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 12, 2008 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, Marvin Barger, Barry Wright, Trent Eshleman, John Rawdin, Stan Daro, Mike Brehm, Tara Tighe, Andy Bennett, Bob Maney, Christine Williams, Elissa Krumwiede, Connie Early, and Laura Peden.

 

Dean Swan made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Shawn Young 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 approve the minutes of the previous month with one correction regarding the start time of the meeting to 7:00 p.m.  Phillip Duling 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 payment of all current bills, with the exception of the bill from Controlled Energy Services in the amount of $3,125.00.  Dave Dowling 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 October 22, 2008 from Betty Cupic thanking the District for hosting the “Susan G. Komen Volley for a Cure” volleyball tournament event.

 

Dean Swan read a letter from the College Board AP to Kristin Oyer stating one student from the PBL School District received an AP scholar award on the AP exam, namely Claire Reynolds.

 

Dean Swan read a thank you from the family of Gene Kingston.

 

Dean Sawn read a thank you from the family of Selma Hull.

 

Dean Swan read a thank you from Alice Houtzel and family.

 

Dean Swan read a thank you from the Cliff McClure family.

 

Mr. Eshleman advised the Board that the Policy Review Committee met on November 4, 2008 and went over various recommendations from IASB. The Board was given a list of policies to review that will be recommended for approval in December.  Mr. Eshleman stated the Policy Review Committee will meet again on December 4, 2008.

 

Ms. Tighe addressed the Board with regard to the High School, Junior High, and District’s improvement plans.  The Junior High has implemented an IREAD program for every student in the Junior High, and the District is looking into Reading and Math intervention programs.  Ms. Tighe stated that certified staff is continuing to work with the Curriculum Mapper software program.  Ms. Tighe reported that she is continuing to work on the District’s mission statement.  Meetings have been held at all buildings with the students to get their input on a mission statement, and Ms. Tighe would like to get responses from the parents/community as well. 

 

Mr. McClure stated at last month’s meeting the Kindergarten teachers and Mr. Eshleman gave a presentation to the Board regarding the benefits of the District offering all-day Kindergarten.  Mr. McClure feels all-day Kindergarten is needed and necessary.  Dave Dowling made a motion to approve all-day Kindergarten for the 2009/2010 school year.  Dean Swan seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed. 

 

Mr. McClure discussed the estimated Levy with the Board.  The estimated 2008 Levy rates are as follows:  Education Fund – 3.65; Operations & Maintenance Fund - .50; IMRF - .149; FICA - .127; Transportation - .20; Working Cash - .05; Special Education - .04; Tort Liability - .07; Health/Life Safety – 0; and Bonds - .523.  Mr. McClure informed the Board that in 2010 the employer’s IMRF rate will be doubling, going from 7.62% to 16.31% and that the Bond rate is purely an estimate.  The total aggregate rate which includes everything but bonds is 4.786, and the total rate is 5.309.  Mr. McClure stated the District needs to publish and have a Truth in Taxation hearing next month.  Dean Swan made a motion to approve the estimated 2008 Levy.  Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed. 

 

Mr. Short informed the Board that there are two (2) increases for exemptions, namely homeowner and senior citizens, which will increase by $500.00 each.  This increase in exemptions has lowered the District’s assessed value by over 1.2 million dollars. 

 

Gary Popel entered the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

 

Mr. McClure stated the Board needs to set the date and time for the Levy hearing and suggested December 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the PBL Board Room.  Phillip Duling made a motion to approve December 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the PBL Board Room to be the date and time for the 2008 Levy hearing.  Dave Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed. 

 

Gary Popel from the Knights of Columbus presented the Board of Education with a check in the amount of $1,818.97 for their tootsie roll campaign.  Jeff Jarboe made a motion to accept the donation from Knights of Columbus in the amount of $1,818.97.  Dave Dowling 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 at last month’s meeting he gave each Board member a packet that contained various IASB position statements.  The Board needs to direct Phillip Duling as the District’s delegate on how to vote on the position statements.  Mr. McClure suggested to the Board to be cautious with regard to the abatement position statement as he is concerned on how this would be written and the non-residence position statement as it could lead to more problems if passed.  A discussion was held regarding the residency position statement.  Dean Swan made a motion to direct Phillip Duling as the District’s delegate to vote no on the abatement position statement and the non-residence position statement.  Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed. 

 

Mr. Eshleman reported to the Board that Clara Peterson held 440 parent/teacher conferences.  Mr. Wright reported that Eastlawn held 354 parent/teacher conferences.  Mr. McClure reported that the Junior High had 90% attendance for parent/teacher conferences for 6th grade, 122 conferences for 7th grade, and 110 conferences for 8th grade.  Mr. Rawdin reported that the High School held 60 parent/teacher conferences.  A discussion was held regarding High School parent/teacher conferences and the attendance.

 

Mr. Rawdin informed the Board of the High School’s fall activities.   The High School held its first annual Back-to-School night on August 18, 2008 with 119 families in attendance and 19 businesses donating door prizes, undefeated Freshman football team, Varsity volleyball team advanced to second level of regional playoffs, cross country team placed sixth in State and Tom Pacey placed first in regionals and sectionals; PBL chorus musical “The Music Man” on November 8 and November 9, newspaper club with 25 writers, and PBL marching band has received numerous awards with two grand champion awards of all schools competition.

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board of the Junior High’s fall activities.  The Junior High open house was held on September 16, 2008 with 75% 6th grade attendance and 50% 7th and 8th grade attendance; cross country team had 45 students on the team and boys placed 11th in State and girls 6th in Sectionals; girls softball team had 18 girls on team and had a good season; 6th grade girls basketball has 18 girls on team with gold team having a 4-5 record and blue team having a 5-5 record; 7th/8th girls basketball team has 15 7th grade girls and 11 8th grade girls on the team and placed 4th in the Twin County Conference; 7th/8th boys baseball had 25 boys on the team and a record of 15-3, were Twin County Conference champions, and placed 3 players on 1st team and 1 player on 2nd team; hobby club; Spanish club; Lego league; mock election; and chorus concert on November 18th.

 

Mr. Wright informed the Board of Eastlawn’s fall activities.  Eastlawn’s open house had 217 families in attendance, grandparent’s day, Alice McGinty visit, blood drive, Choices Count assembly, book fair, Springfield fieldtrip, red ribbon week, family skate night with 46 families in attendance and 84 skaters, parent/teacher conferences with 347 conferences held, mock election – McCain 160-Obama 146, Native American exhibit, and family information night with 82 families in attendance.

 

Mr. Eshleman informed the Board of Clara Peterson’s fall activities.  Clara Peterson’s open house was held on September 18th, National Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day was held on September 19th, Alice B. McGinty visit was held on October 3rd, pajama day was on October 3rd, parent/teacher conferences; fall celebration day was held on November 7th, book fair on November 13th, and family night was held on November 17th.

 

Mr. McClure discussed with the Board the possibility of an additional bus route.  Mr. McClure has discussed this with Marvin Barger and Birtha Crist from First Student about an additional route and the potential costs.  Mr. McClure stated the District discussed adding another bus route back in August.  The capacity of each bus is 71 students and there are time constraints due to current bus routes.  The estimated cost for adding an additional bus route is $210.00 per day.  Mr. McClure added that if the District does decide to add a bus route that it does not mean there will be eleven routes for the 2009/2010 school year.   The District has received a request for bid from Forsyth Busing Company of Arizona. Mr. McClure would like to bid transportation service contracts sometime in January, and approve bids in February or March.  Phillip Duling made a motion to approve adding another bus route and make eleven bus routes for the 2008/2009 school year.  Dean Swan seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed. 

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board there are three (3) items that are no longer useful to the District, namely the red 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck and two (2) gas stoves from the Eastlawn kitchen, and suggested the District release bids for these items.  Dean Swan made a motion to release bids for the red 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck and two (2) gas stoves.  Dave Dowling 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 spoken with the District’s 403(b) third-party administrator, CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, and they are close to finalizing the plan and vendors.  Thus far, they have received four signed vendor agreements.  Mr. McClure stated the Board will need to approve the District’s 403(b) Plan at the December Board meeting so the District is in compliance by January 1, 2009.

 

Mr. McClure stated the Tripe I Conference is next week in Chicago, and Thanksgiving break will be November 27th and November 28th. 

 

Mr. McClure informed the Board that the District has received some phone calls regarding the Barbizon Modeling Agency. This agency visited the school district and asked students to fill out applications for scholarships.  This is how they gained access to some of the High School and Junior High students. This matter has been taken care of and Barbizon Modeling Agency has been advised to not contact any of our students.

 

Mr. Short briefly addressed the Board with regard to a recent wind farm meeting held by the Paxton City Council and stressed to the Board to take a formal stand on whether the Board is for or against wind farms.  Mr. Short suggested Board members attend City Council meetings on a regular basis so if the wind farm issue comes up at their meeting, the City Council will know where the Board of Education’s stand is on this matter as it relates to the school district.  Dave Dowling, Shawn Young, Dean Swan, Phillip Duling, Jeff Jarboe, and Mike Short stated they are in favor of the wind farms.

 

Phillip Duling 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 and student disciplinary cases pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)9.  Jeff Jarboe seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed.   

 

Closed session began at 8:40 p.m.

 

Phillip Duling made a motion to come out of closed session.  Dave Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed. 

 

Closed session ended at 9:28 p.m.

 

Mr. McClure recommended to the Board to approve the hiring of Harold “Jack” Miller as a Junior High night custodian.  Dean Swan made a motion to approve the hiring of Harold “Jack” Miller as a Junior High night custodian. Dave Dowling seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed. 

Mr. McClure recommended to the Board to approve the Agreement between a Student, Parents, and School District with regard to student discipline of Student “A”.  Dave Dowling made a motion to approve the Agreement between a Student, Parents, and School District with regard to student discipline of Student “A”.  Shawn Young 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.  Dean Swan seconded the motion.  Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous and the motion passed. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

President, Board of Education                                         Secretary, Board of Education