The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
President Brent called the West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education's regular May meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2007.
All board members except Mr. Arnold was present at roll call. Mr. Arnold entered the meeting at approximately 8:15 p.m.
President Brent led the audience and the board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The following items were identified as good news items:
Superintendent Grimm requested that discussion item E. WCHS summer school program and report item D. District Building Committee be added to the agenda. The board agenda was then approved with those revisions.
Under recognition of audience request for presentation, the board heard a brief report from Carl Sandburg College Envoy, Sam Sudhakar. The board heard an update of this years activities from the West Central High School FFA Chapter and the board heard a report from several 5th grade girls on a proposal to renovate the north campus pond and turn that into an outdoor learning lab.
Under consent agenda, Item 8A. Regular meeting minutes of April 18, 2007; 8B. Closed meeting minutes of April 18, 2007; 10C. Consider Approval of Contract with Henderson County Department for School Health Services; 10G. Consider Approval of Health Life Safety Amendments; and 10H. Consider Approval of 2007-08 Student Fees were pulled from the consent agenda. The superintendent informed the board that the quote for the carpet in the kindergarten classrooms amount that was in the material that had been previously presented to the board needed to be changed to $4,476.84. The board then approved the remaining items on the consent agenda. Items approved on the consent agenda included:
The board approved the minutes of the regular meeting of April 18, 2007 and the closed session minutes for April 18, 2007 as presented.
The board approved payment of all April bills, the April activity account summaries for WCE, WCMS, and WCHS, and the April treasurer's reports.
The board briefly discussed the continuation of a contract with Henderson County Health Department for school health services. The question was raised about the need for continuing this contract. After a brief discussion, the board voted to continue with the contract for health aide services as the south campus with the Henderson County Health Department as presented.
The board briefly discussed two health life safety amendments for electrical problems on the north campus. Following a very short discussion the board approved those amendments as presented.
The board approved the 207-08 student fees as presented. It was noted that there are no changes to the student's fees for next year from this year with the exception of the addition of a $10 fee for any high school student who is taking a welding class.
The board spent a considerable amount of time reviewing proposed revision to the high school parent/student handbook as prepared by Mr. Geiser and Mr. Blender. Mr. Geiser answered questions that the board had regarding these revisions. Following that discussion the board approved the proposed revisions to the parent/student handbook as modified.
The board conducted a discussion discussing district transportation services for the south portion of the district. Several decisions were made relative to this topic. They are as follows:
Later in the meeting, the board discussed a personnel matter relative to this topic. Upon exiting closed session, the board approved the following two motions:
The board heard a brief summary of the revised building school improvement plans. Following that summary, the board approved the revised school improvement plans as presented.
Mrs. Elliot presented the board with revised district technology acceptable use polices for students, a separate acceptable use policy for staff and a new policy on using student pictures in district publications including the webpage. Following that introduction of these documents, the board approved these policies as presented.
The board discussed bids that were received for sidewalk work on both the north and south campuses. The board was informed that the bids overall came in considerable higher than had been anticipated and that the apparent low bidder was contacted to see what portion of the proposed bid could be attributed to just the south campus. The superintendent reported to the board that he had reviewed word from District Architect Bill Phillips that the low bidder would do that work for approximately $29,000 and it was his recommendation that the board accept this revised bid. Following a bit more discussion, the board did approve the sidewalk replacement for the south campus as proposed with the revised bid in the amount of approximately $29,000.
The board reviewed the bids that were received for the remodel for the former junior high science lab on the north campus. After a brief discussion of the bids and the scope of the work to be completed, the board approved for that work as well. Both the classroom remodel and the sidewalk work will be done over the summer.
The board briefly reviewed the principal reports as well as the curriculum director's report. Following that, the board heard a brief update on the condition of the roofs at the Stronghurst facility as well as the Media facility from the building and grounds sub-committee.
The board briefly discussed participation and attendance at the school board conference in Chicago in November.
The board heard a brief report from Mrs. Severn on the activities of the district's task force on reading for the 2006-07 school year. In addition, Mrs. Serven reviewed with the board the recommendations that came from the district task force on reading for next year.
The board briefly reviewed a proposed textbook adoption cycle and process that Mrs. Serven and Mr. Grimm have put together. It was suggested to the board that this process will help facilitate planning for new textbooks as well as planning the budget for new textbooks in the future. After answering a few questions, Superintendent Grimm informed the board that this item will be brought to them in June for their approval.
The board briefly discussed the concept of giving high school credit for students who successfully complete the incoming Freshman Academy.
It was the consensus of the board that the superintendent should answer a couple of basic questions, but the board supports the concept in general for providing credit for these students who successfully complete this program.
The board heard a brief report from Superintendent Grimm regarding a second summer school program for our students who will be sophmore and juniors during the 2007-08 school year.
It was suggested that these courses will no longer be retrieval courses but rather courses that focus intensively on reading, language arts and math.
The board reviewed a handout on the concept and after having a couple of questions answered, the board directed Superintendent Grimm to continue with the development of this program.
Under future agenda items, the board has requested the opportunity to revisit 6th grade participation on 7th grade teams at the June board meeting.
The board entered closed session at 10:25 p.m. to discuss matters pertaining to personnel. The board completed the discussion of these items and returned to open session at approximately 11:25 p.m.
Following the return to open session, the board took the following action:
The board was reminded that their next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2007. That meeting will be held in the elementary cafeteria and will begin at 7:00 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:36 p.m.