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, NOVEMBER 15, 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 7:00 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, Trent Eshleman, Jeff Graham, Claudia Beppler, Stacy Johnson, Dan Schneider, Jodi Coplea, Amy Swan, Anna Talbert, Kelly Neukomm, Mary Dulaney, Kristin Oyer, Cliff McClure, John Rawdin, Kristin Oyer, Stacy Johnson, Stan Daro, Amy Teske, Tara Tighe, and Marilyn Weber, and Rocio Arrogave.

Dawn Bachtold moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Dean Swan 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.

Jeff Jarboe moved to approve payment of all current bills. Phillip Duling 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 Kelly Neukomm requesting the use of her personal days and sick days for her maternity leave which will be in February 2007. Kelly Neukomm advised she will return to work after spring break, April 12, 2007.

Dean Swan read a letter from Deborah Cowgill advising the Board she will retire at the end of the 2008/2009 school year and would like to take advantage of the 6% retirement incentive for the next 3 years.

Dean Swan read a letter from Jessica Stutz requesting the use of her personal days and sick days for her maternity leave which will be in December 2006. Jessica Stutz advised she will return to work on March 5, 2007.

Dean Swan read a letter from Don Shields advising the Board he will retire at the end of the 2007/2008 school year under the Early Retirement Option offered through the Teacher’s Retirement System.

At this time, Mr. McClure recognized the visitors to the board meeting. Mr. McClure introduced Claudia Beppler. Claudia served as head cook at Clara Peterson and retired at the end of the 2005/2006 school year. Board President, Mike Short, presented Claudia with a plaque and a lifetime activity pass.

Mr. McClure introduced Dan Schneider. Mr. McClure advised the Board that Dan has been a volunteer for the district for the past couple of years and played an instrumental part in painting the fence at Eastlawn.

At 7:10 p.m., Claudia Beppler and Dan Schneider left the board meeting.

Mr. McClure introduced Dave Harber who spoke to the Board regarding the district’s improvement plan.

Mr. Harber advised on November 9^th the district held a school improvement day. Para-professionals were trained on how to defuse behaviors in students. Mr. Harber reiterated the State has still not released the AYP results and will report on this issue as soon as information is available. Mr. Harber introduced Amy Swan, Anna Talbert, Jodi Coplea, and Kelly Neukomm to the Board and advised these teachers have volunteered many hours and have helped perfect the district’s school improvement plan. Mr. Harber also acknowledged Veronica Kirkpatrick as the first special education teacher to implement grade level work and to encourage her students to work at higher levels. Mr. McClure also acknowledged to the Board how these teachers have worked extremely hard and have made a lot progress towards the school improvement plan.

At 7:25 p.m., Anna Talbert, Amy Swan, Jodi Coplea, and Kelly Neukomm left the board meeting.

Mr. Harber advised the Board the Illinois School Library offers grants to schools to help purchase books, and in order for the district to take advantage of this grant money, the school board is to review one aspect of the district’s library system. Each board member was given a handout regarding alignment of skills taught in the library. Mr. Harber advised this handout details the library curriculum at Clara Peterson, Eastlawn, and the Junior High and stated the library should enhance the district’s curriculum. Mr. Harber stated the library’s goal should be to make sure the librarians are teaching in alignment with State standards. Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve a motion to authorize the School Library Per Capita Grant and to verify that the requirements of the grant are being implemented. Shawn Young made a motion to approve the School Library Per Capita Grant and to verify that the requirements of the grant are being implemented. Dean Swan seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure introduced Kristen Oyer and Stacy Johnson who addressed the Board regarding the Illinois Youth Survey. Mrs. Oyer and Mrs. Johnson advised the Board that last year the 6^th, 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th grades voluntarily participated in a survey, and Mrs. Oyer and Mrs. Johnson attended a conference on how to interpret the results of this survey. Each board member was given a copy of the survey results. Mrs. Johnson stated this is not just a school issue but a community issue as well. Mrs. Johnson addressed the Board with regard to the junior high results and stated our district’s results were compared with school districts in Menard County, Champaign County, and some other bigger counties statewide. Mrs. Johnson went over the percentages of students who have used and/or tried inhalants – 6^th grade 6%, 8^th grade 9%, 10^th grade 3%, and 12^th grade 0%. Mrs. Johnson advised that marijuana use is down in the high school,

and the 8^th graders survey revealed that 90% had never tried marijuana. With regard to alcohol use, 6^th graders survey revealed 55% had never tried alcohol. Mrs. Johnson stated 71% of the 6^th graders felt a sense of belonging, but that it reveals that 29% do not feel like they belong. Mrs. Johnson advised this percentage went down with the older grades. Sixty-one percent (61%) of 8^th graders felt like they belonged, which reveals that 39% feel like they do not belong.

Mrs. Oyer addressed the Board regarding the high school survey results. Mrs. Oyer advised the main usage in the high school according to the survey results are alcohol and cigarettes and that they were used in households and not school grounds. Mrs. Oyer stated that parental involvement makes a huge difference and the length of time students are home alone as well. Mr. McClure advised the Board that Cassie Taylor, chairman for Ford County Probation, would like a copy of the survey results. Mr. McClure stated he would like to see this survey done again this year.

Mr. McClure advised the Board parent/teacher conferences were held on November 6 and November 7, 2006. Trent Eshleman, Clara Peterson principal, advised the Board the parent/teacher conferences were very well attended and that only 29 conferences were not held on those dates but all of which have been rescheduled. Tara Tighe, Eastlawn principal, advised the Board the parent/teacher conferences at Eastlawn had an excellent attendance record – very close to 100 percent. Jeff Graham, Junior High principal, advised the Board the Junior High had a total of 343 conferences, and John Rawdin, High School principal, advised the Board the parent/teacher conferences were not well attended, approximately 156 conferences, and that there is a lot of work to do at the high school to improve this number.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that he still does not have current assessed value information from Iroquois County. Mr. McClure stated that Iroquois County is growing and that it’s not being assessed as much as it is growing. Mr. McClure went over the figures for the aggregate rate with the Board and advised the total is three (3) cents less than last year. Mr. McClure advised the Board fixed costs have increased, and the district is having to dig into the fund balances. Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the tentative 2006 Levy. Shawn Young made a motion to approve the tentative 2006 Levy. 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 set the date and time for the Levy hearing to be December 13, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. with the regular board meeting to follow. Dean Swan made a motion to approve the date and time for the Levy hearing to be December 13, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. with the regular board meeting to follow. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure advised the Board cafeteria food bids were opened on Monday, November 13, 2006 with only one bid being received. The bid winner was Fox River Foods, who has served the district for several years. Tammy Ross, Food Service Director, is recommending the district accept the bid from Fox River Foods. Phillip Duling made a motion to approve the cafeteria food bid from Fox River Foods. Dave Dowling 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 AYP has not been released so therefore the school report card has not been received. Once this information is received, then the district can act.

Mr. Rawdin, High School principal, reported on the fall activities in his building. Mr. Rawdin stated the boys’ cross country team placed 4^th in the State, the marching band placed as grand champions this year, and there are 74 choral members. With regard to honor roll, the high school had 42 students with straight A’s on the high honor roll and 95 students on the honor roll. Mr. Rawdin stated the Ag Department is doing very well this year, and Joe Meyer is taking a group of students to Bradley to do a bridge building contest.

Jeff Graham, Junior High principal, reported on the fall activities in his building. Mr. Graham stated softball and baseball seasons went well this year with 15 participants in softball and 23 participants in baseball, both cross country teams were state qualifiers this year, the speech team did well this year, and the band/chorus program on November 2^nd had a nice turn out. Mr. Graham stated there are 128 students in chorus and 65 students in band this year, and there were over 103 honor roll students.

Tara Tighe, Eastlawn Elementary principal, reported on the fall activities in her building. Ms. Tighe stated the 3^rd graders had a Native American exhibition and took a trip to the Spurlock museum. The 4^th graders held grandparents’ day, mystery night, Oregon Trail activities, and took a trip to Springfield to Lincoln’s tomb, old/new state capital, and Lincoln’s home. The 5^th graders did red ribbon week with Paige Kuester being the statewide winner. Other fall activities for Eastlawn included parent/teacher conferences, open house, book fair, and family night at Skateland in Champaign.

Trent Eshleman, Clara Peterson Elementary principal, reported on the fall activities in his building. Mr. Eshleman stated Kindergarten orientation was on the first day of school and had 100% attendance, the preschool program has been moved up to 5 days a week, cheerleading camp was held at Clara Peterson, the 2^nd graders are going to the Nutcracker at ISU in Bloomington, open house was a capacity crowd, parent/teacher conferences were well attended, a book fair is taking place this week, next week is the Title I dinner, and the week after that they will be focusing on holiday programs.

Mr. McClure informed the Board that Peg Chandler spoke at the Quarterly luncheon and is hosting an open house about her trip to Japan.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that the insurance committee is meeting tomorrow at 3:15 p.m., and that the policy and building committees need to meet some time in the near future.

Mr. McClure advised with regard to the yearbook matter the district’s attorney is reviewing this issue. With regard to the school pictures and Mr. Shaka, Mr. McClure informed the Board that a letter has been sent home to parents/guardians informing them of the situation and where they can file a complaint if they so choose. Mr. McClure stated the Attorney General’s office stated the more complaints they receive the more attention they will give this matter. Mr. McClure advised the Board that another school district is also affected by this photography studio.

Dave Dowling 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 7:55 p.m.

Jeff Jarboe 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 8:32 p.m.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the maternity leave request of Kelly Neukomm. Dean Swan made a motion to approve the maternity leave request of Kelly Neukomm. Phillip Duling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the maternity leave request of Jessica Stutz. Dawn Bachtold made a motion to approve the maternity leave request of Jessica Stutz. Jeffrey Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the resignation of Deborah Johnson-Cowgill at the end of the 2008/2009 school year and to approve the 6% retirement incentive over the next 3 years. Phillip Duling made a motion to approve the resignation of Deborah Johnson-Cowgill at the end of the 2008/2009 school year and to approve the 6% retirement incentive over the next 3 years. Dawn Bachtold seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the resignation of Don Shields at the end of the 2007/2008 school year. Mike Short made a motion to approve the resignation of Don Shields at the end of the 2007/2008 school year. 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 approve Joe Meyer as High School Math Team Sponsor during Sheila Pickens’ one (1) year High School Math Team sponsor leave. Dawn Bachtold made a motion to approve Joe Meyer as High School Math Team Sponsor during Sheila Pickens’ one (1) year High School Math Team sponsor leave. 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 approve Monica Bushue as a temporary employee of the district at a rate of $7.23 per hour and to be covered by work comp only with no other benefits for a period of six (6) months. Dawn Bachtold made a motion to approve Monica Bushue as a temporary employee of the district at a rate of $7.23 per hour and to be covered by work comp only with no other benefits for a period of six (6) months. Phillip Duling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the destruction of digital recordings of closed sessions from April 2005 and before. Dave Dowling made a motion to approve the destruction of digital recordings of closed sessions from April 2005 and before. Shawn Young seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the release of closed session minutes for the following dates: March 13, 2006; April 11, 2006; May 10, 2006; June 5, 2006; June 21, 2006; and August 3, 2006. Shawn Young made a motion to approve the release of closed session minutes for the following dates:

March 13, 2006; April 11, 2006; May 10, 2006; June 5, 2006; June 21, 2006; and August 3, 2006. Phillip Duling 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 adjourn the meeting. Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education