Kankakee Times

Grant Park Community Unit School District 6 Board met Sept. 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Grant Park Community Unit School District No. 6 Board of Education, Kankakee County, State of Illinois, was held in the Middle School Library.

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

Vicki Gawlinski

Christine Horn

Jerry Loitz

Tim Markland

Shari Ohm

Also present:            Dr. John Palan, Superintendent

Ms. Tracy Planeta, ES Principal

Mr. Matt Maxwell, MS/HS Principal

Mrs. Crystal Johnson, SpEd Director

Mrs. Sue Anderson, Recording Secretary

Audience of 6

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:

Motion was made by J. Loitz, seconded by V. Gawlinski, to approve the consent agenda as follows:

1. Minutes of the regular board meeting of August, 2020.

2. Financial Reports for August, 2020.

3. Direction to pay the August vendor bills in the amount of $205,787.27. 

4. Approval of the August payroll in the amount of $249,178.01.

5. Approval of Athletic Directors(s) Cell Phone Stipend of $300 per year. 

6. To approve board policy: 2:260, 5:10, 5:100, 5:20, 5:330, 7:10, 7:180, 7:185, 7:20, 2:265

7. To approve the 2020-21 mentors as recommended: Nina Zalewski, Lee Ellen Palan, Kelly Toppen and Jared Thompson ($480 plus TRS).

8. To approve Rhiannon Currier as Junior Class Co-Sponsor ($1,087, no TRS), Jen Capizzano as Senior Class Co-Sponsor ($360.50 plus TRS), Junior Class Co-Sponsor ($1,087 plus TRS), and HS Student Council Co Sponsor ($480 plus TRS), Kelly Toppen as Senior Class Co-Sponsor ($360.50 plus TRS) and HS Student Council Co-Sponsor ($480 plus TRS), Lauren Mohler as MS Student Council Sponsor ($838 plus TRS) and Becky Marshalek and Rachel Malkowski as Co-Yearbook Sponsor(s) ($1,488.50 each, no TRS).

9. To approve the modified 2020-21 School Calendar, as presented.

10.To approve board resolution #92120 approving closed session minutes remain confidential as presented.

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

AUDIENCE TO PERSON’S SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE: Retired educators from FY 2020, Suzy Bird and Julie Wielgat, were recognized and presented with a gift from the Board. Both teachers worked in the district for 19 years and were very dedicated to the students at GP.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORTS: The administrators’ reports are attached. Ms. Planeta said the ES will be doing some curriculum revamping in the area of language arts and mentioned the appreciation sign in front of the ES from a local family. Mr. Maxwell introduced Hunter Romanowski as the new student board representative and the MS will be starting benchmark assessments. Mrs. Johnson noted that there have been no issues with any of the SpEd students wearing masks and the staff has been extremely flexible during these uncertain times.

Superintendent: Dr. Palan’s report included:

1. District re-opening plan still includes both remote and in-person learning options. The engagement of remote learners is being watched closely to make sure they do not fall behind. A letter will be going out soon for parents to pick a session for 2nd quarter and some remote learning days will be used for deep cleaning in the buildings.

2. USDA has started a free lunch program for all until December 31, 2020 or until funds run out.

3. The US Department of Education is providing no relief from required assessments this year, despite the regulations pertaining to the pandemic. 

4. NICHE 2020 Top 100 School Districts official notification from last year just hit the media outlets. GP was ranked 58th and this is the fourth year receiving this award.

5. Enrollment report from August was included.

OPENING OF THE FY 2021 BUDGET HEARING:

Motion was made by T. Markland, seconded by S. Ohm, at 7:18 p.m. to open the FY 2021 budget hearing. Voice vote, all yes. Motion carried unanimously.

CLOSING OF THE FY 2021 BUDGET HEARING:

Dr. Palan reviewed the FY ’21 budget and stated that, overall, he is presenting a balanced budget in the amount of $5,458,800. The Education and O & M funds are balanced. The Transportation fund shows a deficit of $34,000 but the Working Cash fund shows a surplus of $34,000. The district recouped last year’s missing CPPRT payment but last year’s Special Education bill was not received until this fiscal year so the amounts are offset. Once again, September 21, 2020 small class sizes are proving to be beneficial with the new learning options this year. Following this discussion, a motion was made by J. Loitz, seconded by C. Horn, at 7:21 p.m. to close the FY 2021 budget hearing. Voice vote, all yes. Motion carried unanimously.

ADOPTION OF THE FY 2021 BUDGET:

Motion was made by T. Markland, seconded by J. Fick, at 7:22 p.m. to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to adopt the budget for the 2020-21 school year as presented. Roll Call: T. Markland – yes; J. Fick – yes; V. Gawlinski – yes; C. Horn – yes; J. Loitz – yes; S. Ohm – yes; and D. Dickson – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

President: The board expressed their deep appreciation to the staff, students, parents and administration and would like to reward the efforts that led to another NICHE award for the district.

Building and Grounds: Quotes for installation of the new soccer scoreboard are being acquired.

Technology: A Wi-Fi extender will be tested outside the building before considering adding more access points.

Kankakee Area Special Education Co-op: No report

Kankakee Area Career Center: The FY 21 budget was adopted at the last meeting. IASB-Three Rivers Division: No report

Chamber of Commerce: The lighted parade was held last weekend and the bike path to Casey’s as well as the corner beautification project were approved.

Student Representatives: Student Council will be selling t-shirts to support the Bev Roberts Foundation; the Senior Class is discussing senior trip options and senior t-shirts; and golf is going well with no issues to report.

Board Communications: The Jeanne Rundquist family is giving back to the district in the form of $10,000 in scholarship money to benefit the students at GP. More details will be available as the year progresses. Also, Mrs. Ohm received a plaque from the IASB for maintaining her “Master School Board Member” status.

COMMUNITY FORUM AND OTHER: There were no comments or questions from the audience.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion was made by T. Markland, seconded by J. Loitz, at 7:44 p.m. to go into Executive Session for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), as amended by P.A. 93-0057. Roll Call: T. Markland - yes; J. Loitz – yes; J. Fick - yes; V. Gawlinski - yes; C. Horn - yes; S. Ohm – yes; and D. Dickson - yes. Motion carried unanimously.

President Dickson declared the closed session was over at 8:12 p.m. and the meeting would continue in Open Session.

APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES:

Motion was made by S. Ohm, seconded by J. Loitz, at 8:13 p.m. to approve the Executive Session minutes as read. Roll Call: S. Ohm - yes; J. Loitz - yes; J. Fick - yes; V. Gawlinski - yes; C. Horn - yes; T. Markland – yes; and D. Dickson – yes. Motion carried unanimously

ADJOURN:

Motion was made by J. Fick, seconded by C. Horn, at 8:13 p.m. to adjourn.

https://grantparkdragons.org/documents/board/board-minutes/2020-21/boe_minutes_september_21_2020.pdf