KEWANEE COMM SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL FOR REGULAR BOARD MEETING The Regular Meeting of the Board of Kewanee Community Unit School District No. 229 was held in the Kewanee CUSD #229 Administration Office with President Nolan calling the Meeting to order at 6:17pm. Roll call showed the following Members present: Padilla, Christiansen, Leckey, Steffen, Salisbury, Johnson and Nolan. Superintendent Sullens was also present for the Closed Session. II. EXECUTIVE SESSION OF SPECIAL BOARD MEETING At 6:17pm Member Christiansen seconded a motion made by Johnson to enter into Closed Session to consider (C )(1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the District and (C) (2) to consider 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 (C) (5) the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body (C) (8) Security Procedures (C) (9) Student Disciplinary Cases (C) (11) Litigation, * 5ILCS 120/2 Open Meetings The School Code of Illinois/2018. A voice vote showed all Members voting aye. The motion carried. At 7:16pm Member Padilla seconded a motion made by Member Steffen to adjourn the Closed Session meeting. A Voice roll call showed all Members voting aye. There were no nay votes. The motion carried. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL FOR OPEN SESSION MEETING President Nolan called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:30pm. This Open Session continued in the Staff Development Room of the Administration Office. Roll call showed the following Board Members present: Padilla, Christiansen, Leckey, Steffen, Salisbury, Johnson and Nolan. The audience included staff members: T Brown, J Bryan, and J Stabler. The KEA was represented by KEA President R Kapacinskas. Community members attending the open meeting were: F Brown representing the Committee of Ten and Star Courier reporter Mike Helenthal. Recording Secretary H Leckey-Hughes and Superintendent C Sullens were in attendance as well. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG President Nolan asked the audience to stand, if able, and join the Board in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. IV. INVITED GUESTS ADDRESS THE BOARD V. VI. & VII. MINUTES, FINANCIAL, TREASURER S REPORT, AND BILLS AND PAYROLL CONSENT AGENDA President Nolan asked for a motion for a Consent Agenda and acceptance of Items V, VI & VII. Vice President Steffen seconded the motion made by Member Johnson to approve. The roll showed Members Padilla, Christiansen, Leckey, Steffen, Salisbury, Johnson and Nolan all voting aye. There were no nay votes. The motion carried. VIII. COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE IX. REPORT FROM ADMINISRATION A. Superintendent 1. Tentative 2018 Tax Levy/EAV Dr. Sullens reported that the tax dollars we are asking for will be for FY20. On the Henry County side of the District the EAV is estimated to increase 1.9% to $17,660,000 and the Bureau County EAV is estimated to be up 4.4% for a total of $60,720,000. The District will again contact both County s Assessor s offices in December prior to the Board meeting to get more accurate
estimates. 2. KHS Fall Play Peter and the Star Catcher Dr. Sullens informed the Board of Education that the students again gave a great performance. The Board of Education bought pizzas for the cast and stage workers after the show and the students asked Dr. Sullens to pass on their appreciation to the Board. 3. FY19/20 School Funding Dr. Sullens reported that he does not believe that funding will change for FY20. This will be the third year of Evidence Based Funding. At the end of year three the State will review how the funding legislation is working. Many officials believe that the State will not be able to sustain this funding amount. Dr. Sullens believes that service taxes and gas taxes will be added/increased as new monies to assist in sustaining the program. 4. Discussions from School Board Convention Dr. Sullens stated he was informed at the Convention that Senator Manar was in Springfield at the override session this last week. Other Senators that attended the Convention stated that Manar has guaranteed that he will not be bringing up the minimum teacher salary of $40,000 during this session. President Nolan reported that he attended a session geared toward PTA groups. The session gave a lot of ideas on how to increase involvement from parents and get them into the schools. He also went to an IHSA session and learned that the Kewanee District will be dropping back to Class 2A for most of our sports and Class 1A for track. Member Christiansen stated that she attended Legislative and Mandate sessions one of which featured Ruby Bridges as keynote speaker. Christiansen was also the District #229 Delegate this year and attended that session which addressed school safety and protection, arming staff and giving school Districts local control which was defeated by only 24 votes. 5. Discussion on Wind Farms Dr. Sullens spoke about the Wind Farm turbines and transmission lines that are proposed to be installed in Henry County. The turbine sizes will be double the height as the towers that are currently installed by Galva. B. Mr. Bryan-KHS Principal 1. KHS Winter Sports Participation Principal Bryan reported on the Winter Sport Program numbers in Mr. Atwell s absence. There are 18 students in Poms/Dance, 41 students in Boys Basketball, 18 Cheerleaders, 23 Wrestlers, 23 Students participating in Girls Basketball, 13 Girl Bowlers, and 12 students on the Swimming team for a total of 148 athletes. This number is down 15 from last year. 2. KHS Fall Sports 3. TRAC Conference Honors Three River s All Conference Honors include: Riley Hansen named 1 st team-golf; Willie Terri named 2 nd team All-Conference-Football, Center; Michael Silvaggio named honorable mention-football, linebacker; Molly Welgat named 2 nd team All-Conference-Volleyball, and Chloe Sullens named honorable mention- Volleyball.
4. Veteran s Day Observation Mr. Bryan noted that KHS held a Veteran s Day Observation put together by Missy Vail-Frakes and Marland Rachel. Local Veterans were invited to attend. Recruiters were there and Gary Moore was the speaker. Principal Bryan informed the Board of Education that an active shooter drill was held at KHS during the past week. Kewanee Police officer, Nick Welgat, was asked what the response time would be should there ever be an emergency. Officer Welgat informed him that it would take approximately 90 seconds for Kewanee officers to be on the scene. C. Mr. Stabler Belle Alexander Principal 1. Career Day for Grades K-3 Principal Stabler reported that a K-3 Career Vehicle Day was held for Belle Alexander and Irving students. Community Volunteers included: Ameren IP, Cernovich s Auto & Truck Wrecking, The City of Kewanee Public Works, Crowe Auto Group-Kewanee, Dana Construction & Well Drilling, FedEx, Hodge s Towing & Repairs, Kewanee Fire Department & Emergency Medical Services, Kewanee Police Department and Kewanee Post Office. This was a hands-on event for students to learn about and further explore different career options outside of the classroom setting and enjoy seeing the different vehicles used for each profession. X. SUPERINTENDENT COMMITTEE REPORTS XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. KHS Soccer Field/Parking Lot Update Dr. Sullens informed the Board of Education that the soccer field work is now complete for the winter. There are a few bare spots on the soccer field but the grass company is convinced it will come back, if not they will add seed in the spring. The new parking lots are completed and striped. b. Additions to Belle Alexander School Sullens stated that the goal was to have the project completed by Thanksgiving but it now looks like it will be the Friday after Thanksgiving. The delays have been due to the lack of masons. Otto Baum themselves have had problems finding enough masons to work. Also, at one point 10% of the brick that was received was rejected due to poor quality. c. Additions to Kewanee High School Dr. Sullens reported that the south wall has been tented at this point in preparation for colder weather. Steel is expected tomorrow to complete lintels. It is hoped that the masons from Belle will be finished over there soon and then will move to the KHS project. d. Irving School Playground Supt. Sullens stated that Ratliff s have completed work, drainage off of the roof at Irving was re-routed and the County has now completed the asphalt for the playground. XII. NEW BUSINESS a. Update of School District Library Grant from IL Secretary of State Jesse White - $1345.50 Dr. Sullens thanked District Librarian R Kapacinskas for her assistance in obtaining the grant that is used to purchase new library books for the District. b. 1 st Reading of Various New & Revised Policies No Action
c. Consideration and Approval of School Improvement 1003(a) Grant Application for School Improvement Efforts Dr. Sullens recommended approving the School Improvement 1003(a) Grant Application. Member Steffen made a motion to approve. Member Christiansen seconded the motion. A voice vote was heard showing all Members voting aye. There were no nay votes heard. The motion carried. d. Consideration and Approval of Letter of Intent for Behind the Meter Solar Projects Dr. Sullens recommended to approve a Letter of Intent for Behind the Meter Solar Projects. Member Johnson seconded a motion made by Member Salisbury to approve. The roll call vote showed Members Christiansen, Leckey, Steffen, Salisbury, Johnson, Padilla, and Nolan all voting aye. There were no nay votes heard. The motion carried. e. Consideration and Approval of Kewanee High School Science Lab Furniture Bid Supt. Sullens recommended to approve the School Science Lab Furniture Bid from Scott Lab Solutions for $62,500.00. There were no other bids submitted. Member Padilla seconded a motion made by Member Steffen to approve. The roll call vote showed Members Leckey, Steffen, Salisbury, Johnson, Padilla, Christiansen, and Nolan all voting aye. There were no nay votes. The motion carried. XIII. ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION PERSONNEL: a. Resignations KHS Assistant Baseball Coach Kirk Fristad Effective Immediately Supt. Sullens recommended approving the resignation of K Fristad. Member Steffen seconded a motion made by Member Christiansen to approve. The roll call vote showed Members Steffen, Salisbury, Johnson, Padilla, Christiansen, Leckey and Nolan all voting aye. There were no nay votes heard. The motion carried. b. Retirements KHS Secretary Chris Bral Effective 2/15/18 Dr. Sullens recommended to approve the retirement of C Bral as KHS Secretary after 44 years of working for the District. Member Christiansen seconded a motion made by Member Leckey to approve. The roll call vote showed Members Salisbury, Johnson, Padilla, Christiansen, Leckey, Steffen, and Nolan all voting aye. There were no nay votes. The motion carried. c. Hires (1) Belle 21 st Century Student Assistant Savannah Janis Belle 21 st Century Student Assistant Jocelyn Martinez Belle 21 st Century Student Assistant Tayiah Murphey Belle 21 st Century Student Assistant Alissa VanStechelman Belle 21 st Century Student Assistant Antonio Martinez Belle Part-time 1 on 1 Aide Tracy Dutton Central JH Girls Basketball Coach Kirk Fristad KHS English Teacher Logan Hamilton Effective 2 nd Semester KHS Secretary Cali Tuttle Dr. Sullens recommended to approve the above hires. Member Padilla seconded a motion made by Member Johnson to approve. The roll call vote showed Members Salisbury, Johnson, Padilla,
Christiansen, Leckey, Steffen and Nolan all voting aye. There were no nay votes. The motion carried. Hires (2) KHS Assistant Softball Coach JR Salisbury Dr. Sullens recommended to approve the employment of JR Salisbury as KHS Asst. Softball Coach. Member Steffen seconded a motion made by Member Johnson to approve. The roll call vote showed Members Padilla, Christiansen, Leckey, Steffen, Johnson, and Nolan all voting aye. Member Salisbury abstained from the vote. There were no nay votes. The motion carried. d. Leaves Amelia Vincent Maternity Leave Approximate Due Date of 5/4/19 Amanda Minx Maternity Leave Approximate Due Date of 4/7/19 Dr. Sullens recommended approving the above listed maternity leaves. Member Padilla seconded a motion made by Christiansen to approve. The roll call vote showed Members Christiansen, Leckey, Steffen, Salisbury, Johnson, Padilla and Nolan all voting aye. There were no nay votes. The motion carried. e. Long Term Sub f. Transfers g. Volunteers (1) Elementary Boys Basketball Coach Elementary Boys Basketball Coach KHS Band (Piano Accompanist) KHS Band (Piano Accompanist) KHS Swimming Coach KHS Speech Coach Troy Sheets Derek Gerard Abbie Hamilton Karleigh Matuszyk Nathan Wager Johnny Williams Dr. Sullens recommended to approve the above listed volunteers. Member Salisbury seconded a motion made by Member Steffen to approve. The roll call vote showed Members Leckey, Steffen, Salisbury, Johnson, Padilla, Christiansen and Nolan all voting aye. There were no nay votes. The motion carried. h. Renewal/Non-Renewal of Stipend Positions i. Other Action from Closed Session XIV. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS, BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION a. Moment of Silence for Harold Zier (Former Central Jr. High Social Studies & Math Teacher, Student Council Advisor and Dean/Asst. Principal) b. Moment of Silence for Ted Vlahos (Father of Pam Mott) c. Moment of Silence for Todd Milnes (Father of Sarah Milnes)
XV. ADJOURNMENT Member Leckey seconded a motion made by Member Christiansen to adjourn the Open Meeting. A voice vote from Members Padilla, Christiansen, Leckey, Steffen, Salisbury, Johnson and Nolan was heard with all members voting aye. There were no nay votes heard. The motion carried. The Open Meeting was adjourned at 8:31pm. DAN NOLAN, PRESIDENT MIKE LECKEY, SECRETARY