Robein Grade School

Board of Education Meeting

October 20, 2005

 

 

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

 

Members present:  Mr. Norvill, Ms. Cunefare, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Newlan, Mrs. Pool, Mrs. Potts and Ms. Schwader. 

 

Members absent:  None 

Guests:  Mr. Vandemore, Aaron Suchocki, and the Channel 22 representative.

 

Approval of Minutes:

 

Approve minutes of the September 15, 2005 regular meeting as presented:

 

Motion by Dearing, seconded by Schwader to approve the September 15, 2005 regular meeting minutes as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Approve executive session minutes of the September 15, 2005 regular meeting as presented:

 

Motion by Newlan, seconded by Schwader to approve the September 15, 2005 executive session minutes as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Citizens Request/Public Participation:  None

 

Treasurer’s Report: 

 

President Norvill asked for any corrections or updates. 

 

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

 

YEAS:             Cunefare, Dearing, Newlan, Pool, Potts, Schwader, and Norvill

 

NAYS:            None

 

Approval of Warrants:

 

The following items were discussed:  Master Card usage – Superintendent Mueller reported that he charged gasoline for the U-haul to retrieve the donated desks from Riverview.  Online registrations require Master Card usage and he also used it to charge the Televisions and DVD/VCR combos to receive tax-exempt status.  He assured the board that all bills will be compensated before interest incurs on the charge card through the proper funds.  There was also discussion regarding the recent fence concrete removal.  It ended up taking one and one half days to complete the job, thus the cost was more than originally expected.  

 

Motion by Potts, seconded by Pool for approval of warrants as presented.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:             Dearing, Newlan, Pool, Potts, Schwader, Cunefare, and Norvill

 

NAYS:            None

 

Superintendent Report and Recommendations:

 

A.     Audit Report:

 

Superintendent Mueller reported that the State Mandated Audit revealed no limitations or significant findings.  The auditor was very happy with the books.  The findings will be published in the Journal Star.

 

B.     Building Update:

 

Superintendent Mueller reported that Tazewell County Asphalt returned to fill in cracks. He and Darrel Becker walked the parking lot to assess the job.  They corrected their previous mistakes and did a good job.    President Norvill reported that the 30 X 30 sloped roadway area needed repaired before bad weather sets in.  Superintendent Mueller discussed the new fence, reiterating that both the fence and poles would be painted at some point.  Superintendent Mueller discussed the recent purchase of nine programmable thermostats from Lowes.  Regretfully they were not compatible.  He will be trying Garybar next.  Light motion sensors have been installed in the restrooms.  Lights will not always be on so this should be a cost savings.  

 

C.     Discipline Update:

 

Superintendent Mueller reported that there have been four suspensions/four students since 9-15-05.  There are 182 K-8 students and 155 have had no disciplinary actions to date.  Robein teacher, Mr. Suchocki, noticed a big difference with the new discipline policy, “It’s made a big difference.”  President Norvill asked Mr. Suchocki to tell the board of anything that needs changed.  Mr. Vandemore relayed that he is seeing a positive attitude in students this year.  Grades have been much better due to the new policy.

 

Assistant Principal Report:

 

Mr. Vandemore reported that the Achievement Tests were mailed today.  He has been to the Gulf Coast helping his brother in-law in Mississippi.  He’s toured two schools during the trip.  One school, Waveland Elementary, was in the eye of Katrina.  He thought it would be a very well meaning and educational experience for the students to collect money to be sent to this school and students.  $615.00 has been collected to date.    

 

Committee Reports:

 

A.     Curriculum Committee:

 

Superintendent Mueller relayed that the committee would be meeting the first Wednesday of each month.  October 21st is a School Improvement Day and staff will be looking for gaps in curriculum in the writing area.  They will be discussing the following:  I.S.A.T. scores, Vantage learning.com, retention policy for early elementary students, and textbook needs. 

 

B.     Technology Committee:

 

Superintendent Mueller reported that the committee would be meeting the third Wednesday of each month.  There have been many good suggestions, especially on the website.  A survey will be sent home to see what parents wanted to see on the website.  There will also be a counter on the website.  Headphones for the complete lab were purchased.  Also needed are 30 new lab chairs.  Superintendent Mueller will look for chairs around the $40.00 range, along with four movable computer carts at $69.00 each.  It was discussed that computer tables be purchased for classrooms to put the computers on.  President Norvill and Board Member Schwader suggested that Superintendent Mueller purchase all 30 chairs while they are on sale and to use his own discretion.  No other board members had any objections.  The committee is also looking at a computer math program like the AR program, even though I.S.A.T. math scores were good.  Available grants were being looked into to purchase 2003 window upgrades.  President Norvill thanked the Technology Committee for all of their hard work and thoroughness, stating, “This will promote progress.”

 

C.     EPASC (East Peoria Area School Committee):

 

Superintendent Mueller reported that the committee met on September 22nd at Central Junior High School.  Superintendent Mueller, President Norvill, and Board Member Schwader represented Robein.  A tour of C.J.H.S. was taken by all members present.

The meeting was basically a brainstorming session where potential goals and tasks, student discipline and behavior were discussed.  President Norvill stated that, “It was a neat group, positive, sharing of ideas, and can be very beneficial.”  He thanked District #86 Board President, Gary Densberger, for getting this group back together.  The next meeting will be hosted by Robein on January 26, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Business:

 

A.     School Board Convention:

 

Superintendent Mueller asked all Board Members to let him know if they are planning on attending the School Board Convention.  Discussion of individual sessions was tabled until the November meeting.

 

 

New Business:

 

A.     Track Meeting Planning for 2006:

 

Superintendent Mueller stated that previous board member, Mr. Popkin, took him under his wing with the planning of the track meet.  He plans on starting to obtain volunteers after the first of the year.  President Norvill inquired if a Chair or Coordinate was in place.  This will be discussed at the November meeting.

 

B.     FM Classroom Devices:

 

Superintendent Mueller recommended purchasing two more FM classroom devices for the Music room and Science Lab at a total cost of $895.00.  He stated that the money could come from the Track Meet Funds.  

 

Motion by Potts, seconded by Pool for approval to purchase two FM classroom devises at a total cost of $895.00 as recommended.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:             Newlan, Pool, Potts, Schwader, Cunefare, Dearing and Norvill

 

NAYS:            None

 

C.     STI Software and Firewall Upgrade:

 

Superintendent Mueller reported that the software was out of date.  He relayed how the state is mandating each student to have an I.D.  After discussing the options, Superintendent Mueller recommended that Option B:  Upgrade STI Office to the newest version and comply with state requirements in an automated fashion at a cost of $1,700.00 with a $200.00 yearly upgrade fee.  The funds will come out of the state tax.  

 

Motion by Dearing, seconded by Newlan for approval of Option B:  Upgrade STI Office to the newest version at a cost of $1,700.00 with a $200.00 yearly upgrade fee as recommended.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:             Pool, Potts, Schwader, Cunefare, Dearing, Newlan and Norvill

 

NAYS:             None

 

D.    Volleyball Uniforms:

 

Superintendent Mueller reported that Mrs. Heyder informed him that new volleyball uniforms were needed.  Presently there are 12 7th grade uniforms and 12 8th grade uniforms.  There will be 15 to 17 7th graders playing this year.  His recommendation would be to purchase 12 new 8th grade uniforms at a total cost of $537.00, using Track Meet funds to match the existing 8th grade uniforms.  There would then be a total of 24 matching uniforms. 

 

Motion by Cunefare, seconded by Dearing for approval of the purchase of 12 new 8th

grade volleyball uniforms at a total cost of $537.00 as recommended.  On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:             Potts, Schwader, Cunefare, Dearing, Newlan, Pool and Norvill

 

NAYS:             None

 

Other Business:  None

 

Motion by Dearing, seconded by Cunefare to adjourn to executive session at 7:32 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

Executive Session:

 

The Board exited executive session at 8:03 PM.

 

The Board re-entered open session at 8:04 PM.

 

Motion by Newlan/Pool to accept Valerie Bowman’s resignation as Special Education Aide.

On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:             Potts, Schwader, Cunefare, Dearing, Newlan, Pool and Norvill

 

NAYS:             None

 

 

Motion by Dearing/Potts to open the contract in this instance with the understanding that it does not set precedence in order to create the yearbook coordinator position.

On roll call, the following votes were recorded:

 

YEAS:             Potts, Schwader, Cunefare, Dearing, Newlan, Pool and Norvill

 

NAYS:             None

 

 

Motion by Dearing/Pool to pay a stipend of 4% of the base salary for the yearbook coordinator position.

YEAS:             Potts, Schwader, Cunefare, Dearing, Newlan, Pool and Norvill

 

NAYS:             None

 

 

Adjournment:

 

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

 

YEAS:             Potts, Schwader, Cunefare, Dearing, Newlan, Pool and Norvill

 

NAYS:             None

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:07p.m.

 

Next regular meeting is scheduled for November 14, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________                                    _____________________________

Steve Norvill, President                                                            Chris Dearing, Secretary