MACOMB COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #185
323 West Washington Street
Macomb, Illinois 61455
Special Meeting – Macomb Community School District #185
February 4, 2009
Visitors: Dana Isaakson, David Pistorius, Patrick Stout-Macomb Journal, Dan Colvin, Maureen Hazell, Jillian Stambaugh – Macomb Eagle, Randy Smith, Heather Overstreet, Dave Bartlett, Renato Sturlic, Zac Chatterton
Board: Thompson, DeJong, Kiah, Adams, Clark, Shouse
The Special Meeting of the Macomb Community School District #185 was called to order at 5:00pm by President Ardell Thompson.
Roll Call – Mrs. Thompson showed 6 members present.
Visitors as listed above were received and there were no board comments or correspondence to report.
Board Member Klems arrived at 5:04pm
The first item on the agenda was to consider approval of the resolution for the issuance of general obligation school bonds for the purpose of Fire Life Safety (FLS) Amendments. Dave Pistorius representing First Midstate addressed the board. He advised that this is the last step in the process of issuing $1,305,000 for FLS Amendments. The original amount for work to be done and submitted to Springfield was $1.4 million. All of the items submitted were approved except $95,000. The Board of Education held a Public Hearing 1/21/09 which is done in the case when non referendum bonds are issued. Repayment of the bonds will be 1.5 years. Taxes will remain constant and level and the first payment will be due 12/1/09. The final interest rate is at 5.62% which is higher in part due to 1.5 years to pay back. First Midstate made every effort to try to sell bonds the bonds locally. MidAmerica National Bank will be paying agent. The document contains IRS provisions pertaining to district investment portion of the bonds received and involves submitted projects being finished within 3 years.
Dr. Reuschel indicated the interest due would be $104,000 for 1.5 years. With strategic planning, this allows rate to remain level and will assist in future projects. Motion to approve. Shouse/Kiah
DeJong
Kiah
Klems
Adams
Thompson
Clark
Shouse
Motion carried 7-0
Three agenda items were moved ahead of Lincoln Elementary so that bond documentation could be signed by Board Members Thompson and Clark.
The board received information on a proposed trip to SIU Science Symposium -
Motion to Approve Klems/DeJong Motion Carried 5-0
The board received information on proposed EAST trip to Arkansas.
Motion to approve Klems/Adams Motion Carried 5-0
The board conducted a discussion on proposed Board Policy 2:120-AP and added language pertaining to board members up for re-election.
The next item on the agenda involved receiving information on options for dealing with Lincoln Elementary demographics. Dr. Reuschel presented the enrollment projection information three ways.
Looking at the trends we can expect enrollment at Lincoln to increase and reach the 600 pupil mark by 2012. There is no specific reason for the increase in the past two years. It is thought that Western Illinois University cycle of new, younger faculty along with some of the same being true of the district – new teachers replacing retirees - has possibly led to the increased enrollment at the primary level. We have no information on registration showing parent occupations this year but will have for 2010.
The Demographic service used is predicting more growth.
Lincoln can accommodate this number for 2010. Information presented at the BOE Facilities Committee Meeting last month was revisited and included Modular Placements, Grant School, Etc.
More work will be done on Strategic Planning including specific figures on the items discussed.
Additional information was presented to the board on the outcome of tests done to the MHS Gym Floor and it was determined that there is asbestos in the gym floor mastic. In planning for the replacement of this floor, this matter will have to be taken into consideration.
Break @ 6:22pm
6:52pm break ended
Closed Session was held for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific personnel, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) – Motion to moved to closed session DeJong/Shouse 7-0
Closed Session Begins 6:57pm
Closed Session Ended 7:46pm
Adjourned Clark/DeJong
Respectfully submitted
Ardell J. Thompson
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President
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Date
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