Sycamore Community Unit School District 427 Board of Education met Nov. 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 met in regular session on November 12, 2019, in the Multipurpose Room at North Elementary School, 1680 Brickville Road, Sycamore, Illinois.
Members present
James M Chyllo, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
Others Present
Kathy Countryman, Superintendent; Kathy Sloniker, Secretary; Nicole Stuckert, Asst. Supt. for Business Services
Administrators Present
J. Cleven, T. Franks
Audience Members Present
C. Clark, WLBK; M. Wells, Daily Chronicle; J. Currier, PMA; J. McCormick, A. Jordan, D. Olson, V. Sherrod, DCLWV (arrived at 7:08 p.m.)
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM
1. Call To Order
1.01 Call To Order
President Dombek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1.02 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1.03 Roll Call/Adoption of Agenda
President Dombek asked to remove item 5.03 Learning and Teaching Update - School Report Card/Essa Update from the agenda.
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Eric N Jones, to approve the agenda as amended.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
2. Consent Agenda
2.01 Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting October 21, 2019*
2.02 Approval of Minutes of Executive Session October 21, 2019*
2.03 Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting October 22, 2019*
2.04 Approval of Minutes of Executive Session October 22, 2019*
2.05 Approval of Middle School and High School Choir Trip to the 2020 ACDA Regional Honor Choirs*
Motion by Steve M Nelson, second by James M Chyllo, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
3. Audience to Visitors
3.01 Audience Participation
No one from the audience addressed the Board.
4. Communications/Correspondence/Informational Items
4.01 Various Letters/Newsletters
President Dombek stated that these items have been placed in the Board packet for the Board's information.
4.02 FOIA Requests
No FOIA requests have been received since the last meeting.
4.03 Committee Reports
Dombek reported on the Mayor's Ad-Hoc Committee on Growth. He stated the main topic was the evaluation of property in Sycamore, which was prepared by Jeff Jacobson, and was unanimously accepted by all the members of the Committee. He noted that Brian Gregory, City Manager, will be sending out information about that soon. Dombek stated that Ted Strack proposed changes to the ordinance that would allow the Park District to determine whether the land in lieu of cash would be acceptable. Dombek felt that all entities should be afforded that same benefit. He indicated that those items will be discussed at another meeting and then the ordinance will be forwarded to the City Council for their review and approval.
Nelson indicated that the Sycamore Education Foundation meeting will be held next Monday.
Jacobson attended the Interact Club Meeting at Sycamore High School. He reported that it was interesting to see the students utilizing their chrome books.
4.04 IASB Resolutions
Nelson stated that, this year, eighteen (18) resolutions were submitted by various districts, which is the largest number in over ten (10) years. Nelson stated that he is seeking guidance from the Board regarding the School Safety resolution that allows school staff to carry a concealed firearm on district property. He indicated that, as a delegate at the meeting, he voted for the resolution because of the local control piece. He stated that school districts in southern Illinois cannot afford to hire School Resource Officers (SRO's) and the local County Sheriff might not be able to respond for 20 minutes, due to the size of the County. Nelson explained that, this year, they also included a resolution for the State to fund SRO's. He noted that if that were to pass, then they would back off of this resolution.
Dombek felt that this resolution presents the wrong front. He would rather advocate for the state to fund SRO's, which would resolve the issue in a way that is safer for staff and students.
It was the consensus of the Board for Nelson to vote in favor of the Student Safety resolution at the Triple I Conference.
5. Superintendent's Report
5.01 Board Member Appreciation
Mrs. Countryman reviewed the Mission, Vision, Core Values, and the PLC Questions with the Board. She also thanked the Board for their work on behalf of the District Administrators, staff and students. Mrs. Countryman felt that the longevity of Board members has helped to move the District forward.
5.02 North School Presentation
Mr. Franks thanked the Board for providing the Vision into Reality for the District, and he explained the gifts that were presented to the Board. Mr. Franks said that his first year at North Elementary has been about building on a legacy. He noted that he has met with staff about building on traditions, building culture and climate, and building a community of confident collaborative learners. He stated that they have implemented the STAR Squad to perform intentional acts of kindness to others (greetings, stickers on lockers, etc.). He noted that other initiatives include classroom buddies and gratitude with intentionality. Mr. Franks reviewed his goals with the Board.
5.03 Learning and Teaching Update - School Report Card/ESSA Update - K. Webster - REMOVED from agenda
5.04 2020-2021 District Calendar - 1st Reading*
Mrs. Countryman presented the proposed 2020-2021 District Calendar to the Board for a first reading. She noted that school will begin on August 17th, which is little later than last year, but will still be done the end of May.
Mrs. Countryman stated that the calendar will be placed on the November 26, 2019, Board agenda for a second reading and approval.
5.05 Spartan Highlights
Mrs. Countryman's Spartan Highlights included pictures from the Veterans' Day events at all the schools.
Asst. Supt. for Business Services Report
6.01 Debt Restructuring - PMA
Mrs. Stuckert introduced Jennifer Currier from PMA to present a few scenarios to the Board regarding the District's Debt Restructuring Plan. Ms. Currier presented three (3) restructuring plan scenarios for the Board to consider. She stated that all of these scenarios will lesson the financial burden on the taxpayers. She also presented a timeline of key events for 2010A/2010C current refundings and taxable refunding of the 2007B bonds, to the Board, which included the Board adopting parameter resolutions this evening. It was the consensus of the Board to issue all the taxable bonds now while the interest rates are low.
The Board asked if restructuring the bonds would lesson or increase Tax Anticipation Warrants (TAWs). Mrs. Stuckert responded that the bond restructuring will not affect the TAW's.
6.02 Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $10,000,000 General Obligation Limited Refunding School Bonds for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the proposed sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof*
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Eric N Jones, to approve the resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $10,000,000 General Obligation Limited Refunding School Bonds for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the proposed sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
6.03 Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $26,900,000 General Obligation Refunding School Bonds for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the proposed sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof*
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Eric N Jones, to approve the resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $26,900,000 General Obligation Refunding School Bonds for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the proposed sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
6.04 Resolution authorizing and directing the execution of one or more Escrow Agreements in connection with the issue of not to exceed $10,000,000 General Obligation Limited Refunding School Bonds and not to exceed $26,900,000 General Obligation Refunding School Bonds*
Motion by Jeff A Jacobson, second by James M Chyllo, to approve the resolution authorizing and directing the execution of one or more Escrow Agreements in connection with the issue of not to exceed $10,000,000 General Obligation Limited Refunding School Bonds and not to exceed $26,900,000 General Obligation Refunding School Bonds as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
7. Open Discussion and Future Agenda Items
7.01 Open Discussion, Issues, Observations, Questions
Dombek stated that the IASB gave us a flag for hosting their Fall Dinner Meeting, and he told them that the District would be happy to host anytime.
7.02 Future Agenda Items
None.
8. Executive Session
8.01 Executive Session for the Consideration of Matters Related to the Appointment or Employment of Personnel, Matters Related to Individual Students, and Imminent Litigation*
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Eric N Jones, that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session for the consideration of matters related to the appointment or employment of personnel, matters related to individual students, and imminent litigation.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
In at 8:25 p.m. and out at 8:58 p.m.
9. Action Items from Executive Session
9.01 Approval of the Personnel Report; Employment, Resignations, Retirements, Leave of Absences*
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Steve M Nelson, to approve the personnel report as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
10. Adjournment
10.01 Adjournment
Motion by Eric N Jones, second by James M Chyllo, to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 p.m.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
https://go.boarddocs.com/il/syc427/Board.nsf/Public
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