West Central Reporter

Macomb Community Unit School District 185 Board of Education met February 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Board President Matt Bierman called the meeting to order in the C.T. Vivian Library at Macomb Jr./Sr. High School. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll was taken with the following members present: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Myers, Bierman, Thompson and La Prad.

The Board recognized the following individuals:

• Alia Stone, Senior of the Month for the month of January 2017.

• The MJHS Cheerleading Team and coaches for finishing 2nd at the IESA State Cheerleading Competition.

• Members of Ukulele Macomb for assisting Erin Stegall during her class unit on ukulele.

Dr. Twomey advised the Board visited Merikay Potter’s classroom before the start of the meeting to see her Project Tech students working on their projects. The Board appreciated the chance to see this first project-based learning class in action and Dr. Twomey noted the students were not just busy but doing valuable work and enjoying what they were doing.

Mr. Bierman noted the Board would hold a special meeting/work session Tuesday, March 7 at 5:00 p.m at the Administrative Service Center. Member La Prad spoke about his experience at the Alliance Legislative Summit in Springfield where he heard presentations from Jim Burgett, Ralph Martire, and State Superintendent Dr. Tony Smith. He was impressed with Dr. Smith and felt he will do well for education in Illinois. The search for an effective way to fund education in Illinois continues.

Dr. Twomey shared the following information:

• Superintendents’ Summit – a valuable professional development experience. Full report at March Board meeting.

• FOIA Request: SmartProcure

• April 4 Election: Six candidates on ballot for four 4-year terms. No one filed for the 2-year unexpired term. The Board will appoint someone to that term following the election.

• WIU Outreach Summit – opportunity for dual enrollment classes to be taught on MHS campus by WIU professors if we have enrollment of 15 or more. These courses would be included in registration materials. WIU is offering a tuition reduction program, so students will pay $300 and get college credit. Once the program is established, support from local businesses in the way of scholarships will be sought. Mr. Bierman emphasized this is a dual enrollment program, not a dual credit program.

• WIU Career Fair – will be happening again and will be of benefit to the District.

• MiFi Verizon – a plan from Verizon at a rate of $30/mo with unlimited data. There can be 10 devices hooked to one MiFi account. It may be possible to use in housing areas where families gather so kids can access.

• Classroom Spotlight – more next month. Jenna Urish – Edison 5th grade teacher, is doing a unit on weather and her class skypes live with weathermen out of the Quad Cities about forecasting and delivering the weather. The students also did their own weather reporting with a backdrop.

Member Adams moved, and member Myers seconded, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented, which included: Minutes from the January 23, 2017 regular Board meeting, Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Board Report, Bills and Payroll, Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (.05 levy), Financial Update on Life Safety Projects, Monthly Activity Account Reports, Monthly Food Service Report, State Funding Update, and WCISEC Financial and Personnel. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Myers, Bierman, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Torrance moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meeting held during January 23, 2017 regular Board meeting. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Myers, Bierman, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Member Thompson abstained.

Member Thompson moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve the following recommendations regarding personnel:

Certificated Staff:

Cynthia Lovejoy, Grade 1 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, requesting retirement under the 2016- 2020 contract, effective end of the 2020-2021 school year. Merikay Potter, Business Teacher, Macomb Senior High School, requesting retirement under the 2016- 2020 contract, effective end of the 2020-2021 school year. Educational Support Staff:

Termination:

Ulysses Williams, Part Time Custodian, Macomb Junior Senior High School, effective February 15, 2017. Employment:

Todd Copes, Part Time Custodian, Macomb Junior Senior High School, 4 hours per day, 12 month contract, effective February 22, 2017 (replaces Williams) (was sub custodian). Scott Valenta, Program Assistant, Macomb Senior School, 29 hours per week, effective February 14, 2017 (replaces M. Smith). Chelsea Zachary, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, 29 hours per week, effective February 14, 2017 (replaces Farag). Co-Curricular Staff: Employment:

John Widener, Assistant Boys Track Coach, Macomb Junior High School, Level 8, effective 2016-2017 season. Cameron Yeater, Head Boys Track Coach, Macomb Junior High School, Level 6, effective 2016-2017 season. Resignation:

Shawna McLaughlin, Cheer Coach, (1/2 shared stipend), Macomb Junior High School, effective February 17, 2017. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Myers, Bierman, Thompson and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Dr. Twomey advised the MHS Math Team competed at Regionals on Saturday and did extremely well. They competed against other 2A schools that are much bigger than we are and did as well or better than many of them, placing first or second in almost every category.

Dr. Twomey presented a draft of the 2017-18 School District calendar for review. He advised there was still some discussion to be had regarding length of winter break and whether to return January 2 or 3. The Board will review the final proposed calendar and consider approval at the March meeting.

Member Thompson moved, and member Adams seconded, to approve 2:125-E1, Resolution to Regulate Expense Reimbursements. Dr. Twomey advised the maximum allowable reimbursement amount for Board members and District staff is the amount budgeted for professional development. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Myers, Bierman, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

The Board reviewed the CTS building assessment proposal. The firm will provide cost figures for updates to existing District facilities and will include the high school and the option for using the old Spoon River College building as the middle school. Member Myers moved, and member Thompson seconded, to approve the CTS building assessment proposal. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Myers, Bierman, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Thompson moved, and member La Prad seconded, to declare the 1997 Ford 350 wagon van surplus for sale or disposal. Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Myers, Bierman, Thompson and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

At 7:53 p.m., member Thompson moved, and member Duncan seconded, to hold a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), the purchase or lease of real property, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5), pending or imminent litigation, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11), and to review closed minutes and audio recordings from closed meetings, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) and 2.06(d). Members voting “yes”: Duncan, Torrance, Adams, Myers, Bierman, Thompson, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

The Board returned to open session at 10:10 p.m. Member Torrance moved, and member Thompson seconded, to adjourn at 10:11 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote.

http://www.macomb185.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/594