November 16, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board Meeting (Prior to the Board Meeting, members of the Board will host a "Meet and Greet" beginning at 5:00pm.)

Description:  Call to Order. Secretary to the Board will take attendance.

Description: 

Members of the public may speak during this portion of the meeting. Comments are limited to five minutes. Board members will not respond to public comments at this time. Should total Public Comments approach or exceed a cumulative time of 30 minutes, the Board may suspend additional Public Comments until immediately prior to the Board and Superintendent Comments portion of the agenda.

Description:  All items under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted by a single motion and subsequent roll call vote.  There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Board member so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the Consent Agenda.

Description:  Open meeting minutes 10/21/21.
Closed meeting minutes 10/21/21.

Description:  Regular personnel items.

Description:  None

Description:  The Board will continue its discussion related to the reorganization of the four elementary schools.

Description:  CSBO Marcellos Gray will present the Tentative Tax Levy. Approval of the Tentative Tax Levy is not required. The Board will hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing and take action on the Tax Levy at the December 16, 2021 meeting.

Description:  The District recently took possession of the southernmost tennis courts at Wabash Park, adjacent to JW Eater property. There is a tentative plan to remove the existing courts and fencing to be replaced with a 54-space parking lot with access to Urbana Avenue. Prior entering the formal bidding process, administration is seeking guidance about moving forward. It is anticipated that there would be a $35,000 cost in Architectural/ Engineering fees for this project. These costs are "up front" and occur whether or not the District chooses to move forward with the project. The overall project for materials and construction are estimated at $350,000, prior to going out to bid. The Board is asked to approve moving forward with the bidding process.

Description: 

10-21-2021 Vince Espi-Local Labs- I am requesting electronic records of any contracts and documents relating to business with Panorama education.
11-10-2021 Renee Cooper-WCIA- All letters of resignation/termination from district staff dated August 26, 2021 and all other dates between Aug. 26, 2021 and the day in which this request is fulfilled, including any additional notes associated with this data.

Description:  ISBE announced today that we have been "tentatively" approved for a STEAM Grant. See the attached letter. This is another shout out to Jennifer Frerichs who goes after all of these opportunities for RCS. This is a two-year grant that could total close to $200,000, and we intend to use it as follows:

1. Funding of two Project Based Learning teacher cohorts (this is professional development). Two groups per year for a total of 40 teachers. Teachers will be paid $500 each plus have $1000 for materials and supplies to implement projects in their classrooms. (This piece ties directly to a recommendation last year from the Social Equity Working Group.)
2. Funding for books that highlight underrepresented groups in science.
3. Funding for a "Sisters in Science" club at each school to encourage girls to go into math and science careers.

Description:  Congratulations to Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Frerichs who was awarded as the "Educator of the Year" on Friday, November 12 by the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce. Also nominated from RCS: Samantha Bean (1st grade at Northview), Kelly James (K at Northview), and Liz Stahl, Phil Dempsey, and Amy Tiefenthaler (Art, Music, and PE at Pleasant Acres).

Description:  On Wednesday, November 16, from 7:30-10:00 AM and 2:30-7:00 PM, children ages 5-11 accompanied by a parent/guardian may receive COVID-19 vaccination through OSF at the Central Office Board Room. As a reminder, children and adults who are fully vaccinated are not subject to the regular rules of "close contact".

Description:  Should the total initial Public Comments during the meeting approach or exceed a cumulative time of 30 minutes, the Board may suspend additional Public Comments until this time. Comments are limited to five minutes. Board members will not respond to public comments at this time.