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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

June 17, 2008

 

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

June 17, 2008.

 

On roll call, the following were present: Doug Pannier, Jim Prombo, Kevin Schlueter, Ted Tilton and Sally Gray.  Board members Jim Ridley and Steve Swanstrom were absent.  Also present were Superintendent Jody Ware, High School Principal Janet Ward, Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue, Elementary Principal Amy Heusinkveld, Elementary Programs and Services Coordinator Anji Garza, Volunteer Coordinator Brenda White, Dr. Suellen Girard, Harvey Zuidema, Dave Zuidema, Recording Secretary Wendy Krajnovich, and two media representatives.

 

President Sally Gray called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the last regular Board meeting held on May 27, 2008.  Hearing none, she asked for a motion to approve the previous minutes. 

 

Motion: Tilton; Second: Prombo; to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of May 27, 2008.  Ayes: five; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

President Sally Gray called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the last closed session held on May 27, 2008.  Hearing none, she asked for a motion to approve the previous closed session minutes. 

 

Motion: Pannier; Second: Schlueter; to approve the minutes for the closed session held on May 27, 2008.  Ayes: five; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE AMENDED BUDGET 07-08

Board President Sally Gray declared the hearing open at 6:32 P.M.

 

There were no Board member comments.

 

There were no comments from the public.

 

Board President Sally Gray closed the hearing at 6:34 P.M.

 

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Jody Ware reported that she had spent most of the day with Dr. Girard, she was expecting a good transition, and that she would be leaving the district after tonight’s meeting.  She also reported that she and Dr. Girard had spoken with bond investment consultant, Jamie Rachlin previously that day.  He wanted to inform them that interest rates have risen by ¼%.  She also hoped the Board would pass a resolution giving their approval for a referendum for the 1% sales tax. This program has been very successful in Iowa.  Using sales figures from last year, Morrison schools could get an additional $500,000 per year.  Receiving this money could limit the authorization of bonds needed to fund Health/Life Safety projects.  Dr. Girard will attend a meeting on Wednesday regarding this proposed tax.  President Sally Gray presented Dr. Ware with a farewell gift from the Board, and Dr. Ware made parting remarks.

 

Building Administration

Elementary Principal Amy Heusinkveld reported the elementary teachers had given their fourth quarter assessments, reported the results, and were now editing their assessments for improvement.  Grade level teams are working to ensure implementation of the training they received over the past year from Gretchen Courtney & Associates.  Parents of students accepted to the Morrison Early Learning Program have received confirmation letters.  Parents of new Kindergarten students have been sent registration information and new vision exam forms.  Cleaning and organizing of storage areas at Northside is underway.  Class list information will be shared with parents the week before school starts.  Teachers have prepared and submitted their purchase orders for next year.

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

June 17, 2008

 

Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue stated he would be joining regional spelling bee winner Marissa Carlson in Springfield at a press conference called by the Lt. Governor.  ISAT preliminary results are in and the scores look very good.  Teachers are already dissecting the results.  Student schedules for next year are being finalized.  Candidates for the new band/chorus position at Junior High will be interviewed next Monday.  The health and wellness grant was finalized today.  Eighth grade graduation was a very positive event and numerous parents helped with the festivities.

 

Morrison High School Principal Janet Ward reported student schedules for next year have been completed and will be mailed to students very soon.  Some homerooms will be designated as “tutor homerooms”, with peer, teacher, or community volunteer tutors available to help students.  Post graduate survey results are in.  Eighty six graduates were surveyed: 37 plan to attend a four year college, 32 plan to attend a two year college or technical school, and 17 plan to enter the workforce, or are undecided.  Two are entering the military.  Summer sports camps are either completed or underway.  The three week long Novell program made possible by a grant from the Regional Office of Education, will be ending this week.  Students enrolled were able to make up credit for failed classes over the past school year.

 

Public Forum

There were no public comments.

 

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

Financial Report as of May 31, 2008

The Financial Report was reviewed.

 

Treasurer’s Report as of May 31, 2008

The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.

 

Financial Comparisons: FY06, FY07, FY08

The Financial Comparisons Report was reviewed.

 

Volunteer Program – Brenda White

Volunteer Coordinator Brenda White was present to give the Board a final tabulation of the volunteer hours for the 07-08 school year. She reported a total of 3,468.15 hours. It was noted that it is difficult to track hours in some areas such as volunteers with junior high school athletic events.  Dr. Ware also noted that community members who volunteer their time to serve on district committees should have their hours included also.   This is a project that takes many hours, and Mrs. White was applauded for her work.

 

National School Survey for Evaluation - Parent Opinion Survey – 2008

Parents are randomly selected every other year to complete a parent opinion survey.  Survey questions are answered on scantron sheets which are sent away to be tabulated.  There is also space for written comments, and those were included in the Board of Education information packet.  The tabulated report of the survey questions should be received in July.  The comments and survey questions report will be used by the school improvement teams.

 

NS/SS Coordinator of Elementary Programs and Services

The Elementary Programs and Services Coordinator, Anji Garza, was present to make a year end report to the Board.   She reviewed: the Key Club Tutoring Program, the Big Brothers & Big Sister Program, the district website, the school newsletter, student recognition programs, press releases, assemblies, birth to five and preschool screenings, and a breakdown of disciplinary issues.  She also noted goals for next year.

 

IASB Joint Conference

The Illinois Association of School Boards Joint Conference is scheduled for November 21-23, 2008 in Chicago.  Dr. Ware asked the Board members to decide as soon as possible whether or not they planned on attending, so registration and housing applications could be mailed in a timely manner. 

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

June 17, 2008

 

Construction Project Update

Facilities Director Dean Wallace provided a written report on the progress of the summer pool project.  Construction on the pool project has been halted until the Illinois Department of Public Health releases the construction permit.  A delay of four to fourteen days is anticipated.  Dr. Ware also informed the Board that some misinformation was presented at the last Board meeting regarding the financial support of the Booster group for the scoreboard, since most of their resources will go toward construction of the new concession stand.  It is more likely that the Boosters can provide a $500 Friends of Morrison message each year.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Tilton; to approve the items on the consent agenda consisting of: District bills as of June 12, 2008; Financial Report as of May 31, 2008; Treasurer’s Report as of May 31, 2008; Financial Comparisons FY06, FY078, FY08, personnel recommendations, and the addendum to personnel recommendations.  Ayes: Schlueter, Tilton, Pannier, Prombo, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

ACTION ITEMS

Resolution to Approve Designated Depositories and Authorized Signatures

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Prombo; to adopt the resolution designating the District depositories, accounts and authorized signatures as presented.  Ayes: five; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Prevailing Wage – 2008

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

 

Adopt Amended Budget 2007-2008

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Tilton; to adopt the FY08 budget with the changes made since the budget has been on display.  Ayes: Tilton, Pannier, Prombo, Schlueter, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Northside/Southside Student Handbook

Motion: Pannier; Second: Prombo; to adopt the 2008-2009 Northside/Southside student handbook.  Ayes: five; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

High School Elective Courses

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Pannier; to approve the new high school elective courses for 08-09: Music Appreciation; Drumming I, Drumming II, Guitar I, Guitar II, and History of Rock and Roll.  Ayes: five; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

NIA Board Elections

Motion: Pannier; Second: Prombo; to vote for Drew Hoffman and Mike Noble to represent our district on the Northwestern Illinois Association (NIA) Executive Board.  Ayes: five; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Trust

Motion: Tilton; Second: Prombo; to continue to participate in the Worker’s Compensation Self-Insurance Trust IASB Sponsored Board Legal Liability Program for the 2008-2009 school year at the rate of $49,077.  Ayes: Schlueter, Tilton, Pannier, Prombo, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Additional Contract Days – Director of Technology

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Prombo; 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: Tilton, Pannier, Prombo, Schlueter, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy Committee

A packet of new policy change recommendations was received in the mail today.

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

June 17, 2008

 

Strategic Planning

No report.

 

Personnel/Negotiations

No report.

 

Finance Committee

No report.

 

Facilities Committee

No report.

 

Citizens’ Advisory Committee

No report.

 

Extra-curricular Committee

Dr. Ware stated this committee has outlived its usefulness, and she recommended that it disband.

 

Insurance Committee

No report.

 

Local Wellness Committee

No report.

 

Energy/ Utility Committee

It was recommended that this committee also be eliminated, since the district can no longer receive the services of Energy Consultant, Patti Ogden.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Board President Sally Gray adjourned the meeting by consent at 7:49 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

(President) ___________________________________________

 

 

 

(Secretary) ___________________________________________   Date Approved _________________________