The Pekin Community High School Board of Education met on Monday, 23 November 2009, in the Board of Education Room located in The Holman Center for Career and Technical Education, Pekin Community High School, City of Pekin, County of Tazewell.

Call to Order

President Larry Howard called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:35 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

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

Roll Call

Members present upon roll call were Joe Alesandrini, Ed Harr, Eric Hill, Karen Hohimer, Larry Howard, Carl Johnson, and Paul O’Neal. President Howard noted the presence of a quorum.

Approval of Minutes

President Howard recommended Board approval of the minutes of the LMRC Meeting of 10 September 2009; the SAC Meetings of 24 September 2009 and 22 October 2009; the Special Closed Board, Regular Board, and Closed Session Board Meetings of 26 October 2009; and the Special Closed Board and Special Board Meetings of 03 November 2009.

Motion by Johnson, Second by O’Neal to Approve the Minutes of the LMRC Meeting of 10 September 2009; the SAC Meetings of 24 September 2009 and 22 October 2009; the Special Closed Board, Regular Board, and Closed Session Board Meetings of 26 October 2009; and the Special Closed Board and Special Board Meetings of 03 November 2009. President Howard asked for changes, corrections, or additions to these minutes.

Member Johnson said he had changes to the Closed Session Board Meeting minutes of 26 October 2009. Superintendent Davis clarified that point with President Howard, and Vice President Alesandrini suggested changing the motion to include all but those minutes which would be considered at the time the Board discussed the Consent Agenda in closed session. The minutes of the Closed Session Board Meeting of 26 October 2009 were deleted from the list.

Motion Passed by Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Johnson, O’Neal, Alesandrini, Harr, Hill, Hohimer, and Howard. Nays – None.

Communications, Public Comments & Participation

Board Applause

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Regular Meeting
23 November 2009
Page Two

President Howard asked the Board’s indulgence to go first this evening rather than speaking last as is his custom. In November 1985, he began, a 23-year-old young man was elected to the PCHS Board of Education. In the almost 25 years since that election, he has occupied all leadership posts at local, division, and state levels save one. At the IASB/IASA/IASBO State Convention in Chicago held last weekend, the symbolic gavel for the one remaining position he had yet to fill, the presidency of the Illinois Association of School Boards, was presented to Joseph T. Alesandrini in the presence of his immediate family, the entire Pekin High Board of Education, and members of our administrative team, all of whom were there to underscore his many accomplishments. He brings honor to his family, his school district, and his community and makes all of us proud and grateful. Mr. Howard asked all present to stand and congratulate the new President of the Illinois Association of School Boards, Joe Alesandrini.

Member Johnson recognized Pekin High’s football team. Stating he usually prefers individual to team sports, he did attend many football games where he observed that all players appeared to push themselves; he saw no one shirking.

Member Harr wished those participating in winter activities good luck and congratulated the girls basketball team on winning its first two games at the Chatham Glenwood Thanksgiving Tournament.

Vice President Alesandrini announced he had received communication from State Representative Michael Smith that Pekin High has once again been selected to participate in the Illinois Operation Teen Safe Driving Program. Mr. Alesandrini also thanked Mr. Howard for his kind comments and the Board and Administration for being with him in Chicago over the past weekend. It is an honor for him to represent PCHS, this community, and the almost 6000 members of the IASB. Board members statewide were recognized on 15 November 2009 and he expressed appreciation to the Boards of Education of Pekin High’s feeder districts for all they do for their communities.

Secretary Hohimer expressed great pride in Mr. Alesandrini.

Member O’Neal encouraged all students at Pekin High to continue their hard work. The Board is proud of them.

Member Hill commented on the Career and Technical Education Department’s nice new message board in the foyer outside the Board Room.

Student Council

Student Council President Ryan Cakora reported on recent activities and the work of committees planning events for the remainder of first semester. The Life Skills party went well on 10 November 2009. He was impressed by how well representatives interacted with students. Students will select by penny vote the film to be shown during the Movie Buyout event on mandatory attendance day, 15 December 2009, to juniors and seniors. The annual Canned Food Drive delivery day is scheduled for Tuesday, 24
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Regular Meeting
23 November 2009
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November 2009, and promises to be a very rewarding experience, serving 25 more families this year than last. Executive Board members used $500 from Student Council funds to purchase additional food. Winterfest will be held 11 December, and the co-chairs of that committee are working hard to make it a success.

President Howard recalled hearing about the results of past Canned Food Drives. He was very impressed by the number of items brought in by top contributors. Mr. Howard remarked, and Mr. Cakora agreed, that competition within the school results in many cans for the needy.

Public Comments

None.

Approval of Warrants

Motion by Alesandrini, Second by Hohimer to Approve the October 2009 Monthly Warrants in the Amount of $2,028,823.13 as Per Summary Information Found on Page 41 of the Agenda Support Material and in Detailed Information under Separate Cover.

Motion Passed by Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Hohimer, Harr, Hill, Johnson, O’Neal, and Howard. Nays – None.

Financial Reports as of 31 October 2009

Bank Balances on Hand $24,739,354.60
District Investments – Principal $23,942,146.19
Health Care Transactions ($159,032.77)

New Business

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 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; the setting of a price for the sale or lease of property owned by the public body; emergency security procedures and the use of
personnel and equipment to respond to actual danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public or public property; student disciplinary cases; and litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.

Motion by Hohimer, Second by Harr to Adjourn to Closed Session.

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Regular Meeting
23 November 2009
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Motion Passed by Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Hohimer, Harr, Alesandrini, Hill, Johnson, O’Neal, and Howard. Nays – None.

The Board adjourned to the Superintendent’s Office in closed session at 6:47 P.M. and returned to open session in the Board Room at 7:26 P.M.

President Howard announced a change to this meeting’s agenda. On page 3a following Announcements by the President, a closed session, which falls under the parameters found in the box on page 2a under New Business, should be inserted. Following the closed session, there will be no further Board business conducted.

Consent Agenda

Employment

Substitute Certified

Donna DuBois – Long-term substitute for Reithel Mercer in English/Special Education, then for any department, at a salary of $16.00 per class period as per contract.

Erin Norton – Substitute for any department at a salary of $16.00 per class period as per contract.

Melissa Reed – Substitute for any department at a salary of $16.00 per class period as per contract.

Support

Fred Vogt – Secretary to Assistant Principals effective 04 January 2010; at a salary of Category 4, Step 18 as per contract.

Differential

Kelly Severs – Assistant Girls Track Coach effective 2009-2010 school year; at a salary of 12 percent differential as per contract.

Volunteers

Diana Banks – Volunteer for JROTC Program effective 30 October 2009.

Dave Carrington – Volunteer Coach for Wrestling Program effective 2009-2010 school year.

Jennifer Riley – Volunteer for JROTC Program effective 29 October 2009.

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Regular Meeting
23 November 2009
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Kyle Tudeen – Volunteer Assistant Coach for Boys Basketball Program effective 2009-2010 school year.

2. Resignations

Eric Larson – Head Boys Tennis Coach effective 23 October 2009.

Stephanie L. Vala – English Department Chairperson effective end of first semester, 2009-2010 school year.

3. Retirement

Fred Vogt – Math Department Teacher and Chairperson effective end of first semester, 2009-2010 school year.

4. Donation

Matcor Metal Fabrication (previously Morton Metalcraft Company) –
donated steel to CTE Manufacturing Program.

Motion by Harr, Second by Hohimer to Approve Consent Agenda Items 1 through 4 as Presented.

Motion Passed by Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Harr, Hohimer, Alesandrini, Hill, Johnson, O’Neal, and Howard. Nays – None.

Estimated Tax Levy

Business Manager Carla Schaefer employed a slide presentation to report on the 2009 estimated tax levy which must be filed with the Tazewell County Clerk on or before the last Tuesday in December 2009. Mrs. Schaefer explained that data from three consecutive years is used to yield the percentage increase in property tax dollars that can be collected. The five percent maximum has been reached in only one year, 1990. In all other years, the Consumer Price Index percentage has been used.

Equalized assessed valuation (EAV) has risen each year since 1999. Mrs. Davis noted that the District has no control over this. When people talk about their taxes going up, it is actually the EAV that is rising steadily. The slide containing comparisons of tax bills provides examples of this fact. Tax bills rise as property values rise as indicated by EAV, even though the tax rate the District is requesting this year is lower than last.

New property values for 2009 were estimated high at $10 million. Mrs. Schaefer expects that amount to end up between $9 and $9.5 million based on information from the County Assessor. The limiting rate is used to calculate tax dollars due to new growth and is set at 1.5729 for 2009. Extensions for the Education, O & M, IMRF, Transportation, Working Cash, Life Safety, Special Education, Liability Insurance, FICA, and Lease/Rent Funds

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Regular Meeting
23 November 2009
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reflect the District’s best estimates of what it needs to request from the County Clerk for taxes. If we ask for more than we ultimately get, the Clerk’s office will reduce the
amount to the maximum it has calculated. The increase in our extension is $167,283.00, a 1.67 percent increase over last year.

The Board has been asked to approve bond abatements over the years if it was determined that the District could afford to do so. Taxpayers are not required to pay for bonds that are abated; those costs are absorbed by the District. Currently the abatement is set at $400,000.00 which will be paid out of District operating funds. This will be extended though the 2012 levy year, or budget year 2013-2014. Bonds will be paid off in the 2015-2016 budget year. Money saved due to the refinancing of bonds, added to the total abated over the years, amounts to a local tax savings of just over $4 million.

The total tax levy recommendation for 2009 is $10,162,189.00 at a projected rate of $1.5729. Since the 2006-2007 school year, the District has waived the $75.00 instructional fee to students at a cost of approximately $105,000.00 annually. Mrs. Schaefer recommended the Board continue to do so. She concluded her presentation with the reminder that a public hearing on the levy will be held at the 14 December 2009 Board meeting with Board action on the issue to follow.

Mr. Howard thanked Mrs. Schaefer for her presentation and asked if Board members had questions. Vice President Alesandrini inquired about the four percent home value increase supplied by the Supervisor of Assessments. Mrs. Schaefer responded that many taxing townships flow into the District. The four percent figure is an average.

Motion by Hohimer, Second by Alesandrini to Establish an Estimated Tax Levy and a Public Hearing on the Tax Levy at the 14 December 2009 Board Meeting.

Motion Passed by Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Hohimer, Alesandrini, Harr, Hill, Johnson, O’Neal, and Howard. Nays – None.

Illinois School Library Media Program Guidelines

Before discussing this agenda item, Mrs. Davis encouraged Board members to call Carla or her if they had any questions about the levy.

Mrs. Davis explained that this item is brought to the Board annually at the request of the District’s Librarian, Cynthia Hinderliter. The Board is asked to certify that members have received and have had the opportunity to review Linking for Learning: The Illinois School Library Media Guidelines. Our two new Board members were supplied with a copy, other members having reviewed the same edition in years past.

Motion by Hill, Second by Harr to Certify that Linking for Learning: The Illinois School Library Media Guidelines Has Been Reviewed by the Board and that PCHS Meets the Required Criteria.

Minutes – Board of Education
Regular Meeting
23 November 2009
Page Seven

Motion Passed by Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Hill, Harr, Alesandrini, Hohimer, Johnson, O’Neal, and Howard. Nays – None.

Reports

Policy Committee

Chairperson Hohimer reported that the Policy Committee, at its meeting this afternoon, reviewed several policies and will bring seventeen to the Board for a first reading at the December 2009 regular meeting.

O & M Committee

Chairperson Alesandrini reported that the O & M Committee has not met since the last regular Board meeting and asked if a meeting was necessary. Structural work may necessitate one, responded Mrs. Davis. She also has placed on the table in her office a sample of the metal to be used for new signage and invited Board members to examine it.

LMRC

The bulk of conversation at November’s LMRC meeting concerned the Show Choir Invitational and staff concerns about the use of classrooms as homerooms, reported Superintendent Davis. A compromise has been reached with the Music Department and was shared with LMRC. All concerned will work hard to ensure the success of the Invitational scheduled for February 2010. The next LMRC meeting will be held 10 December 2009 in the Board Room.

SAC

The Student Achievement Committee met Wednesday, 18 November 2009. Mrs. Davis presented a report on a meeting on 03 November 2009 with feeder district superintendents and Board representatives who expressed through frank discussion that they are anxious to get involved in the development of strategies to help students be more successful in high school. Specific plans have yet to be developed. Based on eighth grade assessments administered by Pekin High, some students are not prepared for high school-level work. The District is developing strategies and interventions to address deficiencies. One option is requiring students to double up on courses in academic areas where they struggle. Mandatory summer school for underperforming students is another. The District has already implemented some strategies, such as eighth grade algebra, which have met with success. We are investigating ways to build other programs based on that model. Those in attendance at the meeting were left with the idea that the District wants to develop recommendations that will have an impact on feeder schools. We will continue to meet with feeder districts and provide them with feedback on student performance here. A proposal with recommendations designed to help students address deficiencies more quickly will be brought to the Board sometime in the next few months.

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Regular Meeting
23 November 2009
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SAC also discussed total credits required for graduation from Pekin High, currently set at 18.5. Many of our students graduate with many more than the minimum, and the committee is interested in recommending an increase in that number. Requirements at other districts will be sought and examined.

President Howard expressed encouragement by the openness of feeder districts and their willingness to help. He detected no resistance to our message at the 03 November meeting.

Future Agenda Items

Member Harr asked how close the District was to implementing changes to its web site. Mrs. Davis responded that updates to the site are in progress. She will report on this issue at the December 2009 regular Board meeting. (NOTE: The report has been rescheduled to the January 2010 Board meeting at Mr. Harr’s request.)

Announcements by President

The Central Illinois Valley Division Governing Committee Meeting will be held Thursday, 03 December 2009, 6:30 P.M., at Jonah’s Seafood House, 2601 North Main Street and Mariner Way, East Peoria. Members were asked to RSVP by 30 November 2009.

President Howard made the request for 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; the setting of a price for the sale or lease of property owned by the public body; emergency security procedures and the use of
personnel and equipment to respond to actual danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public or public property; student disciplinary cases; and litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.

Motion by Alesandrini, Second by Hohimer to Adjourn to Closed Session.

Motion Passed by Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Hohimer, Harr, Hill, Johnson, O’Neal, and Howard. Nays – None.

The Board adjourned to the Superintendent’s Office in closed session at 7:56 P.M. and returned to open session at 10:00 P.M.

Minutes – Board of Education
Regular Meeting
23 November 2009
Page Nine

Adjournment

Hearing no objections, President Howard declared this regular Board meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.

______________________________ ______________________________
Larry Howard, Board President Karen Hohimer, Board Secretary