West Aurora School District 129 Board of Education met Oct. 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Board Members Present:
Robert Gonzalez, Valerie Brown Dykstra, Ira Lathan, Melody Saperston, Richard Kerns, Christopher Sparks
Board Members Absent:
Thomas St. Jules
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. Opening Items
Procedural: 1.1 Call to Order
Robert Gonzalez, Board President, called the meeting to order and asked the secretary to call the roll.
Procedural: 1.2 Roll Call
the roll call, all members of the Board were present.
Procedural: 1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
Robert Gonzalez, Board President, led the pledge of allegiance.
2. Recognitions
Recognition: 2.1 Recognition of Visitors
following members of the audience wished to have their presence recognized: Herget Middle School, Nicholson Elementary School, and AEA-W.
Procedural: 2.2 Public Comment: Identification of Audience wishing to address the Board
No members of the audience wished to address the Board.
Information, Recognition: 2.3 Those Who Make a Difference
Anna Gonzales, Director of Community Affairs, began this segment by calling up Melena Gaspadarek. Melena, Principal of Nicholson Elementary, and Kelly Papp, Assistant Principal of Nicholson Elementary, recognized Elizabeth Tefera. Elizabeth is the library paraprofessional and has been in the building for eleven years. They recognized her for her hard work and dedication to the students and staff of Nicholson.
Anna Gonzalez then introduced Todd Gingerich, K-12 Physical Education Curriculum Coordinator, and Joy Howard, Social Worker at Blackhawk Academy. The group called attention to the Making Kane County Fit for Kids initiative. This initiative, launched by the Kane County Health Department, collaborated with community stakeholders to create a task force that focuses on strategies to increase physical activity and healthy eating throughout Kane County. The Fit Kids 2020 Plan published in 2011 was implemented to reverse childhood obesity in Kane County by 2020. In support of West Aurora School District students, Blackhawk Academy and West Aurora High School were the recipients of a generous Making Kane County Fit for Kids grant of approximately $20,000. These funds were used to purchase much needed cardio equipment for students at Blackhawk Academy and fitness watches for West High students. Additionally, they donated money to the high school for heart rate monitors in the amount of $9174. There were two individuals in attendance from the initiative and they were Michael Isaacson, MPH Assistant Director of Community Health at Kane County Health Department and Ms. Jackie Forbes, Board Chair, Making Kane County Fit for Kids. The Board thanked them for their generous contribution. The Board then broke for pictures.
3. Consent Agenda
Action (Consent): 3.1 Approval of the Consent Agenda for October 21, 2019
Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra motioned, second by Mr. Richard Kerns that the Board of education approve the items contained in the Consent Agenda for October 21, 2019.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (6-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston
Note: All items approved within the consent agenda are listed below.
Action (Consent), Minutes: 3.2 Approval of Minutes from the October 7, 2019 Open and Closed Board Meetings
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the minutes from the October 7, 2019 open and closed board meetings.
Action (Consent): 3.3 Approval of the Bill Listing for October 21, 2019
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the bill listing for October 21, 2019.
Action (Consent): 3.4 Approval of the Personnel Report for October 21, 2019
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the Personnel Report for October 21, 2019
Action (Consent): 3.5 Prior Trip Approval - Purdue Jazz Festival
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the prior trip approval form submitted by West Aurora High School Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band to attend the Purdue Jazz Festival.
4. Information
Information: 4.1 School Improvement Plan - Nicholson Elementary
Melena Gaspadarek, Principal of Nicholson Elementary, and Kelly Papp, Assistant Principal of Nicholson Elementary, addressed the Board to present their School Improvement Plan. The focus tonight will be on where they are and where they are going. Kelly spoke on the love of reading that is going on throughout the building. This year, Nicholson plans to increase the number and variety of books that is accessible to the students. She then spoke on balanced numeracy and the new Investigations tool that is being used. The focus is to help students embrace struggle and become comfortable in knowing there are several ways to think about a problem. Melena then touched on family involvement and building the Nicholson community. Some of the events that Nicholson participates in are Walk to School Day, teacher recognition, and Soaring Eagles. It takes a village and the goal is to make events more focused. They then showed a video to illustrate all of the exciting things going on throughout the school and community. Melena stressed how important this year is to focus on community. She then opened for questions. The Board commended the team for the sense of community that they have built at the building and many participants they have at school events. The entire presentation can be found on BoardDocs.
Information: 4.2 2018-2019 Annual Financial Report
Ryan Abrahamson, Director of Finance, presented the Annual Financial Report for 2018-2019. Along with Ryan was an auditor. These are the financial statements as of June 30, 2019. For the first time in a long time, the financials are pretty solid without a whole lot of variance or changes. The audit is unmodified meaning that all of the information presented is correct and no significant changes were found. The auditor highlighted some of the information contained in the report. Much of her conclusion was that the District is in a very good place, financially and most money is current. The Board did not have any questions regarding the report. Ryan then summarized a few points. The District added a little more than 14 million dollars to the fund balances this year. He outlined the line items that made up this amount. We will end fiscal year 2019 with about 113 days of fund balances. He will ask that this report be approved later on in the meeting.
Information: 4.3 Balanced Numeracy Update
Dr. Sarah Waddell, Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning, presented an update on balanced numeracy. The journey started back in spring of 2018. Joy Donlin came in a number of times to present balanced numeracy and then a decision on which tool to use was decided on. This is the first year that balanced numeracy is being implemented in the elementary classrooms. Dr. Waddell then set up a couple of scenarios so that the Board and audience members could experience what it is like to use balanced numeracy. Each board member received a box of manipulatives to work through the examples. Generally in a classroom, Dr. Waddell said you find various containers of separate manipulatives that are readily available for students to grab and use throughout the lessons. After the first example, Dr. Waddell explained how these manipulatives and examples help kids think about math and counting in a variety of different ways. Observations from the lessons are that she let all students talk and explain their perspective. Also, each student's observation was correct and no one was told that there is one way to figure out a problem. As a teacher, you are really paying attention to how students are seeing things and figuring out problems. The resource being used this year is Investigations. The amount of work to tackle this mind shift in math teaching is immense and Dr. Waddell let the Board know how much effort the teachers have been putting in to understand this practice. Dr. Waddell summarized the learning and then opened for questions. The entire presentation can be found on BoardDocs.
Information: 4.4 SRO Agreement
Angie Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, presented the revised SRO agreement. The most significant change was that the City of Aurora wanted to turn the responsibility of the crossing guard back to the Districts. Angie mentioned that we will be taking those positions back and perhaps pair them up with other jobs such as lunchroom supervisors. This is the only significant change. The board had no questions.
Information: 4.5 Community Affairs Update to the Board
Anna Gonzales, Director of Community Affairs, presented the update on events going on throughout the District. One highlight is the upcoming technology presentation for parents. There are also musical performances going on throughout the District. The entire update can be found on BoardDocs.
5. Discussion
Discussion: 5.1 Conveyance of Real Property and Amended Joint Agreement
Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent, presented the amended joint agreement regarding the land under the West Branch Library. This is the second presentation of this item. The Board had no questions and this will be approved at the first meeting in November.
6. Action
Action: 6.1 Approval of the Recommendation for the New Generator at the Administration Center
Mr. Ira Lathan motioned, second by Mr. Christopher Sparks that the Board of Education approve the recommendation to award the contract for the New Generator at Administration Center to the lowest responsible, responsive bidder, Volt Electric Inc., in the amount of their base bid proposal of $114,420.00.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (6-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston
Action: 6.2 Approval of the 2018-2019 Annual Financial Reports
Mrs. Melody Saperston motioned, second by Mr. Ira Lathan that the Board of Education approve the 2018-2019 Annual Financial Reports for West Aurora School District 129 and Hope Wall Joint Agreement, as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (6-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston
7. Comments
Procedural: 7.1 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: 7.2 Superintendent Comments
Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent, began his comments by highlighting the copy of the book "Culterize" by Jimmy Casas that was left for each board member. This is the current book study that the Senior Leadership group is reading. He also commented on the relationship building process that he is currently doing with staff which are semester check-ins with all senior leadership, principals, and high school assistant principals. The dialogue has helped build relationships and have a greater understanding of individual paths. He also mentioned upcoming meetings and professional development opportunities. Dr. Craig then touched on funding and taxes.
Information: 7.3 Student Board Member Comments
Luis Lopez, Student Board Member, attended a conference today. He mentioned the power being out this morning. The HOSA conference that he attended in Springfield today was very exciting. He thanked the Board for their support on these events.
Information: 7.4 Board Member Comments & Dates to Remember
The Board commented on the fun trunk or treat events that have been occurring throughout the District. They also congratulated Thomas St. Jules, Board Member, on the birth of his daughter. The next regular meeting will be held on November 4, 2019.
8. Adjournment
Action, Procedural: 8.1 Adjourn
Mr. Christopher Sparks motioned, second by Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra to adjourn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (6-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, and Mrs. Melody Saperston
Meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM.
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