McHenry Times

Alden Hebron School District 19 Board of Education met Dec. 18.

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 7:03 p.m.

Roll Call

PRESENT: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Smith

ABSENT: Mr. Madsen

ALSO PRESENT:

Dr. Debbie Ehlenburg-Superintendent, Tim Hayunga-MS/HS Principal, Tiffany Elswick-ES Principal  Teresa Eick-George, Shannon Walsh, Nick Ciccotosto, Ray Stalker, Mark Vanderstappen, Dave Manning.

CORRESPONDENCE

 11/25/19-FOIA from Joe Hart of the Illinois Education Association requesting employment information about non-certified staff. Satisfied on 11/26/19.

 12/09/19-Thank you to BOE and staff from Colleen Geils for flowers sent to her.

 12/13/19-Thank you from family of Ed Stephan (custodian-Gary Stephan’s dad) for donation sent to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Florida in memory of Mr. Stephan.

 12/14/19-FOIA from Kaza Rhan of LocalLabs requesting term, contact, and salary data on District 19 Board Members.

 12/16/19-(also) Thank you from Mount Sinai Medical Center for the donation made to them in Mr. Stephan’s memory.

 12/18/19—Letter of appreciation to BOE and administration from Terri Nelson of Giant Oaks Road in Wonder Lake in regards to the Community Engagement mailings.

 12/18/19—Christmas card from Shannon Combs and family

COMMUNICATIONS

Public Comments

None

Staff Comments

Mr. Hayunga announced State Scholar Award winners—Madison & Morgan Baldwin (who have since moved out of state), and Anna Webber. Illinois State Scholars are students who rank in the top 10% in the state according to their GPA at the end of their 6th semester in High School and their SAT scores.

Board Comments

Mr. Winkelman urged everyone to get out and support the student athletes in their winter sports seasons.

Consent Agenda

The following were reviewed under the consent agenda:

*A. Approval of November 20, 2019 Regular and Executive Session Meeting Minutes

*B. Recap of November 2019 Expenditures

*C. Treasurer’s Report for November 2019

*D. Approval of Current Invoices & Payroll

*E. Personnel Report

*F. Approval of Policies

School Board

2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board; Indemnification

2:70 Vacancies on the School Board-Filling Vacancies

2:100 Board Member Conflict of Interest

2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban

2:110 Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers

2:200 Types of School Board Meetings

2:220 School Board Meeting Procedure

2:250 Access to District Public Records

2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure

General School Administration

3:50 Administrative Personnel Other Than the Superintendent

Operational Services

4:15 Identity Protection

4:30 Revenue and Investments

4:40 Incurring Debt

4:60 Purchases and Contracts

4:80 Accounting and Audits

4:110 Transportation

4:140 Waiver of Student Fees

4:150 Facility Management and Building Programs

4:170 Safety

4:175 Convicted Child Sex Offender; Screening; Notifications

4:190 Targeted School Violence Prevention Program

Personnel

5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment

5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited

5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria

5:50 Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition

5:90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting

5:100 Staff Development Program

5:120 Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest

5:125 Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct

5:150 Personnel Records

5:190 Teacher Qualifications

5:200 Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal

5:220 Substitute Teachers

5:250 Leaves of Absence

5:260 Student Teachers

5:285 Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus and Commercial Vehicle Drivers

5:290 Employment Termination and Suspensions

5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves

Instruction

6:15 School Accountability

6:20 School Year Calendar and Day

6:60 Curriculum Content

6:65 Student Social and Emotional Development

6:150 Home and Hospital Instruction

6:180 Extended Instructional Programs

6:210 Instructional Materials

6:270 Guidance and Counseling Program

6:300 Graduation Requirements

6:310 High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students

6:320 High School Credit for Proficiency

Students

7:20 Harassment of Students Forbidden

7:150 Agency and Police Interviews

7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment

7:190 Student Behavior

7:200 Suspension Procedures

7:270 Administering Medicines to Students

7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention

7:340 Student Records

Community Relations

8:30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property

Mrs. Johnson moved, Mrs. Combs seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Ayes: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Smith

Nays: None

Absent: Mr. Madsen

Motion Carried

BUSINESS

ADMINISTRATION

Tiffany Elswick-Asst. Supt./ES Principal Report-as presented

Mrs. Elswick shared that the Elementary students and staff donated full Thanksgiving meals to eight families for the holiday. Also, Ms. Lagerhausen organized the Secret Santa again this year and through donations from community members, businesses, churches, District 19 staff, and District 19 3rd-5th grade students, 36 families (including 108 kids) received Christmas gifts. Additionally, 8 of our students were chosen to “Shop with a Cop”.

K-1 concert was held last week and the Pre-K concert will be tomorrow evening.

Tim Hayunga-MS/HS Principal Report-as presented

Mr. Hayunga shared information he got about the Vaping sensor devices. One school he spoke with highly recommended installing the sensors. Initially, they had several instances of the sensor alerting. However, once it was realized that the sensor was there and alerting administration, the instances were substantially lower. They are crediting the device with acting as a deterrent to vaping. Furthermore, there is positive feedback for the devices on the Illinois Principal Association’s website. Each device costs $950.00; installation in 4 bathrooms would cost around $500 for a total of $4300.

Mrs. Smith motioned, Mr. Winkelman seconded to approve acquisition of 4 vaping sensors and having them installed in each bathroom for a cost not to exceed $5000.00.

Ayes: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Smith 

Nays: None

Absent: Mr. Madsen

Motion Carried

Dr. Debbie Ehlenburg-Superintendent Report-as presented

Dr. Ehlenburg reported that the District missed the deadline to apply for the ASA publication waiver, but that there will be an opportunity to apply in the fall. Also, she is going to submit an application to the state for the Property Tax Relief Grant. Chances of getting the grant are slim, but it is worth submitting it. Finally, the BOE meeting that is on the meeting date list for January 15th was supposed to have been scheduled for January 22 to coincide with the Community Feedback presentation to the Board by Jill Huskisson.

Village

Mr. Norton attended the Village Board meeting this week and reported the following:

 Fund balances

 Preparation of the ice rink as weather permits

 Village contract with Prairie Land Disposal

 Legalization of cannabis and regulations for dispensaries that the village may put into place

 Holiday light contest

 Suggestion by Police Officers that citizens should lock their cars when warming them as items have reportedly been stolen from unlocked vehicles

Physical Structures and Maintenance-as presented

Dr. Ehlenburg stated that the boiler at the MS/HS has been fixed. Also, she is exploring items from the Health/Life Safety list to include on the School Maintenance Grant. It is a matching grant worth up to $50,000.

Transportation Report-as presented

Dr. Ehlenburg stated that the bus that was involved in the accident in November will be fixed over Winter Break.

CURRICULUM/POLICY

As a result of legislation and updated policies, discussion was held regarding changes to courses and curriculum. Tabled (until further research can be completed) was the suggestion to approve dual enrollment student eligibility requirements. It was felt by some BOE members that making the enrollment requirements for the available college courses too strict would inadvertently restrict access to these classes for students who may thrive in that environment. While some felt that the requirements were in place to keep from placing students in classes or environments that they are not ready for.

Mrs. Smith moved, Mr. Berg seconded to approve the increase of graduation requirements from 23-24 credits with Keyboarding becoming a requirement starting with the class of 2024 (this year’s 8th graders). Motion Carried

Mrs. Johnson moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded to approve new courses added to the Art Curriculum. Motion Carried

Mrs. Smith moved, Mrs. Combs seconded to approve the addition of College/Career Readiness/Internship to the HS Curriculum.

Motion Carried

Mr. Berg moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded to approve the addition of a Personal Finance class to the HS Curriculum and make it a graduation requirement.

Ayes: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Smith 

Nays: None

Absent: Mr. Madsen

Motion Carried

Future Agenda Items

 Recycling—Mrs. Johnson suggested that there should be a District-wide recycling initiative. Dr. Ehlenburg and Mrs. Elswick will explore options for a recycling plan for the District and report back to the BOE in May.

 School Maintenance Grant—Dr. Ehlenburg will report to the BOE in January the items they will include in the School Maintenance.

COMMUNICATIONS

Public Comments

Mr. Manning made the following suggestions/comments/questions:

 That District 19 might consider installing the vaping sensor devices in the ES as well, because of the widespread use of vaping products.

 Has District 19 reviewed their policies in regard to the bus accident last month?

 Students should have the opportunity to withdraw from a class if they start it and realize that they don’t like it or they are not going to pass it.

 Consider developing classes that are shorter term

Mr. Stalker inquired if the District had ever considered soliciting volunteer help to complete repairs and necessary maintenance.

Staff Comments

Mrs. Eick-George stated that the dual credit classes that would be affected by restricting eligibility are college courses and are not connected to the vocational courses. Therefore, having guidelines for enrollment into these classes is necessary.

Board Comments

Mr. Norton wished all present a Happy Holiday season.

Dr. Ehlenburg stated that the BOE members and Administration will be hosting a holiday gathering for staff at lunch time on 1/7/20.

She also extended thanks to BOE and community members for their participation in the Community Engagement Workshop on December 5.

Executive Session

Mrs. Smith moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded to go into executive Session at 9:04pm for the purpose of the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance of specific employees, and semi- annual review of Executive Session Minutes.

Ayes: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Smith 

Nays: None

Absent: Mr. Madsen

Motion Carried

Returned to Open Session at 10:46pm. Actions resulting from Executive Session:

Mrs. Johnson moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded to release the following Executive Session Minutes: 10/16/18, 11/20/18, 3/19/19, 6/19/19, 8/7/19, 10/2/19

Ayes: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Smith

Nays: None

Absent: Mr. Madsen

Mrs. Smith moved, Mr. Berg seconded Regarding case #1219A issue a Notice to Remedy— unprofessionalism and inappropriate language effective 12/31/19-12/31/2022.

Ayes: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Smith

Nays: None

Absent: Mr. Madsen

Adjournment

Mrs. Smith moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:50pm. Motion Carried.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/568628/12-18-19_minutes.pdf