The Frankfort Community Consolidated School District 157C Board of Education met Oct. 19 to address technology in the classroom.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:
October 20, 2016
PRESS RELEASE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Nancy J. Neuzil, Frankfort School District 157-C Public Relations Coordinator,
815-469-9235, njneuzil@aol.com
District 157-C October 19, 2016 Board of Education Meeting Recap
The regular Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education meeting of October 19, 2016 was called to order
by Board President Gina Briese at 7:00 p.m. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present. The Board
recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Board approved the Open and Closed Session minutes of the regular meeting of September 21, 2016.
During the Public Forum portion of the meeting, Frankfort Teachers Association (FTA) representative Pam
Swierwinski and FTA President Kelly Aranowski signed up to speak. They voiced their opinions about potential
changes to the employee health plans being considered by the Board.
Scott Klein from Klein, Hall and Associates, District 157-C’s independent auditors, presented information to the
Board regarding the results of the district’s audit. Mr. Klein stated, “We did not find any material weaknesses in
the audit and things are in good shape.”
In their reports, Hickory Creek Middle School Principal Will Seidelmann, Chelsea Intermediate School Principal
Dr. Sharon Paver-Nepote and Grand Prairie Elementary School Principal Eileen Nelson focused on technology in
their buildings. Mr. Seidelmann reported that “Techie Thursdays” this month are an open lab time for teachers
to get individual support on incorporating technology in the classroom. He reported that the school’s
technology consultant will work with teachers on how to use technology to facilitate formative assessments that
give the teachers real-time feedback in all content areas. He also reported that the school is working on plans
for next year on how to continue moving the building, staff and students forward regarding technology.
Dr. Paver-Nepote reported that Chelsea’s fifth grade team met with the administration to discuss the new 1-1
computer initiative. Topics covered were professional development, instructional enhancements and the
ongoing support that will be available to staff as they support their students’ growth. She stated, “The team is
so excited to have the 1-1 technology approved. They want to get the new technology into their hands.” Mrs.
Nelson reported that technology is a valuable tool in the classroom at Grand Prairie and outlined how teachers
are using technology to teach students how to infer by looking at a picture.
Director of Curriculum & Instruction Janet McClarence reported that it has been very busy since the Board
approved the new technology plan for fifth grade last month and plans are underway for professional
development of teachers. She reported that groups of teachers will be attending conferences, institutes and
participating in a variety of site visits in other districts. She reported that Google training is being offered where
teachers can learn online and get class credits for their work. There will also be Google training with an
instructor offered over the summer. She stated, “The administrative team will also do a book study and
continue to lay the groundwork for teachers.”
Director of Special Services Jen Bajda reported that District 157-C has access to Infinitec, which stands for
“infinite potential through technology” and is the technology program of UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago. The
mission of Infinitec is to advance independence and promote inclusive opportunities for children and adults with
disabilities through technology. The technology program offers hundreds of online courses for teachers that
2
provide professional development credit. Ms. Bajda stated, “This is a really great resource for special education
but it is something that could be used throughout the district.”
Director of Technology Jake Nelson reported that the district is anticipating receiving word from the federal ERate
program that it will receive the funding commitment to move ahead with the wireless project for Chelsea
and Grand Prairie Schools.
Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon and Interim Director of Building & Grounds Jeff Baughman provided
reports from the Business Office and Building and Grounds. Mr. Baughman stated, “The team did an
outstanding job this past month. Chelsea is 50 percent completed with cable work and this is a huge cost saving
because it is being done in-house.”
The Board heard a report provided by Jennifer Bumba, President of Chorus Boosters, and Becky Brown,
President of Band/Orchestra Boosters.
The Board heard a report from Board Secretary Edie Adamski on the Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District
843 Advisory Committee meeting of September 12, 2016 and the Governing Board meeting of September 27,
2016.
In the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Maura Zinni provided the Board with an update of the 21st Century
Continuous Learning Plan regarding the results of the technology survey taken by staff at all three schools. She
stated, “This survey by all staff helped inform the professional development plan.” She provided information on
the Tiger University for Parents and Community and provided drafts of a parent survey created to determine the
2017-2018 school calendar. Dr. Zinni also updated the Board on the Illinois State Report Card which is to be
released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) on October 31, 2016.
Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon provided the Board with the Treasurer's Report and Graphs. The total
fund balance reserves increased in September by about $9.23M (from $38,935,476 at the end of August to
$48,165,836 at the end of September.) This large increase is due to the receipt of the District‘s second major
installment of property taxes from Will County, and September represents the district’s “high water mark” in
terms of cash and reserves on hand for the fiscal year. These balances are drawn down over the remainder of
the year until the early/advanced tax receipts for next year arrive from Will County in late May and June.
Normal monthly expenses are expected to be about $2M -$2.25M during the year. Board Bills for September
are $3,033,057.13 and are being presented at the October 19 Board meeting. September had three payrolls
during the month and accounts for most of the higher than normal monthly expenditures total.
There were three Freedom of Information requests and they were responded to in a timely manner.
In discussion, Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon and representatives from the Horton Group updated the
Board of Education on the mid-year review of the District Health Insurance Benefits and renewal
recommendations for the employee benefits plan. Following considerable discussion of health insurance
renewal plans, the Board took action to approve moving to a partially self-funded PPO plan with an $85,000
attachment point and mature claims experience with a $500 deductible for single and $1,500 for family at a net
premium rate increase of 10.80%. The district will offer a premium discount program for every covered
employee (and their spouse if they elect employee-spouse or full family coverage) whereby if they complete the
health risk assessment and health screening in November they would be provided a $25 single or and $50 family
premium discount each month in 2017. The Board approved changing carrier dental insurance from Delta
Dental to Guardian Dental and realize a.2% premium rate increase with no change in covered benefits. The
3
Board approved staying with Fort Dearborn for life insurance and supplemental life insurance with no change in
premiums or benefits for 2017. The Board approved staying with EyeMed for vision insurance with no change in
premiums or benefits for 2017. The Board approved staying with CuraLinc for EAP insurance with no change or
benefits for 2017. The Board approved staying with Allied Benefit Systems at existing rates for the provision of
various employee benefit services such as COBRA insurance administration, section 125 cafeteria plan
administration and flexible spending plan account administration as billed directly to them by the school district.
In discussion, Assistant Curt Saindon provided a report on the preliminary tax levy as the District Administration
prepares potential tax levy and abatement scenarios for the Levy Book that will be distributed in November.
In discussion, Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni provided the Board with the job description for the Supervisor of
Buildings and Grounds.
In discussion, Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon provided the Board with information on items to be
declared surplus.
In discussion, Assistant Superintendent Curt Saindon provided the Board with information on the Annual
Statement of Affairs.
In discussion, Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni updated the Board on the Aramark contract.
The Board took action to approve the employment of Heather LaMonto as a Part-Time Lunchroom Supervisor at
Grand Prairie Elementary School with a start date of September 30, 2016 at an hourly rate of $11.50, contingent
upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State
Board of Education.
The Board took action to approve the employment of Valerie Willig-Joyce as a Part-Time Lunchroom Supervisor
at Grand Prairie Elementary School with a start date of October 3, 2016 at an hourly rate of $11.50, contingent
upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State
Board of Education.
The Board took action to approve the employment of Angela VanderKooi as a Long-Term Substitute at Chelsea
Intermediate School with start date of October 17, 2016 and tentatively through November 28, 2016 or until the
assignment ends, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by
District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.
The Board took action to approve the employment of Kimberly O'Brien as a Full-Time Paraprofessional at
Hickory Creek Middle School with a start date of October 11, 2016 at an hourly rate of $12.95, contingent upon
the receipt and evaluation of employment documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board
of Education.
The Board approved the September payment of bills as presented.
In the Consent Agenda, the Board approved the Resolution declaring a twelve year old John Deere 5220 tractor
and its associated attachments (bucket, grader, aerator, forks, front spare tires and counter weights) as surplus
and unneeded for school district purposes. The Board also directed the Assistant Superintendent and District
Office to sell or trade in these surplus items, as appropriate, for their fair market value in accordance with
established State statutes and Illinois School Code provisions.
4
In the Consent Agenda, the Board approved and directed the Business Office to publish and post the finalized
Annual Statement of Affairs for Frankfort School District 157-C, as required by law, in the local newspaper of
general circulation, and submit said document to the Regional Office of Education and the Illinois State Board of
Education, along with all associated and required listings of staff salaries, vendor payments and contracts.
Furthermore, that the school district should maintain a copy of said Annual Statement of Affairs and the
associated detailed listings on file in the District Office for the public to inspect, as appropriate.
In the Consent Agenda, the Board approved the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds job description as
presented.
The Board went into Closed Session at 10:05 p.m. to discuss appointment, employment, compensation,
discipline, performance and/or dismissal of specific employees; student discipline; student residency; student
issue; reclassification of employees; and pending litigation.
The Board adjourned the Closed Session meeting and returned to Open Session meeting at 10:47 p.m.
Following Closed Session, in discussion, the Board reviewed the Buildings and Grounds Staffing Plan.
The Board took action to approve the change in position from Full-Time District Maintenance to Full-Time
Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds effective October 20, 2016 and promoted Rodney Davis to the position at a
salary of $71,000 for the 2016-2017 school year, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of employment
documentation required by District 157-C and the Illinois State Board of Education.
The Board adjourned the regular meeting at 10:48 p.m.
The next regular District 157-C Board of Education meeting will be held on November 16, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at
Grand Prairie Elementary School, 10480 West Nebraska Street, in Frankfort, Illinois.
Alerts Sign-up