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, JANUARY 16, 2008 AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE PAXTON-BUCKLEY-LODA BOARD ROOM IN PAXTON, ILLINOIS.

President Mike Short called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

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

Others present were Tara Tighe, Cliff McClure, John Rawdin, Trent Eshleman, Jeff Graham, Barry Wright, Stan Daro, Mike Brehm, Andy Bennett, Christine Williams, Rick Brackmann, Kevin Heid, Amy Teske, Marvin Barger, Travis Tate, and Jimmy Shields.

Dean Swan made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Dean Swan read a letter dated January 7, 2008 from Barry Wright resigning as High School assistant football coach.

Dean Swan read a letter dated December 15, 2007 from Kelli Vaugh thanking the District for its support in her obtaining her Masters degree.

Mr. McClure advised that the meeting will skip to Agenda Item No. 8.1 regarding the school bond resolution. Mr. McClure introduced Kevin Heid from First MidState, Inc. to the Board. Mr. Heid handed each Board member an original resolution to look over as he went over the resolution. Mr. Heid stated that he would file the resolution with each of the county clerks for the District and provide the District with a receipt. Mr. Heid went over the resolution in detail, the maturity schedule, and stated that the resolution has a 10 year call due in 2017, or callable in 2016. Mr. Heid explained to the Board that the closing will happen approximately February 1^st and asked if the Board had any questions regarding the resolution. Mr. McClure pointed out to Mr. Heid that First MidState had Loda Elementary listed as property of the District in the resolution, and Mr. Heid assured Mr. McClure that this would get taken off of the resolution. One of the Board members asked if the bond could be paid off early, and Mr. Heid stated that prepayment is not an option until after 2016. Dave Dowling made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the issuance of General Obligation School Bonds as presented by Mr. Heid of First Midstate, Inc. Dean Swan seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

At this time, there was a ten (10) minute break from the Board meeting to allow the Board to sign all necessary documents for the bond resolution.

Mr. McClure gave each Board member a spreadsheet showing all eligible projects that are left over from the 10 year health/life safety report or were recently amended.

Ms. Tighe addressed the Board with regard to the recent Policy Review Committee meeting. Ms. Tighe stated the committee met for an entire day working through the current policy manual and recent ISBE policies. The committee should have all policies in good shape by the end of the school year. Ms. Tighe stated with regard to the bullying policy, the State requires the District to have something in place within 100 days and explained they have formed a separate committee to work on this policy specifically. The first committee meeting for the bullying policy will be January 28^th at 12:30 p.m. in the Board room. Mr. McClure added that he feels this is a very good process. Ms. Tighe also gave each Board member a packet of policies to review and will be up for recommendation at the February Board meeting. The policies to review as follows: 5.60, 5.70, 5.160, 5.185, 5.190, 5.200, 5.210, 5.220-AP, 5.230, 5.240-AP, 5.270-E, 6.10, 6.50, and 6.70-AP.

Kevin Heid from First Midstate, Inc. left the meeting at 7:40 p.m.

Mr. McClure introduced Rick Brackmann from the Ford County Special Education Cooperative. Mr. Brackmann advised the Board each year the State does a December 1^st child count. This is snapshot of how many students are enrolled in special education, and the State compares this number with the Fall Housing Report. Mr. Brackmann stated the good news is that PBL is on the downward trend due to more professional development. Mr. Brackmann handed each Board member a packet. Mr. Brackmann explained the packet reveals the different types of disabilities in special education students. The State is monitoring over-identification in special education students, and this could possibly hurt the District financially. Mr. Brackmann explained to the Board the difference between a specific learning disability and autism, and a discussion was held regarding the differences. Mr. Brackmann also pointed out the number of students with autism is increasing as the District is better at identifying students with this disability than it was a couple of years ago.

Mr. McClure advised the Board the PBL Education Foundation held a meeting last night, and Carl Hudson stated the PBL Advantage has secured $40,000.00 for this campaign. Mr. Brehm has purchased $25,000.00 worth of equipment, and some staff members are going to be receiving professional development in the next couple of weeks on how to use the smartboards. Mr. Brehm continues to purchase more equipment as time goes along. Mr. McClure wanted to thank Robin Niewold and Joyce Pool who have been working on a brochure to hand out to people at different events which explains different ways people can donate to the cause. Mr. McClure also mentioned that information on mini-grants was sent out today, and staff members that want to submit mini-grants may do so. The “only makes cents” campaign is ahead as compared to this time last year.

Mr. McClure informed the Board that staff for Newton’s Academy and Dopplar Math is in place, and they have been receiving professional development. The staff is planning on meeting again Friday night and once the following week. Mr. Harber will be meeting with staff at the end of the first week to evaluate the process and monitor progress. Mr. McClure also advised the Board of upcoming PSAE and ISAT testing dates.

Mr. McClure recommended to the Board to approve the Policy Review Committee’s recommended polices, namely : 2.20-E, 2.260, 3.20, 4.10, 4.45-AP, 4.50, 4.60, 4.60-AP2, 4.70, 4.80, 4.110, 4.110-AP2, 4.160-AP2, 5.10, 5.50, 5.100, 5.290, 6.60, 6.320, 7.20, 7.70, 7180, 7.220, 7.220-AP, 7.340, and 8.200. Dawn Bachtold made a motion to approve Board Policy Nos. 2.220-E, 2.260, 3.20, 4.10, 4.45-AP, 4.50, 4.60, 4.60-AP2, 4.70, 4.80, 4.110, 4.110-AP2, 4.160-AP2, 5.10, 5.50, 5.100, 5.290, 6.60, 6.320, 7.20, 7.70, 7180, 7.220, 7.220-AP, 7.340, and 8.200. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure advised that Mr. Brehm prepared a technology report which was placed in your Board packet and asked if any Board members had any comments regarding his report. Mr. Brehm stated with all the new smartboard additions, he is trying to get them into classrooms as soon as possible.

Mr. Wright addressed the Board with regard to summer school. Mr. Wright went over the two proposed start dates for summer school, namely June 2^nd or July 7^th. Mr. Wright’s preference is July 7^th due to summer camps in June and past history shows better attendance in July as opposed to June. Staffing will be the exact same format as last year’s. Feedback was very positive. With regard to High School, Mr. Wright does not have that information yet and should have more information for the February Board meeting. Mr. McClure added that the District is having tentative discussions with GCMS for having PBL students go to GCMS summer school and GCMS students coming to PBL summer school so that students who need to get two sessions of summer school can have that option. Mr. McClure stated the issue of tuition still needs to get worked out, but so far it is developing into a good idea.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that he spoke to Dan Moore of FGM last week, and he is recommending the District release three projects on February 15^th and conduct a bid opening on March 7^th at 10:00 a.m. in the Board room so the bids can be approved at the March 12^th Board meeting. Mr. McClure stated the Clara Peterson asphalt project needs to be engineered, so this project may need to be delayed. Mr. McClure added these projects are health/life safety projects and would be funded accordingly. A discussion was held regarding the High School bleachers and whether backs will be included on the bleachers. Mr. McClure stated the High School bleachers will be comparable with the new Junior High bleachers. Mr. McClure suggested the Building and Grounds committee needs to meet prior to approving the bids at the March Board meeting. Mr. McClure recommended to the Board to approve the release of bids on February 15^th and opening bids of March 7^th for the High School and Clara Peterson roof projects, High School bleacher project, and Clara Peterson playground resurfacing project. Dawn Bachtold made a motion to approve the release of bids on February 15^th and opening bids of March 7^th for the High School and Clara Peterson roof projects, High School bleacher project, and Clara Peterson playground resurfacing project. Dean Swan seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure informed the Board he has drafted a preliminary calendar for the 2008/2009 school year. Mr. McClure has had conversations with the administration team, Stan Daro, PBLEA President, and Chuck Aubry, GCMS Superintendent, about this calendar. Mr. McClure went over the tentative calendar with the Board specifying the start of school, professional development days, school holidays, winter break, spring break, graduation, and the last day of school. Mr. McClure added that the District is looking at moving up registration to either the last week in July or first week in August to allow administration time if registration issues arise.

Mr. McClure stated the Personnel Committee is recommending the Board approve the job description of the new position of assistant supervisor of operations and maintenance. Mr. McClure advised the District’s attorney and Stan Daro have both reviewed and are in agreement with the job description. Jeff Jarboe made a motion to approve the job description of assistant supervisor of operations and maintenance. Phillip Duling 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 Travis Tate from the Paxton Record approached the District about surveying the High School and Junior High students regarding school safety and if they understand the crisis management plan and procedures. Mr. McClure gave each Board member a draft of questions to be placed on the survey and asked for Board input. Since the last Board meeting, Mr. McClure stated the administration team visited the City shed where students were transported during the last lockdown to gain a better insight on how to improve procedures. Mr. McClure informed the Board that a parent/guardian letter is going to be sent home with students regarding the District’s crisis management plan. Jeff Jarboe suggested that the letter explain what a Code Red, Code Yellow, and Code Green means. A discussion was held regarding the different codes.

Mr. McClure reminded the Board that the waiver hearing is this Friday in the Board room at 4:00 p.m.

Mr. McClure suggested the District needs to determine a construction date for the new storage facility. The District is going to be ordering the paver bricks in the near future so they arrive on time.

Mr. McClure asked the Board to consider beginning a hall of fame for the District and to collaborate with the PBL Education Foundation with this project. The hall of fame would be academic. Mr. McClure feels this would be an interesting asset to the District and could include students from PBL and the dissolved districts of Ford Central, Buckley-Loda, and Paxton.

Jeff Jarboe addressed the Board regarding an article he read about Champaign Central High School and wondered if there was any way the District would allow PBL High School students to go outside during their lunch break for 10-15 minutes. Mr. Jarboe stated the Champaign Central students really seemed to enjoy this break in the day, and Mr. Jarboe’s daughters feel this is a really good idea. Mr. Jarboe suggested some ideas, such as setting up benches, to allow the students to relax. Mr. Jarboe would appreciate the Board considering this idea.

Jeff Jarboe made a motion to go into closed session. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Closed session began at 8:49 p.m.

Dave Dowling 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 10:24 p.m.

Mr. McClure recommended to the Board to approve the resignation of Barry Wright as High School assistant football coach. Dean Swan made a motion to approve the resignation of Barry Wright as High School assistant football 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 to the Board to approve Catherine Cope as an elementary special education teacher. Phillip Duling made a motion to approve Catherine Cope as an elementary special education teacher. Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended to the Board to approve Samantha White as High School Spanish teacher pending appropriate certification and passing of required assessment tests. Dave Dowling made a motion to approve Samantha White as High School Spanish teacher pending appropriate certification and passing of required assessment tests. Dawn Bachtold seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended to the Board to approve Jan Weston as High School assistant softball coach. Phillip Duling made a motion to approve Jan Weston as High School assistant softball coach. Dean Swan seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended to the Board to approve the destruction of closed session audio from January 2005 through July 2006. Dave Dowling made a motion to approve the destruction of closed session audio from January 2005 through July 2006. Dawn Bachtold seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure read the proposed parent/guardian letter to be sent home with students regarding the District’s crisis management plan and procedures. A discussion was held regarding the letter and examples of Code Red, Yellow, and Green.

Dave Dowling 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.

The meeting adjourned at 11:08 p.m.

President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education