Robein Grade School

Board of Education Meeting

May 16, 2002

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Buttice at 6:00 p.m.

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

Mrs. Short, Mrs. Schwader

Members absent: Mr. Visocky, Mr. Dearing

Guests: Mrs. Leverton, Mrs. Doubet, Mrs. Brenning, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Hajny, Mr. Armbrust, Mr. And Mrs. Gnehm, Mrs. Beal, Mr. And Mrs. Britton, Mrs. Cunefare, Mrs. Bare, Mr. Almasy, Mr. Prince, Mr. And Mrs. Gough, Mrs. Kelson, Mr. And Mrs. Wiebing, Mr. Norvill, Mrs. Goreth, Mrs. Reeves

Approval of Minutes: Motion made Mrs. Short/Mrs. Schwader to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2002 meeting. Motion voted. Yeas-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Citizens Request: Mrs. Leverton addressed the board in reference to concerns she and other parents have concerning the size of the class going from kindergarten to first grade. Would like the board to keep in mind the welfare of the children.

Mrs. Reeves addressed to board on the status of the kindergarten class and whether or not they are being combined. Provided each member with a copy of the statement she read.

Mr. Almasy addressed the board on the debate of combining both the kindergarten classes. Is in favor of keeping smaller classes.

Mrs. Gnehm spoke to the board about the concerns she has about the potential problems that may arise affecting the far ends of the students.

Mrs. Doubet spoke on information she had obtained supporting the position of keeping class size small and the benefits to this.

Mr. Buttice advised all members of the audience that the issue would be discussed further in the new business portion of the meeting.

Mr. Prince advised the board on an option of having half-day kindergarten. He also asked about the possibility of maintaining and fixing the baseball field for the kids to use, especially with summer coming up.

Treasurer’s Report: Motion made by Mrs. Short/Mr. Van Beuning to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion voted. 5–Yeas, 0-Nays. Motion

Warrants: Motion by Mrs. Short/Mrs. Schwader to approve the warrants. Motion voted. 5–Yeas, 0-Nays.

1. Mrs. Masear updated the board on the status of EPACC and where they committee is headed this year. Science and Social Studies are going to be the areas of concern this year. Mrs. Masear and 3 teachers will be attending an EPACC retreat that will help firm up the direction the board goes.

Curriculum: No report.

Technology: No report

Sports: Mrs. Masear read a letter of thanks from the IESA thanking the school and Mrs. Masear for the work that was done by all involved. Mrs. Masear also commented on the rotation of replacing school sports uniforms. Cheerleaders are getting new uniforms this year, Baseball is next in the rotation. Also commented again on the need to have a uniform extra-curricular policy.

Policy: No report.

Labor/Negotiations: No report.

Building: See attached minutes

Mr. Dearing arrived at 6:40 p.m.

Discipline: Mrs. Masear commented on the status of possible changes in the discipline policy. Looking at the possibility of doing away with the yellow slip. Students seem to be ignoring the yellow slip and only dealing with blue slips for discipline problems. Mrs. Masear advised all parents present that she is looking for any volunteers to serve on the parent advisory discipline committee and to call the school.

1. Copy of the intergovernmental agreement with EPCHS to provide transportation services. As the copy was just received this afternoon, this issue will be deferred to the June meeting.
2. Mrs. Masear provided all board members with a copy of a letter from Midwest Transit Equipment on how we could terminate the lease and have it picked up by the EPCHS transportation section. This will also be addressed further next month.
3. Policy Manual Revision. A very thorough revision is needed and will be started over the summer. Mrs. Masear has had positive and negative feedback in reference to using the IASB policy revision service. Mrs. Masear recommended not using the service and doing this ourselves as a cost saving step.
4. Employee Insurance. Mrs. Masear commented on the status of the schools self-funded health care plan. We are comfortable where we are at, but need to be prepared for a possible 30% or more increase. Mrs. Masear will monitor the situation and keep the board informed.
5. Community Newsletter. Updated board on the newsletter and what will be included in the newsletter.

1. Computer virus/security. Several board members have been receiving viruses via e-mail. There is a virus that is going around and can bypass some anti-viral programs. Jay is looking into and provided costs of upgrading our software and security.
2. First grade classroom recommendations. Current class size stands at 33. Discussion followed addressing the pros and cons of each course. Mrs. Masear also commented on the possibility of making some cost cutting measures. Mrs. Masear recommended splitting the class with the possibility of other cost-cutting measures being presented later.
3. Employment of Al Snider for part-time seasonal maintenance/grounds position. Mrs. Masear recommends hiring Mr. Snider for this position for between 20-25 hours per week.
4. Employment of Andy Juvinall for part-time seasonal maintenance/custodial position. Mrs. Masear recommends Andy Juvinall for this position for between 20-25 hours per week.
5. Employment of Helen Hodge for Title I/Reading Improvement Teacher. Position would be for one year and totally grant funded. Mrs. Masear recommends hiring Helen Hodge for this position.
6. Employment of Melissa West for Middle school Social Studies/Language Arts Teacher. Mrs. Masear recommends Melissa West for this position. She will also be the 7^th grade homeroom teacher.
7. Resolution to appoint Mrs. Masear to develop the district’s FY 2003 budget. Board so resolved.

1. Spring music concert coming up May 23, 2002 at 6:30 p.m.
2. Awards assembly will be on May 28, 2002 at 12:45 p.m
3. Graduation will be June 3, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.

Executive Session: Motion by Mrs. Short/Mrs. Schwader to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel, negotiations, superintendent evaluation, student discipline, and legal action surrounding internet security. Motion voted. Yeas-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Board entered executive session at 7:39 p.m. Motion by to return to open session. Motion voted.

Yeas-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Board returned to open session at 10:29 p.m.

1. Motion by Mrs. Short/Mrs. Schwader to purchase computer upgrade and security software not to exceed the cost of $1,500.00. Motion voted. 6-Yeas, 0-Nays. Motion carried.
2. Motion by Mrs. Schwader/Mrs. Short to maintain the class split for the incoming 1^st grade class for school year 2002/2003. Motion voted. 6-Yeas, 0-Nays. Motion carried.
3. Motion by Mr. Knight/Mr. Dearing to hire Al Snider for the part-time seasonal maintenance/grounds position at the summer pay rate. Motion voted. 6-Yeas, 0-Nays. Motion carried.
4. Motion by Mrs. Short/Mr. Van Beuning to hire Andy Juvinall for the part-time seasonal maintenance/custodial position at the summer pay rate. Motion voted. 6-Yeas, 0-Nays. Motion carried.
5. Motion by Mrs. Schwader/Mrs. Short to hire Helen Hodge as the Title I/Reading Improvement Teacher for school year 2002/2003. Motion voted. 6-Yeas, 0-Nays. Motion carried.
6. Motion by Mrs. Short/Mrs. Schwader to hire Melissa West as the Middle School Social Studies/Language Arts Teacher for school year 2002/2003. Motion voted. 6-Yeas, 0-Nays. Motion carried.

Adjournment: Motion made by Mrs. Short/Mr. Dearing to adjourn the meeting. Motion voted. Yeas-6, Nays-0. Motion carried. The meeting ended at 10:29 p.m.

Next regular meeting is scheduled for June 20, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.

____________________ ______________________

Steve Buttice, President Jeff Knight, Secretary