Berkeley School District 87 Board of Education met Feb. 28.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Hightower at 7:38 pm in the Boardroom of the Administration Office, 1200 N. Wolf Road, Berkeley, IL.
ROLL CALL
On roll call by the secretary, the following were present: Members Hightower, Jackson, Mason, O’Connell, and Sosa. Absent: Chavez and Mora. Also present were Dr. Sullivan, Mrs. Zimmerman, Mrs. Vince, Mrs. Travis, Mr. White and Mr. Byrne.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
SUNNYSIDE-MACARTHUR A/V PROJECT – REJECT ALTERNATE #1
Member O’Connell moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE BOARD REJECT ALTERNATE 1 FROM 22 TONES FOR THE SUNNYSIDE-MACARTHUR A/V PROJECT AS PRESENTED.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
RILEY/NORTHLAKE A/V PROJECT – REJECT ALTERNATE # 1
Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE BOARD REJECT ALTERNATE 1 FROM 22 TONES FOR THE RILEY/NORTHLAKE A/V PROJECT AS PRESENTED.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION / WRITTEN:
Member O’Connell moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT ALL CORRESPONDENCE BE PUT ON FILE AS PRESENTED EXCEPT THAT WHICH REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION / ORAL:
Mrs. Pia Davis discussed the topic of students’ education and interaction/communication with parents. She stated she notices a difference in the education her oldest children received compared to the education her youngest child is receiving now. She also stated that she believes the curriculum has changed and wishes that the parents could be more involved in the schools.
Mrs. Nikeisha Wicks expressed her concern about the school district curriculum and the state of the schools’ environment. She stated how that has impacted her children and her decision to disenroll them.
CONSIDERATION OF OLD BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Sosa, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022, AND THE CLOSED SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 2022, BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED TO BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
REPORTS
SUPERINTENDENT None
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION None
BUSINESS SERVICES
Mrs. Vince reviewed the Accounts and Claims payable figures and Member O’Connell moved, seconded by Member Sosa, THAT THE EXPENDITURES BE APPROVED IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,963,358.02, AS FOLLOWS:
PAYROLL 01/31/22………………………………………. . $ 848,422.61
PAYROLL 02/15/22………………………………………. . $ 958,422.32
REGULAR BOARD ACCOUNTS PAYABLE LISTINGS $ 1,198,560.00
P-CARD FUND LISTING……………………………..…. . . $ 18,467.88
REFERENDUM PROJECTS …………………………… $ 2,939,485.21
TOTAL $ 5,963,358.02
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
MONTHLY BUILDING REPORT
Mrs. Vince explained the Monthly Building Rental Report is submitted for information purposes only.
FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION None
SPECIAL SERVICES None
HUMAN RESOURCES None
OTHER OLD BUSINESS None
CLOSED SESSION
Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Mora, THAT THE BOARD RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER A STUDENT DISCIPLINE/ RESIDENCY MATTER; TO CONSIDER THE PURCHASE/LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC BODY; TO CONSIDER INFORMATION REGARDING APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, OR DISMISSAL OF AN EMPLOYEE OR OFFICER; OR TO CONSIDER PENDING LITIGATION.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
The Board recessed to closed session at 07:59 pm.
The Board reconvened to open session at 09:30 pm with all members present except Member Chavez and Mora.
REPORTS OF THE BOARD:
PAEC. Member O’Connell reported on the Special meeting held on January 27, 2022, and the regular meeting held on February 16, 2022. At the special meeting, The Governing Board held a public hearing and approved the initial proposal of e-learning in lieu of emergency days as presented. At the regular meeting, The Governing Board approved the minutes of January 19, 2022, meeting, as presented. They approved the consent agenda which includes payroll, bills, new business, employment, resignations, and terminations as presented. The Governing Board approved an intermittent FMLA leave request for a program assistant at the PAEC center. The Governing board approved the rental agreements for a PAEC staff member, a baseball coach for Proviso East, to rent the PAEC high school gym beginning February 1, 2022, as presented. They also approved the contractual agreements for two new speech-language pathologists as presented. The Governing Board conducted a second reading on the 50 policies that were presented, and they were all accepted. The next regular Board meeting will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2022.
IASB No Report
EDUCATION & FINANCE No Report
POLICY & LEGISLATION No Report
FACILITIES The minutes from the Facilities Committee Meeting held on January 24, 2022
are included in the Board packet.
HEALTH/SAFETY & TRANSPORTATION No Report
PUBLIC RELATIONS No Report
PARENT-TEACHER DISCIPLINE ADVISORY No Report
BILINGUAL ADVISORY No Report
FOOD SERVICE ADVISORY No Report
SUPERINTENDENT:
LICENSED PERSONNEL – RESIGNATION
None
LICENSED PERSONNEL – LEAVE OF ABSENCES
Member Jackson moved, seconded by Member O’Connell, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE FOLLOWING LICENSED LEAVE REQUESTS, AS PRESENTED FOR:
MARISA HERRELL
TYNISH FLOWERS
AMY BRYERS
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF - RESIGNATIONS
Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Sosa, THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF RESIGNATION:
ESMERALDA ARMENTA EFFECTIVE 2/22/2022
MADELINE WRZECIONA EFFECTIVE 2/11/2022
GERALDINE ALEXANDER EFFECTIVE 1/05/2022
MARICELA ARECHIGA EFFECTIVE 2/25/2022
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF – LEAVE OF ABSENCES
Member O’Connell moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE FOLLOWING LEAVE REQUEST, AS PRESENTED:
KENYA GUZMAN SANDOVAL
TRACY BROWN
FERNANDO FLORES PINEDA
ESMERALDA ARMENTA
ELZBIETA SIWEK
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
POLICIES – ADOPTION
NONE
FUNDRAISERS
Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Sosa, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE FOLLOWING FUNDRAISER, AS PRESENTED:
SOUTHSIDE PTO PAPA JOHNS PIZZA FUNDRAISER
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
DONATIONS
BASED ON POLICY 237.00, THE FOLLOWING DONATIONS WERE ACCEPTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT: A DONATION OF $150 IN GIFT CARDS FROM BROTHERS MEXICAN GRILL TO DISTRICT 87 A DONATION OF $40 IN GIFT CARDS FROM CUOMO’S CATERING TO DISTRICT 87
A DONATION OF $40 IN GIFT CARDS TO DISTRICT 87
No action was required by the board
STUDENT RESIDENCY
Member O’Connell moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTIFIES THE PARENTS OF STUDENT “A” AND “B” THAT, BECAUSE OF RESIDENCY REGULATIONS, THE STUDENTS WILL BE DISENROLLED FROM DISTRICT 87 SCHOOLS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, AS PRESENTED.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
DECLASSIFY SERIES OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
Member Mora moved, seconded by O’Connell, THAT THE BOARD DECLASSIFY THE FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION MINUTES, AS PRESENTED: MAY 24, 2021 #1, MAY 24, 2021 #2, JULY 26, 2021, AUGUST 30, 2021, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 AND OCTOBER 25, 2021.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
MONTHLY REPORT
Dr. Sullivan reported that the ESSER Use of Funds Page has been posted on the district’s website. His team is working on updating the Berkeley Blueprint due to the new and constant changes to COVID mitigations. He mentioned that the use of face masks in schools is now optional but still highly recommended. He has been working on Systems Assessment, Focus Groups, and Strategic Planning to drive school improvement efforts and the district’s five-year plan. He plans to present preliminary staffing recommendations for 2022-2023 in March. He also presented a Draft of the 2022-2023 School Calendar.
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
MONTHLY REPORT
Mrs. Zimmerman reported that 3 e-learning days were used due to inclement weather. She explained the District’s e-learning plan. 84% of students attended e-learning classes. Teachers and families gave positive feedback on the e-learning days. She hopes to re-new the e-learning plan in the fall. She gave a Winter data overview of student growth in math and reading. She gave an ELA Pilot Update; she explained the English and Spanish versions of the pilot program. The pilot is coming to an end, and she will make a recommendation next month. She discussed implementing a 6th Grade Spanish elective course. 6th-grade students will benefit from this course and she will present a formal proposal in March.
Summer School planning has begun. The proposal and planning details will be presented in March. The team has been working on threat assessment training and teams. They have been partnering with local law enforcement to help build a comprehensive plan for the district.
She notified the Board that the district has received grant funding to support the District’s McKinney Vento students
TECHNOLOGY
MONTHLY REPORT : None
BUSINESS SERVICES
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
Mrs. Vince reviewed the Summary of Budget, Statement of Position, and Student Activity Reports for the period ending 2/28/22.
APPROVE E-RATE VENDOR CONTRACT
Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Jackson, THAT THE BOARD APPROVES THE E-RATE CATEGORY TWO VENDOR CONTRACT WITH E2 SERVICES, INC. FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR PENDING ATTORNEY REVIEW AS, PRESENTED.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
APPROVE CHANGE ORDER #1 – JEFFERSON SITE IMPROVEMENT
Member O’Connell moved, seconded by Member Sosa, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE CHANGE ORDER ONE, AS PRESENTED.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
CHANGE ORDERS #34-39 2020 REFERENDUM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Member Mason moved, seconded by Member O’Connell, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS #34-39, AS PRESENTED.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
APPROVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS CALLED INSPECTIONS
Member O’Connell moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM B & F CONSTRUCTION CODE SERVICES, INC. AT THE QUOTED PER-VISIT RATES OUTLINED IN THEIR PROPOSAL FOR CALLED INSPECTIONS, AS PRESENTED.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
APPROVE RILEY-NORTHLAKE CLASSROOM FURNITURE
Member Sosa moved, seconded by Member Mason, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE RILEY AND NORTHLAKE CLASSROOM FURNITURE PURCHASE FROM LOWERY MCDONNELL COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $463,624.00 THROUGH THE NCPA AND SOURCE WELL PURCHASING COOPERATIVE BID AWARDS, AS PRESENTED.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
RESOLUTION TO PURCHASE PROPERTY
Member O’Connell moved, seconded by Member Sosa, THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 205 S. WOLF RD, NORTHLAKE, IL, FROM THE CITY OF NORTHLAKE, AS PRESENTED, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE DISTRICT’S LEGAL COUNSEL TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND TO CLOSE SUCH PURCHASE.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
MONTHLY REPORT
Mrs. Vince reviewed the result of the final sale for the series 2022A bonds. To fully implement the district’s referendum financing plan, the remaining $9 million of the referendum authority had to be sold by March 1, 2022, to impact the 2021 levy. She discussed Amazon’s plan to change the way they run their business accounts (Pay by invoice – amazon in-house line of credit). She also discussed the EBC Preliminary renewal. Final renewal meeting with be March 17, 2022.
FACILITIES
MONTHLY REPORT: None
HUMAN RESOURCES
MONTHLY REPORT
Mrs. Travis updated the Board on current vacancies. There are 8 certified vacancies and 13 support staff vacancies. She discussed the progress she made at several career fairs, and she will be attending a number of university career fairs in the coming weeks.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Member Mason moved, seconded by Member Sosa, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT 10:18 PM.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Hightower Nays: None
Jackson
Mason Absent: Chavez
O’Connell Mora
Sosa
Motion carried 5-0
https://p16cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_389410/File/About/Board%20of%20Ed/2-28-2022%20REGULAR%20MINUTES.pdf
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