SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9 Piasa, Illinois 62079 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES October 21, 2014 The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session on October 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Commons Room in Piasa, Illinois. After the pledge of allegiance, Don Little-President asked Randy Gallaher- Secretary to call roll showing those members present were: Don Little-President, Tim Baker-Vice President, Randy Gallaher-Secretary, Steve Reed, Brad Gillespie, Dara Simmons, Mike Wegener, Brad Skertich-Superintendent and Rose Bagley-Recording Secretary. Visitor s sign-in sheet is attached. 6.1 was moved to now so students could get out earlier. The students in the 2013-14 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th grades were recognized for being in the top 10% of the ISAT testing in Reading, Math and/or Science. Approval of the Minutes: A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Mike Wegener to approve the minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting of September 16, 2014. A motion was made Don Little and seconded by Steve Reed to approve the minutes of the Closed Session Meeting of September 16, 2014. Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Reed and Little A motion was made Brad Gillespie and seconded by Dara Simmons to approve the minutes of the Special School Board Meeting of September 24, 2014. Ayes: Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Reed, Little and Gillespie Review and Approval of Bills: A motion was made by Mike Wegener and seconded by Don Little to approve the September Bills and Consent Agenda Bills. Page 1
A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Dara Simmons to approve the Imprest Bills and Extra Pay and Substitute Pay. Ayes: Baker, Wegener, Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher Review and Approval of the Financial Report: A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve the Financial Report as presented showing a balance in the Education Fund of $3,023,469; Operations and Maintenance Fund of $1,058,871; Transportation Fund of $305,280 and Working Cash Fund of $1,546,893. Tax money is coming in sooner this year. We budgeted for three payments from the state for this year. Ayes: Wegener, Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker Cafeteria Report: A motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Mike Wegener to approve the 2013-14 Cafeteria Report. The Cafeteria had a deficit of $21,649 for the 2013-14 school year. The previous year we were at a deficit of $20,202 because we could incorporate lunch/recess monitors into that cost. We lost 26,269 meals in 13-14 compared to 12-13. Some of this was due to declining enrollment, 5 snow days that we didn t make up because of act of God, and some just weren t eating in our cafeteria. The cafeterias are working on ways to make the meals more appealing while meeting nutrition requirements. Little Italy s Pizza and Subway sandwiches are served some days to enhance the menu options. We are going to do two different menus because their tastes are different. Ayes: Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Wegener Correspondence and Recognition: A thank you note was read from Diane Milner, principal at Brighton North, on behalf of the staff, parents and teachers thanking the board for the new entryway doors at Brighton North. Committee Reports: None Superintendent Report: Employment: Resignations: None Page 2
Employment: A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Tim Baker to employ Charles David Robinson as the High School JV Boys Basketball Coach for the 2014-15 school year. Recalls: None Volunteer: A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Mike Wegener to approve Shaun Watson, High School Boys Basketball Coach Volunteer for the 2014-15 school year. Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Reed and Little Retirement: A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Dara Simmons to accept the retirement of Pat Howarth, Teacher Aide, effective October 10, 2014. Leave of Absence: A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Mike Wegener to approve Employee A s paternity leave request from October 20, 2014 through October 31, 2014. Substitute List: A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Don Little to approve Substitute List #3 as presented. Ayes: Baker, Wegener, Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher Page 3
Enrollment and Suspension Report: A motion was made by Randy Gallaher and seconded by Mike Wegener to approve the Enrollment and Suspension Report as presented. As of September 30, 2014, enrollment is 1579, 7 suspension and 0 expulsions. Ayes: Wegener, Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker District Highlights: Mrs. Renken, Special Education Coordinator, passed on a thank you letter from Michelle Ernst, a Special Education teacher at the high school for the Life Safety Class, for letting Southwestern, out of district students, come back to our district. Mark Bearley, High School Principal, thanked the city of Brighton for another successful Homecoming Parade. He was very pleased with the attendance and the support to the students. He thanked Mayor Schaefer and Billie Laubscher for their work on the event. He also thanked the classes of 1957 and 1959 for being in the parade. Diane Milner, Principal at Brighton North Elementary and Medora Elementary, was excited about the fun the elementary buildings had for Homecoming and the Piasa Pride Party on Friday. Mr. Hopkins, Middle School and Shipman Principal, told that the Middle School students have been writing to military people. Mr. Walter Ahlmeyer brought 250 handwritten thank you letters to the middle school students that had written to him. At Shipman Elementary, Mr. Hopkins wanted to recognize 6 th grade student council members Emily Smith, Chloe Hanslow, Korrie Hopkins and Molly Reed who wanted to do something for a former family of Shipman Elementary that had recently lost their house and everything in it to a fire. The students could do certain things on certain days if they paid $1.00, like wear a hat, chew gum in class and bring a drink to class. They raised $300.00 for the family and also had a toy drive, clothes drive and food drive that was very successful. Public Comment: Sissy Cairns asked about starting a High School Trap Team Club. They would shoot at Olin in Alton. Mr. Skertich said he had contacted the insurance company to ask about coverage but hadn t heard anything yet. Mr. Skertich would like to talk to other schools that have a trap team about it. It was tabled until the November meeting. Old Business: A motion was made by Mike Wegener and seconded by Tim Baker to approve Press Plus Policy updates from Issue 85 and Issue 86. Page 4
New Business: A motion was made by Tim Baker and seconded by Dara Simmons to approve the Middle School Washington DC trip for April, 2015. Ayes: Baker, Wegener Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher A motion was made by Tim Baker and seconded by Don Little to approve the Supplemental Assessment to WCSIT for Plan Years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 totaling $99,495 to be paid in two equal amounts of $49,747.50 now and $49,747.50 by July 15, 2015. Ayes: Reed, Little, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker Nays: Wegener and Gillespie 11.3 was tabled until after closed session. Closed Session. At 8:01 pm, a motion was mad by Mike Wegener and seconded by Brad Gillespie to go into Closed Session for Student Hearings and The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. Ayes: Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Wegener At 12:03 am, a motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Dara Simmons to open the meeting to regular session. A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Randy Gallaher to approve the contract agreement between the Southwestern CUSD #9 Board of Education and the Southwestern Education Association for the 14-15 school year and 15-16 school year. Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Little Nays: Wegener and Reed Page 5
A motion was made by Tim Baker and seconded by Steve Reed to expel student #0110212014 for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year and the 2015-16 school year with the option of Safe School. Ayes: Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Reed, Little and Gillespie A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Tim Baker to expel student #0210212014 for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year and the 2015-16 school year with the option of Safe School. A motion was made by Tim Baker and seconded by Dara Simmons to expel student #0310212014 for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year with the option of Safe School. Ayes: Baker, Wegener, Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Steve Reed to expel student #0410212014 for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year and the 2015-16 school year with the option of Safe School. Ayes: Wegener, Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Mike Wegener to expel student #0510212014 for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year with the option of Safe School. Ayes: Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Wegener 12.6 No Action Taken. A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Brad Gillespie to adjourn the meeting. Page 6
The meeting adjourned at 12:10 am. Rosemary Bagley Recording Secretary Board President Board Secretary Page 7