Alden-Hebron School District #19 Board of Education met Nov. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
President Norton called the regular meeting of the Board of Education of Alden-Hebron Community Consolidated Unit School District #19 to order at 7:06pm.
Roll Call
PRESENT: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Madsen, Mr. Eskridge, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Johnson
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT:
Tiffany Elswick-Superintendent, Tim Hayunga-MS/HS Principal, Eric Slocum-ES Principal, Scott Redden Buildings & Grounds, Cyndie Erckfritz-Transportation, Sandy Drevalas-VOH, Ray Stalker
REMOTE:
Pat Syens-Treasurer, Vicki Spraker-ES Teacher, Colleen Geils-ES Teacher, Katie Beck-SSC
Correspondence
None
COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comments
• Mr. Stalker raised concerns regarding Critical Race Theory as it pertains to schools and District 19 in particular. He distributed materials related to the subject to the BOE for their perusal.
• Mrs. Drevalas-VOH Trustee, reported that the Village will have a Christmas tree placed by the Village Hall. The Village would accept volunteers to help decorate it and they will have a tree-lighting at 5:00pm on the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 26). Also, the Village website has a page where citizens can buy t-shirts or sweatshirts, the purchase of which will benefit the care of Odin, the Village canine officer.
Staff Comments
Mrs. Elswick commended Mr. Redden for his hard work this week. He has been working both buildings on his own as he has had three of his staff-members out.
Board Comments
Mr. Eskridge offered thanks to the staff and students for providing veterans a curbside breakfast pick-up on Veteran’s Day and for having the opportunity to speak with the 5th grade class. Also, he stated that the Booster Club Feather Party was very nice. Mr. Winkelman, Mr. Berg, and Mrs. Elswick all agreed.
Consent Agenda
*A. Approval of October 20, 2021 Regular and Executive Session Meeting minutes
*B. Recap of October 2021 Expenditures
*C. Treasurer’s Report for October 2021
*D. Approval of Current Invoices & Payroll
*E. Personnel Report
*F. Fund-raising Requests: Jr. Class, Movie night with concessions—12/11/21, and Krispy Kreme Donut Sales—10/29/21-12/10/21.
Mrs. Smith moved; Mr. Madsen seconded to approve the consent agenda as presented.
AYES: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Madsen, Mr. Eskridge, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Johnson
NAYS: None
ABSENT:
Motion Carried
BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Slocum-ES Principal – as presented
Mr. Slocum stated that the Exotic Animal Parent Night was held this evening in the MS/HS gym. It was well-attended by the community.
Mr. Hayunga-MS/HS Principal – as presented
Mr. Hayunga added:
• The HS Dinner show will be held for one night only. The HS Chorus will be performing, assisted by the MS Chorus, in the MS/HS gym at 6:00pm on Saturday, December 4th.
• HS Finals schedule has been completed and sent out to families.
• The 8th Grade class won the Red Ribbon Week Door Decorating Contest. Their anti bullying theme included chicken nuggets, so the class was awarded a Chicken McNugget celebration.
Mrs. Elswick – Superintendent – as presented
Mrs. Elswick added:
• The October District Newsletter has been mailed out. She asked that if anyone hears of someone that hasn’t received it, but would like a copy, to please contact Deanna VanderPal in the District Office and we will be sure to have one sent out. The District Office and the printer are trying to fine-tune the mailing list to assure that every home in the District receives one.
• She will be at Hazel’s tomorrow morning (11/18/21) at 8:30am to host “Coffee with the Superintendent” to give community members an opportunity to ask questions regarding the Facilities Planning Timeline.
Mr. Berg moved; Mr. Winkelman seconded to approve times and dates of the 2022 Board of Education meetings as presented.
Motion Carried
VILLAGE
Mrs. Smith attended the VOH meeting. She stated that she had nothing to add to what Mrs. Drevalas already reported in Public Comments. However, she did provide a copy of the Facilities Planning Timeline to the VOH so it can be posted in the Village Hall.
TOWNSHIP
• Alden Township: Mr. Madsen attended the Alden Township meeting. Items discussed:
➢ Payment of regular bills
➢ Mr. Madsen proposed that Alden Township citizens may want to consider becoming part of the Community Advisory Council for District 19.
• Hebron Township: Mrs. Johnson was unable to attend the Hebron Township meeting, but through email, learned that it consisted of business as usual and payment of regular bills.
FINANCE
Mrs. Syens presented the 2021 Levy she has prepared. Discussion of the levy ensued with questions and suggestions on how to structure the levy differently. Mrs. Syens was asked to return to the December 1st BOE meeting with two levy proposals for the BOE to consider.
Mr. Norton moved, Mr. Eskridge, seconded to table BOE acceptance of the 2021 Levy at this time, but to agree not Levy for greater than 5%.
AYES: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Madsen, Mr. Eskridge, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Johnson
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
Motion Carried
PHYSICAL STRUCTURES/MAINTENANCE
Mr. Redden stated that the van used by the Custodial Department was taken in for repairs, but the mechanic reported that it would not be cost-effective to do all of the work that needs to be done. Mrs. Erckfritz has agreed to provide a different vehicle from the District fleet for the Custodians to use for the time-being.
Mr. Norton thanked Mr. Redden for his extra work this week while his department is short staffed.
FACILITIES UPDATE
Mrs. Elswick shared an update from the Core Facilities Team Meetings.
• They have met twice, thus far: 11/3 and 11/17.
• Team consists of AH Admin, Mr. Redden, Wold Architects & Engineers, Gilbane Construction, and Jill Huskisson from Dash-J Consulting.
• Bi-weekly meetings have been scheduled through January, 2022.
• Investigation and assessments have been initiated at both buildings.
• Wold and Gilbane will attend 12/15 BOE meeting to introduce themselves to the community.
• Options regarding critical needs and/or renovations will be part of a community engagement effort to collect feedback.
• The team would like to have a BOE member as a liaison to join the meetings.
• Would like to share information with the community, either in specific facilities or at events.
• New District website is being developed and will have all Facilities information included.
TRANSPORTATION
Mrs. Erckfritz added:
• The Transportation Department has a van that can be transferred to the Custodial Department for their use. Another vehicle may be purchased by the transportation department to replace this one at a later date.
• Some cooperative tree-trimming work has been completed with the VOH.
• She contacted Hebron Township regarding a possibly dangerous school bus stop for a new home being built. The Township Highway Supervisor requested a study be done by the county and it was determined that a sign should be posted near the home advising motorists of the bus stop. Installation of the sign has been completed.
SPECIAL EDUCATION—as presented
Mrs. Beck added that there are a handful of Birth to Three students who will be turning 3 soon and they may transition into the Preschool program.
CURRICULUM/POLICY
The Policy Committee will meet in the District Office on Wednesday, December 8th at 3:00pm.
COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comments:
None
Staff Comments
None
Board Comments
Mr. Norton thanked Mr. Stalker for voicing his concerns to the BOE and for his regular attendance at the BOE meetings. He also congratulated Mrs. Beck on the birth of her daughter.
Adjournment
Mr. Winkelman moved; Mr. Berg seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:28pm. Motion Carried
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