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BOARD BRIEFS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NOVEMBER 5, 2015
HUNTLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 158 BOARD OF EDUCATION
SEVEN HONORED BY THOSE WHO EXCEL
Leggee’s Bessey is IL Early Career Educator of Year
D158 ALTERNATIVE
SCHOOL PROPOSED
The Board heard a proposal
to establish an Alternative
School for students who are
unsuccessful in the traditional
setting of the high school.
Superintendent Dr. John
Burkey introduced the topic,
Seven Huntley Community School District 158 honorees were
among those recognized at the Illinois State Board of Education’s
Those Who Excel Banquet in October.
who have made significant
contributions to our state's
public and nonpublic
been discussed at the board
level some years previously. At
that time, the decision was
Those Who Excel honors
individuals in seven categories
saying it was an idea that had
“District 158 had a
tremendous presence in
that room full of the
elementary and secondary
best and the brightest.
schools.
Our honorees all do an
made to utilize the county’s safe
school program, which at the
time was free.
“The economics of this have
changed,” Burkey said, adding
that now, not only does the
District pay more to enroll a
Chris Bessey, a fifth-grade
exemplary job at
student at the county alternative
teacher at Leggee Elementary
representing the
school than it does to educate
District.”
the student traditionally, but the
School, was named
Outstanding Early Career
Educator, an annual honor
presented to one teacher
- Dr. John Burkey
Superintendent
statewide.
District also loses the Average
Daily Attendance General State
Aid for that student.
According to Danyce
Honorees included Bessey, Liz Kienzle and LIGHT Program (Team
Letkewicz, associate principal
Excellence), Hoppy Kahl (Community Volunteer), Lynn Mandarino
for student services at HHS,
(Educational Service Personnel), Doug Renkosik (Administrator),
there has been a strong desire
Chris Zielinski (Student Support Personnel), and Linda Roesner
to reach students needing
(Classroom Teacher).
services prior to them reaching
(continued on page 2)
November 5, 2015 Volume 2, Issue 8
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HUNTLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 158 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Alternative School Proposal (continued)
the serious behavioral issues that traditionally lead to enrollment at the safe school.
The program would be held at on off-site facility and would be available to middle and high school students
who have demonstrated that the existing interventions available in their home school are not intensive enough
to support their level of need.
Students would be eligible for this program if their social/emotional needs have led to credit deficiency
along with demonstrating poor attendance or behavior impacting their academic success. Credit deficiency is
determined to be at risk of not graduating on time for high school students or at risk of not being promoted to
the next grade for middle school students. Additionally, this program would support students who have been
expelled and held in Abeyance by the Board of Education.
Students’ graduation requirements will be fulfilled through courses taught by HHS teachers aligned with
current curriculum maps. Classes would be smaller than in the traditional school setting, and would include
alternative teaching methods to best help at-risk students to succeed.
Students also would be required to take a job skills class and hold a part-time job or volunteer opportunity
while enrolled in the program. A social worker from HHS would meet weekly with students to address
social/emotional issues and also provide supports for parents.
The program would run on a shortened schedule, comprised of academic instruction and job skills
training/work program.
Estimated costs for establishing the program total $403,000, which reflects increased costs due to the lower
student-teacher ratio required to meet the needs of the student population. However, Burkey stressed that
fluidity would exist in staff being able to work in both the alternative school and in the traditional high school,
based on needs at the time.
Letkewicz estimated that 53 students currently in grades 7-12 would be eligible for the program based on the
proposed eligibility guidelines.
The Board agreed to allow the administration to continue moving forward with program development.
15 New Courses Proposed at HHS
Fifteen new courses were proposed for addition to the high school for 2015-2016. The proposals include three
engineering-related courses to be offered in the HHS STEM/Engineering Academy, four in the Medical
Academy, four electives, and four Advanced Placement/dual credit courses. The Board will vote on the
proposal at its next regular meeting.
Audit Shows Significant Savings from Energy Retrofit
A report on the second-year results of the District’s Guaranteed Energy Savings contract with Control
Technology Solutions showed savings through utility cost avoidance of $365,001, exceeding the guarantee by
$41,005. The first year of the contract resulted in savings of $347,430.
Pending Actions
In addition, at its next Regular Meeting, the Board will vote whether to approve:
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First readings of two policy changes as recommended in the PRESS publication from August 2015
Purchase Orders at $14,646,098.30; Imprest checks at $390,827.68; Accounts Payable at
$4,078.75; and Disbursements issued at $7,598,356.56
Setting the date for the District’s levy hearing as December 17, 2015
HUNTLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 158 BOARD OF EDUCATION
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Three fundraising proposals from school clubs and organizations
Authorization of the administration to replace a 2006 cargo van with a new model, at a net cost after
trade-in of $18,085.00
Authorization of the Administration to commission Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. and Building
Technologies Consultants to proceed with the field investigation and bid specification development
regarding roof replacements at three schools
Change order to the contract with Wm. Tonyan & Sons for work on school security upgrades
Awarding of Base Bid #2015-29a to Johnson Floor Company for Floor Finishing at HHS at a total cost of
$95,600.00.
Minutes from the Board’s Regular Meeting October 15, 2015
The Board’s final recommendations and positions for the IASB Delegate Assembly.
Informational Updates
The Board heard informational reports on:
•
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The District’s being named to the AP Honor for the third consecutive year
Monthly Human Resources, Revenues and Expenditures, Fiscal, and O&M reports
Ongoing work on the HHS construction and renovation project, which is progressing on time and
under budget.
Learn more about the Board of Education and review schedules, agendas,
minutes, and live streams of meetings at www.district158.org/boe.
Communications and Public Engagement
HUNTLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 158 BOARD OF EDUCATION
650 Academic Drive, Algonquin, IL 60102