The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

School Board At Work

Takes Action On Budget Cuts

At the West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education meeting held on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 the board took the following action on budget reductions and budget cuts.

• Increased the fee for the Driver Ed course from $50 to $150 effective June 1, 2014
• Approved a recommendation to lease two fewer 2015 Thomas Saf-T-Liner school busses from Midwest Bus Sales for the 2014-2015 school year.
• Approved a recommendation to eliminate all ninth grades athletic schedules, coaches and transportation beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
• Approved a recommendation to eliminate the after school tutoring/athletic shuttle bus between campuses beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
• Approved a recommendation to suspend the purchase of new uniforms for district teams for the 2014-2015 school year.
• As they continued their discussion on possible budget reductions/cuts, the board decided the following:
• The Random Student Drug Testing program will continue as is.
• The administrative team is to collect additional information on student participation fees and bring that information to the board at the May Board meeting.
• The board will continue discussing possible changes to the Certified Nursing Assistants program.
• The board asked that a list of programs paid for by the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant be provided them at the May board meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. with all board members present and President Brent leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Under Good News items, the following items were highlighted:

• The recent successful events that our FFA, FBLA, Art, and WYSE students have participated in were highlighted.
• The PARCC Pilot Testing went well.
• WCES had a very good turnout for the recently completed Special Persons Day.
• The WCMS track team is doing very well this season
• WCMS had a staff dress up day on April 16, 2014, and it was well received by students and staff.
• The recently completed spring music concerts were highlighted.
• The Middle School spring play was highlighted.
• ªThe High School play is coming up.

The board approved the agenda with the following addition:

• XV.D.5 | Resignation: Rod Brent, WCMS Sixth Grade Boys Basketball coach Under Recognition of Audience to Visitors, the board heard presentations from each buildings School Improvement Team regarding their 2014-2015 School Improvement Plan.

The board pulled three proposed Board Policy revisions from the Consent Agenda. The three proposed policy revisions were:

• Policy 5:35 | General Personnel | Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Policy 7.190 | Students | Student Discipline
• Policy 8.95 | Community Relations | Parental Involvement
• The board approved the remainder of the Consent Agenda as presented. Items approved under the Consent Agenda included:
• The minutes of the March 19, 2014, regular board meeting; the minutes of the March 19, 2014 and April 9, 2014, closed session and the minutes of the March 31, 2014, and April 9, 2014, special meeting
• A resolution regarding National Teacher Appreciation Week

The following Board Policies on Second Reading and Adoption:

• Policy 2:30 | Board of Education | District Elections;
• Policy 2:110 Board of Education | Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers;
• Policy 4:30 | Operational Services | Revenue and Investments;
• Policy 5:10 | General Personnel | Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment;
• Policy 5:30 | General Personnel | Hiring Process and Criteria;
• Policy 5:125 | General Personnel | Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct;
• Policy 5:180 | General Personnel | Temporary Illness or Temporary Incapacity;
• Policy 5:190 | Professional Personnel | Teacher Qualifications;
• Policy 5:240 Professional Personnel | Suspension;
• Policy 7:20 | Students | Attendance and Truancy;
• Policy 7:40 | Students | Search and Seizure;
• Policy 7:180 | Students | Preventing Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment;
• Approved Ralph Grimm as Interim District Treasurer Under Financial Activity, the board approved all bills as presented; the monthly activity accounts from WCES, WCMS and WCHS, and the treasurers report for November and December, 2013 as presented.

Superintendent Grimm gave an update on the district financial report, indicating that at this point in the fiscal year, the district should have received and expended 75% of the fiscal year budget. It was reported that actual revenue received was at 90.35 % and that actual expenditures were at 57.55%. It was also noted that as of April 16, 2014, the State of Illinois owed District #235 $173,366. Superintendent Grimm thanked Nancy Clark for her work on preparing the approved November and December, 2013 treasurer's reports.

After additional discussion of the proposed revised board policy revisions, the following policies were approved on Second Reading and Adoption:

• Policy 5:35 | General Personnel | Compliance with Fair
•  Policy 7:190 | Students | Student Discipline
• Policy 8:95 | Community Relations | Parental Involvement

The board approved a request of two WCHS students to attend school half days during their senior year so that they may attend Southeastern Community College in the afternoons. oons.

In other business the board:

• approved the creation of the Sharri Richard Memorial Scholarship.
• approved a revised quote for the lease of 13 2015 Thomas Saf-T-Liner busses for the 2014-2015 school year. The new lease price will be $14,265 and will include security cameras installed on these busses.
• heard reports from the building principals on the activities they have been involved in since the March board meeting. In addition, the board reviewed the reports submitted by Superintendent Grimm regarding curriculum, Mrs. Farniok regarding Special Education and Mrs. Frakes regarding district technology. As part of his report, Mr. Nichols informed the board that WCMS would be working with the HMW ROE to submit a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant for the 2014-15 school year.
• briefly discussed the 2014-2015 building school improvement plans.
• reviewed the proposed changes to the 2014-2015 Student Parent Handbooks as submitted by each building assistant principal.
• briefly discussed building cleanliness and maintenance issues.
• The fundraising project currently being conducted by the Stronghurst Boosters Organization for a water park in Stronghurst was briefly discussed by the board. At this time, the board decided to not allow our students to participate in that fundraising event as part of the school day.
• learned that there will be a phone conference call with District Math Consultant Fern Tribby on Monday, April 28, 2014, and the district Math teachers to continue discussing issues related to the Integrated Math Curriculum under consideration for adoption in the district.
• briefly discussed the request of the Henderson County Fair Board to lease or purchase approximately 1.5 acres of district ground on the south campus. At this time, the board does not wish to pursue such an agreement with the Fair Board.

There were no future agenda items identified.

The board entered Closed Session to discuss matters pertaining to personnel at approximately 8:45 p.m.

The board exited Closed Session at 9:15 and took the following action:

• Approved a six week maternity leave for WCES teacher Tonya Neira
• Accepted the resignation of Matt Henning as district instrumental band instructor
• Employed Jerry Spiker as a substitute custodian at the rate of $8.25 per hour
• Employed Cindi Smith as a long term substitute teacher at the daily rate of $120 per day
• Accepted the resignation of Donna Hilton as WCMS Cheerleading Sponsor
• Accepted the resignation of Rod Brent as WCMS Sixth Grade Boys Basketball Coach
• Employed Jeff Housel as WCHS Head Football Coach
• Approved Randy Frakes as the District Athletic Director
• Approved a recommendation to pay the National Honor Society Sponsor stipend to Melinda Frakes for the 2013-2014 school year

The board was reminded that their next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. The meeting will be held in the WCES Cafeteria and will begin at 6 p.m.

There being no other business to come before the board, the board adjourned their meeting at 9:20 p.m.