Will County Gazette

Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C Board of Education met April 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

President Martin called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m. Roll call: Briner, De Filippis, DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak and Martin were present via video conference.

President Martin led the Pledge of Allegiance.

There were five public comments received. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Mike Portwood read all comments aloud. Parents Lynnae Fash, Lisa Carlson, Kristin Hopkins, Michelle Kaisner all expressed concerns about the second grade class size at Butler School. Parent George Karras expressed his concern regarding e-learning,

Superintendent, Craig Schoppe, read aloud a comment from Cathy Clayton, representing Homer Council who gave a standing ovation to our teachers for their work on e learning. Teachers have spent countless hours researching and learning the different ways to prepare and meet students' needs during these trying times. Because there is so much unknown, at this time, we need to work to be better prepared for e learning in the future. They also gave a shout out to Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Mike Szopinski, and Superintendent Craig Schoppe for their leadership during these challenging times. She wished everyone good health.

Craig Schoppe, Superintendent, read aloud a comment from Stella Kapusta, representing Homer Support Council who thanked Superintendent Craig Schoppe for all he is doing during these trying times to keep students and staff safe and engaged. They also acknowledged Renee Karalus, Director of Special Services, for the professional developed she provided.

Hitzeman motioned and Trzeciak seconded the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Roll Call: DeFilippis, DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

The following were approved:

Resignation for non-certified staff: Glen Wysong - Director of Buildings and Grounds eff. 6/30/20 

Leave of absence (Beginning and end dates open to modification) for certified staff: Mallory Bazant - 8th Grade Math Teacher at Homer Junior High School - eff 8/17/20 - 10/30/20, returning on 11/2/20

Employment Recommendation(s) for certified staff: Jessica Huddleston - 1st Grade Teacher at Goodings Grove School - eff. 8/17/202, Deniece Kerner - 2nd Grade Teacher at Butler School - eff. 8/17/20, Rachel Hughes - 5th/6th Grade Spanish Teacher at Hadley Middle School - increased FTE from 0.5 to 1.0 - eff 8/17/20, Kristina Ricker - Resource Teacher at Hadley Middle School - eff. 8/17/20, Jessica Bates - 1st Grade Teacher at Schilling School - eff. 8/17/20, Jamie Mallon - 1st Grade Teacher at Schilling School - eff, 8/17/20, Jennifer Margalus - Physical Education Teacher at Hadley Middle School - eff. 8/17/20 

Employment Recommendation(s) for non-certified staff: Laura Giovanetti - Paraprofessional at Hadley Middle School - increased FTE from 0.5 to 1.0 - eff. 8/17/20, Leslie Campins - Secretary at Hadley Middle School - eff. 7/1/20 Employment Recommendation(s) for extra-curricular staff: Anthony Storcz - Wrestling Coach - eff. Immediately, David Rush - Boys/Girls Golf Coach - eff. Immediately

Al Kirkus, Assistant Superintendent for Business provided and update on the budget reporting

District spent $4.11M ($4,114,396) and took in $612K ($612,374), resulting in a decrease in our bank account balance of $3.5M ($3,502,023). The District started the month with $28.88M ($28,883,611) in the bank and ended the month at $25.38M ($25,381,589). Since December, the District's operating expenditures have been trending under budget - $1.66M ($1,664,997) under - as of the end of March. The District's revenues are trending higher than projected - $841K ($841,807) higher - as of the end of March

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources provided an update on Staffing, Enrollment, Personnel, and Registration/Residency reporting we are continuing to vet and interview candidates digitally. Mr. Portwood has reached out to the ROE to inquire on how to complete background checks during this C-19 season and is waiting for clarity,

This year the HR department implemented a new digital internal transfer form making the reassignment/notification process much smother. Internal transfers and reassignments should be nearing completion for the 20-21 school year.

We currently have 300 Kindergartners (about 80% of expected) who have started the registration process. Second grade totals at Butler School for the 20-21 school year are anticipated to come in under what was reported at the February Board meeting. Keeping in line with our past practice regarding sections and enrollment projections, we will be staffing with four sections, instead of the previously reported five sections. However, should numbers increase during the summer, requiring a fifth section, we will not hesitate to open a new section.

Registration numbers, as of 4/27/20 are down significantly compared to the numbers we normally see at this time. Early bird discounts are still available for families through the month of May. We will continue to email families who have not begun the registration process.

Job descriptions are being reevaluating to see what needs to be created/updated. Thanks to Renee Karalus, Director of Special Services and Bridget Withrow, Assistant Director of Special

Services, for their help in updating the Psychologist and EC teacher job description. Our annual PERA (teacher evaluation) meeting has been pushed back until next year.

Our digital registration process is underway and getting favorable reviews from parents who feel the new process is easier and more convenient. All new forms, collection methods, and vehicles for payment are up and running A huge thanks Al Kirkus, Kelli Gritzenbach, Jeanne Sutton, Pam Waterman, and Eric Nush for their role in this project and getting everything up and running. We are contacting McKinney Vento (homeless) eligible families several times a month to determine need and connect them with resources.

There is one on-going residency investigation. We will be meeting with counsel soon to discuss pursing further actions.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Mike Szopinski, reported he has devoted a significant amount of time to remote learning. He has been working with principals and teachers to schedule remote learning planning days, which are April 14, 27, May 11, and May 18. We have a fifth day which we will decide on soon. In addition, Mr. Szopinski has worked on communication with parents and teachers on days for remote learning, grading policy, etc. He created a parent survey on remote learning. Principals, Mr. Schoppe and Mr. Szopinski will follow up with any parent regarding remote learning concerns and those who need assistance with remote learning.

Currently, Mr. Szopinski is working on a plan for teachers to clear out their classroom and for students to return and pick up personal items. We are hoping to finish the plan soon. He thanked Shannon Schroeder, Andy Dole, Taylor Ketelaar, Mary Sansone, Kristin Guska, Ashley Nelson, and Holy Odom for their technology leadership. Mr. Szopinski has participated in several Google meetings with them to plan technology professional development. April 14 and April 27 were days of professional developments for teachers. The workshops have been on Google meet, Google slides, Google classroom, Screencastify, Seesaw, Kahoot and Padlet. In addition, Andy Dole created a Google site on his own where there are links to videos.

Mr. Szopinski proposed that 3rd and 4th grade students begin taking home Chromebook starting next school year, since we have successfully phased in 5th-8th grade students taking them home. He believes we are ready to expand and allow students to take home Chromebook in 3rd and 4th grade. This action will allow teachers to expand their instructional strategies, flip classroom, extended learning with software such as Freckle and Zearn. In addition, next year we will research new resources for social studies for K-5th grade. Using Chromebook at home will allow us an opportunity to enhance the learning in social studies and provide more educational tools to students and families for learning at home. Mr. Szopinski will be seeking Board approval at the May Board meeting.

On Thursday, April 30th, Mr. Szopinski hosted a Google meets with the 6th-8th grade science teachers to determine if we want to extend the science pilot into the fall of 2020.

Whole novels for Hadley Middle School, will be submitted for approval in May, include: Fish in a Tree, Shiloh, Wishtree, Mr. Lemoncello's, Wonder and Restart.

Phonics training will be held on September 9th (kindergarten), September 10th (1st grade), and September 11th (2nd grade).

We hope is to continue curriculum work in 7th and 8th grade ELA over the summer. Hopefully, in the month of August, we will continue our work.

Superintendent, Craig Schoppe, provided an update on COVID-19 School Closure and Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremonies reporting that on April 17th, Governor Pritzker announced that remote learning will be extended through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are all aware that these are unprecedented time in our history, and I thank everyone for working together to continue to support the students of Homer 33C. Remote learning has not been easy on our parents, staff or students but we are all doing our best to adjust to this new reality. Unfortunately, an important piece that cannot be replaced with remote learning is the daily connection that students have with their teachers and their friends while at school. I want our students to know that we miss all of them too and we look forward to a time soon when we will all be able to return to school and reconnect.

Based on Governor Pritzker's announcement that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, we are currently working on alternate plans for the gth grade graduation ceremony. The plan I am recommending is to hold a "virtual graduation ceremony" on Friday, May 29th, which is the date we originally scheduled for graduation. Although we are still working through some of the details, a virtual ceremony will consist of speeches from administration, recognizing student achievement awards and reading graduate names aloud.

The second part of the plan is to hold an in person graduation ceremony if possible. Recently, Lockport High School announced that their graduation ceremony would be rescheduled to Saturday, July 18th. The field house will then be available for us to hold our graduation ceremony on Friday, July 17th. We are still working with the high school on the specifics of the ceremony, but it is likely we will need to limit the number of tickets per student. Our hope is that we will be able to offer an in-person ceremony for our gth grade students, but the health and safety of our students, staff and parents must be our top priority. At this time there are too many unknowns to be able to guarantee the ceremony will be safe to hold in July so a final decision will be made as we get closer to that date.

Superintendent Schoppe also acknowledged that next Monday marks the beginning of staff appreciation week. This is always a very special week at our buildings as our parents and PTOS treat staff to delicious lunches and other treats. Unfortunately, this year we will not be able to connect in person and honor our wonderful Homer 33C staff, but I can honestly say that I have never been more appreciative for our awesome staff than I am this year. On behalf of the Homer 33C school board and administration, I want to thank our staff for all that you do. Please know that we miss all of you, and appreciate all you do for our district.

Hitzeman motioned and DeSchaaf seconded the motion to approve the job description for School Psychologist. Roll call: DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Hitzeman motioned and Marcinkewicz seconded the motion to approve the job description for Early Childhood Teacher: Roll call: Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis, DeSchaaf, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Superintendent Craig Schoppe thanked Athletic Director, Jane Fojtik, for all her work as the Athletic Director. He explained one change included in the handbook is that students need to be in attendance a minimum of one-half(1/2) of the school day in order to participate in athletic events/contests.

DeSchaaf motioned and DeFilippis seconded the motion to approve the 2020-2021 Athletic Handbook. Roll call: Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis, DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Superintendent Craig Schoppe reported old language regarding payment was removed from the coaches' handbook.

Hitzeman motioned and DeFilippis seconded the motion to approve the 2020-2021 Coaches Handbook. Roll call: Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis, DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

DeFilippis motioned and Hitzeman seconded the motion to approve the Adjustment to Substitute Custodian Rate. Roll call: Briner, DeFilippis. DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Marcinkewicz motioned and DeSchaaf seconded the motion to award the contract for 2020 Exterior Masonry Restoration at: Homer Junior High School to WARD CONTRACTING & BUILDING RESTORATION, INC. in the amount of $162,905.00 Roll call: De Filippis. DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Hitzeman motioned and DeFilippis seconded the motion to award the contract for 2020 Renovations at Homer Junior High, Goodings Grove, Luther J. Schilling, William E. Young and William J. Butler Schools and the Transportation Building to ADVANCED WIRING SOLUTIONS, INC. in the amount of $1,032,285.00. Roll call: DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

DeSchaaf motioned and Hitzeman seconded the motion to award the contract for 2020 Bus Parking Lot Expansion at Transportation Building to MATTHEW PAVING, INC., in the amount of $887,275.00. Roll call: Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis. DeSchaaf, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Marcinkewicz motioned and DeFilippis seconded the motion to approve recommendation to prepare and issue bids for summer 2020 pavement maintenance. Roll call Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis. DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

DeFilippis motioned and Marcinkewicz seconded the motion to approve an Atlas IED Intercom System installed by Applied Communications Group for a total cost of $185,432.63. Roll call: Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis. DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Trzeciak motioned and Hitzeman seconded the motion to approve the eRate Network upgrades from ITsavvy for a total cost of $153.401.12. Roll call: Briner, DeFilippis. De Schaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

DeSchaaf motioned and Briner seconded the motion to approve the dates and times for the Regular Board meetings for Fiscal Year 2021. Roll call: De Filippis. DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Marcinkewicz motioned and Hitzeman seconded the motion to approve the Resolution to adopt

E-Learning Program in Lieu of the District's Scheduled Emergency Days. Roll call: DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Hitzeman motioned and Marcinkewicz seconded the motion to modify Article V, Section 5.3.B of the 2017-2020 Homer 33C support staff union collective bargaining agreement. Roll call: Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis. DeSchaaf, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

DeSchaaf motioned and Briner seconded the motion to approve the recommendation to allow an additional April check run to refund pre-paid tuition for Pre-K students. Roll call: Marcinkewicz, Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis. DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

Hitzeman motioned and DeSchaaf seconded the motion to go into closed session for discussion of 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity, 2) discussion of collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. Roll Call: Trzeciak, Briner, DeFilippis, DeSchaaf, Hitzeman, Marcinkewicz, and Martin. All yeas, motion carried.

The Board went into Closed Session at 8:48 p.m.

After discussion, the Board returned to open session at 10:45 p.m. There were no action items from closed session.

The Board all were in favor of adjourning the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.

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