Chambana Sun

Heritage Community Unit School District No. 8 Board of Education met Oct. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Heritage Community Unit School District No. 8 met at 7:00 p.m. for a regular meeting. President Lannon called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members in attendance: Ashbrook, Benschneider, Elmore, Lannon, Montgomery, Tate, Wells.

Also in attendance: Tiffany Paul, Dylan Kirschner, Atticus Ashbrook, Chrsitian Paul, Cindy Happ, Justin Lee, Tom Davis, Kristi Sanders, Laura Benschneider.

Amendment to the Agenda as follows:

Report Number 21 will be tabled until Russ Leigh and associates are available to give their report.

Tiffany Paul was in attendance with members of the Weeblo cub scouts pack 42. The members are working on their arrow light badge – build a better word. One of the requirements of the badge is to attend a school board meeting. Tiffany also expressed thanks to the board for approving Cross Country as a 5th through 8th grade sport. She was very pleased with the season and Coach Charles Montgomery. She also expressed her concerns about high school sports. She is in favor of letting them play and hopes the IHSA will allow it.

No HEA Report.

Motion by Ashbrook, second by Benschneider to approve the minutes of September 21, 2020. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, 7 Ayes.

Motion by Montgomery second by Elmore to approve the bills, including the supplemental bills, as presented. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, 7 Ayes.

Motion by Lannon, second by Tate to approve the remaining financial reports as presented. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, 7 Ayes.

Motion by Montgomery, second by Ashbrook to approve the resignation of Amy Courson as district librarian. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, 7 Ayes.

Discussion: Amy will continue as librarian through the end of the semester.

Motion by Elmore, second by Benschneider to keep closed session minutes confidential. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, 7 Ayes.

Motion by Lannon, second by Montgomery to approve the destruction of verbatim closed session minutes prior to April 2019. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, 7 Ayes.

Motion by Benschneider, second by Ashbrook to finalize Heritage High School Graduation for Sunday, May 16, 2020 at 2:00 PM, Heritage High School main gym in Broadlands. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, 7 Ayes. Discussion: Contingency plans can be discussed if COVID-19 impact extends to date as approaches spring 2021.

Principal Reports:

Kristi Sanders:

-The cross country team ended the season with a third place finish at sectionals. Both Kiara Jones and Hunter Montgomery finished first place overall and Kamyrn Soard medaled in 10th place.

-Junior high contact days for sports will begin Nov. 2. Contact days must not exceed 15 days and athletes will need a “return to play” form signed by parents prior to any workouts. The contact days include girls basketball, boys basketball, volleyball, and track.

-The reunification drill went well. All drills have been completed with the exception of one fire drill to be completed in the spring. She has held off for now on the tornado drills, due to social distancing.

-The first quarter ends Friday, Oct 16th. Grades will be posted Oct. 20th. The quarter went well with most finishing in the 80-85% range.

-Parent/Teacher Conferences are this week, Oct. 19-22. Conferences can be in person with masks/video conference or phone conference.

-Teacher Institute days were Oct. 2 and 9. Oct 2nd was required state training, Oct. 9 was the virtual Special Ed Conference.

-Mrs. Sanders and Ms. Boyd have been working with students and families regarding COVID symptoms and recommended testing. Most parents have been very cooperative. Some parents have elected not to get testing and those students have remained out for the 10 days quarantine recommended time frame.

-Halloween parties will be held in each classroom. Parents and helpers are not allowed in the building per Health Department guidelines. All treats must me individually wrapped and sent to the classroom a week ahead of time.

-A committee will be formed to organize a safe plan to open the library.

Corey White:

-The NHS induction ceremony for students from last year was held. Seven students were inducted.

-PSAT and SAT testing was last week. Close to 20 students participated.

-The student of the Month is Skyla Ahlden.

-Anna Sanders is this year’s High School Confidential reporter.

-Donations to the ABL memorabilia case are going well. They would like to have a few more.

-Plaques will go up soon for memorial scholarships and military. They are working on ideas for the Academic Hall of Fame.

-The reunification drill went smoothly.

-FFA held and ice cream day. Thank you to Dennis Riggs.

-There will be a Fall Festival next week organized by Student Council. The fall festival will replace some HOCO activities. -FCCLA held “Pink Day” last Friday.

-The Volleyball team is holding a virtual basket raffle for Volley for a Cure.

-The golf season has finished. They had 1 sectional qualifier.

-Cross Country is winding down. Zach Ruwe and Lilli Montgomery made all Conference. -The high school made it to the final four of WLTY/WIXY School Spirit Showdown. -Pixellot will be installed November 3.

President John Lannon commended both principals for their hard work during this COVID time.

Parent Teacher Conferences are the week of October 19-22. There will not be school on Friday, Oct. 23. Conferences are held in person/on-line/or phone.

The district received a commendable rating on the District and School ISBE State Report Cards. Data from last year (IAR and SAT test scores) was factored into the rating as well as graduation rate and attendance.

ABL and Homer School District preservation display projects are underway. Patti Knott has been working to restore awards. As mentioned in Corey’s report, they are looking for more memorabilia from Longview. Kristi has been working to preserve the pictures from Homer High School. Some pictures go back 100 years.

As communicated in an email to board members an Assessed valuation Board of Review communication has been received from Premiere Co-op. With the current Tax Levy Premiere Co-op would pay around $70,000/year to the school in tax revenue. With the Assessed Valuation that could drop $30,000.

Tom Davis and Corey White have completed the required Title IX training. Teachers and Staff will receive training at a later time for the district to be compliant.

High School and Junior High fall sports updates are included in the principal’s reports.

The IHSA met today, but no announcement was made regarding winter sports. A plan has been submitted to the IDPH and an announcement is expected on Oct. 26.

The Villa Grove Board is reviewing their sports plans with regards to their budget. Heritage has offered to pay Per Diem for students involved in football. A survey was sent to students at both schools regarding girls basketball. The results of the survey were not positive from either school. Students will also be surveyed on all extra-curricular activities.

Junior High Volleyball is waiting on news from the IESA. In the meantime, coaches are working on practice and game schedules. A lengthy discussion was held regarding 5th grade students allowed to participate in Junior High Volleyball. Pros and Cons were raised by all members, but no decision was made.

Scholastic Bowl is in a holding pattern as well with both the IESA and IHSA. Scholastic bowl is considered a winter sport for IHSA. It looks, at this point, like scholastic bowl will be held virtually. Solo and Ensemble contest will most likely be virtual as well. Band, chorus, and play practice are all still going on, but not performing.

The Aptegy App, website, and alert platforms are up and running. The App can be downloaded. The alerts have been tested and seem to be working well.

There will not be school on Election Day, November 3.

Both schools held a health insurance IERMP renewal informational meeting. The plan will raise 12% as the District moves up a tier. Ten schools were planning to leave the group, however, five of those schools is now staying.

The IASB state conference is virtual. Cards should be coming in the mail for board members to sign up to attend. Courtney asked for direction from members regarding the delegate meeting.

Motion by Elmore, second by Benschneider to go into executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public to determine its validity and student disciplinary cases. 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(1) AND Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body had been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, 7 Ayes.

Motion by          , second         to come out of executive session at pm. 7 Ayes.

Motion by          , second         by to adjourn the meeting. With all members in agreement, the meeting adjourned at pm. 7 Ayes.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1007366/Board2020.pdf