Kankakee Times

The Kankakee School District 111 Board of Education met Aug. 22 to review the 2015-16 school year.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

KANKAKEE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 111

BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES

August 22, 2016

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Kankakee School District No. 111, Kankakee County,

Illinois, was held at 6:01 p.m. in the Library at Kankakee High School, 1200 West JefferyStreet, Kankakee,

Illinois.

ROLL CALL

Members present: John Coghlan

Jess Gathing, Jr.

Karen Johnston, President

Joseph Lightfoot

Angela Shea

Barbara A. Wells, Secretary

Members absent: Amelia Davis (*entered at 6:12 PM)

A quorum was declared present.

Closed Session

At 6:03 p.m., motion was made by Gathing, seconded by Lightfoot, 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. ROLL CALL VOTE--Ayes: Coghlan, Gathing, Lightfoot, Shea,

Wells, and Johnston. Nays: none. Motion carried.

The closed session was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

At 7:00 p.m. the regular session was reconvened.

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

Meeting with the Board were:

Dr. Genevra A. Walters, Superintendent

Felice Hybert, Assistant Superintendent

Rob Grossi, Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Kathleen O’Connor, Assistant Superintendent

Vicki Scott, Recording Secretary

News reporter, John Dykstra, from The Daily Journal was present.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Walters reported the following information:

1. Good News

School Event Explanation

Kennedy Donation

• Riverside Medical Center donated several pieces of office

furniture, including chairs and tables to Kennedy’s Family

& Community Engagement Center. Kennedy is very

appreciative for their generous donations and especially

thank Mr. Phil Kambic and Mrs. Sue Sykes.

• Karen Zigrossi, who is the founder of “Get Your Backpack

On” donated eight well-stocked backpacks for students in

need at Kennedy.

Roll

Call

Closed

Session

Reconvene

Pledge

Superintendent’s

Report

Board of Education Minutes-August 22, 2016 (continued) (page 2 of 5)

2. State of the District

Dr. Walters presented a State of the District report which included the following:

• Review of the 2014-15 School Year

• Review of the 2015-16 School Year

• College/Career Academy

• Collective Teacher Efficacy (the average perception of teachers in a school that the efforts

of the faculty as a whole will have a positive effect on student achievement.)

• Worked with the Center for School Improvement on management and operations,

learning or instructional infrastructure, and district and school continuous improvement

• Reviewed the Strategic Plan Activities/Timeline

• Board Priorities – (1) student achievement, (2) public perception, (3) funding/finances, (4)

consistent leadership, (5) community engagement

• Mission Statement – Kankakee School District #111 will celebrate the unique diversity our

students possess while providing visionary educational opportunities.

• Vision Statement – Kankakee School District #111 will be recognized as being

progressive, innovative and creative. We work together to build ONE community with

strong partnerships. We are ONE district committed to increasing student achievement.

We have ONE vision of producing globally productive citizens. We do this for the diverse

needs of ALL children.

• Reviewed the District’s Strategic Plan – District Goal 1: KSD 111 will further develop and

implement multi-tiered systems of support for all students for a productive future beyond

high school; District Goal 2: KSD 111 will build a positive public perception through

consistent communication to all stakeholders regarding the District’s work with teachers,

parents, students and community members on conflict resolution, safety, health and wellbeing;

District Goal 3: KSD 111 will develop an effective system of communication

including roles and responsibilities, expectations and procedures that will support,

encourage and retain effective leaders.

• Plans for the 2016-17 School Year

o Strengthen student engagement across the district

o One:one technology grades 2-9

o Strengthen implementation of Reading/Math Curriculum

o Strengthen College Career Academy

o Implementation of Restructure Plan/Budget Reduction

o Strengthen Defined Stem

o Plan for QSCB renovations with focus on High School

o Strengthen Progress Monitoring of struggling students

o Move to Monitoring the Progress of students

o Strengthen Alternative Programming for students (struggling and advanced)

o Implement provision of Senate Bill 100

• Reviewed PARCC and AIMSweb data

Dr. Walters concluded her presentation by stating that the district’s most important job is to prepare

students for life after high school. She said that Central Office is supporting the buildings to make buildingwide

decisions that align with the District’s Strategic Plan.

Public Comments

The following public comment was made.

Name Topic

Robert Ellington-Snipes • Passed out a document for the Board’s information.

• Asked how much money the district received when

somebody is fined for speeding in a school zone. He

read 625 ILC 5/11 605 that states when a fine for a

violation of subsection is $150 or greater, the person

who violates subsection shall be charged an

additional $50 to be paid to the unit school district

Public

Comments

Board of Education Minutes-August 22, 2016 (continued) (page 3 of 5)

where the violation occurred for school safety

purposes. If the violation occurred in a dual school

district, $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the

elementary school district for school safety purposes

and $25 of the surcharge shall be paid to the high

school district for school safety purposes.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the entire

$50 surcharge shall be paid to the appropriate school

district.

Rosetta Themer • Expressed concerns over the miscommunications at

registration regarding when she would pay fees and

how she would receive bus information for her four

children. She stated that two of her students

received bus cards in the mail and the other two

students did not.

• She commented on the implementation of Skyward

and how it has increased communication from the

school/teachers. Skyward has made it easier for her

to track her students and hold them accountable.

Consent Agenda

The following items were presented:

• The minutes of the following Board of Education meeting were presented for approval:

o Regular Meeting ~ August 8, 2016 (Regular & Closed Session)

• The Use of a Temporary Facility at Kankakee High School was presented for approval.

• The Serious Safety Hazard Findings Resolution was presented for approval. (See

Insert A.)

• The Proposal for an Expulsion Panel was presented for approval.

• The following personnel items were presented for approval:

Staff Member Position Effective Date

Resignations (Certified Personnel)

Jeffrey Pastiak Guidance Counselor at KHS May 31, 2016

Jennifer Snedden English Techer at KHS May 31, 2016

Appointments (Certified Personnel)

Kelly Fifer Special Education Co-teacher at Avis Huff August 23, 2016

Justine Selock 6th Grade CCA Teacher at Kennedy August 23, 2016

Patrick Rossi Social Worker at Avis Huff Student Support Services August 23, 2016

Carole Kuta Special Education Co-teacher at Kennedy August 23, 2016

Rebecca Cox 5th Grade Fine Arts Teacher at Kennedy August 23, 2016

Jennifer Nikolic Math Teacher at KHS August 23, 2016

Patrick Lacy CIPS Teacher at KHS August 23, 2016

Melissa Fierro Technology Integration Specialist at LCC August 15, 2016

Appointments (Support Personnel)

Maria Roach School Nurse Districtwide/Avis Huff August 23, 2016

Erin Haut Paraprofessional Part-time at Montessori August 23, 2016

Ruthneida Vargus Night Custodian at LCC/Montessori August 23, 2016

Yuridia Lamb Paraprofessional at Edison August 23, 2016

Autumn Llorens Paraprofessional at Kennedy August 23, 2016

Danielle Papineau Paraprofessional at Kennedy August 23, 2016

Melissa Pommier Cafeteria Helper/4-hours at Steuben August 23, 2016

Tyisha Williams Cafeteria Helper/4-hours at KHS August 23, 2016

Erica Baptist First Taste Program Supervisor at Steuben August 23, 2016

Mary Randle First Taste Parent Educator at Steuben August 23, 2016

Sarah Gowler First Taste Parent Educator at Steuben August 23, 2016

Rosaura Calderon First Taste Parent Educator at Steuben August 23, 2016

Irene Dowdy Paraprofessional/Part-time at Taft August 23, 2016

Jocelyn Robinson Paraprofessional/Part-time at Taft August 23, 2016

M. Susana Shelton Paraprofessional/Part-time at Montessori August 23, 2016

Consent

Agenda

Board

Minutes

Temporary Facility

Safety Hazards

Expulsion Panel

Personnel

Resignations

Appointments

Board of Education Minutes-August 22, 2016 (continued) (page 4 of 5)

Pamela Bruso Paraprofessional (Library)/Part-time at King August 23, 2016

Sue Bennett Paraprofessional (Library)/Part-time at Mark Twain August 23, 2016

Kelly Costanza Paraprofessional (Library)/Part-time at Taft/Edison August 23, 2016

Luz Soto Office Secretary at Kennedy August 23, 2016

Lisa Zarate Paraprofessional/Part-time at Edison August 23, 2016

Amanda Pepin Paraprofessional/Part-time at Edison August 23, 2016

Jimmy West Paraprofessional at KHS August 23, 2016

Appointments (Extra-Curricular Personnel)

David Acevedo Soccer (Boys) Head Varsity at KHS August 22, 2016

Donya Tetrault Tennis (Girls) at KHS August 22, 2016

Stephenee Yancy Volleyball Assistant at KHS August 22, 2016

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

as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE--Ayes: Coghlan, Davis (Abstained from F.4. only), Gathing, Lightfoot,

Shea, Wells, and Johnston. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Old Business

No old business was discussed.

Information and Proposals

The following items were provided for information:

1. Presentation of FY17 Tentative Budget/Notice of Public Hearing

Mr. Grossi reviewed the Fiscal year 2015-16 budget highlighting the following:

Revenues:

• 21.1 million in local revenue

o Includes $1.9 million of FY 2017 money (received in June)

• $28.5 million in General State Aid

o Increase of $3.1 million vs. FY 2015

o Includes one-time supplemental General State Aid ($1.3 million)

• $5.4 million from other State Sources

o Received only 3 out of 4 State categorical payments (about $1 million per payment)

• $11.8 million from Federal sources

o Last year of School Improvement Grant ($1 million)

TOTAL REVENUE: $66.8 million

Expenses

• Benefits - $11.4 million

o Did not make health insurance premium payments during December 2015

o Switched health insurance companies in January 2016

o Decrease of $1.8 million vs. FY 2015 (13.6%)

• Tuition - $0.5 million

o Kept more students in District (with supports) rather than outsourcing

o District spent an average of $0.9 million for tuition during past 5 years

• Construction Fund - $2.6 million

o New math and ELA curriculum for K-8 students ($0.5 million)

o Turn Student Support Services Offices into Fine Arts Magnet Classrooms ($0.2 million)

TOTAL EXPENSES: $67.0 million

Mr. Grossi stated that at the next Finance and Facilities Meeting, there will be a discussion on budget

assumptions for FY 2017. The most important decision will be what to do with the $1.9 million dollars

of local tax money that we received in June of this year. It must be decided if the district budgets the

2018 local tax money this year or the following year. This will be the deciding factor as to whether the

district has a balanced budget this year. Mr. Grossi also stated that as the district builds their plan for

the Qualified School Construction Bonds, it must be determined how much money will be spent during

the summers of 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2010.

Old

Business

Information

Tentative Budget

Transfers

HR Goals

FOIA

Board of Education Minutes-August 22, 2016 (continued) (page 5 of 5)

The public hearing for the Final Budget is scheduled on September 26, 2016 at 7:00 PM. The board

meeting will be held at Kennedy Middle Grade School, 1550 West Calista Street, Kankakee, Illinois.

[See Insert B.]

2. Personnel Transfer (Certified Transfer)

• Sheryl Orr to 8th grade Language Arts Teacher at Kankakee Junior High School, effective

August 18, 2016

3. Human Resources Department Goals

4. Freedom of Information Request

At 8:10 p.m., motion was made by Wells, seconded by Lightfoot, to adjourn the meeting. All ayes; motion

carried.

SIGNED: ______________________________________

Karen Johnston, President

ATTEST: ______________________________________

Barbara A. Wells, Secretary

vs

Approved: September 12, 2016

Adjourn