Central Community High School District #71

7740 Old U.S. 50, Breese, IL  62230

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, August 20, 2007  7:30 PM

 

 

AGENDA

 

 

1.0       Call to Order

 

2.0              Roll Call

 

3.0              Approval of Agenda

 

4.0              Approval of Minutes

 

5.0              Routine Business

5.1              Financial Report

5.2              Payment of Bills

5.3              Recognition of Visitors / Public Comment

5.4              Communications / Correspondence

5.5              Information

 

6.0              Old Business

6.1              2007 Summer Project Update / Application for Payment

 

7.0              New Business

7.1              Spring 07 PSAE Results / ACT Results

7.2              Employment of Head Baseball Coach

7.3              Employment of Head Softball Coach

7.4              Employment of ESL Teacher Aide

7.5              Authorize Seeking Bids of New Multi-purpose Tractor

7.6              Authorize Sale of Equipment via Sealed Bids

7.7              Approve Repayment and Establishment of Intrafund Loan

7.8              Preliminary 07-08 Budget and Approve Budget Hearing

 

8.0              Principal’s Report

 

9.0       Executive Session

 

10.0     Adjournment

 

 

 

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on August 20, 2007 at 7:30 P.M. in the boardroom.

 

Members present were Mike Strieker,  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Rick Taphorn, and Tim Richter presided.   Visitors included Shauna Lager, Andrea Bequette and Kelly Ross.  Mike Nettemeier arrived at 7:40.

 

The agenda was reviewed and approved on a motion by Dave Wellen, second by Mike Strieker.  Roll call vote:  Aye – Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn, Tim Richter, Mary Loss Voss and Dave Wellen.  Nay – None

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and approved on a motion by Tim Richter, second by Mike Strieker.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn, Tim Richter, Mary Loss Voss and Dave Wellen. Nay – None.

 

The financial report was reviewed and accepted on a motion by Rick Taphorn, second by Dave Wellen.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn, Tim Richter, Mary Loss Voss and Dave Wellen.  Nay – None.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

 

Mr. Meyer reminded the Board Members that free admission to functions will be granted to the Administrators and Board Members at fellow Cahokia Conference schools.  Laminate cards will be distributed to those Board Member who do not have one currently. 

 

Mr. Meyer sent an email to Breese District #12 regarding their recent bus purchase and his concerns about this purchase.  There has been no response from Mr. Dave Timmermann at this time.

 

An email was sent to ISBE regarding the State Aid Payments and the interest free loan that is offered.  Central will not need to utilize the interest free loan program. 

 

Faculty & Staff directories were distributed to each Board Member.  Mr. Meyer reminded the Board Members that although they may call the faculty with questions, common practice would be to call Mr. Meyer and/or Mr. Jones first.

 

A copy of the letter sent to the employees regarding the decision of the Insurance Committee was also distributed.  The committee decided, with the full staff in mind, to revise the insurance coverage slightly – only changing the prescription drug tier costs and the out-of-pocket costs.  There will only be a $20.00 increase in premium for the 07-08 year.  The Insurance Committee again did a great job in taking all employees into consideration when making their decision. 

 

Prospective and new legislative bills have been passed that affect Central Community Hgih School Dist. 71.  One affects any 3rd party contracts that are involved with the school.  Currently that would affect our food service and our transportation contracts.  The bill states that any 3rd party benefits package must be comparable to the benefits that are offered at the school they are employed.  This could increase our cost for future contracts.  Senate Bill 424 authorizes schools to adopt a policy for students in 7th and 8th grades to enroll in high school courses and receive credits applicable to high school credits.  Senate Bill 538 allows community organizations to utilize our facility under a policy adopted by the school.  This bill also states that a trained person using a defibulator can’t be held liable.  Our staff went through First Aid, CPR & AED classes and all are certified for FY07-08. 

 

A letter was sent out to the Maintenance and Custodial employees commending them on the outstanding work that was done throughout the summer months.  With their help, the summer projects were completed on time and look great.  Also, thanks to Rodney Lohman for the landscaping and lawn maintenance work.  The school grounds are in great shape.

 

Mr. Meyer talked to several other school districts as well as the school’s attorney, Mr. Brian Braun, regarding a school foundation.  Although other districts have utilized and done well with their school foundations, Mr. Braun recommended that we form “side committees” to, in respect, have the same function as a foundation without the expenses or legal matters.  Mr. Meyer is still looking into the options.

 

The Kaskaskia Special Education District Fall Governing Board Meeting will be held in early September.  Mr. Meyer and Mary Lou Voss will be attending.

 

Student registration for 07-08 went well.  Over $61,000 of fees were collected when schedules were picked up.  This is an increase over prior years. 

 

Johannes Construction completed the 2007 summer projects.  The completion date was met with only minor problems addressed right before the start of school.  Duane Eversgerd and Mr. Meyer will do a final walk through to make sure the project is complete.  Johannes has submitted application and certificate of Payment #4 for the amount of $78,972.97.  (This still allows for a retainage amount of $27,241.02 to be paid when the final walk through has been completed and when the final paperwork has been completed.)  A motion to approve payment #4 to Johannes Construction for $78,972.97 was made by Dave Wellen, second by Mike Nettemeier.  Roll call vote:  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn and Tim Richter. 

 

A new threshold was installed to a door in the new atrium that was leaking water.  Mr. Todd Jones stated that the original threshold was placed too high, allowing water to enter.  Mr. Jones said that should fix the leak.

 

PSAE and ACT scores were received.  Scores for both tests were accurate with last years’ results. 

 

Mr. Meyer recommended Mr. Kevin Crask as Head Baseball Coach.  Mr. Crask was the JV baseball coach last year and will do a great job this year with the Varsity team.  A motion to hire Mr. Kevin Crask as Head Baseball coach was made by Rick Taphorn, second by Mike Strieker.  Roll call vote:  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn and Tim Richter. 

 

A recommendation to hire Ms. Angela Witte as Head Softball Coach was made by Mr. Meyer.  Ms. Witte has assisted with the basketball team as well as the softball team.  She has played high school and college softball and brings a great deal of experience to the Central team.  A motion was made by Rick Taphorn to hire Ms. Angela Witte as Head Softball coach, second by Tim Richter.  Roll call vote:  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn and Tim Richter. 

 

With the above recommendations, Mr. Meyer also noted that we will need to advertise for an assistant baseball coach, assistant softball coach and assistant soccer coach for the spring.

 

Over the summer months, we have been advertising for a Teacher Aide that could assist us with our Spanish-speaking students.  It is required that we have this available to our Spanish-speaking students.  Currently, we have 4 students that would need an Aide.  Of the only 3 applicants we received, the first 2 rejected our offer mostly due to our pay rate.  The 3rd applicant is more qualified than the first 2 applicants with having a 4-year teaching degree.  The applicant is not an American citizen and does not have a VISA to work in the United States.  This person is very willing to work and has proven that she works well with the students.  In talking with Mr. Braun, (school’s attorney), he recommended that we pay her as a substitute, not as employee, until she receives her VISA.  Also, to give her an incentive to proceed with the VISA application and stay on after receiving her VISA, he suggested we offer her an incentive.  The Board agreed to pay her as a substitute and to offer to pay for the VISA application (~$475.00). The Board also agreed to discuss other incentives to be offered after she receives her VISA.  Mr. Meyer and Mr. Jones will be talking to the applicant to further discuss.

 

A motion to prepare specification and begin seeking bids for a new tractor was made by Mike Strieker, second by Rick Taphorn.  Roll call vote:  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn and Tim Richter. 

Currently, the largest tractor we have is a 1974 Case purchased at the opening of our school.  It has served the school very well, but needs to be replaced by a more versatile piece of equipment that would be used for multiple tasks. 

 

There are also several other pieces of equipment that are basically just taking up space and never being used.  These include the zero-turn Snapper lawn mower, the 1990 Ford F150 pickup truck and the Case tractor mentioned above.  Repairs for this equipment would be costly and the trade-in value would be worthless, as nobody want an old piece of equipment.  A motion to advertise sealed bidding on the Case tractor, Snapper lawn mower and the 1990 Ford F150 was made by Tim Richter, second by Rick Taphorn.  Roll call vote:  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn and Tim Richter. 

 

An intrafund loan is needed for the expenditures on this summer’s project.  A motion to make a $100,000.00 intrafund loan from FY08 Working Cash to Life Safety was made by Rick Taphorn, second by Mike Strieker.  Roll call vote:  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn and Tim Richter.  This will be refunded when we receive our local property tax payments next year.  The late arrival of the first tax payment this year necessitates this loan.

 

A repayment of an intrafund loan will be made to FY08 Working Cash from Life Safety once we receive the first installment of property tax payments next month.  A motion to repay a $90,000.00 intrafund loan to Working Cash from Life Safety was made by Mike Nettemeier, second by Dave Wellen.  Roll call vote:  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn and Tim Richter. 

 

The FY 07-08 Budget was prepared by Mr. Meyer, Art Kampwerth and Becky Boeschen.  With an increase in General State Aid and local property taxes, an increase in expenses including salaries, operating costs and other expenditures, conservative revenue figures and optimistic expenditures, we still stand at a surplus of ~$283,000.  This allows for Central to build a reserve.  Please note that the budget figures can be tweaked based upon information we receive prior to the budget approval in September.  A motion to set the Budget Hearing for September 17, 2007 at 7:15 P.M. was made by Rick Taphorn, second by Dave Wellen.  Roll call vote:  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn and Tim Richter. 

 

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

 

On day 3 of classes, there has already been reported an agenda book misplaced.  The student had to pay the replacement fee of $6.00 for a new agenda. 

 

The first day for teachers was well attended.  Wednesday was full with individual meetings, as well as First Aid/CPR/AED training.  Thursday, students attended in the morning and the teachers attended a session on Diabetes, with the help of employees from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. 

 

Fall Sports Media Day was held Friday, August 17.  Thanks to Mr. Warnecke, A.D., for making the arrangements with the media and the coaches. 

 

Enrollment has grown since last discussed.  Currently we have 611 students – 165 freshmen, 144 Sophomores, 141 Juniors and 161 Seniors. 

 

The board adjourned at 9:10 p.m. on a motion by Rick Taphorn, second by Dave Wellen.  Roll call vote:  Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Rick Taphorn and Tim Richter. 

 

 

Mary Lou Voss                      Mike Strieker                        

Board President                                    Board Secretary