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, JULY 11, 2007 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:  David Dowling, Jeff Jarboe, Mike Short, Phillip Duling, Shawn Young, and Dean Swan.   Absent was Dawn Bachtold.

 

Others present were Andy Bennett, Cliff McClure, Stan Daro, Amy Teske, and Marilyn Weber.

 

Jeff Jarboe moved to approve the consent agenda.  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 dated July 10, 2007 from Samantha Lee resigning from her position as High School Girls Physical Education teacher.

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board that the Building and Grounds Committee met last week and discussed some of the items contained in the recent threat assessment.  Mr. McClure stated that Eastlawn has been re-keyed, and the Committee is contemplating re-keying Clara Peterson and the High School.  The Committee also discussed and has contacted a company regarding installing entry/exit buttons at each building’s office location.  Mr. McClure advised installation of telephones in all classrooms at the High School, relocation of the office at Eastlawn, and boiler room ventilation were other items of discussion.

With regard to capital projects, Mr. Bennett stated the High School gymnasium bleachers are over 50 years old and are in need of major repair and/or replacement.  Mr. Bennett also stated that Clara Peterson’s roof needs to be finished, a partial roof replacement needs to be done at the High School, Clara Peterson’s parking lot and playground need asphalted, and Eastlawn’s office needs to be relocated. A lengthy discussion was held regarding reconfiguring traffic flow at Clara Peterson, roofing issues at the High School, and removal of the asphalt drive by the Ag shop and boys locker room area leading to the football/track area to be replaced with a wide sidewalk.  Mr. McClure advised the Committee is in the process of obtaining estimates and potential costs from different vendors for some of these projects.  Mr. McClure stated that he has a meeting scheduled with Kevin Johnson from First Mid-State for his opinion and expertise on how to fund these projects.  Mr. Bennett updated the Board on the track.  Mr. Bennett advised the drainage and field events are completed and that Iroquois Paving should be here next week sometime. 

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board that he met with Scot Fairfield and that Scot will be leaving FGM.  Mr. McClure advised the Board that the District needs to begin looking for potential architects and the Building and Grounds Committee will need to recommend a candidate to the Board. 

 

Will Brumleve entered the Board meeting at 7:20 pm.

 

A discussion was held regarding moving the entrance to the football field to the west and making the entrance larger.

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board the Policy Committee met.  The Committee will be recommending Board approval on the revised volunteer coaching policy and the new policy review and development policy.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that summer school is off to a smooth start.  Attendance is as follows:

 

                                                Kindergarten      -           13

                                                1st Grade           -           12

                                                2nd Grade          -           8

                                                3rd Grade           -           6

                                                4th Grade           -           10

                                                5th Grade           -           6

                                                6th Grade           -           7

                                                7th Grade           -           10

                                                8th Grade           -           9

                                                Special Ed.       -           12   

                                                TOTAL                         110

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board that PBL coaches will hold preliminary meetings with student athletes and parents prior to the start of the season to go over the Code of Conduct.  The PBL Boosters Club will publish the Code of Conduct in the athletic programs. Dave Dowling made a motion to approve the PBL Athletic Code of Conduct.  Phillip Duling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Phillip Duling made a motion to approve the volunteer coaching policy and application and PBL Board Policy 240.00E policy review and development committee.  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 the bid opening for milk and bread was at 12:00 p.m. on July 6, 2007.  There were two (2) milk bids, namely Prairie Farms and Klein Distributing.  Prairie Farms was the milk bid winner and Tammy Ross’ recommendation for the District’s milk provider for the 2007/2008 school year.  There were three (3) bread bids, namely Interstate Brands, Louis Bakeries, and Sara Lee.  Sara Lee was the bread bid winner and Tammy Ross’ recommendation for the District for the 2007/2008 school year.  Dean Swan made a motion to approve Prairie Farms as the milk and dairy provider for the 2007/2008 school year.  Phillip Duling 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 approve Sara Lee as the bread provider for the 2007/2008 school year.  Dave Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board that there was only one (1) proposal for waste services for the District, which was from Elson’s Paxton Sanitary System.  Mr. McClure stated the proposal includes an escalator clause.  Dean Swan made a motion to approve Elson’s Paxton Sanitary System for waste services for the District for the 2007/2008 school year.  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 each year the Board directs the Superintendent to begin working on the budget.   The Finance Committee has a meeting scheduled for August 14, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. and thereafter will have the tentative budget on display and ready for approval in September.  Mr. McClure stated in the Education Fund there will be increased salaries and benefits, and with regard to State Aid a 0% increase will be projected.  Shawn Young made a motion directing the Superintendent to begin the development of the FY 2008 budget.  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 the District is required by law to offer “Choice” for the 2007/2008 school year.  Mr. McClure explained that the Junior High did not make AYP and is in the first year of Federal corrective action.  The District’s failure to make AYP is due to our special education population in Reading.  Mr. McClure stated the District has to make AYP for two (2) consecutive years in order to be off the watch list.  The District is obligated to offer “Choice” to all PBL Junior High students.   Mr. McClure stated that the District has not received formal notification of not making AYP, however it is coming.  The District needs to look into intergovernmental agreements with area school districts to see if they will accept students that want to participate in “Choice”.  The District will be obligated to pay for transportation and tuition for the students participating in “Choice”.   Mr. McClure stated that “Choice” informational letters to parents of PBL Junior High students will need to be sent out prior to the first day of school.  Dean Swan made a motion to direct the Superintendent to send out letters to area school districts inquiring about an intergovernmental agreement regarding “Choice”.  Dave Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board the American Red Cross would like to enter into an agreement with the District which would allow the American Red Cross to use the school facilities in case of disaster or for emergency relief.   Mr. McClure stated the district’s attorney has approved this agreement.  Phillip Duling made a motion to allow the American Red Cross to use the school facilities in case of disaster or emergency relief.  Shawn Young seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Mr. McClure handed each Board member a spreadsheet showing price comparisons between Nextel and Cingular.  Mr. McClure stated he has talked with Marvin Barger and Chuck Aubrey from GCMS regarding the cell phones, and both companies are offering blackberry push-to-talk phones.  Mr. McClure explained the pricing of both companies to the Board and stated the administrators will be responsible for reimbursing the district for their data plans.  Mr. McClure stated that he and Mr. Eshleman drove to different areas within the school district to compare which company had the better reception, and there were a few dead spots with Nextel and several with Cingular.  There will be no GPS service with the cell phone package.  Mr. McClure said the cell phones will be for each administrator, Andy Bennett, Darryl Foster, and buses.  Shawn Young made a motion to approve the mobile communication proposal from Nextel.  Dave Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, 5 members present voted aye, Phillip Duling abstained, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board that last week he received a petition from Attorney Charles Pacey, who represents the Watts family, for the annexation into the PBL school district and detachment from the Hoopeston school district.  The Watts have five (5) children, four (4) of which are school age.  The Watts have notified the Hoopeston School District’s Board of Education of their intentions, and the Hoopeston school district is requesting a land swap from Dean Blackford in which they would annex some of his property into the Hoopeston school district to allow the Watts’ property into the PBL school district.  Mr. McClure explained the problem that comes with this petition is that it was filed too late in the year and will affect certain things.  Mr. McClure stated he has prepared a letter to the Watts advising them if the PBL Board of Education approves, the Watts would be responsible for tuition at the current rate on a per diem basis and that according to IHSA rules their children cannot participate in extra-curricular activities this coming school year until the petition is approved.   Once the petition is court approved, the District would not ask for tuition for past days.  Jeff Jarboe made a motion to approve the acceleration of educational services of the Watts children for the 2007/2008 school year.  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 President Mike Short will need to appoint Board members to the District various committees.  

                                                              

Mr. McClure informed the Board he has met with Brian Lohman and Ron Ray, who are insurance brokers, and they want PBL to consider using their services.  They feel they can save the District some money, and some of their current customers are Tolono, Heritage, and Ogden. Mr. McClure stated their company is growing and seem positive, upbeat people and would like to start servicing the District this fall in order to help with the health insurance negotiations.  Mr. McClure advised the Board he would like a follow up meeting with Brian and Ray.  Mr. McClure suggested setting a meeting for some time in late August or early September, and this company would like a one (1) year agreement with the District.

 

Mr. McClure advised the Board that Eastlawn’s open house is scheduled for August 22nd, Clara Peterson is September 20th, Junior High is September 11th, and the High School is unknown at this time.

 

Dave Dowling made a motion to go into closed session.  Jeff Jarboe 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.

 

Dean Swan made a motion to come out of 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 ended at 9:40 p.m. 

 

Mr. McClure recommended the Board accept the resignation of Samantha Lee as High School physical education teacher.  Dean Swan made a motion to accept the resignation of Samantha Lee as High School physical education teacher.  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 hiring of Elisabeth Bowen as High School/Junior High cook.  Dave Dowling made a motion to approve the hiring of Elisabeth Bowen as High School/Junior High cook. 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 hiring of Adam Schonauer as High School physical education teacher.  Shawn Young made a motion to approve the hiring of Adam Schonauer as High School physical 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 the Board approve the hiring of Adam Schonauer as High School assistant football coach and High School assistant boys basketball coach.  Phillip Duling made a motion to approve the hiring of Adam Schonauer as High School assistant football coach and High School assistant boys 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 approve the hiring of Katrina Tammen as Junior High cheerleading coach.  Dave Dowling made a motion to approve the hiring of Katrina Tammen as Junior High cheerleading coach.  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 hiring of Jessica Hendershot as Junior High 6th grade girls basketball coach.  Dean Swan made a motion to approve the hiring of Jessica Hendershot as Junior High 6th grade girls 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 approve the re-hiring of Tara Medlin as a teacher aide.  Dean Swan made a motion to approve the re-hiring of Tara Medlin as a teacher aide.  Jeff 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 re-hiring of Daniel Gee as a teacher aide.  Phillip Duling made a motion to approve the re-hiring of Daniel Gee as a teacher aide.  Jeff 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 re-hiring of Michelle Huller as a teacher aide.  Phillip Duling made a motion to approve the re-hiring of Michelle Huller as a teacher aide.  Dave Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Shawn Young made a motion to approve a five (5) year contract for Superintendent Cliff McClure.  Dean Swan 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.  Shawn Young seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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President, Board of Education                                         Secretary, Board of Education