November 10, 2014
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance
A regular scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of Olympia Community Unit School
District No. 16, held in the Conference Room of the Olympia Administration Office, was called
to order by President Kevin Frazier on Monday, November 10, 2014 at 7:03 p.m. with the
following Board members and Administrators present: Kevin Frazier, Carolyn Hansen, Trena
Glenn, Laura Cremeens, Steve Matter, and Shawn Hohulin (arrived at 7:55 p.m.);
Superintendent Dr. Andrew S. Wise, Assistant Superintendent Josh Olsen, and Olympia High
School Principal Ed Jodlowski.
Board member Doug Maris was absent but joined the meeting by phone at 7:10 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Carolyn Hansen.
Recognition of Visitors
President Frazier welcomed all visitors and asked them to introduce themselves. Visitors
included Olympia Education Association representative Joan Tracy; Olympia teachers Dee Dee
Stine, Chris Embry-Mohr, Brandi Cooper, Abigail Lies, Lisa Castleman, Jill Uhlman, Amy
McElroy, Jenny Gillis, Josh Padilla, and Kathryn Justus; Olympia students Bailey Hoerbert,
Gannon Springer, Nate Weihmeir, Ellie Schmidgall, and Bryson Gottschalk; Olympia
Foundation For Education President DJ Martin, and community member Victoria Lyons.
Opportunity for Public Input
There was no public input.
Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Steve Matter, to approve the Consent
Agenda which included:
A. Approval of Agenda
B. Approval of Minutes, including Executive Session, from the October 14, 2014 regular
Board of Education meeting
C. Approval of Minutes from the October 29, 2014 special-called Board of Education
Student Achievement Workshop
D. Approval of Bills and Financial Reports
E. Confirmation of the following resignations:
1. Courtney Miles – Classroom Aide at Olympia South Elementary effective October
31, 2014
2. Shelby (Wilson) Perschall – OHS Flag Sponsor effective October 21, 2014
3. Daniel McIntyre – Network Systems Specialist effective November 4, 2014
F.
G.
H.
I.
4. Cindy Goembel – Special Education Aide at Olympia Middle School effective
November 4, 2014
5. Natalie Cahill – OHS Football & Basketball Cheerleading Coach effective at the end
of the 2014-2015 season
Approval of the retirement of Milton Henson as OHS Custodian effective February 28,
2015
Approval of the proposal from Midwest Track Builders for repair and resurfacing of the
OHMS track
Employment of Laura Simonton – Classroom Aide at Olympia South Elementary
effective November 10, 2014
Approval of Seth Bauersfeld as OHS Boys’ Volunteer Assistant Basketball Coach
effective for the 2014-2015 season
Discussion. Vote: Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye), Cremeens (aye), Matter (aye),
Maris (absent), Hohulin (absent), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 5-0.
Communications
A Communications Folder circulated around the table.
Olympia Foundation For Education (OFFE) President DJ Martin presented the annual grant
awards to Olympia teachers who were selected from those who submitted applications to the
organization. Mr. Martin noted that teachers continue to look for innovative ways to engage
students in the classrooms. He also stated that he was pleased to see teachers using their own
experiences to help train other Olympia teachers.
The 2014-2015 recipients were:
A. Jennifer Love & Dee Dee Stine (OMS) – Box Cars & One-Eyed Jacks, dice games that
will increase students’ math fluency and critical thinking
B. Chris Embry-Mohr (OHS) – Growing Olympia’s Science Stars, an Olympia teacher
teaching other Olympia teachers to have a deeper understanding of the new Illinois
Science Learning Standards
C. Brandi Cooper & Abigail Lies (OHS) – Renovation of the Outdoor Classroom, helping
Olympia Environmental Science class to purchase materials needed for outdoor
classroom project
D. Lisa Castleman & Jill Uhlman (OHS) – Literacy Resources, resources that will be used
throughout the literacy coaching program to enhance instruction and learning
E. Amy McElroy & Jenny Gillis (Olympia North) – The Learning Carpet, a printed carpet
that teaches geometry, patterning, number sense, measurement, language, graphing, and
mapping
F. Josh Padilla (Olympia South) – FitnessGram Physical Fitness Program, a program that
uses charts and diagrams to show students’ growth and individual progress which will in
turn increase students’ fitness levels
OHS Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor Kathryn Justus, along with FFA students Bailey
Hoerbert, Gannon Springer, Nate Weihmeir, Ellie Schmidgall, and Bryson Gottschalk,
shared a powerpoint presentation with the Board highlighting some of their activities/projects for
the current school year and from their recent trip to the 87th National FFA Convention in
Louisville, KY. Slated as one of the country’s largest student conventions, this annual trip
allows Olympia students to share information and interact with other FFA members from across
the country. The students noted some highlights of the conference including learning about
leadership opportunities, dedication and hard work that is needed to be a FFA officer, and how
with determination and dedication anyone is capable of achieving great things.
Committee Reports
Members of the Education & Technology Sub-Committee reported that their items of business
were discussed and recorded in the official minutes of the October 29, 2014 Student
Achievement Workshop.
Board member Trena Glenn, Assistant Superintendent Josh Olsen, and Superintendent Andrew
Wise shared information from the recent Olympia Advisory Council (OAC) meeting. Mrs.
Glenn noted that the meeting was well-attended and that parents were eager to see an increase in
student rigor. During the meeting, Superintendent Wise provided OAC members with the
District’s most current financial numbers.
Administrative Reports
Mr. Olsen shared a comparison between diesel buses and propane buses and noted that the
ownership costs for propane buses is the best value in both quality and efficiency. With this in
mind, compiled with increased transportation reimbursement, lower cost of ownership, lower
cost of operation, and a current rebate of $4,000 per bus, Mr. Olsen recommended the
purchase/financing of 10 propane buses. Under this model, the District will pay less per year for
2 buses as opposed to rebidding 2 buses each year for the next 5 years, as the cost of buses are
anticipated to increase and the rebate to sunset.
Mr. Olsen also recommended that the OHMS Track be repaired/resurfaced. He noted that the
Booster Club is prepared to help fund this project with the remainder being covered by money
received from the Logan County Facility Sales Tax revenue. Mr. Olsen announced that the
District’s copier contract will soon be up and steps are already being taken to review our
copier/printer needs.
Mr. Olsen shared that he and Olympia South Principal Stacey Rogers had recently attended a
Safety Summit for Logan County. The importance of a School Resource Officer was discussed
during the meeting. Mr. Olsen noted that Olympia is very fortunate to have SRO Jeremy
Bradley. Mr. Olsen also shared that he, Superintendent Wise, and members of the District’s
Appraisal Committee had recently attended a workshop regarding John Hattie’s Visible Learning
research. This research will be used within Olympia’s evaluation program.
Principal reports were shared which highlighted October’s activities including Red Ribbon
Week, Grandparents Day, and Harvest Days.
Superintendent Wise provided Board members with the updated District Dashboard which
showed that both student and teacher attendance remained steady and that the percentage of
parental contact had increased due to recent Parent/Teacher Conferences. He also shared
information regarding the tentative 2014 Property Tax Levy announcing that the District’s
Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) is expected to increase by 3.07%. Dr. Wise stated that the tax
rate will remain approximately $4.85.
Superintendent Wise shared information regarding Vision 20/20, a plan sponsored by the Illinois
Association of School Administrators (IASA) in collaboration with the Illinois Association of
School Boards (IASB), Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO), Illinois
Principals Association (IPA), Illinois Association of Regional School Superintendents (IARSS),
and Superintendents’ Commission for the Study of Demographics & Diversity (SCSDD). All of
these educational powerhouses are coming together through Vision 20/20 to demand a change in
public education which would result in 21st century learning, highly effective educators,
equitable & adequate funding, and shared governance. Dr. Wise noted that the goal of Vision
20/20 is to provide a rigorous, quality, and competitive education to students through local
governments. Superintendent Wise provided Board members with a summary of the 2014 Fall
Parent/Teacher Conferences, along with a 2013 comparison. Teachers continue to encourage
parent participation and input during these conferences. He also announced that since the
District waived the Veterans Day holiday, buildings would be holding assemblies and/or
activities in honor of our veterans. OMS and OHS will have a combined assembly complete
with student speakers and the Band/Chorus performing songs for each branch of the armed
forces.
Superintendent Wise shared plans for Board members and Administrators to participate in a
holiday service project in December at the South Side Mission in Peoria where they will be
preparing and serving meals, as well as providing services to adults and children at the Mission.
Dr. Wise also asked for volunteers among the Board members and Administrators to represent
the Olympia District during the annual Minier Christmas Parade.
Lastly, Superintendent Wise thanked the Board for allowing him to participate in the National
Superintendent Certification Program. He also thanked them for their countless hours of
volunteer service to the entire Olympia District and its students. November 15 is slated as Board
Members Recognition Day – please take a moment and thank your Olympia Board members for
their time and dedication.
Other Business
In other business, Board member Carolyn Hansen commended the staff of Olympia South
Elementary for hosting the 20th annual Harvest Days event. She also gave special thanks to
teacher Joan Tracy for organizing the event each year and to her husband Jeff Tracy for
providing a delicious lunch for the event.
Action Items
A motion was made by Laura Cremeens, seconded by Kevin Frazier, to approve Monday,
December 8, 2014 at 6:50 p.m. as the date/time for the Public Property Tax Levy Hearing to be
held in the Conference Room of the Olympia Administration Office.
Discussion. Vote: Cremeens (aye), Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye), Matter (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Steve Matter, to adopt the 2014 Tentative
Levy.
Discussion. Vote: Hansen (aye), Matter (aye), Glenn (aye), Cremeens (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Kevin Frazier, seconded by Trena Glenn, to approve the
acceptance/attendance of Dr. Andrew Wise to the National Superintendent Certification
Program.
Discussion. Vote: Glenn (aye), Hansen (aye), Cremeens (aye), Matter (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Laura Cremeens, seconded by Carolyn Hansen, to reject all current bus
bids as recommended by Assistant Superintendent Josh Olsen.
Discussion. Vote: Cremeens (aye), Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye), Matter (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Steve Matter, seconded by Trena Glenn, to approve the bid process for
sale of buses as recommended by Assistant Superintendent Josh Olsen.
Discussion. Vote: Matter (aye), Glenn (aye), Hansen (aye), Cremeens (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Trena Glenn, seconded by Kevin Frazier, to approve the bid process for
purchase of buses as recommended by Assistant Superintendent Josh Olsen.
Discussion. Vote: Glenn (aye), Hansen (aye), Cremeens (aye), Matter (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Steve Matter, seconded by Carolyn Hansen, to meet in Executive Session
at 8:12 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or
dismissal of specific employees, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an
employee to determine its validity.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Shawn Hohulin, to reconvene open session
at 8:40 p.m.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Action as a Result of Executive Session
A motion was made by Steve Matter, seconded by Kevin Frazier, to approve the dismissal of
Tina Ross, Bus Driver, effective November 10, 2014.
Discussion. Vote: Matter (aye), Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye), Cremeens (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Trena Glenn, to adjourn the meeting at
8:46 p.m.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
______________________________
President, Board of Education
______________________________
Secretary, Board of Education
EXECUTIVE SESSION
November 10, 2014
A motion was made by Steve Matter, seconded by Carolyn Hansen, to meet in Executive Session
at 8:12 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or
dismissal of specific employees, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an
employee to determine its validity.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Carolyn Hansen, seconded by Shawn Hohulin, to reconvene open session
at 8:40 p.m.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Action as a Result of Executive Session
A motion was made by Steve Matter, seconded by Kevin Frazier, to approve the dismissal of
Tina Ross, Bus Driver, effective November 10, 2014.
Discussion. Vote: Matter (aye), Hansen (aye), Glenn (aye), Cremeens (aye),
Maris (aye), Hohulin (aye), Frazier (aye). Motion carried 7-0.