MINUTES OF THE REORGANIZATION MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HOOVER-SCHRUM MEMORIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 157, COOK COUNTY ILLINOIS, HELD AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER ON THE 7TH DAY OF MAY 2013
The meeting was called to order at 7:11 p.m. by President Natalie Barnes and upon roll call the following attendance was noted:
Present:Natalie Barnes
Kelsy Cowley
Charles Garcia
Eric Gibson
John Kresich
Tonya Reed
Annie Wade
Absent:None
Also present were: Dr. Michele Morris, Superintendent; Mr. Raymond LaPorte, Interim Business Manager; Dr. Bennie Knott, Schrum School Principal; Dr. Shernita Mays, Hoover School Principal; Mrs. Shirley Creamer-Taylor, Hoover School Assistant Principal; Mrs. Cynthia Revels-Young, Special Services Coordinator; Mr. Burt Odelson,OdelsonSterk Attorney; Honorable Judge Denise Filan; Ms. Leslie Kennedy, Odelson and Sterk Attorney; Mrs. Angela Bomba, Newly Elected Board of Education Member; and Mr. Bomba, Spouse of Newly Elected Board of Education Member Angela Bombaand Parent,.
COMMENTS FROM VISITORS
No comments were made by visitors.
BOARD ELECTION RESULTS
The secretary was directed to read the votes by precinct and announce the totals.
Announcement was made by Mrs. Natalie Barnes that based on the fact that Angela Bomba, Charles Garcia, Eric Gibson, Tonya Reed and Annie Wade received the highest number of votes for 4 year office, Angela Bomba, Charles Garcia, Eric Gibson, Tonya Reed and Annie Wade were elected as members of the Board of Education for Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District 157.
COMMENTS BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mrs. Reed expressed her sincere appreciation to Mrs. Barnes on behalf of the Board of Education. She said that the Board of Education has learned a lot from Mrs. Barnes and will miss her serving on the Board of Education. She shared that they will continue to move forward and they will keep her in their thoughts and in their hearts.
Mrs. Barnes said that she shares thesame sentiments, and that she has no regrets about leaving the Board of Education. She said that she feels there is a good Board in place, and the District has the best kids, staff, and administrators. She said that the Board of Education has accomplished much work over the past several years. She wished continued success to the Board of Education and she said that she will be watching.
Attorney Burt Odelson thanked Mrs. Barnes and the Board of Education members for allowing his firm to represent Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District 157. He said that the Board of Education has gone through many difficult situations, but they have managed to keep the respect of the students, employees, and leadership. He said he serves many School Boards, but he feels that our Board of Education is one of the best. He thanked the Board of Education members for allowing him to represent the District.
Additionally, Attorney Burt Odelson shared a story with the Board of Education relative to Judge Denise Filan who was present to administerthe Oath of Office to the newly elected Board of Education members. He shared that the Honorable Judge Denise Filan started out as his secretary when she was 22 years old. He said that he encouraged her to get her law degree,and Judge Filan went to school and graduated from the John Marshall Law School. She worked for his firm after graduating and then was appointed to the judicial bench. He emphasized that Judge Denise Filan is proof that you can do anything if you put your mind to it!
As Mrs. Barnes stepped down from her position on the Board of Education, she thanked Dr. Michele Morris for her work as the District’s Superintendent, and she shared that Dr. Morris is a good Superintendent for the District. Mrs. Barnes also stated that she is glad to have been part of choosing Dr. Morris as the Superintendent for our District.
The Oath of Office was administered by the Honorable Judge Denise Filan to newly elected Board of Education members Angela Bomba, Charles Garcia, Eric Gibson, Tonya Reed and Annie Wade.
Adjourn sine die at 7:29 p.m.
Appoint Mr. Charles Garcia, President Pro-Tem, at 7:30 p.m.
Appoint Mrs.Tonya Reed, Secretary Pro-Tem, at 7:31 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by President Pro-Tem, Mr. Charles Garcia, at 7:32 p.m. and upon roll call the following members answered present:
Present:Angela Bomba
Kelsy Cowley
Charles Garcia
Eric Gibson
John Kresich
Tonya Reed – Secretary Pro-Tem
Annie Wade
Absent:None
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mrs.Tonya Reed nominated Mr. Charles Garcia for the office of President. Mr.John Kresichseconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. All members voted Aye; Nays none; motion carried. Mr. Garcia was declared President of the Board of Education.
Mr.Eric Gibson nominated Mrs. KelsyCowley for the office of Vice President. Mrs.Tonya Reed seconded the nomination.
Mr. Charles Garcia nominated Mr. John Kresich for the office of Vice President. Ms. Annie Wade seconded the nomination.
Upon roll call for Mrs. KelsyCowley for the office of Vice President, the Board of Education members voted as follows - Aye: Cowley, Gibson, Reed; Nay: Bomba, Garcia, Kresich, Wade.
Upon roll call for Mr. John Kresich for the office of Vice President the Board of Education members voted as follows - Aye: Bomba, Garcia, Kreisch, Wade; Nay: Cowley, Gibson, Reed.
Mr. John Kresichwas declared Vice President of the Board of Education.
Mr.Charles Garcia nominated Mrs.Tonya Reed for the office of Secretary. Mr. John Kresichseconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. All members voted Aye; Nays none; motion carried. Mrs.Tonya Reedwas declared Secretary of the Board of Education.
APPROVE THE BUDGET FOR THE SUMMER ADULT AND STUDENT WORKERS
Motion was made by Mrs. Reed, seconded by Mr. Kresich, to approve the budget for the summer adult and student workers. Motion was amended by Mrs. Reed, seconded by Mr. Kresich,to approve the budget for the summer adult and student workers per Option 1 as presented. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried. Mr. Gibson was not present in theBoard room when the vote was taken.
Mr. Garcia asked about the summer activity programs. Dr. Morris and Sue Henke reported thatthe primary Summer Enrichment Program will take place from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. during the summer for students who attend Summer School,and the program will be provided by the Calumet City Park District. The cost for the program per student is $20.00 per week. The $20.00 fee includes lunch. One of the activities that the Park District would like to provide is swimming at the Finneran Pool. Dr. Morris said that she shared her concerns with the Calumet City Park District representatives about allowing students to participate in swimming, and she informed the representatives that she will have to consult with the District attorney to discuss the enormous liability associated with swimming related activities. Dr. Morris and Sue Henke reported that the Calumet City Park District representatives also shared that as an alternative,they can provide the option of Miniature Golfand the Splash Pad (which consists of sprinklers) at Memorial Park.
Mr. Garcia shared his concern regarding the Buildings and Grounds Summer cleaning schedule in light of the Calumet City Park District Summer Enrichment Program. Dr. Morris said that, as much as possible, the Park District plans to conduct their activities outside, weather permitting. However, if it’s too hot or raining, activities will be held indoors.
Dr. Morris also shared information about the weeklong Camp Invention Program and the D.R.U.M. Summer Enrichment Program that will be provided by Ms. Trudeau.
APPROVE STIPEND FOR THE BOARD SECRETARY
Motion was made by Mrs. Cowley, seconded by Mr. Gibson, to establish the annual stipend for the Board Secretary in the amount of $500.00 to be paid in two payments of $250.00 each at the end of June, and at the end of December. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
APPOINT COMMITTEES
The Board of Education appointed committee members for the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Discipline Committee, the Event Planning Committee, the Finance Committee, the Personnel Committee, and the Policy Committee.
ADOPT MEETING DATES
Motion was made by Mrs. Reed, seconded by Mrs. Cowley, to adopt the 4th Tuesday of each month to hold the regular meetings of the Board of Education, with the exception of the month of December, (which will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month), at the Board of Education Office, 1255 Superior Avenue, Calumet City, IL, at 7:00 p.m. Discussion also took place as to consideration of changing the day of the week for the meetings from Tuesday to either Monday or Wednesday. After the discussion,it was decided that Tuesday was the better day of the week for all Board of Education members. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
ADOPT ALL EXISTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Motion was made by Mr.Kresich, seconded by Mrs. Cowley, to adopt all existing policies and procedures of the Board of Education. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
CONTINUE RETAINER RELATIONSHIP WITH ODELSON & STERK
Motion was made by Mr.Gibson, seconded by Mrs. Reed, to continue the retainer relationship with OdelsonSterk to serve as the Attorney for the Board of Education. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Naysnone; motion carried.
CONTINUE CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ARCON ASSOCIATES
Motion was made by Mrs. Reed, seconded by Mr.Kresich, to continue the contractual relationship with ARCON Associates, Inc. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF DISTRICT EQUIPMENT AT A COST OF $50.00 BY NATALIE BARNES
Motion was made by Mr. Gibson, seconded by Mr. Kresich, to approve for Natalie Barnes to purchase district equipment at a cost of $50.00. Mrs. Reed shared her concern that she felt the $50.00 charge for the laptop was too high, as the laptop is very old. Dr. Morris asked Dr. LaPorte to share his input on the determination of the depreciated value of the laptop. Dr. LaPorte said that he contacted Brad Ervin from the Technology Department and he determined that the laptop has a current value of $50.00 due to depreciation. The Board of Education members were in agreement to amend the fee to $10.00 for the purchase of the laptop by Mrs. Natalie Barnes. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
IASB BOARD MEMBER WORKSHOPS - INFORMATIONAL
IASB is offering workshops for new board members, as well as, experienced Board Members on the Basics of Governance and the Mandatory Board Training.
Dr. Morris shared with the Board of Education that all Board of Education members who have been re-elected to their boards must complete four hours of mandatory training on specific legal topics within one year of taking the Oath of Office. For the new Board of Education members, the same requirement is in effect. New Board of Education membersare also required to complete training on the Open Meetings Act within 90 days of taking the Oath of Office.
NEW BUSINESS
Dr. Morris shared with the Board of Education that everyone should have in front of them a Directory of the Board of Education members and the Administrator’s personal contact information. A revised copy of the directory, which will include the newly elected officers, will be available at the next Board meeting.
In addition, Dr. Morris distributed to each Board of Education member a “draft” of the Board of Education Town Hall meeting flyer that will be mailed to all stakeholders and families within the Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District 157 community. She shared that the presenter from the IASB Spring Dinner meeting, Dr. Donna McCaw, will be conducting her presentation on the Common Core Standards. Dr. Morris said that Dr. McCaw’s message was very powerful during the IASB dinner presentation. She said that Dr. McCaw will not be charging the District a fee for her presentation. She is only charging the District for mileage from her hometown of Monmouth, IL, which is approximately 200 miles. Dr. Morris reported that Dr. McCaw shared that she applauds the courageous leadership of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of our district to conduct a Town Hall meeting that will focus on the transition to the Common Core Standards.Dr. McCaw also volunteered to provide to the District two $50.00 gift cards to be raffled during the Town Hall meeting.
Mrs. Reed also suggested toDr. Morris, in order to encourage parents to attend the Town Hall meeting, toprint on the flyer that students will be provided with a “No Uniform Today” coupon if their parents attend the meeting. Dr. Mays suggested that babysitting canbe provided for the younger students. Mrs. Reed asked if All Call telephone announcements will be conducted for the meeting, and Dr. Morris said yes. Dr. Morris encouraged the Board of Education members to reach out to their contacts to get as many staff members and parents as possible to attend the meeting.
Dr. Morris also noted that in her flyer, she included that we will gather input from the community relative to using district resources to pay for Security Resource Officers at Hoover School and Schrum School.
MOTION TO ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Motion was made by Mr.Kresich, seconded by Mrs. Reed, to adjourn to closed session at 7:50p.m. to discuss:
Matters concerning specific employees or legal counsel, as permitted in Section 2 (c) (1) of the Open Meetings Act.
Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr.Kresich, seconded by Mrs.Reed, to return to open session at 8:48p.m. Upon roll call all members voted Aye; Nays none; motion carried.
ACCEPT THE LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM JOE KEKELIK
Motion was made by Mr. Kresich, seconded by Mrs. Reed, regretfully, to accept the letter of resignation from Joe Kekelik, Director of Buildings and Grounds, effective June 30, 2013. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
APPROVE THE POSTING FOR THE POSITION OF THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Motion was made by Mrs. Cowley, seconded by Mr. Kresich, to approve the posting for the position of the Director of Buildings and Grounds. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
APPROVE THE HIRING OF JOMYRON GRAHAM, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TECHNICIAN
Motion was made by Mrs. Cowley, seconded by Mrs. Reed, to approve the hiring of Jomyron Graham, Information Technology Technician, at a salary of $30,000, prorated, pending criminal background check. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
APPROVE THE PROMOTION OF PATRICK COLLIER TO HEAD NIGHT CUSTODIAN
Motion was made by Mr. Kresich, seconded by Mrs. Reed, to approve the promotion of Patrick Collier to Head Night Custodian, effective immediately, with a salary increase of $3,253.15, prorated. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Bomba, Cowley, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed, Wade; Nays none; motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Mr.Kresich, seconded by Mrs. Reed, to adjourn at 8:52 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted Aye; Nays none; motion carried.
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President`Secretary
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