South Cook News

Alsip, Hazelgreen, Oak Lawn School District #126 Board of Education met Nov. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Board and audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL Secretary Pierce called the roll.

Present:

Marigrace Sinnott-Snooks, President 

Lori Pierce, Secretary 

Therese Zaker 

Harry Tannehill 

Joe LaChica

Absent:

Kim Powers 

Donna Waldrom

Also Present;

Craig Gwaltney, Superintendent 

Steve Gress, Assistant Superintendent 

Lori Connolly, Director of Teaching and Learning 

Robert Condon, Director of Special Education

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded by Therese Zaker, “To approve the minutes of the October 10, 2019 Board Meeting". Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: Sinnott-Snooks, LaChica, Tannehill, Pierce, Zaker. Nay: Münya OYSseconded by th none. The motion carried 5-0.

CONSENT AGENDA 

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded by Joe Lachica, “To approve the Consent Agenda”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: Sinnott-Snooks, Zaker, LaChica, Pierce, Tannehill. Nay: none. The motion carried 5-0.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 

Steve Gress reported we received a FOIA from Canon Solutions America, Expert Chemical and Supply and ABC and we responded within the proper time frame.

FINANCIAL 

Joe LaChica moved, seconded by Harry Tannehill, “As there is no regular December meeting, to authorize the Superintendent to pay bills for the period of November 8, 2019 through December 13, 2019, said payment to be ratified at the January 9, 2020 Board Meeting". Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: Zaker, Pierce, LaChica, Sinnott-Snooks, Tannehill. Nay: none. The motion carried 5-0.

Joe LaChica moved, seconded by Therese Zaker, “To accept the report of the independent auditors for the Fiscal Year 2019.” Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: Sinnott-Snooks, Zaker, LaChica, Pierce, Tannehill. Nay: none. The motion carried 5-0.

EDUCATIONAL REPORT 

Lori Connolly reported that this year, both our literacy consultant/coach and our math coach through MCMI are facilitating lesson study collaborations. The lesson study process involves teams of teachers coming together to become the teaches the manlanned accon while there of the team discuss and plan for a lesson. Then, a teacher from the team teaches the co-planned lesson while the rest of the team observes. The focus of the observation is on the students. The focus for the year is on the ELA 6th-8th grade teachers to help support their second year implementation of the StudySync program. In math, the kindergarten and 5th grade teams have been identified to participate in this professional development opportunity. Kindergarteners are our youngest learners and 5th grade transitions from the Everyday Math (EM) program to the Connected Mathematics Program (CMP). The first round of collaborations are finishing up this week and the next round will be held in the late winter.

Lori also stated that High School District 218 announced students from Shepard and Richards High Schools qualified as Advanced Placement Scholars. The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school and to receive college credit. The College Board honors outstanding performance on AP exams. District 126 graduates were well represented with about 20% of the recipients having graduated from our school district! Congratulations to all the recipients!

Lastly, Lori spoke about the parent education opportunities District 126 provides for our families. The district is planning to host an SEL Parent Night for all district families on January 14th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. We have structured the evening for parents to attend break out sessions of their choosing. The sessions will include ideas ranging from establishing routines at home, mindfulness practices, managing technology at home, and learning about the district's SEL programs. Teachers have been invited to facilitate the sessions and plans are in the works. Food will be provided and a number of prizes will be given out. We are looking forward to providing an informative and interactive parent night.

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded by Lori Pierce, “To approve the Prairie Junior High Washington, DC trip from March 21, 2020 through March 25, 2020.” Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: Pierce, LaChica, Sinnott Snooks, Tannehill, Zaker. Nay: none. The motion carried 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS 

Harry Tannehill moved, seconded by Joe LaChica, “That after a review of all of the Closed Session Minutes and audiotapes, the Closed Session Minutes of and August 8, 2019 will remain closed to the public due to the confidential nature of the topics discussed and the listing of specific individuals; audiotapes from February 8, 2018, March 8, 2018 and April 12, 2018 will be destroyed. All Closed Session minutes previously reviewed by the Board and designated to be closed will remain closed to the public”. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Aye: Pierce, LaChica, Sinnott-Snooks, Tannehill, Zaker, Nay: none. The motion carried 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT 

Therese Zaker moved, seconded by Lori Pierce, "To adjourn the meeting". Upon roll call, the vote as follows: Aye: Sinnott-Snooks, Tannehill, Zaker, LaChica, Pierce. Nay: None. The motion carried 5-0 at 7:35p.m.

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