Aviston School District 21 Board of Education Met Oct. 28.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. Call to Order—7:00 pm
a. Roll Call
1. Members present: Thole, Voss, Eversgerd, Jansen, Schulte, Strubhart
2. Members absent: Toennies
3. Non-Members present: Superintendent Hamil, see attached list.
2. Public Comment/Recognition of Visitors/Good News Report
a. Public Comment: Sarah O’Brien addressed the Board with a request for students to be able to move room to room instead of teachers moving.
b. Good news Report: Superintendent Hamil reported that Aviston was well represented at the Cross Country state meet with three runners attending. STAR Reading score averages were all at or above grade level when students were tested in September for baseline data.
3. Motion to amend the agenda:
a. None
4. Approval of Consent Agenda:
a. Approve Minutes of Regular September 16, 2020 Meeting
b. Approve Payment of Bills
c. Treasurer’s Report
d. Motion by Jansen, second by Schulte to approve the consent agenda items.
e. Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Eversgerd, aye; Jansen, aye; Schulte, aye; Strubhart, aye. None opposed. Toennies Absent.
5. Superintendent’s Report
a. Eagle Scout Project Completion – Chris Richter has completed his Eagle Scout project by painting basketball court lines on the playground. The Board and Administration thanked Mr. Richter for his service to the school and students. All materials for the project were donated by Aviston Lumber Company.
b. ISBE School Designation – Aviston District #21 has received an “Exemplary” school designation for 2020.
c. ESSERS Act Digital Equity Grant – The district was awarded $49,138 in grant funding through the CARES Act for additional technology for students. The award has been used to purchase 111 Chromebooks and peripherals, with priority given to low-income/at-risk students per grant instructions.
d. Emergency Planning Meeting Outcomes – The overall Crisis Management Plan was approved by local emergency officials with only minor changes.
e. Emergency Drills Report – A bus drill, active shooter drill and fire drill were conducted. All drills went well and safety officials were impressed with response times and safety procedures.
f. October 23 Teachers’ Institute Day Outcomes – Teachers received training on reading strategies for students with dyslexia and attended a seminar on finding balance during the pandemic.
6. New Business
a. Approval of FY20 Audit/Annual Financial Report
1. The school district received financial recognition status and there were no findings/issues that needed resolution as the result of the audit.
Bookkeeper Karla Fuehne was commended for her efforts and attention to the fiscal records of the District.
2. Motion by Strubhart, second by Jansen to approve the FY2020
Audit/Annual Financial Report.
3. Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Eversgerd, aye; Jansen, aye; Schulte, aye; Strubhart, aye. None opposed. Toennies Absent.
b. Leasing Levy Recommendations
1. Mr. Hamil advised the Board that the lease for the VM server will be complete in July 2021 and that new equipment leases should be acquired with the revenue. Recommendations include new technology for staff members and an upgrade to a VOIP phone system.
2. Information only, no action taken.
c. Building Bond Refinancing
1. With lower interest rates due to the COVID pandemic, it is possible that a savings to taxpayers on the current building bonds could be achieved. Information will be gathered on refinancing/reselling the bonds in the coming months.
2. Information only, no action taken.
d. E-Learning Days/Snow Days
1. The Clinton County Consortium Schools are exploring the use of E Learning Days in lieu of using an emergency day for snow closures. The Aviston faculty generally agrees with this approach and the District will begin the process for implementing the change in using emergency days.
2. Information only, no action taken.
e. Employee Resignation
1. Motion by Jansen, second by Schulte to accept the resignation of Michelle Mearns as District Technology Coordinator.
2. All in favor. None opposed. Toennies Absent.
f. Consideration of Hiring Paraprofessional Aide
1. Motion by Thole, second by Voss to hire Perri Wesselmann as a paraprofessional aide for the 2020-2021 school year.
2. Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Eversgerd, aye; Jansen, aye; Schulte, aye; Strubhart, aye. None opposed. Toennies Absent.
g. Consideration of Hiring for Extracurricular Positions
1. Motion by Jansen, second by Voss to hire Chase Henrichs as Head 7/8 Boys Basketball Coach and Corrine Detmer as Assistant Cheer Coach.
2. Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Eversgerd, aye; Jansen, aye; Schulte, aye; Strubhart, aye. None opposed. Toennies Absent.
7. **Closed Session--Closed session may be used to discuss contract negotiations, employee issues and other items as deemed necessary by the board and as approved in 5 ILCS 120/2 of the Open Meetings Act.
1. Motion by Jansen, second by Strubhart to enter closed session at 7:51 pm
2. All in favor. None opposed. Toennies Absent.
3. Motion by Strubhart, second by Thole to return to open session at 8:42 pm.
4. All in favor. None opposed. Toennies Absent.
8. Adjournment
a. Motion by Schulte second by Strubhart to adjourn the October 28, 2020 meeting at 8:44 pm.
b. All in favor. None opposed. Toennies Absent.
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