207-U’s Director of Technology resigned with an effective date of October 24.
The district’s response was to promote Instructional Coach Brian Cann to Director of Instructional Technology. Cann has worked in the district before both in teaching and information technology and comes with a plethora of knowledge and experience for the position.
The job description for the position was approved, the same night Cann’s employment was approved.
Also, in public comments:
Julie Chapman, co-President of the PTO, spoke to the board about working together for the greater good of the community.
“I urge you to continue building trust with each other, our teachers, our administrators, our community. Not by pointing fingers or belaboring decisions of past boards and administrations but by coming together with a shared commitment to do what’s best for our students and schools,” said Chapman.
Grace Protti spoke regarding the unauthorized entry of an 18-year-old graduate to the Homecoming dance and how her son was viciously attacked by the 18-year-old in the parking lot, leaving him bloody and with a severe concussion. She added that when she went to the school to speak with the Vice Principal, she was asked to leave or be escorted off the property.
“This shows the school’s failure to keep students safe and lack of responsibility,” said Protti.
Resident Adam Weiss echoed the same sentiments. His daughter was affected by the assault when the 18-year-old forced entry into his daughter’s car to attack the student. He also said the unauthorized individual was allowed entry into the dance and then followed students to the parking lot where there was no supervision.
Weiss exclaimed, “We thought sending our children to the dance was safe. It’s the school’s job to keep our children safe and have people in place to protect them.”
Eric Wright addressed the board regarding the budget. He said the community voted for change and the district’s spending of $23.5 million; more than the $19 million in revenue they receive and was disappointed with both, including the presented $200,000 in reductions. Wright said he was disappointed the reductions were only 1 percent but even more disappointed there was no clear understanding where the cuts were being made and that the presentation seemed “rushed and superficial.”
Wright went on to say, “In the years ahead, this board will face very difficult decisions and very likely unpopular decisions. The community understands this, but what we ask and what I feel we deserve is an administration that works collaboratively with the board, treats every tax dollar as if it were their own, participates in open and informed discussion, and demonstrates the seriousness this financial situation requires.”
Jim Bowden addressed the board with the history and expenses of the district. Some highlights of his five-minute address were the cost of the sports fields with the interest payment to date being more than $857,000. Bowden also said district enrollment has declined 44 percent since its high in 2009 and is projected to decline more every year.
Supt. Brandon Owens said it’s rare for him to speak but wanted to share that the district had been using cash bonds to provide everything the district provides for the past 20 years and as far back as he could remember, going back to his time teaching in the district. He added they knew bonds couldn’t be used forever, but they were under the impression they could, at least for now, continue with the bonds. Cuts of this significance and at this time, he added, take time and can’t be done once the school year is already in progress. He said the district is closely examining it, and they’re making strides to be fiscally responsible and affect students minimally. He also said he refused the 5 percent administration increase offered earlier in the year, because he did not want to make more than his administrative team.
Director of Special Education Services Crystal Johnson also shared clarification regarding special education outplacement services that were reported in The Vedette. She said the numbers in the report she presented were hypotheticals only in cost to bring outsourced students back into the distinct. She added the budgeted amount for special education reflects all special education, not just outsourced. She also added that outsourced tuition costs for special education are approximately $491,961.80. Ms. Johnson also was given the opportunity to provide further clarification within a business week to The Vedette via email and did not respond before deadline.
Board member Ashley Stachniak responded to Johnson that she thought the frustration lies with just wanting to know the true cost. Stachniak went on to say she was looking for the numbers on what was budgeted for special education; what was budgeted, what was spent, and what was reimbursed repeatedly, and she felt like she still hasn’t gotten that number.
Johnson said she was unclear what Stachniak was looking for.
Stachniak replied, “I wanted to get a big picture of what we budget every year for special education. Let’s just call it a million dollars – we’ve been fully reimbursed as of three years ago, and we spent this much for out-placed students, and we were reimbursed this much. Therefore, outsourced costs the district x amount of dollars. And I want to be able to compare that to what we are budgeting for special education.”
Johnson asked for more clarification, and Stachniak replied she wanted to do the math on the outplaced special education students; “what we pay, what we get reimbursed, and how does that fit into our overall budget.”
Board President Dawn Love asked if the numbers could be presented at the November board meeting.
Stachniak inquired about a current SOWIC bill, and Johnson asked that questions be emailed because she had no idea what was on that current line item SOWIC bill.
Stachniak said she thought it good for the public to know where the money is going. Board President Love said she loved that questions were being asked, but asked that the questions be emailed in advance so administration had time to find answers. Stachniak replied the board packet isn’t released until late Friday, and she doesn’t finish her analysis sometimes till 1 or 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting, but she’ll try to email questions for a response.
Johnson added it’s difficult to get exact numbers, because reimbursement is rated, and the reimbursement doesn’t come back till the year after. “So it’s kind of messy,” she said.
In the good news portion, the Go Big Blue initiative for September is starting with goals, and the following staff were recognized: Madison Burling – PHS Science Teacher, Sandy Voss – PJHS fourth/eighth EL Interventionist, Rebecca Lefevers – PIC Special Education Teacher, Alex Vinezeano – PES Special Education Teacher, and Jen Haag – Director of Transportation.
Students recognized were Diego Hernandez – PHS, Gianna Kraft – PJHS, Logan Shanahan – PIC, and Birdie Wright – PES.
A Committee of the Whole meeting was held on October 27.