Will County Gazette

Orland Park School District 135 Board of Education Committee of the Whole met Sept. 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

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

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

Absent: Sandra Kulak

Also Present:

Kristin Beeler, Asst. Principal, High Point School

Jen Beshansky, Dir., Communications

Chris Bohula, Dir., Instructional Technology

Dr. Edward Boswell, Principal, Orland Jr. High

John Bryk, Asst. Supt., Operations & Finance

Kathy Crotty, Liberty School

Eileen DeSalvo, parent

Marla Erdmann, Parents for Education

Cheryl Foertsch, Principal, High Point School

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

Joseph Frasaso, resident

Rick Hansen, Dir., Buildings & Grounds

Amy Harmenick, Century Jr. High

Beth Hayden, Principal, Centennial School

Brian Horn, Principal, Century Jr. High

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

Karen Janettas, Dir., Special Education

Dana Karczewski, Principal, Meadow Ridge School

Kelli Kauzlarich, parent

Chrissy Keith, parent

Julie Lehnhardt, Park School

Dan Leib, Orland Council of Educators

Jennifer Maye, parent

Allan McDonald, resident

Courtney Milligan, Asst. Principal, Liberty School

Jennifer Nichols, Principal, Center School

Suzanne Owens, Dir., Human Resources

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

Julian Liotine, citizen

Jan Prieto-McCarthy, School Treasurer

Thomas Melody, Board Attorney – Klein Thorpe & Jenkins, ltd.

Daniel Prorok, Principal, Liberty School

Marilyn Randolph, Park School

Mari Kay Reeves, Meadow Ridge School

Lindsay Reipsa, Asst. Principal, Centennial/Park Schools

Ted Schulz, Asst. Dir., Buildings & Grounds

Eric Simms, Network Infrastructure Manager

Dr. DJ Skogsberg, Superintendent

David Snyder, Dir., Curriculum

Margaret Stoklosa, Parents for Education

Bridget Young, parent

Bill Zopf, President, Orland Council of Educators

Edward Zorich, District Office

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

CITIZENS’ REMARKS – Agenda & Non-Agenda Items: None

BOARD MEMBER DISCUSSIONS – Non-Agenda Items: None

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Update – K-5/6-8 Schools: The administration presented proposed boundaries to coincide with the proposed shift to a K-5/6-8 neighborhood school structure. Colored maps illustrate each of the three junior high schools as feeder schools for six of the current primary/intermediate-level schools transitioning to K-5 level buildings, as follows:

Centennial & Meadow Ridge – feed into Century Jr. High

Park & High Point – feed into Orland Jr. High

Prairie & Liberty – feed into Jerling Jr. High

Center School would be repurposed into an Early Childhood/preschool center. The maps also illustrate some boundary changes that would impact families in some areas.

It was confirmed that facilities will adequately accommodate K-5 students at all current primary and intermediate buildings. Highlighted benefits for a K-5/6-8 transition include a potential savings of about $550,000 to $650,000 in transportation costs due to a decrease in busing, alleviation of parent pick-up and drop-off issues, promotion of stronger bonds between families and their neighborhood schools, and a longer time afforded to staff for establishing meaningful relationships with students. Discussion included: impact of boundary changes; anticipated timeframe for a K-5/6-8 transition; consideration of facility updates at Park and High Point and potential costs for such; and process of communique to families. It was noted that Board approval at the October 16 meeting would be essential in order to successfully roll-out a transition to K-5/6-8 neighborhood schools for the start of the 2018-19 school year, if the Board so chooses.

Following discussion, the Board directed administration to send out communique regarding boundaries and potential impact with the K-5/6-8 schools transition, with request for feedback from the D135 community to the Board by September 29. The Board will then review all feedback to determine a course of action at the October 16 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Update - Standards-Based Grading (PL Day): Mr. Snyder thanked the Board for supporting the PL (Professional Learning) initiative, reporting that the first PL day was very successful. Students were safely transported home at the designated early release times, while certified staff transitioned smoothly into a collaborative professional development itinerary for the remainder of the day. The next PL day is scheduled for October 6. In addition, it was noted that a Standards-Based Grading (SBG) presentation will be provided to families on September 21.

Update – SB1947: Dr. Skogsberg provided an update regarding Senate Bill 1947, which recently went into effect on August 31. The bill enacts a new evidence-based school funding formula into law. General funding began flowing to school districts after months of negotiating the bill, which replaced Senate Bill 1. D135 administrators will attend an IASBO (Illinois Association of School Business Officials) on October 11 to receive additional information regarding this bill and will provide an update to the Board at the October 16 Committee of the Whole meeting. It was noted that $1.3 million is still owed to the District from the state from FY17.

IGA with District 230 – Data Sharing: Dr. Skogsberg reported that District 135 is collaborating with Consolidated High School District 230 regarding an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to allow sharing of student performance data in order to analyze and enhance student preparedness for entering high school. Finalization of contract language is in process; therefore, a motion for recommended approval of the IGA at this time will be tabled during the September 18 regular Board meeting. The IGA will be revisited at the October 16 regular meeting.

Update – Staffing Needs: The Administration provided rationale for a request to post for three new positions, each equating to 1.0 FTE (Full Time Equivalent): Registration & SMS Support, District Office Technician and Confidential Device & Network Support.

Registration and SMS Support is a union-based position designed to provide a single-point contact at District Office dedicated to the registration process as a whole for all school main offices and the Data Support Specialist, who also handles registration-related duties. The position will also provide critical residency expert support as the District transitions to the new Skyward SMS system.

District Office Technician is also a union-based position, dedicating assistance to the Device Manager in the maintenance and repair of Apple devices, as well as receiving cross training to assist with technology needs throughout the District.

is an at-will position designed to assist in networking device and systems maintenance. These needs have significantly increased with the rapid growth of technology, the shift of administrative roles, the expansion of department responsibilities to include Confidential Device & Network Support development of instructional practices, and the integration of technology into curriculum.

Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Board for the administration to present a recommendation for said positions at the September 18 regular meeting. The Board requested that future FTE proposals be presented first to the Policy/Personnel Committee Chairpersons for review and consideration.

Specific Rates of Pay: Mrs. Owens reported that the pay rate schedule for substitute positions was last approved in 2014. Upon a survey of area school district pay rates and a review of findings with the Policy/Personnel Committee Chairpersons, it was determined to recommend daily pay rates for the following non-permanent positions:

Daily Pay Rate

Substitute Teacher & Nurse: Full Day $96.00

Half Day $48.00

Half Day (Junior High) $14.77 per period

Long Term $188.00

Long Term (Junior High) $29.92 per period

Substitute Paraprofessional: Full Day $87.00

Half Day $43.50

Half Day (Junior High) $12.00 per period

* Junior High Full Day - up to and including 6 periods; Junior High Half Day - 4 periods or less; EC & K-5 Full Day: 7.25 hours (7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.); EC & K-5 Half Day: 3.5 hours per day or less.

Lunchroom/Playground Supervisor

And Hourly Office Helper: Daily Pay Rate $9.50 year 1

$10.00 year 2

$10.50 year 3

$11.00 year 4

$11.25 MAX

Substitute Clerical - Long Term: Category A, Step 1 of current Support Staff Agreement salary schedule

Summer/Substitute Custodian: Daily Pay Rate $10.50 per period

* All Long Term rates are for individuals working in the same assignment for 21 or more consecutive days.

With the aforementioned proposal, the pay rate for days 1-20 currently provided to substitute teachers and nurses would be omitted in order to streamline clerical tracking procedures. Half-day rates would be added. In addition, pay rates for substitute clerical (long-term) and summer/substitute custodial positions are established. If approved by the Board, the proposed rates would go into effect as of the date of such approval – rates would not be retroactive. A recommended approval will be brought before the Board at the October 16 regular meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business at this time, Mr. Okon moved (Ms. Peckham-Dodge seconded) that the meeting be adjourned. Voice vote: six ayes, no nays. Absent: Ms. Kulak. Motion carried (7:05 p.m.).

http://www.boarddocs.com/il/osd135/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=AR5SAW6D8459