Big Hollow School District 38 Board met May 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. Call to Order and Roll Call:
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order at 6:00 p.m. via zoom.
Roll Call:
The following members were in attendance: Enters, Kueter, Lyons, Mazur, Pedersen, Plescia The following members were absent: Cernuska
The following administration were present: Gold
2. Motion to move to Closed Session:
A motion was made by Kueter and seconded by Enters to move to closed session. Motion carried.
Aye: Kueter, Enters, Lyons, Mazur, Pedersen, Plescia
Nay: None
3. Resume to Open Session: Open session began at 7:07 p.m.
The following members were in attendance: Enters, Kueter, Lyons, Mazur, Pedersen, Plescia The following members were absent: Cernuska
The following administration were present: Gold, Arndt, Pittman, Hetrovicz, Janusz, Biancalana, McCulley, DeNovo
4. Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
5. Added Items/Approval of the Agenda:
A motion was made by Pedersen and seconded by Mazur to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Aye: All
Nay: None
6. Board member “Code of Conduct” Review:
The Board reviewed Item #5: “I will abide by majority decisions of the board, while retaining the rights to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels.”
7. Approve Consent Agenda Items:
A motion was made by Enters and seconded by Kueter to approve the consent agenda items. Motion carried.
Aye: Enters, Kueter, Lyons, Mazur, Pedersen, Plescia
Nay: None
8. Public Comments:
No public comments were received.
9. Superintendent’s Report:
a. Monthly Board Policy review
Sections 4:190-5:30 were reviewed.
b. Retirees Honored
Big Hollow honored Victoria Biarnesen, Middle School 6th Grade Math Teacher, who will be retiring at the end of the 2019-2020 school year after 14 years of service. The board thanked Vicki for all her hard work and dedication. Vicki said a few words, thanking her Big Hollow family.
c. Board Policy Update
IASB Press Plus 103 policy revision was presented to the board for review on first reading.
A motion was made by Mazur and seconded by Pedersen to approve on first reading Press Plus policy 103. Motion carried.
Aye: Mazur, Pedersen, Kueter, Lyons,Plescia, Enters
Nay: None
d. Update on current school shut down and planning for 2020-2021
Mr. Gold gave an update on the school shut down due to COVID-19.
● Tax payments could be delayed but will still be received. Mr. Gold shared that he is comfortable with the current cash flow situation.
● BHSD will receive a CARES Grant for $100,000 to help recoup lost funds due to COVID-19.
● State funding is unclear which causes uncertainty in budgeting, however, it is anticipated that The State of Illinois will pass a 6 month budget which will help with the allocation of school funds. Best case scenario, we should receive the same funding as we are currently. If decreased payments to schools are voted upon we will then receive payments based on evidence based funding tiers. Our tier rating being on the low end will ensure a higher payment.
● Different return to school options were discussed. Anything from returning back to “normal”, a delayed start date after Labor Day, rotating student attendance days and e-learning options were all discussed.
● Christine Arndt shared how the Facilities and Transportation Department is working on returning student belongings as well as the return of Chromebooks and library books. Primary and Elementary students will receive their personal items via bus delivery. Middle School students personal items will be available for curbside pickup. PTO will be assisting these efforts.
● Michelle Hetrovicz shared all that our Instruction and Assessment team is doing. They will be using Dreambox and Lexia to review student data as well as providing staff and parent surveys to help with understanding what areas are working well and what areas might require some adjustment, if e-learning is required in the future. She also briefly touched base on remote learning summer school.
● Erin Pittman shared how the Social Emotional Team is reaching out to students and parents to ensure that emotional needs are being met to the best of their abilities. They are also working on how to continue meeting IEP student needs.
● Matt McCulley shared an update on the Technology Committee. They are part of weekly ROE meetings to share ideas with surrounding school tech departments. They are very pleased with the outside help they are receiving with Chromebooks. XL Wireless is providing on site assistance to parents with minor repairs and power cord/Chromebook swaps.
Some questions that were addressed:
● Masks - we are working on design and ordering of masks for the entire staff and student body
● Disinfectant - hand sanitizer as well as regular deep cleaning will be implemented for each classroom
● Busing - how will social distancing be enforced on buses, this will be discussed more over the next few months
e. Major Summer Maintenance Projects
A small list of summer maintenance projects was discussed. These updates will all be covered through fund 60. Pod work is currently being done in the elementary building to add a 3rd grade classroom. Middle School pod and front office construction will also be completed. PreK pod construction is also a possibility if time and funds allow.
f. Retro-Commissioning study and work completed
Mr. Gold shared how the study completed analyzed our current energy usage and identified possible efficiency improvements. Middle School recommended improvement costs were $480 with an estimated savings in energy costs of $4676. Primary and Elementary recommended improvement costs were also $480 with an estimated savings in energy costs of $2946. All costs for improvement were covered by a ComEd incentives program.
g. Summer Office Hours
Summer office hours were designated, but will be discussed more before implementing.. All buildings will be open Monday-Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Staff will be in the offices each Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., however, offices be open to the public by appointment only
h. 8th Grade Graduation
The 2019 8th Grade Graduation will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at approximately 8:15 p.m. at the McHenry Outdoor Theater. The gates will open at 7:45 p.m. There are limited parking spots available and social distancing guidelines will be in place. The PTO will be assisting in parking cars.
10. Other Action Items:
a. Approve the Education Support Staff Handbook for 2020-2021
An updated support staff handbook was exhibited with a few changes.
A motion was made by Enters and seconded by Mazur to approve the 2020-2021 Education Support Staff Handbook with changes
Motion carried.
Aye: Enters, Mazur, Lyons, Pedersen, Plescia, Kueter
Nay: None
b. Approve the changes to the Citizen’s Advisory Council bylaws
An updated CAC bylaws was presented which reflect a change that expands the opportunities for community member to serve
A motion was made by Pedersen and seconded by Mazur
Motion carried
Aye: Pedersen, Mazur, Plescia, Enters, Kueter, Lyons
Nay: None
c. Approve the April Employment Recommendations
The May employment report was exhibited.
A motion was made by Enters and seconded by Mazur to approve the May employment report. Motion carried.
Aye: Enters, Mazur, Pedersen, Plescia, Kueter, Lyons
Nay: None
11. Resignations Accepted:
Accepted resignation of Eleanor Arnold, Food Service Worker, effective May 28, 2020. Accepted resignation of Kendall Detweiler, 3rd Grade TEacher, effective end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Accepted resignation of Carrie Coats, Middle School Assistant Principal, effective June 30, 2020.
12. Informational Items:
a. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests
No FOIA requests were received in April.
b. Monthly Reports for the Board
The Administrator Report was presented to the board. There was no Meal Program, Attendance or Discipline Reports for the month of April. No questions/comments.
c. Administrator Meeting Agenda
The April Administrator meeting agenda was exhibited. No questions/comments.
d. The next regularly scheduled Board Meeting will take place on Monday, June 8, 2020 with closed session beginning at 6:00 p.m.
13. Motion to move to 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 Mazur and seconded by Enters to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 p.m. Motion carried.
Aye: Mazur, Enters, Kueter, Pedersen, Lyons
Nay: None
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