Aurora West Unit School District 129 Board met Sept. 17.
Here is the agenda provided by the board:
Board Members Present:
Robert Gonzalez, Allyson Herget, Ira Lathan, Melody Saperston, Richard Kerns, Christopher Sparks.
Board Members Absent:
Valerie Brown Dykstra
Board Secretary:
Alejandra Nunez
Administration present:
Dr. Jeff Craig – Superintendent, Dr. Brent Raby – Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Angie Smith – Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Dr. Michael P. Smith – Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Meeting called to order at 6:05 PM.
1. Notice of Public Hearing Regarding the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2018-2019 School Year and the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement for the 2018-2019 School Y ear
Procedural: 1.1 Call to Order to Public Hearing Regarding the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2018-2019 School Year and the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement for the 2018-2019 School Year
Robert Gonzalez, Board President, called to order the public hearing.
Procedural: 1.2 Open the Public Hearing regarding the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2018-2019 School Year and the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement for the 2018-2019 School Year
There were no members of the audience that wished to address the public hearing.
Procedural: 1.3 Close the Public Hearing regarding the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2018-2019 School Year and the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement for the 2018-2019 School Year
Board President, Robert Gonzalez, closed the public hearing.
2. Opening Items
Procedural: 2.1 Call to Order
Robert Gonzalez, Board President, called the meeting to order and asked the secretary to call the roll.
Procedural: 2.2 Roll Call
Upon the roll call, all members of the Board were present except Mrs. Valerie Brown Dykstra who was absent from the meeting.
Procedural: 2.3 Pledge of Allegiance
Robert Gonzalez, Board President, led the pledge of allegiance.
3. Recognitions
Recognition: 3.1 Recognition of Visitors
The following members of the audience wished to have their presence recognized: Fearn Elementary, Hall Elementary, Hill Elementary, Todd Early Childhood Center, West Aurora High School and AEAW.
Procedural: 3.2 Public Comment: Identification of Audience wishing to address the Board to an Agenda item
No members of the audience wished to address the Board.
Information, Recognition: 3.3 Those Who Make A Difference
Alex Perez, Director of Community Affairs, introduced Dr. Laurie Klomhaus, Principal of Todd Early Childhood Center, Kelly Pearson, Assistant Principal and Beth Heldmann, Full Day Pre-K Program Administrator to recognized Darlyne Dwyer for making the difference in the families of District 129. In 2017 Darlyne started a food program for our most needy families. Darlyne spoked to several community entities and eventually partnered with the Illinois Food Bank to spearhead the Backpack Food Program that targeted struggling families at Todd and Hope D. Wall. The Board thanked Darlyne for her dedication and kindness to our students and families. Darlyne introduced her family members present. Jeannine McConnell was also recognized for creating a plant garden at Freeman Elementary with donors funds and the help of little hand from Pre-K students. The intent for the garden is for students to learn about plants, how to grow them, how to care for them and why we need them. The Board thanked Jeannine for her dedication. Then the Board took pictures with both teachers.
4. Consent Agenda
Action (Consent): 4.1 Approval of the Consent Agenda for September 17, 2018
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the items contained in the Consent Agenda for September 17, 2018.
Mr. Christopher Sparks motioned, second by Mrs. Allyson Herget that the Board of Education approve the items contained in the Consent Agenda for September 17, 2018.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (6-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mrs. Melody Saperston, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Christopher Sparks.
Note: All items approved within the consent agenda are listed below.
Action (Consent), Minutes: 4.2 Approval of Minutes from the September 4, 2018 Open and Closed Board of Education Meetings
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the minutes from the September 4, 2018 open and closed Board of Education meetings.
Action (Consent): 4.3 Approval of Bill Listing for September 17, 2018
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the bill listing for September 17, 2018.
Action (Consent): 4.4 Approval of the Personnel Report for September 17, 2018
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the Personnel Report for September 17, 2018.
Action (Consent): 4.5 FY18 Certified Administrators and Teacher Salary Report
Resolution: That the Board of Education approve the FY18 Certified Administrators and Teacher Salary Report.
5. Information
Information: 5.1 School Improvement Plan – Todd Early Childhood Center
Dr. Brent Raby, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning called Dr. Laurie Klomhaus, Principal, Kelly Person, Assistant Principal and Beth Heldmann, Full Day Pre-K Program Administrator to the podium to present and highlight the Early Childhood Programs. Mrs. Person started the presentation refreshing the board about the focus and expectations for Early Childhood in West Aurora. Mrs. Person then talked about grant awarded and funding allocations. Mrs. Person explained they received an increase on funds to hire a 3 new parent educators which they will designed to serve 12-15 families and children prenatal through age 3. Mrs. Person shared some statistics from the PAT Program highlighting that 1,120 visits were completed by our PAT parent educators. Mrs. Pearson encourage everyone to follow the parent educators webpage. Dr. Klomhaus explained the program Preschool for All (PFA) by focusing to find and screen the most at-risk students in the community. Dr. Klomhaus talked about the PFA program statistics and how they received the Gold Circle of Quality award and how the program will grow by 30 students after the move in January 2019. Dr. Klomhaus thanked the Board for their support through the process of building their new space and mentioned that everyone at Todd are ready and very excited about their new location. Beth Heldmann explained the Preschool Expansion (Full Day Pre-K) and how it operates across the District with 10 classrooms in 7 elementary buildings, also sharing statistics from 2017-2018 school year highlighting enrollment. Mrs. Heldmann also express her gratitude to the Board for their support towards the Early Childhood programs. Mrs. Person talked about the preschool special education program highlighting that there are 4 self-contained programs in our district and how the students get referred through Early Intervention, screenings, parental requests or teacher referrals. They finalize their presentation opening for questions. Board member Herget tanked the Pre-School Administrators and Staff. Board member Kerns inquired about the grants. Dr. Raby explained that the grant is a 5 year plan and that is a challenge. The entire presentation can be found on BoardDocs.
Information: 5.2 Enterprise Firewall Request for Proposal
Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent called Don Ringelestein, Director of Technology to present the request for proposals for the Enterprise Firewall. Mr. Ringelestein started his presentation by explaining the capacity of our existing SonicWall and why we need to update it. Ringelestein mentioned that this is Step 1 so there will be future discussion once we received the proposals. The entire document can be found on BoardDocs.
Information: 5.3 Prior Trip Approval – Purdue Jazz Festival
Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent presented the prior trip approval for the West Aurora High School students to go to the Purdue University Jazz Festival at West Lafayette, IN, leaving on Friday, January 18th, 2019 returning Saturday, January 19th, 2019. The request can be found on BoardDocs for more details.
Information: 5.4 Community Affairs Update to the Board
Alexander Perez, Director of Community Affairs presented the community affairs update highlighting the Homecoming Week starting with Food Trucks-Vendors, Parade and Game. The Homecoming Parade is scheduled on Thursday, September 27th, Mr. Perez is looking forward to this events. He also mentioned the Suicide Awareness pop up art display at West High and the participation of ELL Department in the City of Aurora's Annual Fiestas Patrias even by celebrating the National Hispanic Heritage Month. The entire presentation can be found on BoardDocs.
6. Discussion
Discussion: 6.1 Title Plan SY 2018-2019 – Step 2
Dr. Brent Raby, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning introduced Dr. Sarah Waddell, Director of Elementary to answer any following questions in regards to the previously presented Title Plan for school year 2018-2019. There were no questions from the Board at this time. The entire presentation can be found on BoardDocs.
Discussion: 6.2 2018 Bond Refunding – Step 2
Angie Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Operations presented Ryan Abrahamson, Director of Finance to answer any following questions that the Board may have in regards of the previously presented 2018 Bond Refunding item. No questions from the Board at this time. The entire presentation can be found on BoardDocs.
Discussion: 6.3 Hill Elementary Playground Project
Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent mentioned that the naming committee is going to meet October 12th to look for their approval. President Gonzalez requested the board for volunteers to be part of this committee and to email him if interested.
7. Action Items
Action: 7.1 Approval of District & School Improvement Process
Mr. Ira Lathan motioned, second by Mr. Richard Kerns that the Board of Education approve the District & School Improvement Process as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (6-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mrs. Melody Saperston, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Christopher Sparks.
Action: 7.2 Adoption of the West Aurora School District 129 Budget for the 2018- 2019 School Year
Mr. Richard Kerns motioned, second by Mr. Christopher Sparks that the Board of Education approve the RESOLUTION to adopt the budget for the 2018-2019 school year for West Aurora School District 129.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (6-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mrs. Melody Saperston, Mr. Christopher Sparks.
Action: 7.3 Adoption of the Hope D. Wall Joint Agreement Budget for the 2018- 2019 School Year
Mrs. Melody Saperston motioned, second by Mr. Ira Lathan that the Board of Education approve the RESOLUTION to adopt the Hope D. Wall joint agreement budget for the 2017-2019 school year.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (6-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mr. Richard Kerns, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mrs. Melody Saperston, Mr. Christopher Sparks.
8. Comments
Procedural: 8.1 Public Comments: Audience Members Wishing to Speak to the Board Regarding a Non-Agenda Item
No members of the audience wished to speak to the Board regarding a Non-Agenda Item.
Information: 8.2 Superintendent Comments
Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent attended the 2nd Aurora Education Commission Meeting today. This week on Wednesday Dr. Craig will be attending the Community in Schools September meeting and on Thursday he will be at the IASA Kishwaukee Meeting in Sycamore. Dr. Craig encourage everyone to attend Banding Together even on Saturday.
Information: 8.3 Student Board Member Comments
Annie Wu, Student Board Member, would like to recognize her friend Abby Stein that created the Spread of Kindness Project to promote mental health awareness by hanging up paper hearts at West High and recently at Jefferson Middle School.
Information: 8.4 Board Member Comments & Dates to Remember
Mrs. Saperston thanked Annie for making the Board aware of this amazing initiative of Spread of Kindness Project. Mrs. Saperston is looking forward to attend the Homecoming Game and Banding Together event. Mr. Lathan mentioned that this month is the Mental Health Awareness month; Mr. Lathan attended the 14th Annual Aurora Hispanic Pioneers Breakfast most specifically to hear Dr. Jorge Partida, Psychologist from California. Mr. Kerns attended a West High Football Game and he felt proud to have an amazing Band. Mr. Kerns is looking forward to see the final result of the Learning Center for the new location. Mr. Kerns encourage everyone to attend Banding Together event. Mr. Sparks had no comments. Mrs. Herget thanked everyone for the incredible facility that will be open soon. Mr. Gonzalez attended the 14th Annual Aurora Hispanic Pioneers Breakfast.
9. Adjournment
Action, Procedural: 9.1 Adjourn
Mr. Christopher Sparks motioned, second by Mrs. Allyson Herget to adjourn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries (6-0)
Yea: Mr. Robert Gonzalez, Mrs. Allyson Herget, Mrs. Melody Saperston, Mr. Ira Lathan, Mr. Christopher Sparks, Mr. Richard Kerns.
Meeting adjourned at 7:03 PM.
https://www.boarddocs.com/il/asd129/Board.nsf/files/B68NH45CCABB/$file/September%2017%2C%202018%20-%20Regular%20Open%20Session%20Minutes.pdf
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