CALL TO ORDER

The Southeastern Community Unit School District #337 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, December 8, 2008 in the Board of Education Office in Augusta.  President Robb Wood called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Secretary Burdette Rosendale called the roll with the following members present: Rod Bruenger, Mark Cox, Vice-President Dave Neill, Lyle Paben, Rick Ramsey, Secretary Burdette Rosendale and President Robb Wood.  

ADMINISTRATORS

RECORDING SECRETARY

Interim Superintendent Donald L. Daily, Assistant Superintendent/ Jr.-Sr. High School Principal Todd Fox and Elementary Principal/District Technology Director Nancy Akers were in attendance.  Recording Secretary Anita Marlow was also present.

VISITORS /PRESENTERS

Ann Cramsey and Debbie Nelson were present to address the Board.  Teacher Sue Henry was in attendance for special recognition.   FBLA Advisor Robert Schieter and FBLA members Koal Twaddle, Zach Wood, Sam Steele, Logan White, Kollin Kerker and Alyssa Nanninga came later for their presentation.

RECESS TO TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING

On a motion by Rosendale and seconded by Ramsey, at 6:01 p.m. the Board recessed the regular meeting for the purpose of conducting a Public Hearing on the 2008 Southeastern C.U.S.D. #337 Tax Levy Request in compliance with Illinois Truth In Taxation Laws.  Roll call vote:  Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried. 

ADJOURN PUBLIC TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING

At 6:05 p.m. on a motion by Cox and seconded by Neill, the Board moved to adjourn the Public Truth in Taxation Hearing on the Southeastern C.U.S.D. #337 2008 Tax Levy Request and resumed the December 2008 regular monthly meeting of the Southeastern C.U.S.D. #337 Board of Education.  Roll call vote:  Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE 2008 TAX LEVY REQUEST

On a motion by Paben and seconded by Bruenger, the Board approved a 2008 Tax Levy Request of a total of $1,587,422 (reflecting an estimated 7.51% increase in the school district’s Equalized Assessed Valuation with additional funds being dedicated to partially offset the school district’s tort and legal liability expenses).  Roll call vote:  Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, no; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; and Wood, no.  5 yes; 2 no.  Motion carried.

REQUEST FOR  ELEMENTARY MUSIC ROOM TO BE CARPETED

The Board heard a request from Mrs. Ann Cramsey and Mrs. Debbie Nelson, on behalf of the Music Boosters, to work with the Music Boosters and PTO for the installation of carpet in the elementary music room.  Interim Superintendent Daily agreed to the purchase with the District, Music Boosters and PTO sharing equally in the cost.  The Board thanked Mrs. Cramsey and Mrs. Nelson for their presentation.

RECOGNITION OF STUDENT/STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Congratulations to the following students and staff members for their successful accomplishments.

·        Sixth Grade Teacher Sue Henry was recognized for having earned the National Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in the area of Early Adolescent English Language Arts.   President Wood read and presented Mrs. Henry with a framed Board Resolution honoring her prestigious accomplishment. 

·        Mrs. Cindy Twidwell and the following junior high speech contestants were congratulated for participation in the state level with the following results:

·        1^st Place Rating went to Maddie Cox and Caroline Cramsey; Brandon Carl and Emily Miller; Lexie Cheney and MacKenzie Miller; Kara Twaddell and Kassie Henry; Kayla Twidwell and Monica Janssen; Bethany Tindall and Rachel Corrigan; Whitney Willard and Alex Thompson;  Ali Kerr and Kayla Peterson and Claire Allen and Kara Jordan 

·        2^nd Place Rating went to Geoffrey Stout and Tristen McClelland

·        1^st Place Duet Acting went to Whitney Willard and Rachel Corrigan; Kayla Twidwell and Monica Janssen

·        Prestigious Judges’ Choice Awards went to:  Ali Kerr and Kayla Peterson; Alex Thompson and Whitney Willard; and Rachel Corrigan and Whitney Willard

·        Students selected to the Southeastern Chapter of the National Honor Society are:  Regan Bruenger, Brian Buss, Ashton Dunlap, Taylor Gaines, Samantha Inman, Cody Jefferson, Alyssa Nanninga, Mallory Owen, Amanda Rosendale, Alexis Slater and Koal Twaddle

PRESENTATION BY FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA

Members of the Future Business Leaders of America presented their Business Case Study that recently earned them 2^nd place at Culver Stockton College’s “Dual on the Hill” competition.  Ten school organizations from Illinois and Missouri were given an identical case study and given two weeks to solve the problem.  They presented it before a panel of judges at the November 6 event.  Koal Twaddle, Zach Wood, Sam Steele, Logan White, Kollin Kerker, Alyssa Nanninga participated in the competition and presented at the Board meeting.  Christina Fecht and Casey Kerker accompanied the group to the competition along with Advisor Robert Schieter.  The Board thanked Mr. Schieter and the students for an outstanding presentation.

ILLINOIS SCHOOL DISTRICT AGENCY’S 2008 DAVID BINOTTI AWARD

Interim Superintendent Daily presented the Board with the 2008 David Binotti Risk Management Award from the Illinois School District Agency and the Workmen’s Compensation Self Insurance Trust.   This award is presented annually to one school in the state that has taken exceptional steps to reduce its risk of fire and other risk factors through the design, construction, or alteration of school buildings.  The District received a certificate for the purchase and planting of a tree on the jr./sr. high grounds.  A bronze plaque will be installed near the tree.  Interim Superintendent Daily and Assistant Superintendent Fox received accepted the award at the IASB/IASA/IASBO Joint Conference in Chicago.

APPROVAL OF 403(b) PLAN DOCUMENT

On a motion by Ramsey and seconded by Paben, the Board approved a payroll deduction Plan Document for the Southeastern C.U.S.D. #337 Employee 403(b) Investment Plan.  Voice vote:  all yes.  Motion carried.

LEASING OF BUSES

A motion was made by Rosendale and seconded by Cox to approve the recommendation of the Transportation Committee and Superintendent that the Board approve the return to Central States Bus of the five buses leased at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, to continue the lease of three buses that were leased at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, and to lease five new buses from Central States Bus to be delivered in July 2009.  Roll call vote:  Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA

Board Member Rosendale made a motion which was seconded by Paben to approve the consent agenda as presented:

·        Approved the minutes of the regular meeting held November 10, 2008

·        Approved the district’s RtI Plan

·        Approved the bills, financial statements, and activity funds

      Following is a listing of October 2008 bills by fund            

                     Education                             36,047.42

                       Building                               29,879.13

                     Transportation                      10,380.62                

                       Tort                                            986.10

      Total Bills                           $77,293.27

Roll call vote:  Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

Elementary Principal Nancy Akers reported:

·        Kitchen drain problems are being repaired

·        Invitation to all Holiday Concerts

High School Principal Todd Fox reported:

·        Jr. High Dance Team and Sponsor Lisa Knorr complimented for outstanding performances

·        Congratulations to 7^th and 8^th Grade Girls Basketball Teams and Coaches Autumn Twaddell and Bryan Schullian for advancing to Sectional Championships

·        Student lounge furniture has been delivered

·        Southeastern High School listed as one of America’s Best High Schools according to US News and World Report – 1,925 high schools recognized (71 from Illinois) – Congratulations to community, alumni, students, elementary, jr. high, and sr. high teachers, and parents

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent Daily  reported :

·        Reviewed calendar events

·        FY09 Budget update

·        Information regarding the April 9, 2009 Non-Partisan Election

·        HVAC system at jr./sr. high building

·        Update on Capital Development Board Grant

·        Western C.U.S.D. #12 use of Southeastern’s  handicapped accessible bus

·        Bleacher inspection reports

·        2007 Property Tax Extensions to date

·        Drainage work at the jr./sr. high building

HANCOCK COUNTY BOYS’ BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

The Board discussed the initiation of a Hancock County Boys’ Basketball Hall of Fame.  Troy Noble, Athletic Director of Illini West,  is organizing this.

CLOSED SESSION

On a motion by Bruenger and seconded by Neill, the Board entered closed session at 7:34 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the sale or purchase of securities, investments, or investment contracts and for the purpose of discussion of the employment, compensation, evaluation, or dismissal of staff.  Roll call vote:  Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

A motion was made by Cox and seconded by Bruenger to return to open session at 8:09 p.m.  Roll call vote:  Cox, yes;  

Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

EMPLOY SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

A motion was made by Paben and seconded by Ramsey to employ Nicholas Stoneking as a special education teacher at the Southeastern Elementary School beginning January 5, 2009 and through the end of the 2008-2009 school term.  Roll call vote:  Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

EXTEND AGREEMENT FOR DISTRICT’S DEPOSITS

On a motion by Neill and seconded by Bruenger, the Board agreed to extend to 12-31-2010 the agreement as amended with the Bank of Advance for the district’s deposits.  Roll call vote:  Rosendale, yes; Paben, abstain; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 abstain.  Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Neill and seconded by Bruenger to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m.  Voice vote:  all yes.  Motion carried.