Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Community Unified School District 5 Board of Education met July 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Community Unit School District #5 met in regular session on Monday, July 22, 2019, at 6:15 p.m. in the GCMS Board Room located at 307 N Sangamon Avenue, Gibson City. The board was called to order by Board President Josh Johnson. Roll was called with board members Whitehouse, Elder, Young, Friday, and Leonard in attendance. Also present were: Ross Brown with the Ford County Record, School Board Secretary Lori Kristensen and District Superintendent Jeremy Darnell.
Absent:
Board member Tucker-Davis
Building Administrators are not required to attend summer board meetings while school is not in session.
The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance being recited by all present.
Recognition of Visitors :
A motion to go into executive session was made by board member Elder and seconded by board member Young at 6:16 p.m. Motion carried by roll call with all board members present voting yes for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the district including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Motion was carried by roll call, with all members present voting yes.
Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular District has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the District finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the closed meeting minutes. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).
Student disciplinary cases. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9).
Discussion of lawfully closed meeting minutes, whether for the purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06. 5ILCS 120/2(c)(21).
A motion to return to open session was made by board member Whitehouse and seconded by board member Leonard at 6:22 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote, with all board members present voting yes.
Action Items to Consider From Executive Session Accept Requests for:
Motion to accept the resignation of Jenny Acree as an elementary school teacher for GCMS effective immediately with thanks for service. Motion was made by board member Young seconded by board member Whitehouse. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to approve softball volunteers Jenny Deschepper, Tim Leonard and Stacy Grauer for the 2019-2020 school year. Motion was made by board member Friday seconded by board member Young. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to hire Taylor Moen as an elementary school teacher on BA Step 1 for the 2019-2020 school year. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse and seconded by board member Elder. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to hire Devyn Roesch as the GCMS boys golf coach for the 2019-2020 school year pending all certification requirements. Motion was made by board member Young seconded by board member Friday. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to approve Chris Garard and Clay Bane as voluntary golf coaches for the 2019-2020 season. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Elder. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to approve Ross Royal as a volunteer football coach for the 2019-2020 season. Motion was made by board member Leonard seconded by board member Whitehouse. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to hire Brittany Johnson as the Elementary School Office Assistant at step 1 of the office personnel schedule for the 2019-2020 contract year. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Elder. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to accept the resignation of Maria Rodriguez on behalf of the FCSEC as office manager/record clerk effective immediately with thanks for service. Motion was made by board member Young seconded by board member Whitehouse. Motion carried by voice vote with all members present voting yes.
Motion to hire Maria Rodriguez as a paraprofessional on step 20 of the para negotiated agreement for the 2019-2020 school year. Motion was made by board member Friday seconded by board member Whitehouse. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to accept the resignation of Jennifer Jamison as middle school volleyball coach effective immediately with thanks for service. Motion was made by board member Leonard seconded by board member Young. Motion carried by voice vote with all members present voting yes.
Motion to hire Maria Rodriguez as an educational interpreter/community liaison at a rate of $22 per hour for work performed not to exceed 800 hours on an as needed basis. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Friday. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Motion to approve Thomas Stone as dance coach at GCMS High School for the 2019-2020 school year. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Young. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Additional Agenda Items : None
Consent Agenda
GCMS Accounts Payable bills approved were $712,172.78
Education fund $321,663.98
Building fund $140,694.50
Debt Service fund $0.00
Transportation fund $18,702.37
IMRF/FICA fund $26,355.95
Capital Projects fund $0.00
W/C $0.00
TORT $131,710.64
F/HLS $73,045.34
GCMS Payrolls approved were $464,439.48
Education fund $407,372.84
Building fund $20,041.33
Transportation fund $1,108.87
TORT $35,916.44
FCSEC Accounts Payable bills approved were $58,950.26
Education fund $55,491.74
Building fund $1,636.49
IMRF/FICA Fund $1,822.03
FCSEC Payrolls approved were $40,633.07 all in the Education fund
Financial/treasurer's report on behalf of the GCMS District and the FCSEC, Lunch Report, the
summary of investment report on behalf of the GCMS District and the FCSEC, and the destruction of executive session tapes through the end of January 2018.
Approve Field Trips for:
| GCMS Seniors | Allerton Park | August 2019 |
| Amount | From | Designation |
| $150.81 | GCMS Booster Club | High School |
| $532.67 | Anonymous | Senior In-Service |
| $149.20 | GCMS Booster Club | Girls State Track |
● GCMS After Prom for use of the GCMS Middle School on April 24-26, 2020
Approve the minutes of the GCMS Regular and Executive Session Minutes of June 17, 2019 meeting as presented.
Motion to accept the consent agenda as presented in the board packet. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Elder. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Advisory Reports: Policy : Members - Janna Friday and Miranda Leonard
No Report
Building, Grounds, and Transportation: Members - Adam Elder & Tyler Young
No Report
Personnel and Finance: Members - Josh Johnson and Phil Whitehouse No Report
Strategy and Enrichment: Members – Josh Johnson & Emily Tucker-Davis No Report
Building Administration Reports: High School Principal, Chris Garard
No Report
Middle School Principal, Kyle Bielfeldt
No Report
Elementary Principal, Justin Kean
No Report
Special Education Director, Jesse McFarling
Principal's Reports:
No Report
Curriculum Director, Erin Nuss
No Report
Superintendent’s Report
GCMS FY19 Budget Review
Superintendent Darnell reported to the board the district had a surplus operation last year. Darnell shared information on each fund balance with the close of the 2019 fiscal year end. The district was able to fund the elementary HVAC / electrical project, invest in new cameras for building safety and security, remove dead trees, add shades to the Elementary School and still come out with a $350,000 surplus. Additionally, the overall tax rate was reduced for the third consecutive year. In addition, GCMS support staff's base pay was raised by 20% the past three years and the GCMS Education Association 4 year agreement netted more than 3% raises each year.
Early Childhood Education Extended Time
Superintendent Darnell presented to the board the need to allow for ten additional work days for the Early Childhood Education teacher. These additional days will ensure both ECE students and staff are awarded the opportunity to succeed.
Motion to approve the memorandum of understanding between the GCMSEA and GCMS Board of Education to allow for an extended contract stipend for the GCMS ECE Teacher. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Leonard. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Interfund Transfers
$40,175.83 was transferred from the Education Fund to the Tort Fund per designation by the auditor. This is a recurring transfer based on the auditor’s expectations.
Motion to approve the interfund transfer request by the auditor. Motion was made by board member Whitehouse seconded by board member Young. Motion carried by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Educational Interpreter/Community Liaison
A new position has been added to GCMS to serve students and families who speak English as a second language. This newly designed interpreter/liaison role will help to facilitate communication among ELL students and families who struggle with speaking, writing and understanding the English language. There is a growing population of ELL students in the GCMS School District and this new role will help to provide resources for these students, families and staff. Maria Rodriguez will be serving in this new role for GCMS School District.
Current openings
● Elementary School - Three Paraprofessionals
● High School - One Paraprofessional
● FCSEC Records Clerk
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by board member Whitehouse and seconded by board member Leonard at 6:36 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote, with all members present voting yes.
https://www.gcmsk12.org/Downloads/7_22_2019%20BOE%20meeting%20minutes.pdf
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