South Central Reporter

Mt. Olive Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education met March 20

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education met in regular session on March 20, 2024 in the library. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by President Brunnworth. Present at roll call were Brunnworth, Essington, Knes, Osmoe, Remer, Rimar, and Skertich. Also present were Superintendent Kelly, Secretary Butler, Principal Scheller, Terry Swenson, Jennifer Stockstill, Nikki Garrels, Josh Martin, Clarence Aramowicz, and John Hanafin.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Knes to adopt the agenda and approve the minutes of the regular board meeting of February 21, 2024. All ayes. Motion carried.

Recognition, comments, and correspondence from employees and public:

A. Board Norms: Follow chain of command, assume positive intent, and mutual respect.

B. Board Values: Integrity, mutual respect, and excellence.

C. Board Priorities: Culture, academic performance, facilities (with a focus on safety), and finances.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Brunnworth to approve the bills and activity accounts as presented. Roll call: 7 ayes. Motion carried.

Financial Report for February 2024:

Mrs. Kelly reported the Education Fund is sitting at $2,033,773.95. The Building Fund is at $594,847.69. The Bond and Interest Fund is at $68,758.93. The Transportation Fund balance is $476,211.77. The IMRF Fund is at $219,109.90. Site and Construction is at $243,448.42. The Working Cash Fund is at $208,982.49. Tort Immunity Fund is $234,476.25. Life Safety balance is $133,767.01. The total of all funds is $4,213,376.41 and the Operating Fund balance is at $3,313,815.90.

Budget Report: Revenues vs. Expenditures for February 2024:

Education Fund: 77% vs. 61%

Building Fund: 92% vs. 61%

Bond & Interest: 73% & 4%

Transportation Fund: 89% vs. 71%

IMRF: 102% vs. 56%

Site & Construction: 81% & 66%

Working Cash: 111% & 0%

Tort Immunity: 103% vs. 95%

Life Safety: 109% & 99%

Motion by Rimar, seconded by Osmoe to approve the financial report and the budget report for February 2024. All ayes. Motion carried.

Principals’ Reports:

Mrs. Scheller reported the following:

• It’s hard to believe we are in the 4th and final quarter of the school year.

• The 3rd quarter student/class celebration will take place on Friday, March 22nd.

• The Fine Arts Festival held on March 14th was well attended. It was great that our students got the chance to showcase their artistic abilities.

• 5Essentials Survey for teachers, students, and parents, is open.

The 5Essentials Survey identifies five indicators (effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environments, and ambitious instruction) that lead to improved outcomes for all students, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. We are strongly suggesting teachers and parents to complete this survey.

• We have really been working on the culture and climate. For example, we recently changed how we are handling student Chromebook use. I recently attended the PLC meetings (K-2, 3-5, and 6-8) to discuss technology and a proposal to change how we utilize Chromebook. Each PLC I attend was amazing. The discussion we had was wonderful. There was great open communication with everyone listening to the suggestions and ideas others offered. The feedback I received after the meetings was positive and supportive of the changes we need to make. It’s these small positive changes that are going to lead to the overall improvement to our culture and climate.

• Track season is underway with our first home meet yesterday, March 19th.

• I want to thank FOCUS5 for their financial support to send teams to the Olympiad. We will be sending 2 teams at each level: grades 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8.

• We would like to thank FOCUS5 for their donation to PE department for student skating.

• FOCUS5 is providing an Easter snack for students on March 26th.

• We will be hosting a Family Fun Night on April 11th.

• Spring break starts Wednesday, March 27. Students and staff return to school on Tuesday, April 2nd.

Dr. Kelly reported the following:

• The 3rdquarter has ended and we are now in 4th quarter. There were 79 students on the high honor and honor roll list.

• SAT testing is tomorrow.

• The Fine Arts Festival was on March 14th. It was very well attended. Kudos to Mr. Schulte, Mrs. Close, Mr. Harmon, Ms. Spudich, and students for their hard work.

• Mrs. Scheller and I attended the IPA celebration breakfast with two of our students on March 13th. It was great seeing the students being recognized for their hard work.

• High school track has begun. There are 12 students participating this year.

• The baseball team is currently undefeatable.

• Spring Break is March 27 – April 1.

• The high school spring play is on April 19th and 20th.

• Mr. Lesko was featured on a YouTube video with the Rise Organization. Mr. Lesko and his students talked about the benefits of his distance learning classroom.

Superintendent’s Report:

Dr. Kelly reported the following:

A. Informational Items

a. School Improvement Day Waiver

The waiver has been approved so we will have 3 full SIP days next school year instead of the normal half days.

b. Statement of Economic Interests

These forms are in your board packet and need to be turned in.

c. 5 Essentials Survey

Parents, teachers, and students are offered to take this survey.

d. Summer School

We are working on getting a head count on students that will need summer school. We currently have about 17 kids interested in the BASAP summer program.

e. Stronger Connections Grant

Our local ROE is working on this grant with us.

B. Building Project

a. Grade School Parking Lot

Parents, teachers, and admin are brainstorming ideas on how to improve our grade school parking lot. It was decided that we need to add signage and possibly an entrance/exit loop.

b. Roof/HVAC Systems

We have put bids out for our roof and HVAC project. We plan to open bids by April 10th.

Unfinished Business:

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Knes to adopt a resolution selling the bonds for a period of seven (7) days after the final adjournment of the hearing. Roll call: 7 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Rimar to approve the 2024-2025 calendar. All ayes. Motion carried.

New Business:

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Knes to have a regular attendance school day on Casimir Pulaski Day (March 4, 2025). All ayes. Motion carried.

Mrs. Scheller discussed the 2024-2025 Elementary/Jr. High Handbook.

Dr. Kelly discussed the 2024-2025 High School Handbook.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Essington to approve the IHSA Membership Renewal. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Rimar, seconded by Remer to approve the M&M fuel bid for the 2024-2025 school year. Roll call: 7 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Remer to enter into closed session at 7:52 p.m. for the following purposes as allowed under the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.): Discussion of the appointment, employment and dismissal of employees of the public body and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives. Roll call: 7 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Knes to return to open session at 8:20 p.m. Roll call: 7 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Essington to adopt the resolution of the honorable dismissal of educational support personnel employees as listed therein. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Knes to accept the resignation of Tracy Holliday as NHS sponsor. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Skertich to hire Josh Martin as the High School Principal for MOHS for the 2024-2025 school year. All ayes. Motion carried.

The next regular board meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in the school library at 804 West Main St., Mt. Olive, IL.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Rimar to adjourn at 8:23 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z_8TggEMDSWiWp95JK1Vw3oAwbUMcln1/view