Gillespie Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education met Sept. 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
President Hayes called the regular meeting of Community Unit District #7 School Board to order at 6:28 p.m. at the Unit Office Annex, 510 West Elm Street, Gillespie, IL 62033.
ROLL CALL: Hatlee, present; Dobrino, present; Hayes, present; Schmidt, absent; Tiburzi, present; Alepra, present; Carter, absent
Superintendent Tieman, Principals Owsley and Rosentreter attended the meeting. Dave Ambrose, Micki Romanus, Jill Strole and her husband, Jessica Kelly, Michelle Smith, and Leslie Chapman also attended the meeting.
Motion made by Alepra, seconded by Hatlee to approve the agenda as presented. Hatlee, yes; Dobrino, yes; Hayes, yes; Schmidt, absent; Tiburzi, yes; Alepra, yes; Carter, absent. Motion carried.
Motion made by Alepra, seconded by Tiburzi for Roll Call Vote to Adjourn to Closed Meeting at 6:29 p.m. for the following:
A. Discussion of the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the District, pursuant to 105 ILCS 120/2(C)(1)
B. Discussion of probable or imminent litigation, pursuant to 105 ILCS 120/2(C)(1)
C. Discussion of student disciplinary cases, pursuant to 105 ILCS 120/2(c)(9)
D. Collective negotiation matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives pursuant to 105 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)
Dobrino, yes; Hayes, yes; Schmidt, absent; Tiburzi, yes; Alepra, yes; Carter, absent; Hatlee, yes. Motion carried.
Motion made by Alepra, seconded by Hatlee for Roll Call Vote to return to Open Session at 7:15 p.m. Hayes, yes; Schmidt, absent; Tiburzi, yes; Alepra, yes; Carter, absent; Hatlee, yes; Dobrino, yes. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was repeated.
Motion made by Tiburzi, seconded by Alepra to amend the agenda as presented. Schmidt, absent; Tiburzi, yes; Alepra, yes; Carter, absent; Hatlee, yes; Dobrino, yes; Hayes, yes. Motion carried.
(Inserted Agenda item “Focus” here)
Principal Rosentreter introduced new middle school staff members: Chase Peterson – 6th Grade Math and Jessica Kelly - 6th Grade Resource.
Principal Owsley introduced new high school staff members: Jill Strole - Middle School/High School Guidance Counselor. Korben Clark – High School Environmental Science - was not in attendance at the meeting as he was at the Gillespie JV Football Game at Southwestern calling offense for Gillespie.
Superintendent Tieman introduced new elementary PE teacher Amber Allan.
Bond & Interest Fund 6,180.72
Transportation Fund 13,193.61
Grand Total of all Funds $117,448.04
Hatlee, yes; Dobrino, yes; Hayes, yes; Schmidt, absent; Tiburzi, yes; Alepra, yes; Carter, absent. Motion carried.
Freedom of Information Requests
There were no Freedom of Information Requests.
Recognition of the Public
Leslie Chapman addressed the Board regarding complaint about a bus that dropped off students when half of a class was left at school. It was a mix-up as the teacher of that class did not hear them call for the bus. The parent was upset because the parent wasn't called. Superintendent Tieman addressed the issue. He assured the parent that no student was in jeopardy; had they been parents would have been called. He explained to the parent that it should not happen again. However, if by chance it does, to please call at the time of the incident so it can be handled at the time of the incident.
Superintendent's Report
There was no Union Report.
Principal Owsley gave the Gillespie High School Report.
✓ September 4th: Active Shooter Drill was held.
✓ September 5th-6th. Attended “Assessing Student Threats" training in Vandalia.
✓ September 7th: Chorus Car Wash was held.
✓ September 12"n: FFA Green Hands placed 1st in Horse Judging. Students in Yearbook took a field trip to Riverton to meet with Jostens and to see the latest developments in Yearbook design.
✓ September 13th: Mindy Beisner and Kevin McNicholas presented on “Know me Know my Name”.
✓ September 15th: FFA Alumni Pork Chop Dinner Drive Thru Four students have passed their food handling license exam and are working at the “Corner Café”.
✓ Harold Rauzi (Class of 71) sent a copy of his book “Coal Mines on The Prairie” to be placed in the school library.
✓ Received a phone call from a gentleman who was in Staunton on business. He called to let me know that his job allows him to travel a lot and during that time he also plays a lot of golf. He wanted to let me know that he ran into our men's team at Timber Lakes and he was thoroughly impressed with their manners and etiquette.
✓ September 18": Attended SCC Principal's Meeting in Litchfield.
✓ September 19th: FFA Green Hands placed 1st in the Forestry Judging Competition (All 6 members of Gillespie's team finished in the top 7). Gillespie's Varsity Team finished 2nd out of 10 teams.
✓ September 20th: Recognized former Gillespie Football players in honor of our 100th season. Dedicated the field to Coach Don "Duke" Dobrino.
✓ September 24th: MPACT’D Dome Shift Convention in Springfield, Illinois.
✓ September 25th: NHS Inductions will take place in the Cafeteria at 6 PM. Gillespie FFA will be helping “Feed our Families” at Ben-Gil Elementary. Feed Our Families is a Birth – Three Program that operates out of the Elementary School. The FFA will be cooking and helping serve Pork Chops and Pork burgers for dinner. In the past, they have cooked for 50 – 75 adults/25 kids.
✓ September 30th: Kicks off Homecoming Week
Gillespie High School Sports Records
Varsity Football 2-2
Frosh-Soph Football 0-3
Frosh Football 0-2
Varsity Volleyball: 6-9 (2-0 SCC)
JV Volleyball: 5-2
Frosh Volleyball: 3-5
Men's soccer: 5-7-1
Men's Golf: 9-8
Women's Golf: 0-9
Principal Rosentreter gave the Gillespie Middle School Report.
o 2019 Emergency Drills have created constant updating/improvements through re-evaluation by the Safety Committee.
o Under new direction by Liz Thackrey and Steph Wilson, Student Council campaigning and elections took place and new members are busy planning an eventful school year.
o September 6 was our first 12:05 dismissal. During morning hours, students benefited from multiple workshops (STEM - Health/Wellness – Minds UP) from staff and visiting presenters, including Mrs. Becky Hatlee (healthy diet and lifestyles) and Trooper Nairn (cyber safety).
o September 6 - Teacher Training included “Know Me, Know My Name” presented by Mindy Beisner and Kevin McNicholas. This training focused on how staff can make connections with students to meet their social and emotional needs.
o GMS teachers are involved in a Book Study (Help for Billy) every Wednesday afternoon. Conversations are focused on how to incorporate SEL (social & emotional learning) research based techniques for students who have experienced traumatic life events and therefore, struggles in the classroom.
o GMS grant applications were presented to the Partnership for Excellence Committee Content teams have been working on the application process for several weeks, making decisions on additional resources that can be used to supplement existing instructional supplies.
o Skyward training continues and office staff is working diligently on learning the tools, cleaning up data and training staff. Making the program available to families is a priority and we are looking forward to that happening in the upcoming weeks.
o The girls' softball team, Regional Champions, ended their successful season in the Sectional game in Chatham on Saturday, losing to Chatham 13-7. Their season record is 20-3. Kudos to that coaching staff, student-athletes and parents for a great season.
o The boys' baseball team won Regional; then Sectional at Raymond Saturday.
o Mrs. Peggy Allan will begin working with the social science teachers this week by observing instructional practices and guiding those teachers toward bridging the gap between elementary expectations and the expectations set at the Middle School in the areas of science and social studies.
o We have seven student teachers (2 from SIUE and 5 from Blackburn) who are learning and gaining experience under the direction of GMS teachers.
o I met with AIR (American Institute of Research) representatives from northern Illinois last week. After learning of our initiatives, specifically the goals in the GMS School Improvement Plan, the reps plan on using our school as a role model for their company as they work with schools across the state. This is a great compliment to our School Leadership Team who worked this summer and then shared their initiative with all staff. Goals in our SIP, which are targeted in math, are already being met.
Principal Sandretto's Ben-Gil Elementary School Report is as follows:
• School News
o Skyward
• Continuing to work through the program
• Progress reports sent home this week
o School Improvement
• Patrick Anderson, East Alton-Wood River Superintendent, spoke to staff
• Information was very well received
o Map Testing
• Fall testing has completed
• Teachers have met to review the data and create student plans moving forward
Superintendent Tieman reported on some bullet points on GMS/GHS good things:
> Read email from Margie Brill:
“Obviously you know last week was a rough one for me. So to wake up to an email from Katie Prange (and Nikki Stoecker) showing almost every volunteer slot filled up by the honor roll kids leaves me without words. I'm heading into government audits starting today and there is a chamber meeting tonight, and all I kept thinking was the Fall Festival is going to be a complete and utter fail. Top this with Celia and Vanessa sending the volleyball team to help move tables I can't even begin thank everyone properly!!”
> District #7 will receive our share of $2,000,000 ($399,400) of Building Funds
> A new sign will be erected at the GMS – brick similar to the elementary sign and lighted
> A new vinyl sign and flagpole will be erected at the Administration Office
> Plans are being made to light up the walkway by the practice field.
Old Business
There were no Old Business agenda items.
New Business
6th Day Enrollment figures and 5 Year Average figures are as follows:
2019-2020 5 Year Average
# Ben-Gil Elementary 625 649
+ Gillespie Middle School 301 300
+ Gillespie High School 368 374
+ Total 1294 1323
Motion made by Alepra, seconded by Hayes to approve FSY20 District Budget as presented. Dobrino, yes; Hayes, yes; Schmidt, absent; Tiburzi, yes; Alepra, yes; Carter, absent; Hatlee, yes. Motion carried.
Motion made by Tiburzi, seconded by Alepra to approve the HVAC Technology Support Agreement as presented. Hayes, yes; Schmidt, absent; Tiburzi, yes; Alepra, yes; Carter, absent; Hatlee, yes; Dobrino, yes. Motion carried.
Motion made by Alepra, seconded by Hayes to approve the Administrator/Teacher Salary and Benefits Report Year 2019 as presented. Schmidt, absent; Tiburzi, yes; Alepra, yes; Carter, absent; Hatlee, yes; Dobrino, yes; Hayes, yes. Motion carried.
Motion made by Hatlee, seconded by Hayes to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Tiburzi, yes; Alepra, yes; Carter, absent; Hatlee, yes; Dobrino, yes; Hayes, yes; Schmidt, absent. Motion carried.
https://www.gcusd7.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/FSY-2020-Budget-Hearing-Spetmeber-23-2019.pdf
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