Community Unit School District 3 Board of Education met Nov. 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
1.CALL TO ORDER:
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District #3, Fulton County, met in regular session on November 13, 2017, in the Cuba Elementary Library, 652 East Main Street, Cuba. President Sue McCance called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
2.ROLL CALL:
Roll call was taken with the following members present: Mr. Corsaw, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Deakin, Mr. Mance, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Wallace and Mrs. Wilson.
3.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
President McCance led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4.RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC:
None
5.COMMUNICATIONS:
Under communications, Ms. Simmons shared monthly attendance reports and a thank you card from John McCance’s family for the planter and loving support received during their loss. Ms. Julie Vass mentioned there would be a bake sale November 14 as a memorial contribution to the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in memory of Mr. McCance.
Also under communications Ms. Simmons and Mr. Braun presented the 2017 School Report Card data. District-wide academic progress showed an increase of 14% from the previous year. District-wide Language Arts performance increased 12% while Math increased 15% from the previous year. Cuba Elementary PARCC scores indicate 46% of last year’s 3rd-5th grade students are ready for the next level. In Language Arts, 48% of 3rd grade met/exceeded, 51% of 4th grade met/exceeded (an increase of 34% from the previous year), and 57% of 5th grade met/exceeded (an increase of 18% from the previous year). In Math, 44% of 3rd grade met/exceeded, 31% of 4th grade met/exceeded (an 11% increase), and 49% of 5th grade met/exceeded (a 38% increase). Middle School PARCC scores indicate 18% of last year’s 6th-8th grade students are ready for the next level. In Language Arts, 24% of 6th grade met/exceeded (a 1% increase), 42% of 7th grade met/exceeded (9% increase of those who exceeded), and 19% of 8th grade met/exceeded. In Math, 3% of 6th grade met/exceeded, 17% of 7th grade met/exceeded (a 4% increase), and 3% of 8th grade met/exceeded (a 3% increase). The district’s 2017 School Report Card may be found on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website (www.isbe.net).
6.APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Mrs. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Wallace to approve the agenda as presented. All members voted “yea”. Motion carried.
7. PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS
Mr. Braun reported Junior Jesse Southerd won the VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest. His essay will now go on to compete at the District level. Senior of the Month for October was Avonlea Strait and for November was Brynn Brooks. The following Football All-Conference Award winners were named: Chris Utsinger and Logan McCallister for 1st Team Offense; Colton Leady, Caleb Harrison and Colton Thurman for 2nd Team Offense; Cody Maxwell and Ian Mayall for Special Mention Offense; Colton Thurman and Logan McCallister for 1st Team Defense; Cody Maxwell, Chris Utsinger and Ian Mayall for 2nd Team Defense; Harley Pemble and Austin Hickman for Special Mention Defense; and Evan Yaste for 2nd Team Kicker. ILMEA (Illinois Music Education Association) All-District Performers were Elizabeth Williamson (HS Chorus), Maddison Fife and Alyssa Mercer (7th/8th Grade Chorus). Spoon River College Dual Credit Scholarship Recipients were Alexis Clark, Madisyn Duckwiler, Lake Luthy and Avonlea Strait. A Red Cross blood drive was hosted by Peer Assistance on October 11. The group had 31 donors and collected 29 total units of blood. Parent/Teacher Conferences were held October 26. Total parent participation increased from last year. Teachers saw an average of 18 parents (up from 15 last year). A donation of $773.50 was received from Canton Helping Hands for the Cuba Resource Room. This room is used to house items students might possibly need. The SAT information night on November 6 was for parents and students. Participants received information and resources to help prepare them to take the state assessment in April. Mr. Braun also mentioned a new incentive in which students earn reward coupons for positive achievement. Middle School Student Council recognizes students on a Shout Out board posted in the cafeteria and hallway.
Ms. Simmons announced Brody Thum from Mrs. Russell’s class was the October Buzzy Bee winner. Elementary students participated in the Great American Spell Check, an activity where students accept donations for spelling words correctly. Students collected $1,028.50 which is used to stock the Elementary’s AR store. Top spellers were: 1st grade- Macie Foutch, 2nd grade- Kalyn Thum, 3rd grade- Kacie White, 4th grade- Abrianna Wells, and 5th grade- Kayla Lee and Samantha Thum. Red Ribbon Week was celebrated by participating in theme days the week just prior to Halloween. Students enjoyed being able to dress up in some way all week. On Halloween, students were able to parade to Clayberg Nursing Home despite the chilly weather. This event
is always well received by the residents. Local businesses also participated along the parade route. There were many guests in the building throughout the day for the parade and classroom parties. Guest readers in November were Gene and Aline Wallace. Gene read a book about Veterans Day and talked to students about the Nets for Vets fundraiser coming up. On November 10th, the Elementary School hosted the Nets for Vets fundraiser to raise funds for The Greater Peoria Honor Flight. All students PreK-5 were given the opportunity to seek donations and shoot baskets during PE. Students were also able to invite family members in active service or in veteran status to join them during their PE time. We had 41 guests from the community throughout the day consisting of grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles, dads and moms from all branches of service. Students collected donations of $3,436.00. It was a great day to honor our local veterans and raise money for Honor Flight.
8.MINUTES:
Approved under Consent Agenda.
9.FINANCIAL REPORTS:
Approved under Consent Agenda.
10. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
Under the superintendent’s report, Ms. Simmons stated that she, Mr. Braun and Mr. Craig met with Spoon River Valley’s Athletic Director and Administrative team to further discuss Jr. High Co-oping. She shared a first proposal in which the group had selected sports hosts. Discussion followed including a suggestion to form a committee of Board members from each school district to meet as they did in the past. Ms. Simmons responded by saying SRV was not in favor of having more meetings and was content with the annual meeting. There was also discussion of the proposal, hiring of coaches, and having athletes play up. Jr. High Co-oping will be effective during the 2018-19 school year.
Also under the superintendent’s report, President McCance appointed Debora Deakin as delegate for the IASB Conference. Mrs. Deakin will attend the delegate assembly to vote on IASB resolutions and elect a new president and vice-president of the Association.
Lastly, Ms. Simmons reported she had received three FOIA requests since the last Board meeting. She had submitted all information needed to close those requests.
11. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:
None
12.OLD BUSINESS:
None
13.EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION by Mrs. Davis, seconded by Mr. Corsaw to enter closed session at 8:44 P.M., to consider evaluation, resignation or employment of personnel, and pending litigation. Roll call: "Yeas”: Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, Mr. Wallace, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Wilson. Motion carried.
MOTION by Mr. Corsaw, seconded by Mrs. Davis to go out of closed session at 9:20 P.M. Roll call: "Yeas": Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, Mr. Wallace, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Wilson. Motion carried.
ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION:
14.CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION by Mr. Wallace, seconded by Mrs. Davis to approve the consent agenda as presented. Items approved were: minutes of the October 10, 2017 regular meeting and closed session minutes as presented; District Cash Balance Report, $315,081.81 (October); High School Activity Account, $88,447.36 (October) and C.D. Account, $23,423.64 (October); Cuba Elementary Activity Account, $6,652.35 (October), and Tom Wat Account, $26,324.43 (October); Payroll for October, $354,324.23; November vendor bills, $473,389.95; 8th grade trip to Springfield, Nov. 21; US History class trip to Springfield, Nov. 29; FFA trip to Virginia, IL, Dec. 7; and FFA trip to Champaign, Dec. 9. Roll call: "Yeas": Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, Mr. Wallace, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin and Mrs. McCance. Motion carried.
15.NEW BUSINESS:
15.1a Employment -
15.1a1 Bus Monitor. MOTION by Mr. Corsaw, seconded by Mrs. Wilson to employ Terry Yocum as bus monitor for the 2017-2018 school year. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mr. Corsaw, Mr. Wallace, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance and Mr. Mance. Motion carried.
15.1c Approvals/Leaves/Other -
15.1c1 Volunteer for MS Volleyball. MOTION by Mr.
Corsaw and seconded by Mr. Mance to approve Lindsay Harrold as a volunteer for the MS volleyball program for the 2017-18 school year. All members voted “yea”. Motion carried.
15.1c2 Approval of Maternity Leave. MOTION by Mr. Corsaw and seconded by Mrs. Davis to approve a District employee’s request for maternity leave. All members voted “yea”. Motion carried.
15.2 Approval of Tentative Tax Levy. MOTION by Mrs. Davis and seconded by Mrs. Deakin to approve the tentative FY19 tax levy. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, Mr. Wallace and Mrs. Davis. Motion carried.
16.ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ms. Simmons explained the Triple I packets Board members received and encouraged Board members to attend the Christmas party December 1.
17.ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Mrs. Wilson, seconded by Mrs. Deakin to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 P.M. All members voted “yea”. Motion carried.
Alerts Sign-up