The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
On September 21 Meeting
On Wednesday, September 21, 2005, the West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education conducted two special meetings and their regular September meeting. The following items took place at those meetings.
The first special meeting was held to recognize fourteen high school students for their academic excellence as demonstrated during the 2004-05 school year. Those high school students who earned a 4.0 grade point average were presented a plaque from the board.
The following students received recognition during this special board meeting: Brad Buss, Miranda Clark, Alyssa Griepentrog, Chianne Hartman, Jessica Saldeen, Jourdan Evans, CK Torrance, Alicia Yeakey, Erika Ensminger, Blake Byers, Lene Lox, Gerry Roark, Ciara Robinson, and Jacob Sanning. Following the presentation of the plaques, Board President Brent declared this special board meeting adjourned.
At 6:30 p.m. President Brent called the board to order to conduct the public hearing for the FY06 district budget. No audience members present at this time requested the opportunity to address the board regarding the budget. At approximately 6:34 p.m. President Brent declared the budget hearing adjourned.
President Brent called the regularly scheduled meeting of the West Central CUSD #235 Board of Education to order at 6:45 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 following items were offered as things to celebrate:
The board approved the agenda as presented. There were no additions or deletions.
Under recognition of audience for requests for presentation, the board heard a report from Carl Sandburg College Envoy, Sam Sudakar, concerning college night on October 17th, the collaboration meeting that is to take place on Thursday, September 22, and an update on the Edunet project.
Under the consent agenda the board approved the minutes of previous minutes. Those meeting's minutes that were approved by the board are as follows: July 20, 2005 (regular and closed), July 27, 2005 (regular and closed), August 17, 2005 (regular and closed) and August 20, 2005 (regular).
The board approved payment of the bills as presented.
The board heard a presentation regarding the FY06 district budget from the superintendent. In that presentation it was noted that the projected revenue for the district during the FY06 is $9,165,271 and the projected expenditures for FY06 are $9,100,105. It was also pointed out that the estimated June 30, 2006 fund balance for all district funds is projected to be $1,459,501. Following a short question and answer session the board approved the budget as presented.
The board approved the 2005-06 Application for Recognition of Schools as presented. Application for recognition were presented on behalf of West Central Elementary, West Central Junior High, West Central High School and West Central Early Childhood Center.
The board approved a memo of understanding with WCATS concerning overload pay for those high school teachers who are being asked to teach every period of a "A" day and every period of a "B" day.
The board approved the recommendation from the administration to set support staff substitute pay at $7.00 per hour.
The board accepted a gift of a 12-foot movable scorer's table from the West Central Booster Club.
The board approved a request from Junior Class sponsors, Mary Killey and Sara Hall, to host the 2006 West Central Jr./Sr. Prom off campus at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Burlington, Iowa.
The board had a lengthy discussion about several different facility issues. As a result of the discussion the board approved the recommendation for a life safety plan amendment for the north campus sewer facility. The board also gave permission to Mr. Grimm and Mr. Phillips to pursue dialogue with the city of Biggsville concerning hooking on to the Biggsville sewer system from the north campus. The board also gave permission for the superintendent and the district architect to submit, on behalf of District #235, a school construction grant application should the opportunity present itself in the next few months as well as a school maintenance grant application again, should the opportunity present itself.
The board then heard additional comments about a variety of other projects that District Architect, Bill Phillips is working on in behalf of the district. It was noted that the next major task to be addressed is the ten-year life safety survey. It was the decision of the board to have Mr. Phillips resurvey all three campuses at the same time with regard to the life safety code in order that all three surveys would be conducted at the same time as we go forward.
The board heard reports on recent happenings from Mr. Buss and Mr. Nichols. Mrs. Rima was ill and not in attendance at the meeting.
Mrs. Serven updated the board on the 6th day enrollment report. The total district enrollment for PK-12 grades is 1122. She also gave an impromptu report to the board on the activities that have happened since last months meeting in the area of curriculum.
District Technology Coordinator, Barb Spreitler, updated the board on the district's networks as well as progress that is being made on the district's web page. It was noted that the district's web page will be up and running by Friday, September 23, 2005. The address for the district's web page will be www.wc235.k12.il.us.
The board briefly discussed some summary information that was put together by the superintendent regarding the planning retreat. It was the consensus of the board to talk about this information in more detail at the October board meeting.
The board discussed the school board conference to be held in Chicago in November. Board members were polled to see how many people wanted to go by train to the conference as opposed to driving their car. The board directed Superintendent Grimm to secure train tickets as soon as possible.
The board discussed briefly the district's hot lunch program. Board members made several comments and several board members have eaten the hot lunch program at the high school and indicated that they were satisfied with both the quality and the quantity of the food they received. It was also pointed out that a parent had contacted the nutrition department at the Illinois State Board of Education and that Mr. Grimm and Mrs. Mudd had a conversation with a representative from the State Board regarding someone's complaint.
It was also noted that the State Board was very satisfied that the portion sizes that are being served in our hot lunch program are appropriate and meet all federal and state guidelines.
The board spent a few minutes discussing the closure of the superintendents office in Stronghurst and the possibility of renting that house.
The board reviewed the same power point presentation on "No Child Left Behind" that was presented to staff at the school improvement day workshop earlier.
Under future agenda items the board indicated they would like to have some discussion on fund raising activities.
The board entered closed session to discuss matters pertaining to personnel at 9:55 p.m.
The board exited closed session at approximately 11:20 p.m.
Following the adjournment of closed session the board took the following action concerning personnel:
A. Accepted the resignation of Angie Torrance as a Family Educator in the Pre-K program and Kris Lozier as the district nurse. As part of the motion to accept Mrs. Lozier's resignation the board did so with their thanks and appreciation for her 16 years of service.
B. The board employed Pat Jones as a part elementary special education teacher.
Amanda Torrance as a Family Educator in the PreK program, Carol Cravens as an after-school daycare associate, Laura England, Cheryl Gaylord, Debra Eckley, David Connor and Pam Reid as part time elementary reading aides and Betty Whittemore as a bus aide.
C. The board recalled Richard Roll to a full time district custodian position.
President Brent reminded the board that the next regularly scheduled meeting of the West Central District #235 Board of Education is Wednesday, October 19, 2005, on the north campus beginning at 6:00 p.m. The board adjourned the approximately 11:35 p.m.