Lake County Gazette

Aptakisic-Tripp Community Consolidated School District 102 Board of Education met June 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Mrs. Ross called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

Upon the roll being called by Mr. Galfield, the following Board members answered present:

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

Mrs. Ellyn Ross Board President

Mr. Pelleg Graupe Board Vice President

Mr. Jeremy Galfield Board Secretary

Mrs. Vera Gaskill Board Member

Mr. Nathan Libbey Board Member

Mr. Scott Linn Board Member

Ms. Marnie Slavin Masur Board Member

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT

Dr. Lori Wilcox Superintendent

Ms. Stacey Bachar Asst. Supt., Business Services/CSBO

Dr. Robert Hudson Asst. Supt., Learning and Growth

Mr. Patrick Hoover Director of Learning and Growth

Mrs. Susie Murtaugh Human Resources Coordinator

OTHERS PRESENT

Staff: Mrs. Melissa Brate, Mrs. Katie Cardella, Mrs. Jen Cox, Mrs. Jackie Neumann, Mrs. Betsy Sostak, Mrs. Dana Tamez, Ms. Tracy Tincknell, Mrs. Vickie Walters, and Mrs. Cheryl Wyer

Students: Ms. Olivia Lee and Ms. Jiya Mehta

WELCOME

Mrs. Ross welcomed everyone to the meeting. She spoke about the tragic death of George Floyd and emphasized the need to lean in and have hard conversations about race, equity, inclusion, and diversity. D102 strives to make all students and staff feel safe and heard and we will do our part to address social injustice.

STUDENT PRESENTATION: RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AND REMOTE LEARNING

Olivia Lee and Jiya Mehta, students in the class of 2020, shared a summary of an article they wrote regarding school calendars, religious and cultural holidays, and how remote learning might be an answer to a challenge many students experience. The students shared their concerns with our current calendar and offered some possible solutions including remote learning. Dr. Wilcox and members of the Board were very impressed with their thoughtful presentation and said these two student s definitely re present D102’s Portrait of a Graduate. The students would like to share their report with the Stevenson High School Board of Education with the hope that the Board takes their ideas i nto consideration so students can participate in cultural celebrations and observe religious holidays without added stress and/or falling behind academically.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

Mrs. Ross entertained a motion to approve the items listed on the Consent Agenda as presented. Mrs. Ross moved, and Ms. Slavin seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Galfield, Mrs. Gaskill, Mr. Graupe, Mr. Libbey, Mr. Linn, Mrs. Ross, and Ms. Slavin voted aye. Motion passed.

1. Approve minutes of the May 26, 2020 Board of Education Meeting

2. Approve minutes of the May 26, 2020 Executive Session to Remain Confidential

3. Approve minutes of the June 1, 2020 Finance Committee Meeting

4. Approve the 2020-2021 Board of Education Meeting Calendar

PERSONNEL/VACANCY REPORT

Mrs. Ross entertained a motion to approve the items listed on the Personnel Report as presented. Mr. Galfield moved, and Mr. Graupe seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Galfield, Mrs. Gaskill, Mr. Graupe, Mr. Libbey, Mr. Linn, Mrs. Ross, and Ms. Slavin voted aye. Motion passed.

Employment

Jessica McIntyre, part-time (.65) Director of Human Relations and Talent Development beginning July 1, 2020 replacing Susie Murtaugh; $84,500 base salary plus administrative benefits.

Michelle Robinson, Assistant Principal at Aptakisic Junior High School replacing Erin Witt beginning August 1, 2020; $80,000 base salary plus administrative benefits.

Jessica Feld, Assistant Principal at Meridian School replacing Amy Salus beginning August 1, 2020; $70,000 base salary plus administrative benefits.

Leave of Absence

Katie Cardella, first grade classroom teacher at Tripp School requesting a Family Medical Leave of Absence beginning November 4, 2020 through February 1, 2021.

Retirement

Theresa Sarillo, occupational therapist at Tripp School effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.

Resignations

Yorgia Sepsakos, school nurse at Meridian School effective immediately

Karuna Deb, one-to-one aide at Aptakisic Junior High School effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year

Vacancies

Anticipated Vacancies for the 2020-2021 School Year

District-wide

Maintenance and Facilities truck driver beginning July 1, 2020

Aptakisic Junior High School

Special education/emergent bilingual teacher Russian bilingual teacher

Music Teacher (.53)

Occupational therapist (.5)

Meridian School

School nurse

2 - Occupational therapists (shared.5 with AJHS and TES)

Early Childhood Program

Full-time program aide

Pritchett School

Speech language pathologist

Tripp School

Occupational therapist (.5)

SEDOL MEETING UPDATE

Mr. Linn provided a recap of the June 3, 2020 SEDOL meeting which was held virtually.

JOINT ANNUAL CONFERENCE, NOVEMBER 20-22, 2020

Conference registration is scheduled to open on July 27 for this year’s Joint Annual Conference to be held November 20-22 in Chicago. Mrs. Ross asked that Board members contact Patti Gross if they are interested in attending.

APPROVAL OF SALARY INCREASES FOR THE 2020-2021 FISCAL YEAR

Mrs. Ross entertained a motion to approve a 2% salary increase for ESP employees for the 2020-2021 fiscal year per the salary discussion during Executive Session on May 26 for the 2020-2021 school year. Mrs. Ross moved, and Mr. Galfield seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Galfield, Mrs. Gaskill,

Mr. Graupe, Mr. Libbey, Mr. Linn, Mrs. Ross, and Ms. Slavin voted aye. Motion passed.

Mrs. Ross entertained a motion to approve a 2% total increase, per the salary conversation during Executive Session on May 26 for the 2020-2021 school year, to be distributed to current administrators who have not declared an intent to retire. Mr. Graupe moved, and Mr. Galfield seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Galfield, Mrs. Gaskill, Mr. Graupe, Mr. Libbey, Mr. Linn, Mrs. Ross, and Ms. Slavin voted aye. Motion passed.

APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING: SUMMER OF 2020 ESY PAY

Mrs. Ross entertained a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding to alter the pay for Extended School Year (ESY) for the summer of 2020 to reflect the pay under a Level 2 stipend as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Mrs. Ross moved, and Mr. Graupe seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Galfield, Mrs. Gaskill, Mr. Graupe, Mr. Libbey, Mr. Linn, Mrs. Ross, and Ms. Slavin voted aye. Motion passed.

THERESA DUNKIN AND ERIN WITT INCLUSION AWARD RECIPIENTS

Dr. Wilcox shared the staff recipients announced in a video message on Friday, June 5. This is the fourth year for the Theresa Dunkin Award; the award is given to a staff member who exemplifies leadership, dedication, and collaboration. This year the award was given to Ms. Tracy Ticknell.

Ms. Ticknell humbling thanked the Board and committee for choosing her and was excited to share the news with her family. This is the first year for the Erin Witt Inclusion award; the award is given to a staff member who made significant growth in his/her understanding of and commitment to inclusion, believed in and advocated for the learning and growth of all students, and supported colleagues in this mindset. Mrs. Jackie Neumann was chosen for this award. She said she was honored and humbled to receive the award a nd thanked her colleagues and the Board.

GRADUATING MULTILINGUAL AMBASSADORS

Mrs. Sostak introduced the names and acknowledged the contributions of the first cohort of multilingual ambassadors graduating from Aptakisic Junior High School. She highlighted some of the ambassadors’ program goals and accomplishments: open houses, multilingual student panel, bilingual game night, Portrait of a Graduate translations, remote learning opportunities, a nd also share d quotes from parents and students.

JUNE 1 - 4 REMOTE LEARNING PLANNING DAYS

Dr. Hudson and Mr. Hoover provided an overview of the work that took place during the scheduled Remote Learning Planning Days in preparation for the first thirty days of the 2020-2021 school year, and to bring closure to the 2019-2020 school year. They shared some of the end of the year parade celebrations and planning goals.

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS RECAP

Ms. Bachar provided a recap of the Finance Committee meeting held on June 1, 2020.

APPROVE APPOINTMENT OF STACEY BACHAR TO SERVE AS THE DISTRICT TREASURER FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM, JULY 1, 2020 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2021

Every year it is necessary to appoint a District Treasurer for one year. Dr. Wilcox recommends that Ms. Stacey Bachar, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services/CSBO, continue to serve in this capacity. This will be brought back for formal approval on June 22.

TREASURER’S BOND RENEWAL

Administration will bring the renewal of the Treasurer's Bond in the amount of $10,125,000 for July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2022 to the June 22 Board meeting for approval. The Regional Office of Education requires that the Board appoint a treasurer and approve a treasurer's bond annually.

TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT

A one-year renewal agreement with First Student for the 2020-2021 school year was included for the Board’s review. Transportation contracts, when they are initially bid, are typically a three year contract with a two year extension option. After the two year extension has been executed Districts are allowed by school code to do annual renewal agreements. Our contract was initially bid in 2012, therefore, D102 is in the annual renewal phase of this contract.

First Student is requesting a 4% increase in rates over the 2019-2020 school year. Ms. Bachar further discussed the contract on Monday night. This will be brought back for formal approval on June 22.

OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Mrs. Ross asked the Board for suggestions on what should be published in the next D102uesday.

MOTION TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Ross entertained a motion to move into Executive Session at 8:23 p.m. to discuss matters related to collective negotiations, personnel, student issues, probable or imminent litigation, purchase and/or sale of property. Mrs. Ross moved, and Mr. Galfield seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Galfield, Mrs. Gaskill, Mr. Graupe, Mr. Libbey, Mr. Linn, Mrs. Ross, and Ms. Slavin voted aye. Motion passed.

MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Mrs. Ross entertained a motion to return to Open Session at 8:51 p.m. Mr. Graupe moved, and Ms. Slavin seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Galfield, Mrs. Gaskill, Mr. Graupe, Mr. Libbey, Mr. Linn, Mrs. Ross, and Ms. Slavin voted aye. Motion passed.

MOTION(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Mrs. Ross entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00. Mr. Galfield moved, and Ms. Slavin seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Galfield, Mrs. Gaskill, Mr. Graupe, Mr. Libbey, Mr. Linn, Mrs. Ross, and Ms. Slavin voted aye. Motion passed.

We hereby certify that these are the correct minutes of the Aptakisic-Tripp CCSD 102 Board of Education meeting held on June 8, 2020. These minutes were approved on June 22, 2020.