The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

West Central CUSD #235 Board Meeting

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

At the regular meeting of the West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education the following items took place:

President Brent called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with all board members present but Mark Torrance who entered at 6:00 p.m. and Richard Clifton who entered at 6:17 p.m.

President Brent led the audience and the board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Good News Items:

• West Central High School student Alyssa Griepentrog has qualified for the WYSE state tournament.
• West Central Middle School scholastic bowl team has begun its season and have a 2-0 record at this point.
• The West Central Early Childhood Center staff applied for a Penny Severn's grant in the amount of $4800 to provide summer activities for their clients and we were recently informed that this grant has been awarded.
• The West Central Early Childhood Center recently held a family fun night that had a speaker who talked about positive discipline. It was noted that the speaker did an excellent job and the turn out was very good as well.
• It was noted that Mr. Ricketts' art students had recently competed in a nutrition poster competition and that West Central students took 17 out of 27 possible places.
• The WCHS senior class and the WCHS football players, under the direction of coach Steve Arnold, had contributed money to a family who had recently suffered a loss due to a fire.
• It was noted that three National Honor Society students had recently volunteered time at the Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab Center and that eight National Honor Society students had baby sat young children at the Early Childhood Center parent night.
• President Brent briefly reviewed with the board the successful meeting, that was held earlier in the week, concerning bringing a reliable water supply to Henderson County.
• It was noted that the Wells Fargo Bank under the direction of Ms. Cabrera has donated two additional large printers to the district.

The board approved the agenda as presented.

Under recognition of audience request for presentation, the board heard a brief report from Carl Sandburg College Envoy, Sam Sudhakar.

The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The following items were included in the consent agenda.

• February 21, board minutes
• Closed minutes of February 21
• Provide Big Brother/Big Sister Program
• Participate in IESA
• Participate in IHSA
• Direct Superintendent Grimm to begin working on the FY08 district budget
• 2006-07 Seniority List
• Extra duty stipend for Jay Blender
• 2007-2008 District School Calendar

Under financial activity, the board approved payment of all the bills as presented and the February activity accounts as presented. The board will approve the February treasurer's report at the April meeting.

The board also heard a brief summary on the district's financial report from Superintendent Grimm.

The board approved a facilities planning document that had been prepared by Superintendent Grimm and District Architect Bill Phillips.

Following that discussion the board provided Superintendent Grimm with some specific direction about projects that should be planned for during the summer of 2007 as well as approving this ten year planning document in it's revised form.

The board heard reports from West Central Elementary Principal Dale Buss, and West Central Middle School Principal Jeff Nichols. The board reviewed a written report from West Central High School Principal Karen Rima.

The board hear a report from District Curriculum Director Jeanne Serven concerning her activities for the last month.

The board was also given an updated summary sheet of our K-8 student performance on the 2006 ISAT test.

The board heard a report from District Technology Coordinator Barb Elliott regarding several key issues that she has been involved with over the course of the last several weeks.

The homework hotline was also discussed during this portion of the agenda. Specifically, the board inquired as to how many teachers are using the homework hotline and keeping it up to date.

Mrs. Farniok updated the board on activities that she has been involved with. During this discussion a review of RTI was provided by Mrs. Farniok.

The board reviewed a written report from District Athletic Director Jay Blender.

The board briefly reviewed an update on the actions that have been undertaken with regard to the superintendent's performance objectives.

The board heard reports from Mr. Buss and Mr. Nichols on the first draft of the 2007 school improvement plans. The board reviewed a written report on West Central High School's school improvement plan that was submitted by Principal Karen Rima.

The board was told that the SIP team leaders will be meeting again on Tuesday, March 27 and they will be given time to complete revisions to their plans as per feedback from Mrs. Serven and Mr. Grimm, and that in all likelihood the board will see the 2007-2008 school improvement plans at the April board meeting.

The board briefly discussed proposed changes to the 2007-08 parent/student handbooks for each building.

The board briefly discussed the March 8, 2007 public meeting that was held in Stronghurst. It was the consensus of the board that due to the extremely low turnout of members of the public at these two meetings, we will schedule these meetings in the future on an "as needed" basis.

The board briefly discussed the April 17 school board election and requisite reorganization meeting.

The superintendent pointed out to the board that due to a quirk in the law, it was his opinion that the current District #235 Board of Education should conduct the canvas of the April 17, 2007 election results.

Furthermore, it was suggested that the meeting and the subsequent board reorganization meeting take place on Thursday, May 3, at 7:00 p.m. It was further pointed out that there will essentially be two meetings on that evening.

The final meeting of the current District #235 Board of Education will be held to canvas the election results and following that action the board will adjourn sine die. Then the new District #235 Board of Education will be called to order and that board will then reorganize and new members will take their oath of office, election of officers will be held and that board will then set their meeting dates, times and places for the next year.

It was pointed out that the current District #235 board will conduct business during the April regular board meeting as the new board will not be seated until May 3.

The board agreed by consensus to change the starting time of their April and May meetings to 7:00 p.m. Decisions on starting times for future board meetings will be made by the new District #235 Board of Education.

The board heard a very brief report on the Governor's FY08 state budget. The board received a handout of a power point presentation that Superintendent Grimm has observed regarding the Governor's proposed new funding mechanism for public education.

The board discussed the football lights and bleachers at West Central Middle School. It was the consensus of the board that given the excessive cost involved in bringing the lights at the middle school up to current code, they would just as soon not need to use those lights and have them removed.

District Athletic Director Jay Blender was directed to revise the schedule so that those middle school football games would be played at an alternate time on the south campus or they would be moved to the north campus if schedules allowed for it.

The superintendent was also directed to discuss the condition of the home football bleachers on the south campus with District Architect Bill Phillips, and bring back a recommendation to the board regarding their future usability.

There were no items mentioned under future agenda items.

The board entered closed session at 8:05 p.m. to discuss matters pertaining to personnel.

The board exited closed session at 10:17 p.m. and took action on the following items:

• Accepted the resignation of Donna Adolph as a district cook.
• Accepted the resignation of Diane Meline, WCMS teacher.
• Employed Joni Alecock as a full time cook.
• Employed Renee Schneider as the District Librarian beginning with the 2007-08 school year.

The board re-employed West Central Elementary Prinicipal Dale Buss and West Central Middle School Principal Jeff Nichols.

The board re-employed district administrators, central office staff and exempt staff as presented.

The board approved a reduction in force notice for Pat Jones, part time special education teacher.

It was pointed out that this reduction in force is necessary at this time due to the uncertainty of the need for this part time position for the 2007-08 school year.

The board approved the salary increase of 3% for district administrators, exempt staff, central office staff and bus drivers for the 2007-08 school year.

The board approved extending the superintendent's contract by one year beginning July 1, 2007. That five year contract will expire on June 30, 2012.

The board approved a request to conduct a special board meeting for matters pertaining to personnel. That special board meeting will take place on Thursday, March 29, 2007. It will be held in the elementary cafeteria and will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The board was reminded that their next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. That meeting will be held in the elementary cafeteria and will begin at 7:00 p.m. not at 6:00 p.m. as originally scheduled.

There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:30 p.m.