Alden-Hebron SD 19 School District Board met Oct. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
President Norton called the regular meeting of the Board of Education of Alden-Hebron Community Consolidated Unit School District #19 to order at 7:01 p.m.
Roll Call
PRESENT: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mr. Madsen, Mr. Eskridge, Mr. Stauss, Mrs. Smith
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT:
Dr. Debbie Ehlenburg-Superintendent, Tim Hayunga-MS/HS Principal, Pat Syens-Treasurer, Scott Redden-Buildings & Grounds, Cyndie Erckfritz-Transportation, Karen Fallon-Kindergarten teacher, Patti Peisert-1st grade teacher, Molly Besler-PK, Hayli Lagerhausen-ES Social Work, Jacob Behrens-HS Math & Physics, Zeke Nickels, Jen Nickels, Sue Reed, Carla Skamra, Wendy Marks, Renee Gritmacker, Arthur Gritmacker, Alexandra Wieczorek, Ron Wieczorek, Carly Gritmacker, Anna Webber, Nancy Lech, Sue Walters, Brea Knoll, Kate Johnson, Justin Strand, Melanie Nielsen, Zoe Deeringer, Mike VonBergen, Tracie VonBergen, Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Miller
Legal Notice of Public Hearing, 09/21/18: Conditional Use Permit is being requested for Intensive Agritourism by Melvin, Bobette, Michael and Tracie VonBergen for property on the south side of State Route 173, approximately 1,300 feet west of the intersection of 173 and Lange Road. A Conditional Use Permit for this property would result in an amendment of the Unified Development Ordinance of McHenry County Illinois. The hearing will be held on the 17th of October, 2018 at 1:30pm in Conference Room C at the McHenry County Government Center/Ware Road Administration Building.
COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comments
Mr. Hayunga introduced Mr. Behrens-HS Physics teacher, and his students—Carly Gritmacker, Anna Webber, Brea Knoll, Justin Strand, Melanie Nielsen, Zoe Deeringer—who were in attendance to present one of the projects they have been working on this quarter. The purpose of the project was to “investigate the properties of projectile motion to accurately predict where a projectile will land.” The students outlined to the BOE and those present their processes, including research, calculations, mathematical analysis, and design. They then demonstrated three different projectile launchers they built and tested according to the rubric Mr. Behrens had presented them with.
Mrs. Marks asked what steps the BOE have taken to move forward with the future plans for the District Facilities. She was assured by Mr. Norton that discussion would take place regarding that topic at the appropriate time during the meeting.
Staff Comments
Miss Lagerhausen—ES Social Worker, was in attendance to update the BOE on the approach she and the classroom teachers have taken for implementing the new SEL (Social Emotional Learning) curriculum, “Choose Love”, that has been adopted this school year. Ms. Lagerhausen visits each ES classroom once a week and conducts a lesson with students on a selected topic. The classroom teachers will then reinforce the lesson through conversation and incorporating vocabulary relative to the lesson into their classroom discussions. Miss Lagerhausen ended the presentation by engaging those present in a “Rest and Relax” activity.
Board Comments
Mr. Winkelman urged those present to come out and support the student athletes. He mentioned that this Thursday is Senior Night for the HSVB team and that AHHS will be hosting the Volleyball Regional next week.
Consent Agenda
The following were reviewed under the consent agenda:
*A. Approval of September 18, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes *B. Recap of September 2018 Expenditures
*C. Treasurer’s Report for September 2018
*D. Approval of Current Invoices & Payroll
*E. Personnel Report
*F. Approval of snow plow bid
Mr. Eskridge moved, Mrs. Smith seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mr. Madsen, Mr. Eskridge, Mr. Stauss, Mrs. Smith
Nays: None
Absent: None
BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION
Pattie Peisert and Karen Fallon, teacher-members of the Elementary School Improvement Plan committee assembled by Principal Elswick, presented and described elements of the ES SIP. Elements of the plan include implementing Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark assessment System to determine instructional levels for reading; SEL curriculum, “Choose Love”; a STEM program; Thinking Maps; the iReady math curriculum and assessment; and improve communications.
Mr. Stauss moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded to approve the 2018-2019 ES School Improvement Plan as presented.
Motion carried.
Tim Hayunga-MS/HS Principal Report-as presented
Mr. Hayunga reminded the BOE that the Veteran’s Day Program will take place on Friday, November 9 at 8:00am. He then presented the MS/HS School Improvement Plan. Elements include: Implementing iReady math and reading to gather data and use it to fill in gaps as an intervention; Thinking Maps to improve critical thinking skills and description writing; Choose Love curriculum to create a culture that supports SEL; improving Professional Development opportunities for staff.
Mr. Madsen moved, Mrs. Smith seconded to approve the 2018-2019 MS/HS School Improvement Plan as presented.
Motion carried.
Dr. Debbie Ehlenburg-Superintendent Report-as presented
Dr. Ehlenburg showed the BOE a preview of the District Data Dashboard she has been working on. It is a Website provided to Districts at no cost by the Illinois Association of School Administrators, where Districts can create Home, Indicator, and Strategy pages to share vital statistics and progress.
She then presented the 2018-2019 District 19 Strategic Management Plan for the BOE to review. District goals included in the plan are: Providing an environment that is supporting the whole child and well-being of all students and personnel; increasing and improving stakeholder involvement; by December 2018, decide on a solution to provide a high-quality learning environment for Middle/High School students.
Mr. Eskridge moved, Mr. Madsen seconded to approve the District Strategic Management Plan. Motion carried.
Village
Mrs. Erckfritz attended the village meeting and reported that Trick-or-Treat will be on October 31 between 3:00 and 7:00pm. Also discussed at the meeting were changes in zoning.
Finance
Mrs. Syens presented and discussed with the BOE the 2018 Tax Levy Worksheet. The BOE directed Mrs. Syens to proceed with seeking the estimated levy at a less than 5% increase. She also presented the FY18 Audit.
Mrs. Combs moved, Mr. Eskridge seconded to accept the FY18 Audit. Motion carried
Physical Structures and Maintenance-as presented
Mr. Redden added that the new boiler at the MS/HS is in and running. He reported that his crew has been working short-handed since early September, and he is pleased that they will have a new custodian starting on Monday, 10/22. They will be getting the facilities ready for winter. Mr. Norton stated that the facilities are looking great and thanked Mr. Redden and his crew for all of their hard work.
Discussion was held regarding the scope of the master plan for District Facilities. At President Norton’s request, BOE members shared feedback they’d gotten from community members after the Community Forum held on 9/19/18. Opinions from community members included: Build a new MS/HS rather than put more money into the old building; building a new school may encourage community growth; repair the old building; consolidation. Mr. Norton inquired of BOE members which elements they felt should be included, should the decision be made to build a new facility. Responses from BOE members included: Build only what is needed now, with the capability for expansion if the need arises; build a facility that would offer students with safety, comfort, and provide the ideal learning environment; include an area to house or store District buses; the plan should include a well and septic as the cost would be roughly half the cost of extending sewer and water to the property. Mrs. Smith speculated that, because of the small size of the District, there may be grants available from the state to recover a portion of the cost associated with the project. Dr. Ehlenburg agreed that that was a possibility, due to the fact that the District is on the 2004 state construction list. However, the state would need to allocate funds. The likelihood of that is unknown.
After much deliberation, the BOE came to the decision to develop language for a referendum to be put on the April election ballot that would include a new MS/HS building, bus barn, and athletic fields.
Mr. Eskridge moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded to approve the scope of the master plan for the District Facilities.
Ayes: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mr. Madsen, Mr. Eskridge, Mr. Stauss, Mrs. Smith
Nays: None Absent: None
Transportation-as presented
Mrs. Erckfritz reported that the Transportation traded in a vehicle for a used, 10-passenger van.
COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comments
Community members present at this meeting voiced concerns about the intentions of the BOE for the referendum on the ballot for the April 2019 election. Most of the unease seems to stem from the probability of increased property tax burden on taxpayers with a new building. Disappointment was expressed that consolidation wasn’t given more consideration. Mrs. Syens responded that taxes would increase with consolidation, as well. She stated that Alden-Hebron has the lowest school tax rate in McHenry County. Another thought was that, rather than put a referendum on the ballot, the District should hold fundraisers for the improvements. Yet another community member was apprehensive and doubtful that a referendum for the estimated amount of $20 million would be politically viable.
Staff Comments None
Board Comments
Mr. Eskridge commented that there were many more people at the night’s meeting and that it would be good to see that many people attend the meetings on a regular basis. In regard to suggestion that remodeling would be the better option, he noted that all of the items that have been “grandfathered” would be required to be brought up to code, which could be additional cost. He further stated that, should the decision be made to build a new facility, the District should dispose of or sell the old building because there would be continued cost to maintain ownership of it.
Executive Session
Mr. Eskridge moved, Mr. Madsen seconded to go into executive Session at 9:16m for the purpose of the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance of specific employees.
Ayes: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mr. Madsen, Mr. Eskridge, Mr. Stauss, Mrs. Smith
Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried
Returned to Open Session at 9:43pm.
Adjournment
Mrs. Smith moved, Mr. Stauss seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:43pm. Motion Carried.
https://www.alden-hebron.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/10-16-18-minutes.pdf