CALL TO ORDER

The Southeastern Community Unit School District #337 Board of Education met in regular session on Wednesday, October 15, 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 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 arrived at 6:01 p.m.

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

District Library Media Specialist Sue Genenbacher and Wellness Committee Chairman Holly Cox were present.  Elementary Teacher Judy Reuschel was also present.

FY2009 SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBRARY GRANT

District Library Media Specialist Sue Genenbacher gave an overview of services offered at the elementary and jr./senior high libraries.   She reported on the requirements of the Illinois State Library Grant.

LOCAL WELLNESS POLICY

Local Wellness Committee Chairman Holly Cox summarized activities and goals of the Wellness Committee.  Principal Fox is checking on availability of juice products as mentioned at the last committee meeting.  Various activities are planned in order to keep students involved in the Local Wellness Policy requirements.

RENEWAL OF DISTRICT’S PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE

On a motion by Rosendale and seconded by Paben, the Board approved the renewal of the school district’s property casualty insurance coverage with the Illinois School District Agency.  Roll call vote:  Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

APPROVAL TO PLACE ON FILE THE 2007-2008 DISTRICT AND SCHOOLS’ REPORT CARDS

Following a presentation by Superintendent Daily, Principals Fox and Akers, the Board moved to approve and place on file the 2008 Southeastern CUSD #337 District and individual school building’s school report cards.  Motion by Ramsey and seconded by Neill.  Voice vote:  all yes.  Motion carried.

COSTS OF UPGRADES AT THE ELEMENTARY AND UPDATE OF COSTS AT JR./SR. HIGH

Superintendent Daily explained in detail the itemized costs of upgrading the elementary building at Bowen and wages paid to student workers during the summer.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

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

·        Approved the bills, financial statements, and activity funds

      Following is a listing of September 2008 bills by fund            

                     Education                             40,599.15

                       Building                             266,206.90

                     Transportation                      14,483.72                 

                       Tort                                       77,626.50

                     Total Bills                         $398,916.27

·        Accepted the resignation of Marcia Bartlow at the end of the 2009-2010 school year for the purpose of retirement

·        Accepted the resignations of Judy Wartick, Jean Sowers, Judith Reuschel, Linda Parks, and Ruth Harris at the end of 2010-2011 school year for the purpose of retirement

(The timeliness of these letters of resignation is in accordance with Board Policy 5:210 Retirement of Professional Staff Members.)

·        Accepted the resignation of Jackie Heck, ag instructor/FFA advisor, effective October 31, 2008

·        Approved the employment of Tim Phillips as ag instructor/FFA advisor effective October 20, 2008

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

PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

Elementary Principal Nancy Akers reported:

·        E-Rate Update-as of 09-30-08 we have received $7845 in billing discounts on telecommunication services and have applied for $2006 in re-imbursement

·        Playground equipment-swings and teeter totters have been moved from Plymouth and new equipment will be installed as directed by Maintenance Director Jim Hurt

·        New sign in front of elementary

·        Reaching For Success Awards – recipients for September were the cooks and secretaries – recipients for October are the custodians – outstanding performances during the district’s reorganization

·        Enrollment now 317 students in grades PreK – 6 at Bowen with 6 students attending out-of-district

High School Principal Todd Fox reported:

·        Recognition of Custodians Karen Henson and Carl Knight and Secretaries Dee Sorrells and Lisa Knorr  - outstanding performances in the reorganization of the district

·        Student lounge will be furnished and front entry will be completed during second quarter

·        Several items for the school were obtained from Methode Electronics

·        Children of Jim and Mary Alexander planted a memorial tree to honor their parents – this replaced the original tree taken down during the construction of the new building

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent Daily  reported :

·        Reviewed calendar events

·        Thanked board members who attended district auction

·        Western Division IASB Semi-Annual Conference

·        Rural Education Achievement Grant (REAP) dollars allocated – portion will be used to purchase books and update library system with an electronic cataloging system

·        County School Facility Occupation Tax Law – informational meeting was held October 1^st

·        Transportation Committee will meet prior to next month’s meeting to discuss recommendations for leasing/purchasing buses

·        Update on parking lot and sprinkler system at Bowen

·        Vandalism at Plymouth building – cost to district approx. $800 for window replacement

·        Recent break-in at the Bowen building

2008 TAX LEVY

Superintendent Daily reported on options for the 2008 tax levy.

CLOSED SESSION

On a motion by Neill and seconded by Paben, the Board moved into closed session at 7:15 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of employment, compensation, evaluation or dismissal of employees.  Roll call vote:  Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

A motion was made by Paben and seconded by Rosendale to return to open session at 8:56 p.m.  Roll call vote:  Bruenger, yes; Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

INCREASE SUBSTITUTE PAY FOR EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT POSITIONS

On a motion by Bruenger and seconded by Cox, the Board moved to increase the pay of substitute educational support personnel positions to $55.00 per day for a full day of 7 ½ hours.  Roll call vote:  Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

EMPLOY SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOM TEACHER

A motion was made by Neill and seconded by Ramsey to employ Peggy Hesse as a special education classroom teacher for the remainder of the first semester with her placement at the appropriate position on the salary schedule.  Roll call vote:  Neill, yes; Cox, yes; Rosendale, yes; Paben, yes; Ramsey, yes; Bruenger, yes; and Wood, yes.  7 yes; 0 no.  Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Neill and seconded by Cox to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 p.m.  Voice vote:  all yes.  Motion carried.