Robein School
Board of Education Meeting
June 22, 2000
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Buttice at 6:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Skaggs, Mrs. Short, Mr. Visocky, Mr. Sherwood, Mr. Buttice, Mr. Greuter, and Dr.
Bradshaw
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Knight
GUESTS: Chris Dearing, Sue Hurd, John Craig, Gail Craig, Ken Brumbaugh, Steve Broquard, Connie Broquard, Pam
Goreth, Kasey Davis, Tammy Grant, Kathy Bell, and Kevin Baker
Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mrs. Short to approve the minutes from May 25 meeting. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Chris Dearing stated that he is concerned about the large size of the 2nd grade class size with only 1 teacher. He commented that it would be better if it was split into 2 classes. He praised Ms. Onyun for doing a good job with such a large class size. Gail Craig spoke of a situation that happened to her child that could raise safety concerns. She stated that her child got locked outside of the school during class time. She also commented on the amount of time she spends teaching lessons that should have been learned in school. She was also concerned about the older and younger students being grouped together at lunch. In addition, she was concerned about some of the blue slips. She thinks that too many are being processed for situations that don’t warrant them especially for the younger children. Kasey Davis commented on a situation that happened to her child brings up safety issues. She also commented on the differences of children’s abilities and progress in 2nd grade. Steve Broquard stated large class sizes can be intimidating, and children sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Tammy Grant stated she is new to the district to the district and was told that a teacher’s aide would help with the large class. She also felt children are getting lost in the shuffle. She felt the teacher’s aide was not helping sufficiently, and was concerned that a sub was not present when aide was off. She thinks the children are not learning the basics. Sue Hurd commented she thinks a certified teacher should be there and not an aide. She stated discipline takes up too much time for the teacher and that is not an aides’ job. She would like to see class split. She is also concerned about personally conflicts between children. John Craig stated that his child is not learning what he should be and required a tutor to get his child caught up. Dr. Bradshaw commented on class size, student makeup, and safety issues. Dr. Bradshaw stated that traditionally with less than 30 students they hired a teacher’s aide. He also commented on the cost and facility availability also factor into decision to split class. Dr. Bradshaw said that he wouldn’t know class size until registration time.
Pam Goreth inquired about parking lot situation. Dr. Bradshaw commented on progress and proposed plan to control traffic flow. Mrs. Goreth inquired about the use of crossing guards.
Kathy Bell commented on teaching large class sizes. She also praised students for being very supportive while she is getting better.
Ken Brumbaugh inquired about time frame of plan for 2nd grade class. Mr. Buttice said plan will be in the works and completed before the start of school year. Mr. Buttice also commented that more than just class size will be taken into consideration when making a decision.
Dr. Bradshaw said school will receive 4 state aid payments totaling approximately $70,000 in June. He stated we are in pretty good shape considering some the expenses we have incurred, but we still have another month to go.
Mrs. Short questioned an item on the imprest fund concerning Mrs. Shadid pay. Dr. Bradshaw said she pulled sheet too early and didn’t get included in payroll. Mrs. Short asked why activity fund was negative. Dr. Bradshaw stated it was just a way of accounting. Ms. Skaggs questioned flower expense in revolving fund. Dr Bradshaw stated it was to pay for flowers from the flower sale.
Motion by Mr. Sherwood/Ms. Skaggs to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Mrs. Short inquired on mileage reimbursements to Dr. Bradshaw. Dr. Bradshaw explained that as part of his contract he is reimbursed $800.00/year. Mrs. Short questioned item #76. Dr. Bradshaw explained they were necessary for school’s computer network. Mrs. Short questioned items #80 and #81. Dr. Bradshaw explained that one bill was for kitchen waste and the other bill was for regular garbage.
Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mrs. Short to approve warrants. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Dr. Bradshaw gave handout for Administrative Continuing Education Plan for 2000-01. He commented on plan. Dr. Bradshaw also commented on Prevailing Wage Resolution. He explained how the resolution works. He also commented on calendar revision. He suggested we move school improvement day from February 16 to February 20. He stated we need 15 days between school improvement days. Dr. Bradshaw said we need a hearing for full day school improvement day. School has currently only used ½ day. Dr. Bradshaw commented on the school board convention. He stated we have been approved for Sheraton. The convention is 17-19 November. Dr. Bradshaw commented on the state track meet. Mr. Sherwood asked where difference from last years receipts came from. Dr. Bradshaw said t-shirt and gate receipts accounted for most of it. Dr. Bradshaw commented on the budget proposals he handed out. He would like to know what direction to go for setting budget. Special meeting to discuss budget is tentatively scheduled for July 12.
Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Sherwood to enter executive session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
The board entered executive session at 8:00 P.M. to discuss personnel.
Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mrs. Short to return to open session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
The board returned to open session at 8:10 P.M. The board took a recess and called the meeting back to order at 8:25 P.M. Mr. Knight arrived at 8:25 P.M.
CURRICULUM: No meeting. Dr. Bradshaw, Mrs. Bare, and Mrs. Garrison attended meetings in Springfield.
BUILDING: The roof is finished. The bleachers are finished. Asbestos removal is finished. The playground is finished.
Received quote from Turnbull Electronics to replace intercom system. Cost would be $9124.00 for system without radio and $9603.90 for system with radio/cassette. Mrs. Short commented she has been receiving complaints about playground and field not being mowed. Mr. Knight reported on vents for kitchen – 1 over dishwasher and 1 over 10 burner stove. He also reported the trophy case and pie case need safety glass installed by October 1. Discussion ensued on remodeling upper wing bathroom with new sinks, new stools, and installing doors on stalls.
POLICY: No meeting. Working on putting package together to update policy manuals.
TECHNOLOGY: No meeting.
LABOR: Meeting on June 21with teachers discussed new contract. Next scheduled meeting is July 12. Things seem to be going well.
SPORTS: No meeting. Coaches have set numbers of players for teams. Sports committee will discuss what to do with track meet money.
DISCIPLINE: Dr. Bradshaw asked for volunteer to meet with teachers and himself to discuss discipline issues. It is a mandatory advisory committee under state regulations.
Mr. Baker gave handout on national science fair competition. He commented that we have a student (Kristopher Orton) who made the state finals. Dr. Bradshaw discussed a program sponsored by the Pekin Youth Council to reward students who have turned their lives around. Dr. Bradshaw stated Allen Brunson received this award called the Law Enforcement Incentive Award.
Motion by Mr. Knight/Mr. Sherwood to accept calendar revision for 2000-01 school year. Motion voted. Yeas-7, Nays-0. Motion carried.
There was discussion on letter from Miller, Hall, and Triggs. Dr. Bradshaw is looking direction on how to pay them. He recommends the 3 payments of $6400.00 ($19,200 total).
Motion by Mr. Visocky/Mrs. Short to pay off Laura Hall litigation bill in 3 equal monthly payments of $6400.00 to Miller, Hall, and Triggs for a total of $19,200. Motion voted. Yeas-7, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Knight/Mr. Sherwood to have Turnbull Electronics replace intercom system in the amount of $9124.00. Motion voted. Yeas-7, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Skaggs/Mr. Knight to have Illinois Valley Glass replace old glass in display case with new safety glass in an amount not to exceed $3000.00. Motion voted. Yeas-7, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Skaggs/Mr. Knight to remodel upper wing boys’ bathroom with new sinks, new stools, and new stall doors. Motion voted. Yeas-7, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Knight/Ms. Skaggs to have LW Thomas Roofing Co. install one 15” vent over 10 burner stove and one 15” vent over dishwasher in kitchen.
Motion by Mrs. Short/Mr. Sherwood to approve calendar revision from 1999-2000 school year. Motion voted. Yeas-7, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Sherwood/Mr. Visocky to accept Administrative Continuing Education Plan for 2000-01 school year. Motion voted. Yeas-7, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Visocky/Ms. Skaggs to adopt prevailing wage resolution rates for 2000-01 school year. Motion voted. Yeas-7, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Mr. Visocky left the meeting at 9:50 P.M.
Dr. Bradshaw commented on the splitting of the 2nd grade class. He stated many factors are involved such as budget, facilities, size of class, and safety. Dr. Bradshaw explained some possible solutions to free up a room for another 2nd grade class. Ms. Skaggs asked about the possibility of the janitor’s room. Dr. Bradshaw said the location was not good being close to the teachers’ lounge and separated from the other 2nd grade class. Sharing materials would be difficult. Ms. Skaggs questioned whether we are utilizing our space to the best advantage. She recalled that each grade at one time had two classes. Discussion ensued on short term or long term planning for rearranging classrooms given the number of homes currently for sale in the district. Discussion ensued on cost differential between teacher’s aide and certified teacher. There was also discussion on whether to split the large kindergarten class. Ms. Skaggs commented that other schools split classes at lower numbers than our district. Mr. Buttice asked Dr. Bradshaw for an analysis of several different options to be completed by July 11. Discussion ensued on safety issues such as home lunch and children getting locked out of the building. Discussion ensued on whether to close the campus for lunch. It was consensus that it is the safest idea, but it is not the most popular. Dr. Bradshaw will send out questionnaire to parents regarding home lunch, and the building committee will analyze the results. Discussion ensued on improving details of blue slips.
EPACC sent representatives to Chicago for conference that discussed better ways to align curriculum with state standards.
Dr. Bradshaw and Mrs. Bare attended the conference from our district.
Motion by Mr. Sherwood/Mr. Knight to enter executive session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
The board entered executive session at 10:26 P.M. to discuss superintendent evaluation.
Motion by Ms. Skaggs/Mr. Knight to return to open session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
The board returned to open session at 11:30 P.M.
Motion by Mr. Knight/Mrs. Short to adjourn. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:32 P.M.
Next meeting will be a special meeting on July 11, 2000 at 6:30 P.M. The next regular meeting will be July 31, 2000 at 6:30 P.M.
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Steven Buttice, President Eric Greuter, Secretary