Robein Grade School
Board of Education Meeting
March 21, 2002
The
meeting was called to order by Mrs. Short at 6:03 p.m.
Members
present: Mr. Buttice, Mr. Knight, Mr.
Van Beuning,
Mrs. Short, Mr. Visocky, Mrs. Schwader,
Superintendent Masear
Members
absent: Mr. Dearing
Guests: Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Hippen, Mr. Vandemore, Mr.
And Mrs. Britton,
Mr. Norvill, WHOI Representative
Approval of Minutes: Motion made by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Van Beuning to approve the minutes
of February 25, 2002, and February 26, 2002, as amended. Motion voted. Yeas-6,
Nays-0. Motion carried.
Citizens Request: Mr. Britton addressed the board in relation to the notification
and filling of the recent vacancy on the board. He suggested that the board get
the word out in a more complete and timely manner if this situation were to
arise again. He also went on to say that the outcome may not have been
different, but that notice needs to be more public.
Treasurer’s Report: Motion made by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Van Beuning to
approve the treasurer’s report. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Warrants: Mrs. Masear pointed out that #26/East Peoria
Elementary Schools was the rest of the years payment for our Early Childhood
Program participation. Mrs. Short had a question on #66 State of Illinois/Fire
Marshall. This was the expense from our regular 2 year boiler inspection which
was due this year. Motion made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Buttice to approve the
warrants. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Superintendent’s Report:
A.
Mrs.
Masear reported on information obtained by Mr. Vandemore on the
harassment/bullying in grades 5-7 and the number of blue slips issued for those
infractions. As a result, the staff has been brainstorming possible solutions
for issuance of blue/yellow slips. Staff will attempt to keep yellow slips more
towards organizational violations and will reduce the emphasis on the
non-return of yellow slips as it may detract from the original infraction. They
are also going to have the office staff do more in the way of tracking the
issued slips.
B.
Mrs.
Masear reported on two recent inspections the school had. First was an
unannounced inspection by the Tazewell County Health Department for our food
service area. The facility and staff
obtained a 100% rating! The second was our Life/Safety inspection. This was
passed with no problems noted. The board was also advised that the 10 year
Life/Safety survey needs to be completed within the next 1 ˝ years. Mrs. Masear
will be meeting with the architects in May to start this process.
C.
Insurance.
Current bill is $17,000 and we have been told to expect a 25% increase in the
next year on the building. Workman’s compensation insurance will cost
approximately $6,000 this year and will increase. Is not expected to increase
as much as the building insurance.
D.
Kindergarten
registration has been completed. Current total enrollment for kindergarten is
at 19 with one known to be in the district but not yet registered. As a result,
only one kindergarten teacher will be needed for the 2002-2003 school year. The
third grade class has come along well and will no longer need to be split in
the 2002-2003 school year.
Curriculum: No report.
Technology: Met on March 19, 2002. The new computers
and office furniture for the computer lab are in. Plans are for the new
equipment to be installed over spring break. The library will be shut down for
2 days next week in order to prepare for installation of this equipment. We are
also looking to buy another computer projector to assist in displaying lessons.
Sports: No report.
Policy: No report.
Labor/Negotiations:
No
report.
Building: Met on March 21, 2002. The
sewer back-up in the locker room was caused by a blockage about 35 feet in the
drain, right before the pump. This has been cleared and no other problems
noted. The boiler alarm was caused by a build-up past the pressure limit.
Problem has been fixed and will be looking at possible ways to insure the
system is being properly maintained. A possible summer project is redoing the
boiler pipes in Mr. Baker’s room. Mrs. Masear obtained a good bid on white
boards. Four are being ordered (2-12’x12’ for Bare and Brown’s
rooms/2-12’x16’Baker and Vandemore,s rooms). There are 2 possible problem areas
on the upper grade roof. Will have the roofing company check them out as soon
as possible. Cipher came in and took measurements for the sound system in the
gym. They will be providing a bid for the work soon. Questions were raised on
some of the extras we would like to have (ie. Wireless microphone, hook-in for
Mrs. Bells’ music equipment). Lower grade boys bathroom sinks are all that is
left to change over. Mr. Knight is looking into costs for a wash basin. Looking
at having 2 summer maintenance positions, one for the building and one for
grounds. There are several loose tiles in Ms. Passmore’s room and other
locations throughout the school. The Life/Safety plan needs to be reviewed and
updated. Mrs. Masear will meet with the architect to start the process. North
end of the 5-8 wing is very dark even with lights on. Need to improve, another
possible summer project. A new surface is needed for the playground and new
swings need to be ordered. We also need to re-gravel the driveway for the
buses. Next meeting will be April 11, 2002, at 3:00 p.m.
Discipline: No report.
Audience Participation: None
Old Business:
A.
2002-2003
school calendar. Tentative start date would be August 21, 2002, with the
teachers starting August 19, 2002, for 2 teacher institute days. 4 ˝ School
improvement days are included. School is set to end May 30, 2003 if no snow
days are used, and June 6, 2003, if all snow days are used.
B.
Mr.
Dearing has stepped up and volunteered to coach the school track team.
C.
Ms.
Dallinger is the recommended choice for the school girls softball team.
New Business:
A.
Attempts
to locate a replacement school bus driver have not been successful. EPCHS has
stepped up and is helping. Discipline problems on the bus are down. Mrs. Masear
is continuing to talk to the high school administrator about setting up an
intergovernmental agreement to continue using the high school as our
transportation source. Taking this route appears to be a cost saving step as
well.
B.
Mrs.
Masear recommended a complete review and renovation of the School board policy
manual to start this summer and continuing until complete (about 8-10 months).
Information was provided on the services the IASB provides to assist the
district in this. Cost would be about $4,000.
C.
Mrs.
Masear recommended looking into having a uniform code for extracurricular
activities. Would like to have the Sports and Discipline committee’s work
together on this with the Sports committee starting and presenting a rough
draft for the Discipline committee to review.
D.
The
board extended its congratulations to the 7th grade girls volleyball
team on winning their Regional, and Sectional titles and qualifying for the
state tournament. And also to the girls that competed in the regional music
contest.
Other Business:
A.
Mrs.
Masear reported on a diversity mini-grant that was obtained. As a result, there
will be two upcoming presentations. On April 17, at 1:45 P.M., there will be a
puppet show put on for the K-4 students by a group called “Kids on the Block.”
On April 29, at 9:30 A.M., there will be a guest speaker for grades 5-8. Mrs.
Masear is keeping the speaker anonymous for now, but we will be sharing the
cost and use of him with the high school.
Executive Session: Motion by Mr. Buttice/Mr. VanBuening to enter
executive session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. The board
entered executive session at 7:00 p.m. to discuss employment and executive
session minute review. Motion made by Mr. Knight/Mr. Visocky to return to open
session. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. The board returned to
open session at 9:45 p.m.
Motions:
1.
Motion
made by Mr. Buttice/Mrs. Schwader to approve the school calendar for year
2002-2003 as presented. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
2.
Motion
made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. Buttice to approve the hiring of Chris Dearing as Track
team coach. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
3.
Motion
made by Mr. Buttice/Mr. VanBeuning to approve the hiring of Cindy Dallinger as
softball coach. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
4.
Motion
made by Mr. Visocky/Mr. VanBeuning to increase the position of Dean/Assistant
Principal to a full time position effective July 1, 2002 for FY 2003. Motion
voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
5.
Motion
made by Mr. Buttice/Mr. Visocky presenting a resolution to release Emily
Keefner. Motion voted. Yeas-5, Nays-0, Abstain-1. Motion carried
6.
Motion
made by Mr. VanBeuning/Mr. Buttice presenting a resolution to release Heather
Passmore. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried.
7.
Motion
made by Mr. Buttice/Mrs. Schwader to release the executive
session minutes from March – December 2001. Motion
voted. Yeas-6,
Nays-0. Motion carried.
Adjournment: Motion made by Mr. Knight/Mr. Buttice to adjourn the
meeting. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. The meeting ended at
10:01 p.m.
Next
regular meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.
____________________
______________________
Chris
Short, President Jeff Knight, Secretary