Bureau Valley District #340 Board of Education met April 20.
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 IN PERSON: Dye, Yepsen
PRESENT VIA REMOTE CONNECTION: Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim
ABSENT: None
Mr. Stabler recognized BVHS Student William Gross for finishing as the 2nd place Scholastic Bowl individual for the TRAC conference. Mr. Stabler also recognized the 7th grade volleyball team that finished with a 17-1 overall record and 6-1 in conference play. The 8th grade season came to an abrupt end with the cancelation of the IESA post season prior to the regional championship. The Lady Storm were scheduled to play Fieldcrest for the regional championship. 8th grade finishes at 16-4 overall and 6-1 in conference play.
Justin Yepsen thanked all the staff members that have been working during the school closure.
There was no public comment.
It was moved by Olds and seconded by Johnson to enter into executive session at 6:10 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 6:30 p.m. and return to open session. The
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 7-0-0 Absent
ROLL CALL IN OPEN SESSION
PRESENT IN PERSON: Dye, Yepsen
PRESENT VIA REMOTE CONNECTION: Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim
ABSENT: None
During Building Reports, the principals thanked staff for working hard during the school closure. Mr. Stabler mentioned that the transportation department has been delivering meals and student packets. The IT department has been helping support the teachers as we moved to remote learning. Vicki Litherland, BVHS Athletic Director, reported that the IHSA would be meeting on April 21st to make a decision regarding spring sports. She reported that the Be The Light tribute to our seniors went well. Brianne DeBrock, BV JH Athletic Director, mentioned that the IESA had ended all activities. Volleyball and Scholastic Bowl seasons were cut short.
It was moved by Olds and seconded by Spencer to approve the consent agenda items:
1. Regular Meeting Minutes of March 16, 2020
2. Activity Account Reports
3. Monthly Financial and Treasurer’s Reports
4. Bureau Valley #340 Bills and Payroll
5. Let Bids for Milk and Bread
6. IESA Membership Renewal
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 7-0-0 Absent
With the extension of statewide school closures, school leadership teams continue to face a changing landscape and myriad of challenges. As conditions change rapidly with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, school boards may find it increasingly difficult to secure a quorum necessary to make important decisions in a timely fashion. Boards may also need to suspend certain policies in order to give the superintendent the ability to quickly respond to these changing conditions. This resolution was suggested by the district’s attorney. It was moved by Olds and seconded by Dye to approve the Resolution for Emergency Suspension of Policy Due to COVID 19 Pandemic as presented.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
Board members were given the latest board policy updates. It was moved by Johnson and seconded by Olds to approve the board policy updates as presented.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
If we do not receive Transportation funding by April 30th, a loan from the Working Cash fund will be necessary. It was moved by Dye and seconded by Olds to approve a loan from the Working Cash Fund to the Transportation Fund of up to $200,000.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 7-0-0 Absent
Mrs. DeBrock and Mat Pistole, BVHS Head Football Coach, presented information regarding the JFL program. Previously, this program was run by volunteers and was not affiliated with the school. It is being requested that the school district take on JFL. The season would begin with practice on September 14th. There would be 3-5 games. There is a possibility that some teams would be willing to play before the high school varsity game on a Friday night. It would be a scaled back version of what was done in the past. Fifth and sixth graders would have less games, possibly more intramural games and would use tackle bars. The 7th and 8th graders would play full tackle. The school would receive the current equipment and the money that remains in the JFL account (approximately $9,500). Initially, some equipment would need upgrading and helmets will need reconditioning. Going forward, 2-3 coaches would be needed as well as annual helmet reconditioning. Coach Pistole feels that offering JFL through the school would help build the high school program and the two coaching staffs could collaborate. It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Olds to approve the addition of Junior High Football.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
The vote on JH Cross Country was tabled. Mrs. DeBrock did say that mostly bigger schools offer cross country, so that means more traveling. The season goes from August to October. Only a few meets would be scheduled the first year. She would like to survey the students to see how many would be interested in participating.
A discussion on the high school schedule for 20-21 was held. Mr. Price explained that a committee of 7 teachers was formed. They visited other schools and looked at many types of schedules. An 8 period schedule was chosen. Each class meets every day for 42 minutes. It doubles the number of contact days and does not change graduation requirements. It will work with WACC students and Co-Op students. It will also allow staff to be shared between the high school and junior high.
Mr. Stabler and Mr. Price presented information on the ME3 Energizing Education program. Marquis Energy will support this mentoring program which pairs students up with staff members. The students have goals they must achieve by the end of a semester and there will be a monetary reward. Goals include attendance, grades, or no discipline actions. Even though there is a monetary reward, that extra time spent with staff will be the biggest reward. It was moved by Olds and seconded by Dye to approve the ME3 Energizing Education Program.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
In other business, Justin Yepsen reported that the cement for the basketball court on the new playground will be poured in May. An extension of the sidewalk will be finished as well. He is interested in possibly constructing a parking lot to the north of the District Office building. It could be used by the district office staff and visitors. That would relieve some parking issues in the current employee lot. He is also concerned with the number of pot holes in the existing parking lots.
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Johnson to approve and retain the executive session meeting minutes of March 16, 2020.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Olds to approve employment of Brad Bickett as BVHS Athletic Director/Dean of Students for the 20-21 School Year, Nicole Hartz as BV JH Math Teacher for the 20-21 School Year, Chelsea Blake as BVHS Dance Team Coach, Stan Schaffer as BVHS Head Custodian, Jennifer Moore as BV E/JH Custodian, Noel Warkins as BVHS Assistant Football Coach and the following Summer Custodians: Sean Shepard, Cindy Verway, Stacey Richardson, Bernie Donovan, Victoria Balensiefen, Laura Philips, Crystal Schmotzer, Brock Foster and Layton Britt.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was announced that the following staff members have attained tenure at the end of the 2019- 2020 school year: Pam Geerts and Ryan Schisler.
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Spencer to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/707612/Board_Minutes_042020.pdf
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