Bureau Valley District #340 Board of Education met Nov. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
ROLL CALL
PRESENT IN PERSON: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Spencer, Yepsen
ABSENT: Olds, Wiggim
The eLearning Program was presented. Mr. Stabler explained that the first eLearning Plan was created 8 months ago. At the time, the ROE approved the plan and waived the requirements to hold a hearing. The plan has changed somewhat, as things have been streamlined. A notice was published in the newspaper and placed on the website. By adopting this plan, the District can use eLearning days in lieu of emergency (weather related) days. Five eLearning days can be used each school year.
No public input was received.
It was moved by Johnson and seconded by Dye to adjourn the eLearning Hearing at 6:05pm.
VOICE VOTE MOTION PASSED
President Yepsen then called the regular meeting to order at 6:05 pm and directed the Secretary to call the roll.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT IN PERSON: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Spencer, Yepsen
ABSENT: Olds, Wiggim
Mr. Jason Stabler, Superintendent, acknowledged our principals. October was National Principal Month. He thanked them for their hard work and dedication. November 15th was National School Board Day, so Mr. Stabler thanked the school board members for their dedication. Justin Yepsen thanked the principals and fellow board members, as well.
There was no public comment.
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Spencer 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 the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired; 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,Spencer, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0-2 Absent
It was moved by Johnson and seconded by Dye to close the executive session at 7:10 p.m. and return to open session.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Spencer, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0-2 Absent
ROLL CALL IN OPEN SESSION
PRESENT IN PERSON: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Spencer, Yepsen
PRESENT VIA PHONE: Wiggim
ABSENT: Olds
During Building Reports, Duane Price, BVHS Principal, explained the changes to the Three Rivers Conference. For 21-22, Fulton is leaving the conference with Mendota and Monmouth-Roseville joining the conference. In prior years, the conference selected Football Divisions based on enrollment. They will now base the divisions on geography. Bureau Valley will be in the East Division with: Hall, Kewanee, Mendota, Newman, Princeton and St. Bede. Kristie Cady, BV Walnut and Wyanet Principal shared a thank you note from Greenfield Retirement Home. The elementary students created a video to honor our Veterans. The video was sent to local nursing homes. The residents at Greenfield enjoyed the video. Julie Decker-Platz, BV Elementary/JH Principal, thanked her staff for all their hard work in these trying times. Josh Bell, Technology Director, mentioned that his department is working on a way for the public to join board meetings in case the District is unable to hold in-person board meetings.
It was moved by Spencer and seconded by Dye to approve the consent agenda items:
1. Regular Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2020
2. Activity Account Reports
3. Monthly Financial and Treasurer’s Reports
4. Bureau Valley #340 Bills and Payroll
5. Non-Certified Seniority List
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1 Absent
Mr. Stabler presented the 2020 Tentative Levy. The EAV has increased in Lee and Whiteside Counties due to the wind turbines. A truth in taxation hearing will be required as the percentage increase will be higher due to increased EAV. With a 12% increase in EAV, we will have to have a hearing because it is more than a 5% change from the previous year. Mr. Stabler noted the hearing is a result of increased EAV and not due to an increase in the tax rate. Before the December meeting, he will get the final numbers from counties to have the most accurate information for the Final Levy.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1 Absent
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Spencer to approve the eLearning Program as presented.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
The IHSA had previously announced a Return to Play for basketball. After talking to the district’s insurance agent and lawyer and the health department, we realized that the IHSA’s ruling went against all of the guidance. Since then, the IHSA has decided to revisit the issue in a meeting on November 19th. At this time, no board action is needed. The district can begin practicing or proceed based on the guidelines that come from this meeting.
Mr. Stabler explained that this transfer was to cover the parking lot and other projects. It was moved by Spencer and seconded by Dye to approve a permanent transfer of $509,000 from Working Cash to the O&M Fund.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Johnson, Maynard, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1 Absent
In other discussion, Mr. Stabler informed the board that after reviewing the metrics, the Administration has recommendations of how to proceed as Covid cases continue to rise. The district is in constant contact with the county health department. Mr. Stabler mentioned that our original protocol has not changed and that the protocol is helping immensely. Families are keeping their students home when symptoms present. Staffing has been challenging, but everyone is helping to keep our students in-person. Bureau Valley has been in-person for 11 weeks. So at this time, the Administration is recommending a “pause” to in-person learning during the week of November 30th. Remote learning for all students will happen November 30th to December 4th. In-person learning will resume on December 7th and continue through the end of the semester (December 18th). Board Member Tiffany Johnson thanked the staff for all their hard work in keeping our students in-person for 11 weeks. Justin Yepsen stated that he does want our staff to be safe and thanked families for keeping students home that present symptoms. He feels the pause to in-person learning will help us get through the holiday and allow time for buildings to be cleaned.
Lastly, Mr. Stabler read a thank you letter from Christa Gruber, BV Walnut Teacher, thanking the district for the flowers and support of her family as they mourn the death of her father, Tim Gonigam.
It was moved by Johnson and seconded by Dye to approve and retain the executive session meeting minutes of October 19, 2020.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1057026/Board_Minutes_111620.pdf
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