Kankakee Times

Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53 School Board met Thursday, Feb. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53, Kankakee County, Illinois was called to order by President Rob Rodewald on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 7:09 PM at the Administrative Office, 281 W John Casey Road, Bourbonnais, IL. 1.02 Pledge of Allegiance.

1.03 The following members answered roll call: Justin Giacchino, John Hall, Michael Jurka, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald.

The following members were absent and did not participate in the meeting in any manner or to any extent whatsoever: None.

District Administrators Present: Superintendent Daniel Hollowell, Ed,D.; Dr. James Duggan, Director of Instruction, Bernadette Henriott, Director of Student Support Services; Kevin Baker, Director of Business Services; Dennis Crawford, Associate Director of Business Services; Jeffrey Gindy, Principal; Jon Hodge, Principal; Jennifer Longtin, Principal; Shirley Padera, Principal; Abby Saldivar, Associate Principal; Shannon Swilley, Associate Principal; Roger Hale, Technology Director.

2. Recognition of Staff, Students and Community

2.01 Recognition of Staff – Ann O’Gorman, Camp Invention

On behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53, Dr. Jim Duggan, Director of Instruction recognized Ann O’Gorman for her dedication to Camp Invention. Ann has been directing this camp for the past eight years and consistently has over 100 students from the area attending this camp. In honor of this commitment to our community and our children we would like to present Ann with this certificate and we will hang this plaque from the National Inventors Hall of Fame in the board room for the entire community to see.

2.02 Recognition of Staff – Greg Merrill

On behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53, Assistant Principal Abby Saldivar, recognized Greg Merrill, Substitute Administrator for his saving of a student's life. A student was choking and Mr. Merrill administered the Heimlich maneuver.

3. Communications

3.01 Communications from/to BEA Co-Presidents -BEA Co-Presidents: Jan St. John, Jean Whetsel. 

Introduction of Staff: Meghan Domanszky, Sarah Denault, Becky Creek, Jill Crary, Kameron March, Lisa Carlton, Jenny Renchen, Renee Brammer, Ann O’Gorman, Jenny Renchen, Barbara Soucy, Jackie Hernandez, Lauren Lundmark, Sue Cianfrogna, Tracy Lyle, Sarah Denault, Amber Skeate, Tracy Bretveld, Nancy, Eck, Theresa Luhring, Ellen Miller, Callie Huggins, Wendy Carter, Jill Crary, Leslie Kutemeier.

3.02 Communications from/to Visitors – There were no comments to/from visitors.

3.03 Communications from/to Board – Reminder of upcoming IASB Three Rivers Meeting.

3.04 Communication from/to Administration – Mr. Swilley thanked Dr. Hollowell for support in upcoming enrichment activities.

3.05 Superintendent – FOIA Request –- There were two FOIA requests reported by the Superintendent. TermlimitsUS.org and Smartprocure were both responded to in a timely manner.

4. Routine Business/Consent Agenda

Superintendent Daniel Hollowell, Ed.D. recommended the Board approve the following routine business consent items:

4.01 Approval of Minutes - Special Meeting January 24, 2017 - 6:30 PM

4.02 Approval of Minutes - Executive Session January 24, 2017 - 6:30 PM

4.03 Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting January 24, 2017 - 7:00 PM

4.04 Approval of Minutes - Special Meeting of the Whole January 26, 2017 - 6:30 PM

4.05 Approval of Minutes - Special Meeting of the Whole February 9, 2017 - 6:30 PM

4.06 Approval of Bills and Payroll

4.07 Approval of Treasurer's Report

4.08 Approval of Personnel

Letter of Intent to Retire - Certified Staff

Welker, Bonnie; effective the end of the 2018-2019 school year

Employment - Certified Staff

Sikma, Sarah; Speech Language Pathologist effective August 21, 2017

Matyskela, Sarah; LBS1 at Liberty Intermediate effective August 21, 2017

Couch, Sydney; LBS1 at Alan Shepard effective August 21, 2017

Bontrager, Tyler; Long Term Substitute effective April 2, 2017

Employment - Support Staff

Larry, DAVette; Aide/Bus Driver, effective February 22, 2017

Termination - Support Staff

Stoffregen, Cecil; Bus Driver, effective February 20, 2017

4.09 Approval of Overnight Student Field Trip - Upper Grade Center Student Council

4.10 Approval of Annual High Mileage Bus Lease

4.11 Approve Resolution to Open Music Department Activity Account

4.12 Items Removed from Routine Business/Consent Agenda

There were no items removed from routine business/consent agenda.

Motion by Rich McBarnes, second by Nicole McCarty to approve Routine Business/Consent agenda as presented. The following voice votes were heard: Ayes: Justin Giacchino, John Hall, Michael Jurka, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald. Nays: None. Absent: None.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries.

5. Mission of Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53 is to: Collaborate with staff, students, families, and community

5.01 Prevention Initiative Grant Update - Bernadette Henriott, Director of Student Support Services Bernadette Henriott, Director of Student Support Services explained the Prevention Initiative Program, who is eligible and the program components. The District currently uses the Prevention Initiative Grant for the Cradles to Crayons program. The program funds one full time parent educators’ salary, benefits, mileage, supplies and professional development. Services are provided to 15 families and 20 children. Mrs. Henriott gave a list of activities. Grant changes for the 17-18 school include: a minimum of 3 FTE staff to provide direct services and a.5 FTE program coordinator/supervisor. There must be year-round programming and a mental health consultant to support the staff and families. Mrs. Henriott listed the following 4 options for the Board to review.

1. Provide our own program as it currently is with 100% cost provided by the District

2. Merge our program with another district

1)We attempted to merge with Herscher and Bradley, Bradley and Herscher have chosen to drop the program

2)Have requested an appointment with Kankakee School District #111

3. Drop the program

4. Drop the program but partner with ONU to provide an after-school program for children and families and pay staff a stipend (not more than $5,000 per year

Discussion followed. Dr. Hollowell requested Board’s direction from the Board of Education.

The Board directed the Administration to seek ways to continue with the program.

5.02 Summer School / Seamless Summer Lunch Program (SSLP) - Dennis Crawford, Assistant Director of Business Services

Dennis Crawford, Assistant Director of Business Services explained that Summer School and Extended School Year will be housed at Alan Shepard for the summer of 2017 due to necessary work at Noel LeVasseur. According to the USDA “all children eat free in communities where at least 50% of the children are eligible for free/reduced price school meals.” Due to these regulations, it will be necessary to offer a summer meal program. Mr. Crawford updated the Board on discussions with Aramark regarding the breakfast and lunch options. The SSLP will allow us to provide meal services to our students and be reimbursed similarly to during the school year. Meals must also be offered to eligible community members (those under 18 years old).

5.03 Update on Tax Appeals - Superintendent Daniel R. Hollowell, Ed.D.

Superintendent Daniel Hollowell reported on the multi-year settlement of the 2015 and 2016 KT Care and BT Care assessment appeals. The properties are nursing home/assisted living facilities. The taxpayer filed appraisals that supported a two-year School District refund of $51,769 for the KT Care case and $56,024 for the BT Care case, for a total school district refund liability of $107,793. In anticipation of the Board of Review hearing, the parties negotiated a settlement. Pursuant to the agreement, the School District refund will be $27,117 total.

5.04 Alliance Summit Update

Board Members and Administrators who recently attended the Alliance Summit took time to share information learned from recent workshops they attended.

5.05 Community Garden Update - Dr. Jim Duggan, Director of Instruction

Dr. Duggan; Director of Instruction presented the Community Garden. Partners include The Bourbonnais Public Library, University of Illinois Extension and Bourbonnais Elementary School. Dr. Duggan explained each partners responsibilities.

6. Mission of Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53 is to: Provide a safe learning environment with innovation instructional practices

6.01 Outdoor Improvements Bonding Project Update - Dennis Crawford, Assistant Director of Business

Dennis Crawford, Assistant Director of Business reported on the outdoor improvements and bonding updates. Mr. Crawford gave the timeline of the bonds closing. Mr. Crawford also presented upcoming capital improvements at schools and estimated costs. Discussion followed.

7. Mission of Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53 is to: Inspire all students to reach their unique potential as globally conscious learners

7.01 MAP Results - Dr. Jim Duggan, Director of Instruction

Dr. Jim Duggan, Director of Instruction presented the February MAP results by subject, grade level, and school compared to last year. Dr. Duggan discussed the impact that PERA has had on MAP results.

7.02 Presentation of Student Sex Equity Survey – Mr. Jeff Gindy, Principal, Upper Grade Center

Mr. Jeff Gindy presented the results of the Student Sports Interest Survey that was given to the Upper Grade Students in February 2017. It is required that school Districts conduct a written assessment of students’ sports interest at least every four years to assist in designing a comparable athletic program. The top five sports were: Soccer, tackle football, volleyball, basketball and baseball. Mr. Gindy compared the current sports offered by gender.

8. Informational Items - 8.01 Dates to Remember

March 1, 2017 School Improvement Day - Early Dismissal - Schedule A

March 7, 2017 IASB Three Rivers Spring Dinner Meeting – 6:15 PM Crete-Monee High School

March 10, 2017 Early Dismissal - Schedule B

March 21, 2017 Regular Board of Education Meeting 7:00 pm Administrative Office

March 23, 2017 5th/6th Grade Band/Orchestra Concert 7:00 pm at BUGC

March 27-31, 2017 Spring Break

April 3, 2017 School resumes regular time

9.01 Non-Agenda Business by Board or Administration

There was no non-agenda business by Board or Administration.

10.01 Adjourn Motion by Michael Jurka, second by Nicole McCarty to adjourn 8:37 PM. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion Carries

http://www.boarddocs.com/il/besd53/Board.nsf/Public