McHenry Times

Alden-Hebron Community Consolidated Unit School District #19 Board of Education met Jan. 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

President Norton called the meeting of the Board of Education of Alden-Hebron Community

Consolidated Unit School District #19 to order at 6:58pm.

Roll Call

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

ABSENT: None

ALSO PRESENT:

Dr. Debbie Ehlenburg-Interim Superintendent, Tiffany Elswick-Asst. Supt./ES Principal, Tim Hayunga-MS/HS Principal, Jill Huskisson-Dash J Consulting, Scott Redden-Buildings & Grounds, Cyndie Erckfritz-Transportation, Patti Peisert-1st grade, Colleen Geils-Media Specialist, Kristen Norton-ELL, Michelle Cashmore-MS Interventionist, Diane Behrens-Food Service Manager, Heidi Vanderstappen-Kitchen, Nick Ciccotosto, Johnny Eskridge, Sue Walters, Patricia Elswick, Sandra Smart, Agnes Behrens, Zeke Nickels, Jennifer Nickels, Connie & Michael Mueller, Steve Winter, Candace Tufo, Pat Peterson, Bob Peterson, Mike VonBergen, Paul Popenhagen, Phil & Pam Luebbers, Carla Skamra, Wendy Marks, Toby Behrens, Todd Mathis, Ricky Madsen, Tracey Strand, Karen Lalor, Joe Lalor, Cheryl Heber, Ariel Beck, Ryan & Kris Stewart, Al Rosio, Ray Stalker, David Wolf, Mike Schinske, Fred & Donna Shepston, Marty Hammond, Adam Mass, Sue Coon, Tom Linneman, Mike Miles

Correspondence Correspondence received:

 01-08-2020: Thank you note from ES staff to BOE and Admin for the post-holiday luncheon that was provided.

COMMUNICATIONS

Public Comments

Jill Huskisson presented the Community Feedback Report with a PowerPoint presentation. The PowerPoint will be added to the District Website on Wednesday, January 23 so community members can peruse it at their leisure.

Mr. Miles stated that it is his belief that the BOE initiated the April 2019 Referendum without a lot of information given to the community. He feels that a lot of people were unaware of the problems that existed with the MS/HS building, and would like to know how much it would take to bring the building “up to code”.

Mr. Stalker offered thanks to the BOE for their efforts to keep the community informed as they move forward.

Mr. Eskridge stated that the physical/structural problems in the MS/HS building have existed for years and that if a community member feels that they are uninformed, they should show up to BOE meetings to listen and ask questions.

Staff Comments

None

Board Comments

Mr. Norton thanked Jill Huskisson for all the work she has done for Community Engagement for the District.

Mrs. Johnson commended Mrs. Spiniolas (District Nurse) and the AH PTO for arranging Mr. Steen Metz, Holocaust Survivor to come and speak about his experiences in Theresienstadt Concentration Camp on January 15. The event was open to the public and free of charge. Mr. Norton agreed and added that there was a great turnout for the event and that it was well- appreciated.

Mr. Berg thanked all who came out to attend this evening’s BOE meeting and encouraged everyone to attend these meetings whenever possible. Mr. Norton added that the BOE appreciates the input from the community.

CONSENT AGENDA

The following were reviewed under the Consent Agenda:

*A. Approval of December 18, 2019 Regular and Executive Meeting Minutes *B. Recap of December 2019 Expenditures

*C. Treasurer’s Report for December 2019

*D. Approval of Current Invoices & Payroll

*E. Personnel Report

*F. Fund-Raising request: HSVB—Poppin’ Popcorn, 8/15/2020-9/15/2020

Mr. Winkelman moved, Mrs. Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda as presented. 

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

Nays: None

Absent: None 

Motion Carried

BUSINESS

ADMINISTRATION

Asst. Supt./ES Principal Report – as presented

Mrs. Elswick added that the ES has begun their “One Book, One School” event. Students and families are reading the book “The World According to Humphrey”. Humphrey is a hamster and students have donated their change and have bought a hamster for the school, who the students have voted to name “Pork Chop”. Staff and community-members have volunteered to be recorded while reading chapters. The recordings are then being posted online. She encouraged those present to watch the recordings, and if they are so inclined, to volunteer read a chapter as well, dressed in the hamster costume, of course.

MS/HS Principal Report – as presented

Mr. Hayunga added that Senior Night will be this Saturday for the HS Boys and HS Girls Basketball teams. Also, the Halo vaping sensors have been delivered and will be installed shortly. Professional Development for the devices will be held on January 30 and all will be notified when the devices go live.

Additionally, Mr. Hayunga presented the revised eligibility requirements for the MCC Dual Enrollment.

Mr. Berg moved, Mr. Madsen seconded to approve the MCC Dual Enrollment Eligibility Document revisions as presented.

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried

Dr. Debbie Ehlenburg – Superintendent – as presented

Dr. Ehlenburg sought approval for submission of the matching School Maintenance Project Grant, stating that she has included all items from the 5-year Health Life Safety Requirements in the grant.

Mrs. Johnson moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded to approve Dr. Ehlenburg’s submission of the application for the School Maintenance Project Grant.

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

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried

FINANCE

Dr. Ehlenburg stated that she has applied for the Property Tax Relief Grant. However, as of yet, there has been no response. Also, she requested direction from the BOE for her to begin preparing the FY21 budget.

Mrs. Combs moved, Mrs. Smith seconded to approve the Dr. Ehlenburg to begin preparing the FY21 budget.

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

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried

PHYSICAL STRUCTURES/MAINTENANCE-as presented

Mr. Redden added that the old boiler has cracked in another section and will be repaired tomorrow.

TRANSPORTATION- as presented

Mrs. Erckfritz added that with the recent snowfall and ice accumulation, she and Mr. Redden have been working together to shuffle the District fleet around in an effort to keep the parking lots cleared. Also, she pointed out that maintenance numbers for vehicles are down this month, as is reflected in her report.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Dr. Ehlenburg stated that she would like to continue working with Jill Huskisson to analyze data gleaned from the recent Community Survey. She feels it would be helpful to have Ms. Huskisson assist in developing an action plan based on the results of the survey. Mr. Berg agreed that it would be prudent to keep her involved moving forward and perhaps plan another community workshop like the one that was held in September.

Mrs. Johnson stated that she would be interested to hear survey feedback from the BOE members.

Dr. Ehlenburg stated that she and Ms. Huskisson have discussed the prospect of continuing with her services. Ms. Huskisson stated that she would be available in April (either 4/4 or 4/18) to facilitate another Community Workshop. BOE would like to hold a workshop on a Saturday starting at 9:00am. The preferred date agreed upon by the BOE is 4/4/2020.

Dr. Ehlenburg was directed by the BOE to contact Ms. Huskisson and get a proposal to continue working with her into April, and possibly beyond. She will bring the proposal back to the BOE in February.

COMMUNICATIONS

Public Comments

Mr. Behrens thanked the BOE for their time and efforts in seeking community feedback as it pertains to the future of the District.

Staff Comments None

Board Comments

Mr. Norton extended thanks to all for attending this meeting of the BOE and the presentation of the Community Feedback Report.

Adjournment

Mr. Madsen moved Mrs. Smith seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:37pm.

Motion Carried

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/595016/1-22-2020_minutes.pdf