Kankakee Times

The Kankakee School District 111 board of education met Thursday, May 26.

Kankakee School District offers many unique opportunities for students to learn. The district initiated a magnet program in 1979 which features either a subject- matter focus or a specific instructional style. Five magnet programs are offered and include computer education, exposure to the arts, mathematics education, Montessori-based education, and science and technology. The Kankakee High School offers a Business Partnership Academy developed in cooperation with the Private Industry Council focusing on workforce preparation in the field of business. In 2000, a Health Partnership Academy was started with Riverside Medical Center and Provena St. Mary's Hospital preparing students for a career in health occupation fields. In addition, a P.O.P.S. (Performance Optimizing Program) program offers an accelerated/gifted program for gifted learners.

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the Kankakee School District 111 board of education:

KANKAKEE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 111

SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES

May 26, 2016

A special meeting of the Board of Education of Kankakee School District No. 111, Kankakee County,

Illinois, was held at 6:00 p.m. in Room 217 at Lincoln Cultural Center, 240 Warren Avenue, Kankakee,

Illinois.

ROLL CALL

Members present: John Coghlan

Amelia Davis, Vice President

Jess Gathing, Jr.

Joseph Lightfoot

Karen Johnston, President

Angela Shea

Members absent: Barbara Wells

A quorum was declared present.

Meeting with the Board was:

Dr. Genevra A. Walters, Superintendent

Robert Grossi, Director of Business Services

Vicki Scott, Recording Secretary

News reporter, Mr. John Krenek, was present from The Daily Journal.

President Johnston asked for a motion to appoint Angela Shea as temporary treasurer in Mrs. Wells

absence.

Motion was made by Gathing, seconded by Coghlan, to approve the appointment of Angela Shea as

temporary secretary as presented. All ayes; motion carried.

Public Hearing

At 6:02 p.m. a motion was made by Gathing, seconded by Coghlan, to adjourn for a public hearing

declaring the intention to issue $10,200,000 bonds for the purpose of paying claims against the

Kankakee School District, No. 111, Kankakee County, Illinois.

ROLL CALL VOTE – Ayes: Coghlan, Davis, Gathing, Lightfoot, Shea, and Johnston. Nays: none.

Motion carried.

Board President, Karen Johnston, opened the discussion and explained that the reasons for the

proposed issuance of the Bonds were to increase the Capital Projects Fund with Qualified School

Construction Bonds proceeds. She then asked the Board for any further comments. Mrs. Davis asked

why we are borrowing the money. Dr. Walters responded that the Qualified School Construction Bond

program, that we are a part of, allows us to borrow $29 million, $10,200,000 which will be used on

projects throughout the district at different schools. Eventually the District will redo the King gym and

update the Media Center at Kennedy. The interest comes back to us from the Federal Government. The

rest of the money will be used to redo the high school. President Johnston then asked the public for any

written comments. Receiving no written comments, President Johnston asked the public for oral

comments. There were no oral comments. The President then announced that all persons desiring to

be heard had been given an opportunity to present oral and written testimony with respect to the

proposed issuance of the Bonds.

Special

Meeting

Roll Call

Public Hearing

Board of Education Minutes-May 26, 2016 (continued) (page 2 of 3)

At 6:04 p.m., motion was made by Shea, seconded by Gathing, to close the public hearing. ROLL

CALL VOTE—Ayes: Coghlan, Davis, Gathing, Lightfoot, Shea, and Johnston. Nays: none. Motion

carried.

At 6:04 p.m., motion was made by Gathing, seconded by Coghlan, to reconvene regular session. ROLL

CALL VOTE—Ayes: Shea, Coghlan, Davis, Gathing, Lightfoot and Johnston. Nays: none. Motion

carried.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Karen Johnston, Board President.

Public Comments

There were no public comments made.

Consent Agenda

The following items were presented:

1. The KHS Overnight Trip Request was presented for approval.

2. The following personnel items were presented for approval:

Name Position Effective Date

Resignation (Certified Personnel)

Tamara Springer Special Education Teacher at Kennedy May 31, 2016

Appointments (Certified Personnel)

Latrice Grant Learning Partner, Student Support Services August 18, 2016

Kim Starkey Learning Partner, Student Support Services August 18, 2016

Elizabeth Gibson Learning Partner, Student Support Services August 18, 2016

President Johnston asked if there was any discussion needed on any of the consent agenda items and

Mr. Coghlan inquired about the hiring of the Learning Partners. Dr. Walters said that Latrice Grant is

being assigned to the junior high and will be working on assessment and instruction. Kim Starkey will

probably be assigned to Edison where there is a 3rd grade College and Career Academy and will work

on PARCC. Elizabeth Gibson will be assigned to King and work with King on their progress monitoring.

This year Learning Partners will be assigned to buildings. President Johnston asked if there were any

other questions and hearing none, she asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda.

Motion was made by Gathing, seconded by Coghlan, to approve the above listed Consent Agenda items

as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE—Aye: Coghlan, Davis, Gathing, Lightfoot, Shea, and Johnston.

Nays: none. Motion carried.

Action Items

1. Consideration and Action on a Resolution Declaring the Intent of the District to Issue

$10,200,000 Funding Bonds for the Purpose of Paying Outstanding Claims Against the

District

President Johnston asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she asked for a motion.

Motion was made by Coghlan, seconded by Gathing, to approve the Resolution as presented. ROLL

CALL Vote--Ayes: Gathing, Lightfoot, Shea, Coghlan, Davis, and Johnston. Nays: none. Motion

carried.

2. Comprehensive Insurance Renewal

President Johnston asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she asked for a motion.

Motion was made by Shea, seconded by Gathing, to approve the Comprehensive Insurance Renewal

as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE--Ayes: Gathing, Lightfoot, Shea, Coghlan, Davis, and Johnston.

Nays: none. Motion carried.

Adjourn

Public Hearing

Reconvene

Pledge

Public

Comments

Consent

Agenda

Overnight Trip

Personnel

Resignation

Appointments

Bonds

Insurance

Renewal

Board of Education Minutes-May 26, 2016 (continued) (page 3 of 3)

3. Contract to Lease Aroma Park Primary School to the Garden of Prayer Youth Center

Mr. Lightfoot asked what they will be doing at the building. Mr. Mahoney was present from the Garden

of Prayer Youth Center and responded that they will use the building for a center for early childhood

education and after school programs. The early childhood program will serve approximately 60 children

up to age three. The other programs they will offer will serve both older children and parents. He said

that the Garden of Prayer Youth Center has locations in Kankakee, Momence, and Hopkins Park.

Motion was made by Shea, seconded by Lightfoot, to approve the contract to lease Aroma Park Primary

School to the Garden of Prayer Youth Center as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE—Ayes: Lightfoot,

Shea, Coghlan, Davis, Gathing, and Johnston.

At 6:12 p.m., motion was made by Coghlan and seconded by Gathing to adjourn to Closed Session. All

ayes; motion carried.

At 6:28 p.m., motion was made by Gathing, and seconded by Coghlan, to adjourn the meeting. All

ayes; motion carried.

SIGNED: ______________________________________

Karen Johnston, President

ATTEST: ______________________________________

Angela Shea, Acting Secretary

vs

Approved: June 13, 2016

Aroma Park

Lease

Adjourn