The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The West Central CUSD #235 Board of Education regular meeting was called to order by Board President Lonnie Brent at 6 p.m., Wednesday, February 16, 2011. All board members were present at roll call except for Doug Sams and Paul Anderson.
President Brent led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance" followed with highlights of "good news" items:
This is the second consecutive year that WCES has been designated a Spotlight School by the Illinois State Board of Education.
The elementary staff then thanked the board and administrative team for their guidance in reaching this goal and stated they were happy with this designation but not satisfied and planned to continue to strive for the next level of recognition.
Under recognition of audience, board President Brent introduced the board candidates who were in attendance: Bill Allaman, Dan Bowman, John Hennenfent, Tammy Bundy, and Amy John.
In addition, the board heard a presentation from eighth grade boys basketball coach Richard Clifton who requested permission to hold a three week boys basketball intramural program during the last three weeks of March and the emphasis will be on the development of fundamental basketball skills. Mr. Clifton indicated that he would like this program to be for our current 4th, 5th and 6th grade students and that several adults have volunteered to assist with this program. Mr. Clifton indicated that there would be no cost to the boys who participate. After a brief discussion, the board directed Mr. Grimm to visit with Mr. Blender about this program and to make the arrangements necessary to allow Mr. Clifton to conduct this program.
The consent agenda was approved as presented. Items approved under the consent agenda included:
During this portion of the agenda, the board reviewed a brief power point presentation concerning the WCECC Program that had been put together by Mrs. Jessica Burrell. Following this presentation, Superintendent Grimm led the board in a discussion about future financing for the PreK program. The board was informed that the PreK program at the state level is going to become a competitive grant rather than a continuing grant program. Supt. Grimm outlined to the board three options that he felt the board needed to consider regarding funding for the PreK program given this significant change from ISBE. After some discussion, the board directed Supt. Grimm to participate in a regional early childhood grant application that will be led by ROE #27 Regional Superintendent Jodi Scott. It was the decision of the board to do this with the understanding that certain conditions would be in place in terms of West Central continuing the early childhood program in the manner that we currently are doing so. The board also gave direction to Supt Grimm that if the regional grant is not funded by ISBE, then the board will fund the program from local resources.
Under financial activity, the board approved the payment of all bills including a few that were presented at the board table, the January activity accounts and the January 2011 treasurer's report. Supt. Grimm provided the board with a brief review of the district's financial report which indicated at the end of January we should be at 58.33% of our budget in terms of revenue received and funds expended. Mr. Grimm reported that at the end of January the district has received 64.55% of budgeted revenue and had expended 52.71% of budgeted expenditures.
The board approved a quote from Hein Construction in the amount of $25,700 for door repair work at the south campus as part of the 10 year health life safety survey.
The board approved a quote from JP Benbow Plumbing and Heating Co, Inc for installation of three backflow preventors at the south campus in the amount of $4,189.
After some discussion it was decided to table the decision regarding entryway mat service for the north and south campuses. The board has asked that Supt. Grimm look into the possible purchase of new mats as well as additional options for the mat service then were originally provided.
The board heard a brief report from Supt Grimm on the information that he had compiled regarding providing additional tech support for Mr. Cisna and Mrs. Frakes. As a result of the discussion, the board took no action on the recommended proposal rather they directed Supt. Grimm to continue looking for a vendor who would meet our needs at a less cost.
The board approved the quote from Custom Creations of Carthage, for the production of the quarterly Heat Index in the amount of $1104.41 per issue and the Annual Report in the amount of $1545.50.
The board heard a report from Supt Grimm on a quote that he had received from J&S Electronic Business Services of Burlington, Iowa for the purchase and installation of audio visual equipment for the WCES cafeteria. Mr. Grimm reviewed the need for the equipment and the anticipated uses of this equipment and while the board agreed with the concept, the board felt that the quote received was more than they wanted to spend at this time. The board directed Supt Grimm to look for other less expensive options and to report back to them.
The board heard reports from the Building Principals Mr. Buss, Mr. Nichols and Mr. Bradburn. They also heard reports from Mrs. Farniok, District Special Education Coordinator, and Mrs. Frakes, District Technology Coordinator.
Superintendent Grimm briefly introduced the proposed 2011-12 school year calendar. Mr. Grimm reminded the board that this calendar was the result of the efforts of the district calendar committee who had met 2 times to put together this proposed calendar. Mr. Grimm highlighted for the board that this calendar was very comparable to the 2010-11 calendar. The calendar call for a Monday, August 15, 2011 start date, attending three days during Christmas week meaning that there will not be a full 2 week break at Christmas, and an ending date of Wednesday, May 23, 2012 if all five emergency days are used. Mr. Grimm informed the board that he would have the adoption of this calendar on the March board meeting agenda as a consent agenda item.
The board briefly discussed a request that had been made by a district staff member to allow their incoming freshman student to attend school at West Central High School beginning in the Fall of 2011 even though the staff member does not live in the district.
Mr. Grimm outlined for the board the considerations and steps that must be taken in order to allow this situation to occur. After some discussion the board directed Supt. Grimm to proceed with this particularly idea and to report back at next month's meeting.
With no future agenda items highlighted the board took the following personnel actions:
The board entered closed session to discuss matters pertaining to personnel at 8:50 p.m. and exited closed session at approximately 9:40 p.m. and took the following action:
The board decided that there is a need to conduct a special meeting to discuss matters pertaining to personnel and collective bargaining. Further, the board decided that this meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 and begin at 6 p.m. in the unit office conference room.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2011 in the elementary cafeteria.
The board adjourned their meeting at 9:44 p.m.