The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


WC CUSD #235 Board of Education

On Wednesday, November 18, 2009 the West Central CUSD #235 Board of Education conducted their regular meeting. As a result of this meeting the following items took place.

President Brent called the meeting to order in the Unit Office Conference Room at 6:37 p.m. All board members were present at roll call.

The board approved a motion to go into closed session to conduct a student disciplinary hearing. As a result of this hearing, the board expelled a West Central High School student for the remainder of the first semester of the 2009-2010 school year.

This student may apply for reinstatement to WCHS at the beginning of the second semester of the 2009-2010 school year. The board also put the expulsion in abeyance in order that the student may attend the Henderson County Safe School.

Following a brief recess, the board reconvened their meeting in the elementary cafeteria. All board members were present when the meeting reconvened.

President Brent then led the members of the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The following items were presented under good news items:

The board approved the agenda with the addition of action item I. Consider approval of gift from Security Savings.

Under recognition of audience request for presentation the board heard from Jim Rich who was in attendance at the meeting on behalf of CSC.

The board heard reports from the building Principals Mr. Buss, Mr. Nichols and Mr. Geiser. Reports were also given by Mrs. Serven and Mrs. Farniok concerning the activities that they have been involved with since last months board meeting.

The board approved the consent agenda as presented with the exception of Item B - Consider Approval of Agreement with America's Best Water Treaters.

Superintendent Grimm informed the board that perhaps another vendor could be secured to do this work cheaper than the proposed contract.

The board authorized Supt. Grimm to investigate this and then to agree to a contract that best meets the needs of the district.

Items approved under the consent agenda included:

2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board/Board of Education

2:40 Board Member Qualifications

2:70E Checklist for Filling Board Vacancy by Appointment

2:110 Qualifications, Terms, and Duties of Board Officers

3:40 Superintendent

4:30 Revenue and Investments

4:40 Incurring Debt

4:100 Insurance Management

4:110 Transportation

4:140 Waiver of Student Fees

5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria

5:90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting

5:100 Staff Development Program

5:120 Ethics

5:250 Professional Personnel - Leaves of Absence

5:280 Educational Support Personnel - Duties and Qualifications

5:330 Educational Support Personnel - Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays and Leave

6:110 Programs for Students at Risk of Academic Failure and/or Dropping Out of School and Graduation Incentives Program

6:300 Graduation Requirements

6:310 Credit for Alternative Courses and Programs, and Course Substitutions

6:340 Student Testing and Assessment Program

7:190 Student Discipline

7:240 Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities

7:300 Extracurricular Activities

8:100 Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies

The board approved the payment of all bills, the activity account reports for WCES, WCMS and WCHS, and the treasurer's report for October as presented.

The board also heard an update from Superintendent Grimm concerning the financial report. Supt. Grimm indicated to the board that at the end of October our budgeted revenue and expenditure numbers should be at approximately 33%.

It was pointed out that our actual revenue received is at approximately 51% of budgeted revenue and our actual expenditures are at 29% of budgeted expenditures.

The board approved the tentative 2009 tax levy as presented. The tentative tax levy approved represents a 4.7% increase over the 2008 tax levy. The total extension amount for the 2009 tax levy is $3,823,188.

The board approved a request to establish an account for the E-Pay Program with the Illinois State Treasurer's Office as recommended. Further, the board agreed to absorb the fees that the credit card companies will charge to make a transaction with the use of a credit or debit card. This E-Pay program essentially will allow our parents to pay any and all fees that we so designate with the use of a credit card.

The board approved the designation of Superintendent Grimm and Sharri Richard as the district's FOIA information officers. The board also heard a brief update on changes to the Freedom of Information Act which will go into effect January 1, 2010.

The board approved the Superintendent's performance objectives as presented.

The board heard a report from the board's building sub-committee and gave Supt. Grimm permission by consensus to direct the architect to move forward on three different initiatives.

All three of the initiatives are a result of the ten-year health life safety survey that was conducted in 2006.

The board briefly reviewed the progress that has been made on the goals that were established at the March 2007 board planning retreat.

The board reviewed a list of proposed changes in fees paid to officials for certain Lincoln Trail Conference events. The board's direction to Mr. Geiser was to vote against these proposed fees increases at the LTC's next meeting.

There were no future agenda items identified.

The board re-entered closed session at approximately 10:05 p.m. to discuss matters pertaining to personnel. The board exited closed session at approximately 10:28 p.m. and took the following action:

The board took no action regarding the request to consider approval of a salary adjustment for WCATS member.

The board agreed to conduct a special meeting on December 2nd at 6 p.m. This meeting will be held in the Unit Office Conference Room. The purpose of the special meeting will be to conduct a closed session to discuss matters pertaining to personnel.

The board was reminded that their next regularly scheduled meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 in the elementary cafeteria.

The board meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:45 p.m.