LP Board Update -- August 18, 2021

During its Regular Board Meeting held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 the Board of Education accomplished the following items.

  1. Approved the minutes of the June 23, 2021 Regular Meeting and the July 21, 2021 and August 5, 2021 Special Meeting.
  2. Recognized Mr. Ritchie Kowalczyk for his 35 years of service to the school district, including serving as Director of Building and Grounds since 2012.
  3. Approved monthly LP and ACC bill and financial statements.
  4. Received correspondence from m Mrs. Cheryl DePaepe thanking the Board of Education for its donation to the LP Foundation in memory of Mr. Jim Swanson (Father of Mrs. Carie Lawrence), Mr. Ronald Furar (Father of Mrs. Lori Turczyn), and Mr. Boltin Gastineau (Grandson of Mrs. Marsha Anderson)
  5. Received TIF reimbursements from the Village of North Utica (TIF 1, $34,553.40; TIF II, $9,979.62; and TIF IV, $13,914.53) and City of LaSalle ($71,028.90) for a total of $129,476.45.
  6. Alcorn presented the Policy Committee Report
  7. Merboth presented the Finance Committee Report, including a presentation of the tentative LPHS FY22 Budget with support from Mrs. Whalen.
  8. Sarver presented the Buildings & Grounds Committee Report.
  9. Wrobleski presented the Superintendent’s Report, sharing information on the annual audit, including thanks to Mrs. Whalen, Mrs. Bergagna, Mrs. Actis, Mrs. Bleck, Mrs. Franklin, and Mrs. Prosinski for their efforts in that process, and the successful re-opening of LPHS for a new school year.
  10. Cushing presented the Principal’s Report, sharing information on the start of the school year activities for faculty, staff and students, and Spirit Week activities.
  11. Le presented the Athletic Director’s Report, sharing information on the start of fall sports seasons, the upcoming Meet the Cavs night, planning the upcoming Hall of Honor induction festivities, and back to school Spirit Week, including the Back to School Bash.
  12. Mentgen presented the Director of the ACC Report, sharing information on early student successes at the start of the school year, a positive ACC audit, an ACC fundraiser, positive feedback from faculty regarding students, and the tentative ACC FY22 Budget.
  13. Baker presented the Director of Communication Report, sharing information on updates to the COVID-19 Dashboard and recent district video projects.
  14. Approved a proclamation celebrating the career of retiring Director of Building and Grounds Mr. Ritchie Kowalczyk
  15. Adopted a resolution approving the tentative LPHS FY22 Budget and place it on public display
  16. Adopted a resolution approving the tentative ACC FY22 Budget and place it on public display
  17. Adopted a resolution to regulate board and employee expense reimbursements
  18. Approved the District’s Annual Review of Safety Plans, Protocols, Procedures, and School Safety Drills Report
  19. Approved the School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding for 2021-2022
  20. Approved the updated 2021-2022 Student Handbook language – Student Communicable Disease Guideline Compliance
  21. Approved the Ficek Electric & Communications System, Inc. weight room sound system proposal ($17,504.00)
  22. Approved the Starved Rock Communications radio communications system proposal ($27,875.00)
  23. Approved establishing Cavs Closet Activity Account
  24. Approved the renewal of Series 2020A General Obligation School Bonds
  25. Approved the employee computer purchase program
  26. Approved the Blood-Borne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan for 2021-2022 school year
  27. Approved hiring a second school nurse for the 2021-2022 school year
  28. Approved hiring up to three (3) permanent substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year
  29. Approved the following resignations:
    1. Mr. Shane Cowsert, Key Club Sponsor, effective the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year
    2. Ms. Monica Davidson, LEAD Club Advisor, effective the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year
    3. Mrs. Lisa Salander, Co-Sponsor of the Debate Club and Group Interpretation, effective the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year
    4. Mrs. Jodi Orlandi, Co-Sponsor of the Debate Club and Group Interpretation, effective the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year
    5. Ms. Tiara Bedenko-Hill, Detention Supervisor, effective the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year.
    6. Mrs. Stephanie Mickley, Sophomore Girls Basketball Coach, effective the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year
    7. Mrs. Carie Lawrence, Assistant Softball Coach, effective August 9, 2021
  1. Approved the following appointments:
    1. Mrs. Jennifer Scoma, Senior Board Co-Sponsor, effective for the 2021-2022 school year (replaces Mrs. Lori Turczyn)
    2. Mr. Zac Koessler, Skills USA Sponsor, effective for the 2021-2022 school year (replaces Mrs. Susan Stiker)
  2. Approved allowing Knights of Columbus to conduct a Tootsie Roll Candy Sale on Friday, September 17, 2021 at the L-P football game at Howard Fellows Stadium
  3. Reviewed and retained the Executive/Closed Session minutes of June 23, 2021 meeting
  4. Approved the recommended destruction of verbatim audio records from Executive Sessions held prior to March 1, 2020 – January 15, 2020 and February 19, 2020
  5. Approved the appointment of Mr. Tim Tomminello, Director of Building and Grounds (replaces Mr. Ritchie Kowalczyk), effective August 19, 2021
  6. Approved the recommended treasurer’s stipend increase
  7. Approved the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the LaSalle-Peru Federation of Teachers