McHenry Times

Alden-Hebron Community Consolidated Unit School District #19 Board of Education met Sept. 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 7:00 p.m.

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, Katie Beck-Student Services, Scott Redden-Maintenance, John Lalor- Athletic Director, Nick Ciccotosto

REMOTE:

Colleen Geils-Dist. Media Specialist, Teresa Eick-George-HS Teacher, Nikki Brosh-MS/HS Social Worker, Cory Prentice-Food Service, Judy Smith-MS/HS SpEd Teacher, Theresa Johnson, Dawn Higgins, Caller 1, Caller 2

Correspondence

None

COMMUNICATIONS

Public Comments

Mrs. Johnson moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded open the Public Hearing for the FY21 Budget at 7:01pm.

AYES: Mr. Norton, Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mr. Madsen, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Berg, Mrs. Smith NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

Motion Carried

Mrs. Elswick shared the budget presentation slides with the BOE and those present. Dr. Ehlenburg added that the budget has been on display for public inspection in the District Office for the past 30 days for as required.

Mrs. Johnson inquired if this budget would be impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. Dr. Ehlenburg replied that, of course, there could be unexpected costs for PPE, hot spots for families, etc. However, the District has received an Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Grant to offset some of that cost. Also, because enrollment is down right now, the District has not needed to hire all of the staff that was budgeted for.

Mr. Madsen moved, Mrs. Smith seconded to close the Public Hearing regarding the FY21 Budget. 

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

Motion Carried

Staff Comments

Dr. Ehlenburg thanked all the staff, parents, and students for the hard work they’ve been doing during remote learning. It has been a difficult situation for everyone and it continues to change day by day.

Board Comments

None

Consent Agenda

The following items were reviewed under the Consent Agenda

*A. Approval of August 19, 2020 Regular Session Meeting Minutes

*B. Recap of August 2020 Expenditures

*C. Treasurer’s Report for August 2020

*D. Approval of Current Invoices & Payroll

*E. Approval of FY21 School Budget

*F. Salary Compensation Report

*G. IMRF Compensation

*H. Personnel Report

*I. 2nd Reading of Policies

2:220 School Board Meeting Procedure

4:180 Pandemic Preparedness; Management and Recovery

7:40 Nonpublic School Students, Including Parochial and Home-Schooled Students

7:190 Student Behavior

7:340 Student Records

7:345 Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security

Mrs. Smith moved, Mr. Winkelman 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

Assistant Supt./ES Principal Report-as presented

Mrs. Elswick stated that Ms. Lagerhausen, ES Social Worker held her first coat drive this afternoon. It was a drive-thru event from 3-5pm. There were several community members who took the opportunity to come and pick up coats, snow pants, gloves, and hats.

She also shared the results of the survey that went out to parents regarding remote learning thus far this year. Most responses indicated that remote learning is going about how they expected it to; some felt it was going better than expected, and some felt it wasn’t going as well as expected. Overall, parents are eager to have the kids back in school.

Tim Hayunga-MS/HS Principal Report-as presented

Mr. Hayunga added that he wanted to address a concern that was shared at the last BOE meeting regarding the emotional well-being of the students. He stated that, at the MS/HS level, students complete a Social/Emotional well-being form on a weekly basis. The forms are submitted to the Social Worker so she can focus on any issues a student has. At the HS level, students are allowed to pick a staff-member that they trust and feel comfortable with. That staff-member is then “assigned” to that student and checks in with the student every week.

Mrs. Smith asked about the work that the PERA (Performance Evaluation Reform Act) Committee has been doing. Dr. Ehlenburg explained that the teachers are aware of the requirements and the changes to the Evaluation system.

Dr. Ehlenburg-Superintendent Report-as presented

Dr. Ehlenburg added that she has been emailing Jill Huskisson regarding the next opportunity for Community Engagement. The consensus of the BOE was to try to plan for a Saturday morning in November.

She also reported that the County Superintendents are frequently in contact with the Health Department, getting updates on COVID19 guidelines that change in response to incident rates, positivity rates, hospitalizations, etc. It is their hope that all schools in the county will soon be able to safely move from virtual school to a hybrid model. At this time, AHES has some PreK and some Kindergarten students in-house. Starting on Monday, September 21, some IEP/504 and ELL

students Pre-K through 8th grade will be coming back; followed by some first and second graders on September 28. She stated that all of the students who have come back into the building have been doing an amazing job with social distancing and keeping their masks on.

Mrs. Elswick added that drop-in services, such as PT, OT, and Speech, started in August; and that all Teachers are expected to be back in the District on September 28. Also, the state approved 20 contact days for high school athletes.

VILLAGE

Mr. Berg attended the Village of Hebron meeting on 9/16/19. Topics discussed there were:

 Village meetings have been changed to the 2nd and the 4th Monday of every month at 6:00pm

 Police Chief shared that there has been a rash of car burglaries in other parts of the county, so citizens should be cautious

 April Steele is planning to hold a “Trunk or Treat” event for Halloween

 The Village will be having Trick or Treat on October 31 from 3-7pm

 They have applied for grants for paving and for replacing a main

 Hebron’s Biggest Loser competition

 Public parking issues in town

FINANCE

Dr. Ehlenburg reported that she is still waiting to get the Audit back. She expects that we will get a draft of it this week. It should be available for the October 21 BOE meeting.

PHYSICAL STRUCTURES/MAINTENANCE-as presented

Mr. Redden reported that the beginning of the year has been going pretty smoothly. His staff has been very busy doing extra disinfecting and cleaning.

Dr. Ehlenburg mentioned that Mr. Redden and the custodial staff went and picked up 50 desks that another District were giving away. The extra desks were necessary because PreK and Kindergarten students, who are starting to coming back into the building, will need them in order to maintain social distancing. Ordinarily, these students would have tables to work at, not desks.

TRANSPORTATION-as presented

Dr. Ehlenburg mentioned that the transportation staff has been very helpful in delivering and picking up school work packets and delivering meals to District families.

CURRICULUM/POLICY

The Curriculum and Policy Committee will meet on Monday, September 28 at 3:15 in Mrs. Elswick’s office.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS From 8/19/2020 meeting:

 Committees: Mr. Berg, who was appointed to the BOE after the Committees were formed, expressed interest in participating in one of them. It was agreed that he would take Mrs. Combs’s place on the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and President Norton’s place as the alternate to the Curriculum and Policy Committee.

 Community Engagement: As stated above, Dr. Ehlenburg has notified Ms. Huskisson that the BOE would like to plan another day for Community Engagement. Now she will send her some dates to see which will work best.

For 10/21/2020 meeting:

 Mrs. Combs inquired about filing information for School Board elections in the spring of 2021.

District Office staff will find out the dates and other pertinent information and have it available at the 10/21/2020 BOE meeting.

ATHLETICS

Mr. Lalor reported that several HS student athletes have come for practices due to the fact that the state is allowing 20 contact days for them. The sports represented include Football, Volleyball, Boys Basketball and Girls Basketball. They are all very happy to be back to work on their sports. Sports schedules have all been made and posted. However, they are still changing daily. In fact, the start date for Spring Sports was changed today from May 3rd to April 19th.

He informed the BOE that the Booster Club is intending to hold the Feather Party on Sunday, October 18th at Crandall’s from 2-6pm. They are planning on putting up a big tent either in front of the restaurant, or behind it. Mrs. Smith asked about when the deadline for donated items is. Mr. Lalor said they would take donations up to a week before the event.

Finally, Mr. Lalor shared the 2020-2021 Coaching Assignment list with the BOE. Coaches will be paid only if their particular season starts.

Mr. Madsen moved, Mr. Berg seconded to approve the list of 2020-2021 Coaches, provided they begin their seasons on the designated starting dates.

AYES: Mr. Norton, Mrs. Combs, Mr. Madsen, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Berg

NAYS: None

ABSTAIN: Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Smith 

ABSENT: None

Motion Carried

COMMUNICATIONS Public Comments: None

Staff Comments None

Board Comments

President Norton extended thanks to all District staff for getting the school year up and running for this unprecedented school year.

Adjournment

Mrs. Smith moved, Mr. Winkelman seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 pm.

Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/978809/9-16-2020_minutes.pdf