Robein School

Board of Education

Minutes of the Regular Meeting held

February 15, 2001

 

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

 

Members Present:  Mr. Buttice, Mr. Greuter, Mr. Knight, Mr. Sherwood, Mrs. Short,

          Ms. Skaggs, Mr. Visocky.  Superintendent Peyton was also present.

 

Members Absent:  None

 

Guests:  Mr. Wojtas, Mr. Reising, and Mr. Myers

 

Executive Session:  Motion made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Buttice to enter executive session. Motion voted.  Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.  The board entered executive session at 5:31 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the superintendent search. Motion made by Mr. Knight/Mr. Sherwood to return to open session. Motion voted.  Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.  The board returned to open session at 6:12 p.m. 

 

Motion by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Greuter to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2001 meeting.  Motion voted.  Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

Citizen’s Request:  None

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Motion made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Knight to approve the treasurer’s report.  Motion voted. Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

Warrants: Motion made by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Sherwood to approve the warrants. Motion voted. Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

Public Hearing:  The public hearing regarding the waiver of school holidays opened at 6:45 p.m.  Discussion regarding using the same holidays as Districts 86 and 309 occurred.  The waiver, if approved, would be in effect for five years.  Hearing closed at 6:47 p.m. Motion made by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Knight to accept the waiver. Motion voted. Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

Superintendent’s Report: 

1.       On Tuesday, March 13th the eighth grade class will  be going to the Holiday Inn City Center in Peoria, Il to hear motivational speaker, Chad Foster.  The presentation focuses on keeping kids positive and encouraging them to make the right choices.

2.       Thomas Roofing made a site visit to the school during the recent rains.  They identified two areas that need immediate attention.  The main hallway and office area would be considered one area.  The cost to replace the roof in that area would be approximately $28,000 with a 20 year warranty.  The second area that needs replacing is the area near the bus entrance.  The estimated cost of that area would be $25,000 with a 20 year warranty.  Completing these two areas would complete all work needed on the roof.    We just received a maintenance grant of $38,000.  Mr. Peyton will obtain bids for the work.

3.       A recent breakdown of a refrigerator in the kitchen resulted in a loss of $250.00 in commodities.  The repair involved the break of a condenser fan.  The fan was fixed at minimal cost.

4.       A test was done of the boiler.  The test was a combustion test and cost $200.  Everything is fine per Kroll.

5.       The State and Federal grants meeting was held February 1 &2.  Mr Peyton reported that the meeting was pretty routine with no unusual surprises.  He will be preparing some policies regarding weapons, parent involvement and Title 1 meetings to present to the board.

6.       The Robein Science Fair will be held Saturday, February 24, 2001.

7.       The IASB semi-annual dinner meeting will be held March 7 in Morton.  The meeting is open to any current or prospective board members.  Any current members are to notify Mr. Peyton of their interest in attending.  

8.       Kindergarten registration will be held March 6,7, and 8.  This is registration only.  Screening will be held later this Spring.  Discussion involving changing the screening process is on going.  Consideration is being given to using the Dial III test.

 

Committee Reports:

Curriculum: Mr. Peyton reported that the staff has selected a reading text.  They have selected McGraw-Hill.  Mr. Baker will be ordering 8th grade science books.  Mrs. Short expressed concern that the book be consistent with the curriculum used in the lower grades.  Mr. Peyton reported that he anticipates the Language Arts curriculum being completed by the end of the year.  The next meeting is scheduled for February 26 at 3:00p.m.

 

Technology:  Meeting held on February 13 but minutes not available.  Two areas that the committee is focusing on include the stake holder’s meeting which will be held in the fall and the Technology plan.  The plan will be completed prior to the stake holder’s meeting.  Next meeting will be March 12 at 3:15 p.m.

 

Sports:  Volleyball uniforms were ordered and received.  Positive feedback was received from both the players and parents.  The State track meet schedule will be developed soon.

 

Policy:  Meeting held on 2/13/01.  Discussion on the need to update the Board’s policy manuals.

 

Labor/Negotiations:  Nothing to report.

 

Building:  No meeting.  Roof issues discussed in Superintendent’s report.

 

Discipline:  No meeting.

 

Audience Participation:  None

 

 

Old Business:

1.    Lease extension for large bus -   Mr. Peyton recommends not renewing the lease on the current bus.  His recommendation is to get a lease on a traditional bus and renew the lease on the current min-bus.   The board gave Mr. Peyton the directive to obtain bids.

2.    Mr. Buttice gave an update on a Latch key program.  He reported that District 86 uses the Kids Connection at the Fondulac Park Administration building.  The Kids Connection does not provide transportation.  District 86 picks up and drops off the children to the administration building.   The costs are as follows:

                Before care only = $4 a day

                After care only = $6 a day

On those days when school is not in session the “Connect 4 Fun” program is available.  Each child brings their own lunch.  The cost is $20 a day.  These prices were compared to a privately owned daycare center that provides van transportation for Robein students.  The costs are comparable.  The District does not incur any expense from the privately owned daycare center.

Mr. Buttice is waiting to hear form District 309 regarding their ability to provide transportation.

3.        Recertification Committee is currently working on one teacher’s plan.

4.        EPACC dinner will be held March 29, 2001 at Robein.  Volunteers are needed for serving and for leading the invocation.

5.        Preparations are underway for the External Review scheduled for February 20, 21, and 22nd.  Mr. Peyton complimented Mrs. Bare and Mrs. Garrison for their hard work on this project.

6.        Mrs. Short and Mr. Buttice attended the last East Peoria City Council meeting on behalf of Robein School.  Mr. Buttice read a prepared statement asking that the council not forget about the city’s other district, Robein #85, when providing financial assistance to upgrade school facilities.  The action was a result of published reports indicating District 86 would be asking the city for assistance in building a new middle school.  

 

New Business:

1.        School Calendar – Mr. Peyton presented examples of the calendars being used by Districts 86 and 309.  While we do not have to finalize a calendar at this time, he recommends that we use these as a guide.  Making the calendars as similar as possible would help those families with children in multiple districts.

2.        Mr. Peyton recommends that we retain Gorenz & Associates as auditors for 2001.

3.        Mr. Peyton explained our current full service agreement with Mid-Illini.  Given our low useage rate, he recommends not renewing and saving the District $250.00

4.        A donation request was received from Tazewell F.O.P. Lodge #98.  The donation would be used to supply written material to help prevent children from choosing drugs.  Ms. Skaggs expressed concern that precedence would be set if we contributed and also expressed concern about the details of the project given that two board members were given completely opposite information regarding the program.

5.        Mr. Peyton shared information gathered by Debbie Shadid regarding the Peoria Area Food Co-Op program.  The examples cited significant savings to the District by participating.

 

Motions:

Motion made by Mr. Knight/ Mr. Buttice to retain Gorenz & Assoc. as auditors for 2001.  Price not to exceed $3,200.00. Motion voted. Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

Motion made by Mr. Buttice/ Mr. Visocky to participate in the Peoria Area Co-op Program for the remainder of the year at a cost of $200.00.  Motion voted. Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

 

Other Business:

1.       A decision will be needed regarding the future handling of the large second grade class.  Miss Passmore reported that the current split for math and reading seemed to be effective.  She recommends that the same procedure be followed next year.  There are currently 27 students in the class.

 

 

 

Executive Session:  Motion made by Mr. Sherwood/Mr. Visocky to enter executive session. Motion voted.  Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.  The board entered executive session at 8:19 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the superintendent search. Motion made by Mr. Sherwood/Mr. Visocky to return to open session. Motion voted.  Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.  The board returned to open session at 9:56 p.m. 

 

Adjournment: Motion made by Mr. Knight/Mr. Greuter to adjourn the meeting. Motion voted.  Yeas – 7, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.  The meeting ended at 9:56p.m.

 

Next regular meeting is scheduled for March15, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

__________________________________                 ________________________________

 

Chris Short, President                                                                                         Angie Skaggs, Secretary