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 14, 2009 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, Mike Short, Phillip Duling, Jeff Jarboe, Shawn Young, and Dean Swan. Dawn Bachtold was absent.

Others present were Cliff McClure, Amy Teske, Stan Daro, Tim Hess, Barb Hess, and Tony Lee.

Jeff Jarboe made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

Shawn Young made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous month. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

Dean Swan made a motion to approve payment of all current bills. Phillip Duling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

Dean Swan read a letter dated January 8, 2009 from Tony Lee praising the PBL Scholastic Bowl.

Dean Swan read a thank you letter from Michele Coe dated December 16, 2008.

Tony Lee addressed the Board with regard to the PBL Scholastic Bowl. Mr. Lee was very impressed with the scholastic bowl and expressed his support in making the scholastic bowl an extra-curricular activity within the District. He would like to see a junior varsity and varsity team for this activity and stated that the scholastic bowl is an IHSA approved sport. A discussion was held regarding the scholastic bowl and how it works. The Board stated they would like Ms. Chumbley and Ms. Dunlavey to come to the February Board meeting to give a presentation.

Tony Lee left the meeting at 7:16 p.m.

Mr. McClure reported to the Board with regard to the Policy Review Committee’s recent meeting. Mr. McClure went over the policies with the Board and stated it is the Policy Review Committee’s recommendation that the Board approve School Board Policy Nos. 2.90, 3.70, 3.70-AP, 6.20, 6.40, 6.40-AP, and 6.250-AP.

Mr. McClure informed the Board that Rick Brackmann of the Ford County Special Education Cooperative will be in attendance at next month’s meeting and its meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday night, January 20^th, in Gibson City. Mr. McClure stated he has had a discussion with Mr. Brackmann about starting a life skills class at the High School. Mr. Brackmann stated that he has spoken with Mr. Rawdin,

Ms. Williams, and some of the High School special education staff and believes that the District would not have to hire additional staff to instruct the life skills class. Mr. McClure also informed the Board that there is one year left on Mr. Brackmann’s contract and the Board will need to discuss this further at next month’s meeting.

Mr. Hess addressed the Board with regard to color options for new marching band uniforms and proposals received for this. Mr. Hess expressed his concern that the current marching band uniforms are too dark on the field visually and have outlived their useful life. The current uniforms are 50% poly/50% wool blend and wear very well. Mr. Hess showed the Board two options for marching band uniforms. A discussion was held regarding the white marching band pants. Mr. Hess stated the white pants would have to be dry cleaned at least once per season. A discussion was held regarding the white pants. Mr. Hess went over the cost of the new uniforms at $27,580.00 which would be for 90 uniforms. This price does not include drum major or color guard uniforms. Mr. Hess stated that in the past the PBL Booster Club has purchased the color guard uniforms and is hopeful they will do the same this year. If the uniforms were ordered by the end of February, the District would receive an additional 5% discount and would have the new uniforms by June. The Board advised they would like to have at least two proposals for the new marching band uniforms and instructed Mr. Hess to get another proposal from a different company.

Tim and Barb Hess left the meeting at 7:47 p.m.

Mr. McClure stated that the administration is not here this evening, however their school improvement plans are ready for approval and based upon current data. The plans do not have to be submitted to the State, but the District is required to have school improvement plans on file. Jeff Jarboe made a motion to approve Clara Peterson Elementary, Eastlawn Elementary, and PBL High School school improvement plans. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

With regard to the District’s mission statement, Tara is going to place on the District’s website a survey for the community to give input for the new mission statement.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that he has met with Mr. Rawdin, Ms. Williams, Ms. Crank, Ms. Oyer, and Ms. Streitmatter regarding dual credit for the High School. Mr. McClure stated English will be a dual credit for next school year, and the High School will strive to start adding more dual credit courses in the future. A discussion was held regarding dual credit. Mr. McClure stated that the District is trying to encourage High School students to take more rigorous courses to help them prepare for life after their K-12 education. A discussion was held regarding weighted grading and AP courses. With regard to AP courses at the High School, Mr. McClure stated the number of students taking these courses is slowly growing. At the Junior High level, Mr. McClure advised that the District is in the process of implementing a plan if a student has failed two quarters of Math they are being offered help in Math. Mr. McClure explained to the Board that the District is moving forward, working on instructional best practices, and setting some deadlines for staff. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the academic status of the District over the past seventeen years.

Mr. McClure suggested to the Board that he would like another month to work through bids and the management side of the District’s student transportation services. Mr. McClure advised the Board of the three potential companies that would be bidding for the District’s transportation services. Mr. McClure informed the Board that the District has ordered fifteen Nextel external mikes for the bus drivers.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that the District will be releasing bids for the Clara Peterson asphalt project and the High School toilet room renovation project. Both of these projects will be paid for with health/life safety funds. Dean Swan made a motion to approve the release of bids for the Clara Peterson asphalt project and the High School toilet room renovation project. Shawn Young seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure stated that at last month’s Board meeting the topic of creating a PBL academic hall of fame was discussed. Mr. McClure asked if the Board had any thoughts or concerns regarding the creation of an academic hall of fame. Mr. McClure explained to the Board the anticipated process of creating an academic hall of fame and assured the Board that it would be presented to the Board for approval prior to the commencement of this project. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the process of creating an academic hall of fame and the selection criteria. The Board would like to revisit this topic at the February Board meeting.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the policies recommended by the Policy Review Committee. Jeff Jarboe made a motion to approve School Board Policy Nos. 2.90, 3.70, 3.70-AP, 6.20, 6.40, 6.40-AP, and 6.250-AP. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure informed the Board that there is a City Council meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Mike Short handed out to the Board a letter that Bill Ingold received from E-On with regard to the wind turbines. A discussion was held regarding the wind farm.

Mr. McClure advised the Board that Russ Leigh will be in attendance at next month’s Board meeting with regard to the new GASB audit principles.

Mr. McClure went over the first draft of the 2009/2010 school year calendar with the Board by highlighting parent/teacher conferences, Christmas break, Spring break, and graduation dates. Mr. McClure stated this is a very preliminary school calendar and Mr. Daro has received a copy of this well.

Mr. McClure suggested to the Board that the District should consider obtaining credit cards for the administration, cafeteria, or maintenance department. Mr. McClure stated that the District can get the credit cards through Farmers-Merchants National Bank and would like for the Board to approve a Resolution for the credit cards at next month’s Board meeting. Each credit card could have up to four people on it. Mr. McClure explained the benefits of the District having credit cards and the savings the District could see. The Policy Review Committee is in the process of reviewing a model policy with regard to District credit cards and this has also been forwarded to Chris Miller. A discussion was held regarding credit card limits depending upon each department.

Mr. McClure informed the Board a representative from Skyward gave a presentation on the student management side of their software. The District has not received an amended proposal back from Skyward yet as the District has cut some of the expenses out of Skyward’s original proposal. The District will be allowed to pay for the new student and financial platforms over the course of three years.

Mr. McClure reminded the Board that on March 5, 2009 the District will be hosting the IASB annual meeting/dinner. The Junior High show choir will be performing during dessert, and Amy Teske will do registration.

Mr. McClure informed the Board that the City’s TIF maps are done and they will be setting hearings soon.

Jeff Jarboe made a motion to go into closed session to discuss to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, performance of specific employees of the public body pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)1. Shawn seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

Closed session began at 9:38 p.m.

Dean Swan made a motion to come out of closed session. Shawn Young seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

Closed session ended at 10:08 p.m.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the hiring of Glenda Williams as a teacher aide with a salary of $9.38 per hour. Dave Dowling made a motion to approve Glenda Williams as a teacher aide with a salary of $9.38 per hour. Dean Swan seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure recommended the Board appoint Emory Alred, Mark Prina, Pat Prina, and Rob Jameson as volunteer coaches. Phillip Duling made a motion to appoint Emory Alred, Mark Prina, Pat Prina, and Rob Jameson as volunteer coaches. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

Jeff Jarboe made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Phillip Duling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 10:13 p.m.

President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education