Bureau Valley District #340 Board of Education met March 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Determining that a quorum was present, President Yepsen called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 pm and directed the Secretary to call the roll.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
ABSENT: None
Justin Yepsen read a Thank You note from Philip Przybyla family for the gift sent for the birth of their daughter.
During Public Comment, Mary Blackert informed the board that she had a meeting with the Illinois State School Board on the willful and wanton conduct and actions by Justin Yepsen, Jason Stabler, Vicki Litherland, Duane Price and Sarah Clark. She stated that she had a hearing tomorrow and that she had tried to work this situation out in the beginning, but her daughter’s life was put in grave danger. Mr. Brad Bickett, Bureau Valley Education Association president, expressed his gratitude towards the administration and staff for the way they handled the state mandated school closure. Justin Yepsen expressed his appreciation, as well.
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Spencer to enter into executive session at 6:05 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity, or Student disciplinary cases and other matters related to individual students; and Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 7-0-0 Absent
It was moved by Johnson and seconded by Olds to close the executive session at 6:35 p.m. and return to open session.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 7-0-0 Absent
ROLL CALL IN OPEN SESSION
PRESENT: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
ABSENT: None
During Building Reports, Mr. Stabler explained that in light of the COVID-19 crisis, the principals and directors were not required to attend the meeting. He gave the board a quick update on the planning that had taken place over the last few days. The department heads and administrative team worked along side the BVEA to participate in the planning for meals, eLearning and other areas. Meals are being offered for free to all students. There is a pick up location in each town. An eLearning plan was developed Friday and submitted to the ROE. Because of the positive case that was identified in Whiteside County, he did decide to cancel school on Monday, March 16th. He said the administrators will continue to do their best with communication to parents. Chris Maynard expressed his gratitude for everyone’s hard work.
It was moved by Olds and seconded by Wiggim to approve the consent agenda items:
1. Regular Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2020
2. Activity Account Reports
3. Monthly Financial and Treasurer’s Reports
4. Bureau Valley #340 Bills and Payroll
5. BVHS Activity Account Closure
6. IHSA Membership Renewal
7. Treasurer’s Bond for Working Cash Bonds
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 7-0-0 Absent
Mat Pistole, BVHS Football Coach, did not attend the meeting to present on JFL. Mr. Stabler reported to the board that Coach Pistole is excited about taking on the JFL program and estimated that there will be 2-3 paid coaches. Coach Pistole and Brianne Debrock, JH AD, will present next month. The decision was tabled.
Mrs. DeBrock did not attend the meeting to present information on Junior High Cross Country. Mr. Stabler explained that cross country would be another fall sport to offset the large numbers in softball and baseball. Matt Wiggim asked if any schools in our conference had teams. Mr. Stabler answered that some schools did and there were many meets that our student could attend. The decision was tabled
A discussion on fees for the 2020-2021 school year was held. Raising the fee to $150 for Driver’s Education was recommended. Justin Yepsen asked Brad Bickett about our current fee. Mr. Bickett stated that our fee is a bargain and is lower that all other districts around and significantly lower than the driving schools. Mr. Stabler recommended a change to the fees for Junior High sports. His recommendation is $20/sport with a cap of $100/family of junior high students. The high school sport fee family cap is only for high school students in the same family. There was discussion on possibly raising lunch prices, but the board decided to leave lunch prices the same. It was moved by Olds and seconded by Wiggim to approve the 2020- 2021 Fee Schedule as presented.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 7-0-0 Absent
There was no presentation on the High School schedule. Mr. Stabler relayed information from Mr. Duane Price, HS Principal. Mr. Price and his team thoroughly researched the block vs. traditional schedule. Mr. Stabler stated that we have great teachers in our district and there is an advantage to seeing the teacher every day. He asked Mr. Bickett to give some more information to the board. Mr. Bickett thought the process was organized and professional. The team consisted of veteran teachers as well as new teachers. All subjects were represented. He thought the process went well.
In other business, Mr. Stabler pointed out to the board that the final 2020-2021 Curriculum Guide was provided. The language was cleaned up with regard to consistency and grammatical accuracy. Justin Yepsen reported that our construction consultants were finalizing things with one last contractor. MCP and our architect were handing that situation.
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Wiggim to approve and retain the executive session meeting minutes of February 18, 2020.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was moved by Olds and seconded by Johnson to accept resignations of Marissa Lewis as BVHS Dance Team Coach, Tiana VanDusen as BVHS Cheerleading Coach, Bret Helms as 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach and Rose Kunz as BVHS Cafeteria Staff.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was moved by Olds and seconded by Wiggim to approve employment of Samantha Klingenberg as BVWE Elementary Teacher, Lisa McComber as BV Manlius Elementary Teacher, Chelsey Lind as BVN Elementary Teacher and Stephanie Blessman as BV Elementary School Counselor all for 20-21 school year
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was announced that the following staff members have attained tenure at the end of the 2019- 2020 school year: William Anderson, Tina Hufford, Sarah Kluever, Amy Knapp, Jordan Longville, Nancy Bucalo and Brianne DeBrock.
It was moved by Johnson and seconded by Maynard to approve the maternity leave request of Kaitlyn Gripp.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Olds to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/676192/Board_Minutes_031620.pdf
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