MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MACOMB C.U.S.D. #185
JUNE 18, 2007
7:10 P.M.

Board President Ardell Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Library at Macomb Jr./Sr. High School.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll was taken with the following members answering “present”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Member Klems was present via telephone. 

President Thompson recognized district staff and administrators retiring at the end of the 2007-2008 school year, as follows:  Arline Anderson, Joanne Curtis, Maria Dunstan, Karen Ingledue, Frances Karanovich, Laurie Mulvin, Cathy Palm-Gessner, Sheila Shearer, Martha Mitchell, Jane Toland, Linda VanVleet, and Mary Wolfmeyer.  She thanked them for their service and expressed appreciation on behalf of the Board for their dedication to the District.   Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Dunstan, Mrs. Ingledue, Dr. Karanovich, Mrs. Toland, and Mrs. Wolfmeyer came forward to accept the traditional school bell as a token of the Board’s appreciation for their service. 

The Board also recognized Tim Sullivan and Steve Workman for their years of service on the Board and presented them with a school bell.

Member DeJong advised that the Verizon cell tower landscaping would be taken care of in September or October and that Randy Smith would follow through to be sure that the work is completed as scheduled.

Member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar, which included the following:  Minutes from the May 21, 2007, regular meeting; Minutes from the June 13, 2007, special meeting; Treasurer’s Report; Investment Report; Monthly Board Report; Bills and Payroll; Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (.05 levy); Food Service Monthly Report; Macomb Jr./Sr. High School Activity Accounts; and Financial Authorizations.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

In response to member Kiah’s questions about line items in the Transportation Fund Report, Superintendent Karanovich explained that the negative purchased service balance reflected additional non-reimbursable transportation runs, and that an activity bus was ordered that will come out of the 07-08 budget. 

Member Adams moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meeting held during the May 21, 2007, regular meeting.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Member Klems abstained.  Motion carried.

At 7:20 p.m., member Kiah moved, and member DeJong seconded, to hold a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/s(c)(1).  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

The closed meeting ended at 8:30 p.m. 

Member Adams moved, and member Kiah seconded, to approve the following actions respecting Certificated personnel:
Retirement:
Diane Fox, Kindergarten Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective end of the 2007-2008 school year.
Change in Assignment:
Jane Pittman, from Art Teacher, Edison Elementary School, to Art/Exploratory Teacher, Macomb Junior High School, effective August 14, 2007.
Employment:
Amber Bruning, Speech Language Pathologist (replacement), MacArthur Early Childhood Center, St. Paul School, Macomb Junior High School, effective August 14, 2007, (replaces Elbe).
Marcy Lantz, Grade 6 Teacher (replacement), Edison Elementary School, effective August 14, 2007, (replaces Dana Lentz).
Ellen Zoerink, School Social Worker, increase of 10 days to extend the 2006-2007 contract.
Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Clark.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Member Shouse abstained.  Motion carried.

Member DeJong moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the following actions respecting Educational Support personnel:
Retirement:
Laureen Mulvin, Program Assistant, Macomb Senior High School, effective May 31, 2007.
Change in Assignment:
Dee Arnold, from Custodian, Macomb Junior Senior High School, 4 hours per day, to Custodian, Macomb Junior Senior High School, 8 hours per day, effective June 1, 2007, (replaces Bice).
Marsha Wetmore, from Program Assistant, Macomb Junior Senior High School, to Program Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, 6 hours per day, effective August 20, 2007.
Employment:
Megan Butler, Program Assistant (replacement), Edison Elementary School, 6 hours per day, effective August 14, 2007, (replaces Lundgren).
Julianna Daniels, Program Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, 6 1/2 hours per day, effective August 20, 2007.
Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried. 

Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the following actions respecting Co-Curricular personnel:
Resignation:
Tom Cummings, Assistant Wrestling Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective end of the 2006-2007 season.
Jenny Franseen, Assistant Volleyball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective end of the 2006-2007 season.
Eric Imhoff, Football Coach, Macomb Junior High School, effective end of the 2006-2007 season.
Brigham John,  Football Coach, Macomb Junior High School, effective end of the 2006-2007 season.
Employment:
Michael Adams, Girls Swim Coach, and Boys Swim Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Jay Ankenbrand, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Brock Bainter, Grade 8 Team Leader, Macomb Junior High School, and Assistant Baseball Coach, and Assistant Boys Basketball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
David Benson, Ecology Club Sponsor, 1/2 stipend, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Kelly Carpenter, Lead Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Scott Clauson, Boys Basketball Coach (8), Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Kim Couza, Special Education Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Marsha Davey, Grade 2 Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Sara Drallmeier, Dance Team Sponsor, 1/2 stipend, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Greg Duncan, Boys Basketball Coach (7), Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Richelle Glaser, Grade 4 Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Kate Hall, Grade 6 Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Pamela Heaton-Burnham, Head Volleyball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Neal Heerwagen, Newspaper Sponsor, Student Council Sponsor, and Play Sponsor, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Joel Hildenbrand, Ecology Club, 1/2 sponsor, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Steve Horrell, Assistant Football Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Luke Ladd, Head Wrestling Coach, and Assistant Softball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Matt Jacobson, Grade 7 Team Leader, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Kathy Knowles, Yearbook Sponsor, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Max Kreps, Specialty Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Football Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.

Brian Langworthy, Boys Basketball Coach (8), Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Cindy Lovejoy, Grade 1 Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Tammie Mabrey, Kindergarten Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Mike McCall, Assistant Football Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Doug Mattsey, Jazz Band Instructor, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Julie Meredith, Specialty Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Donna Marlow, Special Education Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Maria Montalvo, Science Club Sponsor, 1/2 stipend, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Emily Platt, Head Boys and Girls Track Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Jennifer Pugh, Dance Team Sponsor, 1/2 stipend, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Suellyn Rieckelman, Scholastic Bowl, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Andrea Robinson, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Gary Saunders,  Boys Golf Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Jim Scott, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Kelly Sears, Head Football Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Stephanie Seaver, Grade 5 Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Diana Sharpe, Lead Teacher, Edison Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Kent Simmons, Cheer Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Shelley Standley, Grade 3 Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Erin Stegall, Swing Choir Sponsor, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Gene Thorman, Girls Basketball Coach (8), Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Jeff Thorman, Head Girls Basketball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Dan Watson, Head Boys Basketball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.

Ruth Ann Willis, Cheerleading Coach, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Linda Wilson, Science Club Sponsor, 1/2 stipend, and Scholastic Bowl Sponsor, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Ryan Wilson, Girls Tennis Coach, and Boys Tennis Coach Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to adjust Maureen Hazell’s, Principal of Edison Elementary School, salary for the 2007-2008 school year, to give a 2% pay increase and 2% Board paid TRS to all administrators except Scott Kehrberg, MSHS Principal, and to give a 4% pay increase to all non-certified personnel.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Assistant Superintendent Maria Dunstan presented an overview of the gifted program and recommendations for that program for the 2007-2008 school year, as follows:

• Use current gifted identification measures to identify gifted students but continue to evaluate and develop the gifted identification matrix throughout the coming year.
• Offer six-day Gifted Training Institute in July/August  (currently 12 teachers are signed up for the training)
• Continue to cluster group identified students in the elementary grades.
• Kindergarten teachers will pilot the Kingore Observation Inventory
• Continue open enrollment in grades 7-12 for students wanting to participate in honors and AP classes.
• Teachers will be encouraged to attend September 26, 2007 workshop on differentiating curriculum through Layered Curriculum.
• Continue to pay a stipend for a Gifted Program Coordinator/Consultant.
• Accountability
• Using Marzano’s research, teachers of identified students will develop quarterly common assessments to pre and post test students in order to determine differentiation needs, success of strategies, and gains in reading and math  .
• Analyze state and local assessments to determine what the data is telling us about the number of students in the “Exceeds” category and develop a plan to address the needs.
• Use team meeting time to discuss differentiation for high achieving students and examine student work (portfolios).
• Offer training in differentiation and needs of gifted students.
• Involve K-12 counselors in monitoring gifted student progress, examining and interpreting data, and providing student/teacher support.

• Continue to support the gifted program with the current budget ($25,000)

• Complete Comprehensive Gifted Plan and make recommendations for 2008-09.

Discussion ensued regarding methods of identifying gifted students and the cost of administering individual intelligence tests as compared to using the results of ISAT, ITBS, and CoGAT tests.  Members DeJong and Kiah stressed the importance of identifying gifted students and providing services to allow those students to function at their full potential.

Mrs. Dunstan continued with a presentation of test data.  She noted the consistent rise in test scores at all levels across all subjects from 1999-2006.  The District consistently outperforms the state.  The
data also indicates success in disaggregate groups with increased scores in math and reading each year since 1999.  Mrs. Dunstan advised that the District is also tracking cohort groups across the year to watch trends in score levels and to determine the cause of significant gains or losses.  She advised that the Illinois Interactive Report Card website offers a way for Board members and District staff to view test data and analysis of that data.  In summary, Mrs. Dunstan noted that the District is “in the pink”, with all schools having made AYP.  She went on to point out how teachers are working to ensure that students continue to do well, using as an example the reading extended response notebook
compiled by two Edison teachers for use in the upcoming school year.  Member Kiah emphasized the outstanding success at MJHS and credited the teachers with a job well done.

Member DeJong moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve proposed revisions to job descriptions for the following positions:  Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction; Director of Athletics/Activities; Director of Special Education, Special Services/Principal; Elementary Principal; Junior High School Principal; Assistant High School Principal; and, Senior High School Principal.  Mrs. Dunstan explained that the purpose of the changes is to align each job description with the Illinois Professional School Leader Standards and Essential Functions.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member Kiah moved, and member Shouse seconded, to accept the lowest responsible bid for purchase of a new 4x4 pickup truck for the District.  There was only one bid submitted in the amount of $19,088.18 from Woodrum Ford.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member Shouse moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve prevailing wage rates for McDonough County, effective June 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member Adams moved, and member Clark seconded, to retain the same 2006-2007 Tort Levy/Risk Management Plan for 2007-08 since no changes are necessary.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member Shouse moved, and member DeJong seconded, to adopt a resolution designating depositories for the 2007-2008 school year as recommended by the District Treasurer.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to re-establish revolving funds for the 2007-08 school year as recommended by the District Treasurer.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve current hazardous areas in the School District as designated by the Illinois Department of Transportation for the 2007-08 school year.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the calendar of regular Board meetings through June 30, 2008.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Member Kiah abstained.  Motion carried.

Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to appoint Charlotte Morrow as District Treasurer and Lisa Mooney as Assistant Treasurer through June 30, 2008.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Prior to adjournment, member DeJong observed that in light of use of the on-line agenda, members could request from Lisa hard copies of agenda documents they have questions about or wish to discuss with the entire Board, rather than having the entire printed agenda with all attachments available for each meeting.        

At 9:07 p.m., member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to adjourn.  Motion carried by voice vote.

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                                                                                                                        President

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                                    Date

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                                                                                                                        Secretary