The Pekin Community High School Board of Education met on Monday, August 28, 2006 in the Board of Education Room located in The Holman Career and Technical Education Building of Pekin Community High School, City of Pekin, County of Tazewell.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

President Howard asked all to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Call to Order

President Howard called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:30 p.m.

Roll Call

All members were present upon roll call: Jim Mangan, Mark Rossi, Gary Lowe, Karen Hohimer, Betty Scott, Joe Alesandrini, and Larry Howard.

Approval of Minutes

President Howard addressed the minutes as outlined in the agenda.

Motion by Scott, second by Hohimer to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting of July 24, 2006, the Special Meetings and Closed Sessions of August 10. 2006 & August 15, 2006; and to make the Policy Committee meeting minutes of July 24, 2006 & August 15, 2006 and the O & M Committee meeting minutes of August 10, 2006 a matter of record.

Question on the last page (agenda page 19) of the Special Meeting minutes of August 15, 2006 as to who informed the Board that the Resolution prepared by Joe Alesandrini was approved by the IASB and will be recommended for adoption at the conference in November. The minutes reflected that Paula Davis informed the Board. The amended minutes will be changed to “The Board was informed that the Resolution . . . “

Amended Motion to approve the minutes as amended by Scott, concurred by Hohimer.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Scott, Hohimer, Mangan, Rossi, Lowe, Alesandrini and Howard; nays – none.

Communications, Public Comments and Participation

President Howard acknowledged Joe Alesandrini, who has served this Board faithfully for almost 22 years, and informed everyone that today is his birthday. A cake was presented to Joe and will be served prior to the Board going into closed session.

Board Applause

Betty Scott commended the Band for getting off to a good start and said she was impressed with the discipline the band director is putting down.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 28, 2006
Page Two

Joe Alesandrini said he attended the Red & White game and said everything was great. He also attended the Recognition Luncheon on August 16th and felt the school year is off to a good start.

Mark Rossi said the stadium bleacher area now has the new seating and he extended congratulations to the contractors for getting it done in a timely fashion.

Karen Hohimer said she attended the Recognition Luncheon on August 16th where new faces were welcomed.

Larry Howard said it is good to have everyone back and welcomed the new staff.

Student Council

Caroline Lourgos, Student Council President, informed the Board that Student Council is getting back into the swing of things. She said the Football frenzy had a large attendance. Student Council is now getting into planning homecoming, the games and spirit week.

Approval of Warrants

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Scott to approve the monthly warrants in the amount of $1,846,593.15 as per summary information found on pages 22 & 23 of the agenda and in detailed information under separate cover.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Scott, Mangan, Rossi, Lowe, Hohimer and Howard; Nays – none. Warrants attached as Exhibit A

Financial Reports as of July 31, 2006

Bank Balances $12,495,166.47
District Investments – Principal $11,940,560.38
Health Care YTD ($ 37,052.52)

Unfinished Business

Policy For a Second Reading

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Lowe to adopt policy 7:140 Students – Search & Seizure as presented on pages 28 through 31 in the agenda material.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Lowe, Mangan, Rossi, Hohimer, Scott and Howard; nays - none.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 28, 2006
Page Three

New Business

President Howard called for a closed session regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity and the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.

Motion by Mangan, second by Alesandrini to adjourn to closed session for the purposes previously stated.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Mangan, Alesandrini, Rossi, Lowe, Hohimer, Scott and Howard; nays – none.

Prior to going into closed session, a piece of Joe’s birthday cake was served to everyone in attendance.

The Board adjourned to closed session at 6:40 p.m.

The minutes of the closed session are recorded and filed separately.

The Board returned to open session at 7:35 p.m.

Consent Agenda

President Howard reviewed the Consent Agenda. He informed the Board that Tonya Barra’s name should be pulled from the consent agenda as she was previously approved by the Board and under Donations, the check submitted by Karl Jordan was from Ellen Paullin for the PCHS Scholarship Fund in memory of __. He noted that Donna Bearden, formerly the School Health Official, will be the Alternative School Aide.

1. Employment As Per Contract For The 2006-2007 School Season / Year

Certificated Staff: Rick Dwyer, Scott Pickens and Danielle Owens as Detention Supervisors on an hourly rate as per contract; Kelly Madden for after School Driver Education at a salary of $21.97 an hour.

Substitute Teacher: Jennifer Wertz at a salary of $14 per class period.

Differential Positions for Non-Athletic Differentials: Traci Van Prooyen as Counselor, replacing Larry Spialek at a salary of 25% differential, which will be prorated from August 22, 2006; Larry Davis as Boys’ Assistant Basketball Coach at a differential of 15%; Jennifer Whisenand as Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach at a differential of 15%.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 28, 2006
Page Four

Support Staff: Melanie Morris – Library Clerk at a salary of Category II, Step 5; Shawn Hawton as Assistant Attendance Clerk at a salary of Category II, Step 0; Dennis Hall as Teacher Aide in the Special Education Department at a salary of Category III, Step 8; Cryatal Lopez as a Teacher Aide in the Special Education Department at a salary of Category III, Step 2; Cathy Beach as a Teacher Aide in the Special Education Department at a salary of Category III, Step 8; Tricia Bianchi-Thomason as a Teacher Aide in the Special Education Department at a salary of Category III, Step 1; Nancee Custer as a Teacher Aide in the Special Education Department at a salary of Category III, Step 8; Adam O’Neill as a Teacher Aide in the Special Education Department at a salary of Category III, Step 1; and Robert Moll as a Personal Assistant in the Special Education Department at a salary of Category II, Step 0:

2. Re-Employment: Lou Freeman for Manufacturing – 3/5 time for the 2006-07 school year at a salary of BA Step 4; Pat Knight for English – 2/5 time for the 2006-07 school year at a salary of MA Step 1; and Lisa Stolz for English – 4/5 time for the first semester of the 2006-07 school year and 2/5 time for the second semester of the 2006-07 school year at a salary of MA Step 13.5.

Resignation – Support Staff: Amanda Webb – Teacher Aide for Special Education effective at the end of the 2005-06 school year.

Volunteers: Jim Russell as a Football Coach during the 2006-07 season; and Brad Slover as an Assistant Boys’ Soccer Coach for the 2006-07 season.

Donations: Received donation from Ellen Paullin in the amount of $50 for the PCHS Scholarship Fund in memory of Charles Grossweiler; received a donation from Mark F. Rossi in the amount of $100 in lieu of student fees; and a check was delivered by Betty Scott from the Wal*Mart Foundation in the amount of $250.

Motion by Lowe, second by Hohimer for approval of the Consent Agenda items 1 through 5.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Lowe, Hohimer, Mangan, Rossi, Scott, Alesandrini and Howard; nays – none.

Presentation of the 2006-07 Tentative Budget

Larry Carr presented the 2006-07 tentative budget to the Board with a slide presentation and a hard copy of the same was handed out to all members. The graphs showed an Operating Fund surplus of $1.3 million; $885,000 in the Education Fund; $437,000 in the O & M Fund; $20,000 in Transportation; and a negative $36,000 in IMRF. Surplus in Non-Operating funds was $350,976 because the Life Safety bills didn’t come in, so they will be carried over to be paid in the 2006-07 school year. Major sources of revenue are (1) real estate taxes 44%, (2) corporate personal property tax 15%, and (3) general state aid 22%. Other revenue comes from interest rates - $563,000 in recent years as compared to $125,000 in past years.

He talked about expenditures with the largest cost being personnel 68% and that 9 5 new positions have been added this year. He said health care costs have come down over the prior years.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 28, 2006
Page Five

He talked about the rate increases in utility costs and was told that the electrical expenditures could go up 35% ($115,000) next year. Also an increase in natural gas is expected next year. After October 1st he said he will be looking at getting bids from other electricity suppliers.

The Budget Summary shows a balanced budget. It does include the transfer of $300,000 from the Operations Fund to the Bond & Interest fund to cover the abatement: $150,000 came from the Education Fund, and $150,000 came from the O & M Fund. Also included in the operations $7500 for the district’s portion of the consolidation study that may take place.
A recommendation at levy time is anticipated to abate a portion of the construction bonds and decrease the cost of the tax burden to the taxpayers.

He said the budget would be placed on display in the District Office until the September 25, 2006 Board meeting. At that meeting, there will be a Budget Hearing and he would ask the Board to adopt the 2006-07 budget as presented. Members discussed various parts of the budget with Mr. Carr including Special Ed expenditures and Life Safety.

Superintendent Davis added that the District had to hire 4 ½ new Special Ed teachers this year because 144 freshman students came into the District with IEPs. Last year $410,000 was budgeted for out-of-district tuition, but the District spent $671,000 resulting in an unexpected cost of $261,000. She also talked about No Child Left Behind saying there is not an equal balance between the federal revenue and the mandates coming from them.

She talked about the District still being in School Improvement Status because of not meeting AYP even though test scores will not be available until October. She said a letter was sent out the parents that other districts have the opportunity to transfer schools if their school doesn’t meet AYP. Since none of the districts in the area will accept our students, transferring to another school is not an option; therefore, the district must make supplemental educational services available. She said $30,000 needs to be set aside out of federal monies for students most in need. The Title 1 program has not been cut and if the $30,000 is used for tutoring services, the same amount will have to be taken from district funds to pay for the Title 1 program. She added that no services are available locally for tutoring except on-line, and that must be done after the school day. She said she is waiting to hear from the State Board regarding this service.

Board Policy 8:90 Booster Clubs

This Policy was presented by the Policy Committee for a first reading.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Lowe, for Board approval to lay Policy 8:90 over for action at a future meeting.

Discussion took place on this policy as listed on pages 32-35 of the agenda material. After discussion, it was decided that his policy needs to go back to the Policy Committee for further review.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Lowe, Mangan, Rossi, Hohimer, Scott and Howard.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 28, 2006
Page Six

Open Closed Minutes

Policy Committee recommends that selected closed minutes be opened and made available for public inspection.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Lowe to open closed minutes from the following meetings: August 26, 1985; September 3, 1985; November 7, 1985; March 3, 1986; March 20, 1986; October 6, 1986; October 20, 1986; March 16, 1987; May 18, 1987; June 1, 1987; February 15, 1988 at 8:07 p.m.; September 6, 1988; October 3, 1988; June 5, 1989; July 17, 1995; August 19, 1996; May 5, 1997; July 21, 1997 at 11 p.m.; October 5, 1998; February 2, 1999 at 7:25 p.m.; June 7, 1999; July 19, 1999; August 16, 1999; April 5, 2000; and November 20, 2000.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Lowe, Mangan, Rossi, Hohimer, Scott and Howard; nays – none.

Marching Band Trip

Superintendent Davis explained that the itinerary will be announced later because confirmation for their performances at Disney World has not yet been finalized. She recommended that the Board approve this band trip to Orlando, Florida scheduled during the 2007 spring break.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Scott for approval of the Pekin Community High School Marching Band trip to Orlando, Florida during the 2007 Spring break (March 30 – April 4, 2007).

Members discussed fundraising for this trip. It was mentioned that 50/50 tickets will be sold, but it was noted that the band members will not be selling them – it will be their parents. It was also noted that the money from Signature Sponsors also goes into the trip fund.

Superintendent Davis explained that the band takes a trip only once every four years and she is working on implementing the same guidelines for other groups. She said that by doing this, it would eliminate some of the fundraising that is currently being done. Concern was also expressed about students who cannot afford to take the trips. The Board was informed that no student has been denied the opportunity to go on a trip as they try to provide for those students so they or their parents are not made to feel uncomfortable.

It was questioned whether or not the Jazz band is included in this trip and it was noted that a final itinerary on this trip will be available at next month’s meeting. They also talked about whether or not there will be rules for this trip and what they are for this group and other groups.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Scott, Mangan, Rossi, Lowe, Hohimer and Howard; nays – none.

TIF – Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Pekin and Pekin Community High School

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 28, 2006
Page Seven

Superintendent Davis explained the TIF agreement and said that under this agreement, the City of Pekin would pay the amount due PCHS (around $100,000) from TIF District 1 starting in 2009 when TIF 1 expires, and the first payment would be made in 2010 and for each year thereafter until TIF District 1 expires or is terminated by the City. She said our attorneys preferred to indicate that if the TIF money runs out, the City still has to pay PCHS. She mentioned that District 108 approved their Intergovernmental Agreement last week.

It was also mentioned that HB 42-63 (which extends the expiration date of TIF District 1 for an additional period of twelve years) has been passed and signed by the governor.

Motion by Scott, second by Hohimer for approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Pekin and Pekin Community High School.

The members discussed the agreement that was drawn up by the City attorneys and our attorneys. A question was asked about the meaning of inadequate sources as mentioned in item Q on page 44 of the agenda material. Superintendent Davis said she would check that over with our attorneys.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Scott, Hohimer, Mangan, Rossi, Lowe, Alesandrini and Howard; nays – none.

Reports

Policy Committee – Chairman Joe Alesandrini reported that the committee met this evening and reviewed closed minutes. Policy revisions were received from PRESS and they began their review of the proposed policies. Policies that will be presented for a first reading at the next meeting are: 2;90, 2:120, 2:250, 2:260 and 4:90.

O & M Committee – Chairman Mark Rossi had no report.

LMRC – no report

SAC – Superintendent Davis reported that the committee met last week and the minutes were approved from the May 17,2006 meeting. The committee talked about information relative to some things that were done as a result of this committee’s work such as strategic planning with Special Ed people and a Bridge Program was implemented where about 60 students participated.

A program called “House Calls” was started for students with IEPs. Teachers volunteered to go out and make home visits. The goal is to reach out to parents and help them understand what we are trying to accomplish and enlist their support. The committee talked about Learning Express Advantage which is an on-line study that has ACT prep, posters being used in the classroom, and providing sample ACT tests for parents to view at curriculum night. Next meeting will be September 28, 2006 at 3 p.m.

James Field – Superintendent Davis referred to the report on James Field that was provided to the Board under separate cover showing plans for James Field.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 28, 2006
Page Eight

Consolidation Study – Superintendent Davis indicated she pulled information from the website and confirmed with the State Board that this is the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding consolidation laws. She was informed by the State Board today that some of the information on the website has not been accurate as they still had information on it that relates to the old laws. They will be updating the website and are still updating pamphlets

Future Agenda Items

Consider the adoption of a consolidation study at the earliest time.

Superintendent Davis pointed out that there is money available for a study. This district put $7500 in their budget, District 108 did the same, and there is $7500 available from the state. She stated all of the feeder districts that are affected by this have to vote to participate in order for the District to be eligible for money from the State. She proposed to convene all boards together and bring someone from the State Board here to answer questions. A suggestion was made to send a letter to feeder superintendents to see if they would want to participate in a study.

The members discussed the State School Board laws and the need for feeder districts to sign off on the study and the various items listed to be included in the study.

Superintendent Davis said she would come back with more information at the September meeting. She asked for direction about talking to the other districts to see what direction they think they will go – to either talk to the superintendents or go through their Boards of Education.

Superintendent Davis said she received an email from the State Board indicating that a study would take anywhere from 3 to 7 months and usually the studies require a team of 2 to 4 people. A list is available from the State Board of people they can recommend to do a study. A suggestion was made for the Superintendent to share all her communications from the State Board to make sure everyone understands what is being said.

Rising Utility Costs

The upcoming 35% increase in utility costs was mentioned and it was noted that some schools are using wind and solar power to help decrease their costs. Superintendent Davis indicated that last year the Board approved the District’s participation in a grant application on wind power, but it was not approved. She said we are still having conversations with people who are connected with that process. A suggestion was made to go ahead with a study on how much energy costs could be saved. Superintendent Davis said she could provide information on what a study on the wind turbines would cost. It was suggested to bring this to the O & M committee.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 28, 2006
Page Nine

Announcements by President

His only announcement was to declare the meeting adjourned.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

_________________________________ _______________________________
President Larry Howard Secretary Mark Rossi