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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

October 9, 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 High School Library in said district on October 9, 2007.

 

On roll call, the following were present: Greg Houldson, Jim Ridley, Kevin Schlueter, Steve Swanstrom, Ted Tilton and Sally Gray.  Jim Prombo was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jody Ware, Recording Secretary Wendy Krajnovich, and two media representatives.

 

President Sally Gray called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the special joint Board meeting held on September 18, 2007.  Hearing none, she asked for a motion to approve the previous minutes.

 

Motion: Houldson; Second: Schlueter; to approve the minutes for the special joint Board meeting of September 18, 2007.  Ayes: six; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

President Sally Gray called for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the last regular Board meeting held on September 25, 2007.  Hearing none, she asked for a motion to approve the previous minutes. 

 

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Ridley; to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of September 25, 2007.  Ayes: six; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Ware informed the Board that she has planned a special meeting for Tuesday, November 20th from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M.  This will be posted as a special meeting as all Board members are invited to attend to meet with Illinois State Board of EducationFinancial Advisor Brent Appel.  The meeting will be held in Dr. Ware’s office. The regular Board of Education meeting will convene at 6:30 P.M. as scheduled that same day in the high school media center.

 

Building Administration

There were no building administrators present.

 

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

 

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

IASB Delegate Assembly

A Board member volunteer is needed to be the representative to the delegate assembly at the upcoming IASA/ISBE/IASBO convention in November.  Due to possible local sports events, no Board member wanted to commit at this time.  It was decided to register the representative at the convention, when it is decided who the representative will be.

 

Student Transfers In/Out

Dr. Ware provided information on students moving in and out of the district.  No significant trend was noted.

 

FY08 General State Aid Comparison

We still do not have a budget from the State of Illinois.  With no action from legislation, our GSA payments will decrease by $16,023 per month in November 2007.

 

Citizen Advisory Members/Dates

Dr. Ware provided the roster of members of this year’s Citizen Advisory Committee and their meeting dates.  Six parents serve on this committee.

 

 

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

October 9, 2007

 

Big Dig Fundraiser

The Friends of Swimming organization has been active in trying to raise funds to deepen the Morrison School District pool.  Pool manager Steve Wilkens has prepared a proposal to sell cement blocks on the east wall of the high school pool as a fundraiser.  Dr. Ware contacted the district’s attorney regarding guidelines so the signage will be content neutral. He advises that they be limited to name, business, donor, anonymous, or left blank.   The request will be included for approval at the next Board of Education meeting.

 

Audit Report – October 23, 2007

Dr. Ware reminded the Board that Russ Rumbold of Gorenz and Associates will be attending their meeting on Tuesday, October 23rd, and that the meeting will begin at 6:00 P.M., instead of 6:30.  He will be meeting with the Finance Committee before the meeting.

 

Highlights of New Legislation

Dr. Ware informed the Board that she had recently attended a law conference.   She provided an updated list of new legislation.  She noted some important items on the list: bullying prevention, student health examinations, inter-fund transfers, green cleaning schools act, community use of school facilities, and mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect – to include school board members.

 

Staff Development Feedback – Creating Common Assessments

At the September 28th half-day inservice, teachers began the process of creating common assessments.  This involves the use of the power standards, instructional objectives, State of Illinois Learning Frameworks, and last year’s performance assessment data.  The feedback was very positive for the most part.  Dr. Ware elaborated on how difficult a project this is for teachers and administration.  It is an important research based process for improving test scores.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion: Tilton; Second: Houldson; to approve the items on the consent agenda consisting of personnel recommendations and disposal of the closed session tape of March 21, 2006.  Ayes: Ridley, Schlueter, Swanstrom, Tilton, Houldson, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

ACTION ITEMS

Consolidation/Reorganization of District

Motion: Ridley; Second: Swanstrom; for Morrison Community Unit District #6 to remain a single unit district ending the consolidation discussion with River Bend School District #2.  Ayes: Swanstrom, Tilton, Houldson, Ridley, Schlueter, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

Superintendent’s Performance Objectives

Motion: Tilton; Second: Ridley; to approve the Superintendent’s 2007-2010 Performance Objectives as presented.  Ayes: six; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy Committee

No report.

 

Strategic Planning

No report.

 

Personnel/Negotiations

No report.

 

Finance Committee

No report.

 

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

MORRISON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6

October 9, 2007

 

Facilities Committee

Ted Tilton reported that the committee had met on October 3rd.  They met with the architect to review options for a new mechanical system for the high school.  He felt a geothermal system was the best option with a ten-year recovery of costs and fifty percent per year savings on fuel.  Grants are available to offset costs.

 

Citizens’ Advisory Committee

The first meeting is scheduled for October 29th.

 

Extra-Curricular Committee

No report.

 

Insurance Committee

No report.

 

Local Wellness Committee

Greg Houldson reported that the committee had met on October 4th.  They reviewed what each school has done with regard to wellness.  Northside has stopped giving candy to students as rewards, and are using other items instead.  A nutrition unit has been added in first grade.  Daily PE is a big plus.  Students are becoming more aware of their health.  Fifth grade at Southside is participating in the SPARK program and there are nutrition posters in their lunchroom.  Junior High School is also participating in the SPARK program and taking more community walks with teachers.  They want to buy pedometers.  A running club has been started.  High school has added a personal fitness class.  Changes have been made in the lunch program such as whole grain being the only bread served.  The cafeteria staff is putting more effort in food preparation, such as the extra time involved with washing and filling individual portion cups with fruit.   Food vendors are also changing what they provide in the machines.  Darryl Hogue reviewed the grants.  The goal is to attain the first certified healthy grant gold medal, which they will be applying for in January.  Dr. Ware noted that Morrison Schools are well ahead of most of the rest of the state in their wellness efforts.

 

Energy/Utility Committee

No report.

 

CLOSED SESSION 7:43 P.M.

Motion: Houldson; Second: Schlueter; to enter into a closed session for the purpose of reviewing the closed session minutes of September 25, 2007. 

 

RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION 7:46 P.M.

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Schlueter; to conclude the closed session and return to open session.  Ayes: Ridley, Schlueter, Swanstrom, Tilton, Houldson, Gray.  Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION

Motion: Swanstrom; Second: Schlueter; to approve the closed session minutes of September 25, 2007.  Ayes: six; Nays: none.  Motion carried.

 

ADJOURNMENT

President Sally Gray adjourned the meeting by consent at 7:48 P.M.

 

 

(President) ___________________________________________

 

 

 

(Secretary) ___________________________________________   Date Approved _________________________