The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
-June 25, 2008, Regular Meeting
At the Wednesday, June 25, 2008 regular meeting of the West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education the following items took place:
Board Vice President Arnold called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. All members were present at roll call except for board members Brent, Sams and Anderson.
Board President Brent entered at approximately 7:04 p.m.
Vice President Arnold then led the members of the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Vice President Arnold informed the audience that the board would now conduct a public hearing for the amended FY08 budget.
The meeting was called to order, roll call was taken, and at this point Board President Brent took over chairing the meeting.
He asked for comments from the audience regarding the proposed amended FY08 budget.
There were no comments forthcoming from the audience; therefore, President Brent declared the budget hearing adjourned.
Under good news items, the board recognized graduating senior, Allison Durflinger for her accomplishment of being a recipient of the Board's Academic Excellence award.
Ms. Durflinger was inadvertently omitted from the seniors who were recognized at the Class of 2008 graduation ceremony.
The Board also heard a report from the WCHS FFA Chapter on the awards and recognition that they have received over the course of the last couple of months.
In addition to the items listed above the following items were highlighted:
The board approved the agenda with the addition of discussion item XIII(C) - Use of Media Grounds, and action items XVI(A-4) - Resignation, R. Bennett and XVI(A-5) - Resignation, Carl Young.
The board heard a report from Jim Rich, the CSC Envoy, under the recognition of audience request for presentation section of the agenda.
The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The following items were approved under the consent agenda:
The board approved payment of the June bills as presented. In addition to those that had gone out in the packet, the board also approved a few supplemental bills. It was pointed out that the district ends the current fiscal year with all bills paid. In addition, the board approved the activity accounts from WCHS, WCMS, and WCE. The board also approved the treasurer's report as presented.
The board briefly discussed the proposed revision to the high school parent/student handbook which would have called for a change in the semester exam incentive policy. As a result of that discussion, the board tabled action on this item. This means that the language in the current parent/student handbook will be in place for the 2008-09 school year. The board asked Mr. Geiser to work with the high school staff to come up with an alternative that would prove to be more equitable for all students.
The board approved the amended FY08 district budget as presented.
The board approved ING Financial Services as the district's 403(b) plan Third Party Administrator. In addition, the board approved a common remitter agreement with ING Financial Services regarding the district's 403(b) plan.
The board approved a proposal to keep our current fund accounting banking services with Midwest Bank of Western Illinois as presented. Midwest Bank is the current banking institution that the district uses for it's various funds.
The board heard brief reports from Principals Buss and Geiser.
The board reviewed a first draft of a teacher/staff accountability document that primarily deals with teacher/staff attendance and the teacher/staff handling of their professional responsibilities. It was the consensus of the Board that the document was appropriate in its form and content. Superintendent Grimm was encouraged to continue to work with the WCATS leadership team to finalize this document prior to the start of the school year.
The board heard a report from Supt. Grimm on the activities to date that the district has taken with regard to the flood situation that has occurred in the County. Among those items noted were the creation of a tab on the District's web page that will be used to update visitors to the webpage about flood related information, the attempts of central office staff to identify displaced students and make contact with the parents/guardians of those students, the conversations that Supt. Grimm has had with Regional Superintendent Scott regarding transporting displaced students back into our district at the start of the school year and the letters that Supt. Grimm has sent to the Federal and State Congressional Delegation regarding the potential loss of general state aid and local property tax revenue. The board was also reminded that there would be an informational meeting for flood victims on Thursday, June 26th at 6 p.m. in the elementary cafeteria.
The board briefly discussed some plans to use the approximately 7 acres of ground in Media which is currently only being mowed for some crop production. It was pointed out that FFA Sponsor, Mr. Gittings, has indicated that the FFA would like to use that ground for multiple purposes next year beginning in the Fall.
The board entered closed session at approximately 8:31 p.m. to discuss matters pertaining to personnel. The board exited closed session at 9:30 p.m. and took the following action:
The board was reminded that the next meeting will be Wednesday, July 16, 2008 as 7 p.m. in the elementary cafeteria.
There being no other business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:33 p.m.