Kankakee Times

Grant Park Community Unit School District No. 6 Board met Nov. 15.

Here are 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 6:00 p.m. and the pledge of allegiance was recited.

Members present: Christine Horn

Vicki Gawlinski

Jerry Loitz

Tim Markland

Shari Ohm

Members absent: Dave Marshalek

Hollie O’Nions

Also present: Dr. John Palan, Superintendent

Ms. Tracy Planeta, ES Principal

Dr. Matt Maxwell, MS/HS Principal

Mrs. Sue Anderson, Recording Secretary

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:

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

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

2. Financial Reports for October, 2021.

3. Direction to pay the November vendor bills in the amount of $131,719.34.

4. Approval of the October payroll in the amount of $315,922.25.

5. To approve Hannah Kegg as Long-Term Sub (Kelly Toppen-maternity) at $131 per day, Max Markland as 7th grade boys’ basketball coach ($2,421 no TRS), and Jennifer Thiesen and Sue Anderson as Co-Sponsors for Yearbook ($1,563 each).

6. To approve Midwest Environmental for Abatement Project, scheduled for June/July of 2022.

7. To accept the 2022 Salary Scales, as presented.

8. To accept the resignation of Jacylin Klemp, MS Math Instructor, as presented and Debbie O’Day as HS Math Team Sponsor.

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

AUDIENCE TO PERSON’S SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE: Sophomore Trey Boecker was recognized for his outstanding achievements on the golf team this season. He medaled in several tournaments and also finished in third place in the State Tournament. Trey’s parents were also present and acknowledged for their support. Trey exemplifies the GP Way.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORTS: The administrators’ reports are attached. Ms. Planeta started the FIRE Club this week after school for students to receive extra instruction; the Pre K sponsored a “fuzzy sock” drive and have collected over 1100 pairs for distribution to local hospitals; and the ES Annual Christmas Program will be held over two sessions on the evening of December 8th. Dr. Maxwell stated the Pink Night raised over $14,000 for the Bev Roberts Foundation and the sophomores and juniors should be receiving their PSAT scores within the next couple of weeks.

Superintendent: Dr. Palan’s report included:

1. ESSER III application is almost complete, just waiting on a few more quotes. The board will likely vote on the potential expenditures at the December meeting, which will include the Math Interventionist, additional technology and the Student Database. This will be for the FY23/24 school years.

2. The levy should be approved at the December meeting. CPI is now 1.4% and the EAV increased to approximately $87,500,000.

3. TRS Supplemental Savings Plan will need to be approved at the January meeting.

4. Grant Park Elementary School has been named a top school in the state by US News and World Report. Banners for the gym and outside the ES are being ordered to recognize this outstanding achievement.

5. Enrollment has decreased by one over October.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

President: No report

Building and Grounds: The School Maintenance Grant should be announced in the next two weeks and if awarded, the approximately $50,000 will be used for a new HS Science Lab.

Technology: The next meeting is November 30th.

Kankakee Area Special Education Co-op: No report

Kankakee Area Career Center: Long-time employee, Alice Argyelan, has announced her retirement.

IASB-Three Rivers Division: In honor of School Board Appreciation Day, the Division was hosting a webinar entitled “Celebrating Illinois School Board Members”. Chamber of Commerce: Christmas in the Village will be held on December 11th. November 15, 2021

Student Representatives: The Jazz Band concert was held on 11/10; the NHS Bake Sale on Pink Night raised over $450; this year’s Homecoming theme is “The Roaring 20’s”; and NHS will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets as a fundraiser during the boys’ basketball games. Board Communications: In honor of Board Member Appreciation Day, Dr. Palan thanked the board for their time commitment and for all they do for the district. Ms. Planeta presented board members with thank-you booklets created by the ES students and gave them all mini bundt cakes. Also, Ms. Gawlinski achieved Level II Master School Board Member status.

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion was made by J. Loitz, seconded by C. Horn, at 6:27 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. 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.

The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body.

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

RETURN TO REGULAR MEETING:

President Markland declared the closed session was over at 6:36 p.m. and the meeting would continue in Open Session.

APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES:

Motion was made by C. Horn, seconded by S. Ohm, at 6:37 p.m. to approve the Executive Session minutes as read. Roll Call: C. Horn - yes; S. Ohm - yes; V. Gawlinski - yes; J. Loitz - yes; and T. Markland – yes. Motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN:

Motion was made by J. Loitz, seconded by V. Gawlinski, at 6:37 p.m. to adjourn. Voice vote, all yes. Motion carried unanimously.

https://grantparkdragons.org/documents/board/board-minutes/2021-22/boe_minutes_november_15_2021.pdf