Laura Hrechko, Board Vice President | Minooka Community High School District 111 Website
Laura Hrechko, Board Vice President | Minooka Community High School District 111 Website
Minooka Community High School District 111 Board of Education met Dec. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m. by President Mike Brozovich. The meeting was held at Minooka Community High School-Administration Building. A physical quorum was present with the following board members answering roll call:
| YES | NO | |
| Mike Brozovich | X | |
| Laura Hrechko | X | |
| Tim Juskiewicz | X | |
| Mike Hoyt | X | |
| Jim Grzetich | X | |
| Matt Shepard | X | |
| Terry Spivey | X |
| YES | NO | |
| Dr. Rob Schiffbauer | X | |
| John Troy | X | |
| Dr. Phillip Pakowski | X | |
| Kristi Boe | X | |
| Jamie Soliman | X | |
| Michele Williamson | X |
COMMUNICATIONS/RECOGNITION
The MCHS Madrigals performed for the Board of Education and Mr. Benware provided highlights of the program.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments heard.
PRESENTATIONS
MCHS Report Card – Dr. Phil Pakowski
The MCHS Report Card 2024 was provided in the board packet for review. Dr. Pakowski reported that seventy five percent of the report card are Academic Indicators and twenty-five percent consists of School Quality and Student Success Indicators. MCHS is considered as a Tier 2 commendable status with an overall index score of 83.74. The graduation rate grew from 91% last year to 94.8% this year. Freshman on track improved from 84.1% last year to 91.6% this year. Dr. Pakowski also reported that areas of strengths are the graduation rate at 94.8%, 9th grade on track at 94.1% and CTE & graduation rate. Areas of growth include reducing chronic absenteeism, and increasing the climate survey participation rate. Dr. Pakowski commended Aubrey Knight with helping increase the staff and student participation. ACT prep programs and department goals are in place for ELA/Math/Science proficiency. Dr. Pakowski noted that the english learner population has increased and is on the school report card. He will work with the Department Chair to change the way the access test is given. Dr. Pakowski feels that a one-on-one approach would benefit the student.
There was discussion on chronic absenteeism rate and working with families and encouraging school attendance as well look into and address the possibility of a hybrid block schedule with staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Administrative reports were provided in the board packet for review.
Dr. Schiffbauer added that on January 14th from 4-6 p.m., South Campus will host an open house for the community to learn about the Canadian National intermodal project. Incoming freshman night will be January 22nd for the class of 2029.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION: by Hrechko, seconded by Grzetich, to approve the consent agenda as presented:
A. Open Session Minutes
1. November 20, 2024 Board Meeting
B. Financial Reports
1. Monthly Financial Reports
2. Payment of Bills/Total
3. Employee Payroll
4. Imprest Fund Report/Total
5. Activity Fund Report
6. Treasurer’s Report (Cash/YTD – Exp/Rev)
Voting Aye: Spivey, Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich and Brozovich. Motion carried. Time: 6:58 p.m.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There was no Committee of the Whole held in December.
GAVC had a routine meeting on December 17, 2024. There are ongoing discussions on the reconfiguration of MCHS membership with GAVC. As well as a possible $6.5 million dollar health and life safety work bond issuance with a 20-year payout. Dr. Schiffbauer will keep board members up to date as more information is discussed.
GCSEC meeting was held on December 18, 2024. There was discussion on the limited space for the growing 18–22-year population at the Lakewood Commons facility in Morris. There is a unit that has become available and currently working on a purchase price for that available space to expand. Dr. Schiffbauer will give board members an update next month.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Educational Foundation Update:
The Educational Foundation update was included in the board packet for review. Dr. Schiffbauer stated that the Foundation has been preparing for the Denim and Diamonds event which has been moved to March 8, 2025. This will take place at the Four Rivers Environmental Center in Channahon. The next Educational Foundation will be January 16th 2025.
PRESS Packet 117 – Second Reading and adoption
Press Packet 117 drafts were provided in the board packet for review. Dr. Schiffbauer added this draft is for legal updates to the policies. There were no questions and it is anticipated for approval at the end of the meeting.
Series 2025 Funding/Working Cash Bonds:
Series 2025 Funding and Working cash bond resolutions were in the board packet for review. Mr. Troy reported that the resolutions are the next step to pay off the debt certificate funds. The resolutions are for the intent to issue $40 million dollars in funding bonds as well as a resolution for the intent to issue $16.2 million dollars in working cash fund bonds. The district has $30 million dollars in reserved balances towards the $86 million dollar project. There were no questions or concerns and both resolutions are anticipated for approval at the end of the regular board meeting.
Disposal of Buses and Minivan:
The recommendation for the disposal of 5 district 111 buses and one minivan was provided in the board packet for review. There were no objections for the disposal or donation to local fire departments as presented. It is anticipated for approval at the end of the regular board meeting.
Scale Data Center Proposal:
The Scale Data Center replacement proposal was provided in the board packet for review. Dr. Schiffbauer reported that the contract for the offsite virtual servers is ending and the new contract would for 4-years with a total cost of $123,304 dollars that would be divided by four payments. There were no questions or concerns and it is anticipated for approval at the regular board meeting.
IMRF – Rate Paydown:
The IMRF UAAL (Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability) report was provided in the board packet for review. Kathi Norman, Director of Finance presented two options to buy down the rate which will ultimately save money. MCHS current unfunded liability is $2,076,783 dollars. The recommendation for the board’s consideration is to contribute $750,000 to help fund IMRF UAAL. That is estimated to save $628,655.19. The savings will allow MCHS to continue to levy less for IMRF which will keep the tax rate steady. The agenda item is not a current action item but is for the board’s future consideration.
ACTION ITEMS
Regular Meeting Page 4 of 6 Wednesday December 18, 2024 Approval of the 2024 Tentative Levy as presented.
MOTION: by Grzetich, seconded by Spivey, to approve the 2024 Tentative Levy as presented. Voting Aye: Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich, Spivey and Brozovich. Motion was carried. Time: 7:12 p.m.
Approval and possible approval and adoption of PRESS Packet 117 as presented.
MOTION: by Hrechko, seconded by Grzetich, to approve and possible and adoption of PRESS Packet 117 as presented. Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 7:13 p.m.
Action on a resolution setting forth and describing in detail claims heretofore authorized and allowed for proper school purposes which are presently outstanding and unpaid, declaring the intention to issue $40,000,000 bonds for the purpose of paying claims against the District, and directing that notice of such intention be published as provided by law.
MOTION: by Grzetich, seconded by Hoyt, Action on a resolution setting forth and describing in detail claims heretofore authorized and allowed for proper school purposes which are presently outstanding and unpaid, declaring the intention to issue $40,000,000 bonds for the purpose of paying claims against the District, and directing that notice of such intention be published as provided by law. Voting Aye: Spivey, Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich and Brozovich. Motion was carried. Time: 7:14 p.m.
Action on a resolution declaring the intention to issue $16,200,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds for the purpose of increasing the District’s Working Cash Fund and directing that notice of such intention be published in the manner provided by law.
MOTION: by Spivey, seconded by Hrechko, action on a resolution declaring the intention to issue $16,200,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds for the purpose of increasing the District’s Working Cash Fund and directing that notice of such intention be published in the manner provided by law.
Voting Aye: Grzetich, Spivey, Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, and Brozovich. Motion was carried. Time: 7:14 p.m. Approval of the disposal of five (5) District 111 buses and one (1) minivan as presented.
MOTION: by Juskiewicz, seconded, by Hoyt, to approve the disposal of five (5) District 111 buses and one (1) minivan as presented. Voting Aye: Hrechko, Grzetich, Spivey, Juskiewicz, and Hoyt and Brozovich. Motion was carried. Time: 7:15 p.m.
Approval of the Scale Data Center proposal in the total amount of $123,304 dollars with financing from American Capital $33,284 per year over four (4) payments as presented.
MOTION: by Hoyt, seconded Hrechko, to approve the Scale Data Center proposal in the total amount of $123,304 dollars as presented. Voting Aye: Spivey, Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich, and Brozovich. Motion was carried. Time: 7:15 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: by Grzetich, seconded by Spivey, to adjourn the meeting to executive session for the purpose of discussing matters related to minutes, the appointment, compensation, discipline, dismissal, employment and performance of specific employees of the district, student discipline, and collective bargaining. Voting Aye: Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich, Spivey and Brozovich. Motion was carried. Time: 7:16 p.m.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
MOTION: by Hrechko, seconded by Juskiewicz. Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 8:04 p.m.
ACTIONS FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION
Closed Session Minutes
MOTION: by Spivey, seconded by Hrechko, to approve the closed session minutes as presented: November 20, 2024 Executive Regular Meeting
Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 8:06 p.m.
MOTION: by Juskiewicz, seconded by Spivey, to approve that all of the closed session minutes reviewed from the time period of January 2023 through June 2023 and the summary of previous review of minutes of September 2003 through December 2022 remain closed and not subject to public examination as there is a need for confidentiality which still exists, and to approve that the audio recordings from July 2022 through June 2023 are no longer required by law to be maintained and can be destroyed. It is noted that 18 months have passed since being made and the board has approved the particular minutes of those meetings.
Voting Aye: Hearing no objections. Time: 8:07 p.m.
Personnel
Resignation/Retirement(s):
MOTION: by Juskiewicz, seconded by Hrechko, to accept the following resignation/retirement(s) as presented:
Christopher Jesionowski – Registered Nurse – eff. 12/4/2024 – resignation
Matthew Beck – Interventionist – Behavior – eff. 12/19/2024 – resignation
Caty Cons – Special Education Aide – eff. 1/15/2025 – resignation
Katie Casserilla – Administrative Assistant to the Dean – eff. 1/15/2025 – resignation
Chris Listello – Art Teacher - eff. 6/30/2029 – retirement
Dana Becker – Art Teacher – eff. 6/30/2029 – retirement
Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 8:08 p.m.
LOA:
Motion: by Hrechko, seconded by Grzetich, to approve the following leaves of absence as presented, pending receipt of proper documentation.
Brook Brenczewski – Administrative Assistant to the Deans – from approximately 10/22/2024 – 10/22/2025 (Days TBD) under the family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Karolyn Landstrom – Teacher – World Language – from 1/6/2025 – 2/28/2025 (Days TBD) Unpaid Leave of absence as presented.
Regular Meeting Page 6 of 6 Wednesday December 18, 2024
Melissa Caruso – Social Worker – 12/17/2024 – 2/17/2025 (Days TBD) under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 8:08 p.m.
Employment:
MOTION: by Hrechko, seconded by Hoyt, to approve the employment of the following support staff member(s) for the 2024/2025 school year as presented, pending proper paperwork and background check deemed favorable by the MCHS #111 Administration:
Tracy Dahlberg – Special Education Aide - $18.75 per hour
Voting Aye: Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich, Shepard, Spivey and Brozovich. Time: 8:09 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: by Juskiewicz, seconded by Hrechko to adjourn the meeting.
Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 8:09 p.m.
https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1417?meeting=670083
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