Brookwood School District 167 Board of Committee met Dec. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ROLL CALL
President Doreen Davis called the Board of Education Committee Meeting of Brookwood School District 167 was called to order at 7:00 pm
Roll call was answered by: Vice President Sandra Washington, Secretary Mary Taylor, Member John Dixon, Member Tiffany Graham, Member Roslon Seals, Member Toleda Hart and President Doreen Davis.
7-Present
0-Absent
II. CITIZEN’S COMMENTS: (Limited to Agenda Items) NONE
III. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Bethany Lindsay:
Good Evening Board of Education, and Community Members; tonight Board I have a book that I have given you to add to your Board Library, “The Perfect Board” by Calvin K. Clemons. I want wish you Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. We do have a holiday staff appreciation luncheon at each school. To show our appreciation to our educators and the staff at each school. Board of Education Members you have an invite to the schools for our luncheon and we will be showing appreciation to our educators and the support staff who are with our students everyday. We will be inviting our community partners to our lunches at each school. Four luncheons will take place the week of December 16th; one dedicated to each school.
I also want to say Happy Birthday to our President, Doreen Davis, and her birthday is the week. In front of you, you have a revised up-to-date staffing plan, so you can track as we fill each vacancy. We are almost at a full staff as we continue to interview for positions. You also have a summary of our November attendance. Our display boards are up and being fully implemented at each building on a daily basis. I want to thank the principals for supporting this initiative; to emphasize to students and parents how important it is to be in attendance at school, you have to be present to learn. Ninety percent of success is showing up and being on-time, ready to learn. I applaud all four schools for being above 90%; are goal is to reach 95% or higher. Keep up the good work.
A. Tax Levy Resolution by Debra Sudd, CSBO & Rob Grossi, Township Treasurer
Tonight we have Rob Grossi and Debra Sudd. They will give a presentation on our tax levy. In November we presented the tentative Tax Levy. Tonight you will be asked to vote on the Tax Levy; the numbers have not changed. Once the board approves the tax levy tonight the Business Manager will submit to the Cook County Treasurers office.
B. Update on Property Tax Relief Grant
The Property Tax Relief Grant would give the district about 800,000 as tax relief to the homeowners. It was created to give relief because the taxes are so high. We will find out in January if we are a recipient of the tax relief grant.
C. STR Presentation: 10-year Life Safety & Facilities Surveys
Presentation on Life Safety Report and findings; as well as the recommendations. We have completed the Life Safety Report and it is a living document that has been turned over to the district. The Life Safety is mandated by the state Illinois for code violations. The Facility Survey deals with maintenance forecast; it allows the district to plan ahead, it is a tool for the district. It was suggested to revitalize the facility planning committee to help prioritize the recommended work. The plan is to submit the Life Safety report in the spring.
D. Illinois School Report Card Presentation by Principals
Tonight we have an update from our school principals, they will give a brief summary on the Illinois School Report card from their school. Kathy Hatczel will do an introduction on the district and then the principals will talk about each school report card.
IV. BOARD REPORTS
President Davis reviewed Board of Education Policy Reviews on the following policies: 2:230, 5:30, 5:180, 5:200, 5:220, 5:290, 6:20, 6:150, 6:220, 7:260, 4:130-E, 6:135, 2:220-E8 & 3:40-E
These policies are up for review to be approved at the January 13th meeting.
V. BOARD COMMENTS
Member Hart, I would like to thank the teachers and staff for all of the dedication and hard work; it is appreciated. I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday and have a blessed and safe holiday season. Thanks Superintendent Lindsay for always being so attentive, it is appreciated and Happy Birthday to President Davis.
Member Dixon wished a Happy Birthday to President Davis. Happy Holidays to everyone who is here. We appreciate you being here and working with Brookwood School District 167.
I want to just touch on a few of the sessions I attended at the IASB conference; one was defining the culture, dealing with equity among cultures. Dealing with equity in your district. Equalness, fairness and justice for all; it can only work if everyone works together. The conference discussed each student getting the same opportunities and what they need. Equity before Equality; this should be part of our organizational plan. Very interesting session. Next session some politicians came in talking about basic skills testing, maintenance plan and funding from gaming. Another session was about websites and the developers.
Member Seals states Mrs. Doreen Davis,
Board Policy 2:100.
The Board President Is To:
1) Focus The Board Meeting Agenda On Appropriate Content And Preside At All Meetings. 2) Make All Board Committee Appointments Unless Specifically State Otherwise. (At This Time There Are No Board Committee's)
3) Attend And Observe Any Board Committee Meetings At His/Her Discretion. (Once Again, This Is The First Time In Six Years, There Are No Board Committee's. How Will The Teacher And Staff Support Person Of The Year Be Selected)?
4) Represent The Board On Other Board's Or Agencies.
5) Sign Official District Documents Requiring The President's Signature Including Board Minutes And Certificate Of Tax Levy.
6) Call Special Meetings Of The Board.
7) Serve As The Head Of The Public Body For the Purpose Of The Open Meetings Act And Freedom Of Information Act.
8) Ensure That A Quorum Of The Board Is Physically Present At All Board Meetings.
9) Administer The Oath Of Office To New Board Members. (Past Board Presidents Have Administered The Oath Of Office. Mrs. Doreen Davis Chose To Have The Board's Attorney Administer The Oath Of Office).
10. Serve As The Board's Official Spokesperson To The Media.
Board Policy 2:140.
Individuals Board Members Will Make It Clear When They Are Speaking As Individuals About Their Personal Opinions And Not On Behalf Of The Board As A Whole.
Board Policy 2:160.
The Superintendent, His Or Her Designee And Any Board Member Are Authorized To Confer With And/Or Seek The Legal Advice Of The Board's Attorney.
Board Member Code Of Conduct 280-E
6. I Will Encourage And Respect The Free Expression Of Opinion By My Fellow Board Members And Will Participate In Board Discussion In An Open, Honest, And Respectful Manner, Honoring Differences Of Opinion Or Perspective.
Board Member Oath 2:80.
I Shall Respect Taxpayer Interest By Serving As A Faithful Protector Of The School's District's Assets. (Mrs. Doreen Davis Chose To Give The Board More Out Of State Travel Instead Of Providing Mentoring Services for Our Young Male Students).
When You Call The District Office, The Pleasant Voice Says "Thank You For Calling Brookwood School District 167 Where 21st Century Learning And Students Come First." I Think Not.
Board Policy 5:20. Workplace Harassment Prohibited.
The School District Expects The Workplace Environment To Be Productive, Respectful, And Free Of Unlawful Harassment. District Employees Shall Not Engage In Harassment Of Abusive Conduct On The Basis Of An Individual Race, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Age, Citizenship Status, Disability, Or Other Protected Status Identified In Board Policy 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity And Minority Recruitment. Harassment Of Students, Including But Not Limited To Sexual Harassment Is Prohibited By Board Policy 7:20 Harassment Of Students Prohibited. All Provisions Of This Policy And It's Applicants Shall Apply To Board Members Unless The Provision Arose From A Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The Annual Planning & Evaluation Cycle. (Are We following This, Mrs. Davis)?
1) In June/July, The Board And Superintendent Agree On Goals for The Year.
2) In July/August, The Administration Creates "Action Plans" With Required Resources And Accountability (Approved By The Board).
3) In August/September, The Superintendent Gives Authority And Resources To Reach Goals. Superintendent Creates Goals For His/Her Work (Approved by The Board).
4) In October, The Board Evaluates Its Own Process And Effectiveness.
5) In November, December, March And June, The Superintendent Completes A Self-Evaluation Of Work And Program Toward Goals.
6) In March, The Board Evaluates The Superintendent Goals In Light Of Progress Towards Goals.
7) In June/July, The Board Evaluates Progress Towards District Goals And Changing Internal And External Realities.
Goals for March-July Should Be Completed Next Year. Has The Board Completed Number 1-5 For 2019? That's The Question For The Board's Leader.
Mrs. Doreen Davis, A Few Months After You Were Appointed To The Board, You Read In Open Session A Two Page Statement That Repeatedly Threw The Board Under the Bus. A Group Of Employees Who Are Your Friends Clapped And Cheered After You Read Your Letter. These Same Group Of Employees Who Are Your Friends Along With Former Administration Filed A Grievance Against Me. That $16,000.00 Should Have Been Spent On Out Students.
Mrs. Davis, I Have Requested That You Be Transparent With The Board, That You Inform The Board When The Board's Attorney Will Be Present, That The Board Have A Meeting At Longwood's School, That The Police And Fire Chief Be Honored, And That It Has Been A Practice Before Citizens Speak That They State Their Name/Address for The Record.
Mrs. Doreen Davis, No One Should Be Calling You For Your Permission So That I Can Volunteer In Our District. I Have Volunteered My Services For The Last 6 Years After Retiring With Twenty (20) Years Of Service.
I Have Been Elected And Re-Elected To The Board. I Will Continue To Serve Our Students, Community And Staff, And Request Mentoring Services For Our Male Students.
Normally, Sensitive Matters Are Discussed In Closed Sessions. We Had A Closed Session At Our Last Meeting But Mrs. Doreen Davis Chose To Use Her Agenda For The Board Meeting.
Tomorrow Is Former Board Member Mr. Mark Myers Birthday. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mr. Mark Myers, My Brother And Friend. You Are Greatly Missed.
Vice President Washington would like to thank the staff and the community; as well as extend a Happy Holiday Season for everyone. I appreciate everything that our staff does and looking at the progress, I think we are doing a great job in our district. Keep up the good work. As Member Dixon mentioned we did get a chance to attend the Triple I conference, which was very insightful focusing on students health and wellness of our students. Let’s not get discouraged at the numbers, but keep focusing on their health and wellness.
President Davis said she wanted to bring to the Board’s attention that there was an item that should have been placed there from last month, but it’s not there. I chose to remove the censorship to meet with Ms. Seals and try to get some results; I did reach out trying to schedule some meetings, to no avail, there was push back. To be transparent I will be moving on to put that on the January agenda.
Member Seals states to be transparent you and I could not agree on a time to meet. President Davis that’s not true
Member Seals it is true
VI. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
A. Approval of Tax Levy Resolution 2019
Approved: 7-0
Seals/Washington
B. Approval of Resolution Reduction of Certain Fund Levies
Approved: 7-0
Seals/Washington
C. Approval of Resolution of Loss and Cost Factor
Approved: 7-0
Seals/Washington
D. Authorization for Application for Illinois Property Tax Relief Grant
Approved: 7-0
Seals/Dixon
E. Approval of a Resolution Referring a Mid-year Teacher Resignation to the Illinois State Superintendent of Education for Investigation according to 24-14 of the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/24-14
Approved: 5-2
Seals/Washington
F. Approval to hire Melva Jackson as a paraprofessional for Longwood Elementary School for the 2019-2020 school year at a rate of $16.92 per hour per the USA contract
Approved: 7-0
Seals/Dixon
G. Approval of IASB Press Policies: 2:120, 5:60, 6:240, 6:250, 6:340, 7:10, 7:15, 7:50, 7:340
Approved: 7-0
Seals/Washington
H. Approval to use Maxim Healthcare Services for healthcare related services as needed and mandated by students’ IEP
Approved: 7-0
Seals/Graham
I. Approval of the Illinois Quality Framework/Plans for Brookwood Middle School and Brookwood Junior High School as mandated by ISBE
Approved: 7-0
Seals/Washington
J. Approval to pay Accounts Payable Pre-List in the Amount of $663,258.79, Imprest Account in the amount of $0.00, and Total Payroll in the Amount of $682,285.16, for a Grand Total Amount of $1,345,543.
Approved: 7-0
Seals/Taylor
K. Approval of November 11, 2019 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
Approved: 6-1
Seals/Dixon
VIII. CITIZEN’S COMMENTS:
Jennifer CeCe thanked the district for allowing the PTO to host again this year the Holiday gift shop at each school. Thanks to the principals for assisting and making it a success. The children enjoyed the shopping experience.
Mrs. CeCe also stated, “We all understand the toll it takes for us to work together, but we have to for the good of our students. I strongly encourage for things to be handled and approached in a different manner. Should a new parent have attended this evening, they would have been turned off by the comments.”
Motion to adjourn the meeting.
Adjournment at 8:42 p.m. ALL AYE
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