The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Accepts Resignations
Last Wednesday, at the July 20, regular meeting of the West Central Community Unit School District #234 Board of Education Meeting the following items took place.
President Brent called the board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All board members were present at roll call. President Brent led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Under good news items, the facility remodeling at the south campus was recognized as moving forward. President Brent offered a thank you to all who helped make the July 1 kick-off celebration for District #235 a success. Registration dates of August 3, 4, and 11 were brought to the board's attention as well.
The board added discussion item XIII(G). high school golf to the agenda. It was also noted from the Superintendent that there would be action on board policy 8:40 as found later in the agenda. The board then approved the amended agenda.
Mr. Hal Peterman of Riverside Lanes Bowling Alley in Oquawka addressed the board concerning agenda item XI(D) high school bowling team.
The board removed item X(C) from the consent agenda and moved action on approval of employment action until after closed session.
Following that the board approved the consent as presented.
Items on the consent agenda include the following: minutes of the regular and closed session meeting held on July 1, 2005; financial Bills; resignations from Dawn Ferguson and Nicole Cole.
After a discussion the board approved the elementary, junior high and high school parent/student handbooks.
The board conducted a discussion on the proposed district athletic code. No action was taken. Action will be taken on this item at a special meeting on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at the Superintendent's office at the south campus.
The board approved the bid from Sara Lee to be the supplier of bread products for the 2005-06 school year. The board also accepted a bid from Anderson/Erickson Dairy to supply milk products for District #235 for the 2005-06 school year. The board took no action on the fuel bids that were received. Action on these bids will be taken at the special meeting to be held on July 27, 2005.
The board gave approval for the creation of a high school bowling team. The board will take action on selecting a facility to host the bowling team at the July 27 special board meeting.
The board approved the recommended bank depositories for the high school and junior high activity accounts as presented. The high school activity account will be at the Biggsville Bank and the junior high's account will be at the Bank of Stronghurst.
There was no action taken on board policy 8:40. Auction will be taken on this policy at the special meeting on July 27, 2005.
The board heard a recommendation from the district's principals concerning the selection of a school photographer for the 2005-06 school year. As a result of the discussion the board approved the use of Watkins Photograph, Glasford, as the school district photographer for the 2005-06 school year. It was also mentioned that students pictures will be taken once during the fall this year with retakes taken as needed. There will be no spring pictures taken.
The board approved the use of a school psychologist intern as presented. The board heard reports from the building principals concerning the activities that have been going on to date.
The board reviewed a handout from the District Curriculum Director, Jeanne Serven, concerning the 2005-06 school year federal and state grants that have been submitted for approval.
The board reviewed a letter from District Architect, Bill Phillips, concerning the progress that has been made on the district's remodeling project. Building principals supplemented the report as well.
The board heard a report from Superintendent Grimm concerning the opening of school for the 2005-06 school year. Items discussed during this time were the pre-registration, which will take place on August 3, 4, and 11th. The board also heard plans for the teacher institute days on August 17 and 18, the first student attendance day, August 19 and some of the activities that will take place during the week of August 22.
The Superintendent asked the board to sponsor a luncheon for all district staff on Wednesday, August 17. The board agreed to do this. The plans for the luncheon will be discussed at the special meeting on Wednesday, July 27, 2005.
The board provided input to the superintendent in terms for the development of performance objectives. Several ideas were offered in terms of things the board would like to see the superintendent begin working on. The board requested a first draft of the proposed performance objectives by the October board meeting.
The board discussed the idea of having a district planning retreat. It was decided that this was something the board would like to do. Possible dates were discussed with no decision made. Board members were encouraged to come to the special meeting on July 27 with their calendars, so a final date for the retreat can be selected.
The board heard a report from Superintendent Grimm concerning building security. The Superintendent had requested Bill Phillips, District Architect, to secure a quote to change the locks on all of the outer doors into each of the district's buildings. The quote received was for $9,600. It was the board's feeling that this large of an expenditure for this particular activity is not something they wished to do at this time.
The board briefly discussed the concept of a "cut"/"no-cut" policy for district athletic teams. It was the general consensus of the board that there will be no cuts made in any of the extra-curricular activities. In general, any student who wishes to participate in one of the teams will be allowed to attend practice and be a member of the team with the understanding that there are limits on the number of participants in the state tournament series. This decision also comes with the understanding that playing time is not guaranteed for any student who wishes to remain on a team. The decisions on playing time and who ultimately dresses for tournaments will be left up to the coaches. It was pointed out that this concept, as put forth by the board, will be discussed with all coaches at a meeting that the superintendent and athletic director will have. This concept should also be discussed, in detail, by the coaches at the required parents' meeting.
The board reviewed a report on monies that have been sent to the Hend-Co Golf club on behalf of the golf team. It was generally agreed that the expenditures were appropriate. The Superintendent was directed to review the financial arrangement that the district has been using with Hend-Co to ensure it does not violate any IHSA policies.
There were no future agenda items identified by members of the board. The board entered into closed session to discuss matters relating to personnel and collective bargaining.
Upon exiting closed session, the board approved the Superintendent's recommendation on staffing level for associates, cooks and custodians for the 2005-06 school year. The board also approved the reduction in force notices for those staff members who will be released from their positions.
President Brent noted that the board will hold a special board meeting on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's office at the south campus. It was also noted that the next regularly scheduled meeting of West Central CUSD Board of Education will be on Wednesday, August,17 at 6:00 p.m. at the north campus.
The board adjourned their meeting at 10:31 p.m.