Community High School District #71

BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, June 19, 2017 7:00 P.M.

AGENDA

A hearing to amend the budget was held at 6:45PM on June 19, 2017. Members present were Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth and Tim Richter. Ms. Boeschen briefly explained the amendments suggested for each fund. With the amendments, Ms. Boeschen is forecasting a (123,625) loss for the year for all funds combined. The budget hearing was adjourned on a motion by Voss, second by Dennis. Motion carried at 7:00PM Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on June 19, 2017 at 7:00PM in the boardroom.

Members present were Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth and Tim Richter. Visitors included Todd Jones, Jenna Kues and Kelly Ross.

The agenda was amended and approved on a motion by Richter, second by Kennedy. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and approved on a motion by Voss, second by Kampwerth. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The financial report and the reimbursed payment to Jeff Kampwerth for BOE expenses was reviewed and accepted on a motion by Voss, second by Richter. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

Mr. Meyer informed the BOE that the C.C.H.S. School Improvement Team completed its summer session for the 2017-18 plan on Thursday, June 8th. Members of the team worked on developing strategies to carry out the plan and professional activities for our teachers. There will be several areas of focus for next year including continued enhancement of technology skills, curricular work by subject area, and school safety. We also have plans to allow teachers to visit other teachers as peer review and sharing of ideas this year. These will be a part of the activities of the School Improvement Team throughout the year. The members of the School Improvement Team had great discussions and should be commended on their work and the continuation of efforts to improve our school.

The representatives of the Regional Office of Education were here on March 13th to complete a full compliance review of Central's fulfillment of required matters on Illinois School Code and personnel matters. On May 18th, we received the report of the items where we were in non-compliance. The good news is that we were cited for three minor areas of code, and those were not policy shortcomings but rather communication of information to our school community (destruction of records, social media password notification, and military information question). These are being added to the appropriate locations of regular business. The bad news is that our personnel records (all of a sudden) had citations in three different areas missing certain items required for files such as official transcripts (seven individuals), correct criminal background checks (four individuals), and TB testing results (six individuals). We have taken steps to address and correct these matters along with providing a response to the ROE as appropriate.

We are again utilizing a cooperative for the paper purchase this year. Central, Breese Elementary District #12, Mater Dei High School, and Carlyle Unit District #1 have joined together to buy 840 cases of paper in a bulk shipment. (Central will receive 240 cases of the order.) We also received a price of $21.42 per case which is far less than the $22.67 per case paid last year. We are making the purchase through Contract Paper Group Company this year. The shipment is scheduled to arrive on June 22nd. Mr. Meyer thanked Mrs. Jill Varel for doing all of the comparative "shopping" for this purchase and coordinating delivery. He also thanked Foppe Ace Hardware who agreed to let us use their skid loader again this year for the movement of the pallets of paper to vehicles and into our storage areas.

The Health Insurance Committee will be meeting to discuss coverage for our employees for next year. The first step is to wait for our renewal figures from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. (It is possible the renewal is very good and the committee simply decides to renew for another year.) If not, as our broker, the Imming Insurance Agency will retrieve proposals from carriers and present to the committee in early or mid-July. The goal is to determine a benefits package and bring it to the July or August meeting for your review and approval.

The PAWS Organization will be electing their officers this summer for the 2017-18 school year. The positions will be filled at their August meeting. The 6th Annual P.A.W.S. Golf Tournament was held on Sunday, June 11th at Bent Oak Golf Course. The proceeds (~$9000) for this event benefits the activities and work of the P.A.W.S. Organization.

Mr. Meyer provided updates on the Summer 2017 Projects at the meeting. So far we have either set up or completed all of the smaller scale projects that we have discussed over the past six months. The only projects we have not scheduled or concluded is the replacement of floor coverings in three rooms including Child Care (5W), OT/PT Room (17WA), and the Speech Therapist/Social Worker Office (9W). All three of these rooms have "ancient" carpeting that needs replacement and tile is the preferred surface. Home Fashions will be replacing the carpet for us. The only other item we are waiting for some information on is the sound system in West Gym/Commons Area. .

Todd Jones and Jenna Kues, from FGM Architects, presented preliminary drawings and cost estimates of Section III and IV of our tentative plans for the 2018-19 Renovations and Building Addition. After having discussions with our Music Department and the Media and Technology staff here at Central, we believe we have developed some excellent initial plans for facility additions that can take these programs into the future for usage by our students.

Todd went through each phase of the possible building additions. After a very long discussion about the preliminary plans and questions from the board members, Mr. Meyer reminded the BOE to think about the plans for a while but continue to keep the long range goals in mind. The Board of Education will need to make decisions regarding a move forward to obtaining financing for all Sections of the 2018 Renovations and Building Additions in the next month or two. Ideas as to whether we want to pursue all four sections, the scope of the projects, and other details will fall into our hands at that time. We have until the September - November time frame to make a sale of debt certificates along with obtaining funding bonds planned. And, consistent to that, it will need to go before our constituents for their review and a petition period. Mr. Meyer also reminded everyone that planning and architectural design will need to continue congruent to it so that we are on a time schedule to finalize specifications, let bids, and begin construction of certain phases by next summer.

Last month, we discussed the opportunity we have to purchase band uniforms currently utilized by Collinsville High School. These uniforms are seven to ten years old and same colors with "style and look" consistent to Mr. Chrostoski's preferred design. They are in great condition as well. This is an opportunity to obtain a set of 150 uniforms with hats, garnets, plumes, garment bags, and all necessary features at a fraction of the cost to new uniforms. We have agreed to $9000 for all of the items with CHS and we would be able to get them in September. This is approximately 15% of the cost we would spend for a comparable new set and will last us for at least 10-12 years. A motion to approve Band Uniform purchase for $9000 from Collinsville High School was made by Voss, second by Kennedy. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

We discussed in the hearing meeting the budget amendments. A motion to approve amended 2016-17 Budget as presented was made by Richter, second by Kampwerth. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The Illinois Association of School Board annually charges dues for membership. We have always paid this amount to remain members and take full advantage the services. The renewal is $3,566.00. (Last year's membership dues were $3,396.00.) This is calculated from a base rate and a formula using our average daily attendance. A motion to approve IASB membership renewal was made by Richter, second by Kennedy. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to adopt 2017-18 BOE meeting calendar was made by Kampwerth, second by Voss. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

We have maintained our sub rate of pay at $78.00 per day for the past four years. Mr. Meyer recommended to increase this to $81.00 per day or effectively 13.50 per hour for a six period day. A motion to approve increase of $3/Day for sub rate of pay was made by Voss, second by Richter. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

Similarly, it is also necessary to review the payment of athletic officials and gate admission prices for the 2017-18 school year. Mr. Hamon surveyed area districts to make sure we are competitive in the payment of officials. We did not make changes to these last year but we need to keep ourselves competitive. Also, we charge a gate admission charge of $4.00 per adult and $2.00 per student for athletic contests. Mr. Meyer did not feel we needed to make any changes to gate admission. A motion to approve increase in athletic officials pay rate as presented was made by Kennedy, second by Richter. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

We have completed our third year of the five-year agreement for food services with Aramark School Support Services. The contract for our five-year obligation includes mutually agreed upon contractual amounts renewable each year. Regardless of the contracted price last year, we will still be unable to maintain our current lunch/breakfast prices. Last year we discussed that since requirements have changed, and we can only make a certain level of increase, consistent increases would be necessary for a few years. (Currently, lunch full price is $2.50 with .40 reduced price. Breakfast is 1.45 for full price with .30 for reduced price. We also charge .45 for milk serving.) After discussion with our vendor, the recommendation is to increase student lunch price to $2.60, breakfast price to 1.50, and milk serving price to .50 level. All reduced prices are to remain the same by state guidelines. The goal is to maintain a "break-even point" of costs with food services. A motion to approve increase in lunch prices as presented - Lunch = $2.60; Breakfast = $1.50; Milk = $.50 was made by Voss, second by Meier. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

Mr. Meyer presented the revised Fee Schedule for the approval of Textbook Rental, Activity Fees, and Course Fees for the 2017-18 school year. Neither the textbook rental nor many course fees will require revision. Several years ago, we made an increase to the activity fee with the charge going to a $35.00 per sport/activity and an $85.00 maximum per student level. (I just want to remind everyone that this still falls far short from recouping any degree of expenses for transportation or providing those activities. An increase here would be more than justified but it is at the discretion of the Board of Education.) We also implemented Technology Fee of $25.00 last year for costs of maintaining our vast technology systems. Costs for technology are a major expense and will continue to rise as we move forward with our plans for next year. The biggest issue this year is the addition of the lease-to-own One-to-One Chromebook costs this Year creating the fee of $75 per year. We also are implementing the $25 optional self-insurance program on those units. Of course, this will be a "sticker shock" for some of our parents, but we have offered a great deal of information and public discourse on the topic. A motion to approve fee schedule for 2017-18 as presented was made by Kampwerth, second by Kennedy. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

One cost level for reimbursement that we have not reviewed for many years is the per diem reimbursement rates for staff attending conferences, tournaments, and other activities. Currently, we are providing advance money for these purposes to staff at following levels: Breakfast ($5.00), Lunch ($8.00), and Dinner ($10.00). It is almost impossible to obtain these meals at that rate in today's circumstances especially in areas where these activities are attended. My recommendation is that we increase these to $6.00/$9.00/$12.00 and review these for approval each year. A motion to approve increase in per diem reimbursed rates for staff as presented was made by Voss, second by Kruse. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to employ Stacy Schroeder as RTI teacher aide was made by Kennedy, second by Kruse. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to employ Angela Zurliene as Sp. Ed. teacher aide was made by Kampwerth, second by Kruse. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:

The second semester exams were held Thursday, May 18 th - Monday, May 21st for all students. This semester's exam schedule was like 1st semester using three days. The purpose of the schedule is to build in some exam prep time and reduce the number of exams taken per day. The seniors were under the old exam policy second semester. One excused absence or an "A" average will grant an exemption from the exams in that particular class. Any unexcused absences and exams are mandatory.

On Sunday evening, May 21st , Central held its 4th Annual Spring Athletic Banquet. Over 400 were in attendance to recognize the participants of track, baseball, softball, & soccer! The banquet was be held at the Albers Legion at 6:00 P.M. Thanks to Neil Hamon in organizing the event and all the spring sport coaches for their efforts with our athletes!! The seniors and their parents were recognized at the end of the program.

This year's graduation breakfast, practice, & graduation was indeed a compliment to the Class of 2017! The ceremony was a reflection of dignity and honor. Thanks to Eric Chrostoski, Band Director, and his 18 graduation performance members! The group sat in a different location this year due to its size. Did you notice the decorations in front of the stage area? Thanks to Andrea Henry and Carol Bequette for making the stage area look great with purple drapery and white sash! Thanks to Teachers', Angie Kohlbrecher and Greg Kruse for lining up the graduates for commencement exercises; and several teachers helped graduates get ready for the ceremony in the east gym; Jill Varel took yearbook photos of our Summa, Magna, & Cum Laude recipients as well as taking pictures during the ceremony. Thanks to Central's maintenance staff for chair arrangements; members of the student council for passing out programs; & Secretary, Chris Shumard for her efforts with the graduation programs. The graduation was well attended by Central's faculty and staff! Graduation has several people behind the scenes making sure the graduation ceremony goes well. Thanks to all involved in making the graduation another one to remember.

Enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year is currently at 592. This includes the 153 incoming freshmen, 148 sophomores, 140 juniors, and 151 seniors. Last year's enrollment at this time was 570. We began last year with 579. We can expect a 5% increase in enrollment before school begins. The increase would be due to transfers into the district between now and August 15^th as well as new freshmen who have yet to register.

The board adjourned the meeting on a motion by Richter; second by Kennedy at 9:54PM. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None