L-P Board Update -- March 15, 2023

During its Regular Board Meeting held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 the Board of Education accomplished the following items.

  1. Approved the minutes of the February 15, 2023 Regular Meeting and the March 7, 2023 Special Meeting.
  2. Recognized the state-qualifying members of the girls bowling and boys and girls wrestling programs for their accomplishments. The Board also recognized Mrs. Kelly Liebhart for her phenomenal efforts supporting students in the ELL and AP Spanish programs.
  3. The Special Education Division was spotlighted with Mrs. Goy sharing information on the Reading Plus program.
  4. During public comment, LaSalle County Clerk Jennifer Ebner shared information on a program to allow students to serve as election judges.
  5. Approved monthly L-P, ACC bills, payroll, and financial statements.
  6. Received correspondence from Mr. Gerald Walter and family and the LaSalle Police Department’s Administrative Sergeant, Mr. Brian Zebron.
  7. Received TIF Reimbursements from City of Peru for $31,640.19.
  8. Mr. Sparks presented the President’s Report, sharing the Superintendent’s Evaluation. He shared his appreciation for Dr. Wrobleski’s hard work.
  9. Dr. Wrobleski presented the Building and Grounds Committee Report.
  10. Mr. Merboth presented the Finance Committee Report.
  11. Dr. Wrobleski presented the Superintendent’s Report, sharing on the ROE Excellence in Education recipients, Sherrie Kurtz, Jason Miller, Andrea Eichelkraut, Cristina Sarabia, retirees Ed Yoder and Theresa Wolfe, and retiring Board President Tony Sparks, Mrs. Cushing’s recent opportunity to speak to aspiring principals, recent state-wide scholarships earned by Mrs. Cushing and Mr. Gibson, a recent FOIA request.
  12. Mrs. Cushing presented the Principal’s Report, sharing information on the high scholarship ceremony, the upcoming Honor Society induction ceremony, the sophomore Career Fair, preparing for summer school, division budget planning, and starting a Conversations & Cookies with Mrs. Cushing program.
  13. Mr. Kuziel presented the Athletics & Activities Report, sharing information on recent athletic program accomplishments, the start of spring sport seasons, and activity updates.
  14. Mr. Mentgen presented the ACC Director’s Report, sharing information on the ACC Students of the Month, developing further relationships with community businesses, initial enrollment figures, continued classroom involvement from Nucor, and a recent study on parent expectations of schools.
  15. Mr. Baker presented the Director of Communication Report, sharing information on recent Communication Office activities, including the recent Sports Complex Ground-breaking ceremony and upcoming musical.
  16. Approved the Hillman Pediatric Therapy, P.C. contract for the 2023-2024 school year
  17. Approved hiring Vissering Construction Co., Streator, IL, for the Nurses’ Office Renovation for $380,700
  18. Approved hiring Byrne & Jones Sports Construction, St. Louis, MO via the TIPS Purchasing Cooperative for tennis court repairs for $801,000 pending a mutually agreeable contract
  19. Approved hiring Abel Plus Services, Inc., Gilbert, IL for the Dolan Building – 2nd Floor tile asbestos abatement project for $24,800
  20. Approved purchasing a 2016 Genie GS-3232 scissor lift from MH Equipment, Ottawa, IL for $23,990
  21. Approved the 2023-2024 School Fees
  22. Approved letting bids for the L-P Athletic Sports Complex Support Buildings (Concession Stand, Press Box, Storage, and Bathroom Addition to the Soccer Building)
  23. Approved establishing a Field Trip Activity Account
  24. Approved the following retirements:
      1. Mrs. Gladys Ramey, World Language Teacher, effective the conclusion of the 2027-2028 school year
  25. Approved the following resignations:
      1. Dr. Jens Soderholm, Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach, effective March 1, 2023
      2. Mr. Zachary Zrust, Part-Time Teacher for Illinois Valley Entrepreneurial Opportunities (IVEO) Program, effective the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year
      3. Mrs. Cassie Graham, Assistant Volleyball Coach, effective March 10, 2023
      4. Mrs. Betsy Sobin, Reading Specialist, effective the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year
      5. Mr. James Cherveny, Head Boys’ Basketball Coach, effective March 10, 2023
      6. Mr. Randy Koehler, Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach, effective March 12, 2023
      7. Mr. John Riva, Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach, effective March 13, 2023
  26. Approved the following appointments:
      1. Mr. Dan Burkart, Assistant Girls’ Track Coach, effective for the 2022-2023 school year (replaces Mr. Noah Hancock)
      2. Mr. Matt Rebholz, Volunteer Assistant Girls’ Track Coach, effective for the 2022-2023 school year
      3. Mr. Edgar Esquivel, Volunteer Assistant Girls’ Soccer Coach, effective for the 2022-2023 school year
      4. Mr. Burney Wilkie, Hallway Security, effective April 11, 2023 (new position)       
  27. Approved the following probationary certified staff reappointments for the 2023-2024 school year:
      1. Part-time status:
        1. Mrs. Robbyn Partain, ACC Fire Science Teacher
        2. Mr. Zachary Koesler, ACC Computer Repair/Intro to Programming Teacher
      2. First-year probationary teachers to be rehired as second-year probationary teachers:
        1. Mrs. Alyssa McCauley, English Teacher
        2. Mr. William Shalter, English Teacher
        3. Mrs. Natalie Verucchi, Music-Choir Director
        4. Mr. Alex Popidinski, Science Teacher
        5. Mr. Dan Burkart, Science Teacher
        6. Mr. Brent Thomas, Special Education Teacher
      3. Second-year probationary teachers to be rehired as third-year probationary teachers:
        1. Mr. Cameron Mignone, Physical Education/Health Teacher
        2. Mrs. Jennifer Scoma, Family & Consumer Science Teacher
        3. Mr. Aaron Beale, Mathematics Teacher
        4. Mrs. Ericka Tomminello, Special Education Teacher
        5. Mrs. Rebecca Fredericksen, Special Education Teacher
        6. Mrs. Maria (Mollie) Taylor, Special Education Teacher
        7. Ms. Julia May, Special Education Teacher
        8. Ms. Madeline Piller, Science Teacher (1.5 year)
        9. Mr. Brandon Placher, High School Counselor (1.5 year)
      4. Third-year probationary teachers to be rehired as fourth-year probationary teachers:
        1. Mrs. Julie Jenkins, Art Teacher
        2. Mrs. Brenda Carbajal, Spanish Teacher
        3. Mr. Jeremy Stevens, Band Director
  28. Approved granting tenure to the following fourth-year teachers:
      1. Mrs. Addie Kostellic, English Teacher
      2. Mr. Andrew Nelson, Social Science Teacher
      3. Mrs. Megan Mahaffey, School Social Worker
      4. Mrs. Carol Navarro, Science Teacher
      5. Mrs. Lori Johnson, ACC Early Childhood Teacher
      6. Mr. Scott Blessman, Physical Education Teacher
  29. Approved rehiring the following administrative positions for the 2023-2024 school year:
      1. Mrs. Ingrid Cushing, Principal
      2. Mr. Michael Kuziel, Athletic Director
      3. Mrs. April Eutis, Associate Principal for Student Support Services
      4. Mr. Chris Gibson, Associate Principal for Teaching and Learning
  30. Approved the following staff reduction-in-force for the 2023-2024 school year:
      1. Mrs. Katherine Baker, STEP Job Coach, due to financial consideration
      2. Ms. Kristen Derix, Title I Reading Para-Professional, due to financial consideration
      3. Mr. Connor Soenksen, Title I Math Para-Professional, due to financial consideration
      4. Mrs. Nicole Kowalczyk, SEL Interventionist, due to financial considerations
      5. Mrs. Shelby Knickerbocker, School Nurse, due to financial considerations
      6. Mr. Matthew Lambert, Permanent Substitute Teacher, due to financial considerations
      7. Ms. Paige Scoma, Permanent Substitute Teacher, due to financial considerations
      8. Ms. Quince Weber, Permanent Substitute Teacher, due to financial considerations
  31. Approved staffing recommendation based on 2023-2024 student enrollment and extracurricular openings
  32. Approved reviewing and retaining the Executive Closed Session minutes for February 15, 2023 Regular Meeting and March 7, 2023 Special meeting
  33. Approved destructing verbatim audio records from Executive Session held prior to October 1, 2021, per the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120
      1. Regular Meeting Minutes, September 22, 2021,
      2. Special Meeting Minutes, September 30, 2021
  34. Approved opening recommended sections of the following closed minutes as part of the semi-annual review
      1. January 20, 2021
      2. February 1, 2021 Special Meeting
      3. February 17, 2021
      4. March 4, 2021 Special Meeting
      5. March 11, 2021 Special Meeting
      6. March 17, 2021
      7. April 21, 2021
      8. May 19, 2021
      9. June 23, 2021
      10. August 18, 2021
      11. September 22, 2021
      12. September 30, 2021 Special Meeting
      13. October 6, 2021 Special Meeting
      14. October 20, 2021
      15. November 17, 2021
      16. December 15, 2021
      17. January 12, 2022 Special Meeting
      18. January 19, 2022
      19. February 6, 2022 Emergency Meeting
      20. February 23, 2022
      21. March 16, 2022
      22. April 20, 2022
      23. May 9, 2022 Special Meeting
      24. May 18, 2022
      25. June 22, 2022
      26. July 25, 2022 Special Meeting
      27. August 24, 2022
      28. September 28, 2022
      29. October 19, 2022
      30. November 16, 2022
      31. December 1, 2022 Special Meeting
      32. December 21, 2022