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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

April 25, 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 5:00 P.M. at the Morrison High School Media Center in said district on April 25, 2006.

 

On roll call, the following were present: Dave Boyles, Joy Tegeler, Kent Forth, Steve Swanstrom, and Sally Gray.  Also present were Superintendent Jody Ware , Recording Secretary Wendy Krajnovich and Harvey Zuidema,   Board member Kevin Schlueter was absent.

 

President Sally Gray called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the last regular Board meeting held on March 21, 2006, and the special Board meeting held on April 4, 2006.  Hearing none, she called for a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meetings.

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Tegeler; To approve the minutes for the regular meeting of March 14, 2006and the special meeting of April 4, 2006.  Ayes – 5; Nays – none; motion carried.

 

CLOSED SESSION  5:05 P.M.

Motion to enter into closed session for the purpose of interviewing candidates to fill the open Board position created by the resignation of Ellen Smith.

 

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Boyles; Ayes: Forth, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Boyles, Gray; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION 6:30 P.M.

At this time those present also included High School Principal Janet Ward, Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue, Elementary Principal Steve Wroble, Dana Nelson, Kevin Schisler, Brian Frickenstein, Heather Coyle, Karen Huber and one media representative. 

 

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Jody Ware reported on the student art show at the Odell Library over the last weekend prepared by Morrison art instructors Jane Ardapple, Ned Nesti Jr., and Stuart Roddy.  She noted that this is Administrative Professionals’ Week and expressed appreciation for the great job done by the clerical support staff.  The teaching staff will be studying the district Plan on a Page at this Friday’s half day inservice.  She introduced Dana Nelson, Kevin Schisler and Brian Frickenstein from the Athletic Boosters who presented the district with a check for $5,000.00.

 

Building Administration

High School Principal Janet Ward showed a book given to Morrison High School by foreign exchange student Jorge Hernandez from his hometown of A Coruna in Spain.  May 2nd is Senior Honors Night.  The Kiwanis 3.0 dinner is tomorrow night.  PSAE testing for juniors will be done over the next two days.  A big track meet will be held here in Morrison on May 8th.  The musical, Once Upon a Mattress, will be performed next weekend.  Prom is Friday, April 28th.

 

Elementary Principal Steve Wroble reported Southside students are roller skating in PE. Mercy Hospital representatives presented a safety booklet to 3rd and 4th graders.  Southside also is having a book fair and grandparent days over the next three days.  Northside teachers Fran Smith and Karen Mayberry have been hatching duck and chick eggs, and they will be trying to hatch quail eggs next.

 

Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue reported a recent PTO fundraiser netted $1,700.00.  With additional funds, the PTO gave out grants totaling $3,000 to teachers on Monday night.  Eighth graders will be having a picnic after graduation practice.  Jason McDearmon will be the speaker at graduation.  Middle school track is underway.

 

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

April 25, 2006

 

Board Comments

There were no comments from the Board members.

 

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

Financial Report as of March 31, 2006

The Financial Report was reviewed.

 

Treasurer’s Report as of March 31, 2006

The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.

 

Financial Comparisons: FY04, FY05, FY06

The Financial Comparisons report was reviewed.

 

Wellness Policy – First Reading

Dr. Ware went through the new Wellness Policy in detail.  Twenty-two community and staff members served on the committee to draft the new policy, which addresses the goals of improving the school nutrition environment, promoting student health, and reducing childhood obesity.  It was noted, if the policy is not followed, the Federal Government can deny funding for our food lunch program, which totals approximately $170,000.00.

 

Nature of Learning Grant

With the help of retired teacher Glen Peterson, a grant application for $5,000 has been submitted to the National Wildlife and Fish Refuge to plant a prairie plot on the “old baseball field” at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds.  This would create an outdoor learning lab for students. 

 

Early Childhood/Reading Improvement Block Grant

We have received notice that we will be receiving renewal of our preschool program grant.  We have also been informed that we will be receiving approximately $36,700.00 for reading improvement.  The grant has been submitted and we should receive confirmation shortly.

 

ACTION ITEM

Board Member Appointment

To get the newly appointed Board member, Greg Houldson, sworn in and seated as soon as possible, action was taken on this item before approval of the consent agenda.  Mr. Houldson took the oath of office administered by Board President Sally Gray.  He fills the unexpired term of former Board of Education member Ellen Smith.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion to approve Routine Items

Motion to approve the items on the consent agenda consisting of  District Bills as of April 25, 2006; Financial Report as of March 31,2006; Treasurer’s Report as of March 31, 2006; Financial Comparisons FY04; FY05; FY06; School Activity Fund Quarterly Reports; Personnel Recommendations; and disposal of the closed session tape from September 28, 2004.

 

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Swanstrom; Ayes – Swanstrom, Tegeler, Boyles, Forth, Gray; Abstain – Houldson; Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

ACTION ITEMS

Electricity Bundle Agreement

Utility consultant Patti Ogden solicited proposals for a Fixed Price Electricity Supply agreement for Southside, Morrison Junior High School and Morrison High School.

 

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

April 25, 2006

 

Motion to accept the Electricity Supply Agreement from Constellation New Energy.

 

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Forth; Ayes – Boyles, Forth, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Gray; Abstain – Houldson, Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

Reduction in Force – Educational Support Personnel

Until more information is gathered on class size and funding, the Board of Education needs to act on reduction of force for Educational Support Personnel. By law Education Support Personnel must be given 30 days notice prior to the end of the school year regarding reduction in force.

 

Motion to adopt the resolution that the following named educational support personnel employees shall be honorably dismissed and not reemployed for the 2006-2007 school term because of the decision of the Board to discontinue some particular type of educational support service: Darrell House, Carol House, Dorothy Rosenow, Luann Wieneke, Jan Snyder, and Tori Eads, and;

 

to adopt the resolution that the following named educational support personnel employees shall be honorably dismissed and not reemployed for the 2006-2007 school term because of the decision of the Board to decrease the number of educational support personnel employees employed: Karen Stralow, Sheila Sonberg, Kristine Rogers, Tori Eads, Kristy Rice, Susan Mapes, Marlene Knox, and Stephanie Kosier.

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Tegeler; Ayes – Forth, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Boyles, Gray; Abstain – Houldson; Nays – none.

Motion carried.

 

Catastrophic Insurance Renewal

Motion to continue to provide catastrophic insurance coverage for Junior High and High School athletes at a cost of $3.05 per athlete for a total of $1,220.00.

 

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Forth; Ayes – Boyles, Forth, Houldson, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Gray; Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

District Vehicle Replacement/Repair

The district’s 1997 Chevrolet Lumina was in an accident on Friday, March 31, 2006, with three deer.  A claim was filed with the district’s insurance company and a check has been received to cover the cost of repairs, minus the $500 deductible.  It was clarified by Dr. Ware that funds for purchase of a new vehicle would come from the education fund, not the transportation fund.  After discussion, it was decided to study the purchase of a new vehicle rather than repair this one, so no Board action was taken at this time.

 

Welding Equipment Bids

A month ago the Board of Education approved the sale of used welding equipment and other items by sealed bid.  Bids were due by Wednesday, April 19, 2006, at 2:00 P.M.  Bids were received on all items except the lot of various gauges and parts, the ten welding helmets, and the lawn roller.

 

Motion to approve accepting the highest bid for each of the welding equipment items and the snow blower.

 

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Swanstrom; Ayes - Houldson, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Boyles, Forth, Gray; Nays – none.  Motion carried.

 

Weight Room Renovation

Motion to release $15,000.00 from the recreation center money market fund to use for renovations to the weight room at Morrison High School.

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Tegeler; Ayes – Swanstrom, Boyles, Tegeler, Forth, Gray; Abstain – Houldson; Nays – none.

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

April 25, 2006

 

General Construction Bids

Motion to approve the bid submitted by Larson & Larson: Proposal A – General Construction, Alternate Bid A-1 – Hydraulic Elevator from Otis, Alternate Bid A-2 – Remodel restroom 102 and storage room 101, and Alternate Bid A-3 – Provide and install door 101; for a total of $208,605.00

 

Motion: Forth; Second: Boyles; Ayes – Tegeler, Boyles, Forth, Gray; Abstain – Houldson; Nays – Swanstrom.  Motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy Committee

Board Policy books are currently being turned in for updating.  Drew Hoffman is a new member of the Policy Committee.

 

Strategic Planning

Dr. Ware reported that building staffs are currently attending Powerpoint presentations on the Plan on a Page. 

 

Personnel/Negotiations

Steve Swanstrom said there is no report.

 

Finance Committee

Joy Tegeler reported there is a meeting scheduled for May 2nd to discuss strategy for safety bonds.

 

Facilities Committee

Kent Forth said there is no report.

 

Citizens’ Advisory Committee

Dr. Ware reported she will be looking for new committee members as the terms of Kim Vandermyde and Sally Lindsey are expiring.  The committee met on Monday, April 24th. 

 

Extra-Curricular Committee

Dave Boyles reported the committee is gathering pledges.

 

Insurance Committee

No report

 

Local Wellness Committee

A report was given earlier in the meeting on the new Local Wellness Policy.

 

Energy Committee

Steve Swanstrom reported that our energy consultant, Patti Ogden, recommends we hold back for now as prices are at their highest.  We still have natural gas in storage that was not used over the past winter.

 

The meeting was adjourned by consent by Board President Sally Gray at 8:49 P.M.

 

 

 

(President)____________________________________      

 

 

 

(Secretary)____________________________________      Date Approved__________________________________