North Egypt News

Minooka Community High School District 111 Board of Education met Feb. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice President Laura Hrechko. 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

Additionally, present were:

• Dr. Rob Schiffbauer    X

• John Troy                    X

• Dr. Phillip Pakowski              X

• Kristi Boe                     X

• Jamie Soliman            X

• Michele Williamson    X

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

President Pro Tem:

Motion by Grzetich, seconded by Hoyt to nominate Laura Hrechko as President Pro Tem. Hearing no objections, the Motion was approved. Time: 6:01 p.m.

Communications/Recognition

• Madelyn Kiper – 10th Girls’ Basketball player to reach 1,000 points, most 3-pointers in a single game (9) school record, most points scored in a single game (41) school record, most 3-pointers in a season (65) school record.

• Matt Harding & Varsity Football Team - National High School Academic Excellence Award

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments heard.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Administrative reports were provided in the board packet for review.

Dr. Schiffbauer recognized and thanked Chris Mehochko, Regional Superintendent, who will retire on February 28, 2025. Dr. Schiffbauer gave an update status of HB1237 in regards to amending the school code prohibiting Native American name, logo or mascot and Dr. Schiffbauer will keep board members updated on the status of the bill. Lastly, the Strategic Plan Survey will be sent out to students, staff, parents and community members. He thanked Jim Kelly and Aubrey Knight for getting the survey set up and ready.

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION: by Grzetich, seconded by Hoyt, to approve the consent agenda as presented:

A. Open Session Minutes

1. January 8, 2025 Committee Meeting

2. January 15, 2025 Regular Meeting

3. January 29, 2025 Special 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: Juszkiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich and Spivey. Motion carried. Time: 6:08 p.m.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

There was no Committee Meeting held in February.

GAVC – A meeting was held on January 23, 2025. Discussions are taking place in regards to Capital improvements and what percentage the other member districts will have.

GCSEC – A meeting was held on February 19, 2025. GCSEC purchased and closed on a unit at the Lakewood Commons property in Morris for the transition program. He also reported back that teacher contract negotiations took place and the contract was settled in four meetings and ratified at the February 19th meeting.

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 is on March 8, 2025. This will take place at the Four Rivers Environmental Center in Channahon. The event has 16 tickets remaining. The next meeting for the Educational Foundation will be February 25, 2025.

Student Fees for the 2025-2026 School Year:

The student fee structure for the 2025-2026 school year was provided in the board packet for review. Student fees have remained the same the upcoming school year. Mr. Troy reiterated that the last times fees were increased was in 2019 and in the last two years the total student fees have been reduced by $55 dollars. Mr. Grzetich suggested that the $30 bowling fee be eliminated. There were no concerns raised from Board Members to eliminate the bowling fee. Administration will bring the new recommendation back for the March meeting for consideration and possible approval.

Technology:

Chromebook, Desktop and Laserfiche Purchase:

A proposal for the purchase of 110 Lenevo desktops for the CTE computer labs was provided in the board packet for review. Mr. Troy reported that this is to keep up with the demands of modern software applications. The total cost for 110 desktops is $102,190 with financing from American Capital for $27,671 per year for over four years at an interest rate of 5.6%. The second proposal is for Laserfiche which will better enhance document efficiency and storage. This system works seamlessly with Skyward. The total project cost is $14,250 to be paid in July 2025 each following year will cost $4,250. The third proposal is for 730 Lenevo touchscreen Chromebooks for the incoming freshman class. The total cost of the devices is $349,670 with leasing from American Capital at $94,685 per year over 3 years at a rate of 5.6% interest rate. The Chromebook fee will remain at $112 per student annually over their four years at MCHS and will go toward the cost of the Chromebook total. There were no objections for approval at the March board meeting.

Assistant Director of Transportation:

There was discussion and a recommendation to pursue an Assistant Director for Transportation. This would be a 12-month position to assist with the day-to-day operational procedures and routing. There were no concerns raised from board members to proceed with a search of an Assistant Director of Transportation, it is anticipated for the 2025-2026 school year. Discussion will continue in Executive session.

Transportation School Bus Cameras:

Mr. Troy reported that bus cameras have not been updated in several years, he added that District 201 conducted a pilot program and tested out various manufactures and have implemented Provision to the current 201 busses. It is recommended that with taking over the 201 busses with Provision in them, it would make sense to upgrade the District 111 busses as well. He added that with Provision, camera video is downloaded automatically as soon as the bus is within Wi-Fi range versus relying on an SD card currently. The cost for 40 bus camera systems, 6 activity bus cameras systems, and 9 van camera systems with installation is $203,032 dollars. Mr. Troy added that this will go on the transportation claim and the district will regain approximately sixty percent of the cost back. There were no concerns for approval at the March board meeting.

Overnight /Out of State Field Trip Requests:

The following overnight/out of state field trips were discussed:

• Mock Trial State Competition - March 14-16, 2025, Springfield, IL

• Winterguard Regional - March 14-16, 2025 Avon, IN

• Indoor Percussion World Championships - April 10-12, 2025, Dayton, OH.

• State TSA Conference - May 1-2, 2025, Bloomington, IL

There were no questions or concerns for approval at the end of the regular meeting.

Athletic Proposals:

Dr. Schiffbauer reported that Girls Flag Football is emerging as an IHSA sport. There was a petition with approximately 70 names with interest. There is a recommendation to add an Assistant Athletic Director for scheduling as well as for evening coverage/supervision with events and the addition of proposed sports. Discussion on the proposals will continue in Executive session.

ACTION ITEMS

Approval of the Mock Trial overnight trip request as presented.

MOTION: by Grzetich, seconded by Spivey, to approve the Mock Trial overnight trip request as presented. Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 6:33 p.m.

Approval of the Approval of the Winterguard overnight/out of State trip request as presented.

MOTION: by Juskiewicz, seconded by Grzetich, to approve the Winterguard overnight/out of State trip request as presented. Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 6:34 p.m.

Approval of the Indoor Percussion overnight/out of state trip request as presented.

MOTION: by Grzetich, seconded by Spivey to approve the Indoor Percussion overnight/out of state trip request as presented. Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 6:34 p.m.

Approval of the TSA overnight trip request as presented.

MOTION: by Hoyt, seconded by Grzetich to approve the Indoor Percussion overnight trip request as presented. Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 6:34 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 litigation. Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 6:34 p.m.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

MOTION: by Juskiewicz, seconded by Hoyt. Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 7:21 p.m.

MOTION: by Juskiewicz, seconded by Spivey. Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 7:23 p.m.

ACTIONS FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

Closed Session Minutes

MOTION: by Spivey, seconded by Grzetich, to approve the closed session minutes as presented:

January 8, 2025 Committee Meeting

January 15, 2025, Regular Meeting

January 29, 2025 Special meeting

Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 7:23 p.m.

Personnel

Resignation(s):

MOTION: by Juskiewicz, seconded by Grzetich, to accept the following resignation/retirement(s) as presented:

Tammie Locher – Bus Driver – eff. 2/7/2025

Robert Kinney – Custodian – eff. 1/31/2025

Sydney Singleton – Assistant Softball – eff. 2/4/2025

Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 7:24 p.m.

LOA:

Motion: by Grzetich, seconded by Hoyt, to approve the following leaves of absence as presented, pending receipt of proper documentation.

Katie Bukala – Administrative Assistant to the Deans, from approximately 2/7/2025 – 5/13/2025 (Days TBD) under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Jamie Fisher – Teacher – English – from approximately 2/7/2025 – 5/13/2025 (Days TBD) under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Matt Thomas – Teacher – English – from approximately 2/10/2025 – 2/28/2025 (Days TBD) FMLA Intermittent under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Deena Lovato – Campus Monitor – from approximately 3/31/2025 – 5/23/2025 (Days TBD) under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 7:24 p.m.

Employment:

MOTION: by Grzetich, seconded by Spivey, 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:

Kelly Rujawitz - Behavior Interventionist ($18.50/hr.) eff. 2/18/2025

David Lukjanowicz - Bus Driver ($67.77 per route) eff. 2/11/2025

Bus Drivers, Bus Aides, Transportation Office Staff - eff. 7/1/2025 - See List Attached in Board Book

Voting Aye: Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich, and Spivey. Motion carried. Time: 7:25 p.m.

MOTION: Grzetich, seconded by Hoyt, to approve the following extracurricular employment/volunteers for the 2024/2025 school year as presented, pending proper paperwork and background check deemed favorable by the MCHS #111 Administration:

Lisa Janisik – Flag Corp – Volunteer

Tanner Kokal – Assistant Lacrosse (Boys) – Step 1

Logan Green – Assistant Lacrosse (Boys) – Step 1

Mason Laney – Assistant Lacrosse (Boys) – Step 1

Allyse Velazquez – Assistant Lacrosse (Girls) – Step 1

Bridget McMahon – Assistant Softball – Step 1

Voting Aye: Spivey, Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, and Grzetich. Motion carried. Time: 7:26 p.m.

MOTION: Hoyt, seconded by Grzetich to approve the Assistant Superintendent’s contract extension for the 2025-2026 school year.

Voting Aye: Juskiewicz, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich, and Spivey. Motion carried. Time: 7:26 p.m.

MOTION: by Grzetich seconded, by Hoyt, for the Board of Education to uphold the recommendation by the administration on the individual student discipline as presented.

Voting Aye: Spivey, Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich. Abstained: Juskiewicz. Motion carried. Time: 7:27 p.m.

MOTION: Grzetich, seconded by Spivey to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with District 201 as presented.

Voting Aye: Hoyt, Hrechko, Grzetich, Spivey and Juskiewicz. Motion carried. Time: 7:27 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: by Grzetich, seconded by Spivey to adjourn the meeting.

Hearing no objections. Motion was approved. Time: 7:27 p.m.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1417?meeting=675371