CALL TO ORDER

The Southeastern Community Unit School District #337 Board of Education met at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Education Office in Bowen, Illinois, on Monday, February 11, 2008.  President Robb Wood called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

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

ADMINISTRATORS

Interim Superintendent Donald L. Daily, High School Principal Todd Fox and Elementary Principal/District Technology Director Nancy Akers were in attendance. Junior High Principal Mike Owen was absent.  Recording Secretary Anita Marlow was also present.

VISITORS /PRESENTERS

High School Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor Jackie Heck and FFA Member Daniel Corrigan were presenters.  Mike Carter of Klingner and Associates, PC was also a presenter.  Invited guests present were:  Brea, Larry, and Janette Clark; Cindy and Rickey Ramsey; Paul, Sue, and Jordan Henry; and Josie Holst.  Visitors present were:  David Ellis, Loren and Chris Gillum. 

President Wood asked for comments from the visitors.  At this time, there were none.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S REPORT

High School Principal Fox presented Athletic Director Cyle Rigg’s report due to Mr. Rigg attending the High School Girls Basketball Sectional game.  A financial report of the Hancock County Basketball Tournament was reviewed.  On a motion by Cox and seconded by Neill, the Board accepted the Athletic Director’s Financial Report on the Hancock County Basketball Tournament.  Voice vote:  all yes.  Motion carried.

Comparisons of the official’s pay for all athletic events were presented.  A motion was made by Bruenger and seconded by Ramsey to approve the Athletic Director’s recommendation for game officials’ pay for the 2008-2009 school year as presented.  Roll call vote:  Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Wood, yes; and Rosendale, absent.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 absent.  Motion carried.

REPORT OF THE FUTURE FARMERS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION

FFA Advisor Jackie Heck and FFA Member Daniel Corrigan presented a review of the National FFA Convention they had attended in Indianapolis, IN.  Ten FFA members attended the convention.  They thanked the Board for allowing them to attend.

RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS’ AND STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

FFA Member Brian Buss was recognized for having received a Bronze Award at the National Level for his project, “Does Planting Date Affect the Yield?”

 Illinois State Scholar Winners Brea Clark, Josie Holst, Jordan Henry, and Rickey Ramsey were presented with a Certificate of Recognition from the Board for this academic achievement. 

 Elementary Principal Akers and Junior High Principal Owen were congratulated for their schools being recognized as a 2007 Spotlight School for the second consecutive year.

 High School Principal Fox congratulated Future Business Leaders of America Sponsor Robert Scheiter and his students for their success in the 2008 Western Area Leadership Conference at WIU in Macomb.  A total of 58 students competed in 31 events and earned the honor of the top award in the Battle of the Chapters.

Principal Fox later commended Dance Team Sponsor Lisa Knorr and the team as well as Cyle Rigg and Jan Holst for the successful Senior Night and Little Dance Team activities.

 High School Most Improved Students Hailie Hollis and Jeremy Lemmer were recognized. 

REVIEW OF DISPOSITION OF THE PLYMOUTH  BUILDING

Plymouth Mayor Shelva Schoonover had contacted Supt. Daily regarding a tour of the elementary building in Plymouth.  A time will be set for this tour.

DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE PLYMOUTH SCHOOL BUILDING

On a motion by Bruenger and seconded by Cox, the Board approved the advertisement for bids for the sale of 6.195 acres of district-owned land in McDonough County just east of the elementary school building in Plymouth and for the specifics of the sale of this property as stated in the Advertisement of Bids.  Roll call vote:  Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, absent; Paben, yes and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 absent.  Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF A SIX-MONTH EXTENSION TO LEASE AGREEMENT FOR TEMPORARY BUILDING

A motion was made by Neill and seconded by Ramsey to approve a six-month lease extension agreement with Satellite Shelters Inc. for the use of a 72’ X 64’ modular classroom serial number 490803A/F. This building contains the high school office and four classrooms.  Roll call vote:  Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, absent; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 absent.  Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY KLINGNER & ASSOCIATES PC FOR THE UPGRADES IN THE 3-STORY BOWEN BUILDING

Following a presentation of information presented by Mike Carter of Klingner & Associates PC, the Board and Mr. David Ellis discussed the proposed costs.  On a motion by Cox and seconded by Bruenger, the Board approved the recommendation of Klingner & Associates PC for upgrades to the 3-story Bowen School Building as amended in the approximate amount of $164,175.00.  Roll call vote:  Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, absent; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; and Wood, no.  5 yes; 1 no; 1 absent.  Motion carried.

REVIEW OF THE FY09 SCHOOL CALENDAR TO INCLUDE 2008 GRADUATION DATES

2008 GRADUATION DATES

On a motion by Paben and seconded Ramsey, the Board accepted the 2008-2009 Southeastern CUSD #337 Public School Calendar as presented.  Voice vote:  all yes.  Motion carried.

2008 High School Baccalaureate will be May 16th

2008 High School Graduation will be May 18^th

2008 Junior High Graduation will be May 20^th

CONSENT AGENDA

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

·        Approved the minutes of the regular meeting and closed session held January 8, 2008

·        Approved the bills, financial statements, and activity funds

      Following is a listing of February 2008 bills            

              by fund                                                        

                     Education                        $  49,425.23

                      O & M Fund                      291,950.79

                      Transportation                       9,593.83

                      Fire/Safety                             3,333.00

                     Total Bills                          $ 354,302.85

·        Accepted the resignation of Part-Time District Librarian Barb Myers

·        Accepted the resignation of Junior High Paraprofessional Earlene Homan

Roll call vote:  Rosendale, absent; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 absent.  Motion carried.

PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

Elementary Principal Nancy Akers reported:

·        AIMSweb testing - as part of the Rtl implementation, all elementary students have been given benchmark  reading tests 

Junior High Principal Mike Owen’s report was given by Supt. Daily:

·        TECH 2008 – one pair of 7^th & 8^th grade students’ projects will be presented in Springfield at the State Capitol Building – students will be selected by Mrs. Sara Ramsey and Mrs. Sue Henry

·        Nineteen students had their poetry published in the Pine Tree Poetry Collection 

·        Jr. High Cooks received a perfect score on a recent inspection from the Hancock County Health Dept.

High School Principal Todd Fox reported:

·        Explore and Plan tests have been ordered and are available to every 9^th and 10^th grader at no cost – these are to prepare for the ACT exam to be given on April 23-24

·        First Semester High Honor Roll students were recognized

·        Slide show of update on the high school construction progress

·        Podcasts available through school website on principal’s page

·        Congratulations to the Central/Southeastern Girls Basketball Team and Coaches for success as Regional Champions

·        Congratulations to Mallary Owen for advancing to the Girls Basketball Sectional Level in 3-point shooting

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent Daily  reported :

·        District events on the calendar

·        Update of the impact of the recently signed Budget Implementation Bill

·        Global Connect Communication System – report by Mrs. Marlow on progress of entering student and staff contact numbers

·        Update on staff longevity gifts

·        Financial responsibility for corrective action and liability of an underground storage tank

·        Illinois Association of School Boards Semi-Annual  Conference and Dinner Meeting on March 18, 2008 at Cuba

CLOSED SESSION

On a motion by Neill and seconded by Ramsey, the Board entered closed session at 7:20 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of collective bargaining and for the discussion of the employment, compensation, evaluation or dismissal of employees.  Roll call vote:  Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, absent; and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 absent.  Motion carried.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

The Board adjourned the closed session and returned to open session at 9:35 p.m. on a motion by Neill and seconded by Cox.  Roll call vote:  Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, absent; Paben, yes; and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 absent.   Motion carried.

EMPLOYMENT OF INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

The Board moved to approve the employment of Interim Superintendent Donald L. Daily for the period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 according to the terms and conditions of his individual contract on a motion by Neill and seconded by Paben.  Roll call vote:  Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, absent; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 absent.  Motion carried.

EMPLOYMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL-ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

On a motion by Bruenger and seconded by Ramsey, the Board approved the employment of Todd Fox as High School Principal-Assistant Superintendent for the period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 according to the terms and conditions of his individual contract.  Roll call vote:  Cox, yes; Rosendale, absent; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 absent.  Motion carried.

SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT

On a motion by Wood and seconded by Cox, the Board approved the employment of Todd Fox as Superintendent for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012 according to the terms and conditions of his individual contract.  Roll call vote:  Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, absent; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 0 no; 1 absent.  Motion carried.

ADJOURN AND RECONVENE  MEETING

At 9:41 p.m. the Board moved to adjourn and reconvene the meeting to Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. in the District Office at the Southeastern Junior High School on a motion by Bruenger and seconded by Ramsey.  Voice vote:  all yes.  Motion carried.

RECONVENING THE REGULAR MEETING 

At 7:30 a.m. on February 12, 2008 a motion was made by Ramsey and seconded by Paben to reconvene the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education from February 11, 2008.  Those present and voting  yes were:  Rosendale,

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

CLOSED SESSION

On a motion by Neill and seconded by Paben, the Board moved into closed session at 7:32 a.m. for the purpose of discussion of employment, compensation, evaluation or dismissal of employees.  Roll call vote: Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes;  Rosendale, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

At 7:37 a.m. a motion was made by Rosendale and seconded by Cox to adjourn the closed session of the reconvened regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education.  Roll call vote:  Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

ADMINISTRATOR REDUCTION IN FORCE

On a motion by Neill and seconded by Cox, the Board moved to approve the Honorable Dismissal of Principal Michael Owen due to a reduction in the number of building administrators needed in the school district for 2008-2009.  Roll call vote:  Bruenger, no; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, no; Ramsey, no; and Wood, yes.  4 yes; 3 no.  Motion carried.

EMPLOYMENT OF ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL

On a motion by Rosendale and seconded by Wood, the Board moved to employ Nancy Akers as Principal at the Southeastern Elementary School for the 2008-2009 school year according to the terms and conditions of the principal’s individual contract.  Roll call vote:  Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, no; and Wood, yes.  6 yes; 1 no.  Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

At 8:05 a.m. on a motion by Bruenger and seconded by Cox, the Board moved to adjourn the regular and reconvened meeting of the Board of Education.  Roll call vote:  Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.