Kankakee Times

Grant Park Community Unified School District No. 6 met Monday, Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes as provided by Grant Park CUSD No. 6:

REGULAR BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2016 A regular meeting of the Grant Park Community Unit School District No. 6 Board of Education, Kankakee County, State of Illinois, was held on December 19, 2016, in the Middle School Library. 

The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Markland at 7:00 p.m. and the pledge of allegiance was recited. Members present: Jerry Fick Dale Hansen Christine Horn Jerry Loitz Tim Markland Shari Ohm Member absent: Dave Dickson Also present: Dr. John Palan, Superintendent Ms. Tracy Planeta, ES Principal Mr. Tom Sanidas, MS/HS Principal Mrs. Sue Anderson, Recording Secretary Ms. Carrie Clodi, Special Services Audience of 0 

APPOINTMENT OF A PRESIDENT PRO TEM: In President Dickson’s absence, a motion was made by D. Hansen, seconded by J. Loitz, to appoint Vice-President Markland as President Pro tem for this meeting. Roll Call: D. Hansen – yes; J. Loitz – yes; C. Horn – yes; and S. Ohm – yes. Motion carried unanimously. 

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: Motion was made by J. Fick, seconded by C. Horn, to approve the consent agenda as follows: 1. Minutes of the regular board meeting of November 21, 2016. 2. Financial Reports for November, 2016. 3. Direction to pay the December vendor bills in the amount of $97,503.26. 4. Approval of the November payroll in the amount of $276,612.17. Roll Call: J. Fick – yes; C. Horn – yes; D. Hansen – yes; J. Loitz – yes; S. Ohm – yes; and T. Markland - yes. Motion carried unanimously.

AUDIENCE TO PERSON’S SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE: None 

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORTS: The administrators’ reports are attached. The Administrative Team presented the 2016 Assessment Data. Overall, they are very pleased with the results. Superintendent: Dr. Palan’s report included: 1. A legislative update and Alliance Summit in which Dr. Palan, Mr. Dickson and one other board member will travel to Springfield in February to speak to state legislators. 2. Information regarding the HS Track Co-op request. Transportation is not yet finalized and the students will be polled again in January to determine if the high level of interest has remained. 3. An official letter regarding Momence’s request to withdraw from the Kankakee Area Special Education Cooperative. 4. The Five Essentials survey was included for the board members and reflects mostly positive comments on all aspects of the district. 5. High School graduation has tentatively been set for May 19th and Middle School promotion is not yet decided. 6. An enrollment update showed a decrease of three students from last month. 

APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION #121619 FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE 2016 TAX LEVY: Dr. Palan reviewed the three step process in determining the 2016 tax levy: projected EAV, the levy extension request and the reality levy due to tax caps and PTELL. He noted that there is expected to be very little new revenue. A motion was made at 7:41 p.m. by D. Hansen, seconded by J. Loitz, to approve the estimated tax levy for 2016 in the amount of $3,525,500, without bonds. Roll Call: D. Hansen - yes; J. Loitz - yes; J. Fick - yes; C. Horn - yes; S. Ohm – yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously. 

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: President: No report 

Building and Grounds: The following was discussed at the meeting: the lighting grant is pushing through; keyless entry for some exterior doors is being looked at due to not getting keys back from some coaches; new pickup truck and tractor are needed; blacktopping the bus garage parking area may be cost prohibitive right now; the Hamann Center is in need of roof repairs and tuck pointing; phase 4 of the landscaping will take place this spring/summer; phase 2 of the security film installation will be scheduled; summer painting will need to be done; phase 2 of the MS tile project will be worked on; the parking lots are in need of sealcoating; and the water has been tested for lead and came back negative. 

Technology: An update on the 1:1 Initiative shows all technology is being used appropriately; the committee received a demo on virtual headsets; various social media outlets were explored to spread news about the district; a Technology Open House is being planned for community leaders; iPads are now in use for Title I students; and the committee discussed an online fee payment option for parents.

Kankakee Area Special Education Co-op: No report 

Kankakee Area Career Center: No report 

IASB-Three Rivers Division: The spring division meeting is March 7th at Crete-Monee High School and the topic will be new discipline regulations. Chamber of Commerce: Next meeting is January 12 th. Student Representatives: No report Board Communications: Included was an article about the Illinois Teacher Shortage, a thank you note from IASB for the presentation at the conference and a letter from the C0-op regarding excess supplies. 

COMMUNITY FORUM AND OTHER: There were no questions or comments from the audience. 

APPROVAL TO EMPLOY SUBSTITUTE SPANISH TEACHER: Motion was made by D. Hansen, seconded by S. Ohm, at 7:56 p.m. to approve the employment of Kathryn Girard as a long-term substitute High School Spanish Teacher for the remainder of the 2016-17 school year at a rate of $126 per day. Roll Call: D. Hansen – yes; S. Ohm – yes; J. Fick – yes; C. Horn – yes; J. Loitz – yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously. 

ADJOURN: Motion was made by D. Hansen, seconded by J. Fick, at 7:57 p.m. to adjourn. Voice vote, all yes. Motion carried unanimously.