Kankakee Times

Grant Park Community Unit School District 6 Board met March 15.

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 Markland at 7:00 p.m. and the pledge of allegiance was recited.

Members present: Jerry Fick

Vicki Gawlinski

Christine Horn

Jerry Loitz

Tim Markland

Shari Ohm

Hollie O’Nions

Also present: Dr. John Palan, Superintendent

Ms. Tracy Planeta, ES Principal

Mr. Matt Maxwell, MS/HS Principal

Mrs. Sue Anderson, Recording Secretary

Audience of 4

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:

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

1. Minutes of the regular board meeting of February, 2021.

2. Financial Reports for February, 2021.

3. Direction to pay the March vendor bills in the amount of $103,677.76.

4. Approval of the February payroll in the amount of $275,906.91.

5. To approve the Transportation Contract (Midwest Transit) for the 2021-22 school year

6. To approve the District #6 entry pay scales (July 2021-December 2021) 7. To approve the 2021-22 school calendar as presented

Roll Call: J. Fick – yes; V. Gawlinski – yes; C. Horn - yes; J. Loitz – yes; S. Ohm – yes; H. O’Nions – yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

AUDIENCE TO PERSON’S SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE: None

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORTS: The administrators’ reports are attached. Ms. Planeta added the first grade will begin a pilot program affiliated with a camp in Manteno. The students will participate in outdoor education activities that are tied to science standards. Mr. Maxwell stated “fall” sports have begun which includes HS Volleyball, Soccer and MS Girls Basketball. Also, state testing requirements have been slightly altered due to Covid.

Superintendent: Dr. Palan’s report included:

1. ESSER funding: the grant application is now out for ESSER II funding which is to focus on narrowing the academic gaps.

2. The ISBE Financial Profile is to be released next month.

3. District vacancy update includes openings in 5th grade, Spanish and HS Social Science.

4. After the announcement of returning to full days after spring break, there was an overwhelming positive response from much of the staff, students and parents.

5. Enrollment report from February showed the enrollment remained constant from January.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

President: Mr. Markland expressed his appreciation and thanks to Mr. Fick for his eight years of service on the Board.

Building and Grounds: Recommendations for summer projects will be forthcoming after the next meeting in April.

Technology: ES Technology Mentors demonstrated how document cameras are used in the classrooms, both for in-person and remote learners. Also, more Chromebooks have been ordered.

Kankakee Area Special Education Co-op: Negotiations are beginning and the Director’s contract is also being negotiated.

Kankakee Area Career Center: No report.

IASB-Three Rivers Division: No report.

Chamber of Commerce: A “Meet the Candidates” night will be held on the 25th and the Loves Truck Stop will be breaking ground in April.

Student Representatives: The SAT will be given on April 13th and a Prom Dinner will be held on April 30th.

Board Communications: Several informational articles were included for the Board

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion was made by C. Horn, seconded by J. Loitz, at 7:28 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: C. Horn - yes; J. Loitz – yes; J. Fick - yes; V. Gawlinski - yes; S. Ohm – yes; H. O’Nions – yes; and T. Markland - yes. Motion carried unanimously.

RETURN TO REGULAR MEETING:

President Markland declared the closed session was over at 7:53 p.m. and the meeting would continue in Open Session.

APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES:

Motion was made by S. Ohm, seconded by J. Fick, at 7:54 p.m. to approve the Executive Session minutes as read. Roll Call: S. Ohm - yes; J. Fick - yes; V. Gawlinski - yes; C. Horn - yes; J. Loitz – yes; H. O’Nions – yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF HS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR:

Motion was made by J. Loitz, seconded by C. Horn, to accept the resignation of Rob Bailey as the HS Athletic Director effective at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year. Roll Call: J. Loitz – yes; C. Horn – yes; J. Fick – yes; V. Gawlinski – yes; S. Ohm – yes; H. O’Nions – yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

APPOINTMENT OF TEACHER-DEAN POSTION FOR 2021-2022:

Motion was made by V. Gawlinski, seconded by S. Ohm, to approve the appointment of Kelly Toppen as Teacher-Dean for the 2021-22 school year for the amount of $5100 plus TRS. Roll Call: V. Gawlinski - yes; S. Ohm - yes; J. Fick - yes; C. Horn - yes; S. Ohm - yes; H. O’Nions - yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF THE SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE REEMPLOYMENT OF THE CERTIFIED STAFF FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR: Motion was made by J. Loitz, seconded by S. Ohm, to approve the superintendent’s recommendation for the reemployment of certified staff for the 2021-22 school year as presented. Roll Call: J. Loitz - yes; S. Ohm - yes; J. Fick - yes; V. Gawlinski - yes; C. Horn - yes; H. O’Nions – yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTS FOR PRINCIPALS: Motion was made by C. Horn, seconded by V. Gawlinski, to approve the two year contracts as presented for Tracy Planeta, ES Principal, and Matt Maxwell, MS/HS Principal, for the 2021-22 school year with salary to be determined at a later date. Roll Call: C. Horn - yes; V. Gawlinski - yes; J. Fick - yes; J. Loitz - yes; S. Ohm - yes; H. O’Nions – yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR:

Motion was made by S. Ohm, seconded by J. Loitz, to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with St. George for the shared services of Crystal Johnson as Director of Special Services. Roll Call: S. Ohm - yes; J. Loitz - yes; J. Fick - yes; V. Gawlinski - yes; C. Horn - yes; H. O’Nions - yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN:

Motion was made by J. Loitz, seconded by V. Gawlinski, at 7:59 p.m. to adjourn. Voice vote, all yes. Motion carried unanimously.

https://grantparkdragons.org/documents/board/board-minutes/2020-21/boe_minutes_march_15_2021.pdf