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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

February 28, 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 the Morrison High School Media Center in said district on February 28, 2006.

 

On roll call, the following were present: Dave Boyles, Kevin Schlueter, Ellen Smith, Joy Tegeler, Kent Forth and Sally Gray.  Also present were Superintendent Jody Ware, High School Principal Janet Ward, Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue, Elementary Principal Steve Wroble, Renee Temple, Jeff McIlrath, Robert Bees, Christy Low, Gregg Dolan, Anne Schaeffer representing Rep. Mike Boland’s office, Recording Secretary Wendy Krajnovich, and two media representatives.  Board member Steve Swanstrom was absent.

 

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

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second:Tegeler; To approve the minutes for the regular meeting of February 14, 2006.  Ayes – 6; Nays – none; motion carried.

 

HEALTH/LIFE SAFETY HEARING

President Sally Gray declared the hearing open at 6:32 P.M.  Dr. Jody Ware informed those present that the reason for holding the hearing was because exterior health/life safety repairs need to be done at the high school– those being the deteriorating exterior ramp sidewalk leading to the pool entrance and the railing by the exterior ramp leading to the boys’ locker room.  The railing is a horizontal railing, and it needs to be a vertical railing.

 

President Gray asked for any Board or public comments regarding this Health/Life Safety work.  Hearing none, she declared the hearing closed at 6:34 P.M.

 

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Ware pointed out that each Board member had a copy of the Plan on a Page in front of them and how what the Board does relates to the plan, noting partnerships with the community in relation to tonight’s report.

 

Dr. Ware introduced Jeff McIlrath and Renee Temple from Emmanuel Reformed Church.  She explained that the church has selected to provide supplies for school staff instead of having a can drive, and how welcome this was.  She has emailed all staff and they are to respond with a list of small articles they could use for their classrooms by next Tuesday.  Mr. McIlrath said this 40 Days of Community Giving project will work similarly to a holiday Caring Tree, with parishioners selecting items to purchase to fill requests.  Renee Temple will organize the project for the church.

 

Last year in a student survey, the students showed an interest in a natural resource class.  Working with the science deptartment, the class was developed, and Mr. Gregg Dolan was selected to teach the class.  He has been chosen as the 2006 Conservation Teacher of the Year by the Soil and Water Conservation Dept.  Dr. Ware showed off the plaque he received and there was hearty applause from all in attendance to celebrate this honor.  Dr. Ware will be pursuing a grant to further natural resources education.

 

Dr. Ware introduced Bob Bees who had contacted her last Tuesday regarding Barat College, which is closing its doors.  Through a business partner who is chairman of the Barat College Educational Foundation, Bob was able to offer the opportunity for Morrison Schools to get inventory of their choice from the college at no charge, so arrangements were made for trucks and semis to travel to Lake Forest, IL to pick up the items with all volunteer help from citizens and students.  Emmanuel Reformed Church and Timber Lake Playhouse also benefited from the giveaway.   

 

 Also in attendance was Anne Schaeffer on behalf of State Representative Mike Boland’s office.  She asked for any questions or messages she could take back to Representative Boland.

 

Dr Ware reviewed the Multi-District Institute that was held on Friday, February 17th with 565 teachers and administrators attending.  Keynote speaker, Dorothy Espelage, presented a program on Bullying and Public Education.   There were numerous other breakout sessions for the remainder of the day. This event was planned and coordinated by Drew Hoffman, Keith Morgan of Erie Schools, and Dr. Ware.

 

Dr. Ware reminded those in attendance that the dates of the Board of Education meetings for March are the 14th and 21st – a change from March 28th.

 

Building Administration

Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue reported that they had a spelling bee. Students are looking forward to the March 18th ROE spelling bee.  The Builders Club had great success selling candygrams with notes to be sent to classmates and staff.  The teachers are getting ready for ISATs.   Seventh and eighth grades have finished basketball.  Quiz Bowl and swimming are starting.  The security cameras have arrived and been installed involving much interest from the students.  The cameras have already proven useful.

 

Elementary Principal Steve Wroble reported they have handed out their Bug and High Achiever awards.  These are incentives for students to do their best work.  The fourth grade presented their American Folksong program last week.  Many students were involved speaking, singing, and square dancing.  Kindergarten roundup at Northside will be March 16th.  Preschool and kindergarten voluntary screenings were held last week.  The second grades sang at local nursing homes on Valentine’s Day.  The school nurses recently attended a workshop called Critical Issues: Why My Tummy Hurts which instructed them on assessing illnesses.

 

High School Principal Janet Ward reported there will be a Key Club Blood Drive on March 15th.  The student council is sponsoring a dance that will be held Saturday night.  Scholastic Bowl finished second in conference, and Eliot Driver was named all-conference champion.  Juliana Karvelius and Liz Lee have been selected to participate in the University of Illinois Music Symposium.  Winter sports have wrapped up and swimming has started.  Auditions and rehearsals are underway for the spring musical, Once Upon a Mattress.

 

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

 

Board Comments

There were no comments from the Board of Education members.

 

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

Financial Report

The Financial Report as of January 31, 2006 was reviewed. 

 

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer’s Report as of January 31, 2006 was reviewed.  It was noted that employees are using their flex spending accounts as only $452.92 remains in the account.

 

Financial Comparisons

The Financial Comparisons report for FY04, FY05, and FY06 was reviewed. 

 

Integrating Technology in the Classroom

Dr. Ware introduced Christy Lowe, professor at Ashford University and former technology coordinator for Morrison Schools.  She is doing her doctoral research on integrating technology in the classroom.   She was given permission to offer a workshop to Morrison teachers that offers a change from just understanding hardware and software components to focusing on how to meet the students’ needs for meaningful learning.  Teachers will earn CPDU’s (continuing education credit) at no charge for each class hour.  She has had a tremendous response with 17 signed up so far and registrations still coming in.  The class will begin in April.

 

Legislative Update

Dr. Ware reviewed some projections on the proposed state educational budget.  The Governor has proposed a “universal preschool” program that could offer Morrison schools some opportunities.  The state plan is to divide ten million dollars into $50,000 grants.  Morrison plans to apply for four grants which will pay for teacher salaries only.   If approved they will bring the bi-county preschool program to Northside where there are empty classrooms that could be used.

 

Staff Reduction Law

Dr. Ware reviewed the law regarding notification of staff for reduction in force.  Tenured teachers must be notified no later than 60 days before the end of the school term.  Probationary and part-time teachers need to notified 45 days before the end of the school term.  And educational support personnel need to be notified 30 calendar days before dismissal. 

 

Junior High Promotion/Retention Rubric

Last year, a rubric was developed and piloted at the Junior High School.  Mr. Hogue and his staff have worked to improve it this year for guiding decisions on whether or not students can be promoted to the next grade.  The school code states students cannot be promoted based on age or any other social reason not related to academics.  This tool gives administrators and teachers more criteria to use when the promotion decision is not clear.  Student responsibility is a big component of the decision making process.

 

IASB Spring Workshop: March 2, 2006

Dr. Ware informed the Board members of the Northwest IASB Spring Meeting.  She volunteered to make reservations for any Board member who wants to attend.

 

WACC Facilities Maintenance Change

All member districts share in the costs to run the WACC building.  Currently, the districts with higher EAV’s have more of the burden.  A number of superintendents from the WACC member districts are pressing for a restructuring of the building assessment formula.  This past week, the WACC Board voted to fund the building assessment using half EAV and half sophomore and junior enrollment in a district.  Local boards must vote on their support for this new formula.  Under this new proposal, Morrison’s share of the cost would increase by $1,357.00.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion To Approve Routine Items

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Schlueter; to approve the items on the consent agenda consisting of approval of the District Bills as of February 28, 2006, the Financial Report as of January 31, 2006; The Treasurer’s Report as of January 31, 2006; the Financial Comparisons Report: FY04; FY05; FY06; the disposal of the Closed Session tape from August 24, 2004; and Personnel Recommendations: the resignation of Melissa Landes as Sophomore Volleyball Coach and the approval of volunteer chaperone Chris Wayne for the Junior High Quiz Bowl team.

 

Ayes: Schlueter, Smith, Tegeler, Boyles, Forth, Gray; Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

ACTION ITEMS

10 Year Health Life Safety Survey

Motion to adopt the 10 Year Health Life Safety Survey discussed at the previous meeting.

 

Motion: Smith; Second: Forth; Ayes – Smith, Boyles, Tegeler, Forth, Schlueter, Gray; Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

Approval of Health Life Safety Amendments: Morrison High School; Morrison Junior High; Southside Elementary School; Northside Elementary School

The amendments (violations), the actual work to be done, needs to be approved by the Board of Education.

 

Motion to adopt Amendment #10 for Morrison High School, Amendment #13 for Morrison Junior High School, Amendment #1 for Southside Elementary School, and Amendment #7 for Northside Elementary School.

 

Motion: Forth; Second: Schlueter; Ayes – Forth, Tegeler, Boyles, Smith, Schlueter, Gray; Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

Approval of Health Life Safety paving work – Amendment #11

Motion to approve Health Life Safety paving work at the high school.

 

Motion: Smith; Second: Forth; Ayes – Schlueter, Smith, Tegeler, Boyles, Forth, Gray; Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

District 2006-2007 Calendar

Motion to approve the District 2006/2007 Calendar

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Smith; Ayes – six; Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

2006/2007 Board Meeting Dates

Motion to approve the 2006/2007 Board Meeting Dates.

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Tegeler; Ayes – six; Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

Multi-District Junior High/High School Swimming Cooperative

The swimming cooperative for the 06-07 school year will be with River Bend and Prophetstown school districts.  It will be those district’s responsibility to transport the students and to pay their fees.

 

Motion to approve the Multi-District Junior High/High School Swimming Cooperative for 2006/2007.

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Schlueter; Ayes – six; Nays – none.  Motion carried. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy Committee

Dave Boyles will be meeting with Dr. Ware to go over the new Press Releases.

 

Strategic Planning

Ellen Smith is pleased to see that the Board is referring to the Plan on a Page at Board meetings.

 

Personnel/Negotiations

No report

 

Finance Committee

Joy Tegeler reported the committee met last Tuesday and reviewed the Health/Life Safety spreadsheet.

 

Facilities Committee

No report

 

Citizens’ Advisory Committee

Ellen Smith reported the committee would meet next month.

 

Extra-Curricular Committee

Dave Boyles reported the committee met to review the spring enrollment.

 

Insurance Committee

Insurance change information has been sent to the staff.

 

Local Wellness Committee

Ellen Smith reported the committee members have received a list of meeting dates and an packet of information on Illinois Nutrition Education and Training .

 

Energy Committee

Jody reported she would be meeting with the Northern Illinois Utility Consultant.

 

CLOSED SESSION

Motion to go into closed session.  9:00 P.M.

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Forth; Ayes – 6; Nays – none. 

RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION

Motion to return to open session.

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Forth;  Ayes – 6; Nays – none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

10:18 P.M.

Board President Sally Gray adjourned the meeting by consent.

 

 

(President)

 

 


(Secretary)                                                                                              Date Approved