MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MACOMB C.U.S.D. #185
FEBRUARY 20, 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, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members Kiah, Adams, and Shouse were absent. President Thompson noted the presence of a quorum.
Heather Overstreet, District Technology Director, advised the Board that several podcasts created by District students had been selected for the NASA podcast competition. Based on votes cast online, students could win one of several very nice prizes.
Superintendent Reuschel asked Mike Legler, Aramark Food Service Director, to address the recent news regarding ground beef recalls. Mr. Legler advised that none of the recalled ground beef had been distributed to the companies that supply Aramark. He also spoke of another recall of foods distributed by New Era Canning, noting that Aramark’s supplier would not deliver any of that product. He assured the Board that safety of the food supply is a top priority for Aramark.
Mary Ann Carlson, senior at MSHS, was recognized for being selected Senior of the Month for the month of January.
President Thompson reminded all that the Board would hold a work session on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. in Team Room B of the Administrative Service Center. She congratulated the girls basketball team on a successful season and noted that members of the wrestling team are still competing for a chance to go on to state. Mrs. Thompson also expressed sympathy on behalf of the Board for the families of the Northern Illinois University students who were involved in the tragic shootings on that campus. Member DeJong advised that HB750 has moved to second reading status.
Superintendent Reuschel reminded the Board about the upcoming semi-annual Western Division Dinner meeting to be held on March 18 in Cuba. She also advised the Board about the public hearing to be held regarding the proposed Enterprise Zone expansion. Member DeJong noted that the proposed new portion of the Enterprise Zone is slated to be connected to the existing zone from Bushnell along highway 41, not from Macomb. Other information items for the Board included the monthly SRO report and an update from Dave Wetmore on the spring band trip. Max Kreps, MSHS Baseball Coach, will report to the Board on the spring baseball trip at the March 17, 2008, Board meeting.
Member DeJong moved, and member Clark seconded, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented, which included the following: Minutes from the January 23, 2008, 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, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meeting held during the January 23, 2008, regular Board meeting. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve the following action regarding Certificated personnel:
Retirement:
Rita Hatch, Grade 3 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2007-2008 school year under the 2007-2011 contract.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve the following actions regarding Educational Support personnel:
Employment:
Joanne Curtis, District Grant Writer (pilot program), effective February 20, 2008 – June 30, 2008, salary to be based on grant procurement with additional stipend.
Resignation:
Linda McGrew, Special Education Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, effective March 7, 2008.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve the following action respecting Co-Curricular personnel:
Resignation:
Jennifer Pugh, Dance Team Co-Sponsor, Macomb Senior High School, effective end of the 2007-2008 season.
Mitch Standard, Musical Set Director, Macomb Senior High School, effective January 18, 2008.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong, Co-Chair of the Board Curriculum and Scholarship Committee, reported to the Board on that committee’s January 12, 2008, meeting. He referred members to the minutes of that meeting for specifics and noted that there were no recommendations from the committee requiring Board action – the meeting was for informational purposes. Information received at the meeting included updates on the social studies textbook adoption process, the Language Arts Enrichment Class Pilot Reading Program, and Social Studies Department faculty apprised the Board of a proposal to increase Social Studies graduation requirements.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the Title I District Improvement Plan for submission to the Illinois State Board of Education. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the proposed Summer 2008 Driver’s Education program. Superintendent Reuschel explained that due to legislation increasing the length of time a person must have a driver’s permit prior to the 16th birthday, a small group of
students would be required to take driver’s education during the summer in order to be eligible to get their license on their 16th birthday. The summer program would only be offered to remedy the circumstance created by the change in legislation. The proposal calls for two sessions during summer 2008, May 27 – June 12 and June 23 – July 10. Following discussion regarding the cost of the program and the charge for students to participate, the motion was amended to specify that students pay the customary fee of $75 to participate in the summer program. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve the contract between Bridgeway Training Services NFP (BTS) and Macomb C.U.S.D. #185 for provision of confidential document shredding services by BTS. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve a field trip for Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) to take place April 5-6, 2008. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
First reading was conducted on proposed changes to Board policy 4:200, “Corporate Advertising/Recognitions of Donations on School Property”. Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to waive second reading and approve the proposed changes as presented. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
At 7:30 p.m., member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to hold a closed meeting for the purpose of reviewing minutes from closed meetings, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21), and 120/2.06(d). Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Thompson, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The Board returned to open session at 7:53 p.m.
Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to adjourn at 7:54 p.m. Motion carried. by voice vote.
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President
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Date
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Secretary