Fairmont Board of Education Regular Board Meeting February 16, :30 p.m.

Transcription

1 FAIRMONT SCHOOL DISTRICT # Green Garden Place Lockport, Illinois (815) (Phone) (815) (Fax) Dr. Sonya Whitaker Superintendent Fairmont Board of Education Regular Board Meeting 5:30 p.m. The Regular Meeting of the Fairmont Board of Education was called to order by the President, Mr. Joseph Ryan, at 5:30 p.m. Members present were: Mr. Joseph Ryan, Mr. Bradley Johnson, Mr. Thomas King Mr. Robert Loewe, Mr. Charles Travis and Ms. Katie Ulmer. Members absent: Ms. Denise McDonald. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Superintendent s Report: Dr. Sonya Whitaker shared with the board that she, Mrs. Grohn and Ms. Archer were asked to present at the No Child Left Behind Conference in Chicago (what I consider to be a really big honor). Usually the people that present at the No Child Left Behind Conference are from the State Board of Education but in compliments to our staff, district leadership team, curriculum writing team and our school leadership team on the work that we have done to at least set a plan of action on how we are going to dramatically improve student learning at Fairmont. We are now receiving statewide attention. I think people are most interested in Fairmont because we are on our way up I would like to share the State is up to date with payments to Fairmont School District 89 for last year but not for this year they still owe us $272,000 in funds for this coming academic year. We made a tough call in the fall when I came aboard and that was to have or not have Early Childhood because we are in the system where our babies need to have that Early Childhood experience. We had to decide whether or not we could take the risk of putting up the money funding an Early Childhood program and have the state not pay us. Unfortunately, it proved to be a very wise financial decision (it costs us roughly $300,000) to run the Early Childhood program as of to date we have not received any funds promised by the State to fund this program. One of my goals is to remain visible in the community and as a result of that Lewis University is having convocation tomorrow and they have asked your Superintendent to deliver the keynote to the entire faculty and staff in the education department. I would love to have your support tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. I would like to acknowledge Teresa Millerin our new Director of Finance and Operations who will be doing a presentation later. This is her first board meeting. It has been a great run so far so wonderful using her knowledge and expertise to get the district back on track. 1

2 2 Regular Board Meeting President s Report: Mr. Ryan introduced Mr. Jack Canna, Board s Attorney and thanked him for coming. On Tuesday, March 22 nd there will be a meet the candidate s night at Lago Vista. Judy Hayes from Lago Vista will be mailing out the invitations. This is for the candidates that are running for the board to introduce themselves. On Friday, February 18 th The SOS Village will host a Black History Celebration at 5:00 p.m. Our superintendent is the keynote speaker at Lewis University, Thursday, February 17 th at 4:30 p.m. I hope everyone can attend. It will be great if all who can attend since we had such a wonderful turnout for the Parent Literacy Night. Lewis showed up with a number of volunteers and it would be great to show our appreciation. It was motioned by Mr. Bradley Johnson and 2 nd by Ms. Katie Ulmer to go into closed session at 5:45 p.m. to discuss Legal and Personnel Issues. Voting aye: Mr. Bradley Johnson, Ms. Katie Ulmer, Mr. Charles Travis, Mr. Robert Loewe, Mr. Thomas King and Mr. Joseph Ryan. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, motion passed. It was motioned by Mr. Bradley Johnson and 2 nd by Ms. Katie Ulmer to return to regular session at 6:45 p.m. Voting aye: Mr. Bradley Johnson, Ms. Katie Ulmer, Mr. Charles Travis, Mr. Robert Loewe, Mr. Thomas King, and Mr. Joseph Ryan. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, motion passed. Regular session resumed with no action being taken in closed session. Members present when the meeting resumed from closed session were Mr. Joseph Ryan, Mr. Bradley Johnson, Mr. Thomas King, Mr. Robert Loewe, Mr. Charles Travis and Ms. Katie Ulmer. Members absent were Ms. Denise McDonald. It was motioned by Mr. Thomas King and 2 nd by Ms. Katie Ulmer to approve the Consent Agenda (January 12, 2011 Special Board Meeting Minutes, January 19, 2011 Regular Board Meeting Minutes, Bills Payable, and Treasurer s Report). Dr. Whitaker stated I am going to go a little out of order. You received something a little different in your packets. Teresa was pretty adamant about wanting this board to see something you have not seen before and that is a list of the bill s that was paid prior to the board meeting. Because our board meeting is in the middle of the month we were accruing late charges because of the way the accounting system was set up. The bills were not being paid until after the board meeting. Voting aye: Mr. Thomas King, Ms. Katie Ulmer, Mr. Charles Travis, Mr. Robert Loewe, and Mr. Joseph Ryan. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nay, motion passed. Business Manager s Report: Ms. Millerin, Director of Finance and Operations presented the Board with a powerpoint presentation (finance update) and explained the purpose of the presentation is to bring the board up to date on the finances in the district to justify the need for the Fairmont School District 89 to apply for a loan (Tax Anticipation Loan) and to describe the TAW process. Ms. Millerin explained by the end of February the district will have a balance of -$684,000 and by the end of May a -$845,327(cash short fall) if we do not apply for the loan. Ms. Millerin explained to the board a breakdown of the expenditures in the various accounts listed on the Treasurer s Report. Ms. Millerin explained we need to find a short term financing to help us with this short cash position until we receive our taxes and what we have done is talked with Chapman & Cutler for a legal opinion. They are known in this state for being the premier firm as far as knowing what goes on with bond issues, Tax Anticipation Warrants, etc. Chatman & Cutler stated we qualify for $1,000,000. Ms. Millerin stated I am going to turn it over to the superintendent.

3 Dr. Whitaker shared one of my goals is to maintain the physical health of the district. One of the things I would like you to know is while we are in a crunch we are still not going to make financial decisions that is going to hurt the district in the long run. We are not going to over borrow. Chatman and Cutler stated you qualify for $943,000 to borrow from us in addition the board should understand that is $943,000 we can borrow on a tax except basis meaning we can borrow it and not pay taxes on it. What I am recommending to the board that we don t borrow $943,000 that we borrow $900,000. I received some good news today that our No Child Left behind Title I Grant was approved today in the amount of $129,000. We are now running the district as if this is the only money that we will receive so we can build up our reserve when additional money comes in. Ms. Millerin explained I believe Dr. Whitaker s intent with this administration to keep you informed to do this type of analysis well in advance of us coming to you for financing and keeping the board apprised to what s going on. Dr. Whitaker explained from here on out the board will be presented with a cash flow analysis so you can have the authority to direct me at every board meeting from here on out. Ms. Millerin explained I have been give an informal estimate of $2,400 and that will provide Chatman and Cutler drafting the resolution for the Tax Anticipation Warrant, legal opinion which no financial institution will talk to us until we receive this legal opinion and we are within the law of Illinois by going out for this loan. Dr. Whitaker stated I am hoping that the bank we currently bank with will honor us and issue the loan on our behalf. Ms. Millerin shared with the board a tentative schedule of completion. Cash Flow Analysis January 31, 2011 Legal Opinion February 11, 2011, Getting approval from Financial Institution February 2/25/2011 and Board Resolution and Finally Closing on the loan (money in the bank March 7, 2011) if all goes according to plan. Dr. Whitaker commented to the union representative when you stated you missed seeing me and I replied I am trying to keep the lights on I meant that literally not figuratively. Principal s Report: Mr. Wilkinson shared with the board we finished MAP testing late last week we have started getting the results back. Mrs. Grohn and I went to grade level meeting today and sat down with the teachers and going over that data and comparing the data with the fall data and looked at some study improvement. We met yesterday with Curriculum Writing team and the Rising Star met today all the teams are working together for the common goal of the kids. On February 28 th 3 rd 8 th grade will be taking ISAT. Black History Program will be 1:30 in the elementary gym. On Friday, February 18 th students will not be in attendance teachers and staff will have an institute day at Lockport Township High School and no school on Monday. Public Comments: None. Dr. Whitaker read off her list of informational items and stated they should be available in your board packet. 3

4 Action Item (Personnel-Termination) It was motioned by Ms. Katie Ulmer and 2 nd by Mr. Charles Travis to approve the termination of Support Staff, Ann Lopez effective February 4, 2011 for cause. Voting aye: Ms. Katie Ulmer, Mr. Charles Travis, Mr. Robert Loewe, Mr. Thomas King (with regrets), Mr. Bradley Jonson and Mr. Joseph Ryan. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, motion passed. Action Item (Personnel Resignation) It was motioned by Mr. Bradley Johnson and 2 nd by Ms. Katie Ulmer to accept the resignation agreement as presented for Principal, Anthony Wilkinson effective June 30, Voting aye: Mr. Bradley Johnson, Ms. Katie Ulmer, Mr. Charles Travis, Mr. Robert Loewe, Mr. Thomas King and Mr. Joseph Ryan. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, motion passed. Action Item (Personnel Resignation) It was motioned by Mr. Charles Travis and 2 nd by Ms. Katie Ulmer to accept the resignation of Justine Wisz-Radvilla, Art Teacher at the end of the school term. Voting aye: Mr. Charles Travis, Ms. Katie Ulmer, Mr. Robert Loewe, Mr. Thomas King, Mr. Bradley Johnson and Mr. Joseph Ryan. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, motion passed. Action Item (Personnel Principal) It was motioned by Mr. Charles Travis and 2 nd by Ms. Katie Ulmer to approve the employment contract as presented for Julie Grohn, Principal for the school term. (Benefits as noted in contact). Voting aye: Mr. Charles Travis, Ms. Katie Ulmer, Mr. Robert Loewe, Mr. Thomas King, Mr. Bradley Johnson and Mr. Joseph Ryan. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, motion passed. Action Item (E-Rate Contract Agreement) It was motioned by Ms. Katie Ulmer and 2 nd by Mr. Charles Travis to approve the agreement with Zeller and Associations to manage Fairmont s E-Rate Funding for the 2011 Year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012). Dr. Whitaker explained that Zeller and Associates wrote the e-rate application (470) on our behalf and the contract agreement was approved by our attorney. Voting aye: Ms. Katie Ulmer, Mr. Charles Travis, Mr. Robert Loewe, Mr. Thomas King, Mr. Bradley Johnson and Mr. Joseph Ryan. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, motion passed. Action Item (10-11 Seniority Lists) It was motioned by Mr. Charles Travis and 2 nd by Mr. Thomas King to approve the Certified and Non Certified Seniority List as presented. Voting aye: Mr. Charles Travis, Mr. Thomas King, Mr. Bradley Johnson, Mr. Robert Loewe, Ms. Katie Ulmer and Mr. Joseph Ryan. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, motion passed. Background: Each year the Board is required to approve a certified and non-certified staff seniority list. In order to ensure accuracy the list was posted. Teachers Union reps and staff members were given the opportunity to notify the Superintendent of any discrepancies in the seniority lists. Board Comments: Mr. Johnson stated Mr. Steriotti who is north of the school received a letter from the county asking him to put up a fence to block his view of the school which will cost him $15,000-$18,000 to put the fence up. He is asking the board and superintendent to write a letter stating it is not bother us if he does not block off the view. 4

5 Mr. Travis shared he is a write in board candidate for the Lockport High School board. He also shared that his heart is at Fairmont. Mr. Loewe wished Mr. Wilkinson well in his future. Mr. Ryan congratulated Ms. Grohn and stated I am looking forward to working with you. Mr. Wilkinson congratulation as far as whatever you do and I know you are going to be successful wherever you go. I would like to thank Teresa for her hard work. Superintendent s Comments: We are going to be very busy between the loan and the superintendent s goals, next Wednesday, February 23 rd Superintendents goal evaluation discussion. Wednesday March 2 nd we are scheduled to have a Special Board Meeting. I have to go on record to say Congratulation to Ms. Grohn! Ms. Grohn went through the interview process and was selected for the position fair and square. We had members from the District Leadership Team on the interview team. We had ten candidates to apply and we narrowed it down to four. All the candidates were highly qualified. Ms. Grohn walked in the interview and stood her own. Ms. Grohn and Mr. Wilkinson has worked in harmony to get the job done they finished the work that they started at Fairmont. I would like to thank you both individually and collectively. It was motioned by Mr. Thomas King and 2 nd by Ms. Katie Ulmer to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Ayes have it. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Attest: Mr. Joseph Ryan, President Mr. Thomas King, Secretary 5