Summary of Homer District 33C School Board Meeting April 26, 2016
Superintendent Kara Coglianese recognized Technology Director Arlene Sief- ert who was interviewed by District Administration magazine for an article about how school districts can expand the lifespan of computer equipment. Siefert shared how Homer 33C used CloudReady to refresh devices and is using those refurbished devices for PARCC testing.
The Board of Education recognized a Homer Junior High School student who was named recipient of the 2016 Outstanding Student Technology Award through Infinitec. The award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement using assistive or adaptive technology.
Union representative Terri Pellizzari introduced the Distr ict’s 7th grade teach- ers. Sawsan Jaber and Stephanie Moore spoke on behalf of the group and shared how they’re promoting critical thinking, collaboration, communication and problem
-solving skills across the curriculum.
Non-certified union representative Susan Koziarski addressed the boar d r e- garding the time needed to implement the group’s pay raise.
The Board of Education approved the following personnel recommendations:
Resign ation s
- Jena McKinnon – 2nd grade teacher, Butler School, effective end of 2015-16
school year
- Carole Zurales – 1st grade teacher, Young School, effective 2016-17 school year
- Carole Zurales – Title I Summer Bridge Principal, effective immediately
- Carole Zurales – Differentiation Facilitator, effective 2016-17 school year
- Maria Falese – 5 FTE Early Childhood teacher, Young School, effective end of 2015-16 school year
- Jessica Yborra – Early Childhood teacher, Young School, effective 2016-17 school year
- Doreen Westra – Paraprofessional bus aide, Transportation, effective April 15, 2016
- Carole Zurales – Computer club sponsor, effective 2016-17 school year
Letters of Intent to R eti re
- Florence Pavlicek – Bus driver, Transportation, effective July 31, 2016
- Cynthia Ciluffo – Secretary, Butler School, effective June 9, 2016
- Sharon McMahon – Paraprofessional, Butler School, effective June 3, 2016
L eaves of Absence
- Kendra Michalik – 8th grade math teacher, Homer Junior High, effective April 11, 2016 through May 6, 2016
- Kati Bevering – Special education teacher, Hadley Middle School, effective be- ginning 2016-17 school year, returning October 3, 2016
- Stephanie Moore – Technology, Homer Junior High, effective beginning of 2016-17 school year, returning October 11, 2016
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Homer School Board
Barb Wilson, President Angela Adolf, Vice President Amy Blank, Secretary
Ed Campins, Member Elizabeth Hitzeman, Member Debra Martin, Member
Russ Petrizzo, Member
Employment Recommendations
- Dr. Gwen Grant – Behavior Support Specialist, District, effective August 1,
2016 (Replacing a social worker who retired)
- Becky Cortesi-Caruso – Director of Special Services, effective July 1, 2016 (Replacing Nora Skentzos)
- Christopher Sigel – Assignment change from 0.5 FTE custodian Young School to a 0 FTE custodian Hadley Middle School, effective May 2, 2016
- 2016-17 Homer Junior High School athletic teams/coaches/sponsors
The Board of Education reviewed and approved job descriptions for the Administrative Assistant for Special Services and Program Secretary for Special Services.
Homer Junior High School Principal Troy Mitchell updated the boar d on the District’s Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Committee, which will begin meeting next month to review activity descriptions, expectations, expenditures and participation.
Kathleen Robinson, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, presented a report on the District’s review of English/Language Arts textbooks. Twenty-five K-6 teachers previewed and piloted three textbook series with their students in February and March. They unanimously agreed that the McGraw-Hill Wonders Series offered the best balanced literature approach, including a reading/writing workshop model, a rigorous vocabulary, and a blend of informational and litera- ture text. The committee recommended the District adopt the series for grades K
-6, beginning with the 2016-17 school year and extending through the 2021-22 school year. The District’s current English/Language Arts textbooks are nine
years old and no longer align with the Illinois State Standards. The Board ap- proved the textbook recommendation, agreeing to invest $430,000 in the series over the course of six years.
Board member Russ Petrizzo presented an update on the District’s Finance and Operations Committee Meeting, which met April 18, 2016 to discuss the District’s food service options, the District’s tax levy, items going out for bid and a Will County plan to widen 143rd Street.
The Board of Education approved a Resolution Authorizing the Honor able Dismissal of 21 Full-time Educational Support Personnel.
The Board of Education approved a proposal from Quest Food Service Management to serve as the District’s food service provider, starting with the 2016-17 school year. The contract runs through the 2019-20 school year.
The Board of Education approved an offer from the Will County Division of Transportation to purchase a sliver of property in front of Goodings Grove School for $15,950.00, subject to attorney approval of purchase agreement and easement agreement for the road widening project on 143rd Street.
The Board of Education approved the pur chase a 2016 For d F250 truck with snow plow for Buildings and Grounds use. Cost not to exceed $30,016.00.
