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| Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes, Nov. 26, 2007 |
| MINUTES PEKIN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2007 6:30 P.M. The Pekin Community High School Board of Education met on Monday, November 26, 2007 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 Alesandrini asked all to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Call to Order President Alesandrini called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:40 P.M. Roll Call Members present upon roll call were: Edward Harr, Betty Scott, Karen Hohimer, Paul O’Neal, Larry Howard, and Joe Alesandrini. Absent: Gary Lowe President Alesandrini asked the Board to add item H to the agenda, student discipline. Approval of Minutes President Alesandrini recommended Board approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of October 22, 2007, closed meeting of October 22, 2007 and the SAC committee meeting of September 27, 2007. Motion by Howard, second by Scott to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 22, 2007, closed meeting of October 22, 2007 and the SAC committee meeting of September 27, 2007. Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Howard, Scott, Harr, Hohimer, O’Neal and Alesandrini. Absent: Lowe
Communications, Public Comments and Participation
Minutes – Board of Education Board Applause Betty Scott – nothing. Ed Harr applauded the student council for their canned food drive for the holiday. Karen Hohimer – nothing at this time. Paul O’Neal said that there is a tremendous amount of success stories with students from this school though out the years, but mentioned Jacob Bland, a graduate of Bradley University, who is back in town and is quite a success story. Larry Howard stated that sometimes intangible things make it in the record books and in so doing making them tangible things for example, 21 years of coaching football is a record for longevity and the wins therein accumulated is also a record. Larry Howard directed his applause to Mr. Dale Patton our retired football coach; he’s been a terrific roll model to players, coaches and fans on both sides of the field. Also to cheerleaders, poms and kids in the band. His poise, dignity and professionalism is something people should seek to accomplish. Mr. Howard has a son who played football, a daughter as a cheerleader and another son who was in the band. Mr. Howard thanked Mr. Patton as a parent and as a member on the Board. Joe Alesandrini said he would have two items under the president’s announcements for later in the meeting. Student Council Megan Nolan was not present at the meeting. Approval of Warrants Motion by Scott, second by Hohimer to approve the monthly warrants in the amount of $1,655,647.88 as per summary information found on pages 18 and 19 of the agenda and in detailed information under separate cover. Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Scott, Hohimer, Harr, O’Neal, Howard and Alesandrini. Nays – none. Absent: Lowe Warrants attached as Exhibit A
Minutes – Board of Education
Financial Reports as of October 31, 2007 Bank Balances $20,959,825.52 Closed Session President Alesandrini 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; 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 Howard, second by Hohimer to adjourn to closed session. Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Howard, Hohimer, Harr, Scott, O’Neal and Alesandrini. Nays – none. Absent: Lowe. New Business Consent Agenda President Alesandrini reviewed the Consent Agenda: 1. Employment as Per Contract Certified Minutes – PCHS Board of Education Support Matt Sanders – Mathematics Tutoring Services Coordinator, effective November 15, 2007; Salary: $16.33 per hour as per contract; Amy Taylor – Special Education Personal Assistant, effective November 5, 2007; Salary: Category II step 0 as per salary schedule; Sherri Wright – Student Supervisor, effective November 8, 2007; Salary: Category I step 0 as per salary schedule; Cindy Wolfe – Special Education Teacher’s Aide, formerly a Personal Assistant effective November 5, 2007; Salary: Category III step 3 Substitutes Krista McInturff – Majored in Psychology with a minor in Family and Child Studies, sub in any subject, at a salary of $16.00 per hour as per salary schedule; Dianne Rossi – Substitute Nurse’s Office, at a salary of $14.00 per hour as per salary schedule; Jaci Kaufmann – Substitute Nurse’s Office, at a salary of $14.00 per hour as per salary schedule. Differentials Christina Isaacs – Assistant Girls Track Coach for the 2007-2008 school year at a differential of 12%; Jennifer Eveland – Senior Class Advisor for the 2007-2008 school year at a differential of 1.5%. Volunteers Support Danielle Martindale – Special Education Personal Assistant effective October 29, 2007. Minutes – PCHS Board of Education Kathy Sapp – Student Supervisor effective October 26, 2007. Differentials Dale Patton – Head Football Coach effective at the end of the 2007-2008 season. Jeri-Dietrich-Clark – Girls Head Tennis Coach effective immediately. Donations Morton Metal Craft – Donation of two tubs of steel for the Manufacturing classes. Motion by Howard, second by Harr for approval of the Consent Agenda items 1 through 3 as presented. Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Howard, Harr, Scott, Hohimer, O’Neal and Alesandrini; Nays – none. Absent: Lowe. Policies for the Second Reading Mr. Alesandrini told the Board that the policies were actually held over from the last Board meeting so they are now up for approval Motion by Howard, second by Harr to approve the six policies listed: Motion passed by roll call vote; Ayes – Howard, Harr, Scott, Hohimer, O’Neal and Alesandrini; Nays – none. Absent: Lowe. Request for Accommodation by Certified Staff Member Mrs. Davis told the Board that Jill Larson, Spanish teacher will be taking maternity leave and would then like to be granted an unpaid leave of absence for the remainder of second semester. She’ll have six weeks of maternity leave after the birth of the child, but would like the remainder of the semester. Mrs. Davis said that would be easier for us in terms of finding a substitute. Motion by Scott, second by Harr for approval of Jill Larson’s request for accommodations after the birth of her child. Motion passed by roll call vote; Ayes – Scott, Harr, Hohimer, O’Neal, Howard and Alesandrini; Nays – none. Absent – Lowe. School Library Media Program Guidelines Mrs. Davis stated that sent under separate cover the Board received the Illinois School Library/Media Program Guideline for the Board to review. Mrs. Davis said the request is the Board grant permission to submit to the state the grant indicating the Board has reviewed the program guidelines. Motion by Harr, second by Howard to Recommend Board Approval to State that the Revised Illinois School Library/Media Program Guidelines have been Reviewed by the Board. Mr. Alesandrini stated that legislature just passed that every school must have a school librarian and an assistant no matter what size student center. Motion passed by roll call vote; Ayes - Harr, Howard, Scott, Hohimer, O’Neal and Alesandrini; Nays – none. Absent – Lowe. Estimated Tax Levy Carla Schaefer gave a presentation regarding the estimated tax levy. The Board received under separate cover several spread sheets with information pertaining to the presentation. She stated the 2.5 CPI is what we are using this year. This will arise the maximum increase levy before any new property growth. $595,766,648 is the estimated EAV for 2007 minus the new construction, will give you $580,766,648, which is how you arrive at the 1.6074 limiting rate. Carla discussed how we go by historical growth data to come up with the levy figures. She also discussed the spread sheet that showed different scenarios. She stated that PTELL limits what we can levy. The actual request will be adjusted downward once the information from the county clerk is received. Last year’s CPI was 3.4%, this year is 2.5%. The allowed increase is the same for all non bond funds. Carla reviewed the spreadsheet that showed abatement information since 1998. She also showed a scenario of the market value of a $100,000 house from 1999 to current year. Carla stressed that what we request is not what we will get, it will be adjusted downward. Just relying on state funds makes it difficult when you begin to levy for funds. We need to take into account all the factors when we begin the levy process. The governor has not signed the bill for state aid yet which makes levying for tax dollars even more difficult. PTELL effectively controls the growth of expenditures by limiting our primary source of revenue. Last year the administration felt the fund balances were at an adequate level so the district abated $350,000 back to the tax payers and an additional $300,000 beginning in 2007. In addition the district waived student fees. Mrs. Davis said that Mrs. Schaefer has done an outstanding job pulling all these figures together for the Board. The Board is expected to strike a balance. We are dealing with factorial information when we abate. If there is excess revenue over expenditures, we give that back to the tax payers. The Board has managed to be good stewards with the tax dollars and respectful with the trust the tax payers. Mr. Alesandrini stated the even though the cash balance shows and estimated large amount there are items not included in the budget for improvements that we will act on later in the meeting that will use a large amount of money. If we didn’t have some cash balance to do the things needed around the building, we would have to go to the tax payers and ask for the money to do the projects. Motion by O’Neal, second by Scott to Recommend Board Establishment of an Estimated Tax Levy and Public Hearing on the Tax Levy at the December 17, 2007 Board Meeting. Motion passed by roll call vote; Ayes - O’Neal, Scott, Harr, Hohimer, Howard and Alesandrini. Nays – none. Absent – Lowe. Curriculum Update Mr. Ruwe stated that there will not be any massive changes but we do have some things going on he’d like to update the Board on. Both Chemistry and Physics teachers submitted information to become AP classes. That was successful so Chemistry will be AP Chemistry 3-4 and Physics will by AP Physics. Following an articulation meeting with ICC last year, Mr. Henry discussed the possibility of offering Biology dual credit at Pekin. As a result, our Advanced Biology met the criteria and will now be offered dual credit. All classes are based on enrollment. In Career and Technical Education, Joe Bachman, who teaches Horticulture and Landscaping came to Mr. Ruwe and asked that the name of the course and sequence be adjusted to better serve our students. Mr. Ruwe said it would take a couple years to implement the changes. We are looking to change the name from Food Service I-II to Culinary Arts I-II to better represent the curriculum currently being taught. There may be some additional changes with the Culinary program in the future as the program grows. With the addition of Project Lead the Way course, Digital Electronic, we experienced a decline in the number of students who signed up the two hour Electronic II/A+ Certification course. Mr. Ruwe recommended we offer the A+Certification course independent of the Electronics II course. This will still allow for ICC dual credit. The course will be taught for one period as opposed to two. Mr. Ruwe explained that they were exploring the concept of changing the English 1-8 curriculum sequencing so that Speech will be taught later in the sequence so as to provide more direct reading and writing instruction in advance of the PSAE. In Math we are continuing to address special education achievement through team teaching with regular division students and teachers. We feel we are progressing well and the teachers are committed to the success of the program. We’ve added the new position of Math Tutoring Services Coordinator. Mr. Matt Sanders will be available through out the day to provide tutoring services to our students. In the future we may be looking to expand the Creative Fashion course offering and also in the Cultural Studies department the Photography course. We are looking to move to all digital instruction as opposed to 9 weeks for digital and 9 weeks of film. Mr. Howard applauded the sequence move in the English department. It is what’s in the best interest of the students. Request Permission to Seek Bids Paula Davis asked to Board for permission to seek bids for a list of items needing repairs or replacement. The list of Operations and Maintenance items on the Bid list are: Stadium Track Resurfacing, Tennis Court Replacement and Repair, Nuttall Gearbox on Chiller Rebuild, Roof and Building Leaks, Signage at Stadium, Theater seating repair/replacement, A Building drop ceilings, Swimming Pool locker replacement, Toro Mower 72” Deck Riding Mower and J.L.G. Scissor lift. Mrs. Davis said it’s around $600,000 for work on the list. She also said we are not excluding restrooms and locker rooms at the stadium. Mr. Harr asked if we mowed our grass or do we hire it out. Mrs. Davis said that we have our own full time grounds keeper, Jeff Downer. We do not put kids on mowers during the summer; they do weed work but typically don’t ride our mowers. The park district does mow the area at the bottom of the hill where the park district uses ball diamonds. Mr. O’Neal asked why the new mower brand was specific. Mrs. Davis said that our Building & Grounds were satisfied and familiar with what we have had in the past. Minutes – PCHS Board of Education Motion by Howard, second by Scott for Board Approval to Grant Administration the Permission to Seek Bids on the Items Listed. Motion passed by roll call vote; Ayes – Howard, Scott, Harr, Hohimer, O’Neal and Alesandrini; Nays – None. Absent: Lowe. Student Discipline Motion by Howard, second by Scott to expel student number 070508 for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year. Motion passed by roll call vote; Ayes – Howard, Scott, O’Neal and Alesandrini; Nays – Hohimer; Abstained – Harr; Absent: Lowe. Motion by Howard, second by O’Neal to expel student number 070608 for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year. Motion passed by roll call vote; Ayes – Howard, O’Neal and Alesandrini; Nays – Scott and Hohimer; Abstained – Harr; Absent: Lowe. Reports Policy Committee No meeting. O & M Committee No meeting. LMRC No meeting. Student Achievement Committee Mrs. Davis said the Student Achievement Committee will meet on November 29, 2007
Minutes – PCHS Board of Education Future Agenda Items: Ed Harr would like to add a first of the year Board retreat for goal setting. Betty Scott would like to see the Board do self Evaluations Announcements by President: Joe Alesandrini wanted to congratulate Angie Gross for becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. She is the 5th teacher at Pekin High School to achieve this level.
Adjournment: President Alesandrini declared the meeting adjourned at 9:10 P. M.
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