Kankakee Times

Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53 Board of Education met Dec. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

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, December 19, 2017 at 7:02 PM at the Administrative Offices, 281 W John Casey Road, Bourbonnais, IL. 

1.02 Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Absent: None

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

2. Recognition of Staff, Students and Community

2.01 Recognition of Staff - Michael Keigher and Dr. Jim Duggan - ELN Video

On behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53, Superintendent Daniel Hollowell recognized Michael Keigher and Dr. Jim Duggan for their efforts designing an Educational Leaders Network training video for Trauma Informed Schools. The interactive video webinar was created by Jim and Michael for our staff. The Illinois Principals Association and host of ELN has contacted us about making this training video available state-wide due to how impressed they were with its production and content.

2.02 Recognition of Staff - Michael Keigher, Trauma-Informed Schools

On behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53, Bernadette Henriott, Director of Student Support Services recognized Michael Keigher for his presentation on “Trauma-Informed Schools” at the Trauma and Resiliency Planning meeting sponsored by the Pledge for Life Partnership and Olivet Nazarene University. Michael’s presentation reached out to area service agencies and school districts and provided a definition of trauma, its effect on children, and the three year plan that our district will be implementing to become a trauma-informed school district.

2.03 Recognition of Staff - Nancy Ducharme, Alan Shepard

On behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53, Shirley Padera, Principal recognized Nancy DuCharme for winning first place in the 2016-2017 Pledge for Life Partnership Life Education Center’s “Best Practice Contest”. This contest is designed to recognize educators who develop imaginative and creative projects to reinforce the Life Education Center’s curriculum. Mrs. DuCharme’s first place entry was a “Wise Choices-Wise Highs Quilt”. She was presented with a monetary prize of $100 at the Rolling out the Red Carpet event for Education All-Stars.

2.04 Recognition of Staff - Lisa Riegel, Liberty Intermediate

On behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53, Shannon Swilley, Associate Principal recognized Lisa Riegel for providing an opportunity for her students to enter the Life Education Center's Wise Highs billboard contest. This contest is sponsored by the Pledge for Life Partnership and the Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education. Mrs. Riegel's student Abbie Ownbey, a past sixth grade student, was chosen as the winner of this contest. Abbie's billboard design used the theme, "Less Drinking.More Thinking", and will be displayed in several locations in Kankakee and Iroquois counties in the month of April promoting Alcohol Awareness month. Thank you Mrs. Riegel for providing this opportunity and inspiring your students each year to seek out a winning entry!

2.05 Recognition of Students - Abbie Ownbey, Upper Grade Center

On behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53, Shannon Swilley, Associate Principal recognized Abbie Ownbey for winning the Life Education Center's Wise Highs Billboard Contest. This contest is sponsored by the Pledge for Life Partnership and the Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education. As a student in Mrs. Riegel's classroom at Liberty Intermediate, Abbie entered the contest and was chosen as the winner. Abbie's billboard design used the theme, "Less Drinking.More Thinking", and will be displayed on several billboard locations in Kankakee and Iroquois counties in the month of April promoting Alcohol Awareness month.

2.06 Recognition of Community - Dave O'Connell, Premium Specialties

On behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53, Jeff Gindy, Principal recognized Dave O’Connell of Premium Specialties Screen Printers. Premium Specialties has been donating new t-shirts and sweatshirts that are overstock to BUGC for the past 2 school years. These items have been distributed to students in need and have become valuable articles of clothing for these students in the winter months. The Upper Grade Center would like to recognize Mr. O’Connell’s desire to help students and families and thank him for using his available resources to improve our school community.

3. Communications from/to:

3.01 Communications from/to BEA

Co-BEA Presidents Deb Laskey and Nancy Waldschmidt read a statement of appreciation and gratitude from the BEA to the Board of Education and the BESD family.

Introduction of Staff: Lisa Riegel, Adam Macholz, Michael Keigher, Nancy Waldschmidt, Deb Laskey, Nancy DuCharme.

3.02 Communications from/to Visitors –None

3.03 Communications from/to Board - None

3.04 Communications from/to Administration - Dr. Jim Duggan, Director of Instruction announced the upcoming event “Wild About Reading” which will launch the Dolly Parton Reading Program, on January 11th from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. He also announced that the Trauma-based Schools training that will be coming to Olivet will also be offered to our district.

3.05 Communications from/to Superintendent – FOIA Requests – There were two FOIA requests reported by the Superintendent. Bob Aubrey, PublicFinances.us requested additional information to audit reports and compensation information. SmartProcure requested information on purchase orders. Both requests have been completed.

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 - Regular Meeting November 28, 2017 - 7:00 PM

4.02 Approval of Bills and Payroll

4.03 Approval of Treasurer's Report

4.04 Approval of Personnel

Employment - Support Staff

Altmyer, Amanda; Bus Aide effective December 12, 2017

Maass, John; Bus Driver effective December 11, 2017

Reed, Clarence; Bus Driver effective December 13, 2017

Stoops, Paul; Bus Driver effective November 15, 2017

4.05 Approval of 1-Year Lease on Mini Lift Bus - Midwest Transit Equipment *Tabled* prior to meeting. No action taken.

4.06 Approval of Student Council Overnight Trip

4.07 Items Removed from Routine Business/Consent Agenda

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

Motion by Rich McBarnes, second by Jamie Freedland to approve Routine Business as presented. The following voice votes were heard: Jamie Freedlund, John Hall, Michael Jurka, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald

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

5.01 Certify Tax Levy- Dennis Crawford, Director of Business Services

Dennis Crawford, Director of Business Services presented the 2017 tax levy. The consumer price index for 2016 is -2.1% = $271,247 additional tax revenue. The new property estimate is 2.417 million which equals $75,256 additional tax revenue. The total levy request is a $427,125 increase.

Motion by Michael Yurka, second by John Hall to certify the 2017 tax levy as presented. The following voice votes were heard: Jamie Freedlund, John Hall, Michael Jurka, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald.

5.02 Determine Dates for Bi-Annual Review of Executive Session Minutes

January 23, 2018 at 6:00 PM will be the bi-annual review of executive session minutes.

5.03 Overview of Revenue, Salary, and Class Size - Superintendent Daniel R. Hollowell, Ed.D.

Daniel Hollowell, Ed.D. presented the Board with an overview of the revenue, salary and class sizes for the current year future years as well as explained how the changes in each impact the District’s budgeting process. Dr. Hollowell has explained that revenue has flatlined since 2011 however insurances, salaries, benefits, utilities, out-of-district tuition and bus costs continued to rise. Dr. Hollowell compared salaries of the Superintendent, Administration and Teachers to local and State averages.

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

6.01 Shepard Parking Lot - Dennis Crawford, Director of Business Services

Dennis Crawford showed pictures of the recent water main break that caused damage to the Shepard parking lot. Discussion followed.

6.02 Fab Lab - Adam Macholz, Technology Teacher

Adam Macholz, Liberty and Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center Fab Lab Teacher gave the Board a detailed description of the Fab Lab class. Mr. Macholz outlined some of the activities the students have recently completed including using Tinkercad and 3D printing to modify Maoi heads into bobbleheads, designing universal barricades for classroom doors and designing ornaments. Mr. Macholz explained the philosophy of “Make it, Break It, Make It Better” in the classroom to encourage students to continue to test and improve their ideas. Students have also been learning electronics and soldering. Mr. Macholz thanked numerous people who have helped make the program possible. Discussion and questions 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 DIBELS Mid Year Report - Dr. Jim Duggan, Director of Curriculum

Dr. Duggan presented the Mid-Year Dibels progress. Dr. Duggan gave results by schools and grade levels. Discussion followed.

8. Informational Items

8.01 Dates to Remember

December 22, 2017 - Early Dismissal - Schedule B

December 25, 2017 - January 5, 2018 Winter Break

January 8, 2018 School resumes at regular time

January 11, 2018 Legislative Round Table, 1:00 PM

January 15, 2018 Martin Luther King Holiday - No School

January 19, 2018 Early Dismissal - Schedule B - End of First Semester

January 23, 2018 Regular Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM at Administrative Office

9. Non-Agenda Business by Board or Administration

9.01 Non-Agenda Business by Board or Administration – There was no non agenda business reported by Board or Administration

10. Adjournment

10.01 Adjourn

Motion by Michael Jurka, second by Rich McBarnes to adjourn at 8:19 PM. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion Carries.

https://www.boarddocs.com/il/besd53/Board.nsf/vpublic?open