MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MACOMB C.U.S.D. #185
OCTOBER 15, 2007
8:00 P.M.
Board President Ardell Thompson called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Macomb Jr./Sr. High School Library. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll was taken with the following members answering “present”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.
The Board of Education recognized Matt Buren for being chosen Senior of the Month for the month of September.
Member DeJong noted that on October 18, Phi Kappa Phi would present a lecture entitled, “What’s Wrong With No Child Left Behind and What Can We Do to Fix It?”. President Thompson reminded members that the IASB Western Division Meeting would be held on October 23 in Dallas City.
Dr. Reuschel presented information on the following:
Nancy Bell presented information on the per capita library grant for her program at MJSHS and on behalf of Paula Blythe for Lincoln and Edison. She advised that the grant money was used to purchase books related to the Rebecca Caudill award and the Lincoln Award for Lincoln and Edison’s libraries. New reading programs focusing on technology, geography, and science have also been purchased for use at Lincoln and Edison. Mrs. Bell noted that her program at the Jr./Sr. High School emphasizes teaching, learning, and program administration and grant funds have been used to enhance those areas. Students have been working with reference materials and learning how to use the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature. The Library and English departments have been working together to use lexiles to encourage students to read at a higher level. Lexile numbers are being placed on library materials and a list by lexile number will be compiled so that students, librarians and teachers can easily locate reading materials based on their lexile. Mrs. Bell thanked the Board for their continued support.
Member Adams moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar, which included the following items: Minutes from the September 17, 2007, regular meeting; minutes from the September 19, 2007, Board of Education Work Session meeting; minutes from the October 11, 2007, special Board meeting; Treasurer’s Report; Investment Report; Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (.05 levy); Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (BI); Food Service Monthly Report; Macomb Jr./Sr. High School Activity Accounts; Financial Authorizations; Bills and Payroll; and, Monthly Board Report. Vote was taken on the motion with the following members voting “yes”:
DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Kiah moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meetings held during the September 19, 2007, Board of Education Work Session, and the October 11, 2007, special Board meeting. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Shouse moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the following action respecting Educational Support personnel:
Employment:
Roberta Huff, Program Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, 6 hours 15 minutes per day, effective October 1, 2007 (new student).
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the following actions respecting Co-Curricular personnel:
Change in Assignment:
Jesse Risley, was Junior Class Sponsor, full stipend, Macomb Senior High School, now Junior Class Sponsor, 1/2 stipend, effective 2007-2008 season.
Resignation:
Megan Butler, Interim Cheer Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective September 25, 2007.
Jamie McCoy, Thespian Advisor, Musical Director, Spring Play Director, Fall Play Director Macomb Senior High School, effective September 17, 2007.
Jeff Miller, Assistant Wrestling Coach, Macomb Junior High School, effective September 28, 2007.
Employment:
Lori Botts, Thespian Advisor and Spring Play Director (shared stipend), Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Melanie Butcher, Spring Play Director (shared stipend), Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Amanda Duffield, Cheer Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective September 26, 2007.
Marshal Jordan, Fall Play Director (balance of stipend), Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Emily Platt, Junior Class Sponsor (1/2 stipend), Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Linda Wilson, Scholastic Bowl Sponsor, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Second reading was held on proposed changes to the following Board policies, administrative procedures, and exhibits:
1:10 2:140-E 3:50 4:45-AP 4:110-AP2
1:20-AP 2:230 3:70 4:50 4:130
2:60 2:240-E1 3:70-AP 4:70 4:170-AP
2:125 2:240-E2 4:40 4:80 4:170-E10 6:40 7:90
2:190 3:30 4:45 4:100 4:180 6:120-E 7:190-AP3
4:180-AP1 5:30-AP1 5:70 5:130 5:190 6:170-AP1 7:190-AP4
5:10 5:35-AP3 5:80 5:130-AP 5:220-E 6:170-E1 8:95-AP
5:10-AP 5:40-AP 5:110 5:140 5:230 6:170-E2
5:20 5:50 5:120-AP 5:170-E 5:240-AP 7:60
5:20-AP 5:60-AP 5:120-AP2 5:180 5:270 7:60-E3
Member Adams moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the changes as presented. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Dr. Reuschel presented the 2007 Illinois State School Report Card and School Improvement Plan for each school in the District. She advised that all schools and the District as a whole made AYP. The purpose of the School Improvement Plan is to lay out the path for continuing toward the goal of having 90% of all students in the meets or exceeds category. Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the Report Cards and School Improvement Plans. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Dr. Reuschel also presented the official 2006-2007 District audit. She noted the final audit report indicated no major findings and she expects the District to receive a 4.0 financial rating from the State. Member Shouse moved, and member Klems seconded, to accept the audit as presented. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The Board reviewed the proposed 2007 Levy and Dr. Reuschel provided a brief explanation of the levy process. She advised that since the proposed levy shows an increase of only 4.99% over the previous year, a hearing is not required. The Board will consider approval of the levy at its November meeting.
Member Shouse, Co-Chair of the Board Curriculum Committee, reported on that committee’s October 10 meeting. Mr. Shouse gave a brief overview of topics discussed at that meeting, which included proposed changes to science graduation requirements, the social studies curriculum adoption, and proposed procedures in the event of violation of the Acceptable Use Policy – PR 6:235. Discussion on the proposed procedure followed and, in response to member Kiah’s concern about the lack of inclusion of specific types of violations, Mrs. Dunstan advised that a fairly comprehensive list is a part of the Acceptable Use Policy. Member Shouse moved, and member Klems seconded, to waive second reading on the proposed procedure and approve it as presented. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Ms. Beth Shryock, Math teacher at MSHS, presented information on her summer 2007 Teacher-to-Teacher experience. Ms. Shryock traveled to Redmond, Washington to the Microsoft campus for the
training and attended sessions on math and science, peer teaching, and No Child Left Behind. The training is funded through the Department of Education and Microsoft and Mrs. Dunstan advised that Macomb teachers are able to participate due to the relationship established between the District and the Department of Education through DOE representative Kristine Cohen.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the Application for Occupancy Permit for Lincoln Elementary and Macomb Jr./Sr. High School. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Adams seconded to approve bids in the amount of $11,328.45 and $13,800.00, for the purchase of a car and a van, respectively, for use by District staff for travel to conferences, meetings, etc. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the sale of a 1999 Dodge van and a 1995 Ford van to Go West Transit, sole bidder, in the amount of $750 for each vehicle. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Member Kiah abstained. Motion carried.
First reading was held on proposed changes to the following Board policies, administrative procedures and exhibits:
5:185 6:235 6:260 7:140 7:190-AP 7:240-E 7:290-AP
5:185-AP 6:235-AP1 6:270 7:140-AP 7:190-E 7:260 7:300-E1
6:70-AP 6:235-E1 7:40 7:150 7:200 7:275 7:340-E2
6:190 6:235-E2 7:60-E1 7:150-AP 7:210 7:280 8:10
6:190-AP 6:255 7:60-E2 7:160 7:240-AP 7:290 8:70
8:95 8:95-E1 8:100 8:110
Second reading will be held at the November 19, 2007, regular meeting, following which the Board will be asked to consider approval of the proposed changes.
At 8:52 p.m., member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to hold a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing litigation, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11), and to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The closed meeting ended at 10:26 p.m.
Member Shouse moved, and member Klems seconded, to adjourn at 10:27 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote.
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President
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Date
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Secretary