Wethersfield Community Unit School District 230 Board met March 8.

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Apr 25, 2018

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

President Bryan called the March 8, 2018 Regular Meeting to order at 6:30pm with the following members present: Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. Also in attendance were: Principal Friedman, Principal Johnston, Supt. Kazubowski, Star-Courier Correspondent Mike Helenthal, Erin Henkel, Andy Koehler, Andrew Mosely, Tera Mosely, and Scott Packee.

REGULAR BUSINESS

Student Resolution

Mr. Johnston presented Wethersfield senior, Erin Henkel, with a board resolution for advancing to the IHSA State Speech Competition held in Peoria on February 16 and 17. It was noted this was the 2nd year in a row in which Erin advanced to the State Speech Competition.

Consent Agenda

A motion was made by ____________ and seconded by ____________ to approve: Minutes of the February 7, 2018 Regular Meeting and Executive Session; financial reports, investment report, activity fund report, and bills; student suspensions; IHSA and IESA memberships for 2018-2019; and the 2018-2019 school calendar as presented at the February 7, 2018 board meeting. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried ______.

Correspondence

The Wethersfield Board and Administration expressed their sympathy to the family of Don Currier who was a long-time Wethersfield Board of Education member.

Congratulations were expressed to Shane Tucker and the Flying Geese Girls’ Basketball players for winning the IHSA Regional; Jeff Parsons and the Flying Geese Boys’ Basketball players for winning the IHSA Regional; Kayla Puckett, Tonya Vincent and the 6th grade volleyball team for winning the IESA Regional, IESA Sectional and advancing to IESA State this weekend; and Tonya Vincent, Kayla Puckett, and the 8th grade volleyball team for winning the IESA Regional. It was noted that Coach Tucker has been named the IBCA Area Coach of the Year.

Special thanks was given to Ray and Lisa Jacobs for their donation of tools and a tool box to Kate Rashid and our Ag Shop.

Comments from Visitors

Tera Mosely and Scott Packee requested that the Wethersfield Board of Education consider adding a boys and girls swim team co-op with the Annawan School District for the 2018-2019 school year. They indicated it would not cost the district any money as they would do all the funding and the program would be self supporting, the team would practice at the YMCA, the team would follow piggy back on Dunlap’s swim meet schedule, and the team would follow the IHSA season which has girls’ swimming in the fall and boys’ swimming in the winter.

Board Reports

President Bryan asked Board Members to share any reports on matters related to various committees and organizations. The Music Boosters were thanked for putting on an excellent Spaghetti Supper Fundraising Concert and Dinner.

OLD BUSINESS

Co-op Joint Board Meeting

Mr. Kazubowski reminded the board of our Joint Co-op Board Meeting with the Annawan School Board that is taking place on Wednesday, March 14 at 6:00pm at Z-best in Annawan. Travel arrangements were discussed and questions were answered.

Approve District Expense Reimbursement Resolution

A motion was made by Baker and seconded by Schiltz to approve Wethersfield’s District Expense Resolution as presented. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 7-0.

PARCC and Science Testing Update

Mr. Kazubowski shared the spring testing schedule for our upcoming State PARCC and Science Test and indicated the majority of the testing would be completed on Chromebooks. Mr. Kazubowski thanked Diana Galloway, Jason Phelps, and Jessie Seiden for all the behind the scenes setup they have done in getting our district ready for the upcoming testing. Mr. Kazubowski answered questions from the board.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Summary

Mr. Kazubowski provided a summary presentation on the new Every Student Succeeds Act. The summary included the new accountability measures every school across the State will be measured against beginning in May, 2018, how the measures are determined, breakdowns of each category in the measurement system, and the State’s definition of College and Career Ready. Mr. Kazubowski shared the same information would be provided to staff at our in-service on March 12. Discussion ensued and questions were answered.

Youth Football Sub-Committee Update

Due to conflicts with the 6th Grade Girls’ IESA Volleyball Sectional, the sub-committee meeting that was scheduled for March 5 was cancelled and a make-up date for the meeting is TBD.

Other Old Business

Mr. Kazubowski reported the new sound system at the football stadium is about 90% complete and that if weather cooperates the system will be finalized on Wednesday. He also reported we are going to attempt to have the new elementary library mini-split air conditioning unit installed over Spring Break.

Mr. Kazubowski reminded the board that KWQC Channel 6 reporter, Fran Riley, would be doing a story on Mr. Trill’s Carpentry Class and that the story is scheduled to air on March 20.

Mr. Kazubowski provided an update on the Moss Gym Roof replacement indicating bids would be brought for the April 12 meeting for board consideration.

NEW BUSINESS

2018-2019 Registration

It was communicated registration for the 2018-2019 school year would be taking place on Wednesday, August 1 from 8am-7pm and that we would once again be mailing registration packets home a few weeks prior to registration.

Wethersfield Elementary Abilities Week

Mrs. Friedman provided a summary on the upcoming Wethersfield Elementary Abilities Week. She communicated the special needs classes would be selling bracelets with the proceeds going to the special needs classrooms. Mrs. Friedman also shared the various activities students will be participating in during the week.

Principal Reports

Mr. Johnston and Mrs. Friedman answered questions on their principal reports.

Comments from Visitors

Andy Koehler commended the board for how wisely they have used the County Wide Facility Sales Tax Revenue to upgrade our building and grounds.

Other New Business

Mr. Johnston provided a summary on an upcoming student lead assembly that would be taking place on March 14 to show support for the victims of the recent school shooting in Florida and also to provide awareness to school violence and mental health issues.

With the use of two emergency days this year, pending the use of no additional days, our last day of student attendance will now be Wednesday, May 23.

Mr. Kazubowski shared that Harold and Karyl Schieler are allowing Mrs. Rashid and the FFA to use their 6 acres of land located behind the houses on Willard Street for an FFA garden. Future plans for the 6 acres was communicated to the board, and questions were answered.

CLOSED SESSION

A motion was made by Ryan and seconded by Newman to enter into Executive Session at 7:40pm for the purpose of Employment and Evaluation of Personnel, Student Discipline, Individual Student Matters, and Contract Negotiations. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 7-0.

OPEN SESSION

A motion was made by Newman and seconded by Baker to return to Open Session at 8:30pm. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 7-0.

Employment of Personnel

A motion was made by Ryan and seconded by Schlitz to approve Anthony Dearing as assistant softball coach for the 2017-2018 school year presented. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 7-0.

A motion was made by Schiltz and seconded by Baker to re-employ Amanda Blair for the 2018-2019 school year and place her on tenure. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 7-0.

A motion was made by Newman and seconded by Ryan to re-employ Carl Anderson for the 2018-2019 school year and place him on tenure. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. On a roll call vote the following members voted “No:” Baker, Brody. The motion carried 5-2.

A motion was made by Brody and seconded by Reeves to re-employ Kate Rashid as a fourth year, non-tenured teacher for the 2018-2019 school year. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 7-0.

A motion was made by Brody and seconded by Newman to re-employ Stephanie Hagaman and Shelli Sauer as second year, non-tenured teachers for the 2018-2019 school year. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 7-0.

A motion was made by Schiltz and seconded by Newman to employ Tricia Lay as first year, non-tenured teacher for the 2018-2019 school year. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 7-0.

A motion was made by Brody and seconded by Baker to re-employ Kathy Johnson on a part-time (.5 FTE position) for the 2018-2019 school year. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Brody, Newman, Reeves, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 7-0.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PATT Spring Craft Show in Moss Gym: Saturday, March 10 from 9:00am-2:00pm

1:45 Dismissal for Teacher In-service Training: Monday, March 12

State Science Testing Begins (Grades 5, 8 and Biology 1): Tuesday, March 13

Joint Co-op Board Meeting: Wednesday, March 14 at 6:00pm in Annawan

FFA Petting Zoo: Friday, March 23

Spring Break – Saturday, March 24 – Monday, April 2 (School Resumes Tuesday, April 3)

PARCC State Testing Begins: Wednesday, April 4

IESA Music Solo and Ensemble Contest for grades 5-8@ Wethersfield: Saturday, March 24

Wethersfield Academic Foundation Music Trivia: Saturday, April 7 at The Kewanee Dunes

Next Board Meeting – Thursday, April 12, 2018

ADJOURN