Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 Board of Education met Oct. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 met in special session on October 6, 2020, 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, arrived at 5:47 p.m.; Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn, Jim J Dombek, arrived at 5:48 p.m.
Others Present
Steve Wilder, Superintendent; Nicole Stuckert, Asst. Supt. for Business Services; arrived at 6:08 p.m.; Nick Reineck, Asst. Supt./HR and Educational Programs; Kathy Sloniker, Admin. Assist. to Supt./Board of Education
Administrators Present
S. Balster, T. Carlson, J. Cleven, K. Crawford, J. Drennan, M. Ekstrom, S. Frankiewicz, T. Franks, R. Janisch, L. Reilley, M. Rice, R. Schrader, K. Webster
Audience Members Present
V. Alexander, M. Dukes, J. DuMont, R. Helm, R. Horton, A. Jordan, K. Mauch, D. Olson, H. Tucker, C. Walz
Meeting called to order at 5:37 PM
1. Opening Items
1.01 Call To Order
Vice-President Nelson called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1.02 Roll Call/Adoption of Agenda
Motion by Eric N Jones, second by James M Chyllo, to approve the agenda as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M Chyllo, Julenne Davey, Eric N Jones, Steve M Nelson, Kristen R Wrenn
2. Audience to Visitors
2.01 Audience Participation
Jim Dumont voiced concern about remote learning and felt a hybrid model is a Band-Aid at best. He felt that neither the District's budget nor the COVID-19 statics that he cited should not be an obstacle to getting students back in school. He stated that students are suffering socially and emotionally and need to be back in school full time.
3. Superintendent's Report
3.01 Recognition of Board Member
Mr. Wilder presented the Master School Board Member award from the Illinois Association of School Board (IASB) to Mr. Steve Nelson.
3.02 Approval of the Revised Return to Learning Plan*
Mr. Wilder reviewed the Mission, Vision, Core Values and the PLC questions with the Board.
Mr. Wilder stated that no significant updates were made to the plans that were presented at the last meeting. He noted that the parallel hybrid model was shared with the all staff in order to gain feedback to revise the plan.
He pointed out that no plan will perfectly meet our needs, however, the parallel model, while not easy, is feasible.
Jacobson arrived at 5:47 p.m.
Dombek arrived at 5:48 p.m.
Mr. Wilder reviewed the additional costs that will be required to support the parallel hybrid model. He noted that the District will need additional technology hardware; three (3) additional health assistant's; one (1) additional nurse; and additional tech support and overload costs for Sycamore Middle School. He estimated the total cost to be $300,000.
Davey asked questions regarding substitute teachers and nursing staff and voiced her concern about bringing students back during the holiday season (Thanksgiving and Christmas). Mr. Reineck indicated that he has been in contact with substitute teachers that have worked with the District in previous years, and they have indicated that they would be wiling to help out. He also stated that he worked with the head nurse to determine the additional staff requests. Mr. Wilder noted that it is hard to predict exactly what will happen, however, he felt the benefit of the parallel plan is getting students back in school. He recommended urging students, staff and the community to continue to follow safety protocols to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and in our community.
Wrenn asked if the District would revisit this model in the third nine weeks and continue to strive to offer a better education for the students. Mr. Wilder replied that this model is flexible and the District will always strive to take what we have and make improvements.
Mrs. Stuckert arrived at 6:08 p.m.
Jones, Chyllo and Jacobson stated that they are ready to bring students back to in person learning as soon as possible.
Motion by Jeff A Jacobson, second by Eric N Jones, to approve the revised Return to Learning plan 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
Nay: Julenne Davey
4. Executive Session
4.01 Executive Session for the Consideration of Matters Related to 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 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
President Dombek stated that the live feed will now end, because after the executive session the Board will continue their meeting in workshop mode in the Library at Sycamore High School. He stated that people may attend in person, but the live feed will end now.
In at 6:13 p.m. and Out at 6:26 p.m.
5. Board/Administrator Workshop-Move to Library
5.01 Demonstration of Digital Learning Resources
Ms. Kori Mauch reviewed exclusion protocol and hypothetical situation(s) as they relate to the COVID-19 virus. Ms. Mauch and Mr. Reineck also reviewed current District COVID data with the Board.
The administrators demonstrated the various digital learning resources for the Board of Education.
6. Adjournment
6.01 Adjournment
Motion by Eric N Jones, second by Julenne Davey, to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 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
Alerts Sign-up