The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
On Wednesday, February 20, 2013, the West Central CUSD #235 Board of Education conducted their regular meeting and briefly reviewed the proposed 2013-14 school calendar. As a result of this discussion, the board directed Supt. Grimm to bring the calendar back to the March board meeting as a consent agenda item for approval. Some highlights of the proposed calendar include the following:
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Board President Brent. All board members were present at roll call.
President Brent then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Under good news items the following items were highlighted:
The board approved the agenda as presented.
Under recognition of audience request for participation, Board President Brent noted that district resident Beau Admire had signed in to address the Board on an agenda item. It was also noted that Mrs. Simmons had also signed in to address the Board and that she had did so during good news items.
The board approved the consent agenda as presented. Items approved under the consent agenda included:
The 2013 District Seniority List for Certified and Support Personnel Under financial activity, the board approved payment of all bills as presented. The board approved the January activity accounts as presented. The Board was informed that the November and December, 2012 and January and February, 2013 treasurer's report will be provided for approval at the March 2013, meeting.
The board heard that as of the end of January actual expenditures and revenue to budget should be 58.33%. It was noted that actual expenditures were 53.28% of budget and actual revenue received was 65.61% of budget as of the end of January 2013. Supt. Grimm also reported that as of February 20, 2013, the State has vouchered but not yet paid District #235 $313,848. Supt. Grimm also reported that if the federal government goes through with the sequestration that is being talked about the district would see an immediate 5.3% cut in federal revenue which would about to approximately a $20,000 loss of federal aid during this fiscal year.
The board approved the report submitted on the West Central Early Childhood program and the recommendations that went with that report. The most significant recommendation that was approved regarded moving the Pre-k program to the north campus from the Media Campus.
The board heard a report from district architect Bill Phillips on the status of his recently completed Ten
Year Health Life Safety report. Mr. Phillips detailed many of the projects that need to be completed during this survey cycle. Mr. Grimm discussed with the Board the financing implications of this work. Also during this portion of the discussion Mr. Grimm and Mr. Phillips discussed with the Board the possibility of the district hooking onto the water line that is being installed from Media to Biggsville by the Dallas Rural Water District. As a result of this discussion, the board decided that more information on the financing for these projects was needed as well as further discussion on the water line project. To facilitate this, the Board agreed to conduct a special meeting in the near future to continue these discussions.
The board reviewed a request from district resident Beau Admire to conduct mixed martial arts training in one of the district facilities. This training would be for boys aged 5-12. After a brief discussion, the board approved the request.
The board approved a request for a utility easement on the north campus from Ameren Illinois. This easement is necessary due to the Biggsville Bypass portion of the Highway 34 project that will be breaking ground this Spring.
The board heard summaries of the written principal's reports submitted by Mrs. Lafary, Mr. Buss, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Frakes, and Mr. Nichols.
The board heard a few comments from Supt. Grimm relative to the curriculum items that he has been working on since the January board meeting.
The board entered closed session at 8:40 p.m. to discuss matters pertaining to personnel. The board exited closed session at 10:15.
All board members were present when the board reconvened to open session at 10:15 p.m.
The board's next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. This meeting will be held in the elementary cafeteria and will begin at 6 p.m.
There being no other business to come before the board, the board adjourned their meeting at 10:20 p.m.