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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

September 12, 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 Unit Media Center in said district on September 12, 2006.

 

On roll call, the following were present: Kevin Schlueter, Dave Boyles, Kent Forth, Steve Swanstrom, Greg Houldson, and Sally Gray.  Board member Joy Tegeler arrived at 6:32 P.M.  Also present were Superintendent Jody Ware,  Recording Secretary Wendy Krajnovich, Dave Zuidema, Harvey Zuidema, Jim Prombo, and one media representative.

 

President Sally Gray called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the last regular Board meeting held on August 22, 2006.  Hearing none, she called for a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. 

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Schlueter; to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of August 22, 2006.  Ayes: seven; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Jody Ware talked about the budget for 2006-2007, and monies that have been received, including Title IID money for enhancing technology of $1,496.00.  Northern Illinois Utility Company informed Dr. Ware of excess taxes charged on phone bills over the past three years.  We should be receiving a refund of over $2,700.00.  They also reported that our natural gas storage is currently at 85%.  Qwizdom representative Lee Baird will be in the district tomorrow for the first early release of the year.  He will be helping teachers with Qwizdom issues.

 

Building Administration

No building administrators were present.

 

Public Comments

There were no comments from the public.

 

Board Comments

Joy Tegeler said that in the absence of Mr. Wroble, she was making the announcement that Northside was having a Scholastic Book Fair on September 25th and 28th.  Volunteers are asking that visitors to the Book Fair donate $1 to help purchase more books for the school.

 

PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE AMENDED BUDGET 06-07

Dr. Jody Ware reviewed the changes to the 06-07 budget since it was put on public display. 

 

Board President Sally Gray declared the hearing open at 6:42 P.M.

 

There were no Board member comments.

 

There were no comments from the Public.

 

Board President Sally Gray declared the hearing closed at 6:43 P.M.

 

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

Constitution Day Resolution

Dr. Ware reminded the Board of the resolution they passed in September of 2005 regarding Constitution Day.  Educational institutions receiving Federal funding are required to hold an education program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17th of each year.

 

Volunteer Coordinator

Dr. Ware announced that Brenda White has stepped forward to take on the task of being the Volunteer Coordinator for Morrison Schools this year. 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

September 12, 2006

 

Special Education Funding Survey

State Representative Sandy Piohos of Glen Ellyn asked our district to participate in a special education funding survey.  It was noted that the level of funding of special education in our district is 25-30% of our cost.  The remaining funding for the program comes from the general fund.  There is no option other than to provide the needed services as this is federally mandated under IDEA.

 

Sixth Day Enrollment

Dr. Ware updated the Board on Sixth Day enrollment figures.

 

STI Home Plus

Additional software was purchased this spring to allow teachers to have an electronic grade book, grade appropriate report cards, the Kindergarten “Can Do” checklist, the capability for teachers to access their grade books from home, and access for parents/guardians of students to access their child’s grades 24/7.  Teachers were provided training during the summer months.  The STI Home Plus will be available to Junior High and High School parents this year.  The program will be implemented for elementary parents next year.

 

Transportation Needs

Dr. Ware updated the Board on the increased transportation and bus monitor needs this year.  Because of space issues, it was necessary to begin using a second bus to take high school students to WACC and Dual Enrollment.   A Bus Monitor was hired to ride on the PreK-2 school bus for student control at a cost of $11.37 per hour.  A monitor was hired for the mid-day bus that takes preschoolers home and brings in afternoon preschoolers at the cost of $12.70 per hour.  Some Bi-county preschoolers with disabilities are being transported by district van instead of a bus.  Due to the large number of students out for football and football cheerleading, four buses are being used this year instead of the usual three.  

 

Extra-Curricular Fall Participation

Dr. Ware shared the extra-curricular participation numbers for high school and junior high fall sports.

 

Health/Life Safety Update

The gutter and soffit work is nearly completed on the Morrison Junior High roof.  Another area on the roof was discovered that needs additional repair.  The handicapped accessible bathroom at the High School has been completed.  Work has finally begun on the High School elevator replacement.  The project is scheduled to be completed by November 1st. 

 

Wellness Information

The District’s Wellness plan is being implemented.  One of the goals of the plan was to create a baseline measure on Body Mass Index.  Information from school physicals was used to determine whether students are underweight,  healthy weight, at risk of becoming overweight, or overweight in Kindergarten, fifth and ninth grade. 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Forth; to approve the items on the consent agenda consisting of Personnel Recommendations and disposal of the closed session tape for February 8, 2005.  Ayes: Forth, Schlueter, Houldson, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Boyles, and Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

ACTION ITEMS

Adoption of FY07 Budget

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Schlueter; to adopt the amended FY07 Budget.  Ayes: Houldson, Boyles, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Schlueter, Forth, Gray.  Nays: none.   Motion carried.

 

Applications for Recognition of Schools

Motion: Tegeler; Second: Houldson; to approve the Applications for Recognition of Schools for Northside Elementary, Southside Elementary, Morrison Junior High and Morrison High School.  Ayes: Seven.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

September 12, 2006

 

Homebound Education Hourly Rate

Typically the rate of pay for tutors of home-bound students is commensurate with the MEA Bargaining Contract for after school hour committee work of $18.  The rate had not been adjusted.

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Swanstrom; To increase the homebound tutor hourly rate to $18.  Ayes: Boyles, Swanstrom, Schlueter, Tegeler, Houldson, Forth, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Release of Equipment from Inventory

Motion: Houldson; Second: Boyles; To release broken and obsolete equipment items from inventory per the list provided to the Board of Education.  Ayes: Seven.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Approval of Change Order on Junior High Roofing Project

Deteriorated decking was found on the Junior High School roof when the existing roofing was removed.  Approval of a change order is needed to install an overlay of metal sheeting over the deterioriated decking. 

 

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Tegeler; To approve the change order on the Morrison Junior High Roofing Project.  Ayes: Tegeler, Schlueter, Houldson, Boyles, Forth, Swanstrom, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy Committee

Dave Boyles reported there is a meeting tomorrow.  The first reading of updated policies will be at the next meeting of the Board of Education.

 

Strategic Planning

Dr. Ware reported that they are following the Plan.

 

Personnel/Negotiations

Dr. Ware reported she met with a group of teachers regarding the implementation of the new STI software.  The group will continue to meet.

 

Finance Committee

Joy Tegeler reported this committee will meet on September 26th at 5:00 P.M.

 

Facilities Committee

Kent Forth said there is nothing to report.

 

Citizen’s Advisory Committee

Board Member Greg Houldson expressed an interest in being the Board’s representative on this committee.  Dr. Ware said the committee meets six times a year in her office during the school year only. 

 

Extra-Curricular Committee

Dave Boyles reported there is nothing new.

 

Insurance Committee

Dr. Ware reported a check has been received from the insurance company as partial payment for damages from the lightning strike this past summer.

 

Local Wellness Committee

Dr. Ware will be setting up a meeting with this committee in the near future.  Topics for discussion are the Body Mass Index findings and the changes in the schools.

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

September 12, 2006

 

Energy/Utility Committee

Steve Swanstrom reported that natural gas prices are plummeting.  Storage is being kept full.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Board President Sally Gray adjourned the meeting by consent at 7:34 P.M.

 

 

(President) __________________________________________________

 

 

 

(Secretary) __________________________________________________   Date Approved _____________________

 

 

Approved 9/26/06 with one correction.  In Board Comments, the word “Volunteers” replaces “Teachers”.