Seneca Township High School District 160 Board of Education Met Nov. 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
A regular meeting of the Seneca Township High School Board of Education was held at 6:00 p.m. Vice President Olson called the meeting to order with roll call.
1. ROLL CALL: Present: Johnson, Hamilton, Olson, Eltrevoog, Yandell, Biros Absent: Frye
Others present: Superintendent Jim Carlson, Assistant Principal Michael Coughlin, Recording Secretary Nadine Maierhofer, CBSO Dan Stecken, Athletic Director Steve Haines, Faculty Members: Kent Weber, Ted O'Boyle, Russ Witte, Blake Slutz, Jill Rockrohr, Jeff Maierhofer, and Jenna Maierhofer, Student of the Month winners and guests, and members of the public: Chad Hartwig, Adam Provance, Levi Maierhofer.
2. RECOGNITION OF GUESTS AND VISITORS
Student award winners were recognized.
3. INVESTMENT REPORT
Dr. Carlson reviewed the Investment Report. Vice President Olson stated that the Investment Report would stand approved as presented, subject to audit.
4. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Dr. Carlson reviewed the Financial Dashboards.
5. TREASURER'S REPORT
Dr. Carlson gave the Treasurer's Report. Vice President Olson stated that the Treasurer's Report would stand approved subject to audit.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Regular Minutes
Dr. Carlson stated he received no additions or corrections to the minutes. Vice President Olson stated minutes would stand approved as presented.
7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Dr. Carlson briefly reviewed the accounts payable. Vice President Olson asked for a motion to approve the accounts payable as presented.
A motion was made by Joe Johnson and seconded Rich Hamilton to approve the Accounts Payable as presented.
ROLL CALL: Ayes: Johnson, Olson, Yandell, Biros, Eltrevoog, Hamilton
Nays:
Motion Carried
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Chad Hartwig completed paperwork to address the Board.
Mr. Hartwig started with thanking the Board for keeping our students safely "in session" instead of remote learning. He then continued to say that speaking for his daughter, who is truly missing her sports programs this school year, and all the other student athletes that are "left voiceless'' their year is being impacted negatively. His daughter now has limited chances to play in high school, basically losing a year of sports, as well, as seniors that will not get another chance to play in their final year of high school. He mentioned that students are more rounded, successful and productive being active in sports; while continuing with their academic classes throughout the year. He stated that other states/schools are continuing with their seasons, and doing it safely. He doesn't feel that the Board should be intimated by lawyers and insurance companies when making their decisions. He would like to see Seneca be a "leader" in the sports issue and take a stand for our students and show everyone that we can, in fact, do this and do this well.
9. EDUCATIONAL ITEM
No educational items were received.
10. COMMITEEE REPORTS
No committee reports were given.
11. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
A. Finance Report
1. 2021-22 Budget
Dr. Carlson stated this budget corresponds to our anticipated levy after abatement. This budget will be tweaked over time until it is transferred to the state budget form in September. The budget hearing will be held at 8:20 am on December 16, 2020, prior to the regular board meeting. Dr. Carlson stated this budget is balanced, and it does not yet contain any transfers to the Capital Projects fund.
2. 2020 Levy
Dr. Carlson stated the 2020 Levy will represent approximately a 6% increase over last year's extension. Therefore, the district will be required to conduct a Truth in Taxation hearing before our regular board meeting and after the budget hearing in December. The levy will be abated to comply with the terms of the property tax agreement with Exelon resulting in a tax rate of 1.74838, which is actually a decrease from the past seven years.
B. Personnel Report
1. Co-Curricular List
Dr. Carlson recommended adding Noah Champene as our Freshman Boys Basketball Coach, contingent upon having a season. His stipend is also contingent upon having a season. Conlan Callahan will be moved from Freshman Boys Basketball Coach to volunteer due to scheduling conflicts at this time.
A motion was made by Jason Eltrevoog and seconded Tiffany Biros to approve the Personnel Report as presented.
ROLL CALL: Ayes: Eltrevoog, Hamilton, Johnson, Olson, Yandell, Biros
Nays:
Motion Carried
C. Building, Grounds & Transportation
1. Building Update
Dr. Carlson touched on a few items that Maintenance Supervisor Barry Buchanan and his team are working on: 1) A ballast bypass in some of the storage rooms and outbuildings; 2) completing another Com Ed application for rebates on the motion sensor project; 3) Brandt Excavating will repair storm tile through the shot put area by inserting a PVC pipe into the existing tile for a cost of $7,500.00; 4) we received a quote on stage curtain replacement for future reference - $45,000; 5) preparing for ROE inspection on December 1, 2020.
D. IHSA Basketball 2020-2021
Dr. Carlson touched on a few key issues regarding IHSA's Basketball 2020-21 Season. He then stated that based upon the feedback from our attorney and insurer, he cannot recommend ignoring the guidance of IDPH and ISBE even though he believes it is best for our students. He recommended urging the Governor and IHSA to work collaboratively to develop mitigations to allow for a safe basketball season.
E. Summer School
Dr. Carlson informed the Board of the summer school courses we will offer: Algebra I - two semesters, Drivers Education, Dual Credit Speech, and our Summer Bridge Program. The dates for each semester will be Semester 1 - June 7th-June 25th and Semester 2 - June 28th-July 16th• Enrollment and teacher availability will determine final schedule.
F. New Course Approvals
Dr. Carlson stated that the Administration is asking for the Board's tentative approval on the following courses to be offered in 2021-2022. This would only happen if SHS can come to an agreement with the junior colleges on how to offer the courses with the wholeness the community college requires, yet within set parameters that work for Seneca High School and if each SHS academic department can arrive at a consensus to offer the courses.
Dual Credit Science
Dual Credit English
Dual Credit Statistics
High School Statistics
Mrs. Rockrohr and Mr. Slutz then presented to the Board their new course proposal on Personal Management. this course is a functional special education course to assist students with disabilities in identifying their strengths, making choices about post-secondary education, and creating a path to follow after leaving Seneca High School.
A motion was made by Rich Hamilton and seconded Cory Yandell to approve 2021-22 New Courses as presented.
ROLL CALL: Ayes: Hamilton, Johnson, Olson, Yandell, Biros, Eltrevoog
Nays:
Motion Carried
G. Executive Session
Dr. Carlson indicated he did not need an Executive Session.
12. PRINCIPAL/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL REPORT
A. First 9 Weeks Stats
Regular Meeting – November 11. 2020
Assistant Principal Mike Coughlin reviewed the information from the first nine weeks. The attendance rate was 95%. 88.6% of all grades given were C's or above. 5.1% of total students received a discipline referral. Most referrals were issued for being unexcused or tardy for school.
13. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATION AND FOIA REPORT
Dr. Carlson stated there was one FOIA request from Vince Espi with LocalLabs regarding Guest Speakers from 2019 and 2020. He also made mention there were State Superintendent Weekly Messages included as supplemental readings.
14. ACTION ITEMS AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
16. ADJOURNMENT
· The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
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