McHenry Times

Alden-Hebron Community Consolidated Unit School District #19 Board of Education met Aug. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Vice-President Winkelman called the regular meeting of the Board of Education of Alden- Hebron Community Consolidated Unit School District #19 to order at 7:00 p.m.

Roll Call

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

ABSENT: None

ALSO PRESENT:

Dr. Debbie Ehlenburg-Interim Superintendent, Tiffany Elswick-ES Principal/Asst Supt, Tim Hayunga-MS/HS Principal, Katie Beck-Student Services, Cyndie Erckfritz-Transportation, John Lalor-AD, Joe Lalor

REMOTE: Davina VanderPal, Mary Noonan, Dawn Higgins, Liz Elbrecht, Leanette Kolnik, Cindy, Nikki B, Sophie Matla, Victoria Spraker, Jen Lariviere, Cory Prentice, Suzanne Tonyan, Patti Peisert, Diane Marks, Abby Parzygnat, Teresa Eick-George, Scott LeBaron, Michelle Fay, Kelsey Carlson, Scott Redden, Carlie, Michelle Cashmore, Lisa Sachs, Bria Spiniolas, Courtney Clark, Caller 8, Mike S., Ashley Donnelly, Sarah Crook, Christa, Veronica Signorelli, Judy Smith, Stephanie Nenn, Karen Fallon, A Nannini, Kristen Norton, Colleen Geils, Gritmackers, Jennifer Paulus, Ariel Beck, April Steele, Christine Misiek, Caller 11, T.B., Sue Walters, Caller 12, Pam Graham, Shelly L., Margaret Schafer, Maggie Bradley, Gary Norton, Trey, Caller 13, Mandy Smith, Misty Vazquez, Samantha Koehler, C.M., Jacob Behrens, Suzanne Schock

CORRESPONDENCE

 7/16/2020-FOIA from Citywide Building Maintenance, Inc: Requesting information about contracted custodial services. Satisfied on 7/29/2020.

 7/28/2020-FOIA from Steven Duplain requesting name, job title, email and salary information for all District 19 administrators and teachers. Satisfied by Mrs. Alfonso on 7/29/2020.

COMMUNICATIONS

Public Comments 

None

Staff Comments 

None

Board Comments 

None

Consent Agenda

The following were reviewed under the consent agenda.

*A. Approval of July 15, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes 

B. Approval of amended 2020-2021 school calendar 

*C. Use of Temporary Facility

*D. Personnel Report

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

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried

BUSINESS

Administration

Return-to-School Update: Mrs. Elswick explained that District Administration and staff had designed three different options to offer students families for returning to school this fall based on ISBE/IDPH guidelines. However, the most recent school guidance that has been released presents new challenges schools are facing for reopening. Included among these challenges are to following:

 Six-foot of social distancing should be maintained with fidelity, throughout the school day, including transporting students. Guidelines on social distancing continue to be changed and lack clarity from ISBE, IDPH and MCDH.

 The new quarantine/isolation guidelines to be implemented by schools will create a major disruption to an already modified school day. Due to these change in guidelines, we anticipate many students and/or staff will need to be excluded from in-person learning.

 ISBE and the CDC are now recommending all students be placed in strict cohorts to minimize potential illness and contact tracing. This would impact each grade level differently, but it is impossible to effectively implement educational opportunities in a strict cohort format.

 Schools must now send home or deny entry of a student or staff member if ANY of the ten Covid-19 symptoms are present. They are required to quarantine, provide a negative Covid-19 test, or a physician's note to return to school. Because Covid-19 symptoms are common, we anticipate many students and/or staff will be excluded from in-person learning.

 The rate of infection continues to increase in McHenry County, moving the county in the warning category for some of the state matrices.

Based on these challenges, the Administration feels that the best way to approach the start of school for 2020-2021 is fully remote. Mrs. Elswick and Dr. Ehlenburg both expressed that they absolutely DID NOT want to begin the school year with remote learning, but of primary concern at this time is the health and safety of students, staff and District families. Therefore, they sought direction from the BOE for how to proceed with the beginning of the upcoming school year.

BOE members engaged in discussion regarding the processes and outcomes that will follow the implementation of full remote learning. Echoing the Administrators, the BOE agreed that, while remote-learning is not what they had hoped for, they need to do what they can to insure the health and safety of everyone. Therefore, they directed the Administration to proceed with full- remote learning through the first quarter. This is to be done with the understanding that the situation remains fluid and with the expectation that the conditions of the pandemic will be reassessed often.

Curriculum & Policy

The Curriculum & Policy Committee will meet at 9:00am on Monday, August 10, 2020.

Future Agenda Items

Mrs. Johnson requested that items related to Hispanic/Latino heritage recognition be placed on the next regular meeting agenda.

COMMUNICATIONS

Public Comments

Mr. Joe Lalor stated that, while he understood the reasoning behind the decision to implement this newest plan, remote learning is very difficult for some of the students. He expressed concern for the students who will struggle academically as well as emotionally during this time.

Staff Comments

Dr. Ehlenburg acknowledged Mr. Lalor’s concerns and agreed that it would be necessary to monitor the social/emotional health of students as the school year begins. She thanked the BOE for their support throughout the planning and development stages of the alternate methods of instruction. She also acknowledged that remote learning poses difficulties for working parents.

Board Comments

 Mrs. Johnson stated that it has not been an easy decision to agree to remote learning.

 Mrs. Smith thanked Mr. Lalor for attending the meeting and for his comments. She stated that she has also been concerned about the social/emotional health of students and suggested that perhaps the PE staff could incorporate some SEL (Social/Emotional Learning) activities in their remote PE lessons, as she has seen this is being done it some other districts.

 Mrs. Combs encouraged parents or students to reach out for help if they feel there is a social/emotional need.

 Mr. Winkelman agreed with Mrs. Combs and stated that this small rural community is close-knit and the state of remote learning would not change the level of care and concern that the BOE has for the families of the community.

 Mr. Norton also agreed and thanked the community for their understanding and support during this time of uncertainty. He assured everyone that the doors of the BOE and its members remain open to the community, should they have questions or concerns.

Executive Session

Mrs. Johnson moved, Mr. Madsen seconded to go into executive Session at 8:08pm for the purpose of the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance of specific employees.

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried

Returned to open session at 9:12pm.

Adjournment

Mrs. Johnson moved, Mr. Norton seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:13pm. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/897687/8-5-2020_minutes.pdf