Kankakee Times

Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53 Board of Education met March 31.

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 Board President Rob Rodewald at 7:00 PM at the Administrative Offices, 281 W John Casey Road, Bourbonnais, IL.

1.02 Pledge of Allegiance

1.03 Roll Call The following members were physically present at said location: Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald.

The following members were allowed by a majority of the members of the Board of Education in accordance with and to the extent allowed by rules adopted by the Board of Education to attend the meeting by video or audio conference: Kelly Dunnill, John Hall, Jamie Freedlund, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty. No member was not permitted to attend the meeting by video or audio conference.

The Governor’s Executive Order 2020-07, issued on March 16, 2020, suspends the Open Meetings Act provisions relating to in-person attendance by members of a public body. Specifically, the Governor’s Order: (1) suspends the requirement in Section 2.01 that “members of a public body must be physically present;” and (2) suspends the limitations in Section 7 on when remote participation is allowed. This Executive Order is effective the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster proclamation, which is 30 days from its issuance on March 9, 2020.

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

District Administrators Present: Dr. Margaret Longo, Interim Superintendent; Dennis Crawford, CSBO, Roger Hale, Director of Technology, by Audio; Anitra Crockett, Director of Student Support Services.

2. Recognition of Staff, Students and Community-There were no recognitions of staff, students or community.

3. Communications from/to:

3.01 Communications from/to BEA

Dr. Margaret Longo, Interim Superintendent read an email to the Board at the request of the BEA Co-Presidents Lauren Lundmark and Lori Henry.

3.02 Communications from/to Visitors – There were no attendees requesting to address the Board.

3.03 Communications from/to Board - Mr. Rodewald addressed the audience about COVID-19 and the efforts by staff, students, parents, and community.

3.04 Communications from/to Administration-There were no Administrators requesting to address the Board.

3.05 Superintendent – FOIA Requests – There was one FOIA request reported by

Dr. Margaret Longo, Interim Superintendent by Vince Espinoza for High School Grading Scales. This was completed in a timely manner.

Dr. Longo shared information from IASA about planning for the future after COVID-19.

4.0 Routine Business/Consent Agenda

Dr. Margaret Longo, Interim Superintendent, recommended the Board approve the Routine Business/Consent Agenda as presented.

4.01 Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting February 25, 2020 - 7:00 PM

4.02 Approval of Minutes - Special Meeting February 25, 2020- 6:00 PM

4.03 Approval of Minutes - Executive Session February 25, 2020 - 6:00 PM

4.04 Approval of Minutes - Special Meeting March 19, 2020 - 6:00 PM

4.05 Approval of Bills and Payroll

4.06 Approval of Treasurer's Report

4.07 Approval of Personnel

Employment - Certified Staff - Effective August 17, 2020

Foisy, Keli; First Grade Alan Shepard (pending licensure)

Chappel, Emily; LBSI at Liberty

Employment - Certified Staff - Rehire 2020-2021

Erickson, Michelle; Interventionist - Alan Shepard

Kremer, Traci; Interventionist - LeVasseur

Prairie, Kendra; Interventionist - Alan Shepard

Rodgers, Marlo; Interventionist - LeVasseur

Worsham, Erin; Interventionist - Alan Shepard

Bacon, Teri; Interventionist (Part-Time) - Shabbona

Newsom, Carli; Interventionist (Part-Time) - Upper Grade Center

Employment - Certified Staff Extra Duty 19-20

Estes, Diana; Game Club 1st Semester Shepard

Kowaleski, Mallory; Game Club 1st Semester LeVasseur

Kowaleski, Mallory; Game Club 2nd Semester LeVasseur

Kutemeier, Leslie; Game Club - 2nd Semester Shepard

Kutemeier, Lesslie; Game Club 1st Semester Shabbona

Laskey, Deb; Robotics

Peyton, Cloe; Game Club 2nd Semester Shabbona

Riegel, Lisa; Robotics

Riegel, Lisa; Team Steam

Informational - Certified Staff Position Change

McCorkle, Pam; Interventionist - Shabbona

Parson, Elizabeth; Interventionist - Shabbona

Renchen, Jenny; Interventionist - Liberty

Zink-Jones, Wendi; Assignment Change to 1.0 FTE

Resignation - Certified Staff

Domanszky, Meghan; LBSI-Destiny at LeVasseur effective end of 2019-2020 SY

Macholz, Adam;Extra Duty Team Steam effective 19-20 season

Newsome, Anna; Spanish Teacher BUGC effective end of 2019-2020 SY

Support Staff - Position Change

Leppert, Lisa; Assistant Business Manager/Superintendent Secretary/Board Secretary, effective April 1, 2020

Employment - Support Staff - Rehire effective August 17, 2020

Alvarez-Hunt, Karen; Part-Time Teacher Assistant - LeVasseur

Blankenship, Alison; Part-time Teacher Assistant - LeVasseur

Employment - Support Staff

Kirk, Lallo; Bus Driver effective March 11, 2020

Resignation - Support Staff

Bishop, Joan; Technology Information Specialist effective July 10, 2020

FMLA Requests - See attached

4.08 Approval of Contracts - Over the Moon Pediatric Therapy Co.

4.09 Approval of Contract with Childhood Potentials Inc. Denise Howard, CCC-SLP/L

4.10 Approval of Job Description for Educational Interpreter

4.11 Approval of a Job Description for a Special Education Case Manager

4.12 Approval of an Increase in School Fees for the 2020-2021 School year

4.13 Approval of Revision Job Description - Dean

4.14 Approval to Dispose of Non-Usable Equipment - Technology Recycle Program

4.15 Approval of American Red Cross Licensed Training Provider Agreement

4.16 Revision to Job Title-Assistant Business Manager/Superintendent Secretary/Board Secretary

4.17 Approval of Liberty Furniture - Dennis Crawford, CSBO

4.18 Items removed from Routine Business/Consent Agenda

Member Rich McBarnes requested item 4.07 be removed from business/consent agenda

Motion by Rich McBarnes, second by John Hall to approve Routine Business less item 4.07. The following voice votes were heard: Ayes: Kelly Dunnill, Jamie Freedlund, John Hall, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald. Nays: None. Absent: None. Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Motion by Jamie Freelund, second by Rob Rodewald to approve routine business consent agenda item 4.07. The following voice votes were heard: Ayes: Kelly Dunnill, Jamie Freedlund, John Hall, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald. Nays: None. Abstain: Rich McBarnes. 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 Approval of Salary Structure for Transportation Employees - Dennis Crawford, CSBO

The Board packet included the proposal to pay bus drivers and aides per hour starting the 2020-2021 school year. The pay will be more competitive with surrounding Districts, as it is the same structure. This will allow for better recruitment efforts. This should also clean up payroll challenges.

Motion by Rich McBarnes, second by Kelly Dunnill to approve the salary structure for transportation employees as presented. The following voice votes were heard: Ayes: Kelly Dunnill, Jamie Freedlund, John Hall, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald. Nays: None. Abstain: Jayne Raef. Absent: None. Final Resolution: Motion Carries.

5.02 Approval of Bus Driver /Bus Aide Handbooks - Dennis Crawford, CSBO

The Board packet included a copy of the revised bus driver/bus aide handbook. The handbook includes updated policies and administrative procedures.

Motion by Rob Rodewald second by Jayne Raef by voice vote to approve the transportation employees handbook as presented. The following voice votes were heard: Ayes: Kelly Dunnill, Jamie Freedlund, John Hall, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald. Nays: None. Absent: None. Final Resolution: Motion Carries.

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

6.01 Approval of New 1.0 First Grade Position - Dr. James B. Duggan, Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Duggan recommends the board create a new first grade position for the 20/21 school year to be prepared for the expected enrollment increase at this grade level. This teacher would be based at Alan Shepard.

There are currently 245 kindergarten students across 10 classes. Typically a class size increases after kindergarten. For instance, a similar kindergarten group in 17-18 is now 265 in 2nd grade with 11 teachers. Due to COVID-19 this position is contingent on enrollment and budget.

Motion by Jayne Raef, second by Rob Rodewald to approve a new 1.0 FTE First Grade position for the 2020/2021 school year as presented. The following voice votes were heard: Ayes: Kelly Dunnill, Jamie Freedlund, John Hall, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald. Nays: None. Absent: None. Final Resolution: Motion Carries.

6.02 Approval of 1.0 Case Manager Position - Dr. Anitra Crockett, Director of Student Support Services

The Board members were given a proposal in the Board packets requesting approval of 1.0 case manager by Dr. Anitra Crockett, Director of Student Services. In an effort to ensure that IEPs are written with consistency and fidelity in accordance with state and federal guidelines, Dr. Crockett recommended 1 FTE special education case manager position be created. 1 FTE special education case manager would:

Reduce the amount of planning time spent on IEP paperwork;

Allow special education teachers time to plan instruction with general education peers; and

Support elementary buildings in the pre-referral process as a member of the ESSIST team.

Due to COVID-19 this position is contingent on enrollment and budget.

Motion by Jayne Raef, second by John Hall to approve 1.0 FTE Special Education Case Manager as presented. The following voice votes were heard: Ayes: Kelly Dunnill, Jamie Freedlund, John Hall, Rich McBarnes, Nicole McCarty, Jayne Raef, Rob Rodewald. Nays: None. Absent: None. Final Resolution: Motion Carries.

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

7.01 Illinois State Scholars - Dr. Margaret Longo, Interim Superintendent

Dr. Longo read the names of the 2019-2020 Illinois State Scholars who attended BESD53.

Alexander Betterton

Reece Brown

Abigail Chinski

Sarah Hourihan

Kyle Huffaker

Aislee Klups

Sydney Kremer

Mya Lamontagne

Kaitlyn Lockwood

Elizabeth Noble

Allison O'Gorman

Faith Quigley

Zackary Randazzo

Connie Vi

Benny Wang

Amanda Williams

8. Informational Items

8.01 Dates to Remember

April 28, 2020 Regular Board Meeting 7:00 PM Administrative Office

May 1, 2020 Economic Interest Statements Due

9. Non-Agenda Business by Board or Administration

9.01 Non-Agenda Business by Board or Administration

10. Adjournment

10.01 Adjourn Motion by Rich McBarnes, second by Rob Rodewald to adjourn 7:36 PM. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion Carries

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