March 19, 2025 Regular Meeting

Agenda and Minutes:

Agenda

Minutes

Meeting Summary:

During its Regular Board Meeting held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Board of Education accomplished the following items.
1.    Approved the minutes of the February 19, 2025, Regular Meeting and the January 30, 2025, Special Meeting.
2.    Recognized ILMEA Conference Honorees (Alton Beck, Victoria Campbell, Noah Ruiz, McKenna Fanning, Christian Limberg, Nathan Leffers, Mrs. Natalie Verucchi, and Mr. Jeremy Stevens, Girls state-qualifying Bowling Team (Kailey Harper, Kaitlyn Miller, Evelyn Milton, Kamryn Oscepinski, Camryn Perra, Aydia Petre, Annalise Ricci, Leah Ricci, Assistant Coach Jeff Miller,  Assistant Coach Kristi Leix, and Head Coach Aaron Guenther), and Girls state-qualifying wrestler and coach (Kiely Domyancich, Assistant Coach Nolan Keeney, Assistant Coach Rocky McKnight, Assistant Coach Lucas Burris, and Head Coach Matt Rebholz).
3.    Mr. Wiercinski and a group of students (Jameson Hill, Noah Ruiz, Ben Nicholson, and Keann Atkins) presented the Division Spotlight, discussing the Project Lead the Way program.
4.    A group of students and a community member (Mr. Nathan Pappas) spoke in support of Mr. Horton.
5.    Mr. Sarver presented the President’s Report, discussing the Superintendent’s evaluation.
6.    Approved monthly L-P bills, ACC bills, payroll, and financial statements.
7.    Mr. Ferrari presented the Building and Grounds Committee Report.
8.    Mr. Merboth presented the Finance Committee Report.
9.    Dr. Wrobleski presented the Superintendent’s Report, sharing information on the staffing recommendations, an early childhood playground update, and a FOIA request.
10.    Mr. Hanson presented the Athletic Director’s Report, sharing information on the closing of the winter sports season and accomplishments, the start of spring sports, CAVS Day, and the spring musical.
11.    Mr. Baker presented the Communication Report, sharing information on recent communication projects and the spring Foundation Trivia Night on April 5.
12.    Approved the IHSA Renewal for the 2025-2026 school year
13.    Approved the 2025-2026 Sprout Educational Services Contract for Occupational and Physical Therapy Services
14.    Approved 2025-2026 School Fees
15.    Approved establishing the Ag Program Activity Fund Account
16.    Approved letting bids for:
i.    Bread Vendor for the 2025-2026 school year
ii.    Milk Vendor for the 2025-2026 school year
iii.    Pizza Vendor for the 2025-2026 school year
iv.    Parking Lot Restoration Projects – Summer 2025
v.    Roof Replacement Projects – Summer 2025
vi.    West Wing Masonry Repairs (Science Wing) – Summer 2025
vii.    Sip-n-Savor Remodel Project – Summer 2025
viii.    Main Building Perimeter Lighting Project – Summer 2025
17.    Approved the memorandum of understanding with the L-P Federation of Teachers Local 604 regarding the following differential positions:
i.    Rename Head Wrestling Coach to Head Boys’ Wrestling Coach
ii.    Rename Assistant Wrestling Coach to Assistant Boys’ Wrestling Coach
iii.    Add Head Girls’ Wrestling Coach – Level II
iv.    Add Assistant Girls’ Wrestling Coach – Level IV
18.    Approved the following retirement with regret:
i.    Mrs. Carol Navarro, Science Teacher/Division Chair, effective the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year
19.    Approved of the following resignations:
i.    Mr. Jack Mertes, Assistant Football Coach, effective February 20, 2025
ii.    Mr. Jim Cherveny, Assistant Boys’ Golf Coach, effective March 6, 2025
iii.    Mr. John Bratkovich, 1st Floor Custodian (1), effective March 13, 2025
20.    Approved the following appointments:
i.    Mr. Pete Sikora, Volunteer Bass Fishing Boat Captain, effective for the 2024-2025 school year
ii.    Mr. John Vezzetti, Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach, effective for the 2024-2025 school year
iii.    Mr. Jake Wagner, Volunteer Assistant Football Coach, effective for the 2025 –2026 school year
iv.    Mr. Jack Mertes, Volunteer Assistant Football Coach, effective for the 2025-2026 school year
v.    Mr. David Pinnegar, Volunteer Assistant Cross Country Coach, effective for the 2025-2026 school year
21.    Approved rehiring the following administrative positions for the 2025-2026 school year:
i.    Mrs. Ingrid Cushing, Principal
ii.    Dr. Chris Gibson, Associate Principal for Teaching and Learning
iii.    Ms. Kate Lance, Associate Principal for School Safety
iv.    Mr. Jason Miller, Dean of Students
v.    Mr. Steve Hanson, Athletic Director
vi.    Mrs. Jayme Salazar, Associate Principal for Student Support Services
22.    Approved the following probationary certified staff reappointments for the 2025-2026 school year:
i.    Part-time status
1.    Mrs. Robbyn Partain, ACC Fire Science Teacher
2.    Mr. Austin Golden, ACC Aviation Flight Teacher
ii.    First-year probationary teachers to be rehired as second-year probationary certified staff:
1.    Mrs. Ashley Swanson, High School Counselor
2.    Ms. Danielle McCoin, Science Teacher
3.    Mrs. Haley Farringer, English Teacher
4.    Mrs. Cortney Curley, English Teacher
5.    Mrs. Kaylee Haun, Counselor/Work-based Learning Coordinator
6.    Mr. Matthew Lambert, Special Education Teacher (1.5 years)
iii.    Second-year probationary teachers to be rehired as third-year probationary certified staff:
1.    Ms. Emma Walke, English Teacher
2.    Mrs. Cortny Hannon, English Teacher
23.    Approved granting tenure to the following probationary certified staff pending verification of prior district evaluations – if unable to provide verification, the staff member shall be rehired as a third-year probationary certified staff:
i.    Mrs. Michele Doerr, Science Teacher
ii.    Ms. Helen Lenkaitis, Spanish Teacher
24.    Approved granting tenure to the following probationary certified staff:
i.    Mr. Aaron Beale, Mathematics Teacher
ii.    Mr. Dan Burkart, Science Teacher
iii.    Mr. Brandon Placher, High School Counselor
iv.    Mr. Alex Popidinski, Science Teacher
v.    Mrs. Maria (Mollie) Taylor, Special Education Teacher
vi.    Mr. Brent Thomas, Special Education Teacher
25.    Approved the following staff reductions-in-force for the 2025-2026 school year:
i.    Mrs. Katherine Baker, STEP Job Coach, due to financial considerations
ii.    Ms. Kristen Derix, Title I Reading Para-Professional, due to financial considerations
iii.    Mr. Connor Soenksen, Title I Math Para-Professional, due to financial considerations
26.    Approved the following overnight trips:
i.    Mock Trial Team to Springfield, IL, March 14-16, 2025
ii.    L-P Marching Band to New Orleans, LA, April 12-17, 2025
27.    Reviewed and retained the following executive/closed session minutes:
i.    Regular Meeting Minutes, February 19, 2025
28.    Approved recommended destruction of verbatim audio records from Executive Session held prior to October 1, 2023, per the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120
i.    September 20, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes
29.    Approved opening the recommended closed session minutes:
i.    January 18, 2023
ii.    February 15, 2023
iii.    March 7, 2023, Special Meeting
iv.    March 15, 2023
v.    April 19, 2023
vi.    May 8, 2023, Special Meeting
vii.    May 17, 2023
viii.    June 21, 2023
30.    Approved the non-renewal of Mr. Zach Horton’s contract, Spanish Teacher/Soccer Coach, effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year
31.    Approved the following appointment:
i.    Mr. Thomas Rogel, 1st Floor Custodian (1), effective as soon as background check is cleared (replaces Mr. John Bratkovich)
32.    Approved the tax settlement with Target Corporation