MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MACOMB C.U.S.D. #185
NOVEMBER 19, 2007
Board President Ardell Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 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, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Member Kiah was absent.
The Board welcomed representatives of the West Prairie/Macomb Future Farmers of America. Co-advisors Ann Runner and Corinne Galvan introduced the following student members: Glen Mason, Nicole Lindorp, Keli Loman, John Haney, Cal Kelso, Abigail Schwerer, Kari Jo Kelso, Drew Stivers and Kevin Trotter. The students provided an overview of their individual activities, the FFA program, and the benefits it offers those who participate. Dr. Reuschel and President Thompson commended the students for their involvement in the program and thanked them for their presentation.
Heather Overstreet, District Technology Director, reported on a cooperative project between District 6th grade students and the College of Education and Human Services at WIU. She advised that several 6th grade students had visited WIU where students and staff assisted them in producing a vodcast about the most important space exploration initiative undertaken by NASA. The Board viewed and listed to a PowerPoint composite of the students working on their projects. The Board recognized Marisa Beard, Danielle Brush, Deb Danner, Rodney Greer, and Dawn Sweet for their work with the students on the project.
The Board recognized Mihai Petrocovici and Kari Jo Kelso, Seniors of the Month for the months of October and November, respectively.
During Board Comments and Correspondence, member DeJong stated that he would like discussion of how the District observes Veteran’s Day included on the agenda of the next Board work session.
Dr. Reuschel provided information on the following:
Dave Wetmore, MSHS Band Director, provided information on the proposed spring band trip to the National Adjudicators Festival in St. Louis, Missouri. Member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the trip. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried. Mr. Wetmore also provided an overview of activities during the first concert band camp held at MSHS. The camp was held to kick off the concert band season following marching band season and provided students the opportunity to learn a musical piece and listen to a performance by a former MSHS music student.
Suellyn Rieckelman, MSHS Social Science Teacher, and Matt Jacobson, MJHS Social Studies Teacher, gave an overview of their summer travels out West, which covered territory from Nevada to San Francisco and included stops at Sutter’s Mill, Donner’s Pass, Sacramento, and Alcatraz. The Regional Office of Education sponsors the trip through a $500,000 grant. The teachers will develop lesson plans and units based on their experiences and assess the effectiveness of the lessons through pre and post-testing.
Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar, which included the following: Minutes from the October 15, 2007, regular meeting; Minutes from the November 1, 2007, special meeting; Treasurer’s Report; Investment Report; Monthly Board Report; Bills and Payroll; Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (.05 levy); Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (BI 0708), Food Service Monthly Report; Macomb Jr./Sr. High School Activity Accounts; and, Financial Authorizations. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from closed meetings held during the October 15, 2007, regular meeting and the November 1, 2007, special board meeting. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the following actions respecting Certificated personnel:
Retirement:
Melissa Mathes, School Psychologist, Macomb Community Unit School District, effective June 30, 2010, per terms of her retirement contract.
Contract Approval:
Dianna Clark, District Nurse, Macomb Community Unit School District, effective August 1, 2007, through June 30, 2010.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Shouse moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve the following action respecting Educational Support Personnel:
Resignation:
Sarah Lambert, Individual Assistant, Macomb Junior High School, effective November 20, 2007.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the following actions respecting Co-Curricular positions:
Resignation:
Steve Horrell, Assistant Softball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective October 16, 2007.
Employment:
Dusty Bensko, Assistant Boys Basketball, Macomb Senior High School, (shared stipend), effective 2007-2008 season.
Lance Giesler, Assistant Boys Basketball, Macomb Senior High School, (shared stipend), effective 2007-2008 season.
Steve Horrell, Head Softball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, 2007-2008 season.
Tim Jenkins, Head Boys Swim Coach, Macomb Senior High School, 2007-2008 season.
Marshal Jordan, Fall Play Set Director, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Kristina Pedroni, Cheer Coach, Macomb Senior High School, (shared stipend), effective November 3, 2007.
Mary Quigle, Assistant Softball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Josh Revelo, Assistant Wrestling Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Myles Stambaugh, Wrestling Coach, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Chris Unrath, Wrestling Coach, Macomb Junior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Volunteer:
Ketra Russell, Volunteer Cheer Coach, Macomb Junior High School, effective October 30, 2007.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, 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
2:190 3:30 4:45 4:100 4:180 6:120-E
4:180-AP1 5:30-AP1 5:70 5:130 5:190 6:170-AP1
5:10 5:35-AP3 5:80 5:130-AP 5:220-E 6:170-E1 7:90
5:10-AP 5:40-AP 5:110 5:140 5:230 6:170-E2 7:190-AP3
5:20 5:50 5:120-AP 5:170-E 5:240-AP 7:60 7:190-AP4
5:20-AP 5:60-AP 5:120-AP2 5:180 5:270 7:60-E3 8:95-AP
Member Adams moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the changes as presented. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Adams, co-chair of the Board Transportation and Facilities Committee, reported to the Board on the committee’s October 15, 2007, meeting. He advised that topics of discussion included the boiler at Grant School, replacement of carpet at Edison Elementary School, options for use of the bus garage once Go West moves its operation to another location, and cleaning of stage curtains at MJSHS and Edison over winter break.
Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the following Fire and Life Safety Amendments:
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve Applications for Occupancy permits for Lincoln, Edison, MJSHS, and Grant Schools, and a Statement of Completion for Health/Life Safety Amendment work at Lincoln Elementary. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the purchase of a food warmer for the District food service program at a cost of $1934. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Shouse, co-chair of the Board Curriculum and Scholarship Committee, reported to the Board on that committee’s November 13, 2007, meeting. The committee heard the recommendation of the MSHS Science team that the number of science credits required for graduation be increased from 2 to 3 to better prepare students for college. This requirement will affect the freshman coming in 2008-2009. The committee also heard a recommendation from the English department that the graduation requirement be changed to .5 credit of literature and 1 credit of writing intensive courses during the junior and senior years. The Technology Department also presented at the meeting, providing an update on current projects. Board President Thompson thanked the members of the science team, Joel Hildenbrand, David Benson, Thomas Johnson, and Mary Quigle, for their work on the curriculum committee and acknowledged their hard work and dedication with the presentation of a coaster.
Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve the proposed change to the science graduation requirement and the corresponding changes to Board Policy 6:300 and the registration handbook. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the proposed change to the graduation requirement for intensive writing courses and the corresponding changes to the registration handbook and Board Policy 6:300. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The Board reviewed the proposed 2007 District levy. The amount of the levy is $11,408,410, a 4.99% increase over the 2006 levy. Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the levy as presented. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Shouse moved, and member DeJong seconded, to adopt a resolution requesting allocation of the 2008 levy extension as follows: Education Fund – maximum rate of $3.30; Operations & Maintenance Fund – maximum rate of .50; and, the Transportation Fund – maximum rate of .20. All other funds are to be extended as per the PTELL formula. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Superintendent Reuschel advised the Board about options for destruction of confidential documents. She recommended that the Board hire Cintas to provide one-time document destruction for the current document backlog at an approximate cost of $750, and then consider hiring Bridgeway Training Services to handle document destruction on a monthly basis.
Member Klems moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the renewal of District liability insurance which includes package, Board legal, and workers compensation. The quote from Bushue Human Resources reflects a decrease of 1.37% in premium. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Shouse moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve a waiver of drivers education requirement and early graduation request for student 0708:2. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
At 8:32 p.m., member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to hold a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing litigation, pursuant 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) and to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, or performance of a specific employee, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The closed meeting ended at 9:30.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to adjourn at 9:31 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote.
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President
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Date
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Secretary