RECORD OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

December 19, 2006

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Morrison Community Unit District #6, County of Whiteside, State of Illinois, was duly called and held at 6:30 P.M. at Morrison Junior High School in said district on December 19, 2006.

 

On roll call, the following were present: Kevin Schlueter, Joy Tegeler, Dave Boyles, Kent Forth, Steve Swanstrom, Greg Houldson, and Sally Gray.  Also present were Superintendent Jody Ware, High School Principal Janet Ward, Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue, Elementary Principal Steve Wroble, Diane Downs, Scott VanZuiden, Jan Scott, Amy Heusinkveld, Connie Royer, Karen Zuidema, Jim Prombo, Dr. Mark Woods, Recording Secretary Wendy Krajnovich, and one media representative.

 

Board President Sally Gray called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the last regular Board meeting held on November 21, 2006.  Hearing none, she called for a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. 

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Tegeler; to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of November 21, 2006.  Ayes: Seven; Nays: None.  Motion carried.

 

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Ware informed the Board that a letter had been sent home, K-8, banning homemade treats in school for the next two days.   This was also announced to the high school student body, and also applies to all staff members.  The ban is due to a growing number of rotovirus cases in Whiteside County, and is fully supported by the Whiteside County Health Department. Dr. Mark Woods was in attendance and presented a check to the Board from profits from sports physicals done by him and Becky West.  This year’s check will go towards the purchase of a “leaper” for the weight room.  This piece of equipment strengthens leg muscles for jumping.

 

Building Administration

Elementary Principal Steve Wroble reported that there was a huge turnout for the K & 1 holiday concert led by Mrs. Perrizo.  Elementary school secretaries Nadine Venhuizen and Sheila Sonberg attended a workshop on STI, the student information computer software.  A lockdown drill at Northside and Southside went well.  Fifth grade band presented their first band concert yesterday.  Two events were recently sponsored by PTO -the Craft Fair was held on December 2nd and Family Movie Night was held on December 8th at Northside.  The movie was The Polar Express, and the popcorn and popcorn machine were provided by Wells Fargo.  Kindergarten through fourth graders decorated trees in the lobby of the WellsFargo Bank. The bank provided cookies and juice for the children as a thank you.

 

Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue reported that the middle school students have collected items for animals, and will be taking them to Happy Tails shelter tomorrow, and some students will be staying to do some volunteer work at the shelter.  The seventh and eighth grade boys’ basketball season has been wrapped up.  Wrestling and girls basketball start in January.  The staff is working with BEST to put together a talent show which will be held at the high school auditorium on February 23rd.  The junior high also had a lock down drill and the drug dogs were brought through.

 

High School Principal Janet Ward reported final exams were being given today and tomorrow.  Student Council has again sponsored the Giving Tree.  They raised money and bought presents for 20 children.  They spent $75 per child and each child got seven gifts.  Key Club took 21 tags for older students from the tree and purchased gift cards for them.  High school has also had band and choral concerts, and the madrigal dinner.  The high school was contacted by the Subway corporate office and they provide gift cards to students who get straight A’s.  They just need to let them know each quarter how many they need.  A lockdown and drug dog search was held on December 11th.  The dogs checked the hallways, student lockers and cars.  There were several hits on cars, but when they were searched, nothing was found.

 

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

 

  

RECORD OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

December 19, 2006

 

Board Comments

Joy Tegeler noted that there were photos on the website www.thecity1.com  of the K-1 program.

 

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

AP Math Presentation

This item was moved to the first informational report.  High School mathematics instructor Connie Royer was present to show her work in preparation for offering AP Calculus for the first time in the 2007-2008 school year, and answer any questions the Board might have. This will be a very rigorous course. Students who complete the course may pay a fee of $83 to take the final exam, and if they pass it, they will receive three hours of college credit.

 

Junior High Classroom Technology Presentation

Three Junior High School teachers had requested to demonstrate to the Board new technology they are using in their classrooms this year.  All attending the meeting proceeded to science teacher Diane Downs’ classroom to see a demonstration of online textbooks.  Next, English teacher Jan Scott demonstrated the Sympodium she uses in her classroom.  It functions similarly to a SmartBoard, and allows her to continue to face her class while she is presenting lessons.  Last, all went to the classroom of math teacher Scott VanZuiden for a demonstration of an ELMO document camera which functions similarly to an overhead projector, and which he finds very useful in math instruction.

 

Financial Report as of October 31, 2006

The Financial Report was reviewed.

 

Treasurer’s Report as of October 31, 2006

The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.

 

Financial Comparisons: FY05, FY06, FY07

The Financial Comparisons Report was reviewed.

 

2007-2010 Technology Plan

Survey collection is underway to compile data from the community, parents, teachers, and students for the 2007-2010 Technology Plan.  This plan must be submitted to receive NCLB funds in the Title IID grant and to receive e-rate funding.  Thanks to Dave Zuidema who did a wonderful job having surveys completed by community members.  A committee has been formed and three meetings are currently scheduled to work on completing the plan.

 

Multi-District Institute

Morrison Community Unit District #6 will once again host the Multi-District Institute on Friday, February 16, 2007.   Approximately 510 teachers will attend.  The keynote speaker will be John Antonetti.  Dr. Jody Ware, Drew Hoffman, and Tim Schurman make up the planning committee. 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Forth; to approve the items on the Consent Agenda consisting of: District Bills as of December 19, 2006; Financial Report as of November 30, 2006; Treasurer’s Report as of November 30, 2006; Financial Comparisons FY05, FY06, FY07; disposal of closed session tapes from April 26, May 10 & 24 2005; personnel recommendations; and the additional District Bills amendment.  Ayes: Forth, Schlueter, Houldson, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Boyles, Gray.  Nays: None.  Motion carried.

 

ACTION ITEMS

Adoption of 2006 Tax Levy

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Tegeler; to adopt the 2006 tax levy as presented.   Ayes: Houldson, Boyles, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Schlueter, Forth, Gray; Nays: None.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

RECORD OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

December 19, 2006

 

Adoption of 2006 Working Cash Levy

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Boyles; to adopt the 2006 Working Cash Levy as presented.  Ayes: Tegeler, Schlueter, Houldson, Boyles, Forth, Swanstrom, Gray; Nays: None.  Motion carried.

 

Reorganization/Consolidation Study

Motion: Boyles; Second Schlueter; for the Board of Education to engage in a reorganization/consolidation study with RiverBend School District #2.  Ayes: Boyles, Swanstrom, Schlueter, Tegeler, Houldson, Forth, Gray.  Nays: None.  Motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy Committee

Dave Boyles reported there is a new PRESS release from IASB.  The committee will meet tomorrow.

 

Strategic Planning

No report

 

Personnel/Negotiations

No report.

 

Finance Committee

Joy Tegeler noted the Levy had been adopted earlier in the meeting.

 

Facililties Committee

Kent Forth had no report. 

 

Citizens’ Advisory Committee

Greg Houldson reported that the committee had their second meeting yesterday.  Discussion topics were 2005-2006 discipline statistics, grading scales, and homework articles.  Most of the discussion centered around the discipline topic.  He noted a comment made by a committee member saying that we don’t have enough student counselors.

 

Extra-Curricular Committee

Nothing new

 

Insurance Committee

No report

 

Local Wellness Committee

Greg Houldson reported the committee met on December 7th.  Topics discussed were BMI (body mass index), wellness policies to identify gaps and set goals, and nutrition education.  They were pleased with the increased physical activity and exercise in physical education.  The committee would like the fiber content of the bread products analyzed.  They would also like the lunchrooms to be decorated with more information on nutrition education. 

 

Energy/Utility Committee

Steve Swanstrom reported that savings to date are $909 on natural gas.  This results in using the cheaper storage gas instead of gas at the current price.

 

CLOSED SESSION  8:26 P.M.

Motion: Houldson; Second: Boyles; to enter into a closed session.  Ayes: Schlueter, Forth, Houldson, Boyles, Tegeler, Swanstrom and Gray.  Nays: None.  Motion carried.

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Houldson; to conclude the closed session and return to open session.  Ayes: Seven; Nays: None.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

RECORD OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

December 19, 2006

 

Action from Closed Session

Motion: Houldson; Second: Boyles; to approve the closed session minutes of November 21, 2006.  Ayes: Seven; Nays; None.  Motion carried.

 

Board President Sally Gray adjourned the meeting by consent at 9:51 P.M.

 

 

 

(President) ______________________________________________

 

 

 

(Secretary) ______________________________________________ Date Approved __________________________