Kankakee Times

Kankakee School District 111 Board of Education met Thursday, Dec. 15.

The Kankakee School District Board of Education is composed of seven elected members deeply committed to ensuring a quality of educational excellence that will enhance the opportunities and challenges facing today's student. Board members are elected to four-year terms and receive no salary for their services. They may seek reelection to any number of terms.

Here are the minutes as provided by Kankakee School District No. 111:

KANKAKEE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 111 SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES December 15, 2016

A special meeting of the Board of Education of Kankakee School District No. 111, Kankakee County, Illinois, was held at 6:30 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. Karen Johnston, President Angela Shea

Members absent: Joseph Lightfoot

Barbara Wells, Secretary

A quorum was declared present.

Meeting with the Board were:

Dr. Genevra A. Walters, Superintendent Felice Hybert, Assistant Superintendent Vicki Scott, Recording Secretary

There were no news media reporters present.

Public Hearing At 6:31 p.m., motion was made by Gathing, seconded by Coghlan, to adjourn for a public hearing concerning a proposed waiver application to waive physical education requirements for students in grades 9-12 for reasons of academic intervention, for completing coursework necessary for academy credits or to regain credits needed for graduation. ROLL CALL VOTE--Ayes: Davis, Gathing, Shea, Coghlan, and Johnston. Nays: none. Motion carried.

President Johnston asked if anyone had any questions about the proposed waiver application.

Public Comments There were no written comments received regarding the waiver. There were two members of the public who attended this public hearing. Ms. Keisha Smith asked if this wavier was only for students who need to make up credits or is it for all students, even those who would like to take additional courses. Dr. Walters replied that it is for all students. Dr. Walters said that it is mainly for academic intervention and support, but if a student has a career goal that requires a rigorous class that they wouldn’t be able to take, they can fill out the waiver with an explanation as to why they need to take the more rigorous class, like an AP class. Ms. Smith explained that she was in attendance for her daughter who after enrolling in required courses has only two courses left for electives. If a student is in band or orchestra, that participating is one of since their 5th or 6th grade, You parents do not want have them paid for to an drop instrument that course by then, because and they music have is a been very good thing. The next elective is used if a student is planning to apply to a more selective university because they usually require three or four years of a foreign language. Her daughter would like to take a semester art class and a semester journalism class, a field she is thinking about majoring in. If she could waive PE, these courses would fit into her schedule.

President Johnston stated that a student must have a valid educational reason that will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Dr. Walters stated that this is a proposed waiver and after the Board takes action, it must still be approved by the State.

At 6:34 p.m., motion was made by Gathing, seconded by Shea, to close the public hearing.

ROLL CALL VOTE—Ayes: Davis, Gathing, Shea, Coghlan, and Johnston. Nays: None. Motion carried.

At 6:34 p.m. the regular session was reconvened with the following responding to roll call: Gathing, Shea, Coghlan, Davis, and Johnston.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Johnston.

Public Comments There were no public comments made.

Action Item

1. Proposed application to waive physical education requirements for students in grades 9-12 for reasons of academic intervention, for completing coursework necessary for academy credits or to regain credits needed for graduation.

Motion was made by Coghlan, seconded by Gathing, to approve the submission of the waiver to the State Board for consideration and action to waive physical education requirements for students in grade 9-12 as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE:--Ayes: Shea, Coghlan, Davis, Gathing, and Johnston. Nays: none. Motion carried.

At 6:36 PM motion was made by Davis, seconded by Gathing, to adjourn the meeting. All ayes; motion carried.

SIGNED:

Karen Johnston, President

ATTEST: Angela Shea, Acting Secretary