The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Two Biggest Projects In "07
In the December 17, 2008 Regular Meeting of the WC CUSD #235 Board of Education, members voted to approve a request to change the WCHS science curriculum course sequence.
The change will result in the moving of Biology to the freshman level as a required course for all incoming freshman.
Physical science will then be moved from the freshman level to the sophomore level with a pre-requisite of Biology and Algebra I or Applied Algebra I.
The board approved on first reading revisions to 20 different board policies.
Also at the meeting the following items took place.
Board President Brent called the meeting to order in the elementary cafeteria at 6:00 pm. All board members were present at roll call.
President Brent then led the members of the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Under good news items, the following items were identified as celebration of success:
The board approved the agenda as presented.
Under the recognition of audience request for presentation the board heard from CSC envoy, Sam Sudaker.
The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The following items were approved under the consent agenda:
The board approved payment of all bills, the November activity accounts and the November 2008 treasurer's reports as presented. The board also heard a brief report from Supt. Grimm concerning the district's financial report. Supt. Grimm reported to the board that the State is approximately $900,000 in arrears in terms of payments that have been vouchered by ISBE but not yet paid to our district. Supt. Grimm suggested that the board hold a community meeting sometime in early January to share information with our stakeholders about the district's financial condition. The board agreed with that idea and asked Supt. Grimm and Board President Brent to work together on the establishment of a date for this meeting, an agenda and a program.
The board considered the results of a bidding process for the district audit. After some discussion, the board decided to take no action on the audit proposals that were received. The board directed Supt. Grimm to gather additional information or re-bid for audit services.
The board approved a long term substitute daily rate of pay of $120. This pay rate is effective immediately. This long term substitute daily rate of pay will go into effect for any substitute who agrees to fill a long term substitute assignment which will last 10 days or longer in the same assignment.
The board approved the 2008 tax levy as presented. This year's tax levy extension will increase by approximately 4.9%. This increase will result in approximately an additional $170,000 of new revenue to the district.
The board approved a quote from Mark Muhleman for snow removal services for the Stronghurst and Media campuses.
The board approved a transfer of ownership of shares of common stock from the former Union CUSD #115 to West Central CUSD #235. This action was necessary to clean up some outstanding paperwork regarding a few shares of these stocks that had not been taken care of since the consolidation.
The board approved the change of administrators in the district's flexible spending plan account from Horace Mann to Consociate Dansig. Also as part of this the board approved the establishment of a checking account in order to facilitate the payment of flex plan reimbursement.
The board heard reports from building principals Mr. Buss, Mr. Nichols and Mr. Geiser. Additional reports were presented by Mrs. Serven, Mrs. Frakes, Mrs. Farniok. In addition the board reviewed the last building and grounds sub-committee meeting and the results of that meeting.
Board members were given direction from Board President Brent in regards to completing the Superintendent's evaluation.
The board briefly discussed two separate requests from outside agencies to possibly use district buses to transport students to activities during the spring and summer of 2009. It was the consensus of the board that these requests should be honored as long as the district incurs no out of pocket expense and there is proof of insurance provided to the district by the outside agencies.
The board briefly discussed the idea of purchasing diesel fuel for our buses in bulk. The board gave Supt. Grimm some direction on this topic with a request to continue to keep the board updated.
Member Sams asked to see a staff action item listing under future agenda items.
The board entered closed session at approximately 8:32 p.m. to discuss matters pertaining to personnel. The board exited closed session at 10:22 p.m. and took the following action:
The board was reminded that the next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the elementary cafeteria. The board was adjourned at approximate10:26 p.m.