Wethersfield Community Unit School District 230 Board met Oct. 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
President Bryan called the October 11, 2018 Regular Meeting to order at 6:03pm with the following members present: Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. Also in attendance were: Principal Elliott, Principal Griffith, Supt. Kazubowski, District Auditor Tim Custis, and Star Courier Correspondent Dave Clarke.
REGULAR BUSINESS
Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Newman and seconded by Schiltz to approve consent agenda items: Minutes of the September 12, 2019 Public Hearing on the FY 20 Budget; Minutes of the September 12, 2019 Regular Meeting and Executive Session; Financial Reports, Investment Reports, Student Activity Fund Report, and Bills; and Student Suspensions. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
Comments from Visitors
There were no comments from visitors.
Board Reports
President Bryan asked Board Members to share any reports on matters related to various committees and organizations. Trafton Hodge reported the Athletic Booster Club purchased new bleacher flags for the football field, are purchasing new uniforms for 7/8 grade volleyball, and purchased an LED Yard Marker for the football field.
OLD BUSINESS
Approval of FY 19 Financial Audit Report
District Auditor Tim Custis from Gorenz and Associates was in attendance to review the FY 19 audit and answer board questions. Mr. Custis communicated the revenue and expenses for our operating funds indicating the district ran a surplus in three of the four operating funds. Mr. Custis noted our ISBE Financial Profile Ranking was a 3.55 which places Wethersfield in the State’s Highest Category- Financial Recognition, for the second year in a row. Mr. Custis stated Wethersfield is doing a good job of controlling expenses from year to year, and he shared that the cost per pupil at Wethersfield was $9,926 compared to the State Average of $13,137 where he communicated he felt our taxpayers are getting a good bang for their buck in educating our students. Mr. Custis warned the board that when this year’s State School Report Card comes out it is going to show a big increase in Administrative Costs on the Report Card. He noted this is not because the administrators in the district received a huge increase, it is due to the fact the State is now taking Tort Expenses, which in the past were not included in this calculation, and now including the Tort Expenses in the Administrative Costs calculation.
A motion was made by Newman and seconded by Baker to approve the FY 19 Audit Report as presented and authorized Supt. Kazubowski to submit approved copies to ISBE and the ROE by October 15th as required by law. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
Approval of Tuition Fee Wavier Application
A motion was made by Hodge and seconded by Baker to approve the 5 year Tuition Fee Waiver Application renewal that allows full time staff members who live outside of the Wethersfield School District to have their children attend Wethersfield on a Tuition Free Basis as presented and to authorize Mr. Kazubowski to submit the application to the State Board of Education to be considered by the State Legislators. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
Standardized Test Data/2019 School Report Card Report
Mr. Kazubowski, Mr. Elliott and Ms. Griffith provided a presentation that reviewed the State’s accountability system based on ESSA rules along with the many student and building performance measures the State uses to determine a school’s final accountability designation. A detailed report that showed how Wethersfield Elementary and Junior/Senior High performed on each of the designation measures was provided and questions were answered. It was communicated that both Wethersfield Elementary and Wethersfield Junior/Senior High for the 2nd year in a row received a Commendable Rating. Mr. Kazubowski, Mr. Elliott, and Ms. Griffith praised our staff members for the hard work and dedication they have in staying ahead of the requirements handed down by the State.
OSF St. Luke Medical Center Flu Vaccine Clinic
Mr. Kazubowski thanked OSF St. Luke Medical Center for once again offering free flu vaccinations for our students and staff. He reminded the board the clinic took place earlier in the day and that preliminary numbers showed we had 244 students and 56 staff members take advantage of the free clinic. He reported this is an increase of 17 students taking advantage of the clinic compared to last school year.
District Risk Assessment Team Training
Mr. Kazubowski reminded the board new legislation requires school districts to create and train a Risk Assessment Team that would convene in the event we receive information about a possible threat from one of our students. It was noted that our team has been identified and Ms. Griffith and Officer Pence would serve as our trainers for the team with the initial training taking place on October 15. Ms. Griffith provided an overview of the purpose of the team and when the team would be utilized.
National Honor Society Induction
It was reported National Honor Society sponsor, Cathy Dana, held the 2019-2020 Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 3 in the cafeteria. Newly inducted NHS members Brooke Cheesman, George Lathouris, Jason Li, Jacky Lin, Zack Schmidt, Ben Smith and Colton Stauffer were recognized and congratulated by the Board.
Other Old Business
Mr. Kazubowski reminded the board this year’s school board convention takes place on Thursday, November 21 through Sunday, November 24. He asked board members to check the reservation information and let him know ASAP if their plans change so that he can make adjustments accordingly.
Special thanks was provided to the Wethersfield Academic Hall of Fame Committee for putting on another successful induction ceremony on September 28 at The Kewanee Dunes. Mr. Kazubowski noted this was the eleventh induction class into the Hall of Fame, and that this year’s class was just as impressive as the previous nine induction classes. He noted that unfortunately the halftime introductions at the Homecoming Game were cancelled along with the game.
A big thank you was provided to Mr. Parsons, Mrs. Lay, our staff members, parents, and students for their understanding and cooperation as Homecoming Activities had to be adjusted, a few of them at the last minute, due to the weather during Homecoming Weekend.
Mr. Kazubowski reminded the board and the public that the Community Informational Meeting on our School Resource Officer Program would take place in the cafeteria on Wednesday, October 16 beginning at 6:00pm.
NEW BUSINESS
Approve Board Policies 2-112, 2-123, 2-200, 3-600, 10-220, 11-300, 11-311, 11-325
A motion was made by Baker and seconded by Ryan to approve board policies 2-112, 2-123, 2-200, 3-600, 10-220, 11-300, 11-311, and 11-325 as presented. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
Early Graduation Policy Update
A motion was made by Ryan and seconded by Schiltz to approve the Early Graduation Board Policy Update and Early Graduation Student Contract as presented. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
District Website and Communication App for Phone
A video on a Website Design and Smart Phone App Company called Apptegy was presented to the board. The websites from two area schools who are using Apptegy, Galesburg and ROWVA, were shown and compared to our current website. The various communication platforms (text, e-mail, website, Facebook, Twitter, voice message, and phone app) Apptegy allows a school to use from one location without having to log into each system individually was discussed. Mr. Kazubowski compared the current cost we pay for our website and text messaging system versus the cost Apptegy would charge for these platforms along with the phone app plateform and initial set up. Discussion ensued and questions were answered.
It was the consensus of the board to not move forward with the purchase of Apptegy.
Principals Reports
Principal Friedman and Principal Griffith answered questions on their board reports.
Other New Business
Mr. Kazubowski reminded the board that this year’s Veteran’s Day Program would be taking place on Monday, November 11 with a luncheon starting at 12:30pm and the program starting at 1:30pm. He shared that this year’s keynote speaker would be Andrew Mosley. It was noted that Mr. Trill and his Woodworking students would be making military branch plaques for the veterans in attendance at the program.
Comments from Visitors
Dave Clarke commented on the fact that Cody Mosley was a student presenter at a past Veteran’s Day Program and now his father is going to be the keynote speaker for this year’s program.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made by Baker and seconded by Hodge to enter into executive session at 7:12pm for the purpose of Employment and Evaluation of Personnel, Student Discipline, and an Individual Student Matter. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
OPEN SESSION
A motion was made by Baker and seconded by Ryan to return to open session at 8:00pm. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
Employment of Personnel
A motion was made by Hodge and seconded by Newman to approve Tammy Jackson as High School Study Skills Aide and RtI Support Aide for 2 ½ hours per day as presented. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
A motion was made by Baker and seconded by Newman to approve the employment of Tyler Litton as assistant F/S and Varsity boys’ basketball coach, Kyle Dennison as F/S and Freshman boys’ basketball coach, Pat Keane as 8th grade boys’ basketball coach, Andy Rash and Jon Hornback as 7th grade boys’ basketball coaches, Jon Hornback as volunteer 6th grade boys’ basketball coach, and Jason Phelps as volunteer 5th grade boys’ basketball coach as presented. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
No School: Monday, October 14, 2019- Columbus Day
Information Community Meeting on School Resource Officer: Wednesday, October 16 at 6:00pm in Cafeteria
1st Nine Weeks Ends- October 18
P/T Conferences: October 23: 4pm-8pm (1:45 dismissal)
October 24: 8am-8pm (no school)
October 25 (no school)
REPORT CARDS HANDED OUT AT CONFERENCES
Class of 1969 Tour: Saturday, October 26
Patchy Toy Drive Craft Show in Elementary: Sunday, November 3
1:45 Dismissal for Staff Development: Monday, November 4
Veteran’s Day Assembly: Monday, November 11- Details to Follow
Next Board Meeting — Thursday, November 14, 2019
ADJOURN
A motion was made by Ryan and seconded by Schiltz to adjourn at 8:02pm. On a roll call vote the following members voted “Yes:” Baker, Hodge, Newman, Ryan, Schiltz, and Bryan. The motion carried 6-0.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B6ldGcslvEunWW5RSkxrakp0V1U
Alerts Sign-up