Mokena School District 159 Board of Education met November 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Mrs. Jennifer Riedl-President Present
Mrs. Jaime Staley-Vice-President Present
Mrs. Anna Briscoe-Secretary Present
Mr. Jim Andresen Present
Mr. Eric Bush Present
Mr. Michael Everett Present
Mrs. Lisa Zielinski Present
Staff Present: Omar Castillo, Superintendent, Kathleen Wilkey, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction; Teri Shaw, CSBO; Eileen Parente, Director of Student Services; Mike Rolinitis, Principal; Cathy Lark, Assistant Principal; Dave McAtee, Principal; Jacob Smith, Director of Technology; Mary Louise Knoerzer, Board Recording Secretary, Kim Truffa, Karen Bussean, Debi Blank, Tanya Splichen Michelle Gurgone, Michelle Sarafin, Rita Ulrich, Kristen Grant, Diane Miller, Therese Dydo, Kathie Hoener, Karen Kaz, Laura Lynch, Cathy Jandak, Patt DiFiore, Lisa Peters, Eman Hasan, Mary Ann Ornelas, Lin Silvestri, Kate Girsch, Kim Rueth and Jennifer Bum
Visitors: Bob Kral, Eileen Derosa, Mike Sido
Press: Mokena Messenger
Roll Call /Pledge Of Allegiance
At 7:00pm Roll Call was taken; President Riedl, the Board of Education, Administration and audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. Public Hearing – Administrative Waiver
At 7:02pm President Riedl called to order the November 15, 2017 Public Hearing. It is anticipated that the District’s administrative costs will increase in excess of this 5% rule; due to increases in the superintendent & business offices. The District is in the lowest quartile of all districts with respect to administrative costs and it is able to apply for a waiver of this 5% rule.
An affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the school board is required. If the District waives the limitation; the district shall notify the State Board within 45 days of such action and signed said resolution.
At 7:04pm President Riedl hearing no objections asked for motion to adjourn. Mr. Everett moved the November 15, 2017 Public Hearing be adjourn to return to Open Session; motion was seconded by Mrs. Staley.
IV. Communications
Public: Laura Lynch on behalf of MCSA express thanks to the team on both sides for good experience; looking forward to a good working relationship.
Kristen Grant voiced her concerns regarding the nurse situation at MIS; her concern is to keep kids safe; budget vs. need has to be considered.
MTA: Kim Truffa welcomed MCSA thanked all who worked on this collaborated effort.
MEF/PTA: Jaymie Andresen spoke on behalf of MEF and PTA regarding the results of Fall Fling; very successful event; ticket sales- $5000; student baskets - $4800; Auction items- $20, 900; 50/50 raffle - $1200- Total even approximately $52, 200- will be split between MEF and PTA. Thank you to staff and administration and the school community for your support.
Mrs. Riedl thanked all of the volunteers and to Jaymie Andresen and Laurie Kornmuller for their leadership for a successful event
BOE: President Riedl thanked on behalf of the BOE a successful negotiated agreement with the MCSA; good experience on all sides. Also congratulated Mrs. Kirchner and her team of MES teachers for rising to the top 10 in the state for test scores; they all contribute to a great educational experience.
V. Action Requests
V. A. Approval Of Previous Minutes
Recommended Motion:
Mrs. Briscoe moved approve minutes for October 18, 2017 Regular meeting and Closed Session as presented; motion seconded by Mr. Everett.
On Roll Call
Ayes: Mr. Andresen, Mrs. Briscoe, Mr. Bush, Mr. Everett, Mrs. Riedl, Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Zielinski
Nays: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
V. B. District Bills
Mrs. Staley reviewed bills this month; Mrs. Staley moved to approve the bills as presented; the motion was seconded by Mr. Everett.
Mrs. Staley thanked Dr. Shaw for the new format by each line item.
On Roll Call
Ayes: Mr. Andresen, Mrs. Briscoe, Mr. Bush, Mr. Everett, Mrs. Riedl, Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Zielinski
Nays: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
V. C. Personnel
Recommended Motion:
Mrs. Riedl moved to approve Personnel items V. C. 1-5 as presented; motion was seconded by Mr. Everett.
1. Classified – New Hire
Nadia Abuata Para-Professional MJH 11/6/2017 $11.34/hr 7hrs/day 5days 180 days/yr
Leslie Boadway Sub Bus Driver District 10/23/2017 $14.50/hr 4.25/day 5 days 168 days/yr
Megan Vollman Building Aide MJH 11/6/2017 $8.99/hr 2.5hrs/day 5 days 168 days/yr
Donna Gucfa Receptionist MIS 11/20/2017 $9.25/hr 7 hrs/day 5 days 174 days/yr
2. Certified – LOA
Samantha Costello Teacher MES 2/18/2018 – remainder of 2018 year
3. Certified – New Hire
Karen Lewis Part-time
Interventionist
MES 10/23/2017 $32.96 not to exceed
500 hrs/year
4. Certified – extended LOA
Leanne Weber Teacher MES Extended thru
11/15/2017
5. Classified – Food Service and Transportation 2017-2018 Salary Increase
Salary increases for Food Service and Transportation department employees for 2017-2018 SY will be increased by 3.25% retro from beginning of 2017-2018 school year.
On Roll Call
Ayes: Mr. Andresen, Mrs. Briscoe, Mr. Bush, Mr. Everett, Mrs. Riedl, Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Zielinski
Nays: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
V.D. Resolution Of Cost Waiver
Recommended Motion:
Mr. Everett recommend that the Board of Education approve the resolution that the Mokena School District Board of Education waives the limitation on administrative costs for school year 2017-2018 as authorized by Section 17-5 of the School Code and the Superintendent is directed to notify the State Board of Education within 45 days of the date of action. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bush.
On Roll Call
Ayes: Mr. Andresen, Mrs. Briscoe, Mr. Bush, Mr. Everett, Mrs. Riedl, Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Zielinski
Nays: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
V.E. Novel
Recommended Motion
Mr. Andresen moved to approve novel Wonder by R.J. Palacia as presented; Mrs. Briscoe seconded the motion.
On Roll Call
Ayes: Mr. Andresen, Mrs. Briscoe, Mr. Bush, Mr. Everett, Mrs. Riedl, Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Zielinski
Nays: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
V. F. Energy Contract
Mrs. Riedl moved to approve Constellation NewEnergy contract for year ending December 31, 2018 as presented; motion seconded by Mr. Everett.
On Roll Call
Ayes: Mr. Andresen, Mrs. Briscoe, Mr. Bush, Mr. Everett, Mrs. Riedl, Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Zielinski
Nays: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
V. G. Community Liaison Job Description And Permission To Post
Recommended Motion:
Mrs. Staley moved to approve the Community Relations Liaison job description as presented and permission to post the position; motion was seconded by Mr. Everett.
On Roll Call
Ayes: Mr. Bush, Mr. Everett, Mrs. Riedl, Mrs. Staley
Nays: Mr. Andresen, Mrs. Briscoe, Mrs. Zielinski Abstain: None
Motion Carried 4-3
V.H. Approval Of The Mcsa Contract As Presented
Recommended Motion:
Mrs. Staley moved to approve the Mokena Certified Staff Association (MCSA)2016-2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement as presented and approve the Memorandum of Understanding regarding sick days as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Everett.
On Roll Call
Ayes: Mr. Andresen, Mrs. Briscoe, Mr. Bush, Mr. Everett, Mrs. Riedl, Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Zielinski
Nays: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
VI. Information Reports
Superintendent Report
Dr. Castillo updated the BOE:
1. School Board Member Day is today; he thanked the members presenting them a certificate for their service and dedication. Thank you for all that you do!
2. Open Campus - For the last three years, the district has been working with Mokena Public Library Board to open a campus and have the iron rod fence that surrounds the library removed to make it easier for our students to access the library. The project is now complete. Last month portions of the fence were removed that would make it safe for our students to enter from MES and MIS. In addition, a concrete walk path was added from our crosswalk from the MES playground to the library.
3. Policy Review - Mary Louise and I have been reviewing the Policy Reference Subscription Service (PRESS) for recommended changes; made minor tweaks, primarily to legal references recommended by PRESS. The goal is to keep policies up to date and the new electronic manual is making this process much easier.
4. MCSA Contract - I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mokena Classified Staff Association negotiating team and the Board of Education negotiating team for a collegial negotiating process; a great experience as echoed by all tonight.
Assistant Superintendent Of Instruction:
Dr. Wilkey reported to BOE:
1.. PARCC scores have now officially been released by the state; we can look at where the district fall within the county. There are 26 elementary school districts in Will County that we have been compared to. ELA Scores:
Mokena School District 159 has jumped from 13th in the county to 7th!! This is a huge celebration that needs to be recognized. Teachers worked hard last year implementing the reading standards, a new writing program in K-5, and common reading assessments in 6-8. Recalling Fast Bridge data presentation, there are grade levels that already have 80% or more of their students meeting benchmark, which supports that we are on our way to strong core instructional program.
Questions were asked and answered of BOE.
Chief School Business Official:
Dr. Shaw updated the BOE:
1. Finance Committee 11/13; good meeting; packet available on district website; Transportation PP with many analytics were covered
2. Tax Levy and EAV information; CPI 2.1% highest since 2012
3. Pending litigation for a two year property tax freeze
4. Transportation Update – Improvements in safety protocol and policy CPR and First Aid – Mrs. Dydo will present this class
5. Food Service update – Month of October sold 8072 lunches; whole grain pancakes the most popular. Health department came last week MJH- 98%; MIS – 96% MES not rated.GOOD JOB to our Kitchen staff!
6. Buildings & Grounds Update- Lead testing results haven received; HVAC system were flushed; Snow prep done; Waiting for quote From Forest alarm on 911 update; invoicing to CGA is done.
Student tuition was presented for 2018-2019; 2019- Monthly cost: $1,252.190/student/month
Financial Report – Dr. Shaw:
Beginning Cash on hand 9/1/2017: $16,177,149
Ending Cash and Investments 9/30/2017: $ 17,399,831
Principal Reports:
From the desk Mr. McAtee:
•Rocket Coffee 11/29/17 6:00 PM; DARE Graduation 12/7/2017 9:00 AM; MIS Movie Night, 12/8/2017 6:30 PM; Winter Music Concert 12/12/2017, 6:00 at MJHS; Winter Benchmarking, December 11 – 15
• PBIS – We are continuing to focus on our more “unstructured” times of the day. The second quarter we will be working on students taking responsibility for themselves and helping to decrease the time it takes to clean up our cafeteria.
• One of our goals is to help our students feel connected with our school; working towards that end is to offer extra-curricular opportunities for all students. Clubs and activities that are offered are; Band, Chess Scholars, Fitness Club (spring), PBIS Ambassadors, Girls on the Run (spring), Peer mediation, Rocket Runners, 5th Grade Intramurals (spring), Singing Club, STEM, Student Council, and Young Rembrandts; MIS has close to 300 students participating which equates to almost 80% of our students involved in something outside of the classroom.
• Second Step – Social Emotional Learning - The focus of our lessons throughout December will include; showing compassion and managing our emotions.
• Teacher spotlight: Some 5th graders recently completed dissecting owl pellets and attempting to reassemble the skeletons of the animals they uncovered. I want to thank our 5th grade science teachers for their patience and guidance-Kelli Chlum, Steve Roberts and Jackie Schoenecker.
From the desk of Mrs. Kirchner:
• MES hosted a Parent Academy 11/7/2017; 26 parents attended the academy. Teachers provided a mini in-service to parents on a variety of topics. Topics included: math, spelling, reading, fun activities to promote learning, and speech and language ideas. Thank you to Mrs. Kosina, Ms. Matt, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Essary, Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Marx, and Mrs. Youngblood for presenting!!
• PBIS Make Everyone Shine: Our teachers completed the SAEBRS (the behavior screener through FastBridge) on our students to help us identify students who may need more support socially/emotionally. Our second quarter goal is focusing on respect. The goal is to decrease the number of referrals in the area of defiance/disrespect.
• Our MES families did such a great job responding to the Fall Fling basket raffle; over 70 baskets donated at MES. To thank the students for their support - grade level dodgeball tournaments on 11/20. We will also host our Principal for a day, and Gym teachers for a day on the 20th as well.
• Professional Development To address the school goal of improving math achievement members of the MES staff attended a math training focusing on guided math instruction in the classroom; a second training in January; then provide PD for the MES staff in February.
From the desk of Dr. Rolinitis:
• Red Ribbon Week –two assemblies: hosted a DEA Assembly complete with demonstrations by a drug sniffing dog, students trying on body armor, students climbing in a SWAT vehicle, and the special moment when the DEA helicopter buzzed over our heads and landed on the track. Students were able to see about what the Drug Enforcement Agency uses to fight crime. Tommy Hawk, the Chicago Blackhawks mascot, came to put on a show about teamwork.
• PSAT – Our 8th grade students took the PSAT exam on 11/7/2017. This is the exam that is the precursor to the SAT and Lincoln-Way Central uses the data to make course placement decisions for freshman. Last year was first year taking this exam for Lincoln-Way; reported that our students did well. Mr. Riley, their Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, he shared that on a whole, our students scored within a point or two +/- all of the other Lincoln-Way feeder schools; his message was to keep doing what we are doing because students are well prepared.
• Boys’ Basketball has begun; Mr. Manns is leading the seventh and eighth grade teams. All four teams are off to a great start. 7th grade boys’ team won the Meteor Shootout 11/4/2017.
• Girls’ Basketball will be entering our Regional Season; Mokena is hosting the Des Plaines Valley Conference 6th Grade Girls’ Basketball tournament on 11/17-18th.
• Speech – Speech students 10/28 at Homer Junior High; proud to announce that all of our students who participated in the event earned first place ratings. 8thgrader, Danielle Santoro, earned the Judge’s Award for her room. The Students did an outstanding job.
Lincoln Way Area Special Education Minutes:
•District 843 thanks us for the additional space we have given them
•MJH 843 students are working out in junior high facility
Finance Committee Update:
Mr. Bush updated BOE:
•Meeting open to public- 12/11/2017- 7pm Boardroom
•Energy Consultant was presented a one year contract
•History on the transportation – more in depth next month fees vs. state reimbursement claim
VII. School Board Professional Development
President Riedl provided the updated conference schedule of what members were attending; Thanked Mr. Andresen for volunteering to be the Assembly Delegate.
VII. Items For December 20, 2017 Meeting
•Items requiring action next month
•Tax Levy Hearing and approval
•Communication – Goal 2 Update
•Request Goal Workshop/Board Evaluation for Board professional goals
IX. For The Good Of Mokena
•MIS Boys participated Boys on the Run – Thank you to Megan Horsch for coordinating this effort along with volunteers
•Festival of Lights – November 18 at 5pm in downtowns Mokena MJH band and choir are participating;
•November 10th- Landmark Status - Pioneer Cemetery along with the artillery gun
Adjournment:
At 8:14pm Mrs. Riedl moved to adjourn the November 15, 2017 regular meeting; to go to Closed Session for purposes of Personnel, Collective Bargaining and Litigation and Purchase of Leased Property and Superintendent Search; not to return; motioned was seconded by Mr. Bush.
On Roll Call
Ayes: Mr. Andresen, Mrs. Briscoe, Mr. Bush, Mr. Everett, Mrs. Riedl, Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Zielinski
Nays: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
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