Chicago Heights School District 170 Board of Education met June 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Upon roll call, those present were: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those absent were: Member Nevarez
Member Stringfellow
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Joseph Silvestri, Christopher Baikauskas, Artis McCann, William Seidelmann, and Keyara Bishop were in attendance.
There were no public comments.
SCHOOL DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS
● Congratulations to our 2021 Graduates from Chicago Heights Middle School. Thank you to the board members and school administrators for attending the two amazing ceremonies that were planned by the CHMS administrators and staff on June 3rd. A great deal of time and effort went into organizing this memorable event for our students and their families.
● Our last day with students was June 9th. There were end of the year celebrations across the district to say goodbye to the school year and to acknowledge the hard work and resilience shown by our students during remote and in person learning.
● Our last day with staff was June 10th. We celebrated the end of the year by presenting service awards to over 100 employees along with words of appreciation to the staff from Tom, Mary Kay and myself for their tireless dedication and never ending support for our students over the last 16 months. We topped the day off with lunch served by four food trucks in the courtyard at the middle school.
● Thank you to everyone who attended and volunteered for our 9th annual Chicago Heights District 170 Educational Foundation Golf Outing. We had a great turnout with beautiful weather. We appreciate the support everyone gave to make the event a success.
● District 170 will have summer school for our current kindergartners through 7th graders starting tomorrow, June 15th, through July 22nd. The K-4 students will be at their home schools and the 5th through 7th graders will be at CHMS. The sessions will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 am until 11:30 am for staff and 8:00 am until 11:00 am for students.
● In addition to summer school, the CHMS will be hosting summer camps. There will be two sessions that will be held on the same days of the week as summer school. They will run from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Students who attend summer school and the summer camp will have lunch between the two programs at the school.
● The 1st session is from June 15 to July 1st. Camp options include: softball, girls and boys volleyball, cheer, chess, speech, STEM, girls’ basketball, boys soccer and band.
● The 2nd session is from July 6th to July 22nd. Camp options include: softball, track and cross country, boys basketball, STEM, dance, baseball and girls’ soccer.
● We want to wish everyone a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer break!
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. Vice-President Cordes reminded the Board that they received an attachment for the Buildings & Grounds report.
B. Vice-President Cordes reminded the Board that they received an attachment for the Treasurer’s Report. C. Assistant Superintendent, CSBO Laretta Adams notified the Board that the District has received a request to begin negotiations with SEIU for the custodian and cafeteria contracts.
D. Assistant Superintendent, CSBO Laretta Adams informed the Board that Charles Derringer put in a FOIA Request for the color of the passenger buses, the date of previous flooding in the downtown Chicago Heights area and if there was an agreement to combined Ford Heights School District with Chicago Heights District 170 in order to build the middle school.
E. Assistant Superintendent Mary Kay Entsminger shared with the Board the professional development being offered to the staff.
F. Vice-President Cordes reminded the Board that the next meeting is on July 12, 2021 at 5:00 pm.
NEW BUSINESS
Member DiGiovanni and Vice-President Cordes complimented Mr. Seidelman on how well the graduation went this year. Member DiGiovanni also complimented the administration for having food trucks for the staff on the last day of school. Superintendent Tom Amadio thanked Assistant Superintendent Mary Kay Entsminger for the great job she did for the Foundation golf outing. Superintendent Amadio asked Mrs. Entsminger if she would continue on being the Education Foundation Board President after her retirement. Mrs. Entsminger agreed to stay on.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Member DiGiovanni moved, seconded by Member Propst , to enter into Executive Session at 5:21 pm to discuss:
Personnel
The appointment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine validity. 5ILCS120/2(c)(1)
Student disciplinary cases. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9)
The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(10)
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
President Costello moved, seconded by Member Cordes , to come out of Executive Session at 5:35 pm.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
ACTION TAKEN AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no action taken after Executive Session.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes (attachment)
The approval of the minutes of the Board Meeting held on May 03, 2021 and the minutes and Executive Session Minutes of the Special Board Meeting held on May 18, 2021.
B. District Invoices (attachment)
The approval of invoices for payment on 6/1/21, 6/14/21
C. Imprest Report (attachment)
The approval of the May , 2021 Imprest Report.
D. State & Federal Grant Invoices (attachment)
The approval of invoices for payment on 5/27/21, 6/14/21 & 6/18/21
E. District Pre-K Invoices (attachment)
The approval of invoices for payment on 6/15/21
F. ISC4 Invoices (attachment)
The approval of invoices for payment on 5/14/21
G. Personnel
1. Employment Pending Pre Employment Processing
The approval of the employment of the following persons:
a. Jennifer Aponte, Teacher 1st Grade, Washington - McKinley School, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
b. Michelle Belair, Teacher Kindergarten, Lincoln - Gavin School, effective 8/23/21
c. Olivia Boehm, Teacher Kindergarten, Washington - McKinley School, effective 8/23/21
d. Jacqueline Chan, Teacher 1st Grade, Wilson School, effective 8/23/21
e. Amber Clark, Teacher 1st Grade, Greenbriar School, effective 8/23/21
f. Ronald Coleman, Crossing Guard, Grant, effective 8/23/21
g. Shelbi DeWeeese, Instructional Coach, TBD, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
h. James Fallinske, Teacher Music, District, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
i. Emma Fleming, Teacher 1st Grade, Greenbriar School, effective 8/23/21
j. Allison Ford, Teacher Kindergarten, Greenbriar School, effective 8/23/21
k. Theodore Hattan, Teacher Music, Garfield & Greenbriar Schools, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
l. Lori Kirby, ESL Coach, Grant School, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
m. Diane Kostovski, Principal, Garfield School, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
n. Alexandra Kuersten, School Social Worker, Garfield & Kennedy Schools (change in position)
o. Beth Lamb, Instructional Coach, TBD - Gavin School, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
p. Safiyah Malvin, Assistant Principal, Washington - McKinley School,effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
q. Audrey Mlakar, Speech Language Pathologist, District, effective 8/23/21
r. Stephanie Robey, Teacher, Greenbriar School, effective 8/23/21 (change in site)
s. Joseph Silvestri, Principal, Washington - McKinley School, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
t. Amy Steepleton, Instructional Coach, TBD, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
u. Caleb Valentin, Assistant Principal, Garfield School, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
v. Tricia Wells, Instructional Coach, TBD, effective 8/23/21 (change in position)
w. Christine Zomparelli, Teacher 1st Grade, Washington-McKinley School, effective 8/23/21
2. Resignation(s)
The approval, with regret, of the resignation of the following person(s):
a. Dana Carlsen, Teacher, Greenbriar School, effective 6/10/21
b. Julie Lynch, Teacher, Greenbriar School, effective 6/10/21
c. Pamela Vittori, Interventionist, Lincoln-Gavin School, effective 6/10/21
d. LaTana Weems, Teacher, Jefferson School, effective 6/10/21
3. Retirement(s)
The approval, with regret, of the retirement of the following employee(s):
a. Alicia Diaz, Paraprofessional, Highland School,effective 6/11/21
b. Patrick Ward, Operations Manager, District, effective 6/30/21
4. Leave of Absence(s)
The approval of the following request(s) for a leave of absence:
a. Jasmin Garner, Custodian, Garfield & Wilson Schools, EFMLA effective 6/1/21- 6/4/21
b. Maria Esqueda, Bus Driver, District ,EFMLA, effective 5/19/21 - 6/1/21
c. Laura Raymond-Honkoski, Building Substitute, effective 5/18/21 - 5/21/21, Remote 80 Member Kelly moved, seconded by Member Cordes , to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
A. Approval for Annual Financial Review - Letter of Engagement GW & Associates, PC
President Costello moved, seconded by Member Propst, to approve the Annual Financial Review - Letter of Engagement GW & Associates, PC.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
B. Approval of the Heart That Smiles Mobile Dentist Agreement (attachment)
Member Cordes moved, seconded by Member Kelly, to approve the Heart That Smiles Mobile Dentist Agreement.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
C. Approval of Renewal of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Administrative Agreement
President Costello moved, seconded by Member DiGiovanni, to approve the Renewal of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Administrative Agreement.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
D. Approval of Renewal of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Benefit Program Application
Member Cordes moved, seconded by Member Kelly, to approve the Renewal of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Benefit Program Application.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
E. Approval of Renewal of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Stop Loss Coverage Policy
President Costello moved, seconded by Member DiGiovanni, to approve the Renewal of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Stop Loss Coverage Policy.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
F. Approval of Change order #10 Chicago Heights Construction Company, $17,467.30 -Chicago Heights Middle School (attachment)
President Costello moved, seconded by Member Propst, to approve Change Order #10 Chicago Heights Construction Company, $17,467.30- Chicago
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
G. Approval of Change Order #5 Larson Equipment and Furniture Company, $8,676 -Chicago Heights Middle School (attachment)
Change Order #5 Larson Equipment and Furniture Company, $8,676 - Chicago Heights Middle School was already approved at the December 2020 meeting.
H. First Reading and Approval of Board Policy 5:188 - Temporary Absence for Elected Officials (attachment)
Member Cordes moved, seconded by President Costello, to approve the First Reading and waive the Second and Third Readings of Board Policy 5:188 - Temporary Absence for Elected Officials.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
I. Approval of Review of Minutes December 2020 - May 2021 and the Destruction of Executive Session Tapes July 2019 - December 2019.
President Costello moved, seconded by Member DiGiovanni, to approve the Review of Minutes December 2020 - May 2021 and the Destruction of Executive Session Tapes July 2019 - December 2019.
Upon roll call, those voting yea: Member Cordes
Member DiGiovanni
Member Kelly
Member Propst
President Costello
Those voting nay: None
Motion Carried.
Member Cordes moved, seconded by President Costello , to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 pm.
https://www.sd170.com/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=176&dataid=7805&FileName=_JUNE%2014%202021%20MINUTES.pdf
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