Duquoin Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education met Sept. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by President Zach McPherson.
Roll Call
Present – Harsy, McPherson, Riley (arrived at 6:33 PM), Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside.
Reports
a. Building principals – Mrs. Rea, Mr. Hill, and Mr. McChristian shared the “Reasons We Are Proud” with the board.
b. Superintendent – Mr. Hickam reviewed the current enrollment figures. On behalf of Pete Spitler, Mr. Hickam thanked the board for supporting the Civil War re- enactment last year and let them know of the spring date for the event. Mr. Hickam reminded the board of the upcoming Egyptian Division meeting of the IASB to be held at the K-8 building on Oct. 10, 2019.
Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of the minutes of the August 15, 2019 regular Board of Education meeting (including executive session minutes);
b. Approval of compensation reports for teachers/administrators/applicable non- certs in accordance with 105 ILCS 5/10-20.47 and 105 ILCS 5/34-18.38;
Mr. Hickam shared the report and noted it would be posted on the website as required as well.
c. Approval of resolution to transfer funds from the Capital Projects Fund to the Operations & Maintenance Fund for approved budget purposes;
Mr. Hickam noted the county facility sales tax is placed in the Capital Projects Fund so the resolution created the opportunity to transfer revenue into the O & M fund to help cover budgeted expenses for that fund. Mr. Woodside asked if the transfer was done at one time or periodically. Mr. Hickam indicated the transfers occurred as needed during the course of the year.
d. Approval of state library grant application to be submitted to the Secretary of State.
The application was made available for review. Mr. Hickam noted that the grant is based on enrollment and typically results in approximately $1,000 to spend on the purchase of books/periodicals.
A motion was made by Woodside, seconded by Riley to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
Financial Items:
a. Approval of the payment of bills for August 2019.
Mr. Hickam noted the addition of late bills and the larger amounts of expenses including a payment for the HVAC project and the renewal of insurance policies. Mr. Woodside asked about the expense for agenda books for students. Mrs. Rea and Mr. Hill explained their use of the books within their buildings. Mr. Woodside asked about the expense for Johnson Controls related to a phone line fault. Mr. Hickam explained this was the repair of the phone line which serves the alarm system and repaired by Johnson Controls.
A motion was made by West, seconded by Woodside to approve the payment of bills for August 2019. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
b. Approval of the August 2019 financial report.
A motion was made by Waller, seconded by West to approve the August 2019 financial report. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
Public Hearing
a. DEA Representative – No comments
b. Public – No comments
Budget Hearing and Adoption
a. Review of 2019-2020 school year budget and request for public comment.
Mr. Hickam reviewed the budget proposal. Discussion occurred regarding the importance of maintaining fund balances to be able cover expenses at the start of the new fiscal year. The impact of the evidence-based funding model was discussed and emphasis was placed on the importance of using funds based on the elements put forth by the state. The element of instructional coaching was noted as an area deserving consideration.
There were no public comments.
b. Approval of resolution to adopt 2019-2020 school year budget.
A motion was made by Harsy, seconded by West to approve the resolution to adopt the 2019-2020 school year budget. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
New or Unfinished Business
A. Update on HVAC project for K-8 building & Theobald roof project.
Mr. Robbins noted that the HVAC project was substantially completed. He explained that work was ongoing to balance the system. Mr. Robbins summarized the work completed on the roof project at Theobald. Mr. Rodely asked if an inspection schedule could be established for the area where the new roof was installed. Mr. Robbins indicated this could be done.
B. Appointment of Recording Secretary, per board policy 2:110, to assemble meeting materials, minutes, and maintain verbatim record of executive session.
Mr. Hickam suggested that Mrs. Denise Hirsch be appointed as Recording Secretary and noted that she currently carries out the tasks of the position.
A motion was made by West, seconded by Waller to appoint Denise Hirsch as Recording Secretary for the Board of Education. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
C. Review and approval of board policy 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment in accordance with 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7.
A copy of the policy was provided to board members for review. Mr. Hickam noted the policy was in place and is recommended policy from the IASB. He mentioned that in addition to this board policy, each school had language included in their handbooks. Mrs. Harsy asked principals how their policies were working. Mrs. Rea and Mr. Hill spoke to the question and that policies were appropriate. It was further mentioned that the policies are part of their handbooks.
A motion was made to approve board policy 7:180 by Harsy, seconded by Woodside. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
D. Guidance for board member communications, including e-mail use in accordance with Board Policy 2:140.
The exhibit for Board Policy 2:140 was shared with board members.
E. District plan to be in compliance with PA 101-0515 related to Children with
Disabilities Article of the School Code
Mr. Hickam explained the new law impacting communication with the parents of students receiving special education services. He further explained the collaborative effort with Tri-County Special Education to be in compliance with the law.
F. Creation of special committee
Mr. Hickam presented a request for the naming of an athletic facility received by letter from a community member. The board policy related to the naming of facilities was reviewed. In accordance with this policy (8:120), the board was polled regarding moving forward with the request. Mr. McPherson polled the board with the result being a unanimous agreement to move forward with the creation of a committee. Mr. McPherson named himself, along with Board Member Waller to represent the board on the committee. Mr. Hickam offered to reach out to the Educational Foundation board and the DEA for members on the committee. He also offered to assist with finding a retired District educator and a parent. Mr. McPherson agreed.
Mr. McPherson created a special committee to collaborate on the planning of the 8th grade promotion. Mr. McPherson place himself, Board Member Waller, Board Member Harsy, Mr. Hill, and DEA Pres./Middle School Teacher Pam Pursell on the committee. Mr. McPherson noted he would reach out to committee members to set up a time to meet.
Executive Session:
To discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees in accordance with 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1).
A motion was made by Harsy, seconded by Woodside, to enter into executive session at 7:41 PM to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees in accordance with 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
The Board returned to open session at 8:15 PM.
Leave of Absence Requests
A. Sarah Smith has submitted a request for maternity leave to tentatively run from November 14, 2019 through February 14, 2020.
B. Rachel Tilley has submitted a request for maternity leave to tentatively run from February 18, 2020 through May 14th, 2020.
A motion was made by Harsy, seconded by Waller to accept the maternity leave requests for Sarah Smith and Rachel Tilley. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
Resignations/Retirement:
a. Robert Huntley has submitted his letter of intent to retire as a teacher at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
A motion was made by Woodside, seconded by Rodely, to accept the letter of intent to retire by Robert Huntley at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
Employment of Personnel:
a. Aide positions
A motion was made by Waller, seconded by Harsy, to employ Mary Williams as an aide at the elementary school for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Riley, seconded by West, to employ Kasey Spencer as an EOC aide at the middle school for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay – none. Motion carried.
Adjournment
A motion was made to adjourn at 8:16 PM by Harsy, seconded by West. Motion carriedwithout objection.Call to Order
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/496861/September_Board_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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