Robein Grade School

Board of Education Meeting

December 18, 2003

 

President Buttice called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

 

Members present:  Mr. Buttice, Mr. Norvill, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Visocky, Superintendent Masear

 

Members absent:  Mr. VanBeuning

 

Guests:  Mrs. Bare, Mrs. Newlan, Channel 22 Representative

 

Citizen’s Request/Public Participation: 

Mrs. Bare shared that the 5th and 6th grades went on a fieldtrip to Dixon Mounds.  It was a successful, educational trip and the behavior of the students was positive.  Thank you to the PTO for paying for the cost of the entry fee.

 

Approval of Minutes:

Motion made by Visocky/Dearing to approve the minutes from November 17, 2003 minutes. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Visocky. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Motion made by Norvill/MacPhee to approve the executive session minutes from November 17, 2003. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Visocky. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Superintendent Masear reported that we are carrying a large balance due to our 3rd tax installment being received.  The voided check was for a teacher reimbursement for the incorrect amount.

Motion was made by Norvill/Dearing to accept the treasurer’s report.  Motion voted.  Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Visocky. Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Approval of Warrants:

Superintendent Masear reported the $3400 payment was for the audit performed by Gorenz and Associates.

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

 

Superintendent Report and Recommendations:

Robein School 2003 Report Card:

Superintendent Masear supplied the Illinois/Robein Report Card to Board members over a week early in order for it to be reviewed.  This is the first year for the AYP (annual yearly progress) as reported by ISBE in compliance with “No Child Left Behind”.  We achieved in all areas.

 

Committee Reports:

            Technology Committee:

            We are continuing to work on our Technology Plan.  Additional classroom computers are on order

and will be set up after Christmas Break.

 

Building Committee:

We are continuing to gather information for possible life safety revisions. 

Thank you to the PTO for the purchase of our new sign.  It is a positive addition to the

beautification of our school.

 

Sports Committee: 

            None

           

Old Business:

            Sales Tax Proposal:

            We would like to thank the City Council for their approval of a ¼ of 1% sales tax increase.

Superintendent Masear, along with the other superintendents, met with Dennis Triggs and Tom

Brimberry to review the restrictions.  She expressed that the meeting was productive and the City

will make changes to the restrictions.  Mr. Triggs said we could go ahead and issue our intent to

sell working cash bonds at this meeting.  He explained the City’s intent was for us, not to raise our

tax rate.  The City will provide us with revised restrictions.

The Board feels a thank you to the Mayor and the City Council is needed.  Mr. Buttice read a letter

drafted to thank the Mayor and the City Council.  The Board agreed to send it as presented.

 

Adoption of Resolution of intent to issue Working Cash Bonds:

The resolution of intent was provided and does not obligate us to issue the bonds, but starts the

process to enable us to.  After the resolution, the next step is to publish the notice in the

newspaper.  This starts a thirty-day period when members of the community in opposition may

file a petition.

Resolution was made by Visocky/Schwader declaring the intention to avail of the provisions of

Article 20 of the School Code of the State of Illinois, as amended, and to issue $250,000 in

Working Cash Fund Bonds of School District Number 85, Tazewell County, Illinois, and directing

that notice of such intention be published in the manner provided by law.

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

 

Resolution to adopt Levy:

Superintendent Masear’s recommendation is the same as the tentative levy with an aggravate levy increase of 4.9%.  We did not advertise or conduct a hearing because the increase is fewer than 5%.

Resolution was made by Norvill/Schwader to adopt the levy as presented.

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

 

Copy Machine Lease:

Superintendent Masear reported that we have received three bids to revise and update our current machines.  Her recommendation is to accept the lease bid from R. K. Dixon.  This will provide a new copy machine in the office and add a print board to our lounge copier.  In addition, it provides an estimated cost saving of $730.00 annually.

Motion was made by Visocky/Dearing to accept the 60-month lease from R. K. Dixon for a new

copy machine.

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

 

 

 

New Business:

Regular Board Meeting Schedule 2004:

All meetings are on the third Thursday except for January and April meetings (4th Thursday), and the November meeting due to the IASB Convention.

Next month’s meeting is moved from January 15th to January 22, 2004, due to a home basketball game.

 

Approve our current architects (Jost/Becker/Jost) to complete the district’s 10-year Life

Safety Plan:

We have been pleased and received positive references on our current architect.  If we use our

current architect we do not have to bid out the project.  He has invited the building committee to

tour a renovated school in Pekin.

Motion made by Norvill/Visocky to retain our current architects to update our 10-year life safety plan.

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

 

Other Business:

Discussion of IASB Convention Session:

Each of the four members who attended the convention shared information from the best sessions they attended.

 

Adjournment:

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

 

The meeting ended at 6:45PM.

 

Next regular meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2004 at 6:00 PM.

 

______________________________                                                     _____________________________

Steve Buttice, President                                                                              Shauna Schwader, Secretary