West Central Reporter

The Pawnee Community Unified School District 11 Board of Education met July 21 to discuss tuition waivers for the children of teachers who live out of district.

The board meets on the third Thursday of each month. An executive session begins at 6 p.m., followed by the open session at 7 p.m.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the district:

Board of Education Pawnee Community Unit School District #11 Thursday, July 21, 2016

Action 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Vice-President Ward called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm

Members present: Kern, Shelton, Starr, Ward Members absent: Adcock, Craigmiles, Wort Administrators Present: Alexander, Loftus, and Recording Secretary, Hamilton

Info 2. Request Closed Session to discuss the employment, compensation,

resignation of specific employees of the District, collective bargaining matters between the District and its employees or their representative, student discipline and to discuss pending or probable litigation as provided by 5ILCS120/2(C)1,2,9, and 11. Motion: Adjourn to Executive session at 6:38 to discuss the employment, compensation, resignation of specific employees of the District, collective bargaining matters between the District and its employees or their representative, student discipline and to discuss pending or probable litigation as provided by 5ILCS 120/2(C)1,2,9, and 11.

Motion: Kern Second: Starr Ayes: Kern, Shelton, Starr, Ward

Vice-President Ward declared the meeting open at 7:09 p.m.

Motion: Seal the minutes of Executive Session.

Motion: Kern Second: Ward Ayes: 4-0

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-please stand if able

Info 3. Communications None

Info 4. Good News Reports

Action 5. Approval of Minutes Action 5.1 Approve regular board meeting minutes of June 16, 2016 Motion: Approve the 6/16/16 regular board meeting minutes.

Motion: Starr Second: Kern Ayes: 4-0

Action 6. Approval of Financial Reports and Expenditures Action 6.1 Consideration and approval of financial reports and expenditures Superintendent Alexander reported that the June Financial Report showed the district to be within budget but due to the shortfall in Corporate Tax we spent $99,579.10 more than we received in all funds. The district has not received the repayment plan for the Corp Tax overpayment which was explained at the prior meeting.

Motion: Approve bills of $518,886.65; addendum bills of $79,468.00; and the financial reports.

Motion: Ward Second: Kern Ayes: Kern, Shelton, Starr, Ward

Info 7. Recognition of Visitors

Info 8. Administrative Reports Principal Loftus reported: Registration Day will be Aug 4; the Pre-k Grant 5 Yr Program is now available for completion, the plan is for full day program for 4 yr olds plus 2 adults per 20 students, and a Parent Coordinator stipend; the present kindergarten enrollment is at 59 and is in 3 sections, if the enrollment increases to 61 it will necessitate 4 sections.

Superintendent Alexander reported: now that the State will be funding State Aid at 100% of the Foundation Level, the district will receive an additional $19,000 for 2016/17; there are still coaching positions open and posted outside the unit office door; SAT testing will replace the PARCC and will be funded. The possibility of a tuition waiver for the children of out of district teaching staff is still being researched. The PEA has been asked for their input.

9. Old Business Action 9.1 Consideration and approval of Elementary and Jr/Sr High Handbook for 2016-2017 “Parent consent for Password” has been added to the Handbook. It was also clarified that a student “may” be subject to discipline in a self-defense situation. Motion: Approve the 2016/17 Elementary and Jr/Sr High Handbooks as amended.

Motion: Starr Second: Kern Ayes: Kern, Shelton, Starr, Ward

10. New Business Action 10.1 Consideration and approval regarding extra-curricular hiring Motion: Approve the employment of Tom Garvin as JH Asst. Baseball coach for 2016/17.

Motion: Shelton Second: Kern Ayes: Kern, Shelton, Starr, Ward

Motion: Approve the employment of Abby Salzeider as HS Girls’ Asst. Basketball coach for 2016/17.

Motion: Shelton Second: Starr Ayes: Kern, Shelton, Starr, Ward

Action 10.2 Consideration and approval of junior high baseball volunteers Motion: Approve volunteer Baseball coaches, Edwin Rodriguez, Dave Jones, and Tristen Gary for 2016/17 as requested by Coach Hennemann.

Motion: Kern Second: Starr

Ayes: 4-0

Action 10.3 Consideration and approval of fuel bids for 2016-2017 school year Motion: Approve the low bidder, Home Oil for 2016/17.

Motion: Ward Second: Kern Ayes: Kern, Shelton, Starr, Ward

Action 10.4 Consideration and approval of milk bids for 2016-2017 school year Motion: Approve the low bidder, Prairie Farms for 2016/17.

Motion: Kern Second: Starr Ayes: Kern, Shelton, Starr, Ward

Action 10.5 Consideration and approval of inter-fund loan from working cash

fund to Fire Prevention/Safety fund in the amount of $262,000

Motion: Approve an Inter-Fund loan from the Working Cash Fund to Fire Prevention/Safety Fund in the amount of $262,000.00 to cover the roof work.

Motion: Kern Second: Starr Ayes: Kern, Starr, Ward Nays: Shelton Shelton would prefer to build cash reserves by issuing the bonds now instead of waiting until the prior bond issue is paid off. Ward voted yes but would prefer to not issue bonds and just pay for the work with cash reserves in the Working Cash Fund.

Action 11. Adjournment Motion: Adjourn the meeting at 8:08 p.m.

Motion: Shelton Second: Ward Ayes: Kern, Shelton, Starr, Ward

Next regular meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for— Thursday, August 18, 2016 Pawnee School Cafeteria 6:00 p.m.—executive session 7:00 p.m. - regular session

Pawnee Grade School Board Report 7/21/2016

o Pawnee Grade School Enrollment PFA PreK (Grant)

Tuition

ECE Kdg 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th PreK

27 10 3 59

(3 sect.)

59 (3 sect.)

40 (2 sect.)

42 (2 sect.)

46 (3 sect.)

49 (3 sect.)

38 (2 sect.)

Total 333 K-6 373 PK-6 Notes: The Grant Program can have up to 35. The ECE classroom (PM only) has two openings. Tuition ended the year at 12 and is currently starting with 10. All numbers are current as of 6.15.2016

Good News Report:

Summer School Report 41 of the 50 students registered attended. Attendance was good; even after the 4th of July holiday. Adjustments to next year’s program include, extending the day by 30 minutes, extending the program from 3 to 4 weeks, and employing aides to assist with the specialized program. This program’s cost be incorporated into the Title I Grant.

Administrative Update:

Personnel

o Aide needs for next year: 1 FTE PE, 1 FTE Program Aide for Special Education,.5 FTE

Program Aide for Early Childhood (.5 would be the only new need at this time)

Suspensions

Student/Parent Handbook Updates

ACCESS TO STUDENT SOCIAL NETWORKING PASSWORDS AND WEBSITES

School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student’s account on a social networking website that violates a school disciplinary rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be asked to share the content that is reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination. Parents will be consulted in these instances. The school will ask for the parent/guardian’s permission to access student social networking passwords and websites, if the information would be helpful in the school’s investigation.

Academic Program PreK RFP opened suddenly with a submittal date of August 15.

None to report