Kankakee School District 111 Board of Education met March 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
ROLL CALL
Members present: Mary Archie
Christopher Bohlen
Jess Gathing, Jr., Vice President
Angela Shea, Secretary
Darrell Williams
Members absent: Calvin Works (*entered at 6:20 PM)
Barbara A. Wells, President
A quorum was declared present.
Closed Session
At 5:31 p.m., motion was made by Shea, seconded by Archie, to adjourn to the Conference Room for closed session to discuss:
Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity, and;
Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees
ROLL CALL VOTE--Ayes: Archie, Bohlen, Gathing, Shea, and Williams. Nays: none. Motion carried. The closed session was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
At 7:16 p.m., the regular session was reconvened.
Three students from Avis Huff led the pledge.
Meeting with the Board were:
Dr. Genevra A. Walters, Superintendent
Felice Hybert, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Kathleen O’Connor, Assistant Superintendent Vicki Scott, Recording Secretary
News media reporter, Mr. David Giuliani, was present from The Daily Journal.
Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Genevra A. Walters
Competency-Based Education
Dr. Walters and Mrs. Hybert shared information on Competency-Based Education (CBE). Dr. Walters explained the difference between the traditional system of learning and Competency-Based Education. She said that CBE is based on what students are actually able to do and skills performed.
The District’s goal is to increase the number of students who are ready for college and/or careers and not just graduate students.
Mrs. Hybert, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, stated the District is currently underway from shifting the high school experience from a one size fits all to a more tailored approach that is personalized to students strengths and interests. This will keep the students more engaged in their learning. By utilizing the strategy of Competency-Based Education, the teachers have more flexibility to help all students. The high school is now one of 24 districts across the State of Illinois who are encouraging students to play a greater role and become more invested in their learning. In this process, the District is transitioning from measuring what it takes to graduate high school and receive a diploma, to measuring the knowledge and skills students need to master to become adequately prepared to become productive members of our local community and beyond. Mrs. Hybert said there would be an update at the next Board of Education meeting.
Principal’s Report
Ms. Carter, Principal of Avis Huff, opened her presentation with student, Jantasha Henderson, reciting a poem for Black History Month in February titled, Alone, by Dr. Maya Angelou. Another student, Claude Smith (via video), reiterated the fact that nobody can do it alone. He reviewed his educational journey and thanked Ms. Mancuso, Ms. Lewis, Dr. Walters, and Coach Carter for helping him get through his struggles. Principal Carter shared information on CAAEL and Diantha Strylowski reviewed the Capturing Kids’ Hearts Program. Principal Carter honored Mrs. Zandra Lewis for her retirement at the end of the school year. When the students were asked what they like best about Mrs. Lewis, they said she is generous, helpful, understanding, funny, respectful, compassionate, reliable, considerate, a good listener, caring, and cool. Principal Carter concluded her presentation reviewing the Avis Huff restructuring for the 2019-2020 school year and the introduction of her staff members.
Public Comments
The following public comments were made:
| NAME | TOPIC |
| Kim Love | Ms. Love spoke about a bullying issue at the high school. |
| Ruth Leshen | Mrs. Leshen spoke in support of the school health clinics. |
| Ken Leshen | Mr. Leshen spoke in support of the school health clinics. |
The following items were presented:
1. The following Board minutes were presented for approval:
February 11, 2019-Regular Meeting (Regular & Executive Session Minutes)
February 20, 2019-Special Meeting (Regular Session Minutes)
2. The Payroll and Related Bills were presented for approval. (See Insert A.)
3. The Regular Bills were presented for approval. (See Insert B.)
4. The Kennedy Middle Grade School Work Plan for School Improvement was presented for approval.
5. The Kankakee Junior High School Work Plan for School Improvement was presented for approval.
6. The following personnel items were presented for approval:
| Name | Position | Effective Date |
| Resignations-Licensed Educational Professionals | ||
| Carlos Abundes | Teacher at Steuben | End of 2018-19 School Year |
| Timothy Hubbard | Co-Teacher at King | End of 2018-19 School Year |
| Katharine Knight | Co-Teacher at KJHS | End of 2018-19 School Year |
| Brandon Streets | Teacher at KHS | End of 2018-19 School Year |
| Steven Tadlock | Teacher at KHS | March 6, 2019 |
| Allison Waide | Teacher at Mark Twain | End of 2018-19 School Year |
| Brian Zipper | Teacher at KHS | February 22, 2019 |
| Resignations/Retirement-Support Personnel | ||
| John Degenhart | Hardware Technologist at Central Office | February 22, 2019 |
| Jalesa Franks | Paraprofessional at Taft | December 21, 2018 |
| Tanesha McCrary | Paraprofessional at Kennedy | February 1, 2019 |
| Eric Mitchell | Paraprofessional at Avis Huff | March 8, 2019 |
| Amanda Nelson | Head Start Assistant at Proegler | March 8, 2019 |
| Renee Sanders | Cafeteria Helper at Edison | February 15, 2019 |
| Vicki Scott | Executive Secretary at Central Office | September 9, 2019 |
| Appointments-Support Personnel | ||
| Deviros Jones | Security Officer at Avis Huff/Traveling | March 6, 2019 |
| Michelle Mullin | Human Resources Coordinator | March 15, 2019 |
| Appointments-Extra-Duty Personnel | ||
| Jemiya Bates | Track, Assist | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Oletha Grant | Track, Assist | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Derek Hart | Track, Assist | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Jacob Niemann | Baseball, Assist-3 | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Tyler Prude | Tennis, Head | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Abigale Ragsdale | Tennis, Assist-if 13 | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Dustin Rennewanz | Basketball MS | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Tracy Selock | Kids on the Run MS, Kennedy | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Thomas Stanfield | Baseball, Assist-2 | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Anthony Sykes | Baseball, Assist-1 | 2018-2019 School Year |
| Leaves of Absence-Support Personnel | ||
| Lamar Hamilton | Custodian at Avis Huff | Jan. 1-May 31, 2019 |
| Mary McClure | Paraprofessional at Avis Huff | Mar. 1-end of school yea |
Action Items:
1. Approval of Resolution Authorizing Honorable Dismissal of Clinic Employees Due to Restructuring (See Insert C.)
The Resolution authorizing honorable dismissal of clinic employees due to restructuring was presented for approval.
Motion was made by Shea, seconded by Bohlen, to approve the Resolution for honorable dismissal of clinic employees due to restructuring as presented. Mr. Bohlen asked if the plans for the restructuring have been finalized at this time. Dr. Walters responded by saying no. She said they had a meeting to discuss how they would like to see the clinics restructured at the junior high and high school in order to offer more services to our children and their families. Mr. Bohlen asked if the people that are being dismissed will have an opportunity to be reinstated based on the reinstatement of the grant. Dr. Walters said they could be reinstated. The District will start with hiring a Director of Health Services. This person will be a health professional that will be able to help the District design the Health Clinic. ROLL CALL VOTE--Ayes: Bohlen, Gathing, Shea, Williams, Works, and Archie. Nays: none. Motion carried.
2. Resolution for Honorable Dismissal of District Funded Programs and Initiatives
The Resolution for honorable dismissal of district funded programs and initiatives was presented for approval. (See Insert D)
Kayla James, Part-time Paraprofessional
Motion was made by Shea, seconded by Works, to approve the Resolution for honorable dismissal of district funded programs and initiatives as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE—Ayes: Gathing, Shea, Williams, Works, Archie, and Bohlen. Nays: none. Motion carried.
3. Resolution Authorizing Reclassification of Assistant Principal and Reassignment to a Classroom Teaching Position (See Insert E)
The Resolution authorizing reclassification and reassignment of Assistant Principal Mr. Robert de Oliveira to a classroom teaching position was presented for approval.
Motion was made by Williams, seconded by Works, to approve the Resolution to give written notice of reassignment and reclassification to Mr. Robert de Oliveira to a classroom teaching position as presented. Mrs. Archie asked if this vote would be the final vote. Dr. Walters said there is one more stage after this vote. ROLL CALL VOTE – Ayes: Shea, Williams, Works, Archie, Bohlen, and Gathing. Nays: none. Motion carried.
4. Enter an Agreement to Pay the City of Kankakee $2,500 for Administering the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) Grant
The proposal to enter an agreement to pay the City of Kankakee $2,500 for administering the SVPP grant was presented for approval.
Motion was made by Bohlen, seconded by Archie, to approve an agreement to pay the City of Kankakee $2,500 to manage the SVPP Grant as presented. Mr. Bohlen said he has many concerns with the City not accepting the grant and reviewed the timeline that Dr. Walters provided. He wholeheartedly agrees to pay the City $2,500 in order for them to accept the grant. He commended Dr. Walters for the documentation she provided. Mr. Bohlen said he wants to get the lights, cameras and security going because he wants the community to be safe. Mrs. Shea commended Dr. Walters on her professionalism, leadership, and composure during the last City Council Meeting. ROLL CALL VOTE – Ayes: Williams, Works, Archie, Bohlen, Gathing, and Shea. Nays: none. Motion carried.
5. Ratification of Teachers Contract 2018-2022
The ratification of the teachers’ contract for 2018-2022 was presented for approval.
Motion was made by Shea, seconded by Archie to ratify the teachers’ contract for 2018-2022 as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE – Ayes: Works, Archie, Bohlen, Gathing, Shea, and Williams. Nays: none. Motion carried.
6. 2019-2020 School Calendar
The 2019-2020 School Calendar was presented for approval.
Motion was made by Bohlen, seconded by Williams, to approve the 2019-2020 school calendar as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE -- Ayes: Archie, Bohlen, Gathing, Shea, Williams, and Works. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Old Business
There was no old business discussed.
Information and Proposals
The following items were provided for information:
1. Avis Huff Restructuring
2. Freedom of Information Request
3. Holiday Tournament Report
4. Previous Bill Run
5. Staff Absence Report
At 8:00 p.m., motion was made by Bohlen, seconded by Williams, to adjourn the meeting. All ayes; motion carried.
https://www.ksd111.org/cms/lib/IL01904746/Centricity/Domain/68/MinutesMar5.19.pdf
Alerts Sign-up