Illinois Valley Times

LaSalle-Peru Township High School District No. 120 Board of Education met Jan. 18.

LaSalle-Peru Township High School is governed by a School Board consisting of 7 members. The Board’s powers and duties include the authority to adopt, enforce, and monitor all policies for the management and governance of the District’s schools. Official action by the Board may only occur at a duly called and legally conducted meeting at which a quorum is physically present.

Here are the minutes as provided by LaSalle-Peru HSD No. 120:

MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING LASALLE-PERU TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 120 JANUARY 18, 2017, 6:00 PM

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

CALL TO ORDER Mr. Tony Sparks, President, called to order the Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Thomas J. McCormack Library/Media Center at LaSalle-Peru Township High School, 541 Chartres Street, LaSalle, IL.

ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mr. Tony Sparks, President, Dr. Pete Meier, Vice President, Mrs. Cathy Renk, Dr. Rose Marie Lynch, Mr. Alan Cherpeske, Dennis O'Keefe and Mrs. Carol Alcorn.

ABSENT: NOne OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Steven R. Wrobleski, Superintendent, Mrs. Deb Nelson, Principal, Mr. Dwayne Mentgen, Director Area Career Center, Mr. Steve Sash, Associate Principal for Operations, Mr. Matt Baker, Director of Communication & Fund Raising, Ms. Stephanie Jeanblanc, Associate Principal for Student Support Services, Mrs. Ingrid Cushing, Associate Principal for Teaching and Learning, Mr. Chris Kirkpatrick, Director of Athletics and Activities, Mr. Jeremy Aitken, WLPO, Mr. Jeff Dankert, Reporter for the News-Tribune, Attorney Walt Zukowski and Mrs. Julie Bleck, Board Secretary.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 21, 2016 REGULAR MEETING AND FEBRUARY 3, 2017 SPECIAL MEETING

MOTION by Mr. Cherpeske, seconded by Dr. Lynch to approve the minutes from December 21, 2016 regular meeting and February 3, 2017 special meeting as presented. Voting Aye: Mr. Cherpeske, Dr. Lynch, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Alcorn, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Renk and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion

carried 7-0.

RECOGNITION AND COMMENTS FROM VISITORS Student Ambassadors Board Report Junior, Abby Steinberg reported on the following topics:

O Renaissance

O Tireless and Staff Award

Lauer for Tireless

Tominello for staff

O Polar Plunge

O Music

O Choir

Requiem Masterworks concert February 12th Joliet West Competition February 18th

O Band

Trivia Night successfulO TOPS

O Chicago Trip O Debate

O Preparing for final competitions and state

O Scholastic Bowl

O Preparing for tournament season Sophomore, Connor Cofoid reported on the following topics:

O Basketball

O LP varsity got 4th in Plano Tournament

O LP soph got 5th in Plano tournament

O LP Fresh got 2nd in Plano Tournament

O Fundraisers- Bulls tickets and HyVee chicken dinner

O Wrestling

O is still 3rd in state

O Beat Ottawa last Thursday on Senior Night

O Tied for conference champs with Ottawa

O Girls basketball

O Nate Stubler is number 1 bowler in conference

FINANCE MOTION by Dr. Meier, seconded by Mr. Cherpeske to approve the LP Bills as presented. Voting Aye: Dr. Meier, Mr. Cherpeske, Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Renk and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The Motion carried 7-0.

MOTION by Dr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Cherpeske to approve the ACC Bills as presented. Voting Aye: Dr. Lynch, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Renk, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Alcorn and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The Motion carried 7-0.

MOTION by Mr. Cherpeske, seconded by Dr. Meier to approve the Financial Report, Activity Fund

Report, Treasurer's Report, Bank Reconciliation and VCM Monthly Report as presented. Voting Aye:

Mr. Cherpeske, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Renk, Dr. Lynch, Mrs. Alcorn, Mr. O'Keefe and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

CORRESPONDENCE

City of Oglesby TIF Final- $5,685.57

PRESIDENT'S REPORT Mr. Sparks updated the Board on the upcoming April 4 election with L-P Board having 4 seats up for election. Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Cherpeske will be on the April 4 ballot with Mr. O'Keefe not running for reelection. Further discussion will be held as we approach April 4", 2017.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS Programs Committee- Dr. Rose Marie Lynch, Chair of the Programs Committee gave her report from the Wednesday, January 11, 2017 meeting, reported on: Standardized Grading Policy Update, Proposed 2017-2018 District Calendar, and District Strategic Plan Renewal. Building & Grounds Committee- Mr. Cherpeske, Chair of the Building & Grounds Committee gave his report from the Wednesday, January 11, 2017 meeting, reported on: Renovation Project update, Boiler/Heating Update, Transition House Update, and Sale of Equipment Request.

Finance Committee- Dr. Meier, Chair of the Finance Committee gave his report from the Thursday, January 12, 2017 meeting, reported on: Bond Sale Update with Mr. Vezzetti, Project Labor Agreement Update, Evidence Based Funding Model and Monthly Financials.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Superintendent Mr. Steven Wrobleski, Superintendent, reported on the following topics:

Renovation Project Update: On Friday, January 13", a team of 17 staff members visited Mundelein High School and Glenbard West High School in order to observe the outcomes of their building projects, speak to staff and students, and gather ideas to apply towards our renovation project. The team collected a great deal of information which will be synthesized in a written report. The architects and I are organizing a series of planning sessions with the staff similar to the 3D modeling sessions we had during the master facility planning process. We Soon expect to receive the updated utilization study from the architects which will help our recommendations regarding the discussion on shared classrooms. 5Essentials: All districts across the state are required to administer a feedback Survey to teachers, students, and parents. The state of Illinois is financing the 5Essentials survey - which is the instrument used by LPHS. The survey window for this year will close on January 30, 2017. Students will be surveyed on January 26". The results of this survey will be included on the 2017 School Report Card. For more information on the 5Essentials, please go to the following website: https://illinois.5-essentials.org/. Budget Development for 2017-2018: The start of the new year marks the beginning of the budget renewal cycle for fiscal year 2018. With the passage of the referendum, last year's fiveyear budget plans have become outdated as much of the facility requests will be addressed through the renovation project. Our key focus needs to continue working to reduce the deficit Without compromising our programs. District Strategic Plan Renewal - 2017 to 2022: Attached to this report is the recommended timeline and process for renewing the District's strategic plan for 2017 through 2022. I am recommending that we model the process similar to our process five years ago in which we involve staff, students, parents, and community members. I do not believe that we will need to hire a consultant to guide the process this time. The goal is to present a draft plan for a first review at the June 21st Board meeting with final adoption at the July 19" regular meeting.

PRINCIPAL Mrs. Deb Nelson, Principal, reported on the following topics:

Second semester is underway

The counseling office has been busy enrolling new/transfer students as well as working with any scheduling conflicts our current students have. We started the first day back with a ten-minute homeroom to distribute new schedules, etc. Our students have adjusted well to the second semester and things are running very smoothly.

Staff Development/School Improvement

During our Teacher Inservice Day on Monday, January 9th, several of our administrators gave updates and reviews of changes for second semester. Ingrid Cushing provided an in-depth training into the SAT by providing our faculty with an overview of the content of this test and then a number of valuable ideas and resources for preparing our students for one of the assessments through the SAT Suite that they will be taking during their high school years. The faculty used the remaining time during the day to work within their Divisions as well as prepare of the start of second semester. O Academic Assistance

Academic Assistance continues for our students. Our tutors have begun working With students in need of additional academic assistance. Two tutors will again be providing help to any students attending Saturday Schools throughout the semester and six additional tutors are available after school and early evening during the Week for students that need assistance in English, math, science or computer and technology skills.

Assistant Tennis Coach of the Year

We received word over our holiday break that Adam Spencer has been named the Illinois High School Assistant Tennis Coach of the Year. This is an incredible honor as Adam has only been coaching our girls' fresh/soph tennis team for the past two years.

CLI (Curriculum Leadership Institute)

Our Science and PE/Health/Driver's Ed SACs met in December and continued to Work on validating their curriculum, English and Social Science met to continue their work with assessments and Business, Family and Consumer Science along with Foreign Language and Fine Arts are still working on updating their courses and are nearing completion of their new alignments. Once completed, these will be ready to present to the CCC (Curriculum Coordinating Council) in May and the Board in May or June.

ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR Mr. Chris Kirkpatrick, Director of Athletics and Activities, reported on the following topics:

Coaches

Nothing to report.

Schedules

Winter sports are starting to gear up for regional completion.

Equipment and facilities

I am currently talking with the City of Peru to try and find out a timeline on the completion of the baseball field.

O Clubs/Activities

Nothing to report.

News and Notes

We are hosting the IHSA girls’ basketball regional starting on 2/13/17.

We are also hosting the IHSA girl's sectional bowling tournament at the Super Bowl on 2/11/17. O Nate Stubler finished 1st in the NIB XII conference tournament.

ACC DIRECTOR Mr. Dwayne Mentgen, Director of Area Career Center, reported on the following topics: The ACC Student of the month is Carson Corpus. He is a second year Residential Wiring Student from Hall High School. He sees himself as having found his chosen profession, and very much values the skills and knowledge that he has acquired in Mr. Dawson's class. Repairs in the autoshop (from lift inspection) and in Culinary (from Health inspection) are proceeding as scheduled. Many Thanks to rich Kowalczyk and his crew for his help in the Culinary repairs. ACC Registration is about to begin, and two new curricula will be offered. They are semester based courses in Computer Maintenance and Repair, and Database Management—With an Intro to Programming. These course were selected to bolster the technology end of ACC curriculum, as well as expose students to very high paying and in demand professions. Between 15-20 students enrolling will make the classes viable. A syllabus for the new Database Course is included for your benefit. The computer Repair course will follow an online curriculum through http://www.Testout.com. Its contents can be viewed by visiting their site. With this report I am attaching a new redesigned course catalog for your perusal.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION AND FUNDRAISING Matt Baker, Director of Communication and Fundraising, reported on the following topics:

Ongoing item - Renovation Communication: We will be hosting our first community meeting to provide updates on the renovation project. It will be Monday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. in the Cavalier Community Room. We are also updating the LP website's facility planning/renovation Section to provide additional information and updates on the renovation process.

The LP Foundation's next big event is the annual Trivia Night on March 25 in the new location of Senica's Oak Ridge. This year the Foundation is selling 50/50 raffle tickets in advance in an effort to increase revenue. Tickets are available for $5 apiece or a pack of 5 for $20.

LP Social Media Gro With

NEW BUSINESS Approval to Amend Agenda adding 11.14 possible appointment of Mrs. Lori Whalen, IMRF MOTION by Dr. Meier, seconded by Mrs. Alcorn to approve to Amend Agenda adding 11.14 possible appointment of Mrs. Lori Whalen, IMRF as presented. Voting Aye: Dr. Meier, Mrs. Alcorn, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Renk, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval to let bids for the window replacement MOTION by Mr. Cherpeske, seconded by Mrs. Renk to approve to let bids for the window replacement as presented. Voting Aye: Mr. Cherpeske, Mrs. Renk, Mr. O'Keefe, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval to let bids for tuck pointing MOTION by Mrs. Alcorn, seconded by Dr. Lynch to approve to let bids for tuck pointing as presented. Voting Aye: Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Renk, Dr. Meier and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval to let bids for roof replacement MOTION by Mr. Cherpeske, seconded by Mrs. Renk to approve to let bids for roof replacement as presented. Voting Aye: Mr. Cherpeske, Mrs. Renk, Mr. O'Keefe, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval to let bids for temporary classrooms MOTION by Dr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Cherpeske to approve to let bids for temporary classrooms as presented. Voting Aye: Dr. Lynch, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Renk, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Alcorn and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval to accept Standard and Poor Bond Rating of A MOTION by Dr. Meier, seconded by Mr. Cherpeske to approve to accept Standard and Poor Bond Rating of AA- as presented. Voting Aye: Dr. Meier, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Renk, Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval of resolution regarding the Superintendent's authority to approve renovation project change orders MOTION by Mrs. Renk, seconded by Mr. Cherpeske to approve of resolution regarding the Superintendent's authority to approve renovation project change orders as presented. Voting Aye: Mrs. Renk, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval of resolution to sell surplus computer equipment MOTION by Dr. Meier, seconded by Mr. Cherpeske to approve of resolution to sell surplus computer equipment as presented. Voting Aye: Dr. Meier, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Renk, Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval to authorize the Superintendent to prepare the 2017-2018 Budget MOTION by Mrs. Renk, seconded by Mrs. Alcorn to approve to authorize the Superintendent to prepare the 2017-2018 Budget as presented. Voting Aye: Mrs. Renk, Mrs. Alcorn, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Dr. Meier, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval of the 2016 Annual Disclosure Report MOTION by Mrs. Alcorn, seconded by Mrs. Renk to approve of the 2016 Annual Disclosure Report as presented. Voting Aye: Mrs. Alcorn, Mrs. Renk, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O’Keefe, Dr. Meier, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

First review of the 2017-2018 District Calendar No Action Taken, Review only.Approval to accept the ROE Health Life Safety Compliance Report MOTION by Mrs. Renk, seconded by Mr. Cherpeske to approve to accept the ROE Health Life Safety Compliance Report as presented. Voting Aye: Mrs. Renk, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval of the following Appointments: MOTION by Mr. Cherpeske, seconded by Dr. Meier for approval of the following Appointments as presented:

a. Mr. Levi Ericson, Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach, effective January 19, 2017 for the 2016-2017 school year b. Ms. Michayla Fassino, Volunteer Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, effective January 19, 2017 for the 2016-2017 school year Voting Aye: Mr. Cherpeske, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Renk, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval of request for the Wrestling Team's overnight trip to Rock Falls on Friday, February 10, 2017 to attend the sectional tournament. Trip will be sponsored by the Mat Club MOTION by Mrs. Alcorn, seconded by Dr. Lynch to approve of request for the Wrestling Team’s overnight trip to Rock Falls on Friday, February 10, 2017 to attend the sectional tournament. Trip will be sponsored by the Mat Club as presented. Voting Aye: Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Renk, Dr. Meier and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

Approval of Appointment of Mrs. Lori Whalen as IMRF Authorized Agent MOTION by Mr. O'Keefe, seconded by Dr. Lynch to approve of the appointment of Mrs. Lori Whalen as IMRF Authorized Agent as presented. Voting Aye: Mr. O'Keefe, Dr. Lynch, Mr. Cherpeske, Mrs. Renk, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Alcorn and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

MOTION TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE CLOSED SESSION MOTION by Mrs. Renk, seconded by Mr. Cherpeske to move to executive/closed session for purpose of:

a) Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline and /or complaint against an employee, performance, and/or dismissal of specific employees, b) Student Discipline, c) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees, and d) Imminent/Pending Litigation, with open session and possible action items to follow. Voting Aye: Mrs. Renk, Mr. Cherpeske, Dr. Meier, Dr. Lynch, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Alcorn and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0. Time 6:53 p.m.

MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION MOTION by Mr. Cherpeske, seconded by Dr. Lynch to return to open session. Voting Aye: Mr. Cherpeske, Dr. Lynch, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Renk, Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Alcorn and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0. Time 7:58 p.m.

ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mr. Tony Sparks, President, Dr. Pete Meier, Vice President, Mrs. Cathy Renk, Dr. Rose Marie Lynch, Mr. Alan Cherpeske, Mrs. Carol Alcorn and Mr. Dennis O'Keefe.

ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Steven R. Wrobleski, Superintendent, Attorney Walt Zukowski and Mrs. Julie Bleck, Board Secretary.

NEW BUSINESS Approval to review and retain the Executive /Closed Minutes of December 21, 2016 regular meeting MOTION by Mr. Cherpeske, seconded by Dr. Lynch to approve to review and retain the Executive /Closed Minutes of December 21, 2016 regular meeting as presented. Voting Aye: Mr. Cherpeske, Dr. Lynch, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Renk, Mrs. Alcorn, Mr. O'Keefe and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

PERSONNEL Approval of the following Appointment MOTION by Dr. Meier, seconded by Mrs. Renk to approve of the following appointment as presented:

а. Mrs. Brenda Mini, Cafeteria Floater/Cashier, effective January 19, 2017 (replaces Ms. Theresa Chirchirillo) Voting Aye: Dr. Meier, Mrs. Renk, Mrs. Alcorn, Mr. Cherpeske, Mr. O'Keefe, Dr. Lynch and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

NEW BUSINESS Motion to have Student #4 attend the LaSalle County Regional Safe Schools Program in lieu of expulsion effective January 20, 2017 and for no less than the period ending on January 1, 2018, with a meeting that will occur prior to January 1, 2018 with the Regional Safe School Staff to determine continued enrollment or return to L-P High School, consistent with the attached summary/findings MOTION by Mr. O'Keefe, seconded by Mrs. Alcorn to approve of the motion to have Student #4 attend the LaSalle County Regional Safe Schools Program in lieu of expulsion effective January 20, 2017 and for no less than the period ending on January 1, 2018, with a meeting that will occur prior to January 1, 2018 with the Regional Safe School Staff to determine continued enrollment or return to L-P High School, consistent with the attached summary/findings as presented. Voting Aye: Mr. O'Keefe, Mrs. Alcorn, Mr. Cherpeske, Dr. Meier, Dr. Lynch, Mrs. Alcorn, and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: None. The motion carried 7-0.

ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Dr. Meier, seconded by Mrs. Renk to adjourn. All in favor, Aye: Dr. Meier, Mrs. Renk, Mr. Cherpeske, Mrs. Alcorn, Dr. Lynch, Mr. O'Keefe and Mr. Sparks. Voting Nay: none. The motion carried. Time: 8:00 p.m.