Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 Board of Education met Feb. 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the board"
The Board of Education of Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 met in regular session in the 6th Grade ELA at Sycamore Middle School, 150 Maplewood Drive, Sycamore, Illinois.
Members present
James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, 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
T. Carlson, J. Cleven, M. Ekstrom, R. Schrader, K. Webster
Audience Members Present
M. Wells, The Daily Chronicle; S. Zak, WLBK; L. Lantz, R. Majerus, J. McCormick, D. Olson, K. Sheahan, S. Wilder
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM
1. Opening Items
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
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Jeff A Jacobson, to approve the agenda as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
2. Consent Agenda
2.01 Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting February 11, 2020*
2.02 Approval of Minutes of Executive Session February 11, 2020*
2.03 Bills Payable*
2.04 Financial Reports*
2.05 Essie B. and Lucien T. Smith Annual Report*
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by James M Chyllo, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
3. NIA Consent Agenda
3.01 NIA Treasurer's Report*
3.02 NIA Bills Payable*
3.03 NIA Personnel Report*
3.04 Approval of the NIA Regional Director's Contract*
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Eric N Jones, to approve the NIA Consent Agenda as presented
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
4. Audience to Visitors
4.01 Audience Participation
No one from the audience addressed the Board.
5. Communications/Correspondence/Informational Items
5.01 Various Letters/Newsletters/Correspondence
President Dombek stated that these items have been placed in the Board packet for the Board's information.
5.02 FOIA Requests
The Board reviewed the FOIA request included in their packet.
5.03 Suspension Report
The Board reviewed the most recent Suspension Report.
5.04 Committee Reports
Nelson reported that he attended the Sycamore Education Foundation (SEF) meeting last night. He stated that 11 grants were submitted and all were funded, but not fully.
6. Superintendent's Report
6.01 Policy Revisions - 2nd Reading*
Motion by Jeff A Jacobson, second by Eric N Jones, to approve the policy revisions as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
7. Asst. Superintendent for Business Services' Report
7.01 Operations and Maintenance Budget
Mr. Ekstrom gave an overview of the Operations and Maintenance Budget to the Board. He recommended capital improvement projects for FY21 as well as a five (5) year plan. He also reviewed normal operating cost items that are part of the Operations and Maintenance budget. He stated that his budget requests reflect a 4% increase over last year's budget.
Jones asked how much it would cost to begin taking care of maintenance items on a rotation.
Mrs. Stuckert stated that FGM will be at the next meeting to discuss their facility study findings.
7.02 Transportation Budget
Mrs. Stuckert gave an overview of the Transportation Budget to the Board. She reviewed the number of bus riders, the vehicle fleet and the normal operating cost items that are part of the Transportation Budget. She introduced a computerized program called Tyler Drive to the Board. She showed a short video of this program demonstrating how it could enhance the District's Transportation Department. She stated that parents can download an app that would allow them to see when their students swipe on or off the bus, check routes and pick-up and drop off information, as well as communicate with the transportation administrative staff. She noted that the administrative staff will be able to track the bus fleet to determine if a bus is running late or when the bus will be arriving at the Transportation Office, etc. She commented that this program will also be more efficient for sub drivers.
Dombek commented that there may be some rural areas that will have trouble with cell signals.
Jones asked about the 3-5 year plan for the transportation department. Mrs. Stuckert responded that she plans to rotate two (2) buses each year beginning with FY22.
7.03 Personnel Budget
Mrs. Countryman gave an overview of the Personnel Budget requests for the 2020-2021 school year to the Board. She reviewed the District's Mission, Vision, Core Values and PLC Questions with the Board and outlined the process for personnel planning. Mrs. Countryman recommended one additional core teacher at the Middle School, one special educator, one speech pathologist, a part-time social worker, one registered nurse and two elementary math interventionists. She also recommended that the District hire an Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources/Instructional Programs. She shared the proposed organizational chart with the Board, depicting how the Assistant Superintendent position would be utilized.
Jones wanted to make sure that the District is intentional with setting goals and measuring the results of the math interventionists.
7.04 Recap of Resource Allocation Meetings
Mrs. Stuckert summarized the budget meetings presented by the program managers with the Board. She also reviewed the FY21 Budget Goals as well as a few non-budgetary initiatives that the District has been able to implement. Mrs. Stuckert reported that the FY21 Budget is 4% more than FY20.
7.05 Student Fees - 1st Reading*
Mrs. Stuckert presented the student fees to the Board for first reading. She stated that no action is required this evening and the fees will be placed on the March 10th agenda for second reading and final approval. She proposed a $10.00 increase to the High School Course Fee for Ag Classes; adding a $50.00 fee for TV Production I, II, III; and eliminating the High School Class Change Fee. She also indicated that there will be various increases in the OSCAR program as well.
7.06 Building Use Fees - 1st Reading*
Mrs. Stuckert presented the building use fees to the Board for first reading. She stated that no action is required this evening and the fees will be placed on the March 10th agenda for second reading and final approval. She recommended to keep the building use fees the same as last year.
8. Open Discussion and Future Agenda Items
8.01 Open Discussion, Issues, Observations, Questions
Jones asked about the amount of money it would take to maintain the District's current programs in order to prioritize other budget requests; i.e. Chromebooks, Roofs, etc.
8.02 Future Agenda Items
PLC Coalition - Jim Cleven
Special Eduction Programs
9. Executive Session
9.01 Executive Session for the Consideration of Matters Related to the Appointment, Employment, Discipline or Dismissal of Personnel and Imminent Litigation*
Motion by Steve M Nelson, second by Jeff A Jacobson, that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session for the consideration of matters related to the appointment, employment, discipline or dismissal of personnel and imminent litigation.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
In at 9:27 p.m. and Out at 9:39 p.m.
10. Action Items from Executive Session
10.01 Approval of Personnel Report; Employment and Leave of Absences*
Motion by Steve M Nelson, second by Julenne Davey, to approve the personnel report as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
11. Adjournment
11.01 Adjournment
Motion by James M Chyllo, second by Julenne Davey, to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
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