Mattoon Community Unit School District 2 Board of Education Met Feb. 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District Number Two met at 7:00 P.M. at Riddle Elementary School. Google Hangouts Meeting and a call number were also offered for those wishing to attend remotely due to COVID-19. The in-person meeting/remote meeting was in accordance with Illinois Gov. Pritzer’s suspension of certain open meeting act requirements because of COVID-19.
The meeting was called to order by Vice President Colleen Garner. President
Michelle Skinlo attended the meeting via Google Meets. Skinlo and board members agreed that allowing a board member who was in person at the meeting to run the meeting would provide for enhanced audio and communication.
ROLL CALL: Present: Colleen Garner, Gary Kepley Ashli Overton, Susan Braun, John Hedges, Erika Weaver Michelle Skinlo
Absent: None
RECEPTION OF VISITORS: Garner welcomed all those present.
Agenda: None
Non-Agenda:
Parent Ryan Dodge, who attended the meeting through Google Meets, questioned the board when the district would return to a full day class schedule. Dodge asked:
-Has there been a date established for students to go back to school full time?
-Has there been a date established to discuss having a meeting to further establish a date when students will go back to school?
-If none of those dates have been established, can dates be established after the board meeting?
Dodge said he was concerned about his daughters (who are high school age) because he noticed their enthusiasm for school had decreased and he was concerned about other students as well. His daughters are also Wavettes. They aren’t able to participate in dance and their dance season is about to start. He suggested placing cameras in classrooms so teachers would be able to teach like they normally do in the classroom. He also volunteered to serve on a committee to help solve the issue. Supt. Tim Condron said a date to return to the full time schedule has not been set yet. Condron explained because of the pandemic and the state mandates in response to controlling the spread of COVID-19, the issue of when the school schedule will increase is an evolving subject and one that is continually monitored and discussed on a daily basis.
Condron encouraged Dodge to stay logged into Google Meets to view a presentation later in the meeting focusing on the school day schedule. Board members Gary Kepley, Susan Braun and Erika Weaver all responded to Dodge letting him know the administrators continually keep the board updated about the ongoing discussions regarding the school day schedule and the safety concerns.
The entire board has had discussions at these meetings as well as the district administrative team, said
Kepley. This is something that they probably look at on a daily basis because everybody wants the same thing you want and that is to have the kids in class (full time). To that point, these guys are meeting all the time and looking at the regulations they have to go by. With that said, they are constantly looking at what they are allowed and not allowed to do, said Kepley.
Braun added the school administrators keep us abreast all the time. I ask religiously what’s going on with our children and what’s going on with our parents..etc. Obviously, we want all of our kids back in school full time. We wish this never would have happened to begin with. Braun encouraged Dodge to stay for Supt. Condron’s presentation because she believed the information would address most of his questions.
As a parent of a high school student, Weaver said she understood Dodge’s concerns as a parent and a lot of what you have addressed tonight those are questions we ask on an endless basis. We are definitely thinking outside of the box and we are trying everything possible to make sure that we are serving our students and our families. As a parent, Weaver empathized with Mr. Dodge. My daughter is probably experiencing some of the angst your daughters are feeling but we have to make sure that we are exercising as much caution and responsibility as a board as well. We hear what you are saying and we will revisit this return full time but we have to be safe.
Stacey Harminson, attending school board meeting through Google Meets, also posed a question to the board. She said she looked at the Illinois State Board of Education Adaptive Metrics that was published in August for schools and local health departments to review their suggestions to attend in person school. In looking at that data from IL Dept. of Public Health website statistics, we are only in the warning in one category and the rest we are in the blue category which is the best category. How are you making the decision whether or not we return to in person education. Is it because of the local health department giving their input and you are following that or is the board making decisions based on what the IL State Board of Education publishes?
Condron responded as we started this process back in August we met with a group and made recommendation to reopen the school year and then four days before start of school year that recommendation was altered due to the fact the metrics we were seeing throughout the county and region were unfavorable and the feasibility for the school district to maintain six feet social distancing. All three things remain the same, the most difficult aspect is that we do not have the capacity or square footage to maintain the six foot social distancing for all 3,100 students in our district. The ability to socially distance adequately is driving the decisions and the recommendations of the administration and decision of the board is how are we able to maintain social distancing for students and staff and maintaining the safety protocols that guide us from CDC, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Harminson also asked so if the district can’t meet the six feet requirement, would it be feasible to ask parents to sign a waiver. The waiver would state- I understand that my child may be closer than six feet but they will be wearing a mask but we would allow them to return full time.
Condron said he and the board appreciated her suggestions and willingness to share with the board.
Consent Agenda:
The consent agenda consisted of the following items:
-Approval of the minutes of the December 8, 2020 regular meeting and approval of the executive session minutes of the Board of Education as presented
-Approval of payment of bills as presented
-Approval of monthly financial reports by fund
-Approval of budget-to-actual-report
-Approval of Board Policies presented December 8, 2020
-Approval of December 2020 Enrollment Report- 3,131
-Approval of Freedom of Information Report
The district received two FOIA request this month:
Kaza Rhann of LocalLabs requested information pertaining to local officials and board terms. Dr. Skocy responded to this request Dec. 15, 2020.
Lisa Livvix requested documents and information pertaining to Franklin Preschool’s Birth-to-3 Program and the Family Worship Center. Dr. Skocy provided the requested information regarding donations and grant information.
Braun moved, seconded by Weaver to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Roll call vote as follows: Overton, aye; Braun, aye; Hedges, aye; Weaver, aye; Garner, aye; Kepley, aye; Skinlo, aye.
Nays, none. Motion carried.
REQUEST PERMISSION TO SOLICIT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND YEARBOOK SERVICES FOR 2021-2022, 2022-2023, AND 2023-24:
Tom Sherman, business manager, requested board permission to solicit request for proposals for photography and yearbook services for 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The services will be separated into two areas:
1. Action photography, group photos and events such as sports, prom and graduation
2. Individual school photos, student ID badges, elementary yearbooks
Photographers can propose to submit a proposal for either one or both of the options. The school district doesn’t receive funds from the photos or services.
Overton moved, seconded by Weaver to approve the request proposals for photography and yearbook services as presented.
Roll call vote as follows: Braun, aye; Hedges aye, aye; Weaver, aye; Garner, aye; Kepley, aye; Overton, aye; Skinlo, aye.
Nays, none. Motion carried.
REQUEST PERMISSION TO SOLICIT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR INSURANCE BROKERAGE CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH, LIFE, DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE AND DISTRICT PROPERTY, CASUALTY, WORKERS COMPENSATION, SCHOOL BOARD LEGAL AND OTHER COMMERCIAL INSURANCE FOR 2021-2022, 2022-2023, AND 2023-2024:
Tom Sherman, business manager, requested permission to solicit request for proposals for insurance brokerage consultant services. The consultant services include employee health, life, dental and vision insurance and district property, casualty, workers compensation and other commercial insurance for 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The insurance brokerage consultants review different companies that can give the district better plans and rates. The district’s current consultants for employee health is First Mid-Illinois Insurance Group and the district’s property casualty and workers compensation is Dimond Bros.
Braun moved, seconded by Overton, to grant permission to solicit requests for proposals for insurance brokerage consultant services as presented.
Roll call vote as follows: Hedges, aye; Weaver, aye; Garner, aye; Kepley, aye; Overton, aye; Braun, aye; Skinlo, aye.
Nays, none. Motion carried.
REQUEST PERMISSION TO SOLICIT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR DISTRICT BEVERAGE AND SNACK SERVICES FOR 2021-2022, 2022-2023 AND 2023-2024:
Tom Sherman, business manager, requested permission to solicit request for proposals for district beverage and snack services for 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The district’s current vendor is Pepsi.
Kepley moved, seconded by Hedges, to approve a request for proposals for district snack and beverage services as presented.
Roll call vote as follows: Weaver, aye; Garner, aye; Kepley, aye; Overton, aye; Braun, aye; Hedges, aye; Skinlo, aye.
Nays, none. Motion carried.
BOARD ACTION TO APPROVE REPAYMENT OF AN INTERFUND LOAN:
Tom Sherman, business manager, requested board action for repayment of interfund loans. Since the FY20 audit was approved in December, the district’s auditor has advised to repay an interfund loan back from the Working Cash Fund to the Debt Service Fund in the amount of $1,100,000.00. This is an item to show that the Debt Service Fund covers the bond payments that were made in FY20. Sherman said the repayment is similar to transferring money from a savings account to a checking account. The money is still ours, it is just accounted for in a different place - in this case a different fund.
Weaver moved, seconded by Braun, to approve repayment of an interfund loan.
Roll call vote as follows: Garner, aye; Kepley, aye; Overton, aye; Braun, aye; Hedges, aye; Weaver, aye; Skinlo, aye.
Nays, none. Motion carried.
BOARD ACTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL REPORT M.C.U.S.D. #2:
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. David Skocy presented the following C.U.S.D. #2 personnel report to the Board for approval:
Certified Resignations – C.U.S.D. #2
-Michele Diss, retiring, Mattoon School District psychologist, effective, 2022-23 school year
-Blair Dosch, resigning, Mattoon Middle School teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
-Brett Horath, resigning, District speech pathologist, effective January 4, 2021
-David Skocy, retiring, Mattoon School District assistant superintendent, effective October 2, 2026
-Amy Sweeney, retiring, Mattoon High School guidance counselor, effective for the 2026-27 school year -Lauryn Weaver, resigning, Riddle Elementary School teacher, effective December 29, 2020
Certified Appointments – C.U.S.D.#2
-Kadi Borries, substitute teacher, effective immediately
-Shannon Daniell, substitute teacher, effective immediately
Classified Resignations – C.U.S.D.#2
-Hannah Brundridge, resigning as Riddle Elementary School supervisor, December 8, 2020
-Greg Thompson, retiring as Transportation Service Center bus driver, effective June 30, 2022
- Christopher Roberts, resigning as district technology director, effective January 26, 2021
Classified Appointments – C.U.S.D.#2
-Shannon Bishop, as Riddle Elementary School supervisor, effective immediately
-Meah Butler, as Riddle Elementary School supervisor, effective immediately
-Emily Chumley, Riddle Elementary School supervisor, effective immediately
-Josiah Morton, Riddle Elementary School supervisor, effective immediately
-Michael Todd Morton, Williams Elementary School supervisor, effective immediately
-Harrison Spraker, Riddle Elementary School supervisor, effective immediately
-Briena McKay, as a volunteer, effective immediately
Extra Duty Assignments – C.U.S.D.
-William Behrends, Mattoon Middle School 7th grade boys’ A team basketball coach, effective immediately
-Karen Brown, Mattoon Middle School 8th grade girls volleyball coach, effective for the 2020-2021 school year only
Overton moved, seconded by Hedges to approve the personnel report as presented.
Roll call vote as follows: Kepley, aye; Overton, aye; Braun, aye; Hedges, aye; Weaver, aye; Garner, aye; Skinlo, aye.
Nays, none. Motion carried.
BOARD ACTION TO MAINTAIN CLOSURE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020 DUE TO DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO SPECIFIC PERSONNEL AND INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS:
Tim Condron, superintendent, requested board permission to close the executive session minutes for the period of July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 due to discussions related to specific personnel and individual students.
Kepley moved, seconded by Overton to approve the personnel report as presented.
Roll call vote as follows: Overton, aye; Braun, aye; Hedges, aye; Weaver, aye; Garner, aye; Kepley, aye; Skinlo, aye.
Nays, none. Motion carried.
BOARD ACTION TO PURGE EXECUTIVE SESSION AUDIO RECORDINGS FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2019 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2019 AS PER 5 IlCS 120/2.06:
Tim Condron, superintendent, requested board permission to purge the executive session audio recordings from January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019.
Overton moved, seconded by Weaver to approve the personnel report as presented.
Roll call vote as follows: Braun, aye; Hedges, aye; Weaver, aye; Garner, aye; Kepley, aye; Overton, aye; Skinlo, aye.
Nays, none. Motion carried.
PRESENTATION ON SECOND SEMESTER OF THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR: (INFORMATION ONLY)
Superintendent Tim Condron presented information regarding the start of the second semester as well as contingency plans that will hopefully increase the amount of time for in person learning. Condron outlined the percent of students attending full time in-person by quarters:
-Quarter One- 3 percent
-Quarter Two- 12.9 percent
-Quarter Three-24.8 percent
On January 19, 30.1 percent were tracked as full-time in , person learners. All seniors will be invited to attend four days a week beginning Jan. 19, 2021.
Condron highlighted the following benchmarks:
-Continue to maintain safety and health protocols and social distancing requirements
-Continue to seek availability of rapid tests to offer students and staff
-Ongoing conversation with the administrative team to meet student needs
-Educators are identified in the second group of essential workers to receive the vaccination
-Recent staff survey indicated 68 percent are interested in receiving a vaccine when it becomes available
Condron also highlighted the plan to move forward which included returning to in-person learning for students to four days a week following the offering of a vaccination to employees. Remote learning would continue as an option for families and Wednesdays would remain remote learning for all as staff utilize the time to develop both in-person and remote lessons for students.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Weaver moved, seconded by Overton to adjourn to executive session at 8:01 p.m. to discuss matters pertaining to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.
Roll call vote as follows: Weaver, aye; Garner, aye; Kepley, aye; Overton, aye; Braun, aye; Hedges, aye; Skinlo, aye
Nays, none. Motion carried.
Vice President Colleen Garner declared the motion carried and the Board to be in closed session.
Others present for the executive session were: Superintendent Tim Condron, Dave Skocy, assistant superintendent for human resources, and Christy Hild, assistant superintendent for student services, Tom Sherman, business manager.
OPEN SESSION RECONVENED:
Vice President Colleen Garner declared Executive Session closed and Open Session reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
Kepley moved, seconded by Weaver to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m.
A voice vote of ayes carried the motion.
https://www.mattoon.k12.il.us/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/6030200819de2/1-12-21%20Minutes%20%281%29.pdf
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