The Pekin Community High School Board of Education met on Monday, May 19, 2008 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. Item J was added to the agenda, student discipline.

Roll Call

Members present upon roll call were: Edward Harr, Betty Scott, Paul O’Neal, Karen Hohimer, Joe Alesandrini, and Larry Howard. Absent: Gary Lowe

President Howard awarded Mr. Alesandrini a gavel for his job as president of the Board of Education.

Approval of Minutes

President Howard recommended Board approval of the minutes of the Special Meeting of April 21, 2008, the Closed Meeting of April 21, 2008 5:39 p.m., the Closed Meeting of April 21, 2008 6:39 p.m., and the SAC committee meeting of March 20, 2008.

Motion by Harr, second by Hohimer to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of April 21, 2008, the Closed Meeting of April 21, 2008 5:39 p.m., the Closed Meeting of April 21, 2008 6:39 p.m., and the SAC committee meeting of March 20, 2008.

Mr. Howard said some minutes were missing; they will appear at the next Board meeting.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Harr, Hohimer, O’Neal, Alesandrini and Howard. Nays – None. Present – Scott. Absent – Lowe.

Communications, Public Comments and Participation

Minutes – Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 28, 2008
Page Two

Board Applause

Joe Alesandrini stated that the National Honor Society was a great evening; he congratulated all the students involved.

Karen Hohimer said she went through the open house on Sunday and said it was a gorgeous home.

Ed Harr said he went to the dance in the theatre and it was nice to see the kids let their hair down. The kids really back other kids here.

Betty Scott said ditto, ditto, and ditto. Dragon Pride was a huge success.

Student Council

Trevor Shields introduced himself to the Board as the new president of Student Council for next year. He said he was proud to present a check to St. Jude for over $2,000.00. He said he was looking forward to addressing the Board next year.

Approval of Warrants

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Scott to approve the monthly warrants in the amount of $1,485,417.80 as per summary information found on page 9 of the agenda and in detailed information under separate cover.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Scott, Harr, O’Neal, Hohimer and Howard Nays – None. Absent – Lowe. Warrants attached as Exhibit A

Financial Reports as of April 30, 2008

Bank Balances $17,434,374.29
District Investments – Principal $16,615,521.27
Health Care YTD ($ 177,396.23)

Closed Session

President Howard made the request for closed session regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.
Minutes – Board of Education
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2008
Page Three

Motion by Scott, second by Harr to adjourn to closed session.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Scott, Harr, O’Neal, Hohimer, Alesandrini and Howard. Nays – None. Absent – Lowe.

New Business

Consent Agenda
President Howard reviewed the Consent Agenda:

1. Employment as Per Contract

Certified

Joel Steger – Summer Credit Recovery Instructor, July 14, 2008 thru July 25, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; at a salary of $22.29 per hour as per contract.
Reithel Mercer – Special Education Teacher for the 2008-2009 school year; at a salary of MA-11 as per Salary Schedule.

Substitutes

Jonathan Tarpley – Substitute teacher for the 2007-2008 school year and 2008-2009 school year; at a salary of $16.00 per hour as per Salary Schedule.
Sarah Conklin – Substitute for Teacher Assistants in the Life Skills program for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year; at a salary of $16.00 per hour as per Salary Schedule.

Differentials

George Kaider – Strength Head Coach for the 2008-2009 school year; at a
salary of 4% differential as per Salary Schedule.
Zac Williams – Assistant Football Coach for the 2008-2009 school year; at a
salary of 15% differential as per Salary Schedule.
Matt Sanders – Assistant Speech Coach for the 2008-2009 school year; at a
salary of 3.5% differential as per Salary Schedule.

Volunteer

Peggy King – Volunteer Cafeteria Supervisor for the 2008-2009 school year.
Ken Memken – Volunteer Football Coach for the 2008-2009 school year.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2008
Page Four

Jim Russell – Volunteer Football Coach for the 2008-2009 school year.
Jack Stoudt – Volunteer Football Coach for the 2008-2009 school year.
Dave Carrington – Volunteer Football Coach for the 2008-2009 school year.
Joe Gray – Volunteer Football Coach for the 2008-2009 school year.
Joe Petricca – Volunteer Football Coach for the 2008-2009 school year.
Brad Slover – Volunteer Boys’ Soccer Coach for the 2008-2009 school year.
Stu Umholtz – Volunteer Boys’/Girls’ Swim Coach for the 2008-2009 school
year.
Joel Peterson – Volunteer Boys’ Basketball Coach for the 2008-2009 school
year.
Pat Taphorn – Volunteer Boys’ Basketball Coach for the 2008-2009 school
year.
Chad Gambetti – Volunteer Boys’ Baseball Coach for the 2008-2009 school
year.
Chris Uhlman – Volunteer Boys’ Baseball Coach for the 2008-2009 school
year.
Kevin Wise – Volunteer Softball Coach for the 2008-2009 school year.

2. Resignations/Retirements

Vicki Underwood – Special Education Personal Assistant effective
April 30, 2008.
Andrew Orth – Assistant Speech Coach effective at the end of the 2007-2008
school year.
Andrea Suk – Special Education Teacher effective at the end of the
2007-2008 school year.
Lisa Stout – Speech and Drama Teacher, Drama Director (plays and musicals)
Assistant Speech Coach, and Co-Theatre Manager at the end of the 2007-2008
school year.

Donations

Karl Jordan - $100.00 donation to the PCHS Scholarship Fund in memory of
Tom Innis.
Quarterback Club – Football Program equipment totaling $7,032.00.
John Neumann – Donation of a 2000 Chevy S10 for the use by the
Automotive Department.

Motion by Hohimer, second by Alesandrini for approval of the Consent Agenda items 1 through 3 as presented.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2008
Page Five

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Hohimer, Alesandrini, Harr, Scott, O’Neal, and Howard; Nays – None. Absent – Lowe.

Policies for a Second Reading
Karen Hohimer presented the following policies for a second reading:
7.20 – Uniform Grievance Procedure
7.70 – Attendance and Truancy
7.180 – Preventing Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment
7.220 – Bus Conduct
7.340 – Student Records

Motion by Hohimer, second by O’Neal to lay to above policies over until the next Board meeting for a second reading.

Board Member Alesandrini asked that the Policy Committee look at policy 7.180. President Howard said that the Board would approve the policy and look at it at its next meeting.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Hohimer, O’Neal, Harr, Scott, Alesandrini and Howard; Nays – None. Absent – Lowe.

Budget Amendment

Carla Schaefer discussed the amendments to the budget that was presented to the Board in December. The amended budget will be on display Friday May 21, 2008 for public inspection. Carla reviewed some of the projects that will be completed this summer.

Motion by Scott, second by Alesandrini to Recommend Board Approval to Place the 2007-2008 Amended Budget on File for Public Inspection with the Adoption at the June Board of Education Meeting.

Motion Passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Scott, Alesandrini, Harr, O’Neal, Hohimer and Howard; Nays – None. Absent – Lowe.

Yearbook Contract

Carla Schaefer told the Board that the Administration and Yearbook staff asked that the yearbook be put out for proposals this year. We are recommending Taylor Publishing for the publishing of the 2008-2009 yearbook with up to a two year extension upon satisfactory completion of the yearbook.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2008
Page Six

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Harr to Recommend Board Approval for a One Year Contract in 2008-2009 with Taylor Publishing Renewable for Up to Two Additional Years Upon Satisfactory Performance.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Harr, Scott, O’Neal, Hohimer and Howard. Nays – None. Absent – Lowe.

Summer School Teachers and Staff

Tim Ruwe told the Board that the list is of potential summer school teachers and staff. Staff is hired based on course enrollments. A list will be presented after summer school registration is completed.

Motion by Scott, second by O’Neal for Board Approval of the Teachers and Staff Recommended for 2008 Summer School.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Scott, O’Neal, Harr, Hohimer, Alesandrini and Howard; Nays – None. Absent – Lowe. List of Summer School Teachers attached as Exhibit B.

Summer Workers

Paula Davis told the Board that as with past practice we hire a group of summer workers. The workers are: Staff - Karl Jordan, Jim Fairchild, Kirk Edwards, Laurie Martin and John Kennedy at an hourly rate of $10.00 per hour. Student workers – Cody Teurle, Donald Samuel, Tyler Berchtold, Alex Stein, Jason Swoik, Randi Teurle, Katrina Eeten, Parker Henricks, Matt Julien, Laura Price, Mason McLeod and Jordan Hedge at an hourly rate of $7.50 per hour.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Hohimer for Recommendation of Board Approval of Summer Workers at the Hourly Salary Rates Indicated.

Member Ed Harr asked how the list was hired. Paula Davis told the Board that the Counselors provide a list of students interested.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Hohimer, Harr, Scott, O’Neal and Howard; Nays – None. Absent – Lowe.

Bids

Paula Davis told the Board that the Administration did open bids last week and they are in the hands of the architects. There is no recommendation at this time as we are
Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2008
Page Seven

waiting to hear from the architects.

District Goals

Tim Ruwe discussed the new position of Anne Donnelly, Student Assistance Coordinator. Anne has attended conferences and met with many students this year. She’s met with students with issues ranging from anger management and grief and loss. The next position is the Math Tutor, Matt Sanders. Matt has developed a good relationship between students. Matt has asked students to write reflections on how they are impacting their lives and the students they are tutoring. We have provided assistance to over 350 kids. 97% of the students who go once to the lab, return again. The next program is the Read 180 program. It is a reading intensive program that helps the special needs students. It involves reading intensive activities to improve reading. We will start this process with the freshman next year. We have talked with and visited other school districts that are using Read 180 and they have told us the kids are improving. We will be able to chart the progress with the E-Pass system. Mr. O’Neal asked if E-Pass was a state program. Mr. Ruwe told the Board it is now. Mr. Harr asked when students can go to the Math lab. Mr. Ruwe said before or after school, but is heavily attended during 4th hour study hall. Mrs. Scott gave applause to the students who are being the Math tutors.

Aramark Food Services Contract Renewal

Carla Schaefer told the Board that this is the fourth renewal on the current contract. The price increase will be 4.0% per state regulations. Next year the contract will need to be bid out.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Harr for Board Approval of the Renewal of the Food Service Contract with Aramark for the 2008-2009 School Year.

Motion passed by roll call vote; Ayes – Alesandrini, Harr, Scott, O’Neal, Hohimer and Howard; Nays – None. Absent – Lowe.

Student Discipline

Motion by Alesandrini, second by O’Neal to Expel Student Number 07-13-08 Through the End of the 2008-2009 School Year for Reasons of Gross Misconduct.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, O’Neal, Harr, Scott, Hohimer and Howard. Nays – None. Absent – Lowe.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2008
Page Eight

Reports

Policy Committee

Nothing to Report

O & M Committee

We will need to discuss things very soon.

LMRC

No agenda items.

Student Achievement Committee

They will meet this Thursday.

Future Agenda Items

Mr. Harr said he would like to see the District Goals continued.

Announcements by President

President Howard reminded the Board that Graduation is Sunday, May 25th. You need to be there no later than 1:30.
The retirement breakfast is Friday, May 30th at 6:50 a.m.
Mr. Howard told the Board that he had verbally received Mr. Lowe’s resignation. It will become official when they receive it in writing. They are excited about their move. Board policy 2.70 describes what exactly will take place. Interested individuals must submit written resumes and the Board will review them and interview if they so desire and come to a concessous. Mr. Lowe has been an excellent Board member; he always handled his assignment with dignity.

Mr. Howard wished congratulations to the class of 2008.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2008
Page Nine

Adjournment:

President Howard declared the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

______________________________ ______________________________
President Larry Howard Secretary Karen Hohimer