The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Technology Issues Considered By Southern Board

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

Phil Geiser updated the board on Technology issues meriting budget consideration in 2003-04, at the regular board meeting on Monday evening. He gave a brief summary of 6 items.

The most important item on the technology agenda is Internet Filtering, with an annual cost of $650. To continue receiving $12,000+ in phone service refunds, filtering must be continued in the district.

#2 File Services and Network Services. The district has a main server which handles the students information services for PreK- 12 students. This stores all the data for students, teachers and staff. The cost for the network server would be about $4200. Cost for the user access rights licenses (200 users) $1100. Cost to install and setup Microsoft Academic Service 2003, $1000.

#3 Network Printer Replacement: This 1994 printer has been repaired twice and served the district well but it is time for a replacement at approximately $4200.

#4 Inter-staff e-mail savings: This will be implemented this year and all teachers and staff will receive e-mail messages thus eliminating some of the paper, ink, toner costs, etc. Each teacher has a computer on his/her desk and will be trained in inter-office e-mail communications.

#5 Network Storage Devices: One hard drive out of four failed this past winter, creating a problem with storage. To repair the Snap server would be around $500 and to replace the Snap server would be $2,500. Alternative add-on storage devices could be purchased for $500 each.

#6 Update high school lab: The main high school computer lab is now 5 years old. The labs were being replaced on a three year cycle but due to finances have fallen behind.

The machines now being used would be recycled to replace even older machines. Replacement cost would be $1300 each - 25 machines $32,500.

The board voted to continue with the internet filtering and asked Mr. Geiser to come up with figures for replacing the lab computers as soon as possible. With the technology up and going the members feel they should keep it updated.

Rod Fox reported Robert Sickmon had bid on tree removal at the school farm. The board voted to accept his bid as quoted.

There is also bull dozing being done where the old farm house stood at a cost not to exceed $2,000.

The board voted to continue with adding a pond per the grant but will wait on proceeding with the wetland project.

Doug Brooks, Jon Corzatt, Bryan Heap, Karen Jack and Charles Barber met with Roseville board members and superintendent to discuss consolidation. Roseville's surveys, which had been sent out previously, indicated Yorkwood as the #1 pick and Southern as #2. There will be no formal study done but a committee will be formed to look at basic numbers and feasibility. This will not affect the studies that are in progress with Union.

Nadine Nice presented a Volleyball budget in the amount of $8004. The board voted to approve the budget, in the amount of $7854, which excludes uniforms. The Athletic Booster Club will be asked about the possibility of purchasing the uniforms.

Scott Dillard presented a football budget in the amount of $19,967 which was approved by the board.

Coach Dillard also requested permission to have a football fund raiser by selling VIP cards. Following a discussion as to how many fund raisers should be allowed, it was decided to table the issue until next month.

Dan Bowman and Doug Brooks will meet with the Athletic Booster Club to discuss guidelines on how to spend money raised by the club.

The board voted to abate $250,000 from the working cash fund to the education fund. This is 1/2 of the total of the working cash fund. The other 1/2 will be used to balance the 2003-04 school year.

Other business included:

• No changes made in the Elementary or High School hand books.
• Accepted changes in the Junior High handbook as stated in the board members packets.
• Agreed to allow Scott Leinbach to visit the school on a weekly basis to provide Athletic Trainer service.
• Awarded Anderson/Erickson the bid for milk at .1360 for 2% white; .1450 for whole white and .1390 for skim chocolate. Bids were also received from Swiss Valley.
• Awarded Sara Lee the bid for bread at .85 for white; .90 for wheat; .77 for hamburger buns; .80 for hot dog buns and 1.10 for rolls. Bids were also received from Wondor Davenport and Wondor Peoria.
• Awarded Fuel Bid to Riverland FS at .924 for diesel and .931 for unleaded for a period of six months. No other bids were received.
• Approved staying with Hinz Student Insurance Program which is paid for from the Illinois Association of School Board's fees.
• Directed Superintendent Barber to work with Illinois Energy Consortium and Illinois Power on a contract, as the five year energy agreement expires later this year.
• Changed the September meeting date from the 22nd to the 29th.

The board entered closed session at 9:52 for the purpose of discussing personnel.

Following closed session the board:

• Accepted with regret the resignation of Kris Peterson as Junior High Volleyball coach
• Accepted the resignation of Eleanor Long as special education teacher effective at the end of the school year
• Accepted the resignation of Lori Plath as high school cheerleading sponsor
• Hired Jessica Gittings as Pre K teacher for 2003-04 school year
• Hired Patricia Jones as 1/2 elementary special education teacher for the 2003-04 school year
• Directed the administration to advertise for a 5 1/2 hour cook position and a full time Special Education position
• Board members Dan Bowman and Rod Fox were directed to be on the committee for talks with Roseville regarding consolidation. Community members for the committee will be announced later. Talks with Union school will continue as scheduled.
• Approved a 25¢ raise above the annual percent for Connie Sue Torrance due to increased job responsibility
• Accepted the extra duty assignment list:

Senior Class Sponsor-J. Rodeffer

Junior Class Sponsors-J. Blender/T. Copeland

Sophomore Class Sponsor-J. Shinkle

Freshman Class Sponsor-M. Killey

Cheerleading Sponsor-C. Fleece

Student Council Sponsor-P. Geiser/C.S. Torrance

Head Football Coach-S. Dillard

Asst. Football Coach-T. Ensminger

Asst. Football Coach-J. Morrison

Head Boys Basketball Coach-Blender

Asst. Boys Basketball Coach-Borries

Head Girls Basketball Coach-Cole

Asst. Girls Basketball Coach-Nice

Head Volleyball Coach-Nice

Asst. Volleyball Coach-Ford

Music Contest/After School Work-Hilligoss

Spring Musicals, etc.-D. Taylor

SAE/NHS Advisor-Shinkle

Boys Baseball Coach-Cole

Asst. Baseball Coach-G. Fryrear

Girls Softball Coach-J. Morrison

Asst. Softball Coach-S. Morrison

Athletic Director-J. Blender

Academic Bowl Advisor-M. Killey

Girls/Boys Track Coach-Ford

Jr. High School Activity

8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach-S. Morrison

6th & 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach-D. Renken

Boys 8th Grade Basketball Coach-R. Clifton

Boys 6th & 7th Grade Basketball Coach-J. Livermore

Boys Track Coach-T. Easley

Girls Track Coach-L. Plath

Boys Baseball Coach-G. Fryrear

Asst. Volleyball Coach-C. Talbott

Speech Coach-N. Ensminger

Academic Bowl Advisor-D. Renken

JH Science Fair Sponsor-D. Renken

Present at the meeting were Board members: Jon Corzatt, Rod Fox, Brad Arnold, Melissa Livermore, Doug Brooks, Dan Bowman; Superintendent Charles Barber; Secretary Sharri Richard; Principal Dale Buss; Coaches Nadine Nice and Scott Dillard; Teacher Phil Geiser.

Absent was board member Brendan Schaley

The next board meeting will be held on Monday, July 28, at 7:00 p.m.