Chicago Heights School District 170 Board of Education met Sept. 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, those present were: Member Castanon
Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Nevarez
President Costello
Those absent were: Member Karwowski
Member Sanders
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mamie Kernagis, Keyara Bishop, Gretchen Sutherland, Cara Pastere, Carla Piunti, Maricela Clark, Joseph Taylor, Christopher Baikauskas, William Seidelmann, Shannon Vera, Betty Panos, Kevin Angell, Dan Petrarca, Mario Planera were physically present for the meeting. Eve Russell, Karen Brennan, and Monica Prisco attended the meeting via Zoom.
Eve Russel addressed the Board questioning why she would be required to be evaluated this year as this is her last year before retirement. She also expressed concerns of teachers being evaluated while teaching via Zoom. Assistant Superintendent Mary Kay Entsminger responded that Union President Karen Brennan was presented with an MOU two weeks prior to the meeting and she is waiting for a response. Union President Karen Brennan thanked Superintendent Amadio for sitting down with her to clear up any misunderstandings between the union and the administration. The union will be meeting with the Superintendent to address the MOU in question. Monica Prisco, parent of students at Greenbriar School. Mrs. Prisco is concerned that there are 27 students in the kindergarten classroom. Assistant Superintendent Mary Kay Entsminger addressed her concerns, letting her know that she would work with Mr. Taylor to explore options for correcting this.
SCHOOL DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS
- Our highlight this month is the opening of the Chicago Heights Middle School. This school has been at least 9 years in the making. We are excited to showcase this state-of-the-art middle school with its collaborative learning pods, science labs, STEM room, fitness room, spectacular gymnasiums for sporting events, cafeteria with natural light, stage for drama, and so much more.
- Our student athletes are practicing and competing in girl’s softball and boy’s baseball. Sectionals start next week. We also have students participating in Cross Country through the second week of October. In addition, we have the first ever District 170 golf team. We have a group of 14 boys and girls who are playing at two local golf courses. They have two weeks left of their seasons.
- All winter and spring sports will run from January to May. They include: boys and girls’ basketball, boys and girls’ volleyball, soccer, track and bowling ( in Lynwood).
- Band and choir will be starting in the coming weeks.
- Another highlight leading up to the start of school was our opening Institute Day followed by four Remote Learning Days that Mary Kay will talk about.
INFORMATION ITEMS
A. Assistant Superintendent, CSBO Laretta Adams informed the Board that they received the buildings and grounds report as an attachment.
B. Assistant Superintendent, CSBO Laretta Adams informed the Board that they received the July Treasurer’s report as an attachment.
C. Assistant Superintendent, CSBO Laretta Adams shared with the Board that SmartProcure sent a FOIA request for vendor information and purchase orders
D. Assistant Superintendent, CSBO Laretta Adams informed the Board that they were provided with the Minimum Wage Increase- Public Act 101-0001 (Senate Bill 1) in an attachment.
E. Assistant Superintendent, CSBO Laretta Adams informed the Board that the QSCB update report was provided to them in an attachment. Dan Petrarca, Kevin Angell and Mario Planera were present to share details on the completion of the Chicago Heights Middle School and to answer any questions the Board may have had.
F. Assistant Superintendent Mary Kay Entsminger updated the Board on all of the professional development provided to the staff in the last month.
G. Vice-President James Cordes reminded the Board that the next board meeting would be on Monday October 05, 2020.
NEW BUSINESS
Member Lisa DiGiovanni shared with the Board that as a parent she is very happy with the way remote learning has started and thanked all the teachers for their hard work.
Superintendent Thomas Amadio recognized the principals and staff that were in attendance at the meeting.
Principal Cara Pastere shared with the Board that the Jones Memorial Center has opened their doors to thirty School District 170 students to assist with remote learning. Students arrive at 8:00 am and stay until 3:00 pm. Jones Center volunteers make sure the students are logged in every morning attending every class. The District has provided breakfast and lunch for those students. Students are socially distanced and have plexi glass surrounding them.
CONSENT AGENDA
The approval of the minutes and the Executive Session minutes of the Board Meeting held on August 10, 2020.
A. District Invoices (attachment)
The approval of invoices for payment on 8/20,20, 8/25/20,9/4/20, 9/14/20.
B. Imprest Report (attachment)
The approval of the August, 2020 Imprest Report.
C. State & Federal Grant Invoices (attachment)
The approval of invoices for payment on 8/25/20, 9/8/20 ,9/11/20.
D. District Pre-K Invoices (attachment)
The approval of invoices for payment on 9/14/20.
E. ISC4 Invoices (attachment)
The approval of invoices for payment on 8/3/20, 8/11/20 ,8/20/20 ,8/25/20 ,8/27/20 ,9/8/20.
F. Personnel
1. Employment Pending Pre Employment Processing
The approval of the employment of the following persons:
Lupita Arellano, Night Custodian, TBD, effective 9/14/20
Matthew Baltazar, Night Custodian, TBD, effective 9/14/20
Lori Barberi, Teacher 8th Grade ELA, Chicago Heights Middle School, effective 8/31/20 (change in position)
Tonya Bianchi, Paraprofessional, Jefferson School, effective 9/8/20
Daniella Carbajal, Administrative Assistant, Chicago Heights Middle School, effective 9/14/20 Lauren Cordes, Special Education Administrative Assistant, District, effective 9/14/20 (change in position) Tamara Dillard, Administrative Assistant, Chicago Heights Middle School, effective 9/14/20 (change in position)
Dave Dougherty, Teacher 7th Grade Math, Chicago Heights Middle School, effective 8/31/20 Deonna Grant-Stinson, Teacher 1st Grade, Kennedy School, effective 8/31/20 (change in position) Jasmin Garner, Custodian, TBD, effective 9/14/20
Juanita Guzman, Administrative Assistant, Chicago Height Middle School, effective 9/14/20 (change in site)
Vernell Hopkins, Teacher 8th Grade Math, Chicago Heights Middle School, effective 8/31/20 Laura Jones, Teacher Reading Specialist, Greenbriar School, effective 8/31/20 (change in position) Lindsey Keene, Teacher 8th Grade Science, Chicago Heights Middle School, effective 8/31/20 Bruce Korensky, Teacher 8th Grade Special Education, Chicago Heights Middle school, effective 8/31/20
Maria Parise, Administrative Assistant, District, effective 9/14/20
Julie Planera, Teacher General Behavior, Chicago Heights Middle School, effective 8/31/20 Jennifer Repking, Paraprofessional, Washington-McKinley School, effective 8/31/20
Croccifixio Villagomez, Night Custodian, TBD, effective 9/14/20
Ashlee Walik, Teacher 2nd Grade, Washington-McKinley School, effective 8/31/20 (change in position)
2. Resignation(s)
The approval, with regret, of the resignation of the following person(s):
Phillip Alexander, Interventionist, Jefferson School, effective 9/2/20
Kenneth Hanson, Teacher, Chicago Heights Middle School, effective 8/9/20
Felicia Jordan-Lee, Interventionist, Wilson School, effective 8/21/20
Caitie Kuemmeth, Interventionist, Washington-McKinley School, effective 8/24/20
Krystin Mahoney, Teacher, Washington-McKinley School, effective 8/18/20
Mary Tooks, Cafeteria Worker, Washington-McKinley School, effective 9/3/20
3. Retirement(s)
The approval, with regret, of the retirement of the following employee(s):
Maria Molina, One on One Facilitator, Grant School, effective 8/15/20
Louis Pignotti, Teacher, Roosevelt School, effective 9/16/20
President Costello moved, seconded by Member DiGiovanni , to approve the consent agenda tabling the hiring of employee 2 and employee 19 to the October 05, 2020 meeting.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Castanon
Member DiGiovanni
Member Nevarez
President Costello
Those Abstaining: Member Cordes
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
A. Approval of the Adoption of the 2020-2021 Budget
Member Cordes moved, seconded by President Costello , to approve the Adoption of the 2020-2021 Budget.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Castanon
Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Nevarez
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
B. Approval of the Adoption of the Purchasing, Procurement and Contracts Policy
Member Castanon moved, seconded by Member Cordes, to approve the Adoption of the Purchasing, Procurement and Contracts Policy.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Castanon
Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Nevarez
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
C. Approval of the Custodian/Maintenance Contract
Member Castanon moved, seconded by Member DiGiovanni, to approve the Approval of the Custodian/Maintenance Contract.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Castanon
Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Nevarez
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
D. Approval of the Food Service Contract
Member Cordes moved, seconded by President Costello, to approve the Food Service Contract.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Castanon
Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Nevarez
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
E. Approval of the Common Goal/Teacherease Contract Renewal
President Costello moved, seconded by Member DiGiovanni, to approve the Common Goal/Teacherease Contract Renewal.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Castanon
Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Nevarez
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
F. Review and Approval of 1st Reading of Updates and Revisal of Board Policy: 2:220, 2:260, 2:265, 4:180, 5:10, 5:20, 5:100, 5:220, 5:330, 7:10, 7:40, 7:180, 7:185, 7:190, 7:190-AP4, 7:340, 7:345.
Member Cordes moved, seconded by Member Castanon, to approve the Review and Approval of 1st Reading of Updates and Revisal of Board Policy: 2:220, 2:260, 2:265, 4:180, 5:10, 5:20, 5:100, 5:220, 5:330, 7:10, 7:40, 7:180, 7:185, 7:190, 7:190-AP4, 7:340, 7:345.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Castanon
Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Nevarez
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
ADJOURMENT
President Costello moved, seconded by Member Cordes , to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 pm.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Castanon
Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Nevarez
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
https://www.sd170.com/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=176&dataid=6929&FileName=SEPTEMBER%2014%202020%20MINUTES.pdf
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