Robein Grade School

Board of Education Meeting

February 20, 2003

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Buttice at 6:00 PM

Members present: Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mr. Knight, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Supt. Masear

Members absent: None

Guests: Mrs. Haight, Mrs. Hodge

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Dearing /Mr. Visocky to approve the minutes of January 27, 2003. Motion voted. Yeas-7, Nays-0

Citizens Request: Mrs. Haight reported on the simulation her students did where they were colonists coming from England and establishing new colonies. Students learned about how they had to cooperate to succeed and how to negotiate to obtain supplies needed and overcome difficulties. This will lead into a future unit where the students will simulate people moving west.

Treasurer’s Report: Mrs. Short had a question about the expense for the basketball backboard coming out of the revolving fund. This was to pay for the new backboard and will be replaced as money is received from the insurance company. Motion by Mrs. Short/Mr. Visocky to accept the Treasurer’s report. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Knight. Nays-0. Motion carried.

Warrants: Mrs. Short had a question about #21. Mrs. Masear advised that this was payment for a student who has since moved out of the district. Mrs. Short had a question on #52. Mrs. Masear reported that this was for purchasing new AR tests for the school. Mrs. Short questioned #109 and 110. Mrs. Masear reported that this was for some replacement parts and labor for the boiler system. Mr. Buttice questioned #35. Mrs. Masear stated that this was for yearly dues for a speech therapist’s association that the school has paid in the past. Motion by Mr. Knight/Mrs. Short to approve the warrants. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Knight. Nays-0. Motion carried

Superintendent’s Report:

    1. IASB School District Financial Profile. Supt Masear informed the board of the new financial profile that the state board is using to monitor school districts and compare districts of similar size and composition. Supt. Masear explained the indicators and what they mean to the district. The district rating is 3.45 for FY2001 placing the school on financial review meaning we are moving through low operating funds and are able to make our bills. FY2002 preliminary numbers are showing a rating of 3.80.
    2. Mrs. Masear informed the board of the recommendations of the Educational Funding Advisory Board for reform of funding. It was recommended to build coalitions between teacher’s organizations, parent groups and other interested organizations. It is further recommended that boards do what they can to build these coalitions and work with them to support this legislation. This reform will affect school funding statewide and could have adverse affects on the amount of state aid the school receives. The numbers being used are coming from the 2000 Census which is showing numbers that are not accurately reflecting the make-up of the school district. Discussion followed on support of the change. The bills going through the State legislature are HB208 and SB23.

Committee Reports:

Curriculum: None

Technology: Mrs. Masear reported on the EdTech grant that was received for $711 which is tagged for ongoing staff training in use of the school computers. She is looking at having trainers trained so they can come back to the district and train the rest of the teaching staff. Continue Web training and e-mail training for the teachers.

Sports: None

Policy: None

Labor/Negotiations: None

Building: Went through the life/safety report and talked about setting up a scheduled preventative maintenance program. The life/safety report will be covered under old business.

Discipline: None

Old Business:

    1. Discussion and Adoption of revised Board Policy Section 8-Community. No comments or input has been received from the parents or neighborhood. It is very strongly suggested that we have proof of insurance from anybody requesting to use school facilities outside of school sanctioned activities.
    2. 10-year Life/Safety plan. Review was completed. All points that had been identified are completed except for 10 items. Battery powered emergency lights need to be installed on both ends of the stage. Several doors need to have closers installed. Several doors have hold open devices (wood or rubber wedges) that need to be removed as doors must be closed during occupancy. Three sinks need vacuum breakers installed and lower wing restrooms need hot water supplied to them.
    3. Roof Update. Mrs. Masear also spoke with architects about the problem with leakage around the gym wall. They found that the roofing company did not complete the work specified in the work proposal. This information was passed on to the roofing contractors and as yet, there has been no response.
    4. FY2004 School Calendar. School would start 18 Aug 2003 with first day for students on 19 Aug 2003. Added a teachers institute on 10 Nov and set parent/teacher conferences on 30 and 31 Oct, having Halloween parties on 29 Oct.
    5. PTO funding to update sound system. The PTO has offered to pay for the new items for the sound system to update and upgrade the sound system in the gym. The board agreed to provide some refreshments to the PTO thanking them for their assistance.

New Business:

    1. A resolution in support of the EFAB recommendations for school funding reform was made by Mrs. Short/Mr. Visocky. Discussion followed. Yeas- Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader. Nays- Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Buttice, Mr. Knight Motion did not carry.
    2. Mrs. Masear recommended that the board adopt the regulatory basis of accounting. This is to meet requirements for federal government and our auditor.
    3. Mrs. Masear recommended hiring Mr. Dearing as Track Coach for the 2003 track season.
    4. Mrs. Masear is watching the class size of the 1st grade class, which is currently split. Bringing them together next year would create a class of 32 students which is not conducive to equal learning opportunities. Unless current class changes, she recommends keeping the split. The board agreed.

      5. Other Business:

      1. Kindergarten registration. Registration will be the week of March 3-7. Several outlets have been showing our registration dates and Mrs. Masear will keep the board updated on numbers as they come in.
      2. Early Childhood Screening is set for April 7.

Executive Session: Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Dearing to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations, legal matters and personnel. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Knight. Nays-0. Motion carried. The board entered executive session at 8:15 PM.

Motion made by Mr. Visocky/Mr.Dearing for the board to return to open session. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Knight. Nays-0 Motion carried. The board returned to open session at 9:12 PM.

Motions:

    1. Motion made by Mrs. Short/Mrs. Schwader to accept the Revised Board Policy Section 8-Community as amended in 8:30. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Knight. Nays-0. Motion carried.
    2. Motion made by Mr. VanBeuning/Mr. Visocky to accept the revised FY2004 school calendar. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Knight. Nays-0. Motion carried.
    3. Motion by Mrs. Short/Mr. Visocky to adopt a resolution supporting the recommendations for the reform of funding for elementary/secondary education as prepared by EFAB. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader. Nays- Mr. Knight, Mr. Dearing. Abstains- Mr. Buttice, Mr. VanBeuning. Motion did not carry.
    4. Motion by Mr. Visocky/MrVanBeuning to adopt a resolution to adopt the regulatory basis of accounting. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Knight. Nays-0. Motion carried.
    5. Motion made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Knight to approve hiring Mr. Chris Dearing as the track team coach for the 2003 track season. Motion voted. Yeas- Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Knight. Motion carried.

Other Business: None

Adjournment: Motion made by Mr. Knight/Mr. VanBeuning to adjourn the meeting. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Knight. Nays-0. Motion carried. The meeting ended at 9:12 PM.

Next regular meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2003 at 6:00 PM.

_________________________ ___________________________

Steve Buttice, President Jeff Knight, Secretary