McHenry Times

Mchenry Community High School District 156 Board of Education Met Dec. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

I. Call to Order and Roll Call 

The meeting is called to order at 7:00 p.m. 

Members Present (Remote): Amanda Lobbins, Dawn Bremer, Nicole Morrow, Pat Arnold, Timothy  Hying, Ron Fischer. President Gary Kinshofer was present in the board room.  

Members Absent: None 

Others Present: Superintendent Ryan McTague (Present); CFO/CSBO Dave Lawson (Remote); Assistant  Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Carl Vallianatos (Present); District Division Chair of Social  Science/Summer School Principal Sean Sterner (Remote) and East Assistant Social Science Division Chair  Abigail Bilinski (Remote).  

II. Pledge of Allegiance 

III. Changes /Additions to theAgenda  

Comments - None 

IV. Audience to Visitors Who Wish to Address the Board of Education  

Comments – None 

V. Board Presentation Division of Social Science Sean Sterner and Abigail Bilinski 

Sean Sterner and Abigail Bilinski presented the new Mission Statement for the department that focuses  on the student as “active, informed, thoughtful and responsible members of society”. In alignment with this mission, students will be in engaged in topics that are significant to society in multiple  perspectives, to help them develop claims that are supported by evidence and learn to engage in  thoughtful and respectful civil discourse.  

Veteran’s Day was Zoom casted this year for all students, in every social science class throughout the day. This is always an important event for us, because it exposes the students to stories of the military, wars, and the backgrounds of our American Heroes.  

Social Science curriculum changes for the 2021 – 2022 school year includes a full year of AP  Government, making AP Comparative Government an elective, Psychology in the World Today and  Current Events in a Digital World, along with Blended Learning courses. There will also be a Social  Science Internship that will partner with Government agencies such as the City of McHenry, the Police  Department, and the State’s Attorney’s Office to give students hands on experience of these agencies.  

For more information please see the following link: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1036798/2020_Social_Science_School_B oard_Presentation.pdf 

VI. Consent Agenda 

• Approve Personnel Report 

• Approve Minutes of the November 16, 2020 Finance Committee Meeting 

• Approve Minutes of the November 16, 2020 Board of Education Meetings Open and Closed  Sessions 

• Approve Minutes of the November 23, 2020 Facilities Committee Meeting 

• Approve Financial Reports  

• Approve Payment of Monthly Bills and Payroll

A motion was made by Ms. Bremer, seconded by Mr. Fischer to approve the consent agenda.  Upon the motion being put to a roll-call vote, members of the Board of Education voted as follows: AYES: Mr. Fischer, Mrs. Morrow, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Kinshofer, Ms. Bremer, Mr. Hying, Mrs. Lobbins Whereupon the Vice - President ruled the motion carried. 

 VII. Business  

• Annual 2020 Summer School Report (Discussion) 

Mr. Sterner, the District 156 Summer School Principal, stated that summer school enrollment  continues to grow and is becoming a third semester. What used to be primarily a vehicle for  students who needed to recover credit has now become a gateway for students to “get ahead” and  progress academically or free up their schedule to take an extra elective class during the school  year. This past summer, due to the pandemic, we implemented a “fully digital” summer school  model. 

Looking ahead to summer 2021 we hope hold classes in the new Science, Technology, and Industry  Center and further expand our course offerings. Students (9-12) will be able to register on-line for  summer school this year. 

Dr. McTague also explained, how summer school has become a “cost neutral” budgetary expense for the District. The current operational model is both more efficient and sustainable. Engaging  students in new pathways has changed our student’s mindset and perception that summer school is  only for remediation. Summer school is now considered a viable third semester to help our students achieve their academic goals.  

For more information please see the following link: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1036788/Summer_School_2020__Boar d_Presentation_.pdf 

• Board Policies First Reading Press Plus 106 (Discussion) 

This is the first reading of Board Policies Press Plus 106. These are an overview of current policies  with noted additions, changes or updates from the ISBE. We will have our attorneys review the policies and work with our administrative team on the implementation process. We will bring the  final approval to the Board in either January or February.  

• Approve Certificate of 2020 Levy (Action) 

The administration recommended the approval of the 2020 Certificate of Levy at 3.06% in the  amount of $25,483,431.00.  

A motion was made by Mr. Arnold seconded by Mrs. Lobbins to approve the Certificate of Tax  Levy for 2020 of $25,483,431.00. Revenue received from this levy will be used in the 2021 – 2022 budget.  

Upon the motion being put to a roll-call vote, members of the Board of Education voted as  follows: 

AYES: Mr. Fischer, Mrs. Morrow, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Kinshofer, Ms. Bremer, Mr. Hying, Mrs. Lobbins Whereupon the Vice - President ruled the motion carried. 

• Working Cash Fund Resolution (Action)  

The Board President read aloud the Working Cash Fund Resolution to levy the Working Cash Fund.  

A motion was made by Mr. Hying seconded by Mr. Fischer to adopt the Working Cash Fund  Resolution as recommended.  

Upon the motion being put to a roll-call vote, members of the Board of Education voted as  follows: 

AYES: Mr. Fischer, Mrs. Morrow, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Kinshofer, Ms. Bremer, Mr. Hying, Mrs. Lobbins Whereupon the Vice - President ruled the motion carried. 

• Special Education Resolution (Action)  

The Board President read aloud the Special Education Resolution to levy for Special Education  purposes.  

A motion was made by Mr. Hying seconded by Mr. Arnold to adopt the Special Education  Resolution as recommended.  

Upon the motion being put to a roll-call vote, members of the Board of Education voted as  follows: 

AYES: Mr. Fischer, Mrs. Morrow, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Kinshofer, Ms. Bremer, Mr. Hying, Mrs. Lobbins Whereupon the Vice - President ruled the motion carried. 

• Certificate Regarding Inapplicability with the Truth in Taxation Act (Action)  The Board President read aloud the Certificate Regarding Inapplicability with the Truth in Taxation  Act as required by law. The levy amount is below 5% therefore, we are not required to hold a public  hearing.  

A motion was made by Mrs. Morrow seconded by Mrs. Lobbins to approve the Certificate  regarding Inapplicability with the Truth in Taxation Act as required.  

Upon the motion being put to a roll-call vote, members of the Board of Education voted as follows: 

AYES: Mr. Fischer, Mrs. Morrow, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Kinshofer, Ms. Bremer, Mr. Hying, Mrs. Lobbins Whereupon the Vice - President ruled the motion carried.  

 VIII. Board Committee Reports  

• Executive Planning – Nothing to report.  

• Finance – We were working on the levy so there is nothing else to report at this time.  

• Facilities – We held a meeting on November 23 and discussed McCracken Field Improvement Project and the status of current construction projects throughout the district. 

 IX. Superintendent / BOE President Report  

Comments – Dr. McTague – We are preparing to end the first semester and winter break is next  week. I want to thank all of our parents, teachers, students and staff for their support during this  historic pandemic. We hope to make the transition to in-person instruction during the second  semester. On Wednesday, I will send out our updated MCHS Second Semester Hybrid Learning Plan to our school community. Our goal is transition to a Hybrid model on January 20, which is also the  beginning of our second semester if public health metrics allow. If we are unable to transition to a  hybrid model on January 20, we will move to our alternate date on February 1st. I will be watching  the public health metrics closely after the holiday break and notify our community if our status  changes. I am very optimistic and hopeful that we will be moving to a Hybrid model at some point  early in the second semester.  

On behalf of the School Board, our staff members and administrators we want to wish our students  and their families a wonderful holiday break. Our future is bright and the very best is yet to come in  2021. Happy holidays and a Happy New Year! 

Comments – Mr. Kinshofer - Announced the District 1st place Greeting Card Winner – Mia Wiginton West Campus Student. He also wishes everyone Happy Holidays and New Year.  

X. Informational Items 

• Greeting Card winner 

XI. Adjournment 

A motion was made by Mr. Arnold seconded by Mr. Fischer to adjourn at 7:39 p.m. 

The motion carried unanimously.  

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1084605/12.14.2020_Board_Meeting_Minutes.pdf