The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Board of Education of Union Community Unit School District # 115, met at 7:00 P.M. on April 21, 2004, in the Library, Biggsville, Illinois.
Members present were Allaman, Miller, Parsons, Sams, and Weber. Bigger and Kage were absent.
The Board accept the resignations of Fay Gray effective at the end of the 2003/2004 school year and of Larry Gray, effective June 30, 2004.
There will be a public hearing on consolidation between Union and Southern on May 13, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. in the Union Elementary Gym. All Board members were asked to attend this public hearing.
Tony Ryan Union Elementary Principal reported on several matters relating to Union Elementary including the following:
a) Summer School Plan is in the process of being developed.
b) Math instruction professional development for the primary wing is going to be the focus this summer.
c) ISATs are completed and returned.
d) State Science Olympiad team members will be competing in Champaign this weekend.
e) Environmental Night will be April 29th.
f) School Improvement Plan is guiding our building in a positive direction.
g) Upcoming dates and events.
Karen Rima Union High School Principal reported on several matters relating to Union High School including the following:
a) Mid-terms have been mailed.
b) Juniors are preparing for PSAE.
c) Students will be attending a Burlington Bees game for their fourth quarter incentive.
d) Teacher evaluations are almost complete.
e) Fall Sports Sign-up dates have been scheduled.
f) The 2004-2005 sport schedules have been completed.
Mr. Siebken and Mr. Arnold asked the Board to consider adding wrestling at the high school level. They have polled the boys and about twenty-five said that they were interested. The Board asked Mr. Siebken to prepare a start up budget.
The School Improvement Reports have been scheduled to be presented at the May 5, 2004 meeting.
Commendation goes to the Union High School Student Body for their respectful dismissal on the day of Doc Good's funeral.
Congratulations to the Union High School Math Department for being awarded the State/Provincial Winner. This is awarded to the school that improves the most in their performance from the previous year in the American Mathematics Competition.
Congratulations to all the art students that placed and received individual awards in the Town & Country Art Show and the LTC Art Contest. The awards are listed below:
Letta Bass- 2nd place (acrylic), 3rd place (pencil)
Brandie Lindo- 1st place (3-D)
AJ Cox - 1st place (pottery), 1st place (sculpture)
Halee Simmons- 1st place and Royal Youngblood Award (pottery)
CK Torrance- 2nd place (colored pencil)
Shasta Williams- 1st place (pencil)
Alicia Smith - 2nd place (pastel)
Beth Blakley - 2nd place (pencil)
Dana Hetrick - 3rd place (mixed media)
Heather Simmons- 1st place (printmaking)
Brian Morris- 1st place (printmaking)
AJ Cox - 1st place (pottery), 3rd place (sculpture)
Jakob Zjuncke- 1st place (colored pencil)
Katie Peterman- 2nd place (mixed media)
Letta Bass- 2nd place & Best in Category (pencil)
Lynett Gohn- 3rd place (relief sculpture)
Justine Blauer- 3rd place (graphic design)
Halee Simmons- 3rd place (pottery)
CK Torrance - 3rd place (colored pencil)
Honorable Mentions:
Jessica Smith - graphic design
Brandie Lindo - 3-D design
Jon Mackey - sculpture
Chelsea McCann -sculpture
Best of Show:
Jakob Zjunke - colored pencil
Congratulations to Loren Reed for an excellent placement at the State WYSE Competition.
Dixie Messsner and Carolyn Thomas express their concerns for the large first grade class being reduced from 3 sections to 2 sections next year.
Linda Michael, Librarian gave a Library/Media Center Report.
By unanimous roll call vote the Board approved the following by consent:
Plans for the summer school program were presented to the Board.
A "Freshman Jump Start" Program will be offered to incoming freshman.
The Board had the second reading of Sections 1-4 of the Board Policies.
The Board had the introduction/first reading of Sections 5 & 6 of the Board Policies.
The Board received revised copies of the Union High School Handbook and Code of Conduct. The booklets have been combined into one. Approval for the booklet is expected at the next meeting.
The Board was given copies of the Athletic/Extra-Curricular Policy for their review.
Discussion of the summer projects was postponed until May 5, 2004.
Dean E. Irlbeck Superintendent reported to the Board on maintenance and repair projects and other information relating to the operations of the School.
After discussion, the Board approved the bills and payroll as submitted:
Education $338,645.18
O & M 21,737.22
Bond & Interest 825.00
Transportation 28,310.73
IMRF 12,939.96
Life Safety 958.44
Total $403,416.53
It was moved by Sams, seconded by Allaman, and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the Board approve the temporary transfer of $100,000.00 from Working Cash to the Education Fund.
It was moved by Weber, seconded by Parsons, and carried by unanimous roll call vote that the Board enter into Closed Session at 11:29 P.M. for discussion of personnel and resignations.
It was moved by Parsons, seconded by Miller, and carried by unanimous roll call vote that the Board return to Open Session at 11:45 P.M.
The Board adjourn at 11:46 P.M. until May 5, 2004.