Dr. Wilkinson reported he was unaware of a roof leak, and President Nordstrom indicated he had no comment as District 126 Board President regarding the legalities of churches holding services during the pandemic.
VERIFICATION OF AGENDA AND/OR AMENDMENTS
President Nordstrom asked Dr. Clark if there were any amendments to the agenda. Dr. Clark indicated there were none.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Richards to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 4-1 (Member Richards voted no). Included in the Consent Agenda are the following:
• Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 24, 2020.
• Activity Report – March 2020, EXHIBIT “A”.
• School Treasurer’s Report – March 2020, EXHIBIT “B”.
• Bills Paid Report – March & April 2020, EXHIBIT “C”.
• Bills Payable Report – April 2020, EXHIBIT “D”.
• Revenue & Expenditure Report – March 2020, EXHIBIT “E”.
• Contractor Pay Requests, EXHIBIT “F”.
• Approval of 2020-21 Textbook/Paperback Adoptions, EXHIBIT “G”.
• Destruction of Closed Session Recordings – April 9, 2018 & April 26, 2018
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Clark reported on the following:
• Calendar of Activities (EXHIBIT “H”, Calendar of Activities, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
• The next Regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.
• Pandemic related updates regarding:
o administration’s ongoing efforts to remain abreast of ISBE’s guidance related to expectations;
o weekly regional taxing body meetings involving Beach Park, Winthrop Harbor, Wadsworth, and Zion;
o the development of the District’s eLearning and Wellness website and continual update of the District’s websites to communicate all decisions to students and parents;
o ongoing email and robocall communications updating parents and students;
o eLearning attendance reaching as high as 90% but typically averaging 80% on a daily basis;
o coordinated systems of support that are addressing struggling or “missing” students during the school closure;
o providing students without any or sufficient internet access print materials; o the purchase of hotspots that will be provided to students on a case by case basis based on need;
o planning for special year-end events, such as a broadcasted Senior Honors Recognition Awards Program, Community Honors and Awards broadcast, and a virtual graduation while awaiting further information on what type of modified in-person graduation can occur;
o daily food distributions at both campuses;
o a potential community food drive that would be held at one of District 126’s campuses if food can be secured;
o plans for locker clean out and book returns are being developed;
o the cancellation of spring sports;
o delaying summer bridge programs for incoming 9th graders until August;
o the status of onsite registration being under review;
o preparation for the start of school in the fall; and
o faculty donations to the Abiding Love Food Pantry in the amount of $2,636 and the Giving Point Food Pantry in the amount of $3,106 to date.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS
2019 Tax Extension Report
Dr. Wilkinson presented the 2019 Tax Extension Report. Highlights included the following:
• The extension is the outcome of the levy filed last December.
• The extension was limited in its ability to increase by the 2018 CPI of 1.9%.
• The District’s EAV for calendar year 2019 increased by 4.31% to $700,382,148. This is the fourth year of measurable growth out of the last eleven, and the value is comparable to the District’s EAV fifteen years ago in 2004.
• The EAV growth combined with the Board’s decision to abate $3,468,791 in final extension has positively impacted the tax rate to be approximately 33-cents lower than last year.
• The District’s actual tax extension is $28,501,184, resulting in a decrease of $3,468,785 from what the District was otherwise entitled to receive in 2019, and which is less than the District’s tax extension four years ago.
• As a result of the District’s recent Property Tax Relief Grant abatements and increases in EAV, the District’s tax rate has fallen $1.24 over the last four years.
• The District did not experience the loss of any additional PTELL capped funds.
EXHIBIT “I”, EAV and Levy Extension, is included and made a part of these minutes.
Principals’ Report
New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East
Dr. Clark reported on the following of behalf of Principal Kubic:
• Staff continues to connect with students and families to advance e-learning and to monitor students’ general well-being as effectively as possible.
• Assistant Principal Felske is coordinating the Advisory program which emphasizes executive function skills and social-emotional learning.
• Mr. Kubic posts daily videos on Echo and Twitter with the Pledge of Allegiance and an encouraging story or quote. He invites any Board members who would like to contribute a video recording of the Pledge of Allegiance to contact him.
• Preparations for the 2020-21 school year are underway including plans for freshman orientation in August as well as the recruitment of a qualified candidate for the open Math teacher position.
• Mr. Kubic and Dr. DiGangi are collaborating to coordinate summer curriculum projects, including the addition of an Earned Honors program in freshman core courses.
EXHIBIT “J”, 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. Clark reported on the following on behalf of Dr. Pawelczyk:
• Administrators have been onsite daily to provide meals to students.
• Student Services personnel are attending to a variety of student needs, including graduation requirements, post-secondary plans, and student attendance issues.
• Deans, Assistant Directors of Safety & Attendance, and Interventionists are calling home and/or doing home visits to establish lines of communication with those students/families that are not engaging in e-learning.
• Division Chairs are providing direct assistance to teachers and forwarding larger challenges on to Cabinet-level administrators.
• Preparations for the 2020-21 school year are underway, including analysis of course requests, teacher schedules, room assignments, and recruitment.
EXHIBIT “K”, Zion-Benton Township High School Board of Education Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.
SEDOL Update
There was no report.
RECESS
No recess was taken.
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business, Bid, Finance Committee
President Nordstrom reported that several of the topics discussed at the recent BBF Committee meeting would be acted on under New Business; that administration reported to the BBF Committee on anticipated cash flow and anticipated receipt of property taxes; and the District being contacted regarding accepting an offer of a large commercial building, and the BBF Committee determining it was not currently in the District’s best interest to accept the donation.
Policy Committee
Dr. Nieto reported that the Policy Committee met to continue its review of needed policy changes. A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Member Stephen to approve the first reading of the following revised policies:
Section 6 – Instruction
6:15 – School Accountability
6:20 – School Year Calendar and Day
6:40 – Curriculum Development
6:50 – School Wellness
6:60 – Curriculum Content
6:70 – Teaching About Religions
6:100 – Using Animals in the Educational Program
6:130 – Program for the Gifted
6:140 – Education of the Homeless Children
6:145 – Migrant Students
6:150 – Home and Hospital Instruction
6:160 – English Learners
6:170 – Title I Programs
6:180 – Extended Instructional Programs
6:190 – Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities
6:210 – Instructional Materials
6:250 – Community Resource Persons and Volunteers
6:300 – Graduation Requirements
6:310 – High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students
6:340 – Student Testing and Assessment Program Section 8 – Community Relations
8:10 – Connection with the Community
8:20 – Community Use of School Facilities
8:25 – Advertising and Distributing Materials in Schools Provided by Non-School Related Entities
8:30 – Visitors to and Conduct on School Property or at School Event
8:70 – Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities
8:80 – Gifts to the District
8:90 – Parent Organizations
8:110 – Public Complaints
Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “L”, First Reading – Board Policy Revisions, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
NEW BUSINESS
Motion to Ratify Publication of Public Hearing Notice for the Purpose of Amending the 2019-20 Budget at the Regular June 23, 2020 Board of Education Meeting
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to ratify the publication of a public hearing notice for the purpose of amending the 2019-20 Budget at the Regular June 23, 2020, Board of Education Meeting.
Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “M”, Notice of Public Hearing, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of 2020-21 Treasurer’s Bond
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to renew the Treasurer’s Bond in the amount of $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 for a cost of $17,000. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “N”, Report of the Treasurer’s Bond Renewal, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of Paid School Lunch Prices for 2020-21
Dr. Wilkinson reported that as part of The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, all schools participating in the National School Lunch program are required to ensure sufficient funds are provided to the nonprofit school food service account for lunches served to students not eligible for free or reduced priced meals. After completing the required calculations, District 126 needs to increase the price of paid lunches by $.10 to remain in compliance. A motion was made by
Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to approve an increase in the paid National School Lunch price from $2.85 to $2.95 for the 2020-21 school year. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “O”, Paid Lunch Prices, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of 2019-20 Equal Opportunity Schools Agreement
Dr. Clark reported that the District’s partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS) has provided significant value in supporting the District’s efforts to increase and diversify participation in Advanced Placement courses. Dr. Clark is requesting that District 126 continue with the next phase in the EOS partnership, “Action for Equity Phase 3: Extend Equity.” A motion was made by
Member Stephen, seconded by Secretary Roberts to approve the 2020-21 Collaboration Agreement Renewal between the Board of Education and Equal Opportunity Schools in the amount of $19,500, and to authorize Dr. Clark to execute the agreement on behalf of the District. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “P”, Equal Opportunity Schools Agreement, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of New Tech Network Renewal Agreement
Dr. Clark reported that it is time for the District to renew its service agreement with the New Tech Network. The two-year continuation service agreement will allow New Tech High continued access to the Echo student and staff learning management system, provide data service support, and provide project based learning professional development opportunities as a member of the New Tech Network community. A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member Stephen to approve the two-year New Tech Network service agreement for 2020-21 and 2021-22 in the amount of $16,732 per year, which Dr. Clark will execute upon legal counsel finalizing the document. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “Q”, Renewal of New Tech Network Service Agreement, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of Modification to Graduation Requirements
Dr. Clark reported that recommendations regarding allowable modifications to graduation requirements due to the pandemic had just been released by ISBE prior to the meeting. Dr. Clark sought advisement from the Board as to whether Board members desired administration to move forward with making decisions regarding allowable modification to graduation credits with Board approval to follow or to form an ad hoc Board committee to review the matter prior to administration communicating these decision to stakeholders. The Board advised Dr. Clark that administration should proceed with making appropriate determinations that align with ISBE’s expectations with the Board providing approval at the May 26th Board meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Capital Projects Update
Dr. Wilkinson reported on the following:
• punch list items for the Performing Arts Center are still being finalized;
• bids are out for precast and steel for the natatorium with others to follow in June; and the ability to proceed with summer building projects during the school closures, including the replacement of ceiling tiles and light fixtures and the painting of lockers.
Europe Trip Cancellation
Dr. Clark reported that the District’s legal counsel is still pursuing the options of a full refund for those participants who were signed up for the cancelled Spring Europe trip. EF Tours is now indicating that participants should be contacting Specialty Insurance directly. Legal counsel has reached out to Special Insurance.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
CLOSED SESSION
A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Member Stephen to go into closed session at 8:01 p.m. for consideration of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific personnel. (5 ILCS 120/2/(c) (1,)). Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Secretary Roberts to return to open session at 8:24 p.m. Motion was approved by a voice vote of members present voting 5-0.
PERSONNEL APPROVALS
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the personnel approvals as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. Included in the personnel approvals were:
- Employment:
Bolek, Joseph (ZBTHS Special Ed) Bryant, Daniel (ZBTHS Math) Sikula, Michael (ZBTHS Special Ed) Waters, Chris (ZBTHS Special Ed)
- Leave of Absence:
Nessel, Jessica (ZBTHS Counselor)
- Resignations:
Campbell, Rashawnda (Parapro) Stanley, Kate (ZBTHS Special Ed)
- Retirement:
Bible, Lonnie (Athletic Director FY21)
EXHIBIT “R”, Monthly Personnel Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.
RESOLUTION OF HONORAL DISMISSAL OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
PERSONNEL
A motion was made by Gina Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to approve the Resolution Authorizing Notice of Honorable Dismissal of Educational Support Personnel for Instructional Autism Aide Denise Lamm at the conclusion of her current contract responsibilities. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT
Approval of Division Chair Appointments for 2020-21
A motion was made by Member Stephen, seconded by Member Richards to approve the appointment of Andrew Stout as Division Chair for Career Programming and Dr. Jasey Kolarik as Division Chair for Social Science and World Language effective with the 2020-21 contract year. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0.
Approval of 2020-21 Union Exempt Salary Increases and Contract Renewals
A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member Richards to approve a total combined increase of up to 4.464% to all salary and required IMRF/TRS pension contributions for FY20 union exempt positions; direct the superintendent to spread the package increase in collaboration with the Personnel Committee; and to prepare renewal contracts for the Board President and Secretary to execute in accordance with administrative terms and conditions approved by the Board. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0.
Approval of Amendment to Superintendent’s Contract
A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member Stephen to approve Amendment No. 1 to Superintendent Clark’s contract to address vacation that cannot be used due to demands associated with the pandemic and superintendent transition. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0.
ADJOURN
A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Secretary Roberts to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m. Motion was approved by a voice vote of members present voting 5-0.
https://www.zbths.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=1159&dataid=6443&FileName=MNApril2820R.pdf
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