Seneca Grade School Board of Education met Nov. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education met for their regular scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Seneca Grade School North Campus Board Room.
Vice-President Sulzberger called for roll call.
Present: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger
Absent: Sangston
Mancuso moved to accept the regular and closed session minutes from the October 19th, 2021; seconded by Justice.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Hearing of Citizens: A large group of citizens, some from neighboring communities and a few local families expressed concerns regarding what learning standard or curriculum would be adopted and taught to students under the SB 818. The Illinois State Board of Education is in charge of developing and adopting rigorous learning standard in the area of comprehensive personal health and safety education for student in kindergarten thru 5th grade and health education for students 6th thru 12th grade. Public comments on this bill included moral values and parental control of what should be taught in the school. A wide range of opinions were voiced regarding state mask mandate, effectiveness of vaccines, the critical race theory, equality injustice, and constitutional freedoms.
Principal Severson recognized students of the month. The September student of the month is, Ava Sulzberger, daughter of Brent and Carrie Sulzberger and the October student of the month is, Richard Onoroto, son of Tabbetha Onoroto. Principal Severson highlighted the many qualities the teachers are looking for each month when selecting the student.
Hearing of Teachers: Nicole Sprinkel, kindergarten teacher, started off the year a little nervous with so many students not being in preschool before starting kindergarten but her class and really adjusted and are off to a great start. Students are looking forward to the annual Pilgrim and Indian Thanksgiving feast and activities on Friday. Gena Wallin, 5th grade teacher, talked about the research and books students have finished while studying Egyptian unit.
Peterson moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as given by secretary: Education $556,062.63; Building $97,139.30; Transportation $14,839.94; IMRF $24,714.75; Tort $2,711.34 Totaling $676,717.21; seconded by Mancuso.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Justice moved to pay the following monthly bills: Education $38,199.75; Building $65,461.82; Transportation $1,609.12; Tort $3,417.64 Total $108,688.33; seconded by Applebee.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Board give direction to table the discussion of policy 4:165, Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse. The policy is created in response to Erin’s Law requiring district to adopt and implement a policy addressing abuse of children.
Mancuso moved to approve policy revisions as presented by the ISBA; seconded by Justice.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Mancuso moved to approve the 2021-2022 tentative levy; seconded by Peterson. The max levy rate remains at $1.36276. The equalized assessed valuation of LaSalle Station is set at $460 million for the for this tax year. The estimated EAV for next year is $585,486,000 million, which will represent a 2.5% increase.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Sulzberger moved to request proposals for auditing services for the 2021-2022 and 2022- 2023 school year; seconded by Justice. The final draft for RFP was reviewed.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Peterson moved to seek bids for a 2023 Blue Bird 39 passenger transit style bus; seconded by Justice.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Principal McGhee reported that Monday was the start of the 2nd trimester. Parent/Teacher conferences are next week and over 90% of parents have signed up to meet in person with their child’s teacher and report cards will be sent home this Friday. The Halloween parade was held indoors because of bad weather and it was video-taped so parents could watch online. Teachers had CPI refresher course and cybersecurity training on their school improvement day. In honor of Veterans Day students made decorations and cards which were taken to the Seneca High School and given to Veterans at their assembly. She talked about a new tradition held last Friday, “Kindness Day”. Faculty and students wear red sweaters in honor of Mr. Rogers and wrote how they show kindness and why it matters. The 3rd and 4th grade Winter Music Concert will be held on Monday, December 6th, while the K-2nd grade concert will be held in the spring.
Principal Severson mentioned that last Friday was the end of the trimester and students had their Raider Rewards drawing. It has been a challenging year for staff but the COVID numbers are down and attendance and routines are getting back to normal. He thanked the fire department for coming during last week’s fire drill at south campus, and Ms. Jones, band teacher for putting together the 5th/6th grade beginning band concert. The middle school Christmas concert will be held on Tuesday, December 7th at the south campus. The girls basketball teams will be starting regionals. The seventh grade will be playing at Putnam County and Seneca will be hosting the 8th grade regional.
Sulzberger moved to go into Executive Session at 8:30 p.m. for legal and personnel; seconded by Peterson.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Mancuso moved to return to Open Session at 9:00 p.m.; seconded by Justice.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Board moved to hire Suzanne Yandell, 6th grade girls volleyball coach, for the 2021-2022 school year to fill the open position.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Board moved to hire Thomas Tansey, part-time housekeeping position for the 2021-2022 school year.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
Committee Report: Nothing to Report
Communications: Nothing to Report
Old Business: Nothing to report
New Business: Nothing to report
Mancuso moved to adjourn at 9:03 p.m.; seconded by Justice.
Yeas: Applebee, Brockman, Justice, Mancuso, Peterson, and Sulzberger.
Nays: None
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1760031/November_2021.pdf
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