MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MACOMB C.U.S.D. #185
APRIL 21, 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, and Shouse. Member Clark was absent.
Dr. Earl Godt spoke to the Board about the 2007-2008 Danish exchange trip. He outlined highlights of the exchange for both the Danish and MSHS students who participated and emphasized the wealth of positive experience and learning afforded each participant. The following persons spoke in support of the trip: Doug March – parent; Brian Elliott – student; Melody Lien – student; Danae Hennig – student. Dr. Godt advised that there are already students/families committed to participating in the exchange during the 2008-2009 school year and asked that “the school district continue to offer the Macomb-Denmark exchange opportunity as an official school function”. The Board expressed appreciation for the opportunities the exchange offers, but stated concerns about the high level of time and resource commitment if a District staff member were responsible for the exchange. President Thompson thanked Dr. Godt for his presentation.
The Board recognized Curtis Woodruff and Nicollette Melvin, Seniors of the Month for the months of March and April, respectively.
Ed Fulkerson, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, advised that art work by students in Shelley Standley’s 3rd grade class and Kenyon Kellogg’s 5th grade class would be featured on the cover of the spring edition of the Illinois Reading Council Journal.
President Thompson commended Dana Isackson, MJHS Principal, and Maria Dunstan, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, for their work on a presentation at the National School Board Association meeting. The presentation focused on improving student achievement with the goal of consistently meeting the requirements of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
Members Thompson, DeJong, and Adams, and Superintendent Reuschel, gave overviews of NSBA conference sessions they had attended, which included teaching methods for the 21st century, superintendent and board self-evaluation, thoughts from keynote speakers Garrison Keillor and Sandra Day O’Connor, and lessons on leadership the Disney way. President Thompson thanked the community and the District for the opportunity to attend the conference and for being advocates for an educated Board.
Superintendent Reuschel provided the following information for the Board:
Dr. Reuschel also recognized the presence of State Troopers Todd Adkisson and Bob Elliott at the meeting and thanked them for their hard work in keeping our schools safe.
Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar, which included the following: Minutes from the March 17, 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 Report; and Financial Authorizations. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Shouse moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meeting held during the March 17, 2008, regular meeting. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the following actions regarding Certificated personnel:
Resignation:
Matt Jacobson, 7th Grade Social Studies teacher, Macomb Junior High School, effective end of the 2007-2008 school year;
Scott Kehrberg, Principal, Macomb Senior High School, effective June 30, 2008;
Miriam Mindeman, English Teacher, Macomb Senior High School, effective end of the 2007-2008 school year.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Klems moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve the following actions regarding Educational Support Personnel:
TERMINATION OF PROGRAM ASSISTANTS (EFFECTIVE END OF 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR):
Lisa Allen Kristen Barclay
Kelsey Baxter Misty Brewer
Lindsey Burgland Trisha Cramer
Julianna Daniels Denise Daugherty
Amber Driskell Noelle Flynn
Teresa Heikes Roberta Huff
Marissa Kirby Barbara Koukol
Diane Meline Beth Miner
Jodi Ngati Jack Pace
Selena Pratt Anna Robertson
Aubrey Rose Sally Sinnett
Deepika Vinod
TERMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANTS (EFFECTIVE END OF 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR):
Debra Hunter Melonie Icenogle
Robyn Rosenboom Rachel Woodruff
TERMINATION OF AFTER SCHOOL SERVICES (EFFECTIVE END OF THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR:
Shelley Raby
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the following actions respecting Co-Curricular personnel:
Resignation:
Dave DeGarmo, Football Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective March 6, 2008;
Jonathan Myers, Musical Lighting Director, Macomb Senior High School, effective March 25, 2008.
Employment:
Jonathan Allender-Zivic, Musical Lighting Director, remainder of stipend, Macomb Senior High School, effective March 27, 2008.
Mary Kay Benda, Musical Accompanist, Macomb Senior High School, effective March 27, 2008.
Change in Assignment:
Lori Botts, from ½ stipend Musical Set Director, to full stipend, Musical Set Director, Macomb Senior High School, effective March 17, 2008.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong reported on the April 15, 2008, Curriculum Committee Meeting, deferring to Maria Dunstan for information on the social studies curriculum adoption. Mrs. Dunstan advised that the District had received almost $30,000 in support from the Illinois Textbook Loan Program for purchase of books. Member Shouse moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve the purchase of social studies textbooks, per the committee’s recommendation, at a cost to the District of $109,278.51, with a contribution of $29,878.50 from the Illinois Textbook Loan Program, for a total of $139,157.01. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Dr. DeJong reported that, at a parent’s request, the committee had reviewed policy 6:190 re: requirements for non-district students to participate in extracurricular activities. The committee recommended no changes to the current policy.
Member Adams reported on the April 15, 2008, Board Finance and Facilities Committee meeting, asking Heather Overstreet, District Technology Coordinator, to give an overview of the proposed telephony project. Mrs. Overstreet advised that the project includes partnering with McDonough Telephone Cooperative to lay fiberoptic cable for the District to connect all the buildings. Cisco will provide the IP telephony system, resulting in a telephone in each classroom. Member Adams moved, upon recommendation of the administration, that the Board of Education approve the Agreement submitted by MTC Communications dated May 1, 2008, in the amount of $134,250 and authorize MTC to proceed with the necessary ordering of equipment to keep the project on the School District’s desired installation schedule, and that said proposal be approved with the understanding that the Board and MTC shall finalize the Agreement terms with the approval of attorneys for both parties prior to May 1, 2008, and that if agreement cannot be reached, the Board agrees that it shall reimburse the vendor for its actual cost for all equipment ordered and subsequently delivered to the School District. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Mr. Adams also advised that the Finance Committee had addressed a request that the District begin bidding banking services, but there was no recommendation for any change to the District’s current practice with regard to banking services.
The Board conducted first reading on proposed changes to Board policies and the MSHS Student Handbook. The proposed changes resulted from the annual meeting and review of the District Discipline Committee and would take effect for the 2008-2009 school year. Second reading will be conducted at the May Board meeting.
Leyona Wiley, Principal – MacArthur Early Childhood Center/Director of Special Education/Special Services, presented her proposal for a Pre-K Summer School program. The cost of the program will be covered by funds from the Early Childhood Block Grant and will serve to better prepare children who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2008. Member Klems moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the Pre-K Summer School program. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve continued District membership in the Illinois High School Association for the 2008-2009 school year. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Shouse moved, and member DeJong seconded, to approve continued District membership in the Illinois Elementary School Association for the 2008-2009 school year. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the final 2007-2008 calendar for submission to the Regional Office of Education. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Shouse moved, and member Adams seconded, to change the date of the regular May meeting from Monday, May 19, 2008 to Wednesday, May 21, 2008, and to change the date of the regular June meeting from Monday, June 16, 2008, to Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Motion carried by voice vote.
First reading was conducted on proposed changes to the following Board policies, administrative procedures, and exhibits:
4:70-AP 5:190-AP1 6:50 7:15 7:280-E1 8:25-AP1
4:150 5:190-E1 6:90 7:20 7:330 8:30
4:170-E3 5:190-E2 6:170 7:30 7:330-AP 8:30-AP
4:170-E11 5:190-E3 6:210 7:100 7:330-E 8:40
5:190 6:30 6:240 7:250-AP 8:25
Second reading will be held at the May regular meeting.
At 8:05 p.m., member DeJong 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). Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The Board returned to open session at 9:18 p.m. Member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to adjourn at 9:19 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote.
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President
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Date
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Secretary