Aurora West Unit School District 129 Board met Oct. 1.
Here is the agenda provided by the board:
Board Members Present:
Robert Gonzalez, Allyson Herget, Valerie Brown Dykstra, Ira Lathan, Richard Kerns, Christopher Sparks, and Melody Saperston
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, and Dr. Michael Smith – Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Meeting called to order at 6:11PM.
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.
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, AEA-W, and Blackhawk Campus.
Procedural: 2.2 Public Comment: Identification of Audience wishing to address the Board
No members of the audience wished to address the Board.
Information, Recognition: 2.3 Those Who Make a Difference
Alex Perez, Director of Communications, addressed the Board regarding those that make a difference in the District. A group of West Aurora High School students were recognized as being students that started "the Heart Project". The goal is to make students feel less alone and do everything in their power to bring awareness to suicide. The group cuts out hearts and writes positive notes on them and hang them on lockers. They plan on doing this throughout the year. Mrs. Winchell, West High Math Teacher, is the sponsor of this group. She also introduced the other members of her group. Board member Herget stated that this is such a delicate topic and their words are so meaningful and make such a difference. Other Board members also thanked them for all they do. The Board then broke for pictures.
3. Consent Agenda
Action (Consent): 3.1 Approval of the Consent Agenda for October 1, 2018
Mrs. Melody Saperston motioned, second by Mr. Ira Lathan that the Board of Education approve the items contained in the Consent Agenda for October 1, 2018.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, and Mrs. Melody Saperston
Note: All items approved within the consent agenda are listed below.
Action (Consent), Minutes: 3.2 Approval of Minutes from the September 17, 2018 Open and Closed Board of Education Meetings
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the minutes from the September 17, 2018 open and closed Board of Education meetings.
Action (Consent): 3.3 Approval of the Bill Listing for October 1, 2018
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the bill listing for October 1, 2018.
Action (Consent): 3.4 Approval of the Personnel Report for October 1, 2018
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the Personnel Report for October 1, 2018.
Action (Consent): 3.5 Prior Trip Approval - Purdue Jazz Festival
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the prior trip approval for the Purdue Jazz Festival, as previously presented.
4. Potential Action Items as a Result of Executive Session
Action: 4.1 Potential Action After Closed Session - 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) - Personnel - SEIU Grievance
Mrs. Allyson Herget motioned, second by Mrs. Melody Saperston to deny SEIU grievance concerning Johnson based on the closed session proceeding and to direct the issuance of a written decision affirming the denial of the grievance, subject to the review of the Board’s attorney.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston
5. Information
Information: 5.1 School Improvement Plan - Blackhawk Campus
Dr. Brent Raby, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, introduced Elroy Phillips. Elroy Phillips, Principal of Blackhawk Campus, addressed the Board to present the school improvement plan for Blackhawk Campus. He outlined the three programs that are housed at the campus. The first, SUCCESS Academy, is built for students who are not successful in regular educational settings. These are non-traditional blended curriculum classrooms for middle and high school students. The Connections Program is similar but these students have IEPs. The maximum class size is 11 and they also have blended curriculum. The third program is the transition program. The student's IEP designates their placement. Mr. Phillips then outlined the three building goals. The first is that 70% of students that attend Blackhawk Campus programs for an entire school year will complete no less than five courses and/or earn 2.5 credits or graduate during the academic year. The second goal states that all Blackhawk Campus students will participate in a career and/or strength based inventory to identify individual areas of interest aligned to post-secondary career opportunities. The third goal states by spring of 2019, Blackhawk Campus students will engage in purposeful activities to enhance a positive relationship between students and staff. Along with each goal, Mr. Phillips also outlined the action steps. There have already been three graduates within the first six weeks of this school year. He finished by sharing an email from a classroom teacher he received that summarized one student's journey through SUCCESS. The student shared that they felt hopeless but attending SUCCESS was the best thing that could have happened to them and they were able to graduate. The Board thanked him for his efforts and commented on all of the community efforts and positive programs that occur. The Board had a few other questions. The entire presentation can be found on BoardDocs.
Information: 5.2 Community Affairs Update to the Board
Alex Perez, Director of Community Affairs, addressed the Board to update on happenings throughout the community. Highlights occurring are parent/teacher conferences, fall concerts, and the Todd Watch D.O.G.S kick off. He also recapped the West High homecoming and mentioned that it was a successful event. The entire update can be found on BoardDocs.
6. Action
Action: 6.1 Approval of the District & Buildings Title Plans SY18-19
Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra motioned, second by Mr. Christopher Sparks that the Board of Education approve the presented District & Buildings Title Plans for 2018 - 2019 school year to be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education for review.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston
Action: 6.2 RESOLUTION - Approval of the 2018 Bond Refunding
Mr. Richard Kerns motioned, second by Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra that the Board of Education approve the RESOLUTION providing for the issue of not to exceed $10,000,000 General Obligation Limited Tax Refunding Bonds of School
District Number 129, Kane County, Illinois, for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of said School District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mrs. Melody Saperston
7. Comments
Procedural: 7.1 Public Comments: Audience Members Wishing to Speak to the Board Regarding a Non-Agenda Item
No members of the audience wished to address the Board.
Information: 7.2 Superintendent Comments
Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent, reiterated the successful homecoming parade. He also got to address the 1968 reunion group this weekend and that was exciting to hear their stories. Dr. Craig summarized the construction project. Building coffees, Community Forums, and Coffee with the Superintendent have all been set up for the first semester.
Information: 7.3 Student Board Member Comments
Annie Wu, Student Board Member, stated that homecoming week was one of the most fun times she has had during high school. She also alerted everyone that the FAFSA application window has opened up.
Information: 7.4 Board Member Comments & Dates to Remember
Board Member Saperston mentioned how fun homecoming week was for the kids and parents and the busy conferences coming up. Board Member Kerns mentioned the successful Banding Together event that raised over $5,000. Board Member Dykstra mentioned FAFSA day opening and to make sure to submit any sports hall of fame nominations. Board Member Sparks attended the food truck event and is looking forward to his first parent/teacher conference experience. Board Member Herget concurred on the Banding Together event. President Gonzalez summarized. The next meeting will be held on October 15, 2018.
8. Adjournment
Action, Procedural: 4.1 Adjourn
Mr. Christopher Sparks motioned, second by Mrs. Allyson Herget to adjourn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (7-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks, and Mrs. Melody Saperston
Meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.
https://www.boarddocs.com/il/asd129/Board.nsf/files/B68NGY5CCA9B/$file/10-1-18%20Regular%20Session%20Minutes.pdf
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