Robein School

Board of Education Meeting

July 31, 2000

 

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Buttice at 6:31 P.M.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mr. Knight, Ms. Skaggs, Mrs. Short, Mr. Visocky,

                                           Mr. Sherwood, Mr. Buttice, Dr. Bradshaw

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Mr. Greuter

 

GUESTS:  Sue Hurd, Chris Dearing, Connie Broquard, Steve Broquard, Mrs. Parker,

                   Mrs. Vaughn, Mrs. Davies

 

Motion by Mr. Sherwood/Mr. Knight to approve the minutes from the February 17 meeting.  Motion voted.  Yeas-6, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC INPUT

Chris Dearing asked what will be done about student patrolling for the upcoming school year.  He wanted it made clear that any statement made regarding the student being hit by a car after school last school year was because of a car being parked in that particular space are not true.  Dr. Bradshaw replied that the school has made no accusations.  He also discussed the action taken following the incident, including striping that area as no parking and speaking to the city on 2 occasions about “No Parking Between Signs” signs to be put up in that area.  Since the area was seal coated this summer, striping will be redone when the paint comes in and the weather allows.  Dr. Bradshaw also pointed out the change in dismissal times as one of the actions taken to alleviate the problem.  Mr. Dearing suggested a letter be sent out to let parents know about the parking situation and the change in traffic flow pattern in the parking lot.  Mr. Buttice asked Mr. Knight what could be done to expedite the signs being installed, and Mr. Knight suggested calling the city again tomorrow (8/1/00) and impressing the importance of these signs to the official in charge.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Dr. Bradshaw reviewed the action taken at the previous board meeting concerning class sizes with the various scenarios he had presented.  Enrollment of kindergarten had reached 29 by the last meeting and therefore the decision was made to split the kindergarten for the 2000-2001 school year.  Currently, 2nd grade enrollment stands at 25.  Dr. Bradshaw recommends the board schedule a special meeting on 8/21/00 to make the decision about the 2nd grade class situation.  Mrs. Short questioned why registration is so late since this decision partially hinges on these final enrollment numbers.  Dr. Bradshaw replied that that is the way it has always been done.  Mr. Broquard asked what Dr. Bradshaw would do in terms of hiring another 2nd grade teacher if he had to make a last-minute decision.  Dr. Bradshaw replied that he would look at all of the candidates’ qualifications, not just how much they would cost in terms of salary and benefits.  Mr. Dearing discussed the class size over the last 2 years with this particular 2nd grade class and was concerned that nothing has been done to split this class prior to 3 weeks before school starting.  Mr. Buttice recapped the concerns brought forth by the parents at the June board meeting and the action taken on each concern.  Special meeting was set for 8/19/00 at 8:30 A.M.

 

PUBLIC HEARING ON WAIVER REQUEST

When the calendar was set back in the spring, teachers requested School Improvement Days (SIP).  The board approved these days, but a waiver is needed to have full day SIP rather than the half-day that the state currently allows. 

 

No questions from the board.

 

Mr. Dearing questioned what goes on during the SIP days.  Mr. Buttice asked Dr. Bradshaw to explain the work that will be done, including the curriculum guides, external review preparation, and mission/vision preparation.  It is hoped that the parents present will help spread the word about what takes place at these days and the work that will be accomplished by the teachers during this time. 

 

Mrs. Parker thanked the board from the staff for approving the SIP days.

 

Motion by Mr. Sherwood/Mr. Visocky to approve application to make the SIP days full days pending state approval.  Motion voted.  Yeas-6, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Sherwood to enter executive session.  Motion voted.  Yeas-6, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

The board entered executive session at 7:05 P.M. to discuss negotiations and employment or termination of employees. 

 

Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Knight to return to open session.  Motion voted.  Yeas-6, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

The board returned to open session at 9:55 P.M.  Mr. Visocky left the meeting at 9:55 P.M.  The board took a recess and called the meeting back to order at 10:02 P.M.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Dr. Bradshaw reported that we will need to watch the Life Safety fund until the maintenance grant comes in.  It may be necessary to do an interfund loan until we get the grant money.  He thanked the PTO for paying for the tire chips for the new playground equipment. 

 

Motion by Mr. Sherwood/Ms. Skaggs to approve the treasurer’s report.  Motion voted.  Yeas-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

WARRANTS

Mr. Knight questioned item #128, and Dr. Bradshaw replied that it was for roof damage done when the boiler overheated.  Mr. Buttice questioned the computer purchase, and Dr. Bradshaw replied that it is a laptop for Mr. Wendelin as a part of his new contract that contains diagnostic software for the 3 districts.  The old laptop is at Robein.

 

Motion by Mr. Knight/Ms. Skaggs to approve the warrants.  Motion voted.  Yeas-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Bradshaw reported that the budget will be on display beginning August 7 at 7:00 A.M. and will be presented to the board for approval in September.  He also discussed a new procedure he will implement for obtaining materials via a requisition system that had not been previously used.  This will be done to allow him to watch expenditures more closely.

 

Dr. Bradshaw reported the resignation of Mrs. Joyce Vaughn.  He wished her well and good luck in her new position.

 

Dr. Bradshaw reported that he is not anticipating a change in the textbook rental fee for 2000-2001, but that it will probably need to be increased for the next school year. 

 

Dr. Bradshaw reported that he is not anticipating a change in the $1.25 charge for lunches for 2000-2001, but that it also will probably need to be increased for the next school year.  He does not attempt to make a profit from the lunch program, but since the amount of commodities from the state has dropped, more of the food for the lunch program must now be purchased.

 

Dr. Bradshaw reported that he has received the life safety amendment for the gym heater.  With the unit to be installed, we will probably have an air conditioned gym.  Estimated cost for the unit is $21,000 as listed on the amendment.  This will fall under the maintenance grant, and it will be installed by early fall.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

POLICY:  Committee did not meet, but there will be second readings on a number of policies presented.

 

BUILDING:  Landscaping around the signs is done.  White boards are ready to be installed.  Baseball field now has an infield.  Shot has been working hard on gardening, and the grounds look great!

 

SPORTS:  A meeting took place on July 27 on the new sports policy with the students, parents, and coaches of baseball and softball.  Feedback from the meeting was positive.  Parents would like to have a doctor come to the school in the spring and offer physicals as has been done in the past. 

 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Mrs. Vaughn asked about the status of the intercom.  Dr. Bradshaw replied that it will be installed at the end of this week or beginning of next week.  She also requested that if the bell outside her room is going to be taken down, that it be gift-wrapped and given to Mr. Baker. 

 

Mr. Dearing had questions about splitting the 2nd grade class.  He first wanted to know who makes the decision on whether to split the class, and Dr. Bradshaw replied that the board has the ultimate decision.  Mr. Dearing also stated that at the start of the discussion about splitting the 2nd grade, numbers were said not to be a factor, so why are we waiting for registration numbers to come in?  He went on to say that the parents’ opinion is that the students in this class have been shortchanged and need a couple of years to catch up.  They feel their kids never got the chance to be split like the new kindergarten is getting.  Mr. Buttice requested a test score report prior to the 8/19 meeting. 

 

Mr. Dearing also asked about a homework policy.  He stated that students who left the class for special reading and then did not get their homework done were given late grades for that homework.  Dr. Bradshaw said he will look into this. 

 

OLD BUSINESS

Motion by Mr. Knight/Ms. Skaggs to approve the life safety amendment for the new gym heater/air conditioner for $21,000.  Motion voted.  Yeas-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Mr. Sherwood/Ms. Skaggs to accept the second reading of policies 2:70, 2:10, 2:150, 4:30, 4:160, 5:10, 6:270, 7:50, and 7:190.  Motion voted.  Yeas-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Motion by Mr. Knight/Mr. Sherwood to accept with regrets the resignation of Mrs. Joyce Vaughn.  Motion voted.  Yeas-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Mr. Sherwood/Mr. Knight to hire Miss Onyun as full time kindergarten teacher for the 2000-2001 school year.  Motion voted.  Yeas-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Mr. Knight/Mr. Sherwood to hire Heather Passmore as part time 7th grade teacher for the 2000-2001 school year.  Motion voted.  Yeas-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

Dr. Bradshaw reminded everyone of the Night Out Against Crime to be held from 5-9 P.M. on Tues., August 1 at Robein.  There will be demonstrations, the Humvee, Senior Strength, DARE, and Carl Cannon as speaker to parents on how their own choices affect their children’s’ choices. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ms. Skaggs/Mr. Sherwood to adjourn.  Motion voted.  Yeas-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 P.M.

 

Next meeting will be a special meeting on August 19, 2000 at 8:30 A.M.  The next regular meeting will be August 24, 2000 at 6:30 P.M.

 

 

___________________                 _________________________

Steven Buttice, President                 Christine Short, Acting Secretary