Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 Board of Education met May 26.
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 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: President Nordstrom, Vice President Nieto (Zoom), Secretary Roberts (Zoom), Member Richards (Zoom), and Member White.
Members excused: Member Leech and Member Stephen.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
VERIFICATIONS OF AGENDA AND/OR AMENDMENTS
President Nordstrom asked Dr. Clark if there were any amendments to the agenda.
Dr. Clark indicated the following personnel approval item had come in since the agenda packet went out and needed to be added under Personnel Approvals Item 16:
Employment: Riley Maguire (ZBTHS Math Teacher).
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
Special recognition was given to retiring Chief School Business Official Audrey Liddle and Director of Student Services Steven Richter for their many years of service and incredible contributions to the District.
COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF, GUESTS, AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS
Citizen Kathy Champine expressed her concerns to the School Board that it appears the most recent quadrennial reassessment did not include a holistic reassessment of commercial properties in the Zion township as it did for residential properties and that she intends to pursue an explanation.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Member White, seconded by Member Richards to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. Included in the Consent Agenda are the following:
• Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 28, 2020.
• Activity Report – April 2020, EXHIBIT “A”.
• Bills Paid Report – April & May 2020, EXHIBIT “B”.
• Bills Payable Report – May 2020, EXHIBIT “C”.
• Treasurer's Report - April 2020, EXHIBIT “D”.
• Revenue & Expenditure Report - April 2020, EXHIBIT “E”.
• Illinois State Library Media Association’s Annual Assessment, EXHIBIT “F”.
• FOIA Request, EXHIBIT “G”.
• Textbook Adoptions, EXHIBIT "H".
• Disposal Requests, EXHIBIT “I”.
• Destruction of Closed Session Recording – May 7, 2018 & May 24, 2018.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Clark reported on the following:
• Calendar of Events. (EXHIBIT “J”, Calendar of Events, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
• The next Regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2020, in the ZBTHS South Cafeteria starting at 7:00 p.m.
• The Community Honors and Awards Program will be broadcasted May 29 at 7:00 p.m. via a link on the District’s website. Most benefactors are providing scholarships in spite of the virtual setting.
• The Zion Leisure Center is hosting a mobile food pantry event on May 30 from
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Dr. DiGangi has coordinated summer professional development opportunities that will include a variety of virtual and online trainings regarding: identifying and addressing trauma, cultural responsiveness, belonging and implicit bias, fostering positive parent relationships, supporting bilingual students, mindfulness, instructional technology, and student assistance program facilitator training. Dr. DiGangi and the principal will also be leading a Remove Learning Committee to review what went well and what can be improved with the District’s remote learning model.
• Final days of the school year and second semester grading expectations.
• Senior Year-End Events: Senior Car Parade at 11 a.m. on June 6, Walk the Stage Event and Photo Shoot June 8-11, and July 24 broadcast of Virtual Graduation Ceremony.
• Summer School Session 1 will be virtual and begins June 8.
• Decisions regarding how school will be conducted in the fall remain on hold pending further guidance from ISBE and the IDPH regarding what will be allowed and required.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Principals’ Report
New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East
On behalf of Chris Kubic, Dr. Clark reported on the following:
• Staff continue to connect with students and families to advance eLearning and monitor students’ general well-being as effectively as possible.
• Asst. Principal Bonnie Felske convenes the Student Success Team regularly and coordinates follow-up communication with students in need.
• Staff enjoyed delivering yard signs to seniors.
• Mallory Biddle led the annual National Honor Society induction ceremony via Zoom, which was well attended and greatly appreciated by students and their families.
• New Tech is fully staffed for the 2020-21 school year.
• Preparations continue for next year, and it is encouraging to note that enrollment is up.
• Chris Kubic and Dr. DiGangi are collaborating to coordinate summer curriculum projects, including the addition of the Earned Honors option for freshman core courses.
(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
On behalf of Dr. Pawelczyk, Dr. Clark reported on the following:
• Efforts continue with daily food distribution, monitoring attendance and grades, and providing students interventions.
• Locker clean-out, book returns, and senior events are being planned.
• Staff enjoyed delivering seniors their yard signs.
• District wide over $6,000 has been raised for local food pantries.
• The National Honor Society delivered 312 cards to area hospitals and residents at nursing homes.
• NJROTC has been selected as the Are Three Most Outstanding Unit for 2019-20 from over 60 schools in the eight Midwestern states. This is the ninth time in seventeen years.
• The Virtual Senior Honors Awards Program was very successful.
• Congratulations go to ZBTHS senior Hayley Filipatos on being named the 2020 Tech Campus Student of the Year. Lauren Rutledge received an Honorable Mention.
• Hiring continues via many Zoom meetings.
(EXHIBIT “L”, Zion-Benton Township High School Board of Education Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
RECESS
No recess was taken.
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business/Bid/Finance Committee
President Nordstrom reported that the Business/Bid/Finance Committee met and reviewed a number of items that would be acted upon under New Business. Administration reported that District finances are in a good position to weather the disruptions in the timely receipt of revenue or funding reductions as a result of the pandemic.
Policy Committee
Approval of Student Handbook Recommendations for 2020-21
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Richards to approve Student Handbook changes for the 2020-21 school year, which are considered School Board policies. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “M”, 2020-21 Student Handbook Changes, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Final Reading and Adoption of Recommended Policy Changes:
A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the final reading and adoption 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 “N”, Final Reading and Adoption – Board Policy Revisions, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Contract for Food Management Services for the 2020-21 School Year
Dr. Wilkinson reported that the District has been pleased with the improvements its current food management provider, Aramark, has made in securing a quality director and stabilizing services. The state allows four one-year extensions following the bidding of the food service contract and this will be the District’s third year. A motion was made by Member White, seconded by Secretary Roberts to approve a one-year contract extension for fiscal year 2021 with Aramark Educational Services at a 3.1% increase over the prior year and a one- time fixed wage fee adjustment of $12,770.45 to address minimum wage requirements. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “O”, 2020-21 Food Service Contract Extension, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of 2020-21 Property and Liability Insurance Coverage through CLIC
Dr. Wilkinson reported that the Board of CLIC approved the 2020-21 package liability insurance renewal at its meeting on May 14, 2020. District 126’s package liability cost, including student accident insurance, liability, and identity theft coverage for 2020-21, is $196,905, which is a 20.55% ($33,566) increase from the 2019-20 premium. As a result of CLIC’s loss ratio exceeding 100% in four of the last six years and the District’s claims history, the School Board Legal Liability package increased by $2,588. A motion was made by Member White, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the 2020-21 package liability and student accident insurance renewal with CLIC as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “P”, Collective Liability Insurance Cooperative 2020-21 Package Liability Insurance Renewal, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of 2020-21 Workers Compensation Insurance through CLIC
Dr. Wilkinson reported that the Board of CLIC approved the funding options for the 2020-21 workers’ compensation insurance program at its meeting on
May 14, 2020. The District’s renewal cost is $211,861, which represents a 1.08% ($2,270) increase. The District’s Experience Modification Factor decreased from a 2019-20 rating of.97 to a 2020-21 rating of.92, which assists in keeping premiums down. The rate decreased by 5.15%, and the District achieved its goal of staying under 1.0. The formula for renewal premiums considers the last five years’ experience, which averaged below normal. A motion was made by Member White, seconded by Member Richards to approve the 2020-21 Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal with CLIC as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “Q”, Collective Liability Insurance Cooperative 2020-21 Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of 2020-21 Health Insurance Renewal
Dr. Wilkinson reported that the District is a member of the Lake Region Area Benefit Cooperative, which is a self-insured program. The District’s reserves for health insurance claims is healthy, and Dr. Wilkinson recommended that health insurance premiums remain flat for 2020-21 and that the District rely on reserves to meet expenditures. A motion was made by Secretary Roberts seconded by Member White to approved the 2020-21 Employee Health Insurance Plan Premiums at the rates presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “R” Renewal of Health Plan for 2020-21, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of 2020-21 Dental Insurance Renewal
Dr. Wilkinson advised the Board that the rate for the Delta Dental plan renewal would remain flat for 2020-21. A motion was made by Member White seconded by Vice President Nieto to approved the 2020-21 Employee Dental Insurance Plan Premiums at the rates presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “S” Renewal of Dental Plan for 2020-21, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of Custodial Service Contract
Dr. Wilkinson reported that on April 15, 2020, the District received six custodial cleaning service bids. Citywide Building Maintenance Inc. was the second lowest bidder based on price, but received the highest overall score based on all of the bid criteria used to determine the best bid. Based on an assessment and scoring of the bid proposals submitted, Dr. Wilkinson recommended the Board waive any technicalities in the bidding and award Citywide Building Maintenance Inc.’s three-year custodial bid proposal in the amount of $2,303,416.29, with the opportunity to do one-year extensions. A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member Richards to approve a three-year custodial cleaning services contract with Citywide Building Maintenance Inc. from July 1, 2020 to June 20, 2023, with the option of one-year extensions, if mutually agreed. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “T”, Custodial Cleaning Services Bid, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of Bid Awards for Precast and Steel
Dr. Wilkinson reported that on April 27, 2020, the District went out to bid for structural steel, precast concrete planks, and precast concrete panels for the Natatorium project. In total, the District received five bids for structural steel, three for precast plank, and three bids for precast panels. Overall the bids were favorable to projected costs by $61,000, and the District’s construction manager identified a projected value engineering savings of ~$160,000 on the steel bid. Administration is recommending the lowest base bid for each. A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Vice President Nieto to award the bid for structural steel to Jack Frost Ironworks in the amount of $627,249, the bid for precast plank to Stresscore in the amount of $28,935, and the bid for precast panels too Stonecast Products in the amount of $714,129. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “U”, Natatorium Bid Awards, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of Assignment of Bid Awards for Precast and Steel
A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member White to assign the three bids awarded for the Natatorium Addition trade work, as listed on the Contractor Report dated 5/26/2020, in the aggregate amount of $1,370,313.00 to Camosy Construction as the District’s Construction Manager for the Natatorium Addition Project. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 4-1 (Member Richards voted no). (EXHIBIT “V”, Natatorium Bid Award Assignments 5/26/2020, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of Modifications to Senior Graduation Requirements
Dr. Clark reported that modifications to 2020 graduation requirements will provide credit waivers for seniors, as approved by ISBE, who were impacted by the 2020 pandemic so that their post-secondary plans are not disrupted. Waivers may only be applied to certain courses seniors were enrolled in on March 13, 2020, the last day of in-person instruction. A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Member White to approve the modification to 2020 Senior Graduation Requirements as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0). (EXHIBIT “W”, Recommendation Regarding Modification to 2020 Senior Graduation Requirements, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of 2020-21 Consolidated District Plan
Dr. Clark explained that school districts who receive grant funding are required to complete a Consolidated District Plan annually in support of their grant requests. A motion was made by Member White, seconded by Member Richards to approve and submit to ISBE the 2020-21 Consolidated District Plan as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “X”, 2020-21 Consolidated District Plan, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
OLD BUSINESS
Capital Improvements Update
Dr. Wilkinson updated the Board that the new exit on 21st Street by the softball field has received its final surfacing and is complete.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was none.
CLOSED SESSION
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Richards to adjourn to closed session at 8:03 p.m. for consideration of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific personnel and collective bargaining matters. (5ILCS 120/2(c)(1, 2)). Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members voting 5-0.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member White to return to open session at 8:32 p.m. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0.
PERSONNEL APPROVALS
A motion was made by Member White, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the personnel approvals as amended. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. Included in the amended personnel approvals were:
- Employments:
Gauger, Ann (NT@ZB Math)
Maguire, Riley (ZBTHS Math)
- Resignations:
Carrasquilla, Michelle (ZBTHS Art)
Hoffman, Monica (Social Worker)
Mercado, Patricia (Parapro)
Mohn, Tea (Psychologist)
- Retirements:
Denny, Cameron (NT@ZB Social Science)
Weigel, Jeff (ZBTHS Social Sciences)
EXHIBIT “Y”, Monthly Personnel Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.
APPROVAL OF MODIFICATIONS TO 2020-21 STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
A motion was made by Member Richards, seconded by Member White to approve the modifications to the 2020-21 staffing plan to include the addition of a stipend for a New Tech Mentor Coordinator, a stipend for a sponsor for the New Tech Black Student Union Club, and the addition of a part-time speech-language pathologist. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (EXHIBIT “Z”, 2020-21 Staffing Recommendations, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Member White, seconded by Member Richards to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Motion was approved by a voice vote of members voting 5-0.
https://www.zbths.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=1159&dataid=6513&FileName=MNMay2620R.pdf
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