Berwyn North School District 98 Board of Education met May 28

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Jun 11, 2020

Berwyn North School District 98 Board of Education met May 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Regular Meeting (Video Conference – Zoom Meeting) District Office

CALL TO ORDER: Meeting began at 6:33 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance led by Member Mounce

COMMUNICATIONS

A. Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Smith acknowledged Ms. Venus Smith, Principal of Prairie

Oak Elementary School for her many years of service. Ms. Venus Smith addressed the Board and community to express her appreciation and gratitude for the many years she served as Principal.

B. Superintendent Dr. Smith acknowledge the following Berwyn North District 98, 2019- 2020 Retirees during the meeting.

Certified Staff

Ligija Ambutas, Special Education Teacher, Lincoln Middle School, 15 Years

Kathryn Reich, DRC, Havlicek Elementary School, 23 Years

John Trumbull, Physical Education Teacher, Lincoln Middle School, 24 Years

Donna Carroll, 6th Grade Math Teacher, Lincoln Middle School, 29 Years

Karen Corcoran, 1st Grade Teacher, Jefferson Elementary School, 30 1/2 Years

Non-Certified Staff

Karen Williams, Assistant to Business Manager/Payroll, District Office, 15 Years

Mary Kusper, Curriculum Secretary, District Office, 19 Years

C. The Berwyn North School District 98 Board Members and Superintendent Smith wished Ms. Smith and all Retirees well in all their future endeavors.

PUBLIC COMMENT

A. Parent expressed her concern for the lack of adequate communication with parents in regards to summer school. She felt that teachers did not explain the process comprehensively and the communication sent out by the district was unclear. She expressed frustration at the lack of answers being provided from all sources and feels that social media is a good source of communication but should not be the sole source of communication with parents.

BOARD COMMENTS

A. Member Cuevas posed the question to Superintendent Smith, “With Phase 3 of Coronavirus under way what is the district doing to integrate?” Dr. Smith expressed that any integration would be with the expressed consent of parents. Because everyone’s schedules are not the same any plan that is put in place would have to have parent approval. The parents would be sent several options in a form of a survey. According to the results of that survey a plan would be put in place that best accommodates our families’ current situation.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approved Minutes

1. Regular Meeting Minutes - 4/30/2020

2. Executive Meeting Minutes - 4/30/2020

B. ApprovedPersonnel

1. New Hires:

2. Leaves:

• Kathleen McGowan, Teacher at Havlicek Elementary School, has requested a One Year Leave of Absence for the 2020-2021 school year.

3. Resignations:

• Venus Smith, Principal at Prairie Oak Elementary School, has submitted a Letter of Resignation effective June 30, 2020.

• Margaret Tapson, Special Education Specialist at Havlicek Elementary School, has submitted a Letter of Resignation effective June 30, 2020.

• Anna Katherine Barrett, Teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, has submitted a Letter of Resignation effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.

• Maria Garcia, Program Assistant at Havlicek Elementary School, has submitted a Letter of Resignation effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.

4. Intent to Return from One Year Leave of Absence:

• Maria Hernandez, Program Assistant at Prairie Oak Elementary, has expressed her intent to return for the 2020-2021 school year.

• Santa Ortega, Program Assistant at Havlicek Elementary School, has expressed her intent to return for the 2020-2021 school year.

5. Reassignment:

• Yajira Diaz, Assistant Principal at Prairie Oak Elementary School, has been reassigned from Part-Time Assistant Principal to Full-Time Assistant Principal of Prairie Oak Elementary School.

C. Approved Authorization of next month's payroll:

1. Approval of Invoices - $ 2,174,580.13

2. Approval of Monthly Payroll - $ 2,725,892.58

3. Approval of Authorization of next month's payroll – June

ACTION ITEMS

A. Tabled – Intergovernmental Agreement Harlem Avenue Amended TIF District

B. Tabled – Job Descriptions & Contracts

C. Tabled – 2020-2021 Updated Proposed School Calendar

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. Monthly Fund Report

Regina Johnson, Business Manager, presented the monthly fund report to the Board and community.

B. Preliminary FY21 Budget Presentation