The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Union School Board #115 met August 18, in the Library at Biggsville with Allaman, Bigger, Kage, Miller and Sams present and Parsons and Weber absent.
Item 6.d Lincoln Trail Conference was added to the agenda.
Music Boosters will hold their first meeting of the year this week.
Union Sports Boosters have purchased JH football equipment, sport uniforms and are looking into purchasing a scoreboard for the Biggsville baseball diamond. They would like to have a bonfire on Thursday night before Homecoming.
The Board directed the Sports Boosters to have the following in place for the bonfire.
a) Ambulance and fire truck on the premises.
b) Plenty of supervision.
c) Constant supervision of the fire.
d) The boosters will clean up.
e) Two deputies will be on duty.
f) Controlled access.
g) The Good Night Policy will be in place.
h) It will be structured.
i) All students under high school age will have an adult present.
The PTC will start their first fundraiser next week. They have purchased several items for the teachers.
Melissa Wallace reported on the Advisory Council meeting held recently.
Tony Ryan, Union Elementary Principal, reported on several matters relating to Union Elementary including the following:
a) Kick-off party was successful.
b) Students are back and school is in full swing.
c) Parking lot safety has improved.
d) Class and lunch schedules transitions have improved.
e) Had a great turnout for registration.
f) JH fall athletics will start soon.
g) Grade level meetings are underway.
h) Teacher in-service days were busy.
i) The atmosphere is up-beat.
Karen Rima, Union High School Principal, reported on several matters relating to Union High School including the following:
a) Renovations in the high school are close to being completed.
b) There was parking congestion on the first day of school.
c) Teachers are updating their subject areas.
d) Ms. Hultgren and Mrs. Seitz are working on correcting students' schedules.
e) Several classes have 30 students.
f) An assembly was held the first day to tell students what is expected of them.
g) The 1st and 2nd year teachers have been assigned mentors.
A thank you note was received from Sandy Lefler, thanking the district for the use of the facilities for Relay for Life.
Congratulations go to the Union High School Cheerleaders. They placed 2nd at the Westland Mall Cheer Competition.
Mr. Irlbeck expressed appreciation to all that were involved in the parking lot renovation, to the janitors and maintenance workers for all the work they did this summer.
The Board accepted the resignation of Michelle Kane as assistant volleyball coach.
The Board employed the following: Linda Wilson as 7th and 8th grade science teacher, Mike Olson as Union High School Athletic Director, Kris Peterson as assistant high school volleyball coach, and Mike Snowden as yearbook advisor.
The Board approved the following by consent:
a) The minutes of the July 23, 2003 meeting.
b) The revised board calendar.
c) The financial reports.
The Board was updated on the chain of communication between the community and the staff.
After discussion, the Board adopted the preliminary budget for the 2003/2004 school year with receipts estimated at $5,761,445.00 and expenditures estimated at $6,108,721.00.
The Board briefly discussed setting a limitation to expenses for members of the Board attending the School Board Convention.
The Board directed Mrs. Rima to express the school's concern not being able to coop sports at the next Lincoln Trail Conference meeting. If the Conference stands firm on their by-laws of no cooping, then the Board would like for Mrs. Rima to explore the possibility of joining another conference.
Mr. Irlbeck reported on several items including the following:
a) Legislation Update.
b) State aid calculations have not been completed.
c) Recording closed sessions.
The official Committee of Ten has been formed for consolidation between Union and Southern. Members of the committee from Union are Elizabeth Sanning, Steve Lumbeck, Mark Torrance, Lonnie Brent, and Doug Sams. The committee will meet the second Tuesday of each month. The Board will send one member each month to the meeting.
It was moved by Bigger, seconded by Allaman, that the Board authorize the start-up cost for consolidation to not exceed $5000.00 for legal costs and other related costs. Voting opposed were Allaman, Miller, Kage, Bigger, and Sams.
It was moved by Bigger, seconded by Allaman, and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the Board authorize the start-up cost for consolidation to not exceed $3000.00 for legal and other related costs.
The Board briefly discussed the limitation of sick leave with Teacher's Retirement System.
After discussion, the Board approved bills and payroll as submitted.
It was moved by Kage, seconded by Miller, that the Board employ Kim Allaman as Union High School Special Education Associate. Voting in favor of the motion were: Kage, Miller, Bigger, and Sams. Allaman abstained.
The Board adjourned at 10:44 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on September 24, 2003.