Kankakee Times

The Kankakee School District No. 111 board of education met Monday, June 13.

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 No. 111 board of education:

KANKAKEE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 111 BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES

June 13, 2016

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Kankakee School District No. 111, Kankakee County, Illinois, was held at 6 p.m. in the Library at Kankakee High School, 1200 West Jeffery Street, Kankakee, Illinois.

ROLL CALL

Members present: Amelia Davis, Vice President

Karen Johnston, President

Angela Shea

Barbara Wells, Secretary

Members absent: John Coghlan (*entered at 6:53 PM)

Jess Gathing (*entered at 6:05 PM)

Joseph Lightfoot (*entered at 6:05 PM)

A quorum was declared present.

Closed Session

At 6:04 p.m., motion was made by Shea, seconded by Davis, to adjourn to the teachers’ lounge for closed session to discuss appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and negotiations. All ayes; motion carried.

The closed session was adjourned at 7:11 p.m. At 7:14 p.m. the regular session was reconvened. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Karen Johnston.

Meeting with the Board were:

Dr. Genevra A. Walters, Superintendent

Laura Fisher, Assistant Superintendent

Robert Grossi, Director of Business Services

Vicki Scott, Recording Secretary

John Dykstra from The Daily Journal was present.

Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Genevra A. Walters

1. Good News

School Event Explanation

Aroma Park Book Rewards

• Melody Orth has been promoting literacy within the Aroma Park School for many years. Because of the thousands of books she has given away and the bookstore she organized and operated, Ms. Orth is also known as the book lady. She has sold books at school events, including Family Reading Nights, and has written and received numerous grants, including more than ten for literacy within the Kankakee School District.

Both Orth and one of the organizations she works with, Friends of Reading, purchase books and accept donations in order to give books to those who have none and to those who earn them as literacy rewards.

Aroma Park

Edison Donation

• The Thomas and Maureen O’Connor Family Foundation bought 16 bikes and locks for 3rd graders from Aroma Park and Edison. They have been doing this for over 10 years. 

Edison Donation 

• Mrs. Kinkade donated her daughter’s uniform clothes to Edison. 

Kennedy Honor

• Terry Roundtree has won the Outstanding Female Educator award from the Kankakee NAACP! This is the fifth year the Kankakee NAACP Branch has granted this award in honor of Women’s History Month to recognize a female educator who has impacted her students on an academic and personal level. Kennedy is very proud of Ms. Roundtree and all that she does for their students and staff. Ms. Roundtree sets high expectations for all stakeholders – students, staff, parents, and the community. Congratulations!

• Kennedy held a fundraiser this year and the money went towards an outside basketball hoop and soccer goals. Dr. Lambert said that is what the students requested.

King Grant

• King teachers Tracy Selock and Janet Martin were awarded the ESP (Energizing Student Potential) grant this past school year. The ESP grant is in conjunction with the NEED (National Energy Educational Development) program and its sponsors include the Exelon Foundation, ComEd, BP, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. This program brought together a STEM focus with Energy and combine classroom and community efforts in unique and engaging ways for our students. King Middle School received a $750 grant to support the STEM Challenge project, $3,000 of hands-on kits and curriculum, and an Energizing Student Potential Energy Fair Kit.

In addition, a representative group attended an Energizing Student Potential Celebration at the Field Museum where they were highlighted along with Kennedy Middle School and received an award. They are traveling to Washington D.C. on June 24th, representing KSD111, to participate in the 2016 National Recognition Ceremony. We thank The School Board, the Superintendent and Laura Fisher for their support. 

KJHS Honor

• Kankakee Junior High School has achieved 2016 National Beta School of Merit status. This prestigious honor is a true indication of their dedication to academic excellence, leadership development, and commitment to celebrating their student’s achievements. The junior high earned this award by offering National Beta to all eligible grades on their campus.

2. Inspire Award

Dr. Walters showed the Inspire Award to the Board from Presence St. Mary’s Hospital. She said Presence St. Mary’s awarded the students of Kankakee River Valley with the Inspire Award because the students inspire them to do well. Our district created a video, “What Makes a Healthy Community,” and it highlighted our students talking about what makes a healthy community. Dr. Walters stated that she is very pleased that St. Mary’s honored Kankakee School District as well as the rest of the community.

3. District Strategic Plan

Dr. Walters said that one of the activities that she was requested to do this school year was a Strategic Plan. In December, she started the process of gathering the information from multiple stakeholders. At a workshop were students, teachers, administrators, board members, and a number of parents.

One of the things she wanted to focus on is the partnership with the Illinois Center of School Improvement. The district has been in a relationship with the Center since December 2013. Dr. Walters actually met with them in March 2014 and they have been working with the district to help increase student performance.

Marci Driver, Director for District Services Area IV, stated that the work they do with the school district is centered on three functions: Management and Operations, Learning or Instructional Infrastructure, and District & School Continuous Improvement. CSI’s goal is to grow the district’s capacity to do this work on our own. Lyn Carter from CSI reviewed the roles of the District Leadership Team, School Leadership Teams, and Instructional Leadership Teams.

Dr. Walters said the next step will be during a week-long leadership training where one of those days, July 27th, our school leadership teams will meet to align the school improvement plans to the district improvement plan.

Dr. Walters concluded the presentation with her favorite quote from Muhammad Ali, “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” Dr. Walters said it is not impossible be become a high minority, high poverty, high performing district, but it will take five to seven years to turn the district around.

Public Comments

The following public comments were made:

Name Topic

Gloria Kennedy • Found out her name was put on a list that separates her from the rest of the team as someone to be careful of and not to depend on for help. She asked for a meeting with the Board, the Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent Laura Fisher.

Robert Ellington-Snipes • Questioned the list that Mrs. Kennedy referred to.

• Spoke on the leadership at KHS and asked the Board to give the new leadership 3-5 years to turn the school around and build a committed staff.

Rev. Dave Robinson • Questioned the list that Mrs. Kennedy referred to and asked who would make such a list without talking to the individuals.

• Questioned the turnover rate at the high school

• Asked the Board to look into the new health insurance. He stated a lot of people are discontented.

Consent Agenda

The following items were presented:

1. The following Board minutes were presented for approval:

- May 9, 2016 – Regular Meeting (Regular & Closed Session Minutes)

- May 26, 2016 – Special Meeting (Regular & Closed Session Minutes)

2. The Payroll and Related Bills were presented for approval. (See Insert A.)

3. The Regular Bills were presented for approval. (See Insert B.)

4. The Student Fees for 2016-2017 were presented for approval.

5. The Unleaded Gasoline bid was presented for approval. The administration recommended that the Board of Education approve an estimated price of $2.0682 per gallon from Heritage FS of Gilman for unleaded fuel for the 2016-2017 school year.

6. The Bus Gasoline bid was presented for approval. It was the recommendation of the administration that the Board of Education approve for the 2016-2017 school year an estimated cost of $1.7626 per gallon for diesel fuel and $1.8126 per gallon for winter diesel fuel from Heritage FS of Gilman.

7. The Head Start Policy Council Documents were presented for approval.

• Supplemental Grant Application for COLA

• Base Salary Scale

• Quarterly SF425 Federal Financial Report

• Semi-Annual SF425 Federal Financial Report

• Reassignment of teacher Cynthia Baker to teacher assistant with a new salary of

$19,000

8. The following personnel items were presented for approval:

Name Position Effective Date

Resignations/Retirements – Administrative Personnel

Jennifer Bednarczyk Principal at KHS June 1, 2016

Joy Chase Assistant Principal at KHS July 29, 2016

Resignations/Retirement – Certified Personnel

Constance Beatty 5th/6th Grade Teacher at Kennedy End of the 2016-17 School Year

Colleen Murphy 2nd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Mark Twain May 31, 2016

Jeanne Hatting ESL Teacher at Taft End of the 2016-17 School Year

Elizabeth Brown Social Studies Teacher at KHS May 31, 2016

Harry Boland Business Teacher at KHS May 31, 2016

Eleni Tselos School Psychologist at LCC/Special Education May 31, 2016

Shawna Young Special Education Resource Teacher at Montessori May 31, 2016

Mary Bedinger Special Education Teacher at IMPACT May 31, 2016

Resignation/Retirements – Support Personnel

Delma Garcia Paraprofessional/Special Ed Cross Cat at KJHS End of the 2015-16 School Year

Rose Vickery Paraprofessional/Reading at KJHS End of the 2015-16 School Year

Cheryl Jenkins Food Service/Substitute at LCC/Food Service May 9, 2016

Linhtrang Williams Secretary, Assistant Principal, at KHS May 27, 2016

Alejandra Sandoval Office Clerk at Steuben June 1, 2016

Appointments – Administrative Personnel

George Harris Principal at KHS July 1, 2016

Alicia Young Principal at King July 1, 2016

Appointments – Certified Personnel

Kayla Wetzel Speech/Language Pathologist at SSS August 18, 2016

Amanda Thrun Speech/Language Pathologist at SSS August 18, 2016

Malik Temple Music Teacher at TBD August 18, 2016

Abigail Ragsdale Spanish Teacher at KHS August 18, 2016

Megan Parks 7th Grade ELA Teacher at KJHS August 18, 2016

Laura Pignatiello 2nd Grade CCA Teacher at Mark Twain August 18, 2016

Emily McDaniel 6th Grade CCA Teacher at King August 18, 2016

John Collins Music Teacher at Kennedy August 18, 2016

Paul Galassi 6th Grade CCA Teacher at Kennedy August 18, 2016

Dustin Rennewanz TBD August 18, 2016

Appointments – Support Personnel

Karen Harrison Director of Foster Grandparent Program July 1, 2016

Valarie Snow Volunteer Coordinator for Foster Grandparent Program July 1, 2016

Leslie Salgado Clerk at Taft 2016-17 School Year

Charles Longtin Painter at LCC/Maintenance On or before June 30, 2016

Paul Longtin Carpenter at LCC/Maintenance On or before June 30, 2016

Cynthia Baker Head Start Teacher Assistant at Proegler August 18, 2016

David Wills Lead Mentor at KJHS July 1, 2016

Matthew Gregoire Carpenter at LCC/Maintenance On or before June 30, 2016

Tewaine Wicks, Sr. Security Officer at Avis Huff Student Support Services August 8, 2016

Nathaniel Hill Security Officer at Avis Huff Student Support Services August 8, 2016

Clifton Johnson, III Security Officer at KHS August 8, 2016

Jevon Wesby Security Officer at KHS August 8, 2016

Christine Williams Security Officer at KHS August 8, 2016

Lee McKnight Security Officer at KHS August 8, 2016

Randall Pomije Student Support Interventionist at KHS August 18, 2016

Joseph Lightfoot, III Student Support Interventionist at KHS August 18, 2016

Keith Ahrens Educational Technology Facilitator at KHS July 1, 2016

Appointments – Extra-Curricular Personnel

Ann Bernard Green Team Sponsor at KHS June 13, 2016

Leaves of Absence – Certified Personnel

Megan Reiter Pre-K Teacher at Mark Twain 3/14/16-7/25/16

Personnel

Resignations/

Retirement

Appointments

Leaves of Absence

Board of Education Minutes-June 13, 2016 (continued) (page 5 of 6)

Jeffrey Anderson PE Teacher/Traveling 4/25/16-5/31/16

Leaves of Absence – Support Personnel

Danielle Wilkey Special Education/Cross Cat Teacher at Kennedy 05/16/16-05/31/16

President Johnston asked if there were any questions on the Consent Agenda items. Hearing none, President Johnston asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.

Motion was made by Gathing, seconded by Wells, to approve the above listed Consent Agenda items as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE--Ayes: Coghlan (abstained from Item F.11. only), Davis, Gathing, Lightfoot, Shea, Wells, and Johnston. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Action Items:

1. District Strategic Plan

President Johnston asked if there were any questions on the District Strategic Plan. Hearing none, President Johnston asked for a motion to approve the District Strategic Plan.

Motion was made by Wells, seconded by Shea to approve the District Strategic Plan as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE—Ayes: Gathing, Lightfoot, Shea, Wells, Coghlan, and Johnston. Abstained: Davis. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Old Business

Mr. Lightfoot inquired about the 150 year celebration. Dr. Walters explained that the district tried to hold a dance tied to the Homecoming dates, but only 5 tickets were sold. She said we held a golf outing that brought in approximately $15,000 and the district aligned the fine arts performances with the celebration to rename Lafayette Primary School to Avis Huff.

Mrs. Davis asked if we have a Foundation Board. Dr. Walters said we are waiting for the Foundation to be approved and then a Board will be formed.

President Johnston announced that the IASB-IASA-IASBO Joint Annual Conference will be held November 18-20, 2016. The hotel registration opened up June 13th. She said to let Ms. Scott know if you plan on attend.

Information and Proposals

The following items were provided for information:

1. Transfer

Name Transferred To Effective Date

Certified Personnel

Deanna Gaytan Attendance Clerk at KJHS 2016-17 School Year

2. Board of Education Policy Manual Changes (1st Reading)

3. Responses to FOIA Requests

4. Budget Update

5. State & Federal Revenue Report

6. Staff Absence Report

At 7:58 p.m. motion was made by Coghlan, seconded by Gathing, to go back into Closed Session to discuss appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.

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

Motion carried.

At 8:27 p.m. motion was made by Coghlan, seconded by Gathing, to adjourn the meeting. All ayes; motion carried.

SIGNED: ______________________________________

Karen Johnston, President

ATTEST: ______________________________________

Barbara A. Wells, Secretary

vs

Approved: June 27, 2016