Minutes of the Board of Education meeting held on Monday, June 18, 2007. The meeting was called to order by the president at 7:00 p.m. The recording secretary called the roll. Present were: Hicks, Boehne, Ottengheime, Palombo, Konen, Cribben. Absent: Foster
Mr. Hicks wanted VI.r. added to the agenda – setting board goals and VI.s. high school flagpole.
It was moved by Ottengheime, seconded by Palombo to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2007 board of education meeting. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Konen to approve the bills for the month of June accounts payable checks numbers 57359 to 57445 in the amount of $163,396.91; payroll checks numbers 48511 to 48869 in the amount of $394,064.45. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Ottengheime, seconded by Palombo to approve the treasurer’s report for the month of June. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Palombo to approve the imprest fund report. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Ottengheime, seconded by Konen to approve the community school fund report. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
Joe Malm, 8th grade social studies teacher, and Emily Liffert from Hemispheres Travel presented a middle school trip proposal to Washington, D.C. for June 14-16, 2008 for 8th graders.
The principal’s reports were handed out.
Mrs. Konen commended the students from Indian Creek High School who received waivers for tuition from Kishwaukee College.
Lane Pickwell from Shabbona asked if the Board of Education had been approached by the Prairie Band Nation to sign an agreement regarding a proposed casino. Mr. Cribben has contacted the tribe’s attorney, Jordan Gallagher, and asked that if they had a reason to contact the board, they should contact him. Mr. Pickwell said that he doesn’t want to see the district getting into something they can’t get out of and asked the board to do some research before entering into an agreement.
It was moved by Konen, seconded by Palombo that the meeting adjourn into executive session regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students, student disciplinary case, litigation and collective bargaining. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned into executive session at 7:28 p.m.
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It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Hicks that the meeting reconvene into regular session. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried. The meeting reconvened into regular session at 9:25 p.m.
It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Boehne that the executive session minutes be approved as reviewed. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
Kathleen Hirsman, district attorney, presented a professional development workshop for the board. Topics included what can/cannot be discussed in open and closed sessions, information that can be released to the public, and how often minutes need to be reviewed. The zero tolerance policy was discussed. Ms. Hirsman said the policy offers the flexibility to deal with the type of offense. Extra-curricular activities are a privilege not a right. Therefore, more strigent rules can be made and enforced.
It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Konen to approve Peggy Close as coordinator of instructional services. Roll call vote: Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Cribben, seconded by Boehne to approved Bonnie Conery as a personal care assistant for 3 days a week in the summer of 2007 and for 5 days a week during the 2007-2008 school year. Roll call vote: Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Hicks, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Konen to approve Melissa Zehelian as social worker. Roll call vote: Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Cribben, seconded by Boehne to approve Jennifer Swanson as middle school language arts teacher and spelling bee advisor. Roll call vote; Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Konen, seconded by Palombo to approve Michelle Shabbez as high school secretary and sub caller. Roll call vote: Konen, yes; Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Palombo to approve Dan Sanderson as middle school assistant volunteer softball coach. Roll call vote: Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
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It was moved by Cribben, seconded by Konen to approve an 11 month contract for Toni Saso. Roll call vote: Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Hicks, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Cribben to approve Melissa Crisci as Shabbona Elementary principal. Roll call vote: Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Cribben, seconded by Palombo to approve Ehren Mertz as high school/middle school athletic coordinator. Roll call vote: Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Palombo to approve student summer help as: Tyler Cinnamon (high school); Adam Marchiorello (Waterman Elementary); Isabelle Jeffries (Waterman Elementary); Savannah Stanley (Shabbona Elementary); and Matt Todd (middle school). Roll call vote: Konen, yes; Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Konen, seconded by Palombo to accept the resignation of Shannon Minson as middle school science teacher effective June 30, 2007. Roll call vote: Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Cribben, seconded by Palombo to accept the resignation of JoDe Byro as middle school custodian effective June 15, 2007. Roll call vote: Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, yes; Hicks, yes; Cribben, yes. 6 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Ottengheime to amend the board minutes of March 21, 2007 to state to reemploy the following second year probationary teacher as third year probationary teacher: Jodie Thunder. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Palombo to designate Farmers & Traders State Bank, Waterman State Bank, PMA Financial Network, Inc. and Illinois School District Liquid Asset Fund as the depository of all school funds. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Ottengheime, seconded by Palombo to approve Wilcoxon and Associates, Ltd. as district auditors. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Ottengheime to approve Scariano, Himes, and Petrarca, Chtd. as district attorneys. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
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It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Ottengheime to approve Basaly, Carey, and Alstadt Architects, LTD. as district architects. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Ottengheime, seconded by Konen to set the 2007-2008 board of education meetings as follows: July 16, 2007; August 20, 2007; September 17, 2007; October 8, 2007; October 22, 2007; November 5, 2007; November 19, 2007; December 17, 2007; January 21, 2008; February 11, 2008; March 10, 2008; April 21, 2008; May 19, 2008; and June 16, 2008. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Ottengheime to approve Patty Foster as district treasurer. The motion was amended by Konen to read to approve Patty Foster as district treasurer for one year for $400 a month. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The amended motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Palombo to approve the prevailing wage agreement. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
There was a second reading of all student handbooks. It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Boehne to approve all student handbooks. Roll call vote: Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, no; Hicks, yes; Cribben, yes. 5 yes, 1 no. The motion carried.
The high school athletic handbook was tabled on the agenda to between VI.l and VI.m.
There was a second reading of the high school crisis handbook. It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Ottengheime to approve the high school crisis handbook. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
There was a second reading of board policies 2.250-AP2, 2.170, 2.170-AP, 4.50-E, 4.120, 4.120-AP, 4.170-AP1, 4.170-E2, 6.145, 6.160, 6.160E-1, 6.160-E2, 6.170-AP3, 6.300-E1, 6.310, 6.310-E, 7.15E, 7.20-AP, 7.70, 7.130, and 7.190. It was moved by Ottengheime, seconded by Palombo to approve board policies 2.250-AP2, 2.170, 2.170-AP, 4.50-E, 4.120, 4.120-AP, 4.170-AP1, 4.170-E2, 6.145, 6.160, 6.160E-1, 6.160-E2, 6.170-AP3, 6.300-E1, 6.310, 6.310-E, 7.15E, 7.20-AP, 7.70, 7.130, and 7.190. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
There was a second reading of board policy 7.240-AP1. After much discussion, it was moved by Palombo, seconded by Ottengheime to approve board policy 7.240-AP1. There was more discussion and Mr. Boehne called for the question. Roll call vote: Boehne, yes; Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, no; Hicks, no; Cribben, yes. 4 yes, 2 no. The motion carried.
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There was a second reading of the high school athletic handbook. It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Palombo to approve the high school athletic handbook. Roll call vote: Ottengheime, yes; Palombo, yes; Konen, no; Hicks, yes; Boehne, yes; Cribben, yes. 5 yes 1 no. The motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Palombo to approve the estimate from GR’s Plumbing for repair of the water leak for $19,800. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Konen to approve the commodities bids as presented subject to discretion to substitute quality and including the escalator from North Central. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Ottengheime, seconded by Konen to approve the middle school overnight trip to Washington, D.C. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Boehne, seconded by Palombo to approve the intergovernmental agreement with Paw Paw for a social worker who would be in Indian Creek .6 and Paw Paw .4. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried.
By general consensus, it was decided to set the budget hearing date for September 17, 2007.
Mr. Hicks discussed having board goals. This will be placed on the next agenda as a discussion item.
Mr. Hicks discussed the high school flagpole. There was $2000 in the budget and he has found someone who will put in a stainless steel pole and repair the foundation.
The indemnification agreement was tabled.
There was an update on local meetings held regarding a possible type 2 gambling facility. A letter from Jude Mayer was in the board members’ packets. There has been no contact from the tribe or their attorney. Mr. Hicks, Mrs. Ottengheime, and Ms. Rockwood attended both meetings. The village has a sewer and water study with the tribe. The township and school district do not have agreements with the tribe. Loss of tax money was discussed. As needed, this item will be on a future agenda.
There was no DCP/SAFE report.
Mr. Cribben gave the IVVC report. The Connie Olson Scholarship was given to Ashley Covert. T.J. Schiltz and Mel Sebastiano received awards as the IVVC Awards Night. There could be
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some costs to the district on the air conditioning unit and maintenance. IVVC is still trying to sell the house that the building trades class built. A builders group may take the house.
Mrs. Konen reported on the DCSEA meeting. There were three budget options for billing based on: 1. number of students; 2. number of days the district uses; and 3. baseline. Mrs. Konen voted against option 1 but it passed. Option 1 will cost the district $122,904; option 2: $102, 318; and Option 3: $105,830. The district has 83 students. IDEA incentive grants were discussed. The would receive $140,390 as flow-through money that can be used for special education. Somonauk is taking steps to withdraw from DCSEA. It will be a lengthy process and will affect our district’s costs.
The policy committee report was discussed previously.
Ms. Rockwood gave the superintendent’s report. She reported on teacher appreciation week and the end of the year luncheon using the fish theme. She also reported on the administrators retreat, NWEA, professional development, interviewing, fees, graduation, and a briefing on the Waterman Emergency Plan.
Board members were polled regarding attendance at the November school board conference.
A bus request by a local church was approved by the superintendent. It will only be used to transport bicyclists from the state park in case of rain.
A thank you was read from the National Honor Society.
It was moved by Palombo, seconded by Ottengheime that the meeting be adjourned. On a voice vote, all members voted yes. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Ottengheime, Secretary