Dear Lovejoy Community:

The district’s communication plan includes updates regarding Board meetings. Following each meeting of the Board of Trustees, we share a recap of the evening’s events.

For those interested in an outline of the Board Meeting, you may find the full agenda here.

Following is the July 19, 2021 Board Brief.

The Board meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM with the Board retiring into Executive Session at 6:00 PM. Executive Session is a time where limited items such as personnel matters may be discussed. No votes are taken in Executive Session. The Board remained in Executive Session until 7:03 PM, at which time they recessed. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:08 PM

The Board of Trustees and the Superintendent of Schools comprise the Team of Eight. All members of the Team of Eight were present at the meeting.

Barrett Owens, President

Amy Smith, Vice-President

Anne Smith, Secretary

Chad Collins, Trustee

Jeff Wood, Trustee

Marvin Bobo, Trustee

Jason Jaynes, Trustee

Katie Kordel, Superintendent of Schools

Board Trustee Chad Collins led the invocation.

Superintendent of Schools Katie Kordel introduced the following new hire:

Principal of Puster Elementary School Holly Haynes introduced the following new hires:

Principal of Sloan Creek Intermediate School Ray Winkler introduced the following new hires:

Principal of Willow Springs Middle School Kevin Parker introduced the following new hires:

Principal of Lovejoy High School Chris Mayfield introduced the following new hires:

The Team of Eight welcomed our new hires to the Lovejoy family.

Superintendent of Schools Katie Kordel introduced the following recipients of the Silver Star designation:

Silver Star awards are presented to alumna of Lovejoy High School who return to Lovejoy to share their teaching expertise. The Team of Eight welcomed our Silver Stars home.

Board Meetings have a time for Public Comments Related to Non-Agenda items and Public Comments Related to Agenda items. There were no public comments.

The Board of Trustees approved the Consent Agenda which included the following items:

-CQB(LOCAL) - Technology Resources - Cybersecurity

-DCD(LOCAL) - Employment Practices - At-Will Employment

-DCE(LOCAL) - Employment Practices - Other Types of Contracts

-FFAC(LOCAL) - Wellness and Health Services - Medical Treatment

-GKA(LOCAL) - Community Relations - Conduct on School Premises

Approval of TASB Local Policy Update 117

-CH(LOCAL) - Purchasing and Acquisition

-CV(LOCAL - Facilities Construction

-DEC(LOCAL) - Compensation and Benefits - Leaves and Absences

Consent Agenda details may be found here.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dennis Muizers presented the notification of resignations which may be found here.

Superintendent of Schools Katie Kordel presented the Superintendent’s Year 1 Goals which were approved by the Board of Trustees. 

Director of Athletics Chris Ross presented an update on Athletics Capital Projects which may be found here.

This update included soil test results for the new turf fields, covering 8 acres, which indicated the presence of soils with high plasticity associated with a high potential for active clay soils to shrink and swell in response to changes in the soil moisture content. Moisture conditioning improvements of the subgrade will be required to reduce the potential vertical movements to an acceptable level. The recommendation for moisture conditioning will require excavation of 6-8 feet, moisture conditioning applied to 5-7 feet of soil and a one-foot flexible base cap. The initial project included an allowance of $300,000 for soil stabilization; however, with the findings and recommendations from the geotechnical study, the cost has increased $515,000.

Additionally, the nailer board on the field at Leopard Stadium is in need of replacement. You may view the current nailer board and proposed nailer board in the Athletics Capital Projects report.

The Board of Trustees approved the amount of $515,000 for soil stabilization. Additionally, the Board of Trustees approved $20,000 for installation of new nailer board which includes a 30 year warranty. The Athletics Capital Project expenses will be funded through I&S.

Superintendent of Schools Katie Kordel shared the following in the Superintendent’s Report:

Thursday, July 29 at 5:30 PM

Monday, August 9 at 5:30 PM

Tuesday, August 10 – Check Principal emails for times

Thursday, August 12 at 8:30 AM

Thursday, August 12 at 5:30 PM

Friday, August 13 at 9:00 AM

With there being no further announcements, the Board adjourned at 8:20 PM.

The full Board Book may be found here.