The Greenfield Community Unit School District No. 10 Board of Education met Sept. 19 to provide fundraiser updates.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:
The seven members of the school board have broad authority to adopt and enforce all necessary policies for the management and government of the public schools in the district.
THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF GREENFIELD COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 September 19, 2016
The Board of Education of Greenfield Community Unit School District No. 10 met in regular session in the Administrative Office on September 19, 2015.
1. President Russ Bishop called the Budget Hearing to order at 6:45 p.m. Upon roll call the following members were present: Chris Goode, Rodney Knittel, Elliott Turpin, Brandi Rynders and Russ Bishop. Also present were Superintendent Kevin Bowman, Elementary Principal Chris Raynor, Ron Plogger, Kevin Heid, Tony Audo, Patrick Bowman, Karen Dennis, Rhonda Bauer and Becky McClelland. The FY17 Budget shows a projected deficit, but a deficit reduction plan is not required at this time. There was no comment from the public. Knittel motioned to close the budget hearing and Goode seconded. Upon roll call Rynders, Goode, Knittel, Turpin and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried. Budget Hearing was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
2. President Russ Bishop called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Upon roll call the following members were present: Chris Goode, Rodney Knittel, Elliott Turpin, Brandi Rynders and Russ Bishop. Josh Roberts and Chris Weller were absent. Also present were Superintendent Kevin Bowman, Elementary Principal Chris Raynor, Ron Plogger, Kevin Heid, Tony Audo, Patrick Bowman, Karen Dennis, Robin Klingler, Danielle Staples, Rhonda Bauer, and Becky McClelland.
3. Superintendent Bowman requested that Information Item R-Greenfield-Northwestern Coop Update be added to the agenda. A motion was made by Goode and seconded by Rynders to approve the amended agenda as presented. Upon roll call Rynders, Goode, Knittel, Turpin and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
4. Knittel motioned and Rynders seconded to approve the regular and executive minutes of the August 15, 2016 board meeting and the minutes of the August 23, 2016 special board meeting as presented. Upon roll call Turpin, Goode, Knittel, Rynders and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
5. Knittel motioned and Goode seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon roll call Turpin, Rynders, Goode, Knittel and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See Exhibit No. 1 attached to the Official Minutes)
(Chris Weller entered the meeting at 7:10 p.m.)
6. President Bishop introduced Robyn Klingler and Danielle Staples of Scheffel Boyle and Co. who presented the FY16 Annual Financial Report. Copies of the summary pages were distributed and discussed. Greenfield CUSD #10 was rated at 3.55 which is Recognition Status. Robyn Klingler commended our district in maintaining 3.55 score in spite of the difficult financial times that public school districts are in. (See Exhibit No. 2 attached to the Official Minutes)
7. Northwestern Superintendent Patrick Bowman and teacher Karen Dennis presented an opportunity for Greenfield CUSD #10 to participate in a Birth to 3 Early Childhood program.
Northwestern currently has a grant for a Birth to 3 program which includes home visits, play groups, newsletters, field trips and referrals for special services. Greenfield would provide a classroom for play groups to meet, but all other costs including salaries, benefits, supplies, transportation costs are paid by the Birth to 3 grant. Northwestern would handle all grant requirements. Ms. Dennis spoke about the importance of early childhood brain development and how this program can help identify at-risk children.
8. District Architect, Tony Audo, spoke about options in renovating the Elementary gym. The 10-year Health/Life/Safety survey has mandated that the carpet must be removed from the floor of the gym by November of 2017. Audo identified several areas of concern that included incorrectly installed flashing that caused numerous leaks. He does not recommend replacing any flooring until all leaks have been identified and repaired. Audo also reported that current supporting posts cannot be removed. He is recommending a 24 x 100 foot expansion that would increase seating capacity to 350 and add storage space. Approximate costs are difficult to predict until the building is opened up, but he calculates an approximate cost of $150 per square foot. The gym floor would be expanded to where the current bleachers are. The west wall would be open to an addition to house the larger bleacher area. The District is in favor of a 30 x 100 foot expansion.
9. Kevin Heid, of Stifel, Nicolaus Co. Inc., spoke to the Board of Education about Alternate Revenue Bonds as a financing option for the gym renovation. These bonds are backed by a proven revenue stream such as County Sales Tax funds. The District must prove that the dedicated revenue covers 125% of the annual debt service. Current interest rates on Alternate Revenue bond will be in the 2.5 – 2.9% range for a 10-year fixed bond.
10. Superintendent Bowman distributed copies of the District Administrative Strategic Planning Targets. He explained that this plan is an ongoing process with updated goals added each year and explained which targets have been met during the past year.
11. Elliott Turpin reported on the Greenfield Foundation for Educational Excellence. The foundation is retaining the current slate of officers for the coming year and planning their fall fundraiser.
12. Ron Plogger reported on Transportation/Facilities:
-Bus #10 will require an estimated $7800 worth of repairs -Southside Hardware has completed the installation of two boiler tanks at the high
school and the elementary -The bricks at the football field have been added and field lights are operational -Football scoreboard had water leaking which has caused some issues with bulbs
and is now repaired -Elementary Kitchen commercial refrigerator needs a new compressor at a cost of
$1,000-$1,500 -High School gym drainage issue—District needs to install and trench in drainage
pipes to the north to get water away from the facility
13. Superintendent Bowman reported on:
-Reviewed the Reading and Math Curriculum Committee notes -Elementary and High School Fundraiser updates for 16-17 -Sixth Day Enrollment numbers -Annual Application for Recognition of Schools
-Salary Compensation Report (P.A. 96-0434) -Personnel-Accept resignation of Elementary Yearbook sponsor -Personnel-Hire Elementary yearbook sponsor -Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report -Early Graduation request
14. Superintendent Bowman presented three board policies as an information item for the first reading by the Board of Education. They include policies: 2:70-Vacancies on the School Board; 7:270-Administering Medicines to Students; and 8:90- Parent Organization and Booster Clubs. (See Exhibit No. 3 attached to the Official Minutes)
15. Superintendent Bowman reported that the annual Crisis Plan meeting was well attended by staff and local officials. The plan has been updated and distributed. Evacuation plans have been practiced at both schools.
16. Superintendent Bowman announced the Greenfield-Northwestern Sports Coop Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at the District Office. The meeting has now been re-scheduled for October 5, 2016.
17. Knittel motioned and Rynders seconded to adopt the FY17 Budget as presented. Upon roll call Weller, Rynders, Knittel, Turpin, Goode and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See Exhibit No. 4 attached to the Official Minutes)
18. It was motioned by Turpin and seconded by Weller to approve the 2016-2017 Application for Recognition of Schools. Upon roll call Rynders, Knittel, Turpin, Goode, Weller and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
19. Goode motioned and Knittel seconded to accept the resignation of Katie LaPlant as Elementary Yearbook sponsor. Upon roll call Knittel, Turpin, Goode, Weller, Rynders and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
20. Knittel motioned and Goode seconded to hire Jill Pembrook as Elementary Yearbook sponsor. Upon roll call Turpin, Goode, Weller, Rynders, Knittel and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
21. Knittel motioned and Weller seconded to authorize Greenfield CUSD #10 to partner with Northwestern CUSD #2 on the Birth to 3 Early Childhood Education Grant. Upon roll call Turpin, Goode, Weller, Rynders, Knittel and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
22. Turpin motioned and Rynders seconded to approve the resolution providing for the issue of approximately $400,000 taxable general obligation limited tax school bonds, series 2016, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof. Upon roll call Goode, Weller, Rynders, Knittel, Turpin and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See Exhibit No. 5 attached to the Official Minutes)
23. Weller motioned and Knittel seconded to approve the early graduation request from Alyssa Buhl. Upon roll call Rynders, Knittel, Turpin, Goode, Weller and Bishop voted “Aye”. Motion carried. 24. Other Business:
-Beth Bettis noted there will not be a pep rally on the square during Homecoming week. The pep rally will be held prior to the bonfire at Palmyra on Wednesday, September 28th. -Discussion was held on the timeline and financing options for Elementary gym renovation. Consensus reached was to have Kevin Heid return at the October board meeting with plans in place to issue Alternate Revenue Bonds. This process will take three-four months to complete.
25. It was announced the Two Rivers Dinner meeting will be held October 22, 2015 at Lonzerotti’s in Jacksonville, Illinois.
26. Rynders made a motion and Knittel seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Rodney Knittel _________________________________
Vice-President
Joshua Roberts _________________________ Secretary
1. Budget Hearing 2. Regular Meeting 3. Amended Agenda approved 4. Minutes approved 5. Amended Consent agenda approved 6. FY16 Audit Report 7. Birth to 3 ECE Grant 8. Elementary Gym Renovation-Tony Audo 9. Elementary Gym Renovation Finance-Kevin Heid 10. Administrative Strategic Planning Targets 11. GFFEE Report 12. Transportation/Facilities 13. Superintendent Report 14. Board Policies-2:70, 7:270, 8:90 15. Crisis Plan Update 16. Greenfield-Northwestern Sports Coop meeting 17. Adopted FY17 Budget 18. Approved Application for Recognition of Schools 19. Accepted Resignation-Katie LaPlant-Yearbook Sponsor 20. Hired Jill Pembrook-Elementary Yearbook Sponsor 21. Approved Birth-3 ECE Grant with Northwestern CUSD #2 22. Approved Resolution issuing $400,000 of Working Cash Bonds 23. Approved early graduation request-Alyssa Buhl 24. Invited Kevin Heid back to October board meeting to discuss bonds 25. Two Rivers Meeting-October 22, 2016 26. Adjourned
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