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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

June 19, 2007

 

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 Community Unit District Superintendent’s Office in said district on June 19, 2007.

 

On roll call, the following were present: Jim Prombo, Jim Ridley, Kevin Schlueter, Ted Tilton and Sally Gray.  Board members Greg Houldson and Steve Swanstrom were absent.  Also present were Superintendent Jody Ware,  Elementary Principal Steve Wroble, Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue, High School Principal Janet Ward, Recording Secretary Wendy Krajnovich, and one media representative.

 

President Sally Gray called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the last regular Board meeting held on May 22, 2007.  One correction was noted by Board member Jim Ridley.

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Ridley; to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of May 22, 2007 with the one correction.  Ayes: five; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE AMENDED BUDGET 06-07

Board President Sally Gray declared the hearing open at 6:36 P.M.

 

There were no Board member comments.

 

There were no public comments.

 

President Gray declared the hearing closed at 6:37 P.M.

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Jody Ware discussed the K-8 Illinois State Achievement Test (ISAT) results.  A breakfast was held for the staff on Wednesday, May 30th, and this year’s retirees were honored.  She reported that thank you notes had been received from Diki Bull for allowing Daycare to use Northside for summer and after school programs, and also from retirees Kris Bielema and Pat McLeod.  She also reported on a conversation she had with Don Stralow, and thanked him for all he does for Morrison Schools, especially at the Junior High.  Dr. Ware noted that it has been reported that a Caucasian female driving a white SUV with a Tennessee license plate has been contacting people in town selling student handbooks.  Our district handbooks are given to all students at no cost at the beginning of each school year.  She also reported that Merle Reisenbigler of R. C. Smith Transportation deducted $400.00 from the transportation bill for the girls’ softball tournament. 

 

Building Administration

Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue reported that their end of the year celebration went well.  Scheduling for next year is 95% complete.  The Junior High building is being used a lot this summer for wrestling, basketball and volleyball camps.  New white boards are being installed in most of the classrooms.  The sixth grade team met to work on planning a field day of teaming activities to be held at Rockwood Park for character education.

 

High School Principal Janet Ward reported that the softball trophy won at the girls’ state tournament is the first in Morrison history.  Abby Vock was named to the State All-Tournament Team, and also player of the year for the Sterling Gazette and Moline Dispatch. Softball coach Tammy Deter was named coach of the year by the Sterling Gazette.  Schedules are completed and are being mailed to students.  A list of closed classes is included to aid  those who want to make schedule changes.  She also reported that the high school raised $5,000.00 towards Erin Stansifer’s medical costs. 

 

Elementary Principal Steve Wroble reported the end of the year festivities at both elementary schools went very well.  The events were planned by Pam Bush at Northside and Lorna Temple at Southside.  Reports cards went off without a

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

June 19, 2007

 

 

hitch this time.  The computer rollover to the next year has been done, students have been moved up to their new grade, schedules are done, and all is ready for the next year.  The painting at Southside is coming along nicely.  The library and cafeteria are yet to be done, but they will be ready in plenty of time for the start of school.  The flooring will be started soon. 

 

Public Comments

There were no comments from the public.

 

Board of Education Comments

Ted Tilton commented on the terrific job teachers have done to get such great testing results.  Jim Ridley noted that there is no dropoff in scores from Southside to Junior High.  A dropoff is common for many school districts.  Sally Gray passed out school board member handbooks from the district’s law firm, Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn.  She noted that the Board needs to follow the proper procedure according to Robert’s Rules for motions.  Following the Superintendent’s recommendation, a motion is made, then a second, followed by discussion before the vote is taken.

  

 

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

Financial Report as of May 31, 2007

The Financial Report was reviewed.

 

Treasurer’s Report as of May 31, 2007

The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.

 

Financial Comparisons: FY05, FY06, FY07

The Financial Comparisons Report was reviewed.

 

Morrison-River Bend Consolidation Feasibility Study

On June 13th, Dr. F. Larry Copes from the Consulting & Resource Group met with a group of individuals from Morrison and River Bend school districts to present the consolidation feasibility study.  The next step is to set up a date in the fall when both Boards can meet and have the consultant present the findings to them and the community. This will be a public meeting and the report will be the only item on the agenda. Mr.Prombo stated that districts should not look at consolidation for financial reasons, but to focus on improving instruction.

 

IASB Joint Conference

The Illinois Association of School Boards Joint Conference is scheduled for November 16-18, 2007 in Chicago.  This conference is a valuable learning experience for school board members with many workshops, general session speakers, panel sessions, small group discussions, exhibits, and more.  Some Board members and Dr. Ware will be attending for part or all of the conference.  Board recording secretary Wendy Krajnovich will be attending training for board secretaries.

 

District Fleet Mileage

Board members were provided a table showing the listing of district vehicles and their current mileage.  The fleet is currently in excellent condition.  A used van was purchased last month to replace the current lunch food delivery van, which is scheduled to be released from district inventory at the next Board of Education meeting.

 

Recognition of Service: Mr. Steve Wroble

The Board took the opportunity to recognize Mr. Wroble’s career and years of service to the Morrison School District, and wished him well during his retirement years.

 

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

June 19, 2007

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion: Tilton; Second: Ridley; to approve the items on the consent agenda consisting of: District bills as of June 19, 2007; Financial Report as of May 31, 2007; Treasurer’s Report as of May 31, 2007; Financial Comparisons: FY05, FY06,FY07; and Personnel recommendations.  Ayes: Ridley, Schlueter, Tilton, Prombo, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Prevailing Wage 2007-2008

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Prombo; to adopt the resolution ascertaining the prevailing rate of wages for workers employed on public works in Morrison Community Unit District #6.  Ayes: Schlueter, Tilton, Prombo, Ridley, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Adopt Amended 2006-2007 Budget

Motion: Ridley; Second: Tilton; to adopt the amended FY07 budget.  Ayes: Tilton, Prombo, Ridley, Schlueter, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

High School Handbook – Enlightener

Motion: Tilton; Second: Schlueter; to approve the 2007-2008 High School Handbook, Enlightener, with changes as recommended by the district’s attorney.  Ayes: five.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Property Insurance

Motion: Prombo; Second: Schlueter; to accept the 2007-2008 property insurance coverage from Selective Insurance at the rate of $47,072.00.  Ayes: Prombo, Ridley, Schlueter, Tilton, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Textbook Adoption: Algebra I and II

Motion: Prombo; Second: Tilton; to adopt Algebra I & II textbooks from Glencoe McGraw-Hill at a total cost of $14,744.50.  Ayes: Prombo, Ridley, Schlueter, Tilton, Gray.  Nays: None.  Motion carried.

 

NIA Board Elections

The Northwestern Illinois Association is a Regional Special Education Cooperative serving special needs children aged 0 to 21in ten counties in northwestern Illinois.  Subregion III for the NIA is made up of all Whiteside County Schools. 

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Ridley; to approve votes for Dr. Brigitte Wilken and Sarah Willey for seats on the Executive Board of the Northwestern Illinois Association to represent Subregion III.  Ayes: five; Nays; none.  Motion carried.

 

2006-2007 Risk Management Plan

A comprehensive risk management plan attempts to reduce or prevent a district’s exposure to liability.  Last year, Dr. Ware proposed a detailed risk management plan to be prepared by one of our district’s attorneys.  Expenditures directly related to loss prevention and cost reduction are allowed by a risk management plan.  These expenditures from the tort immunity fund must be separately identified in the annual financial report, and therefore the plan needs to be approved prior to the auditor’s visit.

 

Motion: Tilton; Second: Schlueter; to approve the 2006-2007 Risk Management Plan as prepared by our district attorney.  Ayes: Promo, Ridley, Schlueter, Tilton, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

FY08 Milk and Bread Bid

Morrison Community Unit District #6 bids milk and bread products for its food service program with the Three Rivers Cooperative (Erie, PLT, RiverBend, Riverdale and West Carroll)  to get more competitive pricing.

 

Motion: Ridley; Second: Schlueter; to accept the bread bid from Sara Lee Bakery and the milk bid from Enyeart Distributing.  Ayes: Ridley, Schlueter, Tilton, Prombo, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

June 19, 2007

 

Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Trust

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Ridley; to continue to participate in the Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Trust IASB Sponsored Board Legal Liability Program for the 2007-2008 school year at the rate of $50,588.10.  Ayes: Schlueter, Tilton, Prombo, Ridley, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Additional Contract Days – Director of Technology

Motion: Prombo; Second: Schlueter; to approve a minimum of five additional days and not to exceed ten additional days for our district Director of Technology at the daily rate of $235.23.  Ayes: Ridley, Schlueter, Tilton, Prombo, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Increase in Milk Price

Milk costs are projected to continue to increase, and as a result of the recent milk bid, it was recommended that we increase our charges for individual purchases of half-pints of milk.

 

Motion: Prombo; Second: Tilton; to increase the price of an individual purchase of a half-pint of milk from $.25 (twenty-five cents) to $.30 (thirty cents).  Ayes: Schlueter, Tilton, Prombo, Ridley, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

There were no committee reports.

 

Ted Tilton, who is a member of the Facilities Committee, reported that he had toured Junior High, Southside, and Northside.  He commended the previous boards for their foresight resulting in the excellent condition of these three buildings. He said now they need to concentrate on the high school to raise it to the quality of the other buildings.  Two projects he mentioned were new boilers and improvements to the front walk.  Dr. Ware showed the Board the plan already in place for the front sidewalk and said work should begin around July 1st.

 

 

CLOSED SESSION 8:20 P.M.

Motion: Prombo; Second: Schlueter; to enter into closed session to discuss the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.

 

RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION  8:41 P.M.

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Ridley; to conclude the closed session and return to open session.  Ayes: five:  Nays: none. Motion carried.

 

Board President Sally Gray adjourned the meeting by consent at 8:42 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

(President) ______________________________________________

 

 

 

(Secretary) ______________________________________________ Date Approved __________________________