McHenry Times

Marengo-Union Elementary CSD No. 165 Board of Education met Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Here are the minutes as provided by Marengo-Union Elementary CSD No. 165:

Board of Education - Regular Meeting 816 E. Grant Hwy., Marengo, IL 60152 February 28, 2017

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of Marengo-Union CSD 165, McHenry County, Illinois, was called to order by President, Greg Wright at 7:03 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 in Room 10, 816 E. Grant Highway, Marengo, Illinois.

ROLL CALL The following members were present and responded to roll call: Megan Lopez, Rick Czepczynski, Lesley Pace, John Wyrostek, Matt Erbstoesser, Jude Castro and Greg Wright.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Greg Wright.

COMMUNICATION AND RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Greg Wright welcomed all in attendance.

CITIZEN’S FORUM None

LEADERSHIP REPORT Suellen Lopez, Principal, Locust Elementary gave an informative presentation on the district’s preschool program which is a joint cooperative with Riley school. Preschool is based on a creative curriculum. Mrs. Lopez discussed the registration process and how a student would qualify for the program, at-risk factors and program compliance.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Superintendent Damisch reported on the following

1.Class Size Research: Presentation on research done on impact of class size and student achievement. The results are based on research done in grades K-3 in Tennessee, Wisconsin, California, North Carolina, New York, Michigan and South Carolina. It was found that student achievement increased by 5 percentile points when assigned to a classroom of 13-17 students versus 22-25 and academic gains continued on beyond the 3rd grade. Additionally, minority and low income students showed greater gains.

2.Winter MAP Benchmarks: MAP is the measure of academic progress that creates a personalized assessment, measuring student growth for each individual. Testing is done three times a year on a computer and has very similar format and testing protocols as PARCC.

3.Enrollment Data: Current enrollment is at 1,027. Also discussed was current and future class room size and sections.

4.Bus Purchase: The District received one bid from Midwest Transit, the cost came in at $84,986.00.

5.Lunch and Milk Fees: Recommendation to increase lunch fees from $2.60 to $2.70 and milk fee from $.45 to $.50.

6.Jump Start: Recommendation to offer Jump Start this Summer for students entering 1st grade through 8th grade. As results have shown in the past the cost is reasonable as compared to the pay back of recouping what students may lose over the summer break.

7.Promotion Date: May 30, 2017 barring any unforeseen emergencies.

8.Summer Projects: Scott Fillmore, Building and Grounds Supervisor along with Superintendent Damisch have started the summer projects list, some items being the continuation of new window installation and staining, class room remodels, sidewalks, parking lot and seal coating, update to ADA bathrooms, painting, install air conditioning, replacement of 6 water fountains.

9.FOIA: One FOIA that has been complied with.

10.Hawthorn School: Hawthorn School will be put on the market to be sold through a real estate agency.

11.Personnel Report: Accept resignation from Dellaynna Clark as part time lunch aide and leave of absence request from Cassie Schmidt, both positons will be covered by substitutes through the end of the school year.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A motion was made by Megan Lopez and seconded by Matt Erbstoesser to approve the Consent Agenda Items. In a roll call vote members voting aye: John Wyrostek, Lesley Pace, Jude Castro, Megan Lopez, Matt Erbstoesser, Rick Czepczynski and Greg Wright.

• Minutes of the January 17, 2017 Regular and Executive Session

• February Treasurers Report, February Accounts Payables and March Payroll

• Resolution for bus purchase from Midwest Transit Equipment with a sale price of $84,986.00

• Student breakfast fee of $1.50, student lunch fee of $2.70 and milk fee of $.50 for the 2017-2018 school year.

• Jump Start Program

• Promotion Date of May 30, 2017

• Resolution to authorize to negotiate and sign a listing agreement for the sale of Hawthorn School with Remax real estate agent, Ben Broughton at 4% commission rate.

• Personnel Report

CLOSED SESSION A motion was made by Jude Castro and seconded by Matt Erbstoesser to enter into closed session for the appointment, employment, resignation, compensation, discipline, negotiations, and performance of staff and litigation. In a roll call vote members voting aye: Matt Erbstoesser, Megan Lopez, Rick Czepczynski, Lesley Pace, John Wyrostek, Jude Castro and Greg Wright. Motion carried. Time: 8:25 p.m. Closed Session started at 8:27 p.m.

OPEN SESSION A motion was made by Lesley Pace and seconded by John Wyrostek to return to open session. In a roll call vote members voting aye: John Wyrostek, Matt Erbstoesser, Lesley Pace, Megan Lopez, Jude Castro, Rick Czepczynski and Greg Wright. Motion carried. Time 9:05 p.m.

ACTION ITEMS No Action Items

ADJOURNMENT There being no further business at this Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, Megan Lopez moved seconded by Rick Czepczynski. The motion carried unanimously, and at 9:06 p.m. President, Greg Wright declared the Regular Meeting adjourned.

Board President Board Secretary Marengo-Union Consolidated Marengo-Union Consolidated School District No. 165 School District No. 165 Board of Education Board of Education Marengo, McHenry County, IL Marengo, McHenry County, IL