Board of
Education Meeting
President Buttice called the meeting to order at
Members present: Mr. Buttice, Mr. Norvill, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. MacPhee,
Mr. VanBeuning, Superintendent Masear
Members absent: none
Guests: Ms. Melissa West, Mrs. Terry Newlan, Channel 22 Representative, Mr. Prince
Citizen’s
Request/Public Participation:
Approval
of Minutes:
Motion made by Dearing/Visocky to approve the regular
session minutes from
Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion made by Dearing/Visocky to approve the executive
session minutes from
Motion made Norvill/VanBeuning by to approve the regular
session minutes from
Motion made by Visocky/Dearing to approve the executive
session minutes from
Treasurer’s Report:
Superintendent
Masear explained that yearbooks are paid in advance.
Motion was made by Visocky/Norvill to accept the treasurer’s report. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.
Approval of
Warrants:
Superintendent
Masear explained that the copy machine buy-out payments were made with in
coming revenue. This line item will
reflect an over expenditure on the 2003-2004 budget. The revenue is also there under other
revenue. Mr. Dearing questioned the
payment for our hearing impaired student to Peoria Public Schools. Mr. VanBeuning questioned the payment for
Sonitrol Systems. They came for a
service call for moisture in the phone line.
Motion made by Norvill/Dearing to accept the warrants. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.
Superintendent Report and Recommendations:
Social Studies Textbooks K-5:
The teachers are in the process of reviewing three different social studies textbooks series. Superintendent Masear brought the 2nd grade materials from McGraw Hill, Nystrom, and Harcourt. The McGraw Hill Company has supplied us with an alignment to the Illinois Learning Standards and also linkages to our reading series.
Discipline Update:
Superintendent Masear supplied a handout in Mr. Vandemore’s absence, which provided an updated discipline report. Truancy has been addressed with the help of District #309’s At Risk coordinator going to the homes and bringing in the students.
Committee Reports:
Technology Committee:
Ms.
Schwader attended the technology meeting as the new board representative.
Chris Short (parent representative) and Sara Sparkman (Heartsmart &
Abstinence Program-Tazewell County Health Department) were also added to the
committee as advisory members.
The minutes from the March 1, 2004 meeting were supplied. Superintendent Masear updated the board on the Ed/Tech Grant and on the Technology Plan.
The next technology meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 5, 2004 at 3:15 pm.
Building Committee:
The minutes from the March 2, 2004 meeting were supplied. Superintendent Masear updated the board on the Health/Life Safety Ten-Year Plan, which is up in February 2005 (electrical, windows, boiler/air conditioning, structural beam repairs, replace doors, phones in classrooms, and plumbing). The parent survey indicated that the parents support the playground equipment and building improvements.
Curriculum Committee:
The EPACC committee has met to establish grade level meetings and joint training on the
September 24th School Improvement Day.
Old Business:
City of East Peoria Education Committee:
This committee met on Wednesday, March 17, 2004. Mr. Buttice sent copies of the
agenda to all members and requested our input prior to the meeting. He shared an update. The
goal is to present to the City of East Peoria in March 2005. Superintendent Masear explained that
a financial advisor will come in to educate the committee on school finance. Mr. Buttice encouraged all members to attend these open meetings.
State Track Meet Update:
Mr. Visocky gave an update on
volunteers needed for Friday night and all day Saturday. Plans are progressing for the upcoming
event. Mr. Norvill questioned on how
track meet funds will be used. Decisions
have not been made but several areas are being looked into.
New Business:
Sports Procedures:
Several topics have come under the Board’s sports procedures. The first area is cheerleading numbers. Ms. West would like to conduct tryouts in May. We currently have only 3 girls interested in the 7th grade squad. The procedures are specific with 6-7th grade and 6-8th grade girls. Her proposal is to fill the extra 7th grade positions with the extra 8th graders.
Motion made by Norvill/Dearing states that if numbers for cheerleading cannot be filled as indicated then draw from 8th grade girls first.
Motion was amended by VanBeuning/Dearing states that it is the school board’s preference to have an equal number of 7th and 8th grade students on the cheerleading squad. If however, too few students are interested from either grade level then positions will be awarded first, to enough 8th grade students and then to 7th grade students as needed to have no more that 12 students on the squad. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.
The second area is playing time for mainly volleyball and baseball. Mr. MacPhee brought to the attention of the
board that there are some parent concerns for more playing time for some
players. Discussion of board members
took place. A sports committee needs to
be put into place during the fall of 2004.
Softball and Baseball Teams/Coach:
Numbers are down for both of these teams for this summer. Ms. West has agreed to coach the
girl’s softball team but we do not have a boy’s coach at this time.
Building Usage/Survey:
Our building is being utilized at a much greater level this year. Superintendent Masear talked with Mrs. Polson and Mrs. Britton about holding the 7th/8th grade dance off school grounds or having a security officer present as the board directed. There has been no official request for the use of the building received at this time. Discussion by the board took place. Mr. Dearing expressed that we cannot single out one community event. It was also noted that teachers will not be in attendance and therefore an authority figure needs to be present if the dance is to be held on site.
Motion by Norvill/Dearing to recess for 10 minutes.
Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried.
The board reconvened at 7:36 P.M.
The minutes from May 2001 were referenced, which indicated that the board was advised by our lawyer that the school could be held liable. The minutes from February 2004 meeting also indicated that the board advised Superintendent Masear to inform the parent committee that we suggested to have the dance off-site or to have a security officer present at the dance. This has become an insurance and liability issue. More discussion took place. Signing waivers by the students and parents who attend was suggested.
Motion by Norvill/VanBeuning states that the board prefers the 7th and 8th grade dance committee have the dance off-site but to have security officer present if held on-site.
Motion voted. Yeas(5)-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Visocky, Mr. VanBeuning. Nays(2)-Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee. Motion carried.
We will explore the insurance issue and will address this issue again after the dance takes place.
Kindergarten Enrollment:
Robein has 20 students registered for kindergarten at this time. This group is an “older” kindergarten group due to early birthdays.
Other Business:
ISAT Testing:
ISAT testing is scheduled for the week of March 29-April 2.
Early Childhood Screening:
Early childhood screening is scheduled for April 8, 2004.
Discussion of Board Officers:
President Buttice will step down as
president at the end of this term while he serves his last year
on the board. He has seen many
positive changes in Robein School District during his reign on the Board.
Executive Session:
Motion made by Dearing/Visocky to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing superintendent’s evaluation and student discipline issues.
Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky, Mr. MacPhee. Nays-0. Motion carried. The board entered executive session at PM.
The Board re-entered open session at 9:24PM.
Adjournment:
Motion made by Norvill/Visocky 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 9:25PM.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for April 22, 2004 at 6:00 PM.
______________________________ _____________________________
Steve Buttice, President Shauna Schwader, Secretary