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State Speech Team qualifiers (left to right): Michael Bagby, Katherine Helms, Morgan Cisco.

School Board Meeting Minutes - Olympia CUSD #16

STANFORD, IL – March 20, 2022

The Olympia Board of Education was called to order by President Kevin Frazier for a regular scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2022 in the Learning Center of Olympia High School.  President Frazier welcomed all visitors and opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

The following Consent Agenda items were taken:

  1. Approved Agenda
  2. Approved Minutes from the February 14, 2022 Regular Scheduled Board of Education Meeting
  3. Approved Bills & Financial Reports
  4. Approved the following resignations:
  1. Lisa Steve – OHMS College & Career Counselor, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year
  2. Darci Beachy – 2nd Grade Teacher at Olympia West Elementary, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year
  3. Brianna Haworth – 3rd Grade Teacher at Olympia West Elementary, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year
  4. Lauren Guttschow – OMS Art Teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year
  5. Cheri Crebo – OMS Special Education Teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year
  6. Darci Beachy – OHS Football Cheerleading Coach, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year
  7. Justin Slager – OHS Freshman Boys’ Assistant Basketball Coach, effective March 3, 2022
  8. Kendra Peifer – OHS JV Girls’ Assistant Basketball Coach, effective March 3, 2022
  9. Joel Brigham – Olympiad Yearbook Co-Sponsor, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year

10. Elizabeth Kirby – OHS Sophomore Class Sponsor, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year

11. Vanessa Willoughby – Bus Aide (midday route), effective March 2, 2022

  1. Approved the employment of the following Certified Teachers, effective for the 2022-2023 school year:
  1. Jody Rycyzyn – OHS Spanish Teacher
  2. Jimmy Spencer – OHMS Instrumental Music Teacher
  3. Matthew Leng – OHS Driver’s Education Teacher
  4. Loren Fosdick – OMS Physical Education Teacher
  5. Shyann Etnier – 5th Grade Teacher at Olympia West Elementary
  6. Tim Weaver – Physical Education Teacher at Olympia West Elementary
  7. Meg Baer – OMS STEM / Ag Teacher
  1. Approved the employment of the following Education Support Personnel:
  1. Tessica Oehler – additional Bus Aide position, effective March 7, 2022
  2. Isaac Yates – Bus Driver, effective March 14, 2022
  1. Approved the employment of the following Coaches/Sponsors:
  1. Alex Castillo – OMS Boys’ Assistant Track Coach, effective for the 2021-2022 season
  2. Laura Fleri-Somers – OMS Girls’ Head/Assistant Track Coach (split stipend), effective for the 2021-2022 season
  3. Melissa Brander – OMS Girls’ Head/Assistant Track Coach (split stipend), effective for the 2021-2022 season
  4. Michael McFarland – OMS Girls’ Cross Country Coach, effective for the 2022-2023 season
  1. Approved Katelyn Hill as a volunteer for the OHMS Track program, effective for the 2021-2022 season
  2. Approved the 2021-2022 SB7 Sequence of Honorable Dismissal
  3. Approved an overnight trip for the OHS Boys’ & Girls’ Cross Country teams to attend a meet in Greenville, IL on April 2, 2022
  4. Approved the Olympia Anaphylaxis Action Plan

As a requirement of Board Policy 7:345, Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy & Security, Instructional Technology Director Sean Mullins provided an updated list of operators approved for use at the Olympia District. 

A list of FOIA requests received during the past 30 days was shared.

The Board recognized the following OHS students for their outstanding achievements:

  • Michael Bagby – State Speech Team qualifier
  • Morgan Cisco – State Speech Team qualifier
  • Katherine Helms – State Speech Team qualifier
  • Jordan Bicknell – State Wrestling Team qualifier.  This is the first year for an IHSA State Girls’ Wrestling Tournament, so Jordan is the first Olympia Girls’ Wrestler to qualify for State
  • Dylan Eimer – State Wrestling Team qualifier.  Dylan is the first Olympia Freshman to medal at a State Wrestling Meet.
  • Isabelle Forrest – earned FFA State Degree
  • Adam Swartzendruber – earned FFA State Degree
  • Trista Davis – earned CTE Horse Judging State Award
  • Tarah Hilt – earned CTE Horse Judging State Award
  • Libby Shaffer – earned CTE Horse Judging State Award
  • Kassidy Tackett – earned CTE Horse Judging State Award

Tracy Coker of Dewberry Architects provided an update for the Olympia South Elementary project, as well as other District projects slated to be completed this summer.  She noted that the South building/renovation project is on schedule and should be completed by August, 2022.  During her presentation, Mrs. Coker shared plans and pictures for new secure entries (Post - Columbine entrances) into the High School and Middle School buildings.  The anticipated date for this project is summer 2023.

Board members Carolyn Hansen & Mary Springer shared highlights from the recent Education / Technology Administrative Committee meeting.  During their meeting, they reviewed the updates for next year’s Student/Parent Handbooks including the addition of mental health days for students and additional bullying language.  They also reviewed the addition of gender identity and gender expression books for the elementary level.  Superintendent Dr. Laura O’Donnell noted that she is personally reading each book for appropriate content and will be sharing a list of these books with parents.

Board members Steve Matter & Shawn Hohulin shared highlights from the recent Building & Grounds Administrative Committee meeting.  They reviewed the 2022 Summer projects planned for each building.  They also shared that a grant has been received to be used for an update to the OHS greenhouse.

Assistant Superintendent Andy Walsh announced his recommendation to hire Phillips and Associates, CPAs, P.C. from Normal to complete the FY22 District Audit.  Phillips and Associates come highly recommended by area schools, and they are excited to work with Olympia.  Mr. Walsh noted that they are a smaller firm than the one who completed the FY21 Audit, and the cost for their services is considerably less.

Mr. Walsh provided a look at the Student/Parent Handbook updates for the next school year.  He noted that most updates are from the Illinois Principals Association due to changes in Illinois law.  Those updates include language regarding:

  • Student Appearance;  Student Absences;  Exemption from PE Requirement;  Safety Drill Procedures & Conduct;  Prevention of Bullying, Intimidation, & Harassment;  Aggressive Behavior Reporting;  Education of Children with Disabilities;  Olympia Activities Code;  and Change of Residence Due to Military Service Obligation

Mr. Walsh also noted that both OHS and OMS are adding some of their own updates as well.   

Mr. Walsh shared a list of the many projects scheduled to be completed this summer.  Those projects include: 

  • OHS – Science core remodel, new stadium lights, clean & coat gym floor, replace lockers in girls’ locker room, repair lockers in boys’ locker room, and refresh the Chorus room
  • OMS – remodel two classrooms and clean & coat gym floor
  • OHMS – sidewalk repair, expansion of baseball & softball parking lots, and new Olympia sign on Olympia Road
  • NORTH – seal, coat & stripe parking lot
  • SOUTH – replace HVAC units & upgrade HVAC controls in classrooms & office, repair the generator, and add faculty restroom in south end of gym storage area
  • ALL ELEMENTARIES – replace wood chips, install bottle fillers, and purchase carpet cleaners/extractors

After the completion of these projects, there will be only a few left to do in order to complete the District Facilities Study.

Mr. Walsh announced that the USDA has set aside money to help school districts combat the increasing costs of food and the many supply chain issues that are causing school districts to replace food items normally ordered with more expensive items.  Olympia’s portion of this money will be just over $35,000.  It can only be used for items purchased after the money is received.  Food Services Manager Donna Waters has determined the best use of this money will be used to pay for milk ordered for all students for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year and perhaps for the 1st semester of 2022-2023.

Lastly, Mr. Walsh shared that ISBE now requires all schools to have an Anaphylaxis Action Plan in place by August 2022.  He, District Nurse Melissa Pfeffer, and the Health Clerks have worked together to put this plan in place for Olympia.  This plan requires Nurse Pfeffer and all Health Clerks to lead a training with all of their staff members at the beginning of each school year so everyone will know what to do if a person in a building experiences anaphylaxis.  Every staff member also has to complete two training sessions each year as part of the Compliance Training.  The training will include how to use an EpiPen, as well as recognizing food allergies.

Superintendent Dr. Laura O’Donnell recommended the employment of Lisa Steve to be the new Elementary Administrative Intern, effective for the 2022-2023 school year.  Mrs. Steve has done an outstanding job in her current position as OHMS College & Career Counselor and is now ready and eager to continue with Olympia in an Administrative position.

Dr. O’Donnell also recommended the employment of Mark Frederick to be the next OHS Assistant Principal.  Mr. Frederick has been a long-time PE and Driver’s Education Teacher, currently on the staff at Pekin High School.  He also taught PE at Olympia Middle School in the 2016-2017 school year.  He is excited to be returning to Olympia and moving into Administration.

Dr. O’Donnell provided updated agreements with BACC (Bloomington Area Career Center) and MDRVS (McLean-DeWitt Regional Vocational System).  These agreements allow Olympia students to participate and take advantage of the many courses BACC has to offer.  Dr. O’Donnell noted that BACC is continually adding new courses and opportunities.  They are currently working on an education pathway which will help prepare future educators.  Dr. O’Donnell stated that this should help supplement the OHS Education 101 dual credit course.  She noted that approximately 50 students are involved in BACC each year.

Dr. O’Donnell shared that due to a Recess Legislative Bill, elementary instructional time was reduced by 15 minutes this year.  After discussions with the K-12 Committee, Olympia Advisory Council (OAC) and elementary staff, Dr. O’Donnell proposed the first bell ring at 7:35 a.m. (currently 7:45 a.m.) and the final bell ring at 7:45 a.m. (currently 8:00 a.m.) for the next school year.  This will allow instruction to start at 7:45 a.m., 15 minutes earlier than this year.  She noted the buses typically arrive at the buildings ahead of the start time, so she does not anticipate any significant changes with morning bus pick-up times.  She also noted that updated breakfast options will be available.  Detailed information will be shared with families in May and again in August.

Dr. O’Donnell shared updated Job Descriptions. 

Lastly, Dr. O’Donnell shared that information has been received from IDPH regarding protocols for including COVID on the list of communicable diseases and disease management.  She noted that Mr. Walsh is currently updating Administrative Procedures & Exhibits to include these protocols.  More information will be shared at the April 11, 2022 Board of Education meeting.

Dr. O’Donnell also shared a recommendation regarding a COVID stipend for employees due to the extra work experienced during the pandemic.  If the federal ESSER III grant is amended and approved, the District will communicate to staff additional information about the potential COVID stipend.

In other business, President Frazier shared that 2nd graders from Olympia North had reached out to both he and Dr. O’Donnell, asking questions and sharing ideas as a part of their Social Studies “wants & needs” section.  In response, President Frazier and Dr. O’Donnell visited the 2nd grade classrooms.  President Frazier shared that he was so impressed by the students’ enthusiasm, their great ideas and the way they presented those ideas, and the positive atmosphere in the classrooms.  Some of their ideas included bringing back strawberry milk, having “Cookie Fridays”, and adding Art to their regular subjects.

In separate motions, the following actions were taken:

  1. Approved the employment of Lisa Steve as Elementary Administrative Intern, effective for the 2022-2023 school year
  2. Approved the employment of Mark Frederick as OHS Assistant Principal, effective for the 2022-2023 school year
  3. Approved the updated Bloomington Area Career Center Joint Agreement
  4. Approved the updated McLean-DeWitt Regional Vocational System Intergovernmental Agreement
  5. Approved updated Job Descriptions as presented by Superintendent Dr. Laura O’Donnell
  6. Approved the services of Phillips & Associates, CPAs, P.C. to complete the FY22 District Audit for the amount of $19,500.

The Board met in Executive Session to discuss personnel.  There was no action taken as a result of the Executive Session.

Adjournment was at 9:12 p.m.

The next regular scheduled Board of Education is Monday, April 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Learning Center of Olympia High School.