Western Community Unit School District No. 12 Board of Education met Monday, Oct. 17.
The Western Community Unit School District No. 12 Board of Education includes seven members who adopt, enforce and monitor all policies for the management and governance of the district's schools.
Here the minutes as provided by Western Community Unit School District No. 12:
WESTERN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #12 BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
OCTOBER 17, 2016, AT 6:00 P.M.
WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERA
401 McDONOUGH STREET, BARRY, ILLINOIS
The Western Community Unit School District #12 Board of Education met in Regular Session on Monday, October 17, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. in the WHS Cafeteria, 401 McDonough Street, in Barry, Illinois. President Orc Weir called the meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. The meeting began late as there was a well attended public meeting at 5:00 p.m. that included Pike County Law Enforcement and Western School Officials addressing upcoming ALICE (armed school intruder) training and procedures. Other Board of Education members present included: Vice-President Inky Shover; Secretary James Broeckling; Member Chris Borrowman; Member Tyler Patterson; and Member Ayca Raif. Member Shane Fee arrived at 6:20 p.m. Administrators present included: Interim Superintendent Terry A. Robertson; Assistant Principa, Curriculum Director, and Presumptive Superintendent Jessica Funk; WES/WHS Principal Connie Thomas; and Junior High Principal Jerud VanDyke. Also present was Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and District Bookkeeper Teresa Schulz. Visitors presenting included: Coy Bainter of the Western Athletic Boosters; Rick Shover, Community Member and Western Baseball Coach; Auditor Lowell Yates of Gray, Hunter, and Stenn Accountants. Visitors present included: Maggi Broeckling; Larry & Kristin Turner; Heather Campbell; and Amanda Haskins. Students present included: Emma Raftery and Lonita Ash. Western Employees present included; Teachers Jo Lynn Tappe and Amy Rhymer; and Para Jane Ralph. Members of the Press included: Jim Filbert of the Pike County Express; Justin Cobb of The Pike Press; and Adam Kirgan of The Paper.
Under Requests to Address:
Invited guest Auditor Lowell Yates of Gray, Hunter, and Stenn, Public Accountants, provided a summary of the Audit Report. He indicated Western is making steady progress financially despite woeful state financial funding. His Report included the Illinois State Board of Education School District Profile Estimated Designation of 3.45, which he termed nearing an A- if a grade was assigned. More importantly this Score is up from the 3.35 Score in 2015 and the 3.00 Score in 2014. These improved scores are bittersweet at best, because in order to comply with the rating System designated by ISBE, Western has had to make painful cuts in recent years, and the financial status of the State of Illinois providing funds lawfully owed to the District does not appear to be any better on the horizon. So, meeting the standards of reporting finances in Illinois Schools continues to be at the expense of students.
Coy Bainter of the Western Athletic Boosters provided an update regarding Boosters Fundraising, Calendar and narrowing down a Logo. The Board and Superintendents appreciate the needed support of the Boosters, who have thus far provided $15,632.00 to Western Athletics.
Rick Shover, representing Western Baseball Teams, requested the District provide $1,000.00 for concrete for dugout improvements. Mr. Shover indicated he had volunteer labor lined up to do the necessary Work. Superintendent Robertson recommended accepting the proposal and to use 1% funds for this project.
Parent Amanda Haskins addressed the Board regarding bullying issues.
The Board approved the Auditor Report: Motion by Broeckling; seconded by Weir. Roll call vote: PatterSon, yes, Weir, yes; Broeckling, yes; Fee, no; Borrowman, yes; Shover, yes; and Raif, yes. 6 yes; 1 no. Motion Carried.
Under Consent Agenda:
The Board approved the Consent Agenda. Motion by Weir; seconded by Borrowman. Roll call vote: Broeckling, yes; Weir, yes; Shover, yes; Patterson, yes; Fee, yes; Borrowman, yes; Raif, yes. 7 yes; 0 no. Motion carried.
Under Superintendent Reports:
Interim Superintendent Robertson reported the City of Barry will convene a Joint Review Meeting on Thursday, October 27, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. to review how the City used their funds derived from the TIF District.
Presumptive Superintendent Funk reported on the Active Shooter Informational Drill Meeting with a good turnout of parents held at 5:00 p.m. prior to the Board meeting, which included some excellent dialogue and questions. Western thanked Officer Thompson and the Pike County Law Enforcement Personnel for their involvement.
Presumptive Superintendent Funk reported on the NISL. Training she and Principal Thomas had attended on Thursday and Friday of last week, sponsored by the Tracy Foundation and commended the program as an excellent training opportunity for school leaders.
Interim Superintendent Robertson reported the Western Division IASBO Meeting will be held October 20" in Quincy.
The Board approved the request for concrete for dugouts on the baseball facilities in Kinderhook. Motion by Raif.; seconded by Weir. Roll call vote: Raif, yes; Fee, yes; Patterson, yes: Borrowman, yes; Broeckling, yes; Shover, yes; and Weir, yes. 7 yes; 0 no. Motion carried.
Under Principal Reports:
WES/WHS Principal Connie Thomas reported on the following:
Positive feedback from Teachers attending the Quincy Conference on October 6" and 7"
Western will receive a Walmart Community Grant of $250.00
Senator Sam McCann will be at Western on October 18" to be a "Principal of the Day".
Parent-Teacher Conferences wift be this Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Friday from 8-11 a.m.
Elementary - Special Person's Day - 4 and 5 Grade is October 18 at 7:30 a.m. K-1 had 51 students and 50 special people. 2-3 had 43 students and 43 special people.
PTO Fun Night is October 28 from 6-8 p.m.
High School-PCC Wolleyball Tournament is in Brussels this week. We will have a fan bus available if students sign up.
PBIS reward for 2" quarter is Taco Tuesday on December 13". Free lunch and games provided. Students can have no unexcused absences, no office referrals, and no F's on the eligibility report.
Junior High Principal Jerud VanDyke reported on the following:
September Students of the Month
Bullying prevention Month - started Bullying Prevention Month October 12 in PBIS Advisory lessons. Discussions will take place throughout the month.
Unity Week - Celebrated to prevent bullying. Wednesday is Orange Day.
Class of the Year - A spreadsheet with data including referrals, homework, behavior, and performance.
Halloween Dress Up Day - October 31. Students can use 30 Care Cards to dress up for Halloween.
PBIS - Pay to Play for S1 this past Friday for advisory.
Failing Students - Number down to less than one-half of last year at this time.
Tardy procedures to be followed by staff for students who are tardy.
Western Early Childhood Coordinator Kathleen Schlueter provided the Board with the October Pre-K Program Report.
Under Committee Reports:
The HVAC Project in the Barry Gym is well under way and classes should be able to return to the gym this week. Attic and outside work is still in progress.
There will be a Building and Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday Nov. 3 at 7:30 a.m. This is 2 weeks early but we have data available and need more lead time prior to the November Board meeting to process planning needed for future projects.
The Board accepted a bid for a 14 Passenger White Bus from Southern Bus and Mobility recommended by Interim Superintendent Robertson at a bid cost of $49,989. Southern is the State Bid Winner. Central States Bus Sales offered a bid of $57,539. Motion by Broeckling; seconded by Shover. Roll call vote: Broeckling, yes; Weir, yes; Shover, yes; Patterson, yes; Fee, yes; Borrowman, yes; and Raif, yes. 7 yes; 0 no. Motion carried.
Presumptive Superintendent Funk discussed Press Plus Policy and Animal Therapy Dog Policy Language (1st reading), Drug Overdose Counter Action (which was tabled as local belief by Administration and Board was it included an unrealistic position of school officials acting as medical personnel), and EpiPen issues, which are defined and necessary for student safety and with School Nurses and other trained staff members qualified to administer.
Under Old Business:
Interim Superintendent Robertson indicted the louver equipment for the gym is included in the HVAC System being installed. Prior understanding did not include a fresh air provision independent of heating or cooling. This will allow the district to return or sell the louvers.
Interim Superintendent Robertson indicated the State is still behind in transportation state aid. As mentioned previously, the 20 cent levy for transportation at Western and most rural school districts covers only half of the costs for local revenue needs.
Under New Business:
The Administration discussed the need for a School Photographer but tabled action following Closed Session as discussion falls under Personnel issues.
Principal Thomas indicated JoLynn Tappe had sought permission to start a Pep Club in support of activities. It would involve no stipend or fundraising. Interim Superintendent Robertson Commented he had observed over 80 students supporting the Volleyball Team at home games and it could be a positive way to support various teams and clubs. The direction was to proceed and work in conjunction with the Athletic Boosters as some issues could potentially be shared.
The Board approved the 1st reading of the Press Plus Policy. Motion by Broecking; seconded by Weir. Roll call vote: Borrowman, yes; Broeckling, yes; Shover, yes; Raif, yes; Fee, yes; Weir, yes, and Patterson, yes. 7 yes; O no. Motion carried.
The Board approved the 1st reading of the Therapy Animal policy. Motion by Weir; seconded by Patterson. Rolf call vote: Weir, yes; Borrowman, yes; Raif, yes; Shover, yes; Patterson, yes; Fee, yes; and Broeckling, yes. 7 yes, Ono. Motion carried.
Closed Session:
The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 7:13 p.m. to discuss the following matters according to the exceptions provided in the Open Meetings Act as follows: a) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, of dismissal of specific employees of the School District; d) the setting of a price for the sale or lease of property owned by the District; f) emergency security procedures; g) student disciplinary cases; h) the placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students; ) pending, probable or imminent litigation. Motion by Weir; seconded by Shover. Rolf call vote: Patterson, yes; Weir, yes; Broeckling, yes; Fee, yes; Borrowman, yes; Shover, yes; and Raif, yes. 7 yes; 0 no. Motion carried.
The Board returned to Open Session at 8:27 p.m.
Under Action Following Closed Session:
The Board approved Memorandums of Understanding as per Contract with Para Professionals and Bus Driver Employees. Motion by Weir; seconded by Fee. Roll call vote: Broeckling, yes; Weir, yes, Shover, yes; Patterson, yes; Fee, yes; Borrowman, yes; and Raif, yes. 7 yes; 0 no. Motion carried.
The Board approved Shelly Braden as School Photographer. Motion by Raif.; seconded by Broeckling. Roll call vote; Shover, yes; Fee, yes, Raif, yes; Borrowman, yes; Weir, yes; Broeckling, yes; and Patterson, yes. 7 yes; O no. Motion carried.
Having completed all agenda items, President Weir declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Unanimous yes voice vote.
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