McHenry Times

Johnsburg Community Unit School District 12 Board met November 14. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the board:

Members Present:            Mr. J. Barrett, Mr. J. Harker, Mrs. V. Klos, Mr. S. Link, Mrs. C. Neiss, Mr. T.

                                         Oeffling.

Members Present By

Means of Audio/Visual

Conference:                    None.

Members Absent:            Mrs. M. Tinsley.

Also Present:                  Superintendent, Dr. D. Johnson; Business Manager, Mrs. A. Mulvaney; Curriculum

                                       Director, Mrs. T. Engelbrecht; Student Services Director, Mrs. F. Milewski; Minute

                                       Recorder, Ms. B. Seger.

Call to Order

      The meeting was called to order by President Tom Oeffling at 7:02 p.m. and proceeded with roll call. The roll call found Mr. J. Barrett, Mr. J. Harker, Mrs. V. Klos, Mr. S. Link, Mrs. C. Neiss and Mr. T. Oeffling present. Absent: Mrs. M. Tinsley.

Pledge of Allegiance

     Mr. T. Oeffling led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Agenda Time for Citizens to Speak

     There were no citizens to speak at this time.

Finance Report

     Mrs. A. Mulvaney began the meeting by updating the Board on the state funding items from FY17 that are still outstanding and what has been received for FY18. She then highlighted the results of the annual  financial audit, which were very positive and noted that the District’s auditor would be available to come to the next Board meeting to discuss the audit with the Board and answer any questions that they may have. The Board agreed that it would be beneficial to have her attend the Board meeting. Mrs. A. Mulvaney also informed the Board that the District is no longer on the financial watch list. She explained how the financial ratings are determined, what it takes to improve and the expectations and timing for the District in the future.

     Mrs. A. Mulvaney reviewed the District’s actual cash flow figures for FY17, the assumptions for FY18 and the estimates and timing for this year’s tax anticipation warrants. She presented information regarding the upcoming tax levy adoption process and reviewed a chart illustrating the levy calculations for the past several years, explained the definition of a balloon levy and the items that go into estimating the amount of the levy. After discussing the options, the Board asked Mrs. A. Mulvaney to bring both a 5% and 10% levy option to the Board meeting on November 28th to consider and discuss before the vote is taken to adopt the tentative levy.

Operations Report

     Mrs. A. Mulvaney began the report on operations by reporting on the positive results of the District’s recent Life Safety Inspection, the work that was completed on the tennis court at Johnsburg Elementary School to allow for PE class and recess use, the paving that was done in the area where the former 3-8 mobile classroom was located and the limestone shoulder installation at JHS. She also updated the Board on the Food Service Department grant opportunities, the recent School Wellness Conference and the formation of a District Wellness Committee. Mrs. A. Mulvaney presented information on the School Bus Rebate Program through which the District has requested rebates to replace old buses, the recent bus driver meeting and the formation of a Transportation Committee that will focus on improving routes and communication and develop better procedures.

     The Board was provided with a copy of the proposed 2018-19 school calendar for their review. Dr. D. Johnson noted that the calendar would be presented for formal approval at the November 28th Board meeting. The final operations topic that was presented was the potential naming of District facilities. Dr. D. Johnson noted that the subject was brought before the Board years ago and that a request was received to readdress the topic. The Board discussed several options before requesting that a policy be developed to address the subject moving forward.

Personnel Report

Mrs. A. Mulvaney gave a brief report on personnel and noted that reviews were being done on all district and building-level secretarial support responsibilities to realign responsibilities as retirements/resignations occur and to ensure that the reporting requirements in relation to the Student Information System data and its relation to state funding is handled appropriately and accurately. Mrs. A. Mulvaney concluded her report on finance, operations and personnel by answering a variety of questions by the Board.

Student Services Report

     Mrs. F. Milewski began her presentation on Student Services by reviewing the results of the October 26th parent night event on anxiety and previewing the next event scheduled for November 30th that will focus on autism and sensory needs. She discussed the revision of the registration forms for early childhood education and Pre-K enrollment to match the new student information system requirements. The Board discussed the increase in Pre-K enrollment in relation to the amount of funding that the District receives for the program. Mrs. F. Milewski also discussed the creation of extended school year guidelines that will be aligned with the multi-tiered system of support handbook guidelines, the staff adjustments being made due to the increase in ELL students and the High School course of study for the 2018-19 school year. Mrs. F. Milewski completed her presentation by showing the Board a picture of the signs that were recently placed in the District honoring High School athlete, Angel Martin, as the 2017 State Champion in shot put and discus wheelchair division.

Curriculum/Instruction Report

     Mrs. T. Engelbrecht began her presentation by reviewing and discussing the Illinois School Report Card data. She referenced the recent article in the Northwest Herald and explained that the data used was not readily comparable and confusing. Mrs. T. Engelbrecht showed the Board how to access the State Report Card online to locate data and make comparisons.

     Mrs. T. Engelbrecht presented information on the recent Radiant Learning Testing at the High School. She highlighted the results of the first tests, the reports the staff and students receive and how they will be used to target instruction for growth. She also discussed the new behavioral screener that will be utilized as a preventative measure to identify students that might be at risk. Mrs. T. Engelbrecht completed her report by updating the Board on what is being done in each of the buildings regarding the goals contained in the long-term plan for curriculum and instruction and by answering a variety of questions on each of the topics in her presentation.

Board Policy Report

     There was no report at the meeting.

Other Business

     There was no other business for discussion at this time.

Adjournment – 8:45 pm

     It was moved by Mrs. C. Neiss and seconded by Mrs. V. Klos to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. On roll call vote, "Ayes": Mr. J. Barrett, Mr. J. Harker, Mrs. V. Klos, Mr. S. Link, Mrs. C. Neiss, Mr. T. Oeffling. There was no other business for discussion at this time. "Nays": None. Absent: Mrs. M. Tinsley. Motion carried.

https://www.johnsburg12.org/files/user/24/file/04%20Committee%20of%20the%20Whole%20Minutes%2011-14-17.pdf