Illinois Valley Times

 At a recent meeting, the Peru Elementary School District 124 Board was updated on assessment changes in the new school year, the main change being less emphasis on homework.

The board consists of seven members who are elected to staggered, four-year terms of office. They receive no compensation for their roles as advocates for children and representatives of local taxpayers in providing oversight to the school district.

Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the board.

The regular meeting of the month of May for the Board of Education of Peru Elementary School District 124, LaSalle County, Illinois, was called to order in the Choral Room at Parkside School, 1800 Church Street, Peru, IL, by Board President Jim Renk, on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at 6:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

President Renk led the Board and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Members Rob Ankiewicz, Cindy Gustat, Simon Kampwerth, C.G. Pillai, Vice President Mark Lamboley, and President Jim Renk.

ABSENT: Member Jeff Sheppard.

OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent Mark Cross, Board Secretary Kim Vezzetti, Lori Madden, Melissa

Bosnich, Sara McDonald, and Ben Hohenstatt.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA

MOTION: Moved by Member Gustat, seconded by Member Kampwerth, to approve the meeting agenda of May 18, 2016. ROLL CALL, VOTING AYE: Gustat, Kampwerth, Pillai, Lamboley, Renk, and

Ankiewicz. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT, CORRESPONDENCE, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Several thank you notes were received for the Teacher Appreciation car wash tokens.

CONSENTAGENDA

MOTION: Moved by Vice President Lamboley, seconded by Member Ankiewicz, to approve the following items in the Consent Agenda:

? April 20, 2016 Board of Education Meeting Minutes

? April 20, 2016 Executive Session Minutes

? May 9, 2016 Building and Grounds Committee Meeting Minutes

? Financial Reports

? Treasurer’s Report

? District Bills

ROLL CALL, VOTING AYE:Lamboley, Ankiewicz, Gustat, Kampwerth, Pillai, and Renk. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

REPORTS, UPDATES, AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Principals’ Reports

Northview School

Mrs. McDonald reported:

? Thirty seven families attended the Kindergarten Roundup which was held April 29th. There are now 68 students who are pre-registered for Kindergarten.

MINUTES

? Students in first through fourth grades recently attended Young Authors at Grand Bear Lodge on May 5th. The following students were selected for the celebration: Sophia O., Carson H., Addie

D., Camdeyn G., Reason M., Keya K., Callie P., Addyson C., Alyssa G., Joshua N., Jack S., Ayla

D., Ariana M., Henry H., Sophia P., Litzy L., and Mason M. Parkside School

Ms. Madden reported:

? Scholastic Honors breakfast was held for 158 students in grades 5-8. The event had a record number of 8th grade students receiving awards this year.

? This Friday Northview 4th graders will spend some time at Parkside for an orientation of 5th grade. There will be a mock schedule and students will be served lunch. They will also enjoy an acapella choir performance by students from the University of Illinois.

? Ms. Madden updated the Board on assessment changes for students next year. The assessment will have less emphasis on homework and more on daily work.

Member Kampwerth commended Ms. Madden and staff for the change to a light breakfast at the Scholastic Honors breakfast as well as the nice program. He also commended Mr. Whaley and Mr. Johnston for the excellent band and choral programs held recently.

Curriculum Director’s Report and Review of Recommended Social Studies Curriculum 

Mrs. Bosnich reported that after meeting for two years, the Social Studies committee is ready to recommend a new curriculum beginning next school year. While 5th grade has already been using the TCI Social Studies Alive program, one teacher from 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades have now piloted the program and feel it offers the best hands-on and interactive curriculum for students. The 7th and 8th grade teachers prefer the McGraw Hill Networks. They feel it gives more detail and is more comprehensive for students.

The cost of the TCI program is $34,979 and will serve grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 for six years. The McGraw Hill program will serve students in grades 7 and 8 for six years also at a cost of $13,833. Mr. Cross and the Board commended Mrs. Bosnich and the committee for the excellent job finding the best curriculum for our students.

Superintendent’s Report

Mr. Cross reported:

? The district is finally seeing a slight increase in our assessed valuation. While this is some good news, the state funding situation is a real concern with the proposed property tax freeze in the state legislature which would be disastrous for local school districts.

? The Concussion Oversight Committee has been meeting about ImPACT testing, which is administered to all student athletes and provides a baseline for determining the extent of future concussions. The test is done through Illinois Valley Community Hospital and costs $10. Parents would pay IVCH just as they do for sports physicals. Mr. Cross will have the program recommendations ready for Board approval at the June meeting.

? Ms. Pannier and Mr. Cross have been working on updating the Acceptable Use Policy for Students, which can be found in the student handbook. The emphasis will be on modifications to the social media policy. Similar changes will be recommended to the Acceptable Use Policy for Employees. Mr. Cross will request formal approval of these changes at the June meeting.

Review of Recommended Board of Education Policy Changes and Opportunity for Public Input Mr. Cross and the Board reviewed the recommended policy changes. Mr. Cross and the administrators met to revise a few policies. The focus of discussion was on the changes to policies 7:190 and 7:200,

Student Behavior and Suspension Procedures. The Board would like Mr. Cross to include language which refers to ten day suspensions. Mr. Cross will bring these policies back in June for Board approval. Mr. Cross also reported that the administration will begin sharing more information with the Board regarding any out-of-school student suspensions starting this fall.

ACTION ITEMS

Approval of Recommended Social Studies Curriculum and Instructional Materials

MOTION: Moved by Member Gustat, seconded by Member Kampwerth, to approve the recommended Social Studies curriculum and instructional materials for the TCI Social Studies Alive program for grades 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th and the McGraw Hill Networks program for 7th and 8th grades. ROLL CALL VOTING

AYE: Gustat, Kampwerth, Pillai, Lamboley, Renk, and Ankiewicz. NAY: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

Approval of Recommended Summer 2016 Maintenance Projects

Mr. Cross and members of the Building and Grounds committee reported on summer 2016 maintenance projects. Highlighting the list is the necessity to reseal the parking lots at Parkside School. Another major project would be to add water softeners or water filters at Parkside due to the build-up of mineral deposits in the kitchen equipment.

MOTION: Moved by Member Pillai, seconded by Vice President Lamboley, to approve the recommended summer 2016 maintenance projects as presented. Aye 6, Nay 0. The motion carried 6-0.

Approval of FY17 Bid for Bakery and Milk Products

Mr. Cross reported that Peru Catholic School is no longer interested in participating in our lunch program. He also said the Superintendent Ryan Linnig of Dimmick School has contacted him expressing interest in our lunch program. Mr. Cross has spoken to the cafeteria staff and they feel comfortable providing lunch to Dimmick School, whose lunch numbers could be slightly higher than Peru Catholic School.

MOTION: Moved by Member Kampwerth, seconded by Member Gustat, to approve the FY17 bid from Alpha Bakery for bakery products and the firm bid from North Central Illinois Milk Distributors for milk products. ROLL CALL VOTING AYE:Kampwerth, Gustat, Pillai, Lamboley, Renk, and Ankiewicz.

NAY: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

Approval of Proposal to Provide Professional Financial Auditing Services

MOTION: Moved by Vice President Lamboley, seconded by Member Ankiewicz, to approve the proposal to provide professional financial auditing services from Newkirk & Associates Inc. for FY17 at a cost of $13,300. ROLL CALL VOTING AYE: Vice President Lamboley, Ankiewicz, Gustat, Kampwerth, Pillai, and Renk. NAY: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

Approval of FY17 Property/Casualty and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Renewal

Mr. Cross reported there was a 7 percent decrease in the Property and Casualty Insurance while the Workers’ Compensation renewal will decrease by 10 percent.

MOTION: Moved by Member Kampwerth, seconded by Member Ankiewicz, to approve the FY17 Property/Casualty and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Renewal. ROLL CALL VOTING AYE: Kampwerth, Ankiewicz, Gustat, Pillai, Lamboley, and Renk. NAY: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

Adoption of Recommended Board of Education Policies as Presented for Policy Numbers: 6:130, 7:150, 7:190, 7:200, 7:210, 7:220, 7:230, 7:240, and 7:305 Policies 7:190 and 7:200 will be tabled until the June Board meeting.

MOTION: Moved by Vice President Lamboley, seconded by Member Gustat, to adopt the recommended Board of Education policies as presented for policy numbers: 6:130, 7:150, 7:210, 7:220, 7:230, 7:240, and 7:305. ROLL CALL VOTING AYE:Lamboley, Gustat, Kampwerth, Pillai, Renk, and Ankiewicz. NAY: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

Adoption of Resolution Authorizing Preliminary Proceedings in Connection with the Issuance by Peru Elementary School District 124, LaSalle County, Illinois, of up to $2,500,000 of Working Cash Fund Bonds, and Related Matters After meeting with the Finance Committee, Mr. Cross and the committee feel it would be in the best interest of the district if the Board adopted a resolution authorizing preliminary proceedings for the issuance of up to $2,500,000 of Working Cash Fund bonds. He feels this is necessary due to the uncertainty of the state budget situation, decreased local property values and the possibility of the state legislature freezing local property taxes, all while the district has endured significant decreases in its reserves despite staff reductions. He explained that if the resolution passes, we will need to have a public hearing at the June Board meeting after a legal notice is published in the newspaper as required. The Board then would have a three year window of time in which to act upon the resolution.

MOTION: Moved by Member Kampwerth, seconded by Member Gustat, to adopt a resolution authorizing preliminary proceedings in connection with the issuance by Peru Elementary School District 124, LaSalle County, Illinois, of up to $2,500,000 of Working Cash Fund bonds, and related matters.

ROLL CALL VOTING AYE: Kampwerth, Gustat, Pillai, Lamboley, Renk, and Ankiewicz. NAY: None.

ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

MOTION: Moved by Member Kampwerth, seconded by Vice President Lamboley, to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:27 p.m. to discuss the potential purchase, sale, or lease of real estate, including the establishment of price for sale or lease of real estate; information regarding the appointment, employment, performance, or dismissal of employees or district legal counsel; and to discuss information related to employee salaries, benefits, and issues related to collective bargaining. ROLL CALL, VOTING AYE: Kampwerth, Lamboley, Renk, Ankiewicz, Gustat, and Pillai. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

Adoption of Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with the City of Peru for the Sale of School District Real Estate Property Located at 1325 Park Road, Peru, Illinois

MOTION: Moved by Member Pillai, seconded by Member Gustat, to adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with the City of Peru for the sale of school district real estate property located at 1325 Park Road, Peru, Illinois. ROLL CALL, VOTING AYE: Pillai, Gustat, Kampwerth, Lamboley, Renk, and Ankiewicz. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

Approval of the 2016-2020 Professional Contractual Agreement with the Peru Educators

Association, IEA/NEA

MOTION: Moved by Vice President Lamboley, seconded by Member Pillai, to approve the professional contractual agreement between the Board of Education, Peru Elementary School District 124 and the Peru Educators Association, IEA/NEA for the school years 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020. ROLL CALL, VOTING AYE:Lamboley, Pillai, Renk, Ankiewicz, and Gustat. NAYS: None. ABSTAIN: Kampwerth. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 5-0.

Approval of the 2016-2021 Contractual Agreement with Peru Elementary School District 124 Food Service Employees, Local Union 138. MOTION: Moved by Member Kampwerth, seconded by Member Ankiewicz, to approve the working agreement between the Board of Education, Peru Elementary School District 124 and Food Service Employees, Service Employees International Union Local 138 for 2016-2021. ROLL CALL, VOTING AYE: Kampwerth, Ankiewicz, Gustat, Pillai, Lamboley, and Renk. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

Approval of the 2016-2021 Contractual Agreement with Peru Elementary School District 124 Custodial Service Employees, Local Union 138 MOTION: Moved by Vice President Lamboley, seconded by Member Ankiewicz, to approve the working agreement between the Board of Education, Peru Elementary School District 124 and Custodial Service Employees, Service Employees International Union Local 138 for 2016-2021. ROLL CALL, VOTING AYE: Lamboley, Ankiewicz, Gustat, Kampwerth, Pillai, and Renk. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Sheppard. The motion carried 6-0.

Approval of Requests for Retirement

There were no requests for retirement at this time.

Employment of Recommended Personnel MOTION: Moved by, Member Gustat, seconded by Member Kampwerth, to approve the employment of Megan Einhaus as a half-time Bright Futures preschool teacher for the 2016-17 school year. Aye 6, Nay 0. The motion carried 6-0. MOTION: Moved by Member Gustat, seconded by Member Kampwerth, to approve the employment of Natalie Verruchi as a choral teacher at Parkside School for the 2016-17 school year. Aye 6, Nay 0. The motion carried 6-0.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Moved by Member Pillai, seconded by Member Ankiewicz, to adjourn at 8:04 p.m. Aye 6,

Nay 0. The motion carried 6-0.

____________________________ ______________________________

Jim Renk, Board President Kim Vezzetti, Board Secretary