DeKalb Times

Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 Board of Education me Aug. 18.

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; Nick Reineck, Asst. Supt./HR and EducationalPrograms; 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. Janisch, M. Rice, R. Schrader, K. Webster

Audience Members Present

V. Alexander, J. Bozek, J. Clawson, G. D'addario, E. Dewitt, M. Dukes, C. Fioretto, R. Helm, C. Hoeve, R. Hoeve, S. Horlock, L. Ihm, A. Jordan, A. Keca, D. Kelly, S. Kneller, R. Majerus, A. Martinson, Jenn McCormick, Joe McCormick, K. Meyers, A. Miller, T. Minnihan, D. Olson, P. Olson, L. Pawlowski, C. Peterson, K. Poynter, J. Ryan, S. Sapita, S. Shaver, S. Tranchita, H. Tucker, S. Tucker, A. Wall, J. Walter, J. Ward, S. Ward, B. White, A. Wickness, L. Zucker, S. Zuhn

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 Jeff A Jacobson, second by Kristen R Wrenn, 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

Andy Jordan, High School teacher, reported that the SEA leadership presented a clear, objective, data-driven model for guidance as to when it would be safe to return to in-person learning to the administration yesterday. He felt that health metrics and science are better tools than a community survey to determine when it is safe to return to school. He emphasized that returning safely to school is up to the entire community. He stated that all the SEA members want to safely return to their students.

Jenn McCormick, SEA President, thanked Mr. Jordan and the SEA for their hard work in coming up with a pathway forward. She noted that this plan will continue to require work on behalf of the SEA, Administration and Board of Education, but it is a positive start. Ms. McCormick apologized for making people feel that because the teachers did not understand what was expected of them was because teachers had not been working. She stated that teachers are reading, take on-line classes, attending voluntary virtual weekly staff meetings, attending District professional development opportunities as well as virtual professional development on their own time. She explained that teachers were still uncertain what grade they would be teaching, how they would be teaching, or where they would be teaching.

Lee Zucker, High School teacher, voiced frustration that the teachers' input has fallen on deaf ears. She felt that the teachers have been blamed for delays and for their fear. She stated that it is not about fear, but understanding what is preventable.

Annette Keca, High School teacher, yielded her time to Sydney Zuhn.

Sydney Zuhn, High School teacher, voiced concern about all that is being asked of teachers; 5 day students, hybrid A/B, and remote A/B, all in one class. She explained the amount of time it would take to implement all of those educational plans. She stated that the teachers were instructed that students could clean and disinfect desks, tables, chairs, equipment, etc. However, she pointed out that the IDPH guidelines specifically prohibit students from being around cleaning supplies, which leaves the task for the teachers. She asked the Board to consider what teachers are being asked to do and make well-informed, data-driven decisions.

Barb White, High School teacher, stated that everyone is for the same things; starting school, clear protocols regarding health and safety and making sure all learners can succeed in their world. She stated that student learning is paramount and health and safety is too. She read five (5) questions for the Board to consider.

Joe Ryan, High School teacher, stated that he is looking forward to the return to learn program, however, if the District is not able to continue with that plan, he requested that athletics be allowed to continue. He noted that athletes have been active all summer, and there have been no positive COVID-19 tests to-date. He stated that it is important to understand that educational opportunities can happen in many ways.

Kara Poynter, High School teacher and FFA Advisor, encouraged the Board to continue FFA activities for students. She felt it was important for students to participate in a positive environment in order to thrive during this time.

Chris Fioretto, parent, stated that it is important for students to get back in the classroom. He felt that parents and students are aware of the risks and are willing to do whatever is required. He stated that he liked having the option for in-person learning as well as remote learning.

Adam Wickness, Girls Varsity Basketball Coach, stated that sports are important in students lives. He noted that IHSA allowed for training to take place in June, and he was hesitant. However, he explained that in those few weeks the athletes bonded and the guidelines were adhered to. He urged the Board to consider continuing sports and clubs, no matter what option is chosen for teaching students.

Kelly Meyers, Varsity Dance Coach, stated that her students had 20 contact days this summer and are looking forward to their 20 days this fall. She commented that those days created positive attitudes, stress relief and smiles. She stated that athletics and extra-curricular activities are important for students, and she urged the Board to allow them to continue, even if the District is unable to conduct in-person learning.

Craig Peterson, parent, stated that his family is in favor of the hybrid option. He noted that there is always some uncertainty no matter how much data is available. He also commented that he is a big proponent of extracurricular activities.

Steve Sapita, parent, stated that the stakeholders have expressed that they are in favor of their students returning to school. He asked the Board what would need to change for them to proceed to 100% in-person learning. He stressed that in-person learning is priceless and asked the Board to work to get the students back in school.

3. Superintendent's Report

3.01 Return to Learning Update

Mr. Wilder reviewed the Mission, Vision, Core Values and the PLC questions with the Board.

Mr. Wilder thanked everyone that has been a part of the return to learning process. He noted that it has been very difficult, and he appreciated everyone's input. He explained that it is important to bring students back to school as soon as it is safe to do so. He reported that IDPH guidance has changed several times in the last few days, and he reviewed the new guidelines with the Board. Mr. Wilder felt that the new IDPH guidance was so restrictive that it is no longer possible for the District to comply. Mr. Wilder also reviewed middle school and high school scheduling issues with the Board. He explained that they were aware that additional staff would be required to run the hybrid model and placed a contingency in the budget. However, he explained that they discovered it will take a combination of overloads and additional staff to make the schedules work at a cost of $1.02 million. Mr. Wilder felt that these factors make the hybrid plan no longer a viable option. He recommended that the District utilize the remote model for nine (9) weeks, continue to monitor IDPH guidance and watch the matrix presented by the SEA, etc., as the District considers a return to in-person learning.

The Board held a lengthy discussion, asked questions, and made suggestions to work toward getting students back to in-person learning.

Mr. Janisch, Principal of North Grove Elementary School, presented the Elementary School Remote Learning Plan; Ms. Frankiewicz, Assistant Principal of Sycamore Middle School, presented the Middle School Remote Learning Plan; and Mr. Rice, Assistant Principal of Sycamore High School, presented the High School Remote Learning Plan to the Board. Each of these presentations included expectations for teachers and students as well as examples of typical daily schedules for teachers and students.

The Board asked several questions of the administrators regarding their remote learning plans.

Jones voiced concern about the District's internet capacity and if it would be able to handle the remote learning plans. Mr. Wilder responded that he would discuss this with the District's technology staff and report back to the Board at the next meeting.

It was the consensus of the Board to move forward with the remote learning plan for the first nine (9) weeks, while continuing to pursue the hybrid option.

3.02 2020-2021 Amended District Calendar*

Mr. Wilder presented the proposed amended calendar to the Board for review and approval. He stated that changes to the calendar include: Remote Planning Days for teachers on August 25-27; first day of student attendance on Monday, August 31, 2020; Monday, October 26th would now be a day of student attendance; and the last day for students would be Friday, June 4th.

Wrenn voiced concern that the proposed amended calendar does not give parents time to plan for remote learning. She also voiced concern that ordered Chromebooks may not be available in time.

Motion by Steve M Nelson, second by Julenne Davey, to approve the 2020-2021 amended District calendar as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Jeff A Jacobson, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Jim J Dombek

Nay: Kristen R Wrenn

4. Asst. Supt. for Business Services' Report

4.01 Presentation of Tentative Budget and Establishment of a Hearing Date*

Mrs. Stuckert gave the Board a quick update on year-end numbers for FY20. She presented the top 10 revenue sources for the District as well as the top 10 expenditures by program. She reviewed the budget goals with the Board and stated that the District has operated with a balanced budget for the past three (3) years. She noted that the fund balance policy recommends a fund balance of 25%, and she stated that the fund balance is currently 22%, which is a significant increase. She also reported that she is hoping to end the Tax Anticipation Warrant cycle in the next couple of years. Mrs. Stuckert informed the Board that the Forecast 5 financial dashboard can now be published to the District website so the public will be able to see how the District's money is being spent. She also pointed out that this year's budget (FY21) has a projected deficit of over $300,000, due to loss of revenue from athletic admissions, box office sales, and rentals ($150,000) as well as additional expenditures for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and a larger contingency due to the uncertainty of what else may be required during this unprecedented year. Mrs. Stuckert stated that she would be bringing the final budget to the Board at the September 22, 2020, meeting for approval.

The Board discussed the possibility of some savings that may occur with the remote learning plan and suggested that could be a topic for a future meeting.

Motion by Eric N Jones, second by Kristen R Wrenn, to approve the tentative budget and establish September 22, 2020, as the hearing date for the budget 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

5. Executive Session

5.01 Executive Session for the Consideration of Matters Related to the Appointment, Employment, Discipline, or Dismissal of Personnel*

Motion by James M Chyllo, 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 10:58 p.m. and out at 11:03 p.m.

6. Action Items from Executive Session

6.01 Personnel Report; Employment, Resignations*

Motion by Kristen R Wrenn, second by Eric N Jones, 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

7. Adjournment

7.01 Adjournment

Motion by Steve M Nelson, second by Julenne Davey, to adjourn the meeting at 11:06 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