West Cook News

Westchester School District 92.5 Board of Education met Nov. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

I. The regular meeting of the Board of Education of School District 9272, Westchester, Illinois, was held in the Westchester Middle School Multi-Purpose Room, at 1620 Norfolk Avenue, on Thursday, November 14, 2019, commencing at 6:32 p.m.

I.A. Roll Call: On the call of the roll the following members were found to be present: President Slager, Vice President Voegtle, Members Boyd, Ortiz, and Wesolowski. Member Douglas-Pieniazek and Secretary Quiroz were absent at the call of the roll. Also present at the meeting were Philip Salemi, Jakub Banbor, Shawn Barrett, Stephanie DelFiacco, Dennis Gress, Greg Leban, Beth Malinski, and Sheri Wagner. Guests present: Joan Arnold, Alicia Blair, Jennifer Ciastor, Angela Eichinger, Shaundra Heavens, Kelly Hernandez, Kumar Kayastha, Maureen Kernan, Jason Kluge, Sally Kuhn, Cathy Malloy, Elizabeth Pikes, Michelle Salazar, Christen Shorrock, and Lolita Washington-Moore.

Mrs. Wesolowski was appointed to serve as Secretary Pro-Tem for tonight's meeting.

I.B. Pledge of Allegiance: WIS Student Council representatives led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I.C. Approval of the Agenda as Presented: A motion was made by Mrs. Ortiz, seconded by Mr. Voegtle, that the Agenda be approved as presented. When the question was called, the vote was taken with the following results: 5 Ayes; 0 Nays; 2 Absent. The President declared the motion carried.

II.A District Achievements: President Slager thanked teachers and administrators who volunteered at McTeacher Night on October 16; noted that 25 students are participating in the origami and recycling clubs at WPS; congratulated WIS for receiving a commendable rating this past year; shared that eight WMS students had their art work exhibited at an art gallery; acknowledged WMS Alum, Kayla Johnston, for being named St. Joseph High School Charger of the Month for October; and congratulated the WMS Math Team for earning first place out of eight teams at a recent math contest held at PMSA.

II.B. Board Salute-Social Workers: President Slager recognized social workers Angela Eichinger (WPS), Christen Shorrock (WIS), and Maureen Kernan (WMS) for their dedication in advocating for our students every day.

III.A. Open the Public Hearing Regarding the E-learning Program: A motion was made by Mrs. Boyd, seconded by Mrs. Wesolowski, to open the public hearing regarding the E-Learning Program at 6:47 p.m., as advertised in the Chicago Sun-Times. When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Ave, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager: 0 Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried.

Public Comments: None.

III.B. Adjourn the Public Hearing Regarding the E-learning Program: A motion was made by Mr. Voegtle, seconded by Mr. Slager, to adjourn the public hearing regarding the E-Learning Program at 7:35 p.m. When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager; O Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried.

IV. Audience Comments None.

V. Approve the Consent Agenda as Presented: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, a motion was made by Mrs. Wesolowski, seconded by Mr. Voegtie, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

B. Approve the minutes of the October 17, 2019 Regular Meeting Open Session as written.

C. Approve the minutes of the October 24, 2019 Special Meeting Open Session as written.

D.1. Accept the resignations, with regret, of the following support staff members, with regret, effective as stated:

• Dinah Schaffer WPS-Cafeteria Supervisor October 17, 2019

• Mehreme Selimi WIS-Cafeteria Supervisor October 18, 2019

D.2. Approve the employment of the following support staff members, as assigned by the administration, effective as stated, for the 2019-2020 school year:

• Irma Perez WIS-Cafeteria Supervisor October 28, 2019

• Argelia Ortiz Barajas WPS-Cafeteria Supervisor October 29, 2019 Approve the Second

E. Reading of the following Board of Education policies as presented:

• Policy 5:310 Compensatory Time-Off

• Policy 5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves

When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager; 0 Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried.

VI.A. Approve the Bills, Claims and Payrolls as Presented: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, a motion was made by Mr. Voegtle, seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, that the bills and claims in the amount of $939,345.73 and payrolls in the amount of $1,209,255.46 be approved and authorized for payment. When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager; 0 Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried.

VI.B. Approve the Resolution to Adopt E-learning Program in Lieu of District's Scheduled Emergency Days: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, a motion was made by Mr. Slager, seconded by Mrs. Wesolowski, to approve the Resolution to Adopt E-Learning Program in Lieu of District's Scheduled Emergency Days. When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager; 0 Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried.

VI.C. Approve The Resolution Regarding The Estimated Amounts Necessary to be Levied for the Year 2019 And Schedule The Tax Hearing For December 12, 2019: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, a motion was made by Mrs. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Voegtle, to approve the resolution regarding the estimated amounts necessary to be levied for the year 2019 and schedule the tax levy hearing to be held on December 12, 2019. When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager; 0 Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried.

VI.D. Approve the Revision and Adoption of Board of Education Policies as Presented: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, a motion was made by Mrs. Wesolowski, seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, to approve the revision and adoption of the following Board of Education policies as presented:

• Policy 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment

• Policy 5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited

• Policy 7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited

When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager; 0 Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried.

VII.A. Policy Discussion (Policy 7:270 - Administering Medicines to Students): Illinois School Code permits a district to supply certain undesignated medications. The Board discussed the options listed in PRESS and the draft policy will be brought before the Board for First Reading at a future Board meeting,

VII.B. Student Information System Discussion: Mr. Banbor, Mr. Gress and Mr. Salemi have looked into switching from eSchool to PowerSchool due to the lack of technical support available since School was purchased by PowerSchool. PowerSchool is more user friendly, has a cleaner look, and is used by many surrounding school district. More information, including pricing, will be presented at the December 12 meeting.

VIII. Information Items

A. School Board Members Day: November 15th is School Board Members Day. Members of the Board of Education were presented with a token of appreciation from students and staff for their dedicated leadership and service to the children of our community. President Slager was also presented with a certificate from IASB recognizing him as a Master School Board Member.

B. Correspondence: Mr. Slager shared information regarding events held in conjunction with the IASB/IASA/IASBO conference later this month.

C. Board President's Report: An intergovernmental meeting is being scheduled for November 20 at the Village Hall, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

D. Legislative Report: None.

E. IASB West Cook Report: Mrs. Wesolowski and Mr. Salemi attended the West Cook Division Dinner Meeting on October 22, 2019. A panel of professionals presented factors a district should consider when confronting the act of student cyberbullying.

F. FOIA Requests: No FOIA requests were received in October.

G. Superintendent's Report: Mr. Salemi noted that the Administrative Team and social workers attended a threat assessment workshop earlier today. He also commented that the Strategic Planning Team met on November 13 for a setting direction retreat and draft mission statement, vision statement and plan options will be shared with staff and the community. He updated the Board on the status of preparing for the Compliance Evaluation Visit and Health/Life Safety Inspection to be conducted by West 40 in January. A Special Board Meeting was scheduled for December 3, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. to take action on a residency determination and policy revisions.

H. Administrator Reports: The reports were available on Board Docs.

IX.A. Board Retired to Closed Session: A motion was made by Mrs. Wesolowski, seconded by Mrs. Boyd, that the Board retire into Closed Session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees; and the placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students. When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager; 0 Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried and the Board retired at 9:09 p.m.

IX.B. Board Reconvenes: The Board reconvened in Open Session after the conclusion of its Closed Session at 10:18 p.m.

X.A. Motion to Accept and Adopt the Report of the Residency Hearing Officer Regarding Students #20191016215A, #20191016215B and #20191016215C. Held on October 16. 2019. And determine the Students #20191016215A, #20191016215B and #20191016215C are not Legal Residents of District 921/2: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, a motion was made by Mrs. Boyd, seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, to accept and adopt the written report of the Residency Hearing Officer regarding Students #20191016215A, #20191016215B and #20191016215C, held on October 16, 2019, at 2:15 p.m., and determine that Students #20191016215A, #20191016215B and #20191016215C are not legal residents of District 921/2. The amount of tuition due is $9,921.45. When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager; O Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried.

X.B. Select the District 9212 "Person of the Year" For 2019: A motion was made by Mr. Slager, seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, to select Jakub Banbor as District 921/2 "Person of the Year" for 2019. When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager; 0 Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. The President declared the motion carried.

XI. Advanced Planning: None.

XII. Adjournment: A motion was made by Mrs. Wesolowski, seconded by Mrs. Ortiz, that the Board meeting be adjourned. When the question was called, the Roll Call Vote was taken with the following results: 5 members voting Aye, Boyd, Ortiz, Wesolowski, Voegtle, Slager, O Nays; 2 Absent, Douglas-Pieniazek, Quiroz. President declared the motion carried. The President declared the motion carried and the Board adjourned at 10:28 p.m.

https://www.sd925.org/pdfs/Minutes-Regular%20Meetings/11_14_19.pdf