MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PAXTON-BUCKLEY-LODA COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT NO. 10 BOARD OF EDUCATION OF FORD, CHAMPAIGN, VERMILION, IROQUOIS AND LIVINGSTON COUNTIES OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HELD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2004 AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE PAXTON-BUCKLEY-LODA HIGH SCHOOL 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: Steve Bloomstrand, David Dowling, Jeff Jarboe, Jean Schwartz, Alan Schweighart, Mike Short.  Dean Swan was absent.

 

Others present were FFA Students, Doug Anderson, Marvin Barger, Andy Bennett, Rick Brackmann, Mike Brehm, Will Brumleve, Stan Daro, Trent Eshleman, Jim Flaherty, Bill Lee, Cliff McClure, John Overstreet, Pat Prina, John Rawdin, Lynn Rubarts, Brian Taylor, Marilyn Weber and Mike White.

 

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

 

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

 

Beth Boman, Dan Evans, Kim Evans, Peggy Seibring, Pat Seim, Kim Smith, Tami Vest, and Shawn Young arrived at 7:02 p.m.

 

Jean Schwartz moved to approve payment of all current bills.  Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Al Schweighart read a brief sampling of 43 letters from Mrs. Pitman’s 4th grade students thanking the board for allowing them to go to Springfield to tour Lincoln’s Tomb and the State Capitol.

 

The board moved the FFA Annual report to the first item on the agenda.  Mr. McClure introduced Doug Anderson, Mike White and the FFA students to provide their annual report to the Board.  The FFA Poultry Team recently placed fourth and the Agronomy Team Third at the National Convention in Louisville, KY.

 

Mr. McClure introduced Brian Taylor from Skillman Corporation to report on progress of construction of the new junior high.  Classrooms and the kitchen havehas been painted.  Plumbing fixtures are being installed in the restrooms.  The east parking lot is finished except for the striping.  The real concern is keeping everyone focused on finishing the project on schedule.  The next project meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23rd at 10:00 a.m. in the new building.

 

Nick Leon arrived at 7:14 p.m.

 

Brian Taylor left at 7:18 p.m.

 

Mr. McClure discussed with the board the 2004 preliminary levy figures that he has prepared.  The district’s EAV will increase next year even with the enactment of the Homestead Exemption Act.  He also discussed the funding of the health life safety project.   The building committee and the finance committee met to discuss the health life safety project.  There are two ways to fund these projects, the district can either levy for the dollars or the district could take out health life safety bonds.  Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the tentative 2004 levy.  Jeff Jarboe made a motion to approve the tentative 2004 levy.  Jean Schwartz seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried. 

 

Mr. McClure informed that board that the district has yet to receive the 2004 Illinois School Report Card.  This item will be tabled until the December board meeting.

 

Mr. McClure introduced Rick Brackmann to give the board an update on the Ford County Special Education Cooperative initiatives.  At the last board meeting, Mr. Brackmann discussed with the board new legislation about what defines a highly qualified special education teacher.  He has talked with the interim state superintendent and gave an on update on this subject.

 

Mr. McClure recommended the board establish a time and date for the 2004 Tax Levy Hearing.  If the Board chooses to levy funds for fire prevention and safety, it must also hold a separate hearing for that item.  Mr. McClure recommended the board hold the 2004 Tax Levy Hearing, Fire Prevention and Safety Hearing, and Health Life Safety Bond Hearing before the regular December Board of Education meeting on December 15, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Assembly at the High School.  David Dowling made a motion to approve the 2004 Tax Levy Hearing, Fire Prevention and Safety Hearing, and the Health Life Safety Bond Hearing to be held before the regular December Board of Education meeting on December 15, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Assembly at the High School.  Steve Bloomstrand seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried. 

 

Mr. McClure introduced the principals to report on the fall activities and accomplishments at their respective school.  Each principal had a handout for the board.  Mr. Eshleman highlighted the Rodeo Assembly, Pit Crew T-Shirt sale, and the Open House.  Mr. Lee highlighted the 4th grade trip to Springfield and the 5th grade trip to Brookfield Zoo.  Mr. Rawdin commented on the Cross Country Team’s accomplishment the boys were 2nd in state and the girls were 18th.  Mr. Flaherty discussed the athletic programs, music programs, and FFA accomplishments.

 

Mr. McClure discussed with the board the possibility of renaming Orleans Street to 1 Panther Way.  Mr. Daro has approached the building committee about it also.  Mr. Daro and Mr. McClure have had preliminary discussions with Mayor Kingston and he is open to the idea.  Mr. McClure introduced Mr. Daro to present some information on this subject.  Mr. McClure recommended the board seek the City of Paxton’s permission to rename Orleans Street farthest west to 1 Panther Way and 2 Panther Way for the junior high.  The board approved Stan to go ahead and seek the City of Paxton’s permission to rename Orleans Street farthest west to 1 Panther Way.  Mr. McClure informed the board that he has been approached by members of the PBL Booster Club about the possibility of utilizing one mascot (Panthers) for both the Jr. High and High School.  They also asked the board for clarification on the official school colors at the high school.  They are inquiring if the official school colors are Royal Blue and Gold or Navy Blue and Gold.  Mr. McClure informed the board of the discussions he had with Charlie Wood and Tom Vaughn, former superintendents of both districts, on the colors of the school district.  Both superintendents recall the school colors as being Royal Blue and Gold.  A discussion followed regarding the school colors.   The board decided to allow people to react to both of these ideas regarding the school color issue and changing the Junior High mascot to Panthers.

 

Beth Boman, Dan Evans, Kim Evans, Pat Prina, John Overstreet, Peggy Seibring, Pat Seim, Kim Smith, Tami Vest, and Shawn Young left at 8:16 p.m.

 

In other business, Mr. McClure handed out school board policies to be reviewed by the board.

 

Mr. McClure informed the board that the district received the Ameren Smart Lights Grant for $5,000.  This grant was written and submitted by Mike Brehm.  Mr. Bennett is starting to work on the installation of the lights for the lighting project and the Smart Lights grant will help fund this on-going project. 

 

The PBL district for the last four years has been at the bottom quartile of administrative costs in the state of Unit Districts.

 

Mr. McClure handed out a loss prevention evaluation from Indiana Insurance Auditor and recommendations that they have regarding the football bleachers.

 

Mr. McClure provided the board members with a timetable for the basketball scrimmage that will be held on Friday, November 12th.  This scrimmage is being sponsored by the PBL Booster Club.

 

Jeff Jarboe made a motion to go into closed session to discuss employment of specific employees, student discipline, and discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed.  Jean Schwartz seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried. 

 

Closed session began at 8:36 p.m.

 

Jeff Jarboe moved to come out of closed session.  Jean Schwartz seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried. 

 

Closed session ended at 9:21 p.m.

 

Mr. McClure recommended the board approve Billi Woodruff as special education teacher aide.  Steve Bloomstrand made a motion to approve Billi Woodruff as special education teacher aide.  David 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 release the April 2004 closed session minutes that were lawfully closed.  David Dowling made a motion to release the April 2004 minutes.  Jean Schwartz seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Jean Schwartz made a motion to adjourn.  David Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:23.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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President, Board of Education                           Secretary, Board of Education