Sesser-Valier Community Unit School 196 Board of Education met April 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District No. 196 was held in the High School Library at 6:00 PM. The meeting was called to order by President Megan Rounds.
ROLL CALL
Secretary Zimbro called the roll with the following result:
Members Present:
Acosta, Barry, Menser, Rounds, Sample, Spence, Stacey
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
J. Henry, N. Page, K. Jones, L. Zimbro, T. Masters, B. Gunter, S. Hicks, R. Payne
Visitors Present:
Jason & Jackie Hoffard, Chris & Tammy Stubblefield, Jennifer Latta, Elisha Willmore, Cyndi Pruett, Amy Nitz
PUBLIC COMMENT & CORRESPONDENCE
President Rounds asked for any visitor comments. Jackie Hoffard addressed the board concerning elective options for high school students. Mrs. Hoffard had concern that students wishing to take dual credit courses are not permitted to leave campus or take classes online during school and felt that Sesser-Valier High School is not keeping up with other area schools regarding college-level classes.
REPORTS
SEA: T. Masters reported on the recent activities and field trips including Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Lamczyk taking their band/chorus students to the Fox Theatre for "Little Women” and Mr. & Mrs. Garner's Youth and Government trip to Springfield. Masters also reported that teacher negotiations have started.
Mrs. Masters wanted to recognize Mr. Evetts who has been with the District for 16 years. Evetts has helped with decorations for every prom and managed concession stands for each home game. He has had a very active Art Club in which many of his students have won awards and scholarships. Amy Nitz, who recently attended an art convention with Mr. Evetts and his students, shared the positive experience and impact he has made.
LABORERS' LOCAL 773: No report.
CUSTODIAL & MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: Brian Gunter shared that the Johnson Controls intercom project has been completed.
K-8 PRINCIPAL: Mr. Jones, Elementary/JH Principal, presented information regarding the following to the board: Trust fund, recent activities, upcoming activities and student achievements.
H.S. PRINCIPAL: Mrs. Page, High School Principal, presented information regarding the following to the board: Trust fund, upcoming activities, and recognition for student accomplishments.
Mrs. Page then presented the Sesser-Valier High School student handbook proposed revisions for 2022-2023. She informed the board that the only changes that are needed have already been approved by the Board. She also outlined a proposed change in handbook language to clarify academic eligibility procedures and a proposed change in the extracurricular rules/random drug testing procedures to address a current shortage of licensed drug-use counselors.
Mr. Jones presented the Sesser-Valier Elementary/Junior High School student handbook proposed revisions for 2022-2023. He explained that, like the high school, proposed revisions have already been approved by Board. Mr. Jones noted that one additional change would be for the JH to match the HS eligibility procedures.
Mr. Jones reported no changes to the 2022-2023 Title I School-Wide Plan.
SUPERINTENDENT: Mr. Henry, Superintendent, presented the following information to the board:
• The consent agenda for this month's meeting includes the following additional item(s):
• Approval of the initial school calendar for 2022-2023;
• Authorization for IHSA membership for 2022-2023;
• Approval of 2022-2023 school handbooks, extracurricular/random drug testing rules, and the Title I school-wide plan;
• Authorization for the district superintendent/designee to apply for state, federal, and/or private grants;
• Authorization for the district superintendent/designee to seek milk/bread proposals for 2022-2023;
• Authorization for the district superintendent/designee to execute office copier cash sale and/or maintenance agreement(s) with GFI Digital
• The Spring, 2022, legislative session wrapped-up in the early morning hours of April 9, 2022, and was marked by a $350M increase in Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) and nearly $100M added to mandated categorical payments (including transportation). One special funding provision also passed the General Assembly this year to correct a past EBF enrollment-reporting problem in one Illinois district. As a result, that district was overpaid, and other Illinois school districts were underpaid. SV196 is currently slated to recoup one supplemental payment of just over $60,000.
Just over 50 other education bills passed, with very few new unfunded mandates. One of those bills made some modifications to the property tax code, the results of which remain to be seen. Other substitute teacher flexibility measures passed to help temporarily alleviate the shortage of qualified teachers. In all, this legislative session was mostly good for public schools in Illinois.
• As of this writing, the following teaching positions are open in the school district:
• JHS/HS English Language Arts Team Teacher (HS Library)
• JHS/HS English Language Arts Teacher
Several extracurricular coaching/sponsorship positions are also currently open, and most of those should be ready for employment action at the regular May, 2022,
As of this writing, the State Comptroller is approximately one month behind on making mandated categorical (MCAT) payments to school districts (e.g. regular transportation, special education transportation), which is much better than previous years' delays. When we get closer to the end of the fiscal year, I will include an MCAT summary in a superintendent's report.
• I have attached the following newsletter(s) and/or report(s) for your review:
• Illinois School News Service (April 11th)
• IASA Capitol Watch (April 11, 2022)
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Stacey and seconded by Menser approving the minutes of the previous meeting: March 14, 2022 (Regular Meeting); Treasurer's report; the bills in the amount of $256,245.87 and salaries in the amount of $379,067.84; approval of the 2022-2023 Public School Calendar (Initial); authorization for renewal of membership in Illinois High School Association (IHSA); approval of the Sesser-Valier Elementary/Junior High School student handbook for 2022 2023; approval of the Sesser-Valier High School student handbook for 2022 2023; approval of the district extracurricular rules and random drug testing procedures for 2022 2023; approval of the district Title I School-Wide plan; authorization for district superintendent or designee to apply for state, federal, and/or private grants; and authorization for district superintendent or designee to seek milk & bread bids for 2022-2023; authorization for the district superintendent or designee to execute office copier cash sale and or maintenance agreement(s) with GFI Digital.
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Acosta, Barry, Menser, Rounds, Sample, Spence, Stacey
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL YEARBOOK AGREEMENTS WITH JOSTENS: A motion was made by Stacey and seconded by Spence for approval of school yearbook agreement with Jostens.
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Barry, Menser, Rounds, Sample, Spence, Stacey, Acosta
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
AUTHORIZATION FOR DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OR DESIGNEE TO RESEARCH/EVALUATE FOOD SERVICE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION (CEP): A motion was made by Menser and seconded by Stacey to authorize the district superintendent or designee to research/evaluate food service Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Voting was as follows: All voted yea. There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
The Board then discussed dual credit/dual enrollment/distance learning course options. Board Member Menser shared a printout from RLC website showing how Sesser-Valier High School compares to area schools offering dual credit/dual enrollment/distance learning course options. Rounds shared her insight working with RLC and what they are currently offering. Visitor Jackie Hoffard asked how information is being given to the students about these class options. Natalie Page informed that SV currently sends out email to the students and to the parents informing them of available options. Board Member Stacey to poll parents and students to see what they would be interested in and look into options for the future.
CLOSED SESSION: At 7:24 PM, a motion was made by Stacey and seconded by Menser to enter closed session for the purpose of discussing the following exceptions to the Open Meetings Act:
a. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body (5 ILCS 120/2(0(1), as amended by P.A. 93 57)
b. Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning the salary schedule for one or more classes of employees (5 ILCS 120/2()(2)
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Sample, Spence, Stacey, Acosta, Barry, Menser, Rounds
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION: At 8:02 PM, a motion was made by Acosta and seconded by Stacey to reconvene from closed session.
Voting was as follows: All voted yea. There being seven (7) yeas and zero () nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
PERSONNEL
EMPLOYMENT OF LIBRARY SECRETARY (CLERICAL CATEGORY; AUTUMN ERWIN): A motion was made by Spence and seconded by Acosta to employ Autumn Erwin as Library Secretary.
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Stacey, Ascota, Barry, Menser, Rounds, Sample, Spence
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE MATERNITY LEAVE REQUEST (MEGAN LAMCZYK): A motion was made by Stacey and seconded by Acosta to approve Megan Lamczyk maternity leave request, as presented.
Voting was as follows: All voted yea. There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RESIGNATION(S) AND/OR RETIREMENT(S): A motion was made by Menser and seconded by Stacey to acknowledge the following employee resignation:
• JHS Boys Baseball Coach: John Launius (effective: at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year)
Voting was as follows: All voted yea. There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Acosta and seconded by Menser to adjourn.
Voting was as follows: All voted yea. There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM.
CERTIFICATION OF MINUTES
The above-listed account of the regular meeting of the Board of Education of Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District No. 196, held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 6:00 PM, is, to the best of my knowledge, a true and accurate account of the aforementioned meeting.
https://p2cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_5786889/File/Henry/FY22%20Board%20Meetings/April%2019,%202022,%20BdMtgMin.pdf
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