West Aurora School District 129 Board of Education
Open Session Meeting for Monday, April 18, 2016
MEETING MINUTES
Note for the file: These minutes do not reflect the sequence for voting which, at the Board Meeting, is rotated in accordance with Board Policy 2:220.
Board Members present:
Robert Gonzalez, Neal Ormond, Amie Thompson, Valerie Brown Dykstra, Robert Patterson, Ira Lathan
Note for the record: Robert Patterson arrived at 6:50 PM and Valerie Brown Dykstra arrived at 6:08 PM.
Board Members Absent:
None
Board Secretary:
Joy Engfer
Administration present:
Dr. Jeff Craig – Superintendent, Dr. Brent Raby – Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, Angie Smith – Assistant Superintendent of Operations
Meeting called to order at 6:07 PM
1. Opening Items
Procedural: 1.1 Call to Order
Robert Gonzalez, Board President, called the meeting to order and asked the secretary to call the roll.
Procedural: 1.2 Roll Call
Upon the roll call, all members of the Board were present except Robert Patterson who arrived at 6:50 PM and Valerie Brown Dykstra who arrived at 6:08 PM.
Procedural: 1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
Robert Gonzalez, Board President, led the pledge of allegiance.
2. Recognitions
Recognition: 2.1 Recognition of Visitors
The following members of the audience wished to have their presence recognized, West Aurora High School, Fearn Elementary, Freeman Elementary, Herget Middle School, McCleery Middle School, and AEAW.
Procedural: 2.2 Public Comment: Identification of Audience wishing to address the Board
There were no members of the audience that wished to address the Board.
Information, Recognition: 2.3 School Spotlight
Tony Martinez, Director of Community Affairs, introduced Dr. Greg Scalia. Dr. Greg Scalia, Principal of Jewel, recognized the PTO Executive Board. This year's Board is very grounded in helping kids and fundraising for the students. They are very involved in getting students engaged. Once a quarter, they put together events for the kids to attend. They also reach out to the community to get help for the kids. Dr. Scalia introduced the members of this year's Executive Board. Kathy Evans, Sheryl Kauffmann, Sheri Peterson, Amy Tineralla, Amy Behrens, and Margaret Patterson. Amie Thompson said how wonderful it is to get kids involved and feeling that the school is their home.
Recognition: 2.4 Special Recognition
Tony Martinez, Director of Community Affairs, let the Board know that tonight we would be recognizing the 2016 Math Bowl winners. Tony introduced Jen Story, Curriculum Coordinator of Mathematics, to conduct the recognition. This was the West Aurora Math Departments 24th year running the 4th and 5th Grade District Math Bowl organized by West High teachers Diane Angelo and Nicole Roberts. Each elementary school sends 4th / 5th grade students to compete in an individual math contest and /or an 8-man event. These events are structured to be similar to the events of high school level math competitions. The contests are supervised by the teachers of the math department but high school students proctor and grade the tests. Awards are given for first, second, and third place scores by grade level, school, and overall for the individual contest and first, second, and third place by grade level for the 8-man event. There were many times this year. Jen Story introduced all of the overall 1st place winners of the events by grade level. The winners can be found on the attached sheet on BoardDocs. Neal Ormond said the organization of the Bowl is remarkable. He is impressed with the enthusiasm that is generated every year. The Board broke for pictures.
3. Consent Agenda
Action (Consent): 3.1 Approval of the Consent Agenda for April 18, 2016
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the items contained in the Consent Agenda for April 18, 2016.
A motion was made by Mr. Ira Lathan, second by Mr. Neal Ormond that the Board of Education approve the items contained in the Consent Agenda for April 18, 2016.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (5-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mr. Neal Ormond, Mrs. Amie Thompson, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan
Action (Consent), Minutes: 3.2 Approval of Minutes from the April 4, 2016 Open and Closed Board of Education Meetings.
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the minutes from the April 4, 2016 Open and Closed Board of Education Meetings.
Action (Consent): 3.3 Approval of the Bill Listing for April 18, 2016
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the bill listing for April 18, 2016.
Action (Consent): 3.4 Approval of the Personnel Report for April 18, 2016
Dr. Mike Smith, Executive Director of Human Resources, introduced the recommended candidate for the Curriculum Coordinator of English Language Learners. Christine Anderson is a current teacher in the district.
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the Personnel Report for April 18, 2016.
Action (Consent): 3.5 Renewal - Fox Valley Career Center (FVCC) Joint Agreement - Step 3
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the renewal of the Fox Valley Career Center Joint Agreement.
4. Information
Information: 4.1 School Improvement Plan - Jewel Middle School
Dr. Brent Raby, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning introduced Dr. Greg Scalia. Dr. Scalia, Principal of Jewel Middle School began with sharing some of the performance series data for Jewel Middle School. They have seen a lot of gains, especially in the math department. The sixth grade reading needs some work. It is important to get kids to buy into the Performance Series Exams. Dr. Scalia shared the three goals for the year. They are to improve teaching and learning through classroom observations, improve teaching and learning through targeted professional development, and to improve teaching and learning through targeted interventions. This year there were 35 certified evaluations conducted and 224 walk through observations. The top three keys the teachers are working on are coming up with questions that have a single answer, improve student engagement, and changing the teacher doing most of the talking. The goal is to give teachers positive feedback. The school's Learning Support System includes academic, physical, social, emotional, and behavioral programming based on school-wide, targeted group and individualized needs. Jewel has a homework club that has improved attendees grades dramatically. Some highlights Dr. Scalia were the amazing sports & activities, the dedicated PTO, homework support, and the great leadership team. Amie Thompson, Board member, stated that she was always impressed with the homework club. Neal Ormond, Board member, asked if the activity bus has had any impact on the attendance at events. Dr. Scalia let the Board know that they actually fill two buses on Tuesday and Thursday.
Information: 4.2 Technology Pilot - First Year Report
Dr. Brent Raby, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning introduced Melissa Cikesh. Melissa Cikesh, Instructional Technology Coach, presented the first year report on the technology pilot programs. Last spring, teachers were identified to participate in the technology pilot program. Each teacher was identified as a Chrome Book or I Pad pilot group. The teachers attended a training seminar. This past January, a new group of pilot teachers was chosen. Melissa showed the Board some of the experiences teachers were providing students. Students at Fearn Elementary were able to Skype with a CNN meteorologist. She then mentioned the benefits of technology and how it helps with the bilingual experience. Technology allows for students to be more a part of the class. There has also been a pen pal program set up in ELA classes. Melissa then mentioned next steps and what it would take to be a successful 1:1 program. Amie Thompson asked about what kind of feedback she is receiving from the teachers. Melissa stated that it is a lot of work but the payoff has been great and no one has asked to be removed from the pilot. Neal Ormond asked Melissa to outline how many teachers are participating.
Information: 4.3 Board of Education Meeting Calendar 2016-2017 - Step 1
Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent, presented the DRAFT Board of Education meeting calendar for 2016-2017. The Board will see this calendar two more times.
Information: 4.4 Community Affairs Update to the Board
Tony Martinez, Director of Community Affairs, presented the community affairs update to the Board. There are a couple of fundraisers coming up. Also Hall of Honor lunch on April 22 and the banquet on April 23. The high school play and jazz concerts are also at the end of April. The entire community affairs update can be found on BoardDocs.
5. Discussion
Discussion: 5.1 Capital Projects Update
Pat Dacy, Capital Projects Manager, updated the Board on the capital projects. He mentioned the status on all of the drilling and bore fields. Things are moving along well at all sites. Construction coordination meetings have occurred at the high school. Foundation walls have started at McCleery. The entire capital projects update can be found on BoardDocs.
Discussion: 5.2 Board of Education Recommendation for the Asbestos Abatement at 3 schools - Schneider, Goodwin, and Nicholson.
Pat Dacy, Capital Projects Manager, shared the recommendation for the contract for Asbestos Abatement at Schneider, Goodwin, and Nicholson. There were four bids received. The recommendation is that the contract be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, Tecnica Environmental.
Discussion: 5.3 Board of Education Recommendation for the Snow Plowing at West Aurora High School
Jeff Schiller, Director of Operations, presented the letter of recommendation for the snow plowing at West Aurora High School. The letter of recommendation and bid tabulations can be found on BoardDocs.
Discussion: 5.4 Board of Education Recommendation for the Waste Removal for West Aurora School District 129
Jeff Schiller, Director of Operations, presented the letter of recommendation for the Waste Removal throughout the district. The letter of recommendation can be found on BoardDocs.
Discussion: 5.5 Algebra Text Book Adoption - Step 2
Will Dwyer, Director of Secondary Education, let the Board know that they were able to meet with all of the middle school Algebra teachers. The teachers were allowed to have some time to look at the material. The feedback was that the teachers liked all of the resources, the higher level questions the curriculum provided, and the online resources and website were excellent and were able to link to Schoology pages. There were several great ideas noted on how to support the transition at the high school and middle school level. Ira Lathan, Board member, asked about the Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 books and how the transition would look.
6. Action Items
Action: 6.1 Final Scope of Work proposals for 2016-17 Erate funded networking refresh
A motion was made by Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, second by Mr. Robert Patterson that the Board approve the final scope of work documents for the 2016-17 erate projects as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (5-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mr. Neal Ormond, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Robert Patterson, Mr. Ira Lathan
Action: 6.2 Board of Education Recommendation for the Temperature Controls at Hill Elementary School
A motion was made by Mr. Ira Lathan, second by Mr. Neal Ormond, that the Board of Education approve the recommendation that the contract for the Temperature Controls at Hill Elementary School work be awarded to the lowest responsible, responsive bidder, Johnson Controls, Inc. for a total contract amount of $97,032.00.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (5-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mr. Neal Ormond, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Robert Patterson, Mr. Ira Lathan
Action: 6.3 Board of Education Recommendation for Test and Balance at All Schools
A motion was made by Mr. Robert Patterson, second by Mr. Ira Lathan, that the Board of Education approve the recommendation that the contract for the Test and Balance at All Schools work be awarded to the lowest responsible, responsive bidder, Controlled Environment Testing & Balancing for a total contract amount of $85,900.00.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (5-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mr. Neal Ormond, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Robert Patterson, Mr. Ira Lathan
Action: 6.4 Update - Board of Education Recommendation for the Bid for Lawn Care and Maintenance Services for West Aurora School District 129 - Step 3
Jeff Schiller, Director of Operations, stated that the previously approved vendor backed out of the bid. The second lowest responsible bidder was then chosen. Angie explained that since they have not performed yet, there was no bid bond and they were legally allowed to back out. Moving forward, the district might consider requiring bid bonds to prevent vendors from backing out.
A motion was made by Mr. Neal Ormond, second by Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra that the Board of Education approve the letter of recommendation that the lawn care and maintenance services for West Aurora School District 129 be awarded by region in accordance with the attached UPDATED letter of recommendation.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (5-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mr. Neal Ormond, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Robert Patterson, Mr. Ira Lathan
7. Comments
Procedural: 7.1 Public Comments: Audience Members Wishing to Speak to the Board Regarding a Non-Agenda Item
There were no members of the audience that wished to speak to a non-agenda item.
Information: 7.2 Superintendent Comments
Dr. Jeff Craig, remarked on the dedication of Highway 31 to Christopher Patterson. He mentioned it was a wonderful gathering and a great way to honor Christopher's service.
Information: 7.3 Student Board Member Comments
Erik Haverkate mentioned that AP tests will take place during the first week of May. Several events coming up including the high school musical and prom. The dance marathon reached their fundraising goal.
Meliton Chaidez also mentioned how amazing the turnout was for the FDK dance marathon. He mentioned that Erik and himself are working at the Hall of Honor lunch and Banquet and hosting tours.
Information: 7.4 Board Member Comments & Dates to Remember
Neal Ormond attended several events. The choir concert at Aurora University was very impressive. The Math Bowl was also very successful. He also attended signing day. There were seven student athletes that participated. He also mentioned the Hall of Honor banquet coming up.
Valerie Brown Dykstra mentioned that the Jewel social studies fair is Thursday. She also mentioned the Christopher Patterson memorial on Saturday.
Ira Lathan mentioned how beautiful the Christopher Patterson memorial was on Saturday.
Robert Patterson thanked the district and everyone who attended the memorial on Saturday.
Robert Gonzalez judged the fifth grade speech contest. He also attended the State of the City Address last week and the mayor had a lot of great things to say about the district.
8. Adjournment
Action, Procedural: 8.1 Adjourn
A motion was made by Mr. Robert Patterson, second by Mr. Ira Lathan to Adjourn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (5-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mr. Neal Ormond, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Robert Patterson, Mr. Ira Lathan
Meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM
A TRUE RECORD
________________________________
Joy Engfer, Board Secretary
________________________________
Robert Gonzalez, Board President
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