MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PAXTON-BUCKLEY-LODA COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 BOARD OF EDUCATION OF FORD, CHAMPAIGN, VERMILION, IROQUOIS, AND LIVINGSTON COUNTIES OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HELD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2006 AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE PAXTON-BUCKLEY-LODA BOARD ROOM IN PAXTON, ILLINOIS.

President Mike Short called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following board members answered present: Dawn Bachtold, David Dowling, Jeff Jarboe, Mike Short, Phillip Duling, Shawn Young, and Dean Swan.

Others present were Marvin Barger, Andy Bennett, Bob Kerns, Dave Harber, Mike Brehm, Trent Eshleman, Jeff Graham, Barry Wright, Rick Brackmann, Rick Peers, Rocio Arrogave, Chris Landstrom, Rob Peavler, Cliff McClure, John Rawdin, Stan Daro, Amy Teske, Tara Tighe, Marilyn Weber, and Chris Williams.

Phillip Duling moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Dave Dowling moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Shawn Young seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Dean Swan moved to approve payment of all current bills. Shawn Young seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Dean Swan read a letter from Sheila Pickens requesting the use of her personal days and sick days for her maternity leave which will be in late November 2006. Sheila Pickens is requesting 6-7 weeks off from her teaching duties. In addition, Sheila Pickens is requesting a one (1) year sabbatical from coaching the high school math team.

At this time, Mr. McClure recognized the visitors to the board meeting. Mr. McClure introduced Rod Peavler to the Board. Rod Peavler addressed the board regarding his interest in starting up the high school golf team again. Mr. Peavler stated the community, as well as the students, are expressing a lot of interest in the golf team. Mr. Peavler advised the Board that he has talked with people who run area golf courses, and the district would have the availability of these golf courses to use their facilities. Mr. Peavler advised the Board that this can be done easily and would like some consideration regarding this sport. Mr. Peavler added that he would be wiling to help in any way he could to get the golf program started.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that he is skipping to item 9.6 of the Agenda due to Mr. Chris Landstrom coming from out of town. Mr. McClure introduced Mr. Chris Landstrom from Vanguard to the Board who will discuss a potential contract for natural gas and electricity. Mr. Landstrom advised he is with Vanguard out of Pontiac, Illinois and that he has served the school district for the past couple of years and would like to address the district’s natural gas and electricity needs. Mr. Landstrom advised that currently the district is in a managed program with regard to natural gas and that this contract expired at the end of September 2006. Mr. Landstrom advised the Board that Vanguard did a one-month extension of this contract due to the timing of the district’s board meeting. Mr. Landstrom advised the Board that a variable rate program would be more beneficial to the district on a two (2) year contract basis. Mr. Landstrom advised the Board he is working with Mr. McClure on a one-on-one basis and that natural gas prices are currently declining and trading in the low 60s. Mr. Landstrom stated that now is the time to lock in some of the winter load because he expects pricing to be ranging from 55 to 80 cents a therm this winter. Mr. Landstrom advised the Board his recommendation for natural gas would be a two (2) year contract with a variable rate. Mr. Landstrom stated with the managed program there is not much risk involved. Mr. Landstrom stated that due to the hurricanes hitting last season, the natural gas prices climbed considerably, and now that the prices are starting to come down again, Mr. Landstrom expressed that the variable rate contract is the better product for the district. In January or February 2007, the district can lock in rates when the rates are lower. Looking long term, Mr. Landstrom would like to get the district’s gas prices down and then lock them in for a couple of years. The Board asked Mr. Landstrom what kind of risks are involved, and Mr. Landstrom advised the Board that he will work with Mr. McClure on a one-on-one basis to try and keep gas under $1.00 and will determine when to lock up rates on a monthly basis, if necessary. Mr. Landstrom added that the district needs to figure out a range the district is interested in, and then the district can lock it in when that range becomes available. Mr. Landstrom also stated that the district can lock in rates for up to five (5) years out.

With regard to electricity, Mr. Landstrom advised the Board that electricity rate hikes are in the newspapers. Mr. Landstrom stated that Ameren is asking for an increase. Mr. Landstrom added that Ameren has had its rates frozen since 1992, however Mr. Landstrom feels that the freeze is not going to happen. Mr. Landstrom stated that ComEd will go into bankruptcy if they extend their rate freeze for an additional three (3) years. Mr. Landstrom advised the Board that the rate hikes have been in the making since 1997 and in his estimation the rate hikes will go through. Mr. Landstrom advised the Board that he has a proposal that will save the district approximately $9,500.00 from January through May 2007, however the district will have to enter into a contract up front in order to freeze the rates. Mr. Landstrom stated the district is looking at a 20-25 percent increase without entering into a contract. Mr. Landstrom stated that Ameren’s transportation rate is not known yet, but it will be known in December. Mr. Landstrom explained that if the district should enter into a contract it would be based upon kilowatt per hour pricing. Mr. Landstrom stated that the district is fine until December, but the electricity rates are climbing and there are a lot of companies buying right now, and the longer the district waits the savings will dwindle. Mr. Landstrom advised the Board that if you enter into a contract with them, the district will have to honor it regardless. Mr. Landstrom suggested to the Board to give Mr. McClure authority to go ahead and lock in electricity rates. Mr. Landstrom added that a majority of school districts are going towards a variable rate and then locking into a fixed rate when a good rate comes across.

A motion was made by Dean Swan to enter into a contract with Vanguard for the natural gas variable rate with a possible fixed rate later. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Dave Dowling made a motion to authorize the superintendent to enter into a contract with MidAmerica regarding electricity rates when the information about rates or freezes is released. Shawn Young seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

At this time, Mr. McClure stated item 8.1 on the Agenda will be discussed. Mr. McClure introduced Dave Harber to the Board. Mr. Harber addressed the Board regarding the district’s school improvement plan. Mr. Haber handed each board member a packet regarding the district’s test results. Mr. Harber advised that the district doesn’t have all the data and that he has little idea when the State information will be available. Mr. Harber went over the packet with the Board and stated that this gives the district a limited view. Mr. Harber explained to the Board how the test results show that a student could be a year behind and still make up that year during the current school year. Mr. Harber stated that the district’s ACT test results are very impressive and show substantial progress. Mr. Harber went over the AYP at Clara Peterson Elementary, Eastlawn Elementary, and the Junior High. Mr. Harber stated Eastlawn students took the ISAT test and did very well. At the Junior High, the students did not meet AYP and that if the Junior High does not meet AYP two (2) years in a row it will appear on the watch list. Mr. Harber advised the Junior High did not meet AYP due to the number of IEP students. The district significantly over identified in the area of LD students. Mr. Harber stated the IEP students will need to make average gains in the next two (2) years. Mr. Harber stated that Eastlawn is close to not making AYP, but according to the State, Eastlawn is making AYP. In closing, Mr. Harber advised that the district is in a transition position right now, but the district is headed in the right direction. Mr. Harber advised next month staff members will be coming to the board meeting to expand upon the school improvement plan.

Mr. McClure advised that in April 2007 school board elections will take place, and the Board needs to appoint two (2) people to receive all nominating papers. Mr. McClure advised the first day to pick up and circulate petitions is November 7, 2006; the first day for candidates to file and the designee to receive petitions is January 29, 2007; and, the last day for candidates to file is on February 5, 2007. Mr. McClure advised the Board any board member running for re-election needs to file a Statement of Economic Interest on or before January 1, 2007. Mr. McClure recommended to the Board to appoint Amy Teske and Marilyn Weber as school board designees for the April 2007 board of education election. A motion was made by Dawn Bachtold to appoint Amy Teske and Marilyn Weber as school board designees for the April 2007 board of education election. Dean Swan seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure addressed the Board regarding the preliminary Levy. Mr. McClure advised that Champaign County’s rate will be a somewhat of a loss, Ford County’s rate would be level or at a slight decrease, and Iroquois County’s rate Mr. McClure is predicting a slight increase. Mr. McClure advised that he is going with the same EAV as last year, and the proposed rates are as follows:

Education - 3.65 %

O M B - .50 %

IMRF - .13 %

FICA - .13 %

Transportation - .20 %

Working Cash - .05 %

Special Education - .04 %

Tort - .12 %

Bonds - .4688 %

Health/Life Safety - .05 %

Total Aggregate - 4.87 %

Total Aggregate with Bonds - 5.3388 %

Mr. McClure advised that the Education fund increased by $93,450, OMB increased by $152,858, IMRF decreased by $34, FICA decreased by $34, Transportation increased by $22,936, Working Cash increased by $1,280, Special Education increased by $1,024, Tort increased by $47, Health/Life Safety increased by $1,280, and Bonds decreased by $162,786. Mr. McClure advised the total increase is 4.880% from last year, and that no truth in taxation hearing is necessary as the district is under the 5% cap. Mr. McClure advised the Board he is encouraged by this levy and the district is meeting it’s needs. Mr. McClure stated he will advise the Board further on the levy at next month’s meeting.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that every three (3) years the district’s food program must be bid. Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the release of bids for the PBL food program. A motion was made by Dawn Bachtold to approve the release of bids for the PBL food program. Dean Swan seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that November 6 and 7, 2007 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. have been designated as Parent/Teacher conference nights. Mr. McClure added that parents can schedule a parent/teacher conference at any time, but that these dates have been designated for this purpose specifically.

Mr. McClure advised the Board the PBL Boosters Club wants to donate a trailer to the district. Currently, the PBL Boosters Club is using the trailer to store clothing items that they sell. Mr. McClure advised that he has checked into insurance costs and that it would cost the district $118.00 per year to insure the trailer and there would be a one time fee of $10.00 for plates. A motion was made by Dave Dowling to accept the donation of a trailer by the PBL Boosters Club to the district. Dawn Bachtold seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that he would like to revisit the idea of weighted grading at the high school. Mr. McClure stated that Mr. Rawdin is willing to look into this and develop a committee. Mr. McClure suggested that a policy committee member should be in attendance at this meeting, as well as a board member. Dave Dowling stated he would be interested in being on this committee.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that the Post Prom committee wants to have a couple of carnival rides at this year’s post prom. The committee has filled out an insurance liability sheet for Indiana Insurance, and the company is comfortable with covering the district on the basis that exiting and entering the post prom party would be controlled.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that negotiations with Jostens regarding the yearbook issue with the high school activity fund has begun.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that the high school band has been doing an excellent job this year. The band has received championship ratings at 2 of the 3 events attended this year.

Jeff Jarboe made a motion to go into closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees of the public body. Phillip Duling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Closed session began at 8:18 p.m.

Shawn Young made a motion to come out of closed session. Dawn Bachtold seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Closed session ended at 9:34 p.m.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board remove Lynn Rubarts from the signature cards at the financial institutions the district deals with. Dean Swan made a motion to remove Lynn Rubarts from the signature cards at the financial institutions the district deals with. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board to approve Dan Gee as a teacher aide at the high school. Jeff Jarboe made a motion to approve Dan Gee as a teacher aide at the high school. Dean Swan seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board to approve Samantha Lee as high school girls junior varsity basketball coach. Shawn Young made a motion to approve Samantha Lee as high school girls junior varsity basketball coach. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board to approve the 6-7 week maternity leave request of Sheila Pickens and the one (1) year sabbatical leave of the high school math team. Dawn Bachtold made a motion to approve the 6-7 week maternity leave request of Sheila Pickens and the one (1) year sabbatical leave of the high school math team. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Jeff Jarboe made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dawn Bachtold seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.

President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education