Robein Grade School

Board of Education Meeting

October 16, 2003

 

President Buttice called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM.

 

Members present:  Mr. Buttice, Mr. Norvill, Ms. Schwader, Mr. VanBeuning,

                                 Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. MacPhee, Superintendent Masear

 

Members absent:  None

 

Guests:  Mr. Phil Vandemore, Mrs.Rhonda Britton, Ms. Melissa West, Mrs. Missy Leverton,

   Mrs. Kathy Polson, Mr. Jake Smith, Mrs. Pat Smith, Ms. Tami Smith, Mr. Ed Newlan,

   Mrs. Terry Newlan, Mr. Walt Smith, Mr. Stull, Mrs. Stull, Mr. Tim King (First MidState), Mr. 

   David Pistorius (First MidState)

 

Citizen’s Request/Public Participation: 

Mr. Ed Newlan addressed the board with his concern on the consolidation issue.  He was passionate about his desire for Robein to remain it’s own district.

 

Approval of Minutes:

Motion made by Norvill/Dearing to approve the minutes from September 18, 2003 as amended. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Motion made by Norvill/VanBeuning to approve the executive session minutes from September 18, 2003. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Superintendent Masear explained that our first round of tax payments have been received.  Motion was made by Visocky/Schwader to accept the treasurer’s report. Motion voted.  Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Approval of Warrants:

Mr. Visocky questioned the two computers that were purchased and their location.  Superintendent Masear explained that one computer would replace Mr. Baker’s computer that was damaged by the lightning and the second will be for student use in the classroom.  Both computers were purchased with insurance replacement dollars.

Motion made by VanBeuning/Schwader to accept the warrants.  Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Superintendent Report and Recommendations:

            Working Cash/Life Safety Bond presentation by David Pistorius (First MidState):

            Superintendent Masear introduced Mr. David Pistorius from First MidState, which is solely an

investment-banking firm, to address the board on the process and timelines involved to issue

additional working cash and /or life-safety funding bonds.  Mr. Pistorius stated that current bonds will be paid off during the 2004/2005 school year with money from the 2003 tax

levy.  Mr. Pistorius provided the current averages for purchasing bonds.  The trend is that interest

rates are steadily increasing.  Mr. Pistorius explained under what debt limitations and legal parameters District 85 is allowed to issue working cash bonds.  The three-step process and timeline to proceed with working cash was explained.  The life safety two-step process was then explained.  The board was given the opportunity to ask questions. Mr. Buttice said the members were going to process the information and call with questions or additional desired information.   The board would like to thank First MidState for their in-depth and thorough presentation.

 

Audit Report:

The board was provided with an official copy of the district’s audit.  The auditing process is extremely detailed.  Superintendent Masear reported that there were no significant errors found in the audit.  District #85 is projected to operate a deficit budget this year.  We did operate on a balanced budget last year and received financial recognition by the state.  We did project a deficit budget last year but with cost effective strategies and no surprises we were able to keep it balanced.    Superintendent Masear then went through the percentages that make up our budget.  The largest percent is 77% for salaries and benefits.

 

Discipline Update:

Mr. Vandemore gave a brief disciplinary report.  He explained how many of the problems are centered on a certain group of 7th and 8th grade students.

 

Character Education Program:

Ms. West presented an idea for a character education program for the 6th – 8th grades.  She wrote a grant for $1000.  The program would allow students to purchase prizes (that would be purchased by the grant money) by earning “pencils” for exhibiting positive character traits.  Thank you to Ms. West, Mrs. Bare, and Ms. Spurgeon for all of their hard work.

 

Committee Reports:

            Technology Committee:

Superintendent Masear explained the purchasing of new computers for our “Technology Integration” plan.

             

Building Committee:

Superintendent Masear and Mr. Dearing met to discuss building improvements.  During our life-safety inspection, structural block damage was noted and our architect drew up repair specifications.   We need to decide whether to do a life-safety amendment or update our 10-Year Plan early.  Window replacements and lighting are possible improvements that will improve energy efficiency.  Mr. Norvill will now be included on this committee.   Mr. Buttice asked the building committee do additional research and make recommendations on amending our life-safety plan for possible window replacement, lighting, and the structural block damage at our next meeting.

 

Sports Committee: 

            None

 

The board took a five-minute break.

           

Old Business:

            Superintendent Goals:

            The goals and indicators for Superintendent Masear were presented to the board.

 

Permanent substitute pay increase:

Superintendent Masear recommended that, retroactive to October 1, 2003, Ms. Spurgeon should be placed on the BA/Step 1 on the salary schedule for her permanent substitute position.  The board would like to publicly acknowledge her hard work and dedication.

 

 

Motion was made by Dearing/Norvill to place Ms. Spurgeon on BA, Step 1, as a permanent substitute, retroactive to October 1, 2003.  Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

 

November Board Meeting Date:

            Due to the dates of the IASB Conference, the decision was made to move the regular monthly

meeting to Monday, November 17, 2003.

 

Consolidation issues:

President Buttice gave the background of events during the past year related to the consolidation issue.  This included the proposed legislation by Senator Shadid, and the Board’s letters, phone calls and meeting to voice opposition to the bill which may have left Robein graduates without a high school district.  To make clear the Board’s position on consolidation, Mr. Buttice then read the attached statement which the Board had been working on for the past three months.  He then asked for Board consensus on this position statement.  Consensus was confirmed.

 

New Business:

Sales Tax Revenue Proposal:

Superintendent Masear reported how the sales tax proposal would affect the Robein community and East Peoria residents.  The percentages for each of the school districts involved were also provided.  The City Council Commissioners, Mr. Brimberry and the Mayor have received a copy of the proposal.  Positive components and possible objections to this proposal were discussed.  Mr. Buttice said that he thought the city would bring up consolidation.  As a district we have no facts regarding the consolidation issue.  He explained about a state offered feasibility study that would provide much information to our district.  There would be no cost to our district if we would decide to participate in this study. 

 

Motion was made by Norvill/Visocky to accept the resolution as proposed on the sales tax.

Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr.

Dearing, Mr. Visocky. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

The board decided to further investigate the details and information packet of the feasibility study before making a decision whether or not to participate in the study, and asked Mrs. Masear to get further information concerning this study. 

 

Boys Baseball for 2004:

Mr. Vandemore surveyed the number of boys interested in playing baseball next year and the numbers are low.  In order to remain an IESA sponsored baseball team we must make our next year’s baseball schedule within the next month.  If we drop scheduled dates there is no guarantee those dates we be available the following year.  The board discussed what is in the best interest of our school to have a team next year.

Motion made by Dearing/Visocky to suspend baseball for the 2004-2005 school year.

Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Visocky, Mr. Dearing. Nays-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. MacPhee.  Abstains-Mr. Norvill.  Motion failed.

 

Other Business:  none

 

Executive Session:

Motion made by Norvill/Dearing to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel.

Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Visocky, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

The board entered executive session at 8:37 PM.

 

The board re-entered open session at 9:18 PM.

 

Action as a result of Executive Session:  none

 

Adjournment:  Motion made by Norvill/Dearing to adjourn the meeting. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

The meeting ended at 9:19 PM.

 

Next regular meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2003 at 6:00 PM.

 

 

 

 

______________________________                                                     _____________________________

Steve Buttice, President                                                                              Shauna Schwader, Secretary