RECORD OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

March 6, 2007

 

The special 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 Superintendent’s Office in said district on March 6, 2007

On roll call, the following were present: Kevin Schlueter, Joy Tegeler, Dave Boyles via teleconference, Greg Houldson and acting Board President Kent Forth.  Board Members Steve Swanstrom and Sally Gray were absent.  Also present were Superintendent Jody Ware, Harvey Zuidema, Ted Tilton, Jim Prombo, MHS teacher Cory Bielema, MHS Principal Janet Ward, Recording Secretary Wendy Krajnovich, and one media representative.

 

Acting President Kent Forth called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the last regular Board meeting held on February 20, 2007.  Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. 

 

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Houldson; to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of February 20, 2007.  Ayes: Five; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Ware cited Board Policy 2:220 which allows Board members to attend Board meetings physically or via speaker phone, and that tonight is the first time the Morrison Board has used this method so Board member Dave Boyles could participate, as he is currently out of state.  She noted the resignations of two long term high school coaches;  varsity girls’ basketball coach Mark Ernst, and varsity boys’ wrestling coach Dan Drosopoulos.  She also stated that state testing begins next week, and that the State of Illinois will be assigning a test monitor to the Junior High School – before, during and after testing.

 

Building Administration

There were no administrator reports.

 

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

 

Board Comments

There were no Board comments.

 

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

Financial Report as of January 31, 2007

The Financial Report  was reviewed.

 

Treasurer’s Report as of January 31, 2007

The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.

 

Financial Comparisons: FY05, FY06, FY07

The Financial Comparisons Report was reviewed.

 

High School Discipline Committee Study

High school instructor Cory Bielema presented a report, accompanied by a power point presentation, of the high school discipline committee study.  Discipline plans had been gathered from other sources for study, and a plan for Morrison High School has been formulated using a point system. In the new plan, parents would be involved in the discipline process much earlier.  Detentions will need to be served right away, rather than putting them off until another convenient time. Changes will also be made in student work to be done during in-school suspension.  The Discipline Plan will be reviewed by the district attorney before it comes back to the Board for approval.

 

Analysis of Health Insurance Deductible Costs

Three years ago the deductible was raised from $500 to $1,000 for the employee health plan.  The district will reimburse any deductible cost over $500.  The reimbursement for 2006 is $9,722.06, which still represents a tremendous savings over the huge increase in monthly premium costs.

RECORD OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

March 6, 2007

 

2007-2008 Transportation Contract

For the 2006-2007 school year, the fuel cost responsibility was removed from the transportation contract with R. C. Smith.  The allocation for the school district fuel costs is $75,000, of which $30,815.24 has been spent as of the end of January.  The contract was presented with an overall increase of 3.5% from last year’s contract. The contract renewal with R.C. Smith Transportation for 2007-2008 will be included for approval at the next Board of Education meeting.

 

Spring 2006 AYP Results

Results from the spring 2006 assessment have finally been received.  Students met Adequate Yearly Progress in all areas and in all subgroups.  Our district is no longer on Academic Warning.

 

Compensation for Sports Officials

Request for increased compensation for sports officials was provided by Athletic Director Gus Linke.  Also included is an increased fee for the track meet starter if he has to provide his own blanks for the pistol.  Officials have been difficult to obtain because of the Morrison rate.  The proposed rate is commensurate with other surrounding districts. This item will be included for approval at the next meeting of the Board of Education.

 

Canvassing of Votes – Spring 2007 Elections

Although there has been some discrepancy throughout Illinois as to who will canvass the school board election votes, County Auditor Dana Nelson will be the election authority who will canvass the votes in Whiteside County.  The new Morrison Board of Education will be seated on May 8, 2007.

 

At Risk Preschool Accountability Report

Our at-risk preschool program was audited on February 21, 2007.   Overall, the results are excellent. There were some deficit areas, but all are easy to correct.  Forty two children are in the program this year.

 

Daylight Savings Times

Changes to daylight saving time are included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  It was noted that this year daylight saving time begins on March 11, 2007.  School officials will be communicating the changes to their staff and students. 

 

PSAE Testing for Juniors Request

High School Principal Janet Ward is requesting that juniors be dismissed at the end of the PSAE testing days in April.  The testing is mentally exhausting and it is hard for the students to continue to be productive if they attend their afternoon classes.  Day one will be dismissed at 1:00 P.M. and day two at 12:00 noon.  She is requesting approval from the Board of Education at the next meeting, so parent permission can be obtained before the testing begins.  This request is allowed by the State Board of Education

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Schlueter; to approve the items on the Consent Agenda consisting of: district bills as of February 27, 2007; Financial report as of January 31, 2007; Treasurer’s report as of January 31, 2007; Financial comparisons FY05, FY06, FY07; closed session disposal of tapes for July 19, 2005, August 9, 2005, and August 23, 2005; personnel recommendations, and the addendum to the personnel recommendations.  Ayes: Schlueter, Houldson, Tegeler, Boyles, Forth.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

ACTION ITEMS

Board of Education Meeting Dates

The Board of Education meeting dates calendar for the 2007-2008 school year was presented at the last meeting.

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Houldson; to adopt the 2007-2008 Board of Education meeting calendar.  Ayes: five;  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Bradley & Bradley Rate Increase

District architectural firm Bradley & Bradley send a letter outlining their new hourly rates which will be effective May 21, 2007.

RECORD OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

March 6, 2007

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Houldson; to approve the new rates proposed by Bradley & Bradley.  Ayes: Tegeler, Schlueter, Houldson, Boyles, Forth.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

 

Bi-County Special Education Classroom/Office Rental

In August 2004, Bi County Special Education rented office space at Southside.  In Fall, 2006, Bi-County began also renting two classrooms – one at Southside and one at Northside.  They are requesting to continue this agreement for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Schlueter; to rent an office and two classroom spaces to Bi-County Special Education Cooperative for the 2007-2008 school year.  Ayes: Boyles, Schlueter, Tegeler, Houldson, Forth.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy Committee

Dave Boyles reported there is nothing new at this time.

 

Strategic Planning

No report

 

Personnel/Negotiations

No report.

 

Finance Committee

Joy Tegeler reported a spring meeting will be scheduled.

 

Facilities Committee

Kent Forth reported bid proposals are in the works.

 

Citizens’ Advisory Committee

Greg Houldson reported the committee met last Monday.  He could not attend as he was out of town.  Dr. Ware reported that the parents gave good input with their opinions on homework at the meeting.

 

Extra-Curricular Committee

No report

 

Insurance Committee

No report.

 

Local Wellness Committee

Greg Houldson reported that five committee members attended a state wellness workshop last Thursday in Freeport.

On Friday, they met with Dr. Ware with plans to apply for two wellness grants: one from the State for $2,500, and one from the Midwest Dairy Council for $5,000.

 

Energy/Utility Committee

No report.

 

 

CLOSED SESSION  7:52 P.M.

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Tegeler; to enter into a closed session to review closed session minutes from February 20, 2007, and to conduct the bi-annual review of the closed session minutes. Ayes: Schlueter, Houldson, Boyles, Tegeler, Forth.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

RECORD OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

March 6, 2007

 

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION 8:38 P.M.

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Houldson; to return to open session.  Ayes: five; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Houldson; to approve the first closed session minutes of February 20, 2007.  Ayes: five. 

Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Motion: Houldson; Second: Schlueter; to approve the second closed session minutes of February 20, 2007.  Ayes: five.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Houldson; to approve the third closed session minutes of February 20, 2007.  Ayes: five.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Motion: Houldson; Second: Schlueter; to approve the fourth closed session minutes of February 20, 2007.  Ayes: five.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Houldson; to approve the biannual review of the closed session minutes.  Ayes: five.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Acting President Kent Forth adjourned the meeting by consent at 8:42 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

(President) ______________________________________________

 

 

 

(Secretary) ______________________________________________ Date Approved __________________________