The Pekin Community High School Board of Education met on Monday, November 24, 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.

Roll Call

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

Approval of Minutes

President Howard recommended Board approval of the minutes of the Special Closed Meeting October 27, 2008, Regular Meeting of October 27, 2008, Closed Session Meeting October 27, 2008, O & M Committee Meeting of November 3, 2008, LMRC Meeting of October 9, 2008 and SAC Meeting of September 25, 2008.

Motion by Hohimer, second by Alesandrini to approve the minutes of the Special Closed Meeting October 27, 2008, Regular Meeting of October 27, 2008, Closed Session Meeting October 27, 2008, O & M Committee Meeting of November 3, 2008, LMRC Meeting of October 9, 2008 and SAC Meeting of September 25, 2008.

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

Communications, Public Comments & Participation

Board Applause

Ed Harr congratulated the Girl’s Basketball team for winning the East Peoria Tournament; he applauded the program just getting underway. He also congratulated Haley Lower for making it to the state swim meet.

Minutes – Board of Education
Regular Meeting
November 24, 2008
Page Two

Joe Alesandrini thanked the members who attended the joint conference in Chicago.

Larry Howard has two thoughts; he asked that all members keep Betty Scott in their prayers as she struggles through some health issues. Betty would like to pass on her congratulations to those who set up and worked parent teacher conferences. She thought they did a superb job. Larry Howard also thanked the people who made the time to go to the conference in Chicago.

Student Council

Trevor Shields started out by talking about the canned food drive. He told the Board about the Holiday Spirit assembly. Student council will also sponsor spirit week and food buyout week. He also stated that during Government they talked about bills being voted on. Paula Davis commented that we get so used to Student Council doing this canned food drive. This has been going on for generation after generation. She saluted student council for their hard work.

Clifton Gunderson

Carla Paschal from Clifton Gunderson spoke to the Board regarding District 303’s financial audit. She discussed the statement of net assets, revenues and expenditures for fiscal year 2007 – 2008. She stated that overall the district is in good financial shape. However with the State of Illinois financial shape, there is a potential for more of a decrease in funding. Carla said that even after looking at items of risk, and capital assets, they didn’t find any internal control issues, or any mistakes. They did however suggest the district maintain a current inventory of capital assets. Carla then reviewed the letter from the auditor to the district. One issue described in the letter involved a check held as outstanding.

Approval of Warrants

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Hohimer to approve the monthly warrants in the amount of $2,134,957.87 as per summary information found on page 19 of the agenda and in detailed information under separate cover.

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

Financial Reports as of October 31, 2008

Bank Balances $24,384,609.79
District Investments – Principal $23,533,490.01
Health Care YTD ($ 130,691.65)

Minutes – Board of Education
Regular Meeting
November 24, 2008
Page Three

Consent Agenda
President Howard reviewed the Consent Agenda:
President Howard pointed out that Amber Wood, who is in the audience tonight, is a PCHS grad and will be filling in this year in the spot vacated by Amy Hubner.

1. Employment as Per Contract

Certified

Amber Wood – Math Teacher effective January 5, 2009; at a Salary of BA-1
(pro-rated) as per contract.
Amy Hubner – Detention Supervisor for the 2008-2009 school year; at a
salary of $22.63 per hour as per contract.

Substitutes

Cassandra Frantz – Sub for any subject; at a salary of $16.00 per class period.
Jacob Hamilton – Sub for any subject; at a salary of $16.00 per class period.
Danielle Lolling – Substitute nurse for the Nurses office; at a salary of $14.00
per hour as per contract.
Danielle Lolling – Substitute for Special Education Teacher Aides and Personal Assistants; at a salary of $7.75 per hour as per contract.

Support

William Martin – Custodial effective October 30, 2008; at a salary of $10.41
per hour as per salary schedule.

Volunteer

Michelle Bodily – Volunteer Girls Assistant Basketball Coach for the
2008-2009 school year.
Arwyn Lane – Female Volunteer/Chaperone for JROTC for the 2008-2009
school year.

2. Resignations/Retirements

Resignations

Robert Moll – Special Education Personal Assistant effective November 21, 2008.
Tom Tate – Special Education Teacher’s Aide effective November 10, 2008.
Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
November 24, 2008
Page Four

Kelly Taylor – Special Education personal Assistant effective November 5, 2008.
Jeff Walraven – Assistant Football Coach effective November 5, 2008.
Nikki Ronna – Marching Dragons Color Guard sponsor effective November 12,
2008.

3. Donations

Cheerleaders Booster Club – donated $3,340.00 towards the purchase of new
cheerleader mats.

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

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

Policies for Second Reading

The Policy Committee submitted 9 policies for Second Reading:

2:105 – School Board Prohibited Political Activity
2:120 – School Board, Board Member Development
4:20 – Operational Services Fund Balances (New)
4:50 – Operational Services Payment Procedures
4:55 – Use of Credit and Procurement Cards (New)
4:80 – Operational Services Accounting and Audits
4:90 – Operational Services Activity Funds
4:170 – Operational Services Safety
6:20 – Instruction School year Calendar and Day

Motion by Hohimer, second by Alesandrini to Submit Nine Policies for a Second Reading.

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

Student Discipline

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Harr to Recommend Board Approval to Expel Student Number 08-07-09 through the first semester of the 2009-2010 school year.

Motion Passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Harr, Kampas, Hohimer, and Howard; Nays – None. Absent – Scott, O’Neal.
Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
November 24, 2008
Page Five

Estimated Tax Levy

Carla Schaefer presented to the Board the Estimated Tax Levy. Carla explained the limiting rate of 1.5911 not including our bond fund. Carla reviewed the historical growth data with the Board. Carla said we assume various rates of EAV growth. We capture the highest rate and then recommend for the levy. Paula Davis said that the information Carla has handed out is a really good source of date. She said we have managed to balance the needs of the students with the needs of the community. Carla explained how she came up with the taxable value based on a $100,000.00 home. Carla stated that looking at the tax levy summary, this is what we are asking for, but won’t be what we actually receive. In summary, Carla mentioned the state of the economy and corporate replacement tax. With the drop, it will definitely impact the replacement tax we receive. Please keep in mind that we have to put our lunch program up for bid this year and transportation costs are up as well. Carla explained that we are abating $2,000,000.00 dollars through the 2012-2013 school year. She also recommended we waive the student fees once again next year.

Motion by Hohimer, second by Harr to Recommend Board Establishment of an Estimated Tax Levy and Public Hearing on the Tax Levy at the December 15, 2008 Board Meeting.

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

School Library Media Program Guidelines

Paula Davis said that annually we come to the Board with the request to certify that the Library-Media guidelines have been reviewed by the Board.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Hohimer to Recommend Board Approval to Certify that the Revised Illinois School Library-Media Program Guidelines have been reviewed by the Board and That PCHS Meets the Required Criteria.

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

Reports

Policy Committee

Karen Hohimer told the Board that the Policy committee met tonight in the Superintendents office and will be presenting several policies for a first read at the December meeting.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
November 24, 2008
Page Six

O & M Committee

Joe Alesandrini said that the O & M Committee did meet and the minutes of that meeting are included in the Board packet. The Committee did agree to keep Healy-Bender as our architectural firm. A leak was discovered in a waterline, but has been corrected. The roof on Hawkins gym is now completed.

LMRC

Paula said the LMRC committee met on November 13, 2008 and discussed online courses. They also talked about staffing. They talked about the rolls and needs of non-certified staff. Another issue that came up at LMRC was an eligibility issue. Paula said that Mr. Ruwe has addressed the issue.

SAC

Paula said that SAC didn’t meet due to the annual meeting in Chicago. They will meet on December 1 and also December 18.

1% County Sales Tax for Schools

Paula said this would allow school districts to pass a resolution to add 1% sales tax referendum to the ballad. We were fortunate enough to have the tax payers support us when we need the money for the new addition, but right now we don’t show a need for us to do this. Paula said it wouldn’t be prudent to take a stand on this right now. This is based on need and Paula doesn’t feel we have a need now.

Curriculum and Textbook Updates

Tim Ruwe told the Board that in the future he will be recommending four new courses and name changes do to curriculum changes. He said one thing they are asking is to place emphasis on reading, math and writing skills. The CTE department is doing a great job with adding the emphasis. New classes are AP US History, Web Page Design, Computer Control Manufacturing CNC, and Glass Works. Name changes are Marketing 2 will change to E-Commerce, Keyboarding will change to Keyboarding & Word Processing, Record Keeping will change to Data Base Management, and Computer Orientation will change to Software Applications. This is our year for the Illinois Textbook Loan Company. We will use that money to update our textbook needs. Tim said they are looking at some curricular revisions in English. The department is open and has great ideas for the changes. In terms of Math, they look at the curriculum every year. Paula said that Tim does an outstanding job. She said it is very labor intensive work.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
November 24, 2008
Page Seven

Future Agenda Items

Larry Howard added a future agenda item for Mrs. Scott. She would like to see Board self evaluations. Ed Harr said he would like to see discussion on the television camera and Board meetings. Paula said she would work up a report.

Announcements By President

Larry Howard reminded the Board of the December 3, 2008 CIV meeting at District #108, turn in your reservations. He also said that Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and food, time to be thankful. He wished the students, faculty, staff and community a happy Thanksgiving.

Adjournment:

President Howard declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

______________________________ ______________________________
Larry Howard Karen Hohimer