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: Gary Lowe, Karen Hohimer, Joe Alesandrini and Larry Howard. Absent – Jim Mangan and Mark Rossi. Member Scott arrived shortly after roll call.

Approval of Minutes

President Howard addressed the minutes as outlined in the agenda.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Lowe to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting and Closed session of March 26, 2007.

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

Communications, Public Comments and Participation

Seventh Semester High Honors Awards for the Class of 2007

President Howard announced that 21 senior students have earned high honors for seven semesters at Pekin High. Students were called to the front of the room and their accomplishments were read by Principal Smock and they were given their Medallion and pin by members of the Board of Education. Students who were eligible for the Medallion but were unable to attend were Amy Nicole Apa and Robert Walter Trentadue. Students attending and who received a Mediallion were: Holly Nicole Lowe, Emily Odessa Shelton, Christopher Lawrence Castle, Mallory Kathleen Miller, Christopher David Shipton, Meagan Alexandra Given, Jamie Lynn Nizzia, Danielle Rene Sprout, Angela Kay Hancock, Taylor Ray Oedewaldt, Aubry Nicole Stapleton, Caitlin Rochelle Hartman, Brittany Briane Price, Bryan John Steger, Jenelle Suzanne Kreiling, Taylor Bradley Rafool, Brenna Noel Towery, Caroline Stafford Lourgos, and Natalie Marie Reames.

PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 23, 2007
Page Two

Closed Session

President Howard called for a closed session with members of the Board, administration and anyone else deemed necessary to call 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 for the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. The Board will continue with New Business upon return from closed session. The closed session will include the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Members of the Board and anyone else deemed necessary to call.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Lowe to adjourn to closed session for the reasons stated by President Howard.

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

The Board adjourned to closed session at 6:50 p.m.

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

The Board returned to open session at 7:44 p.m.

Board Applause

Member Scott – Commended the band for receiving 39 medals for their participation in the IHSA contest.

Member Alesandrini commented that last Thursday the Career Technical Ed Dept was asked to speak at the monthly Board Meeting of ISBE in Springfield. Department Chair Rick Brewer along with instructors Steve Huey, Beau Shepard, two students, Amy Boland and Greg Hauser presented aspects of the school’s CTE programs. He said the presentation was very well received by the State Board. He thanked the staff and students for doing this on behalf of the school.

Member Hohimer congratulated student Matt Probasko for receiving first place in the Technical Computer Apps Quiz Bowl. She said he qualified for nationals in Kansas City, and Matt and teacher Eric McCann will be traveling to the Kansas City competition along with qualifiers from ICC.

President Howard congratulated the Girls Soccer Team for their 1st place finish at the first annual Lady Dragons Invitational Tournament. He announced they just completed their first tournament shutting out Sterling, Lincoln and Woodruff. He commended Coach Sandoval and the girls for raising the level of awareness in girls soccer - they are doing a great job.

PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 23, 2007
Page Three

Student Council

Caroline Lourges introduced next year’s president, Megan Nolen. Megan gave the Board an update on upcoming student council activities, the senior picnic and the Hog Wild Cook-off. Caroline then informed the board of a new program the student council is starting – Basics of Safe Driving. She talked about “Paint the Town Yellow week” April 30th to May 4th. She informed the Board there will be an all school assembly on May 4th and the council has invited Secretary of State Jesse White, State Senator Dave Koehler and inspirational speaker Dave Carrington to speak on this project.

Superintendent Davis announced that the Student Council kids have worked very hard on this program even though they didn’t find out about this project until very late in the year. She said the kids stepped up in a very commendable way and are working their tails off to make this the best program in the area. She said she received a phone call just before this meeting from the Secretary of State’s Office. They wanted her to know that the letter that was written and signed by Caroline, was one of the most well-written and outstanding letters they have ever received. They felt that if that letter represented the work ethic of the kids of PCHS, our world was going to be a good place in which to live. She thanked all the students who worked so hard.

Approval of Warrants

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Hohimer to approve the monthly warrants in the amount of $1,427,074.31 as per summary information found on pages 10 & 11 of the agenda and in detailed information under separate cover.

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

Financial Reports as of March 31, 2007

Bank Balances $14,767,966.21
District Investments – Principal $14,618,382.74
Health Care YTD ($ 28,731.36)

Unfinished Business :

None.

PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 23, 2007
Page Four

New Business

Consent Agenda

President Howard reviewed the Consent Agenda:

1. Employment As Per Contract

Certified Staff beginning with the 2007-08 school year: Steve Huey as the Career & Technical Education Department Chairperson, at a salary of .008 of the salary schedule base (not including TRS) per staff member under department chairperson’s direct supervision; Carol Gnehm as Dean of Students at a salary of MA30-19 plus 27% differential as per contract; Herb Knoblauch as Dean of Students at a salary of MA-18 plus 27% differential as per contract; Nicole Weber, English Instructor, at a salary of BA-1 as per contract; Patricia Meyers, Family and Consumer Science Instructor, at a salary of BA-1 as per contract; Christina Isaacs, Mathematics Instructor, at a salary of BA-1 as per contract; and Coleen Haddock, Mathematics Instructor, at a salary of BA-1 as per contract.

Differential: Joel Steger for Credit Recovery during the 3rd Spring session of the 2006-07 school year at a salary of $21.97 per hour as per contract.

Substitute: James A. Merrill on an “as needed” basis at a salary of $14 per class period.

Volunteer: Chad Gambetti as Assistant Baseball Coach during the 2006-07 season.

Resignations

Certificated – Effective at the end of the 2006-07 school year - Kristie Magrath - Mathematics Department.

Differentials – Effective at the end of the 2006-07 school year - Sloan Weinberg as Cheerleading Coach.

Volunteers: Mrs. Tammy Huff, Mrs. Angie Brill, Mrs. Marie Riviere, Mrs. Stormy Schultz and Mrs. Christine Stein as volunteers for a Title I trip to St. Louis on May 2, 2007.

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

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

PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 23, 2007
Page Five

Sale of District Property

Superintendent Davis explained that the Building Trades house is nearing completion and will soon be ready to be sold. The Resolution on pages 15 & 16 outlines the Board taking action to sell this home by sealed bids. Bid forms will be available at the open house and in the Superintendent’s office and will be accepted until 3 p.m. on the 16th of May. The Board, through this Resolution, would set a minimum price for the sale at $250,000. Open house is scheduled for Sunday, May 6, 2007 from 1 –6 p.m. She requested approval of the Resolution as presented.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Hohimer to adopt the Resolution for the sale of Lot 59 in Hickory Hills Subdivision, Section Four, City of Pekin, County of Tazewell.

Motion passed by roll call vote: Ayes – Alesandrini, Hohimer, Scott and Howard; nays – none.
Resolution attached as Exhibit B

Request to Attend National Speech Tournament

Superintendent Davis said there are 4 students who have qualified for the National Speech Tournament. Andrew Scott, Casey Logsdon, Kara Johnson and Joey White. Eric Ewan is requesting permission to take those students to the contest in Wichita, Kansas on June 17 – 22 of 2007. The total amount of fees, accommodations, meals, is $2380 plus the travel costs. In addition, two students from Normal West and two from Lincoln will be participating. They intend to drive one of the school’s mini busses, and would be in the company of a speech coach from Normal West and Lincoln. She requested Board permission for the speech team to travel to Kansas on the dates mentioned.

Motion by Scott, second by Alesandrini to grant permission for the Speech team to attend the National Tournament on June 17-22, 2007 in Wichita, Kansas at a cost of $2380 plus travel costs.

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

IHSA Membership Renewal

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Scott to adopt and abide by the Constitution, By-Laws, Terms & Conditions, Administrative Procedures, Guidelines and Policies of the IHSA for the 2007-08 school term.

It was noted that the IHSA has again waived the membership fee and also are not requiring entry fees for events.

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

PCHS Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 23, 2007
Page Six

Summer Workers

Larry Carr presented the list of summer staff workers and students for summer work and asked for approval from the Board.

Motion by Alesandrini, second by Hohimer to approve the list of summer workers at the hourly rates indicated: Staff workers @ $10 per hour: Karl Jordan, Jim Fairchild, Kirk Edwards, Laurie Martin, Kelly Peters and Troy Deiss. Student workers @$6.50/$7.50 per hour: Joey Richardson, Cody Teverle, Ryan Hill, Miles McLeod, Jason Swoik, Matt Julien, Josh Tarpley, Allen Tribe Kirsten Merriman and Donald Samuel.

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

Reports

Policy Committee – No report.

O & M – No report.

LMRC – Superintendent Davis reported that the committee did not meet this month due to the lack of agenda items.

SAC – Superintendent Davis reported that the committee will meet this Thursday, April 26th.

Future Agenda Items – None.

Announcements by President

President Howard reminded Board members of the following upcoming events:

Dragon Pride, Thursday, May 3rd
APE will be May 5th in Peoria
Special Board Meeting on May 7th at 6:30 p.m.
National Honor Society Induction on Monday May 7th
CIV –IASA Dinner Meeting at the Chateau on May 2nd
Wednesday, May 30th 6:50 – 8:20 a.m. is the Board-sponsored retirement
breakfast where retirees are recognized.

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

_________________________________ _______________________________
President Joseph Alesandrini Secretary Karen Hohimer

Note: These minutes were presented for approval at a meeting after Board reorganization on May 7, 2007.