Robein Grade School

Board of Education Meeting

December 20, 2001

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Short at 5:30 p.m.

 

Members present:  Mr. Buttice, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Knight, Mr. Van Beuning,

                             Mrs. Short, Mr. Visocky, Superintendent Masear

 

Members absent:  Ms. Skaggs

 

Guests:  Mr. And Mrs. Brandt, Mr. Vandemore, Ms. Onyun, Ms. Keefner

 

Mrs. Short opened the tax levy hearing. Mrs. Masear read the proposed school tax levy. Mrs. Masear informed the board that the overall tax increase for the year would be 4.2%. A levy hearing is not required unless the levy is 5% or more, therefore, we are well within state requirements.

 

Mrs. Short then asked for questions from the audience. Receiving none, the levy hearing was closed by Mrs. Short.

 

Motion by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Van Beuning to accept the tax levy as presented. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion passed.

 

Mrs. Short closed the tax levy hearing at 5:35 p.m.

 

Executive Session:  Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Buttice to enter executive session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. The board entered executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel at 5:35 p.m. Motion made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Dearing to return to open session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. The board returned to open session at 5:53 p.m.

 

Approval of Minutes:  Motion made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Buttice to approve the minutes of October 18, 2001; November 6, 2001; and November 26, 2001, as amended. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Citizens Request:  None

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Motion made by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Van Beuning to approve the treasurer’s report. Mrs. Short had a question about the amount of pictures being developed. Mrs. Masear explained that this was due to a large number of field trips the classes have taken and the pictures were taken during these trips. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Warrants:  Mrs. Short had questions about #28 for the purchase of a new audiometer. This was a necessary replacement as the old one was outdated and in need of replacement. #81, Mrs. Masear advised that this was a reimbursement for supplemental insurance that had been cancelled after the premium had been paid. Mr. Visocky had a question on #132. Wondered if this was for a brake inspection on the bus that was currently in the shop for brake repairs. Mrs. Masear advised that this was for a state required yearly inspection.

 

Superintendent’s Report:

A.   Mrs. Masear explained the results of the STS testing that was

completed this fall. Charts were provided to the board members. Mrs. Masear is currently working with the teaching staff to look for ways to improve these results. She is already getting some feedback.

 

B.    The school tech plan is completed and had been submitted for peer

review. The board was provided with a portion of the plan in order to acquaint themselves with the plan. Mrs. Masear advised the board that the entire plan is available in her office for review at their request.

 

C.   Mrs. Masear advised that the schools participation in this years

East Peoria Youth Council’s food drive set a new record. The school raised $1063.00. Mrs. Masear also believed that this is the most for any grade school in East Peoria. The Student Council also assisted in assembling the boxes for the food distribution.

 

Committee Reports

 

          Curriculum:  Mrs. Masear advised that the school has been

          continuing to work with EPACC. She and the teachers have also been

          working on the mathematics curriculum. When it is completed, it will

          be available on the school website.

 

          Technology:  In addition to the tech plan being completed, a majority

          of the school internet use forms have been completed and returned.

          Contact has been made with the parents of those students who have

          not returned them. She does not forsee any problems with getting the

          the rest of them back.

 

Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Buttice to temporarily suspend the meeting to allow the board to attend the school Christmas concert. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. Meeting was suspended at 6:50 p.m.

 

The meeting reconvened at 8:10 p.m.

 

Committee Reports (cont.):

         

          Sports:  There has been a request by a parent to re-evaluate the team

          numbers for the 7th/8th grade cheerleaders and volleyball teams. The

          parent was concerned about the low number of students on the 7th

          grade teams. This issue was referred back to the Sports Committee.

 

          Policy:  No report.

 

          Labor/Negotiations:  No report.

 

          Building:  Reported on a problem with the heater between the 2nd/3rd

          grade rooms. Has been corrected, and Tom will be trained on how to

          inspect the other similar units. There has also been a problem with the

          chain across the north playground/parking lot entrance. We will look

          into getting a gate to place across there. The lower grade bathroom

          plan is coming together, although with some changes to the original

          plan. These changes should save us about $1,500. We are considering

          having the life/safety survey redone, probably sometime after January.

          We are also looking into having a company come to the school to give

          us a bid on repair/replacement of the gym sound system.

 

          Discipline:  No report.

 

Audience Participation:  None

 

Old Business:  Second reading of Policy 2:125 Board Members Expenses. Also included was a cost summary for the 2001 IASB Convention. Some recommendations were made.

 

New Business:  First reading of Family and Medical Leave Policy/Procedures and associated forms. Discussion followed.

 

First reading of Policy 4:10 Fiscal and Business Management and 7:270 Administering Medicines to Students.

 

After a problem on the school bus, a problem has been noted with the video camera. The current camera is approximately 5 years old and does not have a good picture. The problems we are encountering are not uncommon to other school districts. Mrs. Masear and Mr. Van Beuning will check into obtaining a replacement camera.

 

Mrs. Masear notified the board of the resignation of Mrs. Parker due to her husband’s transfer. She also requested permission to seek a replacement for Mrs. Parker as well as seek a person to fill the permanent substitute position.

 

Executive Session:  Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Buttice to enter executive session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. The board entered executive session at 9:00 p.m. to discuss personnel and board member resignation. Motion made by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Dearing to return to open session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. The board returned to open session at 9:43 p.m.

 

Motions: 

1.     Motion made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Van Beuning to approve Policy 2:125 as amended to allow a daily meals allowance of $45 excluding the annual board dinner. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

2.     Motion made by Mr. Van Beuning/Mr. Buttice to accept the resignation of Angie Skaggs from the Robein School Board of Education. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

3.     Motion made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Dearing to accept the nomination of board member Jeff Knight as board secretary. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

4.     Motion made by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Visocky to accept the resignation of Mrs. Parker with regrets. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.

 

Adjournement:  Motion made by Mr. Dearing/Mr. Visocky to adjourn the meeting. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. The meeting ended at 9:45 p.m.

 

Next regular meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

 

_________________________                  ___________________________

Chris Short, President                                 Jeff Knight, Secretary