MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MACOMB C.U.S.D. #185
JANUARY 23, 2008

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, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. 

Ed Fulkerson, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, came forward to introduce Lori Bilbrey, 2nd Grade Teacher at Lincoln.  Mrs. Bilbrey’s class submitted artwork for the cover of the current issue of the Illinois Reading Council Journal and several pieces were chosen.  Mrs. Bilbrey circulated copies of the cover and noted that the students were very excited to have their artwork featured and it provided an opportunity for some students to be recognized in a manner they may not have been otherwise.

President Thompson noted that the February Board of Education meeting would be held on Wednesday, February 20 and that the Board would hold two special meeting/work sessions, one on February 13 at 5:00 p.m. and one on February 27 at 5:00 p.m., both to take place in Team Room B of the District Administrative Service Center. 

Superintendent Reuschel provided the Board with information on the following items:

• Thanks to Joe Westen, Western Distributing, for provision of water to all buildings during the city-wide boil order.
• Thanks to the Kiwanis for donation of $577 to be used at Lincoln Elementary.
• Jeff Moore and Ionel Porumbeanu, MSHS Soccer Coaches, recognized by SAWA for modeling and promoting good sportsmanship in the high school soccer program.
• A new company, Growmark, is considering establishing a corn intake station at the 9 mile “Y” and has asked the Enterprise Zone to consider making that land part of the EZ.  The station itself would not necessarily generate a significant number of new jobs, but future development along the proposed corridor could.  If the land is included in the EZ, tax on building supplies for the facility would be abated if purchased in Illinois.  Superintendent Reuschel advised that she would provide new information on the proposal as it becomes available.
• The Board was provided a packet detailing the activities/lessons at each building done in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.
• Amount of the General State Aid payment has been set.  The Board discussed the negative impact of not receiving payments August – January on the District’s ability to earn interest on that money.  Member Klems suggested writing a letter to our legislators.
• Baseball trip fund raising report:  weekend event earned over $4300.
• School Resource Officer report

Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented, which included the following:   Minutes from the December 19, 2007, special Board meeting; minutes from the December 19, 2007, regular Board 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, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meetings held during the December 19, 2007, special and regular Board meetings.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Member Adams abstained.  Motion carried.

Member Klems moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the following actions respecting Certificated personnel:
Contract Approval:
Roberta Keck, School Psychologist, Macomb Community Unit  School District, effective July 31, 2007 through June 5, 2008.
Request for Leave:
Jennifer Clark, Special Education Pre-School Teacher, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, request maternity leave to begin approximately April 14, 2008 and extend through the end of the 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 approve the following actions regarding Educational Support Personnel:
Change in Assignment:
Marilyn Keeney, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, from 6 hours per day, to 6 1/2 hours per day, effective January 9, 2008.
Resignation:
Jennifer Davis, Individual Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective January 17, 2008.
Dana Van Bebber, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, effective December 20, 2007.
Employment:
L. Noelle Flynn, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, 6 hours per day, effective February 4, 2008 (replaces Dana Van Bebber).
Debra Hunter, Individual Assistant, MacArthur Early                                           Childhood Center, 6 hours per day, effective January 22, 2008                                                 (replaces Davis).
Shelley Raby, Supplemental Interventions for Writing,                                              Macomb After School Program, 2 hours per week, effective                                                January 7, 2008.
Robyn Rosenboom, Individual Assistant, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, 6 hours per day, effective January 3, 2008 (replaces Howe).
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 approve the following actions regarding Co-Curricular positions:
Employment:

Dustin Bensko, Assistant Baseball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Lori Botts, Musical Set Director, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Denise Brakefield, Musical Choreographer, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Melanie Butcher, Musical Business Manager, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Amy Fansler, Musical Constume Designer, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Melonie Icenogle, Cheer Coach, balance of stipend, Macomb Senior High School, effective January 4, 2008.
Jonathan Myers, Musical Lighting Director, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Kay Norton (MediaCall), Musical Tickets, Publicity and Program, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 school year.
Mitch Standard, Musical Set Director, shared stipend,                                         Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008.
Volunteer:
Christopher Alberico, Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Tom Cummings, Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach,                                      Macomb Senior High School, effective 2007-2008 season.
Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

The Board conducted second reading on proposed changes to the following policies, administrative procedures, and exhibits:
2:20-E              4:60-AP2                     5:10                 6:20                 7:180
            2:260               4:110                           5:100               6:60                 7:220
            4:10                 4:110-AP2                   5:290               6:320               8:20
            4:60                 4:160-AP                     5:330               7:70
Member DeJong moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the changes as presented.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

Member DeJong moved, and member Kiah seconded, to approve a field trip request for students to attend the East Partnership Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Member Kiah questioned how the students would travel to the airport and was told that an activity bus would be used for that purpose.  It was noted that the Western Area Career System would pay for the trip and there will be no cost to the District.  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 a field trip request for students to attend the Illinois Junior Science Humanities Symposium March 30-April 1 in Carbondale, Illinois.  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 a resolution authorizing Superintendent Reuschel to prepare a tentative budget for the school district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried.

At 7:24 p.m., member Adams moved, and member Shouse 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 120/2(c)(1), to discuss security procedures, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8), and to discuss litigation, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).  Members voting “yes”:  DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse.  Members voting “no”:  none.  Motion carried. 

The closed meeting ended at 8:45 p.m.

Member Adams moved, and member DeJong seconded, to adjourn at 8:46 p.m.  Motion carried. by voice vote.

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                                                                                                            President

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                             Date

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                                                                                                            Secretary