Will County Gazette

Orland School District 135 Committee of the Whole met July 17.

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

A meeting of the Committee of the Whole of Orland School District 135 was held on Monday, July 17, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. at the Administration Center, 15100 S. 94th Ave., Orland Park, Illinois. Notice of the meeting was emailed to members of the Board and to news media on Thursday, July 13, 2017.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present:

Committee/Board Members: Laura Berry, Devin Hodge, Sandra Kulak, Michael Maratea, Greg Okon, Linda Peckham-Dodge

Absent: Angie Sexton

Also Present:

Jen Beshansky, Dir., Communications

Chris Bohula, Dir., Instructional Technology

Kevin Brown, Principal, Jerling Jr. High

John Bryk, Asst. Supt., Operations & Finance

Brian Fogarty, Asst. Dir., Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Jerry Hughes, Dir., Transportation/Risk Management & Safety

Karen Janettas, Dir., Special Education

Jennifer Nichols, Principal, Center School

Suzanne Owens, Dir., Human Resources

Ami Porte-Lewis, Asst. Dir., Special Education

Jan Prieto-McCarthy, School Treasurer

Ted Schulz, Asst. Dir., Buildings & Grounds

Dr. DJ Skogsberg, Superintendent

David Snyder, Dir., Curriculum

Stacy Westin, Asst. Principal, Jerling Jr. High

Bill Zopf, President, Orland Council of Educators

Dr. Lynn Zeder, Asst. Supt., Teaching & Learning

Citizens’ Remarks – Agenda & Non-Agenda Items: None

Board Member Discussions – Non-Agenda Items: None

Review of Revised Board Policies – 1st Reading

The following policies have been revised in accordance with updates in federal and state law. Language revisions are provided by the IASB (Illinois Association of School Boards) via PRESS (Policy Reference Education Subscription Service). All staff shall receive notification and training (as applicable) of policy revisions following final approval of the Board.

Policy 2:100 – Board Member Conflict of Interest: Policy 2:100 language was updated in response to federal regulations to state that no board member shall solicit or accept gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value from contractors, potential contractors or other parties to agreement or contracts with the District. Federal regulation requires written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing actions of those engaged in the selection, award, and administration of contracts in compliance with 2 C.F.R. §200.318. The revision coincides with the Ethics and Gift Ban Act. Policy 2:100 will be brought forth for 2nd reading and possible approval at the August 14 regular meeting.

Policy 3:70 - Succession of Authority: Policy 3:70 was revised to indicate that the succession plan developed by the Superintendent shall be submitted to the Board of Education, rather than requiring Board approval. Policy 3:70 will be brought forth for 2nd reading and possible approval at the August 14 regular meeting.

Policy 4:15 – Identity Protection: Policy 4:15 has been updated in response to amendments within the Personal Information Protection Act (P.A. 99-503), which outlines notification procedures in the event that someone’s personal information becomes exposed. Language was also added to outline types of personal identification indicators. It was requested to ensure staff receive training for cyber security measures. Policy 4:15 will be brought forth for 2nd reading and possible approval at the August 14 regular meeting.

Policy 5:120 – Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest: Policy 5:120 was renamed in compliance with 2 C.F.R. §200.318 of federal regulations and the Ethics and Gift Ban Act. The policy title includes “conflict of interest,” indicating that no employee shall solicit or accept gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value from contractors, potential contractors or other parties to agreement or contracts with the District, Policy 5:120 will be brought forth for 2nd reading and possible approval at the August 14 regular meeting.

Policy 5:230 – Maintaining Student Discipline: Policy 5:230 has been revised to outline that a teacher should discuss an unacceptable behavior with a student, if appropriate. It was clarified that this practice is already in place. Policy 5:230 will be brought forth for 2nd reading and possible approval at the August 14 regular meeting.

Policy 5:285 – Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus and Commercial Vehicle Drivers: Policy 5:285 includes minor language revision for style consistency. Policy 5:285 will be brought forth for 2nd reading and possible approval at the August 14 regular meeting.

Policy 5:300 – Schedules and Employment Year: The legal reference within Policy 5:300 was updated to include the Right to Breastfeed Act. Policy 5:300 will be brought forth for 2nd reading and possible approval at the August 14 regular meeting.

Policies 6:70 and 7:100: Copies of Policies 6:70 (Teaching About Religion) and 7:100 (Health, Eye and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students) were inadvertently omitted from board packet materials and therefore unable to receive review. Both policies will be brought forth for 1st reading at the August 14 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Policy 7:260 – Exemption from Physical Education: Policy 7:260 has been revised to reflect that students exempt from P.E. will also be exempt from recess and extracurricular activities throughout the duration of the exemption. Following discussion, it was recommended to implement a further revision to clarify that the exemption will also align with the student’s physical limitations. Policy 7:260, as revised, will be brought forth for 2nd reading and possible approval at the August 14 regular meeting.

The following policies were brought forth for review as part of a five-year rotation, and will be brought forth for 2nd reading and recommended approval at the August 14 regular meeting:

4:180 – Pandemic Preparedness: No changes are reflected in this policy.

Policy 5:70 – Religious Holidays: Policy 5:70 reflects a minor revision that an employee must give at least five (5) days prior notice for requested time off in order to receive approval by the Superintendent.

5:80 – Court Duty: It was recommended to omit paragraph 2 of Policy 5:80, as it is not the District’s practice. Following discussion, the Board consented to such.

5:110 – Recognition for Service: No changes are reflected in this policy. (This policy is in relation to the District’s Celebration of Stars Staff Recognition Program).

5:140 – Solicitations By or From Staff: Policy 5:140 reiterates language from Policies 2:100 and 5:120. No changes are reflected in this policy.

5:120 – Resignations: This policy reflects a nominal correction in the legal reference. It was explained that a tenured teacher’s written notice of intent to resign must be submitted to the Board Secretary at least 30 days prior to the intended date of resignation.

5:320 – Evaluation: No changes are reflected in this policy.

Committee Discussions

Service Animals Policy: Discussion was held regarding consideration to implement administrative procedures to Policy 6:120, Education for Children with Disabilities, that would allow the incorporation of service animals as an additional support for students in need. Dr. Skogsberg explained that, while the District outsources a number of programs for students requiring significant learning, life-skills based, and social-emotional support during the school day, there remain students within the District who could benefit from interacting with service animals, as research shows. The administrative team at Orland Jr. High School and District administration are considering the establishment of a school-based ED/BD support program that could incorporate a service animal along with a variety of other resources.

Service animals are recognized by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) as dogs or miniature horses trained to perform major life tasks to assist people with physical disabilities. It was recommended for the Board to allow the Superintendent to further explore the option of implementing administrative procedures as aforementioned to incorporate service animals into the school(s) as practice to support student needs. A copy of sample policies/procedures from other school districts were provided for the Board’s review. It was clarified that the policy would cover both a staff- or student-owned service animal. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to present administrative procedures for service animals for 1st reading at the August 14 Committee of the Whole meeting, with 2nd reading and possible approval at the September 22 regular meeting.

Transportation Cost Analysis: An update was provided regarding a potential savings of about $550,000 to $650,000 in transportation costs if the District were to transition to a K-5/6-8 neighborhood school structure. As an alternative option to the K-5/6-8 neighborhood shift, the Board and administration discussed changing school start times, which could allow a decrease in tiered bus routes, thus avoiding additional costs to the District.

Dr. Skogsberg and Mr. Hughes reported that, per the Board’s direction, District officials met with Cardinal Bernardin School (CJB) administration to relay that pupil transportation services and fees for CJB will remain unchanged for the 2017-18 school year; however, significant changes are expected for the 2018-19 school year, including possible elimination of bus service for CJB families. CJB’s administration was informed to plan accordingly in the event that their bus service is discontinued in one year’s time. It was noted that CJB may have other options, as the school falls within District 230’s boundaries.

K-5/6-8 Schools: The proposed K-5/6-8 neighborhood school structure is a result of the Board’s request for the Superintendent to explore options that would provide an easier situation for parents with minimal impact on the student. It was reported that the overall response from families and staff is in favor of a neighborhood structure. The administration requested direction on the proposed K-5/6-8 shift. It was requested that further details be provided to families that can clearly illustrate the impact of a neighborhood transition for their students, as an anticipated shift in boundaries is still an outlying concern for many parents.

It was further requested to communicate clearly with staff on the potential impact at the building levels as well. A draft boundary map with corresponding details will be provided to the Board for initial review and consideration; then a final communique can be provided to staff and families.

Adjournment

There being no further business at this time, Mr. Hodge moved (Ms. Kulak seconded) that the meeting be adjourned. Voice vote: six ayes, no nays. Absent: Ms. Sexton. Motion carried (6:48 p.m.).

http://www.boarddocs.com/il/osd135/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=AP8TJZ5D898C