Kankakee Times

Grant Park Community Unit School District 6 Board met September 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The meeting was called to order by President Dickson at 7:00 p.m. and the pledge of allegiance was recited.

Members present: Dave Dickson

Jerry Fick

Christine Horn

Jerry Loitz

Shari Ohm

Members absent: Vicki Gawlinski

Tim Markland

Also present: Dr. John Palan, Superintendent

Ms. Tracy Planeta, ES Principal

Mr. Matt Maxwell, MS/HS Principal

Mrs. Sue Anderson, Recording Secretary

Ms. Carrie Clodi, Special Services

Audience of 7

Approval Of Consent Agenda:

Motion was made by S. Ohm, seconded by J. Fick, to approve the consent agenda as follows:

1. Minutes of the regular board meeting of August 21, 2017.

2. Financial Reports for August, 2017.

3. Direction to pay the September vendor bills in the amount of $73,075.52.

4. Approval of the August payroll in the amount of $228,733.83.

5. To employ Jamie Heikes as Co-Senior Class Sponsor ($321 plus TRS), Peyton Thiesen as 6th Grade Volleyball Coach ($1,196, no TRS) Brian McKinstry as 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach ($2,050, no TRS), Kaitlyn Manning as 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach ($3,031, plus TRS), Kim Wells as MS Cheerleading Sponsor ($1,088, no TRS) and Kathleen Rodriguez as ES Dishwasher ($10.48 per hour).

Roll Call: S. Ohm – yes; J. Fick – yes; C. Horn – yes; J. Loitz - yes; and D. Dickson - yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Audience To Person’s Scheduled In Advance: Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Matthias spoke to the board regarding several high school/district issues. Their allegations included: Biology II is being taught using a Biology I book. Spanish II students are in a class with Spanish I students and are being taught together using a Middle School curriculum. She wanted to know why our students aren’t given HS materials. She asked previously how many students were in Spanish II and was told that was confidential. Mrs. Matthias claims the district is using intimidation by not disclosing the details of their legal fees. On September 8th she requested to speak to the board in closed session regarding Dr. Palan and Ms. Clodi. The request to appear in Executive Session was denied because she did not go through the proper chain of command. Mrs. Matthias reminded the board that “the same things are happening as before when she went to the Office of Civil Rights.” Mr. Dickson directed Mrs. Matthias to put her request to speak in closed session in writing to the Board of Education and they will consult the district’s attorney with a response to her request.

Administrator’s Reports: The administrators’ reports are attached.

Superintendent: Dr. Palan’s report included:

1. An Evidence based Funding formula was passed in the General Assembly and ISBE will begin data collection in which to base future funding levels.

2. This school year the district will be paying for all sophomores and juniors to take the PSAT.

3. The enrollment update was included.

Opening Of The Fy 2018 Budget Hearing:

Motion was made by C. Horn, seconded by S. Ohm, at 7:11 p.m. to open the FY 2018 budget hearing. Voice vote, all yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Closing Of The Fy 2016 Budget Hearing:

Dr. Palan reviewed the FY ’18 budget and stated that, overall, he is presenting a balanced budget in the amount of $5,849,560. The Education and O & M funds are balanced. The Transportation fund shows a deficit of $33,900 but the Working Cash fund shows a surplus of $33,900. There was a loss of approximately $95,000 in CPPT this year. The Transportation fund will need to be watched closely. Following this discussion, a motion was made by J. Fick, seconded by J. Loitz, at 7:13 p.m. to close the FY 2018 budget hearing. Voice vote, all yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Adoption Of The FY 2018 Budget:

Motion was made by J. Loitz, seconded by S. Ohm, at 7:13 p.m. to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to adopt the budget for the 2017-18 school year as presented. Roll Call: J. Loitz – yes; S. Ohm – yes; J. Fick – yes; C. Horn – yes; and D. Dickson – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Presentation Of The FY 2017 Audit:

Mr. Russ Leigh, of Russell Leigh and Associates, presented the report on the audit of Fiscal Year 2017, explaining the fund balances and financial condition of the district at the year’s end. He said it was a clean audit with no significant issues. The district is on the recognition list. Mr. Leigh cautioned that the state’s pension liability shortfall will have an effect on fund balances in the future. The audit will be placed on file in the District Office. Motion was made by J. Fick, seconded by C. Horn, to approve the FY 2017 audit as presented. Roll Call: J. Fick – yes; C. Horn – yes; J. Loitz – yes; S. Ohm – yes; and D. Dickson – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Board Committee Reports:

President: The Chamber of Commerce was happy with the student turnout at the Oktoberfest parade.

Building and Grounds: No report

Technology: No report

Kankakee Area Special Education Co-op: A meeting was held last week and it was business as usual.

Kankakee Area Career Center: No report

IASB-Three Rivers Division: No report

Chamber of Commerce: The next meeting is October 10th.

Student Representatives: An NHS cookie fundraiser is taking place; the Post-Prom Car Wash was a success; volleyball placed 7th out of 16 teams at the Reed-Custer Tournament; the band enjoyed playing in the Oktoberfest parade.

Board Communications: Included were a letter from the state superintendent regarding data results and a law firm memo regarding a new Tier III TRS Pension Plan and high salary TRS pension costs.

Community Forum And Other: There were no questions or comments from the audience.

Adjourn:

Motion was made by J. Loitz, seconded by S. Ohm, at 7:30 p.m. to adjourn. Voice vote, all yes. Motion carried unanimously.

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