Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 Board of Education met April 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 met remotely in regular session via zoom video.
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, Administrative Assistant
Administrators Present
L. Reilley, K. Webster
Audience Members Present
None.
Due to some technical difficulties, the meeting was called to order at 7:17 PM
1. Opening Items
1.01 Call To Order
President Dombek called the meeting to order at 7:17 p.m.
1.02 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1.03 Roll Call/Adoption of Agenda
Motion by Jeff A Jacobson, second by Eric N Jones, 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
1.04 Resolution – Emergency Suspension of Policy Due to COVID-19 Pandemic*
Motion by Steve M Nelson, second by Kristen R Wrenn, to approve the resolution issuing an emergency suspension of policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic 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 March 10, 2020*
2.02 Approval of Minutes of Executive Session March 10, 2020*
Motion by James M Chyllo, second by Kristen R Wrenn, 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 Bills Payable for the Month of March 2020*
3.02 NIA Treasurers' Reports for the Months of February 2020*
3.03 NIA Personnel Report for April 2020*
3.04 NIA Resolution Authorizing the Honorable Dismissal of Educational Support Personnel Employees*
3.05 NIA Resolution Authorizing Notice of Dismissal of First, Second, and Third Year Probationary Teachers*
3.06 Approval of the Lease Agreement between NIA and District 300 for July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021*
3.07 Approval of the Service Agreement between NIA nd District 300 for July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021*
Motion by Steve M Nelson, 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
President Dombek stated that these items have been placed in the Board packet for the Board's information.
5.02 Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award (COE)
President Dombek congratulated Nicole Stuckert and her staff, as well as the Board, on receiving the ASBO Certificate of Excellence Award. He stated that the District has received this award for several years in a row.
5.03 FOIA Requests
The Board reviewed the FOIA requests included in their packet.
5.04 Committee Reports
Nelson reported that the Sycamore Education Foundation meeting will be held this Monday.
Dombek stated that he has attended several teleconferences regarding COVID-19 over the past several weeks, as well as the upcoming policy changes. He noted an upcoming IASB teleconference on Finance that would be very good and suggested that the Board members participate if they are able.
6. Superintendent's Report
6.01 E-Learning/ Remote Learning Implementation and Update
Mrs. Countryman reviewed the District's Mission, Vision (which looks a little different right now), Core Values, and the District's Professional Learning Communities (PLC) with the Board. Mrs, Countryman stated that the District rolled out our E-Learning plan on March 16, 2020, the week prior to spring break. She reported that during spring break, the teachers learned and prepared for the week after spring break and following.
Dr. Webster stated that this situation is considered emergency remote learning rather than an e-learning plan. She explained that e-learning, on-line learning, and blended learning are programs we have chosen; the emergency remote learning happened very quickly, was not planned, but became necessary. She reported that grades 6-12 are 1 to 1 and on-line; K-5 can access assignments on-line, or the assignments can be mailed to their homes. Dr. Webster commented that, despite all the challenges, the District's teachers have done a fantastic job. She pointed out that this is a stressful time for community members and students as well, but the District is focusing on connection, a sense of normalcy, intellectual engagement, reinforcing the importance of school, and engagement and learning, rather than compliance.
Dombek voiced concerned for students living in rural areas that do not have good internet service. Dr. Webster responded that teachers are in contact with students that have not signed in to identify if there are technology issues or anything else they need (K-12).
Dr. Webster praised the Communications Department for their work updating the website, assisting with the mailings, etc.
The Board members expressed their appreciation to the District for the impressive job that they have done with the emergency remote learning and watching it evolve and grow over the past few weeks.
Dr. Webster stated that the District will be creating a re-entry plan to re-acclimate the students. She explained that all state assessments for this year have been canceled.
Ms. Reilley stated that they are making a good faith effort to comply with the law and to have meetings, evaluations, goals and IEP's remotely through Google. She reported that 29 IEP meetings were held remotely the first week of COVID-19. She noted that they are working on individualized remote learning plans for every student that has an IEP (500+ students) and communicating the plan to parents. Ms. Reilley explained that they are mostly concerned with the safety and welfare of our students. She commented that if students are not engaging, our special education teachers are calling them, etc. to see if they need anything. She stated that packets are being sent home to the families, and they are working collaboratively with the general education staff to meet the needs of students with IEP's.
Mrs. Countryman stated that the administrators are meeting virtually at least weekly and faculty meetings are also being held on Fridays. She stated that the District's internal communication, the 427 Exchange, goes out weekly; phones messages are being checked daily and mail is being picked up twice a week. She recommended that the Board check the District's Facebook page for the most recent updates and information. She noted that 122,000 emails and 100,000 text alerts have been sent since March 16, 2020, just from the communication's office. She stated that she is working with Mrs. Stuckert regarding budget implications; meal pick up for families is taking place at the high school on Mondays and Fridays; technology distribution/swapping is taking place at the Administration building by appointment; and the maintenance crew has begun mowing. She also explained that she is working on a re-entry plan as well as alternative plans for Graduation. She reported that IESA has canceled spring middle school activities, however, IHSA has not made a decision about their spring season.
7. Open Discussion and Future Agenda Items
7.01 Open Discussion, Issues, Observations, Questions
None.
7.02 Future Agenda Items
Upcoming Events (Class of 2020, Spring Eventw, IHSA, Re-entry plans)
8. Executive Session
8.01 Executive Session for the Consideration of Matters Related to the Appointment, Employment, or Dismissal of Personnel, and Imminent Litigation*
Motion by Jeff A Jacobson, second by Eric N Jones, 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
9. Action Items from Executive Session
9.01 Resolution Authorizing Honorable Dismissal of full-time Educational Support Personnel*
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Julenne Davey, to approve the resolution authorizing honorable dismissal of full-time educational support personnel 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
9.02 Resolution Authorizing Dismissal of part-time Educational Support Personnel*
Motion by Steve M Nelson, second by James M Chyllo, to approve the resolution authorizing dismissal of part-time Educational Support Personnel 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
9.03 Personnel Report; Employment, Leave of Absences and Retirement*
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, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
10. Adjournment
10.01 Adjournment
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Julenne Davey, to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 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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