MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
President
Upon roll call, the following board members answered
present: David Dowling,
Others present were
Shawn Young 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.
Phillip Duling made a motion to approve the minutes of the
previous month.
Russ Leigh entered the meeting at
Mr. Eshleman gave each Board member a packet of proposed policies and advised the Board to review these policies to be approved at the October Board meeting.
Mr. Brackmann advised the Board that there is carry over money from last year’s IDEA grant, and PBL will be receiving approximately $40,000.00 of additional money for a total of $234,536.00 which is reflected in the budget.
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the FY 2009 PBL
CUSD No. 10 budget. Shawn Young made a
motion to approve the FY 2009 PBL CUSD No. 10 budget.
Ms. Tighe informed the Board with regard to 2008 ISAT and PSAE test scores. With regard to Reading achievement, the District showed an increase over last year, and with Math, the District showed a slight decrease. The District’s ISAT percentages showed an increase in 3rd through 8th grade. Ms. Tighe reported that Eastlawn’s Reading and Math scores both show a slight decrease since last year, Junior High’s Reading and Math scores show an increase over last year’s, and the High School’s Reading and Math scores show a slight decrease compared to last year’s.
Andy Bennett advised the Board on completed summer maintenance projects. Mr. Bennett stated the new storage facility is completed with the exception of brickwork and some grade work, and other projects are progressing as well. Mr. Bennett thanked the City for its help with regard to the construction of the new storage facility. The High School fire alarm system is almost completed and should be finished over Christmas break. With regard to pest control, Mr. Bennett thanked everyone for doing a good job and cleaning out their classrooms. Everyone is doing their part with regard to this situation. Mr. Bennett stated the District is continuing to monitor this situation very closely. The High School bleachers are to be delivered and installed during the week of October 6th. Mr. McClure suggested that the Building and Grounds Committee should meet sometime in October to discuss next summer’s maintenance projects and expenses.
Russ Leigh addressed the Board with regard to the 2008 audit. Mr. Leigh went over the three main funds, namely Education, Operations & Maintenance, and Transportation Funds. Mr. Leigh stated the Education Fund’s assets are up from last year and revenue overall has a significant increase. The expenses for the Education Fund have increased from last year but not significantly with rising operating costs and salaries. The Operations & Maintenance Fund’s revenue increased as well over last year which Mr. Leigh feels is a very positive thing, and expenses showed a very slight increase. With regard to the Transportation Fund, Mr. Leigh stated there was a slight decrease in revenue over last year due to a payment not received prior to the end of the fiscal year, and expenses showed a decrease as well. Mr. Leigh commended Mr. McClure and his staff for a job well done this past school year. The only minor issues in this year’s audit were some old outstanding checks. Mr. Leigh also added there was not a management letter this year.
Russ Leigh also mentioned to the Board that next year’s audit will be handled differently. The State and CPA rules and regulations have changed. Next year’s audit will involve reviewing the District’s policies and procedures, and the audit is to ensure the District is following these policies and procedures. In addition, Board members will be selected to be interviewed by the auditor regarding policies and procedures. Mr. Leigh advised he will be sending out a checklist of items for the Board prior to next year’s audit.
Russ Leigh left the meeting at
Dave Dowling made a motion to approve the 2008 audit. Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Mr. McClure introduced
Marvin Barger left the meeting at
Mr. Schuering stated the TIF district is requesting a twenty-three year TIF and stressed the purpose of the TIF is to induce development. The timeline for the TIF is the City will publish in October which will also be the date of the public hearing, and then would like to have the ordinance implemented by Christmas. A lengthy discussion was held regarding EAV and what portion of taxes would go towards the school district.
Mayor Bill Ingold and Dave Schuering left the meeting at
Mr. McClure advised that each year the Board is required to
approve the application for recognition of schools. Dean Swan made a motion to approve the
application for recognition of schools for Clara Peterson, Eastlawn, PBL Junior
High, and
Mr. McClure recommended the Board renew its speech cooperative agreement with GCMS. There are fifteen students that participate in speech, and Mr. Daro has run this program for several years. Dawn Bachtold made a motion to renew the speech cooperative agreement between PBL CUSD No. 10 and GCMS CUSD No. 5. Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Mr. McClure advised the Board that he has done some research on the possibility of the District providing school supplies for the 2009/2010 school year. The Unit Office contacted a couple of vendors to get estimates only, and should the Board choose to provide school supplies, additional vendors would need to be contacted to get more specific and accurate quotes. Mr. McClure explained some of the advantages for providing school supplies would be every student would have the same supplies regardless of economic status, all students would begin school well-equipped, the District would encounter savings by ordering in bulk, and administration would be directly involved in approving expenditures. Some disadvantages for providing school supplies would be the District would more than likely have to increase registration fees and there could be a storage issue since supplies would be purchased in bulk. Mr. McClure estimated the cost for school supplies for the elementary buildings to be $2,400.00 - $3,000.00 and approximately $4,600.00 for Junior High students. The cost would be higher if the District chose to provide supplies for the High School. Students would be responsible for book bags, gym shoes, and scientific calculators. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the extra work that would be involved with ordering supplies in bulk.
Shawn Young left the meeting at
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the waiver of claims between PBL CUSD No. 10 and Iroquois County Special Education Association. Mr. McClure stated that he has spoken with George Gwinup about this matter and the District’s attorney, Patti Whitten, has reviewed the agreement as well. Dean Sawn made a motion to approve the waiver of claims between PBL CUSD No. 10 and Iroquois County Special Education Association. Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the gym usage fees for the 2008/2009 school year as the fee structure needs to be modified to reflect the District’s operating costs. Mr. Overstreet has provided information regarding what area school districts are charging for gym rental. Currently, the District is charging $60.00 per evening with no custodial fees associated with the rental. Mr. McClure suggested the District increase the gym rental fees to reflect an hourly charge of $60.00 plus custodial fees. This would not include the Park District. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the gym rental fees, what part of the buildings could be rented, and custodial fees. Mr. McClure advised the current policy states that the District cannot rent a gym without a custodian being present and without someone being AED qualified. Dave Dowling made a motion to approve the 2008/2009 rental fees, plus custodial fees, as follows:
Clara Peterson gym - $ 30.00
Clara Peterson cafeteria - $ 40.00
Eastlawn gym - $ 30.00
Eastlawn cafeteria - $ 40.00
PBL Junior High gym - $200.00
PBL Junior High library - $100.00
PBL High School Little Assembly - $100.00
PBL Junior High/High School Commons Area - $200.00
Phillip Duling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Mr. McClure handed each Board member a draft staff handbook. The current staff handbook is very outdated. Mr. McClure advised he would like for the Board to review the proposed staff handbook and approve the handbook at the October Board meeting.
Eric Brackmann left the meeting at
Mr. McClure stated the 2008/2009 sixth day attendance reveals the District’s student population has decreased by six students since last school year.
Each year the Board needs to approve the price per photocopy charge, and Mr. McClure suggested the Board approve the costs of .35¢ for letter, .40¢ for legal, and .45¢ for 11x17 copies. Dawn Bachtold made a motion to approve the price per photocopy charge to be .35¢ for letter, .40¢ for legal, and .45¢ for 11x17 copies. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the natural gas contract with Vanguard Energy Services for the 2008/2009 school year. There is not a significant savings for the District to change to Illinois Consortium. Phillip Duling made a motion to approve the natural gas contract with Vanguard Energy Services for the 2008/2009 school year. Dawn Bachtold 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 the homecoming football game is September 26 with homecoming dance on September 27, Stanford assessment testing is September 29, and the next school improvement date is October 11 with GCMS.
With regard to the District’s 403(b) plan, the District has sent back to CPI Qualified Plan Consultants signed vendor contracts to be forwarded on to the vendors to sign. Hopefully within the next month, the District will receive a list of approved vendors and a document plan to be approved by the Board. Mr. McClure stated there was a slight delay in processing the paperwork as the District’s current financial software is not compatible with anything so a detailed spreadsheet had to be created in order to give CPI the information they need for processing the 403(b) payments through payroll.
Mr. McClure advised that Trent Eshleman and Tammy Ross have met and discussed the potential of the District obtaining a grant for students to receive breakfast at Clara Peterson. Mr. McClure stated the District is going to start the breakfast program at Clara Peterson and then move up to Eastlawn if the program is successful.
Mr. McClure stated at the next Board meeting the Board will
need to approve Marilyn,
Mr. McClure informed the Board there are several trophies in the underworld at Eastlawn, and the District should look into either disposing of them, auctioning them off, or donate them to someone or some organization. Mr. McClure also mentioned that the District could give a couple to the Booster Club to give away for the Alumni Homecoming dinner.
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve Jeff Sinn as a volunteer coach for High School basketball. Dean Swan made a motion to approve Jeff Sinn as a volunteer coach for High School basketball. Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve Jeff Sinn as a class sponsor for the 2008/2009 school year. Phillip Duling made a motion to approve Jeff Sinn as a class sponsor for the 2008/2009 school year. Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve Jill Schrodt as a teacher aide for the 2008/2009 school year. Jeff Jarboe made a motion to approve Jill Schrodt as a teacher aide for the 2008/2009 school year. Dave Dowling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve Robert Pacey as a part-time teacher and part-time teacher aide for the 2008/2009 school year. Dawn Bachtold made a motion to approve Robert Pacey as a part-time teacher and part-time teacher aide for the 2008/2009 school year. Phillip Duling seconded the motion.
Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve the resignation of
Carey Barfield as High School teacher aide with an effective date of
Mr. McClure recommended the Board approve extending Anna Talbert’s maternity leave by five days. Dean Swan made a motion to approve extending Anna Talbert’s maternity leave by five days. Phillip Duling seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
Dave Dowling made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at
President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education