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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

October 25, 2005

 

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. in the Morrison High School Media Center in said district on October 25, 2005.

 

On roll call, the following were present:  Dave Boyles, Kent Forth, Kevin Schlueter, Ellen Smith, Steve Swanstrom, Joy Tegeler, and Sally Gray.  Also present were Superintendent Jody Ware, Harvey Zuidema, Diane Workman, Sue Scott, Brian Frickenstein, Kay Smith, Dana Nelson, Kevin Schisler, Russ Rumbold, Substitute Recording Board Secretary Katie Kuehl, and two media representatives.

 

President Sally Gray called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the last Board meeting.

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Swanstrom; To approve the minutes for the regular meeting of October 11, 2005.  Ayes - 7; Nays – none; motion carried.

 

Communications/Public Comments

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Ware reported that Saint Tammany Junior High in Slidell, Louisiana contacted her regarding the desks that our district is interested in donating.  That school is interested in the desks, however getting the desks to Louisiana could be difficult and expensive.  Dr. Ware asked the Board and the media to consider options for transporting these desks to Louisiana.  Anyone with suggestions should contact Dr. Ware.  The Board was read a letter from Moring Disposal regarding an 11% rate increase effective October 1, 2005.  The Morrison Athletic Boosters presented a check in the amount of $5,000 toward their 2005-2006 extra-curricular pledge.  The Board noted their appreciation to the Boosters and those in the community who support the Booster’s fund raising efforts.

 

Building Administration

Elementary Principal Steve Wroble reported that the P.T.O. recently sponsored an assembly for all elementary students.  Several elementary teachers have attended workshops this year for the ISAT testing.  He added that the staff raved about the October 5, 2005, institute presenter.  In conclusion, Mr. Wroble noted that Southside School is currently participating in the St. Jude Math-a-thon.

 

Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue reported that this year the junior high regular and special education teachers are working together and co-planning their lessons.  This seems to be working well and good feedback was received on this program.  The PRIME program is underway and 4-6 students currently participate in this program.  This week is Red Ribbon Week and will conclude with a dance on Friday.  Mr. Winslow met with the Junior High teachers and instructed them on setting up their own web page.  Several teachers attended and some web pages are up and running.  The Children’s Theatre Group will conduct a program on November 3, 2005, beginning at 8:10 A.M.  The program focuses on money management and the program will last approximately 45 minutes.  Mr. Hogue concluded by informing the Board that the Building Principals recently attended the IPA conference and collected valuable information on data driven decision-making.

 

High School Principal Janet Ward reported that on October 3rd and 4th, the Junior and Senior history classes visited the Vietnam memorial replica in Erie.  She received compliments on the behavior of the students.  The High School football playoffs begin on Saturday, October 29, 2005, at 2:00 p.m.  We will be playing home against Warren/River-Ridge.  The volleyball season ended last night with a loss to Riverdale.  Mrs. Ward shared a plaque, which was received from CGH Medical Center for Morrison High School’s participation in CGH’s annual high school blood drive challenge.  The quarterly no tardy incentive program rewards were given today with 133 students having perfect attendance, 347 students having no tardy slips, and 112 students with both perfect attendance and no tardy slips.

 

 

 

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

October 25, 2005

 

Public Forum

There were no public comments.

 

Board of Education Comments

There were no Board member comments.

 

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

The Financial Report as of September 30, 2005 was reviewed.

 

The Treasurer’s Report as of September 30, 2005 was reviewed.

 

Financial Comparisons: FY04, FY05, FY06 was reviewed.

 

The Quarterly Activity Statements as of September 30, 2005 were reviewed.

 

FY2005 District Audit Report

Russ Rumbold from Gorenz and Asociates presented the FY05 District Audit to the Board of Education.  Mr. Rumbold noted that the district’s finances were heading in the right direction.  All the cuts made in the past few years are now starting to show up as surplus balances.  Comparisons of the revenues and expenditures for the past three years were provided to the Board.  Steve Swanstrom questioned why the district uses the cash basis of accounting instead of accrual.  According to Russ, he has a few larger districts that use the accrual basis; however the majority of the districts still use the cash basis.  One report distributed by Mr. Rumbold does not include early taxes, which gives the same visual effect as an accrual basis.  According to Mr. Rumbold the district is in a good financial position.  His concern is where the new money will come from to cover operations.  The loss of EAV should be a major concern of the district, as the surplus in the operating funds will not last long if there is no new revenue coming in to the district.

 

Dr. Ware informed the Board that according to the District Auditor, the Administrative cost for FY06 exceeded the 5% limit set by the State of Illinois.  The increase for administrative cost for the FY06 is 8%.  The major reason for exceeding the 5% cap is the increase in the TRS amount.  Also contributing to the increase is the anticipated increase in health insurance.  A 15% increase was budgeted for health insurance; however, it is hopeful that the increase will be a lot less than 15%.  A hearing will need to be held on a night other than a regular scheduled meeting.  Dr. Ware set the hearing date as November 17,2005 at 5:00 P.M.

 

2005 State Report Cards

The State of Illinois Report Card is prepared for publication in the community.  The availability needs to be advertised to the public by October 31.  A few years ago, the law was changed stating that we did not need to make copies of the report card and mail to every family in the district.  The report card will be posted on our web site and a letter will be sent home from Governor Rod Blagojevich encouraging parents to go to the SIBE web site.  Dr. Ware has directed the principals to promote the report cards in their monthly newsletters noting that any family or Morrison resident without internet access may call the school offices and request a copy be mailed to them.  A copy of the district report card was included in the Board packet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

October 25, 2005

 

Illinois Textbook Program

The 2006 Illinois Textbook Loan program is beginning to move forward.  Notification was received on October 18, 2005, that the program will be available for districts to select and purchase textbooks for subject areas in grades 5-8.  Schools who choose to participate must order the textbooks between November 15, 2005, and February 15, 2006.

The Junior High science department will be studying textbooks and will make a recommendation to the Board of Education in December.  Dr. Ware noted that the textbook program never allocates enough to pay for all of the textbooks; however, funds are built in to the budget to cover the additional cost to purchase the books.  Board President Sally Gray questioned the age of the textbooks.  The response to her question was that the current science textbooks are approximately 8 years old.

 

Delegate Assembly-IASB    

The 2005 Delegate Assembly booklets were provided to the Board members in preparation for the 2005 Illinois Association of School Boards conference to be held in November.  The Morrison Board of Education needs to select one representative to attend the Delegate Assembly and cast votes on behalf of the Morrison Board of Education.  In previous years, the representative has been Dave Boyles.  Once again, Dave Boyles has agreed to serve as the Morrison Board of Education’s representative for the Delegate Assembly.

 

Strategic Planning

The big issue questions from October 11, 2005 strategic planning meeting were shared with the Board.  The Board was also able to review the evaluation from the October 11, 2005, strategic planning meeting.  Overall, the comments were favorable.

 

Local School Wellness Policy

A new federal mandate has been given to school districts across the nation.  On June 30, 2004, the President signed the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 into law.  The new law requires every school district to develop and implement a Local School Wellness Policy by the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year.  Dr. Ware and Director of Food Service, Sheila Richmond, attended a training session on the components of a Local School

WellnessPolicy.  The policy must focus on four areas: nutrition, school health, physical activity, and physical/safe environment for learning.  The mandate requires each district to organize a local committee of many different professionals that will participate in the development of a local school wellness policy.  The Board will be periodically updated on the new mandate and the organization of the committee.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion to Approve Routine Items

Motion: Smith; Second: Forth; To approve the consent agenda including: 1.) District Bills as of October 25, 2005; 2.) Financial Report as of September 30, 2005; 3.) Treasurer’s Report as of September 30, 2005; 4.) Closed Session Disposal of Tape for April 13, 2004 (two tapes) and April 20, 2004; 5.) Financial Comparisons FY04, FY05, FY06;  6.) Personnel Recommendations – Don Foster, Part-Time Electrician and David Duncan, Volunteer Freshman Basketball Coach;  7.) Quarterly Activity Fund Reports as of September 30, 2005.  On roll call voting Aye – Schlueter, Smith, Swanstrom, Tegeler, Boyles, Forth, and Gray; Nay – none; motion carried.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

October 25, 2005

 

ACTION ITEMS

Hazardous Transportation Routes

At the October 11, 2005 meeting, the Board was addressed with local concerns regarding the bus stop at the intersection of High Street and Glenwood Drive for Northside School bus riders.  The morning immediately following the Board meeting, Dr. Ware began preparing the hazardous route study by sitting at the intersection for a half hour prior to the bus arrival and another half hour following the bus departure to count the number of cars.  Dr. Ware also studied and reviewed other Department of Transportation approved hazardous routes. After meeting with Mr. Merle Reisenbigler, R.C. Smith Transportation owner, Dr. Ware learned that the previous process was for a building administrator or superintendent to contact the transportation company and request a bus stop.  Dr. Ware also learned that hazardous routes have not been filed since 1994 and students living within 1.5 mile radius of their school attendance center have been receiving busing without the district declaring the route hazardous or receiving the State of Illinois transportation reimbursement.  Three areas within a 1.5 mile radius that were not previously categorized as hazardous have been identified as a hazard for students.  Those areas include – Glenwood Drive; Ridgefield/Greenfield subdivision, and Dixie, Shelly, Vegter Road Subdivision.  The Board must approve these hazardous route studies so they can be submitted to the Department of Transportation for review.

 

Motion: Boyles; Second: Schlueter; To adopt the 2005-2006 hazardous transportation routes and file an application for three additional routes with the Department of Transportation.  Ayes – 7; Nays – none; motion carried.

 

Release of Education Equipment

Proceeds from the Working Cash bonds were used to purchase new woodworking equipment for Scott Rickel’s shop classes.  Recently, Mr. Don Foster has completed some electrical work for safe installation of this new equipment.  Dr. Ware asked the Board to consider releasing the old equipment and allow the district to advertise for sealed bids for each item.  The equipment to be released includes: (1) Delta 10” Variety Table Saw with interface; (1) Delta 6” Belt floor Sander with Stand; (1) Delta 4’ Wood Lathe; (1) American 6’ Wood Lathe; (1) Walker Turner 6” Wood Jointer with 3’ bed and floor stand; (1) Walker Turner 24” Scroll Saw; (1) Walker Turner 20” Drill Press.  In addition, funds from the food service budget were used to purchase new stainless steel preparation tables for the kitchen.  The Whiteside County Health Department required us to replace the existing food preparation tables with newer ones.  Dr. Ware asked the Board to consider including the three older preparation tables – (2) 30”x6’ Kitchen work preparation table with one drawer and (1) 30”x8’ Kitchen work preparation table with two drawers in the sealed bid advertisement.  As required by the School Code, in order for equipment to be sold or removed from district property, the Board of Education must take action and release.

 

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Forth; To release the wood working equipment and kitchen food preparation tables for sealed bid.  Ayes – 7; Nays – none; motion carried.

 

Educational Reimbursement

No action was taken for education reimbursement since this item is included in the collective bargaining agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

October 25, 2005

 

Transportation Aide

Dr. Ware recently learned that the in-town bus, which transports 62 Northside preschoolers through second graders, is full of energetic youngsters who are not practicing appropriate bus behavior for a safe ride home The bus driver is frustrated as she tries to maneuver a safe route and maintain proper order on the bus.  Dr. Ware reviewed the preschool education budget and feels that it is appropriate to hire a one-hour bus aide to ride along at the end of the day to assist in maintaining order and encouraging appropriate bus behavior.  The cost would be minimal ($850-$1200).  Dr. Ware highly recommends the position be added and funded with the State of Illinois At Risk grant.

 

Motion: Schlueter; Second: Tegeler; To approve a transportation aide for the Preschool through 2nd grade afternoon in-town bus route.  On roll call voting Aye – Tegeler, Boyles, Forth, Schlueter, Smith, Swanstrom, and Gray; Nay – none; motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy committee

Policy revisions continue to become available.  A meeting to review these revisions will be schedule soon.

 

Strategic Planning Committee

There was no additional report on Strategic Planning.

 

Personnel/Negotiations

There was no report of the Negotiations Committee.

 

Finance Committee

The finance committee met with Russ Rumbold prior to tonight’s Board meeting.  Committee member Joy Tegeler expressed the committee’s concern regarding the information printed in the newspaper and the affect it could have on the district’s ability to attract new families.  Another concern was the affect that negative information in the newspaper has on outside organizations’ ability to generate funds to help support extra curricular programs.

 

Facilities Committee

There was no update given by the Facilities Committee.

 

Citizen’s Advisory Council

The Citizens’ Advisory Council met October 24, 2005.  Several new members were present and the Bright Ideas postcards were discussed.  The new members were also updated on the Strategic Plan of the District and the local wellness policy. 

 

Extra-Curricular Committee

There was no report of the Extra Curricular Committee.

 

ADJOURNMENT

8:37P.M.

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Boyles; to adjourn the meeting.  Ayes – 7; Nays – none; motion carried.

 

 

(President)                                                                              

 

 


(Secretary)                                                                              Date Approved