Robein Grade School

Board of Education Meeting

January 17, 2005

 

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

 

Members present:  Mr. Norvill, Mr. Buttice, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Popken, Mr. Visocky, 

         Superintendent Mueller

 

Members absent:  Ms. Schwader, Ms. Cunefare

Guests:  Chris Short, Rhonda Britton, Carol Daggs, and Phil Vandemore

 

Citizens Request/Public Participation:  Mrs. Short questioned about parents being

requested to drive the participants to scholastic bowl. Mr. Vandemore said that it was an attempt to cut costs and see if this would be possible. Mr. Norvill requested that Mr. Vandemore to gather information from the coaches and parents to come to an agreement.

 

Mrs. Short asked if there was a maximum participation fee. Mr. Mueller would look at minutes from previous years to see if there was a maximum.

 

Approval of Minutes:

 

A.     Approve minutes of the December 13, 2004 special meeting:

 

President Norvill asked for a motion to approve the December 13, 2004 special meeting minutes as amended: 

 

Motion by Dearing, seconded by Visocky to approve the December 13, 2004 special meeting minutes as amended.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:                Norvill, Buttice, Visocky, Dearing, and Popken

 

NAYS:            None

 

B.     Approve minutes of the December 13, 2004 executive session special meeting:

 

President Norvill asked for a motion to approve the December 13, 2004 executive session special meeting minutes as amended: 

 

Motion by Dearing, seconded by Popken to approve the December 13, 2004 executive session special meeting minutes as amended.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:                Norvill, Buttice, Visocky, Dearing, and Popken

 

NAYS:            None

 

C.      Approve minutes of the December 16, 2004 Truth in Taxation Hearing:

 

President Norvill asked for a motion to approve the December 16, 2004 Truth in Taxation Hearing:

 

Motion by Popken, seconded by Dearing to approve the December 16, 2004 Truth in Taxation Hearing:

On roll call, the following votes were recorded

 

YEAS:                Norvill, Buttice, Visocky, Dearing, and Popken

 

NAYS:            None

 

D.     Approve minutes of the December 16, 2004 regular meeting:

 

President Norvill asked for a motion to approve the December 16, 2004 regular meeting minutes as amended: 

 

Motion by Buttice, seconded by Visocky to approve the December 13, 2004 special meeting minutes as amended.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:                Norvill, Buttice, Visocky, Dearing, and Popken

 

NAYS:            None

 

Treasurer’s Report: 

 

            President Norvill asked for any corrections or updates. 

           

Board member Dearing asked concerning the check for Hi Line Supply (sinks) from the imprest fund. Mr. Mueller told the board that they were for the lower grade bathrooms.

 

 

Motion by Buttice, seconded by Popken to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:                Norvill, Buttice, Visocky, Dearing, and Popken

 

NAYS:            None

 

Approval of Warrants:

 

President Norvill asked if anyone had any questions or comments.

 

Clark Products large purchase was explained. Mr. Popken asked about Morton Community Bank and it was explained that this was our MasterCard. Mr. Norvill asked about Kelly Glass and Nystrom. Mr. Mueller explained that it was for the glass on the door in the front of the building and Nystrom was for Maps for Mrs. Wertz’s classroom. Mr. Norvill asked about Tony & Sons and Mr. Mueller explained that this was for snow removal on the day before Thanksgiving and a different company will be providing snow removal. Mr. Buttice asked about the bill from the Journal Star and Mr. Mueller explained that this was for the Truth in Taxation Hearing add that has to be posted. It was also mentioned for Mr. Mueller to look into Geo-Thermal heating.

 

Motion by Popken, seconded by Visocky for approval of warrants.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:                Norvill, Buttice, Visocky, Dearing, and Popken

 

NAYS:            None

 

Superintendent Report

 

A. Mid-year financial report

Mr. Mueller is happy with the mid-term budget report with the projections at 60% of the revenues being received and 49% of the expenditures being distributed. Mr. Mueller explained that Part time custodian was used for Mr. Michael’s overtime.

Mr. Dearing question the maintenance supplies and Mr. Mueller would check the fund and report back to the board.

 

B. Superintendent Survey

Mr. Mueller explained that a Superintendent evaluation will be given to the staff on Wednesday at the teacher’s meeting. He also asked that the board fill out the survey and he is going to get the results to the board in February. Mr. Buttice complemented Mr. Mueller for putting together the survey. Mr. Norvill commented that the timing was good.

 

C. Superintendent Goals Update

Mr. Mueller discussed his goals for the 2004-2005 school year.

            Goal 1:  health/life safety plan and building improvements.

            Mr. Mueller has met with the architect several times but not with the Building

Committee.

Goal 2: analyze/organize all of the district’s records.

Mr. Mueller has began the organization of the room upstairs and need to get approval from the State Records Office.

Goal 3: create and implement a Crisis Management Plan.

Mr. Mueller has formed the committee of Mrs. Haley, Mrs. Wertz, Mr. Suchocki, Mr. Vandemore, Mr. Michael, and himself.

 

D. Building

Mr. Mueller updated the phone process and that it has been completed – the automated system is working. One phone needs to be replaced and Mrs. Haley is answering many staff questions and did comment that “on the 1st day she got more work done than all year.” Phones are now in all teacher rooms

Darrell Becker, our architect is going to start measuring doors and preparing bids for the summer work.

Mr. Norvill stated that he is going to be sending out letters for volunteer lighting work on February 18-20.

 

Assistant Principal Report

 

A. ISAT Scores

Mr. Vandemore discussed ISAT scores and that he will be giving a bigger break down in the near future.

B. Academic Update

Concerns about 8th graders being held back with students 2 years younger and we offer remedial activities, but most are turned down.

C. Discipline Update

Mr. Vandemore gave explanations concerning the students that have been suspended and why.

 

Committee Reports

 

A. Curriculum

The committee is planning for the in-service on February 18. Mrs. Vaughn is going to present on Special Education and Mid-Illini will be contacted.

B. Athletic

Mr. Buttice informed the board that the committee is hoping to have recommendations to them for the March board meeting.

Mr. Vandemore reported that 8th grade recognition night is on January 20 and the board will have to revisit girls playing on the basketball team.

 

Mr. Norvill called for a 5 minute recess at 7:23 and the board re-convened at 7:28.

 

Old Business

 

A. Discussion of IASB State Convention

Tabled to February 05.

 

New Business

 

A. FY 2005 Calendar

The reason Robein would start so early is that EPCHS needs to start early for semester exams.

B. Board Policy Update

Protocol for Responding to students with Social, Emotional, or Mental Health Problems Policy – This policy was accepted on the 1st reading as presented.

C. Track Meet Update

Mr. Mueller explained the planning meeting he and Mr. Popken had concerning the State Track Meet. Mr. Popken is putting together a letter for all previous volunteers asking them to sign up for the same position. An issue to be discussed with IESA is parking problems and possible solutions

 

Executive Session:

Motion was made by Dearing/Popken to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel and to address the reading of closed session minutes per school code for the period of July 2004 to December 2004.

Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr.Visocky. Mr. Popken.  Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

The board entered executive session at 7:47PM.

 

The Board re-entered open session at 8:19PM.

 

Motion was made by Visocky/Popken to hold the July 2004 to December 2004 for executive session minutes another six months.

Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr.Visocky. Mr. Popken.  Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Popken/Dearing to approve the employment of Amy Blank-Wise for the leave

of Mrs. McClendon as per contract.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr.Visocky. Mr. Popken. 

Nays-Mr. Buttice. Motion carried.

 

 

Motion was made by Visocky/Dearing to authorize Superintendent Mueller to raise Mrs. Bahnsen’s time by 1 hour per day if needed.

Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr.Visocky. Mr. Popken.  Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

 

Other Business

The board discussed the feasibility of moving the February meeting to February 21 instead of February 17.

 

 

Adjournment:

 

Motion by Popken/Dearing to adjourn the meeting.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:      Norvill, Buttice, Dearing, Visocky, and Popken

 

NAYS:      None

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

 

Next regular meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

 

______________________________                             _____________________________

Steve Norvill, President                                                                  Shauna Schwader, Secretary