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, AUGUST 18, 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 and Dean Swan.

 

Others present were Marvin Barger, Andy Bennett, Mike Brehm, Will Brumleve, Stan Daro, Trent Eshleman, Scot Fairfield, Jim Flaherty, Stacy Johnson, Bill Lee, Cliff McClure, Brad Pickens, Sheila Pickens, John Rawdin, Lynn Rubarts, Brian Taylor, Tara Tighe, and Marilyn Weber. 

 

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

 

Dean Swan read a thank you note from Julie Withrow, thanking the board for supporting and paying for district’s professional development classes for the staff.

 

Dean Swan read a thank you note from Alice Houtzel.

 

Dean Swan read a letter from Jenny Allen resigning as 7th grade Language Arts teacher.

 

Jean Thackery entered at 7:05 p.m.

 

Dean Swan read a letter from Marilyn Fields requesting a 2-month leave of absence.

 

Mr. McClure introduced Brian Taylor from Skillman Corporation to report on progress of construction of the new junior high.  Masonry is complete at the gym area and painting is beginning in the gym.  The paving project is complete in the front of the high school and the bus lane area.  Paving work is continuing in the back parking lot and the drive to the new junior high.  The next construction meeting is set for next Thursday, August 26th at 10:00 a.m. at the Skillman trailer.

 

Nick Leon arrived at 7:12 p.m.

 

Mr. McClure introduced Scot Fairfield to review the furnishings bid for the new junior high.  The district attracted two bidders and Widmer Interiors’ bid was the only bid that qualified.  Mr. Fairfield and Mr. McClure discussed with the board ways to decrease the package from $234,941.59 to a number closer to the allotted budget of $200,000.  Mr. McClure recommended the board move to approve the furnishings base bid in the amount of $234,941.59.  Jean Schwartz made a motion to approve the furnishings bid in the amount of $234,941.59.  Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Stephanie Streff arrived at 7:20 p.m.

 

Mr. McClure introduced Scot Fairfield.  Mr. Fairfield gave an overview of the preliminary report on the findings from FGM’s health life safety visit that was conducted in July.  He gave a detailed report on the items that were priority A and B at each school.  Modifications to the report will be made and then Mr. Fairfield will meet with the district to finalize the report and then the board will need to approve the report before it is sent off to the Regional Office and the State Board of Education.

 

Scot Fairfield and Brian Taylor left the meeting at 7:41 p.m.

 

Mr. McClure introduced Tara Tighe to report on the summer school enrollments and testing. 

 

Mr. McClure discussed with the board the 2004-2005 budget.  The district has received an increase in state aid.  Mr. McClure recommended that the board approve putting the 2004-2005 budget on display.  Dean Swan made a motion to approve putting the 2004-2005 budget on display.  Steve Bloomstrand seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Mr. McClure gave a report on the ROE’s 5-Year Compliance Audit.  The Champaign-Ford County Regional Office of Education conducted a mandatory audit of the PBL District in February.  The results from the visit were positive.  Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the ROE 5-Year Compliance Audit Report and Mr. McClure’s response.  Jeff Jarboe made a motion to approve the ROE 5-Year Compliance Audit Report and Mr. McClure’s response.  David Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Mr. McClure discussed with the board the Volunteer Coaching policy and the Social Emotional policies.  The state is requiring schools to approve a Social Emotional policy.  The district has teams in place at each building to help implement this policy.  Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the Volunteer Coaching policy and the Social Emotional policy.  Jean Schwartz made a motion to approve the Volunteer Coaching policy and the Social Emotional policies.  Dean Swan 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 discuss the final registration numbers, tentative school enrollment and class sizes.  Mr. Eshleman reported that there will be a total of 425 students housed at Clara Peterson for the 2004-2005 school year.  Kindergarten has 113 students, 1st grade 100, 2nd grade 102, and 3rd grade 103.  Mr. Lee reported that there is a total of 222 students registered at Loda Grade School.  In the 4th grade there will be three classes of 23 students and two classes of 22 students.  In the 5th grade there will be one class with 25 student and 3 with 24 students.  Mrs. Longfellow’s class will have 12 students.  Mr. Rawdin reports that there is a total of 118 students registered for 6th grade, 102 students for 7th grade and 109 for 8th  grade, for a total of 329 students.  Mr. Flaherty report his registration numbers at 132 Freshman, 128 Sophomore, 103 Juniors and 118 Seniors for a total of 481.  Mr. Eshleman made a recommendation that based on the class size enrollments that there be four sections of 3rd grade and five sections of 2nd grade.  Dean Swan made a motion to approve making four class sections of 3rd grade and five class sections of 2nd grade.  Al Schweighart seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Mr. McClure explained to the board the Electronic Fund Transfer Signature Authority form that First National Bank has requested.  Mr. McClure recommended the board approve allowing himself and one other employee to have decision-making authority on electronic fund transfers.  Mr. McClure recommended that Lynn Rubarts be the other employee since she works closely with the banks investing CD’s and making deposits.  Jean Schwartz made a motion to approve Lynn Rubarts and Cliff McClure to have decision-making authority on electronic fund transfers.  Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Mr. McClure explained to the board establishing a budget hearing date and time.  After the budget is approved for display, the Board cannot hold a budget hearing until 30 days has elapsed.  Mr. McClure recommended the Board conduct a budget hearing prior to its regular meeting on September 22, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Assembly at the High School.  Mr. McClure recommended that the board change the regular board meeting to September 22, 2004 in the Little Assembly immediately following the budget hearing.   David Dowling made a motion to change the regular board meeting to September 22, 2004 in the Little Assembly immediately following the budget hearing.  Jean Schwartz seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.  Mr. McClure recommended the board hold the PBL District’s 2004-2005 budget hearing at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Little Assembly on September 22, 2004.  Dean Swan made a motion to hold the PBL District’s 2004-2005 budget hearing at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Little Assembly on September 22, 2004.  David Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.

 

Mr. McClure discussed with the board the 2004-2005 school calendar and invited the board member’s to the Teacher Institute that will be held on August 24, 2004 at 8:00 a.m.

 

In other business, Mr. McClure notified the board that he has been working with Mitch Nuss on the worker’s compensation insurance on the list of volunteer’s that visit the PBL school district buildings.  It is a possibility that we could be dropped, Mr. Nuss is still working with the company on this issue.

 

Mr. McClure has requested the additional site and construction money from the Capital Development Board.  The state has not sold their bonds yet and it would probably be late September before we would receive the rest of the District’s money.

 

Mr. Brehm discussed with board fiber optic and internet issues.  Wireless internet has been established at Lake Iroquois and Bayles Lake.  Illicom is going to install a set of fiber optic cables into the district for a minimal charge.  Also, a new law went into affect regarding the district’s Professional Development Committee.  It eliminates the need for the professional development committee.   The committee is going to meet Tuesday prior to the faculty meeting to determine what the PBLEA would like to do, either eliminate or keep the committee.  In conclusion, Mr. Brehm discussed with the board that the district received a $32,000 energy grant for a lighting project within the district.  The energy grant will not cover all the expenses that the district will have to pay to upgrade the lighting.  Mr. Brehm is going to apply for the 2004 smart lights program through Amerin CIPS that could grant the district between $2,000 and $5,000. 

 

Mr. McClure passed around the PBL Board of Education information list to be updated.

 

Dean Swan made a motion to go into closed session to discuss employment of specific employees.  David Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried.  

 

Closed session began at 9:05 p.m.

 

Jean Schwartz moved to come out of 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 ended at 9:39 p.m.

 

Mr. McClure recommended the board accept Jenny Allen’s resignation as 7th grade Language Arts teacher.  Dean Swan made a motion to accept Jenny Allen’s resignation as 7th grade Language Arts teacher.  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 hire Amy Swan as 7th grade Language Arts teacher.  Jeff Jarboe made a motion to hire Amy Swan as 7th grade Language Arts teacher.  Al Schweighart seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried. 


 

Mr. McClure recommended the board hire Sandra McKinney-Cardiff as Teacher Aide and 3rd grade Playground Supervisor at Clara Peterson.  Jeff Jarboe made a motion to hire Sandra McKinney-Cardiff as the Prep Program Teacher Aide and 3rd grade Playground Supervisor at Clara Peterson.  Jean Schwartz seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried. 

 

Mr. McClure recommended the board hire Kathleen Lee as 1/2 time Prep Aide.  David Dowling made a motion to hire Kathleen Lee as ½ time Prep Aide.  Steve Bloomstrand seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried. 

 

Mr. McClure recommended the board hire Amy Teske as teacher aide at the High School.  Dean Swan made a motion to hire Amy Teske as teacher aide at the High School.  Jean Schwartz 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 Marilyn Fields’ leave of absence.  Jean Schwartz made a motion to approve Marilyn Fields’ leave of absence.  Steve Bloomstrand seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all members present voted aye, there being no nay votes the motion carried. 

 

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

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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President, Board of Education                               Secretary, Board of Education