Robein Grade School
Board of Education Meeting
June 16, 2005
President Norvill called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Members present: Mr. Norvill, Mr. Newlan, Mrs. Pool, Mrs. Potts, and Ms. Schwader
Members absent: Ms. Cunefare and Mr. Dearing
Guests: Pat Davies, Channel 22 Representative, Mr. Herrin, Mrs. Hammond, Afton Booth, Gigi Ginnta, Kris Short and Mr. Vandemoore.
Approval of Minutes:
Approve minutes of the May 17, 2005 regular meeting as amended:
President Norvill asked for a motion to approve the May 17, 2005 regular meeting minutes as amended.
Motion by Schwader, seconded by Newlan to approve the amended May 17, 2005 regular meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Approve minutes of
the May 17, 2005 executive meeting as amended:
President Norvill asked for a motion to approve the May 17, 2005 executive meeting minutes as amended:
Motion by Newlan, seconded by Pool to approve the amended May 17, 2005 executive meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Approve minutes of
the June 2, 2005 special meeting regular session as amended:
President Norvill asked for a motion to approve the June 2, 2005 special meeting regular session minutes as amended:
Motion by Schwader, seconded by Potts to approve the amended June 2, 2005 special meeting regular session minutes. Motion carried.
Approve minutes of
the June 2, 2005 special meeting executive session as amended:
President Norvill asked for a motion to approve the June 2, 2005 special meeting executive session minutes as amended:
Motion by Newlan, seconded by Schwader to approve the amended June 2, 2005 special meeting executive session minutes. Motion carried.
Citizens
Request/Public Participation:
Superintendent Mueller read an appreciation card from Mrs. McClendon regarding the retirement open house. He also read a thank you from IESA Executive Director, Steve Endsley. President Norvill noted that he had a thank you from Mrs. Daggs at home and apologized for not bringing it.
Treasurer’s Report:
President Norvill asked for any corrections or updates. Superintendent Mueller explained that the reason for the voided checks on the last page were because of a coffee spill by Mrs. Haley.
Motion by Potts, seconded by Pool to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. On roll call, the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Norvill, Newlan, Pool, Potts, and Schwader.
NAYS: None
Approval of
Warrants:
President Norvill asked for any questions or concerns. President Norvill asked Superintendent Mueller about the STI IL on the last page. Superintendent Mueller explained that it was accounting/bookkeeping software that was purchased once a year.
Motion by Newlan, seconded by Schwader for approval of warrants as presented. On roll call, the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Norvill, Newlan, Pool, Potts, and Schwader.
NAYS: None
Old Business:
The proposed recommendations were tabled until the July meeting due to the absence of board member Cunefare, who serves on the committee.
Superintendent Mueller discussed the Unland Companies bid. LMI is currently $14,000 more than Unland Companies. He stated that several districts have been switching to Unland. Currently District 309 uses Unland and is very pleased. Unland Companies Representative, Afton Booth, was present to give an overall coverage review. He reported that their company presently covers 42 Central Illinois School Districts. He stated, “I am tailoring your plan to fit your needs with adequate protection.” The worker’s compensation is a lower price than the competitors. He will be providing sound coverage. He gave Superintendent Mueller references that were checked. He stated that when you are an Unland customer you are in capable hands and they take their commitment to customers very serious. Unland is very assessable, being located in Central Illinois. Board member Ms. Schwader asked if there would be any major changes in the plan since there is such a cost savings. Mr. Booth replied, “none.” He stated that they only do business with “A” rated insurance companies. Superintendent Mueller showed that there would be significant savings by using Unland - $7,200.00 versus $10,000.00 for LMI for workers compensation coverage. The 5 million dollar umbrella was discussed regarding catastrophic protection over all other underlined coverage. President Norvill thanked Mr. Booth and told him that the board will get back with him very soon with a decision since the insurance is due July 1st. President Norvill wants to have the board look at the proposal and have a special meeting to discuss the decision.
Superintendent Report and Recommendations:
Superintendent Mueller discussed the grants stating that they will receive a projected amount of $8,199.00. Most of the money will be used for Mrs. Bahnsen’s salary. He reported that there will be $300.00 less in the title grants and $100.00 less in reading grants due to the enrollment census. President Norvill asked Superintendent Mueller how often a census is completed. Mueller replied, “Every 10 years.”
Superintendent Mueller reported that the State Track Meet weekend produced approximately $25,000.00 to $28,000.00. $1,000.00 less was made from last year in the concessions due to price increases from the district. $900.00 more was made from last year in parking. The t-shirt sale money is coming. It was discussed by Superintendent Mueller to spend the money on a traveling laptop for $700.00 that is one year old and to re-do the computer lab with 30 computers at a cost of $23,100.
Superintendent Mueller reported that the kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade rooms have been cleared out and will be mopped, stripped and waxed next week. They will be cleaned from top to bottom. He reported that the siding will liven up the building and it was a very good color choice.
President Norvill stated that East Peoria School District #86’s board president, Gary Densberger, inquired about Robein’s interest in consolidation. There was no pressure for an answer and he was very neighborly and kind in his request. President Norvill asked the board about any interest in consolidating. Board member, Mr. Newlan, responded that from the study that was completed there would not be a lot of differences. He suggested that Robein maintain their current class sizes and quality education. He stated that the general public’s point of view has been no to consolidation. After discussion President Norvill stated that he would contact Mr. Densberger and tell him that Robein was not interested in consolidation.
A letter was read regarding EPACC participation. After discussion it was something the board definitely wanted to participate in. It was discussed that Mrs. Bare be on the committee since she is currently on the curriculum committee.
Mrs. Bare has a language textbook request for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades to match the math texts at a cost of $5,491.62.00. This will be paid for through two checks from City Sales Tax.
Newlan motioned, and Potts seconded to purchase new language texts as presented. On roll call, the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Norvill, Newlan, Pool, Potts, and Schwader.
NAYS: None
It was also discussed that $3,000.00 - $4,000.00 would be allocated for new social studies and science textbooks for next year.
New Business:
Superintendent Mueller reported that there is a State law that has to be adopted.
Motion by Newlan, seconded by
Schwader to approve the prevailing wage rates resolution. Motion carried.
Agreement
Superintendent Mueller discussed the renewal of the Peoria County Cooperative Purchasing Program agreement at a cost of $350.00 for the annual fee. Mueller reported that they receive a lot of food through this program.
Schwader motioned, and Pool seconded to renew the Peoria county Cooperative Purchasing Program as presented. On roll call, the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Norvill, Newlan, Pool, Potts, and Schwader.
NAYS: None
Superintendent Mueller stated that the science lab is in dire need of materials. Mrs. Short explained that purchases in the amount of $3,730.63 plus shipping needed to be made. She also reported that the walls needed painted due to flaking paint and the floor tiles were popping off of the floor.
Schwader motioned, and Potts seconded to spend $3,730.63 plus shipping for Mrs. Short’s order to replace and add to the science lab. On roll call, the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Norvill, Newlan, Pool, Potts, and Schwader.
NAYS: None
Superintendent Mueller reported that after bids were accepted only one company bid for the cleaning contract. It was Chicago Cleaning for a two year contract with the company receiving $10.85 per hour for the first year (the employee will receive $7.90 an hour) and $11.25 the second year (the employee will receive $8.20 an hour). This is a 3.3% increase.
Newlan motioned, and Potts seconded to approve the Chicago Cleaning contract as presented. On roll call, the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Norvill, Newlan, Pool, Potts, and Schwader.
NAYS: None
Superintendent Mueller recommended that classroom amplification units be bought for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classrooms this year and kindergarten, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and special education next year. Ms. Ginnta gave a brief overview of the reason these amplification units would be beneficial. She stated that they help with auditory processing, attention deficit, along with gifted students and teachers as well. The unit that was borrowed from Tazewell Mason was very beneficial in Mrs. Wainwright’s classroom. President Norvill inquired if it would be beneficial for kindergarten to get a unit now. Board member, Mr. Newlan suggested that we attempt to purchase units for the whole school now or at least as soon as possible. President Norvill suggested to the board that they either purchase units for part of the school now as recommended by Superintendent Mueller or to purchase 11 units to cover the whole school.
Schwader motioned, and Pool seconded to purchase 11 amplification units at a cost of $7,837.50, plus $330.00 for battery packs. On roll call, the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Norvill, Newlan, Pool, Potts, and Schwader.
NAYS: None
Superintendent Mueller reported that it is state mandated to have a safety plan in place and to have a defibrillator in house.
Schwader motioned, and Newlan seconded to purchase a defibrillator. On roll call, the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Norvill, Newlan, Pool, Potts, and Schwader.
NAYS: None
Superintendent Mueller stated that he and Mr. Vandemoore have large, bulky, old cell phones presently. The Verizon contract is now up. He recommended that they stay with Verizon for a new two year contract at $59.95 per month for a shared plan. Currently the plan is $39.97 per phone, so the new plan would incur a $20.00 per month savings.
President Norvill declared that this would be handled in executive session.
Other Business:
Handbook update – just for informational purposed to read for the next meeting.
Motion by Schwader, seconded by Potts to adjourn to executive session at 7:38 p.m. Motion carried.
President Norvill asked for any other business. With none, the board broke until executive
session.
YEAS: Norvill, Schwader, Newlan, Pool, Potts
NAYS: None
Executive Session:
The Board exited executive session at 7:48 PM.
The Board re-entered open
session at 9:08PM.
Motion by Schwader/Pool to approve the contract of Wendelin Consulting Group Inc. as presented
Roll Call Vote
YEAS: Norvill,
Schwader, Newlan, Pool, Potts
NAYS: None
Motion by Newlan/Potts to approve the purchase of 30 computers at a cost of $23,500.
Roll Call Vote
YEAS: Norvill,
Schwader, Newlan, Pool, Potts
NAYS: None
Motion by Schwader/Potts to approve the purchase of a laptop computer from Jay Wendelin for $700.
Roll Call Vote
YEAS: Norvill
Norvill, Schwader, Newlan, Pool, Potts
NAYS: None
Adjournment:
Motion by Schwader/Newlan
to adjourn the meeting. On roll call,
the following votes were recorded:
YEAS: Norvill,
Schwader, Newlan, Pool, Potts
NAYS: None
The meeting adjourned at 10:04 p.m.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for July 21, 2005 at
6:00 p.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Steve Norvill, President Chris Dearing, Secretary