South Cook News

Alsip, Hazelgreen, Oak Lawn School District 126 Board of Education met Sept. 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Board and audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Present:

Marigrace Sinnott-Snooks, President

Joe LaChica, Vice President

Lori Pierce, Secretary

Donna Waldrom

Harry Tannehill

Therese Zaker

Absent: Kim Powers

Also Present: Craig Gwaltney, Superintendent Steve Gress, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Lori Connolly, Director of Teaching and Learning Robert Condon, Director Special Education Various audience members (see attached sheet)

Approval of Minutes

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded by Joe LaChica, “To approve the minutes of the August 8, 2019 Regular Board Meeting”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: LaChica, Waldrom, Sinnott-Snooks, Tannehill, Pierce, Zaker. Nay: none. The motion carried 6-0.

Public Hearing

Donna Waldrom moved, seconded by Therese Zaker, “To open the Public Hearing on the 2019-2020 Budget as duly advertised”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: Waldrom, Sinnott-Snooks, Tannehill, LaChica, Pierce, Zaker Nay: none. The motion carried 6-0.

There were no questions, statements or positions by the audience or Board.

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded by Therese Zaker, “That the Public Hearing on the 2019-2020 Budget be closed”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: Sinnott-Snooks, Pierce, Zaker, Tannehill, LaChica, Waldrom. Nay: none. The motion carried 6-0.

Financial

Joe LaChica moved, seconded by Donna Waldrom, “To approve the Estimate of Revenue for the Fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020.” Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: Tannehill, LaChica, Waldrom, Sinnott-Snooks, Zaker, Pierce. Nay: none. The motion carried 6-0.

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded Therese Zaker, “To adopt the 2019-2020 Budget”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: LaChica, Waldrom, Zaker, Sinnott-Snooks, Pierce, Tannehill. Nay: none. The motion carried 6-0.

Joe LaChica moved, seconded by Donna Waldrom, “To adopt the Budget Resolution for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020. Said copy to appear at the end of the Minutes." Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: LaChica, Waldrom, Pierce, Sinnott-Snooks, Zaker, Tannehill, Nay: none. The motion carried 6-0.

Publication of legal notice of proposed Tax Levy and Publication of legal notice of Transfer Hearing Date is October 10, 2019, The proposed tax levy will be on display for 30 days.

Student/Staff/Audience Participation

Cindy Salus and Nicole Fahle introduced the Art Hall of Fame winners from Lane, Hazelgreen and Stony Creek.

The Principals introduced their new staff, National Board certified staff and newly-tenured staff members.

The Board took a short recess from 7:20pm to 7:30 p.m.

Consent Agenda

Therese Zaker moved, seconded by Donna Waldrom, “To approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of Policy 6:100”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: LaChica, Waldrom, Sinnott-Snooks, Tannehill, Pierce, Zaker. Nay: none. The motion carried 6-0.

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded by Therese Zaker, “To approve Policy 6:100 Using Animals in the Education Program”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: none. Nay: Sinnott-Snooks, LaChica, Zaker, Pierce, Tannehill, Waldrom. The motion passed 6-0.

Freedom of Information Act

Steve Gress stated that we received a FOIA request from Impact Networking and SmartProcure and we responded within the proper length of time.

Educational Report

Lori Connolly reported that keynote speaker, Julie Adams, address our staff at the second institute day on August 20th. Julie Adams is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher, Educator of the Year, and highly-respected international consultant. District staff received her book, #FULLLYCHARGED to read over the summer. Julie's engaging presentation to the staff expanded on several key takeaways from the book relating to neuroscience and its impact on academics and social and emotional health. Many staff members shared positive feedback on her presentation. Principals will be facilitating professional books talks with their staff this fall centered around the book. Julie came back for a parent night on September 5. It was very successful and we had very positive feedback from our parents. We are looking into bringing Julie back in the future.

Lori Connolly also stated the teachers have started assessing students' reading and math strengths. Fall MAP and Reading Inventory results will be reviewed near the end of this month once testing is completed. Results will be shared with the school board in October.

Lori updated the Board on the success of the Summer School Enrichment program. She reported that the kids loved it and they got see a food truck in action. We surveyed students, staff, and parents regarding this program and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. This program will be expanded for next summer.

Craig Gwaltney reported that total enrollment in the District remains the same. The Board will look at District Boundaries at the October Board Meeting.

Craig Gwaltney reported that the buses are running smoothly, with no major issues.

New Business

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded by Donna Waldrom, “To approve the 2019-2020 eLearning Program Plan”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: none. Nay: Sinnott-Snooks, LaChica, Zaker, Pierce, Tannehill, Waldrom. The motion passed 6-0.

Donna Waldrom moved, seconded by Joe LaChica, “To approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement between District 126 and the PSRP Local 943 effective July 1, 2019 through June 20, 2014”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: none. Nay: Sinnott Snooks, LaChica, Zaker, Pierce, Tannehill, Waldrom. The motion passed 6-0.

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded by Therese Zaker, "To approve the opening of a new checking account for the District 126 Early Childhood Center with the authorized signers, Gina Fiske and Zuleica Zalava”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: none. Nay: Sinnott-Snooks, LaChica, Zaker, Pierce, Tannehill, Waldrom. The motion passed 6-0.

Old Business

Craig Gwaltney updated the board on construction projects throughout the District.

Adjournment

Lori Pierce moved, seconded by Donna Waldrom, "To adjourn the meeting". Upon roll call, the vote as follows: Aye: Sinnott Snooks, Tannehill, Pierce, Zaker, LaChicay Waldrom. Nay: None. The motion carried 6-0 at 8:11 p.m.

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