Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 Board of Education met Aug. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 met in special session in the auditorium at Sycamore High School, 427 Spartan Trail, Sycamore, Illinois. This meeting was also live-streamed through Spartan TV.
Members present
James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek
Others Present
Steve Wilder, Superintendent; Nicole Stuckert, Asst. Supt. for Business Services; Kathy Sloniker, Admin. Assist. to Supt./Board of Education
Administrators Present
S. Balster, T. Carlson, C. Carrick, J. Cleven, K. Crawford, M. Ekstrom, S. Frankiewicz, T. Franks, R. Janice, M. Rice, R. Schrader, K. Webster, K. Wesley
Audience Members Present
J. Akst, V. Alexander, R. Helm, R. Horton, J. McCormick, D. Olson, H. Thomas, H. Tucker
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 Roll Call/Adoption of Agenda
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by James M Chyllo, 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. Audience to Visitors
2.01 Audience Participation
Mr. Jason Akst felt that there seems to be two different learning opportunities between the hybrid option and the E-learning option. He also felt that the no one has addressed how or if AP classes will be offered. He respectfully insisted that all high school students be offered the exact same classes regardless of the delivery mode.
3. Superintendent's Report
3.01 Return to Learn Update*
Mr. Wilder reviewed the District's Mission, Vision, Core Values, PLC questions, etc. with the Board.
He noted that the 2020-2021 District calendar needs to be amended to add three (3) remote planning days at the beginning of the school, making the first day of school for students, Monday, August 24th. He explained that these days will be targeted for professional development. He stated that this amended calendar will be placed on the August 11th agenda for Board approval. He reported that the elementary Chromebooks will not arrive prior to the first day of school, however, the staff has discussed a plan to address this. Mr. Wilder stated that Ms. Roxanne Horton will discuss this further with the Board. He explained that the District has a great plan for K-12 music offerings, although it will be different. He noted that Orchestra will be the same, however, band and chorus could be continued outside. He noted that Mr. Scott Mertens is working on how that will look.
In response to Mr. Akst's concern, Mr. Wilder stated that he believes the District we will be able to offer all classes in the hybrid and e-learning option.
Mr. Wilder explained that as part of the daily symptom screening process, a parent/guardian will determine if their student is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. He noted that by sending their student on District transportation and/or to school on any given day, a parent/guardian is certifying and verifying that their student has received a daily symptom screening and is not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
Mrs. Stuckert gave the Board an update on District Transportation. She stated that preliminary bus schedules will be communicated to families on Friday, August 14, 2020 with a final bus schedule communicated on Tuesday, August 18, 2002. She explained that students will be required to wear masks before getting on the bus, and they will load the bus starting from the back and moving to the front. She noted that students will have assigned seats and the windows on the bus will be open to allow for sufficient air-flow throughout the bus, so students should dress accordingly. Mrs. Stuckert encouraged parents to discuss social distancing at the bus stops with their children. She stated that buses will be disinfected daily.
Wrenn voiced her disappointed that the District is not able to bus students to daycare. Mrs. Stuckert responded that the District made that decision three (3) years ago because of a shortage of drivers and buses, as well as the cost. She noted that now only a limited number of students are allowed on the bus and the District has implemented staggered start times. Mrs. Stuckert commented that the District is working on possibly being able to run a bus to the YMCA or the Sycamore Park District.
Mrs. Horton, Technology Director, reported that their will be technology support in all buildings for teachers. She also stated that some additional resources have been purchased and some will be available on the District's website. She reviewed some of those resources with the Board and explained how they would help teachers create modules for student learning as well as interact with students on-line. She informed the Board of enhancements to Infinite Campus, which will help the teachers take attendance and allow them to see who is attending the class and who is virtual that day, etc. Mrs. Horton discussed the late arrival of the chromebooks that were ordered in May. She indicated that she is hoping to receive them in late September. Mrs. Horton reviewed the plan of how devices would be utilized and distributed in the meantime to ensure that all students have a device when needed.
Administrators for each of the schools presented detailed information of what the school year will look like for both hybrid and fully remote students.
President Dombek thanked the administrators for their presentations. He felt that their reports were very thorough and helped to answer many questions.
4. Executive Session
4.01 Executive Session for the Consideration of Matters Related to the Appointment, Employment, Discipline, or Dismissal of Personnel*
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.
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 8:58 p.m. and out at 9:00 p.m.
5. Action Items from Executive Session
5.01 Personnel Report; Employment, Leaves, Resignations, Retirements*
Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by James M Chyllo , 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
6. Adjournment
6.01 Adjournment
Motion by Eric N Jones, second by Jeff A Jacobson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 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
https://go.boarddocs.com/il/syc427/Board.nsf/Public
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