Board Recap

President’s Report and Board Meeting Recap

October 8, 2024

School Board President’s Report to the Board

President Pam Paris welcomed everyone in attendance and recited one of the sections of the Oath of Office to affirm the board’s commitment to faithfully discharge their duties. Mrs. Paris also appointed Mike Pizur to serve as the District’s delegate to the IASB Assembly. She recognized art teacher Mrs. Gallovitch whose students created the artwork on display in the board room.

Update on Upcoming Events

October 11: No School – Teacher Institute Day
October 12: Boo Bingo at Palos West – 5:00pm-8:30pm
October 14: No School – Columbus Day
October 22: Student Outcomes and Accountability Meeting at 6pm at Central Office
October 25: Harvest Fest 5:30 at Palos South
November 5: No School – Election Day
November 6: Finance and Facilities Meeting – Central at 6pm
November 12: Regular Board of Education Meeting – Central at 6pm

Superintendent's Update
Dr. Scarsella began his report by congratulating Palos East on being named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. He also noted that ISBE will release the 2024 School Report Cards on October 30. He reported that Niche.com released its rankings of the best public schools in Illinois and that Palos South at #59, Palos East at #141, and Palos West at #169. He commended Palos South teachers Mrs. Gina Marek and Ms. Saja Jaber for attending professional development conferences this fall. He thanked the PFA parent volunteers who organized the first Spirit Lunches of the 2024-25 school year at Palos East and West in September. He noted that Palos South students celebrated Start with Hello Week with a cupcake party and game day after school in the Palos South commons in September and thanked Palos South Social Workers Jill Yerkes, Sarah Leahy, and Jill Martinez for organizing the event. He reported that Palos East first graders in Mrs. Sokolov’s and Mrs. Sprecher’s classes celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26 by learning about all the different kinds of apples and an apple tasting. He thanked the school board members, Palos South Marching Band, MPA parent volunteers, and transportation staff who participated in this year’s Palos Park Autumn in the Park Community Parade. He recognized October as Principals Appreciation Month and thanked principals Jennifer Peloquin, Rob Szklanecki, and Dr. Stuart Wrzesinski and Assistant Principals Allison Grasso, Jennifer Legris, and Kristie Tieri for their leadership at D118 schools. He offered condolences to the families of Mike Gembara and Leena Kheir-Eddin who passed away suddenly in September and October. He reported that he met with officials from ISBE, the Illinois State Police, FBI, and other law enforcement agencies to discuss the high number of threats of violence directed towards Illinois schools. He urged all District parents to read his October monthly message where he provides more details on the topic.

Committee Reports

Safety Committee

Mrs. Paris shared that Mr. Veihman gave an update during the September 17 District Safety Committee meeting on the District’s GIS Mapping plans with Palos Heights Police Department. She reported that Dr. Scarsella reviewed the District’s new Imminent Threat Phone Call protocols, and that the Committee discussed how the protocols will be implemented and first responders provided suggested edits. The Committee also discussed with first responders some of the best practices.

Finance and Facilities Committee
Finance Committee Chair Mr. Kelly reported that the Finance and Facilities Committee met on October 1 Chief School Business Official Justin Veihman, shared recap of the 2024 summer capital improvement projects and reported the projects were completed on-time and approximately $70,000 under budget. Mr. Veihman and Craig Podalak from ARCON also reviewed the proposed summer 2025 projects with the Committee. Mr. Veihman reported that the district will apply for a School Maintenance Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and recommended that the Committee approve the disposal of surplus technology equipment.

Policy Committee
Policy Committee Chair Mrs. Susan Szafranski reported that during the meeting September 17, Dr. Scarsella and Mrs. Paris led the Committee in a review of the Board’s Governing Commitments and Communication Expectations. The Committee also discussed best practices in school board governance. Dr. Scarsella reviewed PRESS Update 115 & 116 with the committee and recommended it be moved to a First Reading before the school board.

Parent Faculty Association (PFA)
Mrs. Jensen reported on behalf of the PFA. She noted that the PFA hosted its first spirit lunches at Palos East and Palos West on September 20^th; Boo Bingo would take place on October 12 at Palos West; Read-a-thon will return in February and spring fundraiser will be on March 14. Contact the PFA if you are interested in helping. The first theme lunch at South will be held on October 25. $25,000 worth of spirit wear was sold during the Fall Spirit Wear Sale. The PFA’s next meeting will be November 13 at 7:00 PM at Palos South.

Foundation
Sheila Pacholski, Education Foundation President reported that Laps for Literature raised a total of $4700 for school media centers. She presented checks to Principals Peloquin, Szklanecki, and Wrzesinski. She reminded everyone that The Foundation’s Trivia Night Fundraiser will be held on February 1, 2025.

Music Parents Association (MPA)
Mrs. Jensen reported that the MPA will be hosting Harvest Fest on October 25.

Unfinished Business

The Board of Education held a first reading of the following policies: Press 115 & 116 Policies: 4:70 Resource Conservation; 4:80 Accounting and Audits; 2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedures; 2:265 Title IX Grievance Procedures; 5:100 Staff Development; 7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited; 7:185 Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

Secretary’s Report
Secretary Szafranski reported that the District received no Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and no correspondence was sent.

Consent Agenda
The board approved a consent agenda that included:

Approval of the application to participate in the School Maintenance Grant Program for FY2024
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 2024-3
Approval of Disposal of Surplus Property
Approval of Palos West Bookfair Contract
Approval of Personnel Report A-Certified Staff: FMLA: Ananda Kuchinski, Speech Pathologist, West; Retirement: Lori Murphy, Reading Specialist, West; Linda Lowery, 1st Grade Teacher, West
Approval of Personnel Report B-Classified Staff: Employment: Phyllis Burke, Bus Driver, Transportation; Amanda Ayiti, Paraprofessional, East; Asucena Benitez, Paraprofessional, East; Cruz Correa, PT Playground Supervisor, West; Resignations: Kristyn Schmidt, PT Playground Supervisor, West; Paul Person, Bus Driver, Transportation; Cassandra Montero, Paraprofessional, West
Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes dated September 10, 2024, and Special Meeting Minutes dated September 17, 2024, and October 1, 2024

Board Recap Archive

September 10, 2024

September 10, 2024

President’s Report and Board Meeting Recap: September 10, 2024

School Board President’s Report to the Board

President Pam Paris welcomed everyone in attendance and asked Susan Szafranski to recite one of the sections of the Oath of Office to affirm the board’s commitment to faithfully discharge their duties.

Update on Upcoming Events

September 17: Policy Committee Meeting (6 pm at Central)
September 17: PFA Meeting at Palos East (7 pm)
September 21: Palos Park Parade (9 am – noon)
October 8: Regular Board Meeting (6 pm at Central)
October 15: Preschool Screening at Central Office (All Day)

Recognition
The board, building administrators, and Dr. Ron Cozza introduced new teachers and recognized teachers who achieved tenure status and those who earned advanced degrees.

Superintendent's Update
Dr. Scarsella reported that it has been a great start to the 2024-2025 school year and was pleased to hear that so many families came out for curriculum nights at the schools. He thanked the Palos Educational Foundation and parent volunteers who helped organize another successful Laps for Literature fundraiser on September 6. He also thanked Palos South students who handed out water to bus drivers during a particularly hot week at the beginning of the year. He closed by congratulating the District 118 School Board which was awarded the Illinois Association of School Board’s Board Governance Award for their efforts to sustain a highly effective school board. He noted that the board members were recognized for the creation of an orientation process for newly elected board members, a superintendent evaluation system, implementing board self-evaluation practices, and creating governing commitments. He also noted that the Board also voted to place an initiative before voters on the March ballot that resulted in the passage of a referendum that ensured free full-day kindergarten for all, a balanced budget, favorable class sizes, and secured $2 million per year in operating funds for yearly capital improvements to school facilities.

Committee Reports

Finance and Facilities Committee
Finance Committee Chair Mr. Kelly reported that the Finance and Facilities Committee met on September 3 and during the meeting Dr. Scarsella recommended the school district enter a one-year subscription contract with Thomson Reuters for CLEAR, a residency verification system that provides accurate and reliable annual residency checks. He reported that Mr. Veihman reviewed the final FY25 budget with the Committee and recommended it be sent to the full Board for approval. At the meeting, Mr. Veihman also informed the Committee that the school district has complied with state statute requiring the posting of compensation and share services reports. The Committee recommended Pam Paris and Jennifer Jensen serve on this year’s District Safety Committee and that Susan Szafranski serve as an alternate. At the meeting, Dr. Scarsella shared with the Committee a new sign for the front of Palos East Elementary School.

Education Foundation
Sheila Pacholski, Education Foundation President reported that Laps for Literature was a success and that there is time to still make a donation through the Palos 118 wesbstore. She congratulated the board for presenting a balanced budget. She and PFA President Jennifer Bleskin presented checks for a total of $53,000 to pay for the 22 interactive displays to upgrade the remaining classroom at both Palos East and West. The Foundation’s Trivia Night Fundraiser will be held on February 1, 2025.

Parent Faculty Association (PFA)
Jennifer Bleskin, PFA president, reported that the PFA reported that the fall spirit wear sale ends September 18, that the first spirit and theme lunches begin in September and October. Boo Bingo event will be held on October 12 at Palos West. Halloween party sign up will be at the PFA meeting on September 17 at Palos East.

Music Parents Association (MPA)
Mrs. Jensen reported that the MPA held their first meeting on September 9. Harvest Fest will take place on October 25.

New Business

A public meeting was held on the proposed 2025 budget.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the proposed 2025 budget.
The Board held a vote to nominate Susan Szafranski as the new Board Secretary to replace Dr. Baker who has stepped down.

Secretary’s Report
Secretary Susan Szafranski reported that there were no communications received or sent.

Consent Agenda

The board approved a consent agenda that included:
Approval Post Issuance Compliance Report
Approval of CLEAR for Residency Verification Contract
Approval of SY25-26 Supply Kits from School Toolbox
Approval of Personnel Report A-Certified Staff-FMLA: Taryn Linke, Speech Pathologist, East; Sarah Bahn, PLC Math Coach, East
Approval of Personnel Report B-Classified Staff-Employment:Hebah Alajouri, Paraprofessional, West; Isabella Ramirez, Paraprofessional, West; Kristyn Schmidt PT Playground Supervisor, West; Barbara Pierozek, Custodian, Anna Kadlub-Bukowsi, School Nurse, West; FMLA: Deborah McMahon, Paraprofessional, East; Resignation: Destiny McKinney, Paraprofessional West; Annette Washington, Bus Driver Transportation; Artemio Michel, System Administrator, Central
Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes dated August 13, 2024, and Special Meeting Minutes dated September 3, 2024.
Authorize Payment of Payrolls, Bills Payable and Aggregate Total: $3,100,561.88

Closed Session
The Board went into closed session for the discussion of the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity; collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees and the placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.

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