MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
JUNE 18, 2008
Board President Ardell Thompson called the meeting order at 7:05 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.
Mike Sartore, former MSHS Principal, 444 LaCosta Circle, Dayton, Nevada, came forward to address the Board. He advised that during his tenure with the District he always thought Macomb had a great school system. After spending time in Nevada and serving as a substitute teacher there for the past 8 months, he realizes that Macomb does, indeed, have a great school system. Mr. Sartore stated that the residents where he lives in Nevada do not value education the way we do here in Macomb and he sees good students give up. He went on to say that he believes the difference is in the community – Macomb is educationally oriented; the Board, parents, students and community at large understand the value of a good education. Mr. Sartore noted that he is disappointed in what he has found in Nevada related to education, but is proud to have been a part of the Macomb school system.
Dr. Reuschel pointed out that Jose Galvan, prospective middle school social studies teacher, was in attendance.
President Thompson recognized District staff retiring at the end of the 2007-2008 school year, as follows: Diane Fox, Kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Elementary, and Rita Hatch, 3rd Grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary. She thanked them for their service and expressed appreciation on behalf of the Board for their dedication to the District. Both were present to accept the traditional school bell as a token of the Board’s appreciation for their service.
The Board recognized the following MSHS students:
Member Klems advised that she had received a letter from Dr. Chris Merritt thanking the Board and administration for reconsidering the policy of keeping the Edison Elementary School playground locked on weekends. Member DeJong recognized the efforts of local coaches and athletes who went over to the river and helped sandbag to ward off flood waters. President Thompson advised that she had received a note from a parent who was very pleased with the instruction their child at the summer school program. Mrs. Thompson expressed thanks to Diana Kurasz - summer school administrator, and the summer school staff.
Superintendent Reuschel apprised the Board of the following information:
Member Adams moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar, which included the following: Minutes from the May 21, 2008, regular Board meeting; minutes from the May 28, 2008, special 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 Shouse seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meetings held during the May 21, 2008, regular Board meeting. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Shouse, and Clark. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the following actions regarding Certificated personnel:
Change in Assignment:
Kelly Carpenter, Special Education teacher, teacher contract (185 days total), Lincoln Elementary School, to Special Education Teacher, teacher contract with additional days (205 days total), Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Employment:
Kristen Barclay, Part-Time Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (replacement – Jan Lindsay), MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective August 18, 2008.
Jose Galvan, Grade 7 Social Studies Teacher (replacement – Matt Jacobson), Macomb Junior High School, effective August 18, 2008.
Molly Selders, Part-time English Teacher (replacement), Macomb Senior High School, effective August 18, 2008.
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 actions regarding Educational Support Personnel:
Termination:
Barbara Ebert, Interpreter/Signing Aide, Edison, effective June 25, 2008.
Change in Assignment:
Karen Filbert, Individual Assistant, from 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, to Individual Assistant, 6 hours per day, Macomb Junior High School, effective August 20, 2008 (student progression).
Deborah Kelso, from Program Assistant, 4 ½ hours per day, Macomb Junior High School, to Program Assistant, 6 ½ hours per day, Macomb Junior High School, effective August 20, 2008.
Patricia Morgan, from Program Assistant, 6 ½ hours per day, Macomb Junior Senior High School, to Program Assistant, 6 ½ hours per day, 5 days per week, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective August 29, 2008.
Cynthia Ward, from Program Assistant, 6 ½ hours per day, Macomb Junior Senior High School, to Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective August 29, 2008.
Marsha Wetmore, from Program Assistant, 6 ½ hours per day, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, to Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective August 29, 2008.
Employment:
Kristen Barclay, Program Assistant, 3 hours per day, 5 days per week, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective August 29, 2008.
Misty Brewer, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Trisha Cramer, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Julianna Daniels, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Denise Daugherty, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Teresa Heikes, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Roberta Huff, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Melonie Icenogle, Individual Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Beth Miner, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Jodi Ngati, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective August 29, 2008.
Jack Pace, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Deepika Vinod, Program Assistant, 6 hours per day, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 20, 2008.
Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Board President Thompson advised that Karen Nudd should be excepted from the listing of co-curricular staff being considered for employment. Member Adams moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the following actions regarding Co-Curricular personnel:
Resignation:
Dustin Bensko, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach (Freshman), effective June 2, 2008.
Luke Ladd, Head Wrestling Coach, Head Wrestling Coach, Freshman Class Sponsor, Macomb Senior High School, effective May 14, 2008.
Jeff Moore, Head Girls Soccer Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective May 23, 2008.
Emily Platt, Cross Country Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective June 9, 2008.
Employment:
Kristen Barclay, Pre-K Parent Coordinator, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Kelly Carpenter, Lead Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year. Kim Couza, Special Education Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Marsha Davey, Grade 2 Team Leader, New Teacher Mentor, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Joel Hildenbrand, Division Chair, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Shelley Glaser, Grade 4 Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Kate Hall, Grade 6 Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Terry Krehbiel, Division Chair, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Max Kreps, Specialty Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Diana Kurasz, Specialty Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Steve Larimer, Art Club Sponsor, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Cindy Lovejoy, Grade 1 Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Donna Marlow, Special Education Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Merikay Potter, Division Chair, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Mary Quigle, Girls Golf Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Suellyn Rieckelman, Scholastic Bowl Sponsor, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Ketra Russell, Cheerleader Sponsor (1/2 Stipend), Macomb Junior High School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Stephanie Seaver, Grade 5 Team Leader, Edison Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Ginger Shryack, Division Chair, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Shelley Standley, Grade 3 Team Leader, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Ruth Ann Willis, Cheerleader Sponsor (1/2 Stipend), Macomb Junior High School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
Judy Witten, New Teacher Mentor, Lincoln Elementary School, effective 2008-2009 school year.
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 proposed job descriptions for head coaches. Discussion ensued on ASEP certification and whether it would be beneficial for the Bomber dance coach to have that certification. It was the consensus of the Board to consider the job description as presented and discuss the desirability of ASEP certification for the Bomber dance
coach at a later date. Member Klems moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve the job descriptions for head coaches as presented. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
President Thompson advised that agenda item numbers 12 and 13, “Consider approval of administrative contracts” and “Consider approval of adjustments to compensation for substitute teachers”, would be considered at the end of the meeting, following a closed meeting.
Mrs. Thompson recognized Leyona Wiley, MacArthur Early Childhood Principal/Direct – Special Education, and Sara Imhoff, MSHS Assistant Principal, and thanked them for their years of service to the District, noting that both would be leaving the District at the end of June.
Board President Thompson reported to the Board on the May 20, 2008, District Insurance Committee meeting. Recommendations from the committee were as follows:
Mrs. Thompson reviewed discussion from prior meetings regarding the requirement that the District offer a 403(b) plan to certificated employees beginning January 1, 2009. At the May 21, 2008, Board meeting, Dr. Reuschel advised that Valic and ING, Inc. are the two companies under consideration to serve as third party administrator for the District’s 403(b) plan. Superintendent Reuschel’s recommendation is that ING, Inc. serve as the third party administrator. Board President Thompson noted the importance of having a third party administrator for the 403(b) plan to advise those who choose to invest and to manage those investments. ING, Inc. can provide that service at no cost to the District. Member Adams moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve ING, Inc. as the third party administrator for the District 403(b) plan. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Pursuant to member DeJong’s request, discussion was held on the District’s policy regarding observance of Veteran’s Day. Currently, Veteran’s Day is a school holiday only when it falls on M-F. If November 11 falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, there is no school holiday taken during the week, even though almost all state, including the Regional Office of Education and Illinois Association of School Boards, and federal entities are closed in honor of Veteran’s Day the Monday following a Saturday or Sunday November 11. Members DeJong and Adams concurred that policy should be amended to provide for observance of Veteran’s Day the Monday following November 11 when it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Board President Thompson advised that the issue and proposed revision to the policy would be considered at a later date.
Member Klems moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve prevailing wage rates for McDonough County, effective June 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Superintendent Reuschel advised that the Board would be asked to approve the Tort Levy/Risk Management Plan for adoption for the 2008-2009 school year in its current form with pertinent dates revised, but that content revisions would be necessary due to the administrative restructuring. The
Board will be asked to review and approve proposed changes pertaining to administrative personnel at the July meeting. Member Adams moved, and member Klems seconded, to retain the same 2007-2008 Tort Levy/Risk Management Plan for 2008-09, pending completion of necessary revisions to be presented in July. 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 adopt a resolution designating depositories for the 2008-2009 school year as recommended by the District Treasurer. 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 re-establish revolving funds for the 2008-09 school year as recommended by the District Treasurer. 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 current hazardous areas in the School District as designated by the Illinois Department of Transportation for the 2008-09 school year. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member Shouse moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the calendar of regular Board meetings through June 30, 2009. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: Kiah. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to appoint Charlotte Morrow as District Treasurer and Lisa Mooney as Assistant Treasurer through June 30, 2009. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
At 8:04 p.m., member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to hold a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, or discipline of specific employees, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Superintendent Reuschel advised that the Board would take action on the two remaining agenda items upon their return to open session. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
The Board returned to open session at 9:08 p.m.
Member Shouse moved, and member Klems seconded, to approve administrative contracts as presented. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
Member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to approve a 3% increase in pay for substitute teachers. Members voting “yes”: DeJong, Kiah, Klems, Adams, Thompson, Clark, and Shouse. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.
At 9:10 p.m., member DeJong moved, and member Shouse seconded, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote.
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President
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Date
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Secretary