Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 Board of Education met Aug. 25.
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 Commons, One Z-B Way, 3901 W. 21st Street, Zion, Illinois, commencing at 7:04 p.m.
President Nordstrom presided.
ROLL CALL
Members present: President Nordstrom, Vice President Nieto, Secretary Roberts (Zoom), Member Richards (Zoom), Ms. Stephen (Zoom), and Member White (Teleconference with intermittent connectivity - arrived at 7:15 p.m.)
Member excused: Member Leech.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
President Nordstrom asked Dr. Rodriguez if there were any amendments to the agenda. Dr. Rodriguez indicated the following personnel approval items had come in since the agenda packet went out and needed to be added under Personnel Approvals Item 13:
Employment: Diana Lopez (Bilingual Instructional Aide). Appointment: Belinda Garcia (Special Education Instructional Aide).
COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF, GUESTS, AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS
There were none.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephens to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 4-1. (Member Richards Voted “no” and Member White had not yet arrived at the meeting.) Included in the Consent Agenda are the following:
• Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 28, 2020;
• Activity Report – July 2020, EXHIBIT “A”;
• Bills Paid Report – July and August 2020, EXHIBIT “B”;
• Bills Payable Report – August 2020, EXHIBIT “C”;
• Revenue & Expenditure Report – July 2020, EXHIBIT “D”;
• School Treasurer’s Report – July 2020, EXHIBIT “E”;
• 2020-21 Revised School Calendar, EXHIBIT “F”;
• Textbook Adoptions, EXHIBIT “G”;
• Contractor Payout Requests, EXHIBIT “H”; and
• Destruction of Closed Session Recordings – August 23, 2020.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Rodriguez shared a presentation with the Board regarding District updates. Highlights Include:
• Administration worked diligently over the last month to finalize plans and processes for the Interactive Remote Learning Plan.
• The District is ready to start the school year and Administration has been working with staff on providing updates and information on the Interactive Remote Learning Plan.
• Administration is in the process of strategic planning and reevaluating all area of operations to best serve the goals of the District.
• Creating community partnerships is mission critical for the District. Dr. Rodriguez, along with members of Administration, have been meeting with foundational schools, the park district, and other municipalities in the community to further strengthen the District’s community partnerships.
• Citizen Kathy Champine joined Dr. Rodriguez to present on community interest in the Natatorium project. Ms. Champine expressed her strong support of this project because of its benefits not only to the District and students but also to the community. Ms. Champine suggested that the District could partner with the Park District to offer programs to the community. She added that this project is fiscally conservative, students will be able to engage in competitive water sports, and it would address the opportunity gap within the conference. Finally, she added that the District would now be able to host regional competitions which would bring athletes and their families to Zion where they would likely spend money at hotels, gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS Principals’ Report
ZBTHS
Dr. Pawelczyk reported on the following:
• Staff has been working very hard to get everything in order for the start of school, and they are excited to welcome freshman at Freshman Zero Day on Friday, August 28th.
• Division Chairs have been working diligently with the teaching staff to prepare them for the Interactive Remote Learning model.
• Jack Niemi and Jake Carlson are devising a Tier 3 support system to make sure all students will be provided the opportunity to be successful.
• A variety of systems and supports are ready or nearly ready including advisory, virtual math and guided study labs, student attendance, substitute coverage, on-site safety procedures, and after-school tutoring supports.
• Principals from both campuses worked together to host two online townhall meetings which were very successful.
(EXHIBIT “I”, Zion-Benton Township High School Board of Education Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
NT@ZB
Principal Kubic reported on the following:
• Remote learning plans have been solidified. New Tech periods will run in a slightly different order from ZBTHS in order to accommodate the CLC Dual Credit classes.
• Principal Kubic has had regular Zoom sessions with staff in order to answer questions and address concerns.
• Institute week plans emphasize professional development to equip teachers to navigate remote learning and support students and families.
• Principal Kubic has been offering weekly Zoom meetings called “New-Tech @ Noon” on Mondays for students, parents, and community members to discuss ideas for school and community improvement.
• New Tech hosted a virtual Freshman Connections event in which student leaders and staff members welcomed incoming students, led team-building activities, and answered questions.
(EXHIBIT “J”, New Tech High School @ Zion-Benton East Board of Education Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
RECESS
No recess was taken.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Lake County Intergovernmental Agreement COVID-19 Relief Fund
Dr. Wilkinson reported that the District is eligible for a COVID-19 relief fund in the amount of approximately $80,000 to be used on any COVID-19 related expenditures between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the Lake County Intergovernmental Agreement for COVID-19 Relief Funds as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 4-0. (President Nieto recused his vote and Member White was disconnected from the call during the vote.) (EXHIBIT “K”, Lake County Intergovernmental Agreement for COVID-19 Relief Funds, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement Addendum for District 6 Student Transportation
Dr. Wilkinson stated that an addendum is needed to the contract that District 126 has with District 6 to provide transportation services to the elementary school. District 6 has changed their dismissal times and therefore is requesting new pick- up times from transportation. The addendum to the agreement would accommodate District 6’s request for new dismissal times only while District 126 is conducting remote learning. A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Member Stephen to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement Addendum for District 6 Student Transportation Services as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 5-0. (Member White was disconnected from the call during the vote.) (EXHIBIT “L”, Intergovernmental Agreement Addendum District 6 Student Transportation, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
Approval of AnthroMed Education SLP Contract
Dr. Wilkinson reported that the District has been unable to fill a Speech Language Pathologist position. In order to comply with student’s IEP requirements, it is recommended that the District proceed with a contracted service. A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the AnthroMed Education Contract as presented. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-0. (EXHIBIT “M”, AnthroMed Education SLP Contract, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
OLD BUSINESS
Capital Improvements Updates
Dr. Wilkinson’s report included information on the following:
• The natatorium project is well underway and moving along well.
• The District has received all permits with the exception of the permit from the Illinois Department of Public Health which is expected any day.
• Camosy Construction is in the process of pouring footings for the walls and intends to start installing the walls by the second week of September.
• The next construction meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2020.
• The expected completion date for the natatorium project is July 26, 2021.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
CLOSED SESSION
- A motion was made by Member Stephen, seconded by Secretary Roberts to go into closed session at 7:58 p.m. for the consideration of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine the validity; pending litigation; and confidential student issues. (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1,2,10,11)). Motion was approved by a roll vote of members present voting 6-0.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
A motion was made by Member Stephen, seconded by Vice President Nieto to return to open session at 9:13 p.m. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-0.
PERSONNEL APPROVALS
A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Secretary Roberts to approve the personnel approvals as amended. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-0. Included in the personnel approvals were:
Appointment:
Garcia, Belinda (Special Education Instructional Aide).
Employment:
Bentancourt, Aryan (Student Services Support Specialist),
Daniels, Patricia (Instructional Aide),
Danos, Maria (Special Ed. Teacher),
Lopez, Diana (Bilingual Instructional Aide),
Magana, Lisa (Program Attendant),
Modder, Ashley (Instructional Aide).
Leave of Absence:
Gazdziak, Kara (Counselor),
Hafford, Jennifer (Bus Driver),
Ingoglia, Jackie (Safety & Attendance Secretary),
Martinez, Martha (Health Office Secretary).
Resignation:
Olivera, Normari (Bilingual Aide),
Thorn, Kim (Instructional Assistant),
Wolter, Jeff (ZAP P.E. Teacher).
EXHIBIT “N”, Monthly Personnel Report, is included and made a part of these minutes.
CONSIDERATION OF INTRA-DISTRICT TRANSFER REQUESTS
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member White to approve intra-district transfer request #2021-03. Motion was not approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 3-3. (Member Richards, Vice President Nieto, and President Nordstrom voted no.)
A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Secretary Roberts to approve intra-district transfer request #2021-04. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-0.
A motion was made by Vice President Nieto, seconded by Secretary Roberts to approve intra-district transfer request #2021-05. Motion was approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 6-0.
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Member Stephen to approve intra-district transfer request #2021-06. Motion was not approved by a roll call vote of members present voting 3-3. (Member Richards, Vice President Nieto, and President Nordstrom voted no.)
APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT TEACHER EVALUATION FOR THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR
A motion was made by Secretary Roberts, seconded by Vice President Nieto to approve the Memorandum of Agreement Teacher Evaluation for the 2020-21 school year as presented in closed session. (EXHIBIT “O”, Memorandum of Agreement Teacher Evaluation for the 2020-21 School Year, is included and made a part of these minutes.)
ADJOURNMENT
President Nordstrom adjourned the meeting at 9:52 p.m.
https://www.zbths.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=1159&dataid=6742&FileName=MNAug2520R.pdf
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