Southern Illinois News

Community Unit School District #201 Board of Education met July 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

On July 16, 2024 at 6:37 p.m. President Hoover called to order the regular meeting of the Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education.

Roll Call Members Present: Adina Hoover, Whitney Rogers, Angela Steketee, Kevin Marren, Leah Conover

Member Absent: Jessica Radogno, Carlos Hevia

Also present: Superintendent Jack Baldermann, Business Manager, Anthony Ruelli, the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant, Shannon Cossairt.

Pledge of Allegiance Adina Hoover led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Mr. Hevia, second by Ms. Conover, to enter closed session to discuss personnel issues, purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, and superintendent's evaluation.

Ayes: Steketee, Conover, Marren, Rogers, Hoover

Nays: None.

Motion Carries.

The Board entered closed session at 6:37 p.m.

The Board returned to open session at 7:16 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

June 18, 2024

Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Ms. Rogers, to approve the minutes of the June 18, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Steketee, Conover, Marren, Rogers, Hoover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

June 18, 2024 - Closed

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Rogers, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the June 18, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Steketee, Conover, Marren, Rogers, Hoover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment at this time.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Steketee, to approve the consent agenda as presented:

1. Personnel Recommendations:

● Kara Orlando, Psychologist

● Christine Knight, District Nurse

● Lisa Grippo, Administrative Specialist for Student Services and Early Childhood

● Tom McDowell, WJHS Head Baseball Coach

● Corey Robbins, WJHS Assistant Baseball Coach (0.5)

● Jose Meza Navarro, WJHS Assistant Baseball Coach (0.5)

2. Approval of July 2024 Expenditure Report

3. Approval of June 2024 Regular Payroll

4. Disposal of Equipment

Ayes: Conover, Marren, Rogers, Hoover, Steketee

Nays: None.

Motion carried.

INFORMATION and DISCUSSION

Presentation of Monthly Financial Statements - June 2024

Anthony Ruelli, CSBO, gave the Board an update on the financials through June 2024. He discussed revenue and expenditures through the 2024 fiscal year. He also discussed with the Board the roughly unaudited financials.

ELearning Plan

Dr. Nadine Norris, Director of Technology, Teaching and Learning, presented to the Board information on the ELearning Plan the Board will need to approve at the April 13, 2024 meeting. The plan outlines how the District would be providing instruction at the different buildings during emergency days. By using the Elearning in lieu of emergency days the District would not need to make up the days at the end of the school year. The final plan is submitted to the DuPage ROE for final approval.

Policy Second Reading

The Board has the chance to review the policies being approved later in the Board meeting. The changes are based on the recommendations of PRESS Policy, a subscription service the District subscribes to. The changes from PRESS are reviewed by attorneys and align with Illinois School Code. One policy the Board is asking to change is policy 2:110, Qualifications, Terms and Duties of Board Officers. The Board would like the term of president, vice-president, and secretary to be two years.

DuPage Division Executive Committee Representative

President Hoover discussed with the Board having a CUSD 201 Board member serve on the DuPage Division Executive Committee. CUSD 201 has not participated in the past, but this would be a great opportunity to make connections with other school boards. The committee meets twice a year, and the Board would need a volunteer to serve.

Contract Services for Counseling

Mr. Baldermann explained to the Board what the contract for counseling services is for. For many years Westmont High School has had a social worker from an outside agency come in and meet with a few a couple of times a week. This is in addition to the services we offer within the buildings.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Approval of Authorization to Pay Additional July Bills for the 2024 and 2025 Fiscal Years.

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Steketee, to authorize and direct the Treasurer to pay any additional bills received in July that have been budgeted for in the current or prior fiscal year, as presented.

Ayes: Marren, Rogers, Hoover, Steketee, Conover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

2. Approval of Policies

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Rogers, to approve the policies, as presented.

Ayes: Conover, Marren, Rogers, Hoover, Steketee,

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

3. Approval of Contract Services for Counseling

Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the MOU between Kate Moon Raess, Moon Wellness LLC (contractor of Oak and Elm Collective Therapy) and Westmont High School to provide counseling services to high school students from Westmont High School, as presented.

Ayes: Rogers, Hoover, Steketee, Conover, Marren

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Communication

Superintendent Baldermann reminded the community about the remaining engagement sessions. The Board and the District would like to hear from all community stakeholders. The meetings are a discussion of the future of CUSD 201 Facilities.

Mr. Baldermann shared the 5 Essential results are in and Westmont High School has the highest score for Student to Teacher Trust. He also shared that the AP Scores are in and Westmont High School had the most tests taken in its history.

FOIA Request

None at this time.

BOARD REPORTS

President Hoover wants to let the Board and the community know the results from all the surveys being conducted by the consulting group will be presented on August 1, 2024 at a special Board meeting. The meeting will take place at Village Hall.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment at this time.

FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS

Registration Opens for all Returning Families July 18

Community Engagement Sessions

July 17, 6:00 pm Manning

July 18, 6:00 pm Virtual

Special Board Meeting

August 1, 6;00 pm

Teacher Institute

August 12 and 13

CUSD 201 Board Meeting

August 13, 6:30 pm

Village Hall

1st Day of School

August 14

SIP Day Dismissal All Students

KINDERGARTEN ONLY - 11:30 Dismissal

August 15 and 16

COMMUNICATIONS None at this time.

ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Rogers, to adjourn the July 16, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 8:16 p.m.

Motion unanimously passed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd201/Board.nsf/files/D82LJD56C3E3/$file/7.16.24%20Regular%20Minutes.pdf