DeKalb Times

West Aurora School District 129 Board of Education met Sept. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Board Members Present:

Robert Gonzalez, Valerie Brown Dykstra, Ira Lathan, Melody Saperston, Richard Kerns, Christopher Sparks, and Thomas St. Jules

Board Members Absent:

None

Board Secretary:

Joy Engfer

Administration present:

Dr. Jeff Craig – Superintendent, Dr. Brent Raby – Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, Angie Smith – Assistant Superintendent of Operations, and Dr. Michael Smith – Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM.

1. Notice of Public Hearing Regarding the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2019-2020 School Year and the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement for the 2019-2020 School Y ear

Procedural: 1.1 Call to Order the Public Hearing Regarding the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2019-2020 School Year and the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement for the 2019-2020 School Year

President Gonzalez called the public hearing to order.

Discussion: 1.2 Open the Public Hearing regarding the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2019-2020 School Year and the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement for the 2019-2020 School Year

President Gonzalez opened the public hearing.

Procedural: 1.3 Close the Public Hearing regarding the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2019-2020 School Year and the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement for the 2019-2020 School Year

President Gonzalez closed the public hearing.

2. Opening Items

Procedural: 2.1 Call to Order

Robert Gonzalez, Board President, called the meeting to order and asked the secretary to call the roll.

Procedural: 2.2 Roll Call

Upon the roll call, all members of the Board were present.

Procedural: 2.3 Pledge of Allegiance

Robert Gonzalez, Board President, led the pledge of allegiance.

3. Recognitions

Recognition: 3.1 Recognition of Visitors

The following members of the audience wished to have their presence recognized: Fearn Elementary, Hall Elementary, Herget Middle School, West High School, and AEA-W.

Procedural: 3.2 Public Comment: Identification of Audience wishing to address the Board

No members of the audience wished to address the Board.

Information, Recognition: 3.3 Those Who Make a Difference

Dave Russell, Principal of Fearn Elementary recognized teachers working at Fearn that have been with the District 25 years or more. They were each recognized by name and the Board thanked them for their dedication.

4. Consent Agenda

Action (Consent): 4.1 Approval of the Consent Agenda for September 16, 2019

Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra motioned, second by Mr. Thomas St. Jules that the Board of Education approve the items contained in the consent agenda for September 16, 2019.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)

Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston, and Mr. Thomas St. Jules.

Note: All items approved within the consent agenda are listed below.

Action (Consent), Minutes: 4.2 Approval of Minutes from the September 3, 2019 Open and Closed Board Meetings

Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the minutes from the September 3, 2019 open and closed board meetings.

Action (Consent): 4.3 Approval Of The Bill Listing for September 16, 2019

Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the bill listing for September 16, 2019.

Action (Consent): 4.4 Approval of the Personnel Report for September 16, 2019

Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the Personnel Report for September 16, 2019

Action (Consent): 4.5 FY19 Certified Administrator and Teacher Salary Report

Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the FY19 Certified Administrator and Teacher Salary Report.

5. Potential Action Item as a Result of Executive Session

Action: 5.1 Potential Action Item as a Result of Executive Session - 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Personnel

Mr. Richard Kerns read the motion, second by Mrs. Melody Saperston that the Board of Education approve the RESOLUTION authorizing notice of remedial warning.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)

Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston, Mr. Thomas St Jules

6. Information

Action: 6.1 School Improvement Plan – Fearn Elementary

Dave Russell, Principal of Fearn Elementary, presented the School Improvement Plan for this year. He began with the two main goals that Fearn is looking at this year which are how do we increase the joy of the learning at Fearn and how do we increase awareness involved in the struggle of learning. The approach this year is different, in that the majority of the process will occur throughout the remainder of the school year. Principal Russell expanded on the staff thoughts on the beginning of the year discussion that asked "Are Joy and Fun the same thing." He also spoke on The Joy of the Struggle. He posed a math problem to the staff and observed how they solved the problem. He related struggle to the Joy of Learning with students. The goal at Fearn is to increase learning for students and staff and show the community how much Fearn values learning. Fearn has created a book wall that allows students to take a book, share a book, and bring in books of their own. He then showed a video clip that outlined all of the fun things going on at the school. Principal Russell then opened for questions. The Board was impressed with the questions that are being asked throughout the building and how it relates to learning. The entire presentation can be found on BoardDocs.

Information: 6.2 Prior Trip Approval - Europe Trip 2020

Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent, presented the prior trip approval form from West Aurora High School. The form outlined the world languages group wanting to go to Europe in 2020. The Board did not have any questions.

Information: 6.3 Community Affairs Update to the Board

Anna Gonzalez, Director of Community Affairs, updated the Board on events going on throughout the District. She thanked Principal Beth Smith and others that were involved in the Nancy Hill Playground dedication. She also highlighted the Fiestas de Patrias event over the weekend. Anna then outlined many other upcoming events that are open to all to attend. The entire update can be found on BoardDocs.

7. Action

Action: 7.1 Adoption of the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2019- 2020 School Year

Mr. Ira Lathan motioned, second by Mr. Christopher Sparks that the Board of Education approve the RESOLUTION to adopt the budget for the 2019-2020 school year for West Aurora School District 129.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)

Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston, Mr. Thomas St Jules

Action: 7.2 Adoption of the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement Budget for the 2019- 2020 School Year

Mrs. Melody Saperston motioned, second by Mr. Ira Lathan that the Board of Education approve the RESOLUTION to adopt the Hope D. Wall joint agreement budget for the 2019-2020 school year.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)

Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston, Mr. Thomas St Jules

8. Comments

Procedural: 8.1 Public Comments: Audience Members Wishing to Speak to the Board Regarding a Non-Agenda Item

No members of the audience wished to address the Board.

Information: 8.2 Superintendent Comments

Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent, thanked everyone who attended the Hispanic Pioneers Breakfast last week. He also mentioned the upcoming conferences for District staff to attend and that the Board can look forward to updates, as people attend.

Information: 8.3 Student Board Member Comments

Luis Lopez, Student Board Member, led his comments with a summary of the FTK spirit week last week. He also highlighted the tornado warning that occurred and that the staff and students were safely evacuated.

Information: 8.4 Board Member Comments & Dates to Remember

The Board members highlighted events that they attended such as the Hill Elementary playground dedication. The members also highlighted West High student, Megan Sporny, for being recognized. They also mentioned the upcoming Banding Together event and invited everyone to participate. The next regular meeting will be held on October 7,

9. Adjournment

Action, Procedural: 9.1 Adjourn

Mr. Christopher Sparks motioned, second by Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra to adjourn.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)

Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston, and Mr. Thomas St. Jules.

Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/asd129/Board.nsf/files/BHDJ9H4C17CB/$file/9-16-19%20Regular%20Session%20Minutes.pdf