Central Community High School District #71
7740 Old U.S. 50, Breese, IL 62230
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, November 16, 2020 7:00 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 2020-21 Dugout and Exterior Enhancement Projects
A. Dugout Project – Approve Application for Payment #3
B. Update on Entrance Awning Project
6.2 Report from Building Committee Discussion
7.0 New Business
7.1 Preliminary 2021 Tax Levy / Schedule Truth in Taxation Hearing
7.2 Approve the Resolution to Adopt E-Learning Program in Lieu of the District’s Scheduled Emergency Days
7.3 Employ Maintenance Staff Position
8.0 Principal’s Report
9.0 Executive Session
10.0 Adjournment
A special meeting for a resolution hearing was held on November 16, 2020 at 6:45PM in the Media Center.
Members present were Mike Nettemeier, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth, and Sean Kennedy. Tim Richter was absent. Visitors included Kelly Ross and Ami Shanafelt (6:52).
The BOE discussed the possibility of a resolution for E-Learning Days to be used for Emergency Days.
The board adjourned the hearing on a motion by Kennedy, second by T. Kampwerth at 7:00PM. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on November 16, 2020 at 7:01PM in the Media Center.
Members present were Mike Nettemeier, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth, and Sean Kennedy. Tim Richter was absent. Visitors included Kelly Ross and Ami Shanafelt.
The agenda was approved on a motion by J. Kampwerth, second by Kruse. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved on a motion by Kennedy, second by Voss. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None
The financial report and payment of bills were reviewed and accepted on a motion by Voss, second by Krise. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None
Dr. Foutch informed the BOE of a $3000 Holocaust Grant won by Britni Hogg for books for Mrs. Florczyk’s class.
There was a FAFSA Completion Activity held at Central on November 10th in the computer lab. The program was sponsored by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. The program reviewed the completion of financial aid forms, when and how to apply, scholarships, grants, work study programs, and other information necessary to help parents plan for post-secondary pursuits. The event was held in coordination with our parent-teachers conferences. Parent Teacher Conferences were also held on Tuesday, November 10th. Although we made some changes to the structure of our parent-teacher conferences this year (to ensure the safety of all participants), the conference still gave our parents the opportunity to have those personal, direct conversations to hear about their child’s status and progress in their classes. We feel our conferences are extremely valuable and a chance to open our doors to parental involvement and collaboration.
Dr. Foutch informed the BOE that over this school year, members of both the math and science departments have been engaging in the Curriculum Study Cycle. Both groups have done an excellent job studying curriculum, instructional practices, and course offerings. In past years, departments that have engaged in this process have requested new textbooks and supplies upon completion. Due to budget constraints in our education fund, last year Dr. Foutch worked with the math teachers to delay the purchase of a large scale “new” textbook adoption. Our primary goal was to ensure that the delay did not negatively impact student learning. With that, several of the licenses for our online math textbooks are expiring and we will need to get those licenses renewed in several classes. Also, in regards to science, the department will be adding Dual-Credit Biology next year and making adjustments to their freshman science curriculum. Expected total expense for both departments to make the purchases necessary to implement the changes should be less than $100,000.
Dr. Foutch asked the BOE if he should plan the Board of Education and Administration Holiday Dinner. The BOE agreed that January 7th would be a good date to meet.
The dugout project is moving along well. Litteken Construction has submitted Payment Application #3 in the amount of $44,835.30 A motion to approve payment #3 to Litteken Construction for $44835.30 for the Dugout project was made by Voss, second by Kruse. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None
The final architectural drawings for our awnings have been completed and approved. The awnings are expected to be delivered and installed in the next 8-10 weeks.
The Building Committee held its first annual meeting on Thursday, October 22nd in order to discuss potential projects and building issues. At the meeting, we discussed short and long term goals for the facility.
Dr. Foutch and Becky presented a preliminary tax levy for review. (The 2020 Tax Levy is for funding to be collected in 2021.) Our estimated assessed valuation continues to grow. As in the past, the process forces us to set our request at a higher level than will ever actually be extended to us. Unfortunately, this gives people the impression that what we will request is seen as a large actual increase in extension, while what we will actually receive is not the same level. A levy is simply a request that we are forced to make at an inflated level to ensure we access the revenue available according to the eventual assessment of property. We have always looked at trends from the past few years and see some inconsistency in assessment. We still must maintain a goal to establish a levy request that garners our total revenue potential and, with little information on which to base this, it must be sufficient. A poor decision could mean a scenario that sets a request for funds too low and leaves potential dollars inaccessible. A decision to adopt a sufficient levy is crucial for a district such as Central because of increases in annual expenses and our reliance on local revenue. Due to the pandemic, school districts have been informed that state funding levels are expected to decline, thus we will likely be forced to increase our dependence upon local tax revenues. The BOE discussed several factors and reviewed these figures to establish a preliminary levy amount. A motion to Set the Truth in Taxation Hearing for December 21 at 6:45PM was made by J. Kampwerth, second by Voss. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None
As we discussed last month, the board will need to take action on the resolution allowing the district to use E-Learning Days in lieu of Emergency Days. This would approve the plan for three years and must be revisited at that time. ISBE has also recently released guidance that states for the 20-21 school year only, districts can use their current Remote Learning Plan (which Central had approved by the Regional Office last spring) to conduct remote learning during Emergency Days. The Board decided to table this item.
A motion to employ Jon Voss as 2nd shift maintenance staff pending all necessary requirements are made by Kennedy, second by Kruse. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:
Dr. Ketchum updated the BOE on the quarantine and E-Learning numbers.
The Central Cougar Student/Athlete Leadership Committee met for the first time on November 5th. There were 41 student athletes present. The committee discussed expectations and signs of toxic leadership.
The School Improvement Team met on 11/10/20 and discussed the Cougar Academic Support Program. They also discussed the need for department feedback for the 21-22 master schedule and coursework planning.
Dr. Ketchum touched on the new schedule as well as the hybrid schedule.
Dr. Ketchum recognized staff and students on their recent accomplishments.
The board entered into closed session on a motion by Kruse, second by T. Kampwerth to discuss the upcoming basketball seasons. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None Motion carried at 8:08PM.
The board entered back into open session on a motion by Kruse, second by T. Kampwerth. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None Motion carried at 8:25PM.
The board adjourned the meeting on a motion by Kennedy, second by J. Kampwerth at 8:26PM. Roll call vote: Aye –Mike Nettemeier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tanya Kampwerth. Nay – None
Mike Nettemeier Tim Richter
Board President Board Secretary